"Thank you," those were the first words I uttered when Oxygen stepped out of the room. I ignored the fact that he's wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants with a bath towel hanging on his shoulder, kissing its way to his chiseled chest, ends touching his torso.

Frowning, he made an eye contact with me as if trying to fathom my words. Is it really surprising that I'm thanking him? "Anong sabi mo?"

"Oxygen, I'm not gonna repeat myself" I rolled my eyes and went back to watching TV. I'm sure he heard it, he's just teasing me around.

The other side of the couch bounced when he occupied it, I startled when he moved on my side. Close, nah, closer as in so close to me. Our elbows touching, I looked at him with full annoyance but he's grinning at me.

"Oxygen, move!" I snapped.

Oh, he moved. But instead of moving away, he moved closer to my side.

"Sure," he winked.

His scent filled my nostrils, mixture of clean and fresh smell of his shower gel and musk, masculine in every sense. Oxygen De Salvo smells rich, sexy and sensual. Much as I'd like to ignore that, it can't go unnoticed. That's one thing about him that no one's gonna ever miss.

"Natawagan mo na ba si Kuya, baby girl?" He mocked.

I hate it that he's making fun of how Zander is treating me. That's not funny because it's just normal. Well talking about normal, sure that Oxygen De Salvo is everything but normal.

"Wag mo na antayin pa na siya tumawag sayo, ayoko ng drama." Walang pasabi na inagaw niya sakin ang chips na hawak ko, he grabbed a handful of chips and started masticating it greedily.

"Gross," I grimaced. Although I know he's doing it on purpose, a purpose to annoy me. With the grin on his face, surely this De Salvo is setting a new goal in life and that's to freak the hell out of me. "Gluttony is a sin."

"Nope," he chuckled. "Salt is asin."

It took me a few seconds before I understand his lousy joke, if it can be considered as joke. "Funny."

I was about to turn my attention back to what I was watching when I remembered something, I looked at him. His eyes were directed at the television.

"Where are you sleeping tonight?" I asked.

"Sa ibabaw mo, pwede ba?"

"Bastos mo!" Bago ko pa napigilan ang sarili ko ay nanggigigil ko nang natapik ang kaniyang bibig, bahagya siyang nabigla ngunit agad ding napahalakhak.

"Bastos nakahubad," pamimilosopo pa niya.

"You're shirtless!" I reminded him.

"Ng buo! Gusto mo ba pakitaan kita ng bastos?" He moved his body to face me, I grimaced when he did some winking and lip licking with biting something so eeeeew! "Arte mo."

"Oh, fuff!" I even covered my mouth with my hand, acting like I'm so disgusted that I wanna vomit my stomach out.

"Ulul, fuff pinagsasabi mo dyan" humalakhak na naman siya. Bahagya siyang umusog sa kabilang bahagi ng couch at itinutok na ang atensyon sa panunuod.

I decided to do the same, since I don't think there's a possibility that Oxygen will answer my question properly. Well, this guy is never proper. I like the movie, it hooked my attention, ganoon din si Oxygen na nanatiling tamihik habang nanunuod. Lilingunin lamang niya ko kung aalukin niya ko ng chips, as I can see it, it's his favorite too.

After the movie, Oxygen stood up. Pointing the remote on the television, scanning another movie to play. Mukhang wala pa siyang balak matulog, well hindi pa rin naman ako inaantok. And instead of spending the rest of the night thinking about my heartbreak, I rather watch another time worthy film.

"Hoy, tawagan mo na muna kuya mo." Paalala niyang muli. "Nagugutom ka ba? Tatawag ako sa casa, nagugutom ako, e. Ikaw, may gusto kang kainin?"

Nilingon ko siya habang nag-iisip kung may gusto nga ba akong kainin. I didn't realize that I was looking at his chest while thinking.

"Sorry, you can't have me." Maaskad niyang sabi kasabay ng pagtaas ng sulok ng kaniyang labi. "Hindi ako kasama sa menu."

"Dream on," I rolled my eyes before I stood up taking my phone off my bag. "I'm not hungry."

Hindi na siya sumagot pa at tinalikuran na ako para muling tunguhin ang silid na nilabasan niya kanina. Agad ko namang tinawagan si Kurtney, after three rings, I was thankful that she picked up.

"Yes, Gabby?"

"Kurt, I need your help." I started. "I'm out tonight and I'm gonna call Zander and tell him that I'm sleeping over to your place. I need you to cover for me if in case he reach you."

