Allison had always wanted to become a painter. Due to financial constraints, she wasn't able to pursue her dream and instead found contentment in expressing her art at home. The man of her dreams became her favorite masterpiece. He was a recurring figure in her nightly visions. Despite her confusion about his existence, she meticulously depicted every detail of his physique, bringing him to life on canvas. When given the opportunity to participate in an art exhibition, Allison didn't hesitate to choose the man from her dreams as her entry. Standing in front of her painting on the day of the exhibition, a man suddenly appeared beside her, causing her to glance at him. As he examined her masterpiece with furrowed brows, the man uttered words that made her freeze on the spot. "What is my face doing there?"

(Game Series # 10) Tali coursed through life with ease. Coming from a family full of lawyers, she knew that getting a job would not be a problem. Kailangan niya lang pumasa sa school at pumasa sa BAR exam. Madali lang naman iyon lalo na kung wala ka namang ibang iniisip kung hindi ang mag-aral. Hindi niya kailangang isipin kung may pambili ba siya ng libro o pambayad ng tuition. Life had been really good to her. But one night, she met this guy named Lui... She had heard stories about him, but has never really met him. And when she finally put a face to the name, that was when she understood the stories about him. Nakaka-baliw nga pala talaga iyong lalaki na iyon. There's just something about him that makes you want to say yes... So, she said yes. Yes to kissing him. Yes to making out with him. Yes to everything. Tali told herself that it was just for one night, but she found herself wanting for me despite all the protest of the people around her. She kept on convincing herself that he's not worth it... but she knew the moment his lips touched hers, it was already game over.

The lethal and the pure. The black and white. Opposite sides burning each other's souls. Parvana Naia Bukhari and Zeus Vincenticus Ferrer. When she first stepped into his life, he knew she was nothing but trouble. Sweet smiles and prayers doesn't fit with his rock n roll soul. As fast as they catch the burning flame of attraction, it spiraled down into nothing but specks of dust. What the fuck is love when religion, beliefs, and their entire lives contradicts each other? This is how we started. And this is how we end.

WATTY'S SHORTLIST 2023 Stuck in the never-ending responsibilities as one of the breadwinners of the family, Calisse Abigail Guillermo, an Iska from UP Manila, seeks to find true comfort between drinking and smoking. But she never does. Her desire to find consolation in everything is not found within the consumption of toxins. When she meets fellow smoker Chance Luy, a UP med student, in the bustling street of Pedro Gil, she thanks the heavens for a chance to meet him. Chance is your worn-out med student who is stingy. As they ponder about life, would they find solace as they share a moment of smoke?

Anjel Delo Santos, a Lasallian, craved affection from her parents. It wasn't easy getting it. She had to be brilliant because her parents were intellectual people who yearned for recognition in their own fields. College was her opportunity of being brilliant. As Anjel walked on the streets of Malate, she will see a disappointed-looking River Alexandre Abad. As a fan of River, who is a DLSU student, she couldn't help but be concerned with the basketball player's state. While they get to know each other, would their eyes appreciate the silver lining in the midst of the nimbus clouds around them?

Switching to a condo would be a huge shift in Eloise Danielle Madrigal's life, the Iska from UP Manila. From living in her aunt's home, she will independently live near her school. From growing up with so many hands to help her, she will face a new life alone. Since Eloise wasn't familiar with commuting from Padre Faura that well, the cousin of her block mate, Graham Anthony Laurel, will surely be of help. This walking GPS guy that was a first-year Thomasian had quite a temper as he taught Eloise. It seems as though one of them needed to teach the other beyond directions, would Graham find a calm and kind way to tell Eloise that her head was in the sand?

Berry Lacsamana had given up on life. But when she one day wakes up in a strange bed with someone calling her his wife, her life begins to take a different path. ****** When Berry Lacsamana wakes up in a room she doesn't recognize, hooked up to medical machines, confusion and anxiety consume her. Deepening Berry's fear is the presence of Cadmus Valcarcel who treats her coldly and and looks at her with resentment. "Finally," he said with coldness in his voice that made her shiver, frightening her. "My infamous wife is awake." Berry isn't anyone's wife, lest she is married to Cadmus. However, when she sees a photo of Cherry, a woman who looks like her from every angle, Berry begins to have some suspicions. She knew she was Berry, not Cherry... wasn't she? DISCLAIMER: This is a Filipino language story. WORD COUNT: 194,647 COVER: ASTRID JAYDEE WARNING: DON'T READ THIS STORY IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE DEPRESSING SCENES, SENSITIVE TOPICS OR MATURE CONTENT.