“DON’T YOU HAVE any plans on getting a haircut?” I asked John while I was holding a hair dryer in my left hand.

Suot ang puting T-shirt at itim na shorts, nakadekwatro siya habang may tinitipa sa laptop na nakapatong sa binti niya. Bagong ligo pa lang siya kaya hindi niya pa natutuyo ang buhok. Halos matakpan na niyon ang mga mata niya, kaya hindi ko maiwasang isipin na baka nakakasagabal na iyon sa kanya.

“Should I?” he mindlessly asked.

“Yeah. You look neater when they’re short.”

Natigil siya sa pagtitipa at nilingon ako. Isinaksak ko sa outlet ang dryer at nagsimula nang suklayin ang basa niyang buhok. “Why? Mukha ba ˋkong madumi na ganito na kahaba ang buhok ko?”

Tumawa ako. “I said neater. Meaning, mas malinis, hindi malinis na.” Tumawa lang si John at bumalik sa pagtitipa.

I brushed my fingers through his hair. Habang nag-uusap kami tungkol sa buhok niya ay iniisip ko lang kung gaano ka-relaxing na iukol ang buong day off ko na ganito lang ang ginagawa kasama siya. I’ve never done something like this before, nor did I ever imagine just staying at someone’s condo unit and talking about trivial things like getting a haircut while drying their hair.

A life like this wasn’t so bad.

Or maybe, it was because it was him that I was with that it wasn’t bad.

“Let’s go shopping today?” he asked after I was done.

“Akala ko ba may tatapusin kang trabaho?” tanong ko at nilingon ang laptop niyang ngayon ay nakasarado na.

“Tapos ko na.”

“Lahat?” Nagtaas ako ng kilay. Ang bilis niya namang matapos.

“Yup!” masaya niyang sabi sabay hawak sa baywang ko at hilain papunta sa kanya.

I almost tripped because of what he suddenly did. Now I was kneeling in between his thighs while holding both his cheeks. His four-inch-long hair was so smooth when I ran my fingers through them. I then leaned closer to kiss him tenderly.

Even his lips were soft. He tasted like the butter toast bread and the bitter coffee I made for our breakfast earlier. He slid his rough hands on my nape and pulled me closer to deepen our kisses. I could feel him smiling as I slowly bit and sucked his lower lip.

“Are you sure we’re just friends?” he asked breathily after I pulled out.

“Yeah,” I replied teasingly. “Best friends.”

“Wow! Na-promote na ˋko?” I could feel his chest vibrating as he laughed loudly. “So we’re free to do this because we’re now best of friends?”

“Best friends do this kind of stuff. ˋDi mo ba alam?” pagpapatuloy ko sa pang-aasar sa kanya dahil tuwang-tuwa rin naman siya.

“Isn’t that right . . .” he said and then pulled me again for another kiss. He stopped to ask again, “Then do you do this with your other best friends?”

“Of course.”

“Naughty girl.” His kisses went down to my neck and then down to my now almost bared chest because of his playful hand.

“You’re my only best friend,” I uttered as he gave me light kisses.

Inilayo niya ako kaya mabilis na nanliit ang mga mata ko at napahaba ang nguso. Pinanood ko ang mukha niyang magpalit mula sa pagiging lasing sa mga halik namin hanggang sa mukhang parang unang beses siyang sagutin ng una niyang naging crush.

“Really?” he asked.

“Really,” I replied.

He then gave me a warm, genuine smile as he said, “That’s fine by me as well.”

Ihiniga niya ako sa couch at muling binigyan ng malalalim na halik. Despite all the making out sessions we were doing these past few days, I could feel his strong urge to resist going all the way.

Hindi ko alam kung madi-disappoint ako dahil hindi niya ako pinipilit o matutuwa dahil hindi niya ako pinipilit.

He was so considerate. And I hated that it was making me fall for him even harder.

Because of how this relationship between us started, he insisted on not doing anything more than making out if we were still not official. Nakaka-pressure nga dahil minsan, gusto ko nang bumigay at sagutin siya dahil tanggap ko naman nang may nararamdaman na nga ako sa kanya. Pero pinipigil ko rin ang sarili kong magpaanod dahil mas gusto ko pang makilala si John nang may ganitong klase ng limitasyon.

I didn’t want to get to know him through having sex. I’ve already learned from the mistake we made when we first met.

