"Take five," I frustratedly said.

I was currently directing my next movie, and this was the first time that I'm having trouble working with the cast. It was because baguhan silang lahat sa industry, and had little acting workshops.

Their managers said they were ready for their roles. But to be honest, they really suck at it.

"All of you, come here," I pointed to all the casts for the scene we were currently making. They all got their water bottles while looking at me. I sighed before showing them their last take sa mini monitor ko.

After the three-minute take, I turned it off before looking at all of them with a disappointed look. "Did you guys see your last take? That's our 6th take for this scene and you guys still can't get it right?" I said calmly, yet I was so mad at them.

I didn't want to make a scene right now because I know it will just worsen everybody's mood. Gusto kong magawa na nila ito nang maayos, and I really really need to go home and pack up early since Vince is not feeling well.

Sobrang moody niya ngayong araw noong nagpaalam ako sa kaniya to go to work. Naiinis na nga ako dahil nakukuha na niya 'yong ugali ni Silas.

"I know you all are still adjusting with everything, but let me tell you... If you want to achieve your dreams and ambitions you need to go out of your zone. You need to put in a lot of effort. I need to see the passion, I need to see emotions... If you guys don't want to fuck up your future, do more than your best!" I shouted.

Lahat naman sila ay nagsi-yukuan bago tumango sa akin. I sighed before letting them have their break. After a few minutes, I told them to go back to their positions.

"This is going to be the last take, if you guys can't perfect it... Go find another director for your movie," seryosong usal ko.

They finally got the right take, and I smiled before clapping. "Perfect! I want to see those raw emotions again for our next set, okay?" I said and they all nodded before thanking me. "And also, don't take what I've said earlier personally. I just want the best for your movie, and this is the process of it becoming successful."

Pumunta na ako sa standby area to take a break since magbabago pa sila ng set up which can take about an hour or two. While scrolling through my phone, I heard the warehouse door open and I didn't really care about who came in, but when I smelled a familiar scent, agad akong lumingon sa aking likod.

"You look tired," Silas said and I forced out a smile before looking back at my phone. "Are you okay?" He asked before sitting right next to me. Hinawi niya naman ang buhok ko at kinuha ang scrunchie na nakalagay sa aking pulsuhan.

I flinched when I felt his fingers brushing on the back of my neck. He tied my hair up in a low ponytail and I just thanked him. Napansin ko naman na may nilapag pala siyang pagkain sa lamesa.

"I bought coffee and lunch for you," he said. "Alam ko kasi na hindi ka na kumakain when you're working," he said as he opened the lunch box for me.

"Ikaw nag-luto?" I asked and he nodded. "Wow, ano ka ngayon, house husband?" I chuckled and he smiled.

"Puwede naman kung gusto mo," he told me. Bigla namang dumaan ang mga co-worker ko at nagsi-palakpakan.

"Please separate your lovelife from work please," one teased and I rolled my eyes at her. Lagi naman silang ganito whenever Silas visits me at work. I find it funny kasi naiinggit sila kahit sila nga 'yong engaged o kasal na e.

Ako na nga lang single rito e.

I told Silas that we have to take it slow again, kahit ang rason na lang kung bakit hindi pa ulit nagiging kami ay hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kaniya ang tungkol kay Vince.

Pero any day now! Kailangan ko lang talaga ng tamang tiyempo.

"Wala ka bang work today?" I asked him before taking a bite from the Burrito he bought for me. Umiling naman siya sa akin bago kunin ang cellphone niya. Nagulat naman ako noong pinicturan niya ako.

Agad ko naman tinakpan ang aking mukha at hinablot ang cellphone sa kaniyang kamay. "Ang pangit ko siguro riyan! I-delete mo 'yong picture, Silas," I said while laughing at hindi naman siya nagpa-awat.

"You look pretty in every pic! Saka I already saw you in all the ways you could imagine. No need to be embarrassed," he said and I glared at him. It only took him a few seconds before deleting the pic. "Happy?" He asked and I smiled cheekily.

