It was that night. The first time they came to the Lopez manor in the Philippines, with Serenity drunk out of her mind after being thrown halfway across the globe to hide from their pursuers. “Hey! You’re leaving me here, seriously?” Serenity whined as she tugged on Vince’s jacket. “Serene, let go. I can’t stay here.” Instead of letting his jacket go, she pulled him in closer and forced him to sit with her on the couch. As usual, the two of them are left by themselves inside Serenity’s room. The only person that’s ever been allowed to be that close to the heiress of the Lopez clown is him, Vincentius Salvador. Sighing deeply, Vince tried to gently get her hands off his chest. Except a drunk-out-of-her-mind Serenity would never give up. Is she really drunk, though? Or is it a mere excuse to get someone to stay with her on a cold, cold night? Vince doesn’t know, but how could he leave such a vulnerable Serenity, her emotions laid bare, all alone? That would make him an unreliable ch
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll make you mine instead.”Serenity chuckled at what Vince said. “You can’t do that.”“What makes you say so?”“Someone like you would rather get shot in the head than disobey the people you owe. That’s just how you are.”Vince couldn’t say anything back because he knew she was right. They’ve both reiterated many times over that Serenity has already memorized it. But the former never took her words seriously with a mindset that there was no point in brooding over them.Serenity’s lips formed a pout as she quietly followed him into the deepest parts of the forest. The two ventured deeper into the heart of the island, and the scenery surrounding them slowly changed. The towering trees she always noticed when she stood on the balcony were now surrounding them, with them forming a natural canopy that filtered the scorching sunlight. Serenity, as always, was fascinated by them as she looked around to see the patterns they created.She’s always adored the sea, falling in
Even after hearing Vince’s response, Serenity didn’t know what to say or do. Sincerity was evident on his face, but the latter was filled with fear and distrust. A part of her wished she had not asked, but she knew her entirety wanted to at least hear Vince out.But the real question is…What are we, really? It’s the biggest question both Serenity and Vince have had. Yet it was also the scariest.Answering it means two things— it’d either spell out the end of whatever they have or they’d have to take another big risk. If they were asked to choose, then they’d rather not…for now.After a good talk, the two sat in s
“Did you really have no woman? Like, maybe someone you've had some sort of relationship with?”“Other than you?”Serenity sighed, nodding. “Other than me.”“No, why?”Serenity felt something she didn’t want to feel from within her, then looked away. “Nothing.”She couldn’t understand why Vince’s camera would have a picture of someone she doesn’t know, but even if she wants to ignore it, there’s no way she can. She’s never seen that person, and Vince swears to have never been with a woman besides her, ever.If that’s the case, then who was that? Serenity didn’t want it to bother her, but no matter where she looked at it, it was just too strange for her.“You cooked?” Vince asked as he came down, a small towel still on his wet hair.“Yeah. Sit down,” she replied in a monotone as she served the food.“That looks good, babe.”“Babe?” Serenity spat sarcastically, almost too much that it surprised Vince. “Ah, sorry.”“My bad…” he trailed off as he helped her with the food.The two sat toget
“You don’t have to look at other women anymore, Vince. I’ll give you everything. Just…don’t…”Serenity, likely drunk out of her mind, was set on touching herself to get Vince to pay attention to her…and only her. Her hands were slowly trailing across her chest, going down…until Vince held her wrists to stop her.Even as she pressed her body down on his as his body reacted to her warmth, Vince shook his head at her. With that, the tears she was holding back streamed down her face continuously as her hands dropped to her sides. Disappointment was written all over her face, her mouth opening to ask why…yet no words were coming out.His heart ached uncontrollably at the sight of his Serene crying. Something within him was boiling— the rage he directed at himself. The thought of his Serene, his Aia, objectifying herself to make him stay…was enough to destroy him deep within his core.“Why—” He stopped when his voice cracked as he failed to control his emotions. “Wha- I don’t get it, Serene
Lost.If there’s one thing that could describe the predicament Vince is in right now, it’s probably the word lost. Despite looking tough and impassive on the outside, he has lots of things to worry about. The things he didn’t want to think of while he sought solace in Serenity’s embrace. Something that’s become implausible. The weight of it all, the responsibilities, his pledge of loyalty, and his own personal whims had dragged him down the depths of his own hell.He sighed as he buried his face on Serenity’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her beating heart, a melody he could listen to for the rest of his life. It was as if he was being lulled to sleep by said melody, yet he still couldn’t bring himself to do so.
