Marian's POV

I unconciously rested my hand on my stomach. All I needed was one sperm with a good sense of direction. One tiny sperm to conceive a baby. I probably had millions of little Seths swimming inside me right now. Sana lang magwork itong pinaggagawa ko. Hindi na nga boyfriend o asawa hinihiling ko, anak na lang okay na sa akin.

Swim, my little babies. Come to mama!

Seth had good genes. Mula kay tita Liza na mukhang former beauty queen at sa daddy niya na mukhang hollywood movie star noong kapanahunan niya hanggang kay Seth. Aba kapag may nabuo nga wala na akong talo d'un. Sure nang maganda ang baby ko.

I made sure I was fertile. Nagpacheck pa nga ako sa OB-GYN para masigurado. I lied and told her my 'husband' and I were trying to conceive. Binigyan niya pa nga ako ng fertility pill para daw mapabilis ang pagbubuntis ko. Thank God! Nataon na fertile ako ngayon! I also did a lot of research before doing this. I'd read that a lot of women have had artificial insemination at home using a syringe and most of them had successfully conceive. Sana matulad din ako sa mga babaeng iyon.

If it's God's will, it will happen.

Bumukas ang pinto at halos mapatalon ako sa gulat. I turned and saw Seth standing there. I guess when you know you did something wrong... no, not wrong... just not right (what's so wrong about trying to save some of his sperm soldiers from dying in a plastic?), you tend to be more jumpy.

"Hindi ka pa tapos d'yan?" He asked.

"Malapit na." I answered.

"Hey Marian." I heard him sigh. Saka ako tumingin sa kanya. There was a hint of something in his eyes, something I couldn't put my fingers on. "Aalis tayo ngayon."

"Where are we going?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"At a party."

"Party?" Takang tanong ko.

"Oo, kaya bilisan mo na d'yan." He said.

"Bakit hindi na lang yung babaeng kasama mo kanina ang isinama mo?"

He shrugged. "Because she's not you-... I mean, she's just good for a night in the sack. Iba ka sa mga babaeng dinadala ko dito. You're my buddy."

Buddy? It's supposed to be good right? But it doesn't feel that way. Buddy. Na buddy zoned ako?! Mas matatanggap ko pa sana kung inilagay niya ako sa friend zone pero buddy zone?! At least, ang friend zone may pag-asa pang mag level up. Madaming magkaibigan ang nagiging mag-boyfriend-girlfriend. Ilang buddy ba ang narinig niyong nagkatuluyan? It's a step below friend zone. Bakit ba? Umaasa pa ba akong magugustuhan ako ni Seth? He made it clear a hundred of times before that I wasn't his type. 

Ang mahalaga nakuha ko na ang kailangan ko sa kanya.

I'm sorry, Seth, I stole your sperm. Pero mas mapapakinabangan naman kaysa mabulok lang sa basurahan. Mamahalin at aalagan kong mabuti ang baby natin.

"O, bakit nakatulala ka d'yan?" His brow furrowed.

I shook my head. "W-wala lang."

Hininto ni Seth ang kotse sa isang malaki at puting gate. Isang guard ang lumabas mula sa maliit na guardhouse sa gilid nito at kinawayan si Seth bago dahan-dahan na bumukas ang gate. He drove up into the driveway and pulled up in front of the house's enormous porch with beautiful white pillars supporting it. The mansion had a mix of classic and modern, elegant and modest, sophisticated and comfortable. The combinations perfectly complimented each other. May mga bahay na sa sobrang gara parang nakakapanghinayang na tirahan, masarap lang tignan... those tacky houses that screams 'MAYAMAN AKO' at may mga bahay din na sa sobrang 'modern' hindi mukhang kumportableng tirahan. Pero ito, kahit malaki at magara parang kumportable pa rin tumira. It was the kind of house you could see yourself raising a child and growing old in.

Pagbaba namin may kinuha si Seth sa likod ng kotse. It was two huge boxes, one was wrapped in a cute pink gift wrapper the other one was wrapped in blue. Pinahawak niya sa akin ang pink. As we were walking to the porch, one of the dark wooden double door opened. Lumabas doon ang isang lalaki at halos mabitawan ko ang dala ko ng makita siya. He was tall, built, and he had gorgeous blonde hair... He was Adonis reincarnated, God's gift to womankind.

Seth nudged me and he was already frowning when I turned my head to him.

"Akala ko hindi ka na pupunta." Sabi ng lalaki.

"Pwede ba yun? I wouldn't miss the twins' birthday for the world." He said as we walked towards the man who was standing in front of the porch. Huminto kami sa harap niya at mas gwapo siya sa malapitan, infairness. "Did we miss anything?"

"Nah, the party just started. Nasa loob na ang tatlo, they're in the lounge having some drinks." Sagot nito bago nabaling ang tingin niya sa akin. He gave me a wide smile. "You must be Marian?"

"Yes." Matipid na sagot ko at nginitian ko din siya.

"I'm glad you could come. We've heard so much about you." Sabi niya bago inilahad ang kamay niya sa akin. "I'm Phoenix Cordova, by the way. It's a pleasure having you here."

