AGS 1: The Love Investment (PUBLISHED)

1. The Old Flame

Before you begin reading, please note: this story centers on a female lead who earned her achievements through her own efforts. Some misogynistic readers may dismiss the reasons why her journey starts at the very beginning, but that is part of her story. The female lead is not a virgin, and she has an active sex life. If you're not into that kind of character, I recommend dropping this story now. I also have other novels available where both the male and female leads are virgins, with no third parties involved even after brief separations. Consider this your warning.

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IT WAS a nice day. Tirik na tirik ang araw sa labas, pero mahangin naman sa area namin. It was two in the afternoon. Sabi ko nga kanina, this is a good day to work, yet narito sa Purple Plate si Arthas para magpalamig ng ulo. He wore a navy blue dress shirt and khaki pants, paired with vintage leather shoes. His black hair was slicked back. I saw boredom in his chinito eyes; even his thin lips weren't moving. Hindi ko masabing galing siya sa work, pero mukhang may lakad siya. He was massaging his temples kasi nag-away nga raw sila ni Myles, best friend ko. Kapag nag-aaway sila, sa akin agad siya tumatakbo.

"She's mad, trust me," I said, shaking my head in dismay kasi talagang galit na galit si Myles kanina nang tawagan ko.

Three years na silang engaged. I already lost my chance to Arthas.

I loved him. I dreamt of being with him before. Hindi ko naman itatangging pangarap kong maging asawa niya noon. But he was here, asking me na pakiusapan ko ang best friend ko—na fiancée niya—na makipagbati sa kanya. And for what reason?

"Nasa work ako. Naka-airplane mode talaga ang phone ko kapag nasa work, alam naman niya 'yon, e!" reklamo niya habang nagkakamot ng ulo.

Alam ko namang hindi cooperative si Myles when it comes to these kinds of issues. Spoiled kasi. Maliit na bagay, pinalalaki. Alam ko at alam naming tatlo na busy rin si Arthas sa pag-manage ng finances ng clothing line ng best friend ko, at dapat maintindihan 'yon ni Myles, pero ewan ko ba? Hindi yata sila makaka-survive nang isang araw nang hindi nag-aaway. Pati ako, nasi-stress sa ginagawa nilang dalawa, lalo pa't nagiging referee nila ako kapag may nangyayaring ganito.

It's been three years since they got engaged, and it's been five years for me as their referee.

I loved Arthas . . . and I still love him . . . until now (with a question mark on it). And my situation with them had become worse over the past two years.

"I'll try to call her again," alok ko at kinuha ulit ang phone.

I was staring at the glass table in front of me while tapping my fingers on it. Inilapag ko sa table ang phone ko nang sagutin ni Myles ang tawag. I put it on a loudspeaker so Arthas could hear our conversation.