"Put something on for Pete's sake! This is not allowed!" 

I was still covering my eyes, facing the door. I didn't hear Sevi's response anymore so dahan-dahan akong lumingon at hindi na siya nakita. The door of the walk-in closet was already closed, meaning he was inside. I sighed heavily and held my head. It was spinning again. 

"Fuck alcohol," bulong ko sa sarili ko bago humiga sa sofa. 

I closed my eyes and put my legs over the armrest. Nakahubad na ang isang sapatos ko pero suot ko pa 'yong isa. I thought I had already gotten sober for a minute, but I felt my stomach turning again, so I had to run inside the bathroom to vomit. 

"I hate my life..." I held my head again. 

Nakasandal ako sa bowl kahit napindot ko na ang flush, inaabangan ko lang kung mayroon pa. I remembered the smell of liquor, and my stomach turned again. I muttered a curse before letting it out. The smell made me dizzier. 

I heard Sevi enter the bathroom, but I didn't bother looking at him. Malapit nang bumagsak ang ulo ko sa bowl kakasuka ko. He held a handful of my hair and caressed my back to help me. 

"Saan ka uminom?" Sevi asked in a serious voice. 

"Sam's," I said, trying to reach for the tissue. 

"Epitome?" he asked. He let out a heavy sigh when I nodded.

Sevi got it for me. I flushed again before looking at him. He sighed heavily and helped me wipe my mouth with the tissue. He was already wearing a pair of sweatpants and a black shirt, ready to go to sleep. He helped me stand up so he could wash my face. 

"Iinom ka tapos hindi mo naman pala kaya." He sounded mad. "Dapat alam mo kung hanggang saan lang kaya mo tapos tumigil ka na sa kakainom."

"Hey, nasisinghot ko 'yong water!" I hit him lightly on his chest. Pakiramdam ko, nalunod ako sa kakahugas niya ng mukha ko. 

He opened the cabinet and got me a small towel so I could wipe my face. I did, but my hands were so weak he got impatient kaya siya na ang nagpunas. 

"I can do it, okay?!" Inagaw ko ang towel at naglakad palabas. 

I was walking like a penguin because I was still wearing a heel on my right foot. Ang gulo pa ng buhok ko at tumataas na ang maikli kong dress. I fell to the couch and closed my eyes again, still holding the towel. 

"Hay, pucha..." I heard Sevi's frustrated voice. 

My eyes widened when I suddenly felt like I was floating. Sevi carried me to the other bathroom inside our bedroom and placed me on the countertop. Nakaupo ako roon at nakatingin sa kaniya habang kumukuha siya ng bagong stock ng toothbrush. 

He took my hair pins off and gathered my hair in one hand while he was trying to find a hair tie. Good thing I think I probably left one sa may cabinet. I knew it was mine because I had a scrunchie with my name on it. He tied my hair in a ponytail before putting toothpaste on the brush. 

"Ngiti," galit na sabi niya sa 'kin. 

"How can I smile if you're saying it that way?!" I wanted to cry. 

"Mahabagin..." He closed his eyes and massaged his head. 

"Are you going to brush my teeth, huh?!" I kicked his leg a little. 

He was so tall na kahit nakaupo ako sa countertop, mas matangkad pa rin siya sa 'kin. Memories of him brushing my teeth filled my head so I felt a little pain on my chest. That was already in the past.

"Say 'ih.'" He showed it to me. 

"Ih..." I unconsciously mimicked his move.

He held my chin so my head wouldn't fall back down while he was carefully brushing my teeth. My brows furrowed as I watched him become so focused on it, like he was playing a serious game. 

"Aroko na," reklamo ko. 

He rolled his eyes before carrying me again and putting me down on the floor. Hinayaan niya 'kong magmumog. Akala ko roon na matatapos 'yon pero kinuha niya ang cleanser niya sa gilid para mapunasan ang mukha ko. 

"You're so annoying! I want to sleep!" I yelled at him, obviously drunk. 

"Mas nakakainis ka. Ako rin, gusto ko na matulog." Hindi siya nagpatalo.

"Bakit ka ba nandito, ha?!" I glared at him.

"Wow," he exclaimed in disbelief. "Ikaw dapat tanungin ko nyan. Susulpot ka rito bigla tapos lasing ka pa? Bakit? Dito ka dinala ng GPS mo?" 

"What's a GPS?" I tilted my head a little to the right. 

"Ano? Hindi mo alam 'yon?" His brows furrowed. 

"Would I ask you if I know?! Ha?! Just answer!" I pushed him a little with my weak hands. 

"Bakit galit ka?" He raised a brow. 

"Because when I went inside this damn unit, I wasn't expecting to see a dick!" I shouted at him. 

"Hindi rin ako nag-expect ng lasing na babaeng magwawala pagkalabas ko ng shower," he shot back. 

"So what's a GPS?!" I went back to the topic. 

"'Yong totoo? C.E.O ka niyan?" nagtatakang tanong niya sa 'kin. "'Yong sa sasakyan. 'Yong parang mapa. Anong hindi mo alam?" 

"Oh my god, that's called Waze, you dumbass!" I laughed hysterically. 

"Ano? Ewan ko sa 'yo." He shook his head. "Lakas ng tama mo!" 

Pinunasan niya ang mukha ko gamit ang cotton pad para matanggal ang makeup ko. After that, he washed my face and carried me again towards the bedroom. It was still the same bed we used to sleep together in. 

He left the room to get my luggage. Binuksan niya 'yon at kumuha ng damit ko. My underwear and a pair of pajamas. Pagkatapos, nilapag niya sa gilid ng kama. 

"Magbihis ka," utos niya sa 'kin. "Ang dumi mo tapos hihiga ka sa kama ko." 

What?! Was that an insult?! And anong sabi niya about the bed?! 

"Kama mo?! Excuse me!" I scoffed. "We paid for this!" 

"Magbihis ka na," he repeated. 

"With you here?!" I almost threw the pillow. "Go out! Not because I saw your dick, you're also allowed to see my breasts!" 

Sevi whispered a curse and sighed before leaving the room. I stood up and tried to find a new towel before going inside the bathroom. I was getting a little sober, so I managed to wash my body briefly before putting my underwear and pajamas on. I refused to wear a bra because I couldn't sleep wearing it. 

I went back to the room and let my body fall on the bed. I closed my eyes and hugged a pillow, ready to sleep. Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto kaya dumilat ako nang kaunti. Sevi got himself a pillow and a blanket before turning the lights off and leaving the room again. Then, I dozed off to sleep. 

I woke up with a headache. Pagkadilat ko, hindi kaagad nag sink in sa 'kin kung nasaan ako. My eyes widened and looked around. I held my head as I tried to remember how the hell did I get here last night. Nananaginip pa ba 'ko?! 

I reached for the glass of water on the side table before slowly getting out of the room. I looked around and saw no one. Wait, Sevi was here last night, right?! Iyon ang nasa memory ko! Nasaan na siya? 

I looked at the time and gasped. 

"Fuck! I have work!" I ran inside the bathroom. 

Nagmamadali akong naligo at bumalik sa kwarto para magbihis. Wala akong time kaya powder, lip tint, at blush lang ang nalagay ko sa mukha ko. Since I didn't have my car with me, I just walked! I was calling Kuya Roel while walking. 

"Good morning, Miss Ledezma." The guard on the lobby welcomed me. "Wala po yatang sasakyan ngayon?" 

"Yeah." I gave him a small smile. 

[Ma'am?] Kuya Roel answered. 

"Kuya Roel, can you get me my car, please? Paiwan na lang sa parking. Call me if nandito ka na," I said while walking. Hindi ko na napansin ang mga bumabating empleyado dahil abala sa phone. 

[Okay po, Ma'am.] 

Sumakay ako sa elevator at bumaba sa floor ng office ko. Alice was already there, smiling at me. Mabuti pa siya, maagang nagising! My gosh!

Stupid Sevi! Alam nang may meeting kami ngayon, hindi man lang ako ginising! What the hell! 

"Madam, late na po kayo sa meeting. Naroon na po sa board room lahat," Alice reminded me. 

"Yeah, okay, let's go." I nodded. "I'm sorry. I had a... hard night." 

"Same!" She laughed. 

Hindi na 'ko nag-abalang ilapag ang gamit ko sa office at dumeretso na lang kami sa board room. When I entered the room, everyone went silent. They all stood up to welcome me. I looked at my watch and realized that I was ten minutes late. Damn, I felt embarrassed. 

"I apologize for being late. I know everyone still has work to do. Thank you for waiting," I said before sitting down. 

I glared at Engineer Camero, who was smirking playfully while reading the folder in front of him. He was wearing a grey button-down polo partnered with black slacks. He looked fresh while I looked like a damn mess. 

I just asked for updates regarding the beach resort. May kaunting changes din na pinresent ang Finance dahil sa pagbabago ng design. I couldn't listen carefully because I felt like my head was being pounded. 

"Coffee, Madam." Alice gave me a cup of coffee. 

"Thank you," I whispered before taking a sip. 

I looked at Sevi while he was listening to the presenter. When he noticed me staring, he looked back at me and raised a brow. I rolled my eyes and pretended that I was reading something. 

"Thank you, Miss Palermo." I nodded. "What are your thoughts, Engineer Camero?" 

He raised his brows when I suddenly called him. I smirked as everyone turned to him, waiting for his answer. He looked so calm and composed. Hindi man lang siya nagulat na tinawag ko siya. 

"I think the budget is big enough for two years of construction. However, we still can't predict what will happen in the future, so I expect adjustments as we go," he said while playing with his pen. 

"Thank you, Engineer Camero," I said, not actually listening. I was just staring at him. "How about you, Miss Ong?" 

Maaga rin kaming natapos dahil hinihintay na 'ko ni Kuya Roel sa parking. I rolled my eyes when I saw Sevi also waiting for the elevator. Sabay kaming pumasok nang bumukas iyon. Pinindot niya ang floor ng parking kaya hindi na 'ko pumindot. Unti-unti nang naubos ang employees hanggang sa kami na lang ang natirang bababa sa parking. 

"Don't you have a house?" I asked him. 

"May design na. Hindi pa tapos," seryosong sabi niya. "Ikaw? Wala kang bahay?"

"I have." I swallowed hard. 

But it was too... lonely. Empty. Dark. I created too many memories in that house. Bright memories with my mom, but dark memories with my dad. I could now understand why Shan was so eager to leave that house.

Bumukas ang elevator kaya naputol ang pag-uusap namin. Nauna akong lumabas sa kaniya at hinanap si Kuya Roel. I saw him standing beside my car, holding my keys. I smiled at him while walking. 

"Thank you, Kuya Roel." Kinuha ko ang susi ko sa kaniya. 

"Nakauwi po ba kayo nang maayos, Ma'am?" he asked. 

"Yes, thank you." I nodded. "I might stay in the condo for a week."

Sevi suddenly stopped walking when he heard what I just said. I looked at him and raised a brow, naghahamon sa kaniya. He put his tongue on the insides of his cheek and shook his head before opening the door of his car. 

"Hi Kuya Roel," he greeted. 

"Hello, Engineer." Kuya Roel smiled at him.

"Pakituruan nga ng GPS 'yan. Baka nga bluetooth sa sasakyan ay hindi pa niya alam," Sevi insulted before getting inside his car. 

"How dare you!" I shouted, but he already closed the door. 

"Hindi n'yo po alam 'yon, Ma'am?" Kuya Roel looked so surprised. "Halika po sa loob. Ituturo ko." 

I pouted before getting inside my car. I just bought this car, and I was out of the country for two weeks! Hindi ko naman siya masyadong nagamit. Nakakainis naman! 

"Ito po ang bluetooth, Ma'am. Pwede n'yong i-connect ang phone n'yo sa speakers tapos pwede rin kayo sumagot ng call sa screen." He showed it to me. "Ito naman po ang GPS. Minsan nagloloko 'yan, minsan hindi. Depende po, Ma'am sa sasakyan. Mukha namang maayos 'yong sasakyan n'yo."

"What?" My brows furrowed. "Why would I use that, then? Baka mas lalo pa 'kong maligaw diyan! I'm dumb, Kuya Roel! I can't follow. Oh no, I'm dumb." I held my head, getting stressed out.

"In case lang po." He laughed. "Tapos ito po sa volume, tapos ito radio, tapos ito po sa aircon. Pwede n'yo rin po i-connect phone n'yo gamit 'yong cord, tapos pwede n'yo ma-activate si Siri sa steering wheel." 

"What? Damn, that's possible?" I looked at him innocently. "Bakit walang ganoon sa car natin dati?" 

"Luma na po 'yon." 

"I'll buy you a new car, Kuya Roel." I gave him a thumbs up. "Kailan birthday mo?" 

"Ah, tapos na po ang birthday ko," he replied, scratching his head a little. 

"Anong tapos na? Wala nang next birthday?" My brows furrowed. "Isang beses ka lang nagbibirthday, Kuya Roel?" 

"Isang beses sa isang taon, Ma'am," he answered... obviously. 

Tinuro niya pa sa 'kin ang ibang controls. Para akong batang nasa driving school ulit! After that, I already went back to work, thinking of buying Kuya Roel a new car. Nakatulala lang ako at nag-iisip kung ano ang magandang ibigay sa kaniya. 

He was like a father to me, though he probably treated me like his boss or something. I still cared for him like a family, maybe because he was the only one left in the house. Siya na lang ang familiar sa 'kin. Everyone already left.

I heard a knock on my door, so I came back to my senses. 

"Elyse..." Austin went inside. "Have you eaten your lunch yet? I heard late ka kanina. Are you okay? May nangyari ba?" 

"Ang dami mong tanong." I massaged my head. Dumadagdag pa siya sa problema ko. 

"You look pale," he pointed it out. "Are you sure you're okay?" 

"I am okay." I nodded. "Don't worry. Also, kakain ako mamaya. I just need to finish my work. I have a damn hangover."

"Did you drink last night?" His brows furrowed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I tell you?" I raised a brow. 

"Sana sumama ako." He smiled. "Next time na iinom ka, I'll go with you, okay? I will take care of you." 

"I don't need you to take care of me." I gestured for him to leave. 

Alice placed my packed lunch on my table. May sarili akong meal plan dahil diet ako. I wanted to maintain my body. I took a break to eat my food and then went back to work again. I went home around seven o'clock. Takot pa 'kong buksan ang pinto ng unit dahil baka naroon si Sevi. 

"Oh, he's not here." Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. 

The pillow and blanket were placed neatly on the sofa bed inside the study room. Our study room. I noticed a new computer too. Hindi na 'yong bigay ni Daddy. Of course. Of course, he will throw that out. I would, kung hindi niya pa ginawa. 

The study room still had two desks. One for him and one for me, pero 'yong desk ko'y puno na lang ng files niya and 'yong sa kaniya, computer lang. Sa gilid, may sofa bed. The interior didn't change that much. Wala nga lang 'yong mga libro ko sa shelf dahil kinuha ko noon. 

The walk-in closet also looked empty without my things. He invaded one of my shelves to put his clothes. Dumadami na rin ang sapatos niyang naka-display. He tried to maximize the space by spreading his things around. Hindi niya pinagsiksikan sa shelf niya. 

Our bedroom still looked the same, pero wala na 'yong pictures namin sa side table, and iba na rin ang kulay ng bed sheet. He probably didn't want to remember me anymore. He also changed the couch, and oh, he added a painting.

"Wait..." Naglakad ako palapit nang mapansing familiar ang painting. 

It was the painting I pointed at last time! Sa exhibit. He bought it and placed it here? So sinunod niya nga ang sinabi ko? 

I started to clean the condo. Wala namang masyadong lilinisin dahil malinis naman. Marami rin siyang stock ng groceries. I stared at the kitchen and remembered my mom. Lahat ng naroon, binigay ni Mommy sa amin. My heart hurt again. 

She was so happy for us... and I failed her. 

I wiped the tears from my eyes using my hand. I ended up crying inside the bathroom again. The water calmed me down. I convinced myself that nothing will still change kahit iiyak ko lahat ng dugo ko rito. Everything was still the same, and all along, I was the only one who was desperate to see a change, so I changed myself. 

Umupo ako sa kama at kinuha ang phone ko. 

To: Engineer Camero

Can I stay here in the meantime

From: Engineer Camero

Okay. Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi ako uuwi.

To: Engineer Camero

Wru? Everything alright? 

From: Engineer Camero

Hotel sa Batangas. 

Hindi na 'ko nag-reply. He really really hated to stay with me in the same room, huh? Nag-stay pa siya sa hotel doon para hindi umuwi rito. That was a smart move. 

I slept peacefully that night and went to work early. I was wearing a white blouse and a pair of grey slacks. I felt lazy to dress up. Austin wanted us to visit the site with his dad, the Chairman, so I was wearing a pair of white sandals para hindi ako mahirapan sa buhangin.

"Let's not waste gas. Kotse ko na gamitin natin," he told me. "Dad has his own driver. Susunod siya kaagad." 

"Yeah, okay. Tinatamad din akong mag-drive." I opened the shotgun door. 

"Okay ka lang ba talaga? You still look pale," he said in worry. "Are you eating?" 

"I forgot to eat dinner last night, but I'm fine," I assured him. 

"Did you eat breakfast?" He asked before starting the engine. 

"Tea," maikling sagot ko. "Sa Batangas na 'ko kakain ng lunch. May dala akong food." 

Hindi na siya nagsalita at nag-drive na lang paalis. Inantok ako kaya natulog na lang ako buong byahe. It was really hard travelling back and forth. Good thing walang masyadong traffic. Austin was also a fast-driver so mabilis din kaming nakarating. I retouched my makeup and put a lollipop inside my mouth when I saw one inside Austin's car. 

"Hello, Tito." I smiled at Tito Anthony, Austin's dad. The chairman of the board. "This way, please." 

"Who's assigned to this project?" he asked me.

"Oh, Architect Rosario is working with Engineer Camero from VGC. Miss Enriquez is assigned to this project, but I also check the progress from time to time. I'm very hands-on," I answered. 

"No need to do that, Elyse. Ako na lang ang pupunta rito para i-check," singit ni Austin sa usapan. 

"No, I mean, kapag hindi lang ako busy," I defended. 

"I thought you're too busy to even eat, huh?" He raised a brow. "Kung kaya mong pumuntang Batangas mula Manila, kaya mo rin kumain." 

I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

The employees panicked when they saw Austin's dad. They gathered in one place to greet him. I looked around and saw Sevi talking to another engineer. Lumapit din siya nang makitang nagkakagulo sa banda namin. 

"Engineer Camero, right?" Austin's dad offered his hand. "I'm the chairman of the company. Anthony Guerrero."

"Pleasure to meet you, Sir." Sevi shook Tito Anthony's hand. 

"We're doing a random inspection of the site," Austin said. 

Sevi looked at him and raised a brow, not saying anything. He just turned his back against us and called Engineer Lavin to guide us like we were visitors. I scoffed and looked away. Hindi ko na kailangang sumama paikot. Nakita ko na 'yon. 

"I'm hungry, Austin. Kayo na lang ang umikot. I want to eat," I excused myself. 

"It's better if you just stay inside the office. It's too hot out here. Susunod ako." Austin tapped my shoulder. 

I nodded and went inside the air-conditioned office. Sevi didn't even look shocked when he saw me inside. I sat on the monobloc and placed my lunch on the table, just staring at it. Hindi naman talaga ako gutom. 

Sevi went to his table to find a document. He was wearing a white short-sleeved polo with three buttons opened and a pair of black pants. He was also wearing a pair of black safety shoes. Ang hard hat niya ay nakapatong sa table niya. 

"Engineer." I looked at Bianca when she suddenly entered the office. She was holding a paper bag. Napatigil siya nang makita ako sa loob. "Oh, hello, Miss Ledezma." 

"Hi." I gave her a small fake smile.

"Bakit?" Sevi asked, still browsing on his computer while standing. 

"I packed you a lunch, kung nagugutom ka. Hindi ka pa kumakain eh." Bianca gave him a smile before putting the paper bag on his table. 

"Salamat, pero busog pa 'ko." Sevi laughed. "Nag-breakfast ako kanina." 

"Ganoon ba? Tikman mo pa rin kapag nagutom ka! Masarap 'yan!" Bianca said. "Sige na, balik na 'ko roon." 

When she left, I rolled my eyes. Nag-iba bigla ang boses niya noong si Sevi ang kausap. It was so obvious that she liked him. I didn't know if Sevi knew about it or manhid lang talaga siya... or maybe gusto niya rin naman. 

"Masarap..." I scoffed. "As if," bitter na sabi ko.

"Kumain ka na diyan," seryosong sabi ni Sevi.

"Salamat, pero busog pa 'ko," I mocked him. "Nag-breakfast ako kanina." 

He shook his head and ignored me again. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at my food again, trying to bring back my appetite. Nakakainis! Nawalan tuloy ako ng gana! My gosh! 

Sevi turned his computer off before pulling the chair adjacent to my side. I looked at him when he sat down and leaned on his chair. 

"Hindi ka pa kakain?" He raised a brow.

"Why? You want my meal?" My brows furrowed. "Takaw mo naman! Bakit hindi 'yon 'yong kainin mo? Masarap naman daw." I pointed at the paper bag Bianca gave. 

"Ikaw yata ang may gusto." He stood up to get the paper bag. "Oh, sa 'yo na." 

"Hell no! That's yours! Eat that! Sabi niya, hindi ka pa nagla-lunch! Paano ka mabubusog?!" reklamo ko. "And I already lost my appetite." I glared at the paper bag.

"Kaka-inom mo 'yan." He rolled his eyes. 

"I drank once!" I defended myself. "I didn't know I would be so damn wasted. My alcohol tolerance is so low pala. Anyway, next time kapag uminom kami ni Austin, I think I will improve na-"

"Kumain ka na," he cut me off. 

He stood up and placed the paper bag back on his table before leaving me inside his office. What? Ang bastos talaga niya kausap! I was just trying to start a conversation! I rolled my eyes and opened my packed lunch. 

"Oh, you're eating. That's good." Austin placed his own lunch on the table. 

Sinabayan niya 'kong kumain. His dad was still roaming around and talking to some engineers. I forced myself to finish my food before placing it back in my paper bag. 

"Aalis lang kami ni Dad. May ime-meet kaming business partner sa malapit na hotel. Do you want to come?" Austin asked.

"No, I can stay here." I gave him a nod. 

"I'll be back, okay?" he assured me before leaving. 

I went out of the office because I got bored after he left. I walked towards the beach and stopped before I reached the wet sand. Tinakpan ko nang kaunti ang mga mata ko habang tinatanaw ang dagat. The sky was turning dark. It was so peaceful... so calm... until the rain poured. 

"Fuck!" Niyakap ko kaagad ang bag ko at tumakbo pabalik, nahihirapan pa dahil sa buhangin. 

Palakas na nang palakas ang ulan at nababasa na 'ko. I stopped walking when Sevi suddenly put a hard hat on my head before pulling my arm. Pumasok kami sa office nila at pinatay niya ang aircon para hindi kami lamigin. He was busy calling other people. 

"Mukhang hindi pa titigil eh. Bukas na lang ituloy," he said while getting a towel inside his drawer. "Sabi zero percent ang chance of rain ngayon? Poser." 

Binato niya 'yong towel sa banda ko kaya sinalo ko naman at pinunas sa sarili ko. Sevi was busy with his phone while his other hand was unbuttoning his wet polo. I looked away and continued wiping myself. I covered my chest with my hand when I noticed that my black bra was already showing through my wet blouse. 

"E-engineer Camero," I called nervously. 

