"What do you mean 'maybe'? Why are you uncertain?" 

Clyden placed the glass on the table before glancing at me again, pursing his lips. He looked like he was trying to think. I got conscious a little, so I looked away, slowly getting sober now. His words suddenly made me sober.

"Bakit? Hindi ka sanay?" He raised a brow. "Pwede namang hindi sigurado." 

"My mom used to tell me that I should never be uncert-"

"I'm not your mom," he cut me off. 

I blinked twice when he stood up and opened the fridge to get the pitcher. I was taken aback by his words, though I knew they were just words. I didn't understand the great impact it brought. 

"I don't need water now. I want to sleep." I stood up to go upstairs, but I suddenly felt dizzy. 

"Alcohol dehydrates you," he answered back, placing the glass on the breakfast table. 

"Oh, really?" I walked towards him when he gestured for me to sit beside the breakfast table, sa may high chair. I placed my elbow on the table and my chin on my palm. 

"Yeah. You know the pituitary gland?" He pointed at his head. "Well, it secretes a hormone called vasopressin or the antidiuretic hormone. It basically regulates the fluid in the body by controlling your urination." 

"No. I don't know a thing about that." I giggled. "I'm good with names, though! Want me to try? Oh, wait, are you finished?" 

"Alcohol prevents the release of that hormone, so you urinate more than you drink, the reason why it dehydrates your body. Plus, if you vomit, you will lose more fluid." He slid the glass over the table until it reached my side. "Actually, I don't know yet if water will help since you will take this out, too." 

"What you're saying is starting to scare me. You know that?" I rolled my eyes and drank the water in one shot. "You really don't drink?" 

"Occasionally," he answered properly this time. "You must know by now that I'm not allowed to have fun. You already met my dad." 

"Well, you can have fun without alcohol." I shrugged. "It's really not everything, you know? You can have fun playing with your dogs. You can have fun watering the plants or cooking. Baking? I don't know! Or just by simply taking a nap? You can also have fun playing games on your phone! Or you can have fun with your friends. I'm sure you have friends, right? You can have fun by just spending time with them or talking about the things that don't really matter-"

"Ang daldal mo, 'no?" nagtatakang tanong niya. 

I bit my lower lip to hide a smile. "Alcohol." 

Umayos siya ng tayo at niligpit na ang mga gamit niya sa table. He was studying earlier before I came home. He left me with Summer following him from behind. They went upstairs so I was left alone in the kitchen. Uminom ulit ako ng tubig bago umakyat sa kwarto ko. Then, I showered and did my night care routine before going straight to bed, getting so sleepy. 

I slept peacefully that night dahil Saturday bukas at wala akong pasok but of course! Of course, someone had to ruin my beauty sleep!

"What the hell," I whispered when I felt something on my palm. When I opened my eyes, I saw Clyden carrying Hail and making him lick my hand. 

My brows furrowed, and I looked at him with so much confusion. He looked fresh in the morning. I could smell his shampoo and soap so halatang kakaligo niya lang. 

"Gumising ka diyan. 'Yong parents mo nasa baba. Lumipat tayo ng kwarto," he said that so quickly I couldn't catch up. 

"W-what?" I looked around, still confused. Kagigising ko lang at hindi pa gumagana ang brain ko. I couldn't take any information inside. 

"Your parents are downstairs. Ano ba? Kailangan ba English?" naiinis na sabi niya. 

"Oh shit!" Nagmamadali kong kinuha ang kwintas ko sa side table at sinundan si Clyden palabas ng kwarto. Nilapag niya muna si Hail sa kwarto niya bago naglakad ulit sa hallway. 

He opened the master's bedroom and gestured for me to lie down on the bed. Nagmadali akong tanggalin ang comforter bago humiga at tinakip sa katawan ko. That was the only time I realized that I was wearing nothing but my blue nighties. 

