Part 28

After breakfast, the girls went back to their rooms to pack up their bags. The once lively estate now had a quiet hum of movement as they folded clothes, gathered their belongings, and prepared for their return to the city.

Maloi sat on the edge of the bed, stuffing the last of her things into her suitcase when she felt arms wrap around her from behind. Colet rested her chin on Maloi's shoulder and sighed.

"I don't want to go back yet," Colet murmured, tightening her hold on Maloi.

Maloi chuckled, leaning into the embrace. "We can always come back. You did say we could visit anytime, right?"

Colet nodded against her shoulder. "Yeah, but I just got used to waking up next to you here, with no stress, no work, just us."

Maloi turned in Colet's arms and cupped her face. "We'll have more moments like this. Maybe next time, just the two of us?" she suggested with a teasing smile.

Colet smirked. "I like the sound of that."

In the next room, Aiah zipped up her bag while Honey trotted around excitedly, as if sensing the trip was ending. Mikha, already packed, leaned against the doorframe watching Aiah struggle to fit everything into her suitcase.

"Do you need help?" Mikha asked, amused.

Aiah huffed, pressing down on her bag. "Nope, I got this."

A second later, the zipper refused to close. Mikha walked over and, with one smooth motion, zipped it up completely.

Aiah blinked, then looked up at Mikha. "Okay, maybe I did need help."

Mikha grinned. "That's what I'm here for."

In another room, Jhoanna stretched as she lazily packed her things. Stacey, already done, sat on the bed scrolling through her phone.

"You pack so slow," Stacey teased.

Jhoanna raised a brow. "I like to take my time. Besides, wouldn't you miss me if I stayed longer?"

Stacey scoffed but didn't deny it. "I guess I'll enjoy the silence while I can," she said with a smirk.

Jhoanna smirked back, walking over to pinch Stacey's cheek. "Aww, you'll miss me, admit it."

Stacey swatted her hand away, rolling her eyes. "Shut up and finish packing."

Gwen and Sheena, already prepared, double-checked their things. Sheena looked around the room, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the estate one last time.

"This was the best birthday ever," Sheena said, turning to Gwen with a grateful smile.

Gwen placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Anything for you, love."

With their bags packed and memories made, the girls were ready to head back home—but they knew this wouldn't be their last getaway together.

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With their bags packed and the weekend coming to an end, the girls made their way to their cars, ready to head back to the city.

Maloi settled into the passenger seat of Colet's sleek car, stretching comfortably as she buckled her seatbelt. "I could get used to being chauffeured by you," she teased, grinning at Colet.

Colet smirked, adjusting her sunglasses. "You already are, babe." She reached over and gave Maloi's hand a squeeze before starting the engine.

A few feet away, Sheena slid into the driver's seat of her brand-new convertible, a gift from Gwen for her birthday. The car gleamed under the sun, looking as luxurious as it felt. Gwen leaned back in the passenger seat, watching Sheena admire the interior.

"I still can't believe you got me this," Sheena said, glancing at Gwen with an affectionate smile.

Gwen smirked, crossing her arms. "You deserve it. And I wanted to be the one to give you your first luxury car."

Sheena chuckled, shaking her head as she started the engine. "You spoil me too much."

"That's never going to change," Gwen replied smoothly, making Sheena's heart flutter as they drove off.

In another car, Mikha unlocked her high-end sports car, and Aiah eagerly got into the passenger seat, carefully placing Honey on her lap. The puppy yawned and snuggled into Aiah's arms, already dozing off.

Mikha glanced at them, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Looks like you've got your hands full," she said as she revved the engine.

Aiah grinned, stroking Honey's soft fur. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She looked at Mikha playfully. "You don't mind being the official driver for me and Honey, do you?"

Mikha chuckled, shifting gears smoothly. "Not at all. You two are my VIP passengers."

Meanwhile, in Jhoanna's high-end sports car, Stacey settled comfortably into the passenger seat, stretching her legs and leaning back.

