Chapter 19
The Lumina podcast studio was warm and inviting, the soft glow of the overhead lights casting a cozy ambiance over the room. The set was intimate, with a plush couch, a round coffee table between them, and two high-quality microphones adjusted perfectly for clear conversation.
Sasha and Mavis sat across from the host, both relaxed but with a hint of excitement. Mavis adjusted her headset while Sasha leaned back, already smirking like she knew something the audience didn’t.
The host, a well-known personality in the entertainment industry, grinned as she looked at her guests. “Welcome to another episode of Lumina! Today, we have two special guests—Sasha and Mavis! And we have an interesting topic: ‘How do you know if you’re in love?’”
Mavis let out a dramatic groan, immediately sensing where this was going. “Bakit ganito agad yung tanong? Parang may pinapatamaan kayo, ah!” she joked, earning a chuckle from Sasha and the host.
Sasha nudged her playfully. “Mavis, feeling ko lang, baka may magandang sagot ka dito.”
Mavis rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Grabe kayo. Ako na naman?”
The host laughed, then leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Okay, let’s start simple. What’s your definition of love?”
Sasha, ever the logical one, spoke first. “For me, love is a choice. Hindi lang puro feelings—it’s about staying even when it’s hard.”
The host nodded. “A very practical answer.”
Then, all eyes turned to Mavis. She hesitated, fingers tapping lightly on her knee. This time, she wasn’t cracking jokes. Her usual playful energy softened into something more vulnerable.
“Love, for me, is when someone’s presence makes everything feel lighter. ‘Yung kahit pagod ka, kahit ang daming nangyayari, kapag nandiyan sila, parang kaya mo lahat. When you see them, you feel at home. Kapag nandiyan sila, parang… buo ka.”
For a second, there was silence. The way she said it—softly, genuinely—made the moment feel heavier than expected.
The host raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. That sounds personal, Mavis.”
Mavis let out a small laugh, but she didn’t deny it.
Sasha tilted her head, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Hmm. Mavis, I feel like you’re speaking from experience.”
Mavis smirked, taking a sip from the cup of tea in front of her. “Sino ba naman ang hindi, ‘di ba?”
The host leaned in, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Okay, real talk. Have you ever been in love, Mavis?”
Mavis paused. The air in the room shifted slightly, anticipation building. Then, after a moment, she nodded. “Yeah.”
Sasha’s eyes widened slightly. “Ngayon?”
Mavis hesitated for just a split second before a small smile crept onto her lips. “Yeah.”
The host and Sasha exchanged a look.
“Oh? So sino?”
Mavis immediately shook her head, laughing nervously. “Ay, ‘wag niyo na akong i-reveal dito! Baka may manggulo.”
Sasha gasped dramatically. “Omg! So confirmed na may someone?”
Mavis pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh. “Ano ba! Baka kung ano na isipin ng mga tao.”
The host wasn’t letting it go that easily. “Pero, seryoso, Mavis. This person… alam niya ba?”
Mavis took a deep breath, glancing down as if contemplating something. Then, she looked up, her expression softer than before. “Ewan ko. Pero… kung pinapakinggan niya ‘to, sana alam niya.”
The whole studio erupted—“OHHHHHHHH!”
Sasha practically jumped in her seat. “GRABE! TEA! TEA!”
The host grinned. “Okay, Mavis, that was lowkey a confession! Pero teka lang—hindi mo sasabihin kung sino?”
Mavis just smirked. “Secret.”
Sasha crossed her arms. “Hmm. Iisipin tuloy ng mga tao, baka artista rin…”
The host gasped, playing along. “Or baka ka-love team niya?”
Mavis just laughed, her heart hammering against her chest. She had been careful not to reveal too much, but she knew what this would do. The fans would speculate. The media would go wild. And somewhere out there… Celine was definitely listening.
And that thought alone made her heart race.
The moment the podcast aired, Twitter (or X) exploded.
