"Elyse, about what happened last night..." 

I continued browsing on my laptop, trying to find something to order online. I was thinking of a makeup set. My favorite makeup artist just launched his own brand. I wanted to check if it was worth it. 

"Elyse, will you talk to me, please?" Austin sighed, obviously guilty. 

"I don't have anything to say to you." I did not give him a single glance. 

"I'm so sorry." Austin looked down, his hands inside his pocket. "I know being drunk is not an excuse. I was out of my mind. I shouldn't have touched you, tried to kiss you, or hugged you. I'm sorry." 

"Apology accepted." I nodded. "Now, can you leave?" 

"He picked you up..." He looked at me. "Engineer Camero, your ex. I remember him picking you up. Are you back together?" 

"No." I rolled my eyes and leaned on my chair. "He picked me up because I couldn't drive, and it's no longer your business." 

"I'm serious about you giving me a chance. I will do everything to have that chance, Elyse." He gave me a small smile. "I'm sorry for touching you and causing trouble, but I'm not sorry for asking you to give me a chance so I could prove that I am better than him." 

"No one is better than anyone." I rolled my eyes, getting irritated. "Why do men like competing with other men a lot? Because of your ego?"

"I am just saying that he doesn't deserve you. He already caused you too much pain-"

"That's enough." I glared at him. "Let's not go there." 

He nodded in defeat before slowly leaving my office. 

I sighed heavily after checking out my online cart. I bought a makeup set and had it delivered to the condo. I'll just give a letter to the lobby. I played with my lips and zoned out a little, remembering what Sevi said about me giving Austin a chance. 

"Coward," I whispered, shaking my head. 

Sevi left so early, so we didn't have the chance to talk about it. Not that I was expecting him to really talk about it. He liked avoiding the topic. Besides, ako naman ang nagsabing wala kaming pakialamanan. I was just waiting for his reaction. I wasn't planning to give Austin a chance. Either way, gagawin pa rin naman ni Austin ang gusto niya. 

"Ugh, men..." I rolled my eyes and stood up to get my things. 

I attended two meetings that day and checked some files before going home. I was waiting for Sevi, but he didn't come home. I rolled my eyes. Maybe he was back in Batangas, trying to avoid me. I heard magkakaroon sila ng project sa Rizal so I think uuwi at uuwi rin naman siya rito. I smirked. 

He wasn't home the whole week. I also flew to Cebu the next week for the opening of our new resort, so I became busy. I was planning to stay there for one night with Alice just to check if it would go well. I invited some business partners to stay there and get the full experience. It was nice to stay on an island and relax for a while. 

"Madam, na-delay ang flight so pagkarating natin, deretso kaagad tayo sa meeting with Mr. Fuebas," Alice reminded me. "I will call him after we land so we can change the venue. It's better if lunch meeting na lang siya."

"Good day, Ma'am. Do you need anything? Coffee? Water?"

My brows furrowed when I looked at the flight attendant and saw a familiar face. 

"Familiar ka," Yanna whispered. 

"Elyse." I rolled my eyes and placed the magazine down. 

"Hindi kita nakilala! Nagpakulay ka ng buhok?" She pointed at my hair. 

"Hindi ba siya obvious?" I raised a brow.

"Ilang taon ka nang nawala pero pagbalik mo, maldita ka pa rin talaga, 'no?" sarkastikong tanong niya sa 'kin. "Nakwento ka nga ni Sam sa 'kin. Kumusta na kayo ng ex mo? Kung wala kang balak-balikan, sa 'kin nalang siya." She smirked.

"Where's Hiro?" I raised my brows. 

"Tingin ka sa bintana..." She pointed at the window. "Nakasabit siya sa wing. Kita mo?" 

"Ah, Yanna, sobrang ayos mo kausap." I gave her a fake smile. "No wonder why we never got along. First, Hiro, then second, si Sevi. Sino'ng susunod na captain, huh?" 

"Ha-ha, funny ka." She rolled her eyes and showed me her hand with the ring on it. "I'm already married to the one driving this plane. Sorry na lang." 

