"Hello Grace!" Bati nito.

"H-hello Sir," I stuttered, "Sir, why are you here?"

He smiled, "Oh, didn't Vina tell you? That girl's my daughter, Grace."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Kung ganon, meaning kapatid niya si...

"Go on inside Grace," He pointed towards the door, "He's waiting for the book."

Napatango nalang ako at yumuko, bowing slightly as the man walked away. Reluctanly, I turned the door knob, pushing it open as I took a step, and as though my mind had foreshadowed it, Ryan's light brown eyes met my gaze. So siya? Siya yung bukambibig nilang nag-refer saakin?

"Hi Grace," He spoke with a smile, an arm upon the couch's side as he spoke.

"H-hello," Di-makapiwala kong sambit. "Bakit gano'n? 'Di mo sinabi na pamilya mo pala may ari ng book café na ito."

Ngumiti lang siya sinensyasan akong lumapit, "Sinabi ko naman sa'yo, I am willing to help."

I smiled, lowering my gaze as I heard his word. "S-salamat, Bro Ryan. This is truly a big help for me."

"You're welcome, Grace," He stood and took the book from my grip, leaning down as he did so. Instinctively I stepped backwards, sucking in a breath as I saw his face nearing. "Okay lang ba? Just call me Ryan. Drop the 'Bro'."



Releasing a long breath, I scattered my gaze around the newly organized shelves. I smiled in satisfaction and turned around. Six hours had passed, but it all had seemed to fly by swiftly. Hay, maraming salamat, Panginoon. No words in my vocabulary is enough to express how much I thank You.

As soon as I saw the books, the memory of what had happened earlier flashed in my mind. Bigla tuloy akong kinabahan. Kung sabagay, siguro culture lang nila Bro Ryan ang mga ganon. After all, he spent his whole childhood in Australia. I shook the thought of my mind and glanced at the wall clock. Sakto, 10:00PM na.

Naglakad ako patungong counter at ini-angat ang partition. Agad namang bumungad ang nag-pupunas na Ate Rita. Nauna nang naka-alis ang mga staff sa kitchen at kami nalang ang naiwan.

She smiled brightly. "Tapos ka na, Grace?"

Tumango akong nakangiti, "Opo Ate, kakatapos lang po."

"Okay then!" Ini-angat niya ang braso at tinignan ang orasan, "O, 10:02 na Grace, you can go on ahead."

"Ah sige po, Ate," Pagsang-ayon ko, "Ikaw po?"

"Don't worry 'bout me," She smiled, "Tapusin ko lang ito and I'll get going too. D'yan lang ako sa Hilltop nakatira kaya malapit lang."

"Ahh," I nodded in percipience, taking my bag from my locker. "Okay po. Una na ako Ate, thank you for today at ingat ka!"

She waved and returned her gaze to the counter she was wiping. Nagtungo naman ako sa exit at bumaba na sa first floor. I slid the phone off my bag and was about to check the time when I saw a text from a familiar name. Immediately my heart began to race.

Inunlock ko ang phone binasa ang text. Naku, 9:50 palang eh nandito na siya. Hay, ang-aga naman non.

"Grace!" Napalingon ako nang marinig ang pangalan, and as soon as I saw who's approaching, my brows lifted in wonder. Ow-kay, what now? Nakangiti siyang lumapit at naglakad sa tabi ko.

"Bakit Br - I mean - Ryan?" I forced a smile.

"Ah, just wondering if you wanted to go grab dinner first before you go?"

Napakamot ako ng ulo, "Ah- naku, hindi na, Ryan! 10PM na eh, ihahabol ko pa yung Movie Review nati'n kay Ma'am Samonte."

Ilang sandali pa at narating na naming ang exit ng Mall, at sa paglabas ko ng building, malamig na hangin ang bumalot sa buong katawan ko. I shivered and took hold of my elbows, biting my lip as I walked out to the street.

"I can help you with that while we eat. Natapos ko na kanina eh,"

"Uh," I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. "A-ano kasi eh, uhm,"

I scattered my gaze around the sides of the street. Ano bang itsura ng motor no'n?

"Grace?" I turned my gaze, vision filled of a man in pure black apparel who leaned against a large motorcycle.

"Oh, Bro Gabriel," Ryan addressed him. "What are you doing here?"

Gabriel met his gaze, "I came to fetch Grace, Brother. I'll drive her home."

For a moment there was silence in their midst. Heto nanaman sila sa mga 'Bro' at 'Brother' na tawagan eh. Goodness, how many times have I heard that? And used it myself? But why? Why did it seem so tense coming from their lips?

"Ah," I saw Ryan nod, "I see." Huminga siya ng malalim, "Okay then. Take care of her Brother."

A corner of Gabriel's lip lifted, "I will."

Ryan once more gazed at me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "See you tomorrow, Grace."

I smiled, "Sige, Br - uhh - Ryan."

He slightly bowed and began to walk way, his broad shoulder evident as he did. Naka-hinga naman ako ng maluwag. Pambihira naman. What's with these two?

"Bakit 'yon nandito?" Rinig kong tanong ni Gabriel.

"Alam mo ba, 'yung kapatid niya palang babae ang may ari ng Book Café na ito. Kaka-alam ko lang 'din kanina."

"Ah," He briefly remarked. My gaze narrowed in wonder.

"Gabriel, okay ka lang?"

I saw him force a smile, "Oo."

Napabuntong-hininga ako, "Sorry nga pala sa abala ha,"

"Hindi ito abala," Nag-abot siya ng isang helmet saakin, "Kahit nga araw-araw pa eh."

My gaze widened, "A-anong sinasabi mo d'yan? Grabe naman pag araw-ara-"

"May jacket ka?" He interjected.

"Ah- eh," I forced a smile, "W-wala eh. Pero okay lang! Di naman m-masyadong malamig."

Bumuntong hininga siya at hinubad ang suot na jacket, "Kaya pala halos manginig ka na d'yan." Swiftly he wrapped the leather around me, filling my lungs with his scent once more. Seriously, why in the world did he smell so good?

"Tara na?"

I blinked numerous times before I could reply, "S-sige,"

He mounted the vehicle with ease, the engine roaring to life as he manipulated its throttle. Sheepishly, I lifted a leg over the motorcycle, positioning my self behind him. Akmang aandar na sana siya ng bigla naman itong tumigil.

"Safety please," I heard him speak.

"Huh?"

He looked back at me, now meeting my gaze as he did so. I felt his breath against my cheek, and with this I felt my heart turn. "Hold on,"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "W-what?"

"Hold on," He repeated. With this I lifted my hands, gripping the fabric that wrapped his shoulder with much care. Nakakahiya naman yumakap. Mas mabuti na ito.

Without another word, he took hold of the throttle and the motorcycle advanced.

Despite the air slamming against my face, I somehow found it hard to breathe. Bakit ganito? Why so fast, heart? I shut my eyes in defeat. Maybe it wasn't a bad thing to admit; my heart does go to him. But with that mere reality in mind, worry came along with it. Can I trust my heart?

Lord, I know this heart of mine is deceptive, so please, please lead me. If this separates me from You, then take it away.