❝ THE SUN'S BEAM ❞

"Is my dad angry?"

Tanong mo sa secretary ng dad mo na nagd-drive din ng kotse. Naka-upo ka lang sa backseat habang nagm-makeup at nag-aayos. Multi-tasking is real, at nasanay ka na rin dito dahil palaging nagmamadali ang tatay mo kapag may lakad o kaya may pupuntahan.

"Not really," the secretary, Jane, replied, but you know she's just trying to calm you down.

"Weh?" You raised a brow. "Really? You know you don't have to pretend." 

"Yes."

"We're almost here. Make sure to greet your dad." Banggit pa niya habang pinapark na rin ang kotse.

The secretary opened the door for you at agad ka namang pumasok ng building. Employees greeted you since you're known as the CEO's daughter in this firm. Binati mo rin sila with a smile before entering the elevator with the secretary.

Agad ka naman naglakad nang mabilis papuntang office ng dad mo, which is in one of the top floors in this building.

"Sorry, dad– I'm late–!" 'Yan ang una mong sinabi pagka-bukas mo ng pinto ng office.

The people inside the office with your father turned their heads to you.

Halos manlaki naman ang mga mata mo ng may nakita kang isang pamilyar na mukha.

"Helian, you're finally here! Meet Mr. Hitto, and his son, Kakucho. I heard he's your classmate. What a coincidence! Come here." Your dad said.

Kakucho is wearing a suit just like your father and his dad. He looks composed, plus his hair is different today. It is slicked back with a little gel, with a strand on the side of his forehead.

"Hi," tipid mong bati kay Kakucho, and he almost laughed dahil sa kilos mo. It's as if your first time seeing him.

Kakucho quickly composed himself when his father called, tumingin muna siya sa'yo before turning his attention to his dad.

Binati ka rin ng tatay ni Kakucho, and he literally looks like Kakucho as well. Parehas din sila ng ngiti at posture.

"You see, Helian, Mr. Hitto is really a responsible and wise man. No wonder his son is also the same. Mr. Hitto, your son, Kakucho, is really a prodigy." Your dad, Mr. Sy said, at malakas ang boses nito, sadyang pinaparinggan ka.

"Wha–?!" You thought. He's talking as if you're not successful!

"Ah, your daughter, Mr. Sy? Are you also planning to let your child take over your company someday?" Tanong ni Mr. Hitto. Mukhang tapos na sila sa business talks since puro kwentuhan nalang sila.

"I'd gladly love to, but it seems like my daughter has a different path in mind. Right, Helian?"

"Oh, um, yes?" You blinked.

"She's a beauty vlogger, and she's planning to take architecture." Mr. Sy said.

"I see. My son also wants to take architecture, but you know, I always tell him that there are better opportunities." His dad said.

"It's the same with my daughter, but you know, we can't really do anything. What the kids want, the kids get." Your dad replied, and you can clearly notice the tinge of sarcasm in his voice in the last sentence. 

"I'm not a kid." You muttered.

"Anyway, Mr. Hitto, let's start with the discussion of your proposal letter." Your dad said, making your head raise. Pinagmadali ka ng tatay mo dahil late ka raw, but they haven't even started yet?!

He's really like those airport dads. 'Yung tipong three a.m palang ay gigisingin ka na because you will be late for your flight.

"Ah, I'll get out for a moment muna po." Pagpapaalam mo sa kanila dahil everytime na your dad proceeds with the business talk, lumalabas ka na. It's also like an etiquette or rule na nakasanayan mo.

"Kakucho, go with Helian. Samahan mo." Sabi naman ni Mr. Hitto.

Hindi kumibo si Kakucho nang saglit dahil mukhang busy sa pagbabasa ng document, pero sa totoo talaga, nagkukunwaring wala lang naririnig.

"Kakucho, ikaw na rin ang magsundo kay Helian." Dagdag pa ng tatay nito, at dito na nakuha ang atensyon ni Kakucho.

