A New Bond

Leo, feeling lost and confused, confessed his inner turmoil to May. He admitted that he didn't know where he had gone wrong with Grace. He explained that he only wanted his sister to have a life filled with affluence and abundance, something he could never personally enjoy. Leo had planned so much for Grace, envisioning a future where she would have a beautiful family and a life without worries. After all, Grace was all he had.

May consoled Leo, acknowledging that his intentions came from a place of love. However, she gently pointed out that he had been too controlling. Reality doesn't always align with our desires, and sometimes we need to let go. May suggested that Leo give Grace the freedom she deserved, as she was a bright kid who could navigate her own path without his constant presence.

Leo felt conflicted but expressed his gratitude to May for her advice. Though he could be stubborn, he decided to give it another shot and talk to his sister again the next day. He still hoped to convince her to join a tertiary studies program, but if Grace insisted on pursuing her own dreams, Leo considered following May's advice and allowing her to have her own sky.

Meanwhile, there was a knock on the door of Miles' apartment. Rio Morales, Miles' mother, went to answer it and found Grace standing there. Surprised to see her at such a late hour, Rio inquired about the reason for her visit.

Grace quickly came up with a false excuse, saying she needed to discuss an assignment with Miles that was due the next day. Rio paused for a moment, then called Miles in her Spanish tongue, teasing him about having a girl visit him so late at night, hinting at a possible spark between them.

Miles denied any romantic involvement and asked Grace why she urgently needed to meet him. Grace whispered in his ear, explaining the situation with her brother and suggesting they lie to his mother about the assignment to allow her to stay overnight. Miles played along and informed his mother that they had an assignment due the day after tomorrow, with Grace interjecting to correct him and say it was actually due tomorrow.

With a forced smile, Miles and Grace convinced Rio to let Grace stay for the night. Rio jokingly reminded them not to engage in any inappropriate activities, given their age, in Spanish. Miles retorted in Spanish, stating they weren't in that kind of relationship. They bid his mother goodnight and made their way to Miles' room.

Grace dropped her bag to the floor and leaned against the window, her gaze sorrowfully fixed on the chaotic scene outside. Miles, sensing her distress, approached her cautiously. He wasn't sure how to comfort someone in such a vulnerable state, but he couldn't just ignore her pain.

Awkwardly, Miles asked, "Grace, what happened? You seem really upset."

Grace sighed, her voice laced with frustration. "It's my brother," she began. "He's always trying to dictate my future, forcing me into a path I don't want to follow. I have my own aspirations, but he never takes them into consideration. It's like he thinks he knows what's best for me without even discussing it with me. I hate him for that."

Miles, never having had a sibling, struggled to find the right words. "I... I don't have a sibling, so I can't fully understand what you're going through," he admitted. "But I'm here to listen if you want to vent or talk about it."

Grace appreciated his honesty. "Thank you, Miles. You don't have to answer or give advice. I just needed someone to vent to, someone who will listen."

Miles nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I get it. Sometimes, you just need to let it out. And I'll be here for you."

Grace continued, her voice filled with a mix of longing and nostalgia. "You know, before my father passed away, he was a reporter, a photographer for the news. I always admired him, the way he carried his camera, the stories he captured through his lens. It's something that has always resonated with me."

Miles listened attentively, silently acknowledging her passion for her late father's work. "I can understand why you want to pursue those memories and honor his legacy. It's important to find something that connects us to our loved ones."

Suddenly, Miles felt compelled to share his own story. "You know, my father... he was killed in the line of duty. He was an officer, and during one of his missions, the building he was in collapsed. Everyone failed to save him." Miles paused, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "That's why I want to do well in school, have a good job. I want to make him proud."

Grace turned to Miles, a look of awe crossing her face. "I had no idea, Miles. I'm sorry."

Miles shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. "It's not something I go around talking about. But hey, at least we both have a common goal of making our loved ones proud, right?"

A faint smile tugged at Grace's lips, a sign that Miles' attempt at humor had reached her. "Yeah, you're right. We'll do our best."

As the night went on, Grace expressed her gratitude to Miles. "Thank you for being here, Miles. You're someone I can rely on."

Miles smiled back at her, grateful to have been able to provide some comfort. "Anytime, Grace. We're friends, after all."

As the night progressed, Grace thanked Miles for being someone she could rely on. Their bond grew stronger through their shared vulnerabilities and understanding. Meanwhile, Leo continued to grapple with his nightmares until the next morning, hoping for a chance to reconcile with his sister.