Maybe: Ridge Franco Santa de Leones

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/sustainable-design-practices-bioclimatic-architecture

The notification on my phone took me by surprise, causing my heart to skip a beat as I read the sender's name. Hindi ko maalis ang tingin ko doon sa takot na baka biglang mapalitan ang pangalan na naroon. Si Ridge ba talaga 'to? Tinext niya ako?

Simple lang ang mensahe. It contained a link to an article about bioclimatic architecture, a topic I had mentioned struggling with during our conversation at the party. I blinked repeatedly, trying to process that Ridge had actually reached out.

"Is this really happening?" I murmured to myself, half-expecting it to be a trick of some sort. But there it was, clear as day. I tapped on the link, which opened to a detailed discussion on sustainable design techniques—exactly the kind of material that could help with my coursework.

Shaking slightly with a mix of excitement and nerves, I replied to the message, unsure of what to say. Ah, hindi puwedeng hindi ko rereplyan.

Me

Ridge?

Question mark for now. Next time, heart na 'yan! I grinned and saved his number on my phone. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala na si Ridge ang nag-first move matapos ang gabing iyon. Well, inabot ng tatlong araw pero at least, may napala ang pagmumukmok ko dahil sa labis na pagkadismaya na hindi ko nakuha ang number niya. Siya ang kumuha ng number ko! Crush rin talaga ako nito, eh.

His response came almost immediately, a brief and to-the-point.

Ridge ♥

Go to class.

I couldn't help but grin at his straightforward, no-nonsense reply. Ipinarada ko ang aking sasakyan sa university at ikinalma muna ang sarili. Ridge had thought about me after that night, enough to send help my way.

Sitting in my car for a moment longer, I allowed myself to freak out.

"Dammit! I'm actually freaking out!" I exclaimed to the empty passenger seat, a laugh escaping me. It felt surreal, almost like a dream where the lines between hope and reality blurred. Kakasimula pa lang ng araw ko, buo na agad!

Me

Just parked at school. By the way, where did you get my number?

Hindi naman talaga ako kuryoso sa kung paano niya iyon nakuha, gusto ko lang talagang pahabain pa ang usapan namin. Syempre! Sulitin.

I grabbed my bag, nakangiti pa rin nang tunguhin na ang building para sa una kong klase. Akala ko aabutin na naman ng ilang linggo, buwan, o taon bago kami muling magkausap ni Ridge. Manghihinayang talaga ako kung ganoon nga ang nangyari. But then, he made a move. Suwerte ko ito kaya dapat ay samantalahin talaga.

Halos wala na akong pakialam sa mga nasa paligid ko, hindi na maalis ang ngiti sa aking mga labi habang naghihintay mula kay Ridge. Alam kong magre-reply siya. Malakas ang kutob ko. Gosh! Sana lang talaga ay mag-reply nga siya dahil gusto ko pa siyang kausap.

I settled into the classroom, finding a spot near the back where I could keep an eye on my phone discreetly. It buzzed with another message from Ridge. Napangisi akong lalo dahil para bang naririnig ko ang seryoso niyang tinig habang binabasa ko ang message niya.

Ridge ♥

Focus in class and stop texting. Just read the articles.

Articles? Isa lang naman ang sinend niya. Magtatanong pa lang sana ako nang may isang message na naman na pumasok mula sa kaniya. A link to further reading material.

Ridge ♥

https://www.greenbuildingelements.com/advanced-materials-in-sustainable-architecture

The URL would lead to an article discussing advanced materials used in sustainable architecture, providing an in-depth look at innovative practices that align with what we had discussed last time.

With a quiet chuckle, I saved the link to review later, impressed and slightly amused by Ridge's insistence on keeping our interactions focused on my academic improvement. Ridge and his no-nonsense attitude. Mas lalo ko lang tuloy siyang nagugustuhan.

Kahit pa sinabihan niya akong tigilan na ang pag text ay hindi ko pa rin napigilan na magtipa ng isa pang papansin na message para sa kaniya. Promise, last na. Mamaya na ulit ang iba pa.

Me

Alright, Engr. Santa de Leones. Going into focus mode now. Thanks for the resources!

