The picture was shared on some popular pages. Hindi iyon nakaligtas sa radar ng pamilya ni Lena. Lalo pang ipinilit ng mga ito na papuntahin niya si Cyrus sa bahay. Fortunately for her, Cyrus was game. He even offered to bring a dish cooked by his dad. Of course, Nikola asked for the chocolate cake. And he wanted a bigger one.

Lacey also insisted na maaga siyang pumunta sa bahay para maayusan. Her sister was still on a short break. Nasa kanila ito hanggang sa Miyerkules ng sumunod na linggo. Lacey had Ramona bring over some dresses na ibibigay nito sa kanila ni Kenna. Dahil bati na sila ni Lacey, pumayag siya sa gusto ng kapatid under one strict condition that she will wear a long-sleeved dress. Lacey was too happy to complain. Hindi kasi siya madalas mag-ayos kaya sinasamantala ng kapatid niya kapag pumapayag siyang maayusan.

She brought Bailey along, too, since he also misses his family. Kalaro ito nina Nikola at Logan, kasama ang ibang aso nila.

Logan, like Nikola, couldn't believe that she got herself a boyfriend. Akala raw kasi nito ay allergic siya sa mga lalaki. Hindi na niya ipinagpilitang hindi naman talaga niya boyfriend si Cyrus. To her family, the concept of going out with him is already partly like being in a relationship.

After telling Cyrus Nikola's specific instructions, kinausap naman niya ang ama to ask him to go easy on Cyrus. She remembered when Martin admitted to her family that he likes Lacey. Her dad interrogated him for two hours. When it was over, Martin looked pale, like he was going to be sick. Ayaw naman niyang mangyari kay Cyrus iyon. He's too nice for that.

"Relax, Lena. It's just dinner. It's not like I'm gonna sentence him to his death," her dad told her. But the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise.

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't go overboard," her mom promised. Naipaliwanag na nito sa kanilang magkakapatid na babae, dati, kung bakit protective ang daddy nila. Wala raw itong kapatid na babae but he's very close with their Aunt Kylie. And he was also kind of a heartbreaker back then so he was watching out for his karma. Baka raw kasi sa kanila mangyari.

Hindi naman ito sobrang higpit to the point na bawal lahat. Her mom told her that he's really a softie inside, like most dads. They just have this instinct to act tougher than they really are to protect their family.

--

Dinner's at seven, so Lacey immediately set to work at 5 o'clock. Kagaya ng pangako nito, long-sleeved dress ang ipasusuot nito sa kanya. She even had options this time.

She chose the navy blue casual dress na hanggang tuhod.

"We have to pluck your eyebrows."

"What?!" Agad niyang tinakpan ng dalawang kamay ang mga kilay. "They're fine!"

"Sabog na kaya!" Lacey said impatiently.

Ngumuso siya at bumuntong-hininga. Lacey was used to this. Kailangan kasing palagi itong nakaayos dahil public figure ito. She, on the other hand, prefers to keep everything the way they are. Kaya nga ang buhok niya, never pang nagalaw ng kahit sinong parlorista. She cuts her own hair. It's naturally brownish so there's no need to color it. And it's already soft and smooth (in her opinion) kaya hindi na niya ginagalaw. Ang mantra kasi niya, if it's not broken, then don't fix it.

"Fine, but make it as painless as possible. Please lang."

"I'll try." Lacey laughed when she grimaced. "Tiis-ganda, Ate."

She began plucking her eyebrows. Siya naman ay humawak sa gilid ng upuan niya para maiwasang palisin ang kamay ng kapatid.

After that, Lacey did her makeup, with free tutorial. She realized that she's wearing her eyeliner the wrong way. Lacey added layers of makeup on her face but they didn't feel cakey because she was aiming for the 'natural' look, which didn't seem natural to her at all. Natural for her is bare-faced.

When Lacey was done, she was glad to still look like herself, but better and refined.

"Makeup is supposed to enhance your beauty, not change your look completely," sabi sa kanya ng kapatid.

"I like it," she admitted. She's not into wearing makeup, but she's okay with what Lacey did. Ang ayaw lang naman kasi niya, 'yong hindi na niya makikilala ang sarili pagkatapos.

"Thanks!" Lacey beamed, looking pleased. Next, she did her hair. It was quicker and easier. All she did was loosely braid the top part. The soft curls on her hair didn't need a makeover.

"I wish I have your hair."

"Why? Your hair's pretty."

Her sister sighed. "Yeah, pero alagang salon naman. Yours is naturally beautiful."

"Stop it."

Ngumiti ito. "I'm just admiring your hair, Ate."

There was a knock on the door and Kenna came in to check if she's done. Aayusan din kasi ito ni Lacey. Basta girly stuff, magkasundong-magkasundo ang dalawa. They love family dinners and special occasions. They get to play dress up kasi.

Pumalit sa pwesto niya ang kapatid habang siya naman ay lumabas ng kwarto para hanapin si Bailey. She found him outside, at the porch. Pinapakain na ito ng hapunan kasama ang mga kapatid nito.

