"What is this?" 

I asked that as soon as I opened the small paper bag he gave me. He was putting alcohol on his hands when he stopped to look at me. Slowly, I saw how his cheeks blushed as he looked away in embarrassment.

"Why? Why are you getting shy now? What is this?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko. When I received no response from him, I started to find out myself. 

I took out the thing inside the bag, and I was shocked to see a small velvet box. I looked at him in confusion, but he was playing with his lower lip while looking outside the car's window. I blinked twice when I saw a ring inside. It was a simple one with a rose gold band and a small diamond in front. 

"W-what..." I didn't know what to say. I was confused and out of words. I looked at the ring I was wearing, and it was actually more extravagant than this one. The simpler ring was more like him. 

"I didn't choose the ring you're wearing right now. Our parents chose it for us. I think it's just right to give you a ring that I picked myself," he explained, a little nervous. "If... If you don't want to wear it, it's fine-"

"Oh my god," I whispered, still staring at the ring. My lips slowly formed a smile out of so much happiness. How sweet of him. I never even thought of it that way! I was actually fine with the ring I was wearing. Little did I know that he was thinking about it that way. "Suot mo sa 'kin!" 

He looked at me for a moment before smiling a little and reaching out for the small box in my hand. Tinanggal niya ang singsing at hinawakan ang kamay ko. I was looking down at my hand, waiting for him to slide the ring on my finger, but I immediately looked up when his other hand touched my chin to give me a soft kiss. 

I automatically closed my eyes to welcome his lips on mine. When he let go, his eyes went down to my hand, admiring the ring on my finger. It looked so pretty on me. Dalawa na ang singsing ko ngayon!

"I'm going to marry you," he suddenly said. 

"Do not be so sure, Clyden. You're giving me false hopes. What if something big happens that will force us to be apart from each other?" I raised a brow at him. 

I knew I was the one who asked that question, but I felt a sting in my chest just thinking about it. I probably couldn't be apart from him for a long time. He was the only one that was keeping me sane apart from my friends. I found comfort in his arms. I couldn't live again in a world with us treating each other as strangers. 

"Even if the world forces me to leave you, I wouldn't," he seriously answered. "I will stay by your side whatever happens, so do the same for me." 

"I also want to stay with you," I said in a small voice. "You will always be there for me, right?" 

"Of course, love." 

I smiled and gave him a short kiss before we decided to come back to the party. I hoped I wasn't gone for too long! When we entered the club, his hand automatically went around my waist to pull me closer to him. I almost fell when I bumped into Kierra on my way out. She looked so mad!

"Sorry, Sam! Uuwi na 'ko!" She gave me a wave and a forced smile before walking away again, holding her bag so tight, like she wanted to hit someone with it. 

"Hey, wait!" Clyden pulled me away when I almost bumped into Shan this time. He looked back at me and gave me an apologetic smile before running out of the club. 

"Ke! Huwag mo 'kong iwan!" Luna was running, too! She looked so scared to be left inside that she even ran wearing high heels. Wala na siyang pakialam kung madadapa siya o ano. 

My brows furrowed, getting so confused why everyone was running. Lasing na ba ang mga bisita ko? I thought it was the end of it, but I saw Via being pulled away by a mysterious man wearing a black cap and a black jacket. I was about to butt in when I heard Via's yell. 

"Larkin! Ano ba?!" Via sounded so frustrated. 

"Wow," I whispered when I realized that all of my friends were already gone! Ipapakilala ko pa naman sana si Clyden! Nawala lang ako, lahat sila umuwi na?! "Ugh. Come on. Let's just get a drink."

"Those are your friends, huh?" he asked while I was pulling him toward the counter to get us some drinks. I gave him a nod and an awkward smile. "How chaotic." 

"Oh, wait 'til you meet my best friend." I laughed. 

We sat on a couch after I ordered us some cocktail drinks to start with. Doon na 'ko umupo sa couch nila Kierra kanina but since wala na sila, kami na lang dalawa ni Clyden ang natira. I looked at him and watched him smell the cocktail. He made a disgusted face before putting it down. 