🔥 “GUYS. MAVIS JUST CONFESSED SHE’S IN LOVE. BUT WITH WHO?!!”
💬 “Wait, is this just for fan service or legit???”
💜 “#MavisInLove is trending and I NEED ANSWERS.”
📌 “What if it’s Celine? Omg. #MaCe
👀 “Mavis said, ‘Kung pinapakinggan niya ’to, sana alam niya.’ Who is she talking about?!”
Fan theories spread like wildfire. Some were convinced she was talking about Celine. Others speculated a secret relationship with someone outside the industry. Meanwhile, the Celine x Mavis shippers gained even more traction, insisting that this was proof of something brewing between them.
Arianne was sprawled on her couch, one arm resting behind her head, the other absentmindedly scratching behind Niko’s ears. The soft hum of the Lumina podcast played through her phone, the screen glowing faintly on the coffee table. She hadn’t meant to listen too intently—it was just something to pass the time.
But then, she heard it.
Mavis’s voice, unusually soft.
“…kung pinapakinggan niya ‘to, sana alam niya.”
Arianne froze.
Her fingers stilled against Niko’s fur as the studio erupted with laughter and teasing. Sasha and the host threw playful guesses, but Arianne wasn’t paying attention anymore.
Her mind was stuck on that one sentence.
Who was Mavis talking about?
She sat up slowly, picking up her phone and replaying the last part of the podcast.
“Ngayon?”
“…Yeah.”
“Kung pinapakinggan niya ‘to, sana alam niya.”
Arianne’s brows furrowed slightly.
Was it Celine?
She exhaled, shaking her head as she leaned back against the couch. No. That was ridiculous.
But then again…
The way Mavis clung to Celine in public. The way she looked at her sometimes, as if she was seeing something no one else did. The way she used every excuse to stay close.
Arianne had noticed.
She just never thought too much about it.
Now, though? Now it was harder to ignore.
Niko let out a soft whine, nudging her hand as if sensing her shift in mood. Arianne sighed, running her fingers through his fur again.
She wasn’t the type to overthink things.
But tonight, for some reason, Mavis’s words wouldn’t leave her mind.
And she hated that they made her feel… unsettled.
Arianne set her phone down, but her mind wouldn’t let it go. She tried to focus on the background noise of the city outside her condo—the faint honks, the distant hum of life moving on. But her thoughts kept circling back.
Was it really Celine?
She shook her head, annoyed at herself. You’re being ridiculous.
But the more she thought about it, the harder it was to dismiss.
Celine had always been the type to attract attention—Mavis was just one of the many people who gravitated toward her. But there was something different about Mavis lately.
The way she got nervous around Celine. The way she held onto her arm in public. The way she looked at her when she thought no one was watching.
Arianne exhaled sharply.
Damn it.
She shouldn’t care.
She knew Celine was hers.
But the idea that someone else—someone like Mavis—was openly admitting feelings, even in a vague way, stung.
She grabbed her phone and stared at the screen. No new messages from Celine.
That was unusual.
Normally, Celine would text her something random by now. An update, a joke, a “miss me?” just to annoy her. But tonight? Silence.
Arianne bit the inside of her cheek, debating whether to text first.
But what would she even say? “Hey, was Mavis talking about you?” That would sound so insecure. And Arianne hated feeling insecure.
Instead, she scrolled through her messages, stopping at Celine’s name.
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard.
Then, finally, she typed:
Arianne:Busy ka?
She hesitated for a second before hitting send.
Now, all she could do was wait.
And for some reason, waiting felt heavier than usual.
Arianne stared at her phone. The message was sent, but the read receipt didn’t appear.
She set her phone down, trying to distract herself by scrolling through social media, but her mind kept drifting back.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Then five.
Still nothing.
She let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back against the couch, Niko curling up beside her. The little dog nudged her hand, sensing her unease.
