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Chapter 18
Last Updated:
2024-11-21 20:52:08
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Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 19
“Astin,” she said, looking straight at him. “I thought you were tired. Why don't you lie down? Stop spending all your time on your phone,” he said, gently guiding her to lie down. Like a fool, she followed and lay down. She stared at him. Was he really going to sleep beside her? If he did, could she even sleep soundly? Oh God, she thought. Her heart started pounding at the idea. She kept staring at his face, particularly at his lips. When they moved slightly, she swallowed hard. Her eyes slowly closed as his face drew closer to hers. She was expecting a kiss on the lips, but to her disappointment, his kiss landed on her cheek. Annoyance bubbled up inside her. She opened her eyes wide, convinced her face must be bright red with irritation and embarrassment. He was looking at her, but the corner of his lips had a mischievous smile. She covered her face with her hands. How embarrassing! she taught. “Good night,” he said with a smile. He even pinched her cheek before walking
Last Updated : 2024-11-22Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 20
“WHAT’S your problem, Astin?” she asked as he let her go and pushed her against his car.“Do you know what the problem is? You’re dating that Del Franco!” he yelled, making her frown.“Date? Me, dating Darryl? You just saw us together, and now we’re dating?” she angrily questioned him.“F*ck! Wow, you just call him Darryl, huh,” he muttered, then looked straight at her.He knew she called Darryl “kuya” because he was Asia’s brother and a year older than her.Moments later, he opened his car door. “Get in,” he ordered.She didn’t move and just stared back at him.“Are you okay, Astin? I have someone with me, and you want me to leave just like that?” she said sarcastically.“I don’t care. Get in,” he repeated in a firm voice.She glared at him. As she turned to walk away, he pinned her back against the car and, without warning, kissed her hard. She punched his chest, trying to stop him, but he didn’t let go.She’d admit she liked his kiss. But what he was doing was wrong. She was disres
Last Updated : 2024-11-23Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 21: (Warning: This chapter contains mature content. Skip this if you don’t like.)
LAURA held the hem of her nightie tightly as she stepped out of the bathroom. She felt uneasy with how the young man was staring at her. She averted her gaze, noticing him swallowing several times.She hung the towel and faced him.“Ahm, I’ll sleep in the other room,” she told him.He didn’t take his eyes off her, so she started walking away, scratching her head. When he didn’t respond, she turned back to him, tugging her clothes to make them appear longer. His gaze was fixed on her lower body.“Astin,” she called out.He snapped out of it. “No. You’ll sleep here. Beside me,” he firmly said.“But, Astin—”He sighed. “Fine, we’ll sleep in the other room,” he said, stood up.“Fine, I’ll just stay here.” She avoided looking at him again because his bare body was fully exposed. Moving rooms wouldn’t change anything—they’d still sleep beside each other.“Maybe I should just go home,” she suddenly said as she sat on the bed, her back turned to him.“Are we starting this again, Laura? If I s
Last Updated : 2024-11-24Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 22
She woke up the next morning to the gentle kiss of the man beside her. She glanced at the wall clock—it was only half past six in the morning, but he was already dressed.“Good morning, Sweetie,” he said warmly, making her smile.He seemed to be in a great mood today. Surely she wasn’t imagining the endearment. His aura was sweet, almost tender. She hoped it would last, that maybe, one of these days, Astin would finally agree to discuss their situation. She wanted him back. It was selfish—especially since he had Barbie now—but she had regretted her mistakes. Couldn’t fate grant her this one chance?“Good morning. Do you have work today?” she asked.He nodded and gently stroked her face, pinching her lower lip before planting a quick kiss. Thankfully, it didn’t deepen. Otherwise, they might have ended up back in bed.“You’re still on vacation, aren’t you?” She sat up, facing him.“I am, but they need me at headquarters. After this break, I’ll stay at HQ for good,” he said quietly.His
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 23
LAURA didn’t notice she had fallen asleep. She woke up in the early hours of the morning. All the exhaustion from the past two days seemed to have vanished. She finally managed to rest, even if just a little.The growling of her stomach prompted her to get up from bed. It was cramping already. She had probably gone past her hunger limit. She had been asleep for nine hours, but it seemed her energy had returned—though now she was starving.She glanced around, checking if anyone else was awake. Surely, everyone was asleep. The house was so quiet.She quickly headed to the kitchen and ate.After eating, she returned to her room and sat at her small study table.Her attention shifted to her phone when it vibrated. She grabbed it and checked who had sent a message.She looked at the wall clock. It was 12:20 a.m., and Darryl was still awake. Probably out partying, she thought.She quickly replied to him. There were already several notifications from their group chat, but she ignored them. D
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 24
Laura had just stepped out of the bathroom when Astin walked back in. Their eyes met briefly before she looked away. He headed straight to her bed while she sat at her vanity, drying her hair. Through her peripheral vision, she could see him watching her. His aura was different now. The anger seemed to have subsided. The harshness on his face was gone—and that made her vulnerable again. She silently scolded herself. So weak. She could hear his occasional sighs, each one deepening her confusion. Astin’s behavior baffled her. She and Darryl had done nothing wrong, yet Astin acted as if she belonged to him. And truthfully, a part of her wish she did. But not like this—not hidden away, not as an afterthought. Why couldn’t he just forgive her? She longed to move forward, to heal completely, like Mara, the taxi driver she once met. The constant ache was too much. This punishment felt unjust. Maybe Darryl was right—she didn’t deserve to be treated this way. But her heart refused to listen.