"It's okay. You don't need to drink if you don't want to," I told him. I was not the type to peer-pressure my visitors into drinking. It should be their choice so they wouldn't blame me for their hangover afterward. 

"Gusto kong uminom," he told me before getting the glass and taking a large sip. His brows furrowed when he tasted it. The taste of alcohol was too strong, obviously, but he pretended that it was good. "Wow."

"It's strong because that's mine." I laughed before switching our glasses. 'Yong sa akin ang ininom niya. I ordered the one with less alcohol content for him. "Drink this instead." 

Instead of drinking the one I was giving him, he finished my glass and got another one. I didn't know if he was purposely trying to get himself drunk! I couldn't lose to him, but I also wanted to supervise him, so I just slowly drank tequila with him. I saw some girls eyeing him while he was busy drinking, so I scooted closer to him and took his other hand so I could intertwine it with mine. 

"Do not get yourself drunk. You used to preach about alcohol drinking back then," I teased him, laughing a little. 

"Ngayon lang. I'm still a little embarrassed," he whispered in my ear. The music was so loud so kailangan niya talagang bumulong sa 'kin. 

"Embarrassed? Why?" nagtatakang tanong ko. "About?" 

"About what happened earlier." He looked away before taking another shot. Kumunot ang noo ko, nagtataka kung anong tinutukoy niya. 

What happened earlier? About the ring? Was he embarrassed to give me a ring? Mukha nga. Kanina nga nahihiya pa siyang ibigay, eh. Wait, so the hospital visit was a lie, huh? What a good liar! I didn't even notice it! 

"Hey, it's okay. You do not need to feel shy about giving me a ring," I assured him. His brows furrowed when he looked at me. 

"Our sex, Sam," he clarified. 

My lips parted when my brain suddenly played some flashbacks from earlier. I felt heat on my cheeks, so I had to look away from him. Baka mabasa niya ang iniisip ko! I put my legs together when I suddenly remembered how it felt. Damn, yeah, that was embarrassing. In the car, really? Samantha Vera?! 

"Wait, was that your car?" I asked him back. It was different from the white one he used to bring. This time, it was silver. "Oh god, don't tell me we did it in Ridgen's car?!" The thought horrified me! 

He looked at me for a moment before calmly putting the glass back on the table. The side of his lips slowly formed a smile like he wanted to laugh, but he couldn't. I was still waiting for his answer! His silence was starting to horrify me more! 

"It's my car. An old Benz I used to own. It was my dad's graduation gift," he clarified, laughing at my reaction. "I don't use it that much anymore."

Okay, nakahinga ako nang maluwag doon. Speaking of Ridgen, nasaan na kaya siya? Clyden looked like he didn't care at all. I hoped that he was still sober so he could drive for Clyden. I came here with my car, so I had to drive it home, too... or I could just ask someone to drive it for me. Ewan! I was still feeling sober even after drinking shots. The alcohol wasn't working. 

"Sam!" My eyes widened when Raylee and my other friends from Ateneo suddenly stopped in front of our table. Her eyes automatically went down to my hand holding Clyden's hand. "Ooh... Is this the lucky guy?!" 

"More like Samantha, the lucky girl. The man's hot," Ayessa said to tease me, touching her lower lip a little. 

"Uh, Cy, my blockmates." I stood up to introduce him. Clyden also stood up and gave my friends a small smile before shaking their hands. Mukhang nag-blush pa 'yong iba kong friends nang mahawakan ang kamay niya. He really had that kind of effect, huh? "This is Clyden, my boyfriend." 

"Boyfriend, but you're wearing a diamond ring." Raylee looked at my hand again, smirking. "Hay! Sana all na lang talaga!" 

They had to go to the restroom, so I went back to our seat. Clyden pulled me closer to him hanggang sa magdikit na ang binti namin. He was extra clingy, so I concluded that he was already drunk. His alcohol tolerance wasn't that good. Alam ko na 'yon. 

