The following days were filled with excitement in Marius's company. This was despite the fact that he was still courting me, and I hadn't given him an answer yet. It wasn't the first and last time I visited Marius's condo unit. There were more visits. He enjoyed having me cook for him, and eventually, I found myself looking forward to it as well. Since his workplace was close to his home, it wasn't difficult for Marius to do that. "Tomorrow, come to the house because Andrew and Lana will be back." On a Friday night, just like before, Marius picked me up. This time, we agreed to have dinner at my office because of the workload I needed to finish. "Really? Can you believe that? I've been courting you for a month now," he chuckled afterward. I smiled and continued eating. "Are you getting impatient?" I asked him, looking directly into his eyes. Caught off guard by my question, Marius quickly lifted his head and met my gaze. "No way!" he denied rapidly. I smiled broadly. "I thought
The next morning, before lunchtime, I was already at Marius' office. Getting there wasn't a struggle at all, as the security guards recognized me from the moment I entered the building. I simply told them my name, following the instructions Marius had given me. "May I accompany you to Sir's office, ma'am?" the kind lady guard there offered. I nodded in agreement. I was led to the highest and sixth floors of the building, where Marius' office was located. In the lobby, I encountered a young man who appeared to be around twenty-one to twenty-two years old. At that moment, I thought it was fortunate to have a male assistant for Marius. Just in case, well. Back then, I couldn't help but smile as I remembered him referring to me as a jealous woman the first time he brought me to his unit. "Hello, good morning," I greeted, trying to capture the young man's attention, who seemed engrossed in front of his computer. "Ah, good morning. Are you Miss Samantha Scott?" he asked, rising from his
Only two weeks had passed, and the swift construction of Scott's Café's new branch in Baguio had already begun. Since Andrew entrusted me with the management, I was the first to go there. "Are you sure you don't need someone to accompany you?" Manang Sela asked me that morning as I prepared to leave. As expected, when Andrew and Lana returned from their honeymoon, their lives returned to normal, much like mine did. The house that Lana used to own, which my brother bought from our aunt, was now the residence of the couple along with Andrea. Meanwhile, Mama Cecille stayed at the townhouse in Mercedes Estate. "I'll be fine, Manang. I'm used to cooking anyway. Besides, I'm independent, so you don't have to worry about me," I replied as I closed my suitcase containing all the personal belongings I would need. "You should have Sonia get groceries for you," she added. Manang Sela was referring to the caretaker I had hired to clean the house once in a while. "What about Marius? When is h
I received a call from Marius a little past seven in the evening. It was earlier than I expected. He knew my home address because I had given it to him earlier. That's why he checked in at a hotel closer to my place. Well, that works better too. It's not far from the project site either, just as I mentioned to him before. The lot for the future branch of Scott's Café is right next to my rest house’s lot. "I missed you, you know?" That's what Marius greeted me with when we finally met. I just smiled, even though deep inside, I wanted to tell him that I felt the same. But since we're still not officially a couple, I held back. "Shall we eat? I know a great food place." That's how I responded to him instead. As Marius's smile widened, his eyes sparkled. "Really? Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go!" he said, stepping towards the car, but I stopped him. "It's nearby. We don't need to take the car," I told him. Marius nodded with a smile before reaching out to hold my hand,
I woke up the next day, finding Marius absent from my side. But instead of feeling uneasy, I was more preoccupied with the ache between my thighs as I attempted to move. Afterward, a sweet and meaningful smile formed on my lips. Rather than getting up, I chose to remain lying down for a moment. I reached for the pillow Marius had used and hugged it tightly. I inhaled deeply, savoring his lingering scent. I was in that state when I heard the door creak open. Even though I knew exactly who it was, my heart still raced due to the sudden rush of nervousness. "Good morning, beautiful," Marius greeted me cheerfully as he entered with a tray of food. "Good morning," I quickly replied. I maintained my smile as I pulled the blanket up to cover the upper part of my body. "Breakfast in bed?" he asked, noticing I was okay now, and he placed the tray in front of me. A cup of coffee, toasted bread, fried eggs, bacon, ham, and a few slices of cut fruit were laid out. I knew that such a breakfast
But it turns out that our encounter during shower sex wasn't the end of everything between Marius and me. What I mean is that he wasn't done with his exploration and desires for me and my entire body. Because it had a continuation. This time, it was in my rest house. "God, aren't you tired?" I asked him when he finally pushed the main door closed and immediately pressed his lips firmly against mine. He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he held my face tightly and kissed me passionately on the lips. The delicious tingles in my body seemed endless, despite my question and the lingering ache in my lower body. What dominated my thoughts was the longing to feel him inside me. At that moment, I closed my eyes as the electrifying and pleasurable sensation coursed through my being. "Sam, I desire you so much," Marius whispered. Our faces were only inches apart. That's why I could freely inhale his enticing breath. The attraction I felt for Marius was too strong. And I knew he felt the
