Marked Confidential

The low hum of the air conditioning was the only sound filling Cassandra’s office. The morning had been nothing but back to back meetings, endless emails, and updates from their PR team regarding the circulating rumors. She was reviewing another report when her phone lit up with an incoming call.

Her gaze sharpened when she saw the name on the screen.

Julian Park.

Cassandra exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders before answering. "Mr. Park," she greeted, her tone cool and detached.

"Cassandra," Julian drawled, his voice rich with amusement. "Always so formal."

Cassandra leaned back in her chair, keeping her expression unreadable. "Did you call just to be annoying, or is there an actual reason?"

Julian chuckled. "Straight to the point, as always."

She clenched her jaw, already running out of patience. "Get to it, Julian."

"Just a friendly reminder—your deadline is in a week. Have you and Adrielle finally come to your senses?"

Cassandra scoffed. "You can remind us all you want, but the answer is still the same. We’re not merging."

Julian hummed thoughtfully. "Interesting. I figured the recent... media attention would’ve shaken things up for you."

Cassandra’s fingers curled into a fist on her desk. "Your little stunt with the blind item won’t change anything."

A slow, amused chuckle came from the other end. "Oh, Cassandra. That wasn’t me."

She stilled. "What?"

"I’d love to take credit, but unfortunately, this wasn’t my doing," Julian continued smoothly. "Though I have to admit, whoever did it deserves my gratitude. They’ve certainly made my job easier."

Cassandra gritted her teeth. "You’re bluffing."

"Am I?" Julian mused. "Think about it, Cassandra. If I wanted to expose your little secret, don’t you think I’d do it more... spectacularly?"

Cassandra remained silent, her grip on her phone tightening.

"Regardless," Julian continued, voice dripping with satisfaction, "this works in my favor. The more uncertainty around your leadership, the more reason your board will have to agree with me. One week, Cassandra. Make the smart choice."

Cassandra exhaled sharply, her temper barely in check. "You can gloat all you want, but it won’t work."

"We’ll see," Julian said with a smirk in his voice. "Tick-tock, Cassandra."

The line went dead.

Cassandra remained still, gripping the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her entire body was taut with frustration. Julian wasn’t behind the blind item? Then who was? And what else could they have up their sleeve? She needed to tell Adrielle.

She carried the irritation with her as she made her way to the private lounge where Adrielle was waiting before the town hall. The moment she walked in, Adrielle’s eyes flickered up from her phone. Immediately, she took in Cassandra’s sharp steps, the tension in her shoulders, and the deep crease between her brows.

Adrielle set her phone aside and leaned forward slightly. "Cass, what’s wrong?"

Cassandra let out a slow breath. "Julian called."

Adrielle’s expression darkened. "What did that bastard want?"

Cassandra crossed her arms. "Deadline reminder. As if we’ve forgotten. But the worst part? He says the blind item wasn’t his doing."

Adrielle’s brows furrowed. "What?"

"He was smug about it, Dri. Sinabi niyang nagpapasalamat pa siya kung sino man ang naglabas noon kasi nakakatulong daw sa kanya." Cassandra exhaled, rubbing her temples. "And he’s right. This isn’t just some corporate rumor anymore. It’s affecting how the board sees us, how the employees see us."

Adrielle studied her for a moment before stepping closer. "Cass."

Cassandra looked up, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Adrielle reached for her hands, holding them firmly between hers. "I know it’s frustrating. Alam kong gusto mong sugurin si Julian at ipamukha sa kanya na wala siyang laban sa atin."She squeezed Cassandra’s hands gently. "But you can’t let him get in your head."

Cassandra sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly at Adrielle’s touch.

"We’ve handled worse," Adrielle reminded her softly. "Hindi tayo basta bastang matitibag, Cass. We knew this would get ugly, but we also know we can win this."

Cassandra’s lips quirked into a small smirk. "You always know how to get me back on track, huh?"

Adrielle tilted her head with a teasing grin. "Well, someone has to keep that brilliant mind of yours from overthinking."

Cassandra chuckled, the irritation from Julian’s call slowly dissipating.

Adrielle gently tapped her chin. "We do this together, di ba?"

Cassandra exhaled, feeling warmth spread in her chest. Adrielle always knew what to say, always knew how to steady her.

She squeezed Adrielle’s hand in return. "Together."

A knock on the door interrupted them, signaling that the town hall was about to start.

Adrielle let go of her hands and straightened her blazer. "Let’s do this."

Cassandra nodded, her confidence returning. "Let’s show them why we built this company in the first place."

With renewed determination, they walked side by side towards the town hall, ready to face whatever came next.