“Si Celine, hindi nagre-reply,” she mumbled, absentmindedly petting Niko’s soft fur. “Baka busy nga.”
But her stomach twisted at the thought.
Was she overreacting?
Or was something really going on?
Arianne closed her eyes, trying to shake off the uneasiness. She shouldn’t be like this—jealousy had never been her thing. She knew Celine. She trusted Celine.
But she also knew Mavis.
And she knew what it was like to be close to Celine—how easy it was to fall.
Her phone vibrated.
Arianne sat up so fast that Niko yelped in protest.
It was Celine.
Celine:Sorry, mahal. Had a late dinner with the team. Pauwi na ako.
Arianne exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath.
At least now, she had an answer.
But still…
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She didn’t want to sound too eager, but she also didn’t want to ignore the gnawing feeling inside her.
After a few seconds, she finally typed:
Arianne:Sino kasama mo?
She knew it was a little bit of a test. If Celine was with Mavis, would she say so? Would she hide it?
The dots appeared immediately, then stopped. Then started again.
Arianne’s heartbeat quickened.
Finally, the reply came.
Celine:Yung team. Mavis was there too humabol siya after ng podcast, pero umuwi na rin siya.
Arianne let out a slow breath. At least Celine wasn’t hiding it.
But something about it still made her uneasy.
She stared at her phone for a moment before typing:
Arianne:Ingat sa pag-uwi.
Celine reacted with a heart emoji, but didn’t say anything else.
And for some reason, that small silence spoke louder than anything.
###
Arianne woke up to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through her curtains. Niko was curled up beside her, his tiny snores filling the quiet room.
She stretched her arm out to the nightstand, grabbing her phone, half-expecting a message from Celine.
Nothing.
Her stomach twisted.
It wasn’t like Celine to go this long without texting, especially after a late night. Usually, there would be a Good morning, mahal or even a teasing Namimiss mo na ako? message waiting for her.
But today?
Silence.
She debated texting first but decided against it. If Celine was busy or just tired, she didn’t want to seem too clingy.
Still…
Arianne sat up, ruffling her hair in frustration.
She grabbed Niko and held him up. “Sa tingin mo, may nangyayari?” she asked, as if the little dog could answer.
Niko simply licked her face in response.
A deep sigh escaped her lips. She was overthinking again, wasn’t she?
Bzzzt.
Her phone vibrated, making her heart jump.
Celine:Good morning, mahal. Just woke up. Late ako nakauwi kagabi. Namiss kita.
Arianne stared at the message, her fingers hesitating over the keyboard.
She wanted to ask—Bakit hindi ka nag-message kagabi? or Bakit parang may tinatago ka?
But instead, she forced herself to type:
Arianne:Good morning. Busy ka ba today?
The reply came fast.
Celine:Medyo. May schedule ulit for the movie. May fan event mamaya.
Arianne bit her lip.
Fan event.
That meant more time with Mavis. More teasing. More moments that the fans would swoon over.
And she?
She had to sit back and watch.
Again.
Arianne set her phone down, exhaling sharply. Maybe she was just being too sensitive.
Maybe she just needed to trust Celine more.
But deep inside, the uneasiness wouldn’t go away.
At Fan Meet Event…
The venue was packed with fans holding banners, waving light sticks, and chanting Celine and Mavis’s names. Their on-screen chemistry had captured the audience, and the excitement in the air was undeniable.
Celine and Mavis walked onto the stage, greeted by deafening cheers. Celine kept her cool, offering her signature wave, while Mavis, ever the crowd pleaser, clasped her hands together and beamed at the audience.
“Grabe kayo, ah! Ganito ba dapat ang energy natin?” Mavis teased, making the fans scream even louder.
Celine chuckled, taking the mic. “Siyempre, para sa inyo, laging energy level 100.”
The crowd erupted into cheers again.
