Chapter 22: Beneath the Tides

Stacey's POV

The rain had stopped by the time we reached the rest house.

The drive had been quiet-except for the sound of our uneven breathing, the lingering tension in the air, and the way my fingers trembled slightly against the steering wheel. My mind was a mess, still replaying what had happened earlier.

I swallowed hard, gripping the wheel tighter as I slowed down. The hidden pathway leading to the property came into view, the headlights illuminating the dense trees standing tall like silent witnesses. The gravel crunched beneath the tires, and I let the familiar sound ground me.

Beside me, Jho stirred. She was still catching her breath, hoodie slightly askew, exposing the delicate curve of her collarbone. My eyes lingered there for a second too long, heat rising to my face as my mind betrayed me-flashing back to the way her lips had trailed against my skin just minutes ago.

I exhaled sharply and focused on the road.

A few turns later, the rest house finally appeared-a modern yet cozy beachfront home, standing proudly against the moonlit ocean. The soft glow from the porch lights cast gentle shadows over the wooden deck, making the place look even more inviting. This had always been my safe haven. No one knew about it. Not my father, not my so-called friends-no one but me.

And now, Jho.

I parked the car and turned off the engine. Silence settled between us, save for the rhythmic crashing of waves nearby.

Jho gazed at the house, curiosity flickering in her tired eyes. I knew the question before she could even ask.

"This is my rest house, don't worry safe tayo dito" I murmured.

She turned to me, brows raised. "You never told me you had a place like this."

I smirked, unbuckling my seatbelt. "Marami pa akong hindi nasasabi sa'yo, Jho."

She scoffed but didn't argue. She was exhausted-I could see it in the way her shoulders slumped, the way her fingers absentmindedly rubbed at the bruises on her arms. The sight made my chest tighten.

Gently, I reached out, brushing my fingers lightly over her wrist. "Tara na sa loob. You need to rest."

For a second, she hesitated. Then, with a small nod, she followed my lead.

The moment we stepped out of the car, the salty breeze wrapped around us, cool against my still-warm skin. Jho stretched, letting out a small groan as she rolled her shoulders.

"Damn, ngayon sumakit buong katawan," she muttered.

I chuckled, unlocking the door. "That's what happens when you insist on being reckless."

She shot me a playful glare. "Sus, kasalanan mo to' ehh kumandong kapa sak-"

My cheeks burned, but I ignored her teasing, pushing the door open instead. "Shhh! Ewan ko sayo, pumasok kana nga"

She followed me inside, her gaze sweeping over the spacious living room. The air smelled like salt and cedarwood, a comforting scent that had always made me feel at home. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the walls, giving us a breathtaking view of the ocean stretching endlessly outside.

"Wow," she whispered, clearly impressed. "This is... nice."

I smirked, tossing my keys onto the counter. "Told you."

She chuckled, shaking her head before plopping onto the couch. "Pwedeng dito na lang tayo?"

A part of me wanted to say yes. Wanted to tell her she could stay-that we could disappear here together, away from everything, just the two of us. But I knew better than to indulge in fantasies.

Instead, I nudged her gently. "Magpahinga ka na."

She hummed, leaning her head back against the couch. "Mamaya na."

I studied her-her tired eyes, her slightly swollen lips

"Jho," I murmured.

"Hmm?"

I hesitated before shaking my head. "Tara na sa taas."

She sighed dramatically. "Ang kulit-." Pero kahit nagrereklamo, she let me pull her up.

Pagdating sa kwarto, she flopped onto the bed without a care, arms spread wide. "Ang lambot," she mumbled into the sheets.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile. "Kunin mo 'yung isang unan, doon ka matulog sa kabilang side."

She turned her head to look at me, smirking. "Ayaw mo akong katabi?"

"Oo, ang asim mo kase" I said and she just pout

I huffed, walking to the closet to grab some fresh clothes. "Bahala ka nga diyan, nagpapacute ka pa."

By the time I finished changing, she had already settled under the covers, watching me with half-lidded eyes.

As soon as I lay down, she shifted closer, her forehead barely brushing my shoulder. My breath hitched.

"Jho..."

"Hmm?" she murmured sleepily, already halfway to dreamland.

She moved again, this time fully resting her head on my shoulder, one arm lazily draped across my waist. I stiffened, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs.

She sighed softly, her breath tickling my neck. "Ang comfy mong yakapin, Staku..." she mumbled, voice heavy with exhaustion.

I swallowed thickly. "Matulog ka na."

She hummed in response but didn't move away. Instead, she nestled closer, her fingers absentmindedly gripping my shirt.

For a moment, I just lay there, debating whether I should move or let her be. But then she sighed again, and something in me melted.

Carefully, I shifted, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. She fit so perfectly against me, as if she belonged there all along.

She let out a content hum, pressing her face against my collarbone. "Hmm... comfy."

I chuckled softly, letting my fingers brush lightly against her back in soothing circles. "Tulog na, Jho."