Para hindi na kami ma-tempt pang gawin ang hindi namin gustong gawin, pumasok na lang ulit ako sa kuwarto niya para maligo. We would go shopping today since he also wanted to get a haircut after I commented on his hair.

I borrowed a plain white T-shirt from him and a pair of denim shorts he bought for me last time we went to the forest. Dahil sa mall lang naman kami pupunta, hindi na ako mag-iisip pang magsuot ng pormal na damit. Besides, I wanted to match his outfit. Ganoon lang kasi ka-casual lagi ang suot niya kapag lumalabas kami na hindi sa mamahaling restaurant ang punta. I combed my long, straight hair after putting on light makeup. Pinanood ko ang mukha ko sa salamin at napansin kung gaano na kaaliwalas ang mukha ko.

Wala na ang maitim na parte sa ilalim ng mga mata ko. Siguro dahil hindi na ako gaanong namemerwisyo sa trabaho ko. Mapusyaw rin ang kutis ko, at kung gagamitin ko ang mga salitang ginagamit ni Tanya at Chrome, masasabi kong blooming ako.

I have to give it to John. Ever since I started going out with him, I feel like everything was easier than before.

When I went out his bedroom, he surveyed my whole body and then plastered a stupid smirk on his lips. He met me halfway to tease me about our matching outfits.

“Magpapalit na nga ako—”

Nang amba akong babalik sa kuwarto niya ay pinigilan niya ako. Tumawa siya at umirap naman ako. “Ito naman, hindi talaga mabiro.” He pulled my right arm and then he enveloped me into a long hug. “You look pretty, Victoria. The prettiest girl in the whole univ—”

Bago pa man siya magsabi ng kung ano-ano na namang ka-corny-han ay tinakpan ko na ang bunganga niya. Tumawa na naman siya kahit pa nakatakip ang kamay ko. Umirap ulit ako pero umiling na lang, pinipigilan ang ngiting umusbong sa mga labi ko.

We got to the nearest mall in no time. Dumiretso agad kami sa aniya’y paborito niyang hair salon at hinintay ko siyang matapos doon. While I was watching him get his hair done, I took some pictures without him noticing. This has become a habit of mine when I saw that scrapbook that was given to him by his ex. Na-realize ko na magandang magkaroon ng bagay na makakapagpabalik sa akin sa mga masasayang araw na katulad nito.

Nang matapos nang gupitan si John ay sinenyasan ko siya na tumingin sa camera. Agad naman siyang sumunod at malawak na ngumiti. His smile was really contagious, even through the screen of my phone.

I have always known that he was really attractive. But right now, looking at him with his freshly cut hair, I realized that God probably takes pride in his creation.

“In love ka na naman sa ˋkin,” biro niya nang makalabas kami sa salon at hindi matanggal sa kanya ang tingin ko.

I was about to agree to what he said, but I kept my mouth shut. Mamaya asarin na naman niya ako tungkol sa nararamdaman ko. Ayoko pa naman nang ganoon lalo pa’t nandito kami sa pampublikong lugar. Buti na lang dahil ilang segundo ang lumipas ay hinihila niya na ako papunta sa may World of Fun.

“Bakit mo ˋko hinila dito?” tanong ko nang pumila na siya para bumili ng tokens.

“Kasi maglalaro tayo?” sagot niya naman.

“Pero andaming tao,” sabi ko habang tinitingnan ang mga taong naglalaro rin sa loob.

“Don’t mind those people,” aniya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. “Wala silang pakialam sa ˋtin kaya dapat wala din tayong pakialam sa kanila.”

I guess he didn’t understand why I felt awkward being in here. Halos puro kasi mga bata at kabataan ang naroroon na naglalaro. Samantalang kami rito, matatanda na’t kulang na lang ay magkaroon ng wrinkles sa tabi ng mga mata. If we’d play around here, I think we would appear childish.

“Puro bata’ng mga nandito, John.”

“So?” tanong niya habang hawak ang basket ng binili niyang mga token. “We’re never too old to play here, Victoria. Loosen up, okay?”