Napatakip ako sa dibdib ko. I wasn't wearing a bra! Naka-panty lang din ako! Good thing hanggang taas ng tuhod ang nighties ko. 

"Your ring! Where's your ring?" I panicked, sliding the ring on my finger. 

Clyden showed me his hand before turning the aircon on. Suot na niya 'yong ring kanina pa. When we heard footsteps on the stairs, we looked at each other with wide eyes. 

"Come here! What the hell!" I panicked. 

He looked at the door again before walking towards the other side of the bed. I was about to close my eyes to pretend that I was sleeping when he suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. 

"What the fu-" I immediately closed my mouth and my eyes when the door opened. 

"Oh, they're still sleeping. How lovely." I heard my mom's voice. 

"You smell like alcohol," Clyden whispered to me. 

Patago ko siyang siniko pero hinigpitan niya lang ang yakap niya sa baywang ko. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from talking. 

"Let's just wait for them downstairs," my dad said, which made me celebrate silently. When the door closed, Clyden quickly let go of my waist and got off the bed, looking disgusted. Umayos ako ng upo at inis siyang tinignan.

"So what now?" I raised a brow. 

"I don't know. Having that old man in this house makes me want to jump off the window, honestly." He rolled his eyes, getting more irritated now. Somehow, I was starting to get used to him badmouthing my father. He probably said worse behind my back, but I couldn't blame him for that. 

"It's fine. Ako na lang ang bababa. I'll just tell them that you studied all night so sleepy ka pa." Bumaba ako ng kama at inayos ang sarili ko. 

"Hindi ka nagba-bra?" curious na tanong niya. 

My eyes widened, and I looked back at him, suddenly remembering that I wasn't wearing a bra. I looked down at my chest to see if it was that obvious. 

"Don't get me wrong. Wala akong pakialam. Nagtatanong lang baka kasi nakalimutan mo-" 

Tumakbo na kaagad ako palabas at bumalik sa kwarto ko. I locked the door and changed my clothes. Nagsuot ako ng shorts at plain white shirt bago naghilamos at bumaba. Nakasalubong ko pa si Clyden na pabalik sa kwarto niya pero hindi ko siya pinansin. I was a little embarrassed. Did he see my... Did he? Or naramdaman ba niya noong niyakap niya 'ko? 

"It's okay, Sam. He said wala siyang pakialam. That's right! Women can go out without wearing a bra," I assured myself to hide my embarrassment. 

"Maureen! You're finally awake!" My mom was seated at the breakfast table, eating pancakes. 

"I forgot that you were supposed to visit today. I'm sorry, Mom." I greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Dad just gave me a small nod. "Clyden is still asleep. He studied all-" 

"Good morning." 

Kumunot ang noo ko at lumingon kay Clyden na nasa likuran ko na. He shook my dad's hand, looking straight into his eyes before smiling at my mom. Then, he turned around and washed his hands in the kitchen. 

"You don't have classes today, Clyden?" My dad asked. 

"I don't," maikling sagot niya, nakatalikod pa rin. He didn't call my dad 'Senator' this time. He just refused to acknowledge him, which was fine with me. I understood that. 

"Do you need anything else here, Maui?" My mom looked around the house. 

"Babe, can you get me the towel right there?" Clyden suddenly pointed at the towel placed on the countertop near me. 

Kinuha ko 'yon at naglakad palapit sa kanya. Pinunasan niya ang kamay niya at tinupi ang towel bago nilagay ulit sa tabi ng sink.

"No, Mom. I'm-" I stopped talking when Clyden suddenly held my hand and intertwined it with his. "I'm f-fine. We're fine." I stuttered when I felt his thumb brushing against mine. 

"I can see that." My mom looked down at my hand. "Well, I think it's time for us to leave." 

Clyden pulled me closer until my body was directly beside him, leaving no space between us. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan ang baywang ko, pulling me closer to him. His elbow was placed on the countertop, keeping his balance. 

