Chapter 3
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I'm going to be a tomato if Dad won't stop hugging me, pretending to cry. I'm being squished by him in front of this vast amount of people at the airport. Who wouldn't turn red in this situation?

It's the day of their flight and I've never been excited and sad to see my parents leave.

"Be a good girl, anak, okay? No drinking, no making out with boys, and no partying while we're not here. Are we clear?" he demands, as he puts me down and stops squishing me before I turn into a sheet of paper. "Okay, maybe you can go party, but Lev must be there. Always ask permission before going out, understood?"

I reassure them, "Yes, Dad. I won't do anything that will make you worry."

My dad turns to Lev, placing his hand on his shoulder, and says, "You, my son, take care of my daughter, okay? You'll be responsible if something happens to her." My lips form a smile as I hear Dad calls Lev 'my son'. He makes it sound like we got married.

Lev stands still, moving his right hand to the side of his forehead as he playfully salutes. "Yes, Sir!"

Dad gives him a curt nod. He whispers something in his ear which makes Lev's eyes widen and ears redden. Dad smiles at him as he pulls back. Lev briefly loses his composure before he utters, "O-of course, Sir. I won't. You can trust me on that."

Okay...What was that?

A little while later, we are done exchanging goodbyes, so we watch them enter the airport. Once they disappear from our sights, we head to Lev's car to pick up the things that were left at my house.

I ask, "What did Dad say to you?" as I wear the seat belt while Lev starts the car.

He blinks as he looks at me. Shortly after, he looks away and focuses his eyes in front. "It's nothing. Just some warning."

A warning?

"Okay...? Do I have to be concerned about what warning he gave you?"

He shakes his head, "No no no. No need."

I nod slowly, unsure of how I'll respond to that.

As we stop at the house, we immediately run to my room to get my suitcases. I have packed my clothes and things good for a week or two since I still don't know how long will I stay there.

It isn't that long enough when we arrive at Lev's penthouse as it's only a twenty-minute drive from our house, give or take. I have been here many times before and sometimes, I would sleep in their guest room, which is the room I'll be staying at.

Also, I really like their penthouse for the view in their living room covers a wide range of Skyline here in Los Angeles. I've loved city views for as long as I can remember, especially when during the night. The lights always fascinate me.

"Here, let me help you," he says, lending me a hand while he opens the door as we enter inside. It's the same as the last time I went here, but the only difference is that it's kinda messy. His clothes and things are scattered everywhere: on the floor, sofa, and even on the coffee table.

We both like to keep everything clean so it is unlikely of him to be this unorganized; I can't help but wonder why he didn't get rid of this mess before going out. Besides, if his parents see this, he will totally get an hour of a sermon.

"Uhm, about this..." He scratches his nape and adds, "Sorry for the mess. I was really tired yesterday 'cause both Ace and I went to their gym in the middle of the night."

I look at him and let out a little giggle. He didn't have to explain himself and yet here he is, looking all cute. "No worries. We can just clean this up after you help me with my things."

Remembering that they went to the gym last night, I ask, "Or, do you want to take a rest first? I don't want you to force yourself, though."

"Nah, it's alright. I'm not that tired right now, compared to yesterday."

We spend half of the day tidying the whole penthouse because apparently, the bathroom, which has a size that can fit approximately five people in it, was just the same as the living room. The laundry was undone and the mirrors were foggy with dried marks of water droplets.

After that, Lev helped me organize my things in the guest room as promised.

I really have to get used to calling it 'my' room although I'm not even living here.

After all our cleaning shenanigans, the penthouse is now as good as new. Lev decided to take a shower since he was sweaty with all the cleaning we did.

As for me, I am currently on the bed, staring at the starry image projected on the ceiling. While I was rummaging through my things earlier, I found my constellation projector, a gift Lev gave me for my fifteenth birthday. The funny thing about this projector was even though he bought it for me, it feels like it's his because of the countless times he used it than the actual owner. It's as if he bought it for himself. It has always been our favorite to watch the stars twinkle in the sky.

I hear the door creak as someone opens it, which makes me instinctively rotate my head to my right to see who it is.

"Hey, what do you want for lunch-" Lev stops midway as he sees the room, gaping. I figure that he just finished showering since he has a towel around his neck, wearing no shirt at all, and just sweatpants. His hand is rested on the door as he opened it while the other is holding his phone. He stands by the door, staring at the projected stars while I dumbfoundedly trail my eyes up from his gorgeous face down to his perfectly defined body.

I gulp, tempted to make a move.

Shoot. I almost forgot how he usually doesn't wear shirts when he's at home. He's making it difficult for me to hide my feelings.

"That's not fair, V," he frowns, stepping towards me. "Come on, scoot over. I'mma watch it with you."

I calm myself down before sliding to my left, making space for Lev to sit on. Up to this day, it still amazes me how I'm good at acting unaffected with what he does. I could win so many Oscars for acting by now.

"Hey! Don't lay down! You're going to make the pillow wet!" He doesn't listen to my warning and continues to lay himself down. He places the pillow on his abdomen, handing his phone to me to put on the bedside table near me. Having no choice, I do the same thing.

"I'm surprised you brought this here," he blurts out, almost as a whisper which makes his voice slightly hoarse.

"I actually didn't plan to. I didn't even know it was in the suitcase," I answer with the same soft pitch.

"Well, I'm glad you did. Oh, look, V!" He points at somewhere, "It's our favorite constellation!" I shift my eyes to where he was pointing at and see a series of bright stars. It's the Aries constellation–our zodiac sign.

"Oh yeah, it is! It's the first time that came out," I say, surprised.

I'm not sure how long we were lying down, naming all the stars we know, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Although, all things must come to an end.

A ring tone is played on his phone.

Ring

Ring

Ring

He sits upright and stretches his body over me as his arm reaches for the phone. At the same time, I ask, "What time will your parents go home?"

He looks down, "Hmm? Didn't I tell you?"

It seems like the arm that's supporting his upper body suddenly bends, causing him to lose his balance. As a reflex, I try to place my hands on both of his shoulders to prevent him from falling on me and getting his naked skin close to mine. But the mere touch of my fingertips on his skin is enough to make me flustered.

So, the plan on keeping him away from me failed since it was too late as our bodies are now close to touching. Dangerously close.

He breathes through his mouth and I can feel it on my skin. He smells like vanilla, his scent overpowering the little space between us. I hold my eyes to his face. His chocolate-colored hair drapes down and his dazzling honey-brown irises deeply bore into mine, making me feel things I've never felt before.

"We're the only ones who are here," he whispers, stating the obvious.

"What?" I ask breathlessly as my heart is pounding to the point that I can hear it in my ears.

He clenches his jaw before pulling away from me. "I mean, my parents are on a business trip so they won't be here for a while," he explains as he drags himself off of the bed and walks to my side, getting his phone. "You really should continue your skincare routine," he teases, chuckling.

I throw a pillow at him. "Hey! For your information, I am taking care of my skin. Thanks for your concern," I say while crossing my arms.

It rings again, and this time he picks it up. "Be right back. Gotta take this one," he tells me before heading out of the room.

Why does he phrase it like he wants to continue what we had earlier?

Ha. In your dreams, Val.

If I would have known beforehand that his parents aren't here, then I would have tried my best not to be alone with him. It's unhealthy for my heart.

It's only been hours since I step my foot here, and now this happened.

Hmm. Can't wait for the next.

If.

If there's any, that is.

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