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Chapter 24
Last Updated:
2024-11-27 20:13:27
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Soldier'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 : 2024-11-29Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 27
LAURA arrived at the Del Franco residence almost simultaneously with Darryl. He seemed to have just gotten home from the office. He was the first person she saw, dressed in a business suit. “Hi,” he greeted as he stepped out of his car.“Hello,” she replied.“I heard you’re going back to the province. For good?” he asked.She nodded.“Whoah! Is it okay if I say I’ll miss you?” he said with a chuckle.“You already did,” she responded with a laugh. “Want to come along?” she asked after a moment, surprising him. He looked at her.“Where?”“ZL Lounge.”“Ah, okay. I’ll go with you.”She smiled at his response. No hesitation at all.When they entered, Asia was already prepared. They just waited for Darryl, who had to rush through a shower. They took one car, and Darryl drove it. She also received a call from Aubrey, who was on her way. They arrived just a minute before Aubrey did. Asia was surprised to meet Gael, who had driven Aubrey.“Gael! Oh my God! Long time no see, huh!” Asia exclai
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 28
A month had passed since Laura returned to Caramoan. Before BK’s birthday, her father was already released, giving her the courage to face the days ahead. She devoted all her attention to her father. He was one of the reasons she never gave up on life. Even without Astin in her life, her father remained, consistently showing her how much he loved her. Though her father still had a nurse, she took care of him during her free time, never leaving everything to the nurse. Since no one lived at her Aunt Kendra’s house, she stayed there when busy at the resort and unable to return to the center. Her father, however, stayed at their old house in the Poblacion, or centre of town. She couldn’t convince him to stay with her at the resort. Following her Aunt Kendra's suggestion, she hired someone to take care of the house and cook meals. With the generous salary she earned, she could easily afford it. Hazel’s work turnover went smoothly. She even extended her stay by a week to complete an au
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 29
Out of nervousness, she shut the sliding door. After closing it, she returned to her bed and leaned against the headboard. Her heart was racing, and it felt like her dream had been real. But that was impossible. No one would dare do such a thing to her, especially with soldiers and the Madrid staff around. She touched her lips, unable to sleep for hours, thinking about the dream. She tossed and turned in bed before getting up and heading to the door. A glass of milk might help. She went downstairs, made some milk, and drank it there. Afterward, she went back up and lay in bed again. She forced herself to sleep as she lay down. Her eyes were closed, but her mind was wide awake. After a while, drowsiness finally crept in. She glanced at the window and the sliding door to ensure they were closed. Moments later, sleep finally took over. She woke up to a knock from outside her room. She sat up abruptly—she had work today. Quickly, she opened the door to see who it was. It was her
Last Updated : 2024-12-01Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 30
Laura couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with John. So, she was finally going to meet that mysterious CM? But why just the two of them? She slumped into her swivel chair and faced the pile of papers. It was Monday, and she had a lot to catch up on from the previous week. She had barely settled in when her phone rang. The caller ID showed an unknown number, so she ignored it until it stopped ringing. Moments later, she received a message from the same number. Her eyebrow arched when she saw the name at the end of the message: ‘Love, CM.’ She let out a soft chuckle. Seriously? Was he messing with her? Still, she read the entire message. She frowned at the playful threat. He said he’d kiss her if he caught her jogging in the same outfit again. Before she realized it, she was smiling. It felt nice to have someone care like that. With Astin, she had always felt suffocated, unable to appreciate such gestures. She didn’t even notice when one of her staff entered. Quic
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 31
She could barely touch her food. She was still full. He looked at him. He must have been starving earlier, just like John said—he ate a lot. “Don't you like the food? I can have something else cooked,” he said, chewing. “I like it, but I’m really full,” she replied. “Ah, okay. Let's take it out so you can eat it later.” “There’s food at home. No need for takeout.” His handsome face frowned. “Who said you’re going home? You’re coming with me.” He wiped his mouth and stared at her. “What? Are you insane? I can’t. My dad’s home and he’ll definitely scold me if I don’t go back,” she protested. He gave her a knowing look. “Since when has your dad ever scolded you for being with me?," he replied, reclining in his chair.She swallowed hard. He was right. Her father never got mad at Astin. In fact, he used to push her towards him. Even now, her father hoped they’d get back together. He was a huge fan of Astin. She hadn’t told her father what happened between them in Manila or w
