The Unbroken But Impure

CHAPTER 28 SUDDEN ENCOUNTER

Meanwhile.......

Mateo sat on the passenger seat with his usual quiet focus inside the black SUV. Beside him, Mae gazed out the window, still carrying the scent of pine and campfire from their weekend on Mount Banahaw. The crisp mountain air seemed to linger in her hair, mingling with the faint sweetness of her perfume.

It had been a perfect escape, hiking, cooking over an open fire, sleeping under a sky full of stars, a world far removed from the city and its noise. Mae had felt free up there, almost forgetting the complicated life she led below. Almost.

Her phone rang, cutting through the hum of the engine. She glanced at the screen. Jenny.

"Hey, Jen," she answered, her voice warm.

"Mae! Where are you? Don't tell me you forgot!" Jenny's voice was sharp with playful accusation.

Mae blinked, caught off guard. "Forgot... what?"

"Liza's birthday! Tonight! She's been asking about you. We're all here already."

Mae's stomach dropped. She had completely forgotten. She forced a quick laugh. "Of course I remember. I was planning to go straight after I get home."

"Good," Jenny said, clearly relieved. "I told her you wouldn't miss it. See you tonight!" The call ended before Mae could respond.

She slid the phone back into her bag, leaning her head against the seat. She hated lying to Jenny, but there was no time to explain.

"Mateo," she said quietly, "can you drop me at my place instead? I... need to go to Liza's birthday tonight."

He glanced at her, one eyebrow raised. "You forgot?"

Mae winced. "Yeah. Totally. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I promise."

Mateo's lips curved slightly, a shadow of a smile. "Ok. You promise that."

She reached over and touched his arm. "And I always mean it."

He looked ahead, then spoke to Wilbert, his longtime friend and bodyguard "Wilbert, change route. We're going to Baliwag."

Moments later....

They arrived at Mae's quiet neighborhood just after two in the afternoon. The sun was still bright, heat shimmering off the pavement. Mateo pulled up in front of her gate but didn't move to get out.

"You're not coming in?" She asked.

He shook his head. "If I come in, your mother will ask questions. And maybe figure out we're... not just friends."

Mae gave him a small, understanding smile. "I understand."

Her hand brushed his briefly before she stepped out. She waved as Harold drove them away, then turned to face the small house she had grown up in.

"Mae!" her mother called the moment she walked in, enveloping her in a warm hug.

"Hi, Ma. I'll be going to Liza's birthday party tonight," Mae said, setting her bag down.

Her mother nodded. "Good. You've been away so much lately. When will you return to Dagupan?"

"Wednesday morning," Mae replied without hesitation.

By 5pm, Mae stood before her mirror, the glow of the vanity lights catching on the sapphire blue dress she had chosen. The fabric hugged her curves, the color making her skin look luminous. She added silver earrings, a slim bracelet, and a final spray of perfume — floral with a touch of spice. When she slipped on her heels, her reflection looked like someone who belonged at a glamorous celebration, not in the quiet streets outside.