Love and company 💞

Notice: For those who haven't seen it yet but are interested, a new chapter of Kidnapped by a Watson is now available.──────────────────────────

Morning light filtered through the grey curtains of his apartment, caressing her skin gently, as if even the sun understood this moment deserved tenderness. Ash stretched slowly, muscles still languid from what the night had left behind, or rather, what they had finally allowed themselves to live.

Andres was already in the kitchen, dressed in a grey hoodie, hair delightfully tousled. It was a version of him only she ever saw, unguarded, quiet, eyes still drowsy but focused on the timing of the tea.

When she appeared, wearing nothing but his shirt, the favorite one, black and soft, speaking more of intimacy than any caption ever could, he smiled. A slow smile, like he was gazing at something precious he didn't dare startle with sudden moves.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, leaning on the counter.

"You know I did," she answered, her sideways glance making the corner of his mouth lift.

There was something in the way she walked through that space, as if she already belonged there. The apartment felt smaller, fuller, but in the best way. Like it finally had life. She approached, took the mug from his hands, and sipped the tea before returning it.

"This is unauthorized property acquisition," he murmured, visibly more enchanted.

"Hmm... You'll have to get used to it. I only brought the essentials yesterday, but I think my heart might end up taking over 80% of your closet. And your life."

Andres laughed. A soft, beautiful laugh that made her chest hum from the inside out.

"You can take it all," he said after a moment. "The closet, the life... Just don't leave."

Ash remained silent. Not because she didn't know what to say, but because some promises are made better with a kiss. And that's what she did, pulled him by the collar of his hoodie and kissed him like morning was still learning how to be born.

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The studio air was heavy. Every crew member held their breath as the actors took their places for the most intense scene of the season.

The clapperboard snapped. Absolute silence.

Keifer sat still, his gaze lost, tension carved into his shoulders. In the background, Jay stood, facing a group of men in black suits. The gun pointed straight at her.

"...All I need is a signature. That's it. Or Keiren."

The words slipped coldly from Kaizer's mouth, Keifer's father. A near-casual threat, but the room trembled.

The camera zoomed in on Keifer's face. He rose slowly, eyes scanning every face until they landed on Jay.

"Kuya, no!" Keigan screamed, voice desperate. The background actor playing the guard gripped him tightly and covered his mouth.

The tension climbed. Keifer said nothing. His eyes drifted to the pen on the table. His hand trembled as he picked!" Ash's scream tore through the studio.

"No!" she and Yuri shouted in unison.

Kaizer stepped forward, pushing the paper across, pleased. Keifer hesitated.

CUT TO: Jay, gun aimed directly at her.

"Pull the trigger!" she said, steady. The camera locked onto her eyes, intense, defiant.

The man facing her faltered.

"Jay! Shut up!" Aries shouted from behind.

"Do it. Now."

"What the hell are you doing, Jay?!" Yuri shouted off-screen, his voice shaking.

Ash stared the camera down as if the extra was a real killer.

"You can't, can you?" she said, smiling slightly. "What will they say when they find out a student died because of the Watsons?"

Silence swallowed the room.

"You really gonna shoot someone defenseless?" she pressed, voice growing firmer. "What'll your business partners say? The public? What will my father say about you?"

The henchman wavered.

Kaizer began clapping slowly as he walked toward Jay.

"Lower the gun," he said, stopping right in front of her. "You're a brave woman. Did you know that?"

The camera zoomed in on Jay's face. Ash was truly shaking now. A kind of raw vulnerability no director could teach.

"I thought I had the upper hand... But I was wrong," Kaizer murmured. "You may leave. We'll speak again... next time."

He turned, the suited men following. But the last henchman, Dylan, played by a veteran stuntman, gave Jay one final glance. The camera captured it. It was electric.

CUT.

Stillness. No one moved.

Ash stepped out of position, eyes damp, breathing deep. Andres walked to her and gently touched her arm.

"You were..." He searched for the right word, looking at her as if he saw more than just a scene partner. "Brilliant. You completely undid me."

She smiled softly, her voice still trembling from the adrenaline.

"You too. When your eyes... it felt like you were really seeing me."

Andres said nothing. Just pulled her close and kissed her, right there in the shadowed corner of the studio, witnessed only by dark lights and weary extras.

It was a different kind of kiss, proud, full of partnership and unspoken promises.

"We're so screwed, aren't we?" she murmured against his lips.

"Utterly," he whispered back, laughing.

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Later, in the dressing room, she settled into his lap as they reviewed the footage on the director's monitor. They were tired, but glowing. She turned slowly, resting her forehead against his.

"You know what's coming next weekend?"

"Minamahal. Final scenes. Our epic of flowers and broken hearts."

"And stolen smiles, hidden letters and... that final kiss," she added, eyes sparkling.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You think we'll be able to act that like it's still just a role?"

She chuckled.

"We've passed the point of pretending, Andres."

He kissed her again, long, deep, like the next lines had already made their way into the real-life script.

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Author's Note:

This chapter has come to an end... ❤️‍🔥

The quoted excerpts from Book 2 of Ang Mutya Ng Section E are from chapters 151 - "Near Death" and 152 - "Gun", written by Lara Flores.

If you enjoyed it, don't forget to leave a star and add it to your reading list or library!Suggestions, comments, and kind words motivate me to keep writing.Thank you for following along with this story.See you in the next chapter! 😉

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