Marked Confidential

Adrielle stirred awake first, eyes looking at the sleeping figure of Cassandra nestled comfortably against her. The early morning light seeping through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Cassandra’s sleeping face, peaceful, relaxed, completely unaware of the world.

Smiling to herself, Adrielle let her fingers trace slow, featherlight patterns on Cassandra’s back, drawing lazy circles, tracing the outline of invisible constellations. Cassandra mumbled in her sleep, shifting slightly, but still didn’t wake.

“Too cute,” Adrielle murmured, pressing a soft kiss on Cassandra’s shoulder before carefully slipping out of bed.

Quietly, she padded toward the kitchen, determined to surprise Cassandra with breakfast in bed. She kept it simple. Just buttered toast, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh coffee. Knowing Cassandra, she’d pretend she wasn’t a breakfast person, only to steal bites from Adrielle’s plate anyway.

Just as Adrielle finished setting the tray, she tiptoed back into the bedroom. Placing the tray on the nightstand, she leaned down and peppered soft kisses on Cassandra’s cheek.

“Wake up, Cass. I made you breakfast.” Cassandra groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. “Five more minutes.”

Adrielle smirked, leaning down again, to whispher to Cassandra's ear.

“Hmm, okay. But I guess I’ll just eat all the bacon myself.”

That did the trick.

Cassandra slowly opened one eye, face still groggy but clearly intrigued. “Wait, bacon? Why didn’t you say so earlier?” She sat up, blinking as she took in the sight of the neatly arranged breakfast tray. A slow, genuine smile spread across her lips.

“You’re really trying to spoil me, huh?” Cassandra teased, grabbing a piece of toast and taking a bite.

Adrielle winked, sitting beside her. “Can’t help it. You’re my favorite person to spoil.”

Cassandra hummed, pretending to think. “Hmm. I should definitely wake up to this more often.”

Adrielle leaned in, whispering against her lips, “Good thing we're already married, huh?”

Cassandra almost choked on her coffee, making Adrielle laugh. “Remind me again why we kept it a secret? You love making me flustered.”

After breakfast, the two started getting ready for work. Adrielle was standing in front of the mirror, fixing her hair when she suddenly called out.

“Hey Cass? Help me zip up?”

Cassandra, in the middle of buttoning her blouse, froze. She turned around, and there was Adrielle, standing with her back to her, hair pushed to one side, the zipper of her dress slightly undone, revealing just enough skin to make Cassandra’s brain short-circuit.

Cassandra swallowed hard. “You’re doing this on purpose.”

Adrielle peeked at her from the mirror, smirking. “Hmm? Doing what?”

Cassandra closed her eyes for a second, mentally reciting all her morning meetings, hoping it would give her the willpower to survive this moment.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and lightly brushed her fingers against Adrielle’s back as she grabbed the zipper. Adrielle shivered at the touch, biting her lip to suppress a grin. Cassandra moved painfully slow, dragging the zipper up while keeping her face neutral. Or at least, trying to.

Once she finished, she patted Adrielle’s shoulder and took a step back, clearing her throat. “Done.”

Adrielle turned around, pouting. “No kiss for your hardworking CEO?”

Cassandra smirked. “No distractions, Ms. Hidalgo. We have a big meeting at 10 AM.”

Adrielle raised an eyebrow. “Aww, so serious.” She took a step closer, her fingers playfully tracing circles on Cassandra’s shoulder. “Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”

Cassandra grabbed Adrielle’s hands and kissed her knuckles quickly before stepping away. “Oh, you absolutely can. But if I let you, we’re both calling in sick.”

Adrielle laughed, rolling her eyes. “Fine, fine. But you definitely owe me some extra cuddles later.”

Cassandra smirked, grabbing her bag. “Oh, Dri. You say that like I always say no.”

Adrielle grinned, grabbing her own things before wrapping an arm around Cassandra’s waist as they walked out the door.

A typical morning. Full of soft moments, playful teasing, and a love so effortless, it colored even the simplest routines with warmth, just the way they liked it.

