The buzz of Manila outside my apartment was a stark contrast to the quiet of Boracay. After everything that had happened—Kiel's jealousy, Lincoln's awkwardness, and the constant tension—it felt like a slap in the face to come back to the chaos of the city. I didn't even know where to begin processing everything, so I just sat on my couch, staring at my phone as if it could provide some kind of answer.
I hadn't replied to Riri yet, and that was probably a mistake. She had already bombarded me with 20 messages, all with varying levels of excitement and interrogation. But honestly? I didn't even know how to begin telling her what had happened. Where was I supposed to start? "Hey, so I kissed Lincoln in a game of truth or dare, Kiel walked off in a huff, and now everything is super awkward."
Yeah, that wouldn't go over well.
Just as I was about to type a response, the doorbell rang.
I wasn't even surprised. Of course, it was Riri. She had this sixth sense about showing up at my apartment unannounced. The only thing that was surprising was that Aeri was with her. The dynamic duo, back at it again. Aeri actually is the only lawyer I know with a lot of time to be honest.
"Keiyi! Finally!" Riri called out as she barged in, a bag of snacks in hand. "I've been waiting forever! You owe me a full report about Boracay. And I want the juicy stuff—none of that 'everything's fine' nonsense."
Aeri entered behind her, rolling her eyes. "If you expect Keiyi to have all the answers, you're going to be disappointed. She's probably as confused as you are."
Riri just shrugged. "Well, I'm just here for the snacks and the drama, so…"
I stepped aside, trying to gather myself. "You're both a lot of energy for someone who just got back from a beach vacation," I muttered.
Riri looked at me as if I were an alien. "You really don't get it, do you? You go to Boracay, get kissed by Lincoln—Lincoln!—and then come back home like nothing happened? I need details, and I need them now."
Aeri sat down next to me on the couch, crossing her arms and giving me an expectant look. "Don't make her beg, Keiyi. You know how she gets."
"Alright, alright," I groaned, sinking into the cushions. "But this is going to take a while, so don't interrupt." I held up a finger like I was about to start a presentation. "It all started with that ridiculous truth-or-dare game..."
Riri was already leaning in, eyes wide. "Spill it, Keiyi. What exactly happened with Lincoln?"
I sighed and gave Aeri a quick glance. "So, the game... well, you know how it went. Everyone was playing, and then it was me and Lincoln's turn for the dare. The dare was to kiss, and—well, I kissed him."
Riri gasped dramatically. "Wait, what? You kissed Lincoln? Like, for real? On the lips?!"
I winced. "Yes, Riri. On the lips. It was part of the game. You'd have kissed him too if it were your turn."
Aeri leaned back, looking at me with a smirk. "Honestly, I can't decide if you're brave or just really bad at avoiding awkward situations."
I shot her a look. "Thanks, Aeri. You're really helping me right now."
Riri wasn't listening. She was already deep in thought. "Okay, okay. So you kissed him. But what happened next? Did Kiel see it?"
"Yes! He saw it," I sighed, feeling the weight of it all. "And that's when everything got... weird. Kiel got all distant. He just walked out without saying a word. It was like—like I slapped him or something."
Riri's jaw dropped. "He walked out? Seriously? That's it?"
Aeri raised an eyebrow. "Let me get this straight: You kissed Lincoln, and Kiel, who has been giving off major mixed signals, got upset and just left without saying anything? I'm confused just hearing this."
I rubbed my temples. "That's exactly what happened, Aeri. It was like he just disappeared into thin air. Like a magician's trick, but instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, he pulled awkwardness."
Riri leaned in closer. "You've got to talk to him, Keiyi. He's obviously into you. It's not awkwardness for mother fucker's sake."
"Why? So I can get more mixed signals? Maybe I should just wear a T-shirt that says, 'Hey, Kiel, let's play a game of emotional dodgeball,'" I said sarcastically, throwing my hands up in the air.
Aeri smirked. "I think the problem is, Kiel's got too much pride to admit he's jealous. Honestly, if you just talk to him, I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Or I'll end up with a headache," I grumbled.
"Same thing," Riri said with a grin, reaching for another snack. "You know, I'd bet my entire snack stash that Kiel's going to come running back to you the second you text him. Like, 'Keiyi, I was jealous, but I didn't know how to handle it. Please forgive me, you're the best thing that ever happened to me.'"
Aeri snorted. "I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself, Riri. Let Keiyi deal with the mess her way. But I do think Kiel's probably sitting there, sulking, trying to figure out how to fix it."
I could already imagine that. Kiel, sitting somewhere with his arms crossed, brooding like a lost puppy. Great.
"You guys have no idea how complicated this is," I muttered, leaning back into the couch, my head spinning. "But I'll figure it out... eventually."
