Part 23

As the group continued to relax by the pool, Maloi couldn't help but notice the familiar warmth in the way Colet and Gwen greeted each other. Their exchange was comfortable, almost like they had known each other for years. It wasn't the usual casual acquaintance greeting—there was something deeper, a bond that Maloi hadn't expected to see.

Her curiosity piqued, Maloi glanced between Colet and Gwen, her brow furrowing in confusion. She leaned closer to Colet, a gentle smile on her lips as she asked, "Do you... know Gwen?"

Colet chuckled softly at Maloi's question, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before replying, "Yes, actually, Gwen is one of my best friends. We go way back."

Maloi's eyes widened, and she blinked in surprise. "What? I didn't know that. How come you never mentioned it?"

Colet gave her a playful smile, her eyes shining with affection. "Well, I guess it just never came up. But, we've known each other for a long time."

The revelation left Maloi stunned for a moment. She couldn't believe how small the world seemed. She had no idea that Colet and Gwen were such close friends. As Maloi processed the news, Colet added, her voice slightly more serious, "And just so you know... I'm actually one of the co-owners of the estate too."

Maloi's jaw dropped, her gaze flickering between Colet and Gwen, then back to Colet. "Wait... you're one of the co-owners? Of this entire place?"

Colet nodded, a small but proud smile on her face. "Yeah. I'm part of the group that helped make this estate happen. It's one of my investments, and I really enjoy the peaceful retreat it offers. I thought it would be the perfect spot for a getaway."

Maloi was silent for a moment, trying to wrap her mind around everything. It all made sense now—the easy interaction between Colet and Gwen, the familiarity in their greetings. She had no idea Colet had such a deep connection to the group in more ways than one.

"So, you've known Sheena for a while?" Maloi asked softly, still processing the new information.

"Yeah," Colet replied, her tone gentle and warm. "But I didn't want to overwhelm you with all the details. I was happy to let things unfold naturally between us."

Maloi smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "Well, this is definitely a surprise. But I'm glad you're here with me."

Colet leaned in and pressed a kiss to Maloi's forehead. "And I'm glad I'm here with you, too. Let's just enjoy the weekend."

Maloi nodded, feeling grateful for Colet's honesty and the new layer of understanding that had formed between them. They stood together, side by side, ready to spend the rest of the day with their friends—each of them a little closer than before.

-------------------------------------

Maloi was lounging by the pool with Colet, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the estate when Sheena approached her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Sheena leaned against the poolside, crossing her arms and looking at Maloi with a playful smile.

"Hey, Maloi," Sheena began, her voice low and teasing. "I've been thinking... I've got a little plan brewing for the weekend."

Maloi raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this conversation was going. She leaned back against her lounge chair, stretching out her legs. "What kind of plan?"

Sheena's grin widened. "I'm thinking of playing cupid," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've got the perfect pairings in mind for Aiah and Stacey. I'm going to pair Aiah with Mikha, and Stacey with Jhoanna."

Maloi blinked, a little taken aback. "Wait, hold on. You're playing matchmaker now? But... I haven't even met Mikha or Jhoanna yet," she said, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Sheena shrugged, unfazed. "You'll meet them soon enough. Trust me, Mikha and Aiah would hit it off perfectly, and Jhoanna and Stacey are a match made in heaven. You know how close they all are to Gwen and Colet. It'll be fun!"

Maloi's brows furrowed as she thought it over. She hadn't really interacted with Mikha or Jhoanna yet, and it felt a little strange to be setting up her friends with people she didn't know well. She respected Sheena's intentions, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she should be more cautious.

"I don't know, Sheena," Maloi replied, her voice thoughtful. "It just feels a bit rushed. I haven't had the chance to get to know Mikha or Jhoanna. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Sheena's grin softened, and she placed a hand on Maloi's shoulder reassuringly. "Look, I know it might feel a little sudden. But trust me, these connections will happen naturally. Aiah's been looking for someone who understands her world, and Mikha's perfect for that. As for Stacey and Jhoanna, they have such similar personalities, and they'd make an incredible couple. It's all about the timing."

