Make or break?

At the restaurant, the group was still having fun. Noah glanced around the table. "Who's calling the waitress? Watt, you go ahead, call your pretty waitress and let her pick any wallet of her choice."

Watt grinned, feeling slightly proud of himself. "See? I am needed for something."

Keisha rolled her eyes. "Actually, no. Waitress!"

The waitress entered with a smile. "How can I help you?"

Keisha gestured toward the table. "Pick any wallet of your choice, and the person will pay you."

Watt sighed dramatically. "Enemy of my sweet progress."

The waitress paused, glancing at the wallets. "Okay... this one," she said, picking one.

The group burst into laughter. "The rich boy!" they all cheered.

Watt raised his hands in mock surrender. "No penny's gonna hurt you, man. I wish to be like you when I grow up." The table laughed even harder.

Reina chimed in, still giggling. "But the bill is much. We ordered a lot of food today."

Cal nodded. "Thank God it wasn't me or Watt. You would have died, dude."

Watt looked at him, eyes wide. "Right?"

Noah shook his head with a smirk. "Done."

The group cheered again. "Rich boy!" they shouted, still laughing.

Noah wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Can we disperse now? I want to shed tears in private." The group laughed even louder.

Cal leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Come on, Noah. You, me, and Watt know you've got money."

Cherilyn nodded. "I know too."

Keisha added, "I know three."

Reina grinned. "I know four."

Noah chuckled. "I got money, but today's meal was overboard... To be clearer, it was over the top." The group burst into laughter again.

Cherilyn stood up, checking her phone. "Sorry, guys, but I have to go. Ray's angry at me. I ghosted him yesterday and ditched him today."

Watt grinned mischievously. "Aw, too bad. New rule: if you come late and leave early, you pay twenty dollars."

Cherilyn shot him a glare. "Darling, my money won't be your source of income."

Reina laughed. "Amen. Go on, sis. Go make your relationship work."

Watt added, "Or break it... But I'm available."

Cal shot him a warning look. "Dude, not cool."

Keisha leaned in, teasing. "The truth is, you're the one deeply in love with us, but we don't date."

Cherilyn laughed. "Broke dudes." She gave Keisha a grateful smile. "Thank you, Keisha. Thank you, sis. Bye, familia!" With that, she exited.

Keisha shook her head as she stood. "I got anyone's back but yours."

Watt looked confused. "I don't know if I offended you, but you're not gonna win."

Reina grinned. "Cute couple... A match made in—"

Noah interrupted, laughing. "Heaven!" The group laughed together.

Reina stood up, tugging Noah's sleeve. "Hey, Noah, let's stop by your parents' house. I want to see mom and dad."

Noah hesitated. "I don't know about mom, but dad's at work."

Reina's face dropped for a moment before she perked up. "Oh, that's true. Fine, let's stop at Ava's. She said she has a dress for me."

Noah smiled. "No problem, my queen."

Watt mockingly gagged. "Your tender moment is making me sick."

Reina shot him a smirk. "Poor you, no partner, no money, and jealous of a perfect couple. Let's go, my king."

Noah grinned and held the door open. "Queens first."

Watt rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in." The group laughed again.

Reina waved. "Keisha, guys, bye!" She exited with Noah.

Noah turned to Keisha, Watt, and Cal. "See you later, guys."

Cal stood up. "Alright, guys, I'm heading to Abuelo's shop."

Keisha got to her feet. "Let's walk together."

Cal nodded. "Sure. Bye, Watt. You can stop by later."

Keisha winked. "Wallow in your misery, dude." She followed Cal out.

Watt called after them, hurrying to catch up. "Wait up, Keisha. I need to hear the truth!"

At Frank's shop, Frank sighed in relief as the last customer exited the shop. "Please come again," he muttered under his breath, giving a polite wave as the door closed behind them. Once the shop was finally empty, he slumped back against the counter. "Well, that was... impressive. I've attended to all customers. I'm on fire today."

Sidney entered, holding a small bag. "Hey, favorite! Mom asked me to give you some food. Am I late, or are the customers late to arrive?"

Frank raised an eyebrow. "You're extremely late."

Sidney laughed. "Really?"

Frank nodded. "Mm-hmm. So, how was school today? Did you get an A?"

Sidney shrugged. "Nothing much. Just boring physics class... and I got an F."

Frank's eyes widened. "An F? How come?"

Sidney burst out laughing. "You're so gullible, Dad. You should've seen your face. Yes, I got an A!"

Frank relaxed with a relieved chuckle. "That was... intense. I'm proud of you, mi amor."

Sidney shot him a playful look. "Since when do you speak Spanish? And don't get any ideas. I'm advising you—don't!"

They both laughed.

Frank stood up. "Alright, favorite. The shop is all yours. I'm off to eat."

Sidney waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Go eat."

Frank grinned. "Thank you very much." He exited.

Sidney sighed as she looked around. "Mm... Hmm... I don't think this is a new collection. Dad, did you create any shoes today? Dad?" She shook her head. "Whatever."

The door opened, and Cherilyn entered, her face a bit strained. "Dad, I need your help… Wrong person. Hi, Pharaoh."

Sidney smirked. "Dad, Cleopatra's here. She needs your help. Is it a boy?"

Cherilyn shot her a glare. "None of your business."

Sidney grinned. "It is my business because I need a second brother-in-law."

Cherilyn groaned. "Does it always have to be boys, marriage, and brother-in-laws with you? Can't we talk about anything else?"

Sidney held up her hands dramatically. "Main topics before the sub-topics. My English teacher taught us that."

Cherilyn sighed in exasperation. "Where's Dad, Pharaoh? I'm not here for you."

Sidney pointed. "In his office, eating."

Cherilyn gave her a questioning look. "I'm going in then…"

Sidney blocked her path. "Not so fast, Cleo. You have to buy a shoe before you can see the CEO."

Cherilyn raised an eyebrow. "Says who?"

Sidney grinned. "The manager."

Cherilyn shook her head with a smile. "I'll buy you lunch."

Sidney smirked. "That's the door to the CEO's office. Take your time."

Cherilyn shook her head. "Two-faced snake." They both laughed.