I laughed a little when she pushed the trolley and walked away from me. Hindi pa nga ako nakaka-order! Sabagay, wala naman talaga akong gusto. I already had a bottle of water, and I wasn't that hungry. 

I pushed the flight attendant call button just to tease Yanna again. Naglakad siya palapit sa 'kin at binigyan ako ng pekeng ngiti. 

"Yes, Ma'am?" she said, trying her best not to be rude. 

"Pahiram ng asawa mo." I caressed her hand softly and gave her a smirk. 

"Siraulo..." She rolled her eyes and walked away, ignoring me. 

I laughed and leaned on my seat, satisfied by her annoyed face. Alice looked so confused beside me, probably wondering why I was trying to piss off our flight attendant for today. Nakangisi tuloy ako hanggang sa pag-land ng eroplano sa Cebu. Kailangan ko nang umalis dahil late kami sa meeting so hindi ko na tinawag si Hiro. 

"Good day, Miss Ledezma!" the staff greeted. "Let me lead you to your room po!" 

I had the large room all by myself. I wanted to have privacy, so I booked another room for Alice. I pulled my small luggage inside and closed the door to look around. I was so tired. I had a lunch meeting with a business partner, and bumyahe pa kami papunta rito sa island using a boat. Pagdating ko, sunset na. 

I took my coat and pants off, leaving me with my black tank top and black laced panty. I poured wine into the glass before I went outside the balcony, where I had a nice view of the beach. I leaned and sipped on my wine. 

I sat on the wooden chair and placed my phone on the other chair, so I could use a timer to take a picture of myself. Tumakbo kaagad ako sa upuan ko pagkapindot at kinuha ang wine glass. I crossed my legs and looked sideways to pretend I was watching the sunset. Ang ganda ng tama ng araw sa mukha ko. 

"Oh, this is nice." I giggled after checking my pictures. I decided to post it since my legs looked long. Nilagay ko ang location para ma-promote naman 'yong bago naming resort. I laughed at it. 

elydezma: Sweet escape. Who wants to drink wine with me? Vieni qui e baciami. 

I laughed before going inside the bathroom to take a nice bath. I covered myself with bubbles and stayed in the bathtub, closing my eyes to relax until I heard beeps from my phone. I sighed and wiped my hand on the towel before getting my phone on the side. 

From: Ida

"Come here and kiss me"? Damn, she's wilding! Thirsty much sa ex? Hahahaha

I was about to type my reply when a notification popped up. 

sevirous liked your post

"Oh my..." I bit my lower lip and tried to check the list of the people who liked my photo, but his name was suddenly not there. What?! Binawi niya?! 

Inis tuloy akong nagbanlaw at nagsuot ng pajamas bago humiga sa kama. I was staring at my phone all night, waiting for him to send me a message. I mean, two weeks na kaming hindi nagkikita and he never tried to contact me or something! I thought uuwi siya noong Sunday, but he didn't! So annoying! 

"Oh," I whispered when I saw Sevi add something to his IG story.

Sumimangot ako nang makita ang picture ng niluluto niyang pasta. Nasa condo siya! Kung kailan wala ako! He didn't caption anything. It was just a photo. Hindi ba niya 'ko hinahanap, huh? 

Inis akong nag-reply sa story niya.

elydezma: You probably went home because you knew I wasn't there. 

He replied in an instant. 

sevirous: Hindi ko nga alam na nasa Cebu ka. 

elydezma: Now you know. Bye.

sevirous: ?

I rolled my eyes and put my phone on the side table, fighting the urge to reply to him. Narinig ko ang tunog ng phone ko kaya hindi ko na napigilan. Chineck ko ang messages niya. 

sevirous: Attitude ka na naman ah 

sevirous: Busy ako. May pinapagawang bahay si Luna sa Tagaytay.

sevirous: Paano ka napunta diyan? 

Ang daming messages! Oh my gosh, na-miss niya ba ako, huh?!

elydezma: There's this thing called 'airplane' I guess. 

sevirous: Saya ka? 

