Cielo finally made it home.
He had already heard from his brother that Julie had been discharged after her wounds were checked following the attempted kidnapping.
"Oh, you're here, Ciel," Dave greeted him. Kenneth was there too.
"Yeah…" Cielo said, then immediately asked, "How's Julie?"
"You look worn out," Kenneth observed.
Cielo sighed. Dawn had asked him to accompany her earlier during the chaos, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse. Exhausted, he dropped onto the sofa.
A reassuring pat landed on his shoulder.
"Julie's fine," Dave said. "Nicole will be undergoing counseling again."
"What about the kidnapping?" Cielo pressed. "Any updates?"
"According to Kelly, the ones who tried to abduct them were students like us. She saw a school uniform."
Kenneth's gaze sharpened. "What school?"
"Kelly couldn't remember clearly," Dave answered. "But at least we have a lead. And apparently… a woman ordered the attack."
Cielo straightened. "A woman?"
"Maybe it's connected to what happened between Nicole and Airah," Kenneth suggested.
"Maybe," Dave agreed. "But this time, Kelly was their first target. Then Nicole."
Cielo frowned. "We need to confirm if they're really behind this." He reached for a glass of water.
"At least Kelly's parents already filed a police blotter using the van's plate number," Dave added.
"That's good," Kenneth said. "If we find the owner, it could lead us to the one giving orders."
Cielo nodded, some tension easing in his chest.
I want to see Julie, he thought.
"You want to visit her?" Dave asked knowingly.
"She's probably resting," Cielo hesitated.
"Julie was looking for you earlier," Dave said. "She really wanted to see you."
Cielo let out a slow breath.
"Go," Kenneth said, patting his back. "She needs you. She's your girlfriend."
"It's still early," Dave added. "We'll go with you."
"Yeah," Cielo said quietly. "I really want to see her."
They arrived at the Navares' house soon after.
Chris opened the door.
"Tita, good evening," Cielo greeted Julie's mother politely.
She smiled warmly. "She's in her room. Not asleep yet."
"Chris, go with him," she said.
"No need, Mom," Chris chuckled. "She already sensed Cielo's here."
And true enough, Julie appeared at the stairs, eyes wide.
The moment she saw him, she rushed down and threw her arms around him. She didn't say a word—she just trembled as her tears fell again.
"See?" Chris teased. "We'll be in the kitchen. Go on."
Cielo held her tightly. He noticed the scratches on her hands, the bruise on her cheek. Gently, he guided her to the sofa and checked her carefully.
"Cielo…" Julie whispered weakly.
He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. "It's okay."
She stayed quiet, but he knew how terrified she must have been. He pulled her closer and exhaled deeply.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier," he said softly. "Are you really okay?"
"It's fine," she replied with a faint smile. "You're here now. Thank you for coming."
He ruffled her hair. "I heard you were brave. I'm proud of you. But next time, take care of yourself first." He flicked her forehead lightly.
She pouted. "I had to save Nicky. She gets scared so easily. And Kelly was still fighting inside… I panicked."
"I know," he said gently. "But please be careful. I was so worried. I couldn't even visit you at the hospital."
Julie chuckled softly. "You're here now. I just want to be spoiled a little."
Cielo pulled her against his chest, wrapping an arm around her. She curled into him, resting comfortably in his embrace.
"It feels so good to be in your arms," she murmured. "Call me clingy, but this is my favorite place when I'm scared."
He laughed quietly. "You only get clingy when you're scared—or when you need comfort. And I love that side of you."
"Really?" she asked, eyes shining.
"Yeah." He lifted her hand and kissed her palm.
A gentle cough came from behind them.
"Cielo," Julie's mother said with a warm smile, "you need to eat. You haven't eaten yet, right? Dave said you came straight here. I prepared food for you."
Julie looked at him seriously. "You didn't eat?"
"I—I'm fine—"
"No," she said firmly, standing up. "You're tired. You need to eat."
"Julie…" he sighed.
"No excuses. Sit. Eat."
She guided him to the table as her mother handed him a plate.
Kenneth appeared, grinning. "Are you two done talking?"
"She found out I skipped dinner," Cielo said helplessly. "Now I'm being forced to eat."
Julie sat beside him, watching closely. "I don't want you getting sick."
"Funny," Chris said. "You're the one with a fever."
"I already took medicine," Julie replied.
"Julie," Cielo said firmly, "I'll eat. But after this, you need to rest."
She smiled and nodded, making everyone chuckle.
"Thank you, Tita Jesca," Cielo said politely after finishing.
"You're welcome," Jesca laughed. "Just be patient with my daughter."
Cielo smiled softly.
Later, as they sat on the couch, Cielo pressed a hand to Julie's forehead.
"You should rest," he murmured. "Your fever might come back."
"Are you leaving already?" she asked, pouting.
"Maybe later," he said gently. "We have class tomorrow. If you don't feel well, you stay home, okay?"
Instead of answering, she hugged him tighter.
He stroked her hair, holding her close until her breathing evened out and she fell into a deep sleep.
"She's out cold," Kenneth noted.
Cielo sighed. "Julie, I need to go home now." He tapped her cheek lightly.
She didn't stir.
"Don't worry," Chris said. "I'll take care of her."
It was nearly ten when they prepared to leave.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"Who's visiting this late?" Dave asked.
"Oh!" Chris said. "My cousin's arriving tonight."
Jesca gasped. "Right—I completely lost track of the time!"
Cielo glanced down at Julie, still asleep in his arms, and sighed.
How am I supposed to wake her now?