"What are you doing here?"

Wicker can't believe he'll be seeing Catherine out of nowhere. Miski ito ay gulat din nang makita siya. He hasn't seen her in a while and he must admit, she's glowing real good right now. The laced up black lantern sleeve dress she wore caught his attention. Red lipstick on, loose powder blended in her bare face and a nude eye shadow with winged eyeliner makes her whole look stunning and magnificent. Nakasuot pa ito ng kumikinang na hikaw at mahabang kwintas pababa sa kanyang dibdib habang malinis ang pagkakaayos sa pusod nitong buhok. She's precious and eye-pleasing than ever before.

"We're here to find a good restaurant to have some dinner and talk about business," Catherine answered with a lippy smile and arched brow. "Olly was right, narito ka nga sa Fawnbrook! How have you been?"

Wicker smiled at her with a dazzle in his eyes. He'd never knew he'll be missing her like hell. "Doing great." He hugged her. "Sorry for not telling you where I am. Been settling things and adjusting my life. Didn't expect it turning to be this great. Really missed you though," he said with a cheeky smile. He kissed her cheeks.

Catherine tapped the shoulder of the guy beside her. "By the way, babe, this is Anton, my friend and my supplier who'd helped me to manage my online apparel shop smoothly. Anton, this is Wicker, my boyfriend," pagpapakilala niya.

Alangan itong makita si Wicker, lalo na noong ngumiti pa ito sa kanya. Nagkamayan silang dalawa.

There's an awkward silence lingers around them. Kahit pa si Annara na nasa gilid lang at nakikinig ay hindi maiwasang mailang. These people in front of her are new to her eyes. Kaya hindi niya magawang maging komportable sa tabi ng mga ito.

Pinagmasdan ni Wicker ang lalaking ito na nakasuot ng plain dark blue na longsleeve na nakatupi hanggang siko. Naka-tuck in ito sa dark levis na suot nito at black shoes na de-sintas. His black, shiny, pushed back hairstyle with the help of pomade for the volume. He looked so casual yet refined. Mukhang anak ng mayaman at tila may negosyong pinatatakbo dahil sa porma at mga accessory na suot-suot nito. Pawang naglalaro ang edad nito sa dalawampu't tatlo hanggang lima. Young and business-oriented.

Mayamaya, matapos gumanti ng halik si Catherine sa pisngi ni Wicker ay tinapunan niya ng tingin si Annara. There's an intimidation intended in her glance. Mas lalo tuloy nailang si Annara sa mga titig nito.

"Who is she?" she finally asked.

Kung matahin nito si Annara ay tila lalamunin niya ito ng buhay. Napansin din kasi ni Catherine na parehas sila ni Wicker na nakasuot ng uniporme. She's not good with it since Wicker is the only one for her. Naiirita siya kapag may kasama itong iba, lalo na't parehas pa ang suot ng dalawa.

"She's Annara, a schoolmate and a friend. Siya iyong ikinukuwento ko sa 'yo na tumulong sa akin when I was struggling my very first day here in this town."

Hindi pakikipagkamay ang ginawa ni Catherine sa kanya, bagkus ay nakipagbeso ito. Nang maglapat ang kanilang mga pisngi ay bahagya itong umirap ng patago.

"Nice meeting you, Annara," she said, faking a smile.

"Nice meeting you too," Annara awkwardly said.

Hindi siya sanay sa ganito. She had known herself since she was a kid, hindi talaga siya gaanong komportable sa ganitong sitwasyon. Lalo na't ang mga titig ng babaeng ngayon niya lang nakita ay tila may nais ipahiwatig.

"Kayo, ano'ng ginagawa niyo rito?" There's an unknown tone in Catherine's voice that makes Annara feel so much discomfort. Parang gusto na lang niyang mag-walk out at iwan ang mga ito.

Natigilan si Wicker sa tanong nito. Ano nga ba ang ginagawa nila rito sa mall?

"Uhm, babe, we bought some school supplies for the research we are making. Look!" Itinaas niya pa ang supot ng school supplies na binili ni Annara kanina.

Napatingin si Annara sa naging rason niya. Nagpapalusot ba ito?

