"Selene?" Istanna said. Parang tumigil ang oras sa function room nang makilala nito si Ken.

A sinking feeling persisted in his stomach. Sage couldn't believe it. Si Ken ang naging kabit ni Mr. Ringo? It would explain why she was disowned.

For sure, nagkakamali lang si Istanna o baka isa lang itong matinding misunderstanding. Sandali, bakit niya ba pinagtatanggol si Ken?

The singer smiled after staring at the girl for a few more seconds. Tila nakalimutan ni Istanna ang galit sa asawa nang kausapin nito si Ken. "It's so nice to see you!" Sage let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in.

"H-h-hi, n-naaalala n-n'yo po ak-ko?" Ngayon niya lang nakitang mautal nang gano'n si Ken. She must've been so starstruck that she could only manage an awkward smile.

"Oo naman! We met at a photoshoot, right? I heard you were going to get a music deal so I was looking forward to doing a collab. Sayang, umalis ka na sa entertainment industry, crush ka pa naman ni Aidan dati—"

"Ma, too much info! At hindi 'yan si Selene. Ang ganda kaya ni Selene, napaka-stylish at imposibleng ganyan kataray. That's Ken, Lily's scary best friend," Aidan said, huffing.

"Ano ka ba, Anak, nagpagupit lang at hindi nag-makeup, 'di mo na agad nakilala? Sure ako, si Selene 'yan, right?" Istanna said, confirming it with Ken. Ken nodded reluctantly.

Nasamid si Sage sa sarili niyang laway nang marinig niyang meron na namang tagahanga si Selene. Mukhang 'di niya lang sa atensyon ni Lily kalaban si Ken kung 'di pati na rin sa "Crush ng Bayan" title.

Istanna turned to his direction. Lumaki ang ngiti nito nang mapansin siya. "Is that Sage Hermoso?"

"The one and only." Sage flashed her a wide grin.

"Sabi na nga ba eh. No one else plays that elegantly," Istanna said, clearly impressed. "What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to help out and Lily's here, baka sagutin niya na 'ko kaya I want to be near her as much as I can," mapagbirong sagot ni Sage. "Bagay ba kami, Miss Istanna?"

Nakita niyang umirap si Ken sa kabilang gilid ng kwarto pero natawa naman si Istanna sa hirit niya. "Your musical tandem was good. Hindi ko lang alam kung compatible kayo sa ibang aspects. Good luck na lang sa panliligaw mo, I know that she's rejected a lot of suitors," she said, giving her son a knowing side glance.

"And I'm guessing na ikaw ang main accomplice nitong ninong mo," sabi naman ni Istanna kay Lily.

"Yes, Tita. I see why you are so mad at him but I think you should give him a chance to explain," Lily said. "Please?"

Istanna's unrelenting expression faded as she sighed. "Okay, Aero," she said, turning to her ex-husband. "Dahil dinamay mo na ang mga batang 'to sa kalokohan mo, I'm giving you a chance today. Pero 'wag kang umasa. I doubt that any explanation from you will convince me that you deserve forgiveness."

They expected Mr. Ringo to kneel and apologize profusely but he stood there looking just as stunned as everyone after the accusation. "What are you talking about?"

No one knew how to react at napanganga na lang sila.

"At nagmamaang-maangan ka pa, Aero! It was a blind item for weeks in various tabloids. The girl was seen coming out of your office, akala mo ba magpapakatanga ako pagkatapos no'n?" Istanna was fuming.

"I really have no idea about who you're talking about, you know I don't read gossip columns," Aero said, completely taken aback.

"So why do you think I divorced you?"

"Hindi ba dahil sa pagiging workaholic ko? I cancelled vacation plans and forgot your birthday and our anniversary. I let the lawyers handle the papers, I just signed them. I didn't want to trap you into a marriage you didn't want at alam kong kasalanan ko," he replied, eyes downcast.

"Pwede ba, Aero? 'Wag mong itago ang pambabae mo sa likod ng trabaho mo!"

"Istanna, wala akong ibang babae! What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Claire," sagot ni Istanna na parang diring-diri sa pangalang lumabas sa bibig nito.

"Who the hell is Claire?" Siguradong lahat ng tao sa kuwartong iyon, kilala si Claire, maliban lang kay Mr. Ringo. 'Di masabi ni Sage kung swerte ito dahil 'di nito kilala ang babaeng 'yon o malas ito dahil kay Claire pa ito nagka-issue. An awkward silence ensued.

"Ms. Istanna, kung si Claire Monterro po ang tinutukoy ninyo, I'm ninenty-nine percent sure na gumagawa lang ng kwento 'yon para magpasikat," pagbasag ni Sage sa katahimikan. Ruining someone's marriage was definitely not beyond his ex.

"Yeah, I don't even know her, Istanna. I swear, I never have and I will never cheat on you," Mr. Ringo said.

"Can you prove that?" tanong ni Istanna. She wasn't fully convinced yet.

Natahimik ang lalaki. Hindi nga naman nito kilala si Claire. He wouldn't know where to start to get the proof that his ex-wife wanted.