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 32: Warning! Mature content alert! Skip if you don't like
“You’re beautiful, Laura. Always,” he said in a hoarse voice, his gaze fixed intently on her. She quickly covered her bare skin with her hands, but he gently brushed them away. “Don't, Sweetie,” he whispered, a strange glint evident in his eyes. “Astin,” she murmured, feeling embarrassed. He looked at her, and what she saw in his eyes was different—desire. That’s what it was. He cupped her face with both hands, guiding her closer. He kissed her deeply, his lips urgent and demanding. One hand slid down to pull her against him. She pressed a hand to his chest, trying to keep some distance between them. But the heat she felt at that moment was undeniable. He was strong, though, and he pressed himself closer to her. He pulled away briefly for air, then claimed her lips again. His tongue slipped into her mouth effortlessly, finding and capturing hers. He made it firm, teasing. She realised she was now meeting his every movement, their tongues entwining in a sensual move. He suc
Last Updated : 2024-12-04
Latest chapter
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 57: Jealousy
IRA kept glancing at her boss’s office door. It was already noon, yet he hadn’t called her to make his coffee. Astin had been cold toward her for a week. He hadn’t spoken to her since their last encounter at his condo. For days, she’d been trying to remember everything. Who she really was. But it always ended with a pounding headache. She focused on her desk and started her work. She was about to get the papers she had printed when she heard the familiar voice of a child. Her heart swelled with joy. She hadn’t seen the child for days. She missed her so much. If she was truly Laura, she wanted to make it up to her. Smiling, she stood up and turned to the door. But her smile faded when she saw the child holding onto a beautiful woman. The two were talking as they walked, and Kiarra seemed happy talking to the woman. Ira’s gaze fixed on her child. Her daughter’s smile was radiant. She wanted to rush and embrace her. But tears welled up in her eyes when Kiarra kissed the wom
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 56: Trust
She halted mid-step upon seeing the inside of her boss’s condo. She clutched her chest several times, feeling as if she had already been here before. It was familiar to her. She was confused. Where had she seen this? In her dreams? Was this one of the buildings she had glimpsed before? Her gaze locked onto a large framed photo hanging on the condo’s wide wall. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was his wife. She couldn’t bring herself to blink while staring at the woman’s face. She took in every detail. Their eyes and lip shape were identical. Without thinking, she reached out and gently caressed the large portrait. She stopped at the sound of Lionel Richie’s *The Only One* playing. A strange pounding filled her chest. She turned to her boss, who was already watching her. He held a remote control. He raised the volume and slowly walked toward her. Before he could get closer, she felt a sharp pain in her head. “Ahh…” she groaned. A part of her head throbbed. She clutched her head, gripp
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 55: Thunder (EN)
As soon as Ira entered her house, Astin sped off in his car. The next thing he knew, he was standing in front of Spotlight. He called Ian first. No answer. So, he called Lexxie instead, who immediately handed the phone to Ian. This was the first time in a long while that he was asking his friend for help. He hadn’t been active in Ian's agency since losing his wife, Laura. He felt embarrassed to call his Daddy Sebastian. His parents would find out about everything he was doing again. He needed certainty before telling them anything. So many things were running through his mind. He was so darn attracted to Ira. Not just to her face, but to her entire being. Her face was the only thing different from his wife’s. Ira’s natural scent was driving him crazy. His wife rarely wore perfume, so he knew her scent by heart. It was the same. He wanted to give himself hope. He wanted to be happy! Fate had been too cruel to him. He felt like he was going insane with all his thoughts! Even
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 54: It Hurts
HER boss kissed her lips tenderly before pulling himself out of her. They both lay on the sand, staring blankly into space. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. She had given herself to her boss, while she couldn’t even bring herself to give in to her husband. But what could she do when both her heart and body had willingly surrendered? She covered her face with her hands for a moment. When she looked at her boss, she found him gazing at her. He wasn’t even blinking, so she flicked his forehead. “You’re making me uncomfortable. Stop staring,” she muttered. “Do you really love your husband? What if I told you to leave him and come with me? Would you?” She froze at his question. “Just because this happened between us doesn’t mean I’ll leave my husband.” She shook her head. “We have a child. And what happened between us... was a mistake.” Sadness clouded his face. The moon shining down on them made his emotions even clearer. “What you just said hurts, Ira, but
