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The condo is quieter than usual.
Not empty—just… calm.
The kind of calm that only happens when something big is about to happen.
Arizona stands in front of the mirror, unmoving for a moment, just staring at her reflection.
The gown hugs her perfectly—an elegant, structured white dress that falls straight and clean down her body, the fabric textured just enough to catch the light. It’s a strapless, corset-style piece, the bodice sculpting her frame flawlessly, emphasizing her shoulders and collarbones. The neckline dips into a soft sweetheart cut, clean and refined, while subtle gold buttons run down the front, adding a quiet regal touch. It’s minimal, but striking—the kind of look that doesn’t need to try hard to command attention.
Her hair is styled in a blonde updo—voluminous, sculpted, almost vintage in feel—soft curls pinned high, exposing her neck, making everything look even more refined.
She looks…
expensive.
Powerful.
Like she already knows she’s won.
But her face—
is softer than that.
“Ang tagal mo na diyan ah.”
Arizona glances at the doorway.
Vinas is leaning against it, arms crossed, watching her with a small smile.
“Kinakausap ko sarili ko,” Arizona replies casually.
“Ah talaga? Ano sabi niya?”
Arizona smirks faintly. “Sabi niya… ‘ang ganda mo.’”
Vinas snorts, walking in.
“Wow. Tama naman siya.”
He stops just behind her, eyes scanning her reflection again—this time slower.
More intentional.
“…Grabe,” he murmurs.
Arizona raises a brow. “Ano?”
Vinas shakes his head slightly, stepping closer until he’s right behind her.
“Wala. Ang ganda mo lang talaga.”
Then his arms slide around her waist—pulling her back against him, closer, firmer this time. His chin brushes lightly against her shoulder before he leans in, pressing a slow kiss there.
Warm.
Lingering.
Then another—higher, closer to her neck.
Arizona’s breath catches—barely there, but enough.
Vinas doesn’t rush it. He lets his lips rest against her skin for a second longer, almost teasing, almost testing.
“Grabe…” he murmurs softly against her shoulder. “Nakakainis.”
Arizona lets out a quiet huff, trying to keep her composure—but her fingers tighten just slightly where they rest.
“Bakit?”
“Ang ganda mo kasi.”
Arizona exhales—slow, controlled—before rolling her eyes, though the small smile on her lips gives her away.
“Bolero.”
Vinas gives another kiss—this time just under her ear.
Arizona closes her eyes for half a second—
then opens them again, catching his reflection in the mirror.
“…Vinas.”
“Mm?”
“Wag mo ’kong sisimulan.”
There’s a warning there.
But it’s weak.
Vinas smiles against her skin.
“Late na ba?”
“May few minutes pa naman ako before I leave,” Ari says.
“Pero seriously, ang ganda mo—walang eme,” Vinas adds, lightly tapping her arm.
He tilts his head, still looking at her through the mirror.
“Parang… hindi ikaw.”
Arizona frowns slightly. “Excuse me?”
“Hindi—wait—” Vinas laughs, fixing himself. “I mean… ikaw pa rin, pero… ibang level.”
Ari softens just a little.
“…OA mo.”
“Hindi nga.”
There’s a small pause.
Then Vinas reaches out—fixing a small detail near her chest, smoothing the fabric gently.
“Deserve mo ’to,” he says quietly.
Arizona’s expression shifts.
Just a little.
“…Alam mo naman hindi ko hiningi ’to, diba?”
“I know.”
“Ang dami nilang ginawa… effort… pera…” she exhales. “Nakaka-pressure din.”
Vinas looks at her through the mirror again—this time softer.
“Pero ginawa nila ’yon kasi gusto nila,” he says. “Kasi mahal ka nila.”
A beat.
Then, lighter—
“Tsaka… deserve mo naman talaga.”
Arizona scoffs lightly. “Talaga lang?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Eh ikaw?”
That lands.
Vinas shrugs—but there’s a small smile there.
