Her heart raced at his bold actions but she managed to keep her composure. "Anong show kaya ang gusto nila? Pwede na ba 'yong Taekwondo exhibition ko tapos gagawin kitang practice dummy?" she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ah, m-mukhang sapat na palang makita nilang hinahatid kita papunta sa kwarto mo," Sage replied. Ken missed threatening him with her martial arts prowess. He was cute when intimidated.

They both briskly walked into the elevator and immediately let go of each other's hands upon entering. Feeling the heat creep up her cheeks, Ken leaned on one of the walls. Sage did the same but on the opposite wall. Mukhang pareho nilang iniiwasang mag-eye contact. Elevator rides with Sage were probably going to be permanently awkward.

Nang makaabot sa eighteenth floor, tahimik silang naglakad hanggang makarating sila sa tapat ng kwarto ni Ken. She cleared her throat as she opened the door. "Do you want to come in? You should dry yourself. Baka magkasakit ka."

"No, it's fine. May sarili naman akong kwarto dito sa hotel," he replied. "I should go."

"Ah, sige," she said, her eyes unconsciously looking down in disappointment. "Salamat sa pagsama sa 'kin. Sorry kung naabala kita. And here's your coat. We should have shared it, basang-basa ka tuloy," she said, awkwardly returning the wet coat to him.

"Wala 'yon. I'm happy to help. Medyo nabasa ka rin, you should dry up too. I'll get going." Sage flashed her a sincere and charming smile that showcased his deep dimples—was it the last time she'll see those dimples? "Bye, Ken."

"Bye." Ken leaned behind the door right after closing it. His genuine smile made her heartbeat erratic. She had to put her hand over it, scared that it would jump right out of her ribcage.

The feeling of his warm hand, his intoxicating masculine scent, his lips being a few inches from hers. She remembered everything so vividly, it was driving her insane. I want to see him again. Dapat 'di ko pa binalik 'yong coat niya para may excuse pa akong makipagkita ulit—what the hell am I thinking? I should be shutting down my feelings. Shit, pa'no ko ba 'to pipigilan?!

Iuuntog niya na sana ang ulo niya sa pader para matigil na ang mga iniisip niya nang maalalang may hindi pa siya binabalik kay Sage. Ken opened her purse and pulled out the EZ-Link card that was lent her. 

"Yes!" Parang nanalo siya sa pachinko sa tuwa. She held it up and kissed the piece of plastic. "I love you, Singapore MRT!"

Agad niyang binuksan ang pinto, hinihiling na hindi pa nakakalayo si Sage. Tumingin siya sa hallway pagkalabas ng kwarto at nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata sa nakita.

Just a few meters from her door was Sage, plopped on the floor with his back against the wall, eyes closed and shivering.

Tumakbo si Ken palapit sa lalaki. "Oh my god, anong nangyari sa 'yo?"

Sage groaned but managed to give her a weak shaky reply. "A-ayos lang ako, nagpapahinga lang nang sa-sandali."

Ken immediately touched his neck with the back of her hand. "Anong okay lang? You're very hot!"

"I-I know, r-right?" he started laughing but it quickly turned into coughing.

"Shut up, Sage. Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan!" She clicked her tongue. "Saan ba infirmary n'yo dito? Kaya mo bang tumayo? Lean on me, we need to get you to a doctor." Ken was starting to panic.

"N-no. Hindi na ka-kailangan," sagot ni Sage. He took out his phone from his pocket and handed it to the girl. "Ta-tawagan mo na la-lang s-si Janelle."

Kumunot ang noo ni Ken. "Sino si Janelle?" Hindi niya napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses niya.

Tumawa na naman si Sage pero naging ubo ulit ang mga tawa nito matapos ang ilang segundo. "Se-selos ka naman a-agad, Chicken. Sh-she's just my assist-t-tant."

Ken blushed but she quickly looked for the assistant's name in Sage's contacts and called her. Mabilis namang sinagot nito ang tawag ni Ken.

"Is this Janelle?" Inunahang magsalita ni Ken ang babae sa kabilang linya.

