EPSODE 2

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

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