It had been more than a month since Ken got discharged from the hospital. Though her grandmother offered to let her stay at their ancestral home, Ken didn't really feel like she deserved it and it would surely create tension between her grandmother and the other members of their extended family.

She stayed in her unit at Aerist tower instead. Her recovery was going well and her wound hurt less and less as the days went by. Parang nasosobrahan na nga siya sa pahinga pero hindi siya pinayagan ni Lily na bumalik sa trabaho dahil sa recommendation ng doktor na magpahinga pa siya.

Araw-araw naman siyang binibisita ni Lily o ng mga kasamahan niya sa team para kamustahin o tulungan sa chores but she was usually so bored na matutuwa pa siya kung may makikipag-away sa kanya.

Today wasn't the day for arguments though. Meron kasi siyang dysmenorrhea. Last piece na ng sanitary pad ang gamit niya pero hindi siya makalabas dahil sa sobrang sakit ng cramps. Ken texted Lily to ask if she could buy her some pads pero 'di nag-reply ang kaibigan niya, busy siguro sa trabaho.

Ken wriggled in bed in her Hello Kitty pajamas, trying to find a position that would lessen the pain when she heard the doorbell ring. She ignored it, imposible kasing si Lily, Heidi or Matt 'yon dahil alam nila ang passcode ng electronic lock at pinapayagan niya namang basta lang na pumasok ang mga kaibigan niya.

To her annoyance, the unwelcome guest kept on ringing the doorbell. "Sino ba kasi 'yon?" she grumbled as she grudgingly stood up to get the door.

She was too pissed to check the peephole so she was quite surprised when she saw the person on the other side. Mahigit isang buwan niya ring 'di nakita o narinig ang lalaking iyon. But here he was, outside her door, in a designer tracksuit and carrying three paper bags.

Napalitan ang pagkainis niya ng pagkagulat, pagtataka at isa pang emotion na nagpataas ng heart rate niya. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Lily said you needed these," sagot ni Sage at saka inabot sa kanya ang isang paper bag. "Sorry, 'di ko alam kung anong specs ng ginagamit mo."

Nag-aalangang tinanggap ni Ken ang paper bag at sinilip ang mga laman nito. There were a total of twelve packs of sanitary pads, four different brands and each brand had a regular, long, and overnight variant.

She was blushing when she looked back at the guy. Wasn't it deathly embarrassing for guys to purchase feminine hygiene products? Yet Sage seemed so cool and collected when he handed those to her.

"Ka-kailangan ko nga, thank you," sabi ni Ken.

"Baka kailangan mo rin nito." Muling nag-abot ng paper bag si Sage. "Sorry, 'di ko rin alam kung may allergies ka."

Ken peeked inside and saw seven boxes of different brands of pain relievers. Bago pa siya magsalita, inabot rin sa kanya ni Sage ang huling paper bag. "You look pale, I hope these make you feel better."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Ken sa mga laman ng huling paper bag. Halos tumulo ang laway niya nang makita ang paborito niyang Royce' kasama ang isang box ng Ferrero Rocher.

"Wow." 'Di pa rin makapaniwala si Ken sa mga binigay ni Sage na sakto sa mga pangangailangan niya. "Maraming salamat."

"Get well soon. Una na 'ko. You still probably don't want to see me anyway," sagot ni Sage. Tumalikod na ito para umalis pero hinawakan ni Ken ang jacket ng binata.

"Wait," she said, then clicked her tongue. "I still need to pay for these."

He turned to face her. "Hindi na, okay na 'yan."

"Mukha ba akong walang pambayad?"

"Mukha bang kailangan ko ng pera mo?"

"Mukha bang may balak akong magkaro'n ng utang sa'yo?"

"No but I really won't accept your money."

"Fine, so what will you accept?"

Sage answered with a mischievous grin paired with a perfect wink.

Ken rolled her eyes at his playfully seductive gestures. "Just stay for a while. I'll get you something to eat para naman 'di ako magkautang sa'yo."

She grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside. "Sit there," she said pointing to the sofa. Inabot niya ang remote control kay Sage. "Watch TV or something habang naghahanap ako ng ipapakain sa 'yo."

"You don't really need to—" Sage started to protest pero tinalikuran na ito ni Ken. "Take your meds first!"