"You're so beautiful," he whispered on the side of my face. 

My eyes widened before I awkwardly gave my parents a glance. Clyden was acting like I was the only person in the damn kitchen! My mom looked at my dad like she was trying to communicate using her eyes. 

"I can't wait to marry you," Clyden whispered again in a low voice. 

"Uh, we're going now. Take care, Maureen and Clyden." My mom awkwardly looked away to give us privacy. Tumikhim si Daddy bago kinuha ang gamit niya. I didn't know if he was pissed or not. He was not the protective type. 

"Thank you for visiting us, Mister and Misis Vera," pormal na paalam ni Clyden. 

Kumawala kaagad ako kay Clyden para ihatid sila Mommy sa pintuan. I gave my mom a kiss on the cheek before they went inside the car. I waved my hand for the last time before I went inside the house. I was about to yell at Clyden, but when I turned around, he was already right in front of me. 

"It worked." He chuckled, still looking outside. 

"What the hell is your problem?" I pushed his chest away from me. He was too near! That was the only time I realized that I was holding my breath earlier. "Why would you say words-"

"-that could make you blush?" He tried to finish my sentence.

"I did not blush!" I denied it while walking away from him. 

"Oh? Kilig na kilig ka nga, eh." 

He followed me to the kitchen to get a mug. He was probably going to make coffee for himself. I noticed that he liked drinking coffee. 

"What makes you think mapapakilig mo 'ko, huh? You're not my type, and I don't like you." I rolled my eyes while pouring water into my glass. 

"Type kita pero hindi kita gusto," he casually shot back. 

"What?" Napatigil ako sa pagsasalin ng tubig para tumingin sa kanya. "Did I hear that right? I am your type?" 

"Narinig mo naman, 'papaulit mo pa."

"What exactly is your type ba?" curious na tanong ko. "Paano mo nasabing type mo 'ko?" 

Nakatalikod siya sa 'kin dahil busy siya sa coffee maker so hindi ko makita ang reaction niya. I thought he wouldn't answer so I was surprised to hear him talk. 

"See? Feel na feel mo." He scoffed.

"I knew it. You were just being an asshole again." I scowled. I couldn't say that I was disappointed. Well, maybe a bit. What did I even expect from this guy?!

Kumain na lang ako ng pancakes na nakahanda sa table habang nagkakape siya sa living room. I had the whole day free, so I decided to do some exercises inside my room. After that, I took a shower and went downstairs for lunch. 

"Hey, I'm so sorry for what happened last night, and thanks for taking me home!" I was talking to Adonis on the phone. 

[Wala 'yon! Si Kalix 'yong nag-drive, hindi ako! Lasing din ako, eh! Malas, bro.] 

"Oh, did he leave my car in the condo? I have the key on my side table." 

[Hindi! Nag-Grab na lang kami kasi sabi noong lalaking kasama mo, iwan namin 'yong kotse! Ano ulit pangalan niya? Cyanide? Ah, nakalimutan ko na! Basta nagpakilala siya sa 'kin.] 

"I'm just curious. What did you guys talk about last night? May sinabi ba si Clyden?" Clyden glanced at me when he heard his name. He was watching a medical drama in the living room. 

[Wala, kinumusta niya lang si Kalix tapos sabi niya sa 'kin, kapag nakita niya 'ko ulit, babasagin niya mukha ko.] I gasped. Adonis went silent on the other line before he laughed so loudly. [Just kidding! Hindi niya sinabi 'yon!] 

"That still sounds like something he would say." I glared at Clyden. Napansin niya 'ata kaya tumingin siya pabalik sa 'kin at tinaasan ako ng kilay. 

[Mabait naman siya, ah?!] 

"What?!" I laughed sarcastically. "Oh, dear, you don't know what you're saying. Never trust someone based on their looks alone." 

"Pinag-uusapan n'yo ba 'ko?" Clyden asked, narrowing his eyes on my direction. 