Naupo siya para panuorin ito. She decided not to interrupt his meal. He looks really hungry.

"Hey, beautiful."

She felt her cheeks heat up. Nilingon niya ang tumawag. He's standing about a meter away, hands in his pockets, smiling down on her.

"Martin!"

Of course, he's invited. Kaibigan kasi nito si Cyrus. Naturally, he'll join the dinner. Nobody told her this, but she shouldn't really be surprised. After all, he's already part of the family. But a part of her wished that he didn't come.

It's just hard to look at him and not long to be with him.

Inilahad nito ang kamay sa kanya, which she hesitantly accepted. Hinila siya nito patayo.

"So... you and Cyrus, huh?"

"Shut up."

"What?" natatawa nitong tanong. "Wala pa nga akong sinasabi, e."

He didn't have to say anything. The mischievous grin plastered on his face was enough hint that he's just about to tease her.

"I'm glad that it's him, Lena," he told her. "He's a great guy."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Yeah, but you're better, she wanted to say.

"Uhm... thanks. Lacey's upstairs, by the way."

He nodded. "Mabuti naman at nagkaayos na kayo. The interview got me worried. You liking me is just--"

"Completely ridiculous. I mean, ikaw?" She made a disgusted face.

That made him laugh. He touched her face with his knuckles, like a soft punch and said, "Ditto, Aragonza. Ditto."

She swatted his hand away. Iniakbay naman nito ang braso sa balikat niya. "Ah, I missed teasing you!"

"Arrgh. Nakukuba ako sa 'yo, e!" She lightly jabbed his side.

"Kuba ka naman na talaga."

"Hindi kaya!"

Pilit niya itong itinulak pero mas lalo nitong pinabigat ang braso, putting a lot of weight on her shoulder.

Isang tikhim mula sa likuran ang nagpatigil sa kanilang dalawa. When they turned around, they saw Cyrus standing there with a big box in his hand and a  bouquet of flowers on the other. Martin grinned and greeted his friend with a hug. Siya naman ay nilapitan si Cyrus para kunin ang mga dala nito.

Hindi siya umiwas nang halikan siya nito sa pisngi. She figured that it's necessary since Martin was there. Still, she couldn't help but blush when he teased them.

Thank God for Nikola, who interrupted.

Tuwang-tuwa ito nang makitang may dalang cake si Cyrus. Hindi na niya ito naawat nang kunin nito ang box at patakbo iyong dinala sa loob. Sumunod silang tatlo papunta sa kusina, where the table was already set with her parents were waiting beside it.

--

The dinner wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Cyrus was a delight. He answered all her dad's questions coolly. Martin backed him up too. Botong-boto ito for Cyrus so she figured that her dad would finally be at ease. If Martin trusts the guy, then there's nothing to worry about.

Cyrus also earned Nikola's approval. Her brother shamelessly cut himself a huge piece of cake and ate like no one's watching. Lacey and Kenna also gave her their thumbs up. Logan looked bored, as usual.

After dinner, her father pulled Cyrus aside to talk to him some more. Dinala ito ng ama niya sa gameroom. Martin followed with a few beers in hand.

"Don't worry. He can handle it," he assured her.

She felt guilty though. Kahit pa sabihing magugustuhan si Cyrus ng daddy niya, she put him in this position when what they have wasn't even real.

--

They waited in the living room. Logan and Nikola played games while Lacey and Kenna talked to her about Cyrus. Kenna asked her to get the recipe for the cake. Mahilig kasi itong mag-bake. She's their lola's favorite because of that.

"Does he have a brother? Irireto natin kay Kenna," pabirong sabi ni Lacey.

"Wala, e. Sisters lang."

"Cousins?"

"Ate!" saway ng kapatid nila.

"What? He's cute. I bet he has cute relatives too," depensa ni Lacey. Their younger sister blushed. Kenna's not into boys. Not yet, at least. Kung mayroon man itong nagugustuhan, iyon ay ang mga fictional characters sa mga binabasa nitong libro. Kenna's a certified bookworm. Kaya nga nakasalamin ito palagi. Lumabo na kasi ang mata nito kakabasa.

"I like him," maya-maya'y singit ni Nikola.

"You mean you like the cake he brought?"

Her brother grinned. "Yeah. That too."

"Ang takaw nito. Ang liit tuloy ng nakain ko kanina," reklamo ni Logan.

Nabaling dito ang atensyon ni Lacey nang magsalita ito. Bihira kasi itong magsalita. Palaging walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa paligid. Lacey turned to her and smiled. Alam na niya agad na may naisip na naman itong magandang ideya.

"Si Logan na lang!"

"What?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Logan. "Anong ako?"

"Well, Cyrus has sisters, right?"

He scowled. "'Wag ako, Ate!" banta nito kay Lacey.

"You're already 18! Don't tell me, wala ka pang balak magka-girlfriend?"

"Girls are annoying."

"Hey!" the three of them chorused.

