Chapter 26
Celine woke slowly, her head heavy and throbbing, but before the pain could fully settle, warmth wrapped around her like a quiet comfort.
Her lashes fluttered open, and through the haze of last night’s chaos, she felt it — someone beside her.
She turned her head slightly, and there she was.
Arianne.
Asleep on the edge of the bed, her head resting on her folded arms. The soft morning light spilled through the half-open curtains, painting her skin with a delicate gold glow.
Celine stared.
She took in every detail — the way Arianne’s long lashes gently brushed against her cheek, how her lips were slightly parted in sleep, soft and pink. There was a small crease between her brows, as though even in rest, she worried for someone… worried for her.
A dull ache pulsed in Celine’s chest.
She lifted a hand, carefully, slowly, fingers trembling slightly as they brushed through Arianne’s hair. The strands were soft, smooth, familiar.
Her heart clenched.
“Bakit mo pa ako sinasamahan?” she thought to herself. She didn’t deserve this. Not after last night.
But before the guilt could fully sink in, Arianne stirred.
Her lashes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Celine’s — sleepy, warm, still heavy with dreams.
“Gising ka na…” Arianne whispered, her voice raspy and soft, like velvet against skin.
Celine could only nod, swallowing the lump in her throat.
There was silence between them. But not the suffocating kind. It was soft… safe… fragile.
Then Arianne gently lifted her head, eyes studying Celine’s tired face.
“Masakit pa ulo mo?” she asked, her voice gentle, like she was afraid any louder and Celine might break.
Celine gave her a faint smile — weak, but honest.
Arianne reached over to the bedside table, grabbed the glass of water she had prepared, and handed it to her. Celine took it with both hands, feeling the coolness of the glass grounding her. She drank slowly, eyes still on Arianne.
Arianne sat quietly for a moment, then looked down at her hands. She fidgeted with her fingers, hesitant… before finally speaking in a soft, careful tone.
“May gusto ka bang kainin?” she asked. “May kine-crave ka ba?”
The simplicity of the question nearly shattered Celine.
She closed her eyes.
There was something about Arianne’s gentle care — her patience, her presence, the way she asked without judgment — that made her chest feel too tight.
Her throat burned.
She wanted to cry.
But instead, she exhaled shakily.
Arianne didn’t push. She simply shifted closer and rested her head on Celine’s shoulder, her breath warm against her neck.
Celine closed her eyes again, leaning her head lightly against Arianne’s.
The silence wrapped around them once more. But this time… it was full.
Full of unspoken apologies.
Full of quiet forgiveness.
Full of love that neither of them could easily say, but both of them desperately needed to show.
And in that small moment — just the two of them, sunlight creeping through the curtains, heartbeats steadying against each other — Celine felt safe.
They sat in silence for a few more moments, with Arianne’s head still resting on Celine’s shoulder.
But eventually, Arianne broke the quiet.
“You made me worried, you know?”
Her voice was soft, but there was weight behind it — concern, frustration, fear all wrapped up in one quiet sentence.
Celine bit her lip.
She remembered last night — the loud music, the whiskey, the decision to turn off her phone because she didn’t want to see anything… didn’t want to feel anything.
She lowered her head and whispered, “Sorry…”
Just that. A single word, but it held all her regret.
Arianne sat up slowly, looking at her, eyes still gentle despite the worry lingering in them.
“I’ll tell Sasha first,” Arianne said softly, like it was the most natural decision in the world.
Celine blinked.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Her head snapped toward Arianne, her eyes wide, panic instantly rising in her chest.
“W-wait,” she stammered. “Arianne… I’m not forcing you. Hindi kita pinipilit.”
Her voice trembled.
She looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling small.
Was it because of last night?
Did I push her to this?
Did I make her feel cornered?
The guilt twisted painfully in her chest.
But before she could spiral any further, Arianne gently cupped her cheek, guiding Celine’s gaze back to her.
“Hey…” Arianne said softly, eyes locking onto hers with sincerity so strong it nearly made Celine tear up.
