As night fell, Mae returned home and began packing her belongings, making sure to gather all the documents she needed. As she reached for her phone to double-check her flight time, a notification suddenly appeared, catching her attention.Her eyes widened as she read the message. Hurriedly, she grabbed her wallet, took her phone, and called a taxi to Calix's condominium.The moment she arrived in front of his door, Mae hesitated for a moment before giving it a firm knock. The door immediately swung open, revealing Calix with a wide grin on his face."Why the hell are you smiling? What's this about putting a bounty on my head?!" Mae ranted, showing him her phone.Mae's face was on a website owned by Calix's company. Above her picture was a reward of five hundred thousand for anyone who catches her and brings her to Calix."Don't deny it!" Mae warned, but Calix only chuckled, raising his hands as if surrendering."I'm not denying anything. That website is just a trick to bring you to m
Mae arrived at the airport just as they began boarding. Her heart still pounded from all the running she did after oversleeping when she got home from Calix's. She immediately settled in as she found her seat and also felt relieved as the other passengers did the same, thinking she wasn't that late after all. With a sigh, she decided to take a nap, hoping to relax before the flight.Just as she started to drift off, Mae was startled awake by a flight attendant gently tapping her shoulder."Excuse me, miss," the flight attendant said kindly, "I'm sorry, but you're not supposed to be seated in economy. You're supposed to be in the VIP section."Mae blinked in surprise, her confusion evident. "But I only booked an economy seat," she replied. "Are you Maeve Delgado?" the flight attendant asked, double-checking.Mae nodded, confirming her identity.The flight attendant then presented Mae with a VIP ticket bearing her name. "Someone booked this VIP ticket for you," she explained, a hint of
Mae was startled awake by a knock on her door, she then stirred from her sleep ready to answer. But as she tried to move, she realized she couldn't budge. Confused, she listened intently and heard a deep, manly groan beside her. Before she could process what was happening, she felt herself being pulled even tighter.Then, a groggy voice spoke next to her. "Go back to sleep, wife," it said softly.Mae's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the familiar voice. Panic surged through her as she pushed back, nearly screaming but managing to whisper urgently, "Kai?! What are you doing here?!"Kaius chuckled softly, amused by Mae's reaction. He sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair before calling out to the attendant to enter. The attendant promptly came in, carrying a tray filled with an assortment of desserts, their sweet aroma filling the room.Mae's eyes lit up at the sight of the desserts. Despite her composed exterior, she couldn't hide her excitement. Sweets had always been
After a few hours, the plane finally touched down at their destination. Kai was roused from his sleep by a gentle knock on the door from his consigliere, Hanz."Sir, we've arrived," Hanz informed him quietly.Kai glanced down and realized Mae was still fast asleep, curled up against him. Instead of responding, he tapped on the wall to signal to Hanz that he was awake and had heard him. Hanz nodded in acknowledgment before stepping out.As Kai watched Mae sleep, he couldn't help but smile at her peaceful expression. His fingers instinctively brushed against her cheek, disturbing her sleep.Mae gasped, her eyes fluttering open halfway. "What? What? I'm awake!" she mumbled groggily before drifting back into sleep, her voice barely audible.Kai chuckled softly as he found her response cute and funny. He decided to let her rest a bit longer, knowing she needed it after the long flight.After a moment, Kai gently lifted Mae into his arms, cradling her like a child. Her head rested on his s
Mae finally settled into the place her friend Nick had prepared for her. The only luggage she brought with her was the only thing that gave life to the empty apartment. Yet, the place was surprisingly nice and tidy. The whole place smelled of fresh paint, and every nook and cranny looked clean. It was a good temporary place to stay while she searched for a larger house to accommodate her, Jane, and Jane's baby, who would likely start running around in about a year.Mae immediately heads straight to her bedroom and throws herself on the bed. With a deep breath, she smiles and whispers to herself, "You're going to have a good life here. Trust yourself and leave behind what has hurt you in the past. You'll be fine."With renewed determination, Mae abruptly gets up and unpacks her luggage so she can head out to buy groceries for dinner.~Calix, whom Mae left behind and the one who woke up without her in his arms was fueled by anger as he discovered that Mae had actually left him. After t
As Mae busied herself in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring pots, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. She over her shoulder and found Kai seated at the table, his eyes never leaving her. He was leaning on his hand, with his chin propped up as he observed her every move with an intensity that made her cheeks flush.She could feel the weight of his gaze and it made her clear her throat hoping to focus on her cooking, but Kai's presence was undeniably distracting. With an annoyed sigh, she finally spoke up, "You know, you could help instead of just staring."Kai grinned mischievously, "Oh, but I'm providing moral support from here. Besides, I'm enjoying the view."Rolling her eyes playfully, Mae shook her head, "You're incorrigible."While Mae continued to cook, Kai's playful talks persisted, much to her annoyance as he stood up and walked towards her, standing beside her"You're doing great. Just a pinch of salt, and it'll be perfect," Kai remarked with a smi
