SLOWBURN • PROFESSORXSTUDENT • WRITTEN IN TAGLISH

The thing with Valentine's Day is, either you hate it or you love it. And Zade Pascual definitely belongs to the first category. Para sa kanya, isang araw lang ito ng commercialized version ng pag-ibig. Walang kakilig-kilig at napakalayo sa true love stories na nababasa niya sa mga libro. Nasubok ang kanyang anti-Valentine's sentiment when she unexpectedly meets Andreau Cortez-an award-winning actor and film student at her university-in the cafe where she works-- on Valentine's Day of all days. Andreau, their new cafe regular, surprises Zade by asking for her help with his latest short film project, which she hesitantly agrees to. Despite a rocky start, Zade discovers the real Andreau Cortez beyond the camera and celebrity gossip. Over the fika-not date hangouts and late-night conversations, their effortless friendship blurs into something more, to the point na akala ng lahat (yes, friends and family included) na sila na ni Andreau. Caught off guard by her evolving feelings, Zade must confront her own heart. Hanggang best friend nga lang ba ang tingin niya kay Andreau? Can their story unfold like the happy endings she loves in books? Well, sometimes, the best love stories take time to tell.

Therese "Reese" Villarosa was a 4-time MVP graduate from one of the best collegiate varsity in the Philippines, and was considered as one of the living legends in Philippine volleyball. Volleyball is her passion ngunit sa kanilang championship game ng kaniyang last playing year sa college ay nagtamo siya ng isang major injury na naging dahilan para hindi na siya muli pang makapaglaro ng volleyball. Gayunman ay hindi pa rin niya iniwan ang pinakamamahal niyang sport. Naging isa siya sa pinakabatang head coach sa kasaysayan ng Philippine volleyball nang hawakan niya ang team na hindi pa nakakapagkamit ng kampeonato mula noong mapasali ito sa UAAP-ang Salvatore Women's Volleyball Team. However, leading her team to the collegiate volleyball championship is too far from easy. Liban sa training ng team, challenge din sa kaniya ang patinuin ang bagong students o rookie players ng Salvatore lalong-lalo na ang napakapasaway na Filipino-Italian key player na tinaguriang "The Genius Setter" sa mundo ng volleyball.

Started: October 2024 Finished: August 2025 Published: August 10, 2025

Date Started: June 6, 2025 Date Completed: June 24, 2025

R18+ ✔ Juztine Claire Arden is the youngest daughter of her parents, despite being rich and surrounded by loving parents and a brother, she still grew distant and cold. She hates people and doesn't want anything to do with them, which is why she has zero friends. She is not affectionate and hates skinship the most. But behind her mysterious demeanor, she is secretly admiring someone from afar. That person is her soon-to-be sister-in-law, the only person she is comfortable being with aside from her family. Will she learn to be soft or will she become more stone cold?

"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.

A collection of mystery-thriller and horror short stories, written from 2019 and beyond. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This compilation of stories contain elements that some readers may find unsettling. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. © Russ Ibasco

Seven Deadly Sinners Series #2: PRIDE [Parixia Ingrid Cohen] "I will sin for you. I will die for you. I will kill for you. You have taken my sanity away, my beloved." _____ A/N: This story, being a dark romance, contains scenes that are disturbing and triggering, and is not suitable for everyone. Please proceed with caution and read at your own risk. I warned you.

Seven Deadly Sinners Series #1: WRATH [Havri Vocski Aphelion] "You are beyond priceless. Your worth will never be defined by the things that can be seen or touch." _____ A/N: This story, being a dark romance, contains scenes that are disturbing and triggering, and is not suitable for everyone. Please proceed with caution and read at your own risk. I warned you.