Inis akong nag-type ulit. I could hear my fingernails against the screen of my phone. Nag-chat nga pero nang-iinis naman.

elydezma: Yes, I'm masaya. I'm having fun with lots of men here while you're out there busy doing your first crush/love a favor <3

sevirous: typing...

Naghintay ako pero nawawala 'yong 'typing'. For sure, he didn't know what to reply. Inis kong nilagay sa drawer ang phone ko at natulog na lang para hindi na siya mareplyan. The next day, I woke up early to have a walk on the beach, and then I went to the spa with Alice to relax before we flew back to Manila. 

"Mukhang stressed ka Madam?" Alice asked while we were getting a manicure. 

"Nothing. Just... There's this guy." I sighed heavily. 

"Si Engineer Camero ho ba, Ma'am?" She smiled at me. Gulat akong napatingin sa kaniya. "Napansin ko lang po na medyo close kayo kasi nag-aamuyan ho kayo ng braso." 

"Hey, it wasn't like that!" I defended myself. 

"Pero ang pogi noon, Madam, ano? I heard captain ball siya sa UST noon? Gosh, sana pala roon ako nag-aral! Ang saya siguro!" She giggled. "Mukha pa siyang matalino! Type mo ba, Madam?" 

"No." I scoffed, looking away. 

"Sure ka, Madam?" She laughed and pointed at my neck. "Sure kang hindi Sebastian Vincent Camero ang ibig sabihin ng SVC sa necklace mo ngayon?" 

"Hey!" I touched my necklace. I just wore it today. "No! It means... Uhm... Sweetness, Value, and... and Cash." 

Alice laughed because of my excuse, but she didn't push it further. Mabuti na lang at nakahinga ako nang maluwag. I painted my nails pink with glitter on them. 

Gabi na nang makarating kami ni Alice sa Manila. Kuya Roel picked me up so sinabay ko na rin si Alice. Hinatid namin siya sa bahay nila at hinatid ako ni Kuya Roel sa condo. I was on my phone the whole time. Sevi didn't reply last night. Wala na siyang nasabi. I think I got him right there. 

Maybe his was in love again with her! Baka bumalik ang feelings. Years had already passed. Wala naman akong masyadong alam sa nangyayari sa kanila and the others while I was away. Maybe something was already going on between them. I was filling in my brain with a lot of assumptions.

"I'm home," I said when I arrived in the unit. 

The lights were closed, so I turned them on and looked around. He wasn't there. Umalis na naman. I placed my things inside the bedroom and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. I went out to the living room to watch Netflix, wearing my white nighties.

It was just an excuse. I just wanted to stay up late. I was waiting for him all night! Naka-dalawang movie na ata ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. I turned the television off and shifted on my seat, crossing my legs so I wouldn't look too awkward. 

I crossed my arms over my chest and raised a brow when Sevi saw me in the living room. He was blushing a little. Napatakip ako nang kaunti sa ilong ko nang maamoy ang alak sa kaniya. So, he was out drinking. 

"Nandito ka na pala," he said while pouring water into his glass. 

"No, I'm just an illusion," masungit na sabi ko. 

He chuckled before drinking water. Inubos niya ang isang baso bago nagsalin ulit. I was just watching him with hawk eyes. 

"Are you drunk?" I raised a brow. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganyan ulit.

"Hindi. Kaunti lang nainom ko." Uminom ulit siya ng tubig. "Sino'ng sumundo sa 'yo sa airport? 'Yong kayakapan mo?" 

Huh?! 

"What?" My brows furrowed. "His name is Austin, and no, Kuya Roel picked me up. Are you sure you're not drunk?" 

"Tipsy," he corrected me, may kasama pang hand gesture.

"Okay, just a little drunk, then?" I translated for him. "Sinong kainuman mo? You have work tomorrow, right?" 

"Si Theo... tsaka si Arkin." He massaged his head a bit, closing his eyes. "Ngayon lang siya available, eh." 

"Ano'ng ininom n'yo?" I asked again just to see if he could answer right. 

"Puking inang black label, pare. Ang sama ng lasa." He stuck his tongue out a bit, looking disgusted. 

