"Do you not have anything better to do in life than always teasing me like this?" I managed to retort, my tone unchanged. And since Marius wasn't looking directly at me, despite my annoyance with him, I had a chance to sneak a glance at him, however brief. Well, at least I could hide that or deny it more easily with my raised eyebrows."To be honest, Sam, I'm a very busy person," he replied with a short statement."If that's the case, why does it seem like you have so much time?" I asked him again, deliberately ignoring the possible implications of his last words."You know very well why I'm acting like this, Sam," he said, briefly glancing at me while raising his thick eyebrows.Honestly, only a blind person wouldn't be impressed by his charisma and handsome looks. I admit that even though my eyes are used to handsome men, growing up in London. In fact, I've had plenty of men show interest in me before who were even more attractive than Marius. But this one, I have no idea what he di
The hours flew by quickly. I didn't even realize it was already lunchtime if Alicia, my newly hired secretary, hadn't reminded me. "Would you like me to order for you so you don't have to go out?" she kindly asked me."Yes, please," I replied, giving her a grateful smile. With that, she left me alone. After a few moments, I found myself once again consumed by my work. Alicia hadn't brought the food I ordered yet, so I decided to use the time to finish up some other tasks.I was in the middle of my work when I heard the sound of a message alert on my cellphone. I casually picked it up and looked at the screen, unable to suppress a smile. It was Marius."Have you eaten yet? Don't work too hard. You might get sick," the text message from Marius said.To be honest, I didn't know if I needed closure for the annoyance, I felt towards him this morning. Because at that moment, I felt more of the excitement brought by his concern for me, even if it was just a simple text message. And that's wh
"Are you seriously going to wait for me here?" It has been half an hour since Marius arrived when I asked him that question. I was still working while he remained seated on the chair in front of my working table, engrossed in flipping through a magazine."You can move to the couch if you want to be more comfortable," I said again as he glanced at me and smiled."I'm really serious about everything I do for you," he replied to my initial question. "And to be honest, I don't know whether I should be happy or offended by your second remark," he continued.My eyebrows immediately furrowed upon hearing Marius's last statement. "Why would you be offended when you're the only one I'm concerned about?" I asked, unable to suppress a soft chuckle.Marius shrugged his shoulders before answering, "I just remembered that you might be tired of looking at my face, that's why you're suggesting I move to the couch." He still had a smile on his face.Hearing his words, I couldn't help but burst into la
I can say that there is a big difference in that dinner compared to what Marius and I did last night. Maybe it's because we are officially friends now. "Are you okay?" Marius asked me when he noticed I had finished eating. I nodded and took a sip of water from my glass. "Yeah, I'm so full," I said truthfully, followed by a soft laugh. I saw Marius's dark eyes sparkle as he continued to gaze at me. In them, I could sense the admiration that he had never really hidden from me since the beginning. "Do you want to go home now?" he asked as we walked towards his parked car. I shrugged quickly before speaking. "It's fine with me if you want to take a walk in the park first," I said. The park wasn't far from where we were, and we could see a few people walking there. Most of them were couples. Marius stopped walking and faced me. "Are you sure?" he asked, his face brightening with a happy expression, his thick and beautiful eyebrows raised. "Yeah. It's just a stress reliever," I repli
"I don't know if it's just because I've been busy, but the days have been passing by so quickly that I barely notice."Are you sure, Mama Cecille?" I asked as we were having breakfast in the dining room. I had told her that Marius invited me to go out for the day, and since I expected it to be a long day, I wanted to give her a heads-up in case I ended up coming home late."I'll take care of Andrea, Sam," she said, smiling at me. I knew she would. After all, during the long period when my brother wasn't around and Lana and Andrea were left in the care of Marius and Mama Cecille, it was Mama Cecille who took care of them. So, when it comes to taking care of my niece, Andrea, I'm sure she's in good hands.The truth is, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed in front of Mama Cecille. If only I could control myself, I wouldn't go out with Marius. But I can't deny the truth either—that I always want to be with him."Thank you, Mama Cecille," I said.She just nodded. "Will he pick you up here
After attending the church service, Marius invited me to the mall. We decided to have coffee at a nearby coffee shop, where our conversation took a delightful turn."Why didn't we have coffee at your coffee shop?" he asked me.At that moment, I was enjoying the bibingka I had ordered, along with the black coffee in my cup. I shrugged my shoulders and took a sip of coffee before answering Marius's question."I just didn't want our employees to think we were on a store visit," I replied. "And besides, I wanted to taste their coffee and bibingka here, to get an idea of how we can compete with them," I added, intentionally lowering my voice so that no one else could hear.Marius laughed at my statement, and I must say, he became even more attractive in my eyes. Although it wasn't the first time I had heard his laughter, it always sounded like music to my ears."You really are a businesswoman," he replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement before he picked up his cup of coffee to take a si
"In the countless times I asked Marius to let me help him in the kitchen, he refused just as many times. I couldn't fathom why he was doing that. But I must admit, every rejection only added to the points he earned to win my heart."What do you think?" he asked as we sat facing each other, having lunch together.I first tasted the Chicken Tinola he cooked. Earlier, while we were grocery shopping, he asked me about my favorite Filipino dish. I told him the truth, and that was it. I couldn't help but be impressed when I tasted it. Then, I looked at him with a smile that I just couldn't wipe off my lips."In fairness, it's delicious," I replied, and it was the absolute truth.I saw Marius's eyes twinkle after I said that. I knew he was pleased, and I had no regrets about it. The truth was, I couldn't move on, and I couldn't believe his way of courting me. It was something I hadn't experienced with my previous boyfriends.Well, maybe that's just how it is. Perhaps Filipinos have a differe
I was awakened that night by the delightful aroma of the food Marius was cooking in the kitchen. A smile formed on my face as I realized the real pillow cradling my head. My sleep was truly blissful. I got up and glanced at my wristwatch. It was past six in the evening. I was taken aback at first. Four hours of sleep? I got up and headed towards the kitchen where the handsome man was busy preparing our meal. I noticed that Marius had already taken a shower. He was now wearing a simple white shirt that clung slightly to his well-built physique. For the bottom, he had on sweatpants. "Oh, you're already awake," he said, probably sensing my presence. He placed two plates on the table and then pulled out a chair, signaling me to sit. "Before I take you home, I want you to eat first. Okay?" he said, not wasting any time. Marius promptly attended to me, starting by putting rice on my plate. As I observed him, I remained silent and watched him work. "I reheated the remaining Chicken Tino
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