Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 40

It's Friday, which means this is the day where Serena and Gaille would meet up with the latter's former crush, Kade, also known as Justine's current girlfriend... well, I don't think she'd like to be called that anymore after what she's going to hear from the two.

They all decided to just meet at a nearby café to talk. That way, they could have a cozy atmosphere and they'd still be able to catch up after discussing the issue about Justine.

"Thank you for lending us your time, Kade." Gaille stated with a welcoming smile as the three of them sat down. "Sorry you had to go all the way from your academy to ours."

Kade smiled back. "It's okay, Gab! It's nice to meet a familiar face again naman. Well, two familiar faces. Hi, Serena!" She waved.

"Nice to see you again, Kade!" Serena greeted, waving back as well. "Kilala mo pala ako."

"Of course! You're quite famous when we were in junior high because you're a part of the dance troupe with Claire. Are you still performing?" Kade questioned.

"Ah, oo! Part pa rin ako ng dance troupe right now. Kami ni Gaille actually." Serena answered, gesturing at herself and Gaille.

"Gab?" Kade turned towards Gaille. "That's surprising. Never thought you'd join such group. Ni 'di ko nga alam na sumasayaw ka pala."

"Naging crush niya kasi 'yung leader namin kaya madaling napapayag. Diba?" Serena joked, nudging Gaille with her elbow.

"Don't listen to her." Gaille deadpanned, holding Serena's arm in place. "Anyway, Kade, I'm sure you remembered why we asked for you to meet us here, right?"

Kade replied. "It's about Justine, 'no?"

Gaille hummed in response. "I'm just wondering why you didn't hesitate to accept this meeting with us."

"I've observed Justine's behavior for the past months so I had my suspicions about him as well. And I know you, Gab. You're a trustworthy person. I'm sure you wouldn't reach out to me just to talk shit about him."

Kade's answer gave a sense of relief on both Serena and Gaille. At least they know that whatever they're going to say will be considered by her.

"If that's the case, I'll go first since I got involved with him first." Serena started. "Si Justine kasi, he courted me 4, almost 5 months ago. Niligawan niya ko for a week then we had a dinner date. He was eager to know if sasagutin ko ba siya but I told him I really can't feel anything for him. Akala ko naman maiintindihan niya, since I gave him my word beforehand, tapos baka sabihin niya lang na he'd wait or continue until I say yes. Pero he took it as a sign na busted na siya so he lashed out on me, calling me 'paasa'."

As Kade and Gaille listened attentively, the former traced back the said events by Serena. She then realized something.

"Wait, almost 5 months ago? But we're already dating when we started grade 12. So he's secretly courting someone while we're still together?"

"That guy..." Gaille muttered, her jaw and fist clenching out of anger. "Not only is he a jerk, he's also a fucking cheater."

Serena, knowing Gaille's issue on cheaters, placed a hand on the older's, trying to calm her down.

"I don't know if he's still currently eyeing on another girl, other than me, I guess. But that doesn't really change the fact that he courted someone else habang kayo pa."

Kade's face hardened, her earlier friendly demeanor shifting to one of resolve. "Alam mo, we're not really okay for the past few months. Our relationship's been on and off. Doon pa lang I already know that something's off with Justine. It hurts but thank you for telling me, Serena."

"I'm sorry you had to know this way, Kade." Was the only thing Gaille could say to the woman in front of her.

"It's okay, Gab, really. It's better for me to know the truth instead tolerating that jerkass." Kade chuckled before asking Serena again. "Ikaw ba, Serena? Does he still bother you?"

"Oo. He even injured Gaille dahil sa pagiging bitter niya sa pag-let down ko sa kaniya."

Kade's eyes widened. "Injured? Saan?"

"On my lip." Gaille said, pointing at her almost-healed injury.

"What the- sumosobra na talaga siya." Kade took a deep breath. "Thank you, both of you. For being honest with me. I need to talk to him, confront him about all of this."

"Serena and I actually have a plan for Justine." Gaille opened.

"Really? Tell me. I'm on your side."

"We're planning to expose him in public. We'd let Justine make another scenario again, which is something he's not really ashamed to do. You have to come with us so you could really hear what he has to say and expose to everyone how pathetic he is." Gaille explained.

"I'm in." Kade answered with no hesitation. "Sorry if he's causing you guys a lot of trouble."

Gaille shook her head. "Don't be. He's the one who should apologize."

Serena leaned back, looking thoughtful. "I hope he realizes what he's done. You don't deserve to be cheated on. Mas lalong hindi ka niya deserve, Kade."

Kade nodded. "I hope so too. I know now that I deserve better. I won't let him continue this attitude of his any further."

The three girls sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling in.

Finally, Kade broke the silence. "Let's order something sweet. We deserve a treat after all this heavy stuff."

Serena smiled, a hint of her earlier warmth returning. "Good idea! Let's make the most out of this day! Sabihin niyo na lang sa'kin ano order niyo, ako na pupunta sa counter."

After telling Serena what they would have, after Gaille lost to insisting that she should order instead, the two were left alone at the table— Gaille and Kade.

"So, Gab," Kade started, trying to initiate a conversation with Gaille. "I've noticed how close you and Serena are with each other now. Parang dati she would just sat down with your circle but you'd never really pay much attention to her. What changed?"

"A lot, Kade." Gaille responded. "A lot of... unexpected things happened for us."

"Really? How about your love life? I just remembered that you used to like me before. May girlfriend ka na ba ngayon?" Kade questioned.

"I have."

"Really?! Who is it?" Kade leaned forward, eager to know who it was.

"The girl beside me earlier. Serena— she's my girlfriend."

***