"Pare?" I scoffed. 

"Oo, p're, awit nga, eh..." He laughed before drinking another glass of water. "Hindi ako lasing, ah. Baka isipin mo lasing ako. Medyo lang. Tipsy lang. Hindi ako lasing." 

My brows furrowed. I wasn't even saying anything. He was obviously drunk but not THAT drunk because he could walk and pour water on the glass. Nakakatayo pa siya, kaso nakakapit sa lamesa.

"Circle ka ba, Elyse?" He placed the glass back on the table.

"What?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Ano na namang question 'yon? 

"You look hot..." He laughed a little, smirking.

"I don't get it. You're drunk. Let's go." I sighed heavily and stood up to bring him inside the bedroom. 

"360 degrees." He laughed again, explaining the joke. 

"That's enough. You need to sleep. Let's go." I pulled his wrist until we reached the bedroom. 

Iniwan ko siyang nakaupo sa kama bago ako lumabas para kuhaan siya ng damit at towel. I went back to the room and placed his clothes and towel beside him. I gestured for him to go take a shower. 

"Are you sure you can take a shower?" I asked, worried.

"Oo nga. Hindi ako lasing," he said before closing the door. 

I waited outside, sitting at the edge of the bed. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. He looked adorable this way. Pinipilit pa niyang hindi siya lasing.

I shifted on my seat when he went out of the shower, only wearing a pair of black sweatpants and nothing on top. He had a towel over his neck and looked so bored and sleepy. I stood up and pushed him again inside the bathroom so he could brush his teeth. 

"Inaantok na 'ko." He closed his eyes a little, leaning against the countertop. 

"You need to brush your teeth before you sleep, okay?" I said, putting toothpaste on his toothbrush. Kinuha ko pa sa kabilang bathroom. 

"Ako na." He tried to get it from me, but I moved my hand away. "Amp." 

"Open your mouth," I threatened. 

He rolled his eyes before parting his lips, just enough for me to put the toothbrush inside his mouth. He was just staring at me while I was brushing his teeth. I even had to tiptoe to reach him, so he shifted his weight and leaned again against the countertop, slanting a bit hanggang sa maabot ko na siya. 

"Smile!" I gave him a cute smile so he would mimic it. 

He chuckled when he saw my face but still forced himself to smile. Pagkatapos, pinagmumog ko na siya. I got my ribbon headband so I could put it on his head. 

"Hindi pa ba tapos?" reklamo niya, aalis na sana.

"Hey! Skincare!" I pushed him back.

"Ouch..." He massaged his hips when they hit the countertop again. 

"Oh my, I'm sorry." I pouted, putting a cleanser on the cotton pad. 

I went closer to him so that I could wipe his face. He pursed his lips and stared at me while I was wiping him carefully. Nang magtama ang tingin namin, napatigil ako saglit at umiwas ng tingin. It felt awkward. 

"Hindi kayo bagay," he sarcastically said.

"I know." Tumango ako at tinapon ang cotton pad bago naglagay ng foam cleanser sa daliri ko para mahugasan ang mukha niya. "I didn't give him a chance, just so you know." 

"Alam ko," he whispered, looking at the ring on my hand. 

He closed his eyes like a kid when it came to contact with the foam cleanser. I laughed and told him to wash it off so he could sleep already. Inabutan ko siya ng towel pagkatapos.

He went out of the bathroom and lay on the bed, draping his arm over his face to cover his eyes. I turned the lights off and helped him with the blanket. Hindi ko alam kung tulog na siya kasi hindi na siya gumagalaw. 

"Miss na kita," he whispered. 

My heart pounded over my chest. Napatigil ako at tumingin sa kaniya pero nakatakip ang braso niya sa mata. I slowly covered his body with the blanket, waiting for him to say more but he didn't. 

"Good night." I kissed him on his forehead before leaving the room. 

I woke up so early because of the harsh light. Sevi turned the lights on inside the study room and made a loud noise by repeatedly hitting the metal pan with a large spoon. 

"What the fuck?!" I covered my ears, panicking. 

