"Huhu... the movie was so good!" Kaia sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes while they walked out of the cinema.
"You're such a crybaby," Nico teased.
"Shut up! Didn't you feel the pain? The protagonist died! And they even had a fight before he got into that accident. Waaaah..." Kaia sobbed dramatically.
Nico could only shake his head with a faint smile.
As they continued walking, Kaia suddenly lost her balance. Fortunately, Nico reacted quickly and caught her before she could fall. Instinctively, he pulled her into his arms.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Kaia's heart pounded wildly against her chest.
Nico swallowed nervously.
Realizing how close they were, they immediately stepped away from each other.
"Next time, be careful," Nico said, clearing his throat. "Your grandpa will scold me if something happens to you."
Kaia pouted.
"Yes, sir."
They continued walking in silence.
But why did she feel so happy?
Her heart was still beating so fast.
.
.
.
Philippines...
"Why did you deny it?" Zol asked, his voice filled with frustration as soon as he entered Sao's condo.
"I had to," Sao explained softly. "If the public finds out about us, it'll affect both of our careers. I'm just... not ready yet, Zol."
"Is that all that matters to you?" Zol shot back. "What about me? Are you going to hide me forever?"
"It's not like that. Why can't you understand?"
"No, you're the one who doesn't understand!" he snapped. "We've been together for two years, yet I still feel like you're so far away from me. I'm tired of always hiding."
"So what do you want me to do?" Sao's voice rose. "Announce to the whole world that we're dating? So the media can chase us everywhere? If you don't care about your career, that's your choice—but I care about mine!"
"There it is." Zol let out a bitter laugh. "The truth finally came out. You're choosing your career over me."
Sao let out a weary sigh.
"I'm tired, Sao," Zol continued quietly. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just your pastime."
"Zol..."
"Talk to me again when you finally understand how I feel," without another word, he walked out of the condo.
Sao slowly sank onto the sofa, tears streaming down her face.
Why couldn't he understand?
If the public discovered their relationship, both of their careers could be ruined.
.
.
Zol drove straight to a nearby bar, hoping alcohol would help him forget everything.
He took a seat at the counter and ordered a beer.
His phone suddenly rang.
It's Sao.
He stared at the screen for a few seconds before turning his phone off.
Silently, he continued drinking until the world around him became blurry.
.
.
"Wow! The nightlife here is amazing!" Cherry giggled as she stepped out of the bar.
She happily sang to herself and danced along the sidewalk.
Then she suddenly stopped.
A young man was sitting beneath a lamp post.
"H-Hey... are you okay?" she asked as she cautiously approached him.
He was obviously drunk. His eyes were closed, and an almost empty beer bottle was still hanging loosely from his hand.
Cherry leaned closer.
As his face came into the light, her eyes widened in shock.
"Z-Zoldiak?!"
She couldn't believe it.
Her idol was sitting alone outside the bar in this condition.
"Oh my gosh... what happened to you?" she asked worriedly, gently shaking his shoulder.
"Hmm..."
"You're completely drunk!" she quickly looked around the street.
"Taxi!"
A taxi pulled over.
With the driver's help, she carefully assisted Zol into the back seat.
"Huhu... Why did you drink this much?" she muttered.
Then she froze.
"I... I don't even know where you live."
She bit her lip anxiously.
What was she supposed to do now?