"Come on! Let's dance!" Tumayo ako at hinatak siya kasama ko para mahimasmasan siya kahit papaano. I knew he was drunk but he could still walk properly. Hindi halatang lasing na siya. O baka hindi pa naman and I was just assuming it? 

"Ayokong sumayaw pero sasamahan kita," he said. 

I went to the dance floor and greeted some of my friends. I kissed the girls on their cheeks and talked to them a bit before dancing with them. Clyden was just standing there and watching me with his arms crossed over his chest. 

I waved my hand at Adonis when I saw him walking over to their table with a bottle in his hand. The smile on my face faded when I noticed that he was with Kalix! Mukhang kakarating lang dahil may hawak na car keys. I blinked twice and remembered Luna leaving earlier. They missed their chance! These dummies! 

I knew I expected Clyden to be the drunk one, but after chugging on some bottles from random people, I ended up getting wasted. Clyden was also tipsy, but he managed to talk to Adonis and Kalix while pointing to the gift section like he wanted them to bring the gifts tomorrow. 

"You can't possibly drive in that state," Kalix replied, getting his car keys. "Come on. I'm driving. Adonis, drive Sam's car. Leo, take Clyden's. I'll take mine and use it on our way back." 

"Your logic, Kalix!" I laughed hysterically and clapped my hands. "You are so brilliant! I wonder why you're so dumb with Luna!"

"Hoy, foul!" Adonis covered my mouth, but Clyden slapped his hand away. "Ay, sorry naman, bro!" 

That was what they did. I can't believe I was troubling Adonis and Kalix again like last time! I should really stop getting wasted at my own party! It was even more embarrassing because Clyden had to witness all of it! I was hoping he was as drunk as me so he wouldn't remember this tomorrow.

"Hey, forget about this, okay?!" I pinched Clyden's cheek while we were in the backseat of Kalix's car. "But don't forget about what happened to us earlier! In your car!" 

"The fuck," Kalix said while he was driving. I bit on my lower lip when Clyden glared at me to make me shut up. 

I did not even mention anything! Sumandal na lang ako nang maayos sa balikat ni Clyden para mawala ang hilo ko. Kalix was a smooth driver so my dizziness came to an ease for a moment. Good thing I wasn't feeling like I wanted to throw up. It would drive Kalix crazy if masukahan ko ang sasakyan niya. 

"Luna was there earlier!" I told him again. He didn't answer me back and just focused on driving. Siguro pinagsisisihan na niyang hinahatid niya kami. "Sayang, you didn't see her because she left already! I thought you wouldn't go. Why did you change your mind?" 

"Ang daldal, sorry." Clyden covered my mouth, but I pulled his wrist away.

Kalix did not answer any of my questions and just remained silent throughout the ride. I wanted to ask more, but Clyden's glare was scaring me, so I had to shut up. I waited until the car stopped in front of our house before getting down to throw up in the nearest garbage bin. 

"Hey, thanks." I heard Clyden's voice while I was busy throwing up. He was holding my hair up while touching my back.

The next thing I knew, I was already in the shower, forcing myself to sober up. I brushed my teeth and changed my clothes before Clyden, who was waiting outside the bathroom, carried me to the master's bedroom. I kind of expected him to dress me up himself, but I guess he didn't want to feel like he was taking advantage of me when I could still do it myself. 

The next day, I woke up with a little hangover. Kanina pa tunog nang tunog ang phone ko kaya sinagot ko na kahit sabog pa ako at hindi ko pa alam kung nasaan ako o anong nangyari kagabi. I was about to talk when I heard Yanna's loud voice. 

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE!] she shouted so loud I had to move the phone away from my ear. Nagising kaagad ako sa sigaw niya. [Happy happy happy birthday! Sa 'yo ang inumin! Sa 'yo ang pulutan! Happy happy happy birthday! Sana malasing mo kami!] she sang. 

"Thank you," I said in my tired voice. 

[Ano? Okay ka lang ba? Bakit ganyan boses mo?] She was suddenly worried. Or... that was what I thought. [Oh shit! Nakadilig ka ba?!] 

"Hangover," I reasoned out, holding my head. "Last night was wild. Our friends left me there! Ang aga nilang umuwi. Good thing you didn't go because Hiro's friends were there." 