As part of their arrangement, Adrielle and Cassandra arrived at work separately, at least ten minutes apart. It was their way of avoiding suspicion. Not that anyone would suspect two powerhouse CEOs of sneaking around like lovesick teenagers.

Still, fate had other plans.

Adrielle stepped into the elevator first, pressing the button for the top floor, when a familiar presence entered just before the doors closed.

Cassandra.

They locked eyes for a brief second before slipping into professional mode—standing apart, posture poised, expressions unreadable to anyone else.

But then, as the elevator began to move, Adrielle inched her fingers toward Cassandra’s, their hands brushing lightly before intertwining for just a second—a silent greeting, a quiet moment only they could understand.

Neither spoke. The air between them crackled with unspoken words, unspoken feelings.

Then, the doors slid open again, and several employees entered, forcing them to step farther apart, back into their respective roles.

The moment stretched on, stolen glances exchanged through the reflection in the elevator walls.

Finally, the last of the employees exited, leaving only the two of them.

Or so they thought.

“Wow, the tension in here is thick,” a voice chimed in from behind them.

Cassandra and Adrielle whipped around, eyes widening.

Liv.

Standing in the corner, arms crossed, smirking like she had just won the lottery. “You two are so obvious, it’s adorable,” Liv teased, stepping forward. “Secret rendezvous in the elevator? Classic.”

Adrielle cleared her throat, adjusting her blazer. “We’re just—”

“Being professional? Yeah, yeah, sure.” Liv waved a hand dismissively. “Look, I don’t care what arrangement you two have going on, but just so you know, if I noticed, someone else might too.”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “Are you blackmailing us?”

Liv grinned. “Me? No. But I do accept bribes in the form of coffee.”

Before either of them could respond, the elevator doors slid open to the top floor, and Liv’s expression instantly shifted to business mode.

“See you later, ladies.” She strolled out, leaving the two flustered CEOs behind.

Cassandra exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “We are so doomed.”

Adrielle laughed, stepping out after her. “Relax, Cass. Just act natural.”

Cassandra shot her a look. “That’s the problem. Nothing about you makes me feel natural.”

Cassandra and Adrielle walked into the meeting room separately, maintaining their professional demeanor. Seated at the head of the table was none other than Julian Park, an old classmate from business school and a notorious rival in the industry. He was known for playing the game ruthlessly, always toeing the line between aggressive and legal.

Adrielle's mind briefly flashed back to the call she had with her brother, Rafa, just yesterday. "Do you remember Julian Park? Just thought you should know." At the time, she had brushed it off, assuming it was just another vague warning from her overly perceptive brother. But now, as she met Julian’s knowing smirk across the table, realization settled in her gut. This was it, what Rafa has been talking about.

Julian’s lips curved into a smirk as his sharp gaze landed on Adrielle. "Hidalgo. Sy. It’s been a while."

Adrielle gave a polite nod. "Julian."Or should I call you Jose?" Damn it! How can she forget? He was using a different name during business school.

Julian gave a hearty laughed. "Always the joker, Hidalgo. I go by Julian Park now."

Cassandra, arms crossed, sat beside Adrielle, her presence sharp and unwavering. "Let’s cut to the chase, Park. We’re busy people. What’s this big proposition?"

Julian chuckled, leaning back into his chair. "Straight to business. I like that. Fine. My company is looking to expand into Southeast Asia, and given that you two run one of the most influential firms in the region, I’d like to propose a merger. Our resources combined would make us an unstoppable force."

Adrielle remained composed. "A merger would mean equal stakes. What’s in it for us?"

Julian’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "Besides becoming part of a global empire? Access to my networks, cutting-edge technology, and—" he leaned slightly forward, his voice lowering, "—a partner who always wins."

Cassandra scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Partner? Last time I checked, you prefer competitors you can step on."

Julian chuckled. "Oh, come on, Sy. You know I respect competition. I wouldn’t be offering this if I didn’t think you two were worth it."

Adrielle examined the proposal in front of her. "On paper, this looks impressive. But knowing you, Julian, there’s a catch."

