Michaels in Love (BoyXBoy) English

Chapter 32 - Season 1: The Archangel's Diary (FINALE)

It was 6:10 PM on Valentine's Day, and Mike insisted on driving me home. But I refused, saying I could manage to commute using the LRT. He reluctantly agreed, though it was clear he wanted to make sure I got home safely.

As he dropped me off near the entrance of the LRT Araneta Center Cubao station, we shared a bittersweet moment. His car idled in front of Chowking restaurant, and before I stepped out, he called me back for one final hug. His embrace was tight, lingering, as though he didn't want to let me go.

"Baby Michael, please be careful, okay?" he said, his voice thick with concern. "Watch where you're going. You're still not feeling well. I love you so much."

"I will, Baby Mike," I replied softly, trying to hold back the lump forming in my throat. "And you... be careful too. Don't forget... I love you... so much."

His lips found mine one last time, a kiss filled with unspoken emotions, the kind that felt like a goodbye even when no words were said.

As I walked away, his car disappeared into the chaos of Valentine's traffic, heading toward his date with Liza at The Oasis Garden Restaurant in Gateway Mall. For a moment, I stood there, replaying his words, his kiss, his touch. A pang of regret crept in. Perhaps I should have let him take me home.

I shook off my thoughts and made my way toward the LRT station. Near the stairs, a persistent woman approached me, urging me to buy a Lotto ticket. Despite my initial reluctance, her insistence wore me down. With a laugh, I placed Mike's bouquet of roses on a nearby bench and opened my bag to retrieve my money, tucked safely inside my diary.

But as soon as I pulled the diary out, a hand snatched it from my grip.

My heart dropped.

It happened so fast that all I could do was stare, stunned, as a young thief sprinted away with my diary—and half a month's salary tucked inside its pages.

A wave of helplessness washed over me. I wanted to run after him, to scream, but my body refused to move. I still wasn't fully recovered from my illness, and the weight of the situation pressed down on me like lead.

"Are you okay?" a vendor called out. She had seen the thief discard my diary after taking the cash. She hurried over, handing it back to me.

My hands trembled as I opened it, half expecting everything to be gone. But to my surprise, a lone 500-peso bill remained, wedged between the pages. It felt like a cruel twist of luck. I used it to buy a Lotto ticket, as if somehow the universe owed me a miracle.

As I walked away, the weight of my losses hit me. My hard-earned money—gone in an instant. I couldn't help but think about Mike. If I had let him take me home, none of this would've happened.

Shaking off the disappointment, I stepped into the nearby restroom of Chowking to freshen up. My head felt light, and I needed to compose myself before continuing home.

As I washed my face in the restroom, I caught sight of a familiar figure—Michael, a new crew member in our group. His name tag read "Mike" to avoid confusion with me.

"Hey, bro," he greeted me with a casual smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I replied, forcing a weak smile.

"I heard you're on sick leave. Rest up, okay? Oh, are those flowers for your girlfriend?" he teased, gesturing toward the roses I carried.

"Something like that," I said, my voice betraying the regret I still felt.

Michael nodded, then placed his bag on the sink before stepping into a stall.

As I zipped up my bag, my eyes caught a glimpse of movement. A man—young and nimble—grabbed Michael's bag and bolted out of the restroom.