"Did your dad allow you to come home late tonight?" Vitto asked and I turned towards him in surprise, hiding my broken phone behind me. I beamed at him so he wouldn't know that I was about to make a lie.

"Yes. He said it's okay." What's the point of asking him if he's never around the house?

"You should tell your cousin, too. He should know that you're with me." This time, I smiled genuinely. Who wouldn't fall to this very thoughtful man? His handsome face is a bonus.

I crossed the distance between us and hugged his arm. "Don't worry. He trusts you. It's me who he does not trust. He's scared I might wrong you." I joked as I looked up at him and he was staring at me so intensely that I was the first one to look away. I cleared my throat awkwardly and let go of his hand to proceed to his tiny yet very neat living room. I threw my now useless phone to his sofa.

"Are we going to Netflix and chill tonight?" I faced his direction but he was already in front of me, pulling me for a hug. "What's wrong?" I asked in confusion.

"I should be asking the same." I can feel his warm breath on the top of my head, "What's wrong?" Hearing him ask that in his low and gentle voice, my chest constricted and my throat started to parch as tears start to well on my eyes. I snapped them close to stop it and wrapped my arms tightly around his middle, burying my face in his chest.

"I'm sorry..." I breathed in my raspy voice. It was hard not to cry when my emotion was already all over the place. "I'm sorry that I'm crazy... and always jealous." His body stiffened.

"Did that guy told you that?" There was an edge in his voice.

"He did nothing wrong." I croaked, shaking my head. "It was me who realized that." His chest heaved a deep breath as I felt his hands traveling up my shoulders putting a mere space in between us so he could lift my chin up and we can meet eye- to- eye. He gently caressed my cheek.

"Have I ever complained?" There was so much patience in his eyes. Smiling, I reached for his hand on my cheek and shook my head. How did I become so lucky to have someone who knows how to calm my storms? Growing up, I used to having my way after throwing temper tantrums that people around me just give up and resort to giving me everything, even the things I don't really need. That must be the reason why Giro eventually gave up on me. I was a selfish brat who only knows how to cry when something does not go her way.

"Crazy and jealous is good when you know where to put them." He pulled me against his chest and soothingly rubbed my hair. I close my eyes and relaxed against his touch. "I'm really happy knowing that you were able to recognize this. I know that you won't allow these two things to mislead you from doing what is right. You did a great job expressing yourself, bunny. I'm proud of you." He whispered, kissing the top of my head.

I cried silently, not because of jealousy or frustration but because of the amount of trust and patience I'm receiving from this wonderful man. I tiptoed to throw my arms around his neck, clinging to him as if my life depended on it.

"Thank you, Vitto." I whispered against his neck; tears keep flowing down my eyes. "I love you. I love you."

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"Do you want to change? You have a few clothes here." Vitto asked from outside the bath. I rinsed my mouth then placed my toothbrush in its holder. I smiled seeing the couple's toothbrush there.

"I want to wear your shirt." I called and I only heard rustling from outside. He noticed that I wasn't able to eat properly in the café so he prepared food for me. And because my boyfriend is a good cook, I'm starting to learn how to eat vegetables. He prepared beef and vegetable stir fry and it was so good I sniffed until the last grain of rice. And maybe because I was in a better mood after that hearty conversation.

I smiled at the mirror once more before going out. Carrots was sitting on the sofa reading something. I went behind him and wrap my arms around his neck, leaning down to peek at the paper he's reading. It was the paper Jax used to solve my assignment.

"Was he able to get them correctly?" I asked.

"He did."

"Hmm... I thought he was dumb." I mused making him smile. He turned his head towards mine and planted a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Change your clothes inside my room." He focused back on the paper. I smiled and rushed inside his room, enjoying the feel of my bare feet against his carpet. I opened his closet and grabbed his favorite white hoodie. I kicked off my skirt and put on my yoga pants which were neatly folded over one of my jeans. Two of my shirts were even hanged together with Vitto's. I heaved a deep breath in peace, enjoying the warm and cozy feeling of surrounded by Vitto's scent. I folded my discarded clothes and went out room walking straight to the rack in the corner of the room where my bag is hanged. I plan to go home wearing his hoodie.

"Just place them in the laundry basket. I plan to bring my clothes in the laundry tonight, too." He said without taking his eyes out from his laptop screen.

"I can do the laundry now." I said without even thinking that I was also surprised to what I said. Vitto's gaze snapped at me, obviously also surprised with what he's heard.

"It's three days' worth of clothes. Bringing them to the laundry is more convenient."

"But I can wash our clothes for us. So, you won't need to go out tonight anymore. I know you're tired." Yes, I really want to do this. He just stared at me for a moment before he moved to place the laptop on the coffee table.