“You always make me feel secure,” Arianne continued, her thumb brushing lightly against Celine’s cheek. “You always give me assurance.”
She smiled softly — that warm, patient smile that Celine always adored.
“Ang sama ko naman kung hindi ko ibabalik ‘yon, diba?”
Celine’s eyes watered.
Arianne chuckled softly and shook her head. “It’s my decision, okay?”
She squeezed Celine’s hand. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”
She took a deep breath before speaking again.
“I don’t want you to feel hurt because of how people ship me with someone else… because of what you see on stage, or on social media.”
Arianne’s voice softened even more.
“Alam mo… ako rin,” she confessed quietly. “Ayoko ring makita ka na masyadong close kay Mavis.”
Celine blinked, surprised.
Arianne gave her a sheepish smile.
“Masakit din,” she admitted. “Pero naiintindihan ko. That’s your job. May agreement kayo ng management. May kailangan kayong i-project.”
She paused, then looked straight into Celine’s eyes with quiet determination.
“But with me and Maeve?” She shook her head. “Wala kaming ganun. Walang contract. Walang agreement.”
She smiled, gently but firmly.
“So I have a choice.”
She took Celine’s hand and pressed it to her chest, right over her heart.
“And I choose you.”
Celine’s breath hitched.
Her heart felt like it was breaking and mending all at once.
Arianne continued, her voice soft but unwavering.
“Lagi mo akong pinoprotektahan. Laging mong pinaparamdam sakin na kaya mo kong panindigan. Alam mo ba kung gaano ka-rare ‘yon sa mundo natin?”
Celine could only stare at her, tears threatening to fall.
Arianne smiled, her thumb brushing away the tear that finally escaped.
“Kaya this time… ako naman.”
She leaned in and pressed her forehead against Celine’s.
“I choose you,” she whispered again.
And in that moment, all of Celine’s insecurities, fears, and doubts felt just a little lighter.
Arianne was right here.
Choosing her.
Without force.
Without pressure.
Just… her.
Celine couldn’t hold it in anymore. A soft sob escaped her lips as she buried her face in Arianne’s shoulder.
Arianne just held her close — no words, no questions. Just warmth. Just presence.
Her hand gently stroked Celine’s back, fingers moving in slow circles, calming her.
“I’m sorry…” Celine whispered between shaky breaths. “I didn’t want to feel like this… I hate being jealous… I hate doubting…”
Arianne shook her head, pressing a kiss to the side of Celine’s head.
“You’re allowed to feel that,” she murmured. “You’re allowed to feel hurt. You’re allowed to be scared.”
Celine clung to her tighter, breathing in Arianne’s scent — soft, clean, and comforting.
Celine’s lips trembled, her eyes red and glassy.
Arianne leaned forward and kissed both of her cheeks softly, brushing away the tears.
Then, she pressed a gentle kiss on Celine’s forehead, letting it linger.
“I’m yours,” she whispered against her skin.
Celine closed her eyes, breathing shakily.
“And you’re mine,” Arianne added softly, her breath warm and comforting.
They sat there in silence, foreheads pressed together, breathing in sync.
Arianne took Celine’s hand and placed it over her heart once again.
“Wala nang iba,” she said gently. “Just us.”
Celine finally smiled, a small, fragile smile, but genuine.
“I’m scared sometimes,” she admitted softly.
“I know,” Arianne replied, brushing her thumb across Celine’s knuckles.
“And tired,” Celine added with a breathless laugh.
Arianne chuckled softly. “Me too.”
There was a pause.
“Pwede ba… kahit ngayon lang… tayong dalawa lang?” Celine whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
Arianne nodded and lay down beside her, pulling Celine into her arms.
Celine rested her head against Arianne’s chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart.
The rhythm soothed her.
Arianne kissed the top of her head again and whispered, “Breathe, love.”
Celine took a deep breath, and for the first time in days, it felt easy.
They stayed like that — tangled in each other, safe in each other’s presence.
No pressure.
No cameras.