May nag-notif naman sa cellphone ni Silas kaya napunta roon ang atensyon ko. Nakita ko naman ang picture naming dalawa noong nasa Palawan kami. We were at the pool, and I was sitting on his shoulders while looking at the sunset. It was only a silhouette but I immediately knew that it was us.

That was his lockscreen.

Noong napansin ni Silas na nakatitig ako roon, nagsalita siya. "Oh... Hindi mo pa nga pala nakikita 'to. But I have us on my lockscreen," he said.

"Yeah... I can see that," I said. "Kailan pa?" I asked.

"Hindi ko na 'yan pinalitan, Clementine. Bago pa tayo mag-hiwalay ng landas noon... Ayan na wallpaper ko." Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko sa sinabi niya. The next day, he went with me for a photoshoot.

"Ano ba ginagawa ng PA mo? Ako na bahala roon ngayon!" He said excitedly and I chuckled.

"Wala akong personal assistant dahil hindi ko kailangan ng gano'n. I can handle my own schedules, sponsorships, and et cetera," I said. "Pero, can you get me coffee? Hehe. Gagawin na kasi nila hair and makeup ko in five kaya wala na akong oras para bumili." Sumunod naman siya agad at umalis na ng studio.

Sinimulan naman nilang ikulot ang buhok ko at i-prep ang face ko for the makeup that they're going to apply. After twenty-minutes, bumalik na si Silas at tapos na ang buhok ko. It was just a simple, wavy hairstyle.

Patapos na rin sila sa makeup ko, it was just a smokey eye with a very sharp cat eyeliner. Noong natapos na ako, agad naman ako binigyan ng tips no'ng photographer at tumango-tango naman ako.

Noong nasa harap na ako ng mga ilaw at backdrop, medyo kinakabahan kasi ako ngayon dahil first time kong mag-photoshoot para sa isang cover ng magazine at billboard! Akalain mo 'yon, baguhan lang sa modeling pero may billboard na agad?

I'm so proud of myself talaga.

Silas was just staring at me the whole time and his presence itself was comforting, and helped me calm down. But I was shocked when the photographer pulled Silas to stand right next to me.

"You two have been stealing glances at each other! So come on, pose for me. Act like you guys are in love with each other! If the photos look good, we might add this in."

Lumunok naman ako noong hinawakan ni Silas ang bewang ko to pull me close. He smiled at the camera and I became stiff! Hindi ko naman kasi inexpect na gagawin niya 'to, what the fuck?

"Clementine, why are you not moving? Relax! Don't act as if you're not the model," the photographer said and I took a deep breath before composing myself. Umayos naman na pakiramdam ko, not until the photographer said, "Look at each other! Remember, you're in love."

When I looked at Silas, he was already looking at me. I was stunned because his eyes were sparkling, and I couldn't explain what's going on right now.

It was very weird! It's like, I wasn't myself, or like this isn't real. But his eyes were looking at me the way he... Looked at mine when he was deeply in love with me.

"Perfect! Perfect! Keep 'em coming. I love this chemistry between the two of you."

Hinawakan naman ni Silas ang aking pisngi before whispering, "Ang ganda pa rin ng mga mata mo, Clementine." It triggered me to smile at hindi ko alam kung maganda ba iyon sa camera.

After the photoshoot, inedit agad ng photographer ang mga picture naming dalawa dahil nagandahan ito sa kinalabasan. After editing, he sent the pictures in our emails kaya nakita ko na agad ang hitsura ko.

I looked like I was genuinely happy. I was, right? I am.

After the photoshoot, Silas took me to the mall because I needed to buy something. He even offered to pay for what I bought but I of course refused.

Habang kumakain ng dinner, nakita ko naman ang latest post ni Silas sa kaniyang IG feed. It was three of the pictures we just took earlier.

