"One Americano, please," I told the barista.

She flashed me a sweet smile and processed my order.

Umupo ako sa favorite spot ko sa café habang inaantay tawagin ang pangalan ko. Bukod sa magandang ambiance ng lugar, it's very quiet and malambot ang couch kaya lagi ako dito.

I laid out my art materials and sketchbook on the table, thinking about my next subject. I drew a flower yesterday, should I try drawing a person for a change?

I was interrupted from my thoughts when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

It's a call from my best friend.

"Hello?"

"Where the hell are you, Mia? Hindi ba usapan natin maaga tayo today? Darating na ang bagong prof natin sa Math!" pambungad ni Jisella.

Napahawak na lang ako sa sentido ko nang maalala ang usapan namin.

I almost forgot.

"I'm on my way, okay? Bumili lang ako ng kape."

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at nagsimulang ibalik sa bag ang mga gamit ko na nakakalat sa lamesa. I guess no drawings for today.

"After mo diyan ay pumunta ka na dito, okay? I already saved a seat for you." I mumbled a 'thanks' and ended the call when the barista called my name.

"One Americano for Mia!"

I stumbled on my feet to get my coffee from the counter.

Ngunit dahil sa pagmamadali ko ay hindi ko na napansin ang lalaki na naglalakad papunta sa direction ko at nasagi ang kapeng dala niya kaya natapon ito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang nadapnisan pa ng kape ang kanyang puting polo.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!"

Nataranta ako at agad naghanap ng tissue sa bag.

I pressed it on his hand where the trail of iced coffee is. I handed him more tissue and apologized again.

"Don't worry, I got this," the handsome stranger said huskily.

He even smiled, trying to pacify me.

Siya na ang nagtuloy sa pagpupunas sa natitirang kape na natapon sa kanya.

Besides from the alluring aroma of coffee, mas namayani sa pangamoy ko ang cologne niya dahil sa lapit ng distansya naming dalawa.

He smells so manly.

I cleared my throat when he caught me looking and shied away.

Maagap naman ang mga staff at agad tumulong para linisin ang natapon na kape.

"Please, let me buy you another one! Lalabhan ko na rin iyang polo mo. S-sorry talaga!" I bowed my head in embarrassment.

He had spare clothes in his car at iyon ang ipinangpalit niya. Thank goodness at mayroon siyang damit na dala!

Mabuti na lang din at hindi hot coffee ang order niya kundi nakasakit pa ako ng tao.

Stupid Mia!

"There was no harm done. You don't need to wash this for me, but I won't say no sa coffee," he smirked.

Agad naman akong nagorder ng panibagong kape para sa kanya.

Inantay ko na ang order ko sa counter imbes na bumalik pa sa upuan na kaharap niya.

I would probably just look like a tomato in front of him with my flushed cheeks everytime his gaze turns to me.

Nakakahiya! Ang bait pa niya!

Simple lang ang style nito manamit pero makikita mong branded at mamahalin ang mga gamit nito.

I have an eye for designer clothes and stuff that's why I know one when I see one.

Una kong napansin ay ang relo niya.

It was a Patek Philippe watch, alright! It even looks like the latest model they just released.

Kaya kahit ibenta ko pa internal organs ko, I still couldn't afford one of those!

That's why I'm more than thankful at hindi iyon nalagyan ng kape kanina dahil sa katangahan ko.

I tilted my head as I leaned on the counter.

He busied himself with his cellphone and I grabbed the chance to study his features.

His body screams the epitome of sexiness. Clean cut hair, fine jawline, and a very muscular body.

Ang tangkad pa niya! You'll also just get lost in those chocolate brown eyes of his when you stare right into them.

I wonder if he's a basketball player.

"Type ninyo ma'am, ano?" the barista teased me, bringing me back to reality.

"H-hindi ah!" I denied and took the coffee from her.

Tumawa ito, hindi naniniwala sa sinabi ko.

I'm pretty sure my cheeks were flushed when I got back from the table.

I handed him the coffee. His hand brushed with mine and I jumped on my seat from the sudden contact. Feeling ko nakuryente ako!

His chest vibrated when he chuckled. "Thanks for the coffee."

I smiled awkwardly.

"P-pasensya na talaga ulit sa abala ah?" I would've left my number para tawagan niya sana ako if his mind changes at humingi ito ng reimbursement for his stained polo, but baka isipin niya pa na may gusto ako sa kanya kaya 'wag na lang!

Besides he's probably rich, so wala lang sa kanya iyon.

He nodded. Naningkit ang mga mata niya nang ngumiti ito. "See you around. Miss?"

I pretended not to hear him and left. I don't like giving my name to strangers. Kahit pa guwapo siya.

Oh, I hope I never see you again. I might do something stupid or worse.

Jisella's still so excited sa bago naming professor sa Math. Well, I am too. Lalo na nang malaman kong guwapo raw ito.

That'll keep me motivated to study.

I'm not really a fan of this subject, obviously why I'm here.

Binuksan ko muli ang sketchbook ko at pinagmasdan ang rose na iginuhit ko kahapon.

Nagulat na lamang ako nang tumili sa tainga ko si Jisella.

"Oh my gosh, Mia! Ayan na siya!"

Halos kurutin ako sa kilig nito. Ako naman todo iwas sa kuko niya.

Ibinaba ko ang sketchbook ko and that's when I saw him. The sexy stranger that I met at the coffee shop.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat. I even pinched myself to check if I was dreaming.

