The following week felt like a rollercoaster of emotions for Maya. She kept herself busy with work, trying to drown out the thoughts that seemed to keep circling back to Ash. He wasn’t just a guy she met on a dating app anymore. No, he was starting to feel like a presence in her life. And that thought both excited and terrified her at the same time.
She couldn’t deny the connection she had with him. The messages, the casual meet-ups, the way he seemed to always know how to make her laugh-Maya had to admit, it felt nice. But it was still too early. She wasn’t about to let herself fall headfirst into something again, not after everything she had been through. But even though she tried to ignore it, Maya couldn’t help but think about Ash-how easy it was to talk to him, how comfortable she felt around him. He wasn’t like Alex. He wasn’t like the others. But then again, how could she really know? Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Asher. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: How’s your week going so far? Maya stared at the screen for a moment, her heart fluttering slightly at the sight of his name. She quickly typed back, trying to sound casual, but her fingers were a little shaky. It had been a few days since they last talked. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Same as usual, work, work, work. How about you? It took only a minute before his reply came in. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: Busy but manageable. So, I was thinking, we should do something this weekend. Maybe take a break from all the work stress? Maya raised an eyebrow. He was suggesting they hang out again? She wasn’t exactly against the idea, but it was starting to feel like they were falling into a comfortable routine. And while that sounded great, a part of her wondered if it was moving too fast. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: What did you have in mind? 𝗔𝘀𝗵: I was thinking of taking you to a park near the city. It’s too far from here. Just a quiet place to walk around and relax. No pressure, just a chill day. Maya felt her lips curve into a smile. A walk in the park? It was simple, nothing fancy, but that’s exactly what she liked about it. She didn't need anything extravagant. A quiet day with him seemed perfect. And the thought of just being around him, without the weight of business or expectations hanging over them, made her feel... lighter. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Sounds nice. I’m in. What time? 𝗔𝘀𝗵: How about 3 pm. I’ll pick you up. The fact that he was offering to pick her up was a little more personal than their previous hangouts. Maya hesitated for a moment. Was she overthinking this? Probably. But there was still that little voice in her head reminding her not to get ahead of herself. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Okay, 3 pm works. See you then. After sending the message, Maya placed her phone down on the table and took a deep breath. She could already feel the nerves creeping in. Was she ready for this? It wasn’t a date, she kept telling herself. It was just a hangout, a way to get to know each other better. 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻... When the day arrived, Maya stood in front of her mirror, unsure of what to wear. She didn’t want to look too put- together but also didn’t want to look like she didn't care. In the end, she settled on a casual outfit-jeans, a comfortable blouse, and sneakers. Simple but still cute enough to look like she made an effort. Her phone buzzed again, and she checked the screen. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: I’m outside! : ) Maya grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her heart beating just a little faster. When she stepped outside, she saw Ash’s car parked right in front of her apartment building. The sight of him leaning against his car, waiting for her, made her stomach do a little flip. He flashed her a smile as soon as their eyes met. “Hey, you look great,” Ash said, his tone light and casual, but there was something in his eyes-something that made her feel like he meant it. “Thanks,” Maya replied, trying to sound nonchalant. She slid into the passenger seat, feeling the rush of warmth from the car's interior. Ash started the engine, and they began the drive. As they made their way to the park, the car filled with easy conversation. Maya felt herself relaxing in his presence. It wasn’t awkward at all. He didn’t try to force any heavy topics, but instead, they talked about everything and nothing at all. From the best coffee shops in town to their most embarrassing childhood moments, the time seemed to fly by. When they arrived, Ash parked the car, and they both got out. Maya took a deep breath of fresh air, enjoying the cool breeze. The park was beautiful, with green trees and wide open spaces. It wasn’t too crowded, which made it perfect for just strolling and talking. As they walked, Maya felt at ease, but a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that this was different. They were getting closer. And while she liked it, she still couldn’t help but wonder if she was opening herself up to something she wasn’t ready for. “Not a fan of crowds, huh?” Ash asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts. Maya glanced up at him, surprised by the question. “Yeah, I guess I’m more of a quiet, low-key person,” she admitted. “I like peace and calm, nothing too overwhelming.” He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I get that. Sometimes, it’s nice to just take a step back from everything and enjoy the quiet.” They continued walking in silence for a few minutes, but it was a comfortable kind of silence. Maya didn’t feel the need to fill every moment with words. It was peaceful. The sounds of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the wind made it feel like they were the only two people in the world. Ash glanced over at her, his eyes soft. “I'm glad you decided to come today,” he said quietly. Maya smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Me too. This is... nice. Just... being here.” For a second, it felt like the world had stopped. Like everything else faded away, and there was just the two of them in the moment. Maya’s heart fluttered in her chest, and she quickly looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. Was it too soon to be feeling this way? As if sensing her discomfort, Ash changed the subject, lightening the mood. They laughed as they talked about random things, but Maya couldn’t shake the thought that something had shifted between them. There was an undeniable connection there, and the more she tried to ignore it, the stronger it seemed to become. By the end of their walk, they both felt the day slipping away faster than they had anticipated. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over everything, and Maya knew that this wasn’t just another casual hangout. There was something more to it, something that made her heart race every time Ash looked at her. But as much as she wanted to give in to the feelings swirling inside her, Maya knew she had to be careful. The last thing she wanted was to fall for someone who might not feel the same way.Maya was still unsure about everything. The moment she logged into SoulLink, the usual sense of excitement she'd felt before was gone, replaced by a sense of hesitation. She stared at her phone screen, at the familiar message from Ash.Ash: How's your day so far?Maya bit her lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard. They'd texted a bit earlier, but today felt different. Maybe because after the last date, something had shifted. Maya wasn't sure if it was the fact that they spent a day together in person or the lingering feeling of his touch when their hands brushed. She couldn't stop thinking about it.But she wasn't ready to jump into anything yet.Maya: Okay lang. Busy at work. You?It was short, almost dismissive, but it wasn't like she was trying to push him away. She just wasn't sure what she was supposed to say to someone like him. The guy who seemed so... perfect. But was he real? Was he the same person he portrayed himself to be on SoulLink?She sighed, feeling that familiar kn
Maya wasn't sure what she was expecting when she opened her phone that morning. Maybe a message from Ash. Maybe not. But the moment she saw his name light up on the screen, a small flutter spread through her chest. She quickly tapped the notification before she could overthink it.Ash: Good morning, Maya! I hope you're doing okay today. Would love to hear about your plans this weekend if you're free.Maya couldn't help but smile at the message. It was simple. But it felt... different. His words weren't pressured, weren't rushing her into anything. It felt like he really just wanted to get to know her more. No hidden agendas, no expectations. Just a casual, genuine conversation.She sat there for a moment, holding her phone. Was she ready to respond? She glanced at the time-she had a meeting soon. But the idea of texting him back kept tugging at her. There was this unspoken connection between them, one she wasn't ready to label just yet but couldn't ignore.Maya: Good morning, Ash! I'm
The next few days passed in a blur.Maya found herself constantly thinking about Ash, wondering if he was thinking about her too. They hadn't texted much after their meet-up at the café, which, in a way, was comforting. She liked that they didn't feel the need to fill every moment with words, yet their connection was undeniable. She appreciated the calm pace they were setting.Her phone buzzed in her bag, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Ash.Ash: Hey, Maya. I hope you're doing okay. I know we haven't talked much since Saturday, but I've been thinking about you. How's your week going?Maya's heart did a little flip. She didn't know why, but his messages always had that effect on her. He made her feel like she mattered, even if they weren't talking all the time.Maya: Hey, Ash! I'm good, just busy with work, It's been a hectic week. But I'm surviving. How about you?She hit send before she could overthink it. As soon as the message was del
The next few days after the art exhibit felt different. Maya couldn't put her finger on why, but everything about her interactions with Ash seemed more meaningful. She found herself thinking about him more than she ever thought she would, but it wasn't overwhelming. It was just... natural. He wasn't pushing her for anything, wasn't rushing things. He made her feel like she was enough, just as she was.Maya was sitting at her desk one afternoon, typing away at an email, when her phone buzzed on the corner of her desk. She didn't think much of it, but when she saw the name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.Ash: Hey, Maya. I know you're probably busy, but I was wondering if you're free tonight? I found this really cozy jazz bar, and I thought you might like it. If you're not up for it, no pressure at all. Just thought it could be fun. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment, feeling the familiar wave of excitement mixed with hesitation. It wasn't like they hadn't spent t
The following week was a blur of meetings, work deadlines, and constant back-and-forth messages with Ash.Maya found herself looking forward to his texts more than she'd care to admit, but at the same time, she couldn't shake off that lingering feeling of unease. She had known him for a while now, their conversations were easy and comfortable, but there was always something in the back of her mind that kept her from fully letting go.Maya wasn't the type to rush into things, and while she enjoyed the time they spent together-like the jazz bar date or their spontaneous Facetime calls-she couldn't ignore the questions building up in her head. Who was Ash really? What was he hiding? Why had he chosen to hide behind a different name on SoulLink?Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ash.Ash: Hey, Maya. I know you've been super busy, but I was thinking... maybe we could grab dinner tonight? I found this new Italian restaurant I think you'll love.Maya
