Faye adjusted her seatbelt as her private jet began its descent into Bangkok, the city sprawling below her like a mosaic of lights and life. Her heart beat faster with each passing second. She hadn't spoken to Yoko since the photo leakedâthat photo, the one that had shattered everything they'd been building.
Yoko hadn't given her a chance to explain. She hadn't answered her calls, hadn't replied to her messages. And Faye understood. She understood the pain, the betrayal Yoko must have felt seeing her in such an intimate photo with someone else. Someone she hadn't even want to be sat next with.
But Faye wasn't about to let things end like this. She had made a promiseâto herself and to Yoko. Yoko didn't know it yet, but Faye was determined to be there for her graduation, even if she hadn't been officially invited. It had always been the plan.
With the help of Namtan and Sonya, Faye made sure to finish her schedule in Paris in time for Yoko's big day. Her plan was to surprise Yoko by showing up at the ceremony. However, after the misunderstanding, Faye chose to remain in the shadows, not wanting to distract Yoko from the spotlight. Instead of revealing herself, she wore a cap and mask, silently cheering for the most beautiful woman in the graduating class.
After the ceremony, Faye quietly slipped away with Sonya and Namtan, not wanting to cause any further disruption. She blended into the background, watching from a distance. Her heart swelled with emotion as she took in the sight of Yoko, radiant and beautiful in person. The memory of Yoko standing tall and graceful lingered in her mind, an image of elegance and strength.
Faye's thoughts were a whirlwind. Seeing Yoko up close, witnessing her joy and pride firsthand, was overwhelming. She had always admired Yoko's spirit and determination, but seeing her in the flesh, surrounded by friends and family, added a new depth to her feelings.
As they made their way out, Sonya whispered, "She looked stunning, didn't she?
"Faye nodded, her eyes still glistening. "Absolutely breathtaking."
Namtan smiled softly. "Everything will be okay, Faye."
Faye couldn't help but agree. Despite the need to keep a low profile, the brief moment of seeing Yoko in person was worth every bit of the effort. Her heart was full, filled with admiration and love for the incredible woman she was so lucky to know.
---
Yoko's graduation day was a whirlwind of emotions. The auditorium buzzed with excitement as students lined up in their caps and gowns, families cheering and snapping photos. Yoko had spotted her parents, her brother Bam and Luke, and her sister Nana in the crowd, their faces glowing with pride.
But there was a heaviness in her chest, a shadow that dulled the excitement of the day. She had hopedâdreamedâthat Faye would be here, despite everything. She'd wanted to see Faye's face in the crowd, wanted to believe in the connection they had built over months of late-night calls and whispered confessions.
But Faye wasn't here.
Yoko reminded herself to smile as she crossed the stage, accepting her diploma with grace. The applause was loud, her family cheering the loudest. Still, the ache in her chest remained.
---
Later that evening, Yoko was whisked away to a surprise graduation party, meticulously organized by her family and closest friends-- And so she thought. The venue was a cozy rooftop bar overlooking the city, with the lights of Bangkok twinkling like a sea of stars beneath them.
Yoko assumed it had been the handiwork of her school friends, Orm and Charlotte, likely in collaboration with P'Lookmhee and her ever-efficient manager, P'Chai. She even suspected P'Freen had lent a hand, given her knack for orchestrating events like this.
How they managed to pull it all together in just a day was beyond herâbut she didn't dwell on it. The warmth of the evening, the laughter, and the familiar faces surrounding her were all that mattered. Everyone was there, celebrating her success, and in that moment, Yoko felt truly seen and loved.
What she didn't know was that Faye had been the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, arranging everything from afar with the help of Nana, Bam, P'lookmhee, P'Chai, Orm and Charlotte.
As Yoko entered the bar, the place erupted in cheers. A banner reading "Congratulations, Yoko!" hung above the bar, and the tables were decorated with flowers in her favorite shades of blue.
"Oh my God, you guys!" Yoko exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. She hugged her friends tightly, feeling a rush of warmth and gratitude.
The music thumped loud and steady, a heartbeat for the room alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of celebration. Yoko let herself get swept up in it, each sip of champagne loosening the grip of her worries. For a brief, shining moment, she was free, her laughter blending with the party's electric energy.
Then she saw her.
Faye.