Maloi took a deep breath, still unsure but starting to understand Sheena's enthusiasm. She trusted Sheena's instincts when it came to people, and Sheena always had a way of bringing people together.

"I just don't want to push anyone into anything they're not ready for," Maloi said finally, her tone soft. "I mean, I know we're all friends here, but these kinds of things can be a little... complicated."

Sheena nodded, her expression softening in understanding. "I get it. You don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with. But you'll see once you get to know Mikha and Jhoanna better. I think you'll see what I mean. Plus, it's all in good fun. No pressure."

Maloi hesitated for a moment, then finally smiled, deciding to go along with Sheena's plan. "Okay, I trust you. I'll give it a shot. But only if they're all on board, too."

Sheena's eyes lit up. "Deal! I know this is going to work out. You're going to see—Aiah and Mikha, Stacey and Jhoanna. It's going to be perfect."

Maloi chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're a lot more confident in this than I am, but I'll give you credit for your matchmaking skills."

Sheena winked playfully. "That's why you love me."

Maloi laughed, her worries about the plan melting away as she decided to trust Sheena's instincts. It was going to be an interesting weekend, and she was curious to see how everything would unfold.

---------------------

Maloi, Sheena, Aiah, and Stacey were still lounging by the pool, enjoying the warm sun and the relaxing atmosphere of the estate. The laughter and chatter between the girls was lighthearted, but a sudden roar of engines caught their attention. The sound of two supercars pulling up to the estate driveway echoed through the air, and everyone turned toward the sound.

"Sounds like Mikha and Jhoanna are here," Gwen said, standing up from her seat by the pool with a smile. "I'll go greet them. You all stay here and relax."

Colet, who had been enjoying the poolside with the group, also stood up and nodded to Maloi. "We'll catch up with you later. I'll leave you with your friends for now."

Maloi nodded back at Colet and smiled. "See you soon."

As Gwen and Colet walked off toward the driveway, Maloi glanced at Sheena, who was looking at her with a mischievous grin. Aiah, who had been lying back on her chair, lifted her sunglasses and glanced in the direction of the approaching cars as well.

"I'm curious to see how Mikha and Jhoanna are in person," Aiah said, her voice full of anticipation. "You've talked about them, Sheena, but I've never met them."

"They're both awesome," Sheena replied confidently, her tone excited. "Mikha is cool, relaxed, and very down-to-earth. And Jhoanna... she's sharp, funny, and totally got her act together."

Stacey added, her voice teasing, "I bet you all will get along just fine."

Maloi smiled, though a part of her was still a bit hesitant. She wasn't sure what to expect from Mikha and Jhoanna, but she trusted Sheena's judgment. Plus, she couldn't help but be curious about how her friends would mesh with the rest of Colet's circle.

Soon enough, Gwen and Colet returned, leading Mikha and Jhoanna toward the pool area. Mikha, a tall and athletic woman with short hair and a confident demeanor, gave a wave to the group as she approached. Jhoanna, with her long, sleek hair and striking features, walked next to Mikha, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Hey, everyone," Mikha greeted, her voice casual yet filled with a confident energy. "It's great to finally meet all of you."

Jhoanna followed suit, her voice equally friendly. "We've heard so much about you guys. It's nice to put faces to the names."

Maloi stood up from her lounge chair, her smile a little nervous but genuine. "Hi, I'm Maloi," she said, extending her hand toward Mikha. "It's really nice to meet you."

Mikha shook her hand firmly, her smile warm. "Likewise, Maloi. I've heard a lot of great things about you from Colet and Sheena."

Jhoanna stepped forward, offering her hand to Maloi. "I'm Jhoanna. It's great to meet you too. I've been hearing plenty of stories from Gwen and Colet."

The group greeted each other with smiles and a few laughs, the ice quickly broken. Maloi felt herself relax, noting how easy it was to talk to both Mikha and Jhoanna. There was an immediate sense of comfort, and the conversation flowed naturally.

"So, what's been going on here?" Mikha asked as she sat down near the pool, stretching her legs out and leaning back.

"Just enjoying the sun, chatting, and waiting for you two to arrive," Sheena said, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Now that you're here, let the fun begin!"

