Altair's chuckle blossomed into full laughter, a light in the moment. Allaine managed a smile, but it was tinged with melancholy, her eyes betraying the sadness they held.
"I come from very humble beginnings," she began, her voice steady yet reflective. "My biological parents split up once they realized they weren't ready to be parents. I was left in the care of my grandmother. Despite the challenges, she did everything she could. We had just enough to get by. I went to public schools and worked hard, eventually graduating."
Altair offered a nod, his expression one of understanding and empathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. My own parents passed when I was young, leaving me to navigate similar hardships," he shared, his voice low.
There was a brief pause, a moment of shared silence, before he continued, "You don't have to share if you don't want to, but... did your parents ever come back?"
Allaine offered a smile, but it was clear it didn't reach her eyes, which shimmered with unshed tears. "No," she said softly. "My father started a new family in Canada. And my mom... she just disappeared without a trace."
A wave of sadness washed over Altair. "I'm sorry to hear that," he murmured, sincerity in his tone.
With a playful jab to his shoulder, Allaine countered, "What are you apologizing for? Sure, I faced struggles, but look at me now. I'm nearly at the top of my game."
Altair understood this sentiment more than anyone. "Exactly," he agreed with a nod. "The only way from here is up."
Curiosity then got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "So, why a construction firm?"
Without hesitation, Allaine responded, "I want to build homes that can't be easily shattered."
Altair quirked an eyebrow, a hint of jest in his voice. "Hypothetically or in reality?"
Allaine's laughter was light and genuine. "Both. I believe a home filled with warmth is a stronghold."
Grinning, Altair teased, "Quite the romantic, aren't you?"
Firing back with a twinkle in her eye, Allaine retorted, "Says the man entrenched in finance. So, Mr. Financial Wizard, why finance?"
Altair's laughter echoed in the space at the playful jab. "I chose finance because I believe stable finances lead to fewer worries, and fewer worries often mean more happiness. I was burdened by my parents' debts growing up, and I aim to spare my clients from such fates."
Catching Altair's eye with a mischievous look, Allaine burst out laughing. "You can't hide it, Alty. You're just as much a dreamer as I am."
Altair's discomfort was palpable as he began to fidget, his voice barely above a whisper: "I'm fine."
But Allaine, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle cues betraying his true feelings. "You know, you don't have to put on a facade here. This is a safe space," she reminded him gently.
Conceding her insight, Altair's shoulders slumped as he admitted, "Nothing's really better. In fact, it feels like things have only gotten worse."
"Worse? How so?" Allaine pressed, her tone full of concern.
Altair's pause was laden with hesitation; the struggle to articulate his turmoil was evident. "I thought I was on the mend, but then... I got completely thrown off by some mixed signals."
Intrigued, Allaine leaned in, her expression encouraging. "Mixed signals? Remember, you're in a safe zone here. Everything you share stays between us."
A brief chuckle escaped Altair, despite the gravity of his feelings. "You sound like a therapist, you know?"
Allaine nudged him playfully, urging him to open up. "Out with it, I'm all ears."
Taking a moment to gather his courage, Altair sought a promise: "Just... don't judge me, okay?"
With a solemn vow, Allaine crossed her heart. "Cross my heart."
With a deep inhale, Altair began to unveil his inner conflict. "I... I fell for someone. It crept up on me gradually."
He paused, searching for the right words.
"She's just so... kind. Being around her makes everything seem brighter. At first, I thought it was just because she was there for me during some really tough times."
"Situational attachment?" Allaine interjected for clarification.
Altair nodded in agreement. "Exactly. But then it hit me. She's become indispensable to my life."
Allaine, with a knowing glance, cut in. "We're talking about Cassy, aren't we?"
The surprise on Altair's face was unmistakable. "W-what?! How did you...?"
Allaine's laughter was light yet knowing. "It's quite obvious, you know."
She reasoned, "Who else could it be? Priscilla? Me? Mikayla? You've been practically inseparable from Cassy."
Accepting the truth, Altair let out a resigned sigh and nodded. "Okay, yes, it's Cassy."
Encouraged by his admission, Allaine delved deeper. "So, what happened? I want to hear more."
Altair took a moment, as if piecing together a puzzle. "It's all still a bit of a blur. I just woke up one day realizing I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, despite all the rules Mikayla laid out."
Sensing a pivotal moment, Allaine asked, "When did you feel this the strongest?"
Reflecting, Altair answered, "In Baguio. I was so close to confessing everything to her."
Allaine's interest was piqued, realizing she hadn't gotten the full story of that trip. "Oh? I'd love to hear more about that."
Altair's smile was tinged with a poignant sort of melancholy. "It was a beautiful, almost magical time. It truly clarified my feelings for her," he shared, his voice soft with remembrance.
Intrigued, Allaine pressed on, "So, what happened between you two in Baguio? Any... developments?"
Altair's reaction was one of shock; his integrity was was was questioned. "I would never cross that line! I'm not that kind of person," he asserted, a mix of hurt and indignation in his voice.
Allaine's laugh was light, and her tone was playful. "Good, because I was fully prepared to kick you out of this car if you had."
She then urged him to continue: "Please, go on with your story."
A hint of confusion flickered across Altair's features. "Which part are you curious about?"
