"We'll go ahead, Tita," Paalam ko sa Mommy ni Niccolo bago muling yumuko at bumeso rito. Niccolo's behind me while his hand's resting on my waist.

He also leaned forward and kissed his mother's cheek who's seating on her wheelchair. "I'll be here tomorrow, Mama."

Some of their company investors were pulling out. Their stock market's suddenly plummeting this past few days. After hearing that news, Tita suffered with mild stroke.

Nakakapagtaka ang nangyari sa kompanya nila. I mean, their company's big and stable. Tapos bigla na lang babagsak ang stock market?

I turned to Tita Gabanna, Niccolo's aunt while he's talking to his Mom. Bumeso ako rito at ngumiti.

"Should I say, welcome to the family?"
Marahan at may ngiti sa mga labing sambit niya. "Seems like Niccolo have plans," She muttered.

"Tita," Saway ni Nic na agad na nakapagpadiretso ng tayo kay Tita Gabanna.

"What?" She chuckled. Napailing na lamang si Niccolo.

"We'll go ahead," Pinal na sambit ni Nic.

"Dito na kayo mag-dinner," Anyaya ni Tita.

"Next time, Tita. We have a reservation at Coscoree."

We arrived at the Philippines last night. Hindi pa alam nila Mommy dahil sa biglaan kong pag-uwi.

After Archer's call, I immediately told Nic I'm coming with him. I even booked an earlier flight than what he's planning for the both of us.

I don't know why, I just felt that I need to go back here after my divorce with Hoax.

We arrived at Coscoree a few minutes after driving. He gave the car keys to the valet. Iginiya niya ako papasok sa restaurant. Walang kibo si Nic at halatang malalim ang iniisip.

"I was thinking if you can help me invest in DelaCerde Inc." Sambit ko nang maalala na sa susunod na araw na ang meeting ng mga natitirang investors ng kompanya nila.

He glanced at me and shook his head. "You don't have to. It's not a good deal to invest in a company who's near bankruptcy."

I frowned. "What? Bankruptcy? Seriously, Niccolo?" I sarcastically raised my brow up on him. Bahagya ko pa siyang nilingon. "Grabe naman, nega ka?"

He pursed his lips, suppressing a smile coming out of it because of my choices of words. Sa huli ay hindi na siya nakapagpigil at nakangiting umiling.

We're walking towards our reserved table when I locked my eyes with a familiar woman approaching and a man beside her.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at ganoon din si Niccolo. A smile slowly formed in my lips as Mirae's eyes widened a bit when she glanced at Niccolo who's beside me. While Vynz on her side's wearing his usual cold expression.

"Astrid," Bati ni Mirae nang makalapit sa amin.

I glanced at Niccolo when his hand on my waist tightened. Agad rin naman akong napabaling kay Mirae nang magtanong siya.

"When did you came back?"

I smiled at her. "Nitong Wednesday lang. I never got a chance to visit our penthouse. But I'll surely visit, one of this days."

She nodded and turned to Niccolo. "So, I see, you're with someone."

"Hmm. Nic, this is Mirae, and her husband, Vynz." I cleared my throat before I continued. "Mirae, Vynz, this is Niccolo DelaCerde," I smiled. "My boyfriend."

Huling huli ko ang mabilis na pagbuka ng bibig ni Mirae ngunit agad rin namang nakabawi. I glanced at Vynz and saw him shifted his weight.

"Y-you're dating already, I see," Mirae nodded her head and smiled at Niccolo.

"Hmm. I'm already divorced so..." I shrugged. I felt Niccolo stiffened. Nilingon ko siya at binigyan ng ngiti nang makitang nasa akin ang kanyang mga mata.

Napamaang si Mirae sa aking sinambit. "Was it approved already?"

I nodded and a smile formed in her lips. "Congratulations, then! After two and a half years!" Yet our memories in my head feels like it was just yesterday. It still looks as vivid as before.

I smiled and was about to answer when Vynz spoke. "You knew?" Napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa tanong niya.

I raised my brow up on him. "Dapat ba hindi?" His jaw tightened at my question. "I mean, yes."

