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Chapter 36
Last Updated:
2024-12-09 21:48:14
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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
Last Updated : 2024-12-12Soldier'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
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Soldier'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
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Soldier'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
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Soldier'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.
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Soldier'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
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Soldier'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
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Soldier's First Love (English) - ZL Lounge Series 01 Chapter 44: End of Book 1
After the short program at the reception hall, the newlyweds left immediately for the airport. Their flight to Hawaii was scheduled for today. It was a double-purpose trip—honeymoon and business. Astin needed to attend to some matters at a branch of Hotel De Astin, as Andy was busy with the hotel expansion in Malaysia. With no other choice, Astin decided to have their honeymoon in Hawaii instead of Europe. He still had a month-long leave and would also work while in Hawaii.He shook his head at the thought. But if he finished his work early, he planned to take his wife to Greece afterwards. Astin glanced at his wife, who was sound asleep. He sat on the single couch, observing her. She looked exhausted. She had been sleeping for over three hours. They were using Sebastian’s private plane and were currently in a private room. They had seats outside as well, where his “nosy companions” were—Lexxie, DK, Ian, Darriel, and Callen, who all had companions. Except for Callen, Asia wasn’t a
Last Updated : 2025-01-22
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
