As Caleb had suggested, Patricia attended Jane's birthday party. True to his promise, he arrived to pick her up in his car, the engine purring softly as they drove through the evening streets lit by flickering streetlights. Patricia fidgeted nervously in her seat, her thoughts consumed by the worry of arriving empty-handed to Jane's celebration."I'm really worried I didn't bring a gift. What if she gets mad at me?" she fretted, stealing glances at Caleb who was steadfastly focused on the road ahead."Don't worry about that. Jane won't even notice. She's busy with her friends anyway. And besides, didn't we already talk about this? Why are you stressing over it again?" Caleb reassured, sparing a quick glance in her direction.Patricia let out a resigned sigh, feeling conflicted but ultimately deciding to remain silent. She knew from experience that debating further with Caleb would only lead to a gentle but firm lecture. As they continued their journey, the warmth of the car's interior
"Good thing you made it. I didn't notice you earlier when you arrived," Caleb said, settling in beside her. He glanced momentarily at Patricia before returning his attention to the man beside him whom he called Robert.Robert nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes holding a hint of admiration that caused a faint flush to rise to Patricia's cheeks. He then turned his gaze back to Caleb. "I've actually been here since earlier," he replied.Caleb nodded, checking his wristwatch. "It's getting late. Shall we? I promised Aling Ramona and Mang Delfin we'd be back by nine PM," he said to Patricia.Patricia felt a flutter of nerves at Caleb's proximity, his calm demeanor contrasting with Robert's subtle charm. It was clear Robert was someone familiar, yet his presence stirred an unspoken tension in the air.At that moment, Patricia noticed Robert opening his mouth as if to say something more. However, whatever he intended to say was quickly cut off by Caleb."I’m sorry, Robert, but I need to tak
"You should agree since Alvin is treating us anyway," Portia whispered to her, flashing a pleading smile.Patricia let out a resigned sigh. Portia had a knack for exploiting her weaknesses, always managing to sway her whenever she wanted something. And Patricia, more often than not, gave in."Fine, I'll come along, as if I have a choice," she said with a wry smile, shaking her head and shifting her gaze between Portia and Alvin.Earlier, she had mentioned needing to work on her report due the next day, so instead of heading straight home, they opted to snack at the university canteen. It seemed more practical than wasting the opportunity. Patricia planned to finish her remaining tasks at the boarding house later.As Alvin stood in line to buy their food, Portia and Patricia secured a table. The bustling canteen buzzed around them, students chatting and trays clinking against the tables. Patricia's mind, however, was preoccupied with thoughts of Alvin and the unspoken feelings she harb
"Notice me, Pat," Alvin implored, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and longing as they walked back to their next class. The bustling corridors of the university were alive with chatter and laughter, but Alvin's voice seemed to cut through the noise, reaching Patricia with a sense of urgency."Why are you so annoying? You can see I'm reading," Patricia replied, throwing him an irritated glance that could cut through steel. She could feel her patience wearing thin, her grip tightening on the paperback novel she held. The vibrant cover of the romance novel stood out against her pale hands, a stark contrast to the mundane textbooks they carried.Alvin sighed softly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Who else can I ask for help?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. His round brown eyes, framed by long, thick eyelashes, pleaded with her, creating a stark contrast against the fluorescent lights of the hallway."There's a time for that, Alvin. We can talk about it
"Do you think women are my only source of happiness?" Alvin's voice had a teasing, almost hurt tone to it, his eyes reflecting a playful yet melancholic glimmer as he looked at Patricia.Patricia couldn't help but chuckle softly at Alvin's question, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why, aren't they?" she replied, her fingers flipping through the pages of the book she was reading, the crisp sound of paper rustling filling the brief silence.Alvin let out a heavy sigh, one that reached Patricia's ears, making her glance up at him with concern. "Are you still not over Portia leaving?" she asked gently, her voice laced with empathy.Truth be told, since Portia was her best friend, Patricia was willing to step aside if the two of them ended up liking each other. It was because it was Portia. But of course, that didn't take away the pain she felt in her heart every time they talked about her. Maybe she had just gotten used to it. That's why she didn't take it to heart as much anymore."If
Alvin didn’t answer. Instead, Patricia was genuinely surprised when, out of the blue, his lips met hers. The kiss was warm, insistent, and took her breath away. She felt a surge of emotion flood her chest, a mix of shock and excitement.“What are you doing?” she asked, unable to hide the tremor in her voice, pushing him away with a force that belied her smaller frame. Her wide eyes searched his for answers, confusion etched in her features.“Oh, please,” Alvin replied with a hint of exasperation, pulling her close again. His lips found hers once more, this time with a deeper urgency. “I’ve waited for this moment for so long, Patricia. Let me be happy. Give me the chance to have you, even if it’s just for tonight,” he murmured against her lips, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race.Those words seemed to be all she had been waiting to hear. As his lips moved over hers, coaxing a response, she felt herself melting into him, the heat of his kiss igniting s