"Yes. Sir Sage? Ikaw ba 'yan?" sagot ni Janelle.

"No, kasama ko si Sage but he's very sick. Please send a doctor to Room1803. He also needs a change of clothes. Basang-basa kasi 'yong suot niya dahil sa ulan. I might not be able to open the door, basta pumasok lang kayo agad. Pakibilisan, please, thank you!" Kendra said in a hurry.

"Noted po. We'll be right there. Salamat po sa pagbabantay kay Sir."

* * *

Janelle opened the door of Room 1803 with a master key and stepped inside with Eli and a doctor. The bedroom door was ajar and she was surprised to see their boss lying on the bed with his eyes closed and muttering the same thing over and over.

"Kendra, 'wag mo 'kong iwan," he pleaded in a feverish state as he held a girl's hand. Mukhang iyon ang nakausap niya sa phone ni Sage at hindi malabong ang babaeng iyon rin ang pinag-uusapan ng staff sa lobby.

"Dito lang ako," she said, stroking his hair as she kneeled at his bedside.

"Sabi sa 'yo eh, hindi bakla si Sir," Eli said to Janelle with a victorious grin. "Pa'no ba 'yan, talo ka. Ano kayang bibilhin ko sa fifty dollars mo?"

"Sige na, sige na," Janelle replied, elbowing the guy in annoyance. "May sakit na nga si Sir tapos 'yan pa rin iniisip mo."

Lumingon sa kanila 'yong babae. "You're here! Please, pakitingnan na siya." Tumayo ito para lumapit sa doktor pero hindi pinakawalan ni Sage ang kamay nito.

"Sabi mo dito ka lang, ba't ka umaalis?" matamlay na tanong ng CEO.

"The doctor is here, Sage. 'Di naman ako aalis pero kailangan ka niyang gamutin."

Sage sighed but he finally let go of her hand and the doctor was able to examine him.

Lumapit ang babae sa kanila at matipid na ngumiti. "You must be Janelle."

"Yes, ako 'yong junior assistant ni Sir Sage and this is Eli, the senior assistant," Janelle replied, smiling back.

"Nice to meet you both." Kinamayan ni Ken ang dalawa. "I'm Ken, a friend of Sage."

"Ohhh," Eli and Janelle said in unison while exchanging side glances with each other. Finally, nakilala na rin nila ang babaeng hinahanap nila sa mga sulat ni Sage. She doubted that she was just a friend.

Ken's eyes narrowed at their reactions but didn't comment on it. "Anyway, thank you so much for bringing a doctor. 'Di ko na talaga alam 'yong gagawin ko eh."

"Kami nga po 'yong dapat magpasalamat sa 'yo kasi inalagaan mo si Sir," Janelle replied.

Ken just nodded and politely smiled. Tahimik lang silang umupo sa sofa at naghintay sa abiso ng doktor.

The doctor finally finished with the checkup. Pinainom nito ng gamot si Sage at saka humarap kina Ken, Eli at Janelle. "Mr. Hermoso has the flu. He needs plenty of rest and fluids. Ito 'yong gamot na kailangan niyang inumin every eight hours," he said, passing a prescription to Ken. "I'll check up on him tomorrow but don't hesitate to call me if something comes up.

"Thank you so much, Doc," Ken said as the doctor left. She released a sigh after seeing Sage fast asleep.

"Miss Ken, gusto n'yo bang ipalipat na si Sir Sage sa kwarto niya?" tanong ni Eli. "You're still our guest and we don't want to burden you any further." Janelle nodded in agreement.

"No, it's not a burden at all. Mahihirapan pa kayong ilipat siya. Ako nang magbabantay sa kanya ngayong gabi," Ken insisted.

"Sure ba kayo?" Janelle asked. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Yes, sure ako. Please just buy these meds for Sage. I'll just call you in case of emergencies."

"Okay then," Janelle said, taking the prescription before leaving with Eli.

* * *

"K-ken?"

