Shan's POV
Ciara and I walked towards the restaurant hand in hand. We decided to return, and now it's time to confront him.
I sighed and thought to myself, "It's time to give him a chance to let me love myself," and I appreciated Ciara's support and understanding.

I looked at my side, who was smiling, and realized that I adored her. It was my fault that it took me so long to discover it. I can't afford to lose her, and I'm not sure what I'll do if she vanishes with me.
I noticed that mom, dad, and Phillip were still present when we arrived at the restaurant. I'm not sure what to call him yet, but I'm not sure I want to call him Dad.
When Mom and Dad noticed me, they stood up and approached me. Mom hugged me and held my face, his eyes red, "Shan, I'm glad you're back," she murmured before letting go of our embrace, "He loves you. Just give him a chance and get to know him."
"He misses you a lot," dad remarked, turning to my girlfriend and saying, "Ciara, come with us. Let's give them time."
"All right, Mr. Anderson," she said as she turned to face me. "You can do it," she said, holding my hand with delight in her eyes. "I believe in you and I love you so much."
I can't stop grinning. "Thank you, babe, for always supporting me. I love you always," I say now, more confident to confront him.

I took a big breath and motioned my way towards him after Mom, Dad, and Ciara said their goodbyes.
As long as I sat in front of him, I didn't know what to say. I could tell he was startled, but he laughed it off and said, "Hey, I'm pleased you're back."
My tongues seemed to recede as I nodded and wanted to say something. "Look, I realize it must have been so difficult for you to know everything. It's only right that John became your father because I know he will take better care of you and love you more; it's just that I'm a coward," he said.
"Why? Why don't you introduce yourself to me?" I asked as I glanced up at him and saw his regrets on his face. My tears began to pour as well.

