"I saved the day again, didn't I?" pagmamalaki ni Sage nang maglakad siya sa tabi ng nililigawan. Nagpapapansin siya kay Lily pero goal niya ring ma-distract si Aiden sa pagtitig kay Ken. "Ilang percent ang tinaas ng pagkagwapo ko sa paningin mo?"

"Nasisira ang araw niya 'pag nakikita ka," mabilis na sagot ni Ken mula sa tabi nila. Lily chuckled, alam nitong mag-uumpisa na naman ang walang katapusang bangayan ng dalawa.

"Imposible. Baka nga kahit ikaw, nakukumpleto ang araw 'pag nakikita ako," mapagbirong sagot ni Sage.

"May bagyo pala na hindi na-report sa news kagabi, liliparin na ata ako," Ken said as she pretended to be blown away. Sa pag-atras niya, naapakan nito si Aidan.

She was about to apologize but stopped. "It's you," Ken said flatly, not even bothering to apologize after stepping on his spotless Air Jordan sneakers.

Nilapit ni Aidan ang mukha nito sa mukha ni Ken. Holding down her arms to steady her, he seemed to be inspecting her features closely. Too closely, if you ask Sage. "You're really Selene," the guy said.

"So?" Ken asked. She sounded nonchalant but Sage saw her jaw tighten.

"You're his celebrity crush." Nadia grinned. "May pag-asa ba sa 'yo si Aidan?" she jokingly asked Ken.

"Nawala lahat ng pag-asa niya no'ng ligawan niya si Lily," sagot ni Ken.

"What? Why?" 'Di napigilang magtanong ni Sage. "Ano namang kinalaman ng pagligaw niya sa best friend mo dati sa pag-asa niya sa 'yo ngayon? That doesn't make sense."

"My preference doesn't need to make sense." Ken looked at him weirdly. Napakagat siya sa labi, masyadong marami ang nasabi niya when it shouldn't have been any of his concern. "At kung iniisip mong hahayaan na lang kita sa mga galawang fuckboy mo kay Lily kung magkaka-boyfriend ako, 'wag ka nang umasa. I can multitask."

Sage laughed. "No one would go out with you."

"You really think so?" Ken pouted at him while making puppy-dog eyes and tilting her head slightly to the side. She blinked a few times, showing off her long lashes. Pati ang boses nito, nag-transform, akala mo kung sinong napakaamo ang nagsalita.

Napalunok si Sage sa acting ni Ken, he found it too cute. He had to look away or he'd fall for the trick. 'Di niya inasahang papatol ang dalaga sa pang-aasar niya at 'di niya na alam kung paano sasagot.

Matt and Aidan also stared at Ken as if her actions had a hypnotic effect. "I'd go out with you," they both said simultaneously.

Lily, Heidi, and Nadia were giggling beside Ken, amused with the men's reactions. Ken's lips curved into a triumphant grin. "Ano ulit 'yong sinabi mo kanina?" tanong nito kay Sage habang nakataas ang isang kilay. "Oh, and by the way, thanks for participating in this experiment but I'm not going out with any of you," she added, looking at Aidan and Matt.

"Binabawi ko na pala 'yong offer," Matt said with a chuckle. "Sandali kong nakalimutan ang tunay mong anyo."

"Ako rin. You'll always be Lily's scary best friend," Aidan added, trying to save face after being rejected in an instant.

"Good," sagot ni Ken.

Alam ni Sage talo na siya sa mga oras na 'yon. Kung gusto ni Ken ng kasintahan, marami itong options. "Anyway, Lily," Sage decided to change the subject. Baka kung ano pang gawin ni Ken at 'di niya na rin mapigilan ang sarili niyang mag-offer din. "We've talked about a date last time, free ka ba sa Tuesday?"

"Busy siya sa Tuesday," mabilis na sagot ni Ken. "Pati nag-date na kayo, isang date lang naman ang pinangako niya."

"Isang date na walang panggugulo mo," sagot ni Sage. "That didn't happen."

"Yeah, free ako sa Tuesday," Lily said. "He's right, Ken. At alam mong lagi akong tumutupad sa pangako."

"Great, I'll pick you up at 8 AM. Sounds good?" Sage asked.

"Hindi ba 'yon masyadong maaga?" Lily said, a bit surprised.

"Nope, I want to spend as much time with you as possible," sagot ni Sage na may kasamang kindat.

"Okay," Lily replied. "Tuesday, 8 AM, see you! We have to go, may aayusin pa kami sa office. Bye, Aidan, Nadia. I'm sure your parents will be back together in no time," she smiled as she waved to the twins.

He could feel Ken glaring at him during that whole exchange with Lily. Of course, she wasn't happy about it pero wala naman itong magagawa. Sage made sure to show her his victorious smirk when Lily looked away from him.

"Thanks for all your help, guys," Nadia said, waving back at Lily and the others. Naghiwa-hiwalay na sila. The twins left the hotel to go home while Lily and her friends returned to their office.

* * * 

Sage walked to the parking lot, feeling as if he was forgetting something as he got on his Mercedes-Benz two-door coupe. Nagmamaneho na siya pauwi nang biglang mag-ring ang cellphone niya at agad niya naman itong sinagot. "Hello?"

"Nasaan ka?" It was Valerian, his cousin, and he sounded irritated.

"A few streets from my building, bakit?"

"'Di ka nga talaga bumalik." Valerian groaned. "Ulupong ka, iniwan mo si Daniela!"

"Oh, shit!" Sage cussed. 'Yon pala ang nakalimutan niya. "Wait, magkakilala kayo? Pa'no mo alam na magkasama kami kanina?"

"Nakita ko kayo sa restaurant kanina."

"Nandiyan ka pa ba? Naghihintay pa rin ba si Daniela?" Sage was now feeling very guilty for forgetting his date. And extra guilty for not even regretting that he ran after Ken.

"Yeah, she's still here," sagot ni Valerian. "Ihahatid ko na lang din siya, on the way naman 'yong bahay niya."

"Really? Thank you so much! Please also tell her that I'm really really sorry and I can make it up to her kung gusto niya," Sage said, feeling relieved that his cousin would be able to help him out. "Teka, pa'no ulit kayo nagkakilala?"

"I'll tell you next time, magpakatino ka muna. Bye." Valerian hung up before Sage could respond.

Malalim ang iniisip ni Sage habang nagmamaneho siya pauwi. Masyadong malala ang ginawa niya. It wasn't the first time that he left in the middle of a date but it was the first time that he did it unintentionally. He hated to admit it but Ken was a distraction to him and he couldn't figure out why. It's not like he had feelings, immune na siya sa gano'n.

Whatever it was, it needed to stop. He just needs to get Lily to agree with the partnership and win. Pag nangyari na 'yon, 'di niya na kailangang makita si Ken at mawawala na ang mga kakaibang nararamdaman niya. 

He was determined to make progress with his grandfather's challenge on his upcoming date with Lily yet he wasn't remotely excited about it. Parang mas exciting pang makipagtalo kay Ken.