Turning off my phone to avoid further distractions, I placed it face down on the desk. As the lecture began, my mind did its best to engage with the topic being presented by the professor. However, thoughts of Ridge kept weaving their way through the academic content, coloring my focus with a personal hue.

Every so often, my thoughts drifted to how Ridge had even thought to send me these articles. Masyado na talaga akong nangangarap dahil iniisip kong gusto niya nga talaga ako, kahit puwede namang concerned lang siya na baka nga nahihirapan ako sa topic na sinabi ko sa kaniya noong nakaraan.

Sobrang excited akong basahin ang mga article na sinend niya kaya naman nang sumapit ang lunch ay hindi ako sumama sa mga kaklase ko na kumain sa restaurant sa labas pa ng university. I went to the library instead. Sa isang lamesa sa sulok ako pumuwesto para hindi gaanong nadadaanan ng mga tao at mas na makakapag-focus ako sa binabasa.

I eagerly opened my laptop and checked the additional links he'd provided while my phone was off. Each article was rich with information, ranging from the latest sustainable materials to innovative architectural design principles that prioritized environmental sustainability.

I spent a few intense minutes reading and dissecting the content, jotting down my thoughts and questions. I carefully bulleted these on a page of my notebook, each bullet point followed by a tiny smiley face, para cute dahil ganito talaga ako gumawa ng notes. Malinis at maganda ang sulat ko kaya hindi nakakahiyang ipakita iyon kay Ridge.

With a sense of accomplishment, I took a photo of my handwritten questions. The notes looked organized and inviting, reflective of my genuine interest and effort to engage with the material. I sent the photo to Ridge, hoping I might catch him during his lunch break, a time he might be free to glance at his phone. Kung hindi naman ay ayos lang rin kahit mamaya niya na sagutin ang mga tanong na inilatag ko sa kaniya, basta sagutin niya. Iyon ang mahalaga.

To my surprise and delight, it didn't take long for him to reply. When my phone buzzed, I picked it up to find an image from Ridge. Hindi ko iyon inaasahan kaya mas lalo pa akong na-excite na i-view. He had responded to each of my bullet points with his own handwritten notes. His handwriting was exquisite—clean, precise, and almost artistic in its precision. Yabang! Pati sulat ay perpekto.

The image he sent also showed a slight background of his desk: a well-organized space with architectural blueprints slightly visible, a high-end mechanical pencil, and what looked like a part of a model building, which hinted at the current projects he was working on. Medyo nahagip lang naman ang mga iyon, hindi kitang-kita. Inusisa ko lang talaga ang picture.

Muli kong pinagmasdan ang mga sagot niya sa bulleted questions ko. His answers were insightful and expanded on the topics in the articles.

Bioclimatic Design - Consider the building's orientation; natural light can reduce energy consumption significantly. Ridge wrote. His note suggested specific angles and materials that would optimize thermal comfort without relying heavily on HVAC systems.

Adaptive Materials - Look into phase-changing materials; they absorb or release heat as needed. He explained. This answer highlighted innovative materials that I hadn't fully understood from the articles.

Sustainability Metrics - Don't just focus on the materials. Consider the lifecycle of the building. His note emphasized the importance of evaluating environmental impact over the entire lifespan of a structure.

I grinned broadly and laughed softly to myself, both thrilled and somewhat amazed by the thoroughness of his response. It was more than I had hoped for. At talagang pinatulan niya rin ang handwriting ko, ah. Huh! Next time, ako na ang papatulan niya. Sigurado.

Nagtipa ako ng reply para sa kaniya.

Me

You had so much time to write all this, huh? Lunch na. Kumain ka na ba?

Mabilis akong nakatanggap ng sagot mula sa kaniya.

Ridge ♥

Not architecture. Not interested.

Sobrang sungit! Bago ko pa mapigilan ay napalakas ang tawa ko nang mabasa ang mensaheng iyon ni Ridge. Naglingunan tuloy sa akin ang iilan na nasa malapit na lamesa. I mouthed a quick "Sorry," and hunched a bit lower over my phone, trying to contain my glee.