"Okay," but I know Kurtney. She need more than what I said. "But where are you?"

I bit my lower lip, thinking if it's wise to tell her that I'm with Oxygen. If I tell her the truth then she'll ask more question. Questions I didn't know how to answer.

"If you're thinking about lying, Gabbana, think again. You can't fool me, dear. I've known your ass for a long time. So, tell me, where in hell are you?"

Alright, am I gonna lie? Can I lie? "I'm with Oxygen."

"You're what?!" She shouted in shock from the other line, I winced, slightly pulling away the phone from my ear. "Am I mishearing things? You're with Oxygen? You don't mean, Oxygen De Salvo, right? Must be some other Oxygen-"

"De Salvo." I said, closing my eyes and before I can hear any rant from Kurtney, I know I should end the call. "I'll call you again tomorrow, thanks Kurt. Bye."

Hindi ko na siya inantay na makasagot pa, I ended the call and instead of dialing Zander's line. I've composed a message for him, telling that I'm with Kurtney, and that I'm safe and sound. Then I quickly shut my phone off so Kurtney won't able to call me. I know that girl, she won't stop until I give her answers. Tomorrow, I'll personally see her, I also need to see my bestfriend as I mend my broken heart. Maybe we could do shopping or any spa treatment. Whatever.

"Tangina mo naman, Zach. Masyado kang maraming tanong. Hindi. Gago. Ako lang mag-isa. Kasi ayoko. Kingina mo, kapag pumunta ka dito tapos buhay mo." Oxygen is cursing nonstop when he went out of the room, he had his phone on his ear and he's heading to the kitchen.

Bumalik ako sa pagkaka-upo ko sa couch at binalingan ang movie na naka-toggle sa screen. He selected it but decided not to play it yet. Napangisi ako nang makita ang title. Really? Oxygen-freaking-De Salvo wants to watch Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. Why did I miss to see this movie awhile ago? I should've selected it. Had I known.

"Saya mo naman," sabi niya bago muling maupo saking tabi. He's done with his phone and is now holding another bottle of beer.

This man is obviously addicted to beer, though he doesn't have any beer belly. He must've worked it good and hard. Well, kudos to him. But good luck to his liver. "I didn't know you're a fan of movies like this."

"Oh? Ano naman? Wala namang foreword na, hindi 'to pwede kay Oxygen ah." Pilosopo na naman niyang sagot habang umiinom sa hawak na bote. "Nag-order ako ng pizza kay Zach. Dalawang flavor ang available para ngayong gabi, hindi ko alam ano gusto mo kaya pareho nalang. Mac and Cheese at Chicken Alfredo."

Other times, I will refuse to eat anything this late. But tonight, I'm gonna let myself cheat on my diet. I'm gonna indulge my broken heart. Besides, mac and cheese is something I couldn't ignore. I can easily turn down all the sweets but never the mac and cheese.

"Don't you pity your liver sometimes? Like, beer is obviously bad for the liver." I said, having my eyes set on the screen.

"Ano ka si Robin Padilla? Liver lover?" Tumatawang sabi niya, made me sneered.

I shouldn't have said what I said.

"Alam mo kasi, Gabgab. Kung mamamatay, mamamatay." Dagdag pa niya, well that's what he believe then I'll let him be.

"Why do you like this movie, Oxygen?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan, I don't want us to discuss things like dying and all that.

"What's not to like about the movie, Gabgab?" Pagbabalik tanong niya. "It works as a kids film because it remains lighthearted throughout, while also conveying some worthwhile messages about sticking with your dreams and passions."

I nodded my head, he's right. I looked at him. "What's your dream and your passion, Oxygen?"

"Bakit mo tinatanong? Crush mo ko 'noh?" Nginisihan na naman niya ko.

"Wag mo nalang sagutin, never mind." Irap ko, aakmang babalik na ako sa panunuod nang mag-salita siya.

"Young Oxygen wants to be a photographer. I have this intense passion with photography, pero mas kailangan ako ng negosyo namin. I have to set that aside, isa pa, para sakin lang naman 'yon. Hindi para sa lahat, ako lang sasaya dun." Oxygen is speaking in quiet tone. "Hindi lang naman ako, lahat naman kami. Si Zach, si Rance, si Reid, si Kade, si Icen. Hindi ko na sila kailangan pang tanungin, alam ko na 'yon na meron din silang kani-kanilang gustong gawin na dapat isantabi muna kasi hindi naman iyon ang kailangan sa ngayon."

