*Who's My Eternal*
*Sunday — 1445 Belmont Avenue, 11 AM*
Elian showed up with one bag.
That's it.
Clothes from the mall. Lola's old Bible. The photo Cherry took of them at the bay last year — both muddy, both laughing.
Mr. Harkwell met him at the door himself. No bodyguards this time. Just him. Cane in one hand.
"Mr. Eldridge," he said. Nodded at the bag. "That all?"
"Yes, sir," Elian said. "Didn't think I should bring the hotel towels."
Mr. Harkwell snorted. First time Elian heard him make that sound. "Good. Means you're not planning to leave."
He led Elian inside.
Up the stairs. Past rooms bigger than Elian's whole house back home.
Stopped at a door. Pushed it open.
Bedroom. King bed. Windows facing the mountains. Desk. Shelves. Private bathroom.
"This is yours," Mr. Harkwell said. "Staff won't bother you unless you call. Kitchen's always open. Library's down the hall. If you want something, ask."
Elian stood in the doorway.
Didn't move.
"Sir," he said. Quiet. "This is too much."
"It's a bedroom," Mr. Harkwell said. "You had one in Manila, didn't you?"
"Yeah. With Lola. And a hole in the roof when it rained."
Mr. Harkwell was quiet.
Then: "Settle in. We eat at 7. You'll meet Mrs. Chen. She runs the house. Don't be late."
He walked off.
Elian stepped inside.
Set his bag down.
Looked around.
And felt like an imposter.
Pulled out his phone.
*Elian:* _I'm in. The room is bigger than our entire house._
*Elian:* _There's art. I don't know what it means but it's expensive._
Three dots.
*Cherry:* _Don't touch anything._
*Cherry:* _Don't break anything._
*Cherry:* _Don't let them turn you into a butler._
Elian laughed.
*Elian:* _Noted. No butler-ing._
*Back in the Philippines — Cherry's Kitchen, Same Time*
"Ma," Cherry said. Stirring her coffee too fast. "He moved in."
Mrs. Eva looked up from the rice she was washing. "With the old man?"
"Yes. Mansion. Bodyguards. The whole thing." Cherry groaned. Dropped her head on the table. "What if he's the mafia, Ma? What if they make him—"
"Cherry."
Mrs. Eva wiped her hands. Sat down.
"He called you last night," she said. Not a question.
Cherry peeked up. "...yes."
"For two hours."
"...yes."
Mrs. Eva smiled. Small. Knowing.
"And did he sound scared?"
Cherry thought.
"No," she admitted. "He sounded… excited. Like when he found a new spot to swim. Like when he was planning something stupid."
"Then trust him," Mrs. Eva said. Took her hand. "You gave him that diamond so he could choose. Let him."
"But what if—"
"Cherry," Mrs. Eva said. "You said it yourself. Even if Elian changes, the truth will stand."
She tapped Cherry's chest. Light. Right over her heart.
"He won't forget where he comes from. Because _you're_ where he comes from."
Cherry's eyes burned.
She nodded.
Pulled out her phone.
*Cherry:* _7 PM there is 10 AM here._
*Cherry:* _Eat. Don't be rude. And send me a pic of the "art"._
*Cherry:* _So I know what rich people stare at._
*Elian:* _Yes, ma'am._
*Elian:* _Also stop calling me servant boy. I live in a mansion now._
*Cherry:* _You'll always be servant boy to me, Eldridge._
*Elian:* _Good._