The town hall had just wrapped up, and the tension that had been weighing on Cassandra and Adrielle’s shoulders finally eased just a little. They had done what needed to be done, standing before their employees and addressing the growing whispers with the composure expected of them.

They didn’t outright confirm nor deny the rumors, but they didn’t evade them either. Instead, they redirected the focus to what truly mattered which is the company’s future and the people who helped build it. They spoke about transparency, trust, and the upcoming anniversary, ensuring that their employees felt valued despite the uncertainty surrounding them.

And it worked.

While not everyone was completely reassured, the mood had shifted. The excitement over the upcoming anniversary celebration was a welcome distraction, evident in the hushed murmurs and eager exchanges between colleagues as they left the hall.

As they walked back to their offices, Adrielle’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. A message from Rafa.

Rafa: Statement is scheduled for release tonight during the evening news. A few online articles from credible sources will also pick it up. Be ready.

She exhaled, then sent a quick reply.

Adrielle: Got it. Thanks, Kuya.

Slipping her phone back into her pocket, she turned to Cassandra, who was walking beside her in silence, brows slightly furrowed in thought.

Adrielle reached out and lightly brushed her fingers against Cassandra’s, a silent way of pulling her back from her thoughts.

Cassandra blinked, glancing at her. "Hmm?"

Adrielle held up her phone. "Rafa just confirmed the official statement will be out tonight. TV, online articles. Everything’s lined up."

Cassandra let out a slow breath, nodding. "Well… no turning back now."

Adrielle smirked. "Like we ever planned to."

That made Cassandra chuckle. "You’re right. We did what we had to do. Bahala na sila kung paano nila tatanggapin."

"Exactly." Adrielle nudged her lightly. "And besides, we handled today pretty well. If nothing else, we got the employees excited for the anniversary."

Cassandra tilted her head, raising a brow. "Mm. And I’m sure you enjoyed watching their reactions when you hinted at surprises."

Adrielle grinned. "Hey, a little mystery never hurts. Keeps them engaged."

Cassandra smirked. "You really like keeping people on edge, don’t you?"

Adrielle gave a small shrug. "It’s a talent."

As they neared Cassandra’s office, Adrielle slowed her steps, turning to face her fully. The teasing glint in her eyes softened, replaced by something gentler.

"We did our best today, Cass." Her voice was quiet but firm.

Cassandra met her gaze, the earlier tension still lingering in her chest but not as suffocating.

"I know," she murmured. Then, after a beat, she added with a smirk, "Kiss muna before you go?"

Adrielle rolled her eyes but took a step closer, pressing a quick, soft kiss to Cassandra’s forehead. "Huwag masyadong demanding, Ms. Sy."

Cassandra hummed, a knowing look in her eyes. "Sino bang nagpropose? Ikaw. So, deal with it."

Adrielle chuckled, shaking her head. "Excuse me! Ang hirap pala kapag may asawa nang demanding."

Cassandra grinned. "Oh please, you love it."

Adrielle smirked but didn’t deny it. Instead, she reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Cassandra’s ear, letting her fingers linger for a moment.

"Rest muna, okay?" Adrielle said softly. "We’ve done what we can today."

Cassandra sighed but nodded, her features finally relaxing. "Yeah, yeah. Ikaw rin. Don’t overwork yourself."

Adrielle raised a brow. "Ako? Overwork? Impossible."

Cassandra gave her a flat look. "Gusto mo bang mauna sa statement yung headline na 'CEO Hospitalized for Overworking'?"

Adrielle laughed, stepping back. "Sige na, sige na. I’ll be good."

Cassandra watched as Adrielle turned and walked towards her own office. As much as the day had been exhausting, this—these small, quiet moments between them—made it all bearable.

"Dri," Cassandra called just before Adrielle disappeared into her office.

Adrielle turned, tilting her head. "Hmm?"

Cassandra smiled softly. "See you later."

Adrielle’s lips quirked up. "Always."

And with that, they parted, ready to face whatever the evening would bring.

Adrielle and Cassandra made sure to be home before the evening news aired. They had spent the entire day holding their composure in front of their employees, board members, and the company. But tonight, it was just the two of them—home, warm, and away from the outside noise… at least for now.

The intro jingle of the primetime news echoed from the television just as Cassandra carefully carried the pot of steaming sopas into the living room. Adrielle was already setting their bowls on the coffee table, making space for their dinner.

"Perfect timing," Cassandra remarked, settling down beside Adrielle.

Adrielle grinned, inhaling deeply. "Mm. Smells amazing."

"Of course," Cassandra said smugly, handing Adrielle a ladle. "Alam mo na, precision and accurate measurements are the best."

