The Heart That Belongs To Both (SSPG)

CHAPTER 7:

MHIARA CASTANIEDA’S POV

“Ma’am.”

The knock was light.. but precise.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Cynthia stepped in, this time holding a slim stack of documents instead of her usual clipboard.

“I have what you asked for,” she said.

I didn’t respond.

I just extended my hand.

She placed the folder on my desk.

“Both profiles are complete,” dagdag niya. “Discreet sources, as instructed.”

“Good.”

I pulled the folder closer.

Opened it.

And the first name immediately caught my attention.

Lucien Kael Montoya.

My eyes scanned the page.

Filipino–Spanish. Twenty-nine.

Private equity investor. Silent partner.

Offshore ventures.

My brows furrowed slightly as I continued reading.

He moves money quietly. Strategically.

Legally. Not the public face, but always behind the power.

I leaned back slightly.

So he’s not just rich.

He’s dangerous in a different way.

The kind of man who doesn’t need attention to control everything.

My fingers flipped to the next page.

Sole heir of the Montoya Clan.

I stilled for a second.

Montoya.

Now that name... that carries weight.

Old money.

Influence.

Connections that don’t need to be announced to be felt.

I exhaled softly.

So that explains one thing.

He’s not just a random guy.

I turned the page.

Caelum Rhys Hale.

Filipino–American.

Twenty-seven.

Architect.

Founder.

Boutique design firm.

My eyes moved faster this time.

Modern luxury homes.

Mansions.

Penthouses.

Private villas.

Clients....wealthy. Selective.

I paused.

Then continued.

He is rhe kind of man who builds things,nnot just owns them.

I tapped the paper lightly.

Two completely different worlds.

Two completely different kinds of power.

And yet, both of them showed up.

For me.

My jaw tightened slightly.

“Anything else?” tanong ko nang hindi pa rin iniaangat ang tingin ko sa mga papeles.

Cynthia hesitated. “There’s one thing, ma’am…”

That made me look up.

“What?”

She straightened. “Both of them… have no direct business connection to our company.”

I already expected that.

“So?” I said.

“But…” she continued carefully, “they both have indirect influence in industries we’ve worked with. High-end real estate, luxury branding… private events.”

My fingers stilled.

That hit closer.

“They could have encountered your work,” dagdag niya.

I leaned back slowly.

“Or…” Cynthia added, more cautious this time, “they have an interest with your company,"

Silence.

I closed the folder.

Slowly.

My gaze hardened.

Lucien Montoya.

Caelum Hale.

One moves power in silence.

The other builds it into something visible.

And both of them.. walked into my life without an introduction.

My fingers tapped once against the folder.

Then I stood. “Set a meeting.”

Cynthia blinked.

“With who, ma’am?”

I picked up the folder.

My lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in it.

“Both of them."

Natigilan si Cynthia, nakatitig lang sa akin... animo'y naghihintay na baka magbago ang isip ko, pero hindi. Dahil diterminado na ako na makilala ang dalawang lalaking ito.

Marami akong katanungan sa kanilang dalawa at hindi ko sila hahayaang umalis kapag hindi nila nasagot lahat ng gusto kong malaman.

"Tell them that it's urgent, at kapag hindi nila tinanggap ang imbitasyon ko ay hindi na muli sila makakaapak sa bawat lugar kung nasaan ako," dagdag ko.

Pagkatapos niyon at kinuha ko ang coat ko. Isinuot ko iyon at nagsimulang maglakad palayo sa lamesa ko.

~~~~~

A few hours later.....

I stepped out of my car, the city lights reflecting against the polished surface as I handed the keys to the valet without a word.

My heels clicked sharply against the pavement as I walked toward the entrance of the restaurant.

Elegant.

Refined.

Private.

Exactly the kind of place where people like them preferred to meet.

The glass doors opened, and I stepped inside, immediately greeted by dim golden lighting and the low hum of quiet conversations. The scent of expensive wine and perfectly cooked meals lingered in the air.

“Reservation, ma’am?” tanong ng receptionist.

“Mhiara Castanieda,” diretsyo kong sagot.

They checked quickly, then nodded.

“This way, ma’am.”

I followed.

But the moment I stepped deeper into the restaurant.. I automatically saw them.

Kahit malayo pa ako sa mesa na pina-reserve ko ay alam kong sila iyong nakita ko.

Magkaharap silang dalawa.

Seated like kings in their own spaces.

And the tension?

It was palpable.

Halos maramdaman ko kahit ilang hakbang pa ang layo ko sa kinaroroonan nila.

They weren’t talking. But the way they looked at each other.mm It wasn’t simple.

It wasn’t polite.

It was sharp and measured.

As if each of them was already sizing the other up. At base sa ekspresyon nilang dalawa ay mukhang hindi nila inaasahang magkikita sila ngayong gabi at uupo sa iisang mesa.

My steps slowed.

As I observed them from a distance.

Lucien looked relaxed.

Leaning back slightly in his chair, one arm resting casually, but his eyes…

Cold.

Calculating.

Like he already knew more than he was showing.

Then Caelum...straight posture.

Focused.

His gaze is unwavering.

Not backing down.

Not even an inch.

Completely different energy.

But equally dangerous.

It amused me.

A soft, unexpected chuckle escaped my lips.

I shook my head slightly.

“So this is what they look like when they’re in the same room…” mahina kong bulong sa sarili ko.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I straightened my posture.

And continued walking.

I was only a few steps away when it happened.

As if they both sensed me.

Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa akin. And when their gazes met mine, the tension between them broke.

I didn’t stop walking.

Didn’t slow down.

Then... almost simultaneously they stood. Both of them stood up at the same time.

As if it was instinct.

As if they were… expecting me.

My brow lifted slightly.

Lucien was the first to gesture, one hand casually extending toward the chair.

“Please,” his voice was low, smooth... controlled.

But before I could even respond, Caelum moved.

Pulling the chair out for me.

And just like earlier... they looked at each other with that serious expression. Para bang ilang segundo lang ay sasabog silang dalawa at uupakan ang isa't isa.

I let out a faint breath through my nose.

Amusement flickering briefly in my eyes.

So this is how it’s going to be.

I stepped forward.

Graceful.

Then I stopped right in front of them.

My gaze moved from one... to the other.

Taking them in fully this time.

Lucien Montoya.

Exactly what I expected.

Danger wrapped in elegance.

Then Caelum Hale.

Sharp.

Grounded.

The kind of man who builds his presence instead of hiding it.

I tilted my head slightly.

Then, finally sat down.

Ako mismo ang kumuha ng upuan ko, hindi ko tinanggap ang silya na inalok nila sa akin.

“Gentlemen,” I said smoothly, crossing one leg over the other.

My eyes didn’t soften.

Not even a little.

“I don’t like wasting time.”

A pause.

“So I’ll ask this once…”

I leaned back slightly, completely at ease... like I wasn’t sitting between two powerful men who had been silently at odds just seconds ago.

“Why are you looking for me--"

"I like you.."

"I like you!"

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko pagkarinig ko niyon. Sabay-sabay silang nagsalita, at ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking pisnge sa hiya dahil halos lahat ng tao sa paligid at nakatingin sa aming direksyon.

TO BE CONTINUED....