Tinanggap ko naman iyon. "Thank you. Alam mo kamukha mo si William Levy." Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. Mahilig akong manood nang Mexican telenovela at talagang sobrang crush ko si William. Syempre, para sa akin mas gwapo pa din si Seth pero nakaka starstruck ang kaibigan niya.

"I get that alot." He winked at me.

Suddenly, Seth's arm wrapped around the small of my back and tried to drag me forward. "Tatayo na lang ba tayo buong gabi dito, don't you guys want to come inside? Come on, Marian, let's go in."

"I'm happily married, you asshole." Natatawang sabi ni Phoenix.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Seth answered, not bothering to look back at his friend as he dragged me in.

"Audrey? Coco?" Sigaw ni Seth pagpasok pa lang sa mansyon. Lumabas ang dalawang bata at tumakbo papunta sa kinatatayuan namin. They both had blonde hair just like Phoenix, kamukhang kamukha niya ang dalawang bata. Naisip ko ang ginawa ko kanina. Sana magwork talaga yun, sana may mabuo. I wanted have a child. A mini Seth. I could imagine him or her having the same olive eyes, the same cute lips, the same proud nose. Pero yung itsura lang gusto kong mamana ng anak ko sa daddy niya, huwag naman pati ugali.

"Tito Seth!" Excited na sigaw ng batang babae. He bent down on his knees at sinalubong ang yakap ng dalawang bata.

"I have something for you two." Sabi ni Seth at itinaas ang hawak niyang malaking box na may blue gift wrapped. "This one's for Coco." Inabot niya iyon kay Coco at lumingon siya sa akin para kunin ang isa pang regalo niya. "And this one's for Audrey!" Sabi niya at inabot niya dito iyon sa batang babae.

They both hugged him and said 'thank you'. It was cute, seeing the softer side of him, his soft spot for these children. Paano kaya siya maging daddy? How would he treat his own child? If he was a good tito, I bet he would be a better daddy.

"Hi, Seth. Buti naman at nakapunta ka." Nakangiting lumapit ang isang magandang babae sa amin. She looked familiar. I felt like I'd already seen her before but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

The kids excitedly ran away with the gift Seth gave them.

"Hey." He smiled, widely. Seth met her half-way, he gave her a half hug and leaned over for a cheek to cheek kiss. "Hindi ko naman pwedeng hindi puntahan ang birthday party ng mga inaanak ko?"

"You can get your hands off my wife now." I heard Phoenix say behind me. He walked passed me and to where the two of them were standing. Hinaklit niya ang babae sa baywang and he posessively pulled her away from Seth and to his side. The woman just chuckled, rolling her eyes at Phoenix.

"Nakilala mo na si Marian?" He asked his wife. Saka pa lamang siya napatingin sa akin. She gave me a warm smile.

"Hi, Marian. I'm sorry, I didn't notice you." Sabi ng babae. "We're glad to have you here. Huwag kang mahihiya sa amin ah, feel at home. Ako nga pala si Cassie."

Her name rang a bell."Cassie? Cassandra Imperial?"

"Cassandra Imperial-Cordova." Phoenix corrected.

"Have we met before?" She asked, brows furrowed.

"Classmates tayo noong college sa isang subject." I said. Who could forget Cassandra Imperial? Hindi kami close, in fact I'd only spoken to her once. Pero kilala siya because she was one of the most popular girls in school. Cheerleader siya dati sa school namin at lahat yata ng kilala kong lalaki noon may crush sa kanya. Then she stopped going to her classes in the middle of the semester. May rumor na kumakalat noon na kaya daw tumigil siya sa pag-aaral ay dahil nabuntis siya. Cassandra didn't seem like the promiscuous type pero hindi din natin masasabi. Young people do stupid things, and she was beautiful and a lot of guys liked her. 

I couldn't help but envy her. Alam ko kasalanan ang mainggit pero hindi ko maiwasan. Halos magkasing edad lang kami at may pamilya na siya. She has a handsome husband and beautiful children. Ako single pa rin at mag-isa na lang, wala nang pamilya at walang nagmamahal sa akin. Why does life have to be so unfair sometimes?

"Really?" She said with an even wider smile. "What class? I can't remember..."

"Sa history yata. Hindi ko na din matandaan, ang tagal na nun. Isang beses lang naman tayo nag-usap noon, noong umabsent ka tapos kumopya ka ng notes sa notebook ko."

"Well, small world." Sabi niya. "Mag-ano kayo ni Seth?"

My mind went blank at her question. What was I suppose to say? Mag-ano nga ba kami? I turned my head to him for help and he was looking at me too.

"Yeah, Seth, mag-ano ba kayo?" Nakangising tanong ni Phoenix.

"I just want to know kasi ngayon lang siya nagsama ng babae." Cassie said, trying to fill the awkwardness.

"We're buddies..." Nasagot ko na lang. Dahil iyon ang tinawag niya sa akin kanina di ba? Buddy...

"Ano'ng klaseng buddy naman? Bed buddy?" Tanong ni Phoenix. I was mortified with his bluntness. I felt really, terribly awkward.

"Nick..." Mahinang saway ni Cassie sa asawa. "You're making our guests uncomfortable."

