CIARA sat at a corner table in the bustling restaurant, the gentle hum of conversation surrounding her like a comforting blanket. She stirred her drink absentmindedly, lost in thought about Nathaniel and the tangled web of emotions that had formed around him in such a short time. Her phone buzzed on the table, snapping her back to reality. It was Vivian.
"Are you on your way?" Ciara texted, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
"Malapit na. May bago bang chismis?" Vivian replied, her enthusiasm palpable even through text.
Mayamaya lang din ay dumating na rin si Vivian. Napangiti siya nang makita ang kaibigan sa hindi kalayuan na nakaupo. She waved, her ponytail swaying, and made her way through the crowd. Nang makalapit si Vivian at sinalubong siya ng nakabusangot na
