"That is also a big problem, but it could be worse. What if the guy chooses to take advantage of Cassy and use Cassy's secret as hostage? Cassy could be exploited," Mikayla added, her voice grave, the gravity of the situation becoming more apparent. 
 
"So it all boils down to the guy we choose?" Theresa asked, her voice filled with realization. 
 
"Pretty much," Mikayla replied, her eyes narrowing as she contemplated their limited options. 
 
A long and uneasy silence filled the room, the weight of their decision pressing down on them, each lost in thought, grappling with the complexities of their situation. 
 
"Okay, if we are going to continue dwelling on these hypothetical problems, we will not move forward," Mikayla said, her voice breaking the silence, her tone filled with determination. 
 
"Mikay is correct; time is of the essence. Cassy, any candidate for the fake boyfriend?" Theresa asked, her eyes fixed on Cassy, who was already connecting her laptop to the projector. 
 
Cassy's messaging app flashed on the screen, and the girls caught sight of a message to Altair saying 'Hey cutie.' Theresa, Mikayla, and Allaine looked at Cassy with devilish grins on their faces, while Cassy turned beet red. 
 
"You saw nothing!" Cassy deflected as her first move before anyone could speak, her face still flushed. 
 
She then hovered to a profile named Oliver Harris. "Oliver Harris is half American, half Filipino, a theater student in the school, and a good friend. While he may agree to play the part, uhm," Cassy paused, her voice filled with doubt, "he's really bad at acting, like really bad. He often over-exaggerates things." 
 
Theresa and Mikayla exchanged glances, their faces showing clear disapproval. "He won't do. Let's move to the next person," they said in unison. 
 
Cassy hovered to the next profile. "Lucas Stevenson Asis. This is a man who tried to court me. While I ended up friend-zoning him, he might play the role, but the problem is," Cassy paused, her voice filled with uncertainty, "he lacks social skills and is timid in nature. This might make the relationship unconvincing?" 
"Yeah, it might lead to suspicion," Allaine said, her voice filled with doubt as she contemplated Lucas's timid nature. 
 
"Next," Theresa commanded, her voice firm and authoritative. 
 
Cassy clicked the next profile, her face showing a mix of hope and frustration. "Jerome Santos, he is a member of the student council, same as me," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. 
 
"The problem with that, Cassy, is both of you are busy. It would be difficult to coordinate," Theresa said, quickly dismissing the option. Cassy clicked a different profile, her frustration growing. 
 
"Francisco 'Kiko' Reyes. He's in the same class as me, tried to court me once. The problem with this person is he takes jokes too far," Cassy said, her voice laced with concern. 
 
"He might not take the situation seriously and might lead to misunderstanding or a slip-up," Allaine said, her voice echoing Cassy's concerns. 
 
"Next," Theresa commanded, her voice unwavering as Cassy moved to the next profile. 
 
The room went silent as the girls' eyes were drawn to the next picture, their faces showing a mixture of surprise and intrigue. The young man in the photo was undeniably attractive, with sharp features and an air of intelligence. His eyes sparkled with a keen intellect, and he was dressed in a way that spoke of formality and precision. 
 
"Phew, that's a hottie, Cassy," Mikayla said, her voice filled with admiration. 
 
"He looks smart to boot," Theresa added, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the young man. 
 
"That's because he is. Marcus Villanueva is a very dedicated student. He connects on an intellectual level; however, he's too rigid and formal," Cassy replied, her voice filled with both admiration and concern. 
 
The room went quiet again as the girls considered the option, each lost in thought. 
 
"Honestly, they both lack chemistry. It might look unconvincing. The best part is if he kills Carlos with his mansplaining about string theory," Priscilla said, her voice filled with humor but her words tinged with truth. 
 
The girls looked at each other, their faces showing a mixture of agreement and resignation. 
 
"If you take a look closely, yeah, Pris is correct," Allaine said, her voice soft and thoughtful. 
 
"Next," Theresa said, her voice firm, her eyes fixed on the screen. 
 
The room fell into silence again, the weight of their decision pressing down on them, each profile a new hope and a new disappointment. The complexity of their situation was becoming more apparent, and the perfect solution seemed elusive. 
Cassy moved on to a different profile, her finger hesitating over the mouse as the girls stared at the picture on the screen. It was an ordinary-looking young man, not overly pleasing to the eyes but not unattractive either. What caught their attention was the first photo on the page; it was a picture of him and Cassy together, both of them laughing, taken way back when they were still in high school. 
 
"Is that... you with him?" Priscilla asked, her eyes widening as she noticed the photo. 
 
"That's because he's one of my best friends. His name is Migz. He's been my best friend since grade 3," Cassy explained, her voice filled with warmth. 
 
