Chapter 1: When Ice Meets Softness

Luna Santos stared at the towering glass building in front of her, feeling her chest tighten. The golden afternoon sunlight reflected off its polished surface, making it look like a castle made of glass and steel. Paano ko kaya kakayanin ‘to? she muttered, clutching her bag strap. She wasn’t used to places like this—expensive, sleek, intimidating.

“Breathe, Luna. Kaya mo ‘to,” she whispered, stepping forward.

The lobby was enormous, with marble floors that echoed every footstep and chandeliers that looked like they belonged in a royal palace. People in tailored suits walked past her briskly, carrying folders or talking on phones, leaving her feeling small and out of place.

Then she saw him.

Ethan Cruz.

He was standing near the elevator, looking every bit the CEO that everyone whispered about. Tall, perfectly dressed in a fitted navy suit, sleek hair, and an expression that could freeze fire. People gave him space without even realizing it, almost as if a silent force emanated from him. Luna’s stomach fluttered, both nervous and curious.

“Good afternoon,” he said, but his tone wasn’t warm—it was polite, commanding, with just enough English to sound… untouchable. “You’re new, I presume?”

Luna swallowed. “Uh… yes, sir. Luna Santos po,” she said softly, her voice almost drowned by the echo of the lobby.

Ethan’s eyes, sharp and assessing, studied her like a puzzle he didn’t care to solve completely. “Hmm… soft-hearted, I can see. Interesting,” he muttered, more to himself than to her.

Luna tilted her head. “Sir…?”

He glanced at her. “I said… welcome. But don’t think that being kind here will make everything easy. This place… it’s ruthless. You’ll learn.”

She nodded quickly, unsure if she was impressed or intimidated—or maybe both. Wow. Talagang CEO vibes talaga, she thought.

The first day was chaos. Luna’s hands shook slightly as she tried to memorize names, procedures, and the maze of offices. Every time she passed Ethan’s office, he was there—his laptop open, papers neatly arranged, occasionally glancing up at her with an expression that made her feel seen and invisible at the same time.

During lunch, she found herself in the small cafeteria, sitting alone with her salad. She noticed Ethan enter, briefcase in hand, looking every bit the man in control. He didn’t sit with anyone else, just chose a table by the window and opened a folder, completely absorbed.

Curiosity got the better of her. Baka naman hindi siya masama, kahit na mukhang malamig, she thought, picking up her courage.

“Sir… um… coffee po ba gusto niyo?” she asked timidly, holding a tray.

Ethan looked up, one eyebrow slightly raised. “Coffee? I don’t mind,” he replied in a mixture of English and Tagalog, voice smooth, deliberate. “But make it strong. I don’t have time for weak coffee.”

Luna laughed nervously. “Strong, noted po,” she said, trying not to stare. She prepared it carefully and brought it over.

“Here,” she said softly, placing it on his table.

He looked at her for a moment, eyes sharp. “You know… not many people dare to approach me like this,” he said, sipping the coffee. “You’re brave… or maybe… just naive.”

She blinked. “Brave… or naive?” she repeated, unsure if that was a compliment or a warning.

“Both, I suppose,” he said, leaning back. “But I like it. Soft-hearted people… sometimes make the best allies.”

Days passed, and Luna found herself thinking about Ethan more than she would like to admit. He was cold, distant, and intimidating—but also… fascinating. There was a rhythm to the way he moved, a calmness in the storm of the office that made her feel like there was more beneath the surface.

One afternoon, while Luna was organizing files in the archive room, she heard footsteps behind her.

“You’re still here?” Ethan’s voice was smooth, calm. “Most people leave before five.”

“I… uh… I like to finish my tasks po,” Luna said, cheeks heating.

He nodded slightly. “Good. Efficiency matters.” His words were short, but there was a hint of approval in his tone.

“You… you don’t really… talk much, do you?” she asked, curious.

“Talk?” he repeated, his gray eyes locking onto hers. “I do what needs to be done. Words are… secondary. Actions matter more.”

She smiled faintly. “Actions over words… I like that,” she said softly. “But sometimes… words help too, you know. Comfort people.”

Ethan’s expression softened fractionally, almost imperceptibly. “Comfort… yes. But not everyone deserves it.”

Luna’s heart tightened. Parang may pinagdaraanan siya, she thought. “Maybe… people just need a chance,” she said gently. “Some people… they just need someone who cares.”

Ethan’s gaze lingered on her. “Hmph. Perhaps. But that’s a dangerous thing to do with people like me.”

“I don’t mind dangerous,” Luna replied softly, shrugging. “I think… if someone’s worth it… you try anyway.”

He tilted his head, studying her, and Luna felt like he was reading her soul. For a moment, the cold barrier around him seemed to crack… just a little.

The weeks that followed were filled with small interactions—quiet coffee deliveries, brief exchanges in the hallway, Luna accidentally walking into his office while delivering files. Each encounter chipped away at the icy exterior that Ethan had built around himself.

One evening, Luna stayed late to finish organizing the stock room. She heard the soft click of high heels approaching.

“You still here?” Ethan asked, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. “I thought I told you to leave on time.”

“I… I just wanted to finish,” Luna replied simply, shrugging.

He sighed, walking closer. “You’re persistent… I’ll give you that,” he said, voice a mixture of teasing and seriousness. “Most people would’ve run away by now. Soft-hearted people… they don’t know when to quit.”

“I guess… I just don’t give up easily,” she said softly. “Especially if… someone needs help.”

Ethan paused, his eyes studying her carefully. “You… you really are different,” he muttered, almost to himself. Then, after a long pause, he added, “Be careful, Luna. Not everyone appreciates… softness in this world.”

“I know,” she said gently, “but I think… it’s worth it.”

By the end of the night, Luna left the office with a light heart, despite the nerves that always accompanied interactions with Ethan. Something about him pulled at her curiosity and compassion simultaneously. She didn’t know what it was, but she felt drawn to him, like a soft flame to ice.

And Ethan… well, he stayed in his office long after everyone left, staring out at the city lights. Luna’s words echoed in his mind: Soft-hearted people… they just need someone who cares.

For the first time in a long while, he felt something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years: curiosity. And maybe… hope.

This isn’t over, Luna. I can feel it already.