P A R T T W O

I called Elyse that night to celebrate, for a successful meeting, presentation, and for seeing the Monaghans once again.

"Looks like a reunion." She expertly stirred her margarita glass. "Ikaw lang naman itong hindi sila nakikita."

Oh, yes. She mentioned something about meeting them in several events. The bartender slide a glass of rosé in front of me. "Thanks," I smiled.

"Oh, and you're drinking alcohol now?" Said Elyse with a giggled shock. "Is this a celebration or may iba kang iniisip?"

"What?" Inosente kong tanong. "Of course, a celebration."

Tumikhim si Elyse at mas idinikit ang upuan niya sa tabi ko. "First of all, never kang nagyaya makipag inuman sa labas kahit pa ang lapit na ng tirahan natin sa isa't isa."

"We always go with other stuff like cafes. And this is a casual brewery!" I pointed out.

The air inside the bar is a lot chill. Not like young clubs with dance floors and blinking lights, this bar was more like for adulting adults. There's stools, settees, sofas, and the conversation are more on the silent, casual, or business types.

"And there's a reason why I don't drink in public," I said.

I sip my drink and we talk about things about our jobs. She also talked about how annoying her fiancé is, even though there's a silly grin and bright gleam on her eyes whenever she mentions about him. This silly girl is beyond inlove without even noticing it.

"Oh, wait! Speaking of which, here he goes," she said pointing at her buzzing phone on the table. "For sure he's thinking we're waisted or something." Tumayo siya. "Just let me take this call."

I waved my hand with my second glass of rosé. "Sure, sure. He must be worried. You know he can't live a day without you."

Elyse laughed loudly. "I know right!"

Lumabas sandali sa bar si Elyse. I remained on my seat and let some thoughts play inside my head.

Two years. Of course. A lot can happen in two years. I wonder why the twins didn't mention it. Would Landon tell me about it if I ask him? Can I ask him those kind of things? I don't think anyone has the right to probe on his private life. Even interviews don't mention about his life, unless it's related to his business.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

I turned to someone who sat on Elyse's vacant seat. Funny, I was expecting someone for a second before it faded away. Oh, it's just a random guy. I smiled and shake my head gently.

"I'm good."

"Seems like you need another glass, or am just a little hopeful?" He stare with his long lashes. Why does man have to be blessed with lashes they don't need to groom?

My smile turned genuine. "Actually I could use some-"

"Actually, no."

Someone approached us and by the way he stood on my back, he towers over the two of us. Kinuha ng taong bagong dating ang baso mula sa kamay ko na halos pasaid na ang laman. I tried to look up to see who it was but he went to the bartender to give the glass. "No alcohol for this lady, please."

The guy I was talking to earlier noticed the awkward air kaya pinili niyang magpaalam. Nang umalis siya sa silya, pumalit sa harapan ko ang lalakeng bagong dating.

"Didn't I tell you not to get drunk in front of other men, Denise?"

I blinked at Landon. Or is he really here? Is this just the dark bar and the drink taking on me?

"Scotch, please," he said to the bartender before facing me again.

Funny, we're just both out from work, I'm wearing my maroon skirt from earlier, and I just took out my blazer to remove the formality of my attire. He's wearing the polo from earlier, no ties and the sleeves rolled to his elbows.

"Just got out of work?" I asked.

Binigay ng bartender ang order niya. He took a gulp. "Yeah. You too. Both busy, aren't we?"

My lips curved. "Yeah. Thanks for the sponsorship. I'm sure it would fund great exhibits."

"You know I'm on full support on your dreams and skills," he said in between gulp.

Under the dimly lit counter light, he looks the same Landon who I used to look at, even closer than this. "Landon..." This time, I was the one who took a gulp of air. "How old is she... or is it he?"

He took his glass down. "Who?"

"The baby?"

I saw an expression I've never seen on Landon before. Gentle admiration. "So you've heard. She's a year and a month old."

For a second I was lost for words. "She... must be adorable."

He let a short laugh. "Of course. Named her after you. Althea."

Natulala ako. Bakit? "Pero hindi ba magagalit ang-"

Tumunog ang phone ko sa table. Elyse was calling to tell me she has to leave early because she couldn't stand the nagging of her fiancé.

"I know you're with someone I trust so I don't have to worry," she said and I could almost imagine her mischievous smile through the phone. "Enjoy your night, Danny!"

But how? I thought to myself when the call ended and I had to face Landon once again. I don't think I can still enjoy this night. Something is aching inside of me. Something strange and unprecedented.

"It's Elyse," I said. "She's with me earlier but she had to leave." I grabbed my phone and clutch. "I think I should also go-"

I stood up, but then I remember how bad I am with alcohol. My feet swayed and I immediately grabbed the counter. Inalalayan agad ako ni Landon as I try to steady myself.

"Can you drive?"

"Of course. Of course." Tumayo ako ng maayos at naglakad palabas sa bar. Nagbayad si Landon saka ako sinundan hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot.

"I should drive you."

"No." Halos nasa tapat na ako ng sasakyan ko sa dulo ng lot nang nakasunod pa rin siya sa'kin.

"I'm good here," I said. "Go home too."

"Denise..." Weird, the way he says my name. Anyone can say my name everyday, but he's the only one who can make me weak to my knees just by calling me.

I shake my head. No. What is wrong with you, Denise? This is business partnership. Just it.

"Please let me drive you. I'm worried."

Nanghina ako sa sinabi niya. But of course there's nothing more than that but pure worry for someone who plans to drive under influence.