She stood at the entrance, effortlessly commanding the room in a fitted leather jacket paired with a crisp white T-shirt that hinted at understated elegance. Her high-waisted dark jeans accentuated her long legs, and the polished ankle boots she wore exuded confidence with a touch of edge. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, framing her striking features, and the bar lights caught the faint shimmer of a simple silver chain resting at her collarbone. She wasn't aloneâtwo women flanked her, their faces blurred in the dim lighting, but it was impossible to look away from her.
Yoko noticed Nana and Bam weaving through the crowd to greet them, their excitement palpable even from afar. Faye's sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on Yoko, her gaze steady and electrifying, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
The sight of Faye sent a jolt through Yoko's system, her glass halting halfway to her lips. It was as if the world slowed, the music momentarily distorting, the chatter dimming. The bar's vivid swirl of colors faded, leaving only Fayeâsharp, radiant, and undeniable.
Faye's eyes are dark and steady, they bore into Yoko with an intensity that could cut through the din of the room. There was something in her gazeâpurpose, maybe even longing. It hit Yoko like a current, her breath catching, her pulse suddenly roaring in her ears. She couldn't move, couldn't look away. It was as if Faye had been waiting for this moment, as if the mere act of stepping into the same space had been preordained.
Faye was here. Here.
Faye's expression was calm, but her eyes held a flicker of vulnerability, a quiet plea that Yoko could feel even from a distance.
Yoko's chest tightened, and the emotions she had been trying to suppress since the news broke came rushing backâhurt, confusion, anger, and something else she didn't want to name. She turned on her heel and made her way to the bathroom, her mind racing.
Inside the bathroom, Yoko leaned against the sink, gripping the cool porcelain edge as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hands were trembling. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady herself.
Why is she here?
She had been so sure that Faye wouldn't come. That she was still in L.A. with Film, living a life Yoko wasn't a part of. And yet, here she was, standing in the same room, looking at her as if nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
Yoko took a deep breath, her mind replaying the last few daysâthe breaking news, the photo, the questions she hadn't asked, the explanations she hadn't allowed Faye to give.
You didn't even let her explain.
The thought gnawed at her. She knew she had been unfair. She had shut Faye out, not because she didn't care, but because she cared too much. Because the idea of Faye lying to her, of hiding something so significant, had hurt more than she could admit.
And now, seeing Faye here, showing up for her despite everything, cracked something open in her heart.
Yoko straightened, smoothing down her dress and adjusting her makeup with quick, practiced movements. She took one last look in the mirror, her reflection showing a calm she didn't quite feel.
You can do this.
With a deep breath to steady herself, Yoko pushed open the door and stepped back into the bar. The bass of the music thumped in her chest, and the crowd's laughter and chatter filled the space. Lights flickered and danced across the room, but Yoko barely noticed any of it. Her focus was singularâher eyes immediately sought Faye.
And there she was.
Faye hadn't moved much, still standing near the bar with her hands tucked casually into her pockets. Her leather jacket caught the dim light, accentuating her poised and magnetic presence.
Yoko hesitated for a moment, her feet faltering as the weight of their situation pressed down on her like a heavy blanket. This was the first time she was seeing Faye in personâin the fleshâand it was overwhelming. For months, she had imagine scenarios of their first meet but none of that had prepared her for the reality of Faye standing just a few feet away.
Faye was here, tangible and heartbreakingly real, her presence both grounding and disarming. Too beautiful to handle, Yoko thought, her breath catching. The soft lighting of the bar seemed to dance around Faye, accentuating every detailâthe curve of her lips, the confident tilt of her head, the way her gaze earlier seemed to pierce straight through Yoko's defenses. It was consuming, the way her very existence seemed to command every atom of space and attention.
Yoko's fingers twitched at her sides as if unsure whether to clutch her own dress for grounding or reach out to touch the impossibly real version of the person who had haunted her thoughts for so long. She had tried so hard not to dwell on the fact that Faye was here, alive in her reality instead of just in her dreams. But now, faced with her undeniable presence, it was impossible to look away.
There was no turning back now. Not with Faye so close, and the unspoken words between them waiting to be resolved.
"Faye," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
Faye turned, her eyes meeting Yoko's. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air between them thick with everything they hadn't said.
"You're here," Yoko finally said, her voice softer now, almost incredulous.
Faye nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I told you I'd be cheering for you, didn't I?"
Yoko's heart clenched. "I didn't think you'd actually come."
"I couldn't miss it," Faye said, her voice gentle but firm. "Not for anything."
Yoko swallowed hard, the weight of the past few days pressing down on her. "We need to talk," she said quietly.
Faye's eyes softened. "I know."
Yoko glanced around the room, where her friends and family were still celebrating but she knows they were all subtly looking at them. "Not here."