After a moment's thought, Allaine clarified, "The part about the rejection. How did that unfold?"
Despite the ache it brought up, Altair proceeded. "Cassy invited me to watch a meteor shower at her school," he began, a distant look in his eyes.
"We found ourselves alone on a bench. It was breathtakingly romantic. She looked stunning, and I thought... that moment was right for a confession."
Allaine, caught up in the story, nodded. "It does sound like the perfect setting."
Curious, she prompted, "And what did she say to your confession?"
With a heavy sigh, Altair confessed, "She simply said she couldn't, and then she ran off."
At this, Allaine couldn't help but let out a loud, albeit sympathetic,,, laugh.
Altair's skepticism was evident as he addressed Allaine's matchmaking attempts. "Really, you think you can just pair me off with anyone? And how would you be so sure about Theresa?"
Allaine's laughter was tinged with confidence. "Trust me, there's a certain intuition we women have. We can sense when someone's caught feelings."
Altair, intrigued, pressed further. "And what might these signs be, according to your 'intuition'?"
With a knowing smile, Allaine elaborated. "Since you've been around, Theresa's undergone a noticeable transformation. It's not just her wardrobe that's changed; it's like she's presenting a new version of herself to you."
She paused for emphasis, letting her observations sink in. "Seeing Theresa in her nightwear used to be a rarity, even for us. But with you, it seems the impossible has become possible."
Altair, now genuinely curious, sought clarification. "Is that so?"
Affirming his curiosity, Allaine continued, "Absolutely. She's been experimenting more with her looks; her demeanor's become gentler, and there's a newfound grace in her actions."
Despite the mounting evidence, Altair remained cautious. "But couldn't that simply be a personal choice? Maybe she's just exploring a new style. Theresa's always been sociable, hasn't she?"
Allaine, however, was not swayed. "No, Altair. Theresa's interactions with men have always been brief, even with those she dated. She's inherently reserved. Trust me, dressing that way in your presence? It's significant."
Reflecting on this, Altair considered another angle. "Perhaps she's just more at ease around me. People do tend to open up more around those they're comfortable with."
Allaine's response was quick; her grin was was wide. "Exactly, like with those they're fond of or even in love with."
She then laid her cards on the table, confident in her assertion. "I'd wager everything I have that Theresa harbors feelings for you. She's likely just unsure of how to proceed."
Altair's mind momentarily wandered to a fleeting moment shared with Theresa—a kiss that had left him questioning everything. "Could that have been her trying to express her feelings?"
Returning to the present, he conceded, "Perhaps. But any confirmation would need to come from Theresa herself."
Allaine, sensing an opening, posed a thought-provoking question. "Hypothetically, if Cassy weren't in the picture, would Theresa be someone you'd consider?"
Altair's contemplation was palpable, his gaze distant yet insightful. "Theresa isn't just beautiful and intelligent; she embodies the very essence of what I admire. Our conversations about the future... It's like she's living the life I've always envisioned."
Allaine's smile was one of understanding, recognizing the depth of Altair's acknowledgment. "It seems Theresa is more than just a contender in your heart."
As they navigated the road, Allaine, perhaps sensing Altair's growing discomfort with the topic of relationships, decided to shift the focus towards herself, playfully tossing a curveball his way.
"What about me?" she queried, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Altair, taken completely aback, struggled to find his footing. "What about you? What exactly are you asking?"
With a playful tilt of her head, Allaine pressed on. "If Cassy and Theresa were out of the picture, do you think I'd make a good match?"
Altair's response came out as an incredulous burst. "Jesus, you're really cornering me here."
Allaine's laughter filled the car, a clear sign she was enjoying his flustered state. She quickly reassured him, "It's just a hypothetical; no pressure. I'm curious, that's all. I may not have Theresa's allure or Cassy's charm, but I have my own qualities, right?"
Still reeling from the question, Altair countered, "Do you really need that kind of validation from me?"
Allaine's gaze met his briefly, with a serious undertone to her playful demeanor. "Yeah, I want to know if I'm seen as someone desirable too."
Altair let out a resigned sigh, acknowledging her point. "You're an incredible person, Allaine. Under different circumstances, who knows? Your spirit is hard to resist."
Allaine's smile widened at his concession. "You know, if we're both still single at 35, we should just tie the knot."
Altair's laughter was genuine and full of surprise. "What kind of proposal is that, Allaine? Pity marriage, now?"
Allaine's response was earnest. "I'm serious, Altair. It wouldn't be about pity. We could approach it as a partnership, tackling life with logic over emotion."
Altair's smile faded into something more contemplative. "But love isn't about logic. It's supposed to be irrational and passionate. It's what makes us human—the ability to love without reason."
He paused, considering her proposition. "And you shouldn't sell yourself short. You're young, accomplished, and attractive. Everything will fall into place, and the right person will come along."
Allaine's demeanor turned somber at his words. "If you believe that, then this pact shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Altair found himself at a loss; her logic left him more bewildered than before. "Why me?" was all he could muster.
Allaine's grin was enigmatic. "Just trust me," she said, a phrase that seemed to hold more weight than the words themselves.
Resigned yet intrigued by the idea, Altair conceded. "Alright, if you say so."