“Damn, Seri! You’re on fire tonight!”“Goddamn right I am!”Serenity Lopez, daughter of notorious business tycoon Sephiro Lopez and the one and only heiress of the Lopez wealth. A woman who has made a name for herself, refusing to only be referred to as a wealthy man’s daughter, is well-known for being a master of handling her very own chain of business alongside her father and not behind him.However…The princess of the Lopez clan that’s also known to be prim and proper, has a pure heart, and is innocent…turned out to be an animal at the dancefloor. She held a glass of alcohol and sang along with the people in the same space that she's in.“Body shots! Body shots!” the crowd chanted as they ushered a good-looking bachelor Serenity’s well-acquainted with towards her.Serenity, being the daring woman that she is, flashed a sultry smile. “Hell, I’m not refusing.”The crowd instantly went wild as she approached him, holding a glass and a slice of lemon in her hands. The man, Hiro Vergar
Serenity’s laugh echoed across the van, something that made the tension even more palpable than it already is. “Fuck, how are you awake?!” The boss tapped on the chair to get their attention. “Hush! Let her be. She has nowhere else to go anyway.” “You should tell yourself that.” Their gazes shifted to Serenity as she relaxed in her seat, unbothered by the creepy atmosphere that had engulfed the van. Despite being in such a dangerous situation, she had the guts to be as laid back as she is at the moment. She was calm even as she was carried out of the van, almost getting dragged towards the mansion. he could grab her. “Damn, you’re fast…” It was a voice that was annoyingly familiar to him. And just before he could put his guard up again, he’d already lost the treasure he had dug for himself. Now, he’s fallen into the pit that the treasure was supposed to be in, almost enough to bury him alive. They were all spiteful towards each other, yet none of them desired to celebrate thei
Lost.If there’s one thing that could describe the predicament Vince is in right now, it’s probably the word lost. Despite looking tough and impassive on the outside, he has lots of things to worry about. The things he didn’t want to think of while he sought solace in Serenity’s embrace. Something that’s become implausible. The weight of it all, the responsibilities, his pledge of loyalty, and his own personal whims had dragged him down the depths of his own hell.He sighed as he buried his face on Serenity’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her beating heart, a melody he could listen to for the rest of his life. It was as if he was being lulled to sleep by said melody, yet he still couldn’t bring himself to do so.
“You don’t have to look at other women anymore, Vince. I’ll give you everything. Just…don’t…”Serenity, likely drunk out of her mind, was set on touching herself to get Vince to pay attention to her…and only her. Her hands were slowly trailing across her chest, going down…until Vince held her wrists to stop her.Even as she pressed her body down on his as his body reacted to her warmth, Vince shook his head at her. With that, the tears she was holding back streamed down her face continuously as her hands dropped to her sides. Disappointment was written all over her face, her mouth opening to ask why…yet no words were coming out.His heart ached uncontrollably at the sight of his Serene crying. Something within him was boiling— the rage he directed at himself. The thought of his Serene, his Aia, objectifying herself to make him stay…was enough to destroy him deep within his core.“Why—” He stopped when his voice cracked as he failed to control his emotions. “Wha- I don’t get it, Serene
“Did you really have no woman? Like, maybe someone you've had some sort of relationship with?”“Other than you?”Serenity sighed, nodding. “Other than me.”“No, why?”Serenity felt something she didn’t want to feel from within her, then looked away. “Nothing.”She couldn’t understand why Vince’s camera would have a picture of someone she doesn’t know, but even if she wants to ignore it, there’s no way she can. She’s never seen that person, and Vince swears to have never been with a woman besides her, ever.If that’s the case, then who was that? Serenity didn’t want it to bother her, but no matter where she looked at it, it was just too strange for her.“You cooked?” Vince asked as he came down, a small towel still on his wet hair.“Yeah. Sit down,” she replied in a monotone as she served the food.“That looks good, babe.”“Babe?” Serenity spat sarcastically, almost too much that it surprised Vince. “Ah, sorry.”“My bad…” he trailed off as he helped her with the food.The two sat toget
Even after hearing Vince’s response, Serenity didn’t know what to say or do. Sincerity was evident on his face, but the latter was filled with fear and distrust. A part of her wished she had not asked, but she knew her entirety wanted to at least hear Vince out.But the real question is…What are we, really? It’s the biggest question both Serenity and Vince have had. Yet it was also the scariest.Answering it means two things— it’d either spell out the end of whatever they have or they’d have to take another big risk. If they were asked to choose, then they’d rather not…for now.After a good talk, the two sat in s
