The cool mountain breeze gently swayed the hanging bridge as I walked ahead, the wooden planks creaking softly under my weight. The lush green landscape of De Grande Town stretched out beneath us, framed by towering mountains kissed by the golden rays of the sun. I paused, glancing over my shoulder to see Fuse, his brows furrowed slightly as he followed me.

"Be careful, babe," he reminded me, his voice steady but tinged with concern.

I waited for him to catch up, holding out my hand. When he took it, I felt the reassuring warmth of his palm, and together we continued across the bridge, its gentle swaying no longer feeling so precarious.

The beauty of the view stole my attention—rolling hills and vibrant trees painted the landscape, a perfect escape from the bustling life in town. Yet, even amid such tranquility, I couldn't ignore the subtle tension radiating from Fuse. He was quiet, his grip on my hand just a bit firmer than usual.

I turned to him just as he gave my hand a squeeze.

"He's coming back," he said, his voice calm but deliberate.

The weight of his words settled over me like a cloud. I searched his face, noting the way his jaw tightened ever so slightly.

"So, you heard about it already," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips as I tried to read his expression.

He nodded. "Yeah. Mom called me last night. Greco's coming back, and he'll be staying with us for good."

I nodded in understanding, my mind briefly drifting to what it must have taken for Greco to make peace with his family. "That's good. It sounds like things are better between him and your mom. I'm happy for him."

"Yeah," Fuse said, but his voice carried a note of detachment. "I haven't spoken to him directly. I only hear about him through Mom and my brother."

When we reached the middle of the bridge, I tugged at his hand, urging him to sit down with me. The wooden planks groaned slightly under our weight, but we stayed close, leaning against the ropes as the wind tousled our hair.

"Are you worried?" I asked after a moment of silence.

His brow furrowed. "About what?"

"About us," I said softly, holding his gaze. "That I might leave you once he comes back."

The corner of his mouth twitched, forming a small, self-deprecating smile. "He's your greatest love, NM. Of course, I'm worried. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared you'd choose him over me once you see him again."

I rested my head on his shoulder, letting out a deep sigh as I took in the breathtaking view in front of us. "Fuse," I began, my voice steady but soft, "I said yes when you asked me to marry you, and I meant it. I want to be with you. I can't even imagine my life without you."

A tear escaped as I spoke, and I quickly wiped it away, trying to stay composed. "So, please, don't doubt my feelings for you."

He shifted, wrapping his arms around me. His touch was protective, grounding, as if to shield me from his insecurities. Gently, he wiped the tear from my cheek with his thumb.

"I trust you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I'm scared of losing you."

I tilted my head up to look at him, smiling faintly. "You won't lose me, Fuse. I'm yours."

***

The art museum buzzed with quiet energy, the soft hum of conversations blending with the echo of footsteps on polished marble floors. Paintings adorned the walls, each one a masterpiece that seemed to tell its own story. The vibrant strokes and muted tones reflected the soul of the artist—Greco. His journey was laid bare here, framed and lit under the spotlight for all to see.

I clung to Fuse's arm as we wandered from one exhibit to the next. There was something surreal about seeing Greco's art in such an intimate setting, where every brushstroke spoke of the years he'd spent refining his craft.

"This one is incredible," Fuse murmured, stopping in front of a massive canvas depicting a tranquil river cutting through a dense forest. The way the light danced across the water was so vivid it felt alive.

I nodded, a faint smile touching my lips. "He's always had an eye for beauty, for finding meaning in the smallest things."

Fuse glanced at me briefly before returning his gaze to the painting. "I didn't know he was this talented."

"My friend is indeed talented," came a familiar voice from behind us.

I turned, my heart leaping at the sight of Tac, grinning as always. Behind him were Jaco, Vin, Kio, and the rest of their group, their faces lighting up as our eyes met.

"Tac!" I exclaimed, letting go of Fuse to envelop him in a warm hug. "I missed you!"

