SLOWBURN • STUDENTXSTUDENT • PSYCHE SERIES BOOK 2

Vanessa Valencia Cervantes, a disaster-certified structural engineer, has spent her life building unshakable foundations-both in her career and her heart. ​ She doesn't need love, and she certainly doesn't need anyone telling her what she's missing. ​ But when an earthquake traps her with Celine Amarante Lucero, a sharp-tongued criminal defense attorney who wears confidence like armor, everything changes. ​ Four days under a broken ceiling turn survival into intimacy, and touch into vows neither of them expected. ​ Now, they're no longer just survivors-they're each other's only case. ​ Objection: Mine. ​ No hearings. No appeals. ​ Just one final ruling-she's hers.

Yenna Keith Del Rio has always been the obedient girl of the Del Rio clan but one night of sneaking out changed her whole life as she got lost in Lady Rhianne Gell Rianzares' seductive whispers. Being the obedient girl that she is, she follows every whisper of the heiress of Rianzares. STARTED: 25 JUNE 2024 COMPLETED: 02 JULY 2024

She forced her into marriage, then dared her to disobey. Every kiss had a price. Every breath was bait. They touched like lovers, lied like enemies, and rewrote every rule just to break it together. And while the world watched, they kept playing-until power meant nothing, and surrender tasted sweeter than control. Because in a game born of ruin, no one could tell who fell first... Who kissed the hell wide open- Or who, between the two devils left standing, was ever really the poor, little girl.

r18 *Book cover picture is from Pinterest. Credits to the rightful owner.*

"What makes you think you're already in love? You haven't even met that Zero." Natawa naman ako sa kaibigan kong si Leigh habang inaayos ko yung sintas ng sapatos ko. "Why Leigh? Do you fall in love at first sight? Hindi naman din di ba? Saka sabi mo, fall in love with the character. That's why I think I'm falling for this Zero." "You don't even know him yet, Van." "Exactly. Kaya nga ako naeexcite e. It seems that we don't know each other yet. But we can already feel the connection as if we've known each other for a long time." Natahimik naman ito doon. Pagkatapos ay sinimulan na din magpalit ng jersey. "Just slow down. You might find yourself breaking. Mamaya gamitin ka lang nyan." Umismid naman ako. "Gaya ng mga exes mo? Y'know what's wrong with you, Leigh? Pinangungunahan mo lahat. That's why no one can keep up with your standards." "Hey, I'm just saying if what if he's a psycho? A stalker? A hooker?" Tumawa naman ako dito. She's really paranoid. "Just step out of your safe zone, Leigh. You're already missing the most exciting part of life." "Slowing down isn't always bad, Vanilla." "Yeah, but look at you. Seriously? Continous failed relationships?" "Ikaw din naman a. Why aren't you finding the right one yet?" "I already found him. That's zero. I can feel the connection. He guesses everything about me perfectly. Like all of my favorites and quirks that only you and the girls can tell." I gave her an elated smile. "So, back off. And just be happy for me. Okay?" "What if that's a stalker or a paparazzi that already run a background check with you?" "Ang negative mo, Leigh. Seriously, just fall in love and get a life." Ngumiti ito ng nakakaloko. "Okay, so what will you do if that Zero is a girl?" Natigilan naman ako. "You're not Zero, are you?" "Of course not." Nakahinga naman ako. "As long as it's not you, I'm okay." "Why?" "Because I don't want to end up with a puppet like you. Yikes! A barbie doll of everyone."

At some point in my life, I choose to let go of her. And not because I stopped loving her, but because I had reached the point that I was drained and can no longer continue fighting for her when all she gives me in return is pain. It's not about asking to get my feelings reciprocated, I just realized that I deserve the same amount of love that I am giving. And it hurts to know that when I decided to let go, she didn't hold my hand to keep holding on. She never tried to fight for her place in my heart. -Hariette I'm not afraid of love. I am afraid to feel the pain. That's why I keep pushing you away. It's tiring. But I'm afraid that I will never heal and be whole again. Because nothing makes me happier and nothing makes me sadder than you." -Candice Love turned to loved. Saying first hello's to saying goodbyes. I love you to I miss you. Promises turned into sorry. Love isn't fair you know? What we have is more than that. Ours may not be normal. But isn't this what everyone wants? Stable and secure relationship. I love you and you love me. We trust each other like no one else can. There will be no pain in our kind of love. -Alliston

