Chapter 24
The moment they stepped onto the stage, the energy in the studio shifted. Fans screamed in excitement as the Iconic Trio—Celine, Jamie, and Gale—settled into their seats, each bringing their own aura to the set. Celine, ever the playful one, flashed a confident grin and did a small wave to the crowd, while Jamie hyped up the audience, throwing finger hearts. Gale, as expected, stayed effortlessly cool, simply nodding and giving a small, knowing smirk that sent fans into a frenzy.
The host, clearly entertained by their presence alone, chuckled before launching into the conversation.
“You three have taken the internet by storm! People are obsessed with your dynamic. How did this ‘Iconic Trio’ even start?”
Jamie, as always, was the first to respond, leaning forward dramatically. “Ni kami, di namin alam! We just exist, tapos boom—‘Iconic Trio’ na raw kami.”
The audience laughed, and even Celine shook her head, already anticipating how chaotic this explanation would get.
“But really,” Gale finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with amusement. “This all started because of one fateful night. The night of the dare.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Celine and Jamie groaned, their faces instantly scrunching up in playful regret. The host’s curiosity piqued.
“Oh? A dare? Nabasa ko nga yan sa X, then what? Tell us more!”
Celine, trying to contain her laughter, pointed at Gale. “Bakit ikaw ang nagkukuwento?!”
Gale simply shrugged, still wearing that cool, unreadable expression. “Kasi ako yung pinaka-may matinong memory sa ating tatlo.”
Jamie let out a loud cackle. “Tama! Kasi kami ni Celine, memory loss na after non.”
The audience erupted into laughter, already hooked on the story.
Gale leaned back, crossing her arms as she continued. “So, ganito kasi ‘yon—Celine went to Jamie’s condo one night. Wala lang, chill lang daw, as she claimed. But alam naman natin si Jamie, hindi ‘yan papayag na chill lang.”
Jamie feigned innocence, placing a hand on her chest. “Hoy, anong ibig mong sabihin? I’m a responsible host, okay?”
Celine snorted. “Responsible host my ass.”
Gale ignored their interruptions and went on. “Jamie called Skylar and me, and somehow, we all ended up in her condo. Sabi namin, ‘Guys, isang inuman lang, light lang tayo.’”
Jamie burst out laughing.
Celine, shaking her head, added, “Naniwala pa tayo sa ‘light lang.’”
The host, now fully invested, leaned closer. “So, paano napunta sa dare?”
Gale smirked. “After several rounds, Jamie, in her true chaotic form, decided to make things interesting. She suggested a game—Truth or Dare. Pero dahil lasing na si Celine, lahat ng tanong niya tinotodo.”
Celine pointed at herself, acting offended. “Hoy, wag nyong sabihin ako lang. Lahat tayo wala nang hiya non!”
Jamie waved her off, laughing. “Basta, si Celine, todo dare. As in, kahit anong dare, GO. Tapos si Gale naman, kunwari cool lang, pero go din. So ayun, sa sobrang daming kalokohan namin that night, we somehow ended up recording some of it. The next day, a clip got leaked—hindi namin alam kung paano—and fans LOST THEIR MINDS.”
Gale nodded. “That was the birth of the Iconic Trio.”
Celine sighed dramatically, shaking her head. “Minsan iniisip ko, kung hindi lang sana ako sumama sa condo ni Jamie non…”
Jamie clapped her hands together. “BUT YOU DID, AND NOW, HERE WE ARE! Cheers to that!”
The audience erupted into laughter and cheers.
The host, still laughing, wiped away a fake tear. “So basically, this entire Iconic Trio phenomenon started because of a chaotic night of drinking and a dare”
Jamie proudly nodded. “Yes, and we have no regrets.”
Celine, glancing at Gale, added, “Some regrets. Just a little.”
Gale shrugged. “Well, we’re iconic now. So, worth it.”
The host shook their head in amusement. “This might just be my favorite origin story ever.”
The host, now even more entertained by their chaotic energy, smiled as they shifted to the next segment. “Alright, now that we know how the Iconic Trio started, let’s dig a little deeper. We have a fun ‘Who’s More’ segment! I’ll ask a question, and you’ll have to answer honestly. Game?”
