They sat across from each other at the table, with the soft sound of the water in the distance.
Cherry looked around, clearly touched.
"This place is beautiful."
Elian smiled. "I knew you'd like it."
A waiter came over and served them their drinks before leaving them alone.
Cherry rested her chin on her hand, looking at Elian.
"You've changed so much."
Elian raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"
She laughed.
"Yes. A very big one."
He smiled.
"I've missed seeing you smile like that."
Cherry's expression softened.
"I've missed you too."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Elian reached across the table and took her hand.
"I'm sorry."
Cherry blinked.
"For what?"
"For all the years we lost."
She gently squeezed his hand.
"We can't change the past."
"I know."
Elian looked into her eyes.
"But I don't want to lose any more time with you."
Cherry smiled.
"Then don't."
Her simple answer touched him.
Elian lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.
Cherry's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"You've become so romantic," she teased.
"Maybe I had a good teacher."
"Who?"
He smiled.
"You."
Cherry laughed.
Their food arrived, and they began eating while talking about everything and nothing.
For the first time in a long while, Elian felt peaceful.
But somewhere in the back of his mind, the memory of Cindy's kiss remained.
He tried to push it away.
Tonight was about Cherry.
He didn't want anything to ruin it.
Cherry took another bite of her food before looking across the table at Elian.
"By the way..." she said casually.
Elian looked up. "Hmm?"
"Cindy is getting married to Nicklaus."
His hand paused around his glass.
"Nicklaus?"
Cherry nodded.
"Yes. Their families are arranging everything. I think the wedding will be soon."
Elian forced himself to remain calm.
"Are you okay with that?"
Cherry shrugged lightly.
"It's not really my business. Cindy only visits the house because of the marriage arrangement anyway."
She smiled faintly.
"Nicklaus doesn't seem very happy about it either."
Elian lowered his gaze.
He knew there was much more to the situation than Cherry could ever imagine.
Cindy was supposed to marry his younger brother.
And yet, only the night before, she had kissed him.
Worse...
He had kissed her back.
"Elian?"
He looked up quickly.
"Hmm?"
Cherry smiled.
"You suddenly got quiet."
"I'm fine."
She studied him for a moment before reaching across the table and taking his hand.
"You don't have to worry about Cindy anymore."
Elian's chest tightened.
Cherry smiled warmly.
"She's part of the past."
Elian stared at her hand holding his.
If only it were that simple.
He squeezed her hand gently.
"You're right."
But deep inside, he knew the past had just found its way back into his present.
Cherry's phone suddenly began ringing on the table.
She glanced at the screen.
Nicklaus.
She smiled and picked it up.
"Excuse me."
She answered the call.
"Hello?"
Nicklaus's voice came through immediately.
"Cherry! Where are you?"
She frowned playfully.
"Why are you calling me so many times?"
"I've called you five times already!"
Cherry glanced at Elian.
"I'm out with Elian."
There was a brief silence.
Then Nicklaus groaned.
"Of course you are."
Cherry laughed.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to know when you're coming home."
"I don't know. We're still having dinner."
Nicklaus sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Just don't stay out too late."
Cherry rolled her eyes.
"Since when are you my father?"
"I'm your brother. That's even worse."
She laughed.
"Okay, Nicklaus. I'll call you when I'm heading home."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She ended the call and placed her phone back on the table.
Elian watched her with a small smile.
"Your brother seems very protective."
Cherry laughed.
"He's always been like that."
She picked up her fork.
"But sometimes he's seriously annoying."
Elian chuckled.
"I can tell."
Cherry smiled and continued eating, completely unaware of the complicated thoughts running through Elian's mind.
---
Elian watched Cherry put her phone down.
"Your brother really cares about you," he said casually.
Cherry smiled. "Nicklaus has always been protective."
Elian nodded, but his smile slowly faded.
There was something about the way Nicklaus spoke to Cherry that bothered him.
It wasn't simply the concern of a brother.
Elian had noticed it before—the way Nicklaus looked at her, the way he teased her, the way he always seemed to find a reason to be around her.
And now, knowing Nicklaus wanted something more than a simple family relationship with Cherry...
Elian felt jealousy rising in his chest.
He hated the feeling.
Especially because he had no right to be jealous.
He was the one who had kissed Cindy.
He was the one keeping a secret from Cherry.
Yet the thought of another man trying to make Cherry his made his stomach tighten.
Cherry noticed his silence.