"What?" Kakucho furrowed his brows.

"Kaku," panlalaki ng mata ng tatay niya. "I'm sure Mr. Sy would like to, right? These two will really get along well."

"Ah, yes, of course, of course. Helian, go with Kakucho." Banggit naman ng tatay mo.

"I don't want to drive– Hindi pa bumabalik 'yung kotse ko." Sagot ni Kakucho.

"Kakucho, it just came back yesterday." Mr. Hitto said, exposing his son.

"Oh right, talking about cars. Helian, kamusta 'yung kotse mo? I'm really sorry, Kakucho is such a careless driver." Mr. Hitto added.

"Ah, what happened?" Your dad asked.

Shit! Ba't pa binring up 'yon?! Naalala mo na hanggang ngayon hindi pa nalalaman ng tatay mo na nabangga ang kotse mo, tapos sa anak pa ng business partner niya!

At gusto mo rin sabihin na ikaw ang nakabangga sa kotse ni Kakucho! Siya pa tuloy ang natawagan na careless driver.

"Actually, Helian was the–" Sabi ni Kakucho, ngunti hindi na ito natuloy nang tinakpan mo ang bibig niya at hinila siya palabas ng office.

"Ah, haha. Mr. Hitto and dad, thanks so much for having me. Kakucho and I will surely hang out, right?" Rason mo, at nang hindi sumasagot si Kakucho, kinurot mo ito sa likod.

"Aray–" Bulong ni Kakucho as he glared at you, but quickly composed himself as he smiled at Mr. Sy and Mr. Hitto. "Yes, we'll go now. Mr. Sy. Thank you for having me as well. I'll drive your daughter home safely."

Hinila mo naman agad si Kakucho sa labas ng office at sinara ang pintuan dahil baka maalala pa ng tatay mo ang usapan tungkol sa kotse.

"Wait, hindi ba muna tatanungin ni Kakucho ang address ni Helian?" Banggit ng tatay ni Kakucho after realizing.

Kaya't napaisip din si Mr. Sy. Oo nga noh. "You're right."

At ang hindi alam ng dalawa, their children already went to different places, including Helian's condo.

"Where are we going? Are you really going to drive me home?"

Tanong mo naman kay Kakucho habang nasa loob ka ng kotse niya at nakasakay sa may frontseat while he's driving. To be honest, hindi rin alam ni Kakucho kung saan kayo pupunta.

"I don't know. Up to you." Tipid na sagot ni Kakucho.

"...Okay. Anyway, I'm kinda nervous. Your dad might kwento about the car crash to my dad. Hanggang ngayon, my dad still doesn't know." You said.

"You know that either one of us will be scolded by our dads, right? Or worse, we'll get reprimanded." Kakucho replied.

"Yeah, sorry." Mahina mong sagot at tumingin nalang sa bintana.

"Oh right, why do you know my dad? I mean, I know you already mentioned that you know him, but I'm still kind of in denial." Sabi mo.

"I told you, I work. I work in my dad's firm. I help him there. My dad knows your dad since they're business partners. Ilang contracts na ang pinirmahan nila. That's how close they are." Kwento ni Kakucho.

"Ah, so like, you also do the business stuff?" You asked, still confused.

"It's complicated to explain, but yes. It's like my dad is preparing me... for the company. I don't know." Kakucho said, the tone in his voice faltering.

"Ohh wow! It's giving heir. Do you want to take over your dad's company?" Tanong mo.

Pansin mong hindi sumagot si Kakucho sa tanong mo, and his expression visibly changed.

Tumango ka nalang at ngumiti despite the silence. Maybe you mentioned something sensitive. Hindi ka nalang kumibo.

Kakucho noticed you being quiet after all those chit-chats, yet his eyes were just focused on the road.

"Do you want to go to the mall?" He asked.

Your eyes beamed and turned your head to him. "Really?!"

