"I really don't know what to do with you anymore, Oreo." Heaven started scolding as soon as we step out the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA). I was notified that I lack credits to enroll as a regular student for the coming semester because I've got an incomplete grade in Visual Communication Design 2. I requested attendance with my professor and after an hour of lecture about how important it is to be serious with my studies if I want to earn my degree, he told me to take part with the SSC's Outreach Program where I'll be joining a team that's tasked to create and design brochures, posters, and video presentations needed for the activity and those will be credited in his subject together with a comprehensive narrative report of the event. I've got an incomplete grade in Visual Communication Design and they expect me to produce visual materials for the fare?!

The OSA instructed me to coordinate with the Student Council and ask for the schedule of preparation for the event so I could start right away. I sulkily glanced at my cousin who's going on with his endless scolding that would surely continue until I fix my grade. I have no choice but to ask him to accompany me in the office since I don't trust myself not to complain once I'm given the work and he became my spokesperson.

I stopped when I saw Vitto appeared from the corner of the hallway and heading towards us. He was out of town the last three days and this wasn't the scenario I planned to welcome him back! I snapped my head back to my cousin to glare at him.

"Did you tell my carrots?" I hissed at him.

"He has the right to know that he's dating an empty head." He raised his brow at me and I scowled at him. He ignored me and looked ahead smiling, "Hey, future brother-in-law. That was fast."

"I was just around when I received your message. Thank you for letting me know."

I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip in defeat. Heaving a deep breath, I prepared a smile and faced my boyfriend.

"W-Welcome back, carrots." I stopped the urge to throw myself at him although I missed him so much. He didn't have any reaction and my smile wilted as I guiltily pursed my lips. I noticed his shoulders moved when he sighed, and he reached out for his hand to me. Relieved that he wasn't mad, I crossed our distance and wrapped my arms around his middle, burying my face on his chest. I heard my cousin clicked his tongue.

"Don't dote on her too much, bud. She thinks she can get away with anything by acting cute like that."

I pulled my head away from Vitto's chest to throw a murderous stare at my cousin. "Don't teach my carrots to be bad like you!" The devil just smirked at me.

"I'll leave her to you now, bud. Don't hesitate to ring me up if she starts abusing you." Heaven said playfully and he was already moving before I could sock him.

"It's okay, bunny. Your cousin's just teasing you." Vitto's calm voice soothe the tension in my body and I looked at him apologetically.

"I disappointed you again, carrots. I'm sorry."

"Who said that I am?" He smiled kindly and my heart fluttered. "It's not like you failed. You still have time to fix it. I will help you, okay?"

I shook my head. "This time I will really work hard to fix this myself. This happened because of my negligence afterall. Knowing that you're here is enough to motivate me. So, watch while your pretty girlfriend does a good job, okay?" I beamed at him and he flashed me a handsome smile as he fixed the strands of hair that strayed from my ponytail.

"So you need to help with the visual materials?" He asked while we were heading out the admin building with linked arms. I pouted as I nodded hesitantly. On his hand was the slip released by the OSA stating my intention to join the preparation for the SSC project as per requirement by my subject. I have to show it to the Council so they can record my attendance.

"If they require me to work overtime, I won't be able to spend time to you this week." I sulked. Only One semester more and he'll be flying to Texas for his internship and I want to spend as much time with him as I can. Not to mention that first sem ends two weeks from now and I don't know if he has plans to join study groups over the break. I just want to be with my carrots everyday.

"How about going to Isabela over the sembreak?" He asked all of a sudden making me halt my steps.

"Did I hear it right? Isabela?" I asked just in case I misheard. He nodded.

"My Pa won't stop asking about you. If two weeks of stay is long enough for you, we can fly back after a week—" I cut off whatever more he has to say when I launched myself at him to wrap my hand around his neck.

"I'm going to Isabela with you?" I couldn't contain the excitement in my voice. Then realization sink in and pulled back to look at him anxiously. "Should I dye my hair back to its natural color? Do you think he'll like me?" I gasped covering my mouth with my palm remembering my incomplete grade. "What if he knew about my grade and disapprove of me?" Wouldn't he think I'm lacking for his genius son?!

Vitto smiled in amusement as he tugged my hand to pull me close and playfully pinched my cheek. "That's what you get for watching too much Kdrama."

