Later That Night*
The house was quiet again.
Elian sat beside Mrs. Anna on the old couch. Her hand in his.
"Lola," he said softly. "We're moving out soon. I bought a new place. Bigger. Safer. You won't have to worry about money, or the roof leaking, or—"
Mrs. Anna patted his hand. Smiled.
"That's good news, _apo_," she said. "Really good. But…"
Elian waited.
"I'd rather we move next year," she said. "I'll miss my friends here. Rosa. The church. The bay. I've lived in Manila my whole life. Let me say goodbye slowly, _hmm_?"
Elian sighed. His chest felt heavy.
But he nodded. "Okay, Lola. Next year, then. Whatever you want."
He kissed her cheek. Stood up.
"I'm gonna get some air."
Outside, the night was warm.
Elian leaned against the gate. Closed his eyes.
"Elian?"
His eyes snapped open.
Cindy.
Standing under the streetlight. Hair perfect. Dress clinging.
"Hi," she said, soft. "Can we talk?"
Elian sighed. Exhausted. "What about?"
Cindy stepped closer. "I regret it, Elian. Leaving you. I regret it every day."
He didn't answer.
"I only did it because people were talking," Cindy said, voice breaking. "They said I was stupid for loving a poor boy from the docks. They said you'd never be anything. I… I did it to stop the rumors. To protect us."
Elian looked at her. Really looked.
The girl who'd laughed in his face when he confessed at fifteen.
The girl who'd chosen Kael's money over his two pesos.
"Protect us?" he said. Quiet.
"I'm still in love with you," Cindy whispered. Tears slipped down. "And I know… I know you might still have feelings for me too. We were each other's first, Elian. That doesn't just go away."
Elian said nothing.
Because he didn't know.
The hate was there. The anger. Five years of it.
But underneath… underneath was the memory of a boy who'd loved her so much it hurt.
And that boy wasn't fully dead yet.
Cindy saw his silence. Saw he wasn't pushing her away.
She took advantage.
Stepped in.
Stood on her toes.
And kissed him.
Elian froze.
For one heartbeat.
He should've pushed her back. Should've ended it.
But he didn't.
Because he couldn't deny it — there was still something there.
A ghost of what used to be.
A feeling that hadn't fully died.
So he kissed her back.
Slow. Confused. Bitter.
Across the street, hidden in the shadows of Mrs. Rosa's sari-sari store…
Noa watched.
Saw everything.
His fists clenched so hard his nails drew blood.
_Maybe Cindy is right,_ he thought, chest burning. _Maybe I'm stupid._
_I can't even fight to win Cherry's heart._
_And the person Cherry loves… he's still betraying her._
Noa turned away.
Walked into the dark.
Didn't look back.
---
*Haynes House — Same Night*
Cherry was still rolling on her bed, smiling at the ceiling.
Touching her lips.
Thinking of Elian.
She had no idea.
---
Cindy lay in bed. Wide awake.
Ceiling fan spinning. Heart pounding.
Elian's kiss burned on her lips.
_He kissed me back. He still feels something._
_This is my chance._
She rolled over. Clutched her blanket.
_I need to hurry. End Cherry. Before he remembers why he chose her._
_Before Nicklaus marries me and it's too late._
She smiled in the dark.
"Cherry… your time is up."
---
*Haynes House — Next Morning*
The doorbell rang at 10 AM.
Cherry was on the couch. Book in her lap. Peaceful.
She looked up when Mrs. Jennie opened the door.
Mr. Kael. Cindy. Noa.
Her stomach dropped.
Still, she stood. Walked over. Polite.
"Good morning, Mr. Kael," she said, bowing her head a little.
Mr. Kael nodded. "Cherry."
Noa didn't speak. Just opened his arms.
Cherry hugged him. Quick. Brotherly. "Noa."
Then footsteps.
Mrs. Jennie, Mr. Nicklaus, and Nicholas came from the study.
"Mr. Kael," Mr. Nicklaus greeted, shaking his hand. "Welcome. And Cindy, Noa — welcome to Haynes House."
Mrs. Jennie smiled warmly. "We weren't expecting you so early."
Cindy's eyes locked on Cherry. Sweet smile. Sharp eyes.
"Me neither," Cindy said, voice light. "I wasn't expecting to see my ex-boyfriend's girlfriend here."
The air changed.
Mr. Nicholas frowned. Looked between them. "Ex-boyfriend?"
He looked at Cindy. "You're Elian's ex?"
Cherry didn't say a word.
Just nodded. Once.
Mrs. Jennie's smile faltered. Nicholas's jaw tightened.
Mr. Kael cleared his throat. "Shall we sit? We have business to discuss."
---
*Dining Room — 20 Minutes Later*
Coffee. Small talk. Tension thick enough to cut.
Cindy stirred her tea. Looked up at Cherry across the table.
"So, Cherry," she said, casual. Like asking about the weather.
"How does it feel? Having someone's ex?"
Cherry's hand paused on her cup.
Cindy tilted her head. "Is there any… _flavor_ in it? Taking what belonged to someone else?"
Silence.
Mrs. Jennie choked on her tea.
Nicholas's fork hit the plate. Loud.
Cherry stood up. Chair scraping.
Her face was calm. But her eyes were fire.
"Excuse me," she said.
And walked away.
Noa was up instantly. "Cherry—"
He followed her.
Mr. Kael sighed. "Cindy." Warning.
Cindy just sipped her tea. Smiled. "What? I was just asking."
---
*Cherry's Room — Minutes Later*
The door shut hard.
Cherry paced. Hands shaking.
"She's trying to piss me off," she hissed. "She _is_ trying to piss me off! 'Flavor'? Who does she—"
"Hey." Noa caught her wrists. Gently. "Breathe. She wants you mad. Don't give her that."
Cherry stopped. Looked at him. Tears of anger in her eyes.
"She's evil, Noa. She really is."
"I know," he said. Soft.
He wanted to tell her.
_I saw them, Cherry. Last night. I saw him kiss her back._
The words burned his throat.
But he looked at her face.
Red. Hurt. Trying so hard to be strong.
He'd seen her hurt before.
It wasn't good.
It broke her.
And he couldn't do it.
Not yet.
So he just pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay," he whispered. "I'm here. I won't let her hurt you."
Cherry sagged against him.
Exhausted.
Downstairs, Cindy watched the staircase.
Sipped her tea.
_Run, Cherry. Run to Noa._
_Because Elian?_
_He's already mine again._