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll make you mine instead.”Serenity chuckled at what Vince said. “You can’t do that.”“What makes you say so?”“Someone like you would rather get shot in the head than disobey the people you owe. That’s just how you are.”Vince couldn’t say anything back because he knew she was right. They’ve both reiterated many times over that Serenity has already memorized it. But the former never took her words seriously with a mindset that there was no point in brooding over them.Serenity’s lips formed a pout as she quietly followed him into the deepest parts of the forest. The two ventured deeper into the heart of the island, and the scenery surrounding them slowly changed. The towering trees she always noticed when she stood on the balcony were now surrounding them, with them forming a natural canopy that filtered the scorching sunlight. Serenity, as always, was fascinated by them as she looked around to see the patterns they created.She’s always adored the sea, falling in
It was that night. The first time they came to the Lopez manor in the Philippines, with Serenity drunk out of her mind after being thrown halfway across the globe to hide from their pursuers. “Hey! You’re leaving me here, seriously?” Serenity whined as she tugged on Vince’s jacket. “Serene, let go. I can’t stay here.” Instead of letting his jacket go, she pulled him in closer and forced him to sit with her on the couch. As usual, the two of them are left by themselves inside Serenity’s room. The only person that’s ever been allowed to be that close to the heiress of the Lopez clown is him, Vincentius Salvador. Sighing deeply, Vince tried to gently get her hands off his chest. Except a drunk-out-of-her-mind Serenity would never give up. Is she really drunk, though? Or is it a mere excuse to get someone to stay with her on a cold, cold night? Vince doesn’t know, but how could he leave such a vulnerable Serenity, her emotions laid bare, all alone? That would make him an unreliable ch
“You didn’t answer me last night.”Serenity’s words hung afloat in the air, harboring an undercurrent of tension as the two strolled across the sands by the shore. However, the starstruck Vince fails to answer her.She was the exact vision of the beauty of a goddess as she graced the seashore in her white maxi summer dress that cascaded across her silky smooth tan skin, flowing like the waves that graced the serene seas.“Vince!” she snapped him out of his reverie.“I heard you.”“What if we ran away?”Vince could remember how his heart clenched at what she said. He had always contemplated it, secretly. So many times, more than he could even count. But the weight of his responsibility and the pledge he took weighed him down.It was a question Vince didn’t even want to think about. That’s why he pretended not to hear what Serenity said. No matter how tempting it sounded, he could not turn back on his promise to Serenity’s father.He wants to. Regardless of how much he tries to deny it,
Vince noticed how cold she was after doing it once, and decided to take her back to her bedroom. Both of them felt cold from the night breeze, yet their skins burned as they came into contact.Serenity’s fingers gently ran across Vince’s now-shoulder-length hair, smiling as he hovered over her. She doesn’t understand how she can yearn for someone so hard that her heart seems to beat in an irregular way, almost similar to a bonfire that crackles at a beat that’s far too unique.She aches for him. And so does he ache for her.Every single time. It still never ceases to make them both feel like it’s a first. As if after being pulled back once again, everything reverts back to the very start.
“Just stay here with me…” Serenity whispered, her voice sultry.Vince internally groans as he tries to put a distance between them. “I’ll stay, I’ll stay…” he surrendered, still keeping his distance.Sulky, she decided to just enjoy the meal Vince cooked. Then, the latter eventually joined her. Serenity decided to go for a night swim after stuffing herself.A form of temptation, if you may. Serenity doesn’t want to make things more awkward than they already are. If anything, she knows she has to do something.“Won’t you join me?” she asked as she rummaged through her closet, searching for a bikini.“I’ll accompany you, but I won’t be swimming,” Vince replied as he took her robe for her.“Suit yourself.”Soon enough, Serenity had already indulged herself in the temptations of the serene waters. Swimming gracefully across the calm waves, she slowly relaxed.Meanwhile, Vince simply watched Serenity from the shore, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and something of…nostalgia. He let o