The host stepped in, laughing. “Okay, okay, mukhang game na game ang lahat! Mavis and Celine, we have some fan questions for you. Let’s start with a simple one: Anong pinaka-naaappreciate niyo sa isa’t isa?”
Mavis smirked. “Ay, madami. Pero siguro yung pinaka... ang effortless niyang kasama. Like, kahit anong eksena or kahit off-cam, parang natural lang. Hindi ka mahihirapan.”
Celine turned to her, feigning surprise. “Talaga? Akala ko sasabihin mo ‘yung favorite kong order sa café.”
Mavis rolled her eyes playfully. “Eh syempre, bonus na ‘yun!”
The host laughed. “Mukhang madalas kayong magkasama kahit hindi trabaho?”
Mavis grinned. “Medyo.”
The fans cheered at this revelation.
The host nodded. “That makes sense! Okay, next question: If you could describe each other in one word, what would it be?”
Mavis thought for a moment, then confidently answered, “Steady.”
Celine raised an eyebrow. “Steady?”
Mavis nodded. “Kasi kahit anong mangyari, steady ka lang. Kahit magulo, kahit may pressure, parang wala lang sayo. Kahit minsan nakakainis kasi ang cool mo masyado.”
Celine laughed. “So nakakainis pala?”
Mavis smirked. “Minsan lang.”
The crowd swooned at the playful exchange.
The host turned to Celine. “And ikaw, Celine? One word for Mavis?”
Celine glanced at Mavis for a second before answering, “Unpredictable.”
Mavis gasped dramatically. “Ako? Bakit?”
Celine shrugged. “Kasi hindi mo alam kung seryoso siya o hindi. Minsan sobrang kulit, minsan sobrang tahimik. Laging may surprise.”
Mavis grinned. “Ay, natuwa naman ako dun.”
The interaction sent the crowd into a frenzy. Fans cheered, took videos, and social media was already flooding with clips from the event.
Meanwhile, at Arianne’s Condo…
Arianne sat on her couch, scrolling mindlessly through her phone, one hand absently petting Niko, her dog. She wasn’t looking for anything in particular—just catching up on news, messages, and whatever was trending.
Then she saw it.
A clip from the fan meet. Celine and Mavis, laughing together, teasing each other like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The fans in the comments were going wild:
➤ Their chemistry is insane!
➤ I swear Mavis really likes Celine!
➤ Celine’s so cool and steady, no wonder everyone falls for her!
Arianne exhaled slowly, locking her phone and leaning her head back.
She knew this was part of the job. She knew this was for show.
But why did it still bother her?
Niko whined softly, resting his head on her lap, as if sensing her mood. Arianne absentmindedly scratched behind his ears.
Maybe she was just overthinking.
Or maybe…
She shook the thought away before it could settle.
Back to the Fan Meet Event
The energy in the fan meet was still at an all-time high when the host announced the next segment.
"Alright! Now, we’re moving on to the game portion!" The host beamed, gesturing toward the large screen behind them. "We prepared some fun challenges for Celine and Mavis. Are you two ready?"
Mavis grinned, always up for a challenge. "Game na game!"
Celine, ever composed, just gave a small smirk. "Sige, subukan natin."
The screen flickered, revealing the first game: Paper Kiss Challenge.
The crowd immediately erupted into screams.
Mavis’ eyes widened in shock before she burst out laughing. "Wait lang! Totoo ba ‘to? Hindi joke?"
Celine glanced at the screen, raising an eyebrow. "Creative kayo ha."
The host chuckled. "Of course! Para sa fans ‘to! The challenge is simple—both of you have to pass a small piece of paper between your lips without letting it drop. Kaya?"
The fans started chanting, "GAME! GAME! GAME!"
Mavis sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay! Pero ‘pag nalaglag ‘to, sorry na lang ha!"
Celine, keeping her usual cool, just nodded. "Let’s get this over with."
A staff member handed them a small, thin piece of paper. Mavis held one end between her lips, stepping closer to Celine, who leaned in to grab the other end. The space between them grew smaller and smaller.