He just nodded. Agad naman bumalik ang ngiti mo kaya't napansin ito ni Kakucho. Nagpokus lang ito sa pagdadrive hanggang sa nakarating na kayo sa destinasyon.

"I need to change for a while." Kakucho said, realizing that he's still wearing a suit at mainit ito.

"Oh," you blinked. "Edi I'll go outside muna?"

"Mahaba pa 'yung pila sa parking." Kakucho sighed, then reached for his shirt in the backseat. "Stay. Tumalikod ka nalang."

"Oh okay," agad ka namang tumalikod at humarap sa bintana. "Haha. This is awkward."

"Are you done?" You asked, ngunit hindi ito sumasagot nang ilang minuto, kaya't naghintay ka pa nang saglit.

"Done," he muttered.

Humarap ka naman na rin, and another silence was held. Ang haba pa ng pila, kaya't nagphone ka nalang muna. Kung saan saan ka nalang nagscroll, kahit ang notes app mo pinagpipindot mo na.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas at nakapagpark na rin kayo. Lumabas na rin kayo ng kotse at dumiretso sa loob ng mall.

"Where do you want to eat?" Tanong ni Kakucho pagka-pasok niyo sa mall.

"Hmm, wait, I just remembered your steak!" You replied, taking your phone out.

"My steak?" Kakucho raised a brow.

"Yes! The one that you cooked! I really like it. It's delicious. I find it similar to Wolfgang. Haha." Sabi mo naman.

"Then we should've gone to Wolfgang." Sagot ni Kakucho.

"Eh, whatever. It's kind of far na, plus I'm hungry. Let's just eat anywhere." You said at ikaw na ang naunang naglakad to find some nearby restaurants. Kakucho just chuckled and shook his head.

Pagtapos niyo naman sa pila, umupo na rin kayo. Pansin mo na pinagtinginan kayo ng matanda sa kabilang table, at narealize mo rin na mukhang magd-date kayo ni Kakucho dahil sa table pa talaga na for two people at may rose na nakalagay sa vase sa gitna ng table.

"What do you want?" Kakucho asked while looking at the menu.

"Huh?"

"What do you want?"

"Huh?"

Kakucho then looked at you from the menu. "Lutang again?"

"I mean ano, just salad." Mabilis mong sagot.

Dumating na rin ang waiter, kaya't si Kakucho na ang nag order.

"Yes, two salads, this beefsteak, California Maki, and ramen. Lemonade and iced tea for drinks. Thank you." Kakucho ordered.

"Wow, that's a lot. Are you going to eat all those?" Your lips pursed.

"It's for you. 'Onti ng kinakain mo e." Sagot ni Kakucho.

"Wha–?! I said only salad–!"

"Yeah, that's all. That's our order. Thanks." Agad na sabi ni Kakucho sa waiter at umalis na rin ito kaya't hindi ka na rin nakapag-bawas pa ng order.

"Pagalitan pa 'ko ng dad ko kapag 'di kita pinakain." Dagdag ni Kakucho.

"Sus, you just want to feed me e."

"What?"

"Nothing. Hehe."

Kakucho just scoffed and shook his head as his focus went on his phone.

Nang dumating na ang pagkain niyo, you took your phone out to take a photo for your Instagram story.

Kakain na sana si Kakucho, but you quickly stopped him. "Wait! Don't eat muna!"

"Bakit?" Nagulat naman si Kakucho dahil dito. 

"No. I'll take a photo. Hehe. Move!" You said.

Halos mapabugtong hininga nalang si Kakucho dahil akala niya kung ano na.

"Okay done."

Kakucho grabbed his utensils again, and was about to eat–

"Wait! The photo is blurry. Again. Hehe." You said as you did a peace sign to him and quickly took a shot of the food.

"Tangina–" Isip ni Kakucho dahil gutom na rin ito at halos ilang minuto ka nagp-picture. Bali 1% kain, 99% picture.

"Okay, okay. Done na talaga!"

"Sure?" He raised a brow.

"Yes, sure."

