Author POV
The midnight wind whispered along the edges of the speeding Porsche, the headlights slicing through the quiet city streets. The hum of the engine, steady and deep, almost matched the rhythm of their hearts—steady, but undeniably heavy.
Their fingers intertwined gently between the console. She turned to him, the soft streetlights brushing against her cheeks as she admired his side profile. The way his brows furrowed slightly while driving. The way his jaw clenched, like holding in something unspoken.
"Rab…" she called softly.
"Hmmm?" he hummed in response, eyes still on the road.
Y/N: "I will be missing you…"
Rabin's jaw tightened a little more, but he didn't answer immediately.
Rabin: "I don't know how I'll live without you…"
Y/N smiled gently, though her heart ached. "We'll call every day. Video calls, okay?"
Rabin: "Umm… but what if I miss you to death?"
She rolled her eyes and softly chuckled. "Tsshh, don't be dramatic. I'm just going to complete my unfinished studies."
Rabin took a quick glance at her, his eyes saying what words couldn't—but you're my whole day.
He turned back to the road and whispered so low, almost lost in the breeze through the window—
Rabin: "You're more than just a person to miss…"
They drove in silence for a while, but it was warm. Comforting. The kind of silence only people who loved each other deeply could share.
The car slowed, gravel crunching beneath the tires as Rabin carefully pulled up to the side of the deserted beach. The ocean spread wide before them like a sleeping beast—its waves roaring in the distance, wild yet rhythmic, like nature's own heartbeat.
He turned off the engine.
Silence.
But it wasn't empty—it was filled with the sound of crashing waves, the salty wind brushing against the car windows, and the unspoken ache that hung between them.
They stepped out, not needing to speak. The moonlight scattered across the water, shimmering like spilled silver. Rabin took off his hoodie, tossing it over her shoulders without a word when he saw her shiver slightly.
Y/N didn't refuse. She simply looked up at the sky.
No stars tonight—just clouds drifting slowly. And yet, somehow, even the darkness felt perfect. Honest. Like it matched the weight of goodbye hanging in the air.
They sat at the hood of the car, shoulder to shoulder. Their hands found each other again—like magnets, like they never wanted to be apart.
Y/N: "It's loud, but… peaceful."
Rabin: "Like my heart."
She turned to him.
Y/N: "Huh?"
Rabin: "It's storming inside me… but somehow, with you, it still feels calm."
Y/N blinked. That wasn't his usual charm, or tease. That was raw.
She looked out at the endless black waves again and whispered, "I wish time could stop here."
Rabin looked at her side profile—hair flying slightly in the breeze, eyes lost in the ocean. He leaned in and kissed her temple softly.
Rabin: "If I could, I'd freeze this moment forever."
A wave crashed louder than the rest, but still—no one could disturb this peace. Not the ocean, not the clouds, not even time.
Only they existed in that moment.
Rabin reached into the pocket of his jacket slowly, fingers curling around something small but significant. His gaze remained fixed on the ocean, but his heart—his heart was already in her hands.
Without a word, he turned to Y/N and held it out.
A sleek, matte black card.
Her brows furrowed. "…What is this?"
Rabin's voice was soft, not dramatic this time, just honest.
Rabin: "It's my black card. The code is your birthday."
Y/N blinked, stunned. "Rabin… I don't need this."
Rabin: "I know." He smiled, gently. "But I want you to have it. Not because of the money. Not because of what it can buy. But because if anything happens… if you need anything, anything at all… you don't have to think twice."
She stared at the card in her hand—cold metal, heavy. It wasn't a gesture of luxury.
It was a gesture of trust.
Rabin (softly): "You're going far away from me, babe. At least let a piece of me go with you."
Y/N bit her lip, overwhelmed. The wind tossed her hair into her face, and she looked down to hide the tears welling in her eyes.
Y/N: "You're making it harder to leave…"
Rabin tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Rabin: "Then don't leave forever. Just go and come back to me."
A silence stretched between them—fragile and full of meaning. Then she tucked the card inside her small sling bag.
Y/N: "I'll carry it with me… but only if you promise to take care of yourself."
Rabin: "Deal. But you owe me a thousand videocalls."
Y/N: "Make it ten thousand."
They laughed. The ocean roared again, but the only storm now was inside their chests.
Scene: One Week Later – Video Chat
The camera flickers on. Y/N's face lights up the screen—hair tied back, wearing an oversized hoodie, probably his. On the other side, Rabin's messy hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a lazy smile show up in the frame.
Y/N: "Hey babe… how's your day going?"
Rabin: Groaning as he flops into the couch, holding the phone at arm's length
"Tiring. The new assistant came today…"
Y/N: Curious "Ohh? How is she?"
Rabin: Raises an eyebrow "He. Not she."
Y/N: Teasing "Really? I thought it was Raya's choice. I assumed it would be another girl spying for her." snickers
Rabin: Dead serious "I don't accept female assistants. Only you. That position's already taken."
Y/N: Giggles and rests her chin on her hand "But I quit, remember?"
Rabin: "Nah. You're just on a long leave. Permanent positions don't get replaced."
Y/N: Blushes and mumbles "Why are you always like this?"
Rabin: Smirks "Because you let me. And because I miss you."
The screen goes quiet for a moment, both just staring at each other.
Y/N: "I miss you too… so much."
Rabin: "You look tired."