"Of course not!" I exaggerated my reaction. "Why would we even talk about you? Are you that important?"

"Yes, because I heard my name. Come on, Samantha. Stop telling people about me. I prefer being lowkey." He smirked. 

"Ew!" I rolled my eyes. "Hey, Adi. Thanks again! I need to go! Bye!" 

I went to the dining table after ending the call and noticed an empty plate in front of me. I looked at Clyden, who was still busy watching a show. 

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked him. 

"Bakit? Concerned ka sa 'kin?" he casually asked without looking at me. 

"Maybe," I mocked his words last night. "Maybe I am." 

"Tapos?" 

Tumikhim ako at kumain na lang. Fine! Hindi ko na lang siya papakialaman. I finished eating and went outside to play with the dogs. Summer rested her chin on my lap while Hail was trying to fight the grass. Maple was just running around. 

"Your dad is so hard to read, you know?" I told Summer. 

She looked at me with her adorable eyes, so I gave her a smile. I really wanted a dog back then, but Naomi was allergic, so I couldn't. It wasn't that severe, but I still didn't want to affect her health. Oh, Naomi... Naisip ko tuloy ulit siya. I hoped she was doing fine. 

"Do you love your siblings?" I asked Summer while looking at Hail and Maple. "Of course, you do, right?" 

"She does." 

Napalingon kaagad ako kay Clyden. No wonder why Summer suddenly stood up. Hail and Maple also ran to him, wagging their tails. There he was, the daddy of these three dogs. He bent down to caress the heads of his children. 

"I'll go home tonight to check on Naomi," I told him. 

He just nodded and didn't say a word. I stood up and went inside the house to go to my room. Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko bago bumaba at lumabas ulit. Clyden was still in the garden, playing with the dogs. I stopped when I caught a glimpse of his genuine smile. 

He looked better, smiling. 

"I don't know if I'll go home or not," I informed him. 

"Weird. Why are you telling me that?" Nagsalubong ang kilay niya at tumingin sa 'kin. 

"My mom told me to inform you. Don't get too full of yourself." I smiled before going to my car. I opened the window to wave at the dogs before I drove away. 

It wasn't a long drive to the mansion, so I arrived earlier than expected. When I went inside the house, three helpers ran to me to help me again with my things, but I waved my hand to stop them. I took my shoes off and put on my house slippers before going upstairs. 

"Where are my parents? Are they around?" I asked. 

"Pauwi pa lang po. May pinuntahan lang po."

I nodded and went to my room to place my things. I noticed that my drawer was left open, so I quickly checked what Naomi borrowed this time. I smiled to myself when I saw three of my new lipsticks missing. Well, I bought them for her, so it was fine. I also checked the camera to see if she took photos. 

"Oh," I whispered when I saw the photos she forgot to delete. 

It was during their ORSEM or orientation seminar. She took pictures of people but none of herself. It was nice to see her with friends around. She should be out there making friends. I didn't want her to feel like she was alone. 

I went outside my room to knock on hers. Binuksan niya kaagad pero sumimangot siya nang makita ako. 

"Hi, how are you?" I asked, smiling. 

"Why are you here?" She didn't answer my question. 

"Oh, I just want to... Uh... Give you this camera. It's yours now." I handed her the camera, a little afraid of her reaction. Her eyes widened a bit when she glanced at it, probably realizing that she had forgotten to delete the pictures. "No worries. You can take it." 

"I don't need it," she said in a monotone. 

"I also don't need it, so you can have it-" 

"Stop giving me the things you don't want anymore, okay?!" She yelled at me. "Are you trying to offend me or what?! Just leave me alone!" 

I blinked twice, a little taken aback by her words. She closed the door in front of my face, so I stepped back, still surprised. Did that offend her? Oh my god, I felt so bad. Ganoon ba ang labas sa kanya? I couldn't blame her, though. I used the wrong words. 

