Aune returned with a steaming cup of tea, placing it gently in Nate's hands. He was seated beside Sofia, quiet and unusually composed. Across the room, Ruben and Cinthia exchanged frantic glances, their faces stiff with tension. Nate, ever intuitive, sensed something was off—but his eyes never left Sofia.
"Aunty," he said, holding the cup with a soft smile, "I swear, this tea…just taste it. Aune made it for me."
Catty's smile faltered. Something in her shifted. She didn't like Aune making tea for Nate. It wasn't jealousy—it was unease.
Nate raised the cup toward Sofia.
Just then, Cinthia began coughing violently. "Mom... give... me... that water," she gasped between coughs.
Sofia handed her the jug quickly, her eyes narrowing on the tea in Nate's hand.
"Aune made the tea?" Catty asked, suspicion in her voice.
"I made it!" Ruben blurted, his voice cracking. Everyone turned, confused.
Before anyone could question him, Sofia's expression changed.
"Wait... Is that chamomile tea?" she asked.
"Cha-what now?" Nate replied, puzzled.
"The tea your doctor prescribed years ago. But it's supposed to be made by someone who knows exactly how—it's a special blend."
"Aune doesn't know how to make that!" Kuku Veronica chimed in.
All eyes shifted again—Ruben and Cinthia looked like deer in headlights.
Nate stood, his voice sharp. "Start talking. Now."
"Nate had an episode last night," Cinthia confessed quickly, her voice laced with fear.
"What?" Catty gasped.
"You had an episode and no one called me?" Kuku Veronica added, her voice rising. "And how are you even calm this morning?"
Ruben opened his mouth, but Cinthia cut in.
"I made the tea—with help from the internet!" she declared. "I know you all think I'm just some Instagram queen, but I care about my family. I didn't want to wake anyone up and cause panic. So I tried... and it worked. Nate drank it, and he calmed down."
Ruben looked at her in stunned silence, realizing she was lying.
"You really did that?" Damien said, grinning. "Looks like my little baby girl's finally growing up."
"We've been trying to get that tea right for years," Kuku Veronica said, tears welling up. "Thank you, Cinthia. I'm proud of you."
Sofia didn't say a word. She didn't believe Cinthia's story for a second—but she chose silence.
"What episode are we talking about?" Catty asked.
Daniels smirked. "He didn't tell you? I thought you two were getting married?"
His mother silenced him with a single look.
"Oh, yeah..." Kuku Veronica sighed. "Nate has a condition. He's pyrophobic—he panics at the sight of fire. It's severe. We've tried everything—hospitals, medication, even therapy—but nothing worked. Not even that tea. When the condition first hit, I hired the best chefs to make it properly. Nothing helped."
She paused. "During episodes, I'd just hold him tight and sing a lullaby until he fell asleep. But it never calmed him this quickly—usually takes weeks."
Nate looked up, puzzled. "So... you didn't sing to me last night?"
"No," she replied softly.
"Then who did?" he asked, confused.
Cinthia's eyes darted around. "Well... Nate needs a strong wife. Because when he has an episode, he becomes like a ten-year-old," she said, trying to change the subject.
Nate's face darkened. He stood up and walked out, clearly uncomfortable.
"But an angel named Cinthia spread her wings last night and saved the day," Sofia said with a smirk.
"Mom, you never give me a chance to prove myself," Cinthia snapped.
"Thank you, Cinthy," Catty chimed in. "You saved my husband. Without that tea, there wouldn't be an engagement!"
"I needed content anyway," Cinthia shrugged. "But you're welcome."
"Now that's a valid reason," Sofia said dryly.
"Speaking of the engagement," Kuku Veronica said brightly, "I found a caterer who can help plan the entire event."
"I thought Nate was handling the planning?" Daniels asked.
"And Catty, I'll call the jeweler so you can pick your rings," Kuku Veronica added.
"I have a question," Adam said.
Betty touched his arm, cautioning him. He ignored it.
"Why is the engagement happening here? And why haven't we met Catty's parents yet? Why are none of our customs being followed?"
"I called my father this morning," Catty replied calmly. "They're abroad, but they're coming soon. And thanks to Kuku, I have no issues with them anymore."
"That's good to hear," Kuku Veronica said. "I had the same concern."
"If your tradition says the ceremonies should happen at the bride's house, my mansion's available," Catty added. "I don't really have extended family—I barely know if I even have any."
Adam nodded. "Traditionally, the groom visits the bride's family and asks for her hand. The engagement, announcement, and wedding all happen at her home first."
"For now, this is Catty," Sofia said. "She's alone, her parents are away, and she has no one to help. Let the engagement happen here. The other ceremonies can follow tradition later."
"Yes," Kuku Veronica said, beaming. "Catty is becoming part of our family now."
"Thank you, Aunty," Catty said, smiling faintly.