Chapter 5
1708 Words
It was supposed to be a simple meeting.
Alaric entered the café near the Ybañez corporate office to grab an espresso before heading to his next call. No guards, no assistant, no press—just ten minutes of peace.
Or so he thought.
Because the moment he pushed the door open, his footsteps froze.
There, by the glass window, was Stine.
Laughing.
Glowing.
With three men.
They were seated close. Too close. One had his arm draped behind her chair. The other handed her a slice of cake while she poked Jace’s cheek, giggling like a carefree teenager.
Alaric’s jaw ticked.
What the hell?
She hadn’t smiled like that in any of their meetings. Not once.
Ram whispered something to her, and she doubled over laughing.
Alaric narrowed his eyes.
She was wearing that off-shoulder white blouse he secretly liked—the one that made her collarbones and skin stand out against her long dark hair.
He didn’t even realize he was still staring until the barista cleared her throat.
“Sir? Your order?”
“Double espresso. Extra shot,” he said sharply.
Then he turned his back to them—but his ears stayed tuned in like a damn radar.
He couldn’t hear the words, but the laughter?
Grating.
He tried not to look. Tried to focus on his phone. But five seconds later, he glanced over his shoulder again.
She was now sipping iced coffee from Ram’s cup.
From his straw.
Alaric’s hand curled into a fist.
“What the hell,” he muttered under his breath.
His espresso arrived.
He didn’t touch it.
Stine saw him the moment he turned to leave.
Eyes locking for a second—too fast, but just enough.
Her breath caught.
“Was that—?”
Theo turned. “Ybañez?”
Jace raised a brow. “Oops. Mukhang nagseselos.”
Stine waved them off. “He has no right.”
Ram smirked. “Baka he thinks you’re his na.”
“Sa panaginip nya.”
But she couldn’t lie to herself.
That flash in Alaric’s eyes?
It wasn’t just annoyance.
It was rage masked in indifference.
And it made her pulse skip.
Alaric stepped out into the afternoon sun, heart thudding.
Why did it bother him?
Why was her laughter echoing in his head like a song he couldn’t shut off?
And why the hell did it sting?
He didn’t have answers.
Just the bitterness of jealousy and a cooling espresso in hand.
It started as a mild annoyance.
Alaric would scroll through his feed and see Stine in stories.
Always with Theo.
Always with Jace.
Always with Ram.
One time nasa gym.
Next day, nagb-brunch.
Then beach trip? Apat lang sila?
What the hell?
The more he noticed, the more nakakainis.
During meetings, he’d hear her phone buzz, and a smile would tug on her lips. Alam na niya kung sino yung nag-message.
“Theo na naman...” he muttered once, habang pinipirmahan ang joint proposal.
Stine looked up. “What?”
“Nothing,” Alaric said quickly, pero may sarcasm ang tono. “You seem busy. Maybe you should go hang out with your bodyguards.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Yung three musketeers mong boys. Parang shadow mo na sila.”
“They’re my best friends, Alaric. What’s your problem?”
“Wala,” he said, resting his elbows on the table. “Just surprised you have time to work with all the... social engagements you have.”
“Wow. Hindi ko alam concerned ka pala sa schedule ko.”
He leaned back. “I’m just saying, if you’re aiming for professionalism, maybe don’t post half-naked beach pics with three guys every other day.”
Her eyes widened.
“Number one, I was wearing a bikini. On a beach. Like a normal human being. Number two, wala kang karapatang makialam. You have girls hanging off your arm every time we step outside!”
Alaric opened his mouth to reply... then closed it.
Damn. She had a point.
Still.
That didn’t mean he liked seeing her with them.
Especially not when Theo was always too close. Jace was always too funny. And Ram? Ram looked at her like he’d take a bullet if needed.
Shit.
He wasn't supposed to care.
But he did.
And it was driving him insane.
That night, while scrolling through her newest story — them singing karaoke, Ram had his arm around her again — he threw his phone on the couch and muttered,
“Hindi ako seloso, pero p*tangina naman.”
Alaric didn’t mean to be there.
Actually, he wasn’t even supposed to be in that building.
But fate, or maybe masochism, led him to that quiet rooftop venue — a casual networking mixer hosted by one of Stine’s charity partners.
And there she was.
In a red dress.
Laughing again.
With Theo.
Alaric froze by the entrance. People buzzed around him, champagne flutes in hand, soft jazz playing in the background.
But his focus?
Laser-locked on her.
Theo leaned in to whisper something.
Stine laughed, tilting her head slightly, one hand lightly resting on Theo’s chest as she tried to stop herself from choking on wine.
Alaric felt his stomach twist.
