로그인Aviannah could feel the walls she had built around her heart for so many years slowly crumbling. Walls she had desperately erected to keep herself from getting hurt again—walls she had reinforced every time she reminded herself that she could no longer afford to hope.
But with every word Andrei spoke, every sincere look in his eyes, and every gentle stroke of his hand against her cheek, those walls began to fall apart.
She didn't know when her hands had started trembling.<
“In fairness, this is really good!” Sandra praised as she ate.“I know, right? The soup has just the right amount of sourness,” Jamie agreed.However, after only her third bite, she suddenly stopped eating.“Oh? You're done already?” Sandra asked.“Uhm... I suddenly feel full,” Jamie replied, making up an excuse.“But you've only had three bites,” Sandra pointed out.“Huh? O-Oh, right. I'll keep eating then,” Jamie said before taking another bite.“By the way, Avie, do you know who lives in the unit next door?” Sandra asked Aviannah while eating.The calmness in Aviannah's chest instantly disappeared, replaced by anxiety at Sandra's question.“H-Huh?”“Did you know that Rome and I came back here together?”“Rome? Andrei's friend? The one you were with earlier?” Jamie asked.“Yep, him.”“Why did you come back with him?” Jamie suddenly fell silent as something dawned on her. “Wait... don't tell me...”“Andrei is here too,” Sandra continued. “And guess what? His unit is right next door.”
“Don't you still have work to do?” Aviannah asked as she gently played with Andrei's hair.“Do you want me to leave already?” Andrei asked in return as he slowly opened his eyes.“It's not like that...”“Work can wait,” Andrei said quickly before closing his eyes again and snuggling even closer against Aviannah's lap.He was lying with his head resting on her lap. They had just finished lunch, and Aviannah was beginning to worry because Andrei still hadn't left her unit. She knew that Jamie and Sandra could arrive at any moment.“But... Are you sure it's okay that you left Rome behind earlier?” Aviannah asked softly.Andrei opened his eyes again and suddenly sat up.“Oh, right... Rome.”“He's not familiar with this place. Maybe you should give him a call—”“He'll be fine,” Andrei interrupted.“Huh?”“He can take care of himself, so don't worry about him anymore,” Andrei said before lying back down on Aviannah's lap.“But, Andrei...”“Hmm?”“I really think... you should go now.”Withou
“So, he really left me behind,” Rome muttered as Andrei and Aviannah finally disappeared from their sight.“That man is so annoying!” Sandra exclaimed irritably before turning to Jamie. “Shouldn't we go after them? We need to bring Avie back.”“I think... Avie can handle him,” Jamie replied.“Huh? So we're just going to let her go with that man?”“She can handle him,” Alfred said. Although he tried to appear unaffected, the sadness in his eyes was impossible to hide.“But I don't trust that man,” Sandra said.“Wait a second,” Rome cut in. “Aviannah won't be in any danger with Andrei. He's not a bad person.”“This conversation doesn't involve you,” Sandra snapped.“But you're talking about my boss and my friend,” Rome replied.Sandra turned to face him.“Just admit it. Were you stalking us? Is that why you're here?”“What? Stalking? Who? You?” Rome asked in disbelief after hearing her accusation.“Yes. You were stalking us. You were stalking Avie, which is why you're here too. Isn't th
“Boss, wait! Are you really leaving me here?” Rome called after Andrei.But Andrei didn't bother responding. Instead, he simply continued walking away, gently pulling Aviannah along with him. He couldn't bear the sight of her being with Alfred any longer.When they reached his car, Andrei finally stopped and slowly released her hand. He took a deep breath before glancing at Aviannah. She remained silent, not saying a single word.He let out another deep breath and opened the passenger-side door for her. Aviannah didn't wait for him to say anything. She quietly got into the car.After she was seated, Andrei gently closed the door before walking around to the driver's side and getting in as well.He started the engine, then glanced at Aviannah once more. She was still sitting quietly, her lips sealed.He drew another deep breath.“What are you doing here? Why are you with that man again?”“You're jea
"Mr. Tuazon, thank you for coming all the way here," the resort owner greeted Andrei with a warm smile as he shook hands with him."It's my pleasure, Mr. Villanueva," Andrei replied. "I wanted to personally inspect the project's progress before we move on to the next phase."The resort owner nodded, and the two of them walked toward a large glass window overlooking the ongoing construction of the new function hall.From there, they had a clear view of the construction workers busy with their respective tasks."The structural work has already been completed," Andrei explained. "We're currently focusing on the interior finishes, lighting installation, and the mechanical and electrical systems."The resort owner listened attentively."Will everything be completed before the grand opening?" he asked.Andrei nodded confidently."If the weather cooperates, yes. We're still about two weeks ahead of schedule."The resort owner s
Andrei quietly closed the door to his unit. He stood there for a few seconds before letting out a sigh. By now, Aviannah had probably already left with Jamie and Sandra. And in a little while, Alfred would be picking them up.He couldn't help but shake his head. His jaw tightened as he clenched his fist.He really didn't like the idea.He walked over to the minibar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. But before he could even take a sip, the doorbell echoed throughout the unit.He frowned.He wasn't expecting any visitors.Setting the glass down, he made his way to the door.The moment he opened it, he was greeted by a tall man with a backpack slung over one shoulder and a small suitcase in the other hand."Surprise!" the man greeted with a wide grin."Rome...""Missed me?"Andrei chuckled and shook his head. "Why is everyone suddenly into surprising me today?" he said, remembering how Aviannah's friends
“How are you, Avie? Still no call or even a single message from him?” Sandra asked Aviannah as soon as she arrived at the coffee shop where they agreed to meet.Sadly and weakly, Aviannah shook her head at her friends. “None,” she replied.“What are you going to do now? Your dad’s wedding is tomorr
Aviannah’s heart pounded heavily as she sat quietly, waiting for what her father was about to tell her. Once again, he had chosen to eat with her—something he only did whenever he had something important to say.“We’re getting married, your Tita Cristy and I,” her father said, making her pause for
“Here’s a phone for you, Avie,” Sandra said with a smile as she handed her a paper bag. Aviannah’s face immediately lit up as she happily took it from her.“Thank you so much, Sandra!” she exclaimed before quickly opening the bag and pulling out a brand-new phone.Ever since she had returned home,
“How are you, Aviannah? I’m so glad to see you again. I’m sorry if it took me this long to come to you. I just got back myself. I was out of the country for a business trip for a month, so I wasn’t able to help your father in searching for you,” Cristy said at length to Aviannah.Aviannah gave her