"Hanggang ganito na lang ba? Ang tingin mo sakin pamatid ng panandaliang pangangailangan mo?" Iritableng napatingin ako sa pigurang iyon ni Corinne. Si Corinne! Fuck! Bakit ko ba kasi sya dinamay sa gulong ito. "Sinabi ko na sayo nung una pa lang di ba? Stay away from me!" Gigil na singhal ko sa kanya. "Dikit ka ng dikit! Tapos ngayon ako pa lumalabas na masama." Tila matutunaw naman ako ng unti-unting tumulo yung luha sa mga mata niya. "I love you, Aria. Pero kahit ilang beses ko namang sabihin iyon sayo wala lang di ba? Kasi until now hindi mo pa din kayang ibigay yung sarili mo ng buong-buo. Kasi hanggang ngayon nakakulong ka pa din sa kahapon mo. " "Hindi totoo yan.." Nanghihinang napaupo ako. What have I done? Bakit ba paulit ulit ko na lang syang nasasaktan? "I can't save you, Aria." Punung puno ng pait na sabi nya. "I can't save you kasi ayaw mong magpasalo. Hindi lahat sasaktan ka. Kelangan mo din magtiwala na hindi ko kayang saktan ka." Natawa lang ako ng pagak. "Tell me, Corinne. What's holding you back? Akala ko ba mahal mo ko? Bakit hindi mo magawang ibigay ng buo yung sarili mo?" Pinalis ni Corinne yung luhang umaagos sa magkabila niyang pisngi. "Because I know you. I know na pag nakuha mo na ko, Game over na. And I don't want to end everything that we have just because of that. " "Wow!" Napapalatak ako sa kanya. "Now, who have trust issues sa ating dalawa ngayon? " Ngumiti siya ng pilit. Another broken smile. How many times should I break her before she gives me up? "If I give myself to you now, Will you give me your heart?" Fuck! No! I don't know. I really don't know. She can have me. But I know that she can never have my heart.

"You're my betrothed." "Naliligaw ka, Miss." Inis na isasara ko na sana yung pinto ng humarang sya doon. "I don't think so. You're Terry Alcatraz right?" Terry has never been terrified all her life, ngayon lang. As she is now standing infront of a Goddess in the form of this woman with 5'10 height, pinkish white skin na hindi yata sanay sa araw, ash gray hair, at yung malalamlam na mga mata na akala mo laging inaantok. Am I still dreaming? "Sino ka ba?" "I'm your betrothed." Hay nako. May baliw na naman na naligaw. I pity her. Maganda nga. Baliw naman. "You got it wrong. Babae ako, Miss." Tsk. Bibigyan ka na nga lang din ng kapareha. Babae pa na mas maganda sayo at may saltik sa utak. Where's justice? "No. I'm in the right place. We're engaged." "Baliw ka ba?" Asar na tanong ko na sa kanya. Nauubos na ang pasensya ko dahil inaantok pa ko. Nagtatakang tiningnan ako ng mga matang kulay tsokolate na iyon. "Me?" Hinagod pa ako nito ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "Shit, why am I trapped with you? I wonder. I could have atleast chose a better one. My toenails is way more appealing than you!" Ano daw? Sa sobrang inis ko ay hindi ko napigilang hubarin ang suot kong house slippers at batuhin sya niyon. Sino ba naman ang hindi maiinis? Kagigising mo lang ay may kakatok na sa tapat ng pintuan nyo para lang mangtrip. Pagkatapos sasabayan pa ng panglalait. Tila naman umurong lahat ng tapang ko ng mag angat ng tingin mula sa tsinelas na tumama sa pisngi nito ang babaeng iyon na may pares ng kulay tsokolateng mata. She gave me a chillin' smile pagkatapos ay dinampot ang tsinelas ko saka ubod ng lakas na binato din sakin yung tsinelas ko. Fudge! My pretty face! "There, we're quits. That's what engaged people do. They give and take." pagkatapos ay ngumiti ng pagkatamis tamis na akala mo santita. "Hmm. Bakit parang mas maganda pa sayo yung slippers mo? You could have bought a face too." Ano daw? Papatayin ko talaga tong baliw na babaeng ito. ***

"Damn that woman. She wasn't even nice to start with. Paasa!" Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. Halatang lasing na. There's a 5'11 tall girl, with a glass of brandy on her right hand. Nakasandal ito sa pader habang nakatingin sa may gilid ng pool. She reminds me of Grant's height and Leigh's physique. Pati pormahan, Leigh na Leigh yung datingan. I was busy looking at her when she childishly sat on the edge of the pool. Tinanggal nito yung stilettos nito at walang pakialam kahit mabasa pa yung skirt nito habang nakaupo sa gilid. Her white long legs are exposed dahil sa nalilis nitong skirt. Out of my normal, I'll just let it pass. "I've been chasing her for two fuckin' years. But she's not even seeing me as her equal. It sucks." Seryoso. Lasing na talaga siguro 'to. Don't tell me babae talaga yung tinutukoy nya? Natatawang nilapitan ko tuloy ito. A small talk won't hurt right? "Hey, Are you okay?" Natigilan ako nang umangat yung kulay light blue nitong mga mata patingin sa akin. I'm not fond of blue eyes. But hers is as clear as a sky. She's still brimming into tears. "Get out!" Gusto kong matawa. Para talaga syang bata. It reminds me of my bestfriend. "What's wrong with you?" Inabot ko sa kanya yung white hanky ko. "Are you stalking me?" "No, of course not. Why would I?" "Hindi mo ako kilala?" I gently shake my head. "Sabagay. You look like a commoner." Tumingin pa sya sakin mula ulo hanggang paa. Fine, I'm wearing black fitted jeans, my casual white tees, and white sneakers. Kagagaling ko lang kasi sa hangar kanina. I just need a drink kaya naghanap ako ng may party. "Do you usually talk to a stranger?" tanong pa nito. "Of course. Talking to someone you do not know is relieving. Especially when you need to talk." Tumayo ito at lumapit sakin. Napatingala naman ako dito. "I don't need to talk. I need to prove something. Stay still, stranger." And then she kissed me. Fucks! What!?