The fans were on the edge of their seats, phones recording every second.
Mavis had a playful glint in her eyes as she mumbled through the paper, "Huwag kang gagalaw ah."
Celine just narrowed her eyes slightly in response.
Slowly, Mavis tried to transfer the paper to Celine—
But just as Celine was about to take it, Mavis exhaled sharply out of nervousness—
And the paper slipped.
Before they could react, their lips touched.
It was just for a second. A brief, accidental brush.
But that was enough for the entire venue to explode.
The fans screamed loud enough to shake the walls. Some stood up, clutching their heads in disbelief. Others were already typing furiously on their phones, knowing this moment would be trending in minutes.
Mavis froze. Her eyes widened as she pulled back quickly, covering her mouth. "Oh my God."
Celine blinked, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of surprise in her usually calm demeanor.
The host, barely containing their own shock, was the first to recover. "WELL. I think we have a winner for the most unexpected moment of the night!"
Mavis, still looking flustered, waved her hands frantically. "Guys! Guys, that was an ACCIDENT. Hindi sinasadya!"
But the fans were relentless.
Celine, regaining her composure, simply smirked. She reached for her mic, looking at the screaming fans.
The host laughed. "I think we need a replay—"
"NO!" Mavis immediately protested, making everyone laugh even harder.
The game continued, but everyone knew that moment would be the highlight of the night.
Meanwhile, at Arianne’s Condo…
Arianne’s phone buzzed with nonstop notifications. She wasn’t the type to check trends immediately, but something told her she wouldn’t like what she was about to see.
She unlocked her phone and—
"MAVIS ACCIDENTALLY KISSES CELINE?!?!"
Her stomach dropped.
Niko barked lightly, sensing the tension in her body.
Arianne clicked the trending video.
And there it was.
That split second. That accidental kiss. The way the crowd reacted. The way Mavis panicked and Celine just smirked.
Arianne swallowed.
It was just a game. An accident. A harmless mistake.
So why did it make her chest tighten?
She locked her phone.
Maybe she didn’t need to watch anymore.
Arianne placed her phone screen-down on the table, trying to ignore the tightness in her chest.
It was just a game. Just fan service.
She repeated those words in her head, but it didn’t stop the uneasy feeling creeping in.
Niko nudged her hand with his nose, sensing her emotions. Arianne absentmindedly scratched behind his ear, staring at the ceiling.
Then, her phone vibrated.
A message from Celine.
Celine:Mahal, wag ka magalit ah. ☹️
Arianne exhaled sharply. So, she already knows.
Another message followed.
Celine:Alam kong nakita mo na. Pero swear, di sinasadya.
Arianne pursed her lips. She wasn’t the type to make a big deal out of things, but this… it didn’t sit right. Instead of replying, she locked her phone and stood up.
She needed to clear her mind.
Later that night, Celine finally got some time to breathe after the fan meet. The moment she stepped into her car, she called Arianne.
No answer.
She frowned and tried again. Still nothing.
Arianne always answered. Even when she was busy, she’d at least send a quick text.
Celine leaned her head against the seat, letting out a frustrated sigh. She scrolled up through their messages—Arianne had seen her texts but hadn’t replied.
She bit her lip, a feeling of unease settling in.
Was Arianne… mad?
The thought made her stomach twist.
She stared at her phone for a moment before deciding to send another text.
Celine:Mahal, please answer. I don’t like it when you ignore me.
A few minutes passed.
Then, finally, the three dots appeared.
Arianne:I’m not mad.
Celine frowned. That was a lie.
Celine:Then why are you ignoring me?
There was a long pause before Arianne replied.
Arianne:I just… don’t want to talk right now.
Celine felt a pang of guilt. She knew Arianne. Knew that even if she said she wasn’t mad, something was definitely bothering her.
And she had a strong feeling she knew what it was.