Jamie cracked her knuckles, hyping up the crowd. “Game na game! Wala nang atrasan!”
Gale smirked. “Ikaw yung unang aatras mamaya, Jamie.”
Celine laughed. “Malamang, pag tinanong kung sino pinaka-marupok, ikaw na yun.”
Jamie gasped dramatically. “Hoy! Wala pang tanong, bakit ako na agad?! Wag ganun, guys!”
The audience burst into laughter as the host chuckled, shaking their head before proceeding.
Host: “First question—who’s the most talented among the three of you?”
Celine and Gale both pointed at Jamie without hesitation.
Jamie blinked. “Huh bat ako?”
Celine nodded. “Yes. For me talaga si Jamie. Even tho she’s crackhead or little joke.. Ayy, charot.” celine laugh “Pero seryoso, she’s an actress, but she can sing, she can do highnotes, she can dance and kayang kaya niya rin maging reporter”
Gale deadpanned. “At ikaw din yung pinakamagaling magpaandar ng chismis.”
Jamie gasped, placing a hand on her chest. The audience laughed as Jamie dramatically wiped away a fake tear.
Jamie then cleared her throat, acting serious. “Pero, honestly, I think we all have different talents. Celine is crazy good at acting and being charismatic on screen. Gale is a natural when it comes to modeling and presence. Ako naman, I guess hosting, performing, and being a menace to society.”
Gale nodded approvingly.
Celine grinned. “Fair answer. Good job, Jamie. Hindi kami babanat ngayon.”
Jamie sighed in relief. “Thank you, Lord.”
Host: “Next question—who’s the most good-looking?”
Before anyone could answer, the entire audience chanted Gale’s name.
Celine dramatically rolled her eyes. “WOW. Wala pang sagot pero may nanalo na.”
Jamie laughed. “Hindi na tayo maglalaban dito, Celine. Alam na natin.”
Gale, smug as ever, smirked.
Celine leaned toward Gale. “Hoy, sabihin mo nalang ‘thank you,’ wag ka nang masyadong cool diyan.”
Gale shrugged. “Thank you.”
The audience screamed, making Celine groan.
Host: “Okay, next—who’s the most famous?”
Celine was about to drink water when Jamie and Gale immediately pointed at her.
She nearly choked. “Ako agad? Parang parehas lang naman tayong tatlo!”
Gale smirked. “Ang dami mong fans, Celine. Every voting poll, ikaw ang nananalo.”
Jamie nodded. “Tapos, every time na may event, laging ‘Celine for the win!’ yung trending.”
Celine waved them off, blushing slightly.
Jamie turned to the host. “Alam mo, kahit pa sabihin niyang ‘Ewan ko sa inyo,’ bet mo pag-check natin ng Twitter ngayon, #CelineSupremacy yung trending.”
The host laughed, checking their phone. “Wait, let’s test that.”
A few seconds later, the host gasped. “OH MY GOD. TOTOO NGA.”
The audience cheered as Celine facepalmed.
Jamie and Gale high-fived. “See? Told you.”
Host: “Next question… sino dito ang single?”
Jamie immediately grinned. “Not me!”
The audience screamed as Jamie proudly nodded. “Happily taken.”
Celine and Gale clapped sarcastically. “Wow. Congratulations.”
Gale, who had been quiet, smirked slightly. “I like someone.”
The entire studio gasped. Celine’s mouth fell open. “AY. PAKIULIT?”
Jamie gasped as well, shaking Gale’s shoulder. “Spill!”
Gale just shrugged. “Secret.”
Celine and Jamie groaned loudly as the audience screamed in excitement.
Then, all eyes turned to Celine.
Host: “How about you, Celine?”
Celine, knowing her every move would be analyzed, smirked and played safe. “Basta, happy ako.”
Jamie squinted. “Play safe na naman!”
Celine crossed her arms. “Eh bakit, totoo naman!”
Jamie and Gale exchanged knowing looks before turning to the host.