Me

Kung hindi ka pa kumakain... You should consider refueling. Think of it like this: even the most well-designed structures need good foundations, and you can't build on an empty stomach. ;)

Pinilit kong haluan ng something architecture ang banat kong iyon na kumain na siya. Kahit paano naman ay maging interesado siya. Tatanda siyang lalo kung patuloy siyang magsusungit. Tiningala ko ang malaking orasan na nakasabit sa sentro ng library. Nakakainis naman. Ang bilis matapos ng break! Gusto ko pang makipagpalitan ng text kay Ridge, eh. At nakakainis rin si Ridge. Ang bagal pa mag-reply.

Nililigpit ko na ang aking mga gamit nang muling mag-vibrate ang phone ko. Mabilis ko iyong kinuha at sinilip. Kinilig nang makita na si Ridge nga ang nag-message.

Ridge ♥

Going to lunch now.

Me

Eat well ;)

Ridge's response came as another link, which I stared at briefly before replying.

Me

I'll check it out later, gotta head back to class now.

Switching my phone off again, I focused on the rest of the afternoon's classes, which proved to be particularly demanding. Tuluyan nang naokupa ng mga gawain sa school ang aking isipan. At dahil hindi ko lang gustong basta pumasa, gusto kong maging isa sa pinakamagagaling, ay talagang pinagbuhusan ko ng labis na atensyon ang lahat ng klase ko sa araw na iyon.

By the time classes wrapped up for the day, I was exhausted. The minute I turned my phone back on, it buzzed with notifications—three new messages from Ridge, each one another link to delve into. Bubuksan ko sana ang isa nang biglang tumunog ang sikmura ko, munting paalala na hindi ako nakapananghalian kanina dahil sa sobrang abala sa pag-aaral.

The physical toll of the day, compounded by mental exertion, left me feeling drained.

"Amethyst, matatapos mo ba ang part mo sa group presentation bukas?" Si Ariella iyon, isa sa mga kaklase ko, sinabayan niya ako sa paglalakad pababa sa parking.

"Yes, I'll handle it," I assured her, feeling a bit overwhelmed but managing a smile. "Sorry, Ari, I'm just really beat today."

"You and me both, sister." She shook her head, looking equally tired. "Sige na. Get some rest. Mas marami pa tayong gagawin bukas."

I waved goodbye and made my way to the parking lot, my steps slow. Once inside my car, I quickly texted Ridge before starting the engine.

Me

Got your messages. I'll read everything once I'm home. Can't think on an empty stomach. Really really starving.

The drive to the restaurant near my condo was short, but it felt like an eternity driven by my hunger. Mabilis akong umorder nang madalas ko ring orderin tuwing dito kakain. Hindi rin naman ako naghintay pa ng matagal, agad akong nagmaneho pauwi.

Once home, I settled in with my meal spread out before me and my laptop open, handa na sanang sumabak sa pag-aaral habang kumakain nang makatanggap ng panibagong mensahe mula kay Ridge.

Ridge ♥

You told me to refuel, yet here you are, running on empty. Practice what you preach, perhaps?

I couldn't help but laugh. He had a point. In my eagerness to continue our intellectual exchange, I had skipped the very advice I'd playfully issued him. Inayos ko ang aking pagkain sa center table, then I snapped a photo of my setup—my meal prominently displayed beside my open laptop, articles ready to be devoured in more ways than one. Sinend ko iyon sa kaniya kasunod ang maikling message.

Me

Practicing what I preach atm.

His response came quickly.

Ridge ♥

Eat first, read later.

It was just a few words, but they made me pause, a smile spreading across my face. Was I reading too much into it, or was there a genuine note of concern in his reminder? Lalo tuloy akong kinilig sa aking naisip. Hay, Ridge.

At dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon, I closed my laptop slightly, deciding to focus solely on my meal. Eating slowly, hindi pa rin matigilan ang kaiisip sa mga kailangan ko pang gawin at aralin. Medyo sumisingit rin si Ridge sa aking isipan pero hindi niya iyon nasosolo. Paano tuwing maiisip ko na siya ay sasama na rin ang mga palitan namin na may kinalaman rin sa mga pinag-aaralan ko. I didn't know if it was good thing, but I'd like to believe it was.

