Alas-dos kwarenta’y singko ng hapon. Nakatayo si Allyson sa harap ng kaniyang bedroom mirror, pilit na kinukwestiyon ang bawat desisyong ginawa niya para sa araw na ito.
Simple white sundress—nothing fancy, walang effort to impress. Hair pulled back in a ponytail. Minimal makeup. Flats, not heels.
"You look like you're going to a casual brunch, not a potentially life-changing conversation," komento ni Von from the doorway.
"That's exactly the vibe I'm going for."
"Ally, it's okay to look like you care."
"I do care," sabi niya, turning to face him. "That's the problem. I care too much. So I'm dressing like I don't, kasi if I dress like I care and this goes badly, I'll feel even more humiliated."
"That's the most convoluted emotional defense mechanism I've heard in a while."
"T
