"Uhm... So... How are you?" 

I had been sitting in front of him for like five minutes and none of us still wanted to talk! It was so awkward so I had to say something for us to move forward. Narinig ko lang ang boses niya kanina nang mag-order siya para sa aming dalawa at pagkatapos noon, nangalumbaba na lang siya sa harapan ko habang nakatingin sa 'kin, hindi nagsasalita. 

"Sinagot ko na 'yan sa Instagram," he said, still staring at me. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Baka akala niya multo ako or what. He was observing me and it was so obvious! I didn't know what to do. Na-conscious tuloy ako. 

"I didn't expect us to see each other again in this situation. It's the worst." I was probably blabbering. Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko sa kanya. It had been three years since we last saw each other! We were apart for years again! I didn't know how to act in front of him anymore. 

"Avrielle is in good hands. There are experts taking care of her. Let's hope for the best," he said, looking away from me to fix his hair. He was surveying our surroundings, wary now of paparazzi. 

"Aren't you needed in the emergency room?" I asked again because I heard he was taking Pediatrics Emergency Medicine. He was probably living in the ER for years. 

"My interns are there. They will call me if something happens." He placed his phone on top of the table so we could see it clearly, kung may tatawag ba o wala. He looked healthier. Hindi na siya mukhang walang tulog. 

I just nodded, naubusan na ng sasabihin. Good thing the waiter already served our breakfast. Clyden ordered too much food at halos lahat 'yon para sa akin! Pancake lang at coffee ang sa kanya. Sa akin may french toast, may pancakes, may cake, may tea, at may cinnamon roll pa. I glared at him and crossed my arms over my chest. This jerk. 

"I don't know what you want," he reasoned out when he noticed my death glare. "I can help you if you can't eat those." 

I pouted before putting syrup and butter on the pancakes. Susubukan kong kainin lahat 'to dahil order niya. He knew I couldn't resist him, especially regarding the food he cooked or picked. I would always eat what he prepared. 

"I went to one of your shows." 

I choked on my food. He parted his lips in shock and got me a glass of water. Inabot niya kaagad sa akin 'yon at ininuman ko naman para makahinga ako nang maluwag. What the hell! Why would he say that while I was eating?! 

Him?! Going to one of my fashion shows?! Oh gosh. Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he text me? I would have gone out to see him! Sayang. Nasasayangan ako. If we had seen each other back then, it wouldn't be this awkward. 

"That lingerie fashion show. I watched it in person," he said. "You looked amazing." 

"Did I make your head turn with my walk?" I raised my brow, waiting for his answer. Was it his first time coming to one of my shows? 

"You always do," he said before sipping his coffee, not taking his eyes off me. 

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. Yumuko na lang ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain ko para hindi halatang natuwa ako sa sinabi niya. Clyden still knew how to flirt! Wait... May girlfriend na ba siya ngayon? It was so stupid of me to assume that he was flirting with me. Maybe he found another woman. 

"Where did you get tickets?" nagtatakang tanong ko nang maalala ko. 

He shrugged. "Haze." 

For some reason, I already knew the culprit before he could say it. It wasn't a surprise to me anymore! That man didn't even tell me that Clyden was going! Siguro okay na rin 'yon dahil mas kakabahan ako kapag nalaman kong nanonood siya sa mismong crowd. My outfits suddenly flashed back inside my head. He saw me wearing those sexy pieces of lingerie?! My face heated just thinking about it. 

"I just mentioned Haze, and you're blushing already," he sarcastically said.

My eyes widened, and I immediately shook my head to deny it. Damn, I wasn't thinking of Haze! I was thinking of you! Of course, I couldn't say that! 

"Good morning, Doc," one of the doctors who walked past our table greeted him. Sabay tuloy kaming napatingin sa kanya. I saw how the lady parted her lips when she saw me. She immediately looked away, like she was intimidated. "Sorry po!" 

Why was she sorry? "Good morning. Are you done with your shift?" Clyden asked her back. 

"Papunta pa lang, Doc. Bumili lang ng coffee," the doctor replied. 

She looked younger than him and she was with another person who also greeted Clyden. Pareho silang mukhang bata pa. Tumatanda na pala kaming dalawa. 

"Nakaistorbo po 'ata ako. Alis na po kami, Doc. Ingat po kayo ng girlfriend mo. Hello po, Ate Sam!" she greeted me so fast before pulling her friend away with her, embarrassed for saying it out loud. 

