Part 10

Colet, finally deciding to play along, smirked as she typed her response in the group chat.

Colet: Laugh it up while you can. One day, both of you—Jhoanna and Mikha—will meet a woman who'll match your energy and turn you into absolute saps. And when that happens, trust me, I'll be right there to witness it.

Jhoanna sent back an immediate reply.

Jhoanna: Pfft. As if. I'm built different.

Mikha: Exactly. We're immune to the sappy disease.

Gwen finally chimed in, clearly entertained.

Gwen: That's what I thought too. And look at me now.

Gwen: Colet, make sure you document it when it happens. I want front-row seats.

Colet: Oh, don't worry. I'll be recording every second.

Jhoanna groaned in the chat.

Jhoanna: Ugh. You two are the worst. First Gwen, now Colet? Who's next, Mikha?!

Mikha replied with a simple:

Mikha: Not happening.

Colet chuckled to herself before putting her phone down, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. Her friends would keep teasing her, but she didn't mind. Maloi was already making her life a little more unpredictable—and maybe, just maybe, she liked it that way.

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Jhoanna shook her head in amusement as she stepped out of Colet's office. She had only dropped by to say hi before her meeting nearby, but witnessing Colet—the Colet Vergara—being a complete sap had been the highlight of her day.

Still grinning to herself, she made her way to her car and slid into the backseat. "Back to the office," she told her driver, settling in as the car pulled out onto the busy streets.

She checked her phone, responding to a few work emails, until the vehicle slowed down in traffic. With a sigh, she leaned her elbow against the window, glancing outside. That was when she saw it.

A massive billboard featuring Stacey Sevilleja.

The pop star and model looked flawless as ever, striking a confident pose for a luxury fashion brand campaign. Jhoanna's eyes lingered for a second too long, scanning the sharp angles of Stacey's face, the way her eyes seemed to pierce right through the camera.

She scoffed to herself and looked away.

"Tch. Another pretty face."

But even as she tried to dismiss the thought, her gaze flickered back up at the billboard. Something about Stacey's expression—the effortless confidence, the undeniable presence—stuck with her.

Traffic finally moved, and the billboard disappeared from view, but Jhoanna found herself checking her phone again, opening social media. Out of sheer curiosity (or so she told herself), she typed in Stacey Sevilleja.

As soon as her profile loaded, Jhoanna frowned to herself.

"Ugh. Why did I even look?"

Shaking her head, she locked her phone and leaned back, closing her eyes.

She had a busy day ahead. There was no reason to waste time thinking about a woman she didn't even know.

Right?

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As soon as Jhoanna left, Colet let out a breath, shaking her head at the ridiculous teasing from her friends. She picked up her phone again, rereading Maloi's message.

"You're ridiculously thoughtful, you know that? Thank you, Colet. I owe you one. Have a great day at work! Don't be too serious ;)"

A small smirk tugged at Colet's lips. Maloi always had this way of lightening the mood, even through text.

She quickly typed back:

"You don't owe me anything. Just take care of yourself. And I'm always serious—it's part of the job. But I'll try not to overdo it... for you."

She hesitated for a second before adding:

"Enjoy your day, Maloi."

Satisfied, she hit send and placed her phone back on her desk, rolling her shoulders before refocusing on work.

Despite the mountain of reports and meetings ahead, there was an undeniable lightness in her chest. And even as she drowned herself in spreadsheets and logistics, the thought of Maloi lingered at the back of her mind.