Marked Confidential

By Thursday night, Cassandra’s phone buzzed with a message from their moms.

Elena: Hija, what time kayo pupunta sa bahay? Excited na ako sa lulutuin niyo!
Margaret: Yes! And we expect a feast, ah! Walang excuse!

Cassandra groaned as she tossed her phone onto the couch, stretching her arms overhead. "Our moms just reminded me of our weekend plans." Adrielle, who was sitting on the opposite end of the couch, absentmindedly flipping through a report, raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying you forgot?"

"Not exactly..." Cassandra muttered, rolling her shoulders. "I mean, between dealing with corporate sabotage and blackmail, hindi siya ang priority ko."

Adrielle shot her a pointed look. "Wow. Good luck explaining that to them. You want to tell our moms, ‘Sorry, we were too busy fending off corporate threats to plan our menu’?" Cassandra exhaled sharply. "You make it sound so petty."

Adrielle smirked. "No, I make it sound like we’d rather face Julian Park ten times over than deal with our moms' disappointment."

Cassandra shuddered. "Okay, valid point. I can handle boardroom politics, pero pag si Mommy Elena na ang nagtaas ng kilay or si Mom na ang nag-cross ng arms? Endgame na 'yun."

Adrielle chuckled. "See? That’s why I’ve already listed down some dishes we can make." She pulled up a note on her phone and turned the screen towards Cassandra. "Here, look."

Cassandra scanned the list. "Hainanese chicken? Ooh, beef rendang? Nice choice."

Adrielle leaned in slightly. "And seafood laksa. Your mom’s favorite, remember?"

Cassandra blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Adrielle’s thoughtfulness. "You actually remembered that?"

Adrielle shrugged, trying to look casual, but there was a softness in her voice. "Of course. It’s important to her, so it’s important to you. And that makes it important to me."

Cassandra looked at her for a long moment before squeezing her hand. "You’re too good, you know that?"

"Eh, I try." Adrielle grinned. "But before you get too touched, just know na ikaw magbabalat ng hipon for the laksa."

Cassandra groaned, dramatically flopping onto Adrielle’s lap. "Never mind. This was a mistake."

Adrielle laughed, running a hand through Cassandra’s hair. "At least it’s something to look forward to after this hell week."

Cassandra hummed in agreement, letting the warmth of Adrielle’s touch ground her. The week had been exhausting, both mentally and emotionally, but at least they had this. A weekend of home cooked meals, warmth, and family. A weekend away from Julian Park’s threats, away from the suffocating world of business.

But deep down, they both knew that no matter how much they wanted to escape it, they couldn’t ignore the looming issue forever.

Adrielle’s fingers stilled in Cassandra’s hair. "Hey, Cass."

"Hm?" Cassandra tilted her head up, meeting her wife's gaze.

"We need to talk about it eventually," Adrielle murmured, her tone careful but firm. "Not just between us, but with them."

Cassandra’s jaw tightened. She knew what Adrielle meant. Their families had always supported them, and always believed in them. When they made the decision to get married, it wasn’t just about love, it was about standing by each other through everything. Their relationship wasn’t a liability to their careers; it was the very foundation that helped them build their empire in the first place.

She exhaled slowly. "I know."

Adrielle squeezed her hand. "Not now. But soon."

Cassandra nodded. "Soon."

And for the first time all week, it finally felt like something to look forward to.

By Friday evening, Adrielle and Cassandra had one goal, wrap up work early and get everything they needed for the weekend. One good thing also was they decided to work from home today. 

At exactly 6:30 PM, Cassandra shut her laptop with finality and stretched her arms. “Tapos na akong magpakagenius for the day. Let’s go?”

Adrielle, who had been reviewing a report, glanced up with a raised brow. “Wow. So may timer ka pala sa pagiging brilliant?”

“Syempre,” Cassandra said, grabbing her purse. “Sakto, expired na. Time to recharge sa grocery.”

Adrielle rolled her eyes but stood up, grabbing her car keys. "Saan tayo? Diyan lang sa malapit?"

Cassandra shook her head. "Nope. Too risky. We both know kahit saan tayo magpunta, may makakakita. Last thing we need is a viral ‘CEO spotted grocery shopping with rumored partner’ post."

Adrielle sighed. "Right. Ayoko na ng damage control this week."

So they drove a little farther than usual, heading to an upscale supermarket where they were less likely to bump into someone from their circles.