As I finished my meal, feeling more grounded and satisfied, I reopened my laptop. Now truly ready to dive into the material he'd sent. The first article opened on my screen discussed innovative urban spaces, and as I absorbed the information, I found myself appreciating the practical and theoretical knowledge Ridge had shared. His mentorship was enriching my understanding of architecture in ways that lectures and textbooks hadn't fully managed.

Hindi lang iyon basta article sa internet, mula iyon sa personal papers niya. I felt compelled to discuss it directly with him. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at imbes na i-text lang siya ay tinawagan ko na. I was half-expecting it to go to voicemail. To my surprise, he picked up. There was silence on his end, so I took the lead.

"You actually sent me your own papers on the development of sustainable urban spaces. I'm really getting a clearer picture of your perspective," namamangha ko pa ring pinagmamasdan ang screen ng laptop ko kung saan naroon ang paper niya. "This is incredible, Ridge!"

"I figured you'd grasp the concepts better through detailed analysis." Simple niyang tugon na para bang walang lang iyon.

I could hear the faint tapping of a keyboard in the background. Kumunot ang aking noo at bahagyang naging kuryoso. "Are you still at work?"

"Yes," he replied succinctly.

"It's like nine in the evening... Don't you go home?" Naalala ko kasi nang abutan niya rin ako sa Makati ay gabi na rin iyon, sabi niya pa ay galing siya sa late meeting noon.

"It's not really up to me most of the time, but up to the workload," he explained in a resigned yet matter-of-fact tone.

"Have you refueled at least?" Pasimple kong tanong.

"Yeah, I'm not as stubborn as you. I remember to eat."

"Come on, I forgot once," napaikot ang aking mga mata. Ayaw ko pa sanang ibaba at tapusin ang tawag kaya lang, hindi ko rin naman gustong makaabala lalo pa't nasabi naman niyang nasa opisina pa siya. "Sige na, ibaba ko na. You should probably get back to work."

"Nah, just put your phone down and continue whatever you were doing. If you have questions, you can ask, so I don't have to pick up my phone from time to time to text," he proposed, making it sound like he was offering me a tutorial session over the phone.

Hm. Me likey.

Still, I hesitated, not wanting to impose. "Wouldn't that trouble you?"

"Not if you keep quiet and just talk when you have questions,"

Nagsusungit na naman. "Alright, Mr. Practical. I'll try not to be too much of a disturbance."

"Go study, Amethyst," masungit pa rin niyang sabi.

Mahina akong natawa at hindi na nagsalita pa. I set my phone beside my laptop and felt an unexpected comfort knowing he was just on the other end of the line, ready to help. Para kaming mag boyfriend-girlfriend in a way.

Muli akong natawa sa naisip.

Ridge's voice came through the phone with a gentle admonition, "There's nothing funny about what you're reading, Amethyst. Stop giggling."

The more I giggled. Cute kasi ni Ridge kapag masungit.

"Sorry," I apologized, clearing my throat and directing my attention back to the complexities of architectural sustainability I was working through.

As I continued studying, I asked questions about the integration of green roofs in urban buildings and the efficiency of using recycled materials. Ridge's responses were prompt and informative, helping me piece together the last bits of my understanding for the upcoming presentation.

We continued this routine for an hour. My yawns became more frequent, betraying my fatigue, but I was determined to finish the presentation section I was working on. The sounds of Ridge's typing had ceased, and the line was quiet except for our voices. Whenever a question arose, he was there with an answer, para bang wala na siyang ibang ginagawa at hinihintay na lamang ang mga tanong ko.

"You should rest," he finally suggested after noticing another series of yawns.

"Hindi puwede. Hindi pa ko tapos. Bukas na ang presentation ko, eh." I responded stubbornly, my eyes scanning the lines of my notes. "Uuwi ka na ba?"

"About to," he replied, and I could hear the subtle sounds of him getting ready to leave.

"I'll hang up then."

"Nah, just keep asking questions. Finish your presentation quickly so you can already rest,"

"But you'll be driving!"

"I've got my AirPods on." Katwiran niya. "I can multitask."