Hawak ang kamay ko ay hinila niya ako papunta sa may mga nakahilerang basketball machine. Tumatawa siyang ibinigay sa akin ang isang bola matapos maghulog ng token doon. Ramdam ko ang tingin sa akin ng mga binata sa tabi namin kaya napabuntonghininga ako. Dahil nag-umpisa na ang timer, nagsimula na si John na mag-shoot ng bola sa ring habang tumatawa. He looked like he was enjoying it a lot despite missing most of the shots. Dahil sa mga ngiti niya ay ibinato ko na ang hawak kong bola at saktong pumasok iyon sa ring.

Dahil sa pagkaka-shoot ng bola ay may biglang umaapaw na tuwa sa dibdib ko. Nilingon ko si John na pumalakpak at halos ipagsigawan na ang nai-shoot kong bola kaya tumawa rin ako. I tried to shoot another ball and then it went in again. I tried again and then it went in. Kumakalabog na ang puso ko sa tuwa hanggang sa matapos na ang timer. John faced me and lifted his two hands, asking for high fives. I hesistantly reached his hands.

“Damn, why are you so good at this?” mangha niyang tanong.

“I don’t know?” natatawa kong sagot. “Isa pa,” utos ko dahil talagang natutuwa na akong mag-shoot ng bola kasama siya. Tumango naman siya at naglaro kami ulit.

We tried a lot of games there until we ran out of tokens. And since I was already enjoying it without even thinking about the gazes of people around us, I was the one who bought the second batch. Nang balikan ko si John ay may grupo na ng mga dalagita ang naghahagikhikan habang tinitingnan siya. I just smiled accepting the fact that John was just too good looking to attract these youngsters’ attention.

“I wanna get you a stuffed toy,” aniya pakasalubong sa akin. Tinuro niya pa ang hilera ng mga claw machine at tumango naman ako.

I gave him the tokens and then we went for it. I watched him try to get the toy that I wanted. It was Patrick, the pink starfish from Spongebob SquarePants, that I chose. Nakailang ulit din siyang kunin iyong starfish, pero mukhang rigged and machine dahil sa kalagitnaan ng pag-angat ng claw, lumuluwag ang kapit niyon sa laruan. Now, because John has already spent ten tokens but still hasn’t gotten the toy, he was already becoming frustrated that it’s cute.

“Ako naman. Pasubok din ako,” sabi ko sa kanya bago pa niya masuntok ang machine.

Pinatabi ko na siya para hindi na makaangal. I inserted a token and then the timer started. I tried aiming for the starfish near the hole instead of going for the one John has been targeting. Pinanood ko ang metal claw na iangat ang laruan na gusto ko at nagdasal na sana kung mahulog iyon, dumiretso na sa hulugan—and I almost shrieked in joy when it did!

John clapped his hands when I claimed my toy. Ngayon ay hindi na siya iritado at mukhang mas natutuwa pa sa akin nang tingnan si Patrick.

“Damn, you’re really good at this!”

Tumango ako habang malawak ang ngiti. “I know right?” I said smugly. John shook his head and then glanced back at the machine. Ngumiti ako at hinawakan ang braso niya. “Ano’ng gusto mo diyan? I’ll try getting it for you.”

“Si Spongebob,” mabilis niyang sagot, “para best friends tayo.”

I cackled at his answer. And when I realized that I was being loud, I immediately shut my mouth. Tumingin ako sa paligid bago maghulog muli ng token. John was cheering for me as he played with the toy that I got.

That day, I acted so childish.

But then again, I had fun acting childish. I realized that it wasn’t so bad.

▪ ▪ ▪

HOW DUMB WAS I not to realize that that Armani, Danielle’s fiancé, was the same Armani working on John’s restaurant?

The good-looking, jaw-dropping waiter on J. Guerrier?

Ngayon ko lang na-realize dahil dinala ulit ako ni John sa restaurant niya para kumain. Well, we were on a dinner date as usual. After going around the whole city exploring different cafés and restaurants, we decided to come back here in his restaurant for one reason: may bagong mga putahe raw kasi siyang idinagdag sa menu at gusto niyang kunin ang komento ko.

“How was it?” tanong ni John nang isubo ko at ninamnam ang confit de canard. He was the one who cooked it so he was really looking forward for my reaction. Although, my attention was neither on the food nor on him. Nasa likuran kasi ni John iyong waiter na si Armani kaya naagaw na niyon ang atensyon ko. “Victoria?” tawag niya ulit kaya napatingin na ako sa kanya.

