Oddey was sitting up on her bed in her dorm room with Gage there to take care of her by giving her water from the mini fridge since she was taking Advil for her headache.

"Thanks," she said to him.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to the clinic?" The worried boyfriend asked. "You don't look well."

"I'm okay, I just need rest. You can go if you want."

"I can't leave you like this."

"Gage, I'm fine," She assured him. "Besides, you have a lot to do, and you have an early class tomorrow morning. Also, male students are not allowed to stay past 9 p.m. on a weekday."

The guy felt sheepish that he had to say that just to avoid her, when that time, she needed help. "It's okay, I can spare some time now to take care of you," he replied as he sat next to her on the bed and his girlfriend's hand.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Sorry that I've been busy lately."

"That's okay. I will feel better in no time now that you're here." Oddey linked her arms to his and leaned her head to Gage's shoulder.

"Well, while your Romeo is here until nine, that is. Do you need anything? Foot massage? cuddling?" Then the couple turned to gaze at each other. "Or do you want to kiss it all away?"

The Juliet blushed and pulled away. "Oh! you," She giggled and held Gage's arm again. "But I am feeling hungry. I didn't get to eat lunch today."

"Oh, okay, I can get that for you. Do you want anything particular?"

"I think I'm craving for a cup of spicy instant noodles in the pantry."

"Are you sure? A spicy cup noodle?" Gage questioned her.

"Yeah, I like spicy food when I don't feel well," Oddey explained. "I don't why but that's how it is."

"Okay, got it."

"And orange juice," Oddey added.

"No problem," Gage said as he stood up from her bed to get the food that his girlfriend requested.

A moment later, the Romeo came back from the dorm pantry to his girlfriend's room. The two ate together by the study table, and Gage got a non-spicy one for himself. He noticed how Oddey enjoyed an instant noodle even though it made her sweat a bit.

"You do like spicy food when you're not well," He chuckled, then reached for his handkerchief and wiped her moist forehead.

"Yeah, it makes my tummy warm," Oddey said as she playfully rubbed it.

"Do I make your tummy warm?" Gage flirted, and then the couple laughed together. "By the way, where's Rita? I mean classes at this time should be over by now."

"She has this mentorship thing in this marketing office until nine. Sometimes ten."

"Well, I guess you'll be stuck with me then."

"Oh! That won't be so bad," She replied. "But seriously, if you need to go to catch up on your work, just go. I can take care of myself."

"I'm okay," Gage reassured her. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

"I didn't think so," the girlfriend snickered. Afterward, she gazed at him with a smile on her face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He lifted a brow at her.

"I'm just thinking that this is nice. Just the two of us here like this."

The Romeo was in awe by how Oddey appreciated the small things they were doing together even though they were eating a simple instant cup noodle inside a dorm room. It was like he knew what was inside her heart. "Don't worry, once everything clears off, we'll go on our first official date."

"That's alright, it's nice to see you happy again. Uhm... how are your parents, by the way?" She asked.

"They're doing fine now. My mom said that no people are bothering them anymore."

"I'm glad. What about you? Are you okay?" The Juliet questioned him in a gentle tone, which made Gage quiet. "You seem pretty upset lately."

"Oh, uhm... it's nothing," He stammered.

"Gage, come on, I can tell that you have a problem. Just tell me. Maybe I can help."

"Well... okay, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Oddey was taken aback, which made her nervous, yet tried to keep her cool. "Okay... what is it?"

"Listen. I trust you with all my heart, so I expect you to be honest with me," the Romeo rambled.

"Gage, you're kinda scaring me." The girlfriend looked at him in a concerned way.

"I just want you to be honest with me, that's all. Courtney heard you talking with Rita, and she said that she heard you say that your dad is the CEO of Magnum Trading. Is it true?"

Though the Juliet comprehended then and there as to why Gag was distant these past days, her expression was unfazed. She let out a sigh before answering the million-dollar question. "It's somewhat... true."

"The guy looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I... should've told you way before all... this happened."

"So he is your father?"

"No!" Oddey reacted accidentally, yet managed to compose herself the next second. "It's... Not like that. I was just saying that I... Kinda see him like my father."

Gage felt bothered once more, though, at the same time, he stayed calm about it so he would listen while being cool-headed. "Oh... Ahem... You do?"

"I always thought he's a kind man."

"You think he's kind after what he did to my parents? How could you say that?" He snapped.

The girl was starting to shake since her boyfriend was interrogating her. "We owe a lot to him."

"What do you mean?"

"If it wasn't for him, my mother would not be able to adopt me, and I wouldn't be able to afford to go to CarmU. He bought me toys and he was nice enough to help me with my homework. Also, he's dating my mom." Oddey saw him put his head down like he was processing her explanation in his head, so she stood up.

"I... understand if... you don't trust me." She turned away to not see him walk out the door and decided to break it off with her.