[Ah...] She suddenly sounded so down with the mention of Hiro's name. [Sa December, bago 'yong due ko, luluwas na 'kong Manila kasama si Mama. Hindi ko pa alam saan kami tutuloy.]

"My condo's vacant! I can lend it to you! Or you can live here with me!" I suggested.

[Huwag na. Nakakahiya sa asawa mo. Sa condo mo na lang.] 

"Okay, I'll pick you up."

My plan was to pick Yanna up all by myself when December came pero nang accidentally kong nasabi kina Luna ang plano ko, lahat na sila gustong sumama. For the past two months, everything was just going smoothly even though Clyden was mostly occupied with his studies. I was also busy with mine, so quits lang. I waited for my finals to be over before I organized a charity work for Christmas. 

Wala naman akong masyadong gagawin sa Christmas since my parents were always busy, even during holidays, so I just decided to celebrate it myself. I accepted donations from different people, and Sevi and others helped me with it. The beneficiaries would be the victims of the recent typhoon and earthquake and kids from an orphanage. 

"Ang aga naman. Inaantok na 'ko," reklamo ni Sevi pagkasakay ng van. I rented a van para magkasya kaming lahat. Luna and I will take turns in driving. 

While we were on our way, I was thinking if I should tell Yanna that Hiro actually went home, and he texted me about her, but I felt like she didn't want to know since it would just hurt her. Kahit naman umuwi si Hiro, wala pa rin siyang planong ipaalam ang tungkol sa baby. I felt bad for him, but I should be loyal to my best friend. Yanna made me swear my life that I wouldn't tell anyone about her being pregnant, so I protected that secret for months, even hiding it from our friends. 

It was hard to watch my friends suffering with me in the middle. Siguro ito na rin 'yong problema sa maraming kaibigan. Kapag konektado sila sa isa't isa, hindi mo na alam kung paano kikilos. I was being extra careful the whole time. With Hiro and Yanna, and Kalix and Luna. I wanted them to give each other a chance but I didn't want to butt in. Besides, relasyon nila 'yon. They chose to be that way. 

"Sam, may idadagdag pala akong cash donation sa charity mo," Sevi said. 

"Wow, si Sevi, maglalabas ng cash," Luna teased, laughing. 

"Hindi galing sa 'kin," Sevi said, handing me an envelope. "Baka makalimutan ko, eh! Eto, oh. Baka mabulsa ko 'yan. Ipangbili ko 'yan ng diamonds sa ML." 

"Ano'ng rank mo na? Buhatin kita." Luna smirked at him, nagyayabang. 

"Ulol, baka ikaw pa buhatin ko. 'Di ba binuhat ka ni Kalix hanggang Mythic kaso nag-break kayo kaya bumalik ka sa Legend?" Sevi laughed so loudly. 

Kierra and Via were both sleeping. Buti nakakatulog pa sila kahit ang ingay ni Sevi at Luna. They were just teasing each other the whole trip. Since madaling-araw kami umalis, nakarating din kami kaagad sa Nueva Ecija. Yanna was already waiting outside with her bags and her mom was with her, too. My eyes widened when I saw how big her tummy was already! It looked like it hurt! 

"Alalayan ang buntis," Via teased. 

"Thank you sa sundo. Kaninong van 'to?" Yanna's voice changed a bit. It was calmer now. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa mother na siya or inaantok lang siya dahil madaling-araw. 

"Nirentahan ni Sam," Kierra answered. Yanna sat on the second row while Sevi was putting her bags at the back. He insisted on doing it just to flex his biceps. "Hello po, Tita." 

While we were on our way back to Manila, they started playing a game where they would throw out some names for the baby. Of course, the dumbest and ugliest names came from Sevi. Yanna massaged her head in frustration after hearing their suggestions. 

When we arrived at my condo, Sevi and the others had to go home immediately so they could get some sleep while I helped Yanna with her things. Her mom went out to buy some food. Inaantok na rin ako pero kailangan kong bantayan si Yanna. 