"You liked the last one we watched, though." I mused. It was a medical drama and he seemed to enjoy it.

"I like you better." He said and I froze, feeling my whole face warm so I covered it with both my palms to hide my giddy feeling. My carrots has been both healthy and dangerous for my heart lately. I heard him chuckle and the sound of it doesn't help to settle my fluttering heartbeats. He gently removed my palms off my face and I was welcomed by his warm gaze. I felt his thumb gently rubbed his grandma's ring on my finger. "Why are you keeping your lovely face from me?"

I pursed my lips to smother a squeal. Did he just say I'm beautiful? I tried to harden my expression and glared at him playfully. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"But I thought I am taking care of it." He replied innocently like he was confused and my heart could only take so much of his cuteness. This new side of him will be the death of me. But I love it. I love every version of him. I only hope that I'd stop feeling lacking for him. And that, I have to work myself. I gazed at him seriously.

"Carrots."

"Hmm?"

"I'll work hard to better myself, so please don't get tired of me while I do that."

"But you're already the best for me." He responded giving me a smile on my face. He smiled back and pulled me against his chest, kissing the top of my head. "You don't have to prove anything to me anymore, Oreo. You're already good enough for me. Please keep growing for yourself and I will always be here to support you."

I nodded, and hearing those from him sent me a blanket of peace.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"Come again?" I blink, asking the SSC secretary to repeat the last thing she said.

"You will be under Giro's group. It wouldn't be hard to adjust with your team since you're already acquainted with the vice president." She said as if I owed her a lot for putting me in my ex's group. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably.

"Can I just be in your group?"

"It's Giro's group who's in charged with the materials, and the OSA specifically instructed us to assign you where you could apply your major. So, it's not like you have an option to choose your own team. Just tell me if you don't want to do this or not so I can proceed with my other works." She seemed pissed now and because I promised myself and Vitto that I'll better myself, I just pursed my lips and nodded before I could say something that might irritate her more.

"Well then, the schedule the OSA sent tells you'll be working with us until Saturday. So, you will be—"

"Until Saturday?" I cut her off and her lips fall in one line. "B- But I can't on Saturday." It's my and Vitto's monthsary!

"Then again, it's not like you have a choice not attending on Saturday."

"Can I just work extra on Friday?"

"If you want to work with the bats, then go." She replied sarcastically and it took all of my patience to not answer back. "How about just go talk to OSA about your concerns? I don't have all day to bargain with you."

I heaved a deep breath and thought of my carrot's handsome face. I will be seeing him after this and my day will get better. "When shall I start then?" I plastered her a forced smile.

"Now. Follow me."

I followed her into a room at the furthest edge of the corridor that says Animation Room. It was my first time entering the room since I've only been at the SSC room when I was dating Giro. There was a separate building for all the organizations and university clubs and the SSC office was located on the fourth floor together with the Design and Animation Club.

Three people were already working in separate working desks with computers and pieces of papers with different lay-outs were scattered on the conference table in the far nook of the room. Their attention snapped at us as soon as we enter the room. The two women seemed to hate me immediately as they gave me cold stares.

"Who is this pretty lady with you, Hera." The only guy in the group asked with a wide grin.

"Everyone, this is Oreo from College of Arts and Design. She'll be here to help us with the visual materials." The SSC secretary introduced me and I was able to mutter a small hi before the two ladies spout their obvious hate at me.

"How can someone with incomplete grade in her major even help us?" The woman in short hair fretted.

"She'd only make our work harder." The other woman added.

"This isn't something I expect to hear from a committee working for an outreach program." Our gazes flew to the door where Giro entered. "If you have a problem with Oreo here, you can raise it now so I could send you to the OSA to file a formal complaint."

"T- There's no problem, Giro."

"I'm sorry, Giro."

The two ladies said in unison but giving me side-glares. One week. Just one week and I won't be seeing these two- faced ladies anymore!

"It's a good change of atmosphere to have a really pretty lady here, Giro!" The guy cheerily said as another woman entered the room. Hmm, figures. Of course, where Giro is, expect his girlfriend to be there.

"Hi, Rose!" The two ladies greeted Rosenda with a smile then glared at me and I mentally scoffed. It's not like I'm here to steal Giro from her! I'm even cringing thinking I did stupid things to get him back before. But since it brought my way to my carrots, I think I can forgive myself.