"Pero kailan mo magagawa yung gusto mo, if not now?"

"Bukas. Marami namang bukas, Gabgab. Syempre, sa ngayon first things first. Pamilya muna. It will be selfish kung gagawin ko yung gusto ko samantalang sila magsasakripisyo, it won't kill me if I set aside my passion for a little while and choose my family over it." He said.

Hearing Oxygen now doesn't seem right. I've seen him as a man whore that he is, not as someone selfless who picked family over the thing that he's passionate about.

"Ikaw, you're a bombshell. Is that what you really wanna be?" He asked. "Iyong kilala ng lahat. Nakakalat sa lahat ng magazines yung mukha at katawan? Glamorous and all that stuff. Is that what the real Gabgab wants? Or it's something you thought you want?"

His question got me moved. Fashion and modeling are two thing I was raised wanting. I lived all my life setting higher goals and achieving it step by step in the industry. But, is this really what I want? Now that I'm being asked, I was confused. Probably. I don't know. If it isn't what I wanna be and where I wanna be, then I don't know what else I should've picked.

"Hindi mo na kailangan pang sagutin, you're confused and it's all written in your face." He cut off my thoughts, then the buzzer of the unit made a noise. He stood up and stalked towards the door.

I stared at Oxygen's back figure. He wanted to be a photographer. Looking at him, the idea isn't something that will immediately cross in your mind. Si Ethan kaya? Ano kayang gusto niya?

That question I had for myself only prove how less I know Ethan. I didn't know what's his passion. What's his favorites and things like that. I didn't know it will be important, not until now. But then, life isn't over yet. I still have so much time to learn things about Ethan. I don't care about Lance. She'll soon be out of the picture.

Oxygen came back holding two boxes of pizzas, he opened both and placed it above the center table. Then he headed back to the kitchen to get me a sealed bottled water and another bottle of beer for himself.

"Hindi ako mahilig sa malamig na tubig." Is his explanation while handing me the water.

I shrugged, it doesn't matter anyway. I turned to the open boxes of pizza and have my eyes set on the slices of mac and cheese. These are two unique flavors of pizza, I might say.

"Favorite mo yan?" Tanong niya.

Nang lingunin ko siya ay nakabaling ang kaniyang buong atensyon sakin. I smiled and nodded my head. "I love mac and cheese, my mom used to scare me when I was a kid that I'll turn into a mac and cheese one day. All because I want nothing but mac and cheese. This obsession I have for this food started when dad created a bowl for me, I was five then. But this will be the first time I'd have mac and cheese in pizza."

"Si Titanium nakaisip niyan" he gave me a slice of mac and cheese pizza. "Yung kakambal ko. Kumpara sa mga lalaki ng pamilya, mas malayang nagagawa ng mga babae yung mga gusto nila. Which is okay, wala namang problema iyon samin. Dapat lang naman. Kaya ayon, Titanium is a food journalist and a pizzeria. Nag-aaral siya sa Italy ng kung anu-anong gusto niyang pag-aralan tungkol sa mga pagkain. Nagbabakasyon lang iyon dito ngayon, next month babalik na rin siya don. Ayaw nga ni mama na malayo si Tami, kaso syempre, she can't keep my sister inside the pocket of her jeans."

Reminds me of how mom wants me and Chanel to stay in her radar. Maybe, it's a normal thing for moms. I took a bite and the taste of cheese immediately put a smile on my face. That immediately fade when I noticed that Oxygen is watching me intently. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Wala lang, mukhang kang tanga. May pangiti-ngiti ka pa, pizza lang yan, hoy." He brutally said before taking a swig on his beer.

Oxygen will never be nice. One thing that I should keep reminding myself. Inirapan ko siya at walang pakialam na ipinagpatuloy ang aking pagkain habang nanunuod ng TV. Ito rin ay kumain na.

"Favorite movie yan ng mama ko, e" sabi niya sa kalagitnaan ng aming panunuod. "Nung bata kami, puro yan pinapapanuod samin. Naging paborito ko narin, tangina kasi halos araw-araw ng pagkabata namin ni Tami yan ang napapanuod namin."

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is the most delicious movie in planet Earth since macaroni met cheese. I grinned at my own thoughts. "It's a nice movie. I just find it surprising for a philanderer like you to have this kind of movie as his favorite."

