"Nagluto ako. Kumain ka muna." 

Sevi went inside the bedroom again, placing the tray on the side table. I carried myself up and leaned against the soft headboard, staring at him as he tried to get the bowl of soup. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. 

Hinipan niya muna 'yong nasa kutsara bago dahan-dahang sinubo sa 'kin. Nang dumikit sa dila ko, agad napakunot ang noo ko at lumayo. 

"It's hot!" reklamo ko. 

"Shit, sorry." He brought it back and tried to mix it again, cooling it before feeding it to me again.

Kumuha ulit siya gamit ang spoon at hinipan-hipan hanggang sa lumamig. I couldn't stop staring at him, nangingiti pa sa itsura niya ngayon. He looked so serious. 

"Oh." He placed the spoon in front of my mouth. "Dali, matatapon." 

Nakalahati ko na 'yong soup at malapit nang maubos nang mawalan ulit ako ng gana. I shook my head as he tried to place the spoon in front of me again. He glared and put it back on the small bowl. 

"Ubusin mo 'to." He sounded mad. 

"I'm sick. My appetite is not that-" 

"Kahit na. Hindi ka na nga kumakain." He sighed heavily. "Kaya ka nagkakasakit, eh." 

"Okay..." I whispered before nodding. "Akin na. I'll finish it." 

He helped me finish it, and then he stood up again, leaving the room with the tray. After a few seconds, he went back, holding a glass of water and a forehead thermometer. I pursed my lips as he tried to get my temperature. 

"Nilalagnat ka." He looked at it. 

"I thought you're going to stay in Batangas for a while?" malumanay na tanong ko. 

"Change of plans," he simply said while getting my medicine. 

Pinainom niya 'ko ng gamot at sinabing kalahatiin ko ang tubig sa baso, so I did. After that, he went out again. I was staring at the door the whole time, waiting for him to come back. I realized that he still cared for me, even after everything that I did to him. Sevi wasn't the type to hold big grudges against someone he used to love, but I could feel that he was, maybe, a little mad because I promised not to see him again. 

And yet... here I was.

"Malamig ba?" Sevi entered the room again, holding a bowl, a towel, and a sweater this time. 

"Kind of." I gave him a small smile. "My body feels hot, though. I don't understand." 

He sat by my side and took the comforter off. He held my hand and placed it on his leg so he could wipe my arm with cold water to lower my body temperature. I hissed with the sudden contact. He did it with my other arm, then he washed it again to wipe my face. He leaned to get closer to me. I pursed my lips and stared at him. 

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, confused. 

He didn't talk but he continued damping the towel on my cheek. His face was only inches away from me and I could feel his breathing. I looked away when he got up to wash the towel again. Then, he came back to wipe my legs. 

"Okay lang ba?" he asked permission.

I nodded and helped him pull my pajamas up to show my legs. He wiped my back after wiping my legs. Then, he pulled the comforter up again until my waist. He handed me his thick sweater and helped me put it on. I wanted to cry when I smelled his familiar scent on it. It was so comforting. I felt safe.

"Huwag ka nang pumasok sa trabaho bukas," he told me. 

"I won't." I nodded. "But you can go back to Batangas. You have work to do. I'm going to be fine. I know how to take care of myself." 

"Hindi ako naniniwala sa 'yo." He shook his head. "Kung alam mo kung paano alagaan ang sarili mo, hindi ka sana nagkasakit." 

"It's because of the rain," I defended myself. 

He rolled his eyes before placing a Koolfever on my forehead. Nagulat pa 'ko dahil bigla na lang niyang nilagay doon. Parang hinampas niya lang ang noo ko. 

"Akala mo yata salonpas 'yang nilalagay mo." I glared at him, touching my forehead with my hand. 

He stood up and turned the lights off again, telling me to rest. I nodded and thanked him before he left the room. I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep. 

I woke up so early in the morning, feeling sweaty. I held my head as I tried to sit down. I reached for the glass of water and sipped on it before leaving the room. 

I stopped at the door when I heard Sevi's voice, talking to someone on the phone. 

