"Sis Kelly," was all Melissa could say, her voice tight with worry.
"I'm okay," Kelly replied, managing a small smile.
Julie scratched her head and sighed. "Kelly, you really didn't have to do that."
"I was furious. Nobody hurts the people close to me. It's a good thing I didn't actually fight her," Kelly admitted.
"But sis, Brother said we're not even sure if it was really Dawn," Melissa reminded.
"No, I'm sure of it. That Dawn is connected to Joel's ex-girlfriend," Kelly said firmly.
Julie frowned. "What's the connection to Joel's ex?"
Kelly sighed. "You really don't know, Julie." She shook her head.
"If Joel's using Nicole, I'll personally beat him up," she muttered.
Julie blinked in frustration. "I don't get it anymore, Kelly."
"Listen, you need to be careful of that Dawn. You heard the gossip about Cielo, right?" Kelly pressed.
Julie tried to recall. "About that fiancée?"
Kelly nodded. "Yeah. She's confident enough to stir trouble, and she's not scared because of her ties to Cielo. Be cautious. She even had bad blood with Crisha before."
"Ugh, let them leave me alone. My head already hurts from my own problems. I don't want to get dragged into theirs," Julie groaned.
"But I heard you like Cielo, right?" Kelly teased with a grin.
Julie's cheeks flushed bright red. "Y–Yeah, b–but that's all. I don't care who he dates. My feelings will fade eventually," she said defensively.
Melissa giggled."I've noticed you two talk… and even hang out," she teased.
"H—Hey! It's not like that!" Julie protested, shaking her head vigorously.
Kelly laughed softly. "Anyway, if you want the truth about Crisha, better ask Cielo directly."
"Come on, I already have a problem to face," Julie muttered.
"What is it?" her friends asked.
She released a long sigh."This Sunday, I need to attend a charity event I promised the kids I'd show up to."
The two sisters listened closely as Julie continued, "The problem is, one of the main sponsors of the charity—and the orphanage—is the Villanueva family."
Melissa and Kelly exchanged startled looks.
"So… you'll be with Cielo?" Kelly asked.
Julie nodded. "Not just Cielo… Kenneth too."
"That explains why you've been distant and lost in thought lately. So what now? You're not going?" Melissa asked.
"I have to go. For the kids," Julie pouted, sinking into her seat.
Kelly studied her. "What if we change how you look? Just enough so they won't notice right away?"
Julie frowned. "What are you planning?"
Kelly grinned. "Meli, help me out. Even just her hair."
Melissa gasped dramatically, then nodded with excitement.
♣♣♣
Sunday came, and to Chris's surprise, the two sisters showed up at their house.
"Good morning, Pres," Kelly greeted politely.
"Good morning. Don't be so formal, Kelly," Chris said with a smile.
"Who's that, son?" their mother asked.
"Ah, Mommy, they're Julie's friends," Chris introduced.
"Oh! So the girl finally has friends! That's wonderful—come in, come in," she said cheerfully.
"Um… where's Julie?" Kelly asked.
Their mother glanced at Chris uncertainly.
"Mom, it's fine. They already know her secret. She told them," Chris assured.
Her eyes widened. "R—Really? Y—You two know?" she asked the sisters.
"Y–Yes, ma'am. I didn't believe it at first," Kelly admitted shyly.
"No, it's okay. I'm just happy she has good friends," their mom said warmly.
"She also told you about her problem, didn't she?" Chris asked.
Melissa nodded. "Julie asked us to help her not be recognized easily." She chuckled.
Chris smiled. "Julie! They're here!" he called.
Julie stepped out of her room right away."Ah! You're here already. Come in."
"We'll be upstairs," Kelly said politely.
"This way," Chris said, pointing them to the stairs.
The girls followed Julie into her room.
"Wow… I thought she'd never find friends," their mom murmured.
"There are four who know about her secret, Mom. One's just busy, and Nicole's sick," Chris explained.
He admired Jonathan's patience—despite everything that happened with Joel and Nicole, he hadn't gotten angry.
"Well then, I'll prepare something for Julie's friends. And it's only 10 a.m., right?" she asked.
Chris nodded. Julie had gotten ready early, though she was still unsure if she should attend the event.
Passing by her door, Chris peeked into the chaos: clothes everywhere, her friends debating what she should wear.
"Chris," Kelly called, noticing him.
"What are you three doing?" he asked.
"We're picking what she should wear. She's not singing today, but we need to tweak her look. She has dresses, but I can't choose," Kelly explained.
Chris rummaged briefly and held up a simple white collared dress."Try this. It might not be your style, but it works."
"Okay, brother!" Julie called while Melissa worked on her hair.
Kelly grinned. "Alright, we'll try it."
Chris chuckled and left.
A little while later, Julie came downstairs.
"Do you think no one will suspect me?" she asked nervously.
Chris overheard Kelly's reassuring tone:"Remember what I told you. Don't be Julie in front of them. Be the Pop Princess. Here—your shades. Perfect. Not Julie, but the Pop Princess, full of charisma."
"If you're pranking me—" Julie warned.
"No, no! You look gorgeous. Just smile. Don't be Julie today," Kelly insisted.
Chris looked up—and blinked.The dress he picked fit her perfectly. Her hair was tied up in curled ponytail, styled just like Kelly's.
"You… don't look like my sister right now," Chris said.
"Kuya! Is that bad?" Julie asked anxiously.
"No, it's just rare to see you like this. You really look like the Pop Princess. Only your curly hair gives you away."
"Julie! Is that really you? Doesn't look like it!" their mom teased.
"Mom!" Julie groaned.
"Don't trip in front of your uncle and aunt, okay?" she laughed.
"Go on, the driver's waiting," Chris reminded.
Julie nodded, waved at them, and left.
"Take care!"
"Julie! Remember what I told you!" Kelly called after her.
They watched until the car disappeared.
"There are snacks inside. Thanks for helping her today. She was really anxious about being around them," Chris told the sisters.
"Well, you asked, so we couldn't refuse," Kelly said with a laugh.
Their mom welcomed the girls warmly.Chris smiled to himself.
I hope she's doing fine…