Adrielle rolled her eyes, used to Cassandra’s meticulous way of cooking. "Siyempre, ikaw pa." She glanced at the coffee table and spotted something else. A separate bowl of hot rice. Adrielle smirked. "Ah, you remembered?"

Cassandra scoffed, shaking her head. "Syempre, gawin mo ba namang ulam ang sopas. Sopas should be eaten as sopas. Period. Hindi na kailangang may kanin."

Adrielle picked up the bowl of rice with a smug grin. "Correction: Sopas is best with kanin."

"No." Cassandra gave her a pointed look. "Sopas is a dish. Not ulam."

"Eh bakit? May gatas naman ang sopas, parang ginataang ulam lang!" Adrielle argued, scooping rice into her bowl before drowning it in the creamy soup.

Cassandra groaned, covering her face. "Ayoko na talaga sayo minsan."

Adrielle chuckled, nudging her. "Oh, but you love me anyway."

Cassandra sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately." But the fond smile on her lips gave her away.

Just as they were about to dig in, the news anchor’s voice filled the room.

"Ngayong gabi sa ating headline…"

Their casual banter died down instantly. Both instinctively straightened in their seats, bowls untouched as they focused on the screen.

"Matapos ang kumakalat na blind item tungkol sa dalawang bigating CEO sa industriya, opisyal nang naglabas ng pahayag ang Hidalgo-Sy Group ngayong gabi upang sagutin ang mga usap-usapan."

The screen switched to their official statement—direct, professional, and precise. There were no unnecessary explanations, no justifications. It simply reaffirmed their leadership and their commitment to the company, regardless of their personal lives.

Adrielle and Cassandra held their breath as they listened. No changes had been made. Rafa had made sure of that.

When the segment ended, Adrielle leaned back on the couch, exhaling deeply. "Well… that’s done."

Cassandra picked up her spoon but didn’t eat yet. "You think this will be enough?"

Adrielle glanced at her. "For some, maybe. But for others…" She shrugged. "They’ll keep talking. But that’s their problem, not ours."

Cassandra sighed, stirring her sopas absentmindedly. "I just hate that we had to address it at all. As if being together is some kind of scandal."

Adrielle reached out, gently squeezing Cassandra’s knee. "I know. But at least we did it on our own terms."

Before Cassandra could respond, her phone buzzed on the table. Both glanced at the screen. A video call from Mom & Mom.

Cassandra let out a groan. "Oh God. That was fast."

Adrielle chuckled. "They probably didn’t even finish their own dinner."

Cassandra sighed but picked up the phone, answering the call. The screen was instantly filled with the concerned faces of Elena Hidalgo and Margaret Sy.

"Cassandra, Adrielle," Margaret started. "How are you both holding up?"

"You two looked so serious in that statement," Elena added, frowning. "Did you even eat today?"

Adrielle and Cassandra exchanged a look.

"Nagprepare nga kami ng sopas, kaso hindi pa nakakain kasi kayo agad tumawag," Cassandra teased.

"Well, excuse us for worrying about our daughters," Margaret huffed. "You two are handling this so well, but that doesn’t mean you’re not affected."

Elena nodded in agreement. "You don’t have to act so strong all the time, you know."

Adrielle smiled softly. "We know, Mom. But we’re okay. Promise."

Cassandra smirked, nudging Adrielle. "Kahit na weird siya at ginagawang ulam ang sopas."

Margaret gasped. "Adrielle, are you still doing that?"

Elena chuckled, shaking her head. "Hay nako. Ganyan na yan talaga noon pa. Bahala na kayo diyan."

Adrielle raised a brow at Cassandra. "See? Even my mom gave up."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Margaret sighed. "Anyway, mahal, just checking in. If anyone gives you trouble, let us know."

Elena nodded. "Yes, and Rafa already told us he’s handling things on the media side. You girls focus on the company and yourselves."

Adrielle and Cassandra shared a grateful look. "Thanks, Moms."

Elena and Margaret smiled warmly. "Always, anak. Always."

After a few more reassurances and soft goodnights, the call ended. Cassandra placed the phone down, letting out a deep breath.

Adrielle nudged her. "See? They’re on our side. We’re not alone in this."

Cassandra looked at her for a moment before exhaling, the tension in her shoulders finally easing. "Yeah. We’re not."

Adrielle smirked. "Now, can we finally eat? Or gusto mo pang pagdebatehan kung tama ba tong sopas ko?"

Cassandra chuckled, finally picking up her spoon. "Fine. But I still think you’re weird."

Adrielle grinned. "And you still love me."

Cassandra rolled her eyes but smiled as she finally took a bite. The warmth of the sopas, their home, and each other—it was enough to end the night on a lighter note.

