Chapter 5
Arianne lay in bed, staring at her phone screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard. She had typed and erased her message to Celine at least ten times.
“Celine… I—” Delete.
“Sorry for everything.” Delete.
“Can we talk?” Delete.
Frustrated, she sighed and tossed her phone onto the bed, rubbing her face with both hands. She hated this. She hated how her chest felt too tight, how the weight of their past was crashing down on her all at once.
Almost without thinking, she opened Instagram and searched for Celine’s account. Her heart pounded as she hit follow.
Seconds passed. Then a minute. She clenched her jaw, debating whether to undo it, but before she could decide, she rolled onto her side, pulling the covers over her head.
She’d deal with it later.
Her phone vibrated. A notification from their group chat.
Maeve: Meeting tomorrow, 10 AM. Celine will be there too.
Arianne’s stomach twisted.
She was going to see Celine. Again.
Celine was scrolling mindlessly through her phone, trying to drown out the thoughts swirling in her head, when a new notification appeared.
Arianne followed you.
Her grip on the phone tightened. She stared at the notification, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
She should ignore it. She should.
But instead, her thumb hovered over Arianne’s profile. It had been years since she last saw it up close. Did she look different? No—she still had that same sharp gaze, the same soft smile she used when she was genuinely happy. But was she happy now?
Celine scoffed and locked her phone.
It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter.
Then, another message popped up on her screen.
Manager: Meeting tomorrow at 10 AM. Lumina will be there.
Celine exhaled slowly.
So, she wasn’t done facing Arianne yet.
Arianne arrived too early.
She didn’t mean to. Maybe she just wanted time to compose herself. Or maybe—deep down—she wanted a moment alone with Celine before the others arrived.
She sat at the long conference table, hands clasped together, her knee bouncing slightly. The quietness of the room felt deafening. Her thoughts were too loud.
She had gone over this moment in her head a thousand times. What would she say? How would she even begin?
The podcast made it obvious—Celine heard her. Celine knew.
And now, Arianne had no excuse to stay silent anymore.
The sound of the door opening made Arianne’s breath hitch.
Celine stepped in, posture straight, her usual unreadable expression in place. She was ready to walk past Arianne like she was nothing but a stranger.
But the moment their eyes met—just for a second—Arianne knew she couldn’t let this moment slip away.
Not again.
"Celine," Arianne called, her voice hesitant but firm.
Celine, already making her way to the opposite side of the table, froze. She didn’t turn around immediately, but Arianne could see the slight tension in her shoulders.
After a beat of silence, Celine finally faced her, arms crossed. "What?"
Arianne swallowed hard, fingers tightening against the fabric of her pants. She expected coldness. She deserved it. But it still hurt.
"I… I never got to say goodbye," Arianne started, voice quieter now.
Celine scoffed. "And you think that matters now?"
"It matters to me," Arianne said, stepping closer. "I know I don’t deserve to say this now, but I need you to know—I never wanted to leave like that."
Celine’s jaw clenched. "But you still did."
"I didn’t have a choice," Arianne admitted, finally letting the words spill out. "The management.. they had a ‘no dating’ contract. I couldn’t—I wasn’t allowed to be with you. They made me sign it before I debuted."
Silence.
Celine just stared at her, expression unreadable. But her fingers twitched at her sides.
Arianne sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve at least told you. But I was scared, Celine. I was scared of losing everything before I even started."
Celine let out a bitter laugh. "So instead, you just lost me?"
Arianne flinched. Because it was true.
"That’s not what I wanted," Arianne said, voice barely above a whisper.
"But that’s what happened."
Celine shook her head, taking a step closer. Her expression wasn’t just anger anymore—it was something deeper. Pain. Disappointment. Hurt.
"You could’ve said something. You could’ve messaged me—one word, one explanation, one anything. But you didn’t. You disappeared like I meant nothing. And now, years later, you suddenly want to say sorry?"
Arianne blinked rapidly, feeling the sting in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered. "Because I am sorry. I’ve always been sorry."
Celine let out a shaky breath, and for the first time, her mask cracked.
"Sorry doesn’t change anything, Arianne."
Arianne swallowed, nodding slowly. "I know."
She looked down, her fingers tightening into fists. "But I needed you to know the truth. Even if it’s late. Even if it doesn’t change anything. Even if you hate me."
Silence settled between them again. But this time, it was different. It wasn’t just cold—it was heavy.
Celine hated herself.
Hated how soft she still was for Arianne. Hated that, after everything, after all the pain, after all the nights she spent questioning why she wasn’t enough—one conversation, one apology, and she was already breaking.
She wanted to stay angry. She should stay angry.
But instead… she just looked at Arianne.
She couldn't say a word. Couldn't push her away.
Because in her heart?
She still loved Arianne.
Hearing those words, the apology, the regret—she wanted to believe it. And the worst part?
She did.
She let out a shaky breath, her gaze flickering to Arianne’s face—the way her eyes were filled with guilt, the way she looked at Celine like she was the biggest mistake she ever made.
Before she could even think of what to say, the door suddenly opened.
The other members of Lumina walked in, their voices filling the once-empty room. Their managers followed, the meeting about to begin.
Celine quickly turned away, pulling her mask back on. She couldn’t let them see.
Arianne sat down across from her, but Celine felt her gaze lingering.
Even in a room full of people, it still felt like it was just the two of them.
Like their unfinished story was hanging in the air.
And Celine knew.
This wasn’t over.
The meeting was already in full swing when one of the managers finally dropped the bomb.
“Alright, let’s get to the main event of today’s meeting,” Lumina’s manager announced, a wide smile on her face. “Mavis and Celine, congratulations! Today, you’ll be officially signing the contract for your upcoming movie together.”