"I assume that your relationship with him is platonic?" Theresa asked, her eyes narrowing in consideration. 
 
"Yes, we're just friends," Cassy replied, her voice firm. 
 
"Well, there's no problem if that's the case," Priscilla said, her voice filled with relief. 
 
"Well, it could pose a problem in a different way," Theresa said, her voice growing serious. 
 
"Guys could fall in love since they've been friends for a long time. Feelings could ignite," Allaine said, her voice filled with concern. 
 
"I know Migz better than anyone, and it's always been platonic between us. I don't think that's an issue," Cassy replied, but her voice wavered slightly. 
 
"Migz is a good choice; he knows Cassy well and would play the part convincingly," Mikayla argued, her tone confident. 
 
"But what if Allaine is right? What if feelings do develop? That could complicate everything," Theresa countered, her eyes narrowing. 
 
"Feelings or not, Migz is the best choice. We don't have time to keep searching," Priscilla interjected, her voice rising. 
 
"Time is one thing, but the risk of emotions getting involved is another. This is not just about picking someone convenient," Allaine shot back, her voice growing more passionate. 
 
"Cassy trusts him, and that's what matters most," Mikayla said, her voice firm. 
 
"I don't think we should risk it," Theresa insisted, her tone equally resolute. 
 
The room was filled with tension, voices clashing, faces reddening, and the air thick with disagreement. The debate was growing heated, and the atmosphere was becoming more and more charged. 
 
Just then, the door opened, and Altair entered, his eyes widening at the sight of the arguing girls and Priscilla in a military uniform. The room fell into stunned silence, the tension broken by his unexpected entrance. 
 
"Him," Theresa muttered, her eyes fixed on Altair. 
 
"Good Evening Girls, I can see you are busy..." Altair paused as he saw Priscilla's outfit, trying to suppress his laughter. 'She's weird,' he thought. 
 
"I was coerced by these people to dress like this!" Priscilla blurted out defensively, pointing at the others. 
 
"I will be heading to my room," Altair responded, trying to escape the intense atmosphere. 
 
"You!" Allaine said, her voice filled with determination as she grabbed Altair's arm, preventing him from walking away. 
 
"Can somebody enlighten me what's happening? I keep being pointed at," Altair said, his voice tinged with confusion and amusement. 
 
The sudden shift in focus created a comedic relief, providing a welcome pause and reminding the girls that, despite their differing opinions, they were still united in their goal. 
 
Altair's confusion quickly turned to surprise as Theresa guided him to the couch, her eyes wide and filled with urgency. The room was in disarray, papers scattered everywhere, and a whiteboard filled with names and connections. The other girls were seated, their faces reflecting a complex mixture of concern, determination, and apprehension, a silent testament to the gravity of the situation. 
 
"Come sit, Altair. This is an emergency meeting," Theresa said, her voice filled with a gravity that sent a chill down his spine. 
 
Altair took his seat, scanning the room, sensing the tension in the air. The girls' expressions, taut and serious, told him that something grave was unfolding. 
 
"Altair, we need your help. Cassy needs your help," Theresa declared, her eyes fixed on him, her voice trembling slightly. 
 
"Eh? Before I agree, what's happening, Cassy?" Altair asked, his voice filled with concern, his eyes searching Cassy's face. 
 
Cassy sat near Altair and held his hand, her eyes pleading, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm in danger. My parents are trying to push me to marry a guy I don't even want," she explained. Altair's expression turned to worry, his mind racing, his heart pounding. 
 
"Okay, how can I help?" Altair asked, determination welling in his voice, his eyes filled with resolve. 
 
"Are you sure, Alty? I mean, I don't want to bother you. I know you've been going through something as of this moment," Cassy said, sadness creeping into her voice, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. 
 
"I told you already that if you need help, I will help you," Altair paused, looking into Cassy's eyes, his voice soft but firm, "And I have nothing to do as well," he continued, trying to lighten the mood, a faint smile touching his lips. 
 
Theresa and Allaine shifted in their seats, redirecting Altair's attention to them. "Okay, tell me about the situation," Altair asked, all business now, his voice steady, his mind focused. 
 
"So, Cassy is being pressured to this guy named Carlos by her family," Theresa explained, her voice filled with disdain, her face twisted with anger. 
 
"I see, I understand the situation. Tell me something about this guy," Altair inquired, his mind already analyzing the scenario, his eyes sharp and probing. 
 
"This guy is entitled, egoistic, and thinks he can have anything with his money. He's aggressive and has no respect for my feelings or my choices," Cassy said, her voice quivering with anger and fear, her hands clenched tightly. 
 
"Okay, tell me more about your plans and what is my role in this? Operation?" Altair asked, leaning forward, fully engaged, his voice filled with anticipation. 
 
