As Altair crossed the threshold of his home, he was immediately enveloped in a snug ambiance, a stark contrast to the urban hustle outside. Cassy, the orchestrator of this serene setting, had transformed the lounge into a delightful cozy nook. The muted light from a table lamp cast a gentle glow over an array of snacks, their aroma wafting tantalizingly through the air.
 
"Did you open a café while I was out, Cassy?" he teased, appreciating the effort she put in. "The aroma is just... heavenly."
 
Cassy, looking ethereal in a flowing white dress that draped over her gracefully, shot him a feigned stern look. "Keep your hands off until you've cleaned up, Mister."
 
Altair chuckled, raising his hands in jest. "Fine by me. A quick shower was the plan anyway."
 
As he moved towards his room, a fleeting thought passed through his mind. He had always seen Cassy in pastel or neutral tones, and she looked celestial in white. But how would deep blue look on her? Would it highlight a different facet of her personality? Contemplating her in varying hues was an oddly satisfying distraction.
 
Meanwhile, in a plush bar in BGC, the soft strains of jazz piano filled the air. Amidst the dimly lit atmosphere sat Elise and Theresa, deep in conversation. Between them, two glasses shimmered, reflecting the subdued lights of the establishment.
 
Theresa massaged her temples, the weight of her worries evident. "Every day, there's a new challenge, Elise. And now this... Tell me the truth. What went down in Baguio?"
 
Elise took a thoughtful sip from her glass before responding, "A rollercoaster. Altair was teetering on the edge, ready to admit his feelings. As for Cassy... they grew close. They shared a room, a bed, until Sunny intervened and shook things up."
 
Theresa heaved a weary sigh, her fingers idly tapping on the tabletop. "It feels like a labyrinth, and I'm lost. I'm not sure if I have the strength to keep going."
 
Elise's eyes bore into Theresa's. "Is your love for Altair genuine?"
 
Theresa's gaze sharpened, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "What do you think? That this is some high school drama?"
 
Unperturbed, Elise continued, "No need to bite my head off. If you truly love him, wouldn't you fight tooth and nail?"
 
Theresa's voice carried a mix of exasperation and pain. "It's easy to say 'fight for love,' but the fear of heartbreak is real, Elise."
 
Elise swirled her drink contemplatively. "That's the paradox of love. It gives strength yet makes one vulnerable. Love isn't a fairytale; it's as much about storms as it is about rainbows."
 
Agitation flitted across Theresa's face. "What's your point, Elise?"
 
Elise's gaze remained unyielding. "Don't wait for love to happen. Chase it, embrace it, take risks. If you want Altair, be bold. Claim him."
 
With a swift movement, Theresa emptied her whisky glass, letting the fiery liquid blaze a path down her throat. Slamming the glass down with an unwavering resolve, she proclaimed, "I am Theresa! No matter what, I get what my heart desires."
 
Elise looked at her, eyebrows raised, a mix of admiration and worry evident in her eyes. "Your spirit's admirable, Theresa, but perhaps decisions about matters of the heart shouldn't be made under the influence."
 
But Theresa was in no mood to listen. Signaling the waiter, she ordered another shot, and when it arrived, she wasted no time in sending it down the same path as the previous one.
 
Elise let out a sigh, her head resting in her hand, "You're one of a kind, Theresa."
 
With twinkling eyes, Theresa retorted, "One of a kind and hopelessly in love," and then broke into laughter, the irony of her statement evident to both of them.
 
Transition back to the house
 
As the movie credits scrolled on the screen, the mellow music accompanying them lingered in the background. The comfortable atmosphere of the lounge seemed to have evolved; where warmth and coziness once reigned, now a palpable anticipation settled. The flickering light from the TV painted dramatic shadows on the walls, making the air thick with unsaid words and emotions.
 
Cassy, feeling the weight of the moment, turned to face Altair. Her eyes, usually a haven of confidence, now shimmered with a raw vulnerability. "Altair," she began, her voice a fragile whisper, "Throughout everything, you've been a steady presence in my life, supporting me even when you didn't need to. I trust you, more than you could possibly know."
 
From her pocket, she procured a small metallic object. As it caught the light, Altair realized it was a duplicate key to her room. With a soft tremble in her hand, she offered it to him. "This is more than just a key, Altair. It's a symbol of my unwavering trust in you."
 
The weight of the key in Altair's hand was palpable. Not just its physical weight, but the promise and commitment it represented. "Cassy," he whispered, fingers brushing hers as he accepted the key, "I will never let you down. You have my word."
 
While their shared understanding of the moment was profound, it was transient. Cassy's eyes, so recently full of trust, now darted around in alarm. "Oh, we have to tidy up! If someone walks in and sees this, they'll get the wrong idea!"
 
She sprang into action, hastily trying to revert the lounge to its pre-movie state. The atmosphere was still thick with feelings, and it was evident they both felt it. Altair pondered, 'Does Cassy fear being seen with me? Or is she just being overly cautious?'
 
The end of their intimate movie night was marked by a return to their individual spaces, each left with their own whirlwind of thoughts about the evening.
Lying in the semi-darkness of his room, the soft glow of his phone disrupted Altair's attempt to drift into sleep. The message displayed on the screen was from Theresa: "Wanna smoke?"
 
Weighing his current lack of engagements, Altair quickly typed back, "As long as we're not in for a pep talk, I'm game."
 
Without waiting for her reply, Altair made his way down. As he approached the gazebo, the soft glow from the lanterns revealed Theresa, donning a sleeping dress quite unlike her usual bold choices. Tonight, she wore a demure, pink dress with a Peter Pan collar.
 
"It's surprisingly cute on you," Altair observed, not able to mask his surprise.
 
Theresa, amused by his reaction, replied, "Thanks! I was under the impression you didn't pay much attention to such details."
 
Raising his eyebrows, Altair responded, "I've always found you striking, irrespective of what you wear. But this? It's an unexpected yet delightful change."
 
Arching an eyebrow teasingly, Theresa asked, "Between this and my usual choice of sleepwear, which do you prefer?"
 
Remembering one particular dress, Altair answered, "The navy blue ones. They have an air of royalty about them, emphasizing your silhouette."
 
She laughed lightly, "That's quite the attention to detail. Does it... affect you?"
 
Unfazed by her forwardness, Altair countered, "I've always admired the way clothes accentuate a person's features. I've seen women in far more risqué outfits, but it's never been about arousal for me. It's more about appreciation."
 
Theresa's laughter echoed in the quiet night. "You truly are an enigma, Altair."
 
Moonlight streamed through the branches above, dappling the gazebo floor. After a deep drag from his cigarette, Altair shared, "I believe in appreciating beauty without any ulterior motives. I treat everyone with the respect they deserve and expect the same."
 
Theresa's gaze softened, the playfulness replaced by genuine warmth. "That's one of the reasons I...appreciate you."
 
He chuckled, "You almost let something else slip there."
 
She rolled her eyes playfully, then hesitated before inquiring, "How are things with Cassy?"
 
Altair paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "It's drawing to a close. The play, I mean."
 
Her eyes searching his, Theresa asked, "Does the thought sadden you?"
 
Altair took a moment, reflecting on the question. "The play was a welcome diversion. While it's been an adventure, I'm relieved that the chaos surrounding Cassy is nearing its end."
 
Theresa leaned in, her curiosity evident. "Do you love her?"
 
Altair, taken aback by the bluntness of the question, grinned, "Now that is a loaded question, isn't it?"