Jane took a deep breath and with a calm sigh, she turned the doorknob to her house. "I'm home," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. Now that she had finally recovered and been discharged from the hospital, Jane decided to slowly resume her normal routine. However, with her newborn still in the hospital's NICU, she couldn't shake off the constant worry for her baby girl.She carefully stepped inside and closed the door behind her as she made her way to the couch. She sat down and glanced around the room. Despite only being a few days since Mae left to work abroad, the house seemed tidy and well-maintained.But without her cousin's presence, the house felt emptier than ever, and Jane couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. The once comforting walls now echoed with silence, and the bright lights seemed almost blinding.Jane was lost in her thoughts when she was startled by a knock on the door. "Uhm... Who is it?" she called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty,
The room was quiet, the air cold and heavy with tension. Kaitlyn sat across from Dean, both clutching their cups of coffee, nerves buzzing in the silence. Before Kaitlyn could find her words, Dean spoke up."Kaitlyn..." He gently called her name, setting his coffee cup down on the table.His gaze locked with hers, a look she'd never seen from him before, stirring something deep within her. Those eyes seemed to plead and hope, stirring emotions within her."I need to tell you something," Dean began, reaching for her hand and taking the cup from hers, holding her hands in his."I... I'm doing this again. But this time, I know I won't regret it," he stuttered. Kaitlyn looked at him in confusion but with understanding in her eyes, and gently squeezed his hand."It's okay... I can handle it," she replied softly.Dean hesitated, then nodded, his resolve firm."Let's divorce. I'll face the consequences. I'll do whatever it takes," he said softly, a statement that made Kaitlyn scoff in disbe
Kai immediately ordered Calix to resume driving towards their intended destination. As the car lurched forward, Kai swiftly reached for his handkerchief, expertly knotting it around Mae's wrists to secure her hands behind her back.Mae's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the fabric cinch tightly around her wrists, her movements restricted by the tight bindings. She shot a furious glare at Kai, her eyes blazing with defiance."What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mae seethed, her voice laced with anger and fear.Kai's expression remained impassive as he tightened the knot, ensuring that Mae's hands were securely bound. "I'm making sure you don't do anything stupid," he replied curtly, his tone brooking no argument.Mae struggled against her restraints, her frustration mounting with each futile attempt to free herself. But Kai's grip was firm, his resolve unwavering as he maintained control over the situation.As the car finally came to a stop, Calix stepped out and opened th
As the evening drew to a close, Mae and Brian left the restaurant together, laughing at each other's jokes. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out onto the street. Mae was feeling quite content until she suddenly flinched, her eyes landing on two familiar figures standing a short distance away.Her heart skipped a beat. It was Kai and Calix. Both of them seemed to be waiting for her, and the sight of them together filled her with anxiety and confusion.She quickly tapped Brian on the shoulder. "Brian, can you go ahead without me? I need to handle something."Brian looked at her with concern. "Are you sure everything's okay, Mae?"Mae forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Really. It's just something I need to deal with."Brian hesitated, his worry evident. "Are you positive? I can stay if you need me to."She shook her head gently. "It's okay, Brian. Thank you for tonight. I’ll be fine."Though he was reluctant to leave her, Brian nodded. "Alright, if you're sure. But
The weekend finally arrived, and Mae, who usually cherished sleeping in on her days off, found herself waking up early. She stretched lazily and walked out of her room. She had a quick breakfast and she to get a head start on some chores.Mae moved through her apartment, tidying up and organizing. She washed the dishes, did a load of laundry, and straightened up her living room. The simple tasks helped settle her nerves as she thought about the date tonight. Despite her initial reluctance, she found herself growing curious about the kind of man she could possibly meet. Around mid-morning, Mae took a break and turned her attention to her bedroom closet. She carefully took out the dress she had bought a few days ago, laying it out on her bed. The navy blue fabric shimmered softly in the morning light, and Mae who weren't really a fan of wearing dresses somehow felt excited. The dress had felt perfect then, and now, as she looked at it, she felt reassured. It was the right choice.Afte
