Chapter 29
Celine sat stiffly across from her manager inside the van, her fingers clenching the hem of her jacket. Her manager's voice was low but urgent, every word heavy.
"Celine... you do realize what's about to happen, right?"
Celine nodded but said nothing. Her mind was already racing.
"The project with Mavis — gone. The endorsements lined up for that collab? They'll pull out. You have international shoots in the pipeline. Brands are already calling. They're nervous. They're saying you're losing your 'clean, unattached' image. Celine... this could destroy everything."
Celine’s jaw tightened.
"And management wants you to issue a statement. They’re asking if you can say it was friendly, just a casual meal between two public figures. You can smooth this over."
Her heart felt like it was being crushed. She glanced out the tinted window — cameras, flashing lights, reporters swarming like sharks.
"But if you open your mouth and fight this… everything changes. You're not just a star anymore. You'll become a headline. Are you ready for that?"
She turned to her manager, eyes blazing with quiet fire.
"I’m not losing her. Hindi ko siya iiwan. Kung mawawala lahat — trabaho, fame, projects — then fine. But I'm not losing her."
Her manager exhaled, rubbing his temples.
Celine took a deep breath. She doesn’t want to hear her manager.
The door slid open.
Outside, chaos erupted.
"Celine! Celine!"
"Is it true you were seen with Lumina's Arianne?"
"Are you two dating?"
"What’s your relationship with Arianne exactly?"
Flashes blinded her, microphones pushed into her face. Her security tried to hold them back, but Celine raised a hand gently.
She took a step forward.
"Yes."
The crowd gasped. Reporters froze.
"Yes, the image is real. We ate together. We spent time together. And I don’t regret it."
More chaos.
More chaos.
"Does that mean… you’re dating?!"
She smiled, small but confident, despite her heart racing.
"Some things… are better left between two people. But let me tell you this — if I were to love someone, I’d never be ashamed."
The reporters erupted with more questions, but she lifted her head proudly.
"If that answers your question… then take it however you want."
Before she could be pushed any further, her security shielded her. She walked away — heart pounding, knees weak — but her soul steady.
Once inside the van again, she didn’t ask to be driven home.
"Sa condo ni Arianne."
"Sigurado ka? Wala pa siya doon."
"Alam ko… pero gusto ko, pag-uwi niya… nando’n ako."
Her manager just nodded, eyes softening.
When they arrived, Celine asked to be left alone.
She sat quietly on the couch, hugging her knees. The silence was heavy, but it was peaceful too — a moment where she didn’t need to wear sunglasses or hide behind statements.
She didn’t know how long she waited, her phone quiet beside her.
Meanwhile, Arianne…
She sat in the cold conference room, her hands clenched tightly on her lap as Lumina’s management team laid everything on the table.
"You’re positioned as Lumina’s ace, the innocent but talented center," their head manager began, voice cold and sharp.
"A dating scandal — especially with another woman, and with someone as high-profile as Celine — will not just destroy your career. It will destroy the group’s comeback."
Arianne’s throat tightened.
"You’re not just risking yourself… you’re risking everyone. Lumina’s MV is dropping next week. Sponsors will pull out. Advertisers will demand clean, controllable images. If this explodes any further… the group’s contract renewal will be canceled. This won’t just affect you."
The words felt like bullets.
"This will end Lumina."
Arianne shook her head slowly, her voice breaking.
"That’s unfair…"
The head manager narrowed their eyes.
The head manager narrowed their eyes.
"Unfair?"
"You let Mavis become Celine’s loveteam partner… you allowed that narrative to grow. You let Gale clean up what she did to Sasha and gave her a second chance! And now… me? I don’t even get to fight for something real?"
The silence was suffocating.
"This isn’t about fair. This is business."
A sharp breath.
"You think you’re irreplaceable? We made you. We can break you. If you don’t follow the rules, we’ll pull you out of the lineup. Your solos, your endorsements, your entire career — gone. You’ll lose everything."
Her heart shattered right there in that sterile room.
They left her with only two choices: self-preservation or love.
