"Wow… it's been a long time since I've been to a carnival," Julie murmured softly.
"Carnival?" Dawn asked, glancing around with curiosity.
"Why?" Cielo followed up. "You don't like it?"
"It's not that," Dawn replied quickly. "I just get scared of the rides—especially the horror cave."
Don't react. Stay calm, Raymond reminded himself.
Julie had been the one who asked for this trip. Honestly, Dawn hadn't been part of the plan—but she'd insisted on coming, and Cielo had allowed it.Damn it. This was supposed to be Julie and Cielo's celebration.But fine. Priorities first, he thought bitterly.
"Don't worry," Cielo said gently. "I'm here with you."
Cielo… I didn't know you were this good at acting, Raymond thought. How do you even manage this?
Joel nudged him, and Raymond turned to Melissa.
"Meli, you okay?" he asked, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm just enjoying this. I don't get to visit carnivals often." She smiled softly.
"Whoa!" Nicole exclaimed. "Joel, let's buy tickets for the rides!"
Gabriel chuckled. "Looks like someone's more excited than the rest of us."
"Dawn," Raymond said politely, "you don't have to join if you don't want to. We won't force you."
"I don't want to, Cielo," Dawn said, her voice suddenly pouty as she turned to him.
"Dawn," Julie cut in gently, "you'll miss out if you don't try. I don't even like the horror cave myself." She smiled encouragingly. "Come on."
"I—if you say so…" Dawn hesitated. "Okay."
Good save, Julie, Raymond thought. You just spared Cielo from snapping.
By then, Nicole and Joel had already bought tickets, Nicole practically glowing.
"Julie! Meli! Let's start with that ride!" Nicole tugged them along. "You too, Dawn!"
"Hey—be careful!" Raymond called. "We'll ride later. Enjoy it."
"You better ride too, or that's unfair!" Nicole shouted back.
"Yeah, yeah," Raymond laughed.
He watched as the girls dragged Dawn along—her reluctance obvious.
"So… what now?" Raymond asked Cielo quietly. "This was supposed to be your celebration."
"I know," Cielo replied. "We'll adjust. We'll celebrate properly on Saturday—private gathering. You should come."
Raymond looked up at the ride. The girls waved from above, and he waved back.
"They'd enjoy this more if Dawn wasn't here," Joel muttered under his breath.
"Julie knows how to make things work," Gabriel said calmly. "Even when someone tries to ruin the mood."
"Yeah. Nicole was roasting Dawn earlier," Raymond said, shaking his head.
"That surprised me too," Cielo admitted. "And Gabriel—Dawn got uncomfortable when you brought up Crisha."
Gabriel only smiled. "It had to be done."
Raymond nodded as the ride ended.
"Did you enjoy it?" he asked.
"I did!" Nicole beamed. "Next ride—over there!"
Joel laughed and ruffled her hair.
******
Elsewhere—
"Brother, I'm jealous," Kelly muttered, reading her book. "They're at the carnival."
Kenjie chuckled. "You really don't hide it."
"Kevin," Jonathan said, "why don't you invite her too?"
Kevin considered it. "We could go as well. Carnivals are good for bonding."
"What do you think, Steph?" Jonathan asked.
Steph gave a thumbs-up. Angie nodded.
"Wasn't today supposed to be Julie and Cielo's celebration?" Kevin asked.
"It was," Dave replied. "But Dawn tagged along. Cielo's annoyed—he's just hiding it. He wants Julie happy. She rarely asks for anything, and this one got ruined."
Julie knows how to play their game, Kevin thought.
"Especially with your cousin around," Kevin added, glancing at Chris.
Chris sighed. "Julie doesn't back down from Gabriel—that's why they match. But if you read her rants in the group chat…" He showed them his phone. "She wanted alone time with Cielo."
They laughed while scrolling.
"I want a teddy bear," Kelly suddenly declared. "I'll message Meli."
"There it is," Jonathan teased. "She's already begging for souvenirs."
"Kelly," Kevin sighed, "I'll buy you teddy bears. Just don't bother your sister—she's on a date."
Kelly stood, hugged him tightly, and pouted. "But she's my sister."
"Thank goodness her clinginess transferred to Kevin," Jonathan joked.
Kevin hugged her back. "She'll bring you a gift. We'll go too, okay?"
Kelly smiled—then kissed him quickly.
Kenjie laughed. "She's very comfortable with her boyfriend."
"Kelly! Don't flirt too much," Angie scolded.
"He's the only one I flirt with," Kelly shot back.
"She's jealous," Steph teased, hugging Angie.
"Don't tease her," Jonathan warned.
Dave wrapped an arm around Melody, and she melted into him.
Chris pulled Angie closer protectively. She blushed but hugged him back.
"Sorry," Kenjie joked, "my girlfriend's not here."
"She visits sometimes," Kelly said innocently. "She's just shy."
Way to expose him, Jonathan thought.
"Chris," Dave said seriously, "the competition's coming up. They're targeting Kelly."
Jonathan's jaw tightened. I won't let that happen.
"We won't let her go anywhere alone," Chris said firmly.
"Kelly," Kenjie reminded, "tell us where you're going. Always."
"I will," Kelly said. "Jonathan's here anyway."
Kenjie sighed. "Kev, take care of her."
Kevin nodded.
"I'll drag her myself if she doesn't listen," Jonathan muttered.
Nothing's happening to my cousin, he vowed.