“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
"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 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
“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
PRESENT DAYWHEN ALVIN entered the entrance of the eight-story building of Prime Marketing Incorporated, he was greeted with a smile by the guard on duty. He had inherited the company from his parents.Their business had started as a hardware store, Acosta Hardware, which he had managed to grow over five years into a distribution company for various construction products. And though he wouldn’t admit it, Alvin knew it was all because of one woman.When he felt the familiar pain slicing through his chest, Alvin quickly pushed the thought out of his mind.If there was one thing from his past that he never wanted to revisit, it was about Patricia. It always brought back that piercing pain in his chest, a feeling he didn’t like.It felt like the pain was just lodged in his chest, permanently there, only to resurface and sting like a fresh wound whenever he thought of her.He shook his head and sighed deeply as he entered the elevator. It didn’t take long before he reached the eighth floo
FIVE YEARS AGO…Patricia sorrowfully wiped away her seemingly endless tears that continued to flow uncontrollably. She stared at the sleeping Alvin for a few moments before grabbing her shoulder bag. His face, peaceful in sleep, was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her.Now, she was aware of her true feelings for the man. And even if she didn’t admit it to him, she knew within herself that the feelings she had for Alvin back when they were in college had resurfaced. And it was because of her weakness and his relentless passion towards her.She stepped out of the room, carefully closing the door behind her. Then, she hurriedly walked away from the tall building where Alvin’s condominium unit was located. The city was just beginning to stir, the soft light of dawn casting a gentle glow over the streets. It was a serene backdrop to the chaos in her heart.Why did she allow things to come to this? She had given her virginity to a man she knew didn’t have feelings for her. An
LIKE SHE SAID earlier, things change when their lips touch. She could say that because she couldn’t remember a time when Alvin kissed her in a private place like his condo or her apartment without it ending in a heated encounter.She was too soft, and she admitted she was weak. Meanwhile, Alvin was naturally passionate, something she hadn’t seen before because throughout their long friendship, he had always remained a gentleman to her.“Please, stop,” she whispered when she had the chance.But it was as if he didn’t hear her. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her quickly into her room.The moment Alvin laid her down on her bed, her senses were flooded with his presence. The room, dimly lit by the bedside lamp, seemed to close in around them, cocooning them in an intimate atmosphere. Alvin stood at the foot of the bed, his eyes locked onto hers with a burning intensity. He began to undress with rapid, almost frantic movements, as if fearing she might change her mind and run away.
FROM the start, it wasn't really a loss for him. He's a man and he's used to women chasing after him. But what he couldn't understand is why, after everything that happened between them, she's still the one on his mind every night. And he'd be lying if he didn't admit that everything that happened between them keeps replaying in his mind, and there are even times when they're together in his dreams. He's not clear about what he truly feels for his childhood friend, but he admits he's angry with her for what she did in leaving him. And if ever given the chance to face her, he can't promise he won't confront her or say hurtful things, because of all the inner turmoil and deep sadness she caused him since she left. ***** Patricia woke up in a private and beautiful room. In the early hours, she was taken there by her sister-in-law Sandra, along with her mother and her mother-in-law Olivia. She quickly touched her belly when she regained consciousness, and excitement fille
“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