"You shouldn't talk while driving!" I protested lightly.

"Amethyst, stop wasting time—maybe get on with the real questions?"

I sighed. Hindi rin naman magpapatalo ang isang ito. Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko? A few minutes later, I heard the faint background noise of his car engine starting. He was indeed driving, yet he remained attentive, answering my questions about the best practices for presenting architectural designs, suggesting ways to engage the audience effectively, and emphasizing key points that could make my presentation stand out.

His advice was clear and concise, often followed by, "Focus on delivering your knowledge confidently. Show them you understand the material, not just memorized it."

The conversation continued as I heard the subtle sound of the city around him through the phone. Sinubukan kong huwag damihan ang tanong ko kaya lang sa labis kong kagustuhan na makasigurong tama ang lahat ng pagkakaintindi ko at gagawin ko bukas ay naparami pa rin talaga ang mga katanungan ko.

"Thanks, Ridge," I murmured after finishing the last of my slides.

Nakarating na rin siya sa condo niya dahil narinig kong bumati sa kaniya ang doorman sa building niya. "Are you done with everything?"

"Oo... Salamat sa'yo, napabilis ang mga ginagawa ko."

"Good. Now go get some rest, Amethyst."

Napanguso ako, pagod na humiga sa sofa at pinagmasdan ang kisame. "Ayaw ko pa... Gusto pa kitang kausap."

Sukat doon ay bigla naman akong napahikab. Ano ba naman 'tong antok na ito? Sumasapaw!

His response came with what sounded like a soft chuckle. Hindi ko alam kung dahil lang ba sa antok ako kaya kung anu-ano ang naririnig ko o talagang tumawa si Ridge. Tatanungin ko sana kaya lang, naunahan na naman ako ng hikab.

"There will be more of this, I promise. Sleep now, Amethyst."

I couldn't help but smile, the fatigue settling deeper as his voice provided a comforting end to our lengthy discussion. "Promise?"

"Yeah, kulit."

True to his promise, the days that followed were filled with continuous exchanges between Ridge and me. Each day brought a flurry of messages and calls, intertwining our routines in a way that felt both exhilarating and incredibly natural. I found myself looking forward to each interaction, eager to share insights or to simply hear his perspective on various topics.

Naging dahilan rin ang mga pag-uusap naming iyon para mas pag-igihan ko pa ang aking pag-aaral. Not just out of a desire to perform well academically, but because each new piece of knowledge became a potential topic of conversation with Ridge. Kung marami akong alam ay mas marami kaming pag-uusapan. I didn't want to waste his time.

We delved into discussions about the latest architectural trends, debated the merits of sustainable versus traditional building materials, and even tackled the ethical implications of urban redevelopment. Mahusay si Ridge na ipunto sa akin ang opinyon niya sa bawat diskusyon sa paraan na mauunawaan at tatanggapin ko. Well, it was what made him a good businessman. Kung minsan pa, ang simpleng usapan namin ay nauuwi sa mas mainit na palitan, where Ridge's experience would provide a practical counterpoint to my more theoretical knowledge. Katulad ngayon.

"Magastos, oo. Pero hindi naman ang sa ngayon lang ang dapat na tinitignan ng lahat, eh. If we consider the long-term environmental impact, mas na makakatipid kung gagastos ngayon." I struggled to pull on my pants while arguing with him. My phone wedged precariously between my shoulder and ear, iritado kasi gusto ko talagang ipaglaban ang ipinupunto ko. "The data from the latest studies show a significant reduction in carbon footprint when projects prioritize green building standards. Kagaya ng ginagawa niyo sa RHR Constructions, dapat ay mas marami ang sumusubok na tularan ang practice niyo."

I hopped on one foot as I tried to navigate my jeans.

"There's merit in what you're saying, Amethyst, but don't overlook the economic aspect. Sustainable materials often come with higher upfront costs, which can be a barrier for developers. Not everyone will see immediate returns on those investments. And not everyone can wait for the returns. You cannot fault them. Business is still business." Kalmado pa rin si Ridge sa kabilang linya, ni hindi sinasabayan ang pagtaas ng tinig ko kaya lalong nakaka-frustrate.