Riri gave me a look that said she was about to burst. "Eventually? Keiyi, you've got to talk to him now! If you don't, I'll fly to Boracay and bring him back myself."
"I think you're missing the point, Riri," Aeri chimed in, sipping her drink. "Keiyi needs time to process this. Besides, she's got snacks and emotional support—this is a safe zone."
"Right," I said, feeling like I'd somehow survived a mini interrogation. "Safe zone. Let's stick with that."
Riri shot me a playful glare. "Fine, fine. But don't think you're getting off that easy. I'm giving you exactly two days to figure this out. You owe me at least that."
I nodded, half-laughing. "I'll try. But no promises."
Aeri looked over at me, her expression softening. "Take your time, Keiyi. But just remember, sometimes you have to make the moment happen, or it slips away."
_______________________
The apartment was alive with Riri's loud music blaring through the speakers. The bass was so strong that it felt like the walls were vibrating, and I had to admit, it was kind of fun. It was the ultimate pre-game jam before we hit the club, and I could already feel the excitement in the air, despite my mind still being somewhat stuck on everything that happened in Boracay. But tonight? Tonight was about letting go. No drama, no awkwardness—just fun.
Riri, of course, was in the middle of trying on three different outfits at once, tossing clothes all over the place like a human tornado. First, she picked a neon green crop top that might as well have been painted on her, paired with a mini skirt that barely counted as clothing. "Is this too much?" she asked, posing dramatically in front of the mirror like she was about to walk down a runway. Her blonde hair was perfectly tousled, and she had already put on a pair of chunky heels that probably made the floor shake with every step.
I stared at her, wondering if she'd ever wear something that didn't make people do a double-take. "You might wanna tone it down, you know, maybe wear a little less... skin," I said, half-joking, but seriously, I was pretty sure she was going to turn the club into her personal catwalk.
"Oh, I'm not looking for subtlety, babe," Riri said, giving me a wink before spinning around in her outfit. "The more skin, the better. You know, confidence is key."
Aeri, sitting on the edge of the bed, was calmly putting the finishing touches on her makeup, all while managing to look like she was born with flawless skin. She glanced up at Riri's antics and raised an eyebrow. "Confidence or a cry for attention, Riri?" she teased, adjusting a strand of her brunette hair. She was dressed in a black leather skirt and a loose silk blouse, looking as if she had stepped out of a French film. Aeri was the epitome of effortless chic.
"Hey, I'm just living my best life!" Riri replied with a grin. "I'm gonna be the highlight of the night, no question."
Aeri rolled her eyes, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. "I'm just glad you don't need a spotlight to draw attention to yourself."
I chuckled, but then it was my turn to get ready, and I glanced at the outfits I had laid out. A chic all-black look was my move tonight. No neon crop tops or skin-tight leather for me. I was going for sleek, simple, and... chill—though, of course, I was still showing a little bit of skin. Just enough. I slid into a fitted black blazer over a black crop top with a modest V-neck. My black leather pants were snug, and my black boots clicked decisively on the floor as I got into my groove. When it came to outfits, I liked to keep things classy—but if I was going to wear all black, I was going to own it.
I turned to face Riri and Aeri, my outfit complete. "Alright, so how do I look?" I asked, striking a pose and making sure I didn't look too... serious. I didn't want to be the girl who took herself too seriously at the club, but I also didn't want to be the girl in the neon green top next to Riri.
"Like you're about to steal someone's heart... or their drink," Riri said with a laugh, giving me a thumbs-up.
Aeri nodded in approval. "You look good," she said, then added with a smirk, "Now, try not to look so intimidating when you walk into the club. You're gonna give off 'I'm here to break hearts and maybe break a leg on the dance floor' energy."
I grinned. "I'm just here to have fun. No broken hearts—unless it's my own from trying to keep up with you two."
We laughed as Riri cranked the volume up on the music, her hips swaying to the beat as she tried to put on a pair of killer heels that she clearly wasn't sure she could walk in. "These shoes are going to ruin me, I just know it," she said dramatically, slipping on the heels and stumbling a little, then catching herself. "But they make me look fire, so it's worth it!"
"Uh-huh, sure," Aeri said, not looking up from her perfect eyeliner. "Just remember, you don't need a dance partner when you've got your own personal ambulance waiting outside."
"Excuse you," Riri said with mock offense, giving Aeri a playful shove. "I can walk in these. I'm a professional."
"Well, at least one of us is," Aeri quipped, finishing with a swipe of lip gloss.
"Okay, okay, I'm ready to go!" I said, snapping my purse strap over my shoulder. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cringe at our preparations, but it was definitely an adventure. "Let's get this over with before Riri breaks her ankle or Aeri decides she's too elegant for the club."