"Missed you too, NM," he said, laughing as he returned the hug. Then, with his signature smirk, he added, "Though, uh, try to control yourself. I'm a married man now, remember?"

I pulled back, laughing. "Oh, please. As if my fiancé would let me flirt with you."

Fuse stepped forward, his tone dry but amused. "Trust me, you're not a threat."

Tac grinned, unbothered as ever. "Can't blame her for being tempted, though. I mean, look at me. I'm aging like fine wine."

Fuse and I rolled our eyes simultaneously, drawing laughter from the group. I moved on to hug Jaco, Vin, and Kio, exchanging quick updates and playful jabs. When I turned back to Tac, my curiosity got the better of me.

"So, who's the lucky one?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tac's grin widened as he gestured behind him. My jaw dropped when Ally stepped forward, her radiant smile as warm as ever. "Oh my God. Ally!" I squealed, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"It's been so long," Ally said, laughing as she hugged me back.

I pulled back, shaking my head in disbelief. "You two ended up together? I didn't see that coming."

"Neither did we," Tac admitted, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "But hey, sometimes the unexpected is the best thing."

Fuse and Tac exchanged a firm handshake, their mutual respect evident despite Tac's usual playfulness. "Good to see you again, Doc," Tac said with a grin, earning a subtle shake of the head from Fuse.

As we chatted, I felt myself relax. It was comforting to be surrounded by old friends, their familiar faces grounding me in the moment. Yet, even as I laughed and joked with them, a part of me couldn't help but anticipate the inevitable—Greco.

The moment came sooner than expected. Tac's playful banter was interrupted as he glanced toward the other end of the room, raising an eyebrow. "Speaking of the devil," he muttered, his voice laced with curiosity.

I followed his gaze, my breath catching in my throat as I spotted Greco. He was dressed impeccably, his black polo and white slacks giving him an air of effortless sophistication. He moved through the crowd with ease, his confident strides and warm smiles drawing people to him like moths to a flame.

Time seemed to slow as our eyes met from across the room. His smile faltered for a fraction of a second, as if caught off guard, before returning full force. He said something to the group surrounding him, then began making his way toward us.

Fuse's hand tightened around mine. I glanced at him, his face composed but his grip betraying the subtle tension beneath. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, leaning closer. "I can't deny that he's handsome," I whispered teasingly, "but you're perfect for me."

That earned a small smile from Fuse, who softened just enough to press a kiss to my temple. "You better remember that."

When Greco reached us, he greeted everyone with a warmth that seemed genuine. Tac and the others welcomed him with hearty handshakes and claps on the back, the camaraderie between old friends evident. What surprised me most, however, was when Greco extended a hand toward Fuse.

"Fuse," he said simply, his tone neutral.

Fuse hesitated for only a second before accepting the handshake. "Greco."

The exchange was brief, but it felt monumental—an unspoken truce between two men who had every reason to feel like rivals.

Finally, Greco turned to me. His gaze lingered on the hand I still held in Fuse's before meeting my eyes. "Hi," he said, his voice soft but steady.

"Hi," I replied, offering a small smile. The weight of ten years hung in the air between us, but I felt no urge to fill the silence. Time had changed us both, and I was content to let the moment speak for itself.

Before we could say more, Greco was called back by another group of admirers. He offered a polite smile and excused himself, leaving us to watch as he seamlessly rejoined the crowd.

As the night wore on, the museum grew quieter, the initial excitement settling into a steady hum of conversation. On our way out, my phone buzzed with a text. I glanced at the screen, my heart skipping a beat as I read the message:

Hi. Can we meet? This is Greco. Got your number from Fuse.

I let out a slow breath, glancing at Fuse. His eyes were focused on the road, his expression calm and unreadable. My chest tightened briefly, but then I reminded myself of the words I'd spoken to him earlier: "I'm yours."

Whatever this meeting with Greco might bring, I knew exactly where my heart lay.