"Do you have a reservation? Why don't you two join us," Anyaya ni Mirae.

I turned to Niccolo and asked. "Is it okay with you?"

Agad naman niya akong tinanguan.

Mirae and Vynz started walking towards a private room, kami naman ni Niccolo ay nakasunod sa dalawa.

Napalabi ako nang maalala ang sandaling pagtalim ng titig ni Niccolo kay Vynz. I don't know if I really saw it or I was wrong. Sa huli ay ipinagkibit balikat ko na lamang iyon.

The food was served and Mirae started a new topic to talk to.

"So Niccolo DelaCerde, I assume you knew that your girlfriend was once married," She started.

My grip on the utensils tightened when Vynz smirked. "Surely he knew it."

Mirae glanced at her husband with questioning eyes. Maging si Niccolo ay natigilan.

Vynz shrugged. "I just assumed, since it seems like they're already in a relationship for a long time."

Nanliit ang aking mga mata dahil sa tinuran niya.

"When did the two of you started dating?" Tanong ni Mirae habang sumusulyap sa amin.

"Almost a year ago," Sagot ni Niccolo na agad kong tinanguan.

I frowned. Agad akong napabaling kay Vynz dahil sa sinambit niya. "The fuck is my brother doing," He whispered. Para bang sa sarili lamang niya sinabi iyon. Mukha namang hindi napansin ni Mirae ang sinabi ng asawa dahil abala ito sa pagkalkula nang isinagot ni Nic.

"You mean-" Agad naputol ang sasabihin ni Mirae nang nagsimulang mag-ingay ang aking phone.

I glanced at my phone lying on the table and saw Archer's name on it. Nakita kong nakatingin din doon si Mirae.

"I'll just answer this," Paalam ko at hindi na nagabalang lumayo.

"Astrid," He started. "Kailan ka pa nakauwi?" I assume he figured I'm already in the Philippines because of the number I'm using.

"Hmm." I smiled, para bang makikita niya ang aking ngiti. "Last Wednesday."

"Hey, Arch!" Mirae interfered.

"What--is that Mirae?"

I chuckled and hummed. "Hmm, I'll put you in a loud speak."

"Don't call her, we're having our dinner," Sambit ni Mirae.

I heard Arched hissed. "You two! You're unfair! Bakit nagdidinner kayo ng wala kami?"

"Bakit, masamang magdinner ng wala kayo?" Napailing ako sa sarkastikong sagot ni Mirae.

"This is unplanned. Nagkita lang kami-"

"Astrid has a lot of story to tell!" Mirae giggled. Wala sa sarili akong napangiti. She's still the same woman I know.

"How about at the penthouse, tomorrow?" Archer suggested. Wala namang kaso sa akin iyon. I miss all of them.

"Alright, I'll inform Creed and Dash."

Arch hummed. "Astrid, remove your loud speak."

Agad ko namang sinunod ang sinabi ni Arch dahil sa tono niya ay seryoso na siya.

"What is it?" I asked after removing the loud speaker.

"I have something to tell you later. Call me when you got home," Archer spoke. I glanced at Niccolo when his phone started ringing. He gestured that he'll answer his phone. Ipinakita pa sa akin kung sino ang tumatawag. Sa huli ay napatango ako at napalabi.

"About what?" I asked Archer over the phone.

"Your divorce. There's something wrong with it."

I frowned. "What?"

I heard him heaved a deep sighed. "Call me later," Sambit niya at tuluyan ng pinutol ang tawag.

I turned to Niccolo. Katatapos lang din sagutin ang tawag galing kay Tita Gabanna. His eyes were telling me there's something wrong.

He leaned on me and whispered. "I need to go, Babe. Mama was rushed in the hospital."

My lips parted. Sa huli ay napatango rin ako. He nodded his head as he turned to his phone.

"Mirae, Vynz, I'm sorry but we have to go," I muttered. Vynz just nodded at me.

"Is there something wrong?" Mirae asked.

"An emergency. Sorry, we need to go." I need to know what Archer's saying about my divorce.