"I did," he continued, "I believe you were only four months old when I first saw you, and I met your mother again, and I constantly visit you just to see you and be with you, even if you didn't recognize me as your father."
"But," I responded, "I don't recall anything about you." I had no recollection of him being with me. His face looks familiar, but it could be because we look a lot alike, and I can tell that they look a lot like Julie.
"I guess I determined to correct my life when you were four or five years old. I was so disappointed thinking I had abandoned you, and I became foolish not until I met Kate, and my life became even more different when my daughter, Julie, was born."
"I never want to make the same old mistake again," he said, sighing. "Your mother and father are right. I should fight and be strong for Julie. If I didn't become a good father to you, I won't do it to her."
"You did the right thing by changing your life," I said with a smile, "but why did you leave mom when she was pregnant with me?"
"I didn't have a choice back then," he said, shaking his head. "I was seventeen years old, son, and I was scared, and I let my pride invade me, as well as my parents. They were so strict, and I became submissive to their wishes for the rest of my life. It was their choice to leave your Mom back then."
"To be honest, I still love her when I saw your mother again, but it was too late. I saw how happy she is with John, and especially when I saw how John takes care of you; I know he loves your Mom and you very much."
"I may not be as good as John, but just let me show you how much I love you too," he said as he reached out for my hands. "I also heard about your issues about Julie."
"Oh, about that," I explained, "it was only a mistake. Let us just assume that what I felt for her earlier was some sort of sisterly love. Leap of blood, that is," I added with a smile, "And also thank you for your time. I am glad to know you, Papa."
He smiled and stood to hug me, "I love you, son."
Ciara's POV
I'm relieved that Shan and his Papa are doing well now. Papa Phillip is the only one he will call because he refers to John as his dad, therefore it has already been taken.
We're in school right now, and today is the championships for the Accountancy Basketball Team. It was also the last day of U-days, and there will soon be no classes due to the semestral break.
Patrick, on the other hand, is a Volleyball champion, and every game is the Accountancy Program champion. I have a hunch we will be the year's, course's, and program's champions.
With our classmate April, Patricia and I had joined the Academics (Whiz Kids). It's been a while since April's companions left. It's a good thing there aren't any difficult questions because there isn't a Battle of the Bands, so Patricia and I signed up and, of course, we won first place.
As we sat on the gym court's bleachers, I asked Julie, "Why didn't you join the senior high cheer dance?"
Shan is comfortable with having her as a  sister because he and his Papa are fine. Julie and her boyfriend, Dwight, have rekindled their relationship, which we are also seeing.
Dwight, on the other hand, doesn't feel sorry for Shan since he recognizes his error and forgives Julie. After all, he knew they were both siblings, so they love each other.
Julie glanced at me and said, "I wasn't involved because pep squad members aren't permitted to participate; perhaps when I join, there will be stunts over," she rolled her eyes, and I just chuckled because she stressed the term and over. I think she's adorable, and I notice a likeness between him and Shan.
"It's strange. I'm hoping you were included so that there would be an expert who could instruct or train them, right?"
"That's why! Now they're paying for a gay trainer," she explained. "It appears like they just wanted money, and I watched their performance in the group chat. Gosh, I don't know what to say. It's rubbish."
"It's their loss they didn't take you," I shrugged.
She only said, "I also understand, it's the rules," and flirted with her boyfriend once again.
In any case, such regulations exist. When we were still in high school, I recall that if you were a member of a Dance Troupe, you were no longer needed to join MAPEH.
It is completely banned for anyone from DT to join or train with them in MAPEH dance competitions, especially if they are disqualified.
"Did you see the twins?" I asked as I focused my attention on the basketball court, where I noticed Shan had just emerged from the throng, signaling the start of the game.
"No, but I saw Patrick with Faith earlier, and I'm not sure where Patricia is," Julie said, to my surprise.
Miracle, Patrick, and Faith in the same room? Strange, yet there is a connection between the two. I hope they stay together; Patrick is very attractive, but he is gay.
As the game begins, it is clear that Shan is an exceptional basketball player. He is, indeed, a seasoned pro. It's no surprise that he was previously the Team Captain at Agusan National High School.
It wasn't as much partiality as when his father, John Anderson, was his coach, but it was in his basketball talents and enthusiasm.
He was a basketball fan in elementary school, and when we were in fourth grade, he was the only one who could make three-pointers. Because he has always been the MVP, even when he was the youngest, he was frequently sent to Regional Athletic Meets.
Patrick and Faith returned a few minutes later, and Patrick sat next to me, "Okay, are you straight?"
"What are you saying there? You're absolutely nuts," he said, his cheeks flushed with perplexity.
"Oh, where is your twin?" I asked, laughing at what he said and his defensive posture.
"I don't know where she is. She left us all alone," he shrugged, then pointed to the senior high building's front door and waved, "Oh, there she is! Right at the door!"
Patricia noticed us and approached us, taking the seat that had been assigned for her.
"Where have you been?" I inquired as I tapped her.
"I simply left these two to have some alone time," she explained, and she nodded enthusiastically, "You're right, they look fantastic together."
"Oh, isn't it? I told you so."  I said and turned my eyes back to Shan's game.
Of course, I'm his biggest supporter, especially now that he's able to shoot.
Time is running out, and I'm confident that the Accountancy Program will win solely based on the score. Shan threw the ball towards the ring before the timer ran out, and the ball entered as normal. After all, he is a shooter.
I jumped with pleasure, and I can see the victorious faces plastered over the Accountancy Program's Basketball Team.
I rushed down the stairs, and when he saw me, he dashed over to me and we hugged. My boyfriend is still cute, no matter how sweaty he is.
"Congratulations, babe! I'm very proud of you!" I exclaimed happily. I also greeted his teammates. They are, after all, my classmates and colleagues.
"Thanks, babe!" he said as he kissed my cheeks. "Come on, I'll just take a quick shower in our dressing room and then we'll leave."
"Where is Shan?" Faith said as he hurriedly exits to go to their dressing room as I returned to where we had been seated before.
"He's just getting ready; let's just wait for him," I remarked, and they all nodded. Shan came in front of us after a couple of minutes.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," he apologized as he took my bag. "Come on, let's eat in the restaurant outside. They seem to be having a wonderful time," he remarked, winking at me.
He knew exactly where my favorite restaurant was. We arrive at the same moment, and he is only a short distance away because we are both at the gym. We sat down as soon as we entered the restaurant.
We've been combining two tables and ordering effectively since we were seven. Shan, of course, already knew what my favorite was, and my friends had placed their orders.
"Hey, twins! mom and dad agreed for the pair of you to come with us to Surigao, if you just like," we said after the crew had left.
Patricia and Patrick both answered, "Of sure! I won't miss it for the world."
"In that case, we'll just postpone the Brett Outing," Shan offered. "After all, we'll all be in Surigao, won't we?"
"Of course, how long will we be gone?"
I answered, "I feel like two or three days."
"What kind of outing is that?" I asked Julie, who replied, "Can I come along?"
"Of course," I replied. We're fine, so there's no problem with that. Though she can be abrupt, that is her personality, and we don't have a problem with it.
"Thank you, Ciara!" she exclaimed, turning to her boyfriend and saying, "Let's split for three days."
We were amused by what he said. Dwight is also planning a holiday with his family, possibly in Manila. Isn't it strange how different things are when you're wealthy?
They just kept talking and happily eating as the food was served.