Julian grinned. "No catch, just smart business. Though, I won’t lie, it would be nice to work alongside you again. You were always the smartest one in class."

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed slightly, catching the subtle flirtation. She leaned back in her chair. "Funny, I don’t remember you thinking that back then. Didn’t you always try to one-up Adrielle?"

Julian shrugged. "Business is business. But some things change. Some things… don’t."

Adrielle felt Cassandra’s subtle shift beside her, not noticeable but she knows. She resisted the urge to smirk.

"We’ll need time to review the proposal," Adrielle stated, keeping things neutral.

Julian nodded. "Of course. I’d expect nothing less. Let’s schedule another meeting next week. In the meantime, if you have any questions… you know where to find me."

Cassandra’s tone was light, but her words sharp. "Oh, we’ll be sure to scrutinize every word of this deal. You know, just to make sure there aren’t any of your ‘creative loopholes.’"

Julian chuckled. "I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Sy."

With that, the meeting concluded, and as everyone dispersed, Cassandra didn’t even wait. "Adrielle, my office. Now."

Adrielle bit back a grin, knowing exactly what this was about.

The moment Adrielle stepped into Cassandra’s office, the door shut behind her with a firm click. Cassandra stood with her arms crossed, staring at her wife with a look that was both sharp and frustrated.

Adrielle leaned against the desk, arms crossed, clearly enjoying this. "You called, Moja?" Her tone was playful, teasing, knowing exactly what was coming.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "Don’t ‘Moja’ me right now. That was Julian Park. Julian Park. The same man who spent years competing with you, and now he’s suddenly all charming?"

Adrielle tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Hmm… nagseselos ka ba?"

Cassandra scoffed. "Me? Jealous? Please. I just don’t trust that guy. He’s scheming, and he was clearly—" she gestured vaguely, "—flirting with you."

Adrielle gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Flirting? Cassandra Sy, are you insinuating that I am enjoying it? Grabe ka naman, nasasaktan ako."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Oh, don’t start. You know exactly what I mean. He was playing mind games, and I don’t like it."

Adrielle smirked, stepping closer, voice dropping to a teasing sound. "Or… hindi mo lang gusto na ako yung pinaglalaruan niya?"

Cassandra huffed, arms still crossed, attempting to keep her composure. "I don’t like anyone thinking they have the right to put their hands on my wife, Adrielle."

Adrielle hummed, pretending to think about it. "Mmm, possessive Cassandra. Ang hot mo pala pag ganito."

Cassandra rolled her eyes, but the slight twitch in her lips betrayed her. "You’re impossible."

Adrielle took another step forward, closing the space between them, her fingers brushing lightly against Cassandra’s waist. "And you’re adorable when you’re pretending not to be jealous. Aminin mo na kasi."

Cassandra scoffed, attempting to push Adrielle away, but her hands betrayed her, settling naturally on Adrielle’s shoulders. "Hindi ako—"

Before she could finish, Adrielle leaned in to kiss her. It started slow, conveying assurance, affection that cannot be put into words. Cassandra melted instantly, her hands gripping Adrielle like she was grounding herself in the moment.

When they finally pulled away, breathless and slightly dazed, Adrielle grinned. "See? No need to worry. You’re the only one for me."

Cassandra exhaled, forehead pressing against Adrielle’s. "I’ll still be keeping an eye on Julian."

Adrielle chuckled, pressing a soft, lingering peck to Cassandra’s cheeks before whispering, "Of course, Cass. I expect nothing less."

A sudden knock on the door made both Cassandra and Adrielle freeze. Cassandra immediately pulled away and rushed to sit behind her desk, trying to look as composed as possible. Adrielle, still biting back a grin, leaned back casually on the chair in front of the desk, as if they hadn’t just been caught in an intimate moment.

They waited for the person to enter, but after a few seconds of silence, a voice called from the other side.

"Uh, ma’am Cassandra? I think the door is locked." Cassandra’s eyes widened in mild panic. She exchanged a quick glance with Adrielle, who was now clearly amused.