“O-oh. Kailangan pa ba talagang itanong kung ano’ng opinyon ko? I’d always say that your food here won’t disappoint.”

“Well, kailangan naming pag-igihan ang ihahain naming pagkain. Because, you know, a certain someone complained about our food being spoiled before. We’re being very careful now so that it won’t happen again.” His voice was full of sarcasm, I almost choked on my food. Now, he got my attention.

“Hey! Ginawa ko lang naman ˋyon para mapalabas ka!”

He chuckled. “You really like me that much, huh, Victoria? So much that you were willing to lose face just to get me.”

I blushed at what he said. “T-that’s not true . . .”

Humalakhak siya. Mahina lang ang halakhak niya, pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang tuwa niya sa naging reaksyon ko.

“Don’t get flustered on me, Victoria. I’m just messing with you. Alam ko namang curious ka lang sa narinig mo no’n kaya gusto mo ulit akong makausap.”

“That’s not—”

I got cut off when Armani, the waiter, started serving us the third course, which is the dessert. Pansamantalang nawala kay John ang atensyon ko dahil naalala ko bigla na iniisip ko pala itong lalaking ito kanina. I watched him put the food on our table and then he excused himself when he was done. Bumaling muli ako kay John na ngayon ay mataman nang nakatingin sa akin.

“I wasn’t staring.” Inunahan ko na siya bago pa man siya mag-conclude ng kung ano-ano.

“Yeah, right.”

And then we proceeded eating. Pinag-usapan lang namin ang tungkol sa mga bagong pagkain at nagsabi ako ng mga komento ko. Although, puro lang naman magaganda ang feedback ko at halos wala akong mapuna. Bukod kasi sa hindi naman ako masyadong pamilyar sa French cuisine, at hirap na hirap na akong basahin ang mga pangalan ng pagkain, masarap naman talaga ang mga pinapatikim niya. And though I didn’t like stroking this man’s ego so much, I couldn’t help it because he really deserved the praise.

And now he was smiling ear to ear.

“Do you know why I got interested in cooking and running this business?”

“I don’t,” sagot ko. “But, tell me about it.”

He gave me that look of ‘thank god, you’re interested ’coz I’m about to transform into a blabber machine this instance.’ I just stifled a smile. “’Coz I got seriously invested in watching Kitchen Nightmares as a child. Really enjoyed watching Chef Ramsay kick lazy staff’s asses.”

“Kitchen Nightmares? Chef Ramsay?”

“Yeah, Chef Gordon Ramsay, the multi-michelin starred British chef. He’s also in Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef—” and then he started bragging about this famous British chef and how he influenced him into making this business.

He could really be so adorable when he’s talking about things that interest him. Parang may kinang sa mga mata niya habang nagsasalita at para siyang bata na ikinukuwento sa mga magulang niya kung ano’ng nangyari sa araw niya. I sometimes couldn’t understand him, but I was always trying to give him the ears.

“I’m not really into that stuff, but I think I’ve somehow heard of him before. Nanonood ata niyang Hell’s Kitchen ˋyong bunso kong kapatid sa Youtube. He’s the chef who’s been calling people donkeys and donuts?”

Tumawa si John at tumango. “Wow! For real? You actually know about him?” he asked teasingly.

Imbes na pumatol ay umirap na lang ako. “Parang laging galit ˋyon at masama ang ugali, huh?” I asked and then he just laughed. “Oh, I hope you’re not kicking your crew’s asses and calling them donkeys and donuts. Although, you’re a good cook, pangit pa rin ang maging gano’n ka-rude—”

“Of course! I don’t do that, Victoria. Sa bait ko ba namang ˋto?” aniya at nangingiting umiling. “Besides, I’ve no reason to. I didn’t hire lazy people after all.”

Armani’s face popped inside my head when he mentioned his staff.

“Buti naman,” sagot ko sa kanya at nagkibit-balikat.

But then I wondered if he really treats them nicely—well, I really had no doubt. Mabuting tao naman talaga si John at ramdam kong hindi siya iyong tipo na maninigaw ng iba dahil lang sa isang pagkakamali. What I was really concerned about was this Armani guy. I mean, I’ve seen John angry at Danielle for inviting him to her wedding. I wondered how he feels working with her ex’s fiancé?

It was even a surprise that he was letting the guy work for him. It takes a lot of nerve and maturity to face your love rival.