Jamie: “Alam mo, Celine is like a private citizen when it comes to love life. Pero, don’t be fooled, may tinatago ‘to.”
Celine gasped. “HUY!”
Gale chuckled and saved Celine. “Tama na, next question.”
Host: “Alright, last part! If you had a message for someone right now, what would it be?”
Jamie went first. “For my special someone, you already know who you are. Salamat sa pagiging matiyaga sakin kahit makulit ako. Love you.”
The audience screamed, making Jamie giggle.
Next was Gale. She smirked slightly before speaking in a calm tone. “To the person I like… you’re a little slow, but I’ll wait.”
The audience gasped, while Celine and Jamie dramatically leaned closer to Gale, screaming, “SINO YAN?!”
Gale just smirked and shrugged again. “Secret.”
Finally, it was Celine’s turn. She took a deep breath before speaking. “To the person who always doubts, you don’t have to be scared. I’m willing to wait for you, no matter what.”
The moment she said it, the audience exploded in reactions.
Jamie and Gale turned to her with wide eyes.
Gale nodded. “Progress.”
Celine, realizing what she just did, awkwardly laughed. “Wag niyo akong tingnan nang ganyan.”
The host, clearly amused, smiled. “And that’s a wrap for today’s episode! The Iconic Trio never fails to entertain. Let’s give them a big round of applause!”
The crowd roared with cheers as Celine, Jamie, and Gale stood up, waving and laughing as the cameras cut.
Back in their dressing room, the three sat comfortably on the couch. Celine scrolled through her phone, checking the online reaction to their guesting. Unsurprisingly, their episode was already trending.
“ICONIC TRIO NEVER FAILS!!”
“Jamie’s message for Skylar? CUTEEEE”
“Gale’s ‘I’ll wait’—IS THIS ABOUT SASHA?!?”
“100% sure, si Mavis yan!”
“CELINE PLEASE SPEAK UP. NASASAKTAN KO”
“Dear Celine, Kung saan ka masaya dun ako malungkot”
“Celine’s message… WAIT A DAMN MINUTE.”
“Who is she waiting for?!? #CeRianne
Celine groaned.
Jamie cackled, scrolling through Twitter. “Ay, your fans really love you. Pati yung subtle message mo, pinapalaki nila.”
Gale smirked. “Pero it’s a good thing, right? Kahit wala kayong confirmation, ang daming fans na gusto kayo magkatuluyan.”
Celine sighed, resting her head back on the couch. “That’s the problem. Hindi madali ‘to.”
Jamie and Gale turned serious at Celine’s tone. Jamie was the first to speak. “Kaya mo pa ba?”
Celine let out a small chuckle, but it lacked its usual confidence. “I love her, walang duda don.. Wala nang tanong doon. Pero minsan, naiisip ko… hanggang kailan kami ganito? Hanggang kailan ko siya hihintayin?”
Gale, usually the quiet one, spoke in a calm yet firm voice. “Kung talagang mahal mo, you’ll wait. Pero wag mong kakalimutan sarili mo sa paghihintay.”
Celine looked down at her hands, thinking. “I know.”
Jamie reached out, gently nudging Celine’s shoulder. “And if ever dumating sa point na hindi mo na kaya, andito kami. Walang iwanan, ‘di ba?”
Celine smiled, warmth filling her chest. “Oo nga pala, Iconic Trio tayo.”
Gale smirked. “Iconic nga tayo, pero ikaw lang ‘yung nagpapa-iconic sa issue.”
Jamie burst out laughing. “ANG DAMI KASING PASABOG NI CELINE!”
Celine rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but laugh along with them.
For now, she would push away the worries and enjoy the moment with the two people who had always been by her side.
Meanwhile… The Lumina members were gathered in their lounge, watching the Iconic Trio guesting on the big screen. Their schedules had been hectic, but the moment they saw the show trending, they knew they had to tune in.
The moment Gale’s message played, the room erupted.
Mavis:“Wait—‘I’ll wait for you’—Gale, para kanino ‘yon?”
Sasha:“Arte”
Gale, watching from her seat, only smirked, leaning back on the couch. “Bakit, affected ka?”