“Locked?” Cassandra echoed, standing up quickly and striding towards the door. “That’s weird. It must be broken or something.” Adrielle fought back a smirk, watching as Cassandra fumbled with the lock before finally yanking the door open.

Outside stood one of Cassandra’s junior employees, a young woman clutching a tablet nervously. She blinked up at her boss, clearly sensing that she had interrupted something. “Ah, sorry po, ma’am. I was just here to report about the client visit kanina. May mga concerns sila about—”

Cassandra exhaled, straightening her posture, fully back in CEO mode. “Alright, go ahead. Ano’ng problema?”

The junior quickly relayed the client’s concerns about logistics delays. Cassandra nodded, occasionally glancing at Adrielle, who was now watching the scene unfold with pure amusement.

After a few minutes of back and forth discussion, Cassandra finally dismissed the employee with a curt nod. “Noted. I’ll review this and send my feedback later. Good job handling it. You can go.”

The junior hesitated for a split second before nodding quickly and leaving. As soon as the door clicked shut, silence filled the room.

Then—

Both Cassandra and Adrielle burst into laughter.

“Oh my God,” Cassandra muttered, covering her face with her hand. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice the damn door was locked.”

Adrielle smirked, shaking her head. “You didn’t even try to play it cool. ‘Oh no, the door must be broken!’” She mimicked, voice dripping with exaggerated concern. “Talaga lang, Cass?”

Cassandra rolled her eyes, cheeks slightly flushed. “Shut up.”

Adrielle stood up, walking over to Cassandra. She reached up and gently wiped a smudge of lipstick from the corner of Cassandra’s lips with her thumb. “You should check the mirror next time, Wifey. Baka may evidence pa.”

Cassandra exhaled sharply, her gaze locking onto Adrielle’s, but before she could retort, Adrielle patted her cheek playfully.

“Anyway, I should head back to my office before someone actually starts questioning why we’re in here for so long.” Adrielle winked before turning toward the door.

Cassandra watched her go, shaking her head with a small smile. "Unbelievable."

Adrielle shot her one last teasing glance over her shoulder. "You love me for it."

Cassandra smirked. "Unfortunately."

Adrielle chuckled before finally slipping out of the office, leaving Cassandra shaking her head, still grinning.

The rest of the day went on as usual, the earlier moment of panic fading into amusement. Cassandra and Adrielle returned to their work, slipping seamlessly into their roles as CEOs. The days leading up to the next meeting with Julian were filled with back to back meetings, paperwork, and business calls, but despite their packed schedules, they still made time for each other at home.

On some nights, they reviewed documents together, side by side on the couch, with Adrielle stealing Cassandra’s reading glasses just to annoy her. Other times, they would cook dinner together, Adrielle pretending to be utterly useless just to have Cassandra guide her hands while chopping vegetables. And on particularly exhausting days, they would simply collapse on the bed, tangled together, letting their presence speak more than words.

Time passed quickly, and soon enough, the day of their next meeting with Julian arrived.

Since the lunch meeting was set in a private restaurant, Cassandra and Adrielle decided to take just one car from the office which is a rare moment for them, considering how careful they were about keeping up appearances.

As they stepped into the sleek black car waiting at the basement parking lot, Adrielle immediately stretched her arms and leaned back against the leather seat with an exaggerated sigh. “Wow, what an honor. Hindi ko na kailangang magdrive today. Ang sarap pala ng buhay ng may personal driver.”

Cassandra scoffed as she fastened her seatbelt. “Personal driver? Saan banda? Libre mo gas ha?”

Adrielle placed a hand on Cassandra’s arm, feigning innocence. “Di ba love ang tawag sa mga libre?”

Cassandra shot her a side glance, unimpressed. “Libre pag deserving.”

Adrielle gasped dramatically. “Ang harsh! So hindi pa rin ako deserving kahit kasal na tayo?” She placed a hand over her chest, acting wounded. “Akalain mo yun, ginive up ko na ang single life para sayo, tapos wala man lang libreng sakay?”

Cassandra rolled her eyes, starting the car. “Pwede kang bumaba at maglakad kung gusto mo.”