The door closed behind the managers, leaving her sitting alone, trembling.
This isn't fair. This isn't fair!
A sob escaped her chest, hands covering her face as her world crumbled.
"Ari…"
A soft voice.
Sasha.
A gentle arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her in.
"I heard everything," Sasha whispered, tears in her own eyes.
"It’s okay… let it out."
Arianne broke down, her body shaking violently as she buried her face in Sasha’s shoulder.
"Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko, Sash… ayoko mawala siya… pero ayoko ring sirain ang lahat."
Sasha gently rubbed her back, holding her as if piecing her together.
"You’re strong, Ari. And whatever choice you make… we’ll stand behind you."
But Arianne could only cry harder.
Because no matter what choice she made…
She would lose something.
The cold hallway echoed with Arianne’s uneven breathing. Her sunglasses hid her swollen eyes, but the tremble in her hands couldn’t be disguised.
Maeve and Sasha flanked her on either side, silent protectors, each of them worried but knowing better than to ask questions now.
"Come on, Ari… let’s get you out of here,"* Maeve whispered gently, squeezing her hand.
They pushed open the side door of the building, but the second they stepped into the open parking lot, chaos exploded.
Cameras flashed.
Microphones thrust forward.
Dozens of reporters shouting questions, voices overlapping into noise.
"Arianne! Is the photo real?"
"Are you and Celine together?"
"Will this affect Lumina’s comeback?"
Arianne froze for a second, breath caught in her throat.
She swallowed hard.
"The photo… yes. It’s real."
A collective gasp from the press.
More shouts.
"So, are you in a relationship with Celine?"
Arianne opened her mouth.
Her heart screamed yes!
But then…
She thought of Maeve.
She thought of Sasha.
Of all the girls in Lumina.
Everything they worked for.
Her chest constricted painfully.
If it was just her career that would burn, she would confess.
She would fight.
But this wasn’t just about her.
They didn’t deserve to pay the price for her heart.
She forced herself to smile politely, though her voice cracked.
"We’re friends. Just… good friends."
Sasha stiffened beside her.
Maeve squeezed her hand tightly, feeling the tremor run through Arianne’s entire body.
The reporters didn’t relent.
"Are you saying you’re not together?"
"But the photo shows more than friendship!"
"What does Celine say about this?"
Arianne couldn’t answer.
Her throat closed up, tears threatening to spill again.
Maeve took a step forward, her voice firm and protective.
"That’s enough! No more questions."
The reporters continued to shout, but Maeve and Sasha shielded her, guiding her through the blinding flashes and endless noise.
Maeve placed a steadying hand on Arianne’s back.
"Almost there, Ari… breathe."
Finally, they reached the parking lot.
Maeve opened the passenger door and gently helped Arianne in.
"Seatbelt first," she murmured softly, brushing Arianne’s hair back.
Sasha slid into the back seat, glaring at the reporters still lingering beyond the security barriers.
Maeve started the car.
But the second the doors closed, Arianne broke.
The first sob tore from her chest — raw, shaking, painful.
She covered her face with both hands, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"I can’t… I can’t breathe… I hate this… I hate lying…!" she cried between choking gasps.
Maeve’s heart broke watching her.
She reached over, resting a hand on Arianne’s thigh, giving it a firm squeeze.
"It’s okay, Ari. Let it out. We’re here."
Sasha leaned forward from the back seat, wrapping her arms around Arianne’s shoulders as best she could.
"You’re not alone, Ari. We’ve got you."
But Arianne only sobbed harder, her voice cracking.
"I wanted to fight for her. But if I do… lahat kayo madadamay… Sasha… Maeve… ikaw… Lumina…"
Maeve’s jaw tightened.
"Arianne… you are allowed to love. You shouldn’t have to choose."
"But I have to!" Arianne’s voice broke.
"I chose all of you… I chose the group. But I feel like I’m breaking into pieces."
The car fell into silence for a moment, only her broken cries filling the space.
Maeve exchanged a glance with Sasha in the rearview mirror.
