The Encounter
"The map says she's here, but this town is massive," Jasmine muttered to herself, staring at the cryptic ink lines on her paper. "How am I supposed to find one woman in all of this?"
She was so focused on the map that she didn't see the figure rounding the corner. THUD. Jasmine stumbled back, nearly losing her balance until a pair of strong arms caught her.
"I'm so sorry! Miss, are you okay? Did I hurt you?" the man asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. Jasmine looked up, ready to snap, but the words died in her throat. She knew that face. She knew those eyes.
"Ambrose?" she breathed.
The man's face transformed into a brilliant, wide smile. "Jasmine? Is that really you? My God, I can't believe I'd run into you here of all places!"
"Ah... Ambrose. You can let go of me now. I'm fine," Jasmine said, forcing an awkward smile and gently pulling away from his grip.
"Sorry, I just—how have you been?" Ambrose asked eagerly. "It's been years. When was the last time we actually saw each other?"
Internal Monologue
As Ambrose spoke, the intro to Yes, and? started playing like a sassy soundtrack in Jasmine's mind. She looked at him, her thoughts racing: Is he serious? How dare he ask when we last saw each other! It was the day we broke up! Does he think he can just flash those dimples and win me back? No way. Even if he is wearing that white tank top... and those muscles...
"Jas? You still with me?" Ambrose asked, leaning closer. "You look a little dazed. Should I take you to a hospital?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Jasmine snapped, regaining her composure.
"Are you sure? I remember you, Jasmine. You're an expert at hiding when you're hurt. That was always your greatest talent," Ambrose said, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone.
"Yes, and?" Jasmine replied coolly, turning on her heel and walking away.
The Sight of the Target
Ambrose hurried to catch up with her. "Can we talk for just a second?"
"What do you call this? We're talking right now, aren't we?" Jasmine didn't slow her pace. But then, her eyes caught a figure across the plaza. A woman was walking into a small shop in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Miss Ara?" she whispered. It was definitely her—Jin Ae and Baekhyun's mother.
"What did you call her?" Ambrose asked, confused.
Jasmine turned to him, her urgency overriding her annoyance. "Ambrose, look, you need to stay away from me for a bit. I have someone I desperately need to see."
"Why? Are you working for the census now?" Ambrose joked, then saw how serious she was. "Wait, do you mean that woman?"
Jasmine froze. "Do you know her?"
"Of course I do," Ambrose said, crossing his arms with a confident smirk. "As the Young Mayor of this town, I know everyone. I can tell you her whole story."
Jasmine's eyes widened. "Tell me. Now."
Ambrose leaned in, winking at her with the same charm that used to drive her crazy. "Follow me to my office, Miss Census. I'll give you the full report."
Jasmine tried to keep her face stern, but a small, secret thrill flickered in her chest. She couldn't help but let a tiny smile slip through.
"There she is," Ambrose teased. "I knew I could get a smile out of you. Follow me, this way."
A Change of Heart
While Jin Ae rested, the three men gathered in the hallway. Akihiko took a slow, steadying sip of his tea. "Your sister is recovering, Baekhyun. She's not awake yet, but the vines are fading. Do you have a plan for the Mayor who did this to her?"
Baekhyun's eyes darkened, his hands curling into fists. "I want to smash his face in. I'm going back for revenge—and we still have a Sigbin to catch. Are you guys in?"
"Count me in, bro," Aki said, raising a hand.
"No," Ethan interrupted, his voice cold and final. "We aren't going back. Jasmine is already looking for your mother. Once she's safe, we focus on stopping your grandfather's madness."
"Ethan, you don't understand," Baekhyun argued. "My grandfather is a Bellator with connections you can't imagine. His beliefs are... darker than the ones you know."
"My decision is final," Ethan snapped, turning his back on them and walking away.
Aki leaned toward Baekhyun. "You really love him, don't you?"
Baekhyun sighed. "More than my own life. But right now, it feels like there's no room for love with all these problems."
Aki tapped him on the shoulder with a soft smile. "If you love him, don't stop making him feel special. Because... I'm stepping back. I've realized being his best friend is enough. I don't want to ruin what we have."
Baekhyun's face lit up. He threw his arms around Aki in a massive hug. "Thank you, Bestie!"
"Ugh, stop," Aki groaned, though he was laughing. "Me and Ethan never call each other that. It's so cringe."
Unbeknownst to them, Ethan was watching from around the corner, a small, genuine smile playing on his lips.
The Awakening
"LOLA!"
The shout from the kitchen sent the boys racing down the hall. They burst into the room and froze. Jin Ae was sitting up, rubbing her eyes.
"Ji-Jin Ae?" Baekhyun stammered, tears springing to his eyes.
"Kuya? Where am I? Where are Monday and Jasmine?" she asked weakly. Baekhyun didn't answer; he simply lunged forward and pulled her into a fierce, protective hug.
"Don't celebrate just yet," Melody cautioned. Her shimmering tail had faded, and her legs had returned to their human form. "The curse is broken, but its residue is still inside her. She needs purification; our voices could only do so much."
"Thank you, Bestie," Nana Amelia said, beaming at Melody.
Aki and Baekhyun shared a look of pure horror at the word. Ethan leaned in, whispering into their ears with a devilish smirk. "Hear that? Besties!"
"E, stop it!" Aki hissed.
"What's wrong? Are you children fighting again?" Nana Amelia asked.
"No, Lola," Ethan replied with a playful glint in his eye. "Aki is just being... sensitive."