By the time they arrived, the store was pleasantly quiet. No long lines, no bustling weekend rush. Just the occasional background music and the hum of shopping carts rolling against polished floors.

Cassandra grabbed a cart and leaned on the handle, smirking at Adrielle. "Okay, domestic goddess. Lead the way."

Adrielle scoffed. "Grocery lang ‘to, hindi ‘to MasterChef."

"Still, you take this way too seriously."

"Because someone needs to keep us from buying unnecessary things," Adrielle shot back, already steering them toward the produce section.

Cassandra gasped dramatically. "Unnecessary? Excuse me, but that emergency pint of the most tasty avocado macchiato ice cream last time saved me from an existential crisis."

Adrielle gave her a deadpan look. "Cass, ikaw lang yata ang may existential crisis na natutunaw with ice cream."

Cassandra grinned. "And yet, you ate half of it."

Adrielle didn’t respond to that, instead picking up a bundle of fresh herbs. "Focus. We need ingredients for Hainanese chicken, laksa, beef rendang—"

"And snacks," Cassandra added quickly. "Don’t forget the snacks."

They moved through the aisles in perfect sync. Cassandra tossing ingredients into the cart while Adrielle kept a mental checklist to make sure they weren’t just impulse buying.

At one point, Cassandra stopped in front of a shelf filled with different brands of instant noodles, her eyes twinkling. “Hey Dri, anong gusto mong flavor? Korean spicy o yung legit na hindi mo kakayanin?”

Adrielle huffed, crossing her arms. “Correction—ikaw ang may pang baby level for spice endurance.”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

Adrielle smirked, plucking a Samyang 2x Spicy pack from the shelf. "Kahit ilang sachet ng chili paste ilagay mo diyan, kaya ko ‘yan. Ikaw ang may history ng hindi makagalaw after two bites."

Cassandra scoffed. "Hindi totoo ‘yan."

Adrielle looked unimpressed. "Let me remind you na you cried like we broke up because of an arrabbiata? Hindi mo nga naubos yun."

Cassandra groaned. "Okay, fine. But in my defense, that was not a normal arrabbiata. It was borderline arson disguised as food."

Adrielle chuckled. "You’re just mad kasi nasanay ka sa baby spice levels ng pagkain mo."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Excuse me, I can handle spice. Pero may limit naman dapat. Hindi yung matutunaw na yung dila ko, Dri.”

Adrielle only smirked. "Kaya pala, di mo rin naubos yung carbonara natin last time?"

Cassandra froze, eyes narrowing. “...Wait. Carbonara yun, diba?”

Adrielle shrugged innocently. "Technically, oo."

“Technically?!” Cassandra gasped, suddenly looking betrayed. "Adrielle, sabihin mong hindi mo ako dinayaan—"

Adrielle grabbed a bag of flour, examining it like it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Hmm? Wala akong maalala."

“Adrielle Elise Hidalgo.” Cassandra stepped closer, her voice dangerously low. “May nilagay ka, no?”

Adrielle bit her lip, suppressing a smirk. "A few chili flakes lang naman..."

"A FEW?!" Cassandra whisper-yelled, eyes wide in horror. “Kaya pala may anghang?! Hindi ‘yun carbonara! You violated the sacred recipe!”

Adrielle was trying not to laugh at how personally Cassandra took it. "Tingnan mo sa bright side. Now, you have proof na kaya mong kumain ng spicy food."

Cassandra groaned. "Walang bright side, Adrielle! You tainted the carbonara! There are rules! RUUULES!"

Adrielle leaned closer, voice teasing. "And yet, kinain mo pa rin."

Cassandra pointed an accusing finger at her. “Hindi ko lang agad napansin! And you were watching me the entire time, weren’t you?”

Adrielle grinned. "Of course. Ang cute mo kaya nung nagtataka ka bakit may konting anghang pero tuloy tuloy ka pa rin kumain."

Cassandra placed a dramatic hand on her chest. "I feel so betrayed."

Adrielle finally burst into laughter, taking the spicy ramen from Cassandra’s hands and tossing it into the cart. "Fine, fine. Bawi ako. Pipiliin ko yung mild na laksa for you."

Cassandra gave her a suspicious look. “No tricks this time?”

Adrielle held up three fingers. "Promise."

Cassandra sighed, shaking her head. "You’re lucky I love you."

Adrielle smirked. "I know." 

As she walked away from that aisle, Cassandra heard her whisper baby spice and started humming Wannabe by Spice Girls. She exhaled heavily and shook her head before pushing the cart to catch up to Adrielle.

