pte

oe'

y when the emcee announced t

owly pulled my face away until our faces were inches apart. Our eyes met. I swallowed hard because of his gaze. Is he angry? He didn't even smile. My a

ality when Cheenie approached us. I quick

you two are paired up. Both of you ar

ded followed by her pent-up chuckle. She's

her!" Junjie interjected as he

e a problem and we need

ed, puzzled. Che

s bewildered. I exchanged a questioning look with Junjie. He just

ards the school garden. Cheenie and Evo were already sitting on the swing seat. It had a roof, and four people could sit on it. Junjie an

em you're talking abou

And we're both Chinese," Evo and I nodded, even though we

," Cheenie said. Evo and I exchanged glances. I quickly looked back at Cheenie and Evo. Evo's jaw visibly tens

Because if they find out, they might send us to another countr

orted it to my parents. But I made an excuse that I was just accompanying you to

onvinced. They asked why they haven't met you yet if you're his best friend. And the

when her classmate called for her

" her classmate said urgently. Cheenie quickly stood up a

nie quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me beside Evo. Evo, on the other

e greeted them nervously as they got closer. Chee

en looked at us. Evo then stood up and approached Che

y're the ones I've been telling you ab

Cheenie's parents,

r's best friend," her dad cam

you, dear," he s

her mom added with a knowing smile

th birthday. She doesn't want to have a party, so we've decided to go to the beach i

ou see

!... Evo. It's just in Batang

all, you're Cheenie and Junjie's frie

forgiveness, and bid his goodbye. I just smiled at him and gave a slight nod. They said their farewells and left us with Evo. E

okay?"

a couple," I shrugged. Then both of our phones chimed. I grabbed my bag and

Come with us, okay? The day will

too. "It's Cheenie. She wants me to b

ilence lingered between us

em into a marriage when they don't even love each other? Isn't th

nd for now? You wouldn't be ashamed of

alf of the girls in this school are dreaming of you. Do you t

pinched my ch

n't have to pinch me," we both laughed. We both

*

be it's mom. I saw an unfamiliar black car. I saw a man quickly get out of the fancy car and rus

Yeah, it's him. I've met him before at the gatherings my mom attends. She somet

ide, and the car left. I need to talk to my mom. I'll ask for permission to

on the stairs. Until I saw my mom coming up. A sweet

," my mom asked as she made her way

you a ride

ded. Her car is in the auto repair shop again. It really

ll up?" she asked an

" I sat at the edge of the bed.

s on her bag. I only saw it now, and it looks expensive. It's b

ed something?" I turned to face my mom, who w

ed instead of answering he

d the best employee of the year," she explaine

hday. Evo's girlfriend and Junjie's childhood friend. We'

o have a problem wi

ou mean by

ry someone who is also Chinese. Plus, we're not wealthy, and I'm a single mother. Our family isn't exactly

g married yet," I said and followed it with a soft l

riend. I glanced at my mom, surprised

n thought he was courting you. There's something about the way he looks at yo

at ease. I know his family is good, and I know he'll lov

's reall

ny, an architectural firm, and two universities. And Tita Chelsy is the most renowned architect in the country. She's even well-known in other countries. Their livelihoods are dizzying in their height. Meanwhile, we're like this. We're not

ought?" my mom inte

with them? It's just in Ba

ong as Evo

nks,