* * *

Nanonood si Sage ng Up no'ng bumalik si Ken na may dalang fresh milk at chocolate chip cookies.

"Alam kong 'di ka nagluluto pero 'di ko naman in-expect na pang five years old ang mga type mong pagkain," Sage said as he took one of the cookies.

"Says someone who's watching an animated film," Ken replied. Naglabas ito ng cellphone at umupo sa sofa.

"Ang ganda kaya ng musical score nito!" pagtatanggol ni Sage sa movie choice niya. He took a bite on a cookie and his expression drastically changed.

Though it looked normal, the cookie actually tasted like the it had three times more sugar than it needed. Sobrang tigas rin na akala niya, 'yong ngipin niya ang bibigay. "Imbis na mabayaran mo ako, parang nagkautang ka pa sa'kin. Thanks for sharing it with me though, A for effort," he said sarcastically.

Nagulat siya nang makitang ngumingisi lang si Ken. Mukhang masaya pa ang ito at hindi na-offend. "Actually, 'di ko alam kung paano sasabihin kay Lily na wala siyang talento sa baking but I'll just show her your reaction video and I'm sure she'll get the message. Mababawasan pa 'yong chances na magustuhan ka niya so thanks, Airbender," she said, waving her phone in front of him.

Kahit napag-usapan na nila ni Lily na hindi na siya manliligaw, di pa rin magawang sabihin ni Sage ang tungkol doon kay Ken. Because then, he'd have to tell her the whole truth and Ken was far less forgiving compared to her best friend. So instead, Sage stood up and tried to grab the phone from her.

Umtras si Ken para lumayo ngunit tumama ang likod ng mga binti nito sa isa pang upuan. She lost her balance and started to fall backwards but Sage was fast in catching her. Ken reflexively placed her arm around his neck which caused them to end up in a position that resembled a ballroom dancing dip.

Pareho silang napahinto at nagkatitigan. Matagal-tagal na eye-contact ang naganap bago umubo si Ken kaya itinayo na ito nang maayos ni Sage. "Sinabi mong 'di ka na hahadlang sa panliligaw ko kay Lily," he said.

"I thought I was going to die."

"But you didn't." And thank God, you didn't. "At walang kinalaman ang pag-survive mo sa pinangako mo."

"Fine, i-de-delete ko na nga 'tong video. I do keep my promises. Even my promises to fuckboys."

Sage crossed his arms and looked at her straight in the eye. "Ano bang nagawa ko sa 'yo na sobrang kumbinsido kang fuckboy ako?"

She looked away. "Well, you didn't do it to me specifically—"

"Do what?"

"Mga galawang fuckboy. I'm sure alam mo 'yan."

"Hindi nga ako gano'n, Ken."

"I don't believe you."

Sage sighed but a smile slowly formed on his lips. "Okay, so if you're convinced that I'm that kind of person, why don't I just become exactly what you're expecting?" He slowly walked towards her but she also backed away.

Tumama na ang likod ng dalaga sa pader at lalo pang lumaki ang ngiti ni Sage. He placed his hands on the wall, trapping her between them. "So tell me Ken, ano bang ginagawa ng mga fuckboy?"

He began to worry that he might've taken the joke too far when Ken didn't push him away. She just kept her head bowed, not saying anything. "Uy, biro lang. You know I won't do anything weird to you." Humakbang siya palayo at nagsimulang tumawa.

Ken's face was so red when she looked up at him. "Kailangan ko mag-CR," she said before rushing out of the living room. Was she mad?

Tumunog ang doorbell habang nasa banyo pa si Ken kaya si Sage ang nagbukas ng pinto. His mouth fell open when he saw that it was Tristan, holding a paper bag. Gano'n din ang reaction ni Tristan.

Before any of the guys could say a word, Ken appeared beside Sage. "Hi Tristan! Thanks for bringing this. Pasabi na rin kay Mia na the best talaga ang luto niya," she said cheerfully.

"Sure, enjoy your lunch," Tristan replied. "Bye." He smiled before turning to leave but it was apparent that the joy didn't reach his eyes.

* * *

Nilabas ni Ken ang dalawang bento mula sa paper bag na dala ni Tristan at inilapag ang mga iyon sa countertop. "Wait, here," she told Sage who just sat on one of the stools.