Maya stared at her phone, the text from Ava still burning in her mind. I found something. I'm not sure what it means, but you need to know. I'm sorry... The message was so vague, it only made her more anxious. She didn't know if she should respond now or wait until after the dinner. But then again, was it even something she could afford to ignore?"Everything okay?" Ash asked, his voice gentle yet laced with concern.Maya blinked and quickly tucked her phone back in her bag, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... work stuff. Nothing to worry about."Ash didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You seem a little distracted. I thought tonight was about you and me."The way he said it, so soft and sincere, made her heart skip a beat. But the urgency in her gut told her that whatever Ava had discovered couldn't wait. The words "I'm sorry" echoed in her mind, and it felt like the ground was shifting beneath her feet."I'm sorry," Maya muttered, a little too quickly. "I just... I need to check someth
The following days felt like a blur.Maya couldn't stop replaying everything in her mind-the dinner with Ash, the strange tension between them, and Ava's warning that kept echoing in her head. He's not who you think he is. What did that even mean? Maya wanted to push it all aside and focus on her work, but the questions kept circling. Was she really ready to trust Ash, knowing that there was something she didn't know about him? She wasn't sure.She tried to distract herself, but every little thing seemed to remind her of him. His name popping up in her notifications, the way his eyes would soften when they talked, the subtle way he made her laugh even when she didn't want to.But then, just when she thought she was beginning to get a grip on her emotions, she got another text from Ava. Her hands were trembling as she read the message.Ava: I found out more. You have to confront him. You can't keep ignoring it. I'm scared, Maya.Maya's heart sank. The more Ava tried to warn her, the mo
The days that followed felt like an emotional roller coaster for Maya. She couldn't shake off the conversation she had with Ash. His words kept replaying in her head, "I'll prove it to you. I just need a little time." But despite his earnestness, something inside her was still unsettled. The nagging doubts, the warnings from Ava, and the lingering feeling that there was more to Ash than what he was letting on... It all swirled inside her like a storm she couldn't control.Maya tried to distract herself with work, but it felt different now. Everything felt distant. Even her usual back-and-forth with Ava couldn't keep her mind off of him. Ash had left her with so many questions, and every time she saw a notification from him or saw his name flash across her screen, her heart would skip a beat.That Friday, as the weekend loomed closer, Maya found herself in the familiar silence of her apartment, surrounded by her scattered thoughts. She decided to go for a walk, hoping the fresh air wou
Maya felt a flutter in her chest as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She was nervous—no, more like terrified. She had been dating Ash for a couple of months now, but today was different. Today, he was going to meet someone important: her mother, Rachel.“Are you sure about this, Maya?” she muttered under her breath, adjusting her hair for what felt like the hundredth time. Her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Ash. “On my way. Should I bring flowers? Or maybe wine? :)”Maya laughed softly, feeling the nerves settle slightly. Asher always had a way of lightening the mood, even with the simplest gestures. She quickly typed back.“No need for wine yet, just bring yourself. My mom’s a sucker for genuine smiles, so you should be okay.”It was true. Her mom, Rachel, had always been warm and welcoming, but she could be a little protective when it came to Maya’s relationships. After everything Maya had gone through with her father and the
Maya sat in the cozy corner of her apartment, the soft hum of city life outside blending with the low volume of the music playing in the background. Her thoughts were swirling, but they were different now. She wasn’t running away from them anymore. Hindi na siya takot. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she was allowing herself to feel everything that she was beginning to feel for Ash. It had been a month since their spontaneous day trip, and things between them had only gotten deeper. They had shared more moments, laughed at silly things, and spent late-night conversations talking about everything and nothing at all. Maya could feel the connection between them growing stronger with each passing day. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but it was undeniable now. Ash wasn’t just the guy from SoulLink anymore. He was becoming a part of her life, someone who made her heart feel safe, heard, and seen.Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Ash.“I’ll be there
Maya sat at her favorite café, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the slight crispness in the air. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in the best way possible. Every time she saw Ash, she felt both grounded and elevated at the same time. They were taking things slow, yes, but there was no denying that something deeper was beginning to grow between them. As she stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about last night... dinner was great. I enjoy every moment I spend with you. You make everything feel light. I’m really happy that we’re doing this.”She smiled, her fingers hovering over the screen as she typed her response.“I’m happy too, Ash. I didn’t think I could feel this comfortable with someone again, but here we are. Let’s keep this going, one day at a time.”As she sent the message, a warm feeling spread in her chest. It was crazy to think how far
