Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 18

The city lights painted a kaleidoscope of colors across the car’s sleek interior as Mackenzie glanced at Addison, who sat silently beside her. The hum of the engine was the only sound filling the heavy silence between them.
“So, how was your day?” Mackenzie asked, her voice cutting through the quiet as she tried to start a conversation. “It was good, Mackie,” Addison replied, her tone clipped, her gaze fixed out the window. 
“Yeah…” Mackenzie murmured, her voice softer now. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, debating if she should bring it up. After a beat of hesitation, she turned to Addison. “Addi… about the other night—” 
“Mackie, don’t,” Addison interrupted sharply, shifting in her seat to face away from her. Her shoulders were tense, her words laced with finality. “It’s fine. Let’s not make this weird.” 
Mackenzie let out a frustrated sigh, her hands balling into fists on her lap. “It’s already weird,” she admitted, her voice low. She straightened up, trying to meet Addison’s eyes. “I just… I don’t want things to be awkward between us.” 
Addison finally turned to her, her expression guarded, her lips pressed into a thin line. “You don’t get it, do you?” 
“What do you mean?” Mackenzie asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her chest tightening at the way Addison’s words hung in the air. 
Addison shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she reached for the door handle. “Nothing,” she said flatly. “Just—next time, be sure about what you want before you drag someone else into it.” 

"What? I'm not following you," Mackenzie said, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Don’t act clueless," Addison replied, her voice low but laced with frustration. "Dior already told me everything."  Mackenzie froze, her heart dropping at the weight of Addison's words. She took a small step closer, her voice soft and tentative. "Let me explain, Addi," she said, gently reaching for Addison's hand. 

Addison flinched, pulling her hand back. "What’s there to explain, Mackie?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "I’m not mad… I’m just disappointed." 
Mackenzie’s throat tightened at the words.  "I shouldn’t have assumed anything either," Addison continued, her gaze drifting to the distant city lights. "But please… stop. Stop with the gestures, the sweet words, the… everything. I’m not here to play your game, Mackie."  Her words cut deep, but before Addison could walk away, Mackenzie’s arms wrapped around her from behind. Her grip was firm, desperate, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Is this it? Is this what you're asking me to stop?" Mackenzie whispered, her words trembling against Addison’s shoulder.  Addison froze, her breath hitching as Mackenzie clung tighter. 

"Because I won’t," Mackenzie said, her voice cracking. "I can’t. I’ll never stop, Addi. Not for work, not for anything." 
Addison turned slowly in Mackenzie’s arms, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Mackie, please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You’re only doing this… for work… for your image. But me?" Addison’s voice faltered as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I’m falling for you."  The air grew heavy around them, the sounds of the city fading into the background as they stood there, caught in a fragile moment between longing and fear. Mackenzie reached up, wiping the tear from Addison’s cheek with trembling fingers. 
"Addi," Mackenzie said softly, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "This isn’t for work. It’s not a game. It’s you. It’s always been you."

Addison searched Mackenzie’s eyes for any hint of doubt, and for the first time, she found none. Mackenzie hesitated, her hand still lingering on Addison's cheek. There was a pause, a moment where neither of them spoke, the silence filled only by their breaths. Addison’s eyes searched Mackenzie’s face, and despite the conflict swimming in her gaze, there was a softness there too. 
Slowly, Mackenzie leaned closer, her intentions clear but unhurried, as if waiting for Addison to stop her. When Addison didn’t pull away, their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss. 
For a brief moment, everything felt right—like the tension, the unspoken words, and the weight of their feelings melted away. But just as Mackenzie deepened the kiss, Addison placed her hand on Mackenzie’s chest, gently pushing her back.  "Stop," Addison said, her voice barely audible but firm. 
Mackenzie stepped back, her heart sinking. "Addi..." 

“This won’t work,” Addison said quietly, her voice steady yet tinged with sadness. She turned away, her fingers brushing against her temple as if trying to ease the thoughts swirling in her head. “Addi, please listen,” Mackenzie started, her voice trembling but resolute. She stepped closer, closing the distance between them.  Addison shook her head, her arms wrapping around herself as if to shield her from Mackenzie’s words. “Mackie… bugso lang ng damdamin mo ‘to,” she said softly, her tone more of a plea than a declaration. “No,” Mackenzie interrupted, her eyes locking onto Addison’s, filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. “I promise you, this isn’t some fleeting feeling.” 
Addison turned to face her then, her brows furrowed as if trying to decipher the sincerity behind Mackenzie’s words. “You barely know me, Mackie,” she reasoned, her voice gentle but firm. 
“And yet,” Mackenzie said, her voice unwavering now, “I already love you.” 
The word hung in the air, heavy and raw. Addison froze, her eyes widening in surprise. The vulnerability in Mackenzie’s confession was palpable, cutting through the hesitation Addison had been trying to cling to. 
“Mackie…” Addison began, her voice softer now, but there was still a hesitation in her gaze. She felt her heart stir, but the doubt lingered, a wall she wasn’t ready to let crumble. 
“Trust me naman, oh,” Mackenzie said, her tone desperate but genuine. She reached for Addison’s hand, her fingers brushing lightly against hers. 
Addison sighed deeply, her eyes dropping to the floor as if searching for the right words. “I’m sorry,” she finally said, pulling her hand back gently. “Not right now. I—I can’t. This isn’t just about us. I know this is what the management wants… but ikaw, maybe this isn't what you want.” 
“I do,” Mackenzie said firmly, her voice cracking slightly. 
Addison’s eyes softened, her expression torn. “I need you to think about this—really think about it. Cause I'm not gonna be forcing you, with us two… you're free.” 
The silence between them was deafening. Mackenzie swallowed hard, nodding even though her chest ached with the weight of rejection. 
Addison took a small step back, her voice quieter now. “I’m not walking away, Mackie. Not from this project, not from you. But for now… let’s just take a step back, okay?” 
Mackenzie didn’t respond immediately, her eyes searching Addison’s for a sign of hope. But all she found was hesitation mixed with sincerity.