Not that I wanted us to have a yelling contest of some sort, pero nakakainis lang na madali para sa kaniyang kontrolin ang emosyon niya. Samantalang ako ay ang bilis mairita at magalit. I paused, nearly losing my balance.

"Dammit," I muttered under my breath as I almost slipped.

"Hey, don't get carried away. And please, stop cursing," Ridge chided gently.

"Sorry, it's not you. I just slipped trying to put on my pants," I explained, finally managing to pull them up and fasten the button. I took a deep breath, refocusing on our discussion.

Ridge sighed over the line. "Put your phone down, do whatever you have to do, then pick it back up once you're done. Stop trying to do things at the same time."

Iritado pa rin dahil sa aming munting diskusyon ay iningusan ko siya. "Yeah, like you don't keep doing two or more things at a time."

"I'm used to multitasking. But right now, I'm focused on you." He replied, the sound of him shifting in his seat audible over the phone.

Refusing to back down, I pressed on with the topic. "Back to our discussion—business is business, sure. But developers need to think beyond the short term. Baka mamaya ay sobrang focus tayo sa nangyayari sa kasalukuyan, wala na palang hinaharap para sa atin dahil hindi tayo marunong mag-ingat."

Ridge paused, considering my point. "It's a valid perspective. And it's exactly why these discussions need to happen more frequently in our field. Convincing stakeholders to think long-term requires showing them clear, tangible benefits that offset the initial outlay."

I nodded to myself, satisfied with his acknowledgment. "And that's why we need people like you in the industry, Ridge, those who have influence and can advocate for these changes. Huwag kang magbabago, ah! Kapag ikaw, tumulad sa iba... Ako ang unang-una na magpoprotesta sa tapat ng kompanya mo!"

He chuckled softly—a rare sound that I always found pleasantly surprising—and I couldn't help but smile. Lalo ko kasi siyang nagiging crush tuwing tumatawa siya ng ganyan.

"Are you heading out?" Pagkuwa'y tanong niya.

"Yeah, I was planning to study at the cafe. I need to wrap up the structural analysis project and draft my part of the group presentation on postmodern architecture influences," I explained, gathering my laptop and notes. "For some reason, I just can't seem to focus here at home."

Ilang sandali ang lumipas bago siya mataman na tumugon. "Hm. I'm still at my office, and I have a meeting in thirty minutes, but why don't you just come here and study? It's quiet at this hour. You can focus."

I froze for a second, my heart thumping unexpectedly at the invitation. Seryoso ba siya? Totoo ba 'to? Ilang araw na kaming nagpapalitan ng text, nagtatawagan... Pero hanggang ngayon ay halos hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang siya nga ang kausap ko. Tapos ito? Ngayon ay iniimbitahan niya ako na mag-aral sa opisina niya? Na makita siya ngayon mismo? That felt like a significant step—both thrilling and slightly nerve-wracking.

Tumikhim ako at sandaling hinamig muna ang sarili bago nagsalita. "Are you sure? I mean, me studying there... Ayos lang sa'yo ang ganoon?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

Napapikit ako sa kilig. Syempre, gusto ko. Gustong-gusto ko. Kung ako lang ay lilipad na talaga ako papunta roon, ngayon na mismo! But of course, there were implications. I was entering a space that was distinctly his, where every detail would reflect his professional life.

"I just don't want to be a disturbance, especially with your meeting and all..."

"You won't be," Ridge assured me. "The meeting won't be in my office, and you'll have plenty of space to work. Consider it an open invitation. You know? If you're... comfortable."

That settled it. Pigil na pigil pa rin talaga akong huwag masyadong ipahalata ang kilig ko. Kahit hindi na maawat ang ngisi sa aking mga labi. "Okay, then... I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you, Ridge."

"Good. See you in a bit then. Just come up to the reception and they'll let you in," he instructed, his tone shifting back to his usual business-like manner. Napangiti pa akong lalo dahil nakasanayan ko nang ganoon siya.

