The scent of jasmine and citrus teased the air as Aiah stepped out of the car, her heels clicking softly against the stone pathway. Warm light spilled from the restaurant's glass doors, bathing the entrance in an inviting glow. Kieran's hand found hers as he offered a boyish grin that still managed to make her stomach flutter—though not as violently as it used to.
"Happy anniversary, babe," he said, leaning in to brush a kiss on her cheek.
She smiled, squeezing his hand. "Happy anniversary."
The hostess led them through a maze of candlelit tables and soft violin music to a secluded spot near the window. Manila's skyline blinked beyond the glass, each light a quiet witness to the night ahead. The restaurant was all soft golds and deep mahogany—a place chosen carefully, like everything Kieran did.
He pulled her chair out, always the gentleman. Always predictable.
"I made sure they had your favorite white wine," he said, gesturing to the bottle already waiting on ice.
"You're sweet," she said, pouring herself a glass before he could. He chuckled.
As the waiter came to take their orders, Aiah smiled and nodded, letting the rhythm of the evening carry her. But inside, she was pacing. The clink of silverware. The hush of velvet conversation. The way Kieran kept glancing at his blazer pocket like it held more than his phone.
She knew that look. She wasn't stupid.
He was planning something.
She let her gaze drift out the window, into the night, her heart beginning its quiet rebellion.
⸻
"You've been quiet lately," Kieran said, halfway through the main course—grilled salmon for him, ravioli for her. "Work stress?"
"Hmm? Oh—yeah, a bit," she answered, picking at her food. Her smile was automatic, like muscle memory. "You know how it gets sa events."
"You've been flying back and forth so much," he said, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Maybe it's time we talk about... making things more permanent."
Her fork paused mid-air. The word hit like a gong in her chest.
Permanent.
Her throat tightened. She chased it down with wine.
"I mean..." he continued, his voice softer now, unsure. "You're already kind of living with me half the time. My mom loves you. Your friends like me—Sheena even said I might be a 'forever type.'"
Aiah gave a breathy laugh, fingers tapping lightly against the base of her glass. "Sheena says that to every guy who brings her donuts."
Kieran smiled, but his eyes searched hers. "Still. I was thinking... maybe it's time we talked about next steps. Marriage."
And there it was.
He didn't pull out a ring. Didn't drop to one knee. But the air shifted. Like the wind right before a storm.
She was prepared. She had the answer. It had rehearsed itself in her mind for months now, just in case he ever asked.
But now that the moment was here, the words tangled in her throat.
"Kieran..." She reached for his hand, grounding herself. "That's... a big step. And I love where we are now, I really do. But maybe let's not rush anything. Let's just enjoy this—us—before we jump into anything huge like that."
Kieran blinked. "So... you're not ready?"
She shook her head, softening the blow with a smile. "Not yet."
