Chantelle's POV
I followed Andrew into the restaurant, my heart doing backflips like it had auditioned for the Olympics.
Of course, the universe had jokes—because his uncle was there.
"Hi, Uncle Hector," I greeted politely.
He frowned immediately.
"Just Hector," he corrected. "That name makes me sound ancient."
Sir… you already sit like history, I thought, smiling sweetly.
We chatted for a bit—light talk, awkward smiles, me pretending my heart wasn't trying to escape my ribcage. Then Andrew cleared his throat.
"Hector, I need to talk to Chantelle privately. Could you excuse us, please?"
I blinked. "We don't—"
"Yes, we do," Andrew cut in gently but firmly.
Oh. So this is serious-serious.
He took my hand—my brain short-circuited—and informed Hector that we'd be at the SDR if anything was needed. Then he walked me out like he had rehearsed this moment a thousand times.
Inside the SDR, the atmosphere turned painfully awkward.
We sat.
Silence.
Heavy silence.
The kind that could crush souls.
Finally, Andrew spoke.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"Me? Never," I said, forcing an awkward laugh.
Great. Amazing. I have never fake-laughed with Andrew before. Congratulations, Chantelle. You've officially messed up.
"Why did you run after your confession?" he asked.
The air went still.
"I don't want to hear you, my love," I blurted.
WHY DID I SAY THAT?
Andrew stood up.
"When did I reject you?" he said quietly. "You ran before I could even respond. You can't say I rejected you when I never did."
Then he stood right in front of me.
"Chantelle… I like you. No—I love you. To infinity and beyond."
Did he just Toy Story me?
"I remember our first meeting. That's when the feelings started. I wasn't sure if it was love then, but after three years of friendship… I know now."
He took a breath.
"I love you. And I want to ask you—will you be my girlfriend?"
My brain?
Offline.
System crashed.
No thoughts found.
So I stood up, leaned in, and kissed his cheek.
"Of course," I whispered. "I'd love to be your girlfriend."
He pulled me into a hug immediately.
"I'll make you the happiest dancer ever," he promised.
Okay… I forgive last night. Fully.
Jay-Jay's POV
Forty minutes.
Forty. Whole. Minutes.
We were still driving.
Still turning.
Still seeing the same buildings like they were mocking me on repeat.
"How are you even directing us?" I asked, rubbing my temples. "Because at this point, I feel like we're on a sightseeing tour I did not sign up for."
Ci-N didn't even look nervous. That's what scared me.
"Relax," he said. "We're close."
Close to where? Confusion? Madness? My villain arc?
I stared at the phone in his hand.
Then it clicked.
Oh.
OH.
Before anyone could blink, I snatched the phone from Ci-N's hand.
"HEY—" he started.
I unlocked it in two seconds flat, eyes scanning the map.
Silence.
Dead silence.
"…Keifer," I said slowly, calmly, dangerously.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Stop the car."
The car slowed.
Ci-N leaned forward. "Jay, wait—"
"Nope," I said, still staring at the screen. "You've waited long enough. I need to process this."
Keifer pulled over.
I lifted the phone.
Smiled.
Not a happy smile.
The kind of smile that says someone is about to explain their life choices.
"Ci-N," I said sweetly,
End scene.