They continued their grocery run effortlessly, sharing quiet laughs, playful nudges, and the occasional serious debate like whether fresh or powdered coconut milk was better for the rendang.

By the time they reached checkout, their cart was a mix of carefully chosen ingredients and a few indulgent extras also known as Cassandra’s existential crisis saving ice cream.

As Adrielle placed the items on the conveyor belt, Cassandra leaned in, voice low and teasing. "Ang wholesome natin dito, no? Parang casual married couple lang doing groceries together."

Adrielle smirked, sliding her card into the machine. "Key word: casual. Walang nakakakilala sa atin dito."

Cassandra sighed, pretending to be heartbroken. "So this is what it feels like to be in a forbidden love story."

Adrielle rolled her eyes but softened as she nudged Cassandra’s hand. "Mas bagay sa atin yung power couple keeping their empire intact story, don’t you think?"

Cassandra smiled, squeezing Adrielle’s fingers briefly before letting go. "Yeah. I like the sound of that."

With their bags in hand and the weekend finally within reach, they headed back to the car, feeling lighter than they had all week.

For tonight, at least, there was no Julian Park. No looming threats. Just them, two people in love, stealing quiet moments in between the chaos of their world.

And for now, that was enough.

For once, Cassandra woke up before Adrielle.

Which is a rare moment. But after their long week, she figured she’d let her wife sleep in. The sun had barely risen when she slipped out of bed, wrapped in a silk robe, and made her way to the kitchen.

As the coffee machine hummed to life, she started prepping breakfast. They will be having soft scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, freshly toasted sourdough, and a side of fresh fruit. Everything is plated with precision, down to the perfect amount of black pepper and a delicate drizzle of olive oil.

Just as she set the table, a sleepy Adrielle emerged from the bedroom, still dressed in one of Cassandra’s oversized button downs. She blinked at the sight of the prepared breakfast before smirking.

“Did I wake up in an alternate universe?” Adrielle teased, raking a hand through her tousled hair.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Don’t make a big deal out of it. I just woke up first, that’s all.”

Adrielle hummed, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around Cassandra’s waist from behind. “Hmm… Or maybe, gusto mo lang akong ispoil.”

Cassandra scoffed, but the way she leaned into Adrielle’s embrace gave her away. “Huwag mong sanayin, Hidalgo.”

“Too late,” Adrielle murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Cassandra’s shoulder before pulling away to grab a plate. “Let me enjoy this rare moment while it lasts.”

Breakfast was spent with light conversation, their usual playful remarks filling the kitchen. And despite the looming issues ahead, for a moment, it felt like a quiet pocket of peace.

By mid morning, they were on the road, heading to Adrielle’s family home, where both families agreed to meet.

The car ride was mostly filled with the soft hum of Taylor Swift songs of course since it's Adrielle who is driving. And then, Cassandra finally brought up what had been sitting at the back of their minds.

“Dri… about Julian Park.”

Adrielle’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “I know.”

A beat of silence. Then, Cassandra sighed. “I think we should tell them. Our parents. Rafa, too.”

Adrielle glanced at her briefly before returning her focus to the road. “You sure? Hindi natin alam kung paano sila magrereact. This isn’t just about us anymore. If Julian releases what he has, our families could get dragged into this mess.”

“I know. But we’ve been so careful for years. We built everything with the idea na walang makakasira sa atin, and now suddenly, may isang Julian Park na gustong ileverage yun? If we don’t tell them, it’ll feel like we’re going into this unprepared.”

Adrielle exhaled. “Tama ka.”

Cassandra reached for Adrielle’s hand, squeezing it gently. “We didn’t come this far just to let someone like him dictate what happens next.”

Adrielle finally looked at her, a small, determined smile forming. “Together?”

Cassandra nodded. “Always.”

And with that, the weight on their shoulders felt just a little lighter.

As soon as they pulled up to Adrielle’s family home, Elena and Margaret were already waiting at the entrance, their smiles warm and welcoming.

“Elena,” Margaret sighed dramatically, “look at them. Parang hindi pagod from work.”

Elena chuckled. “Aba, syempre. Pag sanay kang CEO, immune ka na sa stress.”

“Or maybe,” Margaret smirked, “they’re just too in love to care.”

Adrielle groaned. “Mom, please!”

Cassandra laughed. “Let them have their fun, love. It’s not like we can stop them.”

As they stepped inside, their fathers were already seated at the garden patio, deep in conversation over what sounded like another business venture.