"Perhaps we can do it together some other time." He replied and my heart throbbed giddily. Did he say together? "Tonight we need to study." It was as if my brain was still processing the "together" word so I just stood there like a robot with dying batteries. I watch him stand from the sofa, walk towards me to take the pair of clothes from me and went straight the bathroom where his neatly stacked laundry are. He returned to pull me by the hand and lead me to the living room where my assignment was waiting.

He sat on the carpet, facing the coffee table, and I followed him.

"You're not upset?" I asked in a small voice. He looked at me, waiting for me to elaborate. "I failed to submit my assignment."

"There will be next activities like this so you still need to learn how to do it." He started scribbling on our study notebook.

"I wish I have a brain like you." Or like Brail's.

"You wouldn't like my brain if you have it." He smiled, almost bitterly. I do not like it. The sliver of pain in his eyes when he said that. My hand automatically reached to touch his cheek, intending to sooth him but he moved his face towards me making my thumb grazed his lips. My eyes widened in shock as I freeze so was he. But it was hard not to melt while looking directly in his eyes so I pull my hand away but he caught it, using it to pull me towards him and I gasped as I fell onto his body, my lips touching his.

It was a gentle touch of the lips, like we're only trying to feel each other's breathing. And when I closed my eyes, his lips started to move and I followed his lead. From a slow, soft pressing of our lips, his hand tightened around my waist while the other cupped the back of my head and I felt him slant his head when his lips perfectly fit mine like a puzzle piece. He nibbled my lips and I let out a sound I didn't know that I was able to make. If only I have the chance to be flustered I would, but his tongue touched my lower lip until it slides inside my mouth, meeting the wetness of mine and I heard myself making that sound again. My hands moved on their own, wrapping them around his neck and opened my mouth even more, allowing him to delve into me.

I don't want this to be the last kiss we'll ever have. But if I want that to happen, I should work to better myself and stop being insecure. I hope...

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"This is good." I beamed with Vitto in delight, munching the kale chip he brought for me.

"I thought of making it into chips since you don't like how it taste when it's cooked." He brushed some crumbs on the side of my lips through his thumb and I tried not to swoon. I always look forward to his touches, from a simple brush of his finger against my skin or his warm body enclosing mine... or when he kisses me... like last night.

"You're blushing." He noticed making my face warmer than ever. Nervous, I popped a chip in his mouth to make him stop talking while I try to calm myself. Maybe it's because I love him that he's so handsome in my eyes? I sneaked a glance at him again. Maybe the reason why he chose wear those unfashionable clothing before is that he really wanted to hide his perfect face and physique. His skin glows even without an extensive skin care like I do before I go to sleep. His hair always look soft and bouncy. He opened his flask and took a drink from it, his Adams apple moving from the process and I gulped. I even felt warmer when my eyes landed in his lips that was moist by the water he drink. And just last night, that beautiful soft lips was kissing me—

"Why are you sweating like that?" He asked and I was woken from my embarrassing trance, gasping as I cover my lips. "It's not really hot here." He reached his hand to touch my cheek, perhaps to check if I was hot but I slide away from him in anxiety. What if he can read my mind? He'll know that his girlfriend is slowly becoming a pervert! If that happens, he will never touch or kiss me ever again!

"What happened?" He asked, confusion all over his blindingly handsome face.

I swallowed, "I... I..."

"You what?" He frowned. "I think you're not feeling good looking at how flustered you are. Let's get you to the clinic—"

"I was thinking about your lips." I said in a rush as I closed my eyes, embarrassed to see his reaction.

"Why would you think about his lips?" I opened my eyes in shock hearing Brail's voice. "Are you a perv—"

Vitto cut her off by covering her mouth through his palm. They were so close I wasn't thinking about my embarrassment anymore, but the way Vitto's arms are wrapped around Brail so he could cover her mouth.

"You should learn how to stop your mouth once in a while." Vitto irritably said at her.

Brail irritably swiped his hands away and glared at him, "Is your hand even clean?"

Vitto looked at his palm, obviously grossed out. "At least my hand is cleaner than your mouth."

I don't like what I'm seeing. Am I jealous again? No. I am... scared.

I rummaged my bag for the hand sanitizer. I went to Vitto and silently sprayed a lot in his open palm. Any trace of Brail's lips should be removed there. I should sanitize it properly.

"It's enough, Oreo." Vitto halted my movement through his other hand, waking me up from my trance and I notice his palm drenched with the sanitizer.

"I- I'm sorry—" He cut me off my grabbing the sanitizer from me.

"You're clearly not okay." He told me then looked at Brail, "I don't think I can make it today. With you there, the group can function without me." Vitto suddenly declared making me and Brail look at him in surprise.