No management.
No eyes watching.
Just two hearts choosing each other.
And in that moment, they didn’t need words.
They just needed each other.
A few moments passed with them in silence, still wrapped in each other’s warmth. But slowly, Arianne gently nudged Celine.
“Come on… let’s eat,” she said softly, brushing Celine’s hair back from her face.
Celine groaned playfully, burying her face deeper into Arianne’s chest. “Ayoko pa… ang sarap dito.”
Arianne chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Gutom ka na rin, admit it.”
Celine huffed but finally nodded. “Fine… pero ikaw magluluto.”
Arianne smiled. “Deal. Tulungan mo ko ha.”
They slowly got up, both still sluggish but feeling lighter. Arianne held Celine’s hand as they walked to the kitchen, fingers naturally intertwined.
Celine sat on one of the kitchen stools, chin resting on her palm, just watching Arianne move around — opening cabinets, checking what they had.
“Eggs, bacon, and pancakes?” Arianne asked, glancing at her.
Celine nodded with a soft smile. “Perfect.”
Arianne started prepping the ingredients, humming softly. Celine couldn’t help but stare — the girl she loved, standing in her kitchen like she belonged there.
She did belong there.
Celine suddenly got up and wrapped her arms around Arianne’s waist from behind, resting her cheek on her shoulder.
Arianne froze for a moment, then giggled softly. “Baka ma-sunog ko ‘to.”
“Okay lang,” Celine murmured, holding her tighter. “Mas gusto kong nandito.”
Arianne melted a little, placing her hand on Celine’s arms that were wrapped around her.
“Ang clingy mo,” she teased softly.
Celine just hummed. “Bawi ko lang. Ang dami kong selos kagabi.”
Arianne turned her head a little and kissed Celine’s temple. “Wala ka nang dapat pagselosan.”
Celine smiled against her shoulder.
Eventually, Celine helped — handing ingredients, mixing batter, and setting the table. Their movements were natural, soft laughter spilling between them as they bumped into each other playfully.
Celine tried flipping the pancake and failed, causing both of them to burst into laughter.
When everything was ready, they sat at the table together. Celine took a bite and sighed in contentment.
“This feels… normal,” she whispered.
Arianne reached across the table, holding her hand again. “I like this version of us.”
Celine smiled, eyes soft.
After they finished eating, Celine rested her chin on the table, looking up at Arianne like a puppy.
Arianne raised an eyebrow. “Bakit?”
Celine shrugged. “Can we stay like this forever?”
Arianne stood, walked around the table, and pressed a soft kiss to Celine’s forehead.
“We will,” she whispered.
After breakfast, Celine sat for a while, quietly watching Arianne hum as she started to clean up.
Celine bit her lip, remembering something.
She stood up slowly, her head still a bit heavy, but her heart was pounding for a different reason. She walked quietly to her room, opened the small paper bag sitting on her desk, and took out the tumbler she bought the day before.
She held it in her hands for a moment.
She remembered why she bought it — that simple thought of Arianne always training, always needing water. She wanted her to have something that would make her remember someone cared.
Celine took a deep breath and walked back out to the kitchen.
Arianne was wiping the table when Celine gently tapped her shoulder.
“Hmm?” Arianne turned, only to see Celine holding out a sleek, big tumbler in front of her.
“For you,” Celine said softly, a little shy, her eyes lowering.
Arianne blinked, surprised. She carefully took it from Celine’s hands, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface.
“Binili mo ‘to… for me?”
Celine nodded, her voice soft and almost embarrassed. “Kahapon pa. Naalala kita. Lagi kang nasa training eh, and yung tumblr mo may mga scratch na.. So naisip ko parang kailangan mo ng bagong tumbler… para mas madali sa’yo.”
Arianne smiled — the kind of smile that made Celine feel like the world just paused.
Arianne looked at the tumbler like it was the most precious thing she’d received. She held it to her chest for a second, then stepped forward and cupped Celine’s face with both hands.
“Thank you,” she whispered, resting her forehead against Celine’s.