"Elian?"
He looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
He forced a smile.
"Nothing."
Cherry narrowed her eyes.
"You're lying."
Elian chuckled softly.
"I'm just tired."
But his eyes drifted toward her phone.
Nicklaus.
The name alone was enough to irritate him.
Elian took a slow breath and looked back at Cherry.
Why am I jealous?
I'm the one who's betraying her.
His guilt only made the jealousy worse.
Cherry studied his face for a moment.
Elian was trying his best to act normal, but she could see the slight tension in his expression.
She leaned forward a little.
"Elian..."
"Hmm?"
"Are you jealous?"
Elian nearly choked on his drink.
"What?"
Cherry smiled, clearly amused.
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Elian shook his head.
"Why would I be jealous of Nicklaus?"
Cherry raised an eyebrow.
"Because he keeps calling me?"
"No."
"Because he wants to know where I am?"
"That's not it."
"Then why have you been staring at my phone like you want to throw it into the ocean?"
Elian looked away.
Cherry couldn't hold back her laughter.
"You really are jealous."
Elian sighed.
"Fine."
He looked back at her.
"Maybe a little."
Cherry's smile widened.
"Just a little?"
He leaned closer across the table.
"Okay. A lot."
Cherry laughed softly.
"You don't have anything to worry about."
Elian's expression softened.
"I know."
Cherry reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
"Nicklaus is my brother."
Elian nodded.
But he knew that wasn't exactly how Nicklaus saw their relationship.
And somehow, that bothered him even more.
Minutes later, they stood together outside the restaurant, overlooking the beautiful view of Manila.
Cherry stood in front of Elian, while his arms wrapped comfortably around her waist.
She leaned back against him, enjoying the quiet moment.
The city lights reflected across the water.
Then her phone started ringing again.
Cherry glanced down.
Nicklaus.
The ringing continued.
Elian's expression tightened.
"Again?" he muttered.
Cherry sighed. "He's probably trying to—"
Before she could finish, Elian gently took the phone from her hand.
"Elian?"
He looked at the screen for a moment.
Then he switched the phone off.
Cherry turned around in his arms.
"Why did you—"
Elian leaned down and kissed her.
Cherry froze for a second, surprised by the sudden kiss.
Then she slowly closed her eyes and relaxed against him.
Elian held her closer, trying to push every complicated thought from his mind.
For that moment, there was no Cindy.
No Nicklaus.
No secrets.
Only Cherry in his arms.
When he finally pulled away, Cherry looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
"You really didn't want me answering that call, did you?"
Elian gave her a small smile.
"Not tonight."
Cherry shook her head, laughing softly.
"You're so jealous."
Elian tightened his arms around her waist.
"Maybe I am."
Cherry smiled softly when she noticed the jealousy still lingering in Elian's expression.
She turned around fully in his arms and gently touched his cheek.
"Elian, stop worrying."
He looked at her.
Cherry smiled.
"I only have one person in my heart."
Elian's eyes softened.
"Who?"
She gave him a playful look.
"You, of course."
Elian let out a quiet laugh, but instead of answering, he pulled her closer and buried his face against her chest.
Cherry burst out laughing.
"Elian!"
His arms tightened around her waist.
"Keep it that way."
Cherry laughed even harder.
"You're seriously jealous."
"I'm serious," he mumbled.
She gently ran her fingers through his hair.
"Don't worry. My heart isn't going anywhere."
Elian stayed there for a moment, holding her tightly.
"Good."
Cherry smiled down at him.
"You're cute when you're jealous."
"Don't tell anyone."
She laughed.
"Your secret is safe with me."
Elian suddenly slipped an arm around Cherry and lifted her off the ground, making her gasp.
"Elian!"
He gently settled her against the railing, keeping his hands securely around her waist.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her face already turning red.
Elian leaned closer with a teasing smile.
"I told you I'm jealous."
Cherry swallowed nervously.
"And?"
He chuckled.
"I need you."
Cherry's entire face turned bright red.
"Elian!"
He laughed at her reaction before leaning in and giving her a gentle kiss.
After a moment, he pulled away, still smiling.
"It's getting late," he said. "I should take you home before Mrs. Jennie or Mr. Nicholas starts calling and wondering where you are."
Cherry covered her flushed face with her hands.
"You embarrassed me."
Elian laughed.
"Come on, let's go."
He helped her down from the railing and took her hand as they walked back toward the car.