It was already 6 p.m. when AZ arrived at the venue. She didn't really ask what time the event would start, so she figured showing up early was the safest bet. Savannah Resort was still quiet—too quiet. The kind of silence that made you second-guess if you were in the right place. No one was in sight.
She smoothed the fabric of her light blue, off-shoulder mermaid dress as she stepped inside, the silver heels clicking softly against the tiled ground. Her hair, styled half-up and half-down, swayed gently with the evening breeze. A black flap bag hung from her shoulder, and her makeup was light—simple, the way she liked it.
"You're early."
A male voice drifted from behind her, smooth and low.
She turned around, eyebrows rising slightly. The man was in a sleek black tux, hair slicked back, his posture confident. Familiar, but... her mind blanked. Where had she seen him before?
"Not quite the AZ I remember," he added, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
AZ let out a light chuckle—nervous, unsure. Who is this guy? Should I know him?
"I didn't know when it would start, so… yeah. I just got here early," she replied, keeping her tone casual.
"It's alright. Have a seat." He motioned to a nearby table and sat across from her. "We should've reminded you. Everyone kind of lost touch with you after you left the group chat…"
"It's fine," AZ replied quickly. "Luciana did tell me about it."
He raised a brow at the name. "Right… Luciana."
AZ caught the shift in his expression. Okay, weird reaction. Did they date? Wait… Luciana dated, like, everyone back then. Except Kean. Her gaze sharpened on him.
"You don't remember me, do you?" he asked, leaning in a little, his voice skeptical.
She winced. "Is it bad if I didn't?" Her voice dropped, her cheeks warming. God, this is embarrassing. I've always been bad at remembering faces… especially from that long ago.
"Well, kinda. You had a crush on me, after all."
Her eyes widened. Wait—"Linkurt Balt?"
"There it is." He crossed his arms, feigning offense. "That hurt, you know. You used to just call me Kurt."
AZ laughed, half in shock, half in relief. "Well… it was in the past."
"I don't mind if you call me that again," he said softly.
Her smile stiffened. So that's why he reacted to Luciana's name. He still hasn't moved on, typical Kurt. "I'll call you Linkurt. Let's keep it formal."
Kurt sighed. "You and your formalities, really."
"AZ!" a voice shrieked in delight.
AZ turned just in time to see two small figures sprinting toward her—both tanned, both familiar. Shane Dawson and Athena Poppins. Her heart lifted. Too familiar to be forgotten.
Shane wore a red sundress that suited her messy bun and warm complexion, while Athena's purple flare dress bounced as she ran, her oversized glasses slightly askew.
AZ stood up and opened her arms, letting herself be embraced.
"God, we missed you so much!" Athena cried. "You didn't even message us!"
Right… Why did I only think of Kean when I had these two?
"Sorry," AZ chuckled awkwardly. "Just… been busy."
"But you could've responded!" Shane added, her pout exaggerated.
She's right… I just didn't want to dwell on the past.
Before AZ could reply, a new voice cut through the reunion.
"What's with the ruckus here?"
She turned and instantly recognized the smug grin, pale skin, and cropped hair—Zyril Sandie, clad in a sky-blue polo and black trousers.
"Zyril?" AZ asked, blinking.
"Wow. You remember him, but forgot me?" Kurt whined.
"That's offensive," Zyril said with a dramatic pout. "Means I haven't changed much. But hey! I lost three pounds in the last two weeks."
"Zy, you've been saying that for the past two years," Athena shot back.
Everyone laughed—and so did AZ. Maybe this won't be as awful as I thought.
Guests slowly trickled in: old classmates, photographers, even a catering staff. The place was buzzing now.
This section—her section—was always extra. Any performance task turned into a production. Costumes, props, even fog machines. No wonder they were still undefeated. Now they were the first section to throw a reunion like this, and they were doing it full-on.
"So…" AZ asked, "Who sponsored all this?"
"Girl, what sponsor?" Shane rolled her eyes. "We paid for this. Well, except the prizes and venue. Winter covered that. The food is on us."
"Paid…?" AZ blinked. I didn't pay anything.
"What if I haven't paid—?"
"Nope. Everyone did. But after Kean found out you were going, he covered you. Polina offered, but Kean beat her to it."
Kean… paid? Why? What does he want from me?
Just then, the host stepped up to the mic. Everyone started settling in. Athena and others left because they were asked to help with the food.
As AZ looked at her side—An empty seat. Why wasn't anyone sitting with her?
