"Kenneth, I know who you're looking for, but we need to focus on what we're supposed to do first," Cielo said, noticing how his cousin kept staring toward the orphanage entrance.
Kenneth chuckled softly. "Sorry, yeah, yeah. But the program's about to start, right?"
"Yeah. Maybe she won't come today," Cielo replied.
"Let's hope not," Kenneth laughed.
"She's here! Pop Princess is here!" the kids squealed excitedly.
"Really?" Kenneth's face lit up instantly.
The children ran around in chaotic excitement. After finishing their assigned tasks, the cousins headed over, watching from a distance.
A woman was being warmly greeted by the children. She wore glasses.
Does she always wear those? She's got some sass, Cielo thought.
"Hey, Ken, would you say she's sassy?" he asked, folding his arms.
"I don't know. We only know her as the Pop Princess, not her attitude. I told you—she always rejected my requests," Kenneth replied.
"Her style's different now. She has wavy hair, not curly."
"Like Julie, right? She has wavy hair too."
"Yeah," Cielo nodded.
He watched how the kids clung to her with pure affection.
"She's here," Dave said as they approached.
She greeted each volunteer as well, smiling warmly.
I guess she's a good person, Cielo thought.
"Let's go greet her," Dave suggested.
"Yeah." Cielo followed.
"Hello, we're glad you made it," Dave said politely.
She turned to them, pausing briefly before smiling. "Hi, yes, I had to come—I can't resist these kids," she said cheerfully.
Her voice really sounds like Navares… but she speaks differently, Cielo noted.
"Oh, by the way, we're the family supporting this orphanage," Dave added. Cielo stayed quiet, listening.
"I see. The volunteers said I'd be meeting a family today… Villanueva, right?" she asked.
"Yeah," Dave smiled. "We're really glad to meet you, Pop Princess."
She removed her glasses, and Cielo stared more closely. She wore a semi-formal dress with sandals, curly hair tied back in a ponytail. Her light makeup suited her perfectly.
This is troubling. Is she really Navares… that naïve girl?
She caught him staring and looked uneasy.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You just look like someone I know," he said, smiling as he extended his hand. "I'm Mark Cielo Villanueva. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," she replied with a smile.
Kenneth smirked and shook his head, amused.
♣♣♣
"It's been a while. I've really been looking forward to meeting you in person, Pop Princess," Kenneth said.
She smiled politely.
"This way, the program's starting soon," a volunteer told them.
"By the way," Kenneth teased, "do you remember the band you kept rejecting?"
She blinked. "Oh no, I'm really sorry about that!"
"Man, it still hurts that the Pop Princess rejected us," he said dramatically.
"I had to prioritize the children—that's why I haven't been accepting guests. I'm really sorry," she explained earnestly.
She's genuinely sincere, Kenneth thought.
"I get it. If you have free time someday, reach out. We'll talk then. I know you're busy," Kenneth said gently.
She nodded. "Sure. And I heard your band is amazing. I couldn't attend, but I searched you guys on social media—you're really great."
"Oh wow, I'm flattered," Kenneth laughed.
"By the way, these two are my cousins. I'm part of the Villanueva clan. They only adopted me now," he joked.
She chuckled.
"She's really like Julie," their aunt whispered.
"W-Who's Julie?" the Pop Princess asked.
"Sorry—it's awkward calling you by a name that isn't yours. Do you remember what I said earlier?" Cielo asked.
"That I look like someone you know?"
He nodded. "She's our classmate. But she's very different from you." He smiled.
"And she's Cielo's childhood friend too," Kenneth teased.
The program began, and the volunteers invited donors to speak onstage.
Then, it was the Pop Princess's turn.
She stood confidently before the crowd, completely at ease.
But she's Julie, after all, Kenneth thought.
"We really made a mistake thinking she's Navares," Cielo muttered.
"No, we don't know that, Cielo. She needs to look happy, confident—even sassy—to cover up her real self. That way, we'll believe she isn't Navares."
"Navares was so naïve. I don't think she'd ever wear that dress."
"What, have you actually seen her wear one? Pop Princess or not, she wears what she's comfortable with. She knows how to hide things. Smart move," Kenneth said.
"Why do you keep insisting she's Navares?" Cielo asked.
"You'll see. For now, we watch her closely—her body language, the tiny habits she can't hide."
"Oh… the natural habits. The ones people do without thinking," Dave added. "We barely know Julie since she's new, but you've observed her a lot, Cielo. You'll notice those small things."
Cielo stayed silent, thinking deeply.
"No matter how she hides it, she'll slip eventually," Kenneth added. "Instead of doubting, why don't we just get to know her better?"
They applauded as she ended her speech. She quickly stepped down.
"That was a great speech," Kenneth said, shaking her hand.
She smiled. "Thank you. I was really nervous."
"No, you did great," Dave assured her.
She smiled again and sat with them as Cielo's parents went up to speak.