Agad mo naman 'to pinost sa Instagram story mo, and turned your phone off for a while.

"By the way, Kakucho, what's your Instagram?" Tanong mo habang kumakain kayo.

"Why?"

"Anong why? I'll follow you." Banggit mo.

Binigay din ni Kakucho ang username niya, kaya't agad mong chineck ang profile niya on your phone sabay pindot follow na rin.

"You don't have any posts?" Tanong mo.

"I don't like taking photos." Kakucho said.

"How about... I'll take a photo of you? That'll be your first Instagram post! Bilis!" You suggested, an idea immediately entering your mind.

"Nah," Kakucho just refused.

"Okay..." You mumbled, but since you're too stubborn, kinuhaan mo nalang siya ng stolen shot habang hindi siya nakatingin.

Kakucho instantly raised his head as he looked at you with narrowed eyes.

"What?" You whispered, at agad na binaba ang phone mo.

Pansin mo na naka-tingin si Kakucho sa phone mo, at naririnig mo ito na tumatawa nang bahagya, ngunit pinipigilan parin. 

"...Your flash is on." Kakucho said.

"Oh," you blinked.

Chineck mo naman 'yung photo sa ilalim ng table, and you expected that the photo will be blurry and not just Instagram worthy, but you'll be honest, he looks good in this photo!

Kaya't naisipan mong i-airdrop ito sa kanya. Agad mo naman itong nahanap and quickly sent it. "Hehe."

Kakucho checked his phone, and he looked at you first suspiciously. Ikaw naman ay umiiwas ng tingin and you looked everywhere but him.

"Wowowow. This food is very delicious." Komento mo pa. Kunwari 'di halata.

You checked your phone, and to your surprise, he accepted it!

"Sooo... I followed you on Insta, ha? Follow back-- Ehem--" Sunod mong sabi sa gitna ng mga ubo mo, at umiiwas ka parin ng tingin. "Post that photo ah..."

Kakucho slid his phone to your side of table at hinanap mo kaagad ang account mo.

You scrolled through his Instagram at pakipot ka pa, nagscroll scroll ka muna nang ilang segundo bago mo i-follow ang account mo sa phone niya.

"Here," binalik mo rin naman na ang phone niya.

As he received his phone, another notification ang tumunog sa phone ni Kakucho. Tangina sunod sunod, pero sa totoo lang, sa'yo lahat galing ang notifications. Akala mo alarm eh.

Kakucho opened his phone, and checked your Instagram account. Halos manlaki naman ang mga mata nito dahil ang unang bungad sa kanya galing sa account mo ay puro bikini photos. Na-ubo naman si Kakucho at halos mabulunan sa kanyang kinakain.

"Are you okay?!" You gasped, quickly handing him a glass of water.

Tumango lang ito bago tanggapin ang baso ng tubig. Yup, he's really not going to open his phone again after those notifications from you.

"Kakucho, take a photo of me." Sabi mo naman at inabot ang phone mo sa kanya.

"No," he replied.

"What?! Why?"

Kakucho just shrugged. "I'm eating."

"Well, after you eat." You grunted. "Anyway, the photo is ano, like you should do it with a 0.5, then make it like... 144 inches away from my face, with the camera slightly tilted, like not 90 degrees, then on the flash of course, then just press the shutter button continuously."

Halos matawa naman si Kakucho rito. "Are you asking for a photo or giving a research instruction?"

"Haha. Funny. Okay go eat and hurry so you can take a photo of me." Sagot mo at nagmadali ring kumain.

After a few minutes, pansin mong tapos na rin si Kakucho kumain, kaya't agad mong inabot ang phone mo sa kanya.

"Okay, done. Remember what I said ha?" You said, before posing.

Kakucho was confused for a second since he's not used to taking photos. "How the fuck? 90 degrees... 0.5, 144 inches away, slightly tilted, huh?"

"Well, whatever! Just take a photo. Make sure kita 'yung lower stomach ko, but not too low." You said pa.

