Ayder seemed to be submerged in his deep thoughts as they ate dinner. Nanahimik na lang din siya. She still doesn't understand why they need to eat their meal together. Dapat ay magpasalamat siya dahil pagkakataon na niyang mapalapit rito at maisakatuparan ang pinaplano. Lalo na't pakiramdam niya ay nakukuha niya ang atensyon nito pero may parte nang utak niya ang nagtataka.

Pinag-iisipan niya kung paano yayayain si Ayder na maglakad-lakad sa tabing dagat pagkatapos ng dinner nang magpunas ito ng bibig.

"I want the minutes of the meeting until 12 Midnight, send it to my email," sabi nito nang tumingin sa kanya.

Akala niya isang linggo matapos ang lahat ng ocular visits saka ibibigay ang minutes ng lahat ng meetings. Bakit kaya nagbago ang isip nito? Mabuti na lang natapos na niya kanina dahil tinamad na siyang lumabas ng suite saka ayaw niya ring mabuntunan ng gagawin kaya plinano talaga niyang gawin agad iyon na sakto naman sa pagbabago ng isip ni Ayder.

"Yes, sir," tugon niya.

"Good," he seconded. Tatanguan sana niya ito pero nakita niya ang pag-ismid nito.

"Baka ma-miss ka ng ka-duet mo sa live band," he added. Her forehead creased but before she could even defend herself he already stood up and left.

So, he knew everything she was doing? Siya naman ang napaismid. She went to her suite. Nire-read at ini-edit ang ginawang minutes kanina saka nagbihis.

Hindi pa nag-uumpisa ang event sa sea restaurant nang lumabas siya. Binagalan na lamang niya ang lakad papunta roon. There were also guests on the shore. Ang iba'y naglalakad, mayroon naman namang nakaupo lang at nagpapahangin. May mga nagsu-swimming dahil naiilawan ng lamp posts mula sa tulay papunta sa sea restaurant.

She was wearing skimpy shorts and tube. Pinatungan lang niya cardigan kaya ramdam na ramdam niya ang lamig ng hangin. Malapit na siya bukana ng tulay papunta sa restaurant kung saan siya naki-jam nang matanawan niya si Ayder na may nga kausap na kaibigan. They were holding a bottle of drinks and chatting.

Aatras sana siya at pupunta na lang sa kabilang dulo dahil mayroon ding restaurant doon kaso naiisip niyang ito nga pala ang plano niya. Nakisabay siya sa mga ibang naglalakad at nilagpasan si Ayder.

Hindi niya tiningnan ang binata kaya hindi niya sigurado kung nakita siya nito. Dumiretso siya sa restaurant. All the tables had been occupied. Tumayo na lamang siya sa tabi ng bar counter. Good thing, the man next to her offered his seat saka tumayo sa tabi niya at kwinentuhan siya.

The man was polite and sounds educated so she just entertained his questions. Inilibre pa siya nito ng drinks. Hindi sana niya tatanggapin pero dahil sa harap naman niya tinimpla ng bartender ang inumin kaya kinuha na lang niya.

"You were that woman who sang last night, right?" tanong ng lalaki. Mellow pa ang tinutugtog ng frontline band kaya hindi pa wild ang mga tao.

Tinanguan niya ang lalaki.

"You were good. Ang dami mong napahanga," sabi nito. Iisipin sana niyang nambobola ito pero dahil malakas ang level of confidence niya kaya tinawanan na lang niya ang sinabi nito.

"Magaling ka rin bang kumanta ng mellow music?" he asked again.

"Try me," she answered with a grin.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She just grinned wider. Nakita niya kasing pumasok sa restaurant ang grupo ni Ayder at bahagyang napasulyap sa direksyon niya.

The man was teasing her as he called for the waiter. Tinanong niya kung ano ang sinabi nito pero tumawa lang. Her hunch was confirmed when the waiter went to the band vocalist.

Ini-announce naman ng bokalista na may gustong makipag-duet.

"The gorgeous lady at the bar counter," he announced. Lahat ng tao ay napatingin sa kinaroroonan niya nang ituro siya. Nagkatinginan pa sila ng katabi niyang lalaki at nagtawanan.

"Go, kaya mo 'yan," he cheered. Natatawa na lang siyang tumayo.

"The girl from last night," saad pa ng bokalista pag-apak niya ng entablado. Ganoon ba talaga katindi ang impact ng pagkanta niya kagabi? Dalawang kanta lang naman iyon at rock songs pa.

"Yes, I'm the girl from last night," she answered. Her sweet voice echoed around. Sinadya niyang palambingin ang boses. She knew Ayder was just around the corner. Mabilis niyang iginala ang paningin para makita kung saan ito pumuwesto.

Binulungan siya ng bokalista kung ano ang susunod na kanta at kung alam niya. When she nodded, he signaled his bandmates to go on.

"Wanna say something before we sing?" the vocalist asked. Napangiti naman siya.

"This song goes out to culprit who urged me to sing. Hey there stranger!" she said waving at the man on the bar counter. Nagtawanan ang mga tao. Nasulyapan niya ang pag-iling ni Ayder. She had 20-20 vision kaya malinaw ang paningin niya.

"I'm kidding. This is for you Alexander, baby!" she said pointing at the man. Kinindatan pa niya ito. Tumawa naman ang lalaki. He waved his hand. Hindi niya talaga alam ang pangalan nito, nag-imbento lang siya.

