I sashayed towards my cafe. My staffs greeted me when I entered.

"Good morning," I greeted back.

Inilibot ko ang pangingin sa kabuuan ng lugar at nakita ang aking pakay. I shook my head when I saw her seating near the corner.

Agad siyang ngumiti nang makitang patungo na ako sa kanyang direksyon. 

"Architect," bati ko nang tumapat ako sa table kung saan siya nakaupo.

"Astrid," sambit niya bago ako lumapit at nakipagbeso sa kanya.

There are three vacant seats on her table. I pulled the one across her seat. "Hinatid ka ni Dash? I told you, you can wait inside my office."

Tipid siyang ngumiti sa akin. "Yes, he wants to stay but there's an emergency at the hospital. At okay na rito."

"If you're comfortable here," I nodded. "Let's order first," I said after settling down ang getting one of my staffs attention.

Matapos kuhanin ng isa sa mga staffs ang order namin ay agad niya akong hinarap.

She immediately handed me her designs. Agad ko namang tinanggap iyon ngunit hindi ko muna tinuonan ng pansin.

"How are you, Architect?" I asked as I looked at her. She looks innocent as ever. I never saw her genuine smile left her face. "Is Dasher treating you well? Or he's still an asshole?" Biro ko ng may mapaglarong ngiti sa mga labi. I know Dasher's treating her well like a fragile gem.

Her smile widened. "I'm good."

"You happy?" I asked though the answer's obvious.

"Hmm, I won't settle with Dasher if I'm not happy. How about you? I heard you're finally divorced. Any plans?"

I shook my head. "I just want to build my house first," I muttered as I looked at her designs.

"Anyway, about the engineer, do you have someone in mind?"

I stopped as I slowly looked at her. Matapos ay napailing na lamang ako. "Nothing." Engineer Hoax Octavius Devaughne, my mind screamed.

Last day, after seeing Hoax inside my car, I pushed him away. I told him things I didn't mean. I don't know if I should regret it or what after seeing his pained expression.

I sighed, let me fix everything first, Hon.

"Good, Dash recommended someone."

My mouth formed an 'o' shape. "Dasher? Really?"

"Hmm." She glanced on her watch.
"He'll actually join us today. Malalate lang siguro ng ilang minuto. He's kinda busy."

I clasped my hand over the table. "He must be really good for Dasher to recommend him?"

Napatango siya. "He is. He's one of the best engineer in his generation. Actually, most of his clients are from a big company, not only here but also abroad, that's why he's quite busy."

Marahan akong napatango. Even better than Hoax? Napigilan ko ang sarili na maisatinig iyon.

"And-" She bit her lower lip. I looked at her, low-key encouraging her to continue. "It's Dasher's idea."

"Huh?" Nagtatakang nilingon ko siya. What?

I saw Architect's eyes darted at my back. "He's here."

Akmang lilingon ako sa direksyong iyon nang muling nagsalita si Architect. "Engineer Devaughne," She muttered.

Natulos ako sa aking kinauupuan. My lips parted as I my heart started ramming my ribcage.

That's Vynz, right? Not the other one. Vynz's also an engineer and I'm not yet ready to-

"I apologize for being late."

Mariin akong napapikit nang magtambol ang aking dibdib nang marinig ang boses na iyon. Hindi ko na kailangan pang lumingon para kumpirmahin kung sino iyon.

Architect rose as she shook the engineer's hand. Formally, like they haven't met before.

I heaved a deep sighed to calm myself when he sat on the chair beside me. This man's making it hard for me.

Why would even Dasher recommend Hoax. He must be out of his mind.

"Astrid, I-I assumed you already know Engineer Devaughne?"

I don't know but a glimpse of memory flashed on my mind because of Architect's trembling voice.

I hummed. Iyon na lamang ang naisagot ko.

I cleared my throat as I handed back Architect's design. "I want this one," I pointed the modern type mansion. "But the rooms, can we just make it three?" Masyado namang marami ang lima.

"Four," Hoax interfered.

"Huh?" Nagtatakang napalingon ako sa kanya.

He cleared his throat. "Make it four. You can turn it into an office anytime you want or guestrooms."

Nanliit ang aking mga mata. Matapos ay napatango rin sa kanyang suhestyon.

"Four rooms, then."

Architect nodded as she list down my demands.

The meeting ended in a not so peaceful way. It's because Niccolo came at my cafe. I have no choice but to end the meeting. Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang pumunta si Nic na hindi nagpasabi sa akin.

Architect left saying he'll meet Dasher at the hospital. Si Hoax man ay umalis ng walang ibang ginagawa, na hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang ikatuwa.

I closed my office's door as I turned to Niccolo. Agad akong napangiti nang makita ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Ngunit hindi maalis ang bigat ng aking kalooban.

"Upo ka," I gestured him the couch near my table. "What do you want, I'll get something to-" I stopped when he shook his head.

"I just want us to talk, Astrid."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. My lips parted as I tried giving a smile.

"Talk?" Paguulit ko at marahang napatango. Napabuntong hininga ako. Should I tell him? I sat on the couch beside him but I gave enough space for the both of us.

"How's your company?" I faced him.

Tipid siyang napangiti. "It's already back on its track."

The side of my lips automatically tugged up for a smile. "We should celebrate-"

"Devaughne announced our partnership, that's why. And he signed an agreement that he'll gave up his shares on my family's company when it's finally stable but he won't take a single penny back."

My jaw fell opened in astonishment. I was just staring at him for a moment, can't speak. I bit my lower lip.

"Let's break up, Astrid."

I let out a sarcastic, audible breath. Ilang beses pa akong napakurap bago tuluyang nakuha ang sinabi niya. I felt a big lump on my throat.