I pouted and got a piece of paper. I wrote 'I'm sorry' before sliding it on her door. I knew she wouldn't open the door for me again, so I just went back to my room to place the camera back. 

"Samantha, honey?" My mom called, so I went downstairs. "Hey! Why are you here? We just saw each other earlier this morning." 

"I just tried to check on Naomi," I honestly answered.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. She's doing fine! She's probably enjoying her new school because she finally has something that you have." My mom laughed. "You know that kid. She's just so jealous of you." 

"Mom, don't say that," seryosong sabi ko.

"What about it, honey? I'm just saying the truth. Don't you agree?" She laughed again, placing her shopping bags on the couch. I stared at it for so long before shaking my head.

"Mom, I'm thinking if I should start... applying for a part-time job?" I bit my lower lip, getting nervous. 

"What?" Like what I expected, she looked at me like she was ready to snap. "Why would you? Do you need money? Hindi ba enough ang allowance mo?" 

"It is more than enough, Mom. I'm just-" Guilty. "Nevermind." I gave her a forced smile. 

"Never say that again. Don't even let your dad hear that, okay?" She caressed my cheek before going upstairs, leaving me standing there in the living room. 

I sighed heavily before leaving the house. I couldn't stay there for too long, or I would probably lose my mind, so it was better for me to leave. I just texted Mom that I was in a hurry. That night, I drove all the way to Nueva Ecija to run away from my thoughts. 

"Are you home?" I asked Yanna on the phone. 

[Anak ng tupa, Samantha. Anong oras na? Siyempre, nasa bahay ako!] I smiled when I heard her voice. I missed my best friend. 

"I'm already near," I informed her. 

[Huh? Anong near?] She sounded so confused. [Pucha, papunta ka rito? Nasisiraan ka na ba? Paano ka uuwi? Gabi na, ah!]

"Yanna, you know what?" I paused for a moment to laugh. "You are sounding like a mom now." 

[Hay naku!] 

It took me so long to end up outside her house, parking my car beside the gutter. I checked the time when I saw Yanna sitting on the stairs outside, probably waiting for me. May kumot siya sa balikat niya at may mug sa tabi. I laughed when I saw her face. 

"You should have just waited inside. That's bad for the baby!" I went inside the gate and walked towards her to hold her tummy. "Oh my gosh, the baby bump. It still feels so weird." 

"Ano'ng problema?" she suddenly asked. My smile eventually faded away. 

"Nothing!" I sat beside her and looked at the dark sky, admiring the stars and the moon. "I just missed you! That's all!"

"Ang layo ng dinayo mo dahil namiss mo 'ko? Jowa ba kita?" Yanna raised a brow, laughing. "Ano nga, Sam?" 

"Nothing!" I denied it again. "Come on. I just wanted to make sure that the baby is okay, and also you! Are you doing well? " 

"Eh, ikaw?" she asked back, refusing to answer my question. "Are you doing well?" She glanced at my ring. 

I bit my lower lip and sighed heavily, giving up now. I didn't know how to explain what I was feeling at that moment. I just felt so lost, confused, and maybe guilty for being a part of that... family.

"I just feel so bad," I whispered. "I just feel so guilty that I'm living like this, you know? When there are people who... You know... I just feel pathetic. Maybe I need to start earning my own money?" 

"Paano?" she asked now. "Hindi ka naman papayagan ng magulang mo. Parang kulungan na nga 'yang bahay n'yo, e. Buti pinayagan kang makaalis diyan.. Kaso akalain mo 'yon? Kalayaan mo pa rin ang kapalit." 

"Maybe I should start modeling?" I asked her as a joke. 

"Oo nga. Bagay sa 'yo." She looked at me from head to toe. "Uy, bagay nga sa 'yo! May potential ka, promise! Nakikita ko na!" 

"That was a joke, Yanna. Don't take it seriously." I playfully rolled my eyes. 