"Tawagan mo na lang ako kapag may kailangan kayo. May inaasikaso lang ako," he said while putting on a belt with one hand. "Pinapatawag ako ni Architect Valeria. Baka roon muna kami sa site sa Rizal. May titingnan lang." 

Naglakad ako palapit sa dining kung saan may breakfast nang nakahanda para sa 'kin. He turned to me and our eyes met. I stopped walking and gave him a small smile. I looked so tiny with his oversized sweater and my pink pajamas. His sweater was too big that it was hiding my hands. 

"You're off to work?" I asked when I noticed his outfit. 

He was wearing a short-sleeved polo and a pair of black jeans. He successfully buckled his belt when he looked at me, still holding a phone on his ear. 

"Bukas, baka makabalik na 'ko diyan. Kapag umulan ulit, alam n'yo na gagawin n'yo. Sige, salamat," he said before ending the call. He turned to me to answer my question. "Oo, may pupuntahan lang ako sa Rizal." 

I nodded and sat on the chair, pulling up the sleeves of his sweater so I could use my hands to get food. 

My eyes widened when he suddenly put the back of his hand on my forehead. I stiffened and stopped getting food to look at him. He pursed his lips before placing the medicine on the table. 

"Nilalagnat ka pa." He pointed at the medicine. "Inumin mo 'yan pagkatapos mong kumain. Babalik ako mamayang lunch para masigurado kong kakain ka." 

"Oh no, you don't need to go back here. I will eat. I can cook!" I panicked. Nakaka-guilty na kailangan niya pang bumalik dito mula Rizal. 

"Huwag na. Ako na bahala sa pagkain," seryosong sabi niya habang nagsusuot ng sapatos. 

"Uh, okay..." I nodded, masunurin sa kaniya. Ganito rin ako alagaan ni Mommy noon whenever I was sick! I miss her.

He hung the strap of his bag on his shoulder before getting a roll of blueprint. He checked his bag again to see if he left anything before getting his keys. 

"Take care." Lumingon ako sa kaniya bago siya lumabas ng pinto. I gave him a smile that reached my eyes.

"Ikaw ang mag-'take care,'" he replied before closing the door. 

I giggled before finishing my food. I got no appetite, but since he made an effort to cook me breakfast, I ate it. Uminom din ako ng gamot at niligpit ang pinagkainan ko. I took his sweater off so I could wash the dishes. After that, I sat on the couch and called Alice. 

"Hey, Alice, I can't go to work today. I'm sick. Cancel all my meetings for today. I believe dalawa lang naman, right?" I looked at my iPad.

[Sure, Madam! How are you feeling? Are you okay?] 

"I'm getting better," I said. "I can work at home." 

[Nako, huwag muna, Madam! Magpahinga ka muna! Wala namang urgent na gawain today so take time to rest! Also, hinahanap ka po ni Sir Austin. Send him a message po or I can e-mail him.] 

"I'll just send him a message. Thank you, Alice. Call me if you need anything. You can leave work early if you want," I said.

[Okay lang po ako rito, Madam! Kayo po ang mag-rest! Do you want me to visit you, Madam? Mag-isa ka lang po sa bahay n'yo, eh! I can bring food!] 

"Uh, no, I'm... I'm not alone." I faked a cough. I felt awkward. She sounded confused from the other line. "Basta, I'm being taken care of. Thank you. I'm ending the call now," paalam ko bago pinatay ang tawag. She might ask more questions. I wouldn't know how to answer them. 

Like I said, I messaged Austin so he would know why I was absent. Baka isumbong ako kay Chairman. Not that I was scared, though. 

To: Austin

Can't go to work today. I'm sick. Sorry about yesterday, hindi ko na nasabing sumabay ako kay Engineer Camero pauwi ng Manila. 

He replied so fast. 

From: Austin

It's okay. I'll go to your house after work. I will bring food and medicine. 

My eyes widened. Why does everyone want to go to my house now?! Kung kailan hindi ako roon nakatira?! They all thought I was alone and dying like my father. Oh, it reminded me about the fact that ever since he got hospitalized, I never went to visit. I stared at the wall, trying to think it over. 

"No..." I shook my head. 