His jaw clenched.
What the hell was that?
She never laughed like that with him.
Not even close.
And what was that hand doing on Theo’s chest? Kahit sandali lang, it burned in his head like a f*****g neon sign.
She touched him.
And she let herself be that... comfortable.
Ram spotted Alaric first.
“Uy, look who decided to show up.”
Stine turned.
Their eyes met.
That familiar jolt.
But she noticed it instantly — the tightness in his expression, the slight flaring of his nostrils, the way he didn’t even fake a smile.
She blinked. “What are you doing here?”
Alaric shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Crashing your party, apparently.”
Theo, ever the charming one, extended a hand. “You’re always welcome. As long as you behave.”
Alaric ignored the hand.
Instead, he walked over to Stine, just a little too close.
“Nice dress,” he said casually, eyes scanning her from head to toe. “Is it new, or Theo’s pick?”
Stine frowned. “Seriously?”
“I mean, you seem to need his opinion on everything lately.”
Theo raised a brow. “You okay, man?”
“I’m fine,” Alaric snapped.
Too quickly.
Too defensive.
He turned to grab a drink from a passing server, downing it like it could burn the jealousy away.
Stine followed him to the corner balcony.
“Tigilan mo nga ako, Alaric. Anong problema mo?”
“I don’t have a problem.”
“Then stop acting like a jealous ex. We’re not even together.”
Tiningnan sya nito ng matalim.
“I’m not jealous.”
“Then why are you glaring at Theo like gusto mo siyang saksakin kanina?”
He said nothing.
Because honestly?
He didn’t know.
Why was he angry?
Why did he want to drag her away from Theo? From everyone?
Why did he feel this burning rage in his chest, this frustration he couldn’t explain?
He stared at the skyline, jaw still tight.
Then muttered under his breath.
“Bakit ba ang landi mo?”
Stine gasped. “What did you just say?”
He looked at her — sharp, bitter, regretful.
Silence.
Then she stepped back, eyes wide with hurt.
“You don’t get to call me that.”
And before he could say anything else, she turned and walked away.
Leaving him stunned.
And still confused.
And still angry.
Stine wasn’t angry.
Okay… maybe konti.
But more than anything?
She was done playing innocent.
If Alaric wanted to throw judgmental stares and passive-aggressive comments, fine.
Let him choke on his own selos.
She strutted into the Ybañez boardroom the next day wearing a sleek black pencil dress, heels that clicked with purpose, and an attitude sharp enough to cut steel.
Alaric was already there. Dark suit. Serious expression. Cold eyes.
She smiled sweetly.
“Good morning, Mr. Ybañez,” she chirped, taking the seat across from him.
He grunted. “Miss Navarro.”
She raised a brow. “Wow. Formality. So hot.”
His jaw tightened. “Let’s just get this meeting over with.”
But just before the assistant arrived, she leaned forward, chin resting on her hand.
“By the way,” she said in a low, teasing voice, “I told my boy harem about your tantrum.”
He blinked. “Your what?”
“My boy harem,” she repeated with a smirk. “Theo, Jace, Ram. My very loyal, very supportive, very handsome bodyguards-s***h-fanclub.”
“You’re not serious.”
She shrugged. “Why not? Since you think they’re my boyfriends anyway. Might as well own it.”
Alaric stared at her, nostrils flaring. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Thank you,” she said sweetly. “Pumayag sila.”
He leaned closer, voice dropping. “Ginagawa mo ito para mainis ako.”
“And it’s working, isn't it?”
Silence.
His eyes locked with hers.
Tension.
Thick. Heated. Dangerous.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Then the assistant walked in and they both instantly straightened, masks snapping into place.
Later that afternoon, Stine posted a group selfie with Theo, Jace, and Ram at a café.
Caption:
✨ Coffee with the Boy Harem ☕💋 #ProtectedPrincess #NoEntryZone
Alaric saw it exactly thirty seconds after it went up.
He threw his phone across the couch.
Eli, lounging nearby, looked up from his game.
“Bro. Chill.”
“She’s testing me.”
Zion smirked. “Nah. She’s winning.”
Alaric glared. “Don’t start.”
Zion shrugged. “So what if she’s close to them? You jealous?”
“I’m not jealous,” he snapped.
Eli snorted. “Right. And I’m celibate.”
Alaric stood up, pacing like a caged animal.
“She’s flaunting it. It’s childish.”
Zion grinned. “Or maybe she’s waiting for you to grow some balls and admit you like her.”
Alaric stopped mid-step.
Silence.
Then he muttered,
“She’s infuriating.”
Eli chuckled.
“And yet, you’re obsessed.”
- Writer