One where we were smiling at the camera, a goofy pose, and us looking at each other.

yeppeuda

Korean 'yon ah? And it means... Pretty.

Tumambay naman kami saglit sa mall for a few hours before going to the beach. He said he wanted to stargaze with me. We were both laughing with the topics we were talking about and it made me realize something.

It was as if there was a gentle tug of an invisible string, binding us together. No matter how far we drifted apart, that connection would persist, unyielding and unbreakable. But it was also delicate, like a thread hanging by a thread, so easily frayed and severed.

We had shared so much laughter, tears, and moments that etched themselves into the deepest corners of my heart. The memories painted a vibrant tapestry of our time together, and the invisible string felt strong and secure, holding us close even when physical distance, uncertainty, differences, hatred, and pain threatened to pull us apart.

We were really something. Hinding hindi ko 'yon kayang i-deny.

"Mahal na mahal pa rin kita, Clementine... Hindi na 'yon magbabago."

I did not want to believe it. But he was there, lying beside me, confessing his love for me. Pero bakit gano'n ayaw ko pa rin maniwala?

Naiintindihan ko naman 'yong connection namin. But I know that I was scared. Because the rope that was tying us together was not invincible. Nasira na ito once, and now that we're getting close again, I'm afraid it will break again.

I'm afraid that the universe will test again the strength of our bond, forcing us to see how far it could bend before it would snap.

Perhaps that's what made it all the more beautiful and painful. The realization that we were intrinsically connected to each other, bound by shared experiences, emotions, and memories, yet what's in store for us for the next coming days are still uncertain.

"Seryoso ka?" Tanong ko sa kaniya at tumango naman siya. Huminga naman ako nang malalim bago umupo nang maayos. Ginaya niya naman ako at tinitigan ang aking mga mata.

I gave him a small smile before leaning in to kiss him. It was soft, and pure. Just the way I like it.

"We're going to Massachusetts?!"

I was shocked when Silas picked me up at my apartment and told me to pack extra clothes. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin namin doon pero ito na kami, on the way sa airport.

"Hoy! Ano gagawin natin doon? Saka why all of a sudden?" I asked him pero hindi niya naman ako pinansin. "Sasagutin mo tanong ko o tatalon ako ako ngayon habang umaandar ang kotse?" I threatened him and he chuckled.

"You wouldn't do that," he said and I scoffed.

"I was a suicidal person, Silas. Don't you fucking try me," I said in a monotone at pumreno naman siya.

"Can't you just wait and see? Don't spoil the surprise!" Sambit niya bago paandarin muli ang kotse. Pinagkrus ko naman ang aking mga braso bago tumingin sa labas. When we arrived at the airport, I thought we were going to fly business class but Silas got a private jet for us!

"Woah! Sa 'yo 'to?" I asked him and he nodded. Of course it's his!

Noong nakasakay na kami sa private jet, Silas offered me snacks and I happily accepted it kasi favorite ko iyon!

When we slowly ascended the sky, I turned to him. "So wala ka ba talagang balak sabihin sa akin kung ano gagawin natin doon?" I asked him while munching on the food.

"We're going to meet my parents." Natigilan naman ako. Gago?! Ano raw? Putangina ha?!

"Hoy, Silas! Bawal naman ganiyanan. Kidnapping 'to e! Ayaw ko, hindi pa ako handa. Silas naman," mabilis na sambit ko pero bigla niya naman akong hinalikan para matigil ang bunganga ko.

"They want to meet you, okay? Don't worry, they're not as bad as they were back then. They've... Improved a lot as a parent," he gave me an assuring smile.

Wala rin naman na akong magagawa dahil nasa taas na kami ng ere. Alangan namang tumalon pa ako rito?

When we arrived, may nag-pick up sa aming black van and it was an hour drive. Paglabas ko ng kotse ay namangha agad ako sa laki ng bahay nila. There was a very large narra wooden door in front of me at bigla naman iyon bumukas noong nag doorbell si Silas.

