*Who's My Eternal*
*Kael's Estate — Three Days Later, Noon*
Everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
Elian worked. Harder than before. 5 AM to 7 PM now. Volunteered for extra shifts. Fixed fences that weren't broken. Cleaned trucks twice.
If he stopped moving, he'd think.
If he thought, he'd hear _servant boy_ again.
So he didn't stop.
Cherry came every day.
12 PM sharp. Tupperware in hand. No questions. No pity.
Just: "Eat."
She'd sit on the steps by the garage. Wait.
Elian would come. Hands washed. Face tired.
He'd take the food. "Thanks."
They'd eat. Not talk much.
Sometimes she'd bring adobo. His favorite. Sometimes just rice and dried fish. Whatever her mama packed.
He always finished it. Always said thanks.
Always looked less hollow after.
*Day Four — The Driveway*
Cindy was leaving. Another "Manila meeting." Suitcase rolling behind her. Sunglasses on.
Elian was hauling sacks of feed. Cherry was next to him, handing him water.
Cindy stopped.
Looked at them.
Elian, sweat on his neck. _E. Eldridge_ name tag.
Cherry, in her old shirt. Muddy boots. Tupperware in her hands.
Cindy smiled. Not nice.
"You know," she said. Loud enough for the workers to hear. "You two should just get married already."
Elian froze.
Cherry went stiff.
"After all," Cindy went on. Adjusting her sunglasses. "You're both perfect for each other. True examples of poverty. Born in the dirt. Gonna die in it."
She laughed. Light. Cruel.
"At least then the bay and the farm can merge. Two poor families becoming one. How romantic."
Cherry's head snapped up.
Her fists clenched.
She took one step forward. "You—"
Elian's hand shot out. Caught her wrist.
Not hard. But firm.
"Don't," he said. Quiet.
Cherry looked at him. Eyes blazing. "Elian, she can't—"
"Don't," he said again. Looked at her. Really looked. "Please."
She saw it.
He wasn't scared. Wasn't weak.
He was _tired_.
Tired of fighting. Tired of bleeding. Tired of giving Cindy any more of himself.
Cherry exhaled. Sharp.
Let her fists unclench.
Elian let go of her wrist.
Turned to Cindy.
Didn't yell. Didn't cuss.
Just said: "Have a safe trip, ma'am."
_Ma'am._
Cindy's smile twitched.
Then she turned. Clicked her heels to the car.
Didn't look back.
The driver closed the door.
She was gone.
Cherry watched the car leave.
Then looked at Elian.
"You didn't have to call her ma'am," Cherry muttered.
"I know," Elian said. Picked up the feed sack again. "But I'm not gonna roll in the mud with her. She wants that. Wants me to scream. Wants me to prove her right."
He hefted the sack to his shoulder.
"I won't give her that."
Cherry stared at him.
At the boy who used to fight everyone for her.
Who now chose quiet over war.
Not because he was beaten.
Because he was done.
She picked up the water bottle. Held it out.
He took it. Drank.
"Food's getting cold," Cherry said.
Elian huffed. Almost a laugh. "Yeah."
They sat at the step
Ate together.