Celine’s breath hitched. Her heart swelled.
Arianne pulled back slightly and teased, “Bumili ka rin ba para sa sarili mo?”
Celine chuckled softly and nodded. “Oo… pero ikaw muna dapat ang bigyan.”
Arianne smiled again and hugged her tightly, wrapping both arms around her waist.
“Sobrang thoughtful mo,” she whispered into Celine’s neck. “Paano ba kita hindi mamahalin?”
Celine closed her eyes and just held her, tight.
“I just want you to be okay… even if I’m not always around.”
Arianne pulled back and looked her in the eyes. “You are always with me, Celine. Kahit hindi kita kasama, nararamdaman kita.”
Celine felt tears prick her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
Arianne, still holding the tumbler, kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ll use this every day. Promise.”
“Good,” Celine whispered, finally letting herself smile — soft, warm, and full of love.
They hugged again, standing there in the quiet kitchen, wrapped up in each other and that moment of pure simplicity… where love felt so easy and certain.
After cleaning up, they both moved to the living room, the morning light soft through the curtains. The air between them was light and content.
Celine sat on one end of the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest, while Arianne sprawled beside her, legs tucked underneath a blanket.
Arianne reached for her phone, unlocking it, and scrolled lazily through her notifications.
Then she opened her IG.
Celine watched curiously as Arianne swiped through the photos she took earlier — the breakfast they made together: the slightly uneven egg, the pancakes stacked with love, and the cup of coffee beside it.
Arianne smiled softly at the memory and clicked the 'Add to Story' button.
But before she could post it, Celine leaned over and narrowed her eyes.
“Wait…” Celine pointed at the screen, at the photo. “Medyo… kita yung kamay ko sa gilid.”
Arianne zoomed in slightly — Celine’s hand was resting at the corner of the table, a soft blur, but visible enough if someone looked closely.
Celine bit her lip nervously. “Sigurado ka? I-story mo pa rin?”
Arianne looked at her, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Yes,” she answered with a small laugh. “It’s just a hand.”
She tapped her phone, adding a cute ‘good morning’ sticker and a tiny heart, then hit ‘post.’
Celine blinked at her. “Baka mag-speculate sila.”
Arianne turned to her with a soft smile. “Let them.”
Celine’s heart fluttered. “Hint na ba yan?” she teased, but there was hope hiding in her voice.
Arianne rested her head on Celine’s shoulder, still scrolling. “Maybe. Just a little.”
Celine smiled — wide and genuine.
Arianne continued, her voice soft. “I want them to know I’m happy. Kahit hindi pa nila alam kung sino… gusto kong maramdaman nilang… masaya ako.”
Celine leaned her head gently against Arianne’s. “You’re dangerous, Arianne Yu.”
Arianne chuckled. “Dangerous in love.”
Celine laughed, light and breathless. She slipped her arm around Arianne’s waist and kissed the top of her head.
And for a while, they just sat there — scrolling, cuddling, hearts full.
The world outside could speculate all it wanted.
But here, on that couch, with tangled legs and soft smiles… everything felt just right.
Arianne refreshed her Instagram after a few minutes.
Her eyes widened when she saw the number of views skyrocketing. Thousands of views in minutes.
She giggled softly.
Celine, still resting her chin on Arianne’s shoulder, peeked at the screen. “Oh no… kumakalat na ba?”
Arianne grinned and showed her phone.
There it was.
Screenshots of her IG story were everywhere.
On X (formerly Twitter), fans were already making threads:
“WHOSE HAND IS THIS????”
“Guys… I zoomed in… that’s not a Lumina member’s hand!”
“The veins… the watch… parang… masculine?? Or maybe an actress??”
“I swear this is someone’s soft reveal 😭😭”
“Arianne feeding us crumbs again! ANG GANDA NG BREAKFAST. And… sino kasama mo? 👀”
On Facebook fan pages, people were sharing the story with captions like:
“GUYS. I’m telling you. Arianne is soft launching someone!”