She murmured something incoherent, her grip on me tightening slightly before she finally relaxed. Her breathing evened out, warm and steady against my skin.

I exhaled, my own body slowly unwinding. With one last glance at her peaceful face, I closed my eyes.

And for the first time in a long time, I slept soundly-with her in my arms, exactly where she belonged.

Jhoanna's POV

Pagmulat ko ng mata, naamoy ko agad ang scent ng kape at toasted bread. Napangiti ako, stretching under the soft sheets. It took me a moment to remember where I was-then, naalala ko. Stacey. The escape. The kiss. The hug

Napatingin ako sa gilid ko, at wala na dun si Stacey, maybe nasa baba na sya kaya dali dali na din akong bumababa, Then there she was. Her hair was a bit messy, and she was standing by the kitchen counter, carefully preparing our breakfast.

For a moment, I just watched her. Yung paraan ng paghawak niya sa plato, how she absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ear, how she hummed softly under her breath.

She was beautiful.

I got up quietly and walked toward her, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind.

"Good morning, babe" I murmured against her neck.

She flinched slightly bago lumingon sa akin. "Jusko, Jho! Ginulat mo 'ko!"

I chuckled, resting my chin on her shoulder. "Ang cute mo kasi, eh."

She huffed, pero naramdaman kong kumalma siya sa yakap ko. "Umupo ka na dya. Malapit na 'to."

Pero hindi ako bumitaw. Instead, I tightened my hold around her waist, swaying us lightly from side to side. "Ayoko. 5 minutes more please"

She sighed dramatically. "Tigilan mo yang pagpapacute mo, baka masunog 'yung toast"

I grinned. "Mas importante pa ba yang toast kesa sakin?"

She turned her head just enough to glance at me, her cheeks slightly pink. "Ang aga-aga Robles!"

I kissed her cheek softly bago tuluyang bumitiw. "Fine, fine. Eto na uupo na"

She rolled her eyes but smiled as she plated the food. I sat down, watching her place the meal in front of me-scrambled eggs, bacon, toasted bread, at isang tasa ng kape.

A soft warmth spread through my chest. "Stacey..."

She avoided my gaze, instead picking at her food. "Kain na muna Jho."

Ngumiti ako at sinunod siya, taking a sip of the coffee. Perfect. Just the way I liked it.

As we ate, Stacey would quietly slide an extra strip of bacon onto my plate. I did the same for her, pero tinusok niya lang 'yung bacon ko gamit ang tinidor niya at agad na kinain.

"Hoy, akin 'yun!" I protested.

She smirked, chewing happily. "What's yours it mine now, Jho"

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Ganon? Eh paano kung kunin ko 'yang toast mo?"

"Subukan mo."

I reached for it, pero bago ko mahawakan, mabilis siyang lumayo, hawak-hawak ang toast.

"Wow, defensive!" Tumawa ako, leaning on the table.

She stuck out her tongue. "Gusto mo? Kiss muna."

I blinked, then grinned. "Pwede rin."

Stacey's eyes widened. "Hoy, joke lang!"

Pero bago pa siya makatakbo, hinawakan ko na ang kamay niya, gently pulling her toward me. I kissed her softly on the lips before whispering, "May mas masarap pa pala kesa sa toast noh"

She groaned, but I saw the way her face turned red as she put the toast on my plate. "Hay, naku. Tigil-tigilan mo 'ko, Robles."

I just laughed, taking a bite of the toast. "Mas masarap 'to kasi galing sa'yo."

She shook her head, pero hindi niya maitago ang ngiti niya.

And just like that, breakfast became my new favorite meal of the day.

We ate in comfortable silence, pero napansin kong panay ang iwas ni Stacey ng tingin. She was clearly lost in thought, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on her face, highlighting the slight crease on her forehead.

I watched her carefully. There was something different about her today.

"Okay ka lang?" I asked, resting my chin on my hand.

She blinked, as if I had pulled her out of her thoughts, then forced a small smile. "Hmm? Oo naman."

"Sigurado ka?"

She nodded, but she didn't meet my eyes.

Napansin kong hindi pa rin niya inuubos 'yung toast niya, at para kay Stacey na mahilig kumain, alam kong may iniisip sya.

I reached out, gently taking her free hand and lacing our fingers together. "Stacey..."

She tensed for a second, then sighed, finally setting down her coffee.

"Labas tayo saglit Jho?" tanong niya bigla. "Gusto ko lang magpahangin."

I tilted my head, studying her expression. "Gusto mong magpalamig ng ulo?"

She let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah, and may sasabihin din ako sayo"

I nodded and squeezed her hand. "Sige, tara."

Paglabas namin, sinalubong kami ng malamig na simoy ng hangin mula sa dagat. The sky was clear, the sun sitting high above the horizon, casting golden reflections on the waves. Kahit maliwanag, hindi masyadong mainit dahil may malalaking puno sa gilid ng beach.

