Part 19

Maloi sat across from Sheena, Aiah, and Stacey at their usual café, stirring her iced coffee absentmindedly. She had just told them about moving in with Colet, and as expected, the reactions were mixed.

"Are you sure it's not too soon?" Sheena asked, eyebrows raised in concern. "I mean, don't get me wrong, we're happy for you, but you two have only been dating for a while."

Aiah leaned in. "Yeah, I mean, you basically live there already, but officially moving in is a big step."

Stacey, on the other hand, smirked. "But let's be honest, you were going to end up living there anyway."

Maloi chuckled, shaking her head. "It's not just that. Colet... she surprised me with a music and art studio at her penthouse."

Aiah's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Maloi nodded, a fond smile on her lips. "She turned one of her rooms into a creative space for me. Instruments, painting materials, everything. She did all of that without telling me, just so I'd feel more at home whenever I stayed over."

Sheena exhaled. "Damn, that's really thoughtful."

"That's also very Colet," Stacey added with a knowing grin. "She's the type to show her love through actions."

Maloi nodded. "And that's why I know this isn't too soon. It just... feels right."

The girls exchanged glances before Sheena sighed, a smile forming on her lips. "Okay, okay, I get it. If you're happy, then we're happy for you."

Aiah grinned. "And we better get an invite to your 'housewarming' at Colet's penthouse."

Maloi laughed. "Deal."

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Sheena, Aiah, and Stacey exchanged glances before Aiah leaned forward with a smirk.

"Alright, Maloi, you're officially moving in with this woman, but we haven't even met her properly yet," Aiah pointed out. "When do we get to?"

"Yeah," Stacey chimed in, crossing her arms. "We need to see if she's worthy of our Maloi."

Maloi rolled her eyes but smiled. "You guys already know who she is."

"Knowing of her and actually meeting her as your girlfriend are two different things," Sheena said. "Gwen has already introduced me to her friends. When's our turn?"

Maloi took a sip of her coffee, playing with the straw as she thought. "Soon," she finally said.

Aiah raised an eyebrow. "That sounds suspiciously vague."

Maloi laughed. "I promise. Soon. She's just really private, and I respect that. But I know she'll be happy to meet you all properly."

Stacey smirked. "Good. Because if she's serious about you, she has to go through us."

Maloi shook her head, amused. "You guys are unbelievable."

Sheena grinned. "Hey, that's what friends are for."

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Aiah also shares her story to her friends that while she was in a hurry going out of a hotel restaurant, she bumped into a gorgeous attractive woman.

Stacey and Sheena immediately leaned in, intrigued, while Maloi smirked.

"A gorgeous woman, huh?" Stacey teased. "Aiah, you never get flustered over anyone. Who is she?"

Aiah sighed dramatically, stirring her drink. "I have no idea. I was in a rush, and I just—bam! Bumped into her. I apologized and left before she could even ask for my name."

Sheena chuckled. "So, you've been thinking about her all this time?"

Aiah leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know, guys. She was different. Tall, confident, absolutely stunning. I just...wish I got her name."

Maloi shook her head, amused. "Wow. You're really down bad, huh?"

"I'm not down bad!" Aiah defended herself, but the slight blush on her cheeks said otherwise.

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Stacey, ever the confident one, rolled her eyes playfully at the question. "You want to know about my love life?" she asked, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "Let me just tell you, social media loves to make up stories about me."

Aiah raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. Spill it. You've got a million rumors swirling about you. We deserve to hear at least one of them."

Stacey chuckled. "Yeah, it's always someone new. I'm either dating this actor, that singer, or apparently, the entire sports industry at this point. I mean, come on, people. Do I look like a walking dating app?" She tossed her hands in the air for dramatic effect, then leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "But the truth? I've never been in a serious relationship. Not once. All these rumors? Just that—rumors."