Eventually, Patricia decided to let go of all those worries and instead focus on the fire Alvin was igniting between them. She tried to match his fervor, surrendering herself to the passion of the moment, feeling an electric thrill course through her veins. The room around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them ensnared in their growing desire.Alvin seemed to realize her inexperience because, after a while, she noticed his touch becoming tender and considerate. His movements were slow and gentle, as if giving her the chance to adjust and learn how to respond. His hands were warm and reassuring, his fingertips tracing delicate patterns along her skin, sending shivers down her spine. When he finally moved away from her lips, it was only to start kissing her neck with deliberate slowness, making her shiver with anticipation and her breath catch in her throat.Patricia gasped as Alvin's hot lips branded her skin, sending waves of heat through her body. The sensation was u
Patricia felt as if her entire world had shifted the moment Alvin began to suck on the tip of her left breast. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced before—a jolt of electricity that surged through her, awakening every nerve in her body. The pleasure was intoxicating, and she knew, deep down, that she would crave this feeling again and again."Oh, this is heaven, Alvin," she murmured, her eyes fluttering closed as a soft, breathy sigh escaped her lips. The words came out as a whisper, filled with both awe and surrender.Alvin remained silent, his focus entirely on her. He lifted his head for a brief moment, their eyes meeting in an unspoken exchange that sent a shiver down her spine. Then, without a word, he lowered his head again, resuming his exploration of her body as if searching for the very essence of her being within her left breast.From the start, Patricia could sense that Alvin was being gentle, almost as if he was giving her time to adjust to the inten
“Mmmmnnn—” was all that escaped Patricia’s lips as Alvin eagerly explored her womanhood, his skilled tongue weaving a tapestry of pleasure that unraveled her senses.The room was cloaked in shadows, a sanctuary of intimacy illuminated only by the soft, inviting glow spilling from the open door to the living room, casting a warm halo around them like a lover's embrace. It felt utterly exquisite to stand bare before him, every inch of her body exposed, vulnerable yet electrified by the palpable tension hanging in the air. With swift, deliberate movements, he had divested her of her clothing, leaving her skin feeling achingly sensitive, each breath she took stirring a rush of anticipation that flowed through her like silk.Every kiss he planted on her body felt like a caress from the sun, each one igniting her skin and setting her nerves alight. His lips, warm and inviting, traveled along the curve of her neck, down her collarbone, and lower still, mapping the terrain of her body with a f
"I want to spend the rest of my days loving and protecting you. And whatever it is you want to pursue, I promise to support you. I will never tire of supporting you, Pat. I love you deeply; that's the truth, and that’s the reason behind everything I do," Alvin murmured, his gaze tender yet intense, his eyes holding an unspoken plea that spoke straight to her heart.As Alvin's words hung in the air, Patricia felt a rush of warmth spread through her chest, melting the icy barriers she’d built around herself. For so long, she had carried the weight of mistrust, hesitant to fully open herself to anyone, fearing the pain of disappointment. But in Alvin’s steady gaze, she found an anchor, a sincerity that resonated so deeply it unraveled her defenses. The earnestness in his voice wrapped around her, reaching the wounded places within her that she’d guarded even from herself. Each promise he made breathed life into dreams she had long set aside, dreams of a love that could last a lifetime, a
"That’s so unfair,” Patricia whispered, her voice trembling, betraying the whirlwind of emotions that had built up inside her.She could feel the sharp bitterness rising, raw and unfiltered, filling her chest with a heaviness she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in so long. The dull ache that pulsed within her heart, growing with each beat, felt like a painful reminder of every hurt, every unspoken word, and every regret she had buried over the years. It was an ache that had become a constant companion, something she had accepted as a part of her life, yet now it seemed magnified, echoing in the silence between them. And in the midst of that ache, there was clarity—a bittersweet realization that despite all the heartache, she finally knew the truth.The truth had a way of breaking things open, and as it settled over her, Patricia felt as if she had been stripped bare. There was a strange relief in it, yet also an unbearable sadness, a feeling that was both liberating and devastating. Sh