Suddenly, the Juliet felt her hand being grabbed and quickly pulled towards Gage as he wrapped her in his arms like he was hugging her. However, he was hugging her tight. "No, I do. I trust you," He sighed in relief. "I'm sorry that I doubted you."

Trust is a big word, and Oddey knew well that it was an essential part of the relationship, their relationship, but she continued lying through her teeth for her father. "I'm sorry too, for hiding it from you. I was afraid to lose you that I..."

"It's okay," Gage stopped her and just kept embracing her, then he took both of her hands. "Since we're being honest, I have been... avoiding you these past days because I thought you've been lying to me. I'm sorry."

Juliet felt even more liable when her Romeo had to explain his side. "I get it."

Gage gazed at her and then held her face. "Are you crying?" He began teasing.

"No," Oddey denied. However, she wiped her face.

"Yes, you are. I can see tears," He chuckled, then wiped the waterworks from her eyes, and ended up staring at it.

Oddey could tell what was going to happen next when Gage gazed down at her red lips, then slowly got closer to touch them with his. As much as she wanted to kiss him, the guilt was eating her up after giving him more lies just to cover her father's secret. "Uhm..." she uttered.

"Oh! Gosh, I'm sorry, did I...?" Gage gulped, thinking that he made a mistake.

"No! it's not you. I just... don't want you to kiss a mouth that has spicy garlic breath."

"I won't mind."

"Hmm... No."

"Okay," Gage exasperated.

"Uhm... I'm feeling kinda tired now," Oddey claimed. "I think I wanna get some early sleep."

"Oh, okay. But if you're still not feeling well tomorrow morning, just take a break for the day," the boyfriend advised.

"There's a lot to do with the set."

"You've done a lot, and I'm sure the other designers can handle them. Plus, it's just one day."

The Juliet nodded in response. "I guess you're right."

"Alright, I'll go now so you can rest." After that, Gage kissed her cheeks and then hugged her one last time for that night. "Also, thank you for being honest with me."

The guilt was eating her up again when reciprocated his embrace. "Anytime," she muttered.

----

Later, Felix was in the dorm to edit his movie. All of a sudden, his roommate came in with a big smile on his face. "Wow, someone is happy," he jestered. "And why are you coming in now?"

"I was just in Oddey's room," Gage answered.

"Oooh, did you guys...?" Felix jumped to the conclusion as he grinned and both raised.

"No. Besides, she's not feeling too good today. Plus, she fainted after rehearsal, so I took care of her to make sure she was okay."

"Sorry, how is she now?"

"I told her to rest for the day tomorrow. By the way, I took your advice, I talked to her."

"So, I take it went well? So that's why you're happy."

"Very well, she told me everything I need to know, and I'm just glad that she's not lying to me. You were right, I should've given her a chance."

"Nice to be right for once," Felix joked.

Gage playfully punched his buddy's arm, "Don't enjoy it too much," he scoffed. "Anyway, it was a nice talk, you know. It feels like everything is out in the open for the both of us."

"Cool."

"Yeah, I just feel bad for doubting her and avoiding her, you know. I should make it up to her somehow."

"Weren't you planning a date with her?" The roommate asked.

"Yeah, I did," Gage remembered.

"What did you come up with anyway?"

"You know how she loves Ghibli movies? I was thinking about a movie marathon."

"That's it?"

"A Ghibli movie marathon," the Romeo mentioned. "At night, and we'll eat sushi while watching."

Felix was impressed. "Now we're talking."

"But I want a whole day with her. What should we do before watching a whole marathon at night?"

"Hmm... what about going to an art exhibit?"

"I'm thinking something a bit more fun." Gage was not satisfied with that.

"Like?"

"She likes to paint." Gage finally had a lightbulb moment. "I got it! a picnic painting. She and I can make an artwork separately, but together."

"Yeah!" Felix exclaimed, and then the two fists bumped. "Oddey will love that."

"Alright, and I know just the perfect gift to give her."

"DID SOMEONE ORDER PIZZA?" Courtney just barged into their room with two pizza boxes in her hand and a bag of three soda cans in the other.

Both of the boys were so startled that they froze with their eyes wide open. "Oh... hey, Court," Gage stammered.

"Cool, pizza!" Felix beamed.

"Wait, I thought you said that you had something to do tonight."

"I finished early, and I'm in a good mood right now," she grinned.

"Why? Did you get cast in a role in a Broadway play or something?" Felix chuckled as he opened a box and took a slice.

"I wish, but no. I'm just in a good mood, that's all," Courtney replied with a smirk on her face. The two boys raised a brow at her from her weird answer. "Now come on, let's not waste a good pizza."

"Don't mind if I do." The male friend grabbed a slice. "Good timing, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Gage and Oddey are on good terms now," Felix said, then ate the pizza.

The sour acting student's day was ruined in a snap. "Good for you two," she said to his crush.

"Thanks." Gage didn't notice her tone since he was too happy.