Ang cool naman! But the size of their mansion just intimidated and scared me even more. Noong may narinig akong yabag ng dalawang paa na palapit sa amin, tumindig balahibo ko.

Why was I this nervous? It was probably because of what Silas told me back then. That he hated them and wanted to escape their household every time he's there.

Then there she was. A fine, sophisticated woman appeared in front of us with a small smile. "Clementine, darling." Tawag niya sa aking pangalan and she held my hand before smiling wider.

"You must be exhausted from your flight, come with me to the living room and we'll have some tea. Umiinom ka ba ng tsaa?" She asked and I politely nodded. "Why are you shaking? 'Wag ka matakot... I'm sure there are thoughts running in your mind but I hope I could change your first impression of me so that you'd be comfortable with my presence."

I didn't know what to say. Pero ang bait niya gagi! "Ah, hehe. Sorry po, Ma'am."

"Tita na lang!" She said and I smiled before nodding.

"Mom, don't force her to like you right away. Alam niya kasi kung paano kayo hindi nagpaka-nanay sa akin noon," Silas chuckled and his mother rolled her eyes. Wow! Ganito sila ka-kumportable pag-usapan ang mga 'yon? They must be really close na. "Where's Dad?"

"Oh the usual, in his gym downstairs. You should go join him, he's been wanting to lift weights with you for a long time," his mother replied. I was observing her every move. She was actually pretty nice.

I was caught off guard when I felt someone hug me from behind. Pagkalingon ko it was Sienne. "Ate! Grabe I missed you so much. Buti na lang nagbalikan na kayo ni Kuya!" She shouted and I chuckled awkwardly.

"Sienne... I told you, wala pang kami," Silas sighed.

"Doon na rin naman papunta 'yon, Kuya!" Hinawakan niya naman ang aking kamay. "Mom, punta lang kami sa kitchen! I want her to help me bake," she said at pumayag naman si Tita. Sienne looked at her brother first, getting permission and when he nodded, tuluyan ns akong hinila nito papunta sa kitchen nila.

Sobrang lamig dito sa bahay nila. Malaki ito tapos centralized aircon pa! Ilan kaya aircon nila rito? Saka sobrang light ng ambiance rito. Mataas ang ceilings, white marble tiles, tas marami pang ilaw! Maaliwalas ang buong bahay nila.

"We have so much to talk about, Ate Clementine," she said while getting an apron for me. Kinuha ko naman iyon sa kamay niya at sinuot.

"We really do," I told her. "Kumusta ka na ba?" I asked her and she pre-heated the oven before showing me the recipe we're going to follow. Naka-handa naman na ang lahat ng ingredients sa harapan ko kaya 'di na ako mahihirapan.

"Well, for starters, I have a girlfriend," she said and I stared at her for a few seconds before smiling. I didn't expect her to be bi-sexual but I guess it makes sense.

After fifteen minutes of catching up, pumasok naman sa kitchen si Tita, already wearing her apron. "Do you guys mind if I squeeze in? I also need to talk to Clementine."

Ngumiti naman si Sienne bago tumango. Tita then got the dough out of the batch I was mixing and kneaded it. After that, she swiftly cut it into eight equal parts and stuffed it with the cream cheese mixture Sienne made.

"Kumakain ka ba ng cream cheese buns, Clementine?" Tanong sa akin ni Tita at um-oo naman ako sa kaniya. Hindi naman kasi akong gaanong ka-picky pagdating sa pagkain. Natawa naman ulit si Tita sa akin dahil sobrang awkward ko pag-dating sa kaniya.

"You know, I don't know what Silas told you back then when.. He went to the Philippines, but I do know that you know a lot based on your body language towards me. Hindi ko naman i-dedeny 'yong fact na I was a bitchy mother. I wouldn't even consider myself as a mother," she smiled while talking.

