Part 25

The morning light gently filtered through the curtains as Maloi slowly stirred in bed. She blinked a few times, her surroundings coming into focus. The warmth beside her was unmistakable. Colet, still fast asleep, was curled up next to her, her face relaxed and peaceful in the quiet morning.

Maloi smiled softly, a warmth spreading through her chest as she watched Colet sleep. Last night, despite the alcohol and the playful teasing, everything felt so right. They were close in a way that made Maloi feel content and loved.

She carefully shifted in the bed, trying not to wake Colet, and sat up. Her head was a little fuzzy from the drinks, but the memories from the night before were clear—gentle touches, soft kisses, and the warmth of being close to someone who meant so much to her.

Maloi looked over at Colet again, who was still deeply asleep, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Good morning, beautiful," Maloi whispered quietly to herself, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment.

Her gaze lingered on Colet for a moment longer before she got up to stretch and quietly move toward the bathroom. As she did, the thought of last night brought a smile to her face, a quiet confidence filling her chest. She was exactly where she wanted to be, and she couldn't wait to see how the weekend would unfold.

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Maloi stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her damp hair, only to find Colet sitting up in bed, stretching her arms with a lazy smile. Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was only warmth between them.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Maloi teased, her voice soft.

Colet smirked, running a hand through her slightly messy hair. "Morning, drunk flirt."

Maloi groaned, already knowing Colet wouldn't let her live down her tipsy behavior from last night. "Don't start," she mumbled, but the grin on her face betrayed her.

Colet chuckled, reaching out a hand. "Come here."

Maloi didn't hesitate, crawling back into bed and letting Colet pull her into a slow, lingering kiss.

"How's your head?" Colet murmured against Maloi's lips.

"Fuzzy, but worth it," Maloi whispered back, her fingers tracing circles on Colet's arm.

They stayed like that for a few moments, wrapped up in each other, before the distant sound of voices outside reminded them they weren't alone in the estate.

"Guess we should get up before the others come looking for us," Maloi sighed.

Colet smirked. "Or... we could stay here a little longer?"

Maloi laughed, knowing they'd already missed breakfast at this point. "Five more minutes," she bargained, snuggling into Colet's embrace.

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Colet and Maloi stepped out of their room, and Maloi immediately noticed the shift in the atmosphere. It was easy, comfortable—like their two groups had known each other for years instead of just a day.

Mikha and Aiah were sitting close, chatting in hushed tones, both clearly invested in whatever conversation they were having. Every now and then, their eyes lingered on each other just a little too long, and Maloi smirked to herself. Sheena's cupid plan might actually work.

Meanwhile, Jhoanna was trailing after Stacey, an almost lovesick expression on her face. Maloi nearly laughed out loud—Jhoanna, the confident and intimidating CEO, was acting like a puppy in love. Stacey, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the attention, occasionally throwing Jhoanna a teasing glance that only made the other woman more eager to impress her.

Gwen and Sheena were effortlessly perfect together. Gwen had an arm casually draped around Sheena's waist, guiding her toward the dining area. They weren't overly affectionate, but their presence around each other spoke volumes—small gestures, knowing glances, the way Gwen made sure Sheena was comfortable before focusing on anything else.

And then there was Colet, reaching out to intertwine her fingers with Maloi's as they joined the rest of the group. They were still very much in their honeymoon phase, and Maloi loved it. The way Colet looked at her, touched her, indulged her—it made her feel special in a way she had never felt before.

She squeezed Colet's hand, leaning closer. "Everyone's getting along pretty well, huh?"

Colet glanced around, taking in the easy dynamic between their friends. She smiled. "Yeah... it's kind of nice."

Maloi hummed in agreement, resting her head briefly against Colet's shoulder. "I guess this weekend was a good idea after all."

Colet pressed a kiss to Maloi's temple. "Best idea yet."

The group gathered around the dining area for a light breakfast, enjoying freshly brewed coffee, fruit platters, and warm pastries prepared by the estate's private chef. The morning sun filtered through the large glass windows, casting a golden glow over the table. Despite the fun (and alcohol) from the night before, everyone seemed well-rested and excited for the day's plans.

"So, how far is this waterfall exactly?" Stacey asked, lazily stirring her coffee.

Sheena, still leaning into Gwen's side, smiled. "It's about a ten-minute golf cart ride, and then we'll have to walk for another fifteen minutes. But trust me, it's worth it."

"The estate is surrounded by lush greenery, so the trail is shaded and easy to walk through," Gwen added.

Aiah perked up. "That sounds amazing. I love nature walks."

Mikha, sitting beside Aiah, smirked. "Let's see if you'll still love it after fifteen minutes of hiking."

Aiah playfully nudged her. "I'll be fine. You, on the other hand, better keep up."

Colet, sipping on her mango smoothie, turned to Maloi. "Are you sure you can handle the walk? I don't want you getting tired before we even get to the water."

Maloi raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Are you underestimating me, babe?"

Colet grinned. "Never. Just making sure I won't have to carry you back."