“I married Robert because I thought that by accepting him, he could replace you in my heart. I thought I could forget you. But I was wrong.” Patricia's voice trembled with melancholy, each word a delicate thread unraveling the tightly woven fabric of her past.The dim light of the room cast shadows that danced across the walls, reflecting the heaviness of her confession. The air felt thick, almost suffocating, as if the walls themselves were closing in, eager to absorb the weight of her sorrow. Each syllable hung in the silence, resonating like a distant echo of lost dreams and unfulfilled promises. As she spoke, Patricia felt as though she was peeling away the layers of her soul, exposing the raw wounds that time had not yet healed.Alvin's eyes widened with surprise, the warmth of his gaze replaced by a flicker of hurt as he absorbed her words. It was as if she had shattered the fragile glass of their shared history, revealing the jagged edges that lay beneath. He wanted to reach ou
"You have no idea what I lost, Alvin,” Patricia’s voice wavered, her words slipping out between the tears she could no longer contain.Her voice was barely a whisper, yet every syllable trembled with the weight of years spent holding back the pain. She looked at him, her gaze piercing, desperate for him to understand the enormity of what she had endured. For so long, she had tried to move on, to lock away the shattered dreams and hollow hopes that had crumbled when he’d left her to face it all alone.She drew a shaky breath, feeling her heart pound, and her hands trembled as she clutched at herself, as if trying to hold together the pieces of a broken heart. As she spoke, memories flooded back, raw and unfiltered.Nights she had spent curled up alone, crying into the darkness, the empty space beside her a cruel reminder of the love that never fully blossomed. She had convinced herself she could be strong, that she could move on and find happiness, but the truth was that Alvin had left
Patricia’s mind raced, swirling with memories of laughter, of shared dreams and whispered secrets, of all the moments that had led her to this crossroads. She wanted to lean into that warmth, to surrender to the promise of happiness he offered. But the fear of what could be—the pain of loving someone so fiercely, yet knowing the risks involved—held her back. Her heart ached with the weight of indecision, torn between the safe haven of her past and the exhilarating unknown that lay ahead. In that moment, she realized that love, with all its complexities, was still worth the risk.Patricia felt the heat of his palm as he held her hand tightly, his fingers intertwining with hers in a way that felt both familiar and new. It was almost as if he were afraid she would pull away, his grip strong yet gentle, conveying a desperation he rarely let show. She could feel the unspoken words, the promises and apologies, the pleas he hadn’t voiced. And for a moment, she considered it. She thought about
She loved Alvin back then, and even now, she still does, with a love so deeply embedded in her heart that she couldn't escape it, no matter how hard she tried. She had tried to shake it off, to bury it under layers of life’s demands, marriage, and all the roles she had to play. Yet, that love remained, undisturbed and persistent, like a quiet ember in the depths of her soul. It was the kind of love that stretched through time, unbound by distance or the walls they had built around themselves. She had hoped the years would dull the intensity, but each time she thought of him, it flared up, as painful and beautiful as ever. It was as though her heart had memorized the exact shape of his smile, the gentle warmth of his voice, and the way he once looked at her like she was the only person in the world.But that love felt wrong—so incredibly wrong—because it led her down a path she knew would only break her in the end. How could a feeling so pure also bring so much torment? Every memory of
The soft rush of water from the shower dragged Patricia back to reality, but no amount of steam could erase the lingering heat of their forbidden encounter. Every drop seemed to wash over her skin, but the guilt clung tightly, refusing to be rinsed away. Her mind spun as memories of Alvin’s touch replayed vividly in her thoughts, the way his hands had moved over her body, the way his lips had tasted. It had felt so intense, so undeniable—but now, in the clarity of the aftermath, she knew it was a mistake. The passion between them was like a wildfire that they couldn’t control, but it was wrong, and it needed to stop. Especially with Kelly, Alvin’s girlfriend, always lurking at the edges of their lives like a storm cloud ready to burst.Patricia’s heart twisted at the thought of Kelly, the woman who had every right to be with Alvin, the woman who didn’t know that, behind her back, things between Patricia and Alvin had reignited like a dangerous flame. Kelly wasn’t just a casual fling; s
Once again, Alvin claimed her lips, his mouth moving against hers with a fervor that ignited a fire within her. His fingers, tireless and deft, slid in and out of her sweetness, creating a rhythm that matched the racing beat of her heart. They were engulfed in an intoxicating heat, a world of their own where nothing else mattered but the two of them and the pleasure they shared. Patricia’s body responded eagerly to every assault he made against her, arching and pressing closer, instinctively seeking more of him.Before long, Alvin paused his kisses, pulling back just enough to let her catch her breath. But she barely had time to regroup when he knelt before her, and a thrill of anticipation raced through her. She knew exactly what the young man intended to do, and the mere thought of it sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. There was no hesitation in her; she had no right to refuse his plan. Her body craved his touch, hungering for the connection that only he could provide.As he