“Ah, dumating na ang magagaling naming CEO,” Adrielle’s father, Antonio, greeted with a knowing smile.

Cassandra’s father, Charles, nodded in agreement. “Mukhang hindi pa rin kayo tinatablan ng pagod.”

Cassandra smiled. “Good genes, Pa.”

Elena and Margaret exchanged a look. “O baka naman, good love life?”

Adrielle groaned again, shaking her head. “Tama na yan, Ma. Nasaan si Rafa?”

Elena glanced at her phone. “On the way na. You know your brother, laging sakto ang timing.”

Cassandra chuckled. “Parang ikaw lang, Dri.”

Adrielle shot her a look, but before she could retort, their mothers were already ushering them toward the kitchen.

As soon as they were in the kitchen, Cassandra immediately started organizing everything, ingredients in neat rows, knives sharpened, recipe book propped open at the perfect angle. Meanwhile, Adrielle rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a chopping board, and started slicing vegetables like she was on an episode of MasterChef, completely winging it.

“Alright,” Cassandra announced, voice full of authority. “We follow the recipe exactly. No unnecessary improvisations.”

Adrielle snorted. “You sound like you’re running a board meeting.”

Cassandra ignored her. “First, we marinate the meat in ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil. Measurements matter, Adrielle.”

Adrielle hummed, clearly not listening as she tossed ingredients into a bowl, her hands moving on instinct.

Cassandra’s eye twitched. “Dri, did you measure that?”

“Nope,” Adrielle replied, cracking an egg into the mixture. “I felt like that was enough.”

Cassandra sucked in a breath. “You felt—Dri, this isn’t a hula-hula game! Cooking requires precision.”

Adrielle turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Cassandra Min, my love, I don’t need numbers to tell me when food tastes good. I just know.”

Cassandra sighed dramatically and muttered, “The audacity.”

Elena and Margaret, who were watching from the counter, exchanged amused glances.

“I love how they argue, pero ang gaan pa rin ng atmosphere,” Elena whispered.

Margaret smirked. “That’s because they enjoy annoying each other.”

Back at the counter, Cassandra meticulously weighed the seasonings for the soup base. She carefully poured the soy sauce into a measuring spoon, only for Adrielle to suddenly freehand pour soy sauce straight into the pot.

“Dri!” Cassandra gasped, horrified. “That was not measured!”

Adrielle simply shrugged. “I felt like it needed more.”

“You felt—” Cassandra pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is why our carbonara ended up spicy!”

Adrielle grinned. “It was good, though.”

“It was a betrayal.”

Rafa, who had just entered the kitchen, took a seat beside their mothers, watching the chaos unfold with an amused smirk.

"Wait, wait," he interrupted. "Ano ‘tong spicy carbonara na ito?"

Cassandra glared at Adrielle. "An abomination, kuya. Your evil sister snuck chili flakes into my perfectly balanced carbonara."

Adrielle beamed proudly. “Konti lang naman! And it gave character!”

“IT WAS NOT CARBONARA ANYMORE!”

Margaret chuckled. “Well, at least you two balance each other out.”

Elena smirked. “Or drive each other insane.”

A little later, Cassandra was carefully arranging vegetables into the wok, ensuring they cooked evenly. She was about to stir when Adrielle reached over and flipped the entire wok with one confident toss.

Cassandra let out a strangled gasp. “ADRIELLE ELISE!”

Adrielle grinned. “Relax, Moja. See? Perfect toss.”

Cassandra clutched her chest. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

"Glad to know I still make your heart beat fast." Adrielle said with a smirk.

Adrielle, enjoying herself far too much, grabbed the tongs and took over. “Okay, fine, CEO mode off. Time to add a little passion.”

Cassandra frowned as she watched Adrielle go rogue, casually adjusting the heat, adding ingredients in a different order, tasting the dish directly from the pan.

“That’s not in the recipe,” Cassandra pointed out.

Adrielle turned to her, spoon in hand. “Does it taste good?”

Cassandra hesitated, then reluctantly took a bite from the spoon Adrielle offered.

She paused.

It was… annoyingly delicious.

She narrowed her eyes. “I still don’t like your methods.”

Adrielle smirked, leaning in just a little. “But you like the result.”

Cassandra clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. “I hate that you’re right.”

Adrielle winked. “Get used to it, Moja.”

By the time the dishes were done, the kitchen looked like a disaster zone. The ingredients scattered everywhere, utensils in places they shouldn’t be.