“Sa tingin niyo, sino? Theorize tayo!!”
“Let her be happy 😍 kahit di ko alam kung sino… kinikilig ako!”
Celine couldn’t help but laugh as she read them.
“Ang dami nilang theory,” she murmured.
Arianne scrolled down, reading random fan comments aloud:
“Maybe it’s a celeb friend??”
“What if it’s a secret relationship???”
“Imagine if it’s Maeve. Hala. Pero impossible, nasa shoot si Maeve kanina…”
“What if… someone from the acting industry? OMG.”
Arianne bit her lip, trying not to giggle.
Celine gently nudged her. “Tuwang-tuwa ka, ha?”
Arianne grinned. “Kasi ang cute nila. Hindi nila alam… ikaw ‘yon.”
Celine covered her face with both hands. “Nakakakaba.”
But Arianne reached over and pulled her hands away, gazing at her with a warm smile. “Bakit? You always make me feel secure… it’s my turn to make you feel the same. Kahit sa small ways.”
Celine’s heart fluttered again, and she couldn’t help but stare at Arianne with so much softness in her eyes.
Arianne refreshed the feed again and laughed at another post.
“Sino man ‘yan… alagaan mo si Arianne. Kita sa breakfast… loved siya.”
Arianne looked up at Celine and whispered, “I feel loved.”
Celine smiled. “Good.”
They leaned into each other, scrolling through all the posts, reading theories, and laughing at every wild guess.
The world was trying to figure out whose hand that was.
And for now, it was their little secret — just between them.
And it felt magical.
Arianne refreshed her feed again.
Now the theories were getting wilder.
On X, a new thread was trending:
“Okay but… what if that hand belongs to Maeve? 👀”
“Maeve has the same skin tone!”
“And the watch… parang suot din ni Maeve sa last live!”
“ARE THEY SHIPPING MAEVE AND ARIANNE AGAIN 😭”
“MaeveIanne crumbs???”
Arianne sighed and covered her face with a pillow. “Oh no… here we go again.”
Celine peeked over and read one of the posts aloud.
“Imagine if it’s Maeve… Best friends to lovers??? 😍”
She scoffed and pouted. “Best friends to lovers pa talaga…”
Arianne gently tugged on Celine’s hand. “Don’t pout. Alam nila kasi laging magkasama kami sa training.”
But then, another thread popped up:
“WAIT… guys, wild theory… but what if that’s Celine?”
“As in Celine Villamor, the actress??”
“THE HAND LOOKS FEMININE BUT STRONG… parang kay Celine!”
“I’m watching her drama now… same hand, same watch!”
“Guys, I did some digging… Celine owns that exact bracelet
Arianne gasped. “Celine… they’re noticing!”
Celine froze, sitting up straight. “Paano nila nakita ‘yon?!”
Arianne showed her the zoomed-in photos. “Grabe ang mga fans mo… FBI.”
Celine covered her face again. “Nakakahiya.”
Arianne giggled. “Ang cute mo.”
But then Arianne noticed something. A fan tweeted:
“Whoever that hand belongs to… she’s taking care of Arianne well. Our ari is happy in these past few weeks. ❤️”
Arianne bit her lip and turned to Celine. “They’re right, though.”
Celine blinked. “About what?”
Arianne smiled softly. “You take care of me well.”
Celine finally relaxed a little. “Of course I do. You’re mine.”
Arianne gave her a playful look. “Your hand is famous now.”
Celine laughed. “Oh God… I didn’t even mean to soft launch.”
Arianne rested her head on Celine’s lap, looking up at her. “Maybe… just maybe… I’ll let them guess for now.”
Celine caressed her hair. “And if they guess right?”
Arianne smiled. “Let them dream. For now, you’re still my secret.”
Celine’s heart melted.
They stayed like that for a while, scrolling and laughing, occasionally teasing each other.
And for a moment, it didn’t matter what the world thought.
It was just the two of them, hiding in plain sight… but slowly — slowly — letting the world see little pieces of their happiness.