Faye nodded. "Let's go somewhere quieter."
And with that, they stepped out of the bar, into the cool night air, ready to face the conversation that had been waiting for them both.
---
The night air outside the bar was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the buzzing warmth inside. Yoko and Faye walked in silence down a quiet alley adjacent to the rooftop, the city lights casting a soft glow around them. For a moment, the world felt still, as if holding its breath for what was about to unfold.
Yoko's heart raced with anticipation and uncertainty. She had spent daysâweeksâimagining this moment, Faye and her finally seeing each other in person but now that it was here, she wasn't sure where to start. The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken words and emotions.
Finally, Faye broke it.
"I know you're hurt," Faye said softly, her voice calm but edged with something deeper. "I know it looks bad. And you have every right to be angry with me."
Yoko stopped walking and turned to face her. The soft glow of the streetlights illuminated Faye's face, making her look almost ethereal, but there was no denying the tension in her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Yoko's voice was steady, but there was a tremble beneath it. "About Film? About... everything?"
Faye exhaled slowly, her gaze steady but filled with regret. "I wanted to. I just... I didn't know how."
Yoko crossed her arms, trying to hold onto the anger that had been her shield. "You didn't know how? We talked every day, Faye. We shared everything. Or at least, I thought we did." Her voice cracked slightly at the end, betraying the hurt she was trying to hide.
"I know," Faye said, her tone gentle but firm. "And you're right. I should have told you about Film. But it wasn't because I wanted to lie to you, Yoko. It was... complicated."
Yoko's eyes narrowed. "Complicated? That's your excuse?"
Faye took a step closer, her eyes pleading. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want my past to ruin what we were building. Film and I... we ended a long time ago, but our lives are still tangled in ways I couldn't control. She's my ex, yes, but also my sister-in-law's sister. It's not just my story to tellâit affects my family too."
Yoko blinked, the revelation catching her off guard. She hadn't expected that. "Wait... Film is Nicha's sister?"
Faye nodded. "Yes. And when we broke up, it wasn't just between us. It affected everyone. I didn't want to drag you into that mess before I had a chance to... to figure things out."
Yoko's heart softened, but the ache remained. "But you didn't give me the chance to understand it. You made that choice for both of us."
Faye's jaw tightened, her eyes filled with regret. "I know. And I'm sorry. I've made mistakes, Yoko. But please believe me when I say that you were never one of them. I care about youâmore than I've cared about anyone in a long time."
Yoko's breath hitched, the vulnerability in Faye's voice cutting through her defenses. "Then why were you in L.A. with her? The photo... it looked like you were still together."
Faye sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I wasn't in L.A. for her. I was summoned by my brother because it was Nicha's birthday, so Film was there too. The photo... it was taken out of context. She just accidentally bumped into me, and I held her so she wouldn't fall. That's all it was."
Yoko's heart raced, conflicting emotions swirling inside her. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to L.A.?"
"Because I didn't want you to worry. But I realize now that hiding it only made things worse." Faye admitted.
Yoko looked away, her mind replaying the past few daysâthe sleepless nights, the endless what-ifs, the ache of believing she had been lied to. "You should have trusted me, Faye. I would have understood if you had just been honest."
"I know," Faye whispered. "And I want to earn that trust back. That's why I'm here. I didn't come to explain through a phone call or a message. I came to show you that I'm serious about us."
Yoko's eyes softened, the sincerity in Faye's words tugging at her heart. She had imagined this confrontation going differentlyâangrier, colderâbut now, standing here with Faye, the anger was slipping away, replaced by something warmer, something harder to ignore.
"Is that why you came tonight?" Yoko's voice was quiet, almost lost in the stillness of the alley. Her gaze was fixed on Faye, a mixture of curiosity and guarded emotion flickering in her dark eyes. "You didn't have to."
Faye took a step closer, the space between them shrinking with every breath. Her presence was magnetic, commanding yet soft in a way that tugged at Yoko's already fragile composure.
"I came because I wanted to," Faye said, her voice low, almost a whisper, but carrying the weight of conviction.
"And because I couldn't let you think, even for a second, that you don't matter to me."
The room seemed to fade into the background, leaving just the two of them in their own fragile bubble of emotions. Faye paused, her dark eyes locking onto Yoko's with an intensity that rooted her in place.
"I didn't just arrive now," she continued, her words carefully measured, as if afraid they'd shatter the delicate moment.