The teasing continued, the girls laughing, until it was Celine’s turn to deliver her message.
Celine on-screen:“I know things aren’t easy, but I’ll wait. No matter how long it takes.”
The room fell into a brief silence. Maeve, Lumina’s most observant member, subtly glanced at Arianne, whose posture stiffened.
Arianne knew.
She knew without a doubt that message was for her.
She felt her chest tighten, her fingers brushing against the fabric of her pants, gripping them slightly.
And then, Sasha—completely oblivious—broke the silence with a teasing grin directed at Mavis. “Hoy, Mavs, ikaw at si Celine, may agreement ba kayo?”
Mavis, caught off guard, looked at her with confusion. “Ha? Anong agreement?”
Sasha chuckled. “Since kayo yung loveteam, you kissed, holding hands, hugs. Tapos ito si Celine, hindi nag-confirm kung single siya o hindi. Parang may something na kayo lang nakakaalam.”
Mavis blinked, clearly puzzled. She laughed, but it was nervous. “Wala, wala, promise. Wala kaming ganun ni Celine.”
But Arianne wasn’t laughing.
Because while Sasha was playfully teasing Mavis, Arianne was silently crumbling inside.
Mavis didn’t know.
Mavis had no idea about her and Celine. She had no clue about the late-night conversations, the stolen moments, the lingering gazes that carried unsaid words.
And yet, Mavis was still caught in the crossfire.
Arianne could feel the weight pressing against her chest, the ache forming deep within her. Her fingers clenched into a fist, pressing against her knee—hard, too hard. She needed to feel something, anything other than the tightening in her heart.
Maeve noticed.
Without hesitation, Maeve reached over and placed her hand on top of Arianne’s, squeezing it gently. It was warm. Steady. A quiet reassurance.
Arianne blinked, her grip loosening slightly.
Maeve didn’t say anything, but the silent understanding in her eyes spoke volumes.
Arianne exhaled, forcing a small smile.
She wasn’t ready.
But maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to go through this alone.
Gale had been silently observing Arianne for the past few minutes, her sharp eyes catching the subtle movements—the tension in Arianne’s shoulders, the way her fingers gripped the fabric of her pants, the barely-there tremble in her exhale.
Gale had known Celine for years. She had seen how relentless she could be when she wanted something, or in this case, someone. But she had also seen how fragile situations like these could become. How long could they keep going like this? How long before the pressure, the secrecy, the unspoken words weighed down on them completely?
A soft knock on the door broke through the tension in the room.
Mavis, being the closest, stood up to open it. “Sino ‘to?” she muttered before twisting the doorknob.
The moment the door swung open, three figures stood in the doorway—Celine, Skylar, and Jamie.
“SURPRISE!” Jamie shouted, grinning as she lifted her arms dramatically.
Before anyone could properly react, Sasha let out a high-pitched scream.
“AYIEEE!”
And then, without hesitation, she shoved Mavis forward—right into Celine.
Mavis, completely caught off guard, let out a startled yelp. “Hoy, anong—”
Before she could even brace herself, Celine instinctively reached out, catching her before she could fall.
Mavis’s hands clutched onto Celine’s arms for support, their faces now inches apart.
The room went silent for a beat.
Then—
“AYIEEEEE!!!” Sasha screamed again, clutching her chest like she just witnessed the grandest love story unfold before her eyes.
Skylar burst into laughter, Jamie doubled over, while Maeve just shook her head, amused.
Meanwhile, Mavis and Celine froze.
Mavis, still recovering from almost face-planting, turned to glare at Sasha. “PUTA—ANO ‘YON?”
Sasha only smirked. “Chemistry test, duh.”
Celine, still holding Mavis, finally straightened up and cleared her throat, subtly taking a step back.
Arianne, on the other hand, remained silent.
She had seen it all. The way Celine instinctively caught Mavis, the way their faces were so close for that brief moment, the way Sasha screamed like it was a scene straight out of a drama.
She knew it meant nothing.
But the way her chest tightened said otherwise.
