"It looks like Julie doesn't want you going home anymore. Maybe you should just stay here," Kenneth teased, laughing.
Cielo only sighed heavily.
"Just endure it," Dave said, patting his shoulder. "She is your girlfriend."
"Huh? She's your girlfriend?"
The voice came from behind them.
Everyone turned toward the man who had just arrived. Kenneth froze for a moment—the man looked oddly familiar, like someone who had just returned from abroad.
Why does he look so familiar? Kenneth wondered.
"Gabriel," Chris muttered with a sigh.
"He's the cousin I mentioned earlier," Chris added. "Gab, don't barge in when people aren't even talking to you."
"Ah—sorry," Gabriel said sheepishly. "I was just… surprised that Julie already has a boyfriend."
He smiled warmly. "I forgot to introduce myself. Gabriel Alexander Santos-Navares. You can call me Sander, Gab, or Gabriel."
They all nodded politely.
Gabriel Santos-Navares…That name rang a bell.
"Wait," Kenneth suddenly said. "Have you ever been to Australia?"
Gabriel blinked, surprised. "Yeah. When I was a kid. My parents brought me there—my dad's a doctor."
Bingo.
"Do you know the surname Villanueva?" Kenneth asked carefully.
"Villanueva?" Gabriel frowned. "Yeah. One of my dad's colleagues there. Why?"
"That's my dad," Kenneth said. "I'm a Villanueva. I think we've met before."
Gabriel's eyes widened. "Wait—are you Kenneth?"
"Yeah."
Gabriel broke into a grin. "Wow. It's been so long! I didn't expect to see you again."
Dave and Chris exchanged quiet looks while Julie remained fast asleep.
So that's it, Kenneth thought. We really are cousins.
"Dave," Kenneth said, "he's the one I told you about—the guy I met when I stayed in Australia for two years. I forgot his surname back then, but when you mentioned Chris's last name, it suddenly clicked."
"I see," Chris said calmly.
"Yeah," Gabriel added. "You're the cousin I bragged about to Julie—the one who made friends so easily."
"Small world," Dave muttered, shaking his head.
"So…" Gabriel said playfully, looking around. "Which one of you is my cousin's boyfriend? You, Kenneth?"
Kenneth laughed awkwardly.Cielo will kill me if I mess this up.
"No. It's my cousin—Cielo," Kenneth clarified.
"Cielo?" Gabriel turned to him.
"Oh." His expression softened. "You're Julie's childhood friend, right? She used to talk about you."
"Yeah," Cielo replied simply.
"He stayed in Australia too," Kenneth added, "but he wasn't really the outgoing type. That's probably why you never met."
Gabriel nodded. "That makes sense."
"So… Julie finally has a boyfriend," Gabriel said, smiling as he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Cielo shook his hand politely.
Gabriel then shook Dave's hand as well, leaving Dave slightly amused at how everything had turned out.
*******
"So what was all the commotion earlier?" Gabriel asked.
Chris was still processing the fact that he and Gabriel had known each other as kids.
"Oh," Kenneth said, "Cielo needs to go home with us, but Julie's still asleep."
Gabriel chuckled. "If she's that relaxed, it means she's really comfortable with him. Looks like she finally found the right guy."
Chris silently agreed. Despite all their bickering in the past, Gabriel had always treated Julie like a little sister.
"Gab," Chris sighed, "can you get your cousin? They really need to head home."
"Huh?" Gabriel scratched his head. "I don't know if I can still carry her… but I guess I can."
Carefully, he lifted Julie's head from Cielo's arm. She stirred slightly, but Gabriel steadied her.
"It's fine," he told Cielo. "I've got her."
Cielo nodded.
"Well, I guess we should go," Cielo said.
"Yeah," Chris replied. "See you at school tomorrow."
"See you," Gabriel said cheerfully, waving. "Kenneth, Cielo—take care."
"Oh, by the way," Gabriel added suddenly, "I'm transferring to your school starting tomorrow."
"What?" Chris blinked. "That was fast."
"Mom decided," Gabriel shrugged. "And since my cousins are there—why not?"
Dave laughed quietly.
"See you, Chris," Kenneth said.
"Take care," Chris replied.
"Tita Jesca, we're heading out," Dave called politely.
"Alright," Jesca said warmly. "Take care—and visit again sometime."
Chris watched from the window as they drove away.
"So… you're really studying here now?" he asked Gabriel afterward.
"Yep," Gabriel replied, glancing down at Julie. "And I'm glad she finally has someone who truly cares about her."
"Well," Chris muttered, "Julie's going to be surprised."
"Hm?" Gabriel said thoughtfully. "She has lots of friends, right? I want to meet them too—the people who make her happy."
"You're really protective," Chris said, shaking his head. "But you still love teasing her."
"Of course," Gabriel smiled softly. "She's my baby sister."
He gently brushed Julie's hair—then paused.
His expression darkened as he noticed the scratches on her face.
"What happened to her?" he asked quietly.
Chris sighed. "Gabriel, it's late. You need to sleep. You're starting school tomorrow."
"Well… if you say so," Gabriel replied reluctantly.
"Go on," Chris said. "And bring Julie to her room."
"Yeah, yeah," Gabriel muttered, though he obeyed.
Despite his playful attitude, Gabriel was obedient and lighthearted—but Chris knew better.
When Gabriel got angry—especially when Julie was hurt—he could be terrifying.
Should we involve him? Chris wondered.He already knows about Cielo. He's here now. Should we really let him in?
The thought lingered heavily in the quiet room.