Celine didn’t hesitate. She told her driver to head straight to Arianne’s condo.
When she arrived, she knocked lightly before punching in the code herself. She stepped inside and found Arianne sitting on the couch, petting Niko absentmindedly.
Arianne glanced up but didn’t say anything.
Celine sat beside her, watching her carefully. "Mahal…"
Arianne kept her eyes on Niko. "Hmm?"
Celine sighed, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Arianne’s ear. "I know you. I know when something’s wrong."
Arianne finally looked at her, eyes guarded. "I told you, I’m not mad."
Celine studied her, then said softly, "But you’re hurt."
Arianne blinked, caught off guard by the directness.
Celine reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Talk to me."
Arianne hesitated, then finally exhaled. "It’s just…" She looked away. "I know it was an accident. I know it’s part of the job. But seeing it happen, seeing how people reacted… I don’t know, it just didn’t feel good."
Celine squeezed her hand gently. "I get it. And I’m sorry. I swear, I didn’t mean for it to happen. It was just part of the game."
Arianne nodded slowly. "I know. And I’m not blaming you. It’s just… hard, sometimes. Watching from the sidelines."
Celine leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Arianne’s temple. "You’re never on the sidelines to me."
Arianne felt her heart soften at the words.
Celine sighed. "You know, if it were up to me, I’d tell the whole world about us."
Arianne tensed slightly. "Celine—"
"I would," Celine continued. "I don’t want you to feel like this. I don’t want to hide you. But I know we can’t rush it." She rested her forehead against Arianne’s. "I just need you to trust me."
Arianne closed her eyes for a moment before whispering, "I do."
Celine smiled softly. "Good. Because no matter what happens, no matter what people say, you’re the one I love. You’re the one I’m coming home to."
Arianne felt her lips twitch into a small smile. "That was cheesy."
Celine chuckled. "But did it work?"
Arianne sighed dramatically. "Fine, a little."
Celine grinned. "Then let me make it even cheesier." She cupped Arianne’s face and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. Slow, sweet, reassuring.
When they pulled away, Celine smirked. "Still jealous?"
Arianne rolled her eyes but finally relaxed. "Just shut up and kiss me again."
Celine stared at Arianne, her gaze darkening with something deeper—something more than just reassurance. She brushed her thumb along Arianne’s cheek, her touch featherlight yet deliberate.
Then, without another word, she leaned in again, capturing Arianne’s lips in a slow, deliberate kiss.
Arianne responded instantly, her fingers curling into the front of Celine’s hoodie, pulling her closer. This wasn’t just a kiss of comfort—it was a kiss laced with need, longing, and something neither of them could put into words.
Celine let her hands slide down to Arianne’s waist, gripping firmly as she deepened the kiss, tilting her head to taste more of her. She pulled Arianne even closer, pressing their bodies together, the heat between them growing with every second.
Arianne gasped softly against Celine’s lips, and in that moment, Celine took control.
She lifted Arianne effortlessly, guiding her until she was seated on the edge of the kitchen table. Arianne’s legs instinctively wrapped around Celine’s waist, pulling her in.
Celine’s lips trailed down to Arianne’s jawline, pressing soft, lingering kisses down her neck. Arianne’s breath hitched, her grip tightening on Celine’s shirt as she tilted her head back, giving Celine more access.
"Mahal…" Arianne whispered, her voice barely audible.
Celine smirked against her skin before moving back up to claim her lips again, this time with even more intensity. Their kisses turned heated—deep, slow, and intoxicating.
Arianne ran her hands up Celine’s back, her fingers tangling in her hair as their bodies pressed together, the space between them nonexistent.
Celine broke the kiss for just a second, her forehead resting against Arianne’s as she whispered breathlessly, "Sa’yo pa rin pinaka-favorite ko."
Arianne felt her heart stutter at those words, but before she could even respond, Celine kissed her again—hungry, possessive, like she wanted to make sure Arianne understood just how much she meant to her.