"How about April?" I suggested the one I wanted for my child. "Or like... Avi? Since her parents like aviation." 

"Pwede." Yanna looked up while thinking. "Avrielle kaya? Malapit na sa April... since April din naman siya nagawa."

"Second name could be related to the sky? What do you think?" I wanted so badly to connect the kid to Hiro as much as possible. Iyon na lang ang kaya kong ibigay. I didn't want the kid to be away from her dad, kahit sa pangalan lang. 

"Haven," Yanna said like she already thought of it beforehand. "Avrielle Haven." 

I realized that she purposely made the initials A and H. I was guessing it meant Ashianna and Hiro. Maybe she was thinking the same way. Ayaw niya ring malayo ang anak niya from the dad. Even if she wasn't voicing it out, I knew Yanna wanted Hiro to be by her side. Who would not want that? But, well, I couldn't judge her decision. It was selfless and not necessarily the right way to do things, but it was for Hiro's future anyway. 

Umuwi na rin ako pagkarating ng Mommy niya. I invited them to spend Christmas with me, but I figured out that it wasn't good for Yanna to do some work on Christmas day. Later that day, I met with Clyden at the mall so we could buy some Christmas decorations for the house. I really wanted to get a Christmas tree. 

"Done with your exams, right?" I asked him after giving him a hug. I missed him so much. We became busy with finals that we barely even saw each other in the house, but since the sem was already over, we could finally spend time with each other. 

"Yes. Let's get that Christmas tree you've always wanted." He wrapped his hand around my waist after giving me a kiss on top of my head. 

I never knew shopping for Christmas decorations would make me feel so excited. Mas exciting lalo noong kinakabit na namin sa bahay. We even bought some Christmas costumes for the dogs, which they loved, except for Hail. Hail didn't want a dress! At least Summer and Maple loved the cute reindeer headband. 

"Uh, Cy, our families are coming over," I informed him when I received a text. 

I heard his tired groan, which made me laugh. We finished setting up the decorations before I went up to get dressed. According to my mom, it was the only available time they had, so they decided to have our Christmas dinner earlier than usual. They were bound to go out of the country for two weeks. 

To: Mom

Bring Naomi or I won't join the dinner. 

I had to message her that so she would have no choice but to bring my sister with them. I couldn't leave Naomi alone, so I wanted her to stay with us while my parents were out. She had to escape from that mansion to get some fresh air. 

I was putting on my red dress in front of the mirror when Clyden suddenly hugged me from behind, wearing his unbuttoned maroon dress shirt and black slacks with a belt on it. I leaned my back against his chest and craned my neck when he started kissing me there. 

"They're already on their way, babe," I said, biting my lower lip to stifle a moan. 

"I know," he whispered back before tightening his hold on my waist. His other hand went up to my chest, pulling the dress down to my tummy to reveal my strapless bra. "Let's be quick-" 

"Shit!" I panicked when I heard the doorbell. Clyden automatically let me go to button up his dress shirt. Mabilisan ko na ring sinuot ang dress ko bago bumaba. 

I greeted his parents and my parents with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. My smile widened when I saw Naomi at the back, wearing a white dress and holding a bag with her. She was uncomfortably looking around, unfamiliar with the place. 

"Hey, come. Let's get inside." I wrapped my arms around her shoulders to pull her with me toward the dining room. Clyden was already there, greeting my parents. I saw how the smile on his face faded right after turning his back against my dad. This man, really. 

The food was already served on the table, so after settling down, we started eating right away. I helped Naomi with her steak, and Clyden helped me with mine. Our parents were busy discussing the inheritance of Ramirez Medical when Clyden's brothers arrived. They were a bit late. 

"Hey, Sam. Long time no see." Charles leaned to give me a kiss on the cheek. Clyden stared at him before looking away and pursing his lips. Colin silently sat down beside Clyden's mom, not greeting any of us. 

"Malapit na ang graduation ni Sam and ang clerkship ni Clyden. After that, we can now finally set the date for their wedding," Mr. Ramirez said. "And sa wedding nila, I will announce Clyden's inheritance of our family business." 