Sevi ended the call and looked at me, waiting for my question. He took his polo off his shoulders, still looking at me.

"Do you have an extra shirt? Uhm..." I looked down at my chest. He unconsciously looked at it, too. 

Bumukas bigla ang pinto at sumilip si Engineer Lavin. "Engineer! Pinapatawag mo raw-" 

"Labas." Sevi threw a random box on him. 

"Huh?!" Engineer Lavin looked so confused. "Okay! Pinapatawag mo 'ko tapos papaalisin mo 'ko! Labo, master!" 

I shyly turned around so Engineer Lavin wouldn't see my chest. Humarap ako kay Sevi nang narinig kong sumara ulit ang pinto. He went to me and handed me a shirt. 

"Thank you." I turned around and went inside their little restroom. 

Pagkalabas ko, nagbibihis na siya ng white shirt. Ang dami naman niyang baon. His shirt looked oversized so I tuck it inside my pants. He looked at me and got his keys. 

"Nasaan na kasama mo?" seryosong tanong niya. 

"Oh, they went out to meet someone. I think... they will be back." I looked at my phone. 

"Pabalik na 'kong Manila." Kinuha niya ang mga gamit niya. 

I nodded and stayed in my seat. Umiwas na ako ng tingin nang maglakad siya papuntang pinto. He stopped in front of the door to look at me again. 

"Hindi ka sasabay?" He raised a brow.

"Oh, right! I will!" Wow, he asked me! Tumayo kaagad ako at kinuha ang gamit ko. I even looked excited to be with him! Nakakahiya! 

He opened his umbrella and held it for me. Pinagkasya namin ang sarili namin sa payong na 'yon hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking. We saw Engineer Lavin and Engineer Castillo doing the same. 

"Kaya pala ako pinapaalis!" Engineer Lavin shouted. "May misis siya sa loob, pre?!" 

"Ingat kayo, Engineer! Akala ko sa hotel ka ulit ngayong gabi?" Engineer Castillo asked. 

"Babalik din ako. Kukuha lang ako ng damit," Sevi answered. 

"Weh? Baka may ihahatid lang?" Engineer Lavin teased.

Sevi rolled his eyes before opening the door of his car for me. He raised a middle finger at his friends before going inside the car, putting the umbrella in the backseat. He started the engine and looked at me.

"Seatbelt," he pointed out.

"Oh, sorry..." I awkwardly put my seatbelt on and looked in front again. "Uh, thank you for being... considerate." 

"Saan ka uuwi?" he asked. 

"Wala ka naman mamaya so sa condo na lang." I gave him a small smile. 

Tumango siya at nag-drive na paalis. I felt a little cold, and he noticed that, so he turned the aircon off. My head and body felt so heavy that I dozed off to sleep. Nagising lang ako nang huminto ang sasakyan sa parking. It was already dark outside. 

I unfastened my seatbelt before leaving the car. Sevi followed me from behind. We didn't talk to each other until we arrived inside the unit. He went straight to get clothes inside his walk-in closet while I remained standing in the kitchen, holding the countertop to support my weight. 

I sighed heavily before going inside the bathroom. I took a hot shower, but I still felt cold. I brushed my teeth and went inside the bedroom to lie down. I covered my body with a thick comforter. Hindi ko na binuksan ang aircon at fan. 

"Alis na 'ko." Sevi opened the door. 

"Take care," I said. 

I heard the door close again. I closed my eyes after Sevi left. I didn't want him to leave. I wanted him to stay here, but I knew I was about to get sick. Maybe it was better for him to leave kaysa mag-alaga bigla rito.

I woke up around midnight. My body felt hot and heavy. Dahan-dahan akong umupo sa kama at tumingin sa paligid. The lamp was on, and the lights were off. I held my head and sighed heavily. I knew this would happen. I felt it. 

I was about to go down the bed when the door suddenly opened. My eyes widened when I saw Sevi wearing a jacket, holding a plastic. Mukhang galing siya sa labas. 

"I thought you... left." I blinked twice. 

"Bumili ako ng gamot." He went to me and sat on the bed. "Okay ka lang?" 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)