Catherine frowned when she noticed something in Wicker's head. "And Wick, babe, what are you wearing? A kid's hat?" She chuckled with a tease. "Kailan ka pa nahilig sa mga ganyan? Parang ang baduy tingnan," puna nito nang mapansin ang aviator hat na suot ni Wicker na ipinagpalit nila sa naipon nilang tickets kanina.

Agad itong tinanggal ni Wicker sa ulo niya. "We've traded the tickets we have collected earlier from the arcade zone. Ito ang napili ko," paliwanag niya. "It looks great to anyone. Kahit nga sa 'yo, bagay 'to." Malaki ang ngisi ni Wicker nang isuot niya ito kay Catherine.

"Babe, stop it! Ginugulo mo ang buhok ko. Don't play like a kid," she exclaimed rejecting the hat. "I have my supplier here beside me. Watch your behavior," she whispered with a serious conviction. Saka niya inayos ang nagulong buhok dahil sa ginawa ni Wicker. Kapansin-pansin ang mukha nitong naging iritable sa nangyari.

"I'm sorry. I just got too excited," Wicker apologized, pouting his lips.

"Before things got ruined. Kumain na ba kayo? Why don't we have some dinner together?" alok ni Anton, sumasabad mula sa gilid ni Catherine.

"I'm sorry guys, but I have to go," naiilang na singit naman ni Annara.

She wanted to go home. Kung magtatagal pa itong makakasama sila, mas lalo lang siyang maiilang. Mas mabuti nang tapusin na agad niya ang makasama ang mga ito para makapagpahinga na rin siya sa bahay.

"No, no, no." Catherine didn't let her. "You're not going anywhere. Since ngayon lang tayo nagkita, I want you to sit with us for a dinner. I want to know you more." Nagtaas ito ng gilid ng labi.

"Babe, let her be, she doesn't want to go home late," awat ni Wicker. He saw Annara's face, she's tired and a bit anxious.

"Then I'll drive her home. Hindi naman tayo isang buong araw na magdi-dinner. This won't take long, I promise," she said, securing Annara to stay. Hinawakan pa nito ang kamay niya na akala mo magkakilala na sila nang lubusan. Ikinandado na nito ang kapit sa braso ni Annara para hindi na makawala.

Hindi makatingin si Annara dito. Naiilang ito sa ginagawa ni Catherine. "Hindi mo naman ako tatanggihan, 'di ba?"

"Babe, you're making her feel uncomfortable," saway ni Wicker sa inaasal ni Catherine dito. Dikit na dikit ito kay Annara. Feeling close kahit pa na kakakilala lang nila five minutes ago.

Tumingin si Annara kay Wicker. "Okay lang," sambit niya. She's still manage to smile, even she felt so uncomfortable with Catherine beside her clinging in her arms. Nagging for something she makes her feel uneasy.

They went to a seafood restaurant. Maganda ang kabuuan ng lugar na kakainan nila. Masasarap ang mga putaheng pagpipilian at halos lahat, nakakatakam.

"Guys, choose anything you want. On me!" Anton said as soon as they got the menu card. Naghihintay na sa gilid nila ang waiter.

Magkatabi si Annara at Wicker habang kaharap nila si Anton at Catherine. Hindi na hinayaan ni Wicker na tumabi sa kanya si Catherine, dahil kung nasa ganoong posisyon sila ngayon, tiyak mas lalong hindi magiging komportable si Annara. Just right this time.

"I can pay for my share, sagot ko na si Annara at Catherine," sabad ni Wicker at hindi hinayaang sagutin ni Anton ang lahat.

Wicker felt the palm of Catherine covered his hand on the table. "Babe, it's okay. We're here to find a restaurant and go for a dinner. Kami na ang bahala."

Napatingin si Wicker kay Anton na may maliit na ngiting nakaukit sa labi nito. This guy doesn't want competition, even in this situation. Ang pakay lang nito ay makasama silang kumain sa iisang mahabang mesa.

"Leave this to me. Then, maybe next time, your treat will be considered," Anton said with a smile.