Palihim niyang sinulyapan ang direksyon ni Ayder. They were standing on the side. Tumungga pa ito sa hawak na bote. The band began to play.

There goes my heart beating

'Cause you are the reason

I'm loosing my sleep

Please come back now

Ang bokalista ang unang kumanta. She closed her eyes and felt the song. Lalo na't ang lamig ng boses ng lalaki.

There goes my mind racing

She continued the song with eyes closed as she pointed her head.

And you are the reason

That I'm still breathing

I'm hopeless now

Tumingin siya sa bokalista. Nagsabay sila sa pagkanta ng sumunod na linya. Dahil nagm-elody ito, nag-second voice na lang siya.

I'd climb every mountain

And swim every ocean

Just to be with you

And fix what was broken

Tumahimik ang buong paligid. She felt like the only sound she's hearing were the band and their voices. Sinenyasan siya ng bokalista na solohin ang susunod na linya kaya itinuloy niya ito ng melody.

Oh cause I need you to see

That you are the reason

She looked at 'Alexander'. He was smiling. Nginitian na lamang niya ito.

There goes my hand shaking

And you are the reason

Susulyap lang siya dapat sa direksyon ni Ayder pero nakita niyang nakatitig ito sa kanya kaya hindi niya nabawi agad ang paningin. Their eyes met. Her heart started beating fast. She had to close her eyes so she can continue the song in tune.

My heart keeps bleeding now...

...

Tatawa-tawa siya nang bumalik sa bar counter dahil pumapalakpak pa ang lalaki.

"My name is not Alexander," natatawa nitong sabi paglapit niya.

"I know," she answered with a laugh.

"I'm Nichole Andrei de Chavez," he told her. Inilapit nito ang bibig sa tainga niya para walang ibang makarinig bukod sa kanya.

"Ai--," she almost spilled her real name. Mabuti na lang nabawi niya agad. "I'm Jeandy Seran," she said instead.

"Jeandy. Nice name," komento naman nito. They both chilled while listening to the band. Hindi na siya muling tumingin sa direksyon ni Ayder.

She went to the CR after a shot of Martini. Pabalik na siya sa puwesto nang may sumalubong sa kanya.

"Didn't I ask you to send the minutes?" Ayder asked in stern voice. He doesn't look tipsy kahit na kanina pa niya ito nakikitang umiinom.

"I have until 12 Midnight, boss," she answered with a smirk. Hindi nakaligtas sa kanya ang pagtagis ng bagang nito.

"It's already 11 P.M." he said.

"Don't worry. It will be in your email at 11:59," she said before leaving. Hindi na niya ito nilingon. Her insides were laughing. Her plan to ire him succeed.

Napakunot-noo siya nang makitang mga kasama na ni Ayder ang nasa bar counter. Wala na roon si Nichole Andrei. Hinanap ng mata niya ang lalaki pero wala na sa loob ng restaurant. Naghintay siya baka nag-CR din ito para makapagpaalam man lang pero wala na ito kaya umalis na lamang siya.

Nakita niya ang lalaki nang naglalakad na siya pabalik ng hotel. There were still guests walking at the shore.

"Hey, why are you here?" tanong niya sa lalaki. Nakahilig ito sa isang puno ng niyog at nakatanaw sa dagat. He was tall and lean. He had hazy eyes paired with pointed nose. Parang may Spanish blood.

"I got bored," he answered.

"Sa akin? Sorry naman," natatawa niyang komento. He didn't laugh.

"Kaya pala pagbalik ko ibang mga lalaki na ang nandoon," dagdag na lamang niya.

Umayos ito ng tayo at sumeryoso. He looked straight at her. Kinabahan tuloy siya.

"Actually, those guys asked me to stay away from you," he said. Kumunot ang noo niya. Bakit naman nila iyon gagawin?

"Sorry, I didn't know you were married," he added. Sasagot pa sana siya pero agad na itong tumalikod. Sinundan na lamang niya ito ng tingin. Ideas flood her mind.

"His name isn't Alexander. Huwag kang gullible."

Napatingin siya sa likod nang marinig si Ayder. He was standing 3 feet away from her. Hindi niya napansin ang paglapit nito. Nakapamulsa ito.

She felt a bit insulted at his last sentence. Who the hell is gullible? Her? No way.

"If you want a good man, don't look inside a bar. Most of them just want to hook up," litanya nito.

Okay na sana kaso muli itong nagsalita.

"Unless you like hooking up," he said with a smirk. Pakiramdam niya ay namula ang pisngi niya. That was below the belt.

"Yes, I want to. Are you free?" she asked raising an eyebrow. He wasn't able to say a word. Siya naman ang umismid.

"I am not as gullible as you think," buong tapang niyang saad sa mukha nito.

"His name is Nichole Andrei de Chavez," dagdag niya saka tumalikod na pero muli siyang lumingon nang may maalala.

"For the record, I am not married. Tell that to your friends, SIR," saad niya. Tuluyan na sana siyang tatalikod at maglalakad palayo pero muling sumagot ang binata.

"I was just protecting you from potential harm. You came here under my wings," he told her. There was sincerity in his eyes.

Bigla siyang natuliro lalo na nang sumikdo ang puso niya. She was lost for a moment in her own thoughts until she heard her phone ringing. Kinuha niya ito sa bulsa para maibaling ang atensyon. It was her sister calling. Bigla pa siyang pinanginigan.

She looked at Ayder in the eyes.

"Some people do not need anyone's protection," she said sternly. "Excuse me, sir," she muttered before moving away.