Chapter Two: Tethered to the Past

(Ariadne Asselina Ildelfonso's POV)

The night air was cold against my skin, but it did nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest.

I didn’t stop riding until the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white, until my fingers were stiff around the handlebars. Until my mind stopped screaming his name.

Gavyn Del Herrera.

I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building, killed the engine, and exhaled sharply. My hands were trembling. I hated it. Hated that even after all these years, he still had the power to shake me.

I swung my leg off the bike, ripped my helmet off, and made my way upstairs. Every step felt heavier, like I was dragging my past behind me.

By the time I reached my apartment, I was exhausted. But the moment I closed the door, the silence pressed in.

And my mind refused to rest.

The way he looked at me in that meeting room—calm, unreadable, as if I were just another stranger. As if he hadn’t once sworn he would love me forever before condemning me to hell.

I should’ve been relieved.

But I knew better.

That wasn’t indifference in his eyes. It was something else. Something far more dangerous.

He knew.

He knew I was alive.

And now, he was here.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples.

There was no use dwelling on it. I needed sleep.

But as I slipped into bed, I knew.

There would be no peace tonight.

The Next Morning

I arrived at work early.

I had barely slept, but I refused to let it show. I refused to give Gavyn the satisfaction of thinking he had affected me.

I was pouring coffee into my mug when Bella appeared at my side.

“So…” she drawled, sipping her latte. “About yesterday.”

I stiffened but kept my face blank. “What about it?”

She gave me a look. “Don’t play dumb, Yannie. The way you reacted when Gavyn introduced himself? You looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

I took a slow sip of my coffee. “Maybe I did.”

Bella blinked. “Wait—do you know him?”

I was saved from answering when a voice interrupted us.

“Good morning, ladies.”

I felt it before I saw him.

That quiet intensity. That unshakable presence.

I turned, meeting the dark gaze that had haunted me for years.

Gavyn stood there, looking effortlessly composed in another immaculate suit. His tie was slightly loosened, his hair perfectly styled—everything about him screamed control.

Except for his eyes.

There was something there. A flicker of amusement. Of challenge.

“Yannie,” he greeted smoothly.

I tightened my grip on my mug.

Bella looked between us, her gaze sharp with interest. “Oh? You two know each other?”

Gavyn’s smirk deepened. “You could say that.”

I wanted to throw my coffee at him.

Instead, I forced a polite smile. “We’ve met before.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “Oh my god. Were you—”

“I should get to work,” I cut in, setting my mug down harder than necessary.

I turned on my heel, but Gavyn’s voice followed me.

“Don’t be late to the project briefing, kitten.”

I froze.

Kitten.

That name again.

My blood ran cold, but I forced myself to keep walking.

I didn’t see Bella’s expression, but I knew she was gaping.

I could already hear the questions she would bombard me with later.

But right now, I had bigger problems.

The Meeting

The conference room was already filled when I arrived.

I took a seat, doing my best to ignore the way Gavyn’s presence dominated the space.

The assistant manager cleared his throat. “Let’s begin. As you all know, we’re launching a new project—an exclusive travel package for couples. We need a team to develop a high-end yet accessible vacation experience, including itinerary planning, partnerships with resorts, and a marketing strategy.”

I barely paid attention—until I heard my name.

“And leading this project will be Ms. Yannie Ildelfonso.”

My breath hitched.

“What?” I blurted out.

The assistant manager smiled. “We believe you have the perfect vision for this. And to ensure the project’s success, we’ve assigned a consultant to assist you.”

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

No.

Please, no.

“Gavyn Del Herrera will be your partner on this.”

The universe hated me.

Gavyn’s gaze slid to mine, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

I clenched my fists beneath the table.

I couldn’t do this.

Not with him.

Not when he had already taken so much from me.

After the Meeting

I stormed out of the conference room, my mind racing.

I had to get out of this.

I couldn’t work with Gavyn.

I wouldn’t.

But before I could make it far, a hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me.

My body went rigid.

I knew who it was.

Slowly, I turned.

Gavyn stood there, watching me with an infuriating calmness.

“You’re not running again, are you?” His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

I wrenched my arm away. “I don’t have time for this.”

He stepped closer. “You’re afraid.”

I glared at him. “I’m not afraid of you.”

His lips curved. “No?”

My breath caught as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Then why are you shaking?”

I hated him.

I hated that he could still unnerve me with just a few words.

I squared my shoulders. “I’m not doing this project with you.”

Gavyn hummed. “That’s not your call, kitten.”

I bristled. “Stop calling me that.”

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Why? Does it bring back memories?”

My nails dug into my palms.

He was playing with me. Testing me.

Fine.

Two could play this game.

I took a step forward, closing the distance between us. His smirk faltered slightly, as if he hadn’t expected me to push back.

I lifted my chin. “You don’t scare me, Gavyn.”

His eyes darkened, his amusement vanishing.

For a second, I saw something else in them.

Something raw.

But then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“You will.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

I turned sharply and walked away, forcing myself not to look back.

But deep down, I knew.

This was only the beginning.

And this time, I wasn’t sure if I would survive the storm he was about to unleash.

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