Charles and Colin suddenly stopped eating to look at their father with horrifying reactions. Charles then looked at Clyden with a glare, like he wanted to kill him with his own hands. Clyden sipped on his glass calmly before looking back at Charles and raising a brow, not a bit scared. 

"You didn't have to make a decision that fast. Your health is still good," Colin said. "Do not think of passing the business yet." 

"It's better to be ready, son," Clyden's dad, Cristopher, said. "Besides, I do not need you to prove anything to me anymore. I gave you a chance, and you wasted it for years." 

"I can do better than him!" Charles stood up in anger. Clyden's mom suddenly panicked and begged for him to sit down. My parents were just watching, a little disappointed and entertained at the same time. 

"In which aspect?" My eyes widened when Clyden suddenly talked. 

"Love," I whispered, holding his hand below the table. It was not a good time to lose patience. It will just do him bad. 

Naomi was just eating, not minding the commotion happening around her. Besides, hindi naman niya maiintindihan at dapat naman talagang huwag na siyang mangialam. She was still young. 

"How does it feel taking all my leftovers, Clyden?" Charles displayed a mocking smile on his face. "You stole everything that should have been mine in the first place. The company, this house, your fiancée!" 

"You're the one who fucked up your life. Stop finding someone to blame," Clyden calmly said, his hands playing with the wine glass. 

"Manners! Please!" Clyden's mom yelled at the both of them. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." She started apologizing to my parents for what happened.

"You shouldn't have been born," Charles told Clyden under his gritted teeth before leaving the dinner table. 

"Harsh," Colin whispered, shaking his head a little. 

I looked at Clyden, who was staring at the wall. His grip on his glass was so tight I was afraid it would break. I squeezed his hand to calm him down, but he suddenly moved it away. He stood up and placed the table napkin beside his plate. 

"Would you excuse me, please," he said before walking away. 

"I'm sorry," I apologized before running to catch up with him. 

He was so fast I didn't know where he went. I looked for him upstairs, but he wasn't inside any of the rooms, including the balcony, so I just went down again and opened the sliding door to the garden. There, I saw him sitting on the bench beside the pool. The light reflected in his eyes, so I saw how he was trying to stop himself from tearing up. 

I walked towards him and sat beside him without saying anything. I felt like he didn't want me to talk, so I just stayed there beside him. I just wanted to let my presence known para alam niyang narito ako para sa kanya. 

"It wasn't the first time he said that," he whispered, letting out a heavy sigh. 

"I'm sorry." I looked down at the floor and noticed some little drops of his tears. My chest tightened, hurting for him. 

"The hell with that fucking inheritance. If he wants it that badly, I'll give it to him. I'm tired of always receiving shit for putting hard work into everything that I do. Do I deserve nothing? Should I always be considerate to those fuckers who do nothing but make my life a living hell?" He clenched his fist out of frustration. 

"You deserve every good thing in this world, love." I scooted over to hug him sideways. He leaned his head over my shoulder, letting out a heavy sigh. 

"You're the only good thing in this world," he answered back. 

"No, there are many, and we are going to explore them together." I stood up and offered him my hand. 

I gave him a smile when he looked up at me. It took him a moment before holding my hand and standing up to go back to the dinner table. However, when we went back, they were already preparing to leave. 

"I'm so sorry, Samantha," Clyden's mom apologized again. "It's so awkward now that we have to leave. Next time, I won't invite the two anymore. We really can't be complete without the boys fighting." 

I nodded and gave her a smile before saying goodbye to my parents. Naomi was in the living room, watching them go. I saw Clyden's mom caressing her son's face and whispering something to him before giving him a tight hug. 

"That family is so chaotic," my mom whispered to me. "Kung hindi lang natin sila kailangan, I would have pulled you out of that engagement already. My gosh!" 

"What?" My brows furrowed. "Why do we need them?" 

"You need them, Maureen." My mom smiled at me and caressed my hair. "You need Clyden to save you if anything happens to us. With him, your future is secured, so just lean on him, okay, darling?" 

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:)