Silence.
Mavis blinked. “Wait, what?”
Celine frowned. “Contract signing? As in—today?”
Her manager chuckled, handing them both a folder. “Yes. It’s a surprise, but we figured you’d be excited. Mavis, this will be your debut in the acting industry, and Celine, well…” She smiled at her proudly. “You’re already one of the best. This is just another blockbuster in the making.”
Mavis gasped and turned to Celine. “Oh my god, this is really happening?”
Celine slowly opened the folder, scanning the documents. She had been in the industry long enough to know how these things worked, but even she was caught off guard.
A movie.
Another one.
Of course, she was happy. This was her dream. She had always wanted this.
And yet…
Her grip on the pen tightened as her thoughts strayed—back to the podcast, back to the conversation with Arianne, back to their dream.
Idol x Actor.
She made it. But not with Arianne.
Mavis nudged her, bringing her back to the present. “Celine, this is huge! Hindi kaba excited?”
Celine forced a smile, shoving every other thought away.
She had to be happy. This was what she worked for.
“Of course, I’m excited,” she said, finally signing her name.
The managers clapped as the contract was finalized. Mavis was still buzzing with excitement, and Celine played along, answering questions about the project.
But even as the room filled with celebration—Celine couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone else should have been sitting beside her.
The contract signing was done. The cameras flashed, capturing every moment—the shaking of hands, the official stamping of the deal, the smiles exchanged for the media. The reporters, managers, and fans in attendance erupted into applause, the energy in the room electric.
Mavis couldn’t stop beaming. It was her first acting project, and she was starring alongside Celine.Celine. One of the biggest actresses in the industry.
Meanwhile, Celine sat beside her, composed, poised. Unbothered.Untouchable.
But inside? She wasn’t feeling anything.
Her manager handed her the script, and she flipped through the pages absentmindedly. Another rom-com.
Of course.
It was always a rom-com.
She had done so many that she could already predict the beats—the meet-cute, the playful banter, the slow-burn tension, the inevitable conflict, and the grand romantic gesture at the end.
It was just another love story. Another project. Another role to play.
And yet, as she scanned the description, she couldn’t help but feel something heavy settling in her chest.
It wasn’t their love story.
It wasn’t the one she had once dreamt of filming with Arianne.
“Alright, let’s get started!” The host’s enthusiastic voice brought her back to reality. The press conference was officially beginning.
Celine straightened up, putting on the perfect actress smile.
The cameras rolled.
The first few questions went to the director, discussing the film’s concept and vision. Then, it was time for the main stars to speak.
The host turned to Mavis first. “Mavis, this is your debut film, and it’s with Celine! How do you feel about this huge milestone?”
Mavis practically bounced in her seat, her excitement contagious. “Honestly, Hindi parin po ako makapaniwala! This is such a dream come true for me. Acting has always been something I wanted to try, but to do it with Celine? That’s next level! She’s been my inspiration for so long, and now I get to work with her? It’s crazy! I’m so excited, and I promise, gagalingan ko talaga”
The crowd cheered, and the reporters quickly scribbled down notes.
Then, all eyes turned to Celine.
“Celine, you’re one of the most sought-after actresses in the country, and this will be another rom-com added to your impressive filmography. How do you feel about this project?”
Celine took a slow breath, her fingers gripping the script on the table.
This was routine. She knew exactly what to say.
She smiled—a well-practiced, effortless one. “I’m happy to be part of this project. Every film I do is an opportunity to grow as an actress, and this is another chance for me to bring a new story to life. Plus, I get to work with Mavis, who’s incredibly passionate and dedicated, so I’m sure it’s going to be a great experience.”
Polite. Professional. Distant.
The audience clapped, and the press conference continued with more questions about the film.
Mavis was still giddy, answering questions with so much enthusiasm, while Celine?
She just wanted this day to be over.
Because the truth was—she wasn’t sure what she was even chasing anymore.
After the press conference, Celine barely had time to breathe before she was pulled into another private discussion with her manager and the production team. Mavis was right beside her, still buzzing with excitement, while the director and management heads exchanged knowing looks.
Celine could already tell where this was going.
“So,” Mavis’ manager started, smiling at the two of them, “we all know how important chemistry is for a project like this.”
Celine kept her face neutral. Here it comes.
The director nodded. “Since this is a rom-com, we need the audience to feel connected to your dynamic—both on-screen and off-screen. Right now, the fans are already obsessed with the idea of you two together. The response from the press conference alone was massive. We need to capitalize on that.”
Celine tilted her head. “What exactly are you asking us to do?”
Her manager leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Nothing you haven’t done before, Celine. We’re just asking for a little fan service. A few public moments here and there—subtle touches, playful interactions, social media posts. We need to build the hype.”
Mavis, ever the eager one, grinned. “Oh! Edi good! I mean, we do need to bond, right?”
Celine turned to her, unreadable. “You don’t mind?”
Mavis shrugged. “Not at all! It’s part of the job, right? Plus, it’s just for the fans. No big deal.”
Celine clenched her jaw for a second. No big deal.
How many times had she heard those words before?
It reminded her of the past—the way she and Arianne used to dream about doing projects together. How real their moments had been. How none of it was ever just fan service.
But now?
She was being asked to fake it. Again.
“Celine?” her manager called her name, bringing her back.
She forced a smile. “Right. No big deal.”
The director clapped his hands. “Perfect! We’ll set up some casual sightings—maybe coffee dates, surprise interactions at events, things like that. Fans love natural moments.”
Mavis leaned toward Celine, wiggling her eyebrows playfully. “Looks like we’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other.”
Celine exhaled, glancing away.
What was she getting herself into this time?