Everyone chuckled as they finished their breakfast. Once they were all ready, Gwen led the way to the estate's golf carts, which were parked near the entrance. The estate was massive, and the golf carts made it easier to navigate the property.

The drive was smooth, passing through thick forests of towering trees and vibrant tropical plants. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers. The sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling added to the peaceful atmosphere.

When they reached the designated drop-off point, the group hopped off and began the short hike toward the waterfall. The trail was well-maintained, lined with stones and wooden steps in certain areas. Sunlight peeked through the canopy above, casting dappled light onto the path.

Gwen and Sheena led the way, while Colet and Maloi walked closely behind them. Aiah and Mikha were deep in conversation, their voices occasionally breaking into laughter. Stacey and Jhoanna trailed behind, Stacey teasing Jhoanna about something that had the latter blushing.

The closer they got, the louder the sound of rushing water became. A cool mist filled the air, refreshing against their skin. Then, finally, the trail opened up, revealing the breathtaking waterfall cascading down smooth rocks into a crystal-clear lake below. The water shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting shades of blue and green.

Sheena turned to the group, grinning. "Welcome to our little paradise."

The group stood in awe for a moment before Maloi excitedly grabbed Colet's hand. "Come on, let's get in the water already!"

Laughing, Colet let herself be dragged along, while the others followed suit, eager to enjoy the natural beauty around them.

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The group finally arrived at the waterfalls, and the sight was breathtaking. Crystal-clear water cascaded down the rocky cliffside, forming a serene lake at the base. The sound of rushing water mixed with the laughter of everyone as they took in the view.

Without hesitation, Aiah was the first to jump in, squealing from the coolness of the water. Mikha chuckled before casually removing her shirt, revealing her toned physique. Aiah, who had been mid-splash, nearly forgot to breathe. Stacey noticed and nudged her playfully, whispering, "Eyes up here, Miss Arceta."

Meanwhile, Jhoanna and Stacey continued their playful bickering as they dipped into the water, with Stacey splashing Jhoanna every time she got too cocky. "You better stop before I dunk you under, Sevillaja," Jhoanna warned with a grin. Stacey only smirked. "You wouldn't dare, Robles." That was all the encouragement Jhoanna needed before she lunged at Stacey, tossing her into the deeper part of the lake.

Colet and Maloi found a quieter spot by the water, lounging on a large rock as they dipped their feet in. Maloi, still tipsy from last night, leaned her head against Colet's shoulder. "I love this," she murmured. Colet smirked, pressing a soft kiss to Maloi's temple. "Me too, baby."

Gwen and Sheena watched over their friends, exchanging knowing glances. Their plan was working better than expected.

After a while, the private chef and staff brought over their lunch—a picnic feast of grilled seafood, fresh fruits, and cold drinks. The group gathered under the shade of a large tree, eating and chatting happily. The atmosphere was light and easy, like they had all known each other forever.

Mikha and Aiah shared food, Jhoanna kept stealing bites from Stacey's plate, and Maloi kept trying to feed Colet even though Colet was perfectly capable of feeding herself. Gwen and Sheena, meanwhile, simply sat back and enjoyed the company of their perfectly chaotic group.

The weekend was turning out better than any of them had expected.

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As the group enjoyed their meal, a tiny cream-colored puppy emerged from the trees, its big, round eyes staring up at Aiah while its little tail wagged furiously. It let out a small whimper, begging for food.

Aiah gasped, immediately melting at the sight. "Oh my gosh, you're so cute!" she cooed, carefully picking up the pup and cradling it in her arms. Without hesitation, she looked at the group and declared, "I'm keeping her. Her name is Honey."

The group erupted into excited reactions.

"Awww, Honey is such a cute name!" Sheena beamed, reaching out to pet the pup.

"You really just decided on the spot, huh?" Stacey laughed, shaking her head fondly.

Mikha, who had been watching Aiah with a soft smile, chuckled and said, "Good thing we have supplies back at the estate. We keep dogs, cats, and a bunch of farm animals there, so Honey will be well taken care of."

Aiah turned to Mikha with heart eyes. "Really? That's perfect! Honey, you're going to be so spoiled."

Colet laughed, taking a sip of her drink. "Looks like Aiah just found her new baby."

Maloi giggled, reaching out to scratch the pup's ears. "Now we have an official estate puppy."

The group continued their lunch, occasionally stopping to coo over Honey, who had already made herself at home in Aiah's arms.

As Aiah cradled Honey in her arms, cooing at the tiny pup while Mikha gently scratched its ears, Maloi leaned closer to Sheena and whispered with amusement, "Look at them. They already look like a little family."

Sheena snorted, watching the way Mikha and Aiah seemed completely absorbed in their own world with the puppy. "Mikha just became an instant daddy, and Aiah's the mommy. Meanwhile, Honey is their spoiled little child," she joked, shaking her head in amusement.

Maloi giggled. "And here you were, planning to play cupid."

Sheena smirked, flipping her hair dramatically. "Please, I barely had to do anything. Everything is just falling into place perfectly. My matchmaking skills are just that good."

Maloi playfully rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Let's just hope it stays that way."

