One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 48

FRANCIS' POV

I was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, checking if everything was in place-food, drinks, and, most importantly, how I was going to break the news tonight. Katarina was helping me set the table, her eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. She had asked me about a hundred times what this meeting was about, but I just kept grinning, avoiding her questions. I wasn't ready to spill it just yet-not until everyone was here.

"Francis, seriously, ano ba 'to?" Katarina asked, her hands on her hips, giving me that familiar look of frustration mixed with curiosity. "You're killing us with suspense."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Relax, Katarina. You'll know everything later. Just trust me."

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the faint smile on her lips. Sarang was already fast asleep in the living room, and I could hear Nathan and Daniel chatting in the living room. I glanced over and saw them, huddled around the couch, laughing quietly as they admired Sarang's peaceful face.

"She's beautiful, di ba?" Nathan said softly, his voice filled with warmth as he looked at Sarang.

Daniel grinned. "Parang angel habang natutulog. Ang swerte mo, Francis."

"Yeah," I muttered to myself, still glancing at Sarang. She was a reminder of everything I had to fix-starting tonight.

Just as I was about to rejoin them in the living room, I heard the door open. I peeked out to see John and Mari arriving. As always, Mari was full of energy, practically bouncing into the room with a wide grin on her face.

"Hoy, mga tao!" Mari exclaimed, waving her arms. "I forgot the pasalubong! But promise, I'll bring it next time! Japan was amazing, guys!"

John followed behind her, offering a quiet smile. But when our eyes met, I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me. Tonight was the night-the night I'd finally reveal everything about Nathan and John. My mind raced with thoughts about how this would change everything.

"Francis, good to see you, man," John said, extending a hand as he walked toward me.

I gripped his hand, trying to contain my excitement. "You too, John. Glad you made it."

After the usual round of greetings, everyone settled in, but I could tell they were getting more and more curious. It wasn't like me to call everyone together like this unless it was important, and I knew they were all wondering what was going on. I handed out beers to everyone, trying to ease the tension while Sarang remained sound asleep on the couch.

Mari, always the chatterbox, immediately started going off about her Japan trip. "So, Japan was amazing, guys! As in, sobrang ganda. I bought so many things, and the food-grabe! I think I gained like ten pounds!"

"Ten pounds? Parang wala naman akong nakitang nagbago," Daniel teased, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Pero kung gusto mo, we can go to Tokyo next time and make sure makagawa rin tayo ng 'baby Tokyo style.' You know, since Sarang was made in Seoul, baka pwede naman tayo mag-level up."

The room erupted in laughter, even Katarina, who usually tried to keep a straight face, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Daniel, grabe ka!" Mari squealed, slapping him playfully on the arm. "Hindi 'yun ang point ng trip namin!"

Nathan chimed in, laughing. "Pero totoo, ang daming memories na mabubuo in a place like Japan. I wouldn't be surprised kung that's part of Francis' plan someday."

"Let's focus muna on the present, ha?" I interrupted, raising my beer bottle with a grin. "Tonight's about something important."

Everyone quieted down a bit, their curiosity taking over once more. I could feel the weight of their stares, all eyes on me as they waited for me to continue. But instead of diving straight into it, I took a sip of my beer, teasing them just a little longer.