I watched a movie on Netflix but just ended up sleeping on the couch. I woke up around lunch time when I heard a doorbell. Tumayo ako at sumilip sa peephole para tingnan kung sino ang nasa labas. It was an unfamiliar man holding a paper bag, so I opened the door slightly. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"Ah, pinapabigay po ni Engineer Camero." He handed me the paper bag. "Pagkain po 'yan." 

My mouth formed an 'o' before getting the paper bag and placing it on the countertop. Sumilip ulit ako sa labas nang hindi pa rin siya umaalis. 

"What's your name?" I asked. 

"Engineer Guzman p-po." He showed me his I.D. "May pinapasabi pa po si Sir." 

Sir, huh. Boss niya si Sevi. He looked so innocent. He reminded me of Sevi when he was still starting. 

"Kasama na sa work mo 'yong pagdeliver ng food?" I raised a brow. 

"Ah, hindi po. May inaayos po kaming unit sa taas." He scratched his head a little. "Nag-volunteer po ako! Alam n'yo na, pa-good shot! Girlfriend po ba kayo ni Sir?" 

"What? Oh, no." I denied it so fast. 

"Eh, bakit po kayo nasa condo niya?" His brows furrowed, confused. 

"I'm... I'm the... uh... I'm the landlord." I made up an excuse. "Anyway, ano pa 'yong pinapasabi niya so you can go back to work na?" 

"Ah, ang sabi po niya..." He took his phone out and read a text. "Sabihin mo sa kaniya, mag-send siya ng picture na ubos na 'yong pagkain para masiguro kong kumain na siya. Kapag tinapon niya ang pagkain, itatapon ko rin siya." 

"What? Kasama 'yong sa dulo?!" I exclaimed.

"Hindi, Ma'am. Ako lang 'yon. Joke lang." He laughed. "Bye po." 

I laughed and shook my head when the young man ran away. I closed the door and placed the food on the table. I took them out and started eating. May fruits sa isang container, and then may kanin at ulam. I bit my lower lip and giggled, medyo kinikilig sa nangyayari. 

"Hay, Engineer Camero." I shook my head. 

I tried my best to finish everything then I stood up and took a picture of it so I could send it to Sevi. I sent a picture of the empty containers and then a picture of me with my cheeks full of food so he would know that I was the one who ate it. 

From: Engineer Camero

Galing ng hamster. 

My lips parted. Nag-init ang ulo ko hindi dahil sa lagnat kung hindi dahil sa inis gawa ng pang-iinsulto niya! My gosh! I punched the air a few times before calming myself down. Gosh, I hate him. 

Nag-shower na lang ako at nagsuot ng pantulog before getting another sweater from his cabinet. I forgot to put one on my luggage so magnanakaw muna ako sa kaniya. I sat on the couch after and continued watching the movie I slept on earlier. 

"Oh my gosh..." I wiped my tears. The movie was so heartbreaking! The dog died! It reminded me of Jewel. "I didn't know this would be the ending! This is so unfair! Who's your director, huh?! I will talk to him!" 

I heard the door open. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at sinubukang punasan lahat ng luha pero huli na ang lahat. Sevi stopped walking when he saw me crying. 

"Bakit ka umiiyak?" His brows furrowed. "May masakit ba sa 'yo?" 

"No, it was... It was the mo-" 

I stopped talking when he suddenly put his hand on my forehead again. Nakasuot pa siya ng bag at may dala pang blueprint pero hindi na siya nag-abalang ilapag 'yon. I blinked twice when he moved his hand away. 

"Bumaba na," he said before going inside the study room to place his things. 

Pagbalik niya, dala na niya ang thermometer. He placed it on my forehead before looking at the temperature. He nodded and showed it to me. 

"Thirty seven point eight. Kaunti na lang." He placed the thermometer on the side. "Magluluto na 'ko ng dinner."

"What?! I just ate!" reklamo ko. "Alam mo, you're ruining my diet! I am on a meal plan!" 

"Meal plan pero hindi mo sinusunod." He rolled his eyes before going to the kitchen. "Huwag ka nang magreklamo. Kakain ka sa ayaw at sa hindi mo gusto." 

