Bound by Destiny

...........

Ceana sat alone at the bar, her heart heavy and her head spinning from too many drinks. Naiisip niya ang dati niyang kasintahan na si Cleven the love of her life, ngunit ng makita ito kasama ang ex nito ay tuluyang bumasag sa kanya. 'Paano niya nagawang lokohin ako?' she thought bitterly, downing another drink.

Her phone vibrated on the counter. A message from Cleven "Where are you? Let’s talk." 

She scoffed. Without a second thought, she typed back: "Go to hell, bastard. We’re done." Downing the rest of her drink, Ceana left the bar, unaware that her life was about to change forever. 

The morning light was blinding. Ceana groaned, the ache in her head rivaled only by the weight in her heart. She sat up and froze. Her clothes were scattered across the floor of an unfamiliar room. Panic set in as the door opened, revealing Kyle Grey—her best friend since high school. 

"Kyle?" Her voice was hoarse, her thoughts spinning. 

"You’re awake," he said softly, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and guilt. 

"What… happened?" 

Kyle hesitated, sitting beside her. "You were drunk. You called me, and I brought you here to make sure you were safe." 

She glanced down, tugging the blanket tighter around her. "Safe? Then why am I…?" 

His expression hardened, guilt evident in his features. "Ceana, nothing happened that you didn’t want. But if you regret it…" 

Her heart dropped. Pieces of the night returned in flashes—his arms around her, his lips on hers, the way his touch set her skin ablaze. 

"I was drunk," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You’re my best friend, Kyle. This shouldn’t have happened." 

His jaw tightened, his frustration evident. "I’ve loved you for years, Ceana. Last night… wasn’t just a mistake to me. It was a chance to show you how much I care." 

She stared at him, her emotions a whirlwind. "Kyle…" 

"I’ll give you time," he interrupted. "But I won’t pretend I don’t love you anymore."

Ceana stared at him, her mind reeling. She wanted to say no, to push him away and salvage their friendship, but the sincerity in his eyes made her hesitate. Finally, she sighed.

Ceana stared at him, her mind reeling. She wanted to say no, to push him away and save their friendship, but the sincerity in his eyes made her hesitate. Finally, she sighed. 

"Fine. One month. I’ll give you a chance. But if I don’t feel anything by then, we go back to being just friends." 

Kyle smiled, relief washing over his face. "Thank you, Ceana. I promise you won’t regret this." 

Over the next month, Kyle was relentless in his pursuit. Kahit abala siya bilang abogado at CEO, sinigurado niyang may oras siya para sa kanya. Her walls slowly crumbled. The way he laughed, the tenderness in his touch, the safety she felt in his presence—it all began to stir feelings she couldn’t ignore. 

One evening, under a canopy of stars, she admitted it. "I think I’m falling for you, Kyle." 

He smiled, his eyes alight with hope. "Then let me catch you, Ceana." 

.........

Weeks later, Ceana discovered she was pregnant. Ceana wrestled with the news for days, debating whether to tell Kyle. Before she could share the news, Kyle called in a panic.