Clyden raised his brows, raising the side of his lips to form a playful smile when he heard the word 'girlfriend.' I looked away from him and started eating the cake. Busog na 'ko sa pancakes pa lang tapos may chocolate cake pa! 

"Do you want help?" Clyden asked again. 

"Yes," I answered while taking a small slice of the cake. 

"Feed me, then." 

The fork almost fell from my hands. I blinked twice and looked up at him, confused. Did I hear that right? What was he being so brave about?! Parang hindi kami nagkalayo, ah! I cleared my throat and took another slice from the cake, and moved the fork until it was in front of his mouth. He let out a small laugh before taking it into his mouth. Binalik ko na kaagad ang fork sa plato, nahihiya na sa ginawa ko. 

"Why didn't you call me when you attended my show?" I changed the topic, taking another slice in my mouth after another one. I wanted to finish the cake quickly so I wouldn't have to feed him again like that pero lumobo lang 'yong pisngi ko. He stared at me before biting his lower lip and looking away, trying to stop himself from smiling. 

"You should slow down," he said, getting the small plate from me so he could help me with the cake. "I thought you wouldn't want to see me... It's alright. Just seeing you from afar was already enough for me," he answered my question earlier. 

"Why wouldn't I want to see you?" My brows furrowed, confused about how he arrived at that thought. 

"You never contacted me," he whispered, but I still heard it. 

I was surprised that he said that. Memories of me staring at my phone numerous times, thinking if I should send him a message, flashed back into my mind. I hesitated a lot of times. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na halos lahat ng pag-uusap namin, siya ang nauunang mag-message, except during his birthday. Maybe he already got tired of it. I was... not expecting him to wait. 

"I wanted to... A lot of times," I admitted. "But I didn't want to give you false hopes. Baka hintayin mo 'ko kahit wala akong planong bumalik." 

"Kahit naman walang pag-asa, naghintay pa rin ako," seryosong sabi niya. 

"What?" Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Were you... waiting for me to come back? I told you to find another woman." 

"You told me to find a good woman, not another woman. Here she is, in front of me. What more do you want, huh?" He raised his brow.

But hearing that from him just made me happy. He was waiting for me all along! Good for him that I decided to come back, or else he would wait until he turned into a skeleton. If I didn't return, would he... follow me to New York? I was too shy to ask that. 

"Anyway, you're here now. Aalis ka ba ulit?" He sounded mad when he asked that. 

"No... I'll stay here for good," I proudly said. "Oh, speaking of settling... I'm opening a club." Kinuha ko ang bag ko para kuhanin ang invitation. It was delivered yesterday. 

I just hoped that Avrielle would be stable before next week or else hindi ako makakapag-focus sa party. That kid just kept on getting into accidents. Last time, sinugod din siya sa hospital dahil nakatapak ng metal. She was clumsy. Kanino ba nagmana 'yon? 

"If you have time... You can attend the grand opening. It's an exclusive party, and there won't be many people. Just people I know," I tried to soften the blow by saying that. Iniisip ko kasi na baka hindi siya pumunta kapag nalaman niyang maraming tao. He was a private person. 

"There won't be a lot of people, just people you know... That sounds contradictory, Sam." He got the invitation out of my hand and checked what was inside. He read the details before nodding and putting it in his pocket. "I'll see if I can go." 

"Thank you," I told him. "I think you need to go back now. I'll also stop by tomorrow for Avrielle. I hope she'll get transferred to a normal room in no time." 

"Possible," he said, standing up. "Hatid na kita." 

I also stood up and got my things. "Oh, you don't need to-" I stopped talking when he suddenly put his arm on my back, pushing me lightly so I could start walking. Napaayos ako ng tayo at naglakad habang katabi siya. 

He smelled so good. I could smell his perfume from where I was standing. He kept on getting more and more handsome as he got older. How was that even possible? He even had a busy schedule. How could he maintain his looks? How could he have the time? 

"Huwag mong titigan mukha ko." 

I quickly looked away when he said that! Napabalik ako bigla sa katinuan. Was I staring at him while walking? I almost bumped into someone, so he put his hand around my shoulder to pull me closer to him. He even said sorry to the old man. 

"Si Samantha Vera 'yon, 'di ba?" I heard a whisper from someone who walked past my side.