Elena sighed. “Mukha kayong may food fight.”

Margaret smiled, shaking her head. “But look at them. They make it work.”

Rafa, still watching the chaos unfold, muttered, “Can’t believe I came here for this unprepared. I should’ve brought popcorn.”

Adrielle and Cassandra shared a glance, then burst out laughing.

And despite all the mess, their clashing styles and their chaotic teamwork, there was something undeniably warm about it.

Because in the end, it wasn’t just about cooking.

It was about them.

And they had always been a perfect balance of chaos and harmony.

The weather outside was perfect. The sun bathed the garden in a warm golden hue, but the shade from the mango tree and surrounding plants kept the space cool and comfortable. A long wooden dining table had been set up, adorned with ceramic plates, woven placemats, and pitchers of cold calamansi juice. The air was filled with the rich, aromatic scent of their freshly cooked meal, fragrant ginger and garlic from the Hainanese chicken, the deep, spiced aroma of beef rendang, and the bold, coconut-infused scent of the seafood laksa.

Cassandra and Adrielle emerged from the kitchen, balancing serving dishes like champions who had just survived a warzone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Adrielle declared with a dramatic flourish, setting down the Hainanese chicken. "Our masterpiece!"

Cassandra scoffed as she carefully placed the beef rendang beside it. "Correction: My masterpiece. Ikaw yung dahilan kung bakit may emergency kitchen cleanup tayo kanina."

Rafa, already seated, smirked. "Sino ba kasi yung nakatapon ng buong bottle ng soy sauce sa chicken?"

Adrielle gasped in offense. "Hoy! Hindi buong bote! Mga—" she paused, side-eyeing Cassandra, "half lang."

"Half pa rin ‘yun!" Cassandra shot back, shaking her head.

Margaret chuckled, taking in the scene before her. "Well, at least it smells amazing. Let’s see if it tastes just as good."

Elena nodded approvingly as she uncovered the seafood laksa, inhaling deeply. "Hmm, this one looks promising. No mishaps here?"

"None!" Cassandra said proudly, before giving Adrielle a pointed look. "Because I made sure someone didn’t freestyle with the ingredients."

Adrielle rolled her eyes. "Huwag kang ano. Creativity is the secret ingredient!"

"Sabihin mo nalang na hindi ka marunong sumunod sa recipe," Cassandra teased.

Adrielle dramatically placed a hand over her heart. "Cooking is about heart, not precision."

"Sabagay, nafeel ko nga yung heart mo nung muntik masunog yung beef rendang!"

Rafa snickered, already scooping a generous serving of laksa into his bowl. "Huwag na kayong mag-away, baka wala na kaming makain!"

Elena and Margaret shared a knowing smile as they watched their daughters bicker and serve each other food.

Margaret took a sip of her calamansi juice before speaking. "You two may have completely different styles in the kitchen, but I have to admit, you balance each other out."

Elena nodded, amusement in her eyes. "Parang sa buhay din. Isa sobrang structured, isa sobrang impulsive. Pero tingnan mo, ang ganda ng resulta."

Adrielle grinned as she took a bite of the rendang. "Exactly. Opposites attract, diba?"

Cassandra hummed, pretending to think. "More like opposites survive."

Everyone laughed, the warmth of family filling the air as they dug into the meal.

Rafa, already on his second serving, looked up and smirked. "Pero seriously, kasal na nga kayo, pero parang college roommates pa rin kayo kung mag-asaran."

Margaret raised an eyebrow. "Aba, gusto mo rin bang makasal para may kaasar ka rin araw-araw?"

Rafa almost choked on his food. "Ano?! Wala akong sinabing ganyan!"

Elena smirked. "Baka naman may dine-date ka na hindi mo pa sinasabi sa amin?"

"Grabe kayo," Rafa groaned, shaking his head. "Bakit ako na naman?"

Cassandra and Adrielle exchanged a glance before Cassandra leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Baka naman gusto mong ipakilala sa amin?"

"Wala nga!" Rafa insisted, looking around as if searching for an escape. "Pwede ba kayong magfocus sa pagkain?"

Adrielle grinned, twirling her noodles. "Ayaw pang umamin. Sige, we’ll let it slide… for now."

As the teasing continued, Margaret and Elena exchanged another glance, one filled with quiet understanding.

This moment, this warmth, was a reminder of everything their daughters had built. It wasn’t just a company or a partnership held together by contracts. It was a union built on love, understanding, and unwavering support.