Arianne had no doubt about it.
She was Celine’s.
And Celine was hers.
Arianne lay on her side, they clothes is on the floor and her bare skin pressed against Celine’s warmth under the soft covers. Their bodies were tangled in a way that felt natural—like they belonged there, wrapped in each other after the heat of the moment. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, highlighting the flushed glow on Arianne’s skin and the content smile playing on Celine’s lips.
For a while, they just lay there, basking in the silence, listening to the steady rhythm of their breathing. But Arianne’s mind wasn’t quiet.
She traced slow circles on Celine’s arm with her fingertips before she finally spoke, her voice quiet but hesitant.
“Mahal what if… Mavis really has feelings for you?”
Celine blinked, then exhaled softly, as if she had expected this question. She turned onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow to look at Arianne properly.
“Bakit mo naisip ‘yan?”
Arianne bit her lip, hesitating. “I don’t know. The way she acts around you… the things she says, even in interviews. I know you think it’s just fan service, pero… what if it’s real?”
Celine stared at her for a moment, then shook her head with a soft chuckle. “Ari, kung totoo man, what does it change?”
Arianne furrowed her brows. “What do you mean?”
Celine reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Arianne’s ear. “Kahit pa totoo ang nararamdaman niya, it doesn’t change anything for me. Hindi ko siya gusto. Ikaw ang gusto ko.”
Arianne swallowed, her chest tightening at the certainty in Celine’s voice. But the thoughts still swirled in her mind.
“What if…” she started again, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if she confesses? What if she does something na hindi mo ine-expect?”
Celine sighed, but not in frustration—more like she was trying to ease Arianne’s worries. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Arianne’s cheeks before pulling her even closer.
“Then I’ll make it clear. Walang ibang dapat mahalin kundi ikaw,” she murmured.
Arianne closed her eyes at that, letting herself feel the warmth of Celine’s words. But another worry crept into her mind, making her hesitate again.
“What if… kapag sinabi mo ‘yan sa media, may mag-back out sa endorsements mo? What if your management doesn’t accept it? What if your career—”
Celine pressed a finger against Arianne’s lips, stopping her. “Hey. Stop thinking like that.”
Arianne opened her eyes, searching Celine’s face for any doubt, any hesitation. But there was none.
Celine smiled at her, soft but firm. “Ari, matagal ko nang iniisip ‘to. Sa totoo lang… gusto ko na talagang sabihin sa iba. Kung may aalis na endorsement? Okay lang. Kung may magalit na fans? Okay lang. Alam mo kung bakit?”
Arianne shook her head slightly. “Bakit?”
Celine cupped Arianne’s cheek, her thumb brushing against her skin with a tenderness that made Arianne’s breath hitch.
“Kasi hindi ko na kayang itago ‘to. Hindi ko na kayang itago ka.”
Arianne’s lips parted slightly, her heart hammering in her chest.
“Hindi lang ikaw ang napapagod sa paglihim, Ari,” Celine continued, her voice soft but steady. “Pagod na rin ako. Lalo na kapag alam kong nasasaktan ka sa mga ganito.”
Arianne’s throat tightened. She wanted to believe her. She did believe her.
“Pero… paano kung hindi nila maintindihan?” she whispered.
Celine smiled, leaning in until their foreheads touched. “Kailangan ba talaga natin silang intindihin mahal?” She kissed the tip of Arianne’s nose. “Ang importante, tayo.”
Arianne exhaled shakily, feeling her heart swell.
“Gusto kitang mahalin ng walang takot,” Celine murmured against her skin. “At gusto kong malaman ng lahat kung sino talaga ang mahal ko.”
Arianne’s eyes softened as she stared at Celine.
It was overwhelming—the way Celine made her feel so wanted, so important.
She didn’t say anything. She just pulled Celine down for another slow, lingering kiss, pouring every unspoken feeling into it.