“Chloe, I wanted tonight to be different.”

James's voice was low, almost hesitant, as he guided her to the private patio of an exclusive hilltop restaurant overlooking Manila's glittering skyline. String lights sway gently in the evening breeze, casting warm hues over their table for two. It was quiet, intimate… almost too intimate.

Chloe smiled faintly, placing her clutch bag down.

“Different you say?”

“No work calls, no interruption. Just us.” James gestured for her to take ...