I opened my eyes and sat on the bed, confused. Bakit ang ingay?! What was happening?!

"Gising na! Gising na!" he shouted inside the room.

"Would you please stop it?!" Binato ko siya ng unan. "What the hell do you want?!" 

"Gusto ko lang malaman kung bakit natulog akong walang suot na shirt, pero may suot na headband." He showed me my pink ribbon headband. "Ni wala man lang boxers o brief! Sweatpants lang?! Eh di bumakat?!" 

"Hey, ewan ko sa 'yo! Ikaw ang nagbihis sa sarili mo, stupid! And don't worry, I didn't look at your crotch!" I shouted back. 

"Weh?" He raised a brow. 

"Why can't you remember anything?! I thought you weren't drunk, huh?!" I glared at him. 

"Naaalala ko, putol-putol lang." He held his head. 

He looked like he had just come out of the shower. Basa pa ang buhok niya at may towel na nakasabit sa leeg. He was just wearing a pair of black jeans with a belt on. There were little drops of water falling over his chest. His body looked so heavenly in front of me.

"Sinasabi ko na nga ba! Anong ginawa mo sa 'kin kagabi?" He hugged his body when he saw me staring. 

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo!" I stood up and hit him again with a pillow. "Get out of my way!" 

Nilagpasan ko siya at pumunta sa kusina para kumuha ng tinapay. I was muttering curses while toasting the bread. My gosh! Ang aga-aga, nag-iinit na ang ulo ko sa kaniya! His special talent was probably getting on my nerves! 

After eating, I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. I was just wearing my robe when I went inside the walk-in closet, locking it. Pinatuyo ko ang buhok ko at hinayaang nakalugay.

When I went out of the room, Sevi had already left. I rolled my eyes and wore my designer shades before leaving the unit. Nakasakay na 'ko sa kotse ko nang mag-text si Sevi. 

From: Engineer Camero

Nasa condo ka pa? Pakuha nung naiwan kong black folder sa study room. Padala sa Batangas kung pwede. Kung hindi, kukuhanin ko na lang sa 'yo. 

"Ugh!" I hit the steering wheel in annoyance before getting out of the car. 

Kinuha ko ang black folder niya. Dalawa 'yon kaya dalawa na lang ang dinala ko, then I went back to the parking and sent him a text. 

To: Engineer Camero

I'll go to Batangas after my meeting. 

From: Engineer Camero

Haha thanks 

"Haha?! So annoying!" I whispered before starting the engine. 

Hindi tuloy maganda ang araw ko pagdating sa office. Alice served me my tea during the meeting. I massaged my head while waiting for the Marketing employee to set up her PowerPoint presentation. 

"Do you like wasting my time?" I asked her, raising a brow. 

"I- I'm sorry, Ma'am. There's a problem with the connector," she nervously said.

"You had the time to set that up before I came here." I calmly looked at my watch. "Is that right?" 

"Y-yes, Ma'am." She looked down and played with her hands. 

I sighed and sipped on my cup of tea, gesturing for her to continue. Finally, after ten minutes, lumabas na rin sa projector screen ang presentation niya. I pursed my lips and listened to her. She was nervously talking, but I let that pass. Maybe I scared her a little. 

"Alice, I'm going to Batangas. Text me if you need anything. I have already signed some documents. Get them inside my office," I said while walking back to my office. 

"Yes, Madam." She nodded. "Ingat po kayo!" 

Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko at pumunta na sa parking. I drove all the way from Manila to Batangas just to get him the damn folders! Maybe I should have just asked him to get them from my office, huh? Wrong move, Elyse! 

"He'll pay for your gas money, don't worry," I whispered to myself. 

It was already around two o'clock when I arrived in Batangas. I got out of the car and walked to the site, where I could see people wearing hard hats. 

"Engineer Lavin!" I called. 

"Miss Ledezma!" He looked at me and gave me a wide smile. "Hanap mo asawa mo?" 

"What?" I hit him lightly on his arm using the folders. "Where's Engineer Camero?" 

"Oh, hanap mo nga asawa mo." He nodded, laughing. "Eh, kaso, Miss Ledezma, kakaalis lang ni hubby."