"Princess."
She froze.
That nickname. She didn't even need to look.
Kean.
He stood behind her, wearing a modern Korean-style v-neck shirt in black, white, and blue. His curly hair was messier than usual, like he'd just run his hands through it.
AZ scrambled to her feet. "No one told me where to sit. Plus, Zy, Athy, Shan, and Kurt left… I thought—Can I not sit anywhere?"
Kean frowned slightly. "Athy and others were asked to help."
He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You can sit anywhere… but this table is reserved for guests."
AZ paled. "There was no sign. I didn't know."
"It's okay. You didn't know." He gave her a small smile. "Come on. Sit with me."
Kean guided her to his table. Isabelle. Luciana. Kurt. Zyril—missing for now.
Great. Just great. His entire circle.
"Ah… Kean, I can sit with Shan when she gets back," AZ offered, her voice uncertain.
"Don't worry. I'll let them sit here too."
"But—"
"No buts," Kurt cut in. "You ghosted us. We want updates."
Kean pulled a chair out for her. She hesitated.
Isabelle was here.
Luciana was here.
What have I gotten myself into…?
Before she could spiral, Athena called out, "AZ! We're back, sorry we left you, girly!"
"No, it's fine," AZ replied, forcing a smile. "I'd be a burden if I went anyway."
Things went smoothly for a while. They reminisced, laughed, ate, and watched videos. It felt like a fleeting glimpse of the past—until…
"So AZ," Isabelle said sweetly. "Still thirsty for attention, I see?"
What the hell—?
"Isa," Kean warned sharply.
"I mean," Luciana chimed in, "you flirted with Kurt the second you walked in. All smiley and giggly."
No, I didn't. He approached me.
But AZ couldn't say it. Her throat closed. Her hands clenched under the table.
"Lucia, that's enough. I was the one who approached her," Kurt snapped.
"Way to ruin the mood, Luciana," Athena said with a tight smile. "Jealous much?"
Luciana glared. The air turned tense.
"Are you that broke now you needed Kean to pay for you?" Isabelle said coldly.
"Isabelle!" Kean's voice boomed. "She didn't ask me. I paid because I wanted to. Don't assume things you don't understand!"
"Oh wow," Isabelle laughed bitterly. "Now I'm assuming? You're defending her? She's the reason we broke up!"
"WHAT?!" Kean shouted, pointing at her. "No, she's not! You cheated! You couldn't even wait for marriage, Isabelle! I turned a blind eye to your toxic behavior because I loved you—and you betrayed me!"
"It's because you didn't think of me as you think of her!" Isabelle shrieked.
"Don't push my buttons, Isabelle Brooke. I didn't tell anyone why we broke up out of respect. But don't you dare drag AZ into this."
"You still love her!" she yelled. "Is that why you never touched me?!"
"I told you—no intimacy until marriage! And you couldn't even wait!"
Everyone was looking their way, AZ clutched her hand under the table, unsure of what to do. Should I stop them? Yell? Plead? Leave? Damnit for all I care—
"Enough!" AZ's voice cracked like thunder.
Everyone went still.
"If you're going to fight and drag me then I'm leaving," she said, standing.
"Wait, AZ—" Kean reached out.
"Kean. Isabelle. If you're going to discuss your relationship, do it in private. All that's missing is a microphone and a live stream."
And then—
"Where are you going, baby?"
A voice, unfamiliar yet too sharp to ignore. AZ turned.
It was the guy from the café.
He stepped beside her, his arm brushing hers as he faced the others. "Did someone give my girlfriend a hard time?"
Your what—
His tone was cold. Dangerous.
"She came here to have fun. Now her reputation is at risk. What if the media gets wind of this? She'll be branded as a homewrecker."
I mean... he's not wrong though but—why would he—
Then, his voice softened as he turned to her. "News flash—she's taken. And we're getting married soon."
Married? What—? I don't even know your name!
She looked up at him, and his eyes said it clearly— Just go with it.
"…What," AZ said, dazed.
"No way! Aren't you the CEO of AKJ Electronics?" Zyril's eyes widened. "Wait… your prize is the electronics?!"
"Well," the guy smirked, "I was going to give it to whoever brought a partner, as Winter discussed, but since my fiancée made our relationship public, I'll donate it to everyone."
A storm of questions erupted. The tension from earlier? Forgotten. Buried.
AZ stood in stunned silence.
What… just happened?