LANCE'S POV:
There was something about Selena that didn't sit right with me.
I couldn't explain it.
On paper, she was perfect, elegant, polished, poised like every media darling should be. The industry's sweetheart.
The rising star everyone was betting on.
But that was exactly the problem.
Everything about her felt too precise.
I sat across from her at a quiet café in Ortigas. I chose this spot because it was obscure, low-profile. Somewhere no paparazzi would think to wait for a meet-up between an entertainment lawyer and a trending actress.
Selena wore a beige trench coat over a crisp white dress.
She looked every bit the "next big thing," complete with a PR smile that could fool the world. But not me. Not when i'd been sitting in the dark, trying to dissect the truth behind Luis Padilla's death and Aurora's alleged involvement.
"Thanks for making time," I said, voice even, hands clasped on the table. "I won't keep you long."
"Oh, don't worry about it," she smiled, fingers brushing her long hair behind one ear. "You're Lance Montenegro. I should be the one thanking you for giving me your time."
She said it like a joke.
Like we were flirting.
But i wasn't laughing.
"I've been helping Aurora," I said, eyes on her.
She blinked. "Right… Poor thing."
"She's been having a tough time, especially now that she's getting subpoenaed."
Selena tilted her head sympathetically.
"That's… horrible. Truly. I can't even imagine."
"You two are close, right?"
There was a pause.
Not long but just long enough for me to notice it.
"Well, yeah. We're friends. I mean, we're in the same circle. Aurora's amazing. Always has been."
"Where did you two meet?"
Another pause.
"Hmm… maybe two years ago? At a shoot. It's been a blur."
"Do you know if she had any enemies? Someone who hated her?"
Selena laughed, almost nervously. "God, no. Aurora's well-loved. She's quiet, sweet, never problematic. Honestly? I think the media's overdoing this whole thing. You know how it is, they love a woman's downfall."
That part, I agreed with.
"And the movie," I said casually. "The one Aurora was supposed to star in. It went to you?"
She nodded, smiling wider now. "Yeah. The director called me two days after the story broke. Said the show must go on. Of course, I wasn't expecting it. I didn't audition. But… I couldn't say no, right?"
She said that like it made sense.
Like it wasn't weird to accept your accused friend's movie offer less than 72 hours after her career collapsed.
And the endorsements.
The billboards.
The magazine covers.
She wasn't just taking over.
She was prepared.
I didn't say it.
But i knew what my gut was screaming.
I thanked her for her time, stood up, and walked out with the weight of a thousand theories clawing at my skull.
I didn't have proof.
Nothing concrete.
But something about Selena was off.
And the most dangerous suspects?
Were always the ones who smiled the brightest.
By the time i got back to my condo, my mind was already spinning.
I was planning to write things down, re-check old CCTV requests, re-trace the phone logs i pulled from Luis' side.
But the moment i stepped into the lobby, I felt it static in the air, that pull in my chest whenever something was off.
When i opened the door to my unit, I froze.
My parents were seated on the couch.
In front of them is Aurora.
"What the hell…" I whispered.
"There he is!" my mom beamed. "We were worried we missed you, anak. Surprise!"
I looked at Aurora, who was sitting stiffly on the edge of the sofa, clutching a throw pillow like it was a shield. Her eyes found mine. Wide. Apologetic.
"Hi," she mouthed.
"We just landed this afternoon," Dad said, standing up and clapping my shoulder. "We wanted to check on you before heading to Europe tomorrow."
I blinked. "Europe?"
"For the Gala," Mom explained, standing up to kiss my cheek. "Didn't i message you about it last week?"
She did. I ignored it.
"And this must be…?" she turned to Aurora with a polite smile.
Shit.
Panic flooded my chest.
I turned to Aurora. "Can i talk to you for a sec?"
"Of course," she said quickly, standing. She followed me to my room without a word.
Once the door shut, I spun to face her.
"Did you say anything to them?"
She shook her head. "They just… showed up. I thought you were the one at the door, so i opened it. I swear, I didn't say anything. I didn't know they were your parents until they started hugging me."
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "Okay. Look. We can't tell them i'm your lawyer."
"Why not?"
"Because they'll ask questions. They'll start poking. You know how my mom is. She'll dig and pry until she finds something. And you don't need more attention right now."
Aurora looked nervous. "So… what do we tell them?"
I paused.
The only answer that made sense felt completely irrational.
"You're my girlfriend."
She blinked. "I'm what?"
"Just for tonight. Just while they're here."
She opened her mouth to protest, but there wasn't time. A knock sounded on the door.
"Dinner's ready!" my mom called.
Aurora gave me a look that said, You owe me, and then followed me out.
The dinner table was warm.
Lit with soft light.
My mom made one of her signature pasta dishes, and the smell reminded me of childhood.
If the situation weren't insane, I would've been comfortable.
Instead, I sat beside Aurora, pretending like we'd been together for months.
"So," Mom said sweetly, "when are you two getting married?"
Aurora choked on her water.
"M-Mom—" I started.
"I'm serious," she grinned. "You're thirty-one, Lance. And Aurora, darling, how old are you?"
"Twenty-six," she croaked, still trying to recover.
"Perfect age for marriage," Mom said proudly. "And what do you do, sweetheart?"
"She's in the industry," I cut in.
Aurora gave me a side-eye that promised violence.
"Acting, hosting, endorsements…" she added politely. "I've been doing it for a while."
"She's very talented," I said, surprising even myself.
"Don't let her go, anak," my dad chimed in. "She's a gem."
If only they knew.
After dinner, we helped clean up.
My parents eventually excused themselves to the guest room, saying they had an early flight.
Which left Aurora and me in the living room, standing awkwardly with the weight of a lie pressing down on both of us.
"You can take the bed," I offered. "I'll crash on the couch."
She looked at me.
Then at the hallway.
Then back at me.
"Won't they notice?"
I paused.
She was right.
"They might."
"Then… just sleep beside me."
I stared.
"Just sleep," she added quickly. "It's not like i'm gonna jump you."
"I'm more worried you might regret it," I muttered.
But we went. Side by side. No talking. Just silence as we lay on the bed, backs turned, breathing in sync.
And yet, there was something different now.
Maybe it was the fact that we were both exhausted. Or that i saw how calm she was with my parents. Or that i hated how sad her eyes looked when she thought no one noticed.
But i couldn't sleep.
Not because she was beside me.
But because i was starting to care.
And i didn't know if that was safe anymore.