Sheena and Aiah burst into laughter, knowing full well that Stacey had kept her love life private, and they'd always supported her choice. Maloi, still grinning, nodded. "I've got to admit, Stacey, the gossip mill is pretty relentless when it comes to you."

Stacey rolled her eyes again but smiled warmly. "Trust me, I've gotten used to it. It's just funny how everyone has their own theories. As if my love life is a show for them to watch. But nope, it's not as exciting as they think."

Her friends continued laughing, not mocking her but enjoying the fact that Stacey never let it get to her. "They wouldn't know the real story if it hit them in the face," Aiah said, still amused. "But hey, keep letting them think whatever. It's your life, not theirs."

"Exactly," Stacey agreed with a grin. "Let them talk. I'm over here, living my own life, free from all those relationship pressures. Who needs the drama?"

The friends all shared a laugh, raising their glasses for a toast—one to the wild rumors and one to Stacey, who always kept things real despite the gossip swirling around her.

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Aiah sighed dramatically as she leaned back in her chair. "You know, the dating rumors are funny, but I swear they're a bit much sometimes. Like, just the other day, I had some random person ask me about my 'mystery boyfriend.' I didn't even know what they were talking about!"

The girls chuckled, nodding in understanding. "I think we all know how that feels," Stacey commented, swirling her drink in her glass. "The rumors fly faster than we can keep up with them."

Aiah smirked. "I swear, at one point, I was being linked to almost every guy I met in public. Some I barely even spoke to! I had one rumor saying I was dating a guy from a photoshoot... one I didn't even remember meeting. It's exhausting trying to keep track of all these fictional relationships."

"Yeah, people just love to imagine things that aren't there," Sheena agreed with a knowing smile. "I've had people say I was dating some guy I met once at a charity event, like... nope. I'm too busy to deal with that nonsense."

Maloi laughed lightly, joining in the conversation. "It's hilarious to watch. It's like people just decide they know better than we do about who we're seeing or not. I'm sure most of us have had some wild rumors about our love lives, haven't we?"

Aiah nodded eagerly. "Totally! And then there's the part where they just pair me up with random dudes I've met once or twice. They're so far off! And when I try to correct them? It just seems to fuel the fire even more. Like, they just make it bigger."

Stacey raised her glass. "Let them gossip. Who cares, right?"

Maloi smiled warmly, nodding. "Exactly. We all have our own lives to live, and it's not like we owe the world an explanation. If they're going to make up stories, let them."

Sheena leaned in slightly, glancing around. "It's funny though, how people think they have the right to know everything about our personal lives. They forget we're just people, too. And we get to choose what we share, or not share."

"Exactly," Aiah agreed. "I'm sure no one knows everything about any of us—except maybe you two." She nodded toward Sheena and Maloi, who had quietly been smiling at each other throughout the conversation.

The group laughed together, knowing that their relationships—whether public or low-key—were truly theirs to navigate, without needing to share every detail with the world. It was comforting to know they had each other, and their friends, to rely on. And when the rumors came, they could handle them with a laugh, not letting it get in the way of their personal happiness.

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Sheena leaned back in her chair with a smile, clearly excited. "So, I've got something planned for my birthday. It's still in the works, but Gwen and I are thinking of having a small get-together at one of her properties. It's about a two-hour drive from the city, so we'll have a nice little weekend getaway."

The girls all perked up, leaning in to listen closely.

Aiah raised an eyebrow. "A weekend getaway? That sounds like fun. I can already imagine the photos we'll get out of it."

"Same! I'm already picturing the outfits I'm going to pack," Stacey added with a grin. "I need a good excuse to wear something cute, right?"

Maloi smiled, thinking of how relaxed and fun it would be to have some downtime together. "It sounds perfect, Sheena. Are we going to do anything special, or is it just to chill and enjoy the weekend?"

Sheena shrugged playfully. "We're still finalizing the details, but Gwen's been working on it. It's definitely going to be low-key, so nothing too crazy. Just a lot of time to hang out and relax." She paused, then added with a smirk, "And yes, there will be some surprises along the way."