"I actually wanted to say thank you to you because you molded Silas to become who he is right now. Really, you made that man..." She chuckled. Napangiti naman ako roon sa sinabi niya pero hindi pa rin makasagot. I liked listening to Silas's Mom tell stories about him.

"I was so disappointed with myself, because I didn't treat him right. I let him become this rebellious guy who just wanted peace of mind and... Love from his parents. Hindi namin nagawang ibigay 'yon sa kaniya dahil sa trabaho namin. But I'm glad that he found what he was looking for in you."

"Yeah? Pero bakit niya pa po ako nagawang iwan? Hahaha," I forced out a laugh and his Mom held onto my shoulders.

"That's for the both of you to discuss. But let me tell you this, he really loved you sincerely. We just didn't give him a chance to let him prove that to you. You became the only reason for him to smile, the reason to show us, his parents, that he deserves getting a high position in the company," pagkukwento pa ni Tita. We should probably talk about it already even if it triggers things that I don't want to remember.

Noong nalagay na ni Tita sa oven 'yong buns, tinanggal na niya ang oven mitts sa kaniyang kamay. "Saka Clementine, hindi mo na kailangan ma-ilang sa akin kasi ginagawa ko na ang lahat para makabawi kay Silas. At Clementine... Tanggap ka sa pamilya," she smiled before leaving us at the kitchen.

Nag-hugas naman ako ng kamay at bigla na lang ako napangiti. May bigla namang yumakap sa aking likod and it was of course Silas. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang kamay bago siya lingunin at wisikan ng tubig.

"Back off, baka makita tayo ng magulang mo... I don't want to be PDA," I shyly said and he scoffed before giving me a quick peck on the lips.

"I don't care, Clementine. And I'm sure as hell that they don't also care about us kissing," he rolled his eyes and I scoffed. Hinila niya naman ako papunta sa second floor to give me a quick tour around the place at noong nakarating kami sa third floor, nakita ko ang two floor room niya.

Loft type siya kumbaga tapos may sarili siyang mini bar doon, gaming setup, and variety of musical instruments. "You play na?!" Gulat kong sambit sa kaniya at nahihiyang tumango naman siya sa akin bago umupo sa mini couch niya habang hawak-hawak ang acoustic.

He played a few chords and riffs before he showed me his bed. Pagka-akyat ko roon sa may kama niya, there were vinyls of his favorite bands and artists as well as a huge canvas hung up on the wall.

It was as if the whole world stopped when I saw what the painting was. Lumunok ako bago hawakan ito, "A portrait..." I whispered to myself. Hinawakan naman ni Silas ang aking balikat bago bumuntong hininga.

"Ah... That painting. I painted that when I was homesick," he said with a small laugh and I raised an eyebrow at him. "I was missing you. Tahanan kita noon e, 'di ba?"

Right. Pero bakit niya kailangang ipinta 'yong mukha ko when he could just look at our photos? "The painting's name is La vie en Rose. It's named after you, of course. The pictures weren't enough so I painted you. Ginamit ko 'yong mga natutunan ko sa 'yo," he said.

"Wow... You must loved me so much," I said with an awkward laugh and he shook his head.

"Not loved. I still love you, Clementine... At hinding-hindi na 'yon magbabago."

Bago pa ako makasagot sa kaniya ay kinatok na kami no'ng helper nila rito. "Sir, dinner's ready."

"Alright!" He shouted back. He took my hand and pulled me downstairs. The dining area smelled like those fresh korean buns we just made earlier. Sobrang bango! Excited na 'kong kainin 'yon.

When I was seated, nag-dasal muna kami bago kumain. In the middle of eating dinner, Silas said something which made me almost choke on my food.

"Mom, Dad... I want you guys to know that I am serious about Clementine, and that I have plans on marrying her soon."

Wala namang reaksyon ang magulang niya roon ang ngumiti lang. "We already talked about this, 'di ba?" Sambit ni Tita at biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Ano ang napag-usapan na nila? Ayaw ba ng magulang niya? Gago?

