It was an evening unlike any other, as the city lights shimmered with the soft glow of dusk, casting long shadows on the streets of downtown. Jace and Wendy had decided to take a break from the chaos of their daily lives and stroll through the Plaza de Cielo, a stunning plaza famous for its grand fountain. This was the first time they had spent any real time together outside of work, and both of them had a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
Jace was the first to break the silence, his voice a little hesitant at first, as though unsure of how to navigate their conversation.
"I've never really been good at this whole 'getting to know someone' thing," Jace admitted with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck. "But I guess it's better than just talking shop all the time, right?"
Wendy let out a soft laugh. "You're not the only one," she replied. "I'm used to handling business meetings, not casual strolls."
They both chuckled, but the tension that had been building between them was still palpable. Their conversations were genuine, but sometimes awkward—like two people who didn't quite know what to say, but were trying nonetheless. It was a strange feeling for Wendy. She had always been the serious one, focused on her work, but something about Jace's easygoing nature was drawing her in, even if she resisted the pull.
As they walked closer to the fountain area, the soft murmur of the water and the warm, golden lights from the surrounding street lamps created a peaceful atmosphere. It was a place where wishes were believed to come true, a long-standing tradition in the city. Wendy had heard the story countless times before, but tonight, with the cool evening air and the stillness around them, it felt different.
Without thinking, Wendy reached into her pocket and pulled out a coin. She glanced at Jace, who was watching her curiously.
"You're supposed to throw a coin in and make a wish," she explained, her voice soft, almost as if she were speaking to herself.
Jace smiled and reached into his own pocket. "Why not?" he said, tossing a coin into the fountain. "I'll make a wish."
Wendy followed suit, throwing her coin into the water. "What did you wish for?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Jace gave her a teasing smile. "I can't tell you that. It won't come true if I do."
Wendy rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a grin. "Right," she said, still feeling a little awkward, but at ease with him now.
The sound of their laughter echoed in the quiet plaza, their carefree moments breaking through the tension that had once felt so heavy between them. They stared at each other for a few moments, caught in a strange, almost magical silence. The way their eyes lingered on each other now felt different—like they were both starting to see something more in each other. Something that had been buried beneath the surface, hidden under the guise of professional courtesy.
Jace was the first to speak, his tone earnest. "You know, I don't think I've met anyone quite like you before, Wendy."
Wendy looked at him, her heart fluttering in her chest. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... you're real," he said softly, his voice vulnerable. "You're not fake. You don't pretend to be something you're not."
Wendy blinked, surprised by his candidness. "That's... that's a compliment, right?"
Jace smiled, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Yeah, it is."
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Wendy's phone buzzed. It was a call from Liam.
"I have to take this," Wendy said, a little flustered. "Excuse me."
As she answered the call, Jace stood a few feet away, his eyes fixed on her. It wasn't lost on him that Wendy seemed to act a little differently when Liam was involved. A flicker of doubt crept into his mind, but he pushed it aside. Tonight was about her and him, not about work or anyone else. He had to remind himself of that.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Wendy, Liam had been following her. He had kept his distance, but he watched from the corner of his eye, unseen by either of them. As he observed Wendy and Jace, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. The way Jace looked at Wendy, the way she laughed at his jokes—it stung more than he cared to admit.
"Maybe it's just because she's so important to the company," Liam muttered under his breath, trying to justify the growing feeling in his chest. But deep down, he knew it wasn't just that. There was something about Wendy—something that made his heart race every time she was near him.
Liam shook his head and started to walk toward them, but before he could reach them, he noticed something odd. Ricci, who had been with him earlier, was now standing nearby, watching him intently.
"Why are you following me?" Liam asked, his voice low but sharp.
"I had a feeling I should," Ricci said, her eyes narrowed. "But now I see it's nothing."
Liam's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Ricci crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving Wendy and Jace. "You really think something's going to happen between you two? That girl... she's not for you. She never will be."
Liam didn't know how to respond to Ricci's words. The more he watched Wendy and Jace, the more conflicted he became. He didn't want to believe that Ricci was right, but there was a sinking feeling in his stomach that told him otherwise.
Leading at the food stall, Jace and Wendy were still talking, trying to enjoy the night despite the growing tension. As they sat down to eat, the vendor, a cheerful older man, grinned at them.
"You two have good chemistry," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You should go ahead and propose, young man, before anyone else comes along and takes her."
Jace laughed awkwardly, but there was something in the vendor's words that struck him. Wendy, too, felt the weight of the moment, and her smile faded slightly as she glanced at Jace.
"Well, you're full of surprises," she said, trying to deflect the vendor's comment. But deep down, she couldn't shake the thought. What if Jace was right? What if they did have something real?
As they walked down the street, passing the Santa Clarita Cathedral, something shifted. Jace, feeling emboldened by the warmth of the night and the connection he felt with Wendy, turned to her, his expression serious.
"Wendy," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I have to tell you something. I can't keep pretending like I don't feel this way."
Wendy stopped walking, her heart beating faster. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... I like you," Jace said, his eyes locking with hers. "I've liked you for a while now. And I can't keep pretending I don't. I want to be with you."
Wendy's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected this—hadn't even thought about it. "Jace, I... I don't know what to say."
Jace's face fell, but he took a step closer to her, his voice pleading. "Please, Wendy. I care about you. I'm not asking for anything right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel."
For a moment, Wendy was speechless. She stared at Jace, her heart torn between admiration and confusion. She had always seen him as a friend, someone she could rely on, but she never thought it could be more than that. And yet, in that moment, she realized that maybe—just maybe—there was something there.
But before she could respond, a sharp screeching sound filled the air, followed by the thud of tires against the pavement. Wendy turned, her eyes wide in horror as she saw Liam—his body sprawled on the ground, unconscious, after being struck by a sports utility vehicle.
"Jace!" Wendy screamed, her voice high with panic. "We have to help him!"
Jace didn't hesitate. Together, they rushed toward Liam's fallen form, their hands shaking as they called the emergency response team. The world seemed to slow down around them as they waited for help, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
As the ambulance arrived, Wendy and Jace accompanied the emergency response team, traveling in the back of the vehicle as it sped toward Makati Medical Center. Wendy's mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest. Liam—she had never seen him like this, and the thought of him hurt was almost too much to bear.
When they arrived at the hospital, the medical team quickly wheeled Liam into the emergency room. Wendy stood frozen in the hallway, her thoughts jumbled and chaotic. Jace stood by her side, his presence oddly comforting in the midst of the turmoil.
"I never imagined it would be like this," Wendy whispered, her voice trembling.
Jace nodded silently, his own emotions a whirlwind. "I didn't either. But he'll be okay. He's strong."
Meanwhile, Ricci, having witnessed the entire incident from a distance, stood watching from outside the hospital. Her face was a mixture of anger and suspicion, but it quickly morphed into something darker as she realized that Wendy had played a larger role in Liam's life than she initially thought. She didn't know what had happened between them, but one thing was clear: Liam's attention was no longer hers.