"Mmm..." was the only sound that escaped my lips as I closed my eyes tightly. What Marius was doing to me felt incredibly pleasurable. It was intoxicating and maddening, and it made me lose all sense of self-control. I didn't want him to stop; I didn't want him to pause. I bit my lower lip for a moment before releasing it. My eyes were still closed and shut tightly, a testament to the unparalleled joy Marius was bringing me. I didn't know what it was about my intimacy that Marius found so captivating, but I didn't want to question it. If I were to judge by the way he worshipped me, it was as if I were a rare delicacy that he hadn't tasted in a long time. "Yes! Oh!" I exclaimed once more. In a moment, my muscles began to tense, a result of the intense and indescribable pleasure coursing through me. It wasn't long before my room was filled with my loud moans and heavy breaths. I knew that was what Marius wanted to happen. He was determined to make me feel this way. In all honesty, I
"What did you say?" I chuckled at the image that crossed my mind of my brother Andrew's possible reaction to that question. He was on the other end of the line, and I had just told him that Marius was my boyfriend. I understood why it might be hard for him to believe, considering my history as a bit of a man-hater. "Why? Don't you like him for me?" I asked with a wide smile on my face, echoing what Marius had said last night. He had traveled out of Manila at seven in the morning, and it was already past eleven. Truth be told, I was missing him. "It's not like that. But didn't you just meet Marius recently?" Andrew replied from the other end of the line. "Look who's talking!" I couldn't help but retort. "Hey," my brother said. I knew he understood what I meant, and I could sense the smile in his voice. "We're in different situations, Sam. Plus, you're a girl, and I'm a guy," he emphasized. I just shrugged and placed the book I was reading on the center table. I was on the veranda,
Lena's heart pounded loudly, but she tried her best to ignore it and stay calm. "Hey," said the man beside her, now seated in front of the steering wheel. He took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. "Everything will be okay," he reassured her with a smile. A simple smile broke across Lena's lips. She then squeezed Calum's hand, which hadn't let go of hers. "Maybe I should just become your neighbor," Calum said with a soft laugh as he started his newly bought SUV. Lena turned to him, surprised by his statement. "Are you serious?" she asked. Calum glanced at her briefly before responding with a smile, "Do I look like I'm joking?" and winked at her. Lena's heart warmed at his gesture. She was happy Calum had come into her life, even though there was no official title to whatever it was between them. "Do you think they'll forgive me?" Lena asked. "I know Sam. We've been friends for a long time, so I know everything will be okay," Calum replied. Lena s
I bit my lower lip as Marius's tongue traced delicate patterns of desire along the contours of my most intimate place. The sensation was electrifying, sending shivers down my spine and awakening every nerve ending in my body. My hands, bound as per my earlier request, left me completely at his mercy, unable to do anything but surrender to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through me."This is so good, mmmnnn—Sam," Marius murmured between tantalizing kisses and gentle suckling, each touch adding to the mounting waves of ecstasy crashing over me.I gasped, feeling his skilled tongue work its magic on the tender flesh between my thighs. His movements were deliberate, teasingly slow yet purposeful, driving me to the brink of blissful release. My body quivered uncontrollably, reacting to his every caress.I struggled to maintain composure, attempting to rein in the overwhelming sensations coursing through me. Yet, deep down, I knew Marius wanted to hear me moan, to see me lose control und
I didn’t know if it was because of the wine I had drunk, but at that moment, not only was my body ablaze with heat, but my courage as well. Unable to resist any longer, I took Marius’s hand and placed it between my thighs, right on my most intimate part.In response, Marius released a series of heavy breaths, and his kisses suddenly became rougher. His lips, once gentle and exploratory, now moved with urgency, claiming mine with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine.I expected something like this, knowing what he was capable of. But despite knowing what Marius would likely do, he still managed to surprise me with his sudden changes in style, or the way he would catch me off guard. Every kiss, every touch felt new and exciting, setting my skin on fire.“You’re hot tonight, Sam,” he murmured as he began to shower my face with small kisses, moving down to my neck, each kiss like a brand on my heated skin.“Oh, Marius, I’m always hot when we’re in this situation, aren’t I?” I replied,