"What?!" My brows furrowed. "Where the hell did he go?! He asked me to come here! And please, don't call him my husband. He's not!" 

"Hindi ba talaga? Kalat na kasi rito na may asawa na siya, eh." He was still laughing. Angsaya niya naman. "I assume na ikaw 'yon? Sino pa ba?" 

"Definitely not me!" I denied. "So where is my husba- Oh god..." Napasapo ako sa noo ko. 

He laughed so loud that some workers looked at us. Hinampas ko ulit siya sa braso. It was his fault! Asawa siya nang asawa! Nahawa na tuloy ako! 

"Pumuntang Tagaytay, Miss Ledezma. Ito address. May ginagawa siyang mini-project doon." He texted me the address. I gave him a small smile before walking back to my car. 

I looked at my fuel and muttered a curse. Bumaba ulit ako at pumunta kay Engineer Lavin, holding my car keys. 

"Wow, ang bilis naman mag-travel! Kumusta ang Tagaytay? Malamig ba?" he joked when he saw me again. 

"Can you drive me there?" I asked. "I'm bad at directions and don't have enough fuel."

"Sure, sure! Sus, 'yon lang ba?! Wait lang." He walked away and talked to Engineer Castillo. They laughed together, hindi ko alam kung ano'ng pinag-uusapan. 

Engineer Lavin owned a white SUV so roon kami sumakay. I'll just go back here for my car and make Sevi pay for the gas. 

"May malapit namang gasoline station diyan. Empty tank na ba talaga?" Engineer Lavin asked me while driving. 

"Gaano kalapit?" I raised a brow. 

"Ah, medyo malayo," he said. 

Wow, ang galing niya kausap. Friends nga sila ni Sevi. I looked outside the window and bit my finger a little to contain the anger inside me. He could have texted me that he was leaving! That jerk! 

"He was there with Luna, right?" I asked Engineer Lavin. 

"Ah, si Architect Valeria?" He nodded. 

"You know her?" I raised a brow. "Why? Palagi ba silang magkasama?" 

"Hindi naman." He laughed again. "Siyempre kilala ko 'yon! Anak ng may-ari 'yon eh!" 

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita pagkatapos no'n. Engineer Lavin was singing along to the music the whole ride. He looked so carefree while driving. I must admit that he was good-looking. Girls would probably flock over him. Friendly pa siya. 

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked him. Reretuhan ko sana siya. 

"Alaws sa ngayon." Umiling siya. "Nasaktan kasi ako dati, Miss Ledezma. Akalain mo 'yon?! Sa gwapo kong 'to?" 

"Huh? Who hurt you?" I was fishing for information. 

"Architect." He laughed. It was probably not that heavy for him. "Ang nightmare naming mga engineer. Tsk." 

"Who?" I asked again, curious. 

"Si Kierra." He shrugged. 

Oh my gosh, what a small world! Nagulat ako at napaiwas ng tingin, hindi alam ang sasabihin. Were they together?! No, how come?! Probably not because...

"She... she's my... uhm..." I couldn't say it. Did other people know?

"Oh? Kilala mo?" He raised a brow. "Pero okay na 'yon! Matagal na 'yon tsaka friends lang kami ngayon! May kilala ka bang single diyan? Reto mo naman ako." 

"I'll... look for... someone." I looked outside the window. 

Nakaidlip ako nang kaunti papuntang Tagaytay. Nagising ako nang huminto na ang sasakyan. I retouched my makeup before getting out of the car. I immediately saw Sevi in front of the house, smiling and talking to Luna. 

"Engineer Camero!" I shouted. 

Sevi looked at me and whispered something, massaging his head. Padabog akong naglakad palapit. Bago pa 'ko makalapit ay umalis na si Luna at pumunta sa likod, obviously avoiding me or something. 

"You made me drive from Manila to Batangas for this!" Hinampas ko sa dibdib niya ang folders. "Tapos hindi mo man lang ako sinabihan na umalis ka?!" 

