Chinny's POV
"Damn it, Chinny! You're making me dizzy." Tinnie said to me, clearly annoyed. We were at the park, having a picnic and catching up because our lives had been too busy with work and other activities. I was pacing back and forth in front of Tinnie and Chaira.
"She's restless because someone serenaded her yesterday. Yeah, right, Tinnie, unlike you, Aki didn't serenade you in front of a crowd. Poor you." Chaira teased Tinnie, who just shook her head. "My friend, I'm thrilled about your situation. Admit it, you're excited, aren't you?" Chaira raised an eyebrow at me. I sighed and sat cross-legged in front of them.
"So, you have a dinner date later?" We all turned toward the newcomer—Astrid. "Tinnie, why are you still here? Get lost before Aki goes crazy again. Chaira, you leave too. I didn't come here for you; I came to check on our queen. You look like you're about to poop, Chinny." Astrid said, laughing. Lunatic!
"What are you doing here?" I asked her. She wasn't the type to come to places like this.
"Yeah," Tinnie agreed.
"Am I not welcome here? I just wanted to check on our friend who's all giddy and now looks like she's about to explode." The three of them laughed at Astrid's words, and she also sat cross-legged beside me. "Chinny, you may not admit it, but my 20/20 vision can see that you're happy with him. Do you like Gelo now?" I froze at her question.
"What kind of question is that, Astrid?" I rolled my eyes. No way was I falling for Angelo. No way, highway.
"Will you just answer her question, Chinny?" Tinnie snapped at me. "It's just a simple yes or no."
"None of the above," I answered with a grin.
Their smiles faded.
"What the hell?! After everything that happened?" Chaira asked in disbelief. I shook my head.
"Still Kilorn? Damn, you're so stubborn. You know what? I used to date Angelo, but he never put in as much effort for me as he does for you. Anyway, the phrase 'move on' exists for a reason. It's been months. Want me to count them? He might have already buried you in his past."
I fell silent at Tinnie's words.
She wasn't entirely wrong, but I didn't want to consider it.
Kilorn and I haven't spoken again. I used to message him often, but he never replied. I tried calling, but I couldn't reach him anymore. One day, I just realized I had stopped trying. It was exhausting.
"Tinnie, stop it. We don't know how Kilorn feels right now. You're jumping to conclusions," Chaira interjected, glancing at me. "Let's just wait for him to return. It's better if Chinny and Kilorn talk things through when he's back."
I bit my lower lip and stood up.
I've been trying not to think about him, but people keep reminding me.
"Wh—"
"I just need some air." I walked away, and before I could walk a mile away from them, I heard their conversation.
"This is your fault, Tinnie," Chaira said.
"Me again? Was I the one who brought up the topic?"
I just shook my head.
**
"Good evening, Kuya Mj and Ate Cj." I greeted Angelo's older brother and his gorgeous, kind-hearted wife—though a bit crazy. We planned to have dinner together, but his brother called and invited us to join their anniversary dinner instead of just the two of us.
"Kuya, Ate, Chinny, and I will just head upstairs briefly. I have something to show her." Angelo excused us before we went to his room.
"Wow…" I murmured in awe as I stepped inside. I walked toward the hanging photographs—some were of me, while others were candid shots of me. The pictures were tied to strings dangling from balloons.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"No, I love it," I replied with a smile. I looked at Angelo and noticed his cheeks turning red.
"Are you okay?" I stared at him, and he quickly looked away.
"Yeah."
I flinched when he suddenly held my hand.
"Let's sit first."
I nodded and followed him to his bed.
Why am I affected by his sweet gestures? I am super duper ultra mega confused.
"So, have you become the king of grand gestures? Looks like you've outdone Aki." Angelo burst into laughter at my remark. I glared at him, but he just ruffled my hair.
"Maybe #ChiLo is beating #KiTi now."
I gawked at him.
What did he just say?
#ChiLo?
"What's #ChiLo and #KiTi?" I asked, confused.
"#ChiLo for Chinny and Gelo, and #KiTi for Aki and Tinnie."
I just laughed at his response. FYI, I still prefer #KiTi.
I was about to say something when someone knocked on his door.
"Bro, dinner is ready, and Mom's here," his brother called.
"Alright, we're coming down," Angelo replied. He stood up, took my hand, and helped me up. "Let's go." He smiled.
When it comes to effort, Angelo outshines Kilorn.
"Long time no see, hija."
When we reached the dining area, I approached Angelo's mom. It had been a long time since I had seen them, and they were always busy with their business. We exchanged kisses on the cheek.
"You've grown even more beautiful," she said. I just smiled at her.
"Chinny, how are you?" Angelo's dad asked.
"She's fine, Dad," Angelo answered for me before hugging his mom and doing a bro hug with his dad. We sat beside each other at the table.
"Congrats to Mj and Cj," we all said to his brother and wife, who smiled warmly.
"Hija, how's work? Is my baby boy giving you a hard time? Is he giving you headaches with his antics?" His brother laughed at the comment.
"M—"
"No, not at all," I answered with a smile. "If anything, I think I'm the troublesome one."
"Kuya, do I look like a troublemaker? I'm an angel," Angelo said, laughing. "It's her who's the troublemaker, but lucky for her, I love her."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"You're just like Mom and Dad, bro. Dad used to say that Mom was super spoiled, but he put up with it. That's just how we love, bro." Mj grinned, but his wife, Cj, shot him a glare.
"Who are you fooling, Mikael Jay? You're the real heartbreaker here," she teased.
"Sorry about him, CJ, but that fool loves you. That's how we love, Aj-elo—we know how to endure." Angelo's dad said, shaking his head.
Aj-elo.
That's what his dad calls him, but he prefers Gelo.
I noticed Angelo staring at me, then wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
Wow. Hokage moves!
"You're going to melt me with that stare," I whispered to him. He just smiled, making me smile back before returning my attention to my food.
"You're already head over heels for me, and now you're making it even more obvious." I teased.
"My wife is a goddess. Who wouldn't stare at an unearthly beautiful woman like her?"
I froze at his words as my cheeks started heating up. He leaned closer.
"I'm so lucky I married a goddess. I love you, Chinny."
I quickly looked away.
Dear heart, stop beating so fast.
I shot him a glare. "You're so annoying."
He burst into laughter upon seeing my blushing face.
After dinner, I sat on the long couch in their living room.
As I checked my SNS, I messaged our group chat. After all, Angelo deserves a surprise. It's my turn to make it up to him.
I smirked when Astrid replied that everything was set.
Just then, a message popped up on my screen.
My hands trembled as I clicked the message.
Kilorn Sandoval: I'm back, and I missed you. We'll talk.
(Kuya = Big Brother, Ate = Big Sister. That's what we call it in our country and a sign of respect for older people, especially older siblings.)