"Miss Peachy Chen, ito na po ang fairy lights na request ninyo," said one of the hotel crew, handing her a bundle of twinkling strings.
Peachy smiled. "Thank you, Kuya Ben! Ingat ka, ha."
"Akala mo talaga party planner 'tong batang 'to," Patty muttered nearby, arms crossed as she watched Peachy climb up a step ladder with barely controlled excitement.
The Mo Hotel's garden was being transformed for the Gabi ng Ilaw — a celebration to honor staff, partners, and guests. Fairy lights draped the trellises, soft music played from discreet speakers, and Peachy, like always, had managed to sneak in her magic—one sticky note at a time.
Each table had a handwritten message:27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr3RI5l7wk
"Tonight is a wish in disguise."27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3qsHSn6ak
"You're not too late for wonder."27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYuacWo3Bi
"It's okay to glow softly."
Charlie noticed them all.
He had spent the last hour weaving through conversations, smiling politely at investors, and deflecting his father's subtle criticisms. But every time his eyes wandered, they found Peachy—laughing with staff, adjusting lanterns, standing barefoot on the grass because her heels hurt.
Pink ink in a black-and-white world.
Linsay Mo approached him, leaning slightly on her cane. "Don't look so glum, Charlie. Even your shadow's bored."
He smiled faintly. "Just tired."
"Then do something that doesn't exhaust you," she winked, nodding toward Peachy. "Ask her to walk with you. Trust me, she's better than champagne."
Charlie didn't need more pushing.
"Peachy."
She turned, slightly breathless from running cords behind the bushes.
"Oh—hi, Mr. Mo."
"Charlie," he corrected, lips quirking. "You're off-duty now. And I was wondering... can I steal you?"
Peachy blinked. "Steal me?"
He chuckled. "For a walk. Just outside. Away from... everything."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Wait lang. Kukunin ko lang 'yung slippers ko. Yung heels ko parang galit sa'kin."
They walked quietly at first, stepping out of the hotel grounds toward a quieter street lit by vintage lamp posts. The celebration behind them faded into soft hums and distant laughter.
"So," Charlie started, "What made you think fairy lights and handwritten notes could make this event better?"
Peachy shrugged. "Because they made me feel better. And I figured... maybe someone else needs that, too."
"Simple."
"Hopeful," she corrected, grinning.
He stopped walking. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Keep believing. After everything."
Peachy looked up at the sky, then back at him. "Kasi if I don't, baka tuluyan na akong mawala."
Charlie's jaw tightened. "I stopped believing after Maia. It was like... someone turned the lights off and I forgot where the switch was."
"You're still looking for it?" she asked softly.
"Some days," he admitted. "But then someone comes in with sticky notes and pink pens and starts turning on lamps one by one."
Peachy blinked, heart skipping. "Charlie..."
They reached a small bridge overlooking the city. Down below, car lights blinked like moving fireflies, and the wind blew gently around them.
Suddenly, he turned to her.
"May tanong ako."
She looked up. "Hmm?"
"If I kiss you right now, would you believe it's real?"
Peachy's breath caught. "Baka... no. Kasi maybe it's the lights. The moment. The loneliness."
Charlie stepped closer. "And if I kiss you tomorrow, sa init ng araw, no music, no magic... would you believe it then?"
She smiled. "Mas maniniwala ako."
He nodded.
Then, he kissed her anyway.
Soft. Hesitant. Brief.
Peachy didn't move at first. But her heart was hammering. Not out of shock... but out of realization.
She wasn't invisible.
She wasn't just "helpful."
She was wanted.
When they broke apart, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't awkward—just fragile, like a wish floating between them.
"Charlie..." she began, unsure what to say.
He beat her to it. "I want to try. With you. I don't know how to be soft again, Peachy. But you make it look... survivable."
Peachy blinked tears away. "But your dad hates me. Your ex hates me. My sister thinks I'm delusional."
"Then let's be delusional together."
She laughed, sniffling.
"But are you ready for people to talk?"
"They've always talked. About everything. But I've never cared about their voices as much as I care about yours."
Peachy swallowed hard. "Then... okay."
"Okay?"
"Let's try."
And with that, under the city lights, they made an impulsive decision.
Not to be forever.
Not to be perfect.
But to be brave enough... to begin.
End of Chapter 10.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQWRAyfgLj
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