"Panong surprise?" Tatawa-tawang nilingon niya ko. "Tingin nga ng surprise, Gabgab."

"Shut up, Oxygen." Naiinis na pinaikutan ko siya ng mga mata, wala na siguro talagang magiging matinong sagot ang tao na 'to. "How about Ethan? What's his favorite movie?"

"Malay ko, di naman ako mama niya."

Again, I rolled my eyes. Bakit ko pa nga ba kasi siya tinanong?

"Mahal mo pero favorite movie lang hindi mo pa alam? Fake news." Nakakalokong halakhak pa niya.

"I was thinking pa naman that you're okay, I'm changing my mind. You're not okay. I hate you. You have no right to question me on how I love Ethan. I have my ways!" I gave him a frown.

"Sabi mo, e" nakangisi parin niyang sabi. "Alam mo, papa ko kabisado lahat ng tungkol sa mama ko. Kahit bago pa sila maging mag-asawa, ganon daw kasi 'yon. Pag-mahal mo, aalamin mo lahat ng tungkol sakanya. Ikaw? Sa tinagal-tagal na panahon mong mahal si Ethan, kagaya ng sabi mo. Bakit ngayon mo lang naisipan alamin 'yang mga ganyang bagay?"

Because I never see the need to know those things, until Oxygen. But I'd rather shut my mouth than tell him that.

"Ethan's favorite is an old movie. Raiders of the Lost Ark."

I didn't know why Oxygen answered me, though I'm happy that he did. I mentally noted myself to watch that movie since it's Ethan's favorite. I took the opportunity to ask another Ethan question. "What is his favorite food?"

Nilingon ko si Oxygen matapos kong banggitin ang tanong na 'yon. He's looking at me with those blue eyes, there's something in those eyes that made it softer than it usually look. Was it sympathy I'm seeing? Or pity? "Dati, Tacos. Pero ngayon, buttered popcorn na, simula nung..."

"Simula nung?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

"Simula nung nalaman niya na 'yon lang yung kinakain ni Lance kapag... kapag depress..." nakabantay ang kaniyang mga mata saking magiging reaksyon.

I tried to control the irritation inside me but I failed, my cheeks hardened. "Na-de-depress pa siya? She seems to be getting everything she wants in a snap. Walang kahirap-hirap. Ma-de-depress pa? What a funny thought?"

Harsh alright, but I'm speaking the truth. I hate Lance Dela Paz for having all that I've wished for, most especially Ethan. I hate it that Ethan cares for her a lot! He even changed his favorite food because of Lance! How ridiculous is that?

"Ano bang akala mo? Ikaw lang may karapatan ma-depress? Tao 'yon, tanga nito. May feelings 'yon. Kahit pa sabihin mo na nakukuha niya lahat ng bagay, sigurado ka ba na yun ang gusto niya? Hindi porke yung mga gusto mo, nakukuha niya, ibig sabihin gusto niya 'yon. Magkakaiba mga tao, magkakaiba ng mga gusto. Magkakaiba ng mga dapat gawin." He defended Lance.

"Ah, basta, I hate her!" Irap ko.

"Wag kang parang bata. Lance doesn't deserve your hatred." Seryosong sabi niya. "Bakit kaya hindi si Ethan ang ayawan mo? Siya naman humalik diba?"

My eyes squinted. "I hate you! I can't hate Ethan, I love him! Are you stupid?!"

"Oh, kaya ako nalang hate mo?" Maiksing tawa pa ang kaniyang pinakawalan. "Lakas mo rin, eno? Tapos ako pa stupid, ikaw nga 'tong tanga. You can hate everyone but you can't hate Ethan. You know why? Because you're not allowing yourself to hate him."

Okay, I'm done here. I put down the left pizza slice I had in my hand and stood up, gathering my things. "Thanks for the pizza, for the movie. I don't think I can stay the night."

I started walking out when Oxygen get into his feet and lazily followed me. Snatching my arm to have me face him. I can't face him with my eyes shedding some unwanted tears. I didn't even know what these tears are for. But he didn't give me much choice, he's stronger than me.

"Pag nakakarinig ng totoo, aalis? Ganyan ka lang, Gabbana? Nakakalungkot ka naman pala."

"You're not funny-"

"Who says I'm trying to be funny?" He then pulled me near him, looking down at me with those intense eyes. "Putangina, umiiyak ka na naman. Hindi lahat iiyakan mo."