Twisted Obsession (Twisted Series #3)

Chapter Three

Valeria

Wala nang mas masakit pa sa pag-fall sa taong iniwan ka na dati.

Kasi kahit gaano mo pa i-remind ang sarili mong mali ‘to, na delikado ‘to…
Minsan, tumitibok pa rin 'yung pusong sinubukan mo nang patigasin.

And I hated that part of me.

For being weak—for still caring.

“Val,” tawag ni Claire habang binabagtas namin ang hallway ng CruzTech for day two of meetings. “You sure you don’t want to hand this off to Sam? Baka mas madali kung siya na lang 'yung main contact.”

“No,” I said firmly. “I can handle Aiden Cruz.”

“Right,” she said, giving me a look. “That’s exactly what people say before they spiral.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop watching too many dramas.”

“Just saying,” she teased, raising both hands. “You and Aiden? That tension is giving enemies-to-lovers realness.”

I snorted. “Try heartbreak-to-damage-control.”

Pagpasok namin sa boardroom, he was already there. Of course. Laging maaga. Laging handa. Laging mukhang kontrolado ang lahat.

Except his eyes—they always gave him away.

“Miss Navarro,” he greeted again, standing as we entered. That formal tone he used? It was annoying me. Kasi kilala ko siya. Alam ko kung paano siya tumawa dati. Paano siya ngumiti ‘pag naiinis ako. Paano niya ako binubulongan ng “Sorry na, love,” kahit barkada lang kami noon.

Pero ngayon, para kaming dalawang taong may makapal na salamin sa gitna—parang gusto mo siyang hawakan pero hindi mo puwedeng abutin.

“We prepared a rough draft for the CruzTech brand refresh,” I began as we started the presentation. “This concept reflects strength, innovation, and legacy—everything your company represents.”

“Legacy,” he repeated, eyes never leaving mine. “Interesting choice.”

“Do you have a problem with it?” I asked, challenging him.

“No,” he said, a faint smirk on his lips. “I just think it says a lot about what we both value.”

I clenched my jaw. He was baiting me—and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Professionalism, Mr. Cruz,” I said coldly. “Let’s keep it that way.”

---

Later that day – CruzTech Rooftop
...

I didn’t plan to be here.

Promise.

Pero pagkatapos ng maghapon na acting like we weren’t breaking inside, I needed a breath of fresh air—and ironically, this was the only place that felt familiar.

I closed my eyes, letting the wind blow against my face, pretending the city lights could calm the chaos in my chest.

“Thought I’d find you here,” a deep voice said behind me.

I didn’t turn. “You’re not special, Aiden. Rooftops are common.”

He chuckled. “Still sarcastic.”

“And you’re still persistent.”

He stood beside me now, arms crossed like mine. Parang kami pa rin ‘yung dating magkaibigan, pero ‘yung distance namin ngayon, mas malamig pa sa hangin.

“You know,” he said, “I memorized every floor of this building. Pero kahit ilang office, ilang meeting rooms, ilang awards—this is still my favorite spot.”

“Because it makes you feel less alone?”

He turned to me slowly. “Because this is where I feel close to you.”

I froze. My breath caught.

Damn him. Damn his voice. Damn the way he said things like that, so easily.

“You don’t get to say things like that,” I whispered.

“Why not?”

“Because you left.”

“And I came back.”

I shook my head. “Too late.”

“No,” he said, stepping closer. “Not if we’re still us underneath the hurt.”

I looked at him then. Really looked at him. He wasn’t the boy I used to know.
He was a man now—stronger, sharper, colder.

But his eyes… they were still the same.
And maybe that’s what scared me most.

Because for all my walls, for all my anger,
a part of me still wanted to believe him.

“I don’t know if I can trust you again,” I admitted.

“You don’t have to,” he said softly. “Not yet.”

“But you’re asking me to feel again.”

“No,” he said, his voice raw. “I’m asking you to remember. What it was like… when we were real.”

My heart squeezed.

And I hated that a part of me did remember—every second of it.