"Maybe I can help you." Sage cleared his throat. Sa kanilang lahat, siya ang pinakanakakakilala kay Claire at hindi na tinatago ng babaeng iyon ang tunay na kulay nito kay Sage. "I'll try to make her admit it, please be quiet."

Sage took out his phone and began to call his ex-girlfriend. He turned on the loudspeaker so everyone could hear if she admits her wrongdoing.

Claire picked up after the first ring. "Sage? Ikaw ba talaga ang tumawag sa 'kin?"

"Yes, Claire. Na-miss lang kita," sagot ni Sage na may paglalambing sa kanyang boses.

"Oh my God, it's really you, Babe!" Claire wasted no time and began to flirt. "Wanna hangout? I'd love to go to your place and maybe we can—"

Sage faked a loud cough to mask whatever she was going to say. No one needed to hear that. Nakita niya ang pag-irap ni Ken.

"I was thinking of getting back together," Sage started. "Pero gusto kong maging honest tayo sa isa't isa. 'Di gaya ng dati."

"If I have ever lied to you before, please know that it's because I don't want to hurt you," Claire said. "Hindi na ako magsisinungaling sa'yo."

Sage knew that it was bullshit but he still had a glimmer of hope that she'd tell the truth. "Then answer me honestly, is it true that you had a relationship with Aero Ringo?"

"Hindi 'yan totoo," maikling sagot ni Claire.

"Can you prove that?" He was relieved that at least, Claire denied the allegation.

"Of course," Claire confidently said. "Why so curious? Mahigit isang taon na ang issue na 'yon. Napakaseloso mo naman 'ata, Babe." She giggled.

"We should come clean with our pasts, it's a sign of trust. Kailangan natin 'to kung gusto natin ng healthy relationship." Buti na lang at mabilis mag-isip si Sage at nakagawa siya ng ganoong excuse.

"Then does that mean that you'll tell me about your first love? Para kasing naging kahati ko pa siya sa'yo noon. Mas naalala mo pa 'yong birthday niya kaysa sa first weeksary natin," sabi ng ex niya. He saw Ken raise an eyebrow at Claire's question.

"I will tell you about her but first, tell me about Mr. Ringo," Sage answered quickly though he had no plans of telling her anything. His memory of Yumi is too precious to be shared with someone like Claire.

"Okay, fine," Claire finally said. "I met Aero Ringo when I auditioned to be the endorser for his land development commercial. 'Di niya man lang ako tiningnan dahil busy siyang nakikipagtalo sa asawa niya sa phone so naturally, I didn't get the part."

Knowing Claire's vengeful personality, Sage began to put the pieces together. "So gusto mong gumanti kaya nagpakalat ka ng mga bagay na hindi totoo?"

"I know it was immature but he started it! I deserved the part at hindi ka ba impressed? I'm such a good actress that they really split up because of it. Buti na lang, 'di umabot sa mainstream media. I might've lost a project kung nangyari 'yon."

Proud na proud pa ang ex ni Sage sa mga nagawa nito. How could he have dated such a garbage person? He didn't speak but he gripped his phone tighter. Nag-init ang dugo niya sa mga sinabi ni Claire. Everyone in the room who heard probably felt the same.

"Anyway, 'wag ka nang magselos sa matandang 'yon. 'Di naman gano'n ang type ko at kahit itanong mo pa sa kumuha ng mga picture ko sa labas ng opisina niya. Aamin din 'yon na staged ang litratong 'yon. Hindi nga ako nakapasok sa opisina niya eh, kahit i-check mo pa sa CCTV."

"Thank you for your honesty," Sage replied. He was glad that even though Istanna would still ask to check the CCTV footage, Mr. Ringo turned out to be just an unfortunate victim of Claire's schemes.

"Now tell me about—"

"Hello? Claire? I can't hear you, nandiyan ka pa ba?" Hindi na pinatapos ang sasabihin ni Claire dahil wala naman siyang balak magkwento tungkol kay Yumi. "Ang hina ng reception dito, I'll call you later," ani Sage. He swiftly ended the call and blocked her number with a satisfied grin. "So I guess there's your proof, Ms. Istanna."

"Yiie, magbabati na 'yan!" Nadia exclaimed and the others also started cheering on the couple which left Istanna looking quite embarrassed.

"Stop, stop!" Istanna said to silence them. "Hindi gano'n kadali 'yon. Kailangan pa namin mag-usap ng lalaking 'to." She stared pointedly at Mr. Ringo.

"Well, that's what we wanted from the start," Lily said, smiling. "Kaya nag-effort kaming ayusin 'tong function room."

"Mauuna na kami, Ma, Pa," Aidan said. "Take your time. We've also reserved the royal suite for you. 'Di 'nyo na kailangang umuwi." He winked.

The atmosphere was a lot lighter and he hoped the couple could resolve all their issues. Lumabas na ng function room ang lahat maliban sa dating mag-asawa.

As they were walking out, Sage noticed Mr. Ringo's son staring at Ken. He didn't like it.