The following morning, Adrielle and Cassandra moved with their usual efficiency, breakfast together, coffee routines intact, and silent but comforting exchanges as they prepared for another long day.

However, as they drove to work, Adrielle’s phone rang through the car’s Bluetooth system. Mira’s name flashed on the screen.

"Good morning, Mira," Adrielle greeted as she answered.

Mira’s voice came through, calm but firm. "Good morning, Ms. Hidalgo. I just wanted to advise you and Ms. Sy to take the executive elevator from the basement parking lot today."

Cassandra frowned. "Why? Anong meron?"

Mira sighed. "There’s a lot of press waiting on the ground floor. I’m assuming it’s because of the statement last night. They’re looking for a comment from both of you."

Adrielle clenched her jaw, exchanging a glance with Cassandra. "Of course, they are."

Cassandra huffed, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "Wala talagang pahinga."

Mira continued, "Security is already in place, but it’s best if you avoid them altogether. I’ve already instructed the guards to expect you at the basement parking. They’ll make sure no one follows you to the executive elevator."

Adrielle sighed, rubbing her temples. "We rarely use that elevator."

"I know, ma'am" Mira said apologetically. "But today, I think it’s necessary."

Cassandra sighed. "Mukha ngang wala tayong choice."

Adrielle nodded. "Alright, Mira. Thanks for the heads up. We’ll take the basement route."

"Understood, Ms. Hidalgo. See you in a bit."

As the call ended, Adrielle leaned back against her seat. "So much for blending in."

Cassandra let out a dry laugh. "We can step out and face the press if you want. Malay mo, biglang gusto mong maging artista."

Adrielle shot her a deadpan look. "Pass. Ikaw na lang. Ikaw naman ang photogenic sa ating dalawa."

Cassandra smirked. "Ah, so you admit it?"

Adrielle rolled her eyes. "Drive na lang, Cassandra."

When they arrived at the basement parking, security personnel were already stationed near the executive elevator. The moment they stepped out of the car, the guards moved smoothly, ensuring that no unwanted eyes followed them.

The elevator ride was silent for a few moments before Cassandra smirked, glancing at Adrielle. "Parang ang laki ng kasalanan natin sa paggamit nito."

Adrielle scoffed. "We rarely use this kasi we don’t want to make it seem like we’re untouchable. Our employees respect us because we’re visible and approachable."

Cassandra nodded. "Pero ngayon, parang mafia bosses lang ang dating natin."

Adrielle chuckled. "‘Wag kang magreklamo, at least hindi tayo na harass ng media."

When the elevator doors opened to the top floor, they stepped out together and made their way to Adrielle’s office. To their surprise, Liv was already inside, leaning against the desk with her arms crossed.

"Took you long enough," Liv greeted, raising a brow.

Cassandra blinked. "How did you get in here?"

Liv smirked. "Mira let me in. I figured I’d wait, considering we have a lot to discuss."

Adrielle sighed, dropping her bag on the couch. "Let me guess. You saw the press waiting for us downstairs?"

Liv nodded. "Oh yeah. And based on that, we can expect more noise in the coming days. This is just the beginning."

Cassandra crossed her arms. "Do you think this will die down after a while?"

Liv hesitated before answering. "It depends. The way you handled the statement last night was clean—no loopholes, no unnecessary drama. But people love to speculate, and if Julian or anyone else adds fuel to the fire, this could last longer than we’d like."

Adrielle leaned against her desk. "Julian." She exhaled sharply. "That man won’t let up that easily."

Cassandra nodded. "Then we need to be one step ahead of him."

Liv smirked. "That’s the spirit. Now, let’s strategize."

The morning passed by in a blur of meetings, damage control discussions, and emails. By lunchtime, Adrielle was deep into her laptop, reviewing documents when a soft knock came from her office door.

Mira peeked inside, looking hesitant. "Ms. Hidalgo, Julian Park is in the meeting room. He’s waiting for you."

Adrielle’s head snapped up. "Julian?"

Mira nodded. "Yes, ma’am. He didn’t have an appointment, but he insisted you’d want to see him."

Before Adrielle could respond, her phone lit up with an incoming call—Cassandra.

She answered immediately. "Cassandra, did you hear?"

Cassandra’s voice was sharp. "Yeah, Mira just informed me. Ano na namang pakulo niya?"

Adrielle exhaled. "That’s what I’m about to find out."

Cassandra’s tone softened, but there was a protective edge to it. "Gusto mo bang samahan kita?"

Adrielle smirked slightly. "Concerned ka? Or gusto mo lang murahin si Julian in person?"

Cassandra huffed. "Both."

