Kuku Veronica sat on the couch at her friend Hilma's place, fidgeting with her ring.
"You don't have to be sure if Catty is truly the one for Nate," Hilma said, pouring tea. "If they're meant to be, fate will bind them. They'll marry and live their 'happily ever after.'"
Kuku sighed, still unsettled. "I don't know. Today he really got me thinking. When I checked his horoscope and read his palm, I saw he'd end up with someone gentle, someone careful… and they'd live in peace. But what he said today—it doesn't match what I saw."
Hilma raised a brow. "Because of something he said?"
"No one… absolutely no one has ever calmed Nate down. I've tried everything money could buy—doctors, therapists, even hypnosis. Nothing ever helped his pyrophobia. But last night…" Kuku paused, eyes wide with wonder. "He said it felt like someone was singing him a lullaby, and they promised never to leave him."
"Maybe it was Catty?" Hilma offered.
Kuku shook her head. "No. She wasn't even at the party. And she doesn't know about Nate's phobia."
Hilma leaned in. "Then there's something behind Cinthia's story. Check Catty's palm. If her lines align with his… then maybe she's the one who can soothe his fire."
"I didn't want to go that route since Nate doesn't believe in palmistry… but now, I'm definitely checking," Kuku said, just as her phone rang. She picked up.
"Yes, I'm coming, dear," she replied, then stood, grabbing her bag with new resolve.
Meanwhile, at a nearby café, Ruben sat across from Vicky as she placed a plate of dessert before him.
"Thank you," he said politely.
"How's your boss doing?" Vicky asked, sitting opposite him.
"He's alright. And you? How are you holding up?"
"I'm good… What did you want to talk to me about?"
Ruben cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… Do you have a boyfriend?"
Vicky blinked, stunned. "What?"
"I asked—do you have a boyfriend?" he repeated, louder this time.
"No," she said, still puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"Because…" Ruben hesitated, then blurted, "I want you to be my girlfriend."
Vicky leaned back, completely thrown off. "Why?"
"You're beautiful. You're charming. And—"
"Stop. Just… stop right there," Vicky said, raising her hand.
"What? You don't think I'm cute?" Ruben grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
"I don't even know you," she replied sharply.
"Exactly. I don't know you either. That's why we should start now—no need to overthink it," Ruben said casually.
Vicky's eyes narrowed. "You're serious?"
"As serious as my heartbeat," he said with a smirk.
She stood, glaring at him. "This feels oddly familiar. Like a déjà vu I never wanted."
"Because we're meant for each other?" he teased.
"No. Because you're giving me a headache," Vicky snapped. "Let me be clear—I'm equally threatening right now. But out of respect for myself and my workplace, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear this nonsense."
She turned to leave.
"There's only one way to know me," Ruben called after her. "And that's to promise you'll never flirt with another man again."
Vicky spun back. "Try wearing a gentleman's dignity next time, then maybe I'll reconsider," she said coldly.
Ruben sighed and followed her. "Wait! My boss found the jacket on his bed. He knows it's yours. I told him it belonged to my girlfriend… to cover for you."
Vicky stopped, turned, and gestured for him to sit.
"Love, care, joy, trust, forgiveness, pain, sorrow… these are the foundations of any real relationship," she said. "But lying, betrayal, and pretending? That's not love—it's manipulation. So kindly go back and tell your boss the truth. And please… bring me my jacket tomorrow."
"This isn't how I wanted it to come out," Ruben murmured. "But Nate needs help. You said you'd do anything to help him. If we pretend to be together, maybe you can be around more often."
"I can help him without playing girlfriend to anyone," Vicky replied firmly. "Your boss isn't a Rubik's cube—I'll figure him out just fine."
"So… my plan's useless?" Ruben asked, his voice dropping.
Vicky stood. "Sacrificing my identity to fix your boss's emotional trauma? That's not just useless—it's insulting. So yes. It's a no from me, Sir."