We all headed for the door, Riri prancing ahead like she was the star of the show, Aeri walking with her usual graceful pace, and me—just trying not to trip over my own feet. It was all going to be fine, I told myself. We were going to dance, forget about Boracay for a while, and maybe, just maybe, I'd have a nice conversation with someone who wasn't a walking ball of confusion like Kiel.
Riri bounced in front of me. "Club, here we come!"
_____________________________________
The club was absolutely alive—the kind of place that made your heart race whether you were ready for it or not. Lights flashing, the bass shaking the floor beneath my feet, and that low thrum in the air that made you feel like everything was happening all at once. It didn't matter that we'd just randomly wandered in without any plans; by some magical force—aka Jihoon's connections—we always ended up in the VIP section. And this night was no different.
The security guard waved us in, nodding like he was expecting us, which, well, he probably was. The owner, Leo, spotted us immediately, and with his trademark wide grin, called out, "Keiyi! I knew you'd show up. We've got your spot saved!"
Of course, this was the VIP treatment we got every time we came here, whether we meant to or not.
"Hey, Leo! You're the best!" I waved back at him, keeping my cool as we were ushered into the sacred VIP area. Riri, Aeri, and I always had this weird unspoken power—I mean, we were the center of the night whether we wanted to be or not.
"Father, get the drinks flowing!" Riri was already ordering bottles of champagne the second we hit the velvet ropes. The VIP life was full of sparkles and extra everything—sparkling drinks, sparkling lights, sparkling personalities (that was us).
Aeri, the cool queen of the night, was casually lounging in the plush chair like she'd been living here for years. No effort. She was perfect. Some random guy came over, clearly trying to get her attention, but she just nodded politely, gave him a half-smile, and he was gone. It was like watching someone use a Jedi mind trick. Meanwhile, she sipped her drink as if she was totally above it all, even though she secretly loved the drama.
I took a seat next to her, mentally preparing myself for whatever madness was about to unfold. Riri was off again, now dancing with some guy who looked like he belonged in a boy band but lacked the enthusiasm. She practically pulled him onto the floor, and I could see him flailing his arms to keep up with her energy. I mean, she was always the first to jump into the chaos, making every move look like a viral TikTok dance.
Aeri sipped her wine, totally unbothered. "I swear, she's like a tornado in human form," she said, raising an eyebrow at Riri's latest antics.
"More like a hurricane," I muttered, amused. "At least she's having fun."
As I scanned the crowd, I froze for a second. Standing by the cocktail table, completely out of place in the whirlwind of partygoers, was Lincoln. He was awkwardly clutching a drink, his eyes darting around as though he had no idea what he was doing there. My first thought? What the heck is he doing here?
I tilted my head, trying to figure out if I should just leave him to fend for himself or pull him into the madness. Without overthinking it (I was definitely a few drinks in by now), I walked right over to him.
"Lincoln!" I called out, watching as he turned in surprise, his eyes widening when he saw me. "What are you doing here?"
He blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. "Keiyi?" he asked, as if his brain was trying to process what was happening. "Uh... well, I wasn't planning on being here. My classmates dragged me along, and now I think I'm regretting it."
I couldn't help but laugh at that, instantly feeling a little bad for him. "Yeah, I can see that. You look like a deer in headlights. Come on, you're with us now. I know the owner, so we're heading straight to the VIP section."
Lincoln looked skeptical, glancing at the crowd like he might somehow escape. "I don't know... I'm really not the clubbing type."
"Trust me," I said, grinning mischievously as I grabbed his arm. "You're with me now. It'll be fun. I promise."
He hesitated but finally allowed me to drag him toward the VIP section. When we arrived, I found Riri and Aeri in full party mode, already chatting with the manager like they owned the place. I could see the surprise on their faces when they noticed Lincoln trailing behind me, looking completely out of place.
"Keiyi," Riri started, eyebrow raised as she sipped her drink. "What's going on? Who's this?"
I leaned back in the booth, gesturing toward Lincoln. "This is Lincoln, everybody. You know, the one who almost ended up hiding behind the cocktail table all night."
Riri raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? So this is the poor guy who got roped into this madness? Should've known. Welcome to the circus, Lincoln."
Aeri gave him a sly smile, leaning in slightly. "First time, huh? Don't worry, we'll ease you into it." She said that like it was a promise—or maybe a threat.
Lincoln looked between all of us, a little unsure but clearly starting to relax. "I'm not sure what I'm doing here, honestly," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't really plan for all this..."
I laughed, sitting back in the plush booth. "That's kind of the theme for tonight, honestly. But hey, it's going to be a blast. You just gotta go with the flow."
