"Let's meet, Lolo. Today."
Just one text. No emojis. No "please." And if Lolo Dela Vuega knew his granddaughter, he would know Andrea meant business.
Inside his study, with mahogany walls and the lingering scent of expensive books and disappointment, Lolo sat in his leather chair, flipping through a folder when the door opened.
"Andrea," he greeted, calm and unreadable. "I was expecting this."
Andi walked in—white long skirt, tucked-in linen blouse, three-inch sandal heels that clicked against the floor as she walked, and her signature thrifted fan wielded like a Spanish weapon of authority.
She didn't sit.
She stood in front of his desk, arms crossed, the fan slowly flicking open and shut like a ticking time bomb.
"You investigated Alonzo," she said flatly. "You summoned him like he's a criminal. You threatened his future. And you didn't even tell me."
Lolo calmly set down the folder. "You've always been smart, apo. And you confirmed what I needed to know."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I needed to know if he'd be man enough to take the pressure and still choose you. He passed. So I backed off."
Andi laughed—dry and sharp. "Wow. So this is what love is for you? A test? An interrogation? A clearance pass?"
"He's not just your boyfriend, Andrea," Lolo said, standing. "He's now a name tied to the Dela Vuega legacy. And I'm not about to let another man enter our bloodline without vetting."
"Lolo, he's not proposing!"
"Not yet. But you're in love with him."
The room fell silent.
Andi looked at him for a long moment, eyes narrowing.
"You loved Mama, didn't you?"
Lolo blinked.
"She ran away. Left your name, your fortune, your plans. She chose love. And instead of holding her hand, you held a grudge."
"That's not fair—"
"What's not fair is the way you tried to control her from the grave by doing the same thing to me."
Her voice cracked, just a little.
"I'm not Mama, Lolo. I'm not running away. I'm here. I'm building our name back. I'm keeping our family safe. But if you make me choose between the man who makes me feel safe… and the legacy that keeps trying to control me?" She stepped closer to the desk. "I'll walk away. And you'll lose me, too."
Lolo's jaw tightened. But he didn't speak.
She turned to leave—heels echoing against the cold floor. But just before she stepped out:
"Andrea."
She looked back.
"I don't hate him," Lolo said, softer now. "I just needed to know if he'd stay when it got hard. Because this family? We don't get easy."
Andi nodded slowly.
"Neither does love, Lolo. But at least love fights with you. Not against you."
And with that, she walked out—elegant, angry, and more sure than ever.
This was her life. Her legacy. Her love.
And no man—no matter how powerful—got to dictate her heart.
---
It started like any other lunch.
Ate Andi was her usual blooming self—light makeup, puff-sleeve blouse with a corset-like waist, cream cardigan draped over her shoulders, and three-inch wedge heels even if they were just going for ramen. Kuya Alonzo? Still looking like the chill gamer-boy-turned-trophy-boyfriend in a black hoodie and cargo pants. Somehow never disheveled, but always seemed like he was hiding something.
They were in their usual spot: a Korean restaurant with exhaust tubes above even though they weren't grilling anything. Air-conditioned. Comfortable. Good soup. Free.
Life was good.
Except… Ate was oddly quiet.
And Kuya Alonzo?
He looked like he was trying not to sweat.
"Tissue, kuya?" Gesly asked, while chewing on a side dish of pickled radish. "You look nervous."
"Ha? No. I'm fine," he answered, smiling awkwardly.
Andi rolled her eyes. "He's still traumatized."
Gesly paused mid-chew. "Ha?"
"Andi," Alonzo muttered.
"Wait. Traumatized from what?" Gesly stopped eating. "Ate, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," Andi said calmly but smugly. "Lolo did."
Click.
Like a lightbulb exploding in his brain.
"WAIT. WAIT. HOLD UP—" Gesly covered his mouth, jaw dropped. "OUR GANGSTER OLD-VILLA VILLAIN LOLO?!"
"Shh!" Andi hissed. "Don't shout!"
"Him?! To Alonzo?!"
Alonzo just sank lower into his seat like a melting softboi dumpling.
"OH MY GOD, HE TALKED TO HIM?!" Gesly almost stood up in excitement. "KUYA ALONZO, YOU GOT DELA VUEGA'D?!"
"Please never say that again," Alonzo said weakly.
Gesly was thriving.
This was better than any teleserye twist. Better than catching Andi sneaking back in late. Better than that time Bella tried to cut her own bangs and failed horribly.
"Details. I want details," Gesly said, sliding his iced tea across the table. "I'll even buy you dessert."
Alonzo sighed deeply. "It wasn't that big of a deal—"
"He sent a man in black," Andi cut in, smirking. "Soldier-level. Tinted car. Classic intimidation."
"Oh my god," Gesly whispered reverently. "Kuya, did he pull the 'I can erase you from every scholarship list in Luzon' card?"
"…More like the 'You want a future? Prove you deserve her.' type."
"Ooohhhhhhh." Gesly clutched his chest. "Did you cry?"
"No, of course not!" Alonzo said too quickly.
"Kuya, did you cry?"
"Gesly."
"Kuya, you got ambushed by old money energy!"
Andi was just quietly eating her kimchi, suppressing her laugh like the goddess of elegant chaos that she was.
"I hate this family," Alonzo muttered into his soup.
"No, you don't," Andi smiled sweetly.
"No, I don't," he muttered back.
"Gago," whispered Gesly, "I thought only in anime you had to do this. Like, 'If you want to date the princess, fight the emperor first.'"
"EXACTLY," Alonzo hissed, finally snapping. "I was summoned! Like some peasant knight with no armor!"
Gesly wiped a fake tear. "You're my hero."
"I hate you."
"I love you too, bro."
They all burst out laughing. Even Andi.
For a moment, the chaos melted into warmth. Into this weird, loud, mismatched family that somehow worked. The kind that came from grief and trauma and unconditional love—served with garlic rice and sarcasm on the side.
"Hey, Kuya Alonzo," Gesly suddenly said, after a beat.
"Yeah?"
"If something like that happens again… call me."
Alonzo blinked. "Why?"
"So you won't be the only coward," he said with a grin. "I want to see Lolo act like Vito Corleone in real life too."
Andi shook her head, giggling as she flicked his forehead. "Stop obsessing over mafia dramas."
"Sorry," Gesly said, still laughing. "It's just… kind of fun watching someone else get roasted for once."
Andi raised a brow. "Give it a week. You'll be next."
"…true."
Later that night, Gesly posted a meme.
Caption:
Kuya Alonzo after meeting Lolo Dela Vuega: 'No thoughts. Just fear.'
Alonzo replied:
I'm blocking you
Andi reacted with a heart.