Adrielle chuckled. "I can handle him, Cass. But stay close, just in case."

Cassandra sighed. "Alright. Pero if he tries anything, I won’t hold back."

"Noted," Adrielle replied before hanging up. She took a deep breath, adjusting her blazer before standing up. As she walked towards the meeting room, her jaw tightened.

Julian Park never made unplanned visits. And that only meant one thing—whatever he wanted to say, it wasn’t going to be good.

Adrielle entered the empty meeting room, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Julian Park sat at the far end of the long table, legs crossed, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her approach.

"Adrielle," Julian greeted smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "You’re surprisingly composed for someone whose career is hanging by a thread."

Adrielle didn’t sit. Instead, she placed her hands firmly on the table, staring him down. "Cut the theatrics, Julian. Say what you came here to say."

Julian chuckled, shaking his head. "Straight to the point, as always. Fine. Your little statement last night? A nice attempt at damage control. But it’s not enough." He leaned forward, his voice lowering. "You and Cassandra can pretend all you want that this doesn’t affect your company, but let’s be real. The moment the board wavered, the cracks already started to show. And those cracks? They’ll shatter soon enough."

Adrielle’s fingers twitched against the table, but her expression remained unreadable. "You really think we’d just sit back and let you dictate the narrative?"

Julian smirked. "Oh, I know you won’t. But here’s the thing—" He pulled a folder from his side and slid it across the table toward her. "You don’t have a choice."

Adrielle eyed the folder but didn’t touch it. "What’s this supposed to be?"

"A way out," Julian said. "A clean resolution. You sign the merger today, right now and this all goes away. No more scandals, no more risks. I’ll make sure the transition is smooth, and in return, I won’t have to personally confirm your… ‘secret marriage’ to the world."

Adrielle clenched her jaw. "You really think blackmailing me will work?"

Julian laughed. "Oh, Adrielle, this isn’t blackmail. This is leverage. Business is all about power, and right now? I hold all of it."

Before Adrielle could respond, the door to the meeting room swung open.

"Actually," Cassandra’s voice cut through the tension, "that’s where you’re wrong."

Julian’s smirk faltered slightly as Cassandra stepped inside, a stack of folders in hand. She walked past Adrielle and casually placed the folders on the table, flipping the top one open.

"You’ve been running around trying to trap us," Cassandra continued, her tone eerily calm, "but you forgot one thing, Julian—we’re not just CEOs. We’re damn good at what we do."

Julian narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Cassandra slid a document toward him. "Your financials, Julian. Specifically, the ones you’ve been so desperately trying to hide."

Adrielle glanced at the document and immediately understood. It was a detailed report of Julian’s company’s financial status—one that was far worse than what he had publicly disclosed.

Cassandra smirked. "Your company is on the verge of bankruptcy, Julian. The merger isn’t about expanding your empire—it’s about saving yourself. We know about the offshore accounts, the falsified reports, the ‘creative’ accounting you’ve been using to make it seem like your company isn’t bleeding money."

Julian’s expression darkened. "You have nothing."

Cassandra let out a small laugh. "Oh, but we do. And if you try to pull anything, we’ll make sure the authorities see every single detail of these… questionable transactions." She tilted her head. "The press would eat this up, don’t you think?"

Adrielle crossed her arms. "So tell me, Julian, who really holds the power now?"

Julian’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists. He opened his mouth, but before he could retaliate, there was a sharp knock on the door.

Two security personnel stepped inside, standing tall and unwavering. One of them spoke firmly, "Mr. Park, we’ve been instructed to escort you out of the premises."

Julian shot Cassandra a murderous glare. "You think this is over?"

Cassandra smiled, feigning sympathy. "Oh, Julian. This was over the moment you underestimated us."

Adrielle took a step closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "Stay out of our way. Because if you try this again, we won’t be as polite next time."

Julian gritted his teeth but said nothing as the security guards flanked him, guiding him out of the meeting room.

As the door clicked shut behind Julian, the tension in the room finally began to dissipate. Adrielle rolled her shoulders, trying to shake off the weight of the confrontation. Cassandra, however, remained still, her gaze locked onto the table where the evidence against Julian lay scattered.

"Hey," Adrielle called softly, nudging her with her elbow. "We did it."

Cassandra didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. Adrielle was about to tease her, maybe about how satisfying it must've been to watch Julian’s downfall firsthand but before she could, Cassandra suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.

Adrielle stiffened in surprise. Cassandra wasn’t the type to initiate hugs. At least, not like this. Not when they were at work, not when she was supposed to be the composed, unwavering one between them. But now, Cassandra was holding her tightly, like she was afraid to let go.

"Cass?" Adrielle murmured, her voice laced with concern.