"Tinatawagan kita," he pointed out. "Nakapatay cellphone mo... At nasaan sasakyan mo? Kaninong sasakyan 'yan? Kay Theo ba 'yan?" 

"And you care because?!" I shouted. 

"Wait lang," he told me. 

I scoffed in disbelief when he went inside to talk to a worker. I waited outside and looked at the house. Mukhang luma, kaya siguro nila ginigiba. Kanino ba 'to? Kay Luna? 

"Nasaan na 'yong folder?" Sevi was in front of me again. 

"Here!" Padabog kong binigay sa kaniya 'yon. "You're going to pay for my gas money." 

I looked at Luna when I saw her looking at the house, meters away from us. She glanced at me but immediately looked away when she saw me looking back at her. She looked so confused. Nakakunot pa ang noo ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. It was so hot at bwisit pa ako kay Sevi! My gosh, I could have used my time working! 

"Ang sama mo makatingin, huh..." Sevi scratched his head a little. 

"Paki mo?" masungit na sabi ko, naiirita sa kaniya dahil sa ginawa niya. 

"Huwag ka ngang spoiled." He sighed heavily. 

"Wow," I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest. "Okay, then. I'm going. Engineer Lavin! Let's go!" I shouted. Pagkatapos niya akong papuntahin sa kaniya, he would tell me those things?! How ungrateful! 

"Wait..." Sevi grabbed my arm to pull me back. "Wait lang." 

Siya ang lumapit sa sasakyan. May pinag-usapan sila ni Engineer Lavin so I waited on the bench, covering my ears a little because of the loud noises in the backyard. My eyes widened when Engineer Lavin drove away, leaving me here with Sevi! 

"What the hell!" reklamo ko noong sinubukan kong habulin sa labas 'yong sasakyan.

"Ako ang maghahatid sa 'yo," mariing sabi ni Sevi bago ako suotan ng hard hat. 

I rolled my eyes and followed him. He was talking to the workers while I was beside him, looking around the house. It looked large. Ang ganda siguro ng view sa taas. 

"Doon ka nga muna," Sevi pointed at the bench. 

Sumimangot ako at bumalik sa bench. I sat there alone, pinapanood ang ginagawa nilang extension sa harapan. When I got bored, I played a game on my phone. 

Hindi ko alam kung nakailang laro na 'ko habang si Sevi ay kanina pa paikot-ikot sa bahay, giving the workers orders I didn't understand. I looked at the sky and malapit na talagang dumilim. I played again on my phone, still waiting for him. 

"Tara na." Sevi stood in front of me. 

Kinuha niya ang bag ko at sinabit sa balikat niya habang abala ako sa paglalaro. I followed him to the gate until he stopped walking because a man just came out of the car, holding paper bags. A new face! 

"Ooh, sino siya?" I asked Sevi.

"Attorney Kalix Martinez." He looked at me. "'Yong may-ari ng bahay. Ex ni Luna. Bakit mo tinatanong?" 

"Hi! Do you need help?!" I was about to walk towards the hot guy, smiling, but Sevi pulled on my wrist to stop me. "Hey!" 

The guy glanced at us but immediately looked away, probably thinking that Sevi and I were having a fight. Nang makapasok na siya sa bahay, inagaw ko ang palapulsuhan ko kay Sevi. 

"Laki ng ngiti mo, ah," he pointed at my face. "Nakakita ka ng gwapo?" 

"Of course! Duh! Maybe he needs help!" Papasok na ulit sana ako sa loob pero hinatak na naman ako ni Sevi. "Attorne-" Sevi suddenly covered my mouth, glaring at me. Sinamaan ko rin siya ng tingin.

"Tara na. Umuwi na tayo." He sounded mad. His jaw moved aggressively, staring at my eyes before moving his hand away from my mouth. 

"Seloso!" I teased, smiling. 

I stepped backwards when he suddenly turned to me. He pulled my waist closer to him and leaned to whisper in my ear. I swallowed hard, unable to talk. I could smell his perfume, and I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Oo, nagseselos ako," he whispered to me. "Kaya huwag mo 'kong subukan." 

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:)