The Sweetest Obsession

epilogue: the spotlight

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ANALEIN

"The highest grossing novel ' The Sweetest Obsession ' came to an end and gained the first rank in all novel platforms"

"The Sweetest Obsession remained in the 1st spot from beginning to an end"

"A.C Suarez's book 'The Sweetest Obsession' has become the most bought book in all time!"

Sitting in the familiar café, I stared at the blinking cursor on my laptop.

The words of my newly finished novel, The Sweetest Obsession haunted the screen.

It had taken off in ways I never expected, becoming a bestseller, a top read in both bookstores and online platforms.

Everyone thought it was just another dark thriller, a brilliant escape from the mundane. Little did they know it was my escape, a mirror of emotions I could never express.

"Congrats, Ana!” The barista, who'd been watching my rise from afar, offered a smile as he placed my favorite drink in front of me. I nodded and smiled back.

"Salamat Fonz!" I replied— grateful yet distracted. I  glanced at the table across from me as I saw her.

Maven Zelle Ancheta- Lauren.

My best friend—the person I had been silently in love with for years. She was a woman of empathy, just like her parents.

Her heart was always in the right place, always trying to fix and nurture the world around her. I was no exception to that care. If only she knew how much I admired her.

Maven walked in, her soft steps familiar and comforting. Her eyes searched the room until they found me, and she flashed a wide smile as she waved.

She had this ability to light up any space she entered, and just like every other time, my heart ached seeing her.

I returned her smile, though mine was more restrained, tinged with the weight of secrets.

“AC, nakita mo na ba? "The Sweetest Obsession" is everywhere! I can't scroll without seeing people talk about it!” She said, sliding into the seat across from me. "Ang galing mo talaga!"

“Thanks” I replied, trying to sound casual as I sipped my coffee. “You're probably just seeing my name because you spend too much time scrolling.”

Maven laughed, her eyes sparkling, and I couldn't help but feel my heart sink deeper.

She never looked at me that way—not like she did when she talked about Jaimie.

“Come on, give yourself some credits!” She leaned back, crossing her arms with a playful smirk.

“You've just become one of the most sought-after authors in the country, and here you are, pretending like it's no big deal. Kakaiba ka talaga Suarez.”

I forced a smile. “Maybe I'm just too used to it by now.”  I said, playfully shrugging

"Yabang" Asar niya at bahagyang binunggo ang balikat ko gamit ang kanya.

But it wasn't that because the truth is.

Success felt meaningless when the one person I wanted to impress didn't even realize what was right in front of her.

“Tara, let's celebrate” Maven suggested. “We can get dinner later, maybe invite Jaimie?”

There it was again—Jaimie. I should have been used to it, but every time she said the name, it felt like a punch to the gut.