Ken was seated at his bedside, scrolling through her feed, when she heard Sage's trembling voice. She almost dropped her phone in surprise. Nagising pala ito. "Yes, Sage? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Anong kailangan mo?"

"G-gini-gin-n-naw ak-ko."

He was already under a blanket, a comforter, and a duvet. And he was still cold? That wasn't a good sign. Agad na in-off ni Ken ang aircon. "Is this better?"

"M-m-malamig pa r-rin."

"Wait, kukuha ako ng extra blankets." She was about to call for housekeeping when Sage seized her hand.

"P-pwede bang y-yakap-pin mo na l-lang ako?"

Ken bit her lip as she looked at him. Gustong gusto niyang pumayag sa hinihiling ni Sage pero alam niyang hindi 'yon ang tamang gawin.

He looked back at her through half-open eyes. "Please," he said, his voice hoarse.

She sighed and gave in, sliding into the covers beside the sick guy.

Sage snuggled closer to her, resting his head on her chest as she wrapped her arms around him. He was hot, literally. Figuratively na rin.

"Giniginaw ka pa rin?" she asked.

"Will I get more skin-to-skin contact kung oo?"

Ken's arms loosened around him. "Sage—"

"Joke lang 'yon. Please, don't let go," he said, tightening his embrace.

Ken exhaled and Sage pulled her even closer. Sobrang kumportable niya sa yakap ng binata. Napakasama niya bang tao dahil natuwa siyang may sakit ito kaya sila magkayakap ngayon?

Unti-unti nang pumipikit ang mga mata niya nang maramdaman niya ang mga labi ni Sage sa collar bone niya. Bigla siyang napadilat.

"S-s-sage!" Hindi siya giniginaw pero nanginginig ang boses niya.

"Mhm?" Lumipat ang mga labi nito sa leeg niya. And damn, it felt amazing. Her head fell back involuntarily.

Napakabilis na ng tibok ng puso ni Ken. "What are you doing?" she asked, breathless.

"Gift ko sa 'yo," he said as he started sucking on a sweet spot. "Wedding gift."

Her breath hitched when he started making another hickey. Ayaw niyang magpakasal pero gusto niyang tanggapin ang wedding gift ni Sage. Her eyes fluttered shut when he switched from sucking to kissing.

It took all of her willpower to push him away. "You know this isn't right."

"Sorry, I got carried away." Bumuntong-hininga si Sage at binitiwan siya nito. "Pero pwede bang yakapin mo pa rin ako? Promise, I won't do anything." His eyes were begging when they stared into hers.

At dahil ubos na ang willpower ni Ken, hindi niya na natanggihan si Sage. She pulled him again into an embrace and within a few minutes, his breathing evened out.

* * *

"Ken?" Of course, her name was the first thing that came out of his mouth as soon as he opened his eyes. His stomach dropped when he didn't see her beside him. Sina Eli at Janelle lang ang nakatayo sa magkabilang side ng kama niya.

"Good morning, Sir Sage," bati ni Janelle.

"How are you feeling, Sir?" tanong naman ni Eli.

"Nasaan si Ken?" He was feeling much better so he quickly sat up and scanned the room.

"Umalis na siya, Sir," Eli replied.

Sage's heart sank. I can't say I'm surprised.

"Pero siya talaga 'yong nagbantay sa 'yo buong gabi. May emergency lang daw kaya kailangan niya nang umalis," mabilis na paliwanag ni Janelle. She must've noticed how disappointed he was. "Kaya siguro ang bilis ng recovery mo, Sir. Ano bang pinanggamot sa 'yo ni Miss Ken, yakapsule o kisspirin?"

"Ay, Janelle, may mas effective pa diyan sa yakapsule at kisspirin," sabi ni Eli habang ngumingisi. "Paracetamomol siguro ang nakuha ni Sir kaya gumaling siya agad."

Yeah, I wish. His assistants' witty remarks were not enough to cheer him up after Ken's abrupt departure. "Sige, mang-asar pa kayo kung gusto n'yong mabaon sa paperwork," he snapped at them before lying back down and pulling the comforter over his head.