It was the first time since Marius and I had separated that we found ourselves sharing a passionate drink together. No wonder he wanted us to be in his room—he had already prepared two glasses and a special wine on a small candlelit table. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting dancing shadows on the walls, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The fragrance of roses and vanilla filled the air, adding to the romantic setting.Since leaving that house over a year ago, it was my first time stepping back into Marius's room. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the new, comforting aroma of the candles, making my heart flutter. That explained why I felt a bit uneasy."I wanted to have a sweet dance with you, that's why I brought you here," Marius said as he turned on the small stereo in his room. Moments later, a beautiful, melodious love song filled the air, the gentle notes wrapping around us like a warm embrace."Come here," he said, extending his hand t
I’m happy with everything that's happening in my life with Marius. Honestly, I couldn't ask for more because everything is going according to my wishes, my prayers, and my dreams. It felt like living in a perfect fairy tale where everything was just right.“That’s good to hear. Anyway, I’ve always dreamed of seeing you happy. You know that, right? I hope you’ll always be happy because I love you,” said Calum, his voice warm and sincere over the phone.A sweet smile automatically spread across my lips. I was on the veranda of my room, the cool evening breeze gently caressing my skin. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. Manang Sela was busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner, while MJ was wide awake in his crib, giggling and reaching for the colorful toys hanging above him.I looked out over the garden, where the vibrant colors of the flowers seemed to glow in the fading light. The sound of birds settling in for th
"Wow," was all Calum could say, his eyes wide with surprise and his voice barely above a whisper, the word hanging in the air between them.Lena nodded and gave a sweet, but wistful, smile. Deep inside, she felt the familiar ache of missing Marius gnawing at her heart. She knew it for sure now. In the past, her mind had been preoccupied with the singular intimate moment they had shared, a moment that had burned itself into her memory. But now, she realized that it was their deep and beautiful friendship she truly longed for, the connection that had been the bedrock of her happiness. That was the root of her frequent bouts of sadness. Perhaps it was too late for her to come to this realization. Honestly, she wouldn't have reached this epiphany if it weren't for what Calum did. If it weren't for this conversation."But he's gone," Lena confessed sadly, her voice tinged with melancholy as she turned to look at Calum. Her eyes, usually so vibrant, now seemed dull and distant, reflecting th
Calum let out an amused laugh before gently pinching Lena's cheek. “Of course, it's about you,” he said, sitting down beside her and putting his arm around her.With Calum's arm around her, Lena suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. She didn't know why she felt so tired, but if there was one thing she was sure of, it was the sudden happiness she felt right now."You know, all we need is a good and honest conversation to understand each other," Calum continued, his voice soft yet firm, like a comforting lullaby that reached into the deepest parts of her heart.Lena couldn't quite understand what Calum was getting at, but suddenly she saw her best friend in him—no one else but Marius. The thought brought fresh tears to her eyes, her vision blurring as memories of Marius flooded her mind."Hey! What's wrong now?" Calum asked, chuckling softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.Lena couldn't understand why she wasn't annoyed, even though Calum was laughing in such a situation. Maybe if it wer
"Talk to me, Lena," he insisted, his tone pleading, eyes searching hers for any hint of relent.Lena sighed deeply, feeling the weight of his gaze, and turned to face him. Just as she expected, he had followed her all the way to her apartment. The hallway was quiet, the muted hum of city life barely seeping through the thick walls. Not wanting any neighbors to witness their confrontation, she decided to let him in, her fingers trembling slightly as she unlocked the door."What do you want to talk about, Celso?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of weariness."About us. About the two of us, Lena. It doesn't seem right to just leave things as they are. I miss you so much, and I really want to experience all the things we used to do again," he said, his words filled with a desperate longing.Lena watched as Celso took a step closer, his eyes dark and intense. She was standing by the kitchen table, her hands gripping the back of a chair for support, while he was just a couple of steps
Lena’s brows furrowed quickly when she recognized the man standing at a distance, looking at her. She was on her way home from her shift. The sun had just risen. Because her company was based in another country, the time zone was different from the Philippines. “How have you been, Lena?” When Celso got closer to her, that was his immediate greeting, accompanied by a sweet smile. Lena stared intently at his face. “I’m fine. How about you? How are you? Why are you here? How did you know I work here?” she asked in rapid succession. “Your aunt told me,” he answered briefly. Lena’s brows knitted together again, and she felt a surge of deep concern in her heart. “Did something happen to my Aunt Lourdes?” she asked, unable to hide the mix of nerves and fear in her voice. Celso grinned. “No, nothing happened to her. But from what you just said, it looks like I now have an idea of how to lure you out of your hiding place,” he said to her. “What are you talking about?” Lena asked irritab