She returned with two pairs of silver-tipped wooden chopsticks and chopstick rests for both of them. Sabay nilang binuksan ang mga bento at nasilayan ang kaaya-ayang arrangement ng pagkain. Each bento contained steamed white rice, pieces of tonkatsu and tempura, assorted sushi, asparagus, carrots, berries, and mangoes.

"Wow," Sage said, staring at the appetizing lunch he was about to consume.

"Itadakimasu!" Ken said.

Nagsimula silang kumain. The food was flavorful and more than satisfying but Sage was eating with his eyebrows furrowed. "So Mia makes your lunch?" he asked. "As in Mia, 'yong model na kasama n'yo sa Dubai who also attended my party?"

"Siya nga," Ken replied. "The food is really good, right? Affordable pa."

"Masarap nga," Sage agreed. "I remember introducing her to Tristan last time we met, so are they something like business partners? Bakit si Tristan 'yong nagdala ng pagkain?" The change of pitch in his voice was noticeable.

"They live in the same neighborhood and nadadaanan ni Tristan 'yong Aerist Tower 'pag papunta siya sa stadium for football training so nag-offer siya na iabot na lang sa'kin 'yong pagkain," Ken said. "He's such a kind person." She would normally just tell Sage to mind his own business but something in his tone compelled her to answer.

"So Mia prepares your lunch everyday, right?" Sage asked.

"Yes," Ken answered, intrigued as to why Sage was too interested in this.

"So araw-araw mong nakikita si Tristan dahil dinadalhan ka niya ng pagkain?"

"Oo."

"Ah, okay."

"Okay."

Nabalot sila ng katahimikan matapos ang huling sagot ni Ken. Para bang may nasabi silang mali. Tumuloy na lang sila sa pagkain nang di nag-uusap. Though she wouldn't admit it, Ken would rather be arguing with each him than being stuck in this awkward silence.

Ken cleared her throat when she noticed that Sage was just staring at her. He was done eating and she was down to her last piece of fruit. "'Di pala ako kumuha ng inumin kanina. Do you want water, juice or cold tea?"

"Water lang pero ako na kukuha. You're still eating," sagot sa kanya ni Sage.

Ken quickly swallowed and stood up. "No, you're the guest. Ako na." She left before he could protest. She needed to get away from the tense atmosphere.

* * *

Sage was closely inspecting the chopsticks when Ken returned with a glass of water. Nakuwento sa kanya ni Yumi na gumagamit ng silver utensils ang mga tao no'ng unang panahon para makita kung may lason ang pagkain. Having silver-tipped chopsticks like these was a luxury and he couldn't help but be intrigued by how rich Ken really is.

"We have unfinished business," Ken suddenly said.

Napatingin siya kay Ken at nakitang seryoso ang expression ng babae. Napalunok si Sage. Nalaman na kaya nito ang buong katotohanan?

"Nakapag-decide ka na ba kung anong pwede kong gawin para mabawi ko ang kotse ko?" she asked.

Relief washed over him. Akala niya talaga masasampulan na siya ng taekwondo moves ni Ken. "Are you absolutely sure that you want Erica back?"

"Yes. Now tell me what I have to do and don't call my car Erica," she replied seriously.

Napangisi si Sage. "May naisip akong pwede mong gawin. I'm sure that you can easily pull it off but I'm also sure that you won't be willing to do it."

"Ano 'yon?"

"Make something go viral."

Kumunot ang noo ni Ken. "What do you mean?"

"That's it, make something go viral. A photo, a video, a tweet—whatever you can come up with. Mag-post ka lang ng kahit anong related kay Selene, siguradong magiging trending. You just have to decide if getting your car back is worth it. I know you hate publicity." Sage smirked.

Ken stared at him with an expression he couldn't read. Her lips were pursed and her eyes narrowed as if she was calculating. "Fine," she finally said before clicking her tongue. "Anong conditions para masabi mong viral ang post?"

"The post should be reported by at least three entertainment news sites. Easy, right?" Sage taunted.

Ken rolled her eyes. It must be challenging for her but she was surely not going down without a fight.

"Deal?" Sage asked as he extended his hand to her. Hindi na natanggal ang ngisi mula sa kanyang mukha.

"Deal." Ken sighed and shook his hand.

Aside from sealing an important deal, the handshake left him with an odd yet somewhat titillating sensation when their hands touched.