"What?" My brows furrowed. "Parehas lang 'yon!" 

"Oo. Wala kang no choice," seryosong sabi niya habang naghahanap ng pagkain sa freezer. 

I pouted and chose another movie to watch while waiting for the food. I was halfway through the movie when Sevi placed the food on the table. 

He called me from the dining to eat. "Wait, I'll just finish this movie!" I yelled because he was far away. I was staring at the television the whole time, focused on the scene.

"Mamaya na 'yan." He already sounded annoyed, but I still didn't answer him.

He went near the television to look at the movie I was watching. He crossed his arms over his chest and glanced at me. 

"Mamamatay 'yan sa dulo," he pointed at the woman. "Pati 'yong anak niya." 

"What?!" Kinuha ko ang unan at agad binato sa kaniya."Kasi naman eh! Who the hell asked you for spoilers?! Pa-epal ka eh, 'no?!Ha?! You're so annoying! Wala namang nagtatanong sa-"

"Joke lang." He raised a brow. 

"Oh..." I fake coughed and shifted on my seat uncomfortably. "Sorry." 

He shook his head and told me to eat before turning his back on me. I pouted before pausing the movie. I stood up and followed him to the dining. He cooked tinola and it looked so delicious. I sat in front of him and got myself food. Nakasandal lang siya at nagpo-phone, hinihintay akong matapos. 

"I thought you don't like it when people use their phones while eating," I said while pouring water on my glass. 

He looked at me and raised a brow before putting his phone back on the table. I smirked at him. Back to you, Engineer Camero! Hah! 

We both looked at my phone when it started ringing. I stopped eating to look at it. Austin was calling. Napatingin ako kay Sevi pero kumakain lang siya at walang pakialam kaya sinagot ko na lang. 

"Why? Is there a problem?" I answered. 

[No, I'm in front of your house. Sabi ng butler mo wala ka raw dito. Where the hell are you? I thought you're sick? Bakit umaalis ka pa?] He sounded mad. 

"Just go home, Austin. Don't worry, I'm fine! I left the house a few days ago because it felt... lonely, okay?" I glanced at Sevi nervously. I didn't want him to know about it. 

[Why? Dahil ba mag-isa ka? I can accompany you. I can move in!] Austin suggested. 

"You're gonna move in?!" I choked on my food. I started coughing. 

Sevi gave me my glass of water so I got it out of his hand. Naubos ko ang tubig bago nilapag ang baso. Sevi continued eating like nothing happened. Sana lang hindi siya nakikinig sa usapan namin. 

[Yes, I can do that if you want?] Austin answered. [Are you okay?] 

"Yes, I'm okay. I was just eating. Anyway, you don't have to do that, really. I'm... I'm leaving the house!" I said impulsively. 

Nasamid naman si Sevi sa sinabi ko. I bit my lower lip and stood up so I could enter the bedroom. Ayaw kong marinig niya ang usapan namin. Nakakahiya. 

[What? You're leaving the house? At saan ka naman mag-stay? Do you want to live in my condo? Malapit lang sa company. I have an extra room.] 

"No! No, I have a condo na! I'm fine!" I convinced him. "I'm eating, Austin! Bye!" 

I sighed heavily after ending the call. Pagkabalik ko sa dining, tapos nang kumain si Sevi at nililigpit na ang plato niya. I stayed quiet until I finished my food. I placed my plate on his side and waited for him to finish washing the dishes so I could wash mine. 

"Ako na maghuhugas," seryosong sabi niya. "Magpahinga ka na." 

"I feel better now. I can wash-"

"Ako na," he cut me off. 

I pouted before walking away. Umupo ulit ako sa couch at pinagpatuloy ang movie. Pagkatapos ni Sevi maghugas, pumasok siya sa study room. Natapos ko na rin ang movie at nakapaglinis na ng katawan pero hindi pa rin siya lumalabas doon. 

I placed my ear on the door when I heard his voice. He was talking to someone. 

"Baka makabalik na 'ko diyan bukas, Bianca," he said. "Oo, medyo alanganin lang. Sinisimulan na nila 'yong sa Rizal eh. Bukas nang gabi, baka diyan na 'ko matulog." 

