'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

13

Daming time ni author! 😂 Thank you for the comments, reads and votes!

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Day 1

The cool resort breeze does little to calm the heat rising in Lea’s chest. She spends the morning carving out a physical distance between them, but Aga’s presence acts like a magnetic pull she can’t quite escape. Every time she catches his teasing stare, her lungs seem to shrink. She retreats to her room, leaning against the door to catch her breath, trying to force a mask of indifference onto her face. The truth is a dull ache; she misses him with a ferocity that makes her eyes turn glassy. As she paces the floor, her gaze lands on a plain white shirt laid out on the bed—crisp, inviting, and clearly placed there with intent.

Her phone pings. His name on the screen feels like a touch.

From: Babe 💋

I'm giving you two choices only: Wear it or wear nothing. Don't try to outsmart me. I'm not joking around. I've been taming my buddy down here since you arrived. Don't be such a tease, babe. Come out with that shirt on or I'll drag you back inside. You know what's next. I am watching you. 👀

She scoffs, her heart hammering against her ribs at the sheer audacity of his message. He is persistent, a man who never runs out of moves, but she reminds herself that they are finished. She chooses a silent act of rebellion, stepping out into the sunlight still wearing only her swimsuit.

The gathering for the games is a blur of laughter and chatter. Lea tries to blend into the background, but she starts when she notices Aga sitting just a few feet away. He sips his drink slowly, his eyes tracking her with a predatory warmth that makes her want to run and stay at the same time. She fixes her gaze on the organizers, desperate to maintain her control.

"I know you're all excited kase your partners for this game are your loved ones. Go to your partners now before I proceed," Ms. Eunice announces.

Panic flares. Lea looks around, seeing Emma and Jason already paired off or preoccupied. She is a solitary figure in the corner until she sees Aga standing up, his eyes locked on hers. She moves quickly, trying to intercept Cielo.

"Ah eh. Uhmmm... I can be the scorer instead," she blurts out.

Cielo winks, unmoved. "Scorer? Ako yung scorer ate eh. Where's your partner ba?"

Before Lea can invent an excuse, a heavy, familiar arm slithers around her waist. The heat of his palm seeps through her skin. She doesn't need to look up to know it's him.

"Let's start now," Aga says, his voice a low vibration against her side. As the instructions begin, she feels his touch slip lower, a bold possessiveness that leaves her breathless.

"I assume you know that I wasn't kidding," he whispers.

"I assume that you know we're over," she retorts, her voice trembling slightly.

He smirks, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I don't know what you're saying, but I know over means 'on top'."

The "Suck and Blow" game becomes a battle of wills. Lea is livid; it’s their third attempt because Aga keeps letting the card drop. Each time it falls, his lips find hers in a "mistake" that feels entirely too deliberate. When the winners are finally announced, the crowd isn't cheering for Emma—they are giggling at the spectacle of Aga and Lea.

"Enjoy na enjoy ah," she snaps as they break apart.

"What? Talo tayo. How can I enjoy that?" he grins, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

She spends the rest of the afternoon in a state of high alert, dodging him at every turn. By the time evening rolls around, she is exhausted. She joins her friends at the bar, but the vibrant atmosphere feels distant. While the others drink, she sticks to juice, nursing a growing headache and a dizzy spell that makes the room tilt.

"Sabi na sayo, Lei. Hindi ka non pakakawalan ng ganun-ganun lang," Emma teases.

"Manigas siya. No matter how I miss him, I won't give in," Lea insists, though her resolve feels as thin as the glass in her hand.

It is nearly the crack of dawn when she finally stumbles back to her room. She expects solitude, but when she clicks on the bedside lamp and collapses onto the mattress, a strong arm immediately pulls her into a firm embrace. She bolts upright, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

"Aga?!"

"Yes?" He offers a lazy, confident wink.

"Wh-why are you here?!"

"This is my room... I mean, this is 'our' room."

"What?! No way!" She scrambles to the door, but he is faster, blocking her exit with his broad frame.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'll sleep in my car!"

"Nope. You'll sleep here with me. We will talk, Lei."

"Aga, nag-usap na tayo. What else do you want? Ayoko na nga!" She backs away, but a sudden wave of nausea hits her. She sinks onto the edge of the bed, clutching her head.

His playful demeanor vanishes instantly, replaced by genuine concern. "Babe? What’s wrong?"

"I'm fine. Nahihilo lang ako. Aga, please. I want to rest now."

"Sorry. Okay. Magpahinga ka na, babe. I'll be right here."

The fight leaves her. The bed is soft, and her head is spinning too fast to maintain her defenses. As she lies down, he settles beside her, his arm draping over her waist. The ache in her head is countered by the soothing warmth of his body. She feels his breath against her neck—a steady, rhythmic reminder of the man who refuse to let her go. She closes her eyes, letting the silence of the room and the familiarity of his hug wrap around her. For tonight, the world of doubts is locked outside the door.