Maya sat at her desk, the soft hum of the office around her barely registering. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the afternoon she had spent with Ash. Their conversation, the honesty in his eyes—it was everything she had wanted to hear, but still, a part of her hesitated. Hindi siya sigurado kung kaya niyang bitawan ang mga takot na matagal nang nakatanim sa puso niya. But something had shifted inside her. Maybe it was the way he had looked at her when he said he was willing to try. Hindi niya pa kayang magtiwala nang buo, but maybe she could allow herself to take it one day at a time. She tapped the edge of her coffee cup, lost in thought, when a notification from her phone broke her reverie. It was from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about our conversation. I know we’re taking it slow, and I respect that. But I just wanted to say, I’m happy that we’re doing this. Let’s keep taking things one step at a time. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”Her heart fluttered
The days after their conversation at the café felt like a blur. A part of Maya was still processing everything that had happened, but she couldn’t deny the small flicker of hope that had sparked inside her. She had agreed to give Ash a chance—to let him prove that his feelings for her were genuine. Pero, as much as she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t just forget everything so easily. Hindi siya ganoon. Hindi siya ganoon ka-bilis magtiwala ulit.It wasn’t just about him being a CEO. It was about the lies, the secrets, and the fact that, at one point, he had hidden his true self from her. And now, she was supposed to pick up the pieces and pretend like nothing had happened? Hindi. Hindi pa siya handa para doon. Not yet.She had been avoiding him for a few days after their talk, not because she was mad, but because she needed space. Hindi niya kayang magdesisyon agad-agad. Every time she thought of him, she felt the weight of his promises, but also the weight of the past. The trauma
Maya sat down, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at Ash. He had that look in his eyes—conflicted, vulnerable—but also resigned. There was no way around this now. She had to know the truth, even if it broke her heart in the process. The café was quiet, the hum of the city outside the only sound between them. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Maya waited, her fingers tightening around the cup in front of her, feeling the coldness seeping through the ceramic.Ash exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze. “Maya, I know I’ve hurt you. And I know I’ve lied to you. But I never meant for any of this to happen.” He paused, like the weight of his own words was almost too much to bear. “I’m not just the guy you’ve been talking to on SoulLink. I—”“I know,” Maya interrupted, her voice surprisingly calm. Her eyes didn’t waver from his face. “I found out. That you’re Asher Reed. CEO of NovaSpire.”The silence that followed felt heavy, as if the air its
Maya's POVMaya sat quietly in the corner of the cafe, fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. Her mind was a whirlwind, swirling with thoughts she couldn’t quiet. The words Ash had said earlier that night—“Maya, I need you to trust me.”—kept echoing in her head, but they felt like a distant plea, one that she wasn’t sure how to respond to anymore.Naalala ko pa nung una, when we first matched on SoulLink. Back then, everything felt so effortless, so simple. Ang saya ko pa nga nung may nakakausap akong someone who seemed to understand me, without the baggage of being the "CEO" or "rich kid" na laging hawak ng mga tao kay Asher. But now, everything was different. Now, there were secrets, expectations, betrayals... and a future neither of them could ever fully control."Hey, are you okay?" Ava’s voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. Maya looked up to find her best friend standing in front of her, concern etched on her face. Ava, ever the empath, must have sense
AVAS POVIsang linggo na ang lumipas mula nang magkausap kami ni Julian, pero kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag-isip. Ang mga tanong na hindi ko pa nasasagot, mga bagay na hindi ko pa lubos na naiintindihan. Ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa amin ni Liam? Bakit ba ako napagod ng ganito? And why does it still feel like I'm holding on to something that's already broken?That day, I had a meeting with a client. Medyo maaga pa, so I had the whole afternoon to myself. I decided to go for a walk to clear my mind. When I reached the park, I took a seat on the bench, looking at the people around me. Some were walking their dogs, others jogging, while some were just simply enjoying the warm sunlight. It felt peaceful, yet somehow, my mind was still full of noise. Lahat ng nangyari, lahat ng iniwasan ko, parang andiyan pa rin, nag-aantay na masaktan ako ulit.It didn't take long before my phone vibrated in my bag. I knew it was from Julian."Hey, I hope you're doing okay. I'm just
AVAS POVHindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko. Parang may mabigat na bagay na bumagsak sa dibdib ko, but I couldn't cry. Hindi ko kayang umiyak sa harap ni Liam. Kung kaya ko lang magpanggap na okay lang ako, I would. Pero hindi ko na kayang magsinungaling.The whole walk back to my apartment felt like I was carrying the weight of the world. Ang laking pagbabago ng nararamdaman ko. Gabi na, at parang ang lamig sa labas, but it felt like the coldness inside me was worse. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari kay Liam. Was he really sincere? Or baka ako lang yung tanga na nahulog na naman sa manipulation niya. Pero kung may natutunan man ako mula sa lahat ng ito, it's that I can't keep lying to myself. I had to be strong. I couldn't keep falling for someone who would only bring me pain in the end.Pagdating ko sa apartment, I threw my bag on the couch and collapsed on the bed, trying to shake off the feeling that something was missing. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. But one