"Hello. Nagdala ako ng iced- coffee." She said smiling making the two women who hate me cheer happily.

"You're the best, Rose!"

"Thank you!"

I willed myself to stop rolling my eyes as the two women approached Rosenda to get the stuffs from her.

"I- I'm sorry, Oreo. Hindi ko alam na nandito ka kaya lima lang ang nadala ko." She looked like I was going to eat her alive and I hate her for it. I'm not even doing anything now so why would she act as if I'm bullying her?

"You can give her mine, Rose." Giro said that I immediately contest before any of them misunderstands again.

"I had slushie before coming here. It's okay."

"Kate, Marian, apologize to Oreo." Giro asked the two ladies and I widened my eyes at him. He's just making them hate me more.

"There's no need for that, Giro." I said in haste. Afterall, it's not like what they said affected me. I don't care what they think at all but I care what my carrots and his father might say so I have to do what I need to do here. "Just instruct me what to do so I can start now."

"I'll be working with you." The guy stepped in and grabbed my right hand to shake it much to my surprise, "I'm Yuri. We're both from College of Arts and Design. I've been seeing you in our department and it's really nice that I can introduce myself to you now."

"Yuri, remember that you're here to work and not to try to date." Hera reminded the guy with an eyeroll making him laugh.

"It's not bad to try." He shrugged.

"I'm in a happy relationship." I replied quickly and he smirked as he gazed at the ring on my finger.

"Seems so. But there's no harm in trying." He said playfully and I tugged away my hand from him making him laugh.

"Enough of that, Yuri. I would ask Marian and Kate to assist Oreo while she's trying to grasp the job. You go back to your workplace." Giro said sternly and Yuri hold out his hands to surrender.

"Um, Yuri, here's your iced coffee." Rose handed him one and the guy winked at him making her blush. I should make sure to keep my distance away from this Yuri guy. I would rather endure the glares of Marian and Kate than deal with his sly flirting.

Two more people joined the group who seemed to be nicer than Marian, Kate and the flirt Yuri. One was Jules from my department and the other was Cheska who was a freshman and volunteered for the job.

"Your ring's so pretty." Cheska said as she rested from her lay- outing work.

"Thank you. It's my boyfriend's grandma's ring." I replied while continuing working on my Mcbook.

"He must love you that much to gift you such valuable heirloom." She swooned and I smiled remembering what my carrots said before giving it to me.

Someone loudly cleared her throat and Cheska and me both turned our head to see that it was Kate, the woman with a shorter hair. "It was rumored that she basically forced her to be your boyfriend by following him around." She acted as if I wasn't there by regarding in third person.

"I remember she did the same with Giro. Poor Rose." Marian whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. I gritted my teeth thankful that Giro and Rosenda weren't there anymore. They left with Jules a moment ago.

"Oreo is still a lot prettier though. I wonder why Giro even chose him." Yuri commented insensitively and I threw him a side glare. Why was he making my situation even worse? Cheska cleared her throat.

"Excuse me, but it's not proper to badmouth someone as if she's not here." She voiced out and Kate threw her a warning glare.

"Just mind your business, freshman." She remarked icily and I gritted my teeth to hold my temper. What's wrong with this woman? Cheska looked at me apologetically and I gave a small smile to appreciate her gesture but deep inside I wanted so bad to give those women, including this Yuri, a piece of my mind. It's better to just keep quiet otherwise there will be war once I decide to open my mouth. Afterall, I've been working in front the computer for two hours straight now and my back is aching not to mention that I already want to see my carrots! I wasn't able to spend time with him for the past three days and I don't want to waste my energy bickering with these people when I can spend it having a date with him later.

"It's not like her boyfriend is serious at her." I heard Marian whispered to Kate like it's their intention to let me hear.

"Surely she'll get dumped soon like how Giro did to her." Kate replied with a giggle.

I fisted my palms and quickly rose from my seat to the surprise of everyone.

"What?" Kate grimaced. I closed my eyes and heaved a deep breath, willing their bad vibes to leave my system. Then I looked at their direction and flashed them my irresistible smile that made Yuri's jaw dropped and expectedly, it has other effect to Marian and Kate.

"Are you crazy? Why are you smiling like that?" Kate glowered.