Adrielle laughed, leaning closer as Cassandra pulled out of the parking lot. “Admit it, gusto mo lang akong ihatid at sunduin. Para kang si kuya driver na in love sa amo niya.”

Cassandra snorted, shaking her head. “Kuyang driver pa ko sa lagay na ito? Masyado akong maganda para maging driver mo lang Dri.”

Adrielle let out a whistle. “Aba, aba! Ang taas ng confidence, huh? Sige na nga, maganda ka na.” She paused before adding with a smirk, “Pero ako pa rin ang pinakamaganda.”

Cassandra pretended to think. “Debatable.”

“Hoy!” Adrielle lightly smacked Cassandra’s arm, making Cassandra chuckle. “Ang kapal!”

“Joke lang,” Cassandra said, reaching out to quickly squeeze Adrielle’s hand before putting it back on the wheel. “Ikaw lang naman ang pinakamaganda sa akin, Moja.”

Adrielle grinned, clearly satisfied. “Yan ang tamang sagot, Moja.”

They continued driving in comfortable silence for a while, soft music playing in the background. Then, Adrielle spoke up again, her tone playful. “Pero in fairness, ang bihira nga ng ganito. One car, just the two of us, no need to act so… professional.”

Cassandra smirked. “So ano, gusto mo magdate na lang tayo imbes na meeting?”

“Hmm…” Adrielle pretended to think about it. “Pwede rin. I mean, wala namang mas nakaka-kilig kaysa sa secret lunch dates disguised as business meetings, di ba?”

Cassandra glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. “Mas kilig pa sa dinner dates sa bahay natin?”

Adrielle leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Dinner dates are great… but there’s something exciting about this. Parang high school sneaking around vibes.”

Cassandra chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

Adrielle simply grinned. “But you love me.”

Cassandra sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately.”

Adrielle gasped, hand over her heart. “Ang sakit! Sana sinabi mo na agad para hindi na ako nagpakasal sa’yo!”

Cassandra gave her an amused glance. “Late na. Hindi na refundable.”

“Paano kung may gusto pang umagaw?” Adrielle teased, eyes twinkling.

Cassandra’s smirk turned smug. “Subukan lang nila. Wala akong pakialam kung business tycoon o CEO pa ‘yan. Walang pwedeng umagaw sayo sa'kin.”

Adrielle felt her stomach flip at the possessiveness in Cassandra’s voice. She bit her lip to hide her smile. “Oof. Ang hot naman niyang Mrs. Sy.”

Cassandra side-eyed her. “Gusto mo pang painitin?”

Adrielle laughed. “Behave ka muna, Cass. Business meeting muna tayo.”

Cassandra clicked her tongue. “Fine. Pero pagkatapos nito…”

Adrielle smirked. “Tingnan natin kung makakapag focus ka pa.”

The ride continued with playful banter, teasing smiles, and the occasional stolen glance. Despite the impending business meeting, for a moment, it felt like just another private moment between them—one they rarely got to have outside the walls of their home.

The private restaurant exuded elegance. Warm lighting, polished wood interiors, and an air of exclusivity that perfectly suited a high profile business meeting. Cassandra and Adrielle arrived right on time, escorted to a secluded table where Julian Park was already waiting.

Julian stood as they approached, a charming yet knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Adrielle,” he greeted, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, lingering just a little longer than necessary. “That dress looks stunning on you.”

Adrielle smiled politely. “Thank you, Julian.”

Cassandra, who had been pulling out a chair for Adrielle, froze for a split second before she resumed as if nothing happened. As Adrielle took her seat, Cassandra slid into the chair beside her, a practiced smile on her lips. “Wow, Julian. Compliments right off the bat? We should start keeping count.”

Julian chuckled, completely unfazed. “What can I say? I always appreciate good aesthetics especially when it’s this breathtaking.”

Cassandra’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Good to know you have an eye for beauty. Too bad you don’t have the same luck with business ethics.”

Julian let out a low laugh. “Still as sharp as ever, Cassandra.”

Adrielle, sensing the tension already building, cleared her throat. “Shall we get to business?”