"Asshole." Sabi naman ni Seth at binigyan ng matalim na tingin ang kaibigan. "She's just my friend."

"Halika na nga, Marian." Cassie grabbed me by the wrist. "Hayaan mo na yang dalawang yan, ganyan talaga yan. Ipakikilala na lang kita sa iba pang bisita."

Seth's POV

"She is one fine lady." Wayne was looking out of the window with a glass of whiskey in one hand. He was watching Marian. Dinala ni Cassie si Marian sa pool where the party was at to introduce her to other guests.

"She's sexy as hell." Tumabi si Axel kay Wayne para silipin din si Marian. He took a sip from his glass. "I didn't know your dick has standards."

All of them laughed which made me frown even more.

"Will you assholes stop it. Marian is just my friend." I said, annoyed and downed another shot.

"Man, I can't wait for your bachelor's party. Matagal ko nang gustong makaganti sa'yo." Naiiling-iling na sabi ni Axel.

I grinned to myself as I remembered Axel's bachelor's party in Vegas. I got him knocked out drunk and had a stripper wax all his pubic hair off. He woke up the next day, went to the bathroom and freak the fuck out when he saw his hairless balls. It was epic.

He got pissed and mad at me hanggang sa pagbalik namin sa Pilipinas. Nawala lang ang galit niya pagkatapos ng honeymoon nila ni Valerie. I asked him how it went and he told me that Valerie loved it.

"I won't have any bachelor's party because I'm not going to get married. I'm going to stay a free man for the rest of my life. I don't need any woman to run my life." I scowled, pouring myself another drink and gulped it down.

"It's not that bad. I swear, being married is one of the best thing that could ever happen to you." Sabi ni Tristan.

"I don't care. I am not going to get married. Never." Mariin na sabi ko.

"I swear to God, kapag ikaw nagpakasal. Sa bachelor's party mo, hindi lang pubes mo ang tatanggalin ko pati na yang bayag mo." Axel said, laughing like a hyena.

"Mukha naman matino yung babae. Hindi yun papatol kay Seth." Tristan shrugged.

"What the hell are you trying to say?" I said in a soft roar.

"She looks like someone would pick a stable guy over a party animal who doesn't even have a job. She isn't some ditzy club bimbo na pakitaan mo lang ng muscle o magandang kotse sasama na sa'yo." He answered.

"I'm a fuckin' stable guy, I do have a job. I'm making a living out of partying!" My jaw clenched. It was as if my blood had rushed up to my head.

"Why does it even matter to you? She's just your friend right?" Wayne cocked a brow.

"I'm just... I'm just getting his facts straight." The tension in my body suddenly softened.

Marian's POV

Paggabi na at tapos na ang party. Nagsisi-uwian na din ang ibang mga bata. Marami kaming napag-usapan ni Cassie pati na din ang mga asawa ng mga kaibigan ni Seth. They were all really nice at ang gaganda din nila. For a moment, I thought this place was an exclusive community for beautiful people.

Cassie was really hands-on with the party kahit na may organizer at isang katutak na katulong sila. You could see how dedicated she was to her children. The rumors were true. Cassie really did get pregnant kaya huminto siya sa pag-aaral in the middle of the semester. Ngayon meron na siyang binata na kamukhang kamukha ng ama niya.

"Masarap ba maging ina?" Hindi ko napigilan itanong sa kanya habang nasa kitchen na kami.

She smiled. "Being a mother is the most fulfilling thing. Masarap panoorin ang mga anak mo habang lumalaki sila. Makikita mong lumabas yung kanya-kanyang personality nila. You see them grow and learn and develop."

"Buti hindi ka naloloka, ang dami niyong anak."

"Marami na ba yan?" She chuckled. "Gusto pa nga namin dagdagan."

"Really? Hindi ba mahirap magbuntis at manganak?"

"Syempre, nahirapan din ako. Lalo na kay Miggy, I was only sixteen when I got pregnant with him. Maselan pa ang pagbubuntis ko noon, first baby ko tapos wala pang tatay ang anak ko. But you know what, once you see your baby, lahat ng paghihirap na iyon mawawala."

"Hindi ba sabi mo sa akin ikaw ang mag-isang nagpalaki kay Miggy nang ilang taon. Was it hard being a single mother?"

"Mas madali kung meron pa rin tatay ang anak mo lalo na 'pag lalaki. So he has someone to look up to. Pero si Miggy lumaki naman siyang okay kahit wala siyang kinalakihan na daddy." She answered. "Bakit? May balak ka na bang magkababy?"

I just smiled and silently prayed na sana may mabuo nga. Na may magandang kahinatnan ang kabaliwang ginawa ko. I hoped at least one of his sperm made its way to my ovary. Isang maliit na sperm lang. That was all I needed.

Hindi bale nang walang ama ang magiging anak ko. Kaya ko naman ibigay sa kanya ang pagmamahal na kailangan niya. I'd love that child with everything I have and much, much more. Kung si Cassie nga nakaya maging single mother at sobrang bata pa siya noong nagkaanak, ako pa kayang napaglipasan na yata ng panahon?