The group laughed, excited for the mystery and anticipation of the weekend. Aiah spoke up again, teasing, "I hope you've been planning for some fun surprises for us. Knowing Gwen, I'm sure she's got something up her sleeve."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Jhoanna chimed in, leaning in with a grin. "Gwen always knows how to make a weekend feel special."

"Definitely," Sheena agreed. "Gwen's got everything covered, and I just want us all to enjoy the weekend together. No work, no distractions—just fun. Oh, and I'm making sure that all your schedules are cleared, so we can all just focus on having a good time."

The girls all agreed, nodding eagerly. "We're all free," Maloi said with a grin. "Can't wait for the getaway. It's going to be a blast."

Aiah quickly checked her calendar. "Yep, nothing to stop me from coming. This is going to be amazing!"

Stacey smiled and raised her drink. "To Sheena's birthday weekend—can't wait!"

"To Sheena," everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.

As the conversation continued, the excitement for the upcoming weekend getaway only grew. The girls knew it was going to be an unforgettable time filled with laughter, bonding, and plenty of fun surprises.

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As the conversation continued, the atmosphere remained light and filled with laughter. They were all enjoying the time spent together, sharing stories, teasing each other, and planning for Sheena's birthday weekend getaway. The group of friends was so in tune with each other that the hours seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Just as they were about to leave for the spa, a few fans noticed them and approached the table with excitement. They were polite but clearly thrilled to meet the group of girls.

One fan nervously asked, "Sorry to interrupt, but could we take a picture with you? We're such big fans!"

Stacey smiled brightly, always kind to her fans, and stood up, motioning for the others to join in. "Of course! It's always a pleasure meeting fans."

Aiah and Sheena also stood up, grinning, while Maloi gave a friendly wave. "Happy to meet you!" she said as she posed for the photo.

The group, as always, was warm and welcoming to their fans, taking several pictures with them, making sure everyone got the shot they wanted. The fans were ecstatic, thanking the girls repeatedly before leaving them to continue their plans.

Once the fans had left, Sheena laughed, glancing at her friends. "Alright, enough with the photos for today. Time to get to the spa and relax before the weekend getaway. I think we all deserve it."

"Definitely," Maloi agreed, adjusting her bag. "A little pampering is exactly what we need before the birthday weekend."

As the girls walked out together, heading to the spa, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. It was clear that the girls were not only looking forward to Sheena's birthday but also relishing their time together, as friends, in these peaceful moments before the fun-filled weekend ahead.

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As Colet met up with Gwen, Mikha, and Jhoanna for dinner at a cozy, upscale restaurant, the conversation flowed easily between the four friends. It was the usual mix of business, gossip, and catching up. After some time, Colet casually mentioned that she had asked Maloi, her girlfriend, to move in with her, adding with a light-hearted smile that it was "about time."

Mikha and Jhoanna both gave knowing glances and smirked. They couldn't resist teasing Colet about being "tied down" now, with both of them joking that Colet was officially off the market. Jhoanna, always ready to throw in a playful comment, remarked, "Looks like someone's getting cozy with their girlfriend. How sweet!"

Gwen, who was also in a similar situation with Sheena, chimed in with a smile, "Well, Sheena and I already live together, so I guess it's all just part of the package. You'll see, Colet, the dynamic is different when they're living with you." She shot Colet a teasing but affectionate glance.

Colet laughed, rolling her eyes but feeling a warmth in her chest at how her friends had embraced her and Maloi's relationship. "Yeah, I'm sure you two have a ton of advice to offer," Colet teased back, knowing Gwen and Sheena had been together long enough to offer some wisdom.

The group continued their light-hearted teasing, but there was an underlying sense of happiness and support in the air. Colet felt grateful for the bonds she had with her friends—especially as they shared in the joy of her relationship with Maloi. The dinner went on with laughter and shared stories, but Colet couldn't help but feel her heart swell with love, knowing she had made the right decision by inviting Maloi into her life more fully.