"I told you, just set the date and we'll sponsor the wedding."

Takang tiningnan ko si Tita, and I just saw her smiling at us. Sponsor the wedding? E hindi pa nga kami nag-babalikan nito! Pero okay lang, at least wala na kaming gagastusin.

After dinner, we rode the private jet again and flew back to Jersey. He even drove me to my apartment. "Can I go inside?"

Ah shit. Anong palusot kaya gagamitin ko sa kaniya? "No need... My friend is probably asleep already. She usually stays in my apartment from time to time. Saka medyo makalat din 'yong place! Next time na lang," I said at dahan-dahang tumango siya.

Bubuksan ko na sana 'yong pintuan nang unahan na ako ni Vince. Bakit pa 'to gising? And most importantly, nakita ni Silas 'yong anak niya!

"Mommy! How was office? Do you have a surprise for me?"

I was already praying to all the saints that this was just a dream... But when I looked back at Silas with his shocked, disappointed look on his face, I knew that the cat was already out of the box and I needed to finally do it.

To tell him about Vince.

"Vince, come here. Your Mom still has to talk to her... Friend," alanganing sambit ni Leah sa anak ko bago pumasok ulit sa loob ng kwarto.

"What the fuck?" Unang sabi niya pagkasara ng pintuan. I sighed before turning my back against him.

"Follow me... Hindi tayo puwedeng mag-usap dito."

I took him to the rooftop. Umupo naman ako sa sahig habang si Silas naman ay humawak sa railings habang nag-iisip. "Is he my Son?"

I swallowed a lump of nothing before nodding, "Yes."

I saw anger and desperation in his eyes. As if he was asking me why. But I have all the reasons to do so. "Putangina, bakit? We had so much time alone together and you didn't even bother telling me about him? You lied to me about him! Did you even plan on telling me about him? Or are you just fucking... Playing with my feelings right now in order to get back with what I did to you?" Sunod-sunod niyang sambit sa akin.

I was already on the verge of crying because he was throwing his words at me as if he didn't make a mistake!

"Ano?! Hindi mo ba 'ko sasagutin—"

"Teka lang putangina!" Sigaw ko at nagulat naman siya. "I have all the fucking rights to tell you that I didn't keep him! Ikaw ang walang karapatan kasi kingina... Apat na taon kang nawala. You left the day after you said you don't want to lose us both... The day after you said you love me so much that you're going to put me first rather than yourself!" Hindi ko na kinakaya... I was already crying, having a hard time speaking. But I just want to let everything out all at once so that I can just get an answer after my overstimulation.

"Natutunan kong tumayo para sa sarili ko no'n kasi the moment you left, my father died! Ubos na ubos ako noon... Muntikan ko pang kunin sarili kong buhay at patayin din ang anak natin kasi hindi ko kayang ako lang ang mag-isa no'n. Nagsisimula pa lang ako noon sa career ko e... Buti na lang hindi nawala sa akin 'yong oportunidad kasi kinaya kong pag-sabayin ang pag-bubuntis at pag-didirektor dahil hindi ko alam kung saan ko kukunin 'yong pera para lang mapalaki ko nang maayos si Vince! Ano pa gusto mo malaman? Puta, itanong mo na para hindi ka na magalit na parang wala ka man lang ginawang kasalanan para mag-resort ako sa ganito!"

Tumahimik naman siya. He didn't know what to say or what to do. He slowly walked towards me and held my wrist pero agad ko siyang tinaboy.

"Just leave, Silas. Iwanan mo na 'ko ngayon habang hindi pa ako ulit napamahal nang todo sa 'yo. Leave me and your son, like you did years ago," I looked away and he knelt to the ground before opening his arms.

I was sobbing, but I gave in to him at niyakap niya ako.

"I'm sorry... Fuck. You could've just told me everything from the start so that I had the chance to explain to you every single thing, Clementine! Sana mas maaga ko pang sinimulang bumawi sa anak natin puta."