The room fell silent, the tension building to a palpable level. The girls exchanged glances, uncertainty in their eyes, the air thick with suspense. 
 
"You will be Cassy's fake boyfriend," Theresa said, her voice firm yet cautious, her eyes locked on Altair's face. 
 
What Theresa said dropped like a bomb. Altair's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat. He had been expecting to be an investigator or agitator in these operations, but the role that was given to him was something entirely different, something personal and intimate. He looked at Cassy, who was visibly blushing with embarrassment, her eyes downcast. Altair snapped out and tried to maintain his composure, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just been asked to do, his heart pounding in his chest. 
"Alright? What do I need to do as a fake boyfriend?" Altair asked, his brow furrowing, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "I assume that you have a solid plan for this role, right? Something more than just pretending?" 
 
"Somewhat," Mikayla explained, her voice carrying a hint of trepidation that caught everyone's attention. "The goal is to discourage Carlos from pursuing Cassy by revealing that she already has a boyfriend. But not just any boyfriend. You will have to make your relationship convincing enough to endure what could be a prolonged battle." 
 
Altair's eyes narrowed, his mind already analyzing the situation, his expression betraying a mix of intrigue and concern. "Got it. What's our backup plan in case that doesn't work? I mean, this seems like a big gamble." 
 
"We're hoping that you can prolong the war while we find a permanent solution," Mikayla responded, her voice carrying a hint of urgency that added to the room's tension. "You'll have to be cunning, persistent, and convincing." 
 
The room went silent, tension filling the air, thick and palpable. Eyes darted between Altair and Mikayla, the weight of the situation hanging heavily, an unspoken acknowledgment of the stakes involved. 
 
"Okay, tell me the terms of this fake relationship," Altair finally responded, his voice calm but filled with resolve, surprising those who expected hesitation. 
 
"Before that, Altair, you have to understand something," Mikayla paused, looking him in the eye, her tone grave. "This is not child's play. This is serious work demanding your commitment to the cause. You can't just crumble at the first sign of trouble. It'll require mental strength, emotional resilience, and an unwavering determination." 
 
"I understand," Altair replied, his voice firm, his eyes reflecting his commitment. 
 
"I just want to make sure that we're giving this role to someone tough. There's a lot of risk for you too, and I hope you are prepared for that," Mikayla added, her voice filled with genuine concern, adding to the room's surprise at the gravity of the situation. 
 
"Yup, I understand that fully well," Altair responded, nodding confidently. 
 
"If you understand that, let's begin with the do's and don'ts of this fake relationship," Mikayla said, her voice returning to a more business-like tone. 
 
"First, as fake lovers, you are expected to communicate openly. You must discuss plans, strategies, and get your story straight. Keep each other informed and in sync," Mikayla continued, laying out the ground rules. 
 
"That we are sure is already happening, as evidenced by what we saw earlier on the messaging app," Theresa interjected, smirking, and referring to the previous communication between Cassy and Altair. 
 
Altair shifted his look at Cassy again, who was visibly blushing and panicking, yet managed to hide a smile. The room could feel the tension between them, mixed with a hint of genuine connection. 
 
"That's a given," Altair casually responded, a hint of amusement in his voice, surprising those who expected embarrassment. 
 
"Next would be establishing boundaries. You are expected to act lovey-dovey in public, but there are limitations. Only Cassy can initiate a kiss, no groping, and you are expected to act like a gentleman at all times," Mikayla laid down the guidelines, her voice firm but understanding. 
 
"Uhm, Altair can initiate a kiss on the cheek, assuming I'll be signaled or notified first?" Cassy paused, looking slightly uncomfortable, her voice filled with uncertainty. 
 
"I mean, if I'm the only one initiating a kiss, it could trigger suspicion, right?" Cassy asked, her eyes wide, seeking validation. 
 
"She does make sense, you know? And there might be times where a kiss on the lips is necessary," Priscilla added, weighing in on the matter, her tone thoughtful. 
 
Cassy looked visibly rattled, but Altair's response was immediate and confident. "Well, in that case, we can do a peck," he said, his voice reassuring. 
 
At this point, Allaine and Theresa were quietly giggling at the sight of Cassy blushing, clearly enjoying her reaction, adding a touch of levity to the serious discussion. 
 
"Okay, good thinking, Pris. Do you agree, Cassy?" Mikayla asked, her voice steady as Cassy nodded, her face still flushed. 
 
The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly, but the seriousness of their mission still loomed large, a constant reminder of the stakes involved. 
 
"Next, we must craft a coherent, solid, and believable backstory. It must withstand scrutiny and remain consistent in every detail. You are both expected to fully internalize this backstory, as it will be the foundation for everything else," Mikayla said, her eyes fixed on Cassy and Altair, emphasizing the gravity of the task. 
 