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 25
“No! I won’t allow it! Does Mom know about this, Ate? You even put the recruitment on pause! You thought I wouldn’t find out?” Andy angrily confronted her. She had discovered that she delayed recruiting a new manager for the Caramoan branch and wanted to take the role herself. Andy disagreed with her reasons. It had been a week since she asked HR to hold off. “Andy, please? Dad’s coming out soon. I want us to start fresh. I want to go back to Caramoan,” she pleaded. “Wow. As if anyone cares about Tito over there, you’ll probably just end up getting bullied. Have you even thought about that? Your dad needs a fresh start, and that’s here in Manila. No one knows him here, which makes things easier. You’re only going to struggle if you stay there. That’s why I’m not on board with this.” Without waiting for a response, Andy turned and walked back into her office. Her shoulders slumped, and she rubbed the back of her neck as she walked away. How could she persuade Andy? Should she com
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 26
Laura struggled to get through the next few hours. She felt unmoored as if she were drifting in a haze. It was the first time she’d ever consumed so much alcohol, and the consequences hit hard. Her head pounded relentlessly, her eyes stung with exhaustion, yet sleep was out of reach—work still demanded her attention. She was utterly drained. Dragging herself into Andy’s office, she summoned what little strength she had left to request an undertime. She looked at her drooping eyes and immediately agreed, arranging for the company driver to take her home. She barely got it into the car before fatigue pulled her into a deep sleep. When she arrived home, her aunt Kendra greeted her with a concerned look. Laura quickly explained that she wasn’t feeling well and asked to rest. Concerned, the woman later brought her some medicine. A glance in the mirror revealed her slightly swollen face and puffy eyes. Had she looked like this all day? The thought mortified her. As soon as the woman l
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
Latest chapter
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 43: The Wedding
Laura glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smiled softly. She had opted for simplicity—a long-sleeved lace wedding gown with an elegant backless design. It wasn’t overly extravagant because simplicity suited her personality. In just two weeks, her figure and belly had grown noticeably. She looked so different compared to their prenup photos, where she wasn’t as plump. Yet she didn’t mind at all. What mattered most was that she and her baby were healthy. “You’re absolutely stunning, my dear!” Kendra praised warmly, still by her side. After all, Astin had strictly instructed her not to leave Laura’s side, knowing his fear of being stood up again. “Thank you, Tita,” Laura replied with a smile. “Call me Mama, dear. Finally, your wedding is happening. I’m so happy for you and Astin, and of course, excited for my grandchild,” she said happily. Touched, Laura embraced her tightly. “Thank you, Mama, for everything. You’ve been so kind to me, even after what I did before. I was
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 42: Astin's perspective—from the very beginning. (3)
ASTIN was utterly shocked when Andy told him that Laura was planning to transfer to Caramoan. He didn’t believe that her father was the reason behind her decision. He told his sister not to approve her request. When Andy demanded a reason, he had no choice but to admit what had happened between him and Laura. Andy also asked about Barbie, and he confessed that she was just a part of his mission. He wasn’t mistaken. Laura already knew that Barbie was staying at his condo. She was the one who delivered the papers his mother had asked to review for the hotel expansion. At that moment, he wanted to explain himself to Laura. He wanted to run after her. Even though she didn’t say a word, he could tell she was hurt. She might think she was just one of the many women in his life, which wasn’t true. She was the only woman he had ever truly loved.He almost kicked Barbie out of the condo after overhearing everything she told Laura. He had called Ian multiple times, begging him to end the missio
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 41: Astin's perspective—from the very beginning. (2)
Astin thought he wouldn’t be affected by Laura anymore. She had hurt him badly before, but now he couldn’t bring himself to stay mad at her. His heart was at risk again. He needed to fight his feelings for her and avoid her before he got hurt again.He couldn’t stop looking at her from the staircase. He had just arrived from headquarters, and Laura clearly just woke up. Her messy hair and casual look caught his attention. She looked even more beautiful than before. Her figure perfectly matched her face and long legs.Why did she have to wear such shorts? It stirred something inside him. He calmed himself when he felt uncomfortable in his pants. She still had the same effect on him.Fearing she might catch him staring, he walked away, pretending to check his phone.When he passed by her door, he noticed her looking at him. She called out his name, but he ignored her. He closed his eyes as he walked past. He missed her sweet voice and felt the urge to hug her.He had to control himself.
