Cherry continued crying against Noa's chest, her breathing uneven.
Noa didn't rush her.
He simply held her and waited.
After several minutes, Cherry finally pulled back slightly, wiping her tears with trembling hands.
"Noa..."
"I'm listening."
Her lips trembled.
"I saw them."
Noa's heart sank, even though he already knew what she was going to say.
"Elian and Cindy."
He lowered his eyes.
Cherry laughed bitterly through her tears.
"I went to his room because I wanted to surprise him. I thought I'd scare him."
She covered her face.
"I hid under his bed, Noa."
Her voice broke.
"I heard him come in... and Cindy was with him."
Noa tightened his fists.
Cherry continued.
"He told her it wasn't a good time. He said I was waiting for him downstairs."
She looked at Noa with tears running down her cheeks.
"But she begged him to stay."
Cherry's voice became barely a whisper.
"And he did."
Noa pulled her closer.
Cherry shook her head repeatedly.
"I heard them, Noa. I saw them."
She pressed her hand against her chest.
"It hurts so much."
Noa's eyes filled with anger, but he kept his voice calm.
"I'm sorry."
"I trusted him."
Cherry sobbed.
"I trusted him more than anyone."
She looked toward the dark water.
"I was even carrying his gift."
Her voice cracked.
"I bought it for him because I wanted to make him happy."
Noa looked at her.
"And then I threw it away."
Cherry wiped her face.
"I don't know what hurts more. Knowing that he kissed her... or knowing that he knew I was waiting for him."
Noa's jaw tightened.
"He knew you were there?"
Cherry nodded.
"He said it himself."
She broke down again.
"He knew I was waiting, Noa. And he still chose her."
Noa wrapped his arms around her again.
Cherry whispered against his chest.
"I kept telling myself Cindy was just trying to hurt me. I kept believing Elian loved me."
She closed her eyes.
"Even tonight, I told him I trusted him."
Noa's heart ached.
Cherry looked up at him.
"I even told him I was sure he would never cheat on me."
Her tears began falling again.
"And I was wrong."
Noa gently wiped a tear from her cheek.
"You weren't wrong for trusting someone you loved."
Cherry shook her head.
"I feel stupid."
"You're not stupid."
"I should have known."
"No."
Noa held her firmly.
"Don't blame yourself for what someone else chose to do."
Cherry cried quietly.
"I don't know what I'm going to do now."
Noa looked at her, his expression filled with pain.
"Whatever you decide, you don't have to face it alone."
Cherry leaned against him again.
And Noa held her in silence as the waves continued crashing against the shore.
Minutes later, Noa and Cherry returned to the celebration.
The music was still playing, and everyone was laughing and enjoying Mrs. Anna's birthday.
Cherry wiped the last traces of tears from her face before stepping into the crowd.
Noa stayed close beside her.
Elian noticed them immediately.
"Cherry."
She turned toward him and gave him a small smile.
"Hi."
Elian studied her face.
"You disappeared. Where did you go?"
"Just went for a walk with Noa."
Her voice was calm.
Elian looked at Noa.
Noa simply nodded.
Cherry walked over to Mrs. Anna and smiled warmly.
"Happy birthday again, Lola."
Mrs. Anna smiled.
"Thank you, apo."
Cherry hugged her.
Mrs. Anna noticed that Cherry seemed completely normal again.
No swollen eyes.
No trembling voice.
Nothing that suggested something was wrong.
Her own worry slowly faded.
Maybe I was mistaken.
She had been afraid that something terrible had happened between Cherry and Elian.
But seeing Cherry smiling and joining the celebration made her mind rest.
"Come on," Mrs. Anna said happily. "There's still plenty of food."
Cherry nodded.
"Of course."
She joined the others, laughing and helping serve food as though nothing had happened.
Elian watched her from across the room.
Something about her seemed different.
But he couldn't figure out what.
And Cherry never once looked at him long enough for him to see the heartbreak hiding behind her smile.
2:00 AM
The celebration finally came to an end.
Most of the guests had already left, and the house had become quiet after hours of laughter, music, and dancing.
It was almost 2:00 a.m.
Mrs. Anna looked at Cherry, who was preparing to leave.
"Cherry, it's very late. Why don't you stay here tonight? You can sleep in Elian's room."
Cherry's hands paused.
She quickly shook her head.
"No, Lola. Mrs. Jennie and Mr. Nicholas must be worried about me."
Mrs. Anna nodded.
"You think so?"
"Yes. I should go home."
Elian, who had been standing nearby, immediately spoke.
"Then I'll drive you."
Cherry looked at him.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then she gave him a calm smile.
"No, it's okay."
Elian frowned slightly.
"I'll take you home. It's late."
"I know."
Cherry picked up her bag.
"But I brought my car. I'll be safe."
Elian stepped closer.
"Cherry—"
"I'll be fine, Elian."
Her voice was gentle but firm.
"I'd rather drive myself."
Elian stared at her, confused by her sudden insistence.
"Are you sure?"
Cherry nodded.
"Yes."
She turned toward Mrs. Anna and smiled.
"Thank you for everything, Lola. And happy birthday again."
Mrs. Anna hugged her.
"Thank you, apo. Drive carefully."
"I will."
Cherry walked toward the door.
Elian remained where he was, watching her.
Usually, Cherry would have insisted on staying with him or allowed him to take her home.
Tonight, she didn't even let him walk her to the car.
She simply smiled one last time.
"Goodnight, Elian."
"Goodnight."
Cherry stepped outside and walked toward her car.
Once she was out of sight, Elian's smile faded.
Something was wrong.
He just didn't know what.