Did Roselyn just imply they could chat after work? With that hint of a concession, a small satisfied smile appeared on Brad's face. "Alright, then. I'll find you after work, and I expect you to keep your word. No more hide and seek."When Roselyn heard Brad was finally willing to leave, she chuckled warmly. "Don't worry. I always keep my word."Come quitting time, Roselyn—who had packed up her things two minutes ahead—dashed out the door so quickly that the office seemed to reverberate long after the closing bell.Brad, arriving just moments later, frowned at the sight of an empty desk, annoyance bubbling in his chest. That woman dared to dupe him!Surveying the room, his eyes landed on a reserved woman in glasses, preparing to leave for the evening. He confidently walked over, offering a brilliant smile that might outshine the stars. His handsome appearance, paired with that captivating smile, was irresistibly charming. She was clearly taken aback, her heart missing a beat."C… C
Yaslyn felt trapped. With Yerick framing things this way, she could hardly say no. However, she was not going to fall into his trap that easily. "If you have something interesting to share, spill it now," she demanded suspiciously. "How do I even know you're not playing games?""Don't trust me anymore, do you now? When have I ever disappointed you with my little revelations?" His words took her back to their past escapades overseas.The memory of her deceased mother surfaced, casting a shadow over her face. "I think we're done here," she responded curtly.Yerick picked up on Yaslyn's firm disinterest. Just as she was about to end the call, he dropped a bombshell. "I know something about your true heritage."Heritage? Was her background not laid bare for the world to see? Was there more to it? "Yerick, if you're trying to trick me into meeting, pick a better bait."He feigned sorrow. "If you're so quick to jump to conclusions, maybe I should keep this secret locked away." A dramati
The playful disputes between them left no doubt for their employees: their president Yaslyn was utterly smitten. Behind closed doors, staff members exchanged whispers, enamored by the office romance's unfolding drama.Yaslyn and Xoan left the office hand in hand. If Xoan planned to cook, they would first need to swing by the grocery store.As he stood still, puzzling over a cabbage, Yaslyn teased him with a playful nudge. "For someone who says he's a cook, I've yet to see any proof."Naturally, Xoan would not admit that his cooking skills came from binge-watching endless cooking tutorials, which led to several ruined pots in the kitchen. "You know," he remarked with a smirk, "you don't need to concern yourself over some things." He gave her a lingering look before turning back to the shelf and picking out some carrots.Noticing the vibrant carrots being added to their cart, Yaslyn instinctively reached out. "I don't like carrots," she blurted.It seemed Xoan had overlooked a tiny
Henry was indeed the people's heartthrob, the kind of man who could cause a commotion even in a supermarket. Recognizing Yaslyn's playful mischief in drawing attention to him, he glared at her before hastily grabbing Xora's hand and making a dash for the exit.The crowd, sensing the commotion, began to follow, hoping to see the celebrity.The grinning Yaslyn pulled Xoan aside to avoid the ensuing stampede."I never thought you'd have such a devilish side to you," Xoan remarked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Every time I look at you, you seem even more adorable, you know?"With a haughty toss of her head, Yaslyn retorted, "Alright, we're done here. Let's pay and head home to cook."Taking the hint, Xoan promptly settled the bill, and the two departed.Once they reached Yaslyn's place, Xoan headed straight for the kitchen, grocery bags in tow. Yaslyn, wanting to be hospitable, offered to help, only for Xoan to push her away. "I don't need your help. Just relax outside, and I'll
Yaslyn idly swiped at her phone. She then raised her eyes to Xoan and asked with slight hesitation, "You're okay with McDonald's, right?"The question surprised Xoan. His expression, normally stoic, faltered for a moment."If you'd prefer something else, we could order that," Yaslyn quickly added, trying to make the most of the money Xoan gave her."It's not that," Xoan replied, his voice deep, a soft reprimand threading through his words. "It's just…this type of food isn't the healthiest. Generally, I won't recommend them."Yaslyn playfully covered her ears in surrender. "Just this once."When their order arrived, Yaslyn went downstairs to fetch it. Upon her return, she immediately noticed the storm gathering in Xoan's eyes.His usually calm gaze turned intense and foreboding instead. "That…delivery guy got too close to you. Did he have any ulterior motives?"Yaslyn's temples pulsed, but she patiently explained, "It was probably unintentional.""Unintentional?" The thought of
"Let's go and get our certificate tomorrow, then," said Xoan in the dimly lit room. Delaying any further would not be wise, especially with other prying eyes potentially looming over Yaslyn.In his heart, he had already set the plan in motion for tomorrow.Yaslyn, on the other hand, felt like she was trapped in a whirlwind. "I... I never planned to marry this soon," she confessed, the weight of her thoughts evident in her voice. The mere thought of marriage was a colossal responsibility, one that she was not prepared to shoulder yet.However, she had not expected her words to strike a nerve with Xoan. His once amused smirk vanished, replaced by a chilling demeanor. He swiftly pinned her against the wall, his dark, haunting eyes piercing into her soul. "Say that again," he growled.Fear gripped Yaslyn, but she refused to back down. "I'm not ready to—" she started, only to be silenced by his lips crashing onto hers.Xoan's kiss was fierce and demanding. His hands were firm around he
Yaslyn never imagined she would find herself in such a vulnerable position. Seeing him wear that pitiful expression, she realized she did not have the heart to turn him down any longer."Fine," she murmured defeatedly, "I'll agree to get the certificate."Xoan's face lit up like the morning sun, and any trace of previous dejection vanished instantly. "Then hurry up, get dressed, and brush your teeth. I'll be waiting downstairs in ten minutes."She felt a twinge of uncertainty, wondering if she had just been masterfully manipulated. Nevertheless, she obediently went through her morning routine and changed into a fresh set of clothes. As she descended the staircase, she felt Xoan's gaze studying her."You do know there will be photos, right? Don't you want to put on some makeup?" Xoan remarked.It was only then that Yaslyn realized she had skipped an essential step. She shot him a frustrated glance. "Why didn't you remind me earlier? I thought we were just going to sign some documen
In the blink of an eye, just a minute after Xoan's post, over 300 likes flooded in.Yaslyn always knew Xoan's social circle was vast, but she had not expected such rapid responses.Scanning the comments, she caught fragments of astonishment and incredulity.[What? He's married already?] one read.Another pondered, [Wasn't his bride Wrenley, the one he dumped a while back?]Yet another correction. [No way, they broke up ages ago.][Who's the mystery bride, then?] a fourth asked.Someone cheekily replied, [Clearly, not you.][I have to send this news to the media. No one can steal it from me!][You're pretty shrewd. First come, first served.]The bewildered Yaslyn asked, "Have these people never seen someone get married before?"Xoan, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, remarked, "They've seen people marry, but not me marrying."Was this sheer narcissism? Yaslyn's gaze turned curious, "Why didn't you reveal who I was in your announcement?"Was he hinting at a secret marria
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi