"Why did you go to work today? You should have just stayed at home." 

I sighed heavily when Austin went inside my office again right after I came back from the emergency meeting. I was reading the revised report from the Operations head. Good thing it looked better now. Bawas sa stress. 

"I am fine now," I said after giving him a glance just to acknowledge his presence. 

"Where are you staying right now? Malapit lang ba? I just want to see if you're doing okay." He sat on my couch. 

"I said I am fine. Ang kulit mo naman, eh..." I massaged my head, getting annoyed now. 

"Okay, calm down." He laughed. Wala namang nakakatawa. "You want to have dinner together? My friend opened his restaurant today. It's an Italian restaurant." 

"Yeah, I'm actually craving for pasta." I nodded. "Let me finish my work." 

It was around six o'clock when I decided to leave work and eat dinner with Austin. Medyo malayo 'yong restaurant so we had to take his car. Ihahatid niya na lang ako pabalik sa parking para makuha ko ang kotse ko pagkatapos ng dinner. 

"Austin! Wow, you really came!" His friend greeted us when we entered the restaurant. "Who's this lovely lady, huh?" 

"Oh, this is Elyse," Austin introduced me, putting his hand on my shoulder. 

"Finally! Nagpakilala ka na ng girlfriend, Austin! Hello, Elyse! I'm Jon." He took my hand. 

My brows furrowed. "What? I'm not-"

"Upo na kami," Austin cut me off. 

What the hell! Now his friend would think that Austin and I were really a couple! Sumimangot ako at umupo sa tapat niya, getting more annoyed now. What if mag-spread 'yong rumor na kami?! I didn't want that to happen. With Austin pa?! No way. 

"Why are you so mad? It wasn't a big deal." He shrugged. 

"It is a big deal." I rolled my eyes. "Because we're not together! It's a lie!" 

"It's not a lie if it will happen in the future," he teased, laughing.

"What the fuck are you saying? Stop it." I scowled. "I'm serious. Don't do that again." 

He handed me the menu, ignoring what I said. 

"You know what I think? You should have married me years ago..." He smirked. "We should have been together. Hindi pa komplikado. I can also take care of you and love you like how he did." 

"You know what I think?" I gave him a sweet smile. "You should go out with other women. You seem lonely." 

He just laughed at my reply. I rolled my eyes before pointing to the food that I wanted to order. It was a simple dinner na may halong inis sa kaniya dahil sa kakulitan niya. If only he didn't secure the company for me, I would have thrown him out of the damn window. Baka naman naiirita lang din ako kasi malapit na ang period ko.

Pagkauwi ko sa unit, I took a quick shower and went to the study room wearing my pajamas. I worked until ten o'clock, but Sevi never came. I sighed heavily before going to the bedroom to sleep. Salitan kami dapat dito pero hindi naman siya rito uuwi kaya roon na 'ko natulog. Maybe he was already staying in Batangas. 

I was staring at my phone, thinking if I should text him just to ask if he will go home tonight, but I asked myself... Why? Why would I text him?! Ako ang nagsabing walang pakialamanan, right? 

"Nevermind..." I hid my phone inside the drawer so I wouldn't have the urge to text him again. 

I closed my eyes and tried my best to sleep. Nakakailang posisyon na 'ko sa kama at nakakailang tayo para uminom ng tubig, hindi pa rin ako makatulog. I sat on my bed, frustrated. I stared at the drawer again for so long, thinking if I should get my phone or not. 

"Fuck, this is so annoying..." I shook my head and stood up to get some milk. 

I already finished drinking a glass of milk, but Sevi never came. I sighed heavily and looked at the clock. It was already two o'clock in the morning for Pete's sake! Bakit ba hindi ako makatulog? Ano naman kung hindi siya uuwi rito, right?! Why would I want to know?! 

"Oh, damn..." I slapped myself lightly. "Go back to your senses, Elyse. Let's go to sleep. It's not worth it." 

I closed my eyes again and forced myself to sleep. I woke up around six o'clock. Damn, I barely even slept, but I had no choice but to go to work.

I asked Alice for coffee as soon as I arrived in the office. Halata sa eyebags kong wala akong tulog kahit sinubukan ko namang i-conceal. Nakakainis naman! Sevi wasn't even here but he was stressing me out. 

"Alice!" I called. She was already running inside my office after one call. "I want to go to Batangas. What's a good excuse?" Nangalumbaba ako. 

"Uhm, beach?" She blinked twice. "Or... bulalo?"

"That's in Tagaytay." My brows furrowed. "I want to visit the site, but I can't say inspection because I literally just went there with Austin." 

I looked at my phone and scrolled through my messages. The side of my lips rose when I saw Engineer Lavin's text a few days ago. 

From: Engineer Lavin

Hello, Miss Ledezma. Engineer Lavin po. Save my number! :) 

"Okay na, Alice. Thank you." I giggled while typing a text. 

To: Engineer Lavin

Good morning, Engineer. I have a few questions about the construction. Can we meet to discuss it in person? Are you in Batangas right now?

From: Engineer Lavin

Yes, Ma'am. Pero bakit po ako at hindi si Engineer Camero? 

To: Engineer Lavin

Oh, I heard he's busy :) Ayaw mo ba? It's okay. 

From: Engineer Lavin

Hindi naman po! Sige, see you, Ma'am. Tanungin n'yo na po ako sa lahat huwag lang sa English 

I laughed when I read his text. 

To: Engineer Lavin

Alright. See you, Engineer! 

I retouched my makeup quickly before getting my things, including my lunch meal. Nilagay ko 'yon sa paper bag at nag-drive na papuntang Batangas. I felt so crazy and impulsive. Dumaan din akong drive thru para mabilhan ng pagkain si Engineer Lavin, so I would feel less guilty for disturbing him in his job. 

It was around noon when I arrived at the site. Kinuha ko ang paper bag at naglakad papunta sa may office. Only then did I realize that I made a wrong decision for wearing a pair of damn heels! Nahirapan na naman akong maglakad! 

"Miss Ledezma!" Engineer Lavin ran towards me to help me walk on the sand. 

"Elyse na lang, please." I gave him a small smile. 

"Sige, Elyse! Sa office na lang tayo mag-usap. Ang init dito." He smiled and looked around. "Tsaka baka... malaglagan ako ng bakal dito bigla. Mahirap na." 

I didn't get what he said, so I just shrugged it off. As soon as we entered the office, I looked around just to make sure that there was no one inside and also to check if Sevi's bag was there on his desk. 

"Nasa may site po si Engineer Camero." Engineer Lavin laughed a bit when he saw me staring at Sevi's desk. "Mainit ang ulo niya. Nagagalit!"

"Where did he sleep last night?" I curiously asked because I remembered him talking to Bianca the other night. 

"Bakit may pakiramdam akong hindi talaga tungkol sa construction ang mga itatanong sa 'kin?" He playfully held his chin and looked up. "'Di, biro lang. Sa hotel po siya natulog kagabi. Mag-isa. Ayaw niya raw akong roommate dahil maingay daw ako at madaling-araw natutulog." 

I nodded. "Okay, so here are my questions-"

"Sus." Engineer Lavin shook his head. "Huwag na, Miss Ledezma. I got you! Kunwari na lang tinanong mo talaga ako kahit alam kong ginamit mo lang ako para makapunta ka rito. Ouch..." He held his chest. 

"Hey, it's not like that!" I defended myself. 

"Gusto mo siya makita? Halika sa site!" He stood up and got another hard hat for me. 

Damn! Tumayo na lang ako at sinuot ang hard hat na bigay niya. I stalked him from behind until we reached the site. Engineer Lavin was holding a blueprint. He stopped walking so I could catch up to him. 

"Ito, Ma'am..." He pointed at the blueprint. "Ang plano kasi rito... Kunwari nag-uusap tayo kasi nakatingin si Engineer Camero." I looked around consciously. 

And there I saw Sevi wearing a white hard hat and a pair of safety shoes. May kinakausap siyang worker at mukhang tama ang sinabi ni Engineer Lavin. Mainit ang ulo niya. He was pointing at something but stopped when he saw me. 

I immediately looked away and pretended that I was listening to the bullshit Engineer Lavin was saying. I crossed my arms over my chest when Engineer Lavin walked again, so I followed him from behind until I realized that we were walking towards Engineer Camero. I was panicking on the inside but calm on the outside. 

"Engineer," bati ni Engineer Lavin nang makalapit kami kay Sevi. "Ah, may tinanong lang po si Miss Ledezma sa 'kin kaya nandito." 

"Hindi ko tinanong," Sevi replied, which made Engineer Lavin laugh. 

"Kaso, Engineer, pinapatawag ako ni Engineer Ramos eh! Kayo na ho bahala diyan! Bye!" My eyes widened when Engineer Lavin suddenly ran away, leaving me with Sevi! 

Oh my god, nilaglag ako! Iniwan niya 'ko rito! Binilhan ko pa naman siya ng food! My gosh! 

"Sir, hindi pa po dumadating 'yong dagdag materyales na kailangan ngayon para sa itatayong... ano... Hi Ma'am." The worker smiled at me. 

"Para sa itatayong ano?" Sevi's brows furrowed. "Hi, Ma'am?" 

"Why are you so mad?" I raised my brow. 

Sevi took his phone out to make a call, completely ignoring me. His brows were still furrowed, and his lips were pursed in annoyance. 

"Oh, nasaan na? Wala pa rin daw dito. Ano ba 'yan? Kahapon pa dapat 'yan ah? Actually, last week ko pa 'yan hiningi 'di ba?" I heard Sevi'sfrustrated voice. "Made-delay tayo niyan sa ginagawa n'yo, eh." 

I glared at him when he walked away to find a better reception. Naglakad-lakad na lang ako at pinanood ang ginagawa ng workers. I covered my ears with my hands when I heard loud noises from welders. 

I yelped when I felt small stones falling on my head. Mabilis akong naglakad paalis pero dahil sa heels, natisod pa ko at nadapa. I muttered a curse and looked at my knee to see if I got a scratch. 

"Ah, fuck." I closed my eyes in frustration when I saw it bleeding. Mabuti na lang at scrape lang. Hindi naman siguro siya magkakaroon ng scar. 

"Ma'am, naku, okay lang po ba kayo?!" Some workers ran towards me. 

"Nako, may sugat! Kukuha po ako ng tubig!" 

"Alcohol, tanga!" 

I was surrounded by men while I was on the floor. Everyone was panicking because of my bleeding knee. It wasn't even that serious. I just felt awkward because I was wearing a skirt. 

"Tapos na ba kayo sa ginagawa n'yo?" I heard Sevi's voice. 

Everyone stopped when they heard Engineer Camero. They immediately dispersed and went back to work, leaving me on the floor. What the hell! 

I sighed heavily and looked at Sevi, who was already standing in front of me. He offered his hand and helped me stand up on my heels. 

"Bakit ba kasi namamasyal ka rito sa site? Ano 'to? Mall?" He sounded mad. 

"I was just curious, okay?" I defended myself. "And Engineer Lavin brought me here! He left me with you, but you also left me! Where would I go, huh?!" 

"Hindi kita iniwan. May tinawagan lang ako," seryosong sabi niya. 

He gestured me to follow him out of the site so I did. Nang makarating ulit kami sa buhanginan, halos madapa-dapa ako. I winced when I almost fell on the sand. Mabuti na lang ay napahawak ako sa braso ni Sevi. 

"Sorry." I gave him a smile before letting go of his arm. 

Sevi stared at me for a moment before shaking his head. My eyes widened when he knelt in front of me and helped me take off my heels. I bit my lower lip and looked away, holding onto his shoulders for support. 

Hawak-hawak na niya ang heels ko ngayon sa isang kamay habang naglalakad. I followed him and walked with my bare foot until we reached his office. He closed the door and gestured me to sit on his swiveling chair. 

When he came back, he was already holding a first-aid kit. I pursed my lips as I watched him get a bottle of water to wash off the debris left on my knee. He knelt in front of me and pulled my leg towards him so he could see it. 

"Ouch..." I winced when he poured water on my knee. 

"Heels pa," he said before wiping it with a clean cloth and putting pressure to stop the bleeding. 

"Engineer Camero-" Bianca suddenly stopped when she saw us. 

Sevi looked at her, his hand still on the cloth. Engineer Ramos stepped backwards a bit, not knowing what to do. 

"Lunch..." Bianca smiled and slowly went inside, holding a paper bag.

"Busog pa 'ko." Sevi looked at my knee again before moving the cloth away. 

"Ilalapag ko na lang dito kapag nagutom ka." She placed the paper bag on the small dining table. "Hello Miss Ledezma... Ano'ng nangyari diyan, Engineer? Ako na diyan. Kailangan ka 'ata ni... Engineer Castillo!" 

"Ako?" Sevi's brows furrowed before checking his phone. "Wala namang text. Ikaw na pumunta roon." 

"Nakasalubong ko siya!" Bianca said nervously. 

I rolled my eyes when I realized that she was lying. She was too obvious. Buti pa 'ko, magaling magsinungaling. 

"Mamaya na. Susunod ako," Sevi said, already putting ointment on my knee. 

Bianca nodded in disappointment before leaving the office. I looked at Sevi again, wondering if he knew about Bianca's feelings towards him. Sobrang obvious! I was sure hindi siya ganoon ka-insensitive para hindi mapansin. Maybe he was just ignoring it. 

"Kumain ka ba?" Sevi stood up after putting a band-aid on my knee. 

"Uh, not yet..." I looked at my paper bag placed on the table, just beside my handbag. "I was supposed to eat-"

I stopped talking when Sevi put his hand on my forehead again. I blinked twice and looked at him in shock. 

"Kapag ikaw nilagnat na naman..." seryosong sabi niya. "Kumain ka na rito." 

Umupo siya sa may dining table kung nasaan ang pagkain ko. I stood up and pulled a chair to sit in front of him while he was getting my food out of the paper bag. He placed them in front of me and opened the containers. 

"Ikaw? Hindi ka pa kakain?" I asked in curiosity. "I have food here. I was supposed to give this to Engineer Lavin, but he left." 

"Kaya sa 'kin mo ipapakain?" He raised a brow. 

"Uh, yeah, sayang naman." I placed the food in front of him. "But if you're full, I'll just... I'll just give it to someone else." 

He rolled his eyes before getting the food. I bit my lower lip to stop a smile when I saw him getting a spoon and fork. Kakainin niya rin naman pala. We started eating silently, not talking to each other. Mukhang wala siya sa mood kanina pa. 

"Uh, I forgot to bring my water container. Do you have an extra glass?" I asked nervously. 

He looked at me with no emotion in his eyes before sliding a black tumbler over the table until it reached me. I gave him a small smile before opening the lid. 

"Nainuman ko na 'yan," he said when I was about to drink through the opening. 

"Uh..." I looked away. "Sorry. Are you LC?" 

He stared at me for a moment before laughing a little. I was innocently looking at him, wondering why it was funny for him. I was asking a genuine question! 

"Ikaw 'yong LC, 'di ba?" he asked me back. 

"Well..." I licked my lower lip a little, unable to talk. 

I mean... we already kissed... but of course, I couldn't say that. 

He just let me drink on his tumbler and continued eating. Uminom ako sa tumbler niya bago ko binalik sa kaniya at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. He looked like he was forcing himself to eat. Maybe he was really full. I laughed at his face, so he glanced at me and raised a brow, wondering why I was laughing at him. 

"Engineer Camero!" Engineer Lavin entered the office but stopped when he saw us eating. "Wow, sarap! Miss Ledezma, 'di ba may dala kang pagkain para sa 'kin?" 

"Oh, I..." I didn't know what to say. I just gave it to Sevi! Hindi ko naman alam na napansin niyang may dala akong pagkain kanina. 

"Oh, lunch mo." Sevi handed him Bianca's paper bag. I almost choked on my food. 

"Ah, sige, master. Salamat!" Kinuha ni Engineer Lavin ang paper bag bago binuksan ang pinto. "Hoy kayo! Wala raw munang papasok sa loob sabi ni Engineer Camero!" We heard him say before closing the door. 

"Tarantado," Sevi whispered.

"What?" I asked.

"Watawat," pambabara niya. 

"Epal." I rolled my eyes. 

Niligpit niya ang pinagkainan niya pagkatapos kumain. Tumayo rin ako at niligpit 'yong sa akin. I placed the empty containers inside the paper bag and bent down a little to get my bag. Sevi stood near his desk, holding the mouse of his computer while browsing. 

Sevi suddenly stopped typing something. I noticed him staring at my skirt, so I looked at him with my brows furrowed. 

"What the hell are you looking at?" I hissed. 

Sevi looked away, panicking a little. Kinuha niya ang jacket niya at naglakad palapit sa 'kin. He placed his jacket on the desk and leaned towards me to say something, but he couldn't speak. I looked at him, confused. 

"May... dugo ka." He scratched the bridge of his nose lightly, feeling awkward. 

My eyes widened and tried to look back at my skirt to check. Oh my gosh... Was it today?! I didn't even check! I just used his jacket to cover my behind before running inside the restroom. I should have known! 

"May dala ka ba?" Sevi knocked on the door. 

"Can you check my bag?!" I yelled inside. 

I heard his footsteps, and it went quiet for a moment. I jumped a little when he knocked on the door again. 

"Wala rito," he said. 

"Fuck..." I covered my face. "Can you... ask... someone for pads? M-maybe Engineer Ramos has one? Or kapag wala, can you ask someone to buy-"

"Ako na," he cut me off. 

I heard the door close, a sign that he already went out. I covered my face in embarrassment. Bakit ba ang daming nangyayari sa 'kin ngayong araw?! I knew it. It was such a bad idea to come here. Bakit ba kasi pinilit ko pa?! 

Ako ba 'yong malas or si Sevi? I wondered.

I waited inside the restroom. Good thing no one was entering the office, just like what Engineer Lavin instructed. I got my phone out to check the time. Ang tagal ni Sevi. Saan ba 'yon nanghingi ng napkin? 

I jumped in my seat when I heard a knock on the door. Kanina pa ako nagugulat! I just hoped it was Sevi and not a stranger.

"Ito na." I heard Sevi's voice. 

I opened the door slightly, just enough for him to hand me the pads. I saw him covering his eyes and looking away from me, which made me chuckle. 

"I have extra underwear in my bag, I think? Can you get it for me?" I said after getting a pack of napkins from him.

He left to check in my bag. He handed it to me again, still looking away. I laughed before closing the door. Bakit ang dami niyang binili? Isang pack? Isa lang naman ang kailangan ko. 

"Engineer Camero," I called again after putting on a new pair of underwear with a pad this time. 

"Oh?" Sevi answered immediately. He was probably standing near the door. 

"I have extra clothes inside my car. Nasa bag ko 'yong susi. Can you get me a pair of shorts? Unless you want me to go out wearing my undies?" I laughed it off. 

"Pucha," I heard him whisper before walking away. 

I waited again inside until he knocked and handed me a pair of maong shorts. I put it on and flushed the toilet before opening the door. I saw Sevi leaning on the wall near the door, waiting for me. He placed my heels on the floor so I could put them on. I was just wearing a random pair of slippers inside the bathroom the whole time.

"Thanks. I'm really sorry for the trouble," I said after putting my heels on. Pagkatayo ko, kinuha ko na ang bag ko.

My lips parted when I saw what happened inside my bag! It looked like someone ransacked it! I glared at Sevi, but he just gave me a shrug. What the hell! Nag-init ang ulo ko!

"I told you countless times to be careful with my bag!" I yelled at him. 

"Sapatos ko nga, binasa mo," he shot back. 

Sumasagot pa! I made a face and rolled my eyes. I looked like a woman from boxing rounds with my maong shorts and pink blouse partnered with heels. Kulang na lang ay cardboard na may number. 

"Aren't you going home tonight?" I bit my lower lip and looked away. 

"Kapag hindi, pupunta ka ulit dito?" He sat on his swiveling chair. 

"Hey, I didn't come here for you. I came here for Engineer Lavin. Don't be too full of yourself," I denied quickly. 

"For what?" He tilted his head a little to the right, raising his brows. 

"Questions about the construction." Pinanindigan ko ang excuse ko. 

"Bakit siya?" His brows furrowed. 

"Because you're too busy, and you might get annoyed with me." I sat on the couch and played with my fingers. 

He didn't answer. May kinuha lang siyang folder at binasa 'yon. I stood up and got my things so I could go home early before the sky turned dark. He didn't bother to glance at me when I opened the door. 

Nakarating na 'ko sa parking nang marealize kong wala sa bag ko 'yong susi ng kotse ko. Oh right, I gave my keys to him. I rolled my eyes and walked back again to the office. 

"Hey, I left my-" I stopped when I saw him unbuttoning his dress shirt. 

I looked away when he glanced at me before taking his polo off through his shoulders. Kumuha siya ng shirt at sinuot ulit, not taking his eyes off me and waiting for me to say something. I closed the door again and leaned on it. 

"Keys..." I blinked twice. 

Kinuha niya ang susi ko sa desk niya bago naglakad palapit sa 'kin. He stopped in front of me and placed his hand on the door, directly beside my head. My heart doubled in beat because of nervousness. He was standing so close to me. 

"Mauuntog ka na naman diyan," he whispered before getting my hand to place the keys on it. 

"Are you going home tonight?" I asked again because he didn't answer. 

"Hindi," he said before going back to his desk. 

I pursed my lips and opened the door again so I could leave. Naglakad na ulit ako papuntang parking at nag-drive pabalik ng Manila. Gabi na nang makarating ako sa company. Kinuha ko lang ang mga gamit ko tsaka 'yong mga documents na kailangan kong pirmahan and then umuwi na 'ko sa condo. 

The condo didn't feel that empty compared to the big mansion, even though I was alone. Maybe because of the smaller space and his... familiar scent. I placed my things in the study room before taking a warm shower. I put ointment again on my knee after doing my skincare. Then, I went to the bed, staring at my phone again. 

I sighed heavily, shaking my head to fight the urge to send him a message. I got up and poured milk into my glass. I sat on the dining chair and looked at the clock. It was already two o'clock in the morning. Why couldn't I go to sleep? 

I went to the balcony and took a picture of the view to post it on my Instagram story. I captioned it '2 am. city lights. loneliness.'

I went back to the dining room to drink my milk. I jumped in my seat when my phone made a sound. 

sevirous replied to your story

I clicked on it immediately. Wala pa yatang one second na-seen ko na. 

sevirous: Matulog ka na. 

I bit my lower lip while typing my reply. 

elydezma: I couldn't sleep. Ikaw ang matulog na. 

sevirous: Hindi rin ako inaantok.

elydezma: Why? 

sevirous: Naglalakad ako eh. 

elydezma: Oh, having a walk beside the beach? I'm jealous! 

sevirous: Hindi. 

I stood up when I heard a knock on the door, almost stumbling on the table. I looked through the peephole, but I saw no one, so I opened the door. 

"Oh my gosh!" I held my chest when Sevi suddenly appeared in front of me with a bag over his shoulder. "Akala ko hindi ka uuwi?" 

"Akala ko rin." He sighed.

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:)