A few minutes later, I found myself driving to his office building, a modern glass structure that stood imposingly against the city skyline. My nerves were a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was a step closer to a part of Ridge's life I hadn't seen yet—the professional domain where he made those influential decisions we often talked about. Marami kasi akong tanong sa kaniya tungkol sa trabaho niya, noong una ay para lang humaba pa ang usapan namin. Pero kalaunan, mas nagiging totoo na ang interes ko sa lahat ng ginagawa niya.

Upon arriving, I was greeted at the reception, where they seemed to be expecting me.

"Ms. Amethyst Yniguez? Mr. Santa de Leones mentioned you'd be coming. You can go straight up to the 26th floor," the receptionist said with a friendly smile.

Tumango ako at nagpasalamat bago dumiretso na sa elevator. The ride up felt longer than it was, each floor passing with a soft ding. When the doors finally opened, I stepped into a spacious, stylishly furnished reception area. The walls were adorned with architectural drawings and awards—a testament to his success and reputation in the industry.

Wala na masyadong tao sa paligid, kung meron may abala rin sa kanilang mga ginagawa. Niyuko ko ang aking relong pambisig, it was almost seven in the evening, which explained why many of the desks in the open office area had already cleared out. Dumiretso ako sa pinakadulong opisina kung saan ko nakita ang pangalan ni Ridge na naka-display sa frosted glass door. His secretary's cubicle was deserted, so I proceeded to knock. Siya na lang marahil ang narito. The door was made of a blurred glass that shielded the interior from easy view outside. Hearing a click, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ridge was seated behind his desk, his dark eyes lifting to meet mine as I entered. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakita ko ang kaniyang mga mata, pero tuwinang matititigan ko ang mga iyon ay palagi akong namamangha. They were too dark you could barely see a your reflection on them.

"Hey," I managed to squeak out somewhat nervously.

His eyes briefly dropped to the bag slung over my shoulder and then back up to my attire, his frown deepening slightly as he noticed my shirt. "You really shouldn't make it a habit of going out with your chest so... outlined,"

I cursed inwardly and straightened up, trying to cover myself by adjusting my hair, though it barely reached my chest. "I'm not really a big fan of bras. They're uncomfortable,"

Ridge reached behind his chair, grabbing his jacket. Tapos ay nilapitan niya ako at inabot iyon. "Wear this,"

I twitched my lips, hesitating. "I still have your blazer from last time,"

"Yeah, well, now you have two." He nudged the jacket closer to me again. Masungit niya akong pinagmamasdan na para bang iritado. Ganito rin ang itsura niya nang ipasuot niya sa akin ang blazer niya noong nakaraan.

Kinuha ko na kahit medyo tinamaan ako ng hiya. I slipped it on. It was large and enveloped me in a way that felt oddly comforting, carrying the faint scent of his cologne. The fabric felt luxurious and warm, almost like an embrace. Yakap ni Ridge. Hehe.

Habang isinusuot ko ng ayos ang jacket ay kinuha naman niya ang mga gamit ko. Akala ko pa sa couch niya ilalapag, medyo nagulat ako nang pumunta siya sa lamesa niya at doon iyon maayos na inilagay.

"You can work here. You'll be more comfortable," he stated, turning his back to me as he arranged my belongings.

I shook my head, looking over at the plush couch set against the far wall of his office. "The couch will be fine, really. Dito na lang ako, Ridge."

I didn't want to impose too much. This was his personal space.

Pero hindi pinansin ni Ridge ang munting protesta ko at nagpatuloy lamang sa sinasabi. "I have to step out for a meeting, but I'll be right back. Work here. It's fine."

Okay. Kaya lang... nahihiya ako.

He gathered his documents, preparing to leave for his meeting. Ako naman ay halos hindi na makagalaw sa kinatatayuan dahil habang tumatagal ay mas lalong nagiging totoo ang lahat. Narito nga ako ngayon... Kaharap ko nga si Ridge. Siya nga talaga ang kausap ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. Gosh! Gusto kong magsalita pero wala naman akong masabi.

From where I was standing, I had a clear view of the entire office—the stark lines, the minimalistic design, everything spoke of Ridge's precise nature. At narito ako ngayon!

"Thank you, Ridge," mahina kong sabi.

"Just focus and study, Amethyst," he replied, giving me a brief nod before stepping out.

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