Kakucho just rolled his eyes and sighed.

Mabilis ka namang magpost, 'yung pose pa na kunwari stolen, tumitingin sa labas ng bintana, hawak o hawi sa buhok, etc.

"Done?" He asked behind the phone.

"Okay, let me see the." Sagot mo at hinablot ang phone mo para tignan agad ang mga kinuha niyang litrato.

"Wow! Okay, I love it! Are you sure you're not used to taking photos? Post ko 'to ah." 

"Ewan ko sa'yo." Kakucho muttered. "You're done eating?"

Nilapag naman na rin ng waiter ang bill sa table niyo.

"Ah yes, wait." You muttered at agad mong nilabas ang wallet mo, ngunit pansin mo na gano'n din ang ginagawa ni Kakucho.

Naunahan ka naman ni Kakucho na maglapag ng pera sa bill holder, but you insisted.

"I'll pay for it." You said.

"No need. It's my treat." Kakucho replied.

"Wha–? No! It's fine, since you drove me here, and this is my repay–"

"I said no need."

Agad mo namang napansin ang pagka-seryoso sa kanyang boses, kaya't tumango ka nalang at binalik ang pera mo sa wallet. "Okay... If you insist."

Hindi na rin kayo naghintay pa ng oras at lumabas na ng restaurant para na rin makapagpasyal pa.

"Oh my gosh! New stocks!" You immediately spotted your new favorite makeup brand, and you didn't hesitate to walk inside the store.

Hindi mo rin napapansin na nakakapit ka parin sa braso ni Kakucho, making you two look like a couple.

"I'll just wait outside." Kakucho said.

"What? No! It's fine. Shop with me. You'll get bored outside." You beamed then turned your attention back to the products on the shelves.

Wala na ring choice si Kakucho kaya't sumunod nalang dahil nakakapit ka rin sa kanya. Napansin din niya ito, but he didn't budge.

"Even now, I'm still not so sure about my foundation shade." You groaned.

"Kakucho, can you ask the saleslady if they have a lighter shade of this? I'll just look for the lip products there." Sabi mo.

"Huh?" Kakucho just raised a brow, and in just a blink, wala ka na sa harapan niya! At hawak na ni Kakucho ang foundation.

"Hello po, sir. Ano po hanap niyo? Shade niyo po ba? Eto po, sakto sa skintone mo." Sabi ng saleslady. Alam niyo 'yung parang mga saleslady sa Watsons. 'Yung sunod nang sunod, 'onti nalang sundan ka sa exit.

"Oh, it's not for me, it's uh, for my friend. She's actually asking if there's a lighter shade of this foundation." Kakucho said, at halos mapamura ito sa isip dahil muntik pang napagkamalan na bumibili.

"Ahh girlfriend. Dito po sir, marami pa pong foundation shade dito." Ngiti ng saleslady nang pinakita ang stall.

"Friend. Not girlfriend." Kakucho said.

"Hello," narinig naman nila ang bati mo nang bumalik ka na, and in just a minute, halos puno na ang basket mo!

"Madame Helian Sy?! Ikaw po ba 'yan? Hala! Subscriber niyo po ako! Nakita ko 'yung endorsement niyo sa kabilang brand!" The saleslady squealed.

"Oh my! Really? Thank you!" You said, at niyakap ka ng saleslady kaya't niyakap mo rin habang wala pa ang manager nila. 

"Abang na abang po ako sa videos niyo, ma'am, sainyo lang din po ako natuto magmakeup. Gusto ko rin po 'yung mga honest reviews niyo. Madalas po kasi akong nabubudol. Kaya ayun, nagtrabaho nalang ako sa bilang saleslady dito sa mall." Kwento pa niya.

"I'm overwhelmed! That really means a lot, but hey, if you want... I can promote the products here too. Haha. Now even! What's your name?" Tanong mo as you took your phone out.