"I-is it because of Hoax? Did he tell you to break up with me? Kapalit ng k-kompanya niyo?"

Tumayo siya kaya naman wala sa sariling napatayo rin ako upang bahagya siyang mapantayan. "I won't break up with you just because of someone, especially if it's Devaughne." A smile formed in his lips. "I'm doing this for you, Astrid."

He held my hand as he pulled me closer. Hinayaan ko siya sa kanyang ginagawa at napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang mga bisig niyang nakapulupot sa akin. I felt him gently caressing my back.

"I love you, Astrid. I want you to be happy," He whispered. I bit my lower lip as I felt my tears forming at the side of my eyes. His arms around me tightened before letting me go. Bahagya siyang lumayo at napapikit ako ng lumapat ang kanyang labi sa aking noo.

He already has a special part in me. Hearing his words makes me feel the grief that I felt when I thought Dasher died. It makes me remember the pain when I betrayed Mirae. This makes me feel what I felt when Creed almost died in an ambush. And every time that I'll imagine Arch betraying me, this is what I'm feeling. It feels like I'm losing a friend.

I opened my eyes and saw Niccolo staring at me while he has a genuine smile crept on his face. "Believe it or not, Hoax didn't asked for anything in return, that makes me wonder," Marahang sambit niya at bahagya pang tumatango. "Now I realize why. You're too precious for him."

I bit my lower lip to suppress a sob coming out of my mouth. "A-am I too selfish if I'll ask you something?"

"You're not." He shook his head and smiled. "What is it? Anything, Astrid. Except attending your wedding. "

Ilang ulit akong napailing. I won't ask him things like that. Besides, I'm not getting married. "W-we can still be friends, right?" Nananantyang tanong ko. "O-okay lang kung hindi pa pwede ngayon. But when everything's already alright l-let's be friends?" Agap ko.

"You know I can't say no to you, huh?"

Napamaang ako sa sinabi niya. "Hindi naman sa ganoon."

He chuckled. I looked at his ocean like eyes, its now bloodshot. "Of course, Astrid," Sagot niya, kasabay noon ang pag-iingay ng kanyang phone.

He thrust his hand on his pocket and grab his phone. He glanced on it. Matapos ay ihinarap niya ito sa akin. I saw his secretary's name as a caller.

"I have a meeting, I'll go ahead?"

Makailang ulit akong tumango. He smiled as he turned his back on me. He was about to open the door when I called his name.

"Nic."

Agad siyang napahinto at lumingon sa aking direksyon.

"S-sorry. I'm sorry, Nic." My hand flew on my mouth when my voice trembled. I bit my lower lip while my hand's still covering my mouth to suppress a sob coming out of it. I tried hard to hold back my tears but I failed when it rolled down my cheek. Agad ko naman iyong pinalis.

He smiled, a genuine one. "Don't show me your tears, Babe. I might forget I already let you go," Sambit niya bago tuluyang binuksan ang pinto ng aking opisina.

He turned to me. "Apology accepted. Just make sure you're happy."

Mariin akong napapikit nang tuluyan siyang makalabas. The door closed and silence consumed the whole room.

I sighed and opened my eyes when I familiar tone echoed. I walked towards my bag and snatched my phone in it. Sinulyapan ko iyon at agad iyong sinagot nang makita ang pangalang ng tumatawag.

"Hey, Creed! What's with the sudden call?" Pilit kong pinasigla ang aking boses upang hindi niya mahalata ang aking sitwasyon.

"Its about your lot, beside Archer's house" Pirming sambit niya.

Napakunot ang aking noo. "What about it?"

"Someone bought it already. I wired the money on your account."

My jaw fell opened when I heard his words. "You what?" Nanghihina akong napaupo sa couch.

"Its already sold. Naibigay ko na rin ang titulo ng lupa-"

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha. "I'm planning to build my house there. I already met an architect and engineer for it. I-I already have a design, Creed." My voice faltered, revealing what I truly feel.

Napabuntong hininga ako ng natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya. "What? You told me to sell it. You even sent me the title."

I send what? Napasapo ako sa aking ulo at napahilot sa sentido.

"I don't know, Creed," I muttered, almost inaudible.

"I'm sorry," He apologized. "Hindi ko alam. You sent me the title that's why I thought you'll really sell it. The buyer's also planning to build a house on that lot. I think they'll start tomorrow." I felt a big lump on my throat as my chest tightened.

"The lot beside Dasher's for sale maybe you can buy that," He said in a suggestive tone.

"What?" Nahihiwagaang sambit ko. I let out a deep, audible breath. "Creed, maliit 'yon!"

I ended the call when I didn't get a response from Creed. Nanghihina akong napasandal sa couch.

Unaunahang naglandas ang mga luha sa aking pisngi. Hindi na ako nag-abalang palisin pa iyon dahil agad ring namang napapalitan iyon at nanlalabo ang aking mga mata.

Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang mga luhang iyon. I don't know if it's because Hoax didn't do anything to make me talk to him or because of what Niccolo did and his words or because of the fact that Creed sell my land.

I really mean it when I told him I didn't send anything. Why would I sell the land? Patatayuan ko nga iyon ng bahay! And I thought that's exclusive for Cosmos? Fuck!

I clutched my chest as I gasped for air. Pilit kong ikinakalma ang sarili nang muling tumunog ang aking phone. Tinignan ko iyon ay pinalis ang mga luhang naglalandas sa aking pisngi. Nang muling nanlabo ang aking mga mata at nagdesisyon akong huwag sagutin ang tawag.

I'll just call Mirae back when I calmed down.

__________