Then again, siguro ay talagang hindi naman na siya masyadong apektado noong past relationship niya kaya ganito . . .

Tulad ng sinabi niya sa akin.

Sana nga lang ay hindi niya pinapahirapan iyong lalaki. Alam ko namang hindi siya ganoon ka-petty, pero sana lang talaga.

Matapos n’on ay hinatid na ako pauwi ni John. We talked again about how my day went, how his day went, and some other random topics na minsan ay napupunta na sa kalawakan—literally. One time we talked about aliens, conspiracy theories, and the multiverse. They were very fun topic and I enjoyed hearing his ideas. Dahil lang kasi sa mga pinag-uusapan namin ay marami na akong natututuhan tungkol kay John.

For example, dahil ikinokonsidera niya raw kamo ang astrology ay alam kong siya rin iyong tipo ng tao na naniniwala sa personality types. At dahil naniniwala rin siyang ang Big Bang ang pinagmulan ng lahat, hindi ang isang all-powerful being, alam kong malawak at bukas ang pang-unawa niya. I didn’t merely judge him based on our conversations, though. Halata sa kanya at talagang tinatanong ko naman siya para malinaw ang pagkakaintindi ko sa kanya.

This thing between us, though still young and flourishing, felt as though if it didn’t last, it would break me to bits. I genuinely felt for him, and I knew that he also felt the same way. Kahit may pagdududa ako ay naroon pa rin iyong kapit ko sa mga sinabi niya sa akin.

As I closed my eyes that night, I hoped he wouldn’t break me to bits. That’s just going to be so awful.

▪ ▪ ▪

FOR THE NEXT couple of days, halos nakatambay na ako sa J. Guerrier kasama si John. Medyo naging busy rin kasi siya sa trabaho niya at sa pag-i-implement ng mga babaguhin sa restaurant, kaya wala na kaming oras para sumubok pang mag-date sa ibang lugar. Medyo time consuming din kasi ang mga pinaggagawa namin nitong mga nakaraang linggo, at minsan ay nali-late na kami pareho sa pagtulog.

Though, I would never regret every single moment that I spent with him. Walang oras ang makakapalit sa kasiyahang nararamdaman ko habang kasama siya.

Kahit nga ngayong nakatitig lang ako sa kanyang nagluluto sa kitchen ng restaurant ay masaya na ako. Ibang itsura na naman kasi niya ang nakikita ko. Nakasama na nga rin sa bucket list ko ang makita lahat ng ekspresyon niya sa mukha. May kung ano kasi sa kanya na nahihiwagaan ako. At hindi ko mahahanap ang sagot doon kung hindi ko siya pagmamasdan nang maayos.

It was really amusing seeing the serious and professional Johandrille De Silva right now.

He wasn’t really talking to me especially when he’s absorbed with what he’s cooking. Dahil gabi na rin, doon maraming tao ang nagda-dine sa restaurant. It was always their busiest time, and I didn’t want to be a bother so I went out the kitchen through the back door to get some air.

Sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin habang may kinakalikot ako sa dalang shoulder bag. I picked up the pack of cigarettes and lighter and then sighed. I wasn’t really a smoker, I even hated doing it. But when I was feeling really stressed out before, Tanya suggested that I use it—so I did. From then on, nahihirapan na akong sumuko sa ganitong bisyo, pero noong makilala ko si John, parang pansamantala ko nang nakalimutang dito pala ako humuhugot ng lakas noon para magpatuloy.

When I lit up a stick and puffed a smoke on my mouth, I thought I might just really miss the feeling of it in my throat. Habang humahampas ang malamig na hangin sa balat ko at nakatitig sa kumikinang na mga bituin, narinig ko ang biglang pagbukas ng pinto sa likod ko. Mabilis kong tinapon sa sahig ang paubos nang yosi at tinapakan iyon para mapundi. Pinulot ko kaagad iyon para itapon sa basurahan bago tiningnan kung sino ang lumabas.

Nagtatakang tingin ang iginawad sa akin niyong Armani at mabilis akong napangiti nang pilit. “Hinahanap ka ng head chef,” aniya sa akin.

Napabuntonghininga ako. “Bakit daw?”

“Dinner, miss.”

He was really formal and reserved. “Gano’n ba?” sagot ko at inayos ang sarili. “Please tell him I’ll be back in a minute.”

