A Sea of Tears and Stars (Taglish | 18+)

䷅ ䷆ ䷍ XV | The Matriarch

The garden hums with black-clad guests, scattered across the lush, elegant space. By the fountain, a string quartet plays soft classical music, the delicate strains of violins and cellos blending seamlessly with the sound of water spilling over stone.

Dylan Astarel and I walk in silence along a winding limestone path, the quiet between us heavy but not yet uncomfortable. Finally, we arrive at a small, charming gazebo tucked away from it all—a little sanctuary from the crowd.

Pagpasok na pagpasok namin, he decides it's time to dive right into the conversation.

"Did you hear the call last night?" Humalikipkip ito nang bigla akong harapin.

Kunot-noo akong tumango. "Officer, I'm sorry but—"

"Did he buy it?"

Nalukot ang mukha ko. "What?"

"Jonny Boy—did he actually believe what I said? About you and me liking each other?"

"I. . .I still don't understand."

"The whole proposal thing. How did he react to it?"

Napasapo ako sa noo. "Officer, can you please just tell me what's happening?"

"Newb, didn't I tell you before? You're not supposed to ask questions," aniya. "C'mon. Tell me—what did he say?"

Umiling-iling ako. "Well, nothing noteworthy, actually."

"Did he show some signs of jealousy? Angst?" He steps closer and lowers his voice a little. "Did he do something to you?"

Nagsitaasan ang mga kilay ko nang may maintindihan ako sa kakaibang mga tanong na 'yon.

"Officer, are you thinking that the alpha sailor is attracted to me? A paladin?"

Nag-unat siya ng leeg. "Well, for one, you are really attractive, alright," aniya na nagpabungisngis sa akin. "Are you questioning my taste in women?"

Tumigil ako sa pagngiti. "No, I'm not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no doubt about that," sagot ko. "But I assure you, officer. Jon Gavelan doesn't like me, nor is he attracted. He even told me he's determined to marry Eva Zoran. He is—" nagbuntong-hininga ako kasabay ng pagkirot ng puso ko, "—loyal to her."

"Loyal. The captain told you that?"

"It was heavily implied."

"So he opened up to you. Why?"

"It was just a normal conversation between two curious people."

Isinandal niya ang likuran sa isa sa mga columns ng gazebo.

"I've known Jon long enough to recognize how he usually behaves around women," Dylan says. "When he's not interested, he's a total blank—no spark, no charm, nada. Basically, doesn't give a shit. If he's after something physical, he'll go for it, sure, and hook up with the woman who caught his eye for a hot minute, but that's it. The guy thinks he's too important to stoop down to the level of flirting. But with you—" he shoots me a pointed look "—with you, Sylvie, that snob acts differently."