"I'll sober up here for a few minutes."

"Then I'll wait here with you."

The next words rolled out of my tongue before I could stop them. "Your baby is waiting and your wife must be worried."

His lush eyebrows creased. "What? Wife?" Mas humakbang siya palapit sakin. "Do you think I'm a married man, Denise?"

May mali ba sa sinabi ko? Oh, of course. This is modern day society. You don't need to get married right away because you have a baby.

"Oh sorry," I said quickly. "Your partner?"

Hindi ko alam kung natatawa ba siya sa mga sinasabi ko. He looks fairly entertained to me. Dahan dahan niya akong hinawakan sa balikat. "Face me, Denise."

But I can't. Specially now. Parang ang tanga ko. Hindi ko dapat siya tinatanong tungkol sa mga ganoong bagay. For a reason hindi naalis ang ngiti sa labi ni Landon. It's like a triumphant smile. Like he won something.

"Denise, I want to introduce you to someone."

Kinapa niya sa kanyang bulsa ang phone niya. Binuksan niya ito and all I could stare at is his face being illuminated by the brightness of the screen. The parking lot is silent and dark and I was staring at this man under the darkness of the night.

Maybe it's because of the topics these past few weeks. About relationship and marriage and finding someone. It's a common pressure for the likes of me who never had a relationship after Landon. It doesn't mean anything.

"This is Althea."

Nabigla ako nang iharap ni Landon ang screen ng phone niya sakin. My eyes had to adjust to the lights to see clearly. I saw something brown and fluffy on the screen. I saw a dog. A Belgian Tervuren to be exact.

"I asked my secretary to bring her home from the vet this morning. Dahil kasama ko naman sina River at Yllona matapos ang meeting, sinabi kong samahan na muna niya si Althea habang hindi dumadating ang tagabantay nito."

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. I must be really drunk. Dahil nagiinit ang buong mukha ko dahil sa kahihiyan. I even mentioned a freaking wife. My god, Denise. You're hopeless.

"I..." Umatras ako palayo at pilit iniwas ang pulang mukha ko. "I think I'll just go and sober up inside my car."

Landon was now laughing.

"Cute dog by the way. Althea. She's very cute," pambawi ko sa kahihiyan ko saka tinakpan nang bahagya ang mukha ko saka naglakad.

Pero hindi ako pinakawalan ni Landon nang ganoon kadali. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at ang isa naman ay inaalis ang kamay kong takip ang mukha ko.

"Yeah, she's acting very cute and I'm afraid I could kiss her."

Tumigil ako at tinignan siya. "You're still as entertaining as a bratty kid when drunk, Denise."

"I'm not... drunk."

Lumapit siya habang hawak parin ang braso at balikat ko. "Denise?"

"Yes?" I breathe.

His head leaned closer to my side to say the words on my ears. "I won't get married to anyone else because I already gave that promise to someone years ago."

Landon gave me a little push against the hood of my car and I could feel the cold bumper against the back of my knees.

"Denise do you, even just a little bit, even just a percent or a point of it, still love me?"

The question was like an unexpected cold breeze that knocked me. Napalunok ako. Do I still love him? Kaya ba ganito ako ngayon sa kanya? Nahihiya? Nasasaktan? Nalilito? Or are these random emotions at random times?

Bumaba ang mga kamay ni Landon sa likod ko upang iangat ako at iupo sa hood ng sasakyan. He cornered me with both of his broad arms. No way to escape his questions.

"I don't care how little the chance is. I've already reached zero. I could work on anything you can give. Anything. Just please tell me."

And I was sober. I know I am. Sa takbo ng usapan namin, tuluyan ng nawala ang epekto ng alak sakin.

I know it's different circumstances now. I don't need to be afraid. I could be honest now. To myself, to Landon.

Landon closed the gap between us, our heaving chest connecting as our lips inched nearer.

"You don't have to answer in words," Landon whispered on my open lips. "Push me away or kiss me back and I would know."

Tuluyang nagdikit ang aming mga labi. At first lingering, as if both of us afraid. Then I could feel his familiar lips slowly consuming me, every inch raw and warm and sweet like rosé, and bitter like scotch.

I raised my hand towards his chest, but instead of pushing him away I pulled him closer to me and kissed him back. I could feel him smiled against my lips, his hands holding me closer against his body and the hood of my car.

So this is what it feels like, to love without fear. To kiss without guilt, or the threat of being caught or punished. So this is the feeling of loving someone freely without the chaos and fire surrounding us because we've overcome them.

Landon held my face as he stared at me. And in that darkness, all I could see is him. I wonder what they would say, the young us. The fear stricken, tear stained with young tortured hearts. I hope they'd be proud of everything they've been through to get here. I hope they're proud they choose themselves first before anyone else. To fix themselves first and come whole by themselves before finding each other again. Not to complete each other but to be two wholes together.

"Denise?" Landon enveloped me in a hug.

"Hmm?"

"Please let me love you again. I'm not asking you to love me right away. I will work hard on gaining you back."

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang mukha niya at ngumiti habang nakatitig siya. "You don't have to. I'm yours. Always been. Again and again."

He suddenly lift me up and I let out scream of surprise. I was laughing. He was laughing. And after a very long time. After all the fears and doubts and cruel circumstances. This is our someday. Finally, we're happy.

The End

***

Author's Note:

I just miss them and I miss you guys.

#TDTSpecial
Twitter: @breatheapril