Y/N: "I had my first class presentation today. It's different being here… no fans, no chaos, just… normal."
Rabin: "You're glowing in normal too, babe. Honestly, I keep waiting for you to walk into the artist lounge yelling at me for skipping meals."
Y/N: "And I keep expecting to hear you call me 'Yah, little girlfriend, pass me the script.'"
They both chuckle softly.
Rabin: Leans closer to the screen "Only one year and 358 days left till you're back."
Y/N: Smiling with teary eyes "You're counting?"
Rabin: "Every day. Every second. Come back soon, Ramirez."
Author's POV
Days turned into weeks, and weeks rolled into months.
Their screens lit up with each other's faces whenever time allowed—but the time, oh, it flew like sand slipping through hurried fingers.
Calls became shorter.
Messages came later than usual.
But never once… not even for a second… did they forget each other.
Even if the only message for days was:
"You okay?"
"Yes, just tired. I love you."
"Same here. Sleep well."
They still gave what little time they had.
Not every love needs loudness.
Some grow quietly in the background—anchored not by daily presence, but unwavering faith.
Because in Rabin's heart—
there was only her.
And in Y/N's dreams—
there was always him.
Even if a whole week passed without talking, their hearts never felt like strangers.
They were learning how to love not in convenience,
but in commitment.
The clock blinked 12:01 AM.
The night was silent, except for the soft hum of the air conditioner in Y/N's dorm room.
She lay on her bed, her phone resting on her chest… eyes closed.
Riiiing.
Her phone buzzed.
She blinked, sleepy, confused—then saw the name.
"Rabin 💛"
Her heart raced.
She quickly swiped to answer.
Y/N (smiling sleepily):
"Hey…"
On the screen—there he was.
Hair messy. Hoodie half-zipped.
A soft grin tugging at his lips.
Rabin:
"Happy birthday, babe…"
In his hand was a small pastry, and in the center—
a single flickering candle.
Rabin (softly):
"Make a wish, okay?"
Y/N couldn't speak.
Her throat tightened.
Her eyes—already brimming—gave in.
Tears quietly rolled down her cheeks as she bit her lip, smiling.
Y/N (whispering):
"I wish… I wish this distance was shorter…"
Rabin (gently):
"Me too."
The candle flickered as she closed her eyes and blew it out—miles away.
Rabin:
"I bought the same pastry we always had together. Remember?"
She nodded.
Y/N:
"Thank you for remembering. I didn't expect this…"
She chuckled softly between her tears.
And he watched her… the most beautiful part of his day.
Even through the screen, their love felt whole.
The screen still glowed as they stayed on call.
His candle was already melted down, and her tear-streaked cheeks had dried with a gentle smile.
Rabin (half-pouting):
"Why didn't you use my card to buy yourself something nice and pamper yourself, babe? Huh?"
Y/N (teasingly):
"Should I? Should I buy something expensive, then?"
She gave him a playful smirk.
Rabin (grinning):
"Whatever amount, princess. I'm working hard here, so don't worry. Buy the entire mall if you want."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head.
Y/N:
"I didn't really need anything. Not right now."
Rabin (mock offended):
"Not even a candlelight cake by yourself? At least pretend you're pampered."
Y/N:
"Your call is the best thing I received today. No card can beat that."
There was a pause.
He looked at her with softened eyes.
Rabin (sincerely):
"Save the card then. But only if you promise to use it when you miss me too much."
Y/N (nodding):
"Deal."
And with that, the late night settled into a comfortable silence.
Rabin POV
It's already been eight months.
Eight damn months since I last saw her in person. Since I held her hand. Since her sleepy voice mumbled my name in the mornings.
Tch.
Schedules packed from morning to midnight, meetings after meetings, shoots, rehearsals… and this Raya drama? Still going on like a leech stuck to my reputation.
And now the agency wants to keep milking it?
Rabya?
What a joke.
But I can't blow it all up recklessly.
I need to be careful—because one wrong move, and she'll be the one getting hurt.
And that's the last thing I want.
Y/N has her own world now. She's working so hard—trying to reach her dream, to level with me.
But she's already too far ahead in my heart.
I don't care about fame.
I don't care about fake headlines.
I just want to see her.
Maybe I can sneak a visit between promotions. No paparazzi. No headlines. Just me and her.
Even if it's just for an hour.
But first—I have to cut off the last string that's tying me to Raya.
———
"The web series finally aired."
And guess what?
It's a hit. A massive one. Streaming numbers through the roof. Fan edits. Hashtag trends. Screaming crowds.
And at the center of it—me and Raya.
Fake couple.
Fake smiles.
Fake chemistry.
But it looks so real to the public.
The agency is ecstatic. They're cashing in.
New magazine spreads, concert tours, interviews, appearances—all with her by my side.
Everywhere I go, she's beside me.
Everywhere the camera turns, I'm supposed to smile at her.
Act close.
Act like we're in love.
Because that's the story they sold.
But behind the scenes?
The only person I think of when the crowd cheers "Rabya!" is Y/N.
Every time Raya grabs my arm for the cameras, I wonder—
Is she watching this?
Does she believe it?
Is she hurting?
She's not texting much lately.
I don't blame her.
I'm everywhere, and not in the way she deserves.
This fame feels heavier now.
I would throw it all away if I could have one minute holding her hand again…
Just as me. Not Rabin Angeles. Not the nation's boyfriend. Just… Rabin.