"Home?" Maeve asked softly.
Sasha nodded.
"Home."
The drive felt long.
Arianne kept crying — the kind of crying that hurt. The kind that left her breathless and exhausted.
"I’m tired… I’m tired of hiding… tired of hurting her… tired of hurting myself…" she whispered hoarsely, leaning her head against the cool glass window.
Maeve reached over and took her hand as they stopped at a red light.
"Then don’t carry it alone. We’re family, Ari. Whatever happens, we stand beside you."
They finally arrived at Arianne’s apartment.
Maeve parked the car, and before Arianne could move, Sasha gently climbed out, opened the passenger door, and pulled her into a tight hug right there in the driveway.
Arianne clung to her, exhausted sobs still shaking her small frame.
Maeve joined them, wrapping her arms around both girls, resting her chin on Arianne’s head.
"You can break down. We’ll hold you up."
Arianne finally allowed herself to collapse completely in their arms — tired, broken, but safe.
And for the first time since the storm began…
She finally let someone carry her.
The apartment door clicked open slowly.
Arianne stepped inside, her heart already in pieces. Her legs felt weak, and every part of her trembled with exhaustion — from the weight of the world pressing down on her, from the choice she was forced to make.
She lifted her gaze…
And there she was.
Celine sat on the couch, eyes glued to the television.
The volume wasn’t loud, but Arianne could hear it clearly:
"Are you and Celine in a relationship?"
"We’re just… good friends."
Her own voice.
Her own denial.
Playing on loop.
Celine sat still — too still — her hands clenched on her lap, her breathing uneven. Her chest rising and falling quickly, as if she was holding something in. Her eyes were red and glassy.
"Celine…", Arianne’s voice cracked, soft and almost pleading.
Celine slowly turned her head.
Their eyes met.
Tears fell silently down Celine’s cheeks.
But her expression was unreadable — broken, yes, but angry. Betrayed.
Her breath hitched, her voice strained and trembling.
"You denied it?"
Arianne’s tears fell again.
She nodded slowly, her lips trembling.
"I had to..."
She took a step closer, wanting to hold her, wanting to explain —
But Celine held up a hand, stopping her.
"Don’t."
Arianne froze.
"I thought… I thought today was it," Celine’s voice broke, low and shaking.
"I thought you were finally going to fight for us."
She let out a bitter laugh, wiping her tears roughly.
"Sabi mo… you chose me. Sabi mo… this time, pipiliin mo ko."
Her breath quickened.
"Anong nangyari, Arianne?!"
Arianne’s lips quivered.
"Celine… please… pakinggan mo muna ako…"
"No! Sagutin mo ko!" Celine’s voice rose, her heartbreak finally spilling over.
"Bakit?!"
Arianne sobbed, her hands covering her mouth for a moment before she forced herself to speak.
"Kung ako lang sana ang apektado… kung ako lang ang career na mawawala… sasabihin ko. I swear! Pero hindi lang ako, Celine! Lumina will fall. Maeve… Sasha… Mavis… everyone who worked so hard for our comeback… their dreams… their careers… matatapos lahat dahil sa atin!"
"Damn it!" Celine slammed her palm on the coffee table, standing up so fast the remote clattered to the floor.
"And what about us?!"
Her voice cracked into a scream.
"When will you finally choose you, Arianne?! When will you choose love?!"
She took a shaky breath, chest heaving.
"Kailan mo ko pipiliin? Kailan mo ko ipaglalaban?!"
Arianne broke down, shaking her head.
"I love you, Celine! Mahal na mahal kita! But right now… I can’t think straight… I need time… everything’s falling apart… I need to protect them too… please… give me time…"
Celine’s shoulders shook as more tears fell from her eyes.
"I gave you time."
Her voice softened into something broken and defeated.
"I waited… and waited… I told myself, konting tiis pa. I told myself, one day, pipiliin mo rin ako. But every time… every damn time… you choose everyone else except me."
Arianne took another step forward, desperately wanting to hold her, but Celine stepped back.