I bit my lower lip before walking inside the bedroom to sleep. I stared at the ceiling for so long, trying to re-evaluate my decisions in life. I can stay here, right? He didn't say no. He also didn't say yes... But it was also my condo! I paid for this, though he probably paid all the fees for three years. I had the right to stay here, but just to respect his space, maybe I should ask for permission. 

Tumayo ako at naglakad papunta sa pinto. Bubuksan ko na sana pero biglang bumukas kaya nauntog ako.

"Aw!" I held my forehead. 

"Shit, sorry." Sevi panicked. "Ano b'ang ginagawa mo diyan?"

"I was about to go out!" Hinampas ko siya saglit sa braso habang hinihimas ang noo ko. "Gosh, may scratch ba?! I would go nuts kapag may sugat!" 

"Patingin nga..." Sevi held my wrist and pulled it away from my face. He was too close to me! "Wala naman." Binitawan niya 'ko. 

"Anyway..." I rolled my eyes and sat on the couch. "I wanted to ask you if I can stay here in the meantime. I mean, I paid over half of this condo, so I think I have the right to stay here, but of course, I respect you, so I want to ask for your permission." 

"May choice ba 'ko?" He scoffed before getting his charger on the side table. 

"Of course." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I mean, hey, usually wala ako the whole day since nasa work ako. You will only see me at night, and then I'll leave na ulit early in the morning. Just think of me as a... boarder." 

"Wala rin ako madalas. Ikaw bahala kung anong gusto mo," he said before leaving the room. 

I stood up to follow him inside the study room. Lumingon siya sa 'kin pagkaupo sa swivel chair niya. 

"You're going to work?" I asked. 

He pointed at his screen and raised a brow. I almost rolled my eyes when I saw a gaming screen. Hindi pala siya magtatrabaho. Maglalaro pala! What the heck! 

"Anyway, let's do it this way. I can pay all the fees for this month-"

"Naka-advance payment ako." He scoffed. 

"Oh, okay, then I'll pay you. For the groceries, you can take my food, but I can also take yours. Is that okay?" I negotiated. 

"Kasama ba sa pwedeng kuhain 'yong damit?" He looked at my top and raised his brows. 

"Well, sorry, I felt cold." I shrugged. "I can take it off! Wait!" I held the hem of his sweater.

"Huwag na." Pinigilan niya 'ko kaagad. "Isa pang rule. Bawal maghubad dito." 

"Oh, really?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "You literally showed me your... Nevermind. Anyway, walang pakialamanan, huh! No visitors unless may permission! I don't want everyone to know that we're living together! I am literally your boss right now because of the project. I don't want to be put in the bad light." 

"Ikaw pa lugi..." He shook his head. 

"Excuse me?" I raised a brow and crossed my arms over my chest. "Ako talaga!" 

"May sakit ka nga." He turned his back on me. 

Sumimangot ako at lalabas na sana ng study room nang may maalala ako. I looked at him again and took his headphones off. It was a very important thing to discuss.

"Who will sleep on the bed?" nagtatakang tanong ko sa kaniya. 

"Ikaw na. Okay na 'ko rito." He pointed at his small bed inside the study room. 

"Let's take turns. Nakakaawa ka naman dito." I glanced at the bed. 

"Naawa ka pa..." He shook his head. "Sige, ikaw bahala. Pwede na ba 'ko maglaro?" 

"Okay!" I shrugged. "Sana stupid makuha mong mga kakampi." 

"Gamot mo," he reminded me before I left the room. 

I smiled by myself before taking my medicine. Pagkatapos, bumalik na 'ko sa kama at natulog. The next morning, I woke up early and noticed that Sevi left already. Mas maaga pala siyang umaalis sa 'kin. Maybe because malayo pa ang pupuntahan niyang site. 

I got myself a toasted bread for breakfast since hindi siya naghanda today. Limited edition lang 'ata 'yong kahapon dahil may sakit ako. I laughed by myself. 

I showered and brushed my teeth before walking inside the closet. I was wearing a white blouse partnered with a red checkered two-piece suit. I partnered it with black heels. I tied my hair in a half ponytail and put on some hair clips before placing my things inside my red handbag. 

