Present — Anilao, Batangas (Villa del Sol Private Estate)
Jade stepped out of the luxury van, her heels crunching against the gravel driveway. The air was heavy with salt, and the sound of waves echoed in the background. The villa was beautiful — modern, glass-heavy, with infinity pools overlooking the sea — but today, it felt haunted.
This was Lance's favorite getaway spot.
Now, it was the site of a fundraiser event she could not get out of — organized by the Vera Foundation in partnership with a prestigious private hospital in Metro Manila.
Ironically, Chase's hospital.
Elle (whispering beside her):
"Girl, I feel like I'm watching a K-drama. Are you ready to see him again?"
Jade (tight smile):
"Ready is an illusion."
Earlier That Week — Hospital Conference Room
Chase sat at the boardroom table, surrounded by consultants and executives.
Chase:
"The Vera Foundation has approved a joint wellness initiative — medical missions, mobile clinics. We're launching at the coast event in Anilao."
A hand raised — a new consultant named Dr. Vie Sandoval. She was striking, confident, and as Chase later learned, a former schoolmate of Lance.
Dr. Vie:
"Isn't Jade Vera attending?"
Chase paused.
Chase:
"Yes. She's one of the key donors."
Dr. Via (smirking):
"Interesting. Fate has good timing."
Back to Present — Inside the Villa
The event was elegant — a live string quartet played under fairy lights, champagne flutes clinked, and the ocean breeze swept through the glass walls.
Jade walked with practiced poise, stopping only when she heard her name.
Chase:
"Jade."
She turned. There he was, wearing a navy-blue barong, his hair tousled, but eyes sharp as ever.
Jade (calmly):
"Dr. Miller."
Chase (smiling):
"Back to titles, I see."
Jade:
"We're in public. There are rules."
Chase:
"Rules were meant to be broken, weren't they?"
She gave him a look, then walked past — but not before their shoulders brushed.
Electricity.
Still.
Later That Night — By the Poolside Firepit
Jade sat alone, legs crossed, sipping wine. Her thoughts wandered as she watched the ocean swallow the moon's reflection.
Vie (approaching):
"Mind if I join you?"
Jade blinked.
Jade:
"Dr. Vie, right?"
Vie:
"You remembered. Impressive."
Jade tilted her head. There was something unnerving about the woman's calm gaze.
Vie:
"Did you know Lance and I used to date?"
Jade's glass froze mid-air.
Vie (smiling):
"Briefly. Before you, of course. But I suppose the red string found you instead."
YOU ARE READING
The One I Cannot Touch
Romance"How do you love someone who carries the heart of the man you already lost?" Jade Celestine Vera is rich, guarded, and grieving - still haunted by the death of her fiancé five years ago. Dr. Chase Alexander Miller is Manila's top trauma surgeon, sav...