Cassandra buried her face against Adrielle’s shoulder, her grip tightening for a second before she exhaled shakily. "I hate him," she admitted in a quiet voice, one laced with frustration and something deeper, something vulnerable. "I hate that he thinks he can threaten you. That he can take everything we built and twist it to his advantage."

Adrielle’s expression softened. This wasn’t just about Julian. This was about everything, the months of stress, the weight of carrying their company, the pressure of being under constant scrutiny. It wasn’t often that Cassandra let her guard down, but when she did, Adrielle knew it was because she had reached her limit.

Gently, Adrielle raised a hand and ran it up and down Cassandra’s back in slow, comforting strokes. "Hey," she murmured. "We’re okay. He didn’t win. He never had a chance."

Cassandra pulled back just enough to meet Adrielle’s eyes, her brows furrowed. "Are we really okay? What if this isn't the end of it? What if—"

Adrielle cut her off with a quiet chuckle, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair behind Cassandra’s ear. "You’re overthinking again," she said softly. "We handled it. You handled it. And as long as we’re together, we’ll always figure things out."

Cassandra let out a breath, her gaze searching Adrielle’s for any sign of doubt. Finding none, she finally allowed herself to relax, resting her forehead against Adrielle’s.

"You always say the right things," she mumbled.

Adrielle grinned. "Of course. It’s part of my job as your wife."

Cassandra huffed a laugh, finally pulling away but not before pressing a quick kiss to Adrielle’s cheek. "You’re lucky you’re cute."

Adrielle smirked. "I know."

Cassandra rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the fondness in her expression. "Come on, let’s get out of here. I think I’ve had enough of boardrooms for today."

Adrielle grabbed Cassandra’s hand before she could turn away, squeezing it gently. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with quiet sincerity. "For always being on my side."

Cassandra smiled, giving Adrielle’s hand a squeeze in return. "Always, Moja."

As they walked side by side toward Cassandra’s office, Adrielle kept stealing glances at her. Cassandra had calmed down since their moment in the meeting room, but Adrielle could still see the exhaustion in the way her shoulders remained slightly tense.

When they turned the corner, they found Liv standing outside Cassandra’s office, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. “So? Ano na?” Liv asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

Cassandra sighed, pushing open the door to her office and motioning for Liv to follow. “Pumasok ka na. Ang dami nating paguusapan.”

As soon as they were inside, Liv shut the door and turned to them expectantly. "I saw Julian being escorted out by security. It was glorious." She smirked before her expression turned serious. "But what happened?"

Adrielle took a seat on the couch while Cassandra leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "He tried to force the merger again. Threatened to expose us directly. But Cassandra came in with solid evidence of his illegal transactions."

Liv let out a low whistle. "Damn. You had something that big on him?"

Cassandra smirked, finally sitting down beside Adrielle. "Thanks to Rafa’s connections. He helped me dig into Julian’s company finances. Turns out, it’s worse than we thought. The man is drowning in debt and desperately needed our company as a lifeline."

Liv grinned. "Rafa really delivered, huh? I have to say, he’s surprisingly useful when he’s not being a flirt."

Adrielle chuckled. "True. Pero please, wag mong sabihing ‘surprisingly useful’ sa kanya, baka lumaki lalo ulo."

Cassandra nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let’s not fuel his ego. We’ll never hear the end of it."

Liv snorted but then leaned forward, her expression turning serious again. "So, what’s next? We have enough dirt on Julian to bury him, but I doubt he’ll go down quietly."

Cassandra exchanged a glance with Adrielle before responding. "We keep moving forward. The media statement was step one. The town hall helped reinforce our position internally. Next, we ensure our people feel safe and secure despite all the noise outside. We also need to prepare for any counterattacks from Julian. He may be desperate, but desperate people can be dangerous."

Liv nodded. "Got it. I’ll keep working with Rafa to make sure we’re a step ahead. You two just focus on keeping the company steady."

Adrielle smiled. "Thanks, Liv. Hindi ko na ata alam anong gagawin kung wala ka."

Liv smirked. "Of course. Saka, walang magreremind sayo na dapat ka nang kumain."

Cassandra let out a laugh. "Oh, that’s true. Kapag sobrang stressed 'to, nakakalimutang kumain."

Adrielle groaned, standing up. "Seryosong moment na eh. Akala ko ba sa akin ka kampi Liv?"

Liv grinned. "I am! At times nga lang. Cassandra is still my bestfried though."

Cassandra stood up as well, reaching for Adrielle’s hand. "Tara na, uwi na tayo. You need food, and I need sleep."