Since I left my car in the company parking yesterday, I just walked. Dumaan pa 'ko sa coffee shop para sa iced shaken hibiscus tea ko bago nakarating sa company. Alice immediately stood up when she saw me. 

"Good morning, Madam! How are you feeling?" she asked. 

"I'm fine. To my office, please." 

I sat on my swiveling chair and listened to my schedule for today. It was packed because I was absent yesterday, so my meetings were re-scheduled today. I nodded and sipped on my tea while reading some files. 

"Miss Ledezma..." The Operations head entered my office nervously. 

"What kind of report is this?" I placed the folder on my table and pointed at it. "Don't you know how to proofread, Miss Chan?" 

"I'm sorry, Ma'am." Kinuha niya ang folder at niyakap. "I will revise it and send it to your e-mail within this day." 

"Give me a hard copy." I sipped on my tea. "Hand it over before three o'clock, please." 

She nodded before leaving the room. I attended two more meetings in the morning and also visited the nearest hotel just to randomly inspect. The hotel employees would always panic whenever they saw me. Para akong terror prof sa college, my gosh. Ganito pala ang feeling.

When I came back to my office, I placed my things on my desk and retouched my makeup before proceeding to the board room with Alice. They called for an emergency meeting. I entered the room and sat in front, gesturing for them to take their seats. All of us looked at Engineer Camero when he entered the room, late again. He was wearing a maroon polo and a pair of black jeans. 

"My apologies, Miss Ledezma. May problema lang sa site," he said before taking his seat. 

"Start with the agenda, please," I said, ignoring him. 

They discussed the changes in the schedule so I listened carefully. The meeting wasn't that formal and wala ring Powerpoint. Nag-uusap lang sila kung ano ang gagawin at kung ano ang nangyari, at ang mga naging problema sa site.

"Since we are getting delayed, we would like to request more workers to speed up the construction," Engineer Camero said. 

"It is, maybe, too early to say that we are delayed in our schedule," Architect Rosario answered. 

"Snacks, everyone?" I said when Alice started distributing snacks. "Let's take a break to eat." 

"Madam, lunch mo." She placed two containers in front of me. "Hindi ka pa kumakain." I gave her a small smile and thanked her.

Kinuha ko ang folder at ni-review ang budget at schedule namin. I got my pen and took notes, ignoring my food. My eyes widened when Sevi suddenly placed three paracetamol tablets beside my food. I looked around to see if anyone was watching. 

Sevi didn't say anything. He just went back to his seat and sipped on his water while texting. I jumped in my seat when my phone suddenly made a sound. Sinilent ko kaagad 'yon at sinilip sa ilalim ng table. 

From: Engineer Camero

Kumain ka. 

To: Engineer Camero 

I'm full. 

I saw how Sevi changed his facial expression when he read my text. He rolled his eyes before typing again. 

From: Engineer Camero

Kakain ka o susubuan pa kita? 

My eyes widened, and looked around the room. Good thing everyone was too busy with their own stuff. The side of my lips rose before typing my reply. 

To: Engineer Camero

LOL. Try. 

I was confident that he wouldn't make a scene, but my smile suddenly faded when he stood up from his seat and pulled a chair beside me. My eyes widened as I panicked. Nilayo ko kaagad ang upuan ko. 

"What the hell are you doing?" I kicked his leg under the table when he started opening my food containers. 

"Try, huh?" He raised a brow.

"I will eat! I will eat now, for fuck's sake. Go back to your seat!" I whispered. 

He stood up and pulled the chair back to its place before walking away as if nothing happened. He smiled at an employee, and they talked about some technical stuff. I sighed heavily and calmed myself before I started eating. 

"Buti naman kumakain ka na, Madam." Alice just got back from getting water. 

"Yeah, binulungan ako ng demonyo," I said sarcastically. 

I rolled my eyes when I received another message. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Sevi pero inirapan niya lang ako at nakipag-usap na ulit sa lalaking empleyado. 

From: Engineer Camero

Ubusin mo 'yan. 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)