Days passed since Mae last saw Kai and Calix flew back home. Her life had settled into a quiet routine, though she couldn't deny being annoyed by the constant attention from the two men. Yet, in a strange way, she had grown accustomed to their presence and the trouble they brought.Mae sighed as she continued typing on her computer when her coworker, Sebastian, approached her with a cheeky smile and a cup of coffee in hand."Yo, Ms. Delgado," Sebastian greeted. "Busy as always, huh?"Mae smiled at Sebastian's greeting, setting aside her work momentarily. "Hey, Sebastian," she replied, returning his cheerful demeanor. "Yeah, you know how it is, always something to keep me occupied around here."Sebastian chuckled. "Tell me about it. So, any exciting plans for the weekend?"Mae shrugged. "Not really, just the usual. Probably catch up on some reading and maybe binge-watch a new series."Sebastian nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Sounds relaxing. I might hit up a party my friend's th
Mae stood up and looked him straight in the eyes."I don't want men who toy with me, and you're no exception. If I had the guts to leave behind the man I have loved for years, imagine what I can do to someone like you, whom I know nothing about except his name." Her words shocked Kai."So get the fuck out of here and don't show your face to me ever again. I am not obligated to answer to you. I owe you nothing.""Ha! Are you seriously doing this right now?" Kai chuckled bitterly, ruffling his hair."Yes. But if it's inconvenient for you, why don't you stay here for the night? I mean, I'm kind enough to at least care for someone's life," Mae spoke rudely."So you're choosing your... I don't know? Childhood love?" Kai mocked, displeased at the possibility that she might choose Calix. He was confused as well. Why would he even go after someone like Mae? Why would he feel this much pain from just words? Why does he feel like he is currently being dumped? He couldn't stand it.And so Mae a
But before she could even give a response, the door burst open, revealing Kai, who immediately dropped his smile the moment he saw her with another man.Kai's expression darkened as he took in the scene before him, his eyes flickering between Mae and Calix. She raised a brow at Kai's reaction, "Why are you here?" She asked nothing out of disrespect but just simply curious. Calix who was still weak from his fever, shifted uncomfortably on the couch, "This guy?" he murmured out of disbelief and rose from his seat defensively. There was an obvious tension in the room as Calix knew well who Kai is. "You're living with this guy?!" Calix scoffed that made her stand up, alarmed that a fight might break out."Calix, calm down. It's nothing like that." Mae pleaded and immediately blocked her arm in front of him only for Kai to take the chance to grab her. "It's exactly like that. So get out of this fucking place before I burn this down with you in it." Kai warned with predatory eyes starin
After checking out of the hotel, Mae immediately took a taxi back to her apartment.As she thought she had already gotten away from her problems, another one sprung up. Because as soon as she arrived at her apartment door, she caught sight of Calix sleeping on the floor.Calix was all curled up, looking pale, wearing only the clothes he wore yesterday.Just then, a neighbor passed by and saw Mae, unable to resist intruding."He's been there since last night," the lady informed Mae."What?" Mae flinched, surprised and worried."Yeah. I told him you and the other guy were out and that he should go home. But he said he wanted to wait for you. I guess he got worried when I said you're living with a guy," she shrugged and went inside her own apartment.Mae sighed and conceded to give Calix a proper apology after everything she had said yesterday. But the moment her hand touched his skin, Mae's eyes widened as she realized that Calix was hardly breathing because of his high fever.Without w
And so, Mae ended up sleeping beside Kaius. Although she was against it at first, she had no choice, such that Kaius never wanted to sleep anywhere else aside from Mae's side.He acted like a clingy child.It was a scary experience for Mae.Yet she was so deep in their sleep that she couldn't notice herself snuggling into Kai's arms, and it woke him up.Turns out, Mae had already unconsciously gotten used to sleeping with Kai beside her. Or more like, she had already gotten attached to the man.Kai stared down to look at what was causing his breathing to be compressed, and there he saw Mae curled up against his body. His throat down to his chest vibrated as he chuckled, enjoying the sight."And you wanted me to go home?" He mumbled almost in a whisper and brushed off a few strands of Mae's hair away from her face."Look at how much you've gotten used to me. Are you sure you want me away?" He added and carefully, gently pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her."Ah, your quick l
Later that day, as the sun dipped, Mae decided to stay at a hotel rather than go back to her apartment because either she was going to meet Calix on the way, or Kai would be in her living room.She didn't really want to see either of them right now. It was a good thing she brought her phone and wallet with her.As soon as Mae entered her hotel room, she instantly jumped on the bed to cool her head off. She looked at her reflection on her phone screen and groaned, seeing how red and puffy her eyes looked."Yep. I look ugly," she confirmed, agreeing with what the little boy had said earlier.She turned and lay down on her back to stare at the ceiling."You know what? Damn those two. Grr! I couldn't even stay in my own apartment 'peacefully'," Mae complained and started flailing out of frustration.Eventually, she calmed down and let out a long sigh. "I need to figure out how to deal with this," she muttered to herself, staring back at the ceiling as if searching for answers. After a w