The city lights flickered past as Cassandra drove, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the gear shift. Adrielle, slouched comfortably in the passenger seat, watched her with a small smile. The exhaustion of the day was evident in the way Cassandra’s shoulders slumped just a little more than usual, but there was also a quiet satisfaction in her expression.

Adrielle reached out, her fingers lightly brushing over the back of Cassandra’s hand before settling on top of it. “Tingin mo, titigil na ba si Julian after today?” she asked, her voice soft.

Cassandra scoffed, squeezing Adrielle’s hand in return. “Knowing him? No. But he’s cornered now. Kung may bala pa siya, wala nang silbi. Besides, with the evidence we have, he’s better off staying quiet.”

Adrielle smirked, tapping her fingers playfully against Cassandra’s skin. “Wow. Parang ang powerful mo talaga doon ah. Para kang mafia boss.”

Cassandra shot her a look before chuckling. “Ibig sabihin lang niyan, magaling akong magresearch.”

Adrielle tilted her head, pretending to think. “O baka magaling kang mang blackmail?”

Cassandra gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? I prefer the term ‘leveraging information for strategic advantage.’”

Adrielle laughed, leaning her head back against the seat. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sy.”

Cassandra shook her head with a small smile, her fingers now absentmindedly tracing patterns against Adrielle’s hand. They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment before Cassandra spoke again.

“Adrielle?”

“Hmm?”

Cassandra glanced at her quickly before returning her eyes to the road. “Thank you.”

Adrielle raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

Cassandra exhaled softly. “For being there. For dealing with all of this with me. For being my constant.”

Adrielle felt warmth spread in her chest. She squeezed Cassandra’s hand. “Always.”

Cassandra smiled. “Good. Kasi wala ka nang takas, Hidalgo.”

Adrielle chuckled. “Ayaw ko rin namang tumakas, Sy.”

By the time they got home, exhaustion was finally catching up to them. They moved through their usual routines, changing into comfortable clothes, washing up, and preparing for bed.

Cassandra was the first to climb under the covers, watching as Adrielle finished setting their alarm.

"Hey," Cassandra called softly.

Adrielle turned, humming in response.

Cassandra shifted, reaching out her hand. "Halika na. Matulog na tayo."

Adrielle climbed into bed, immediately pulling Cassandra into her arms. Cassandra melted into the embrace, resting her forehead against Adrielle’s collarbone.

"You okay?" Adrielle murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Cassandra’s head.

Cassandra sighed, closing her eyes. "Yeah. Just... feeling everything. Tired, relieved, overwhelmed, grateful. Lahat na."

Adrielle smiled, rubbing slow circles on Cassandra’s back. "I know. Pero ang mahalaga, we got through it. And we’ll get through whatever comes next."

Cassandra hummed in agreement before tilting her head up to look at Adrielle. "You’re really good at this comforting thing, huh?"

Adrielle smirked. "It’s part of my job as your wife."

Cassandra chuckled sleepily, her eyes fluttering shut. "Lucky me."

Adrielle held her closer, whispering softly before they both drifted off to sleep. "Lucky us."

A week had passed since the chaos finally settled. The company had moved forward, the media frenzy had died down, and for the first time in a long time, Adrielle and Cassandra felt like they could breathe. The weight that had been pressing on their shoulders had finally lifted.

It was a quiet evening when the two found themselves on the couch, scrolling through their phones after dinner. Adrielle was leaning against Cassandra, her head resting comfortably on her shoulder as she lazily flicked through her notifications. Cassandra, meanwhile, had an amused expression as she read through some of the reactions to their press statement from the past few days.

Adrielle suddenly turned to Cassandra, eyes twinkling with mischief. "So... how do we do this?"

Cassandra smirked, already knowing what she meant. "Soft launch or hard launch?"

Adrielle chuckled. "Soft, of course. We’re not giving them the satisfaction of a direct confirmation. Let’s make them work for it."

Cassandra grinned. "I like the way you think."

Without another word, Cassandra opened her gallery and scrolled through her pictures, stopping at a candid shot Liv had taken a few days ago at their office. It was a photo of her and Adrielle standing by the floor-to-ceiling window of their office, deep in conversation. The angle captured the natural way they leaned into each other, the familiarity evident even in their body language.

She looked at Adrielle. "This one?"

Adrielle nodded, smiling. "Perfect."

Cassandra quickly typed out a caption:
Built this empire together, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. 💙

She showed it to Adrielle, who chuckled before opening her own Instagram. She selected a photo from one of their late night work sessions, a close up of their hands, fingers intertwined, their rings shining, a stack of documents in front of them, with two coffee mugs side by side.