"You're really enjoying this 'passenger princess' role, huh?" Jhoanna teased as she fastened her seatbelt.

Stacey smirked, flipping her hair. "Of course. Why drive when I can be chauffeured in style?" She turned to Jhoanna and added with a teasing grin, "Plus, I know you love showing off your driving skills."

Jhoanna shot her a cocky smirk. "Only for you, babe."

Stacey rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile playing on her lips.

With that, the engines roared to life, and one by one, they drove out of the estate, the weekend getaway coming to an end. But as they made their way back to the city, they knew this wouldn't be their last adventure together.

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As the four luxury cars convoyed their way back to the city, the group made sure to make the most of their final moments together. They stopped midway through the trip at a scenic overlook, where rolling hills met the horizon, offering a breathtaking view.

Everyone got out, stretching their legs and taking in the fresh air. Stacey, always the model, struck a playful pose, making Jhoanna laugh as she took pictures of her. Mikha, ever composed, subtly made sure Aiah and Honey were comfortable before snapping candid shots of them. Sheena leaned against Gwen's side, appreciating the peacefulness of the moment. Maloi and Colet stood by the railing, Colet casually wrapping an arm around Maloi's waist as they admired the view.

"You sure you want to go back to the city already?" Colet murmured beside her.

Maloi sighed dramatically, resting her head on Colet's shoulder. "Not really, but we kind of have to, don't we?"

Colet smirked. "We can always come back. Just say the word."

Maloi lifted her head, looking up at her girlfriend with soft eyes. "You always say the right things, huh?"

Colet leaned in, brushing a quick kiss against Maloi's temple. "Only for you."

After taking more pictures and enjoying the scenery a little longer, they all got back into their cars and resumed their trip home.

As Colet drove, Maloi found herself unable to stop stealing glances at her. The way Colet's hands effortlessly controlled the wheel, her sharp jawline highlighted by the golden afternoon sun, the confident yet relaxed expression she wore—it was all too much.

"You're staring," Colet teased, eyes still on the road.

Maloi huffed, crossing her arms. "Maybe I just like the view."

Colet chuckled, shooting Maloi a brief side glance. "Good, because the view likes you too."

Maloi bit her lip to hide her smile, her heart doing an involuntary flip.

As they neared the city, the group exchanged waves and honks before parting ways, each heading in different directions toward home. Though their weekend getaway had come to an end, they all knew this was just one of many more adventures to come.

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As Colet pulled into the private parking garage of their penthouse building, Maloi let out a soft sigh, stretching her arms. "Home sweet home," she murmured, glancing at Colet with a fond smile.

Colet smirked, turning off the engine before looking at Maloi. "You mean our home."

Maloi's heart skipped a beat at the way Colet said it—so effortlessly, so naturally. It was true, after all. She had been practically living in Colet's penthouse for months now, her clothes taking up space in the walk-in closet, her paintings decorating the walls, her presence filling every corner. But hearing Colet say it out loud made it feel even more real.

She grinned, leaning over to press a quick kiss to Colet's cheek. "Our home," she corrected softly.

Colet hummed in approval, her arm naturally sliding around Maloi's waist as they exited the car and headed toward the elevator.

Once inside their penthouse, Maloi immediately kicked off her shoes and sighed in relief. "As much as I loved the estate, it feels nice to be back in our space."

Colet loosened her jacket and nodded. "I get what you mean. But if you ever want to escape the city, just say the word."

Maloi wrapped her arms around Colet's neck, pulling her close. "I already have everything I need right here."

Colet smirked, her hands settling on Maloi's waist. "You're getting smooth, baby."

Maloi giggled, standing on her toes to press a deeper kiss on Colet's lips. "I learn from the best."

The rest of the evening was spent unpacking, cuddling, and simply enjoying each other's presence in the comfort of their shared home.

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The morning sun filtered through the penthouse windows as Maloi stretched, still wrapped up in Colet's embrace. She groaned softly, not wanting to leave the warmth of their bed.

