Friday.
Jurong East MRT station.
Both Kidlathea and Sandra walked out of the train. Nah, this woman still hadn't confessed her feelings — don't expect her to either. She was a certified lovestruck.
Sandra wore an "I'm annoyed but I'm not showing it" face as she stepped off and spotted Glenda watching her from the exit, half-asleep.
Glenda walked over and studied Sandra closely. She pulled out her phone and opened the MRT map.
"This is Bugis."
"Correct."
"This is Orchard."
"Correct."
"This is Jurong East."
"Also correct."
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
Sandra looked at Glenda instantly, breaking into a sheepish smile, scratching her head.
"I don't understand what to say, woman. It's not like you overslept like last time — yet here you are, at the wrong station again. Are you in love with detours or what?" Glenda asked, completely flat. Bruh, she was annoyed too. More than Sandra.
Kidlathea laughed, trying her hardest to hold it in — and failing. "This isn't funny, woman," Glenda said. "By the way, I'm Glenda Linohour. Sandra's manager."
Wow. Straight to the point as always, Glenda. They shook hands while Kidlathea fought to keep a straight face. "N— nice to meet you. I'm Kidlathea Dela Cruz. And... the primary reason for her detours."
End.
They both burst into laughter. "I'm so... sorry," Kidlathea cracked between her loudspeaker laugh. Glenda held onto her, saying, "Don't mind her. It's just who she is."
Sandra smiled but kept that annoyed face going anyway. "Alright. Enough, girls."
Meanwhile, a figure walked in. Nobody noticed him entering through that exit. Nobody heard the creak of the floor under his weight. He stopped at a distance, gaze fixed on someone he had sworn he would never have to face again.
"Kidlathea." One word. A roughness buried in it. One by one, they all caught his presence — and went quiet. Kidlathea was still smiling. Sandra's and Glenda's colour drained out completely.
Kidlathea rushed to her boyfriend, embracing him warmly. He patted her back, his gaze still locked on Sandra — and hers on him.
But he pulled it away the moment Kidlathea cupped his cheeks. He smiled at her. Genuinely.
"What were you all laughing at so hard? Aren't you going to share?" he asked.
"I'll tell you later." She brushed off his question, dragging him toward Sandra. Kidlathea — you had no idea what history you were walking into.
"Meet her — this is Sandra, the girl I mention all the time." That last part landed pleasantly, but Sandra couldn't hold eye contact with her ex. Not when he was this close.
"Hi." He said it as roughly as he could manage. Sandra gave a brief nod, looking away. "And Sandra, this is my boyfriend, Jovan Ong."
Sandra turned to him. "Hi." As flatly as she could. Obviously — she hated him, and she hated it wholeheartedly.
Kidlathea held Sandra's hand, starting to say, "And—"
Jovan cut her off. "Let's head back. Mom and Dad are waiting for you." He took her other hand. Kidlathea felt the moment settle as her hand slipped from Sandra's. They exchanged a glance — but neither said anything.
"Let's go too. I'm done with your drama," Glenda said, taking Sandra's hand and walking on.
They parted in different directions, not knowing when — or if — they would cross paths on the Bugis–Jurong East Romance Express again.
Sandra had already told herself: Jovan would make sure Kidlathea never saw her again. That was exactly why she had never wanted Kidlathea to introduce them.
"Now put Project Jurong East aside and focus on the fashion event."
"...He's going to create a huge mess if we ever bump into each other again." She said it almost without thinking. Glenda went quiet for a moment. "We'll figure it out if that day comes." She patted Sandra's shoulders, nodding briefly.
Sandra exhaled heavily, resting her head on Glenda's shoulder.
"She's going to find out all the lies I told about Ulan."
"That's why I call you an idiot."
"Can't you be optimistic for once?"
"A pessimist can never be optimistic." They both laughed at their old joke. Sandra shoved her lightly as Glenda kept laughing at her expense.
Later, they alighted at Bugis MRT station. Glenda glanced at Sandra.
"Where's your destination going to be tomorrow?"
Sandra pulled an annoyed face, trying not to accept what she already knew. You can't fight what's written, Sandra.
"I know... you don't have to remind me." She huffed, stepping out of the exit toward the parking lot. Glenda followed, then stopped the moment Sandra halted abruptly. She narrowed her eyes.
"What now?"
Sandra spun around. A strange, sheepish smile lingered on her lips. Glenda flinched slightly. "Wh— what?"
Sandra slowly raised her hand. A strawberry keychain dangled from her fingers.
"What? I'm not following."
"This keychain. It's Kidlathea's."
"...So?"