Aeri was already trying to hand him a drink, but Lincoln held up his hands, shaking his head. "I'm good with this," he said, holding up his gin and tonic. "I'm just gonna take it easy tonight."
I gave him a playful nudge. "Come on, you've gotta at least try the club's signature cocktail. It's a rite of passage!"
Riri snickered. "Yeah, Lincoln, live a little! You might find you like it more than you think."
Lincoln looked a little overwhelmed but couldn't help but smile. "I... guess I'm already in too deep, huh?"
"Exactly," I said with a grin. "You're officially one of us now. Welcome to the madness."
Before he could protest, the music blared even louder, and Riri, of course, jumped to her feet.
"Alright! No more sitting around. Let's go dance!" she yelled, already pulling Aeri with her to the dance floor.
I glanced over at Lincoln, whose face was still a mix of nervousness and confusion. "You coming, or are you gonna just sit here and let us have all the fun?"
Lincoln hesitated for a moment, glancing back at his drink. He seemed to be considering the madness swirling around him. Finally, he gave in with a laugh. "Alright, alright. I guess I'm in."
And just like that, I dragged him into the chaos of the dance floor, his hesitation slowly melting away as he got pulled deeper into the club's wild rhythm.
Lincoln was surprisingly getting into it, laughing and doing an awkward little shuffle that somehow made him endearing. Watching him attempt to keep up with Riri's wild dance moves was pure comedy gold, and I couldn't stop giggling as Aeri joined in, adding her own graceful spins to the chaos.
I leaned back for a moment, sipping on my drink and catching my breath when I felt a shift in the atmosphere. A prickling sensation ran down my spine, the kind you get when you know someone's watching you. I scanned the club out of curiosity and nearly choked on my cocktail.
There, standing near the entrance to the VIP section, was Kiel.
And he wasn't alone. He was surrounded by a couple of girls who were clearly vying for his attention, laughing at his every word and leaning in just a little too close. He looked... annoyed. Or maybe bored. Either way, his eyes weren't on them—they were on me.
The second our gazes locked, something shifted in his expression. His jaw tightened, and his usual easy-going demeanor seemed to vanish. For a moment, I was frozen, unsure of what to do. Then, almost instinctively, I glanced toward Lincoln, who was now laughing at something Aeri had said. The timing couldn't have been worse.
Kiel's eyes flickered between Lincoln and me, his expression darkening. I could practically feel the tension radiating off him, even from across the room. He wasn't making a move to come over, but he also wasn't looking away.
Great. Just great.
I pretended not to notice and turned back to the group, trying to act casual. "Hey, Aeri, maybe you can teach Lincoln how to not dance like he's dodging traffic cones?"
Aeri burst out laughing, grabbing Lincoln's arm to guide him into a more coordinated rhythm. "You've got potential, Lincoln, but you've gotta loosen up!" she said, demonstrating a move that Lincoln awkwardly tried to mimic.
Riri leaned in, smirking. "He's definitely got the enthusiasm, though. Ten out of ten for effort."
Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck, blushing slightly but laughing along. "Yeah, well, I'm trying not to embarrass myself too much here."
"Too late!" I teased, nudging him playfully.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kiel still standing there. He wasn't even pretending to pay attention to the girls anymore, and they seemed to notice, exchanging confused looks before slowly drifting away.
He was now alone, leaning against the railing with a drink in hand, his gaze burning a hole into our table.
Finally, Riri noticed him. "Uh, Keiyi," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that your, um... 'friend' over there?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to play it off. "Yeah, that's Kiel."
Riri tilted her head, studying him. "Why does he look like someone just ran over his dog? And why is he staring at us like he wants to flip this table?"
Aeri joined in, casually sipping her drink. "Oh, it's obvious. He's brooding. Probably over you, Keiyi."
"Brooding? Over me? That's ridiculous," I said, a little too quickly.
"Is it?" Aeri shot back, smirking.
I opened my mouth to argue, but Riri cut me off. "Honestly, if looks could kill, Lincoln would be a goner right now. I think your 'friend' doesn't like the fact that you're here with another guy."
"I didn't invite Lincoln!" I protested. "I just ran into him here! It's not like this is some grand conspiracy."
Lincoln, oblivious to the conversation, turned to me with a smile. "What's going on? You guys look like you're planning something."
"Oh, nothing," Riri said sweetly, patting his shoulder. "Just... girl talk."
Lincoln nodded, clearly unbothered, and went back to dancing awkwardly.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. This night had officially gone from fun to complicated. And as much as I wanted to ignore Kiel's presence, the weight of his stare was impossible to shake.
Eventually, I turned back toward him, giving him a look that said, What's your problem?
To my surprise, he didn't look away this time. Instead, he raised his drink slightly, almost like a toast.