Pinanood ko siyang mukhang nagdadalawang-isip pa bago tuluyang bumalik sa loob. Sariwa ang hangin sa labas ng restaurant kumpara sa mainit na hangin sa loob ng kusina. Though, the smell of food could easily make me feel hungry. Pumasok na ako sa loob at nakasalubong ko kaagad si John. Suot niya pa rin ang uniporme nila, pero wala na sa ulo niya ang toque.

“Where have you been?” tanong niya at nginuso ko naman ang pintuan kung saan ako lumabas. “Gutom ka na ba?”

“Medyo,” sagot ko.

I flinched when he leaned closer and held both my shoulders. Kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa reaksyon ko. Ngumiti lang ako.

“Amoy yosi ka. You smoked?”

“Yeah. Am I not allowed to?”

“Not really.” Ibinaba niya ang hawak sa akin at nagkibit-balikat. “It’ll ruin your palate, is what I’m trying to say.”

“Don’t worry. Masarap naman palagi ang luto mo kaya hindi masisira ang panlasa ko.”

We were both giggling as we talked about the food that he cooked for me. Hinatid niya ako papunta sa labas ng kusina at pinaupo sa table kung saan kami usually kumakain. Since he was still wearing his uniform, he excused himself to change his clothes. Pinanood ko lang siyang bumalik sa service area hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko.

Napaawang ang labi ko nang paglingon ko sa kabilang parte ng restaurant ay nahagip ko ang pamilyar na mukha ni Tanya. Napatayo ako kaagad at nag-decide na puntahan siya at kumustahin. I haven’t seen her much lately. Siguro dahil malayo rin kasi ang pinapasukan niya sa pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Hindi na rin naman siya sa akin kumukontak. Mukhang busy sa boyfriend niya ngayon.

She was alone sitting at a two-seater table. May kung ano siyang kinakalikot sa cellphone niya kaya hindi niya na ako napansin nang nasa harapan niya na ako. “Tanya,” tawag ko sa atensyon niya. Pinanood ko siyang magulat na ibaba ang cellphone niya bago tumingin sa akin. “Fancy meeting you here,” dagdag na sabi ko.

“F-Fel!” aniya at napatayo. Ngumiti ako at tinanggap siya nang ambang bebeso. “Ano’ng ginagawa mo dito?”

I looked away. I had a quick dilemma on whether I should tell her the truth or not. “I’m here to have dinner.”

“Nang mag-isa?”

“Kind of,” nagdadalawang-isip kong sagot.

“That’s weird. Magdi-dinner ka? Dito? Nang mag-isa?”

Tumikhim ako at nagpasyang ibaling sa kanya ang topic bago pa man siya may masabing hindi ko na naman gusto. “Ikaw? Ngayon na lang ulit tayo nagkita. Date kayo ng sugar daddy mo?” mapaglaro kong tanong.

Agad naman akong nagsisi nang mapansin ko ang hindi niya pagkagusto sa sinabi ko. “He—He’s not my sugar daddy, Fel. Stop using that term. Baka may makarinig sa ˋyo at kung ano pa’ng isipin sa ˋkin,” malakas niyang bulong.

Napaawang ang labi ko at pinagmasdan siya. After a short time of not meeting with her, I noticed the sudden change in her. It seemed like she became more . . . mature.

Since it was apparent that she didn’t wanna talk about her date, I decided to just ask about how she was. Kaunting segundo lang kaming nagkumustahan bago ko nilingon ang table namin at makita si John doon na nakatingin din sa akin. He smiled and waved his hand a little. Nagpaalam na ako kay Tanya nang dumating na rin ang order niya.

“Is that your friend?” tanong ni John nang makabalik ako.

“Yeah,” sagot ko at nagtagal ang tingin sa puwesto ni Tanya.

Mayroong isang lalaki na nakasuot ng asul na button-down shirt ang lumapit sa kanya at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa harap niya. His figure was kind of familiar. But since I couldn’t see the man’s face, I was left all curious as the night progressed.

I pursed my lips when I noticed that Tanya and his date had already finished eating. Sinundan ko sila ng tingin nang pareho silang lumabas sa restaurant. And though they were quite far from where I was seated, I clearly saw who the familiar man she was with.

“Alexandre Uy.”

What the hell was he doing here with Tanya?