Adrielle reached under the table and squeezed Cassandra’s hand. Cassandra squeezed back, offering a small, knowing smile.

No matter what challenges they faced, at the end of the day, they still had this.

Their family. Their home.

And that was more than enough.

With their plates nearly empty and stomachs full, the family remained seated around the garden table, basking in the pleasant weather. The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds added to the relaxed atmosphere. Elena dabbed her lips with a napkin and smiled. “I have to say, this was quite the feast. Hindi ko inexpect na makakain ako ng Hainanese chicken, beef rendang, at seafood laksa all in one meal.”

Margaret nodded in agreement. “You two really outdid yourselves, considering the kitchen sounded like a war zone kanina.”

Cassandra scoffed, setting down her utensils. “It was a necessary war. You need structure to create good food.”

Adrielle smirked. “Sabi lang yan ng mga walang artistic intuition.”

Margaret chuckled, shaking her head. “And yet, despite your differences, you still managed to put a great meal together.”

Rafa, who had been suspiciously quiet while eating, finally leaned back and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, fine. I’ll admit, masarap siya. Pero dahil nagustuhan ko, I am now expecting a weekly delivery. Ibig sabihin, obligated na kayong magluto ulit.”

Adrielle scoffed. “Huwag kang demanding, kuya.”

Cassandra raised a brow. “And since when did we agree to that arrangement?”

“Since napasaya ninyo ako with good food,” Rafa quipped, grinning.

Elena chuckled. “Rafa, anak, kung gutom ka lang palagi, magpakasal ka na rin.”

Rafa placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. “Mom, I am a man of high standards. Hindi pwedeng basta basta lang. Quality over quantity.”

His father, Antonio, finally spoke up, shaking his head. “Quality daw? Wala ka namang dinadala kahit sino rito.”

Rafa shrugged. “Hindi ko pa kasi nae-expand ang market reach ko.”

The table erupted into laughter, the casual teasing bouncing back and forth. Despite the occasional bickering, moments like these reminded Adrielle and Cassandra why they valued their families so much.

The afternoon sun bathed the garden in warm light, the gentle breeze making their meal even more enjoyable. The conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter filling the air as stories and jokes were exchanged.

Just as Rafa was about to launch into another exaggerated story about one of his ridiculous socialite encounters, his phone buzzed loudly on the table. He barely glanced at it before picking up, still grinning.

"Liv! Miss me?" he greeted, putting the call on speaker.

But instead of her usual sarcastic retort, Liv’s panicked voice rang through. “Rafa, where are you? Are you with Adrielle and Cassandra? Check the news. Now.”

The laughter around the table faded instantly.

Adrielle and Cassandra tensed. The urgency in Liv’s tone wasn’t something to be ignored.

“I'm with the whole family. Anong nangyari?” Rafa asked, suddenly serious.

“There’s a blind item. About them.”

Cassandra’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean us?”

Liv took a breath. “A certain power duo spotted grocery shopping together. May photo. Malabo, pero enough to stir speculation.”

Adrielle and Cassandra immediately pulled out their phones. Within seconds, the article was in front of them.

The headline was vague but deliberately suggestive:

"Top Executives or Secret Lovers? Power Duo Spotted Off-Duty!"

The attached photo was unmistakably them. It is grainy, but it captured the moment they were standing close to each other, Cassandra reaching over to take something from Adrielle’s hands. The angle wasn’t incriminating, but paired with the caption, it was enough to raise questions.

Margaret leaned over Cassandra’s shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning the screen. “This was yesterday?”

Elena’s gaze darkened. “You two have always been careful. How did this happen?”

Cassandra let out a slow breath, her grip on the phone tightening. “That’s the problem. We were careful.”

Adrielle exhaled sharply, shutting off her phone. “Julian Park.”

Rafa’s brows furrowed. “Wait—what?”

Charles straightened in his seat. “He’s involved in this?”

Cassandra nodded, jaw tightening. “He has to be. We had a meeting with him earlier this week, and he threatened to expose us if we didn’t agree to a merger.”

Antonio’s expression turned cold. “That bastard blackmailed you?”

Adrielle nodded. “And he made it clear he wasn’t bluffing.”

A heavy silence fell over the table.

Rafa ran a hand through his hair, his usual playful demeanor gone. “Damn. And here I was, thinking I’d only deal with scandals about cheating congressmen today.”

Margaret sighed, rubbing her temple. “Tell us everything—every detail.”

Cassandra and Adrielle exchanged a look before nodding.

And so, they did.