“Okay lang ako.”
Arizona turns slightly to face him now, brows pulling together.
“‘Okay lang’?”
“Uy—” Vinas laughs. “Hindi ako sad, ha. Promise.”
“Sure ka?”
“Oo.”
Arizona studies him.
Still.
Careful.
“…Proud ako sa’yo,” she says quietly.
Vinas blinks, caught off guard.
“Ha?”
“Proud ako sa’yo,” Arizona repeats, softer this time. “Sa ginawa mo… sa fans mo… sa lahat.”
A small silence fills the room.
Then—
Vinas lets out a small laugh, shaking his head.
“Grabe ka…”
He lightly hampas Arizona’s arm.
“Kinikilig ako, tanga.”
Arizona smirks. “Eh di kiligin ka.”
“Ang corny mo!”
“Edi wag kang makinig.”
Vinas laughs again, stepping closer, resting his forehead briefly against Arizona’s shoulder.
“…Pero thank you.”
Arizona’s hand comes up instinctively—resting against his back.
“Always.”
A pause.
Then Vinas pulls back, looking at her again—eyes brighter now.
“Alam mo ba,” he starts, “nag-message ako sa Insti kanina.”
Arizona raises a brow. “Ano sabi mo?”
Vinas grins.
“Sabi ko, ‘di tayo nanalo… pero nanalo ako kasi Insti Choice Awardee ako.’”
Arizona bursts out laughing.
“Ang kapal ng mukha mo!”
“Hello?? Totoo naman!”
“Delulu ka.”
“Supportive sila sa’kin!”
Ari laughs. “Char lang, hahaha. True naman din—ikaw ang baby/misis/mister nila, eh. Dapat lang!”
They’re both laughing now—lighter, easier.
The tension gone.
Replaced with something warm.
Familiar.
Vinas reaches out again, fixing a strand of hair near Arizona’s face this time.
“Pero seriously,” he says, softer, “I’m really proud of you.”
Arizona meets his eyes.
And for a moment—
no jokes.
No teasing.
Just truth.
“…Thank you.”
Vinas smiles.
Then suddenly—
leans in and kisses her.
Quick.
Soft.
Arizona hums in surprise, then pulls him back for another one—slightly longer this time.
“Hoy,” Vinas laughs, pulling away. “Masisira make-up mo!”
“Okay lang. Worth it naman kung si misis ko lang ang sisira ng make-up ko.”
“Hindi!”
He lightly hits her again.
“Kulit mo!”
Arizona laughs, grabbing his wrist.
“Halika nga dito.”
She pulls him into a hug—tight, warm, grounding.
Vinas melts into it immediately, arms wrapping around her waist.
“…Win or lose,” he murmurs against her shoulder, “alam mo naman—”
“—I know,” Arizona cuts in softly. “Ikaw pa rin.”
Vinas smiles against her.
“Good.”
They stay like that for a few seconds more.
Just holding each other.
Then Vinas pulls back, looking at her again—eyes scanning her from head to toe.
“…Grabe talaga.”
Arizona raises a brow. “Ano na naman?”
“Wala.”
He grins.
“Sa’kin ka uuwi ha.”
Arizona smirks.
“Sa’yo lang naman ako umuuwi.”
Vinas hampas her again, laughing.
“Kilig ako, gago!”
Arizona just laughs, shaking her head.
Then reaches for her bag.
“Alis na ’ko.”
Vinas nods, walking her to the door.
He opens it.
But before she steps out—
he stops her.
“…Ari.”
She looks back.
“Win it,” he says simply.
No jokes this time.
Just—
belief.
Arizona smiles.
Soft.
Certain.
“I will.”
Then she leans in—
one last kiss.
Quick.
Meaningful.
And leaves.
Vinas stands there for a second longer after the door closes.
Then exhales.
Smiles to himself.
“…Akin ’yan,” he mutters proudly.
And grabs his phone—
already ready to cheer the loudest.