Stacey led me towards one of the trees, its branches sprawling wide, providing the perfect shade. Naupo kami sa isang wooden bench na nakaharap sa dagat. From here, we could hear the waves, steady and rhythmic, a calming presence that filled the silence between us.

She sat with her hands clasped together, her elbows resting on her knees. I waited for her to speak, giving her time. Alam kong may bumabagabag sa kanya, pero hindi ko siya pinilit.

I reached for her hand again, running my thumb across her knuckles. "You can tell me now."

She exhaled slowly.

Then, she finally spoke. "Jho..."

"Hm?"

She turned to me, her expression unreadable, but her eyes-her eyes held something heavy.

"Kailangan mong malaman 'to."

My heart pounded. "Ano 'yun?"

She looked at me for a long moment, as if memorizing my face, before she finally spoke.

"It was my father," she whispered."Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ka naaksidente."

The world seemed to slow down.

I just stared at her, trying to process what she had just said. "Your father?"

She nodded, swallowing hard. "Nalaman nya yung tungkol satin, Kaya sinubukan niyang pigilan yun... in the worst way possible."

The weight of her words pressed on my chest. Naalala ko ang araw na 'yon-The blaring of a horn, the screeching of tires, then the sickening impact. The pain. The blood. The panic.

And now... now I knew why it happened.

I inhaled shakily, trying to ground myself.

Stacey looked like she was bracing herself, as if she expected me to lash out, to walk away, to be angry.

"Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sakin?" I asked, my voice softer than I expected.

She let out a shaky breath. "I needed to protect you Jho and natakot ako... na baka kapag nalaman mo, lumayo ka."

My chest ached at the vulnerability in her voice. This was Stacey-the girl who always carried everything on her own, who never asked for help, who thought she had to face things alone.

I took a step closer, gently turning her to face me.

"Stacey."

She flinched slightly, as if waiting for anger. But I wasn't angry. I was hurt, yes, but more than anything-I understood.

"Wala kang kasalanan," I murmured, reaching for her hand again.

She shook her head, her eyes glossy. "Pero-"

"Huwag mong akuin 'yung ginawa ng tatay mo. His decisions are not your responsibility."

Her lower lip trembled. "Jho..."

I squeezed her hand tighter, pulling her gently towards me. "Mas importante ka sa'kin kaysa sa kahit ano Stacey"

She let out a shaky laugh, her breath uneven. "How do you manage to understand me like this?"

I smiled softly, reaching up to brush a tear from her cheek. "Because I love you."

Her breath hitched, and for the first time that morning, she looked... relieved.

Then, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me tightly, burying her face against my neck. I held her just as tightly, feeling the way her body trembled slightly, as if she had been holding back all her emotions for too long.

I ran my fingers through her hair soothingly. "You don't have to carry this alone, Stacey"

Napangiti ako habang hinahaplos ang buhok niya, pinapakalma ang kahit anong takot na natitira sa puso niya. Stacey stayed in my arms for a long time, her breath steadying against my skin.

Then, she slowly pulled away, her eyes still misty but lighter, softer. She looked at me as if she was seeing me in a new light-like I was something precious, something she didn't want to lose.

"Hindi ka galit?" tanong niya, halos bulong.

I shook my head, cupping her cheek. "Sa totoo lang... nasaktan ako. But what matters more to me is that you're here, that we're together. I can't bear the thought of losing you, Stacey."

She let out a breath, a mix of relief and disbelief. "Mahal mo pa rin ako kahit na..."

I cut her off with a gentle tap on her nose. "Shh. No more doubts."

She blinked before letting out a soft chuckle, the tension in her shoulders finally easing.

I took both of her hands in mine, squeezing them lightly. "Gusto kong marinig mula sa'yo... anong gusto mong gawin ngayon?"

She tilted her head. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Huwag mong isipin kung anong gusto ng tatay mo, kung anong dapat mong gawin para sa iba. Ikaw, Stacey. Anong gusto mo?"

For the first time in a long time, she looked uncertain. Nasanay siyang magdesisyon para sa ibang tao, hindi para sa sarili niya.

She hesitated, biting her lip. "I just... I just want to be with you."

My heart swelled at her words. I lifted our intertwined hands and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. "Then that's all that matters."

A light breeze swept through, making her close her eyes for a second, as if savoring the moment. Then, she looked back at me, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips.

"Thank you Jho," she whispered.

I grinned. "You can thank me in another way."

She raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

I pointed at my cheek, acting playful. "Kiss ko?"

She rolled her eyes, but there was amusement in them now. "Ang demanding mo."

I pouted. "Uy, nasaktan ako oh-"

She giggled before leaning in and pressing the softest kiss against my lips. My skin tingled at the contact, and I felt my ears grow warm.

"That's a start," she teased, winking.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Ang lakas mong mang-asar."

She just laughed, a sound so light and free, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted off her shoulders.

And in that moment, under the shade of the tree, with the ocean stretching endlessly before us, I knew-this was home.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 22── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