Enter: Elijah
"I don't know how you deal with them, Amelia," Melody laughed. "You're lucky I'm still single with no children, right?"
"What do you mean?" Melody corrected her. "He'll be here any minute. He just texted me."
Right on cue, a loud, expensive-sounding car horn honked outside. Melody rushed to the door, her face glowing. "He's here! Come on, you have to meet him!"
The group followed her outside and stopped in their tracks. A man stepped out of a sleek car, looking like he had just walked off a movie set. He was strikingly handsome, with a sharp jawline and a warm, easy smile. He waved at his mother.
"Elijah! My son," Melody cried, hugging him tightly.
"I followed your instructions, Mom," he said, his voice smooth and deep.
"Elijah, meet my bestie, Amelia," Melody introduced them. Elijah stepped forward and, with perfect grace, took Nana Amelia's hand and performed a respectful pagmamano, pressing her hand to his forehead.
Aki leaned toward Baekhyun, whispering urgently. "Ask him if he's single."
"I got you, Bestie," Baekhyun whispered back, before turning to Ethan. "Your 'best friend' wants to know if the pretty boy is available. Looks like he's found a new target."
"It's an honor, Lola," Elijah said to Amelia. "Mom told me you're a legend in the kitchen. I've been dying to taste your famous Biko."
Aki suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Elijah's hands. "Hi! I'm Akihiko. I'm also a 'product' of Lola Amelia. If you want, you can taste me instead. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Ethan's face turned scarlet. He grabbed Aki by the ear and began dragging him away. "Please excuse my friend, Miss Melody! He's... he's joking! Nice to meet you, Elijah—pardon us!"
Melody burst into laughter. "He's naughty, Amelia! Just like we were! Come, let's get that Biko. I want to wrap some up for my husband to try."
As they headed to the kitchen, Elijah caught Aki's eye and gave him a small, mysterious smile.
"Bro! He smiled at me!" Aki hissed, giving Baekhyun a celebratory fist bump.
"I told you! The direct approach works," Baekhyun cheered.
"Oh, so Baekhyun is your teacher now?" Ethan's voice was dangerously calm. He flicked his fingers, casting a quick tripping spell that sent both Aki and Baekhyun sprawling onto the floor.
"So cruel!" Baekhyun yelled from the rug.
"Yeah, he is," Aki groaned. "Think carefully, bro. If you marry him, this is your life. Constant torture."
"Is that right, Bestie?" Ethan said, flicking his fingers again.
Political Dynasties and Secret Societies
Jasmine took a slow sip of the tea Ambrose had prepared, her eyes scanning the opulent office. "I still can't wrap my head around it. You? The Mayor of this town? How did that even happen?"
Ambrose didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pointed to a gold-framed portrait on the wall—his father, looking stern in a suit. "Political dynasty, Jasmine. My father was the mayor before he passed. Then my mother took over. Now that she's retired, it's my turn. And when my term ends, my older sister is already lined up to replace me."
Jasmine set her cup down, her expression turning urgent. "Look, we can talk about your family tree later. The woman I'm searching for—Ara—is in serious danger. I need to reach her before the goons from the other town catch up to her."
"What do you mean 'goons'?" Ambrose asked, his playful demeanor shifting into something more serious.
"It's a long story," Jasmine sighed. "Just give me her address and details."
"No," Ambrose said firmly. "If you want to talk to her, I'll take you. But you do it under my supervision."
"But why?" Jasmine protested.
Ambrose leaned across his desk, his gaze piercing. "Because she is part of the White Dove. She's under our protection. And besides..." He raised an eyebrow, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You've got trouble following you, Jasmine. I can see the stain of a Dalaketnon curse clinging to your energy."
The Clairvoyant's Condition
Jasmine nearly dropped her tea. "How... how could you possibly know about that?" She thought back to the encounter at the hospital and the dark magic that had nearly consumed Jin Ae.
"It's simple. I'm a clairvoyant," Ambrose explained calmly. "I see the echoes of the past and the shadows of the future. When we bumped into each other earlier, the vision hit me like a physical blow. I saw exactly what happened to your friend."
Jasmine was speechless. Her ex-boyfriend wasn't just a politician; he was a powerful psychic. "If you saw it, then you know how desperate we are. Please, help me."
"I will," Ambrose said, standing up and walking around the desk toward her. "But I have one condition."
Jasmine braced herself. "What is it?"
"Let's fix what we broke," he said, stopping just inches away from her. "We never had closure, Jasmine. But seeing you now... I realize I don't want closure. I want you back in my life."
"Ambrose!" Jasmine gasped, her heart racing as she looked into the eyes of the man she thought she had moved on from.
The Bakery in the Shadows
Across town, in a quiet, sunlit bakery, Ara was busy tidying the counter. The scent of fresh bread filled the air, providing a peaceful contrast to the chaos brewing elsewhere.
"Auntie! You're finally here," Ara called out as the bell chimed. "Let's eat lunch together."
A middle-aged woman with a kind face walked in, hanging her apron on a hook. "What's on the menu today, Chief Ara?" her aunt asked with a smile.
"Your favorite," Ara replied, lifting the lid of a pot to reveal a steaming, sour broth. "Pork Sinigang."
"Perfect. Let's close up the shop for an hour," her aunt said, flipping the 'Open' sign to 'Closed.' "I want to enjoy this meal with my favorite niece."
TO BE CONTINUED...