Later that evening, Colet headed back to her penthouse, looking forward to spending time with Maloi. She had no doubt that their relationship would continue to grow, and she was excited for the future that lay ahead.

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As Colet arrived at the penthouse, she felt a wave of excitement, eager to see Maloi after a long day apart. She had a little surprise in store for her girlfriend, something that would brighten Maloi's day. Colet had gone shopping earlier and picked out a bunch of clothes she thought Maloi would love. She had carefully selected each item, thinking about Maloi's style and personality, imagining how she would look in them.

Colet placed the bags carefully on the sofa, arranging them in a way that would catch Maloi's attention the moment she walked in. Then, she sat back on the couch, casually scrolling through her phone while waiting for Maloi.

About 30 minutes later, the door to the penthouse opened, and Maloi walked in, smiling when she saw Colet sitting there. Her gaze soon fell to the pile of shopping bags on the sofa. Her eyes widened slightly, and she raised an eyebrow with a playful grin. "What's all this?" she asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice.

Colet stood up and smiled warmly at her. "I got you a little something," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "I thought you might like some new clothes, especially with how often you've been staying over."

Maloi's heart swelled at the thoughtful gesture, and she moved towards the bags. She was touched, more by the sentiment than the actual clothes, but she was also excited to see what Colet had picked out. As she started pulling the clothes out of the bags, her smile grew. "You really did think about me," she said softly, noticing the items that matched her personal style. "I love them, Colet. Thank you."

Colet stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Maloi in a gentle embrace. "I just wanted to do something nice for you," she said quietly. "I know you've been busy lately, and I wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate you."

Maloi hugged her back, feeling a mix of emotions—gratitude, affection, and happiness. "You're making it hard to resist falling more for you every day," she said, her voice full of sincerity.

Colet chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to look at Maloi with a loving gaze. "I think you're already in too deep," she teased gently, before kissing her forehead. "But I don't mind at all."

The moment was simple but perfect. They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, feeling a deeper connection than ever before. The clothes were just an excuse to show how much Colet cared, but it was the love and thoughtfulness behind it that truly mattered.

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As Maloi tried on the clothes Colet had picked out for her, Colet couldn't help but watch, her heart fluttering a little as Maloi emerged from the bedroom in each outfit. The clothes fit her perfectly, and Colet loved the way they looked on her. Every time Maloi came out in a new piece, Colet's smile grew wider.

"You look amazing," Colet said, her eyes bright with admiration. "I knew these would suit you."

Maloi blushed slightly at the compliment, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she twirled around. "You have great taste," she replied, her voice warm and appreciative.

After a few more moments of admiring the new clothes, Colet's expression softened, and she walked over to Maloi. "Hey, you know... if you're really ready, I can help you get some of your things from your condo," she offered, her voice gentle. "I think it's time you officially move in with me."

The thought of moving in with Colet made Maloi's heart race with excitement. She had been spending so much time at Colet's penthouse already, and the idea of officially making it her home felt right. Maloi gave Colet a soft, loving smile.

"Are you sure?" Maloi asked, though she already knew the answer. The warmth in Colet's eyes said it all.

Colet leaned in closer, brushing her lips against Maloi's cheek. "I'm more than sure," she replied, her voice full of affection. "You've already practically moved in already, anyway."

Maloi's heart melted at the sincerity in Colet's words. She cupped Colet's face gently, leaning in to kiss her on the lips. The kiss was slow and tender, a sweet exchange of love and affection. When they pulled away, Maloi looked into Colet's eyes, her smile soft and loving.

"Then let's do it," Maloi said softly, feeling completely certain about her decision. "Let's make it official."

Colet returned her smile, her heart filled with warmth. "I can't wait to have you here, Maloi."

The two shared another kiss, and as they pulled away, the reality of what was about to happen settled in. Maloi was moving in, and it felt like the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship—one full of love, support, and shared dreams.

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