Rain poured heavily outside the campus gates as students rushed to find shelter. The cold wind brushed against Mia Fernandez’s skin while she hugged her books tightly against her chest.

“Perfect,” she muttered under her breath. “Just perfect.”

Late na siya, umuulan pa, at mukhang malas na naman ang araw na ’to.

She quickly walked across the hallway, avoiding the noisy crowd around her. Mia hated crowded places. Too many people. Too many fake smiles. Too much drama.

And speaking of drama—

“Move.”

Napahinto siya nang may matigas na boses na nagsalita sa likod niya.

Her jaw clenched immediately. She knew that voice.

Slowly, she turned around and there he was.

Ace Villanueva.

Leaning lazily against the hallway wall while staring at her with those cold, unreadable eyes. His black polo sleeves were folded slightly, revealing the veins on his arms. Girls nearby whispered and giggled the moment they saw him, but Ace looked completely uninterested.

As always.

Mia rolled her eyes. “Hallway ’to. Hindi pag-aari ng daddy mo.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips. “And yet you’re still blocking my way.”

“Then walk around.”

“Why would I?”

“Because I said so.”

Ace stared at her for a few seconds before laughing softly—a dangerous kind of laugh that only irritated her more.

“You really love picking fights with me, don’t you?”

Mia crossed her arms. “I only fight people I don’t like.”

“Good,” he said calmly. “At least we agree on something.”

Before she could answer, Ace suddenly grabbed the books she was holding.

“Hey!”

But instead of giving them back immediately, his eyes landed on the top notebook she owned.

A sketchbook.

Her expression changed instantly.

“Give it back.”

Ace raised an eyebrow. “Why? Secret?”

“None of your business.”

For the first time, his teasing expression disappeared. He noticed the sudden panic in her eyes.

And that annoyed him for some reason.

Without another word, he handed it back.

Mia quickly pulled it against her chest.

“Don’t touch my things again,” she said coldly.

Ace stepped closer. “Then stop reacting like I discovered your darkest secret.”

Her heartbeat became uneven.

She hated how his presence alone could make her feel cornered.

“I hate you,” she whispered.

Ace looked at her for a long moment before leaning slightly closer.

“Funny,” he murmured. “Because you always look at me like you’re trying not to.”

And for the first time in a while—

Mia had no comeback.

________________________

Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers! ♡

Welcome to I Hate You But I Need You. This story is filled with arguments, tension, misunderstandings, and a slow-burning romance between two people who were never supposed to fall for each other.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to real people or situations are purely coincidental.

I hope you’ll laugh, get frustrated, cry, and fall in love with the characters as the story goes on. Thank you for giving this novel a chance and for joining Mia and Ace on their journey.

Please don’t forget to support the story and share your thoughts while reading. Your feedback means a lot. ♡

— Author

The classroom buzzed with noise as students talked excitedly about the upcoming project presentation.

Mia sat quietly in her chair, scrolling through her notes while ignoring the chaos around her.

“Okay, class!” their professor announced while entering the room. “For your midterm project, you’ll be working in pairs.”

Groans immediately filled the room.

Mia sighed softly. She hated group activities. Most people were irresponsible anyway.

“Relax,” her best friend Sophie whispered beside her. “Maybe mapunta ka sa matinong partner.”

“Doubt it.”

Their professor began calling out names one by one.

Mia barely listened until—

“Mia Fernandez and Ace Villanueva.”

Silence.

Literal na parang tumigil ang mundo niya.

“What?”

Several students started whispering while Sophie looked at her with wide eyes.

“Oh my God,” Sophie mouthed dramatically.

Mia slowly turned toward the back of the classroom.

Ace was already staring at her. Calm. Unbothered. As if partnering with his greatest enemy meant absolutely nothing to him.

Unlike her.

“Sir,” Mia said immediately, standing up. “Can I switch partners?”

“Why?”

Because I’d rather fail.

She forced a smile. “Personal reasons.”

Before the professor could answer, Ace suddenly spoke.

“She’s scared I might outshine her.”

Mia’s eyes narrowed. “In your dreams.”

A few classmates laughed quietly.

Their professor sighed tiredly. “Enough. No switching.”

And just like that, Mia’s entire week was officially ruined.

—

After class, Mia walked out of the room quickly, hoping to avoid Ace completely.

Unfortunately for her, footsteps followed behind.

“Hey.”

She kept walking.

“Mia.”

“Go away.”

Ace easily caught up beside her. “We need to talk about the project.”

“We?” she scoffed. “You mean the project I’ll probably end up doing alone?”

Ace shoved his hands inside his pockets. “You really think that low of me?”

“I don’t think. I know.”

He suddenly stopped walking.

Mia took a few more steps before noticing he wasn’t beside her anymore. When she looked back, Ace was staring at her with an unreadable expression again.

And she hated that look.

It always felt like he was seeing something in her that she was trying hard to hide.

“You know,” he said quietly, “you act like I personally ruined your life.”

“You did.”

The words slipped out faster than she intended.

For the first time, Ace looked genuinely surprised.

But only for a second.

Then his expression hardened again.

“Still holding onto the past?” he asked coldly.

Mia clenched her fists.

“How can I forget something that destroyed everything for me?”

A dangerous silence settled between them.

The hallway suddenly felt too small. Too quiet. Too heavy.

Ace looked away first.

“Library. 5 PM,” he said flatly before walking past her.

Mia watched him leave, her heartbeat strangely uneven again.

She hated Ace Villanueva.

So why did every encounter with him feel like the beginning of something she couldn’t stop?

__________________________

Author’s Announcement ♡

Hello, readers!

Thank you so much for reading I Hate You But I Need You and supporting Mia and Ace’s story. Your votes, comments, and reactions truly mean a lot to me. ♡

I hope you continue enjoying the slow-burn tension, chaos, and emotional journey of these two stubborn characters. More drama, secrets, sweet moments, and heartbreaking scenes are coming soon, so stay tuned for the next chapters!

Please continue supporting the story by sharing your thoughts and theories. I love reading all of your reactions!

Updates may sometimes take time because I want every chapter to be worth reading. Thank you for your patience and understanding. ♡

Love lots,

— Author