Colet chuckled, running a hand down Maloi's back. "Come on, baby. We have work."

Maloi pouted, burying her face in Colet's chest. "Just five more minutes."

Colet smirked, knowing Maloi would end up being late if she indulged her. "If you get up now, I'll treat you to your favorite coffee before dropping you off."

That got Maloi's attention. She peeked up at Colet with a sleepy but eager expression. "Deal."

After freshening up, the two got ready—Colet in her sharp, tailored suit for the office and Maloi in her stylish but comfortable outfit for the studio.

On the drive, Maloi kept stealing glances at Colet, admiring how effortlessly cool and confident she looked behind the wheel. "You look really attractive while driving," she admitted with a dreamy sigh.

Colet smirked, glancing at Maloi. "Good to know. Maybe I should drive you to work more often."

Maloi giggled, reaching over to squeeze Colet's hand. "Please do."

After stopping by a café to pick up Maloi's favorite coffee, they arrived at the studio. Before Maloi could step out, Colet leaned in, cupping Maloi's chin and pressing a soft yet lingering kiss on her lips. "Have a great day, love."

Maloi felt her cheeks heat up, grinning like a fool as she nodded. "You too, baby."

With one last glance, Maloi stepped out of the car, waving at Colet as she drove off to her office.

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Maloi arrived at the studio, still feeling the lingering warmth of Colet's kiss. She took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked inside with confidence.

The moment she entered the conference room, her management team and executives greeted her with excitement. The success of her album had exceeded expectations, and now it was time to plan for the next big step—her concert.

"Maloi, congratulations once again," her manager said with a proud smile. "Your album is still charting, and ticket demands for a concert are already through the roof."

Maloi beamed. "That's amazing! I still can't believe how well the album is doing."

"The numbers don't lie," one of the executives chimed in, showing her some statistics. "Now, let's talk about your concert. We're looking at major venues, possibly even an international tour."

Maloi's eyes widened in excitement and nervousness. "International? Wow. That's huge."

Her team nodded. "We believe you're ready for it. But let's start with the first leg of the concert. We need to finalize setlists, stage designs, choreography, and outfits."

Maloi nodded, her mind already buzzing with ideas. "I want this concert to be special—not just for me, but for my fans. Let's make it unforgettable."

The meeting continued with discussions about potential collaborations, stage concepts, and logistics. Maloi's passion shone through as she gave input, ensuring her vision was brought to life.

By the end of the meeting, she felt both exhilarated and overwhelmed. She texted Colet:

Maloi: Baby, I just had a huge meeting about my concert! It's happening!! I can't wait to tell you everything later!

She smiled as she sent it, already looking forward to seeing Colet again.

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Colet was in the middle of reviewing some reports in her office when her phone buzzed. Seeing Maloi's name pop up, she immediately picked up her phone.

Maloi: Baby, I just had a huge meeting about my concert! It's happening!! I can't wait to tell you everything later!

A small smirk formed on Colet's lips as she read the text. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of pride swell in her chest. She knew how hard Maloi had worked for this moment, and now, everything was paying off.

Colet: That's amazing, baby. I'm so proud of you. We're celebrating tonight. Be ready.

She sent the message and put her phone down, already making plans in her head. Tonight had to be special. After all, Maloi's dreams were coming true, and Colet would make sure she felt just how much she was loved and supported.

She made a quick call to a private chef, requesting Maloi's favorite dishes to be prepared at the penthouse. Then, she arranged for some high-end champagne and a beautiful bouquet of Maloi's favorite flowers to be delivered.

As she hung up, a soft chuckle escaped her lips. She has no idea what's coming.

Colet glanced at the time, already eager for the day to end so she could celebrate with the love of her life.

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Sheena, Aiah, Maloi, and Stacey all took to social media, carefully curating their posts from the weekend getaway. They knew their fans would love to see glimpses of Sheena's birthday celebration, but they also made sure to keep Mikha, Jhoanna, Colet, and Gwen out of the pictures for their privacy.