Jhoanna smiled, settling into a seat beside Stacey. "We've got the whole weekend ahead of us, right? I'm definitely looking forward to some relaxation and a bit of adventure."

"Same here," Aiah added, her tone excited. "This place is huge, so I'm sure we'll be busy finding things to do."

As the group settled into a comfortable rhythm, it felt as though the weekend was truly beginning. Maloi noticed how easily Mikha and Jhoanna fit into the group, and she felt a sense of relief. This weekend, she realized, was going to be full of fun, laughter, and plenty of surprises.

She exchanged a glance with Colet, who had joined the conversation, and smiled. There was something about the way their friends and their worlds were all starting to come together that felt incredibly right.

---------------------------------

The mood shifted when Mikha and Aiah dove into a conversation, completely absorbed in their own little world. It was almost as if they had known each other for years, their easy banter and shared interests creating an instant bond.

Stacey, who had excused herself to the bathroom earlier, returned to the group just in time to be introduced to Mikha. The two exchanged pleasantries, and Mikha smiled warmly at Stacey. But just as things seemed to be settling into a comfortable rhythm, the unexpected happened.

In one swift motion, Stacey raised her hand and slapped Jhoanna across the face. The sound echoed through the quiet air by the pool, and the entire group froze in shock. The atmosphere shifted from relaxed to tense in an instant. Stacey's eyes flashed with something unspoken before she turned on her heel and stormed off toward the house.

Jhoanna stood there, stunned, her hand instinctively reaching up to touch her cheek. For a moment, she said nothing, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt. Then, without hesitation, she rushed after Stacey, calling her name.

The rest of the group stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just unfolded. The laughter and lightheartedness from earlier seemed like a distant memory. Maloi was left in complete shock, her gaze flicking between the still-open doorway where Stacey had exited and the now-distant form of Jhoanna chasing after her.

"What the hell just happened?" Sheena finally spoke, her voice low and uncertain.

"Did I miss something?" Mikha asked, looking around the group for an explanation, still processing the slap.

Aiah, who had been in the midst of her conversation with Mikha, blinked and looked to the others for answers. "Is everything okay between them?"

Maloi didn't know what to say. She hadn't seen this side of Stacey before—she was usually so easygoing, always the life of the group. The sudden outburst caught her completely off guard, and the silence that followed only made it worse.

The group remained in an uneasy stillness, waiting for an explanation, but none came. They could only watch as Jhoanna chased after Stacey, and the weekend they had all looked forward to seemed to take an unexpected and unsettling turn.

------------------------------------

As the tension in the air hung heavy, Mikha broke the silence with a thoughtful expression. She turned to the group, her eyes still a little confused by the scene that had just unfolded.

"I remember now," Mikha said, her voice calm but with a hint of realization. "Stacey... Aubrey, I think, was her second name back in middle school. We used to call her that back then."

The mention of Stacey's second name caught everyone off guard. Maloi, Aiah, and Sheena all looked at Mikha, their curiosity piqued.

"Jhoanna and I and well Stacey went to the same middle school," Mikha continued, piecing together the memory. "It's been years, but I recognize her now. I remember she was always a bit... popular, but I didn't expect her to react like that today."

Maloi felt a weight lift from her chest as Mikha's words made some sense of the situation. It wasn't that Stacey had changed, but maybe there was something deeper going on that they hadn't known about. The sudden reaction was still a shock, but Mikha's insight offered a bit of clarity.

"So, what now?" Sheena asked, glancing toward the direction Jhoanna had run off in. "Do we wait for them to come back?"

"I guess so," Maloi said, looking at the others. "But I really didn't see that coming."

Mikha, still processing everything, gave a small shrug. "I'm sure Jhoanna and Stacey will sort it out. I don't think this is the kind of thing that will keep them apart for long."

Aiah, who had been silent during the exchange, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if they're friends, they'll work through it. But we should probably give them some space."

The group stood in a quiet, uncertain moment, knowing they could only wait and let the situation unfold on its own.

And as the day wore on, the mystery of what had caused the rift between Stacey and Jhoanna hung in the air, leaving the rest of the weekend in limbo.