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 40: Astin's perspective—from the very beginning. (1)
“Mama, she's so beautiful. Can I marry her, Mama?” he innocently asked his mother. She had brought him to the Mayor's child's birthday party in their town.The young girl was stunning, like a princess in his eyes. And he saw himself as her prince.“Yes, Laura is indeed beautiful. Hmm, but you’re still too young to discuss marriage, my son. You can say that when you grow up,” his mother replied with a sweet smile, ruffling his hair.Since that night, he could not get the girl out of his mind. Laura Miller. She frequently visited their resort, and they became friends.But as they grew older, Laura became even more beautiful in his eyes. He always wanted to see her. When he turned ten, he asked his parents if he could take Laura on a tour around Caramoan Island. They agreed, as did Laura's father. They used one of his Daddy Sebastian’'s largest yachts. Since he was still too young, their families accompanied them.In fifth grade, his parents transferred him to Manila. He was devastated th
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 39
Since Laura was already pregnant, Astin didn’t allow her to continue working. Both families agreed that the wedding would be held again in Caramoan.At last, Astin and Laura's postponed wedding was set to take place.Laura leaned her head back, feeling sleepy. They were heading to Manila because she had a gown fitting scheduled for the next day. Their wedding was at the end of the month. For the first time in her life, she felt genuine excitement.Hernandez couple wanted to hurry the wedding before her belly grew too big.They were mid-flight, and she couldn’t stop yawning. Why did Astin have to pick her up at night? Her sleep was cut short.“Get some rest, sweetie. I’ll wake you up when we land,” Astin whispered and kissed her hair.“Okay,” she mumbled, barely able to keep her eyes open.Before she fully gave in to sleep, she heard him humming. She smiled to herself. Maybe he’d be better at lulling their future baby to sleep than she would. His soothing voice only made her sleepier. S
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 38
LAURA suddenly felt hungry when she smelt the food Andy was carrying. It came from the hotel’s restaurant—their Kubo restaurant. She was familiar with the menu and its aroma. She wasn’t mistaken. The food was indeed for her. She allowed Astin to feed her when she said that she was hungry.“Tell me, why did you rush to leave this morning? Was it because of Elisa?” Astin asked after giving her a bite. She pinched him quickly, worried his parents might hear. But his father caught it anyway. “Don’t mind my son, Laura. He and Elisa have always been close. She’s like a daughter to us, too. Besides, Elisa is my godchild, so don’t think anything of it. They’re like siblings,” his father said. She shyly smiled at his father, not knowing how to respond. It seemed he didn’t realize Elisa had feelings for Astin. “Yes, Tito,” she replied softly, finally finding the courage to speak. Her Uncle Kent smiled warmly at her. Astin said nothing more as she shot him a warning glare. A few moments l
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 37
“I love you so much, Astin,” Elisa’s gentle voice filled the room.She wanted to hear Astin’s response, secretly hoping he wouldn’t return her feelings. But anxiety gripped her—fear of what he might say.“Elisa... I love you—”She didn’t let him finish. She abruptly walked away, her chest feeling like it was about to explode. She quickly descended the stairs, startling the people in the living room with her haste. Her dad and Aunt Kendra called out to her, but she ignored them.Laura hurried out of the gate and walked briskly. She wanted to scream, but no sound escaped her lips. She wanted to cry, but no tears would fall. She passed by John’s group, noticing them only now as they appeared to be eating. John called out to her, but she didn’t look back. She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, desperate to leave that place. She encountered some of their staff along the way and forced a bitter smile until she reached the hotel’s main gate. She kept walking until she reached the corner, wh
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 36
She was left stunned. She wasn’t wrong in her suspicions. Who dared to tell her to avoid Astin? Who did she think she was to dictate her actions? Elisa had no idea what was happening between her and Astin right now. Elisa couldn’t dictate what she should do. Did Astin know how Elisa felt? She needed to talk to Astin when he recovered. She didn’t want this kind of relationship. She wasn’t sure if Astin truly loved her. As long as other women surrounded him, she wouldn’t have peace of mind. Selfish as it may seem, she didn’t want to share him with anyone. She knew Astin loved her. Honestly, Elisa’s words had boosted her confidence—learning that Astin was assigned here because of her brought her joy. That gave her a reason to fight for him. She wouldn’t let Elisa take him away from her. She was climbing the stairs when she spotted Elisa entering Astin’s room. She had no idea where Elisa planned to sleep tonight. She waited for her to go inside before heading upstairs herself. She’d l
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 35
Before they even entered the gate, Elisa was already waiting for them. When she saw the blood on her hand pressed against his wound, she panicked. “Oh my God, Astin! I told you to take it easy and recover first!” Elisa exclaimed. She quickly assisted Astin as they climbed the stairs. Astin remained silent. His eyes were unfocused, and he looked like he was about to pass out at any moment. The people in the living room also panicked and followed them to Astin’s room. Since Aurora was a nurse, she immediately fetched first-aid supplies from downstairs. Laura’s father, noticing his drenched clothes, took over and helped him change. Laura and Elisa stepped out briefly. Laura’s hands trembled as she nervously bit her nails. Only now did it sink in—why hadn’t Astin told her he was injured? Why did he push himself earlier? She hadn’t even noticed he was in pain. Or maybe he was just good at hiding it. Elisa glanced at her, her face tense, prompting Laura to avoid her gaze. She lowe