Iba ang dating ng sinabi nito kay Wicker. Nakatungo lang si Annara. Nakatitig naman si Catherine at Anton kay Wicker na nag-iwas ng tingin mula sa dalawa.

"Okay, fine." Wicker released a conceded sigh. Muling bumalik ang mga mata nito sa menu card. "I want the whole baked lobster, chargrilled prawn salad, smoked salmon and durban curry . . ."

Natatawa na lang si Anton habang halos piliin na lahat ni Wicker ang nasa menu. He also ordered three drinks for himself only.

"Babe, isn't it too much? Mauubos mo ba ang lahat ng in-order mo?" tanong ni Catherine. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ganito na lang kung um-order si Wicker. Gutom na gutom ba ito?

Napatingin ito sa kanya. "He said, choose anything we want. Lahat ng napili ko ay gusto ko," may pagmamatigas sa boses niya, tila ba ayaw magpatalo.

"I know, but you have chosen so many dishes. Masasayang lang 'yong mga pagkain kung hindi naman mauubos," mahinahong wika ni Catherine.

Kung ganoon pala karami ang order ni Wicker, sana pala sa isang buffet na lang sila nagtungo. Atleast doon, kukuhanin lang nito ay iyong kayang kainin. Walang masasayang na pagkain.

"It's okay, Cath. Waiter, take all his order." Nananatiling kalmado si Anton sa kabila ng inaasal ni Wicker. Para itong bata na ayaw na naaagrabyado.

Nag-iba bigla ang timpla ni Wicker sa narinig. "Cath? Did you call her—"

Minatahan siya ni Catherine. "Babe," awat at pagpigil nito. "Don't make a scene," patuloy nito.

"This guy called you a name you weren't let me call you. What is—"

"Uhm, excuse me guys. Babe, can I talk to you for a second?" Nahihiya na si Catherine sa mga kilos ni Wicker. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali sa inaasal nito. Sa mga titig pa lang nito kanina kay Anton, alam na niya na hahantong ito sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Miski si Annara ay wala ideya kung bakit bigla na lang nagkakaganoon si Wicker. She's still in her seat, not making any word.

Hinila ni Catherine si Wicker at dinala ito sa sink area, malapit sa restroom ng restaurant.

"Wick, what were you thinking? Don't act like a kid. Ano ba ang nangyayari sa 'yo?" Catherine frankly said.

"Cath? Iyon ba ang tawag niya sa 'yo? How could you let him call you Cath? Ikaw nga, ayaw na ayaw mo akong tinatawag kitang ganoon tapos siya . . ." Pumalatak ito sa inis.

Catherine held him close. "Saglit nga, pinagseselosan mo ba si Anton? Wick, he's just my supplier. How come did you got into this conclusion?"

"Hindi ako nagseselos sa kanya. Una pa lang alam ko na. He's throwing away his money. Kaya ko ring magbayad, hindi niya kailangang ipamukha na mas may pera siya kumpara sa atin."

"That's not what it was, babe. Nagmamagandang-loob lang 'yong tao. Stop questioning his acts and generosity. Masama na pala ngayon ang pagiging mabait?"

Napatungo lang si Wicker. Hindi siya makatingin ng diretso kay Catherine.

"I'm sorry . . ."

"Ako ba, kinuwestyon ko ba ang babaeng kasama mo? No. Because I believe you, na kaibigan mo lang siya at ako talaga ang mahal mo. Grow up, babe. Don't get too attached with your false accusations and speculations about others." Catherine remain cool despite Wicker's actions. "Hindi lahat ng akala mo ay totoo. Hindi lahat ng hinala mo ay tama," she added.

Tulad na lang noong pinaghinalaan niya ang dad niya na may ibang pamilya ito. Napangungunahan siya ng galit, kahit wala naman siyang matibay na ebidensiyang makapagpapatunay na totoo ang hinala niya.

"I'm really sorry. Ayoko lang kasi iyong gano'n." He sighed.

"It's okay. Naiintindihan naman kita. But please, act your age sometimes. Don't overthink too much about something that hasn't proven yet." Catherine held his hand. "Come here." Ibinagsak ni Wicker ang ulo nito sa balikat ni Catherine. She hugged him.

"I'm sorry, babe."