Airah was startled when Charles suddenly pulled her away, forcing her to face him.
"What are you doing?" she asked, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
"We need to go," he said curtly, tugging her again.
"What? Why?" she pressed.
He let out a heavy sigh, irritation clear in his tone.
"Did you get what you wanted?" Airah asked coolly.
"No," Charles replied. "Someone got in the way."
She chuckled under her breath. "So you didn't manage with Kelly?" she teased, tilting her head.
Charles shook his head. "Let's go. I'll explain later."
"Eh? Leaving so soon?"
The voice cut through them.
Annoyance flashed in Charles' eyes as both he and Airah turned.
"Oh," Airah muttered. "Gabriel."
That annoying man again, she thought bitterly.
"Are you here because you knew I'd be here too?" she asked sharply.
Gabriel chuckled softly. "Really? Do you own this place?"
He gave her a half-smile. "Looks like it's just a coincidence, Airah."
"Airah, he's the one we mentioned before—Navares' boyfriend," Dawn said suddenly.
Airah blinked. "You mean that Julie?"
Dawn nodded.
"Gab!" Julie called as she approached.
Airah's eyes narrowed as she noticed Gabriel casually slipping an arm around Julie's shoulders.
"So," Airah scoffed, raising a brow, "you're dating someone with the same last name?"
"Yeah," Gabriel replied coolly. "And what's the problem with that? We're not blood-related."
Then he smirked. "Oh… are you jealous?"
Charles sighed deeply. "So this is Julie," he said. "Chris' youngest sister?"
Julie lifted her chin. "Do you have a problem with me?"
She's so irritating, Airah thought.
Charles chuckled darkly. "Ah… Vincent's girlfriend."
"Ex-girlfriend," Julie corrected firmly.
"Right. Ex," Charles sneered. "Vincent would be thrilled to know you've already moved on."
"Like I care what he thinks," Julie shot back, arms crossed.
"Oh?" Dawn pouted slightly. "Julie, you had a past relationship? Why didn't you tell me?"
Julie smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that."
Airah smirked. "Hey, Gab—if you two are really together, you must've shared a passionate kiss. Why don't you show us?"
I bet they won't. It's fake anyway, she thought. Who dates someone with the same last name?
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Why? Do we need to prove something?"
He shrugged. "We don't show off. We keep things private. Julie isn't the type to perform for an audience."
"Oh, really?" Charles pressed. "If it's real, wouldn't you kiss her without caring who's watching?"
Let's see how far they'll go, Airah thought slyly.
"What's happening here?"
The familiar voice of the Pop Princess rang out as she arrived with Cielo and Kenneth.
"Cielo!" Dawn rushed to him.
The Pop Princess smiled faintly, amused.
"Nothing," Charles said smoothly. "We're just testing Julie. She claims she and Gabriel are dating."
"Eh? Isn't that private?" the Pop Princess replied innocently.
Airah smirked. "Well, Gabriel? Should I just assume it's fake?"
Julie sighed softly. "Gab…"
Before Gabriel could react, Julie leaned in and kissed him near the lips.
He froze.
The Pop Princess gasped.
"That's enough," Julie said, cheeks flushed. "I'm really nervous."
"Yeah," Gabriel said gently, recovering. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek."That's enough."
He looked back at Airah and Charles. "My girlfriend isn't bold with intimacy. Was that enough to satisfy your curiosity?"
"Y-Yeah," Charles muttered. "Sorry. We should go."
He grabbed Airah and pulled her away.
"What's wrong with you?" Airah hissed as they walked off.
"We need to rethink," Charles growled. "I didn't manage with Kelly. And you still want revenge, right?"
His jaw clenched. "We were ruined again because that man showed up."
Airah clenched her fists, seething.
Because of him… we lost again.
****
They eventually returned to Julie's house.
The night had left everyone shaken—Julie most of all.
She approached Kelly and wrapped her in a tight hug. Even while on stage, Julie had felt something was terribly wrong.
"Kelly…" she whispered.
Kelly broke down, clinging to her. "I'm so scared."
Julie wiped her tears, holding her close. Her eyes drifted to Steph and Angie, both pressed against their boyfriends.
"Angie," Julie asked softly, "are you okay?"
Angie nodded weakly, forcing a small smile. The fear in her eyes lingered.
Julie sighed.
What if this happens again during the competition?
"Julie," Kenneth said gently, ruffling her hair, "I know what you're thinking."
"We won't let it happen again," Chris assured her. "There are measures in place. Gabriel has evidence."
"If they try anything again, we'll act."
"But brother…" Julie murmured.
"Don't worry," Cielo said softly. "Your brother knows how the council works. And with Gabriel holding proof, they won't dare."
Julie nodded faintly. "I still can't fully comprehend everything."
Cielo kissed her forehead and pulled her close. "I know. Everything happened too fast."
"Cielo…" she whispered, melting into his arms.
"We should sit," he said gently, guiding her down beside him.
Julie glanced toward Gabriel and Julia, remembering earlier.
"Julia, are you okay?" she asked.
Julia blinked and nodded.
"About the kiss…" Julie admitted softly. "I was surprised."
"K-Kiss?" Kelly echoed, confused.
"A-Ah, don't worry," Julia said quickly, cheeks pink. "My lips didn't touch his. It was just sudden. Right, Gabriel?"
Gabriel paused. "Yeah. Don't worry."
He smirked. "Besides, her boyfriend would kill me. And she's my cousin. You know that."
"You're such an idiot," Julie sighed. "But fine. If Julia says it's nothing, then it's nothing."
Julia smiled. "Don't worry too much, Julie."
Julie hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry you had to do that. Your boyfriend's going to kill me."
Julia giggled. "Guess I'll hide from Cielo for a while."
"Do I know her boyfriend?" Cielo asked.
"You do," Gabriel grinned. "Caden Oliver Castillo."
"Oh," Cielo nodded. "Caden."
"I know him," Julie added. "He was my elementary classmate. That's how they met."
"Where are you studying now, Julia?" Cielo asked.
"At St. Mary Academy," she replied shyly. "I wanted to study where my boyfriend is, but I wasn't allowed."
"Oh—the rival of St. Benedict in theater," Cielo recalled.
Julia nodded, making Melissa chuckle.
"Julie," Gabriel said seriously, "you need to be careful from now on."
"I know," Julie whispered. "I feel like my path will cross with that man again."
"That's why you shouldn't act recklessly," he warned.
Julie nodded. Cielo ruffled her hair gently.
"We'll head home now," their friends said.
Julie hugged Cielo tightly. "Take care."
"I will," he promised, kissing her forehead.
"Julia, you can stay here tonight," Gabriel added. "Cielo already invited you tomorrow."
Julia nodded.
As everyone left, Julie brushed her hair back, unease still clinging to her chest.
"Go to sleep," Gabriel said gently. "Both of you."
They nodded—and followed.