She arrived at The Bleeding Bean on a Tuesday, and Glad knew instantly that trouble had arrived.
The woman was beautiful—long black hair, sharp features, and the unmistakable aura of an aswang who'd been alive for centuries. She walked straight to Ariel's table, kissed him on both cheeks, and sat down like she owned the place.
"Who," Glad asked Ben very calmly, "is that?"
Ben's face went pale. "Oh no."
"Oh no what?"
"Oh no, that's Marikit. Ariel's ex."
Glad's wings twitched. "His EX?"
"They were together for 80 years. It ended badly. Like, 'she tried to eat his favorite human friend' badly. Very messy."
Glad watched as Marikit laughed at something Ariel said, touching his arm, leaning close.
"I'm going over there."
"Glad, wait—"
But Glad was already moving, Anino at her heels, blood spritzer forgotten.
"Ariel!" she called brightly. "You didn't tell me you had a visitor."
Ariel's face cycled through several expressions—surprise, guilt, panic, surrender. "Glad! Hi! This is—"
"Marikit." The woman extended a perfectly manicured hand. "Ariel's past. And you must be the famous Gladys. I've seen your videos. Very... charming."
Something in her tone suggested "charming" was not a compliment.
"Marikit was just passing through," Ariel said quickly. "She's on her way to Mindanao and wanted to catch up."
"Eighty years together, and we're 'catching up'?" Marikit pouted. "Ariel, you wound me."
Glad smiled—the smile of a woman who'd survived 173 years by knowing when to be dangerous. "How lovely. Will you be staying long?"
"A few days. Maybe longer. Depends on how welcome I feel."
The air crackled with tension. Anino's fur stood on end.
"Well," Glad said, "Dumaguete is lovely this time of year. I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit." She turned to Ariel. "Dinner tonight? Our usual spot?"
"Of—of course. Definitely."
Glad walked away, Anino following.
When they were outside, she turned to her cat. "Anino, I need you to watch her."
Anino blinked.
"I know, I know, I'm being paranoid. But 80 years, Anino. EIGHTY. And she just shows up now?"
Anino flicked his tail—agreement.
"Follow her. Report back."
The cat vanished into shadows.
And Glad went home to plan.
Because if Marikit thought she could waltz in and take Ariel after 80 years, she had another think coming.
Glad had waited 173 years to find someone.
She wasn't letting go without a fight.