"I can’t do this anymore."
Arianne choked on a sob.
"Celine… please… huwag ngayon… please… give me time…"
But Celine shook her head.
"Pagod na 'ko, Arianne."
Her voice was almost a whisper.
"Pagod na pagod na 'ko magtago… maghintay… umasa… na balang araw, magiging proud ka sa'kin… sa relasyon natin…"
She wiped her tears again, this time with trembling fingers.
"Ang sakit sakit na…" Her voice cracked, and then it broke completely.
Arianne fell to her knees in front of her, grabbing the hem of her shirt, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mahal kita… please… don’t give up on me… please…"
Celine knelt down too, cupping Arianne’s face in her trembling hands.
"I love you so much… but I’m breaking, Ari. I’m breaking every day waiting for you to fight for us. And right now… I don’t know if I can hold on any longer."
She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against Arianne’s, both of them sobbing.
"Pagod na pagod na ko… at ang sakit… sakit… na."
A silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating.
And then, Celine slowly stood up.
She wiped her tears one last time.
"I need to breathe, Arianne."
She grabbed her jacket from the couch, her steps heavy.
"When you finally decide to fight… to choose love… to choose us — you know where to find me."
She turned toward the door, her hand on the knob, pausing for a moment.
"Pero hanggang hindi mo pa kaya… hindi ko na alam kung kaya ko pa."
The door clicked shut behind her.
Leaving Arianne alone on the floor — crying, shaking, and drowning in regret.
###
Maeve’s hands tightened on the wheel as she drove through the city streets.
The car was silent, except for the faint sniffles from the passenger seat.
Sasha tried to wipe her tears discreetly, but Maeve saw everything from the corner of her eye.
Sasha wasn’t just crying for Arianne… she was crying for all of them.
Lumina’s future… hanging by a thread.
Their dreams — all years of sacrifice, all blood, sweat, and tears — suddenly threatened by something none of them had prepared for: love.
When they finally reached Sasha’s condo, Maeve parked in silence.
She turned to her side, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Sasha unbuckled her seatbelt, still trembling.
And that’s when Maeve noticed — Gale.
Leaning on her car near the parking lot entrance, arms crossed, waiting.
Her expression was worried… protective.
Sasha paused when she saw her, and fresh tears fell again.
Maeve gave Gale a small nod — a silent plea: Please take care of her.
Sasha stepped out of the car, and Gale immediately walked over, wrapping her arms around Sasha without a word.
Sasha broke down, burying her face into Gale’s shoulder.
Maeve watched them enter the building together, Gale’s arm around Sasha, guiding her gently.
Only when the door closed behind them did Maeve finally let herself feel.
She slumped forward, her forehead resting on the steering wheel.
Her hands clenched into fists.
“Fuck…”
Her voice broke.
All she could see in her head was Arianne’s face.
Red, puffy eyes. Shaking shoulders.
The sound of her sobs — raw and helpless.
And Sir Kevin’s cold voice echoing in her ears:
"You think you're irreplaceable? We made you. We can break you."
Maeve slammed her palm against the wheel.
“FUCK!”
She couldn’t sit still.
She couldn’t just go home.
Her chest burned with anger, frustration, guilt — and something else she couldn’t name.
Before she knew it, she was driving again.
Fast. Reckless.
Her heart pounded in her ears.
She didn’t know if it was instinct or something deeper — but she found herself in front of Mavis’s house.
The night was cold, but her blood was boiling.
She got out of the car, slammed the door shut, and stormed to the front door.
Her fingers jabbed at the doorbell.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
Faster. Harder.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Her breathing was ragged. Her heart racing.
The door finally opened — slowly.
And there she was.
Mavis.
Dressed in comfortable clothes, face bare of makeup, but her aura?
Cold. Straight. Unreadable.
Her posture perfect. Her expression blank.
Like nothing could touch her.
They stood there, staring at each other.
Maeve’s fists clenched at her sides.
She took one shaky breath… and her voice came out low, sharp, and trembling with rage.
"You did this… didn’t you?"