"Are you out of your mind?" Brail uttered in disbelief. "I agreed to be in a group because you are there." She begins sulking. And my chest thumped painfully hearing those words from her. But if Vitto is willing to ditch his group work because of me, I can also set aside this anxiety for him.

I blinked away the haze in my eyes, swallowing the painful lump in my throat to make sure my voice would come out normal to avoid worrying him further. "Carrots, you should go." I smiled at him. "I was just being mindless again. You will call after your group study, right?" I looked at him hopefully.

"But tonight, after the group study, you have to go with me. You promised, Vitto." Brail reminded him accusingly and I tried not to sink further in an abyss called jealousy. Why should Vitto go with her? And where?

"Jesus, Brail." Vitto impatiently heaved out a breath, "You've been phrasing out your sentences in a way my girlfriend might misunderstand."

"I don't." I said in a haste sounding defensive. And I am. But he doesn't need to know about that. "You have to finish your group project, carrots."

"That's right." Brail squeezed in, "You having a girlfriend does not mean you have to compromise your studies, Vitto. Are you slowly becoming an imbecile like that idiot Desmond?"

My knees almost gave out with what I heard. There's another unfamiliar name again. Goes to show that there are things about my boyfriend that I do not know yet. Things that Brail know. And just how close is she to Vitto to be able to scold him like that? Am I really starting to trouble his studies?

"Just when did you become interested in what's happening in my life?" Vitto smirked, his voice was laced with mockery, directing Blair with a look full of resentment making her tensed. "You have been doing fine pretending I don't exist. And now you barged in here acting like I owe you company."

I looked at Vitto in confusion, then back to Blair whose eyes were red with suppressed tears.

"I- I have reasons why—"

"Leave me alone, Blair." He cut her off and Blair's tears finally fell. "I don't need anything from you. Or your family. So just please... just let me be in peace and get lost." His voice was low, yet the venom there was potent, numbing. And even when it's not directed to me, I felt the weight of his words. I felt his resolve. A resolve of someone who has finally given up with someone.

He moved lithely, swiping my hand as he pulled me towards the bench where I left my bag, grabbing it before walking away. I can only look back at Brail who was left in silent tears. His steps were so fast it was hard for me to keep up and his grasp on my hand are getting tighter it's starting to be painful. Just what kind of history does he has with Brail... and his family? Is she his ex? Did they have to break up because of her family? Seems like she still love him... but what about him? Is he still in love with her?

"V- Vitto..." I called shakily but he doesn't hear anything. He just kept on walking as if getting far away from Brail as possible would erase whatever they had. "Vitto. Vitto!" I pulled my hand away and halted. And that was the only time he stopped, looking bewildered as he turned to look at me. But his trance was immediately wiped away after noticing my hand that started bruising because of his grip.

"I- I'm sorry. I should not have—"

I cut him off by hugging him around the waist. His tensed body was cold, her heartbeats racing like crazy. And I hurt. With jealousy and for him.

"Is she the reason why you tried so hard to hide yourself?" I asked and I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Oreo, don't misunderstand—"

"I'm jealous of her, yes." I caught his eyes. There's no point of hiding anymore. "But more than that, I don't want seeing you hurt like this."

"Oreo, my issues with her does not concern our relationship."

"Why?" I stepped away from him, his hands dropping on his side. "Because she's an ex now?" My bitter note does not escape him.

"Let's not talk about this right now, please." He pleaded, his voice sounding tired. But it just made me even more frustrated.

"Then how will I understand if you don't tell me anything, dammit!" I burst out making him halt. "You never tell me anything. I only know things about you that I see everyday. But other than that, nothing. And you expect me to not misunderstand? To believe that Brail does not concern us? If it really does not, then why do you react to her that way? Is it because you used to care about her a lot?" I can feel the tears pooling the sides of my eyes but I never allowed sobs to come out. If I was the old Oreo, I would have resorted to crying loud now to manipulate things to my advantage, but I do not want to be like that anymore. I do not want to be the old me who selfishly reached out to him because I need something from him for myself. This time, I want him to like me to stay by his side. I want him to trust me to love him, care for him, and protect him from all kinds of Brail that hurt him in the past.

But looking at how he just stood there with resigned expression, I know for sure that this ends our conversation and I cannot squeeze anything from him even if I cry blood. I inhaled deeply and took my bag from him which he easily let go. I took another deep breath to smother the sobs wanting to escape my throat.

"Go back." I told him but still, no reaction from him. "Go back and finish your project. I- I have to go to my class now. I'll see you." I have to leave before I burst to tears. And so, I did. This time without hoping for him to stop me. I did it without looking back.