Naiiling na umakyat ng second floor si Logan. Naiwan silang apat doon. Nikola's still playing. Lacey joined him. Si Kenna naman ay ipinagpatuloy ang librong binabasa nito kanina.

Maya-maya ay bumalik na rin sa wakas ang daddy niya kasama si Cyrus. Nakipagkwentuhan muna ito sa kanila bago sila umalis. Nakisabay na siya sa pag-uwi dahil may pupuntahan sila kinabukasan para sa shoot ni Julie. Out of town iyon.

She knew she'll miss Bailey kahit ilang araw lang naman siyang mawawala. Hindi kasi siya sanay na hindi katabi ang aso niya sa pagtulog. But she had to leave him at her parents' house over the weekend. She knew Nikola will take good care of him.

--

"I had a great time," sabi ni Cyrus sa kanya nang makasakay sila ng kotse.

"Mabuti naman. I hope my dad didn't tell you anything embarrassing."

Tumawa ito. "Well, mostly threats lang," he replied casually.

Napasalo siya. "Si Daddy talaga!"

"It's okay. My dad's the same with my sisters so I understand."

Tumango siya. Nasabi na nga pala nito iyon sa kanya dati. Maging ito raw ay protective din sa mga kapatid nito.

"Hey, do you want to take a detour first?" he asked a while later.

"Where?"

"Up high."

She didn't know what he meant by that, but he had been so nice to her and her family, so pumayag na rin siya. Mukha rin namang katiwa-tiwala ito at hindi siya ipapahamak.

--

They parked outside a tall building. She frowned when she saw its name. A hotel? Cyrus quickly got out and opened the door for her. Alanganin siyang bumaba.

"Relax." He smiled and eased the frowned on her forehead. "I'm not that kind of guy."

Hindi naman noon nasagot ang tanong sa utak niya.

Cyrus led her inside. Pumunta sila sa reception area kung saan magiliw itong binati ng receptionist. Mukhang kilala nito ang mga staff doon. Pag-aari din kaya ng pamilya nito ang hotel?

"Julie's family owns this hotel," he told her on their way to the elevators. "Madalas kami rito when we were kids. Dati pinaparentahan nila 'yong ilang floors sa mga maliliit na kumpanya, but her father decided to convert this into a hotel."

They rode the elevator to the top floor. Napakapit siya sa railing nang lumampas sila ng ikasampung palapag. By the time na nagbukas ang elevator, putlang-putla na siya.

"Lena, what's wrong?"

"I'm afraid of heights," nakangiwi niyang sagot. She gets queasy when inside tall buildings. Kahit sa loob ng elevators, basta alam niyang paakyat iyon.

"I'm sorry. Dapat tinanong muna kita. Do you want to go down?"

"No, I'll be fine," she replied, trying to sound brave. Alam niyang darating at darating ang panahong kakailanganin din niyang harapin ang takot na iyon. If Cyrus told her about his plan of taking her to the rooftop, then she might have had the chance to back down.

Kinailangan pa siyang alalayan ni Cyrus palapit sa may railings dahil nanginginig siya. But eventually, she managed, with closed eyes. Cyrus whispered comforting words to her in an attempt to calm her nerves.

"You really should open your eyes, Lena. The views amazing."

She shook her head vigorously.

"Come on. I'm here. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."

He squeezed her shoulder and urged her again to open her eyes. Huminga siya nang malalim saka binuksan ang isang mata. Then she mustered up her courage to open the other as well. What she saw left her speechless.

The city lights were amazing. She doesn't like the view in the morning. Mausok sa daan at madalas na makulimlim ang langit dahil sa polusyon. But at night, the buildings look like they were lit up by a million fairies. It was a breathtaking sight.

"Wow!"

"See? I told you."

She inhaled the air. It wasn't so bad either. Alam niyang hindi fresh air ang nalalanghap niya, but at least it was cool at hindi amoy tambutso.

She took her phone, wanting to take a picture. She'll never get this view when she's down on the ground. But her hands were shaking. Natakot siyang itaas ang phone dahil baka mahulog lang iyon.

Cyrus came to her rescue and held it for her. She's well aware that he's almost hugging her. Nasa likuran niya ito. His chest touching her back. His cheek pressed against her temple. He was shielding her from the wind, making her feel warm without even realizing it.

He took a few photos of the city lights, then changed the setting into selfie mode.

"We need to document this moment. The night when you finally conquered your fear of heights."

He smiled to the camera and clicked. She couldn't admit that she's still afraid. She knew she still is. Kung siguro wala ito roon, kanina pa siya nahimatay sa takot.

"Bakit nga ba takot ka sa heights?" tanong nito.

"I fell from a tree when I was a kid. It was so painful, I almost imagined my life flashing before my eyes. Akala ko talaga mamamatay na 'ko. Never na 'kong umakyat ng puno after no'n."

"Na-trauma ka agad?"

Tumango siya. "I didn't want to fall and break my bones again. Feeling ko palagi, kapag nasa mataas akong lugar, malalaglag ako."

"Aww..." She felt his arm embrace tighten. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, I won't let you fall and break again. You can count on that," he whispered.