Julian leaned back, still watching Adrielle with amusement. “Of course. But I must say, I’m surprised you accepted my proposal for this merger meeting. You’ve always been rather… independent.”

Cassandra laced her fingers together, her expression unreadable. “We’re practical. And if something is mutually beneficial, why wouldn’t we consider it?”

Julian nodded. “That’s exactly what I want to discuss. Your company’s stronghold in the local industry is impressive, but I have access to international markets that would give you a competitive edge. The merger would open doors to global partnerships, higher funding, and operational efficiencies that would take you years to build otherwise.”

Adrielle hummed in thought. “And in return, what do you want?”

Julian smiled. “Control over certain expansions, naturally. I have no intention of interfering with your creative direction, Adrielle, but some of the business strategies will need to be aligned with my firm’s approach.”

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Aligned or dictated?”

Julian let out a soft chuckle. “Come on, Cassandra. You know me. I play fair.”

“You play legally,” Cassandra corrected with a knowing smirk. “Fair is debatable.”

Julian tilted his head, studying her. “And yet, you’re here, listening.”

“Because we’re smart,” Cassandra shot back smoothly. “Not desperate.”

Adrielle placed a hand on Cassandra’s thigh under the table in a subtle attempt to calm her. Cassandra took a quiet breath, her shoulders relaxing just slightly.

Julian noticed the small interaction, his smirk deepening. “You two really are a force, huh?” He turned to Adrielle, eyes gleaming. “It must be exhausting keeping Cassandra in check.”

Adrielle chuckled, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t say exhausting. More like… a full time adventure.”

Cassandra leaned back, arms crossed. “And I wouldn’t say Adrielle needs keeping in check either. She’s perfectly capable of handling herself. Though I do appreciate you pretending to think otherwise.”

Julian laughed. “Ah, still as territorial as ever.”

Cassandra’s lips curled into a slow smirk. “Just setting expectations. Wouldn’t want you to get too comfortable.”

The rest of the meeting focused on discussing terms, key interests, and negotiation points. Both sides made their cases, neither backing down easily. In the end, they agreed to schedule their next meeting one month later, as Julian would be away on a business trip overseas.

As they exchanged parting pleasantries, Julian turned to Adrielle once more. “I look forward to seeing you again.” His gaze flickered down to her dress briefly before meeting her eyes. “Hopefully, with another breathtaking ensemble.”

Cassandra’s expression remained neutral, but her grip on her tablet tightened. Adrielle merely smiled, maintaining her professionalism. “We’ll see you next month, Julian.”

With that, they left the restaurant, Cassandra walking a little too briskly toward the car.

As soon as Cassandra started the car, she gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly. The air was thick with tension. Adrielle glanced at her, amused. “Hmm. Tahimik ka yata, Cass.”

Cassandra exhaled sharply, her jaw tense. “Nothing.”

Adrielle smirked. “Awww, someone’s in a bad mood.”

“I’m not.”

“Sure ka?” Adrielle turned to face her fully. “Kasi parang galit ka na gusto mong sagasaan si Julian kanina.”

Cassandra let out a sharp scoff. “He’s annoying.”

Adrielle laughed. “Sige na, aminin mo na. Nabad trip ka na naman kasi flirt siya.”

Cassandra’s grip on the wheel tightened. “He was unprofessional.”

“Ahh, so ‘unprofessional’ na pala ang term para sa pagiging seloso?”

Cassandra shot her a glare. “Hindi ako nagseselos.”

Adrielle hummed, obviously unconvinced. “Mhmm. Kahit sinabi niyang bagay sakin ‘tong dress?”

Cassandra’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“Kahit sabi niyang looking forward siyang makita ako ulit?”

Cassandra sighed heavily.

“Kahit—”

“Adrielle,” Cassandra interrupted, eyes still focused on the road. “Bumaba ka na.”

Adrielle burst into laughter. “Nasa gitna pa tayo ng EDSA, paano ako bababa?”

Cassandra groaned. “Exactly.”

