I watched the hypodermic needle grow before I turned to my patient, who was looking at it with weary eyes. I know what she's thinking, but too bad, she needs this.

I asked her to lie on her stomach so I could examine her injury. There's an inflamed muscle on her left lower back. I know that once I pressed my fingers on that spot, the pain would explode up her spine to the top of her head, and that's what I did. Her face distorted. She even groaned.

There's a nurse on my side who's waiting for my instructions. I turned to her and informed her what I was gonna do.

"I'm going to inject Novocain into that injured muscle.

With a little urgency, she did the things she had to do. I saw my teenage patient look away when the long needle was placed near her; however, her eyes swung back to it.

"This will hurt a little. Close your eyes, I'll make it quick," I said, trying to ease her fear.

I plunged the needle into the sore spot, and when the medicine was released, I saw her slowly relax. I smiled.

"You okay?"

"Piece of cake," she arrogantly stated.

That's how everyone handles the pain: you fear it first, then when it's over, you'll just throw it over your shoulder.

"Doctora, nasa office niyo na po ang husband niyo at nag-aantay," the nurse smiled at me.

She might be a couple of years older than me. I looked down at my wristwatch, and it was ticking at twelve noon.

"Ako na po ang bahala sakanya," she said referring to the patient.

"Okay, thank you."

Iniwan ko na ang mga ito atsaka tinalunton ang hallway patungo saking opisina, I'm halfway there when I saw Wendell getting near me.

I tried to fake a smile, hoping that it doesn't look forced. "Hey,"

"Paris, can we talk?" Diretsong sabi nito. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but you're always guarded by your husband."

"Wendell, what is it that we have to talk about? Is it work related?" Patuloy ko parin sa pag-lalakad. "If it is, I think you should consult it to Skeet he focuses more on Cardio."

Nakasunod parin ito sakin, he grabbed my arm and pulled me to face him. Agad akong kumalas sa kapit nito, walang ginagawa saking masama si Wendell ngunit ayokong may mapagmulan na naman ng away namin ni Aidan. We're starting to fix things between us, I don't wanna ruin it.

"Okay, what?" I looked at him straight in his eyes.

Lumingon ito sa paligid na tila hindi sang-ayon na dito kami mag-usap. "Can we go to somewhere private than a hall?"

I shook my head. "I don't have much time to spend, my husband is waiting."

"Alright," he blew an air, tila ba sumusuko na sa ipinipilit na ideya. "I've met your sister, Romee Francheska."

Hindi ako nag-salita, Romee told me that. I know.

"She was here the other day, she went into me and told me to stay away from you or she'll kill me," he said.

Romee did that? That sister of mine really has Chiara Paula running through her veins. I cleared my throat before answering. "Heed her, she doesn't joke death. Excuse me,"

Tinalikuran ko na si Wendell at nag-patuloy na sa pag-lalakad. I heard him calling my name, but I ignored him. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed my sister's number. Three rings, and she's on the other line.

"You did that?"

"Hello, too, Paris..." she sarcastically said. "Did what?"

"Ask Wendell to stay away from me or you'll kill him?"

"Oh, I told him to keep his feet off the grass, or I'll cut it." Balewala nitong sagot. "And he didn't listen! Nakapagsumbong pa sayo ha!"

"Romee, you don't have to do that!"

"I feel the need to," she sighed. "I'm your sister, Paris. Whatever you say, I'll always be concerned to you and your family. I'm just putting everything back to their respective places. That includes, Wendell. So mind if you help me? Don't go near him, wag mo na sanang guluhin ang isip ng asawa mo. Aidan is a good man, Paris. Sa panahon ngayon, mabibilang nalang sa daliri ang mga kagaya ni Aidan. Stop giving him a hard time, why not give him a hard on instead?"

Agad akong pinamulahan ng mukha sa sinabi nito, I heard her giggled from the other line so I snapped. "Romee!"

"What? You know-"

"Roe, let's go.."

My forehead knotted after hearing a familiar voice from the background. "Who's that?"

"E-Ethan," she stammered.

"I'm not Ethan, Romee..." reklamo ng kasama nito.

"Whatever, I'll call you again later, love you!"

Bago pa ako makapag-react ay naputol na nito ang linya. I can't help but smile, now I can sense something really really really fishy. If Kade calls her Rom, there's only one person that calls her Roe.

"What's with the smile?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Aidan sakin nang makapasok ako sa loob ng opisina.

Agad akong pumaloob sa bisig nito nang hindi nawawala ang ngiti saking mga labi.

"Hey, who made you smile that way?" Ihiniwalay ako nito sakanya ng bahagya upang mas matitigan, natatawang lalo lamang akong sumiksik sakanya.

"I was on the phone with Romee, she's with someone, I know it wasn't Ethan." I said. "I never liked Ethan for my sister. He's fine alright, but I know someone who deserves her better..."

"Just like how I deserve you?" Nakangisi nitong bulong bago halikan ang aking sentido, he tilted my chin through his fingers to meet my gaze. "I waited last night..."

Napahagikgik ako sa ekspresyon nito, I pursed my lips to touch his. "My poor, Aidan..."

"Hmm..." he bent down and planted pecks on my lips. "We need to talk more..."

"I know, I know..." I giggled when his lips stayed pressed against mine. He's looking at me as if penetrating my soul, and I can't help but fall in love with his eyes. "Aidan Zeus..."

Slowly, his lips moved in a gentlest kiss. I closed my eyes and let him. His hands rested on both sides of my hips. It slowly went up in a caress as he deepened the kiss, owning me.

I helped him remove my coat. He chuckled and buried his face on my neck, sniffing my scent.

"Baby, you're mine..."

"Always, Aidan... always..."

Mahigpit akong niyakap ni Aidan na para bang mawawala ako sakanya anumang sandali. He whispered near my ear. "No annulment, no nothing can take you away from me..."

"I cross the hall with Wendell, we talked..." I don't wanna ruin the moment, but Aidan should know.

Humiwalay siya sakin ng bahagya upang yukuin ako, sinalubong ko ang kaniyang mga mata. There's something in his eyes that I couldn't name.

"I told you, Aidan... he's not my lover. Hindi noon, hindi ngayon. I know I lied, several times and I'm sorry..." umangat ang aking kamay upang haplusin ang kaniyang pisngi, my palm rested there. "I'm so in love with you, Aidan... I'm sorry."

"Paris," he pulled me closer to him.

"Aidan-"

"I love you..."

I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes. The last time I heard him say that, it broke my heart, but hearing it now, the pieces were rebuilding on their own.