"Joke ko lang din dati 'yong 'buntis ako' pero tingnan mo nangyari." She pointed at her tummy before letting out a laugh. 

She was trying to hide her pain with that smile, and I was the only one who could see it. She could also easily read me. It was hard to hide things from her when we could see each other's eyes. 

"Naisip mo na ba ipapangalan mo sa baby?" I asked her. 

"Hmm, kapag lalaki, Alex." She looked up, thinking. Halatang ngayon niya lang naisip 'yon. 

"Kapag babae?" I asked. 

"Kapag babae... Alex." 

"Can you be more creative?" reklamo ko, natatawa. My laugh turned into a smile when she leaned her head on my shoulder, trying to find comfort. I knew she was having a hard time. The baby alone was giving her flashbacks about the man she loved. "Do you miss him?" 

"Sobra," she whispered, looking at the sky. "Umaga na roon, 'no?" 

"Close to noon," I answered, holding her hand. "What does love feel like? It's weird, 'no? You used to tell me before that you have absolutely no idea what love means, but here you are." 

"Hindi ko pa rin mapaliwanag ang pagmamahal, Sam." She sighed. "Siguro 'yong pagbitaw ko ang simbolo ng pagmamahal ko." 

"I wish I could freely love someone without thinking about my engagement." I looked at my ring. "I envy you. At least, even if it brought you pain, you were free to love. You were free to experience happiness on your own." 

"Bakit? Hindi mo ba gusto si Doc?" she asked, laughing. 

"He's so annoying, Yanna! Why did you have to make me remember his face?! Naiinis na tuloy ako. You know what? Ever since we started living together, he just-"

"Live together?!" Umayos siya ng upo, gulat. "And whoa, Samantha. Sobrang affected mo, ah? Ngayon lang kita nakitang ganyan sa lalaki." 

"It's because I've never met someone who's as annoying as he is. Kung ikaw ang nasa pwesto ko, you would probably feel the same way. Actually, baka nasuntok mo na siya but I am still calm. I am calm," I convinced myself. 

"Hindi ko pa siya kilala pero sa tingin ko bagay kayo," she teased, smirking. 

"Don't ever say that again." I stood up, ready to go. I wasn't really planning to stay. I just hoped that I wouldn't get sleepy on my way back. "I think I need to go home now." 

"Home?" she repeated. 

"To the house," I told her. 

"To him," she teased again. It was starting to get annoying. 

"Whatever. Take care, okay?" I reminded her before walking away. "Don't forget to eat healthy food! Take care of the baby! If you need anything, contact me, okay? I'm one call away! I can drive all the way here again." 

"Oo na, Sam! Bye!" 

"Love you!" I said before getting inside the car.

I took a deep breath before driving away. It was a long long way home, but I managed to stay up. I also stopped by a gasoline station to buy coffee. Medyo inaantok na 'ko nang makarating ako ng Manila, then I had to drive all the way to the house pa. I wondered if Clyden was already asleep... or was he waiting for me? No, baka akala niya natutulog ako sa mansion.

I was already sleepy when I parked at the house. Nakita kong bukas ang ilaw sa may stairs so I assumed that he was still up. When I opened the door, Summer came running to me, wagging her tail. 

"Hello!" I greeted her using my baby voice. It was the voice I used when talking to children. I caressed her head and looked around. 

"Uminom ka ulit?" I almost jumped when I heard Clyden's voice. Kabababa niya lang sa hagdanan. 

"Oh, hindi ka pa tulog?" I asked.

"Mukha ba 'kong tulog?" sagot niya pabalik. 

I laughed, already getting used to his attitude. Matutulog ba siya ngayong gabi? He wasn't carrying a book and wala ring libro sa table. 

"Why is Summer still awake?" I looked at the dog. 

"Why do you think?" He raised a brow. "She's waiting for her mom." 

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:)