Adrielle grinned and reached over to squeeze Cassandra’s hand on the gear shift. “Aww, don’t be mad. Alam mo namang ikaw lang gusto ko, ‘di ba?”

Cassandra finally glanced at her, the tension in her shoulders loosening just a little. “Alam ko.”

Adrielle leaned in closer, her voice softer. “Then stop being so cute when you’re jealous. Baka hindi na kita patapusin sa office mamaya.”

Cassandra sighed but couldn’t stop the slight smirk tugging at her lips. “Just… don’t endulge him too much.”

Adrielle squeezed her hand again. “Never. Ikaw lang, okay? Moja nga di ba?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes but intertwined their fingers briefly before pulling away. “Tsk. You’re too good at this.”

Adrielle winked. “Of course. I have to be. May asawa akong madaling mairita.”

Cassandra shook her head, but the corners of her lips twitched upward. The rest of the ride was quieter, but lighter.

The moment they stepped into their company’s sleek, high rise headquarters, the air shifted. Gone were the teasing grins and playful remarks from the car ride. Now, it was all sharp edges and purpose. Employees straightened as Cassandra and Adrielle walked in, sensing the weight of their presence.

Just as Cassandra was about to enter her office, her assistant, Jen, approached in a hurry, tablet in hand.

“Ma’am Cassandra,” Jen said, voice urgent but controlled. “We have a situation.”

Cassandra frowned, immediately switching into business mode. “What is it?”

Jen hesitated for a second before speaking. “Legal flagged a major discrepancy in the contract with the Sutton Group. The clauses regarding the revenue sharing model and operational control don’t match the agreed terms from our previous negotiations.”

Cassandra’s expression hardened. “That’s impossible. We had those details locked in during the last meeting.”

Jen nodded. “Yes, ma’am. But the final version that was sent over for signing had some modifications. Ones we never approved. Now, Sutton Group is pushing back, claiming these terms were always part of the agreement.”

Adrielle, who had paused by the doorway to her own office, folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. “And who the hell modified the contract without legal and executive approval?”

Jen glanced between them, clearly nervous. “That’s what we’re trying to find out. Marketing and Finance both had hands on this deal, but neither is claiming responsibility for the changes.”

Cassandra exhaled sharply, her grip tightening on the stack of documents she was holding. “Unacceptable.”

Adrielle stepped forward, her usual playful demeanor gone. “This could put the entire deal at risk, Cass.”

“I know,” Cassandra replied, jaw clenching. She turned back to Jen. “Call an emergency meeting. I want everyone involved in that contract in the boardroom in ten minutes.”

Jen nodded. “Understood, ma’am.” She turned swiftly on her heel and hurried off to make the arrangements.

Adrielle leaned against Cassandra’s office doorframe, watching her closely. “Looks like you’ve got a long night ahead.”

Cassandra finally met her gaze, her exhaustion creeping through the edges of her sharp exterior. “Looks like we do.”

Adrielle smirked slightly, tilting her head. “You just don’t want me to leave you alone with your bad mood.”

Cassandra sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I need you here. This affects both of us.”

Adrielle’s smirk softened into something more genuine. “Stay?”

Adrielle took a step closer, brushing a gentle hand against Cassandra’s wrist, grounding her. Cassandra sighed again, this time softer. “Always.”

Adrielle chuckled. “See? You’re learning.” She leaned in, pressing a fleeting kiss to Cassandra’s cheek before pulling away. “Now let’s go save this deal before we end up running over someone in that meeting.”

Cassandra exhaled one last time, straightened her blazer, and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

With that, the long night began.

The emergency meeting stretched late into the night, with voices rising and tensions running high as they tried to untangle the mess with the Sutton Group contract. Despite hours of discussion, they still hadn’t found the source of the unauthorized modifications. The situation had become even more complicated, with Sutton Group now threatening to withdraw unless a compromise was made.

By midnight, Adrielle, who had insisted on staying, was still in the boardroom, reviewing documents with Cassandra. Her brows furrowed as she skimmed through the revised clauses again. “May sense naman yung argument ng Sutton, but that’s not what we agreed on. Clearly, someone tampered with the final draft.”