"I watched your graduation. I stayed in the back. I didn't approach you because I didn't want to complicate your day."
Yoko's breath hitched, her pulse quickening as she took in Faye's words. Her mind spun, replaying the day in flashesâproud smiles, applause, and the sea of faces she thought were just strangers. Slowly, her eyes searched Faye's face for any sign of insincerity, but there was none. Only the raw honesty and something deeperâsomething tender and unguarded that sent a tremor through Yoko's carefully built defenses.
"You... you watched my graduation?" Yoko's voice was barely audible, her shock evident as her lips parted slightly, struggling to grasp the revelation.
Faye gave a small, almost bashful nod, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles. "Of course I did," she said softly, her voice laced with an affection that wrapped around Yoko like a warm embrace. "How could I not? You've worked so hard for this. I wanted to see you shine, even if it was from a distance."
Yoko's heart stuttered, her gaze dropping for a moment as she tried to steady herself against the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "You didn't have to do that," she murmured, her voice thick with vulnerability.
"I know," Faye replied, her tone unwavering. "But I wanted to. You deserve to know how proud I am of you, even if I'm not always the one standing by your side."
Yoko's eyes lifted to meet hers again, a mix of wonder and disbelief swirling in their depths. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken promise. Finally, Yoko's lips curved into a tentative smile, her voice soft but filled with unspoken gratitude. "Thank you... for being there. It means more than you know."
Faye reached out then, her fingers brushing Yoko's hand with a gentleness that spoke louder than words. "It's where I'll always be," she said, her voice steady and filled with quiet determination. "For you."
Yoko felt a sudden wave of emotion rising in her chest, the weight of the past few daysâthe sleepless nights, the constant ache of uncertaintyâthreatening to overwhelm her. Her eyes welled with tears, and she blinked them away, unwilling to let them fall.
"Do you promise that?" Yoko asked, her voice wavering with doubt. She had trusted before, and it had hurt. Could she trust again?
Faye's eyes softened, the intensity in them easing into something warm and steady. A small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "With my every being," she answered, her voice low but firm, carrying the weight of a vow.
Yoko stared at her, the sincerity in Faye's words pulling at something deep within her. The walls she had built to protect herself began to crumble, piece by piece. Slowly, a tentative smile curved Yoko's lips. "Okay," she whispered, her voice almost playful. "You're lucky I'm forgiving."
Faye chuckled softly, the tension between them easing for a moment. But as Yoko looked down, she suddenly became acutely aware of their intertwined handsâher fingers clasped tightly with Faye's. The realization hit her like a jolt, and for a second, panic flared in her chest.
She almost pulled away, almost let the fear take over. But then she glanced up and met Faye's gaze. The calm, steady look in Faye's eyes anchored her, grounding her in the present.
Faye must have sensed the hesitation, because she gave Yoko's hand a gentle squeeze, her thumb brushing softly against Yoko's skin. "I'm here," Faye said again, her voice a quiet reassurance. "As long as you want me to be."
Yoko's heart raced, her mind spinning with what-ifs and uncertainties. But in that moment, with Faye's hand in hers and the city humming softly around them, the doubts didn't seem as overwhelming. The space between them, once filled with confusion and hurt, now held the fragile beginnings of something newâsomething hopeful.
Taking a deep breath, Yoko felt the weight on her chest begin to lift, if only slightly. She didn't know what the future would bring or how things would unfold between them. But for the first time in days, she felt a spark of hope, fragile but undeniable.
And with Faye by her side, her hand warm and steady in her own, Yoko realized she didn't have to face it alone.
She glanced up at Faye, her smile soft but genuine. "Let's see where this goes," Yoko said quietly.
Faye's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Together?"
Yoko nodded. "Together."
They stood there for a moment longer, their hands still intertwined, the city lights flickering softly in the distance. The past might still linger, but for now, in this quiet alley, the future felt like a promise waiting to be written. And for the first time in a long while, Yoko was ready to face itâstep by step, hand in hand, with Faye.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
As promised to my amazing readers who voted, here's your extra update!
Reminding everyone too that I won't be able to post tomorrow due to my super busy schedule. Thank you again for all your support, and I truly hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't be shy, drop your thoughts in the commentsâI love reading them, and they really warm my heart.
Happy weekend, everyone! I believe tomorrow marks the start of the 9 mornings (simbang-gabi) for my fellow Filipinos. As Catholics, it's something we really cherish and enjoy attending. Wishing you all a wonderful weekendâstay safe, stay kind, and always be your fabulous selves! ðð