"Can't I? How about you try smiling instead of scowling at me? Perhaps it will make you pretty, too." I replied making her jaw dropped and before Marian can come to her rescue, Yuri got back to his senses to say something.

"Oreo's right. You're making it too hard to work here with your constant frowning. At least we have her and Cheska who knows how to smile." The comment earned him a deadly glare from the two but thankfully, it finally made them shut up. Yuri winked at me as if silently saying he got me and I replied with a cautious smile and he continued his work animatedly.

Another hour passed and Kate and Marian kept piling more work for me to do when they noticed how Cheska was nice enough to share the loads with me. In the end they gave Cheska another task just so I can be left working with the mountains of things the two women instructed me to do. I felt like my eyes were going to dry out soon when my phone rang and my fatigue suddenly dulled when I saw who was calling.

"Carrots!" I answered excitedly forgetting I wasn't alone.

"Keep it down, will you?" Kate chided but her bitterness didn't ruin my now good mood as I moved from my seat to stand in a corner away from her and Marian's sharp eyes.

"It's almost six. Should I come pick you up now?" His voice soothes my headache.

"Oreo, you have to finish editing the pictures before you can go! Don't go slacking off!" Kate called and I immediately covered my phone's speaker as I bit my lip to suppress yelling back. Should she ruin this perfect moment with her hateful mouth?

"I sent you another batch of pictures, Oreo. Make sure to edit them right!" Marian followed and I'm on the verge of pulling my hair out! It will be late once I finish all of those and I don't want Vitto to wait here for me when he can use the time to finish his research proposal.

I heaved a deep breath and whispered on the phone.

"Carrots, I'm afraid I need more time to finish my task here today. I will call the family driver to drive me home. Let's have a date tomorrow, okay?"

"4th floor, right? Sports and Humanities Building?"

"W- What?"

"Just checking if I remember it right."

"Oreo, I need the pictures now!" Kate called again.

"Oreo!" Marian chose to follow.

"Carrots, I will call you, okay? I will as soon as I finish this. Love you!" I hang up before Vitto can hear more of Kate and Marian's screaming. I moved fast to go back to my seat and Cheska caught my eyes and grimaced obviously pissed with the two ladies.

"They're a nutcase." She whispered.

"I will show them crazy if only they wouldn't report me to the OSA." I whispered back but Kate seemed to hear it as she snapped at me.

"What did you say?"

I flashed her a fake smile. "I said my ears are working just fine so you don't need to yell. In fact, we can talk like civil human beings. Although it wouldn't make me less pretty to put up with your consistent screaming, I do not know about you." I heard Cheska and Yuri snicker.

"What did you say?!" Kate seethed as she rose from her seat, her blazing eyes narrowing at me.

"How dare you say that to her!" Marian, of course, came to her partner's rescue. I raised a brow at her.

"I was also planning to say that to you." I told Marian and Yuri's snickers louden and before the two women can approach me, the door suddenly opened.

"Oreo!" Jules called, "your boyfriend's here!"

My body perked up as I expectantly gazed at the door where Jules' half body was peeking. I instantly forgot the two ladies who were preparing to chew my head off and excitedly run out the room. I beamed widely seeing him standing outside the door looking like a model with his head down and hands on his pockets.

"Carrots!" I threw myself at him and he caught me by wrapping his strong arms around my middle. I wound my arms around his neck clinging to him tightly like we weren't together three hours ago. His smell was an effective balm to my exhaustion.

"Should I help you finish your work?" He asked and I pulled back as my arms slid down to wrap around his waist.

"I have to finish it by myself otherwise they won't sign my DTR." I forced a small smile.

"I'll go buy you some pastries."

"You have to go home and work with your research proposal." I countered him.

"I can work with it tomorrow. It will be dark soon. I'll wait for you." He insisted.

"Oreo, why won't you invite your boyfriend in?" Cheska called and I saw her grinning widely as she peeked from the half- opened door together with Marian and Kate who immediately scrambled away like they've been caught stealing something. "I don't think we will finish here any soon. It's better if he waits for you inside." She pressed.

I glanced back at Vitto who was already looking at me. "Would it be okay with you?" I whispered.

"I'll still wait for you even if you make me wait outside." He replied.

