*Who's My Eternal*
*Manila Bay — Two Days After*
The house was quiet now. Too quiet.
People left food. Left candles. Left.
But the hurt stayed.
Mrs. Eva was in the bedroom. Hadn't come out all day.
Cherry was on the floor, folding her papa's old shirt. Folding it again. And again.
Lola Anna sat with her. Silent. Just being there.dear ,I tried calling Elian yesterday but he didn't pick up, maybe he was busy but I'll call him today
"Lola," Cherry said. Voice raw. Barely there. "Don't tell him."
Lola Anna looked up. "Child?"
"Elian," Cherry whispered. "Don't tell your grandson."
She swallowed hard.
"If he knows, he'll come back. He'll drop everything. That mansion. That old man. His chance."
She shook her head.
"I don't want that. He finally got out. He's not _servant boy_ anymore."
Tears fell on her papa's shirt.
"Let him be great. Please."
Lola Anna's eyes filled.
She reached out. Held Cherry's hand.
"Okay," she said. Soft. "I won't say anything, Cherry. I promise."
Cherry nodded. Couldn't speak anymore.
So Elian didn't know.
In Vancouver, he was signing papers. Learning names. Becoming _Arthur Harkwell_.
In Manila, Cherry was burying her father. Alone.
Hours later
* Nights Before the Burial*
Power was out. Again.
Wood stove needed firewood. Mrs. Eva couldn't get up.
"I'll go," Cherry said.
"Cherry, it's late—" Noa started.
"I need air," she said. Pulled on her jacket. "I'll be fast."
She walked to the back. Past the boats. Toward the tree line where they kept the wood pile.
It was dark.
She didn't hear them at first.
Three of them.
Smelled like beer. Like trouble.
"Hey. Pretty girl."
Cherry froze.
Turned slow.
"Don't," she said. Voice flat. Tired. "Not tonight."
They laughed.
One grabbed her arm.
Cherry fought.
She wasn't weak. Bay girl. Grew up pulling nets. Carrying buckets.
She kicked. Screamed. Bit.
One hit her. Face. Stomach.
Another tried—
She didn't think. Just moved.
Grabbed a piece of wood. Swung. Hard.
He dropped.
She ran.
Bare feet on dirt. Blood in her mouth. Jacket torn.
She ran and didn't stop.
Didn't hear them behind her anymore.
Didn't care.
Made it to their store house Slammed the door. Locked it.
Slid to the floor. Shaking.
Her phone.
Gone.
Dropped it when she ran. Or they took it.
Didn't matter.
She pulled her knees up. Put her head down.
And cried.
She didn't go straight home because she doesn't want anyone to know about it not when everyone is hurting
*Harkwell mansion *
Elian Checked his phone.
No messages.
Frowned.
*Elian:* _You alive, Pink? You're quiet._
Delivered. Not read.
He set the phone down.
Figured she was sleeping.
Didn't know her phone was in the dirt.
Didn't know her lip was split.
Didn't know Lola Anna promise to keep him in the dark.
While Cherry Pink lay on the floor in Manila.
Bleeding.