Sometimes, Laya can be such an asshole. When I asked him about my second challenge, he tells me that he's thinking about it and that it's better if I go to the hunter's area instead–because Bagwis is about to tell Migo and Jade their task. And whatever it is, I should inform Renz.

F*ck him! I am not a messenger, especially not to Renz. So now, I am looking for Renz so I won't be responsible for any of it. Unfortunately, he's not in the Sandig's barracks. I go out of the area when I see Jade at the corner looking at something.

I am about to greet her when I pause and realize what she's looking at us–Renz and Cielo, as always. So I peek as well. Cielo is holding Renz's hands and they are discussing something. All of a sudden, Renz's voice becomes louder.

"That woman! She! Can you believe what she's done during the Feast? It's just a few weeks since we broke up!"

"Renz, please..." Cielo begs.

Oh! So they are talking about Jade, huh? So, similar to this girl in front of me, Renz can't still get over the breakup? This stalking can be quite nice, I guess.

"These past few weeks, did you even hear her talk to me?" Renz continues.

The gall of this guy, talking about his ex to her current girlfriend, I wonder how the actress really feels now.

"Cielo, if this continues, I can't. We need to put a pause in our relationship."

Pause? What does that mean? Is he breaking up with her? Does he want to go back to Jade? This isn't even the place to break up with a woman.

"No, I don't want to," Cielo finally answers.

"I will still be your friend. Right now, I am just too confused."

"If you need attention. I will give it all to you. So please, just please, start to look at me too. Don't break up with me. You need to focus on me, too. And you won't get confused, I promise."

Cielo starts to cry and Renz pulls her to his chest, comforting her.

Oh! Is that how she's able to take a hold of his heart? By begging? I snicker. And I cover my mouth. Renz sees me, but his eyes fix on Jade beside me. His look becomes cold and without a second thought, he lifts Cielo's face and kisses her. And no, not a simple kiss, it's a kiss complete with tongues. But as he's doing it, Cielo starts to moan and her arms go around Renz's neck. But then again, Renz's eyes are still on Jade, as if telling her that he would never do the same to her anymore. Or maybe, it's her loss that he's with someone else now.

It might have worked too, because Jade goes away without a word to me. Once she's out of sight, Renz stops kissing the breathless Cielo. Poor girl. He's being used to make Jade feel jealous. This brat. I hope I can hit him right now. But Jade comes first, so I run after her. And no, I won't tell him anything about the challenge.

When we are close to the Hunter's area, I call after Jade, but she seems not to hear me. I run to her and catch hold of her arm. I turn her around, only to see tears on her face.

"F*ck," I curse. I pull her closer, hug her, and pat the top of her head. "He's a f*cking asshole. He does not deserve your tears," I say. I know it's old, but comforting a friend is something that I don't really know how to do. Should I have waited and let Migo take care of this?

Somehow, it goes through her. Her arms wrap around my torso and she settles her face on my shoulders. Now, this is awkward. We are of the same height, so this is weird. If we are in our world, it's easier. I can just bribe her with free food or free activities. But here, there is nothing like that.

"There, there," I say and pat her head.

After a few minutes, she pulls away. Thank the heavens! I look at her face. She's wiping her tears, but there is a smile on her face now.

"You really don't know to comfort a friend," she comments.

I make a lopsided grin. "You don't have the right to complain. It's from the goodness of my heart."

She makes a fist and gently touches the center of my chest. "Thank you," she murmurs and then turns away.

Now that she's a bit okay, I follow her to the Hunter's barracks. Inside is Migo. He's sitting while drumming his fingers on the table.

"Damn," he curses.

When he felt our presence, he looks up.

"Do you already know the second challenge?" I ask. Is that why he's agitated?

"Not yet. But somehow, I get so annoyed."

Jade and I look at each other. How can I explain this unexplainable connection between the two? Instead, we approach him and sit on either side of him.

"Maybe because Renz and Cielo are getting comfortable on the island?" I ask. "I'm certain they are fitting right in."

I look at Jade. She's rolling her eyes at me.

But the unaware Migo asks, "Don't tell me you are also planning to stay here?!"

"Oh! Come on, Migo. I love our world, even if this world is prettier," I answer.

Migo massages his head, as if trying to remember something. Is this about that rant about his sister?

"Are you okay, Migo?" Jade asks. She looks worried. She touches his forehead and adds, "You don't have a fever. Perhaps a migraine? If you like, you can rest, I can just tell you later about the meeting."

"No, I'm okay," he answers.

Jade sighs. "Okay, but really, Migo, stop pushing yourself too hard."

"You're one to talk. You left very late last night."

I raise my brows at her. Left last night to go where? Please don't tell me that she met Renz? That's why he's breaking up with Cielo earlier?

Instead, Jade grins. "We need to gain access to the library, so I am trying to get Isagani's help."

"Late at night?" I ask.

"Yes, Aian. Late at night. He works until very late."

Jade stands up and goes to the door. "Now, let's see what Bagwis is preoccupied with. Did he forget about us again?"

Suddenly, the door opens and Bagwis enters.

"Uhm, hello?" Jade looks small compared to Bagwis' frame. He looks down at her and she has no choice but to take a step back. "I am just wondering where you've been," she says.

Bagwis stares at her for a while and then offers her a sword. It's the same sword that she uses against the crab. "It's cleaned so you can use it for your next challenge."

"Um, okay," she says, takes the sword, and goes back to our table.

"Isagani and Rajah Sinagtala will pay us a visit," Bagwis abruptly announces.