All Chapters of Love in Beta: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The soft morning light spilled into Maya’s minimalist apartment, casting a warm glow on her beige walls and the scattered potted plants that added life to her space. She leaned back on her couch, one hand wrapped around a mug of coffee, the other holding her phone as her conversation with Ash continued. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: I’m glad we met on SoulLink. Sometimes, life has a way of putting the right people together in the most unexpected ways. Maya smiled, taking a sip of her coffee. Where'd he learn that line? At a romcom screening? Still, there was something about him that felt genuine, even behind the screen. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: I know, right? Minsan, you don't even notice the things you're missing until someone drops into your life.Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she added, 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Or maybe it's just luck. Di ba?Before he could reply, a knock on her door snapped her attention away. "Hoy, Maya! Open na alam ko nandito ka!" Ava’s familiar voice rang out. Maya chuckl

The following days after that hangout with Ash felt like they existed in a different dimension-one where she could breathe easily, laugh freely, and not worry too much about what came next. Maya found herself looking at her phone more often, expecting to see a message from him, but she reminded herself to stay grounded. She didn’t want to seem like she was waiting for it-baka maging clingy pa ako, she thought. But deep down, there was that little flicker of hope, like a tiny flame that refused to go out.It wasn’t just the excitement of getting to know someone new. There was something else, something deeper. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Every time they talked, whether about trivial things like their favorite ice cream flavors or more serious topics about their pasts, she felt... connected. As if she was finally talking to someone who didn’t expect her to be anything other than herself. No pressure. No pretenses. Just her.But even with that, Maya knew she couldn’t let hers

Maya was still unsure about everything. The moment she logged into SoulLink, the usual sense of excitement she'd felt before was gone, replaced by a sense of hesitation. She stared at her phone screen, at the familiar message from Ash.Ash: How's your day so far?Maya bit her lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard. They'd texted a bit earlier, but today felt different. Maybe because after the last date, something had shifted. Maya wasn't sure if it was the fact that they spent a day together in person or the lingering feeling of his touch when their hands brushed. She couldn't stop thinking about it.But she wasn't ready to jump into anything yet.Maya: Okay lang. Busy at work. You?It was short, almost dismissive, but it wasn't like she was trying to push him away. She just wasn't sure what she was supposed to say to someone like him. The guy who seemed so... perfect. But was he real? Was he the same person he portrayed himself to be on SoulLink?She sighed, feeling that familiar kn

The next few days passed in a blur.Maya found herself constantly thinking about Ash, wondering if he was thinking about her too. They hadn't texted much after their meet-up at the café, which, in a way, was comforting. She liked that they didn't feel the need to fill every moment with words, yet their connection was undeniable. She appreciated the calm pace they were setting.Her phone buzzed in her bag, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Ash.Ash: Hey, Maya. I hope you're doing okay. I know we haven't talked much since Saturday, but I've been thinking about you. How's your week going?Maya's heart did a little flip. She didn't know why, but his messages always had that effect on her. He made her feel like she mattered, even if they weren't talking all the time.Maya: Hey, Ash! I'm good, just busy with work, It's been a hectic week. But I'm surviving. How about you?She hit send before she could overthink it. As soon as the message was del

The following week was a blur of meetings, work deadlines, and constant back-and-forth messages with Ash.Maya found herself looking forward to his texts more than she'd care to admit, but at the same time, she couldn't shake off that lingering feeling of unease. She had known him for a while now, their conversations were easy and comfortable, but there was always something in the back of her mind that kept her from fully letting go.Maya wasn't the type to rush into things, and while she enjoyed the time they spent together-like the jazz bar date or their spontaneous Facetime calls-she couldn't ignore the questions building up in her head. Who was Ash really? What was he hiding? Why had he chosen to hide behind a different name on SoulLink?Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ash.Ash: Hey, Maya. I know you've been super busy, but I was thinking... maybe we could grab dinner tonight? I found this new Italian restaurant I think you'll love.Maya