It's another two weeks of stay on Hiraya. As usual, there's still a rift between Renz and me against Jade, Migo, and Aian. Despite all of our differences, Aian seems civil to me but crude with his dealings with Renz. Maybe because I share things with him, but not as much as Laya shares knowledge with him. And somehow, I get jealous. If only I can befriend a Hirayan, it won't be as hard. However, I am too preoccupied with Renz, especially now that he's changing his mind about us.

We have all done our second challenge and are just waiting for the third one. After that, we will officially become Hiraya citizens. However, since everyone is busy with the arrival of the Mainland guests. I'm sure it will take a while.

As for the knowledge on how to return to our time—we are still very far from it. We haven't even taken the first step. Information that Aian's team gets is from the inner island, while Renz and I get our information outside–from the people. After more than a month of staying here, some Hirayan had started to talk to us, so I guess getting a place on the outer part of Hiraya is beneficial.

"Cielo, carry those blankets to the Babaylan's," an older Cleaner commands, taking me away from my thoughts.

I readily obey. I hurry towards the other room but stop when I catch a glimpse of Jade and Migo. I'm not sure what they are still doing in the Babaylan area. As per Aian, they are given rooms in the inner area, so that spot might have been a special place for the two.

I hug the blankets to my chest and watch the two. When I run from room to room, I always get an eyeful of their sweetness to each other. The two have become inseparable from the time a shark bit Jade on their second challenge.

Right now, Jade is reading something aloud from a paper. But what strikes me is how she smiles at Migo and he, in turn, places his hands around her, as if protecting her from something. There are also moments when I see Jade sleeping on Migo's shoulders, or vice versa.

It's no wonder Renz is jealous of these two. And same as him, I want to know the relationship between them, but asking Aian is out of the question. I'm certain he will just smirk at me and suspicion will cloud his features. He's the one person I'm most afraid of. He can see through me, and he knows that I am not as sweet as I appear to be, not as submissive as I let Renz believe. And if Renz realizes that I am not what he wants for his woman, he will leave me for deceiving him, like how he left Jade when he realized he couldn't fully own her heart.

I take a deep sigh. I planned to show him what I am, but right now, I am afraid. I want to change him, for him to love me more, so that when he discovers that I lied to him, he can forgive me and still welcome me into his arms.

Jade catches sight of me, and I acknowledge her. Lately, she seems happier and more content. She still won't start up a conversation with me, but the look of pain every time she looks at me is diminishing. Migo might have influenced that. I just hope that he'll continue and they can officially become a couple. If that is the case, Renz will have no one to return to. No one but on my side.

Migo and Jade approach. Jade is no longer using a crutch, but she still has a slight limp. And Migo is always there to act as her support.

"Aian asks you to meet him tonight," she announces.

I blink. I look behind me, but there's no one. I look back to stare at her. Is she really talking to me? I stare. Why is she lacking that aura of grief that hangs consistently over her? It's as if she's moving on from the breakup, but in only more than a month? Does Renz mean so little to her?

"Hey, we're waiting for an answer," Migo says, but my eyes are on how Jade is wearing a simple, white dress that reaches down to her ankle. She's wearing a chain of colorful necklaces that accentuates her otherwise dull dress. She let her hair loose with a simple pin to keep her hair away from her face. She has all the curves of a woman compared to my slight frame. To say the least, she is getting more beautiful. No wonder Renz is still infatuated with her.

"Hey!" Migo screams at me. "Stupid!"

Jade calms Migo down. She unconsciously flips her hair before facing me again. And there, I see glimpses of bruises along the edge of her collarbone and to her shoulders, hidden strategically by her hair, her necklace, and her dress sleeves. Then she fixes her necklace in place to hide it again from plain view.

I'm familiar with what those bruises are, especially with how she tries to hide them. It's too obvious! I look at Migo and the way he places his arms protectively around her. Are they together now? But that amount of hickeys! It's as if he can't get enough of her! Is it because of the long years of Migo's unrequited love?

"We just came here to tell you that. Aian says you frequent the Babaylan's residence for your Cleaner tasks."

I nod, but my eyes can't leave how Migo shows that he doesn't want me close to his Jade. I guess, even if they are together now, he still can't forgive me. I did not expect that trait from him. He's usually playful around Jade and other women and always goes along with their whims. I even thought that it will be him who could forgive me first. Aian next and Jade last.

"Also, Aian wants to tell you to become a Babaylan. He says it will be beneficial to us."

I stare openly at her. When I gather my wits, I whisper, "To be a Babaylan, one needs a recommendation. I don't have that."

"How about your Leader?"

"Negative. She accepts recommendations but does not give recommendations herself."

Jade thinks for a while and says, "I think I can help you with that."

I frown. What is happening? Did she forget that I stole his man from her? Is she patronizing me? Or insulting me? I don't know anymore. Even when she left, I stand there looking at her departing figure. What just happened? Or is that her way of trying to conquer her dislike of me? Of her heartbreak?

I tilt my head on one side. No, Jade is too honest for that. She's the opposite of me. Everything she feels, it shows on her face, her mannerisms, and her expressions. She's easy to like but tempting to manipulate as well. That's why Aian is cautious of me, he knew that I would be tempted to try.