I pouted as I shook my head indignantly. "Do you think I'll allow that?" I asked like I'm offended that he even thought of that and he smiled in amusement. I escaped from his embrace and yank his hand towards the door. "Let's go inside." I tugged him inside. Marian and Kate pretended to focus back on their computer screen even after catching them eyeing the door.

"Guys, this is my boyfriend, Blake Vitto." I proudly introduced him to everyone even when Kate and Marian don't deserve to know.

"Please pardon me for intruding." He apologized politely as he slightly bent his head down.

"Hi, Blake Vitto! I'm Cheska." Cheska offered her hand and he politely accepted it giving her a small smile. She grinned like she's ready to swoon any second from now. She even gave me a thumbs up like she approves of Vitto. And from my peripheral I saw my two-nemesis fixing their hair as the glanced at Vitto.

"Over there's Kate and Marian." I gestured their direction before they could even introduce themselves and have an excuse to touch my carrots. I smirked at them triumphantly and they huffed as they looked away, acting like they're not interested to talking to Vitto at all.

"And over here's Yuri." Yuri being the extra even raised his hand, "And I have a crush on your girlfriend!" My jaw dropped but he still has that stupid grin on his dumb face despite the awkward silence. I glanced at Vitto who was having a staring competition with the stupid Yuri who was obviously incapable of reading the room.

I cleared my throat and laughed nervously. "Carrots, I believe you already met Jules." I tried to divert the topic and thankfully, Jules was smart enough to catch up.

"Hi, dude. I'm in same department as Oreo." He said in a friendly tone and thankfully Vitto finally looked away from the guy to acknowledge Jules with a quick nod.

"Enough with the chats now." Kate said crossly while tapping at her keyboards too loudly, "We have a work to finish." She threw a glare at me but I chose to ignore her and smiled at Vitto. He smiled back and energy coursed through my body like I can work in front the computer even until midnight.

Vitto silently stayed beside me while I do my job. He leaned closer and whispered to me, "Do you need anything?"

I suppressed a yawn and looked at him to shake my head no while smiling. I can feel the pooling of water on the corner of my eyes. Makes sense since I've been in front the monitor for too long now and they start straining.

"You should rest your eyes. I will do this." He took the MacBook from me and I automatically turned my head to glance at Kate and Marian. I knew it. They've been watching my every move and now they're murdering me with their glower.

"You should let Oreo finish her job. It's not you who failed her major afterall." Kate blustered as Vitto started doing my work.

"She didn't fail." Vitto replied without looking away from the monitor making Kate snort derisively.

"Why don't you just feel thankful that we got an extra hand?" Finally, Yuri has something nice to say. "You keep on nitpicking Oreo."

Vitto paused like what he heard doesn't please him. I leaned and whisper to his ear, "I'm okay."

"They're just jealous of her." Cheska murmured to him. Vitto turned his gaze to me and I reassured him with a smile. He seemed not convinced but he gave a small smile and reached to tuck some strands of hair behind my ear.

"You'll work here for a week?" He asked as he focused back to the monitor.

"Hmm." I answered with a nod, watching in awe at how fast he lay- outs the pictures. His hand moves agilely as he dragged the mouse, the other hand expertly pressing keys on the keyboard.

"We should finish this fast so we can get you and anti- radiation glasses."

The silence in the room was broken by Cheska's giggles. Vitto and I both looked at her across the working table. She covered her mouth with her palm when she caught us staring.

"What was that?" Kate irritably asked. "Are you giving us a heart attack?"

Cheska pursed her lips as she tried to control another fit of giggles. "I'm sorry. It's just that Oreo and Blake Vitto here are giving me a major couple in a Kdrama vibe." Her twinkling eyes caught mine, "Oreo, your boyfriend is so sweet. Where can I find someone like him?" She asked dreamily.

"I'm here. Present!" Yuri said as he raised his hand like a child. "Although I like Oreo better, I can be your boyfriend, Cheska. I'm also sweet and as handsome as him!" He said making me and Cheska grimaced and Jules snicker from the corner. Even I heard Marian and Kate choked. How can he compare himself to my carrots?! When was even the last time he checked himself in the mirror? Although Yuri isn't bad looking but my carrots is on another level. My carrots is an angel!

I was hoping that this week finishes peacefully, but with these people around me, I doubt if that will ever happen. Thankfully, my carrots is here to pacify my week. But I also never expected for things to turn the way I never anticipated.