When The Poor Girl Suddenly Became Rich

There are things that are just natural in this world: The sun rising. Rain falling every time you have plans. And Gesly Navarro knowing when something's up with his sister, Andi.

He wasn't the nosy type. But he'd been noticing it for days now—especially on Saturdays. Sometimes even mid-week, when Andi would say, "I just have an org meeting."

"An org meeting, huh? In heels?" Gesly muttered, leaning on the doorway of her room.

She turned around. Powder blue skirt, flowy blouse, and her signature three-inch nude heels. Hair in a perfect low ponytail, a soft blush on her cheeks, and lip tint just subtle enough to look effortless.

"Got a problem with heels?" Andi asked, holding a sling bag printed with cherry blossoms.

"Nope," he said flatly. "But last time you had an 'org meeting,' your perfume was intense. And I've already seen you smile at yourself in the mirror—twice."

"What, I'm not allowed to be happy now?" She replied, flipping open her fan like a villainess from a period drama.

That was the thing. She looked happy. Too happy.

And while she always carried a soft, elegant aura, this time—she was glowing. Like, I'm-starting-to-love-life-again glowing. Even Bella noticed.

A few days earlier, while Andi was cooking sinigang, Bella leaned in and whispered to Gesly:

"What's up with Ate? Why does she look like she's giddy even when nothing's happening?"

That's when it clicked. Something was definitely going on.

---

That Saturday, while they were all having breakfast together—eggs, Spam, garlic rice, and barely enough hotdog left because they snacked on it while cooking—Gesly just stared at his sister. She was slicing her egg carefully, wearing ribbon earrings and a tucked-in blouse like she was heading to a poetry reading instead of a school event.

"Who is it?" he asked directly.

Andi blinked. "Huh?"

"Who. The guy making you feel giddy."

Bella gasped. "You know who he is, Kuya?"

"Nope. But look at her," he pointed at Andi, who was applying cheek tint right there at the dining table. "She's putting on makeup while eating. That skirt, Ate, looks like it's made from heirloom fabric meant to be passed down generations."

Andi snorted, trying to act unfazed. "You're being dramatic. I just want to look presentable."

"Presentable for who?" Gesly's brows furrowed further. "Is your orgmate tall? Tan? Wears glasses?"

Andi choked on her coffee.

Bella's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! Confirmed?!"

Andi waved her fan furiously, her cheeks reddening. "Shut up!"

"And here I thought you were a strong independent woman," Gesly teased. "Didn't you say 'men are distractions sent by capitalism and patriarchy'?"

Andi pointed a spoon at him. "Do you want me to confiscate your motorcycle?"

He raised both hands. "Okay, chill. Just saying—you're super obvious."

Bella leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Is it a real crush, Ate? Like… boyfriend material?"

Andi finally sighed—dramatic, defeated. "Fine. I like him. But that's it. It's not serious. I'm not even making moves."

Gesly sipped his Milo, squinting. "But you're glamming up. Every day."

"I'm human, okay? I get inspired. And anyway, I'm not even giving him that much attention."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "You're not giving him attention? Really?"

After breakfast, as Andi walked toward the door, heels softly clicking against the tile, Gesly watched her quietly.

She looked... happy.

Not the kind of happiness she forced when hiding grief or holding things together for them. This one was different. Lighter. Real.

So even if it made him a little uncomfortable—being the overprotective younger brother and all—

He let out a soft sigh and muttered, "Just don't come home crying."

---

It was late.

The streetlights flickered in that calm, sleepy way, and the air smelled like kalachuchi and freshly watered pavement. One of those nights that felt like something important had just happened—or was about to.

Andi Navarro stood just outside their gate, heels clicking softly on the cement, cheeks warm, eyes glowing.

Standing in front of her—tall, tan-skinned, slightly awkward but quietly charming—was Alonzo.

Her crush-turned-date, who had taken her to a quiet art café that afternoon. They talked about everything and nothing—favorite movies, weird family quirks, how she secretly loved the smell of old books.

He didn't make her nervous anymore.

He made her feel seen.

And now here he was, walking her home.

"Thanks for today," Andi said, twirling her abaniko absentmindedly, not even using it—just fidgeting.

Alonzo smiled, soft and boyish. The rare kind.

"No, thank you. I didn't think an Engineering girl would be this fun."

"Excuse me," she joked, lightly poking his arm. "We suffer daily. We deserve happiness."

They both laughed. For a moment, silence. He looked at her like he wanted to say something more.

And then—

He took a small step forward. Not too close. Just enough. His voice dropped.

"Can I… see you again next week?"

Andi felt her pulse skip. She nodded.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

He smiled again—this time a little tilted. The crush-on-you kind of smile.

Alonzo leaned in—not for a kiss, not yet—just that slow head tilt that usually leads to something.

"AHEM!"

They both whipped around.

Standing by the door, arms crossed, one brow arched like a judge at a pageant, was Gesly. Barefoot, in a tank top and basketball shorts, holding a mug of Milo like it was some sort of intimidation prop.

"Who's this?" He asked coldly, like an airport immigration officer.

"Gesly—" Andi started, but he was already walking toward them. Straight and purposeful. Like a barangay tanod.

He stopped in front of Alonzo.

"Who you?"

He scanned Alonzo slowly—head to toe. Like a walking human X-ray machine.

Tall. Glasses. Polite-looking.

Not enough.

"Do you have an NBI clearance? Why are you here? What are your intentions with my sister? How many exes? Where are you from? What year are you? Do you have a job? Do you play Mobile Legends? What rank are you? Why did your goodbye take so long?"

Andi's soul left her body.

"GESLY," she hissed. "Are you the son of the FBI?!"

To his credit, Alonzo stayed calm. Slightly amused.

"Uh… hi. I'm Alonzo. Business Ad major. I just—"

But Andi had already smacked the back of her brother's head. "Don't be rude!"

"Ow!" He yelped, rubbing his neck. "The guy's creepy! Breathing by the gate late at night like that."

Alonzo chuckled, rubbing the back of his own neck. "It's okay, I get it. Your sister's really pretty so…"

Gesly squinted. "Great. He's a charmer."

Andi facepalmed. "I swear, if I had a slipper right now…"

But in the middle of her embarrassment, her heart was pounding—for a completely different reason.

Because this was real. This wasn't just late-night overthinking or blushing alone under the covers.

This was her crush, standing outside her house, getting grilled by her little brother like it was a full-blown FBI interrogation.

And weirdly enough, it made her feel... grounded. Protected. A little insane.

But definitely—alive.

"Bye, Alonzo," she said sheepishly, stepping between him and Gesly. "Text me when you get home."

"I will," he smiled. "Nice meeting you." Then turned to Gesly.

"Yeah. Sure. I'll be nicer next time if you bring food," the boy replied flatly.

Andi shoved him back into the house.