She smiled. "Alright, ingat."

Agad na akong tumayo nang ibaba ni Niccolo ang kanyang phone. "Thank you for letting us join you. I already paid the bill since this is your reservation. We'll go ahead." Niccolo's hand encircled on my waist. Akmang aalis na kami nang magsalita si Vynz.

"You what?"

Mirae held Vynz's arm, para bang pinipigilan ito. She even whispered something. Vynz's jaw clenched at that.

I rolled my eyes as I pulled Niccolo out of the private room.

"I need to go too, I'll just take a cab," Sambit ko nang makalabas kami ng restaurant.

He turned to me with his eyes full of confusion. Sa huli ay kumunot ang kanyang noo. "It's not safe for you to take a cab, gabi na. Ihahatid kita."

I gave him a smile to assure him. "I'll be safe." He doesn't have any idea about me being a part of Cosmos so I understand if he'll worry. "Really? Go to your Mom. I'll be safe."

He sighed and smiled. "Alright," Sagot niya bago nagtipa sa kanyang phone. Ilang sandali lang ay tumutunog na ang sa akin.

I looked at him, low-key asking him what he wants when I saw his name on the caller.

May humintong sa aming harapan at agad na binuksan ni Niccolo ang pinto noon. "Answer that. Don't end the call until you're already at where you are going." Napakurap ako at sa huli ay pumasok na rin sa loob ng cab. He even talked to the driver to make sure I'm safe.

I rolled my eyes when he even paid for it. Sa tantya ko ay sobra sobra iyon, lalo na at hindi man lang niya inalam kung saan ako pupunta at basta na lang nagbayad. I drew a sarcastic, audible breath. Doble doble ang tip niya sa driver para lang siguraduhing wala itong masamang gagawin sa akin.

He chuckled when he saw my reaction.

Nahuli ko pa ang titig niya sa plate number na sinasakyan ko nang paalis na ito.

I shook my head as I bit my lower lip. He's too good to be true. Too good for a woman like me.

I arrived at the exclusive subdivision where the Universe and the underbosses of Cosmos are living.

Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa apat na bahay na naroroon. They are all modern style mansion. Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi mapangiti. Kung makaunfair si Archer, akala mong hindi sila magkapit-bahay ni Mirae.

Dumako ang aking tingin sa bakanteng lote katabi ng bahay ni Arch.

I smirked. I should start building mine. I'll contact an architect for that.

I saw something from the side of my eyes. Agad akong lumingon at dumako ang aking tingin sa bahay ni Creed. I smiled when I saw him walking out of it with Dasher. I can still remember when Dasher was ambushed and we all thought he's dead. Napailing na lamang ako. Mabuti at agad na naayos ang mga paa niya at muli siyang nakalakad. And speaking of an architect, I smirked.

I started walking towards their direction. Agad silang napahinto nang makita ang aking bulto. At first, Creed's frowning. Ngunit nang makalapit ako ay napangisi ito.

"Astrid!" Dasher immediately smiled when he saw me.

"You're back," Creed concluded. "Is that for good?" Nakangiting tanong niya. Nakakapanibago pa rin na makitang nakangiti si Creed.

I shrugged. "'Di ko pa sure. But maybe I'll stay." Lumingon ako sa bakanteng lote at nagpatuloy. "I need an architect, Dash," I turned to him as I playfully smiled.

He chuckled as he nodded. "We'll make sure you'll have the best architect."

Doon na ako napatawa at ganoon din si Creed, bahagya pang napailing.

I rolled my eyes as I drew a sarcastic, audible breath. "You're both whipped."

Lalo akong napailing at nahihiwagaang napatitig sa dalawa nang magkibit balikat lamang sila.

"How's life?" Creed asked.

"Life's good," Napalabi ako at nagpatuloy. "I think?"

"Anyway, tomorrow at the penthouse?" I asked, trying to change the topic.

Naningkit ang aking mga mata nang hindi sumagot ang dalawa.

"I won't accept no as an answer," Pahabol ko.

"Who says we'll say no?"

__________