By the time the first week of January rolled around, the festive haze of Christmas had worn off, replaced by the familiar chaos of Manila traffic and the unforgiving rhythm of university life.
Mariella stood outside the UE Law building, the sun sharp against her freshly ironed uniform. Students flooded the gates, chattering about their break, resolutions, and upcoming prelims. The smell of taho and exhaust filled the air, Manila had returned to its usual, unfiltered self.
But Mariella’s focus wasn’t on any of that.
Her phone buzzed.
PMR: I’m outside.
She read the message twice before looking up. And there it was, the sleek black Audi gliding to a stop across the street, drawing eyes like a magnet.
She inhaled sharply. Of course he would make an entrance.
Heads turned immediately. A