Sheena winked. "Oh, don't worry. With how Mikha looks at Aiah? I think it's already set in stone."

Both girls shared a laugh as they continued to watch the newfound little family bond over their new puppy.

Maloi nudged Sheena, grinning. "You know, there's another puppy in our group—a lovesick one."

Sheena raised an eyebrow before following Maloi's gaze to where Jhoanna was hovering around Stacey like a lost puppy, trying to get her attention. Stacey, as usual, pretended to be annoyed, rolling her eyes and swatting Jhoanna away, but there was no real bite to it. Instead, there was an ease in her body language, a natural comfort that Maloi rarely saw in Stacey.

Sheena burst into laughter. "Oh my god, you're right! Jhoanna is completely whipped. She's like a golden retriever, always circling around Stacey, waiting for scraps of attention."

Maloi giggled. "They bicker like an old married couple, but you can tell they're so into each other. Stacey looks so relaxed with Jhoanna's terrible flirting, it's kinda cute."

Sheena smirked. "Yeah, because she likes it. I mean, think about it—Stacey usually hates it when people flirt with her, especially in work settings. She told me once that she's uncomfortable when they pair her with male models or actors in photoshoots or projects. But with Jhoanna? She lets it happen. Hell, she encourages it."

Maloi nodded, watching as Stacey rolled her eyes at something Jhoanna said, only to hide a small smile right after. "You might be onto something. Maybe she likes the attention when it's from Jhoanna."

Sheena smirked. "Obviously. And Jhoanna? Down bad. That girl's ready to hand over her entire fortune if Stacey asked."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the group, Colet and Gwen were deep in conversation, their serious business mode activated as they discussed logistics and upcoming projects. The contrast between them and the lovesick duo was amusing—while Jhoanna was busy flirting terribly with Stacey, Colet and Gwen were all about numbers, partnerships, and investments.

Maloi took a sip of her drink, watching everything unfold around her. Seeing everyone so comfortable and happy—Aiah and Mikha fussing over Honey, Stacey and Jhoanna bickering with love in their eyes, Colet and Gwen lost in business talk—made her feel warm inside.

This weekend was turning out to be much more than just a simple getaway.

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Sheena and Maloi exchanged knowing glances before making their way over to where Gwen and Colet were deep in conversation about business deals and logistics.

Sheena crossed her arms, smirking. "Alright, CEOs, time to clock out. This is a vacation, remember?"

Maloi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, can you two stop acting like you're in a board meeting and actually enjoy the scenery? Look at that view!" She gestured dramatically at the cascading waterfall and the lush greenery surrounding them.

Gwen sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "We were just wrapping up—"

"Nope! No excuses!" Maloi grinned before grabbing Colet's wrist. "C'mon, babe, you're getting in the water with me!"

Colet barely had time to protest before Maloi was dragging her toward the waterfall, her laughter ringing through the air. "Maloi, at least let me—ah, never mind!" Colet gave in, letting Maloi pull her into the water.

Sheena chuckled, nudging Gwen. "Guess that leaves us. Come on, babe, let's go before Maloi and Colet have all the fun."

Gwen sighed playfully before taking Sheena's hand. "Fine. But if I get soaked, you owe me."

Sheena grinned. "Oh, I owe you? We'll see about that."

With that, the two of them followed Maloi and Colet into the refreshing water, letting themselves finally relax and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls.

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After spending hours playing and swimming in the waterfalls, the group finally decided to head back to the estate. The walk back was filled with laughter and teasing, especially between Jhoanna and Stacey, who couldn't go five minutes without playfully bickering.

Once they arrived at the estate, Gwen announced, "Alright, since we've been out all morning, I booked us spa treatments for the afternoon. Massages, facials, body scrubs—whatever you want, it's all set up."

The group cheered at the idea of being pampered.

"Gwen, I think I love you," Stacey sighed dramatically, stretching her arms.

"Hey!" Jhoanna pouted. "I thought you loved me?"

"I do, but Gwen just got me a spa treatment. What have you done for me today?" Stacey teased, flicking Jhoanna's forehead.

Aiah giggled, leaning into Mikha. "This is going to be so nice. I think Honey wore me out today."

Mikha smirked. "Well, mommy duties are hard. Good thing daddy's here to take care of you."

Aiah blushed, playfully shoving Mikha, while Sheena and Maloi gave each other a knowing look.

The group split up, some choosing full-body massages while others opted for facials and scrubs. Maloi, of course, made sure to book a couple's massage with Colet. Gwen and Sheena did the same, while Mikha and Aiah were side by side, unknowingly holding hands the entire time.

By the time the treatments were over, everyone was refreshed and glowing. The estate staff had set up refreshments, and the group lounged in their robes, sipping fruit-infused water and tea.

"Now this is the life," Maloi sighed happily, leaning against Colet.

"I could get used to this," Stacey hummed, stretching out her legs as Jhoanna sneakily placed a peeled grape into her mouth.

The group enjoyed the peaceful moment, completely relaxed, before the inevitable chaos of the evening's activities would begin.

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