Chapter 42: First Love

*The woman looked at me and smiled. "You must be Lovelle?"*

*The smile on my face slowly faded. I felt my heart skip a beat. I also noticed Fire’s grip on my hand suddenly tighten. Shit! I was too stunned to respond to her question.*

*"No, Kate, she’s not. She’s Solene. She’s my girl," Fire answered, gripping my hand even tighter.*

*The woman, whom Fire called Kate, quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. "Oh! My bad. I’m so sorry, Solene."*

*I forced a smile to show her that it was okay. "It’s all right," I replied.*

*Why did she mistake me for Lovelle?*

**Chapter 42**
Fire left me in a small room backstage while he set up. A few minutes later, someone sat beside me. I looked at her and saw that Kate, the girl Fire had called earlier, was looking at me too.
"Hi! Serena, right?" she said. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"It's okay," I replied, offering a small smile.
I suddenly wondered if I should ask her about what was bothering me. In the end, I couldn't help myself. "Excuse me, but why did you mistake me for Lovelle?"
"It's a long story. Is it alright if I tell you?"
I nodded.
"Fire is my cousin on my mother's side. We're very close, and he tells me everything, including about the girls he likes."
I wasn't surprised they were related; they share similar features, especially their noses. Kate has a very sharp nose.
"There's a girl Fire always talks about. I think her name is Lovelle." She looked at me, and I smiled to reassure her.
"I remember, back in high school, Fire had a crush on Lovelle, so much so that he even followed her to the States."
I was surprised by Kate's revelation, as I had tried to hide my feelings for Fire. I felt a pang of jealousy. He must have been so in love with her at the time.
"He went to school just to be with Lovelle. But after a year, he came back. That's when Aunt Amelia passed away."
I gently patted Kate's shoulder, noticing her emotional state.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she said, wiping away her tears before continuing.
"After my aunt passed away, Fire changed. Even his father, Uncle Ramon, changed. My cousin seemed lost and distant. He started drinking and chasing women. I was so happy when he visited me last week and asked if he could sing at my bar. Ace, who used to sing here, had left, so I agreed."
She took a deep breath and continued.
"I watched him sing, and I felt like my cousin was slowly returning. His passion for singing was just the beginning. When he mentioned having a special woman in his life, I immediately thought of Lovelle. But I was wrong. It's actually you..."
I fell silent, listening to her story. I felt a strange mix of emotions.

The weight in my chest grew heavier because of what I just heard. It felt like just earlier, Fire was so close to Lovelle. But after hearing everything today, I felt like I was the one near him now.

Fire was so in love with Lovelle, and I was scared that one day he would suddenly realize he loved her more and leave me.

“Don’t overthink, Serena. I know his love for you is pure. Lovelle is in the past, and what’s important is that you’re here for him now. And I like you for my cousin, so fight for him.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“What am I missing here?”

We both turned toward the source of the voice. Fire approached us and sat beside me.

“What are you doing with my Serena?” Fire asked angrily while glaring at his cousin. Ate Kate just laughed, rolling her eyes at Fire.

“Come on, Fire! We’re doing nothing. Right?” Ate Kate looked at me, and I nodded in agreement. “I’ll just wait for the two of you outside…” she teased before leaving. “And by the way, keep her, Fire. I like her.” She winked before finally walking away.

I smiled awkwardly and felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

“What were you two talking about?” Fire raised an eyebrow at me, his gaze laced with suspicion.

I just shrugged. Why is he like that? He’s even raising an eyebrow at me now! After smiling at him awkwardly, I stood up and walked out.

“Wait—did you just call her… Ate?” he asked with an innocent smile.

The Tagalog word ate (pronounced "ah-teh") means "sister" or "big sister". It can refer to an older female relative or a respected friend, especially one's own sister.

“Well, you know, Fire, she’s gorgeous, so it’s only natural to admire her,” I teased, making him scowl. He pinched my cheek as he faced me. “It would have been nicer, though. But just kidding!” he said with a loud laugh.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re sleeping outside tonight!” I teased as I crossed my arms in mock irritation.

He just smiled and walked beside me. “Maybe you’re the one clinging to me, huh?”

“This guy is so shameless!”

He laughed, and I couldn’t help but laugh too. I playfully hit his shoulder, causing him to stop.

“Let’s go out. Your cousin has been waiting for us outside.”

He smiled. “I like it when you call her ‘Ate.’ You’re really like my wife now.” He winked before pinching my cheek.

“I don’t know about you! You figure it out yourself!”

He smiled and pulled me outside. As soon as Ate Kate saw us, she waved at us and walked toward us.

“Why did it take you so long inside?” Ate Kate asked, sitting down.

I blushed, knowing what she was implying, and shook my head repeatedly. “It’s not what you think…”

“It is what you think…” Fire teasingly interrupted.

“Don’t believe him!” I scolded, glaring at Fire, who just gave me a knowing smirk.

But he quickly leaned closer to me, making me stop and stare at him.