CHAPTER 21
After dinner, the atmosphere remained polite but strained. DJ was unusually quiet, his responses curt and reserved. Terrence, oblivious to the undercurrents, continued sharing anecdotes with the group, his laughter occasionally drawing my attention—and DJ’s.
As the night wound down, Terrence lingered, helping Bea and Sammy clean up the table. DJ excused himself to the balcony, his movements stiff.
Shana and I exchanged glances, alam kong ramdam din niya ang tensyon.
Once the door closed behind my friends, I found DJ leaning against the railing, his back to me. The tension still hung in the air as I joined him on the balcony, the night breeze cool against my skin. DJ turned to face me, his jaw tight, but his eyes softened when he met my gaze.
“DJ,” I started softly, stepping
