Lahat ng Kabanata ng Love in Beta: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Ash’s POVThe drive to Maya’s apartment felt endless, even though it only took fifteen minutes. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, my thoughts spiraling into a chaotic mess. My father’s voice echoed in my head, his threats like daggers to everything I held dear. And then there was Victoria—always ready to exploit every opportunity to twist the knife deeper. I pulled up outside Maya’s building and killed the engine. For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the dashboard, trying to steady my breathing. I had spent the past few days juggling a dozen fires at NovaSpire and dodging my father’s persistent attempts to control my life. Pero ngayong nandito ako, I realized how much I’d missed Maya. I stepped out of the car, carrying a bouquet of her favorite lilies. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it would convey even a fraction of how sorry I was for everything. Knocking on her door, I braced myself. I didn’t know what kind of reception to expect. Would she

Maya sat on the couch in her apartment, scrolling through her phone while sipping a cup of tea. She was trying to distract herself from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her since Ash’s confrontation with his father. Hindi maalis sa isip niya ang lahat ng nangyari—lalo na ang katotohanang sila ni Ash ang nasa gitna ng gulo. Biglang tumunog ang doorbell. Tumayo siya at binuksan ang pinto, and there stood Ash, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. “For you,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I know these are your favorite.” “Sunflowers in winter?” biro niya, taking the bouquet. “You’re spoiling me.” “You deserve it,” he replied softly. Pinatuloy niya si Ash, and they sat on the couch. Maya placed the flowers on the coffee table, looking at him expectantly. “Kamusta ang board meeting?” tanong niya, kahit alam niyang mabigat ang pinagdaanan nito. Ash sighed, leaning forward and clasping his hands together. “It’s complicated. My father and Victoria are pushing harder than

It was a cloudy morning, and the tension in the air matched the heaviness that Ash and Maya felt in their hearts. Alam nilang hindi pa tapos ang laban nila. If anything, the stakes had grown higher after Reginald's latest attempt to undermine their relationship. ---Ash stood in his office, staring out the window as Julian went over the latest developments. “Bro, the board’s meeting tomorrow. Your dad is rallying hard against you. Gusto niyang kunin ang majority support to have you removed as CEO,” Julian said, his tone grim. Ash turned to him, his jaw tightening. “Then I’ll fight back. If he wants to play dirty, fine. I’m done being his puppet.” “May plano ka na ba?” Julian asked. “I do,” Ash replied. “I’ll use the media attention to my advantage. They want a story? I’ll give them one, but on my terms. I’m not just defending Maya—I’m defending the company and my leadership.” Julian smirked. “Now that’s the Asher Reed I know. Ano’ng kailangan ko gawin?” “Call for a press

Tahimik na naupo si Maya sa kanyang maliit na kusina, ang telepono niya ay nagvibrate sa mesa dahil sa sunod-sunod na tawag at mensahe mula kay Ava at sa iba pang mga kaibigan. Napatingin siya sa headline na nasa screen ng kanyang TV: "CEO Asher Reed’s Girlfriend: Hidden Secrets Exposed!"Hindi niya mapigilang mapahawak sa ulo, pakiramdam niya ay umiikot ang kanyang mundo. Hindi niya kailanman inakala na ang kanyang personal na buhay ay magiging ganito kakomplikado. Walang alinlangang si Reginald at Victoria ang nasa likod nito. Nakakapanghina, pero hindi siya pwedeng magpatalo. --- Maya barely had time to process her thoughts when Ava arrived, dala ang laptop at isang bag ng pagkain. Diretso itong pumasok, halatang nagmamadali at puno ng tensyon. “Maya, nakita mo na ba ang social media?” tanong nito, nilapag ang laptop sa mesa at agad binuksan ang isang browser. “Yes,” mahinang sagot ni Maya. “At halos hindi ko na kayang tingnan pa ulit.” Pinakita ni Ava ang iba’t ibang

“Hindi maaari…” bulong ni Maya habang nakatingin sa mga dokumento sa lamesa. Kumakabog ang kanyang dibdib sa takot at galit habang iniisa-isa ang mga larawan. “Ash,” dugtong niya, tumingin siya sa lalaki na halatang naninigas ang panga, “sino ang taong ito? Bakit kasama nila ang tatay mo at si Victoria?” Hinila ni Ash ang isang upuan at naupo sa tabi niya. “Maya, hindi ko rin alam. Pero kung tama ang mga ebidensyang ito, malaki ang posibilidad na may taong malapit sa atin na nakikipagsabwatan sa kanila.” Nagkatinginan silang dalawa, parehong puno ng tanong at pagkabahala. Si Julian, na nanatiling tahimik habang pinapanood ang dalawa, ay napabuntong-hininga. “Kailangan nating malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nito,” ani Julian. “At kailangan nating kumilos agad bago pa sila makagawa ng mas malaking hakbang.” ---Habang pinag-uusapan nila ang plano, biglang tumunog ang telepono ni Ash. Nang tingnan niya ito, lumitaw ang pangalan ng kanyang ama. Tumayo siya at lumabas ng silid p