Oh my gosh! He's a professor? My professor?

Tumayo kaming lahat para batiin siya. I kept crossing my fingers behind my back. Sana hindi niya ako makita o mamukhaan. Please, Lord.

His eyes roamed the room. It's as if he's memorizing every detail he sees.

And his gaze stopped when he spotted me. Damn!

"Good afternoon, class. I'm Levi Morningstar, your professor in Math this summer," he introduced himself and his eyes looked stern.

He told us to take our seats at nilapag nito ang itim niyang bag sa lamesa.

Napalunok na lang ako nang makitang naglabas ito ng attendance at nagsimulang tawagin ang mga apelyidong nakasulat doon.

He's really a professor? He looked like he's just in his early twenties!

"Samonte?" He called.

"Present, Sir!" Jisella answered.

Konti na lang ay ako na ang tatawagin.

"Grabe! Totoo pala talaga iyong sinasabi nila na ang guwapo niya, ano?" she squealed.

I sighed and hid my face behind my sketchbook. "Who knows rumors are sometimes true?"

"Teka, bakit mo ba itinatago iyang mukha mo diyan?" she asked.

Oh, so now she's curious? Napansin niya sana kanina pa kaso puro siya kilig!

"Huy! Ibaba mo nga iyan!" saway nito sa akin.

I struggled to keep the sketchbook up to cover my face. Ipinilit pa rin ni Jisella ang gusto niya mangyari.

Sometimes, I'm wondering if she's really my friend.

Nanlaki na lamang ang mga mata ko nang magtagumpay ito ngunit lumikha ng malakas na ingay ang pagbagsak ng sketchbook ko sa desk.

Great. Now everyone's eyes are on me.

"Taryn?"

I sighed in defeat. "Present."

He closed the attendance in his hands. He smirked and looked at me.

"Well, Ms. Taryn, meet me after class."

We're back here at the café where we first met.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

I know, I should've asked that earlier instead of formulating a bunch of 'What Ifs' in my mind.

He crossed his legs and sipped on his coffee.

"I'd like to offer myself to you as your private tutor."

What?!

Ilang linggo na ang lumipas since that very weird day.

Yes. I freaking took the offer. As much as I want to say no, wala namang masama kung papayag ako. It'll be good for my grades, mas maiintindihan ko ang lessons.

But that's what I thought.

There is a consequence for my greediness.

Now, I'm falling for him. My professor who is also my tutor.

And I think he likes me too, which is very, very bad!

I knew I couldn't risk his licence for this stupid thing they call love!

I've had enough fun and kilig for this summer.

Sobrang nakakahiya rin kasi hindi siya tumatanggap ng bayad for his services.

That's why after class, I decided to talk to him.

"Hi, Mr. Morningstar! I really appreciate you volunteering to teach me after class, but I think I won't be needing extra classes. You've taught me enough and I'm very grateful. You don't have to do this anymore."

He sighed. "Is this because of the fancy dinner I bought you yesterday? Did it make you uncomfortable?"

Natigilan ako doon.

Lately, he's been giving me flowers and buying me food. Last night definitely made me realize that he doesn't just see me as a student.

"Sir, d-do you like me?"

Hindi ko na napigilan magtanong.

He clenched his jaw. "Mia, I—" he tried to hold my hand, but I slapped it away.

His eyes looked hurt and it pained me to see him like this.

"Yes, Mia, but you don't have to do this."

I shook my head. "Now, that's more than enough reason for me to walk away from you, Prof. Morningstar."

Love sure does come in unexpected ways.

But why does mine had to be with a teacher? Why him?

Gabing-gabi na at nandito pa rin ako sa park kung saan niya ako hinahatid pagkatapos ng lessons namin sa café.

The wind blew my hair as I rode the swing.

I miss him. Even if it's wrong, I love him.

And I somehow hated myself for always sticking on what's right.

I probably don't deserve to be loved if I can't fight for it.

Why am I such a coward?

God, I miss him so much!

I patiently waited for the clock to strike past eleven. And when my watch says 11:11, I made a wish.

"I miss you, Levi! Sana nandito ka! Hindi na ako mahina sa Math dahil sa'yo," I cried.

I feel so pathetic, hoping for someone I pushed away to be here!

"Tsk. Mahal mo lang ba ako dahil hindi ka na mahina sa Math?"

I was startled when he just appeared from nowhere and wiped my tears.

He smiled sadly. "Hindi mo na ba ako lalayuan if I'm not your professor?"

"W-what?"

Don't tell me nag-resign siya?!

He kneeled in front of me habang nakaupo ako sa swing.

"I have a twin brother, Levi Morningstar. My real name is Lucian. Forgive me, my love if I didn't tell you sooner."

"A-ano?"

He pointed at the man behind him who looks like his splitting image and he waved at me. Oh my gosh!

"My brother needed to take care of something and asked me to take his place as a professor for awhile. I like doing favors, so I agreed. Then I met you," he started.

"Plano kong magpakilala at ligawan ka once Levi's back, but I couldn't just back off and wait!" He kissed the back of my hand.

I found sincerity in his eyes as he said those words.

"I'm so freaking in love with you, Mia! Please don't leave me? Because I won't let you walk away just like that. Not anymore." Niyakap niya ako nang sobrang higpit na para bang takot na takot ito na mawala ako. I cried again.

It was so much to take in, but I think this is God's way of telling me to go for it. Papalagpasin ko pa ba ito?

"I love you too, Mr. Morningstar!" Then I kissed him.