The flight lasted for about two hours and thirty-nine minutes. By the time we landed at the airport in Palawan, a private vehicle was already waiting to pick us up.
As we settled into the car, a quiet tension hung between us. Then, out of nowhere, he asked—
"Are you and Joshua... really dating?"
I turned to him, a bit amused. Of all the things to ask, why that? Why now?
“I have standards, Sir,” I replied lightly, though I knew my voice was a little tight. “We never even talked about courtship or anything romantic like that. Joshua and I are just old friends. That’s all.”
He nodded, slowly, but the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t convinced—or maybe he was hoping for a different answer.
“What are your standards then?” he asked, more serious now.
Even the driver glanced at us throug
