EPISODE 1

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

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