"So — I have a reason to meet her again." Sandra's smile stretched from ear to ear. Glenda facepalmed. What else could she do? Pity the woman.
"Please stop, Sandra."
▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎
Glenda, thoroughly annoyed, stood between an enthusiastic Sandra and a boiling afternoon sun.
"Hey, Old Woman." Sandra gave her a side-eye, scanning her up and down. "I told you not to call me that."
"No matter how many times you say it — I'm never going to listen, Old Woman." She mouthed it deliberately, baiting Sandra — but somehow, today, Sandra didn't take it.
"Scumbag," she muttered. Her attention drifted back to the street, pacing, biting her nails — anxious. Glenda stole a glance and said, "Imagine Kidlathea not showing up to this event—"
Sandra turned and stared into her soul. Very seriously. Glenda immediately walked it back. "I don't mean that, Sandra. Not at all. I was just wondering — what if she comes with Jovan?"
"If that pessimistic mouth of yours has nothing useful to say, stay quiet. Don't push me right now."
"Woa. Woa. Easy, woman. It's just an assumption..."
Glenda stopped mid-sentence, eyes locking onto the couple walking up behind Sandra. Her heart nearly skipped a beat. Sandra glanced at her. "What are you staring at?"
"Look behind you. You'll understand."
Sandra turned around — and boom. Her eyes went wide. Kidlathea was walking straight toward them, hand in hand with JOVAN. Oh, little Sandra.
"What kind of mouth do you have, Glenda?"
Kidlathea smiled brightly, waving at Sandra. Oh~ Sandra melted~ like snow in summer heat. But the very next second, Jovan tightened his grip on Kidlathea's hand, pulling her closer. Kidlathea looked puzzled. Sandra understood perfectly.
She glanced at Glenda. "I genuinely want to kick your ass right now," she muttered, walking inside the company, heavy-footed. Glenda sighed, giving the approaching couple a tight smile.
"Aren't you coming inside, Glenda? It's so hot out here," Kidlathea said softly.
"I think I need more vitamin D, actually."
"Vitamin D? In the afternoon?"
"Yes — afternoon vitamin D hits different."
"..."
And just like that, our Glenda vanished into the thick, burning afternoon. Don't worry — she was hiding in the shop next door.
Sandra, completely deflated, sat alone at the bar counter, drinking. The bartender slid another shot her way. She glanced at him sideways, narrowing her eyes. "What are you trying to add — an extra dose of mental instability?"
"Tequila." A voice cut in. The bartender nodded, already preparing it, as Sandra glanced sideways. She turned away as he took the seat beside her.
"Still on shots? I thought you quit after we were done," he said. She paused mid-drink, peeking at him.
"Not your business." She said flatly, swirling her glass. He stole a glance at her. "Then why are you getting into mine?"
"Does it bother you?" she whispered. "I don't see a future for you with her. So what if I want to try my luck?" She smirked nastily, looking him over.
The vein at his temple twitched. Rage tightened in his fist. "You're crossing a line, Sandra."
"I haven't even started yet, Jovan. You're acting up too fast." She leaned forward. The bartender froze mid-pour, caballito glass in hand, leaning in just a little too close.
Jovan held her gaze — cold, hollow. The same old chill passed between them. "Shame, isn't it?" she said quietly, close enough that only he could hear. "You gave her the same ring you once gave me. Cheap. She deserves better than your cheap service, Jovan."
The words hung in his head like a second voice. He stared her down, trying to peel back that confidence she wore so easily. He leaned in closer, making her flinch.
"Don't lecture me, Sandra." His voice dropped low in her ear. "I know how to treat my slaves." The bartender's jaw dropped. Sandra simply rested her cheek on her folded fingers, eyes moving slowly across his face.
"Let's see how far that takes you, Jovan."
He grabbed the caballito glass, gaze still on her, and stormed off. Sandra watched him go with a quiet, triumphant smirk. She turned to the bartender.
"Don't mind that. Just me and my ex catching up." The bartender nodded, reluctantly. His soul had clearly left his body somewhere in the middle of that exchange. That wasn't even a reunion — that was a declaration of war.
She walked over to the table right beside Kidlathea's, settling in. Her eyes drifted to Kidlathea — watching how beautifully she could smile, completely unaware of what her boyfriend truly was, completely unaware of Jovan already throwing death stares across the room.
Sandra gradually turned to Jovan, smirking. She raised her brows — and he turned away, rolling his eyes.
I still don't understand how Kidlathea doesn't notice any of this. Especially when it's right in front of her — Jovan and Sandra, in the same room, carrying a whole war in their silence.