Meanwhile, Jamie, completely oblivious to the underlying tension, clapped her hands together. “Okay, enough drama. We came here para lang manggulo, so let’s do that properly.”
Skylar grinned. “Also, nagdala kami ng food, so dapat lang na welcome kami.”
Mavis, still flustered, stepped aside. “Fine, fine. Pumasok na kayo bago pa magka-heart attack si Sasha.”
As everyone got settled, Celine’s gaze drifted toward Arianne.
And for a split second, their eyes met.
Arianne quickly looked away.
Celine sighed internally.
This wasn’t going to be easy.
Celine tried—she really did—to keep her cool.
But every glance toward Arianne and Maeve chipped away at her patience.
Maeve was too damn attentive. She wasn’t even being subtle about it—reaching for Arianne’s hand, passing her food without her asking, uncapping a water bottle and placing it in front of her like it was second nature.
Arianne, on the other hand, didn’t push Maeve away.
And that stung.
Celine clenched her jaw, fingers digging into her palms. Every fiber of her being wanted to march across the room, pull Arianne away, and tell everyone the truth.
She wanted them all to know—Arianne was hers.
Not Maeve’s.
Not anyone else's.
Just hers.
She exhaled sharply, pushing herself up from her seat. She was going to do it. She was going to walk over, take Arianne’s hand, and—
A firm grip on her wrist stopped her.
Gale.
Celine turned to her, eyes burning with frustration.
Gale’s expression remained calm, but her hold was steady. “Don’t,” she murmured, low enough that only Celine could hear.
Celine’s heart pounded in her chest. “Let go,” she gritted out.
But Gale didn’t.
Instead, she leaned in slightly. “This isn’t the way, Celine.”
Celine sucked in a shaky breath, torn between staying and completely losing it.
Then, without another word, she yanked her wrist free and stormed out of the room.
No one seemed to notice—except Gale, who silently watched her go, and Arianne, whose gaze followed her disappearing figure.
Celine didn’t stop walking until she reached the rooftop.
The moment she stepped outside, the cold air hit her, but it wasn’t enough to cool the fire in her chest.
She ran a hand through her hair, exhaling harshly.
This was getting unbearable.
How long was she supposed to just watch? How long was she supposed to act like it didn’t bother her?
She leaned against the railing, looking down at the city lights.
She wanted to fight.
She wanted to scream.
But more than anything—
She wanted Arianne to choose her.
To choose them.
And she wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait.
She exhaled sharply.
She wasn’t usually the type to storm out, but the scene downstairs had pushed her limits. She could still see it—Maeve’s hand on Arianne’s, the soft looks, the effortless way Maeve took care of her.
That should be her.
Her fists clenched, the frustration simmering inside her.
"Celine?"
The voice startled her, but she didn’t turn. She already knew who it was.
Gale.
Celine let out a bitter laugh. "Tsk. Of course, it’s you. You’re really my handler now, huh?"
Gale sighed, stepping beside her. "Someone has to keep you from making a scene."
Celine shook her head, jaw tight. "I wanted to make a scene. Swear Gale, gustong gusto ko na. I wanted to tell everyone—just to stop all the assumptions, stop all the shipping wars, and most of all, stop seeing Maeve act like she has a chance."
Gale didn’t reply immediately, simply observing Celine’s expression—her burning frustration, the slight tremble in her fingers.
After a moment, she spoke.
"And what about Arianne?"
Celine stilled.
Gale continued, her voice even. "You want to fight, Celine? That’s fine. But is Arianne ready to fight with you?"
Celine opened her mouth, then closed it.
That was the problem, wasn’t it?
She wanted to fight for Arianne. For them.
But Arianne… Arianne was still afraid.
Celine let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her face. "I don’t know how much longer I can wait, Gale."
Gale crossed her arms. "Then you have to decide. Do you wait for her? Or do you let go?"
Celine's stomach twisted. Let go?
No. That wasn’t an option.
She turned to Gale, eyes determined. "I’ll wait."
Gale nodded, satisfied. "Yun naman pala eh! Then trust her. She’s struggling too."
Celine took a deep breath, nodding.
She just hoped Arianne wouldn’t make her wait forever.