Maloi posted a series of aesthetic shots—the breathtaking waterfalls, the stunning beach sunset, and a candid photo of herself laughing with Sheena and Aiah in the water.

Maloi's caption: Weekend getaway to celebrate the birthday girl! 🌊🎂✨ Blessed to be surrounded by amazing people 💕 #Grateful #NatureLover

Sheena, on the other hand, shared a carousel post—starting with a stunning shot of her by the beach, followed by a photo of the extravagant birthday dinner setup, and a group picture (strategically cropped to keep certain people out of the frame).

Sheena's caption: One for the books! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special. Feeling so loved and spoiled! 🥹💖 #BirthdayWeekend #Blessed

Aiah's post was more playful—featuring an adorable picture of her holding Honey, the new puppy, followed by a fun shot of her trying to surf.

Aiah's caption: Meet my new baby, Honey 🐶💛 Also, tried surfing... keyword: tried. 😂 #BeachBum #WeekendWellSpent

Stacey, being the sassy one, uploaded an effortlessly stunning photo of herself by the waterfalls, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Another slide included a blurred candid shot of her and Maloi laughing mid-conversation.

Stacey's caption: Waterfalls, beaches, and unforgettable moments 💋✨ #GoldenHour #BirthdayTrip

Fans quickly flooded the comment sections, hyping up the girls and speculating on their trip. Some even tried to piece together where they were, but since they had kept Mikha, Jhoanna, Colet, and Gwen out of the public eye, no one could fully grasp the whole picture.

Still, eagle-eyed fans noticed small details—like a shadowy reflection in Maloi's sunglasses, the back of an expensive sports car in the background of Aiah's post, or Stacey's offhanded comment about being "treated like a princess" in the replies.

But for now, their little private world remained intact, and that's exactly how they wanted it.

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As expected, the fans kept speculating, trying to piece together more details about the trip, but they found nothing else. The girls had been careful, and there were no accidental leaks or clues that could expose Mikha, Jhoanna, Colet, or Gwen's presence. Eventually, the buzz simmered down, and the focus returned to the stunning pictures and Sheena's birthday celebration.

Later that night, as Maloi wrapped up a long day at the studio, she stepped outside to find Colet's sleek car already waiting for her. The sight of Colet leaning against the car with her arms crossed and a small smirk made Maloi's heart flutter.

"Hey, beautiful," Colet greeted as she opened the passenger door for Maloi.

Maloi grinned, stepping closer. "You're being extra smooth today. What's the occasion?"

Colet simply shrugged. "You'll see."

The ride back to their penthouse was comfortable, with Maloi humming softly to the music playing in the background. She didn't think much of Colet's vague responses until they reached their home.

As soon as Maloi stepped inside, she gasped. The penthouse was dimly lit with warm, ambient lighting, and there were candles carefully placed on the dining table. A luxurious dinner was elegantly set up, complete with a bouquet of her favorite flowers at the center. Soft instrumental music played in the background, setting a romantic atmosphere.

Maloi turned to Colet, eyes wide. "What's all this?"

Colet smirked. "A little celebration, just for us." She took Maloi's hand and pulled her closer. "Your album's a huge success, your concert is in the works, and... I just wanted to remind you how proud I am of you."

Maloi felt her heart melt. "You're the sweetest, you know that?"

Colet chuckled. "I try." She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Maloi's forehead before leading her to the table.

They enjoyed the intimate dinner together, sharing laughter and conversation. Maloi couldn't stop smiling—Colet always had a way of making her feel cherished.

By the time dessert rolled around, Maloi leaned back in her chair, her gaze locked onto Colet. "You keep spoiling me. How am I supposed to top this?"

Colet raised a brow, smirking. "You'll figure something out."

Maloi grinned, already plotting something in return. But for now, she simply reached for Colet's hand, squeezing it gently.

"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes filled with warmth.

Colet lifted Maloi's hand to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Anything for you, love."