"Oh, and please discuss your backstory with us so we can act accordingly," Theresa interjected, her voice tinged with concern. Cassy and Altair nodded, acknowledging the importance of alignment. 
 
"You are also expected to support each other in public and protect each other's interests. Consider your actions carefully, weighing whether they will benefit or harm your fictitious partner," Mikayla continued, stressing the delicate balance they must maintain. 
 
"An exit strategy is essential," Mikayla resumed, regaining her professional demeanor. "Have some discreet phrases to signal your situation and the action needed." 
 
"Cassy and I will discuss it, and we'll inform you of our decision," Altair replied, demonstrating his commitment. 
 
"Privacy and time are crucial, and you must respect both. Privacy, in particular, is vital," Mikayla explained, her tone grave. "I will respect Cassy's privacy and time, and I'll do my utmost not to hinder her studies," Altair promised, his voice sincere. 
 
Mikayla smiled, her eyes softening. "If that's settled, we can move to the 'don'ts,'" she said, pausing for acknowledgment, met with nods. 
 
"Respect each other's boundaries and don't push beyond comfort zones," Mikayla instructed. Silence fell, and she assumed agreement. "Don't lie to each other. Honesty between you two is essential, even if the relationship is a deception to others," Mikayla added. "Don't involve others without consent. No one outside this circle should know about this operation," Mikayla was interrupted by Altair's raised hand. 
 
"Yes, wimp?" she asked, using her playful nickname for him. 
 
"I think we should tell Elise about this. She acts as Cassy's guardian, and she has the right to know," Altair explained. 
 
The room turned to Cassy, her face reflecting worry. Altair noticed and gently reassured her. "Don't worry, Cassy. I'll explain to her. You have nothing to fear," Altair said, his voice soft. 
 
Laughter filled the room momentarily as Theresa and Priscilla teased Mikayla. "You seem rather well-prepared for this, Mikayla. Is this wisdom from all the K-dramas you've been watching?" Priscilla asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. 
 
"Seriously, this is fundamental in every relationship!" Mikayla retorted, though a sheepish grin betrayed her enjoyment. 
 
"Quick thinking for a wimp. I'm impressed," Mikayla mocked. 
 
"Hey! You can't call my hubby a wimp!" Cassy blurted out. 
 
The room was plunged into stunned silence, a collective gasp hanging in the air. Faces froze in shock, eyes widened, and mouths fell open as the unexpected words resonated. The surprise was palpable, a jolt that seemed to suspend time itself. 
 
Then, as if a spell had been broken, the silence gave way to a ripple of laughter. It started with a hesitant chuckle from Priscilla, followed by a more robust laugh from Theresa. Soon, the entire room was filled with laughter, the tension dissolving into joyous relief. The shock had transformed into amusement, and the surprise had become a shared moment of levity that brought everyone closer together. 
 
"What? You said support and protect, right? That was a dry run," Cassy said, her voice betraying her. 
 
"Okay! That was a shocker, Cassy! You're good at acting!" Mikayla praised. 
 
A moment of silence followed, tension building. 
 
"You should know the next rule already," Mikayla paused. 
 
The room fell into a heavy silence, the air thick with anticipation. Eyes shifted between Altair and Cassy, lingering on their faces, searching for something hidden beneath the surface. The playful banter that had filled the room earlier seemed a distant memory, replaced by a palpable tension that gripped everyone present. 
 
Altair and Cassy looked at each other, their expressions a complex tapestry of emotions. Something sad, something unspoken lingered in their eyes, a shared understanding that went beyond mere acting. The weight of what was about to be said hung over them, a silent acknowledgment of a boundary that must not be crossed. 
 
Mikayla's voice broke the silence, soft and filled with empathy, yet firm in its delivery. "Don't develop genuine romantic feelings," she said, her words resonating in the room like a solemn vow. 
 
"Don't develop genuine romantic feelings," Mikayla said, her voice filled with empathy. 
 
Mikayla's words reverberated in the room, each syllable carrying an unsettling blend of finality and caution. The atmosphere felt heavier, almost suffocating, especially around Cassy and Altair, who exchanged a momentary glance of silent understanding and unspoken sadness, as if their eyes were conduits for the emotions they couldn't articulate. 
 
"You all should be well aware of this rule. So, ensure it is part of your exit strategy as well," Mikayla urged, her voice tinged with a seriousness that brooked no room for objection, as though she were laying down the law of the land. 
 
Altair felt a subtle tension knot in his stomach, a visceral reaction to the gravity of Mikayla's words. He masked it skillfully with a half-smile, a facade that belied the churn of thoughts within him. 
 
"Yeah, who wouldn't know that? It's practically Relationship 101," Altair quipped, his voice tinged with irony, as if hoping to diffuse the intensity of the moment with a touch of levity.