Cassandra rubbed her temples, exhausted. “Alam ko. Pero without proof of who changed it, we’re stuck in a negotiation trap.”

Adrielle leaned back, sighing. “At this point, baka dapat—”

Cassandra cut her off, shaking her head. “Dri, you have a big meeting tomorrow. Go home.”

Adrielle straightened. “Hah? Ikaw? Pinapa-uwi ako?”

Cassandra sighed. “You’ve done what you can. Naclear na ang department mo, wala kang liability dito. Mas okay kung fresh ka bukas sa meeting mo.”

“But Cass—”

“Please,” Cassandra said, her voice quieter now, tired but firm. “Let me handle this.”

Adrielle hesitated. She didn’t want to leave Cassandra to deal with this alone, but she also knew her wife. Once Cassandra set her mind on something, there was no arguing.

“Fine,” Adrielle huffed. “Pero paguwi mo, I expect an update. At least text me kung anong nangyari.”

Cassandra gave a small nod, her attention already back on the documents in front of her. Adrielle frowned. Not even a kiss goodnight?

With a sigh, she grabbed her bag and left.

The next morning, Adrielle woke up alone. She stretched, expecting the familiar warmth beside her, only to be met with cool sheets. She blinked, still groggy, and turned her head toward Cassandra’s side of the bed. Empty.

Napakunot ang noo niya. Anong oras kaya umuwi si Cass?

She reached for her phone, checking her messages, but there were none from Cassandra.

Then, her eyes landed on a small note on the nightstand.

Left early. Urgent matters at work. See you later. – C

That was it.

No good morning kiss.

No coffee waiting for her in the kitchen.

A quiet sigh escaped Adrielle’s lips as she let the note fall onto the bed. “Talagang ‘yon lang? Isang sulat lang?” she mumbled to herself. She knew it wasn’t Cassandra’s fault, but still… it hurt.

Adrielle dragged herself out of bed and went through her usual routine. Pero wala talaga. Wala si Cassandra sa paligid. The house felt emptier than usual.

And it wasn’t just that morning.

The days passed, and the gap between them widened.

Cassandra left earlier than usual and came home late, sometimes past midnight. Adrielle would wait up, but Cassandra barely spoke when she got home, exhaustion evident in her every movement.

Their usual breakfast dates before heading to work? Gone.

Their quiet moments on the couch after a long day? Wala rin.

Adrielle understood—really, she did. But understanding didn’t stop her from missing Cassandra.

One evening, Adrielle tried to stay awake, waiting for her to return. By the time she heard the faint sound of the front door opening, it was past 1 AM.

She pushed herself up from the couch, rubbing her sleepy eyes. “Cass…?”

But Cassandra didn’t even glance her way. “Late na. Matulog ka na, Dri.”

And just like that, she disappeared into their room.

Adrielle sat there, watching the closed bedroom door, her heart sinking.

Cassandra was home, but it felt like she wasn’t here at all.

By the end of the week, the Sutton Group issue had turned into a full-blown crisis.

Cassandra had discovered discrepancies beyond just the contract terms. There were questionable transactions linked to one of their senior managers. Money was being funneled into unaccounted expenditures, and if they didn’t get ahead of it soon, it could spiral into legal complications.

“Cass, this isn’t just a contract dispute anymore,” Adrielle said during a quick hallway meeting between their packed schedules. “This is corporate sabotage.”

Cassandra pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know. But until we have solid proof, we can’t accuse anyone yet.”

Adrielle crossed her arms. “And how much sleep have you gotten these past few days?”

Cassandra gave a humorless chuckle. “Sleep? Ano ‘yun?”

Adrielle frowned. “Cass, you can’t run on empty forever.”

Cassandra’s gaze softened for just a second, but she quickly masked it with her usual professionalism. “I’ll be fine. We need to focus.”

Adrielle clenched her jaw. She was shutting her out again.

They weren’t just CEOs running a business together. They were wives. Partners in everything.

So why did it feel like Cassandra was handling this alone?

And why did it hurt so damn much?