Her caption was simple:
Some things just fit. ☕

The moment they both hit 'post,' their notifications blew up instantly. Comments flooded in, ranging from shocked reactions to heart emojis and playful "FINALLY!" messages from their close friends.

Then, a few minutes later, Liv’s post appeared.

A mirror selfie of the three of them inside Cassandra’s office, with Liv standing between them, grinning like she had just won a bet. The caption?

"Took you long enough. #PowerCouple"

Adrielle groaned. "Of course, Liv would make it about her."

Cassandra laughed, nudging her playfully. "We deserve that. We did take our sweet time."

Meanwhile, somewhere across the city, Mira was scrolling through her feed during a coffee break when she saw Adrielle and Cassandra’s posts. She clicked the like button, a knowing smile forming on her lips.

"Took them long enough."

She shook her head fondly before getting back to work.

Julian Park sat in his office, a glass of whiskey in hand as he leaned back in his chair. The notifications on his phone had been buzzing relentlessly for the past few minutes, but it wasn’t until he glanced at the screen and saw Adrielle and Cassandra’s names trending that he finally checked.

His sharp eyes skimmed through the posts, his lips curving into a smirk as he read the captions. Then, Liv’s post popped up. He let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.

"Well played," he murmured to himself, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "I should’ve expected nothing less."

There was no bitterness in his tone just the acknowledgement that he had underestimated them. They had played their cards right, and now, there was nothing left for him to use against them.

He took a slow sip of his drink, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Guess I’ll have to find another game to play."

And with that, he shut off his phone.

Back at their apartment, Adrielle and Cassandra were curled up together on the couch, watching their notifications explode with reactions from colleagues, acquaintances, and even a few industry rivals.

Adrielle glanced at Cassandra, a soft smile on her lips. "Think they got the message?"

Cassandra smirked, resting her head against Adrielle’s. "If they didn’t, then they’re hopeless."

Adrielle chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "Well, at least now, we can just focus on us."

Cassandra hummed in agreement, closing her eyes as she basked in the quiet comfort of their moment. No more hiding. No more looking over their shoulders. Just them, finally able to be together out in the open, without fear.

As the night stretched on, their hands found each other’s again, fingers intertwining effortlessly.

Some things just fit.

Inside the high-ceilinged meeting room, the air was thick with anticipation. Executives sat in silence, watching the all-too-familiar dynamic unfold between their two CEOs.

Cassandra sat at the head of the table, back straight, flipping through a printed proposal with sharp, calculated movements. Across from her, Adrielle leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her expression expectant, almost smug.

The moment Cassandra sighed and put the papers down, everyone braced themselves.

"Adrielle," Cassandra started, voice calm but edged with clear disapproval. "A company-wide gala at a five star hotel?" She looked up, raising a brow. "You do realize this is a corporate anniversary, not the MET Gala, right?"

Adrielle’s lips twitched, as if holding back a smirk. "I’m aware."

"Then explain this." Cassandra lifted the proposal and pointed at a section. "A formal dinner, fine. But a full program, a live orchestra, a choreographed opening number? May red carpet entrance pa, Adrielle! What exactly are we celebrating? Our company’s success or your hidden dream to host an awards night?"

A few quiet snickers echoed around the room, but no one dared to speak.

Adrielle shrugged, completely unfazed. "Cassandra, it's our anniversary. We have to go all out. Our employees deserve something grand."

Cassandra gave her a flat look. "‘Grand’ doesn’t mean excessive. May pa-DJ ka pa. Next mo sasabihin gusto mo may fireworks display din!"

Adrielle tilted her head, feigning deep thought. "Actually… that’s not a bad idea."

Cassandra inhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "No, Adrielle."

Adrielle leaned forward, tone playful but challenging. "You’re being stingy."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "I’m being practical."

Adrielle smirked. "Practical is just a fancy word for boring."

Cassandra scoffed. "And 'extravagant' is just a fancy word for irresponsible."

The tension in the room climbed. The executives watched as their CEOs stared each other down, neither willing to back down. It was an intense push and pull, the kind they had all grown used to but still held their breath for every time.

Finally, Cassandra crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her sleeve. "Fine. No orchestra, no red carpet, no opening number. We keep it elegant, not excessive."

Adrielle shook her head. "Non negotiable. We keep the live band."

Cassandra shot her a look. "Don’t tell me—"

Adrielle grinned. "Already booked them."

Cassandra’s nostrils flared as she exhaled, closing her eyes for a second. "You are impossible."

As the meeting continued, the executives shared quiet glances, some smiling to themselves. The company had faced storms, challenges, and even a major scandal. But despite everything, some things never changed.

Their CEOs—formidable, brilliant, and in sync in their own chaotic way—were still the same.

And somehow, that was comforting.