Magazine covers. Brand deals. Sold-out solo stages.
Your name gets mentioned in the same breath as the biggest rising artists.
And somehow… that makes everything worse.
Because now, you’re impossible to ignore.
Especially for her.
Plot:
The flashing cameras don’t bother you anymore.
You’re used to the way people look at you—fans, brands, even other artists. The whispers, the attention… it’s normal now.
Tonight’s event? Another performance. Another headline.
Another chance to pretend you don’t still think about her.
Until—
You step backstage.
And time messes with you again.
She’s there.
Maloi Ricalde
Laughing softly, fixing her hair, glowing under the dim lights like nothing ever changed.
And beside her?
Zild Benitez
Your chest tightens—just for a second.
But you recover fast.
You always do.
Because now, you’re not the same guy she left.
You walk past them like it doesn’t matter.
Like she doesn’t matter.
But Maloi notices.
Of course she does.
Her laughter fades.
Her eyes follow you.
“…Hey.”
That voice.
Still the same.
You stop.
Slowly turning, hands in your pockets, expression calm—but your gaze sharper now. Colder.
“Didn’t think you’d be here,” you say casually.
She lets out a small laugh. “You’re literally one of the main performers.”
You shrug. “Yeah. Guess I am.”
There’s a shift.
She notices it.
That quiet confidence. That distance.
The way you don’t look at her the same anymore.
“You’ve been… busy,” she says, eyes flicking over you—your styled hair, your outfit, the version of you the world fell for.
“Work,” you reply simply.
Zild watches from a distance at first.
Then steps closer.
Subtle.
But intentional.
“I’ve seen your performances,” he says. “You’re doing well.”
You meet his gaze.
“Thanks.”
A pause.
Then you smirk slightly.
“Didn’t expect you to keep up.”
It’s not aggressive.
But it’s not friendly either.
Maloi shifts uncomfortably.
“Don’t start,” she murmurs.
You glance at her.
And for a second—
just a second—
the old softness almost comes back.
But it doesn’t stay.
“You chose, remember?” you say quietly.
That lands harder than anything else.
Because it’s true.
She did choose.
And yet…
She’s still looking at you like she’s not sure she made the right one.
Zild notices.
Of course he does.
So this time, he doesn’t stay silent.
He steps beside her, closer now.
Solid.
Present.
“I’m not trying to replace anything,” he says calmly. “But I’m not temporary either.”
Your jaw tightens slightly.
Not because of him—
but because Maloi doesn’t disagree.
She just stands there…
Caught between what she had…
and what she has.
You let out a quiet laugh.
“Relax,” you say, backing off a little. “I’m not here to take anything.”
Your eyes flick to Maloi one last time.
“But not everything stays buried.”
Then you walk past them.
Like you’re used to walking away now.
Like you’ve done it a hundred times.
But this time?
It lingers.
Because behind you—
Maloi doesn’t move.
And Zild?
He’s looking at her…
like he just realized something isn’t as over as he thought.