Alex pasted on a polite smile, exchanging pleasantries with the dinner guests. His parents' estate buzzed with Manila's elite, their conversations a cacophony of pretentiousness. He felt suffocated, trapped in a world where appearances mattered more than substance.
As he scanned the room, his gaze landed on a striking young woman. She stood by the grand piano, sipping a glass of wine, her dark hair a stark contrast to the sea of polished socialites. Her eyes sparkled with genuine laughter, captivating Alex. He couldn't help but stare.
"Alex, darling, focus," his mother whispered, nudging him. "Senator Tan is speaking."
Alex nodded, feigning interest in the senator's monologue. But his attention drifted back to the mysterious woman. Who was she? What brought her to this gathering of Manila's upper crust?
As the evening wore on, Alex found himself gravitating toward her. He excused himself from a conversation with a potential business partner and made his way to the piano.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, nodding toward the vacant space beside her.
She turned, her eyes locking onto his. "Not at all."
"Alex Kung," he said, extending his hand.
"Maya Dela Cruz." Her handshake was firm, her smile radiant.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly. Maya spoke of art, passion, and creativity. Alex found himself drawn to her authenticity, her words a refreshing respite from the shallow chatter surrounding them.
"I'm surprised you're not discussing the latest designer trends or luxury cars," Alex said, raising an eyebrow.
Maya chuckled. "I'd rather talk about life, not just lifestyles."
Reginald's booming voice interrupted their conversation. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to announce our new partnership with Tan Enterprises. This alliance will solidify our position in the Philippine market."
The room erupted in applause. Alex's gaze met Maya's, and for a fleeting moment, they shared a connection – a sense of disillusionment with the world they inhabited.
*Preview of Chapter 3*
Alex and Maya's conversation takes a surprising turn, revealing contrasting values and worlds. Will their connection deepen, or will the pressures of Alex's privileged life force them apart?
••••••••••••••••
Alex pasted on a polite smile, exchanging pleasantries with the dinner guests. His parents' estate buzzed with Manila's elite, their conversations a cacophony of pretentiousness. He felt suffocated, trapped in a world where appearances mattered more than substance.
As he scanned the room, his gaze landed on a striking young woman. She stood by the grand piano, sipping a glass of wine, her dark hair a stark contrast to the sea of polished socialites. Her eyes sparkled with genuine laughter, captivating Alex. He couldn't help but stare.
"Alex, darling, focus," his mother whispered, nudging him. "Senator Tan is speaking."
Alex nodded, feigning interest in the senator's monologue. But his attention drifted back to the mysterious woman. Who was she? What brought her to this gathering of Manila's upper crust?
As the evening wore on, Alex found himself gravitating toward her. He excused himself from a conversation with a potential business partner and made his way to the piano.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, nodding toward the vacant space beside her.
She turned, her eyes locking onto his. "Not at all."
"Alex Kung," he said, extending his hand.
"Maya Dela Cruz." Her handshake was firm, her smile radiant.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly. Maya spoke of art, passion, and creativity. Alex found himself drawn to her authenticity, her words a refreshing respite from the shallow chatter surrounding them.
"I'm surprised you're not discussing the latest designer trends or luxury cars," Alex said, raising an eyebrow.
Maya chuckled. "I'd rather talk about life, not just lifestyles."
Reginald's booming voice interrupted their conversation. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to announce our new partnership with Tan Enterprises. This alliance will solidify our position in the Philippine market."
The room erupted in applause. Alex's gaze met Maya's, and for a fleeting moment, they shared a connection – a sense of disillusionment with the world they inhabited.
*Preview of Chapter 3*
Alex and Maya's conversation takes a surprising turn, revealing contrasting values and worlds. Will their connection deepen, or will the pressures of Alex's privileged life force them apart?
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