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 53: Laura
Just as she had promised Kiarra. After they ate, she invited her to swim in the sea. The child was overjoyed. She helped her change into swimwear. Since she didn’t bring anything to swim in, she just wore shorts and a spaghetti top. It was nighttime anyway, so it was fine. She carried Kiarra until they reached the shore. Her boss didn’t come along, which relieved her. It was just the three of them—her, Kiarra, and the nanny. She wouldn’t feel awkward. She guided the child as she swam. They stayed in the shallow part, where the water only reached Kiarra’s waist. The little girl showed off, moving away from her using the butterfly stroke. When she returned, she used freestyle. Laura clapped for her. She never expected Kiarra to be this good. They even had a swimming race. She let the child win on purpose, which made her happy. The nanny cheered for Kiarra. Laura felt genuinely happy whenever she saw Kiarra laugh. There was something different about this child’s presence. “You'
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 52: Vulnerable
Déjà vu! Ira glanced around her surroundings—the hotel, cabins, and the other views. Everything seemed familiar. She felt like she had been here before. She blinked several times, but she was still standing there, in the same spot. She wasn’t dreaming. Her feet felt rooted to the ground, unable to move. She clutched her head when a sharp pain suddenly struck. Grasping the car door for support, she was thankful that her boss and his daughter had gone ahead. Otherwise, she would just add to their worries. She decided she would follow once she felt better. She was starting to notice a pattern—these headaches were becoming more frequent. Perhaps it was because of her amnesia. She had yet to meet the doctor who, as her husband Thunder claimed, was his cousin. When they returned to Manila, she promised herself she would consult a specialist. For years, she had suffered, unable to remember her past. The only one who gave her glimpses of her life before was Thunder. She turned her
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 51: Deep Desire
The next day, Ira woke up early, but her husband woke up even earlier to prepare breakfast for her. She smiled sweetly at Thunder when he turned to look at her.“Good morning, my wife,” he greeted, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Good morning. Why don’t you go back to sleep? I can handle this,” she suggested. “I’m fine, honey. I wanted to cook for you,” he replied, returning to the stove to continue cooking. “Thank you so much, Thunder.”“Come on, it's my responsibility,” he said. “I know, but I really appreciate it.” Deep inside, guilt tugged at her. After breakfast, she took a shower. She had mentioned last night that someone would pick her up at six. Once she was dressed, she went to see her son. She hugged and kissed him repeatedly. She was going to miss the king of her life. She pinched his handsome face one last time, laughing when he swatted her hand, eyes still closed. Right at six, she heard a car honk outside. She recognized the vehicle immediately—it was her
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 50: Confused
Ira splashed water on her face in the restroom, her thoughts in turmoil. She slapped her forehead and mouth repeatedly. She hadn't even shared that kind of intimacy with her husband since she regained consciousness three years ago—only cheek kisses. But now? She had gone too far, giving in to someone else—her boss, of all people! “Stupid!” she whispered harshly to herself. She was alone in the restroom at the moment. Hurriedly, she fixed her appearance, dabbing powder on her face and applying lipstick. Then she stepped out. When she exited, her eyes met her boss's briefly before she quickly averted her gaze and headed straight to her desk. Before he could come out of his office, Thor entered. Thor was the boss's first cousin. He glanced at Ira. “Hi, Ira! So, this is where you got transferred. No wonder I haven’t seen you lately.” “Good morning, Sir Thor. Yes, just this week,” she replied with a smile. Her smile faltered when she noticed her boss glancing between her and
Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 49: Deep Kiss
At exactly ten in the morning, she sat at Romel's former desk—the boss's previous secretary. Quickly, she reviewed the report Lesha handed her and set it aside. She planned to forward it to the boss later. She also replied to pending emails in Romel's inbox. She checked the boss's schedule to see if there were any meetings in the afternoon. There were none. Grabbing the signed folders, she stood up and informed Lesha that she would deliver them to their respective departments. She walked briskly, already familiar with which floors to visit. Her eyes stayed fixed on the folders as she walked, scanning which ones to prioritize. She winced in pain when she bumped into something broad and solid. Not something—someone. And to make things worse, she stepped on the person’s shoe. Her eyes widened in shock when she recognized who it was. It was her boss! “Careful!”“Sorry,” she quickly apologized, crouching down to clean his shoe, but he pulled it away. “I didn't ask you to clean it. I
