Lahat ng Kabanata ng Between Us and the Stars: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

### PrologueIn the bustling heart of the city, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and dreams clashed with reality, two worlds collided—a world of privilege and power, and a world of resilience and passion. Jarren, a wealthy CEO with a reputation as sharp as his tailored suits, navigated the high stakes of corporate life with ease. On the other side was Keisha, a fierce and independent woman striving to make her mark in a world that often underestimated her. Their paths crossed in a heated rivalry, each challenge intensifying their animosity, yet beneath the surface simmered a tension that neither could ignore.As they embarked on a joint project, a reluctant partnership forced them to confront their misconceptions. What began as animosity gradually transformed into a connection neither had anticipated. They found solace in shared laughter, vulnerability in stolen glances, and, eventually, something deeper—an undeniable bond that dared to break down the walls they had built around th

#### **Chapter 2: Jarren’s Circle**The soft glow of the city skyline illuminated Jarren Villarreal’s office as he leaned back in his leather chair, eyes fixed on the sprawling view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. From here, everything seemed within his grasp—the towering buildings, the bustling streets, the people. This was his kingdom, and he was its ruler.Yet, behind the sleek surface of his well-tailored suit and confident demeanor, Jarren carried a weight few people knew about. His five closest friends—Gabriel, Luke, Renz, Sean, and Martin—had been by his side for years, but even they didn’t fully understand what it was like to be Jarren Villarreal. To be born into wealth, with an empire waiting for him to take over, and the crushing expectation that came with it._"Sir, the documents for the Villarreal-Sierra deal are ready for your review,"_ his assistant’s voice interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back to the present._"Thank you, Stephanie. I’ll take a look later,"_

#### **Chapter 4: Maria’s POV**Sipping her iced coffee, Maria watched as Keisha paced back and forth in their favorite café. The usual calm atmosphere of the small coffee shop was disrupted by Keisha’s frantic energy, but Maria, as always, kept her bright, easygoing smile intact._"Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung anong problema ng taong ‘yun! Ang kapal ng mukha! Akala mo naman, siya na ang pinakamagaling,"_ Keisha fumed, her voice sharp with frustration._"Sino pa ba, Jarren Villarreal?"_ Maria asked, half-joking as she took another sip of her drink. She already knew the answer._"Of course si Jarren! Sino pa ba?"_ Keisha snapped, her brows furrowed with anger. _"That guy is insufferable! He thinks he can boss everyone around just because he's the CEO."_Maria chuckled softly, her bubbly laugh cutting through the tension. _"Alam mo, I think you're overthinking it. Parang si Jarren lang ang nagbibigay ng stress sa'yo these days. Baka naman may iba pang reason bakit ka ganyan?"_Keis

#### **Chapter 6: Clarisse's POV** Clarisse watched Keisha from across the table, her eyes narrowing as her best friend talked animatedly about her latest confrontation with Jarren. Ever since Keisha had started working with him, she had noticed a change—a subtle shift in the way Keisha acted, especially when Jarren’s name came up in conversation. _"Alam mo, hindi ko talaga gets kung bakit kailangan ko siyang makatrabaho,"_ Keisha complained, shaking her head. _"I mean, he’s such a control freak! Lahat ng bagay gusto niyang mamando."_ Clarisse listened quietly, sipping her coffee. While Maria was the easygoing, playful one in their group, Clarisse had always been the more serious and protective friend. She was fiercely loyal to Keisha, and the last thing she wanted was for someone like Jarren Villarreal to hurt her. _"Kei,"_ Clarisse began, her voice calm but firm, _"you need to be

#### **Chapter 8: Angela and Sean’s Spark** Angela tapped her fingers on the table, glancing around the café while waiting for her coffee. It was a slow afternoon, and her friends were still busy with work. She had taken the day off to relax, something she didn’t often get to do. Being the easygoing one among Keisha’s friends had its perks, but it also meant she was sometimes overlooked. Not that she minded—Angela enjoyed the peace and quiet. _"Two iced caramel macchiatos for Angela!"_ She stood up to grab her order, humming to herself as she did. Her eyes wandered around the room, until she caught sight of a familiar face—Sean, one of Jarren’s friends. He was sitting by the window, casually scrolling through his phone with an air of calm confidence. He had always been a bit of a mystery to her. While Jarren was loud and commanding, Sean was the complete opposite. He was quiet,