Napalingon kaagad ako kay Clyden at lumingon din siya sa 'kin. He probably heard it too. He looked back again to see the lady before turning to me, giving me a shrug. He was like telling me that it was alright and the lady was gone already. 

"Is it okay for you to be seen with me?" I asked him. 

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad para tignan ako, naguguluhan. "Hindi ba dapat ako 'yong nagsasabi niyan?" 

It was not a big deal for me anymore. I had been rumored with a lot of men before, so I just got used to it. However, with Clyden, it made me worry about his family again. I was well aware that his mom didn't like me... Maybe she did, but was this the right time? Will she approve of this? 

"We already went through the worst. I think it's fine now," he assured me. 

That was the only thing he said, but it made my worries go away in an instant. Just a simple assurance from him was already enough to make me feel at ease. He never failed to bring comfort to me. 

Hinatid niya 'ko hanggang sa elevator papunta sa parking. Many doctors greeted him while we were walking, so napapahinto kami minsan. He was even more famous than me! He was a celebrity in a hospital setting. 

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said when we stopped before the elevator. 

"See you," I told him before going inside. 

Ang tagal kong napatulala habang nasa sasakyan. What was that? Why was he so casual?! Parang walang nangyari! He looked so relaxed while talking to me habang ako, halos mahimatay na 'ko sa kaba. There was something in him that made me feel so intimidated! I never felt this way with other people before, kahit Hollywood actors, kahit gaano sila kasikat. Clyden had some heavy air released around him when he moved. Actually, kahit nga wala siyang ginagawa. 

Damn, seeing him again just made me realize how much I loved him. Was he feeling the same? The other doctor assumed I was his girlfriend, so... he was probably single, right? Or was I being mistaken for another woman? Ah! I was going crazy! I should confirm tomorrow. 

I went back home and fixed my unit. May dadating na furniture tomorrow so uuwi rin ako kaagad pagkakita kay Avrielle. Hopefully, makita ko siya. I wasn't sure if I should contact Sevi tomorrow for the furniture or I would just ask the delivery guys to move it. 'Yong pangalawa na lang dahil baka busy si Sev. Hindi pa rin pala ako nakakapag-grocery so I just ordered food again. 

The next day, I went to the hospital early. Yanna told me that Avrielle had been transferred to a private room, so I went there instead, but she was still sleeping. I sat on her side and watched her, holding her hand. Marami pang nakakabit sa kanya. I felt bad for the kid. It probably hurt. Ni hindi pa niya alam na nakabalik na 'ko. 

"Will you wake up to see Tita-Ninang, baby?" I whispered. She had a bandage on her head, too. Good thing she didn't fall too high. Tumama lang siya sa may mga vase kaya nasugat din 'yong siko tsaka tuhod. Poor baby. 

Avrielle was adventurous, so she often got into accidents like this. Both of her parents liked exploring new things, so she probably got it from them. Just what the hell was she doing at the stairs? Nag-iislide? Or did she think she would fly? Because her parents used to refer to themselves as people who could fly? 

I could think of so many ridiculous situations. She was just so unpredictable. I remembered what happened at the gym when she hit her face. She was curious about many things, and she was brave enough to try all of them to get an answer. 

"You're here." 

Napatayo kaagad ako nang pumasok si Clyden sa kwarto, together with two doctors that looked younger than him. I moved my chair away because he walked to my side to check the bag of fluid attached to Avrielle. I just remained silent while Clyden was talking to the two. I tried listening to their conversation, but I couldn't understand the terms. 

I stood up to get a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Yumuko pa 'ko dahil sa gitna nila ako dumaan. Clyden gave me a single glance before turning to the younger doctors again. I thought he would pretend that he didn't know me, but he suddenly got the bottle of water out of my hand when he noticed that I was having trouble opening it. 

"T-thanks," I said when he gave it back. The two doctors looked surprised, but they had to focus when Clyden called them again. 

"Did she wake up?" Clyden asked me when the two doctors walked out of the room. 

"I just arrived," I told him. "But no, she didn't. Yanna was out for a moment to buy coffee. You can ask her when she comes back." 

I sat on the couch and sipped on my water. I noticed him staring at me, so I offered him the water bottle too. He suddenly got it out of my hand and drank on it! That was mine! I was offering him another bottle! 

"Fine. Have it," sabi ko na lang. I opened another bottle so I could take another sip. How dare he steal my water! 

"Hello! Good morning, Doc. May itse-check lang," a nurse came in and smiled at Clyden, so I turned silent again. It was scary to talk while there were people around. I knew they wouldn't pry since they were professionals, but it was still uncomfortable to be around strangers. 

"Kumain ka ba?" Clyden asked shamelessly. I saw the nurse glancing at us in shock before looking away. 

"I ate bread before going here," I answered before looking at the nurse again. She was busy with her back turned against us. Hindi ko alam kung nakikinig ba siya sa usapan namin. "Aren't you on your job? Why are you still here?" I whispered. 

"Because you're here," he simply answered. Hindi man lang hininaan ang boses! 

The nurse giggled before turning to us, holding a chart. "Una na 'ko, Doc," paalam niya bago sinara ang pinto. She was obviously listening to our conversation. Her smile was so wide. 

"Go!" I pushed Clyden lightly so he would finally leave. I was distracting him from his job! 

"I'm leaving work before lunch. Wait for me," he told me before leaving the room. He didn't even wait for my answer and just left! Parang wala akong choice doon, ah! 

Well, I would still wait for him. Minutes later, Yanna came back and updated me about Avrielle's condition. I just talked to her about random things and people while waiting for lunch. I had a lot of time. It was such a nice decision to retire. Wala na 'kong hinahabol na oras. 

Just before the clock turned twelve, Clyden knocked on the door before entering. He was already in his casual attire. Navy blue dress shirt that was rolled up to his sleeves, black slacks, and specs. He showed me the time on his digital watch to prove he wasn't late. He even fixed his hair. I think he just finished showering. I could smell him. 

"Wow," Yanna whispered, her mouth forming an 'o.' "Ang harot. Kararating lang, nakabingwit na ulit," pagpaparinig niya pa sa 'kin. 

"Shut up," I whispered, standing up to get my things. Avrielle didn't wake up while I was here, so I just promised to come back tomorrow. 

When we were about to leave, another medical personnel came inside the room to deliver food. "Hello, Doc." He stopped to greet Clyden before putting the food on the table. Nakita kong tumagal pa ang titig niya sa 'kin. He looked starstruck. "Hello, Ma'am." 

"Let's go." Clyden didn't even wait for me to respond to the man! He just pulled me out of the room. Nagpaalam naman siya kay Yanna bago kami umalis. 

"You're unbelievable," I told him. "Where are we going now? There's a delivery waiting for me in my unit. I have to go home." 

"Then I'll go with you," he said. 

I didn't have time to argue since the delivery guy had just called. He didn't take his car with him and just let me drive. He was closing his eyes the whole ride. I thought he was sleeping, but when the car stopped, he quickly opened his eyes to get off. Did he get some sleep last night? Probably not. 

"Hello po! Sorry, natagalan! Let's take the service elevator!" I told the two delivery men when we arrived at the parking lot. 

Clyden just followed me from behind until we reached my unit. New sala set ang dumating so they had difficulty going back and forth. I started moving my old sala set while waiting for them, but it was too heavy, so Clyden helped me with it, even though he was already sleepy. 

They placed the new sala set in the living room and I gave them a tip before they left. Umupo kaagad si Clyden doon kahit may plastic pa 'yong sofa. Hinampas ko kaagad ang binti niya para tumayo siya. 

"I'll take out the cover! Stand up!" I told him.

"Fine. I'm taking your bed." He stood up and left. I was about to shout at him, but he was already gone! Mabuti na lang pala at naglinis ako kanina bago umalis! 

I removed the covers and placed the old pillows on the sofa before cleaning the living room. Wala pa pala kaming lunch. I went to my room to ask Clyden if he would prefer to order food since I didn't have stock yet to cook. I saw him sitting at the edge of my bed, looking around my room. 

"Are you tired? You can sleep in the guest room. Maybe I'll buy groceries while you're resting," I told him. 

"Sama ako," he said, standing up again. 

I didn't understand why he just wouldn't rest because he was looking tired. Parang isang segundo na lang, makakatulog na siya but he still insisted to go. Mabuti na lang at nasa baba lang ng condo 'yong groceries so hindi na hassle magdala pa ng sasakyan. I wore a cap and went down with him.

"I'll cook," he told me while pushing the cart. He stopped to get some vegetables, checking before putting them inside the cart.

"What?" Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kanya. He was obviously tired. "Honestly, when was the last time you slept? Just sleep. Do not tire yourself out." 

"I slept last night for three hours. It's fine. I want to cook for you." He pushed the cart again, leaving me behind. Wala na siyang plano makipag-negotiate. 

I saw two men taking photos of me in secret, so I walked faster and stayed closer to Clyden. He looked at me when he noticed my expression before looking around to see what happened. He put his arm around my shoulders, leaving his hand hanging on my side in a relaxed manner. We looked like a couple! 

"You're too beautiful." He sighed heavily, looking stressed now. 

I can't help but smile at that. His lips also formed a small smile when he looked at my face again. He pushed the cart, and I followed him again like a kid. I was smaller than him, so it looked like that. Kumukuha lang ako ng mga kailangan ko at nilalagay sa cart habang busy siya naghahanap ng ingredients. I bought essentials and laundry things. I also bought some new kitchen equipment. 

"Your birthday's getting near. Do you have something planned?" I asked while we were lined up at the cashier. He was leaning against the railings with his arms crossed over his chest. He closed his eyes briefly but opened them again when I talked. 

Was he aware of the people staring at us o wala lang talaga siyang pakialam? At this point, hindi ko na alam kung tumitingin sila dahil sa 'kin o dahil kay Clyden. He could easily get people's attention just by standing there... and sleeping. 

"Just clear your schedule on that day," he said lazily. 

What? Was he planning to celebrate it with me? "Okay, then. Where are you holding your party? You can have it in my club!" 

He stared at me for a moment before letting out a laugh. "Nag-endorse pa nga." 

"Hey! It's a genuine suggestion!" I defended myself. "But, you know, I can organize the party for you! Do you want that?" 

"No." He shook his head. "I don't like parties. I want to spend the day with you. Ikaw lang."  

My face heated, making my cheeks blush. Good thing the cashier had already called us, so I pushed the cart, leaving him behind. He wanted to pay for it, but I already gave the cashier my card. Why the hell would he pay for it? Those were for me! My groceries! 

When we returned to my unit, he started preparing the ingredients while I arranged the things we bought on the shelves. Hinayaan ko na siya magluto dahil hindi siya magpapatalo. I just changed my clothes into a casual one. A plain shirt and a pair of sweat shorts. I also tied my hair in a bun before returning to the kitchen to help. 

"What is it? Tempura?" I asked. 

"Yes. Just sit down. You're distracting me," he said, refusing to look at me.

What? In what way was I distracting him when I was just standing there? I pouted and sat on the high chair near the table, watching his back while he was cooking. I still can't believe that he was right here in front of me. Just a few days ago, I was hesitating to message him because I thought he didn't want me anymore. Oh, wait... I promised to confirm something. 

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked shamelessly. There was no other way to ask that. Being straightforward was the key to a straightforward answer. 

He looked back at me before laughing. Napakunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang nakakatawa roon sa tanong ko. 

"Yes, she just returned from New York," he answered. 

"Really?" I asked, not getting it at first. My eyes widened when I realized what he said. Was he pertaining to me? Or baka naman may iba pang babae? Damn, it wasn't safe to assume anymore. "K-kailan pa siya nakabalik?" I asked carefully. 

"I don't know. She didn't tell me." He glared at me before turning his back against me again. He was even wearing an apron. How adorable. 

"Am I... your girlfriend?" I asked to make sure. 

I heard him laugh again, refusing to answer. He just left me thinking like that until he finished cooking. Hinanda na niya 'yong pagkain sa harapan ko, pati 'yong sinaing niyang rice. He removed his apron and sat in front of me, waiting for me to take a bite. 

I took a bite and gave him a thumbs up. It was really delicious. He was such a great cook. Kinareer na niya siguro 'yon. Funny because years ago, he only knew how to cook one or two dishes. Ngayon, ang dami na niyang alam. 

"Did you miss me?" I asked while eating. 

He suddenly stopped to look at me. He stared at me momentarily, tilting his head to the side, judging my question. I bit my lower lip and gave him a small awkward smile while waiting for his answer. Was my question ridiculous to him? 

"What do you think?" he asked me back. 

I didn't know how to answer. "Uh... A little bit?" 

He ended up laughing at me again. He reached for my head and ruffled my hair before leaning back in his seat. With one simple gesture, my heart was already beating so fast. 

"If you didn't go home, I would have followed you there next year," he said. "Was that enough to answer your question?" 

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:)