"Ah talaga po?! Salamat po! Sasabihin ko po muna sa manager. Maliit lang po 'yung brand namin, and 'onti palang po ang mga branches namin dito. Salamat po talaga!"

"Of course. No problem, but of course, I'll have to test out the products first! I can't wait to try it out. Just wait for my tag on Instagram." You said.

"Madame, we'll surely send you a PR package!" Sabi ng saleslady.

"Means a lot. Well, that's all. I really have to go now. It was nice talking to you. Here's my number and email address. Just contact me if there are any updates to your brand. I'm interested. Thank you again!"

Kakucho was just listening at the side, leaning against the chair with his arms crossed as he observed the conversation. He never knew to see a side of you interacting with one of your fans. 

"Let's go?" Tanong mo kay Kakucho dahil mukhang nakatulala ito. 

There's always this one scenario, where he's unaware that behind her masungit attitude, there's always a beam of sweetness to the people around her. It's one thing that he couldn't remove in his mind that he almost smiled at the cute interaction with (Y/N)'s fan.

This is the (Y/N) that he knows, not Helian.

Pagkauwi mo, agad kang pumasok ng banyo para maligo and to do your skincare routine. You can never go straight to bed without taking a bath. Humiga ka naman agad sa kama at nagpahinga muna nang saglit before opening your phone.

Dumiretso ka sa Instagram mo to post your photos that were taken by Kakucho a while ago sa restaurant.

Agad mo namang pinost ang mga photos mo sa Tiktok and Instagram. Binuksan mo na rin ang laptop mo para tapusin ang schoolworks. As usual, sunod sunod ang tunog sa notifications mo. Well, you got used to it since everytime you post, halos sumabog na ang notifications mo.

Chineck mo na rin ang notifications sa post mo, and nagbasa ka ng comments.

johndi_: gagi hi miss

migs19: amoy strict parents

joaquin039ewan: uy shoti

jake3: ima bout to fold to my knees gahdam bro

xxyiesha: PRETTY BABES

HakkaiIsSexy: NAKITA KO POST NI KAKUCHO PAREHAS KAYO NG PIC hays kayo ah ano to

ashantix.i: ano to softlaunch

emmaooo replied: di na yan soft launch beh hard launch na, kita na ung mukha eh

ashantix.i replied: bobo

AkaneIsHot: WOWWW ano to lowkey lowkey kayo @kaku.hitto @ heliantheaesy

"What?" Nagtaka ka naman sa mga pinagcocomment nila, kaya't chineck mo ang Instagram ni Kakucho.

Ngunit bago ka pa makapunta sa account niya, ang unang bumungad ay ang post ni Kakucho sa feed mo.

This is the photo that you took a while ago.

Your eyes widened and quickly checked this account. The photo that you took, is his very first post on his Instagram

Agad mo naman chineck ang comments sa post ni Kakucho.

koko.haj: dude posted a pic?!?! ***NOT CLICKBAIT**😱 😱

its.rindou: ang sarap mo pre

its.rindou: pogi* sorry typo 

sansanzu_u: naknampucha lumipat lang ako ng school nag pic na si idol

sansanzu_u: sa totoo lang bro... miss na kita 

ran.haitan1: ano nakain ni kaku biglang nagpost

ran.haitani1: tropa time nga 

makatotoy: igop ssob 

1fuji: bros majestic 

Juan.hy: bading nga akp

walanakomaisip01: baka si ssob yan

Angel.Baby.Baby.AngelBaby: hi xd pugi mu pi,,

miaa_W: omg ure so cute hehe

HakkaiIsSexy: hi beh aku to classmate mu hihi

AkaneIsHot replied: landi mo gag0

Pansin mo rin na may naka-tag sa post ni Kakucho, kaya't you clicked it. Nagulat ka naman sa lumitaw, and couldn't refrain the sides of your lips from rising.

Naalala mo bigla ang sinabi niya.

"I don't like taking photos." Kakucho said.

But here he is.

kaku.hitto tagged @heliantheaesy