Matapos kong uminom ng tubig ay tumayo na ako, ganun din siya. Siya na rin ang nagbayad kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag, wala akong dalang malaking pera ngayon. Yes, I have my cards pero walang machine itong resto. Although kaunti lang 'yung pagkain na inorder ko kanina, isang dish lang talaga. Kapansin 'pansin rin na mahilig si Louie sa mga gulay, ibang 'iba sa akin.

"Shít, hindi na kita maihahatid. May urgent meeting kami sa firm." Napatingin ako sa kanya, hawak niya ang kanyang phone gamit ang kaliwanag kamay.

Ngumiti ako. "Pwede ba akong sumama?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "No. Hindi pwede."

"Promise, hindi ako magkukulit. Behave lang ako." I even show my puffy eyes and my cute smile.

He tilted his head, tumingin sa phone niya. "I'm sorry but it's in our rules, I can't just let you there."

"Okay, sorry." Mahinang bulong ko at ngumiti sa kanya.

Tinitigan niya ako, malakas na bumuntong hininga. Hindi mapakali. "Fine."

"Huh?"

"Come with me." He said.

"Seryoso ka? Akala ko ba hindi pwede—"

"Just come with me." He said in dismissed. Tinalikuran ako at pumunta sa parking lot. Ako naman ay napangiti. What the hell just happened? Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod sa kanya. Siya naman ay napapailing kaya nangunot ang noo ko.

I quickly stepped to my feet and secretly listened. "What's happening to me? Damn. How did she change my decision so quickly? That easily?"

"Are you saying something attorney?" I asked him, he froze.

He looked at me seriously. "None, what are you saying Miss?"

"Nah, you're talking to yourself arent you?"

"Of course not! Stop imaging nonsense Hazel." He said.

I laughed softly. "Okay, okay, don't be so defensive."

He just tsked, making me laugh even more.  Napailing siya sa akin at pinasakay na sa sasakyan. Ngunit hindi ako sumunod, hinawakan ko lang ang pintuan saka pinagmasdan siya. Maya 'maya pa ay nagsalita nanaman siya, kinausap ang sarili. Got yah.

"Me? Talking to myself? The hell. Hell no!" Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi saka naupo na, nagpanggap akong hindi siya narinig. Mamaya ma-badtrip pa siya sa akin. Mahirap na.

Kinuha ko ang seatbelt at sinuot 'yun. Huminga ako ng malalim saka binuksan ang radio niya. Hindi naman niya ako sinuway kaya napangiti ako, naramdaman ko ang pag-andar ng sasakyan. Ako naman ay tumingin sa kanya bago sa harapan. Napangiti ako ng mapakinggan ang kanta. Sinabayan ko ito kaya napatingin sa akin si Louie.

"Sintonado." I heard him mumbled, inilingan ko lang siya at bumirit kaya natawa siya.

"Shut up attorney!" Kunwareng naiinis na sabi ko, he just shook his head. Chuckling in my cuteness, love yourself.

Niliko ang manibela saka tumutok sa kalsada. I don't know but I felt comfortable with him, I mean. Look at us right now, isasama niya na ako. Sumama naman ako sa kanya. Were strangers in each other, although we already knew each other but only by name. I don't know him that much but I still went with him.

Well, I can say that he's good person. I feel like he’s not a bad like the others, not exploitative. Although, I feel like we are very different. Not just in age but in everything. I immediately remembered what had happened at our lunch earlier. I don’t know if I’ll laugh or be offended. He's so mature while I have a childish personality. Although sometimes, I'm immature but I'm trying to be not.

"Were here." He said. I blinked and then nodded, I was about to remove my seatbelt when I couldn't do it.

My forehead furrowed. "Hala, ayaw matanggal."

I heard him tsked. "Let me."

Naramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa seatbelt, marahan niya 'yung tinanggal. Inulit 'ulit hanggang sa magawa niya, parang na-lock ko 'yata masyado. Mabilis ko kaseng isinara kanina.

"Sorry?" Mahinang bulong ko.

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Nah, it's nothing but next time be careful."

"Copy that attorney." Nagpipigil na ngiting sabi ko.

"Don't copy —copy me that attorney, you behave okay?" The closeness of our faces. I could feel the heat of his breath. His very fragrant scent and the mint smell of his mouth.

"Hey..." I blinked.

"Opo, kuya." Naisagot ko, sumama ang mukha niya at tumikhim.

I almost giggled, I was caught in the mouth. He tsked and got out of the car. I was shaken and then went out, I saw him waiting for me. I looked to the front, simple but very elegant. Like him I can say their firm is well-known, I will not be surprised if he owns it.

"Let's go." He said, I nodded and followed him.

Magkadikit na magkadikit ang gilidan namin dahil lahat ng madadaanan namin ay titig na titig sa akin. Napakapit ako sa sleeves niya, napatingin siya sa akin. Inginuso ko ang mga empleyado niya na hindi pa rin ako tinitigilan. He sighed and glared at them. They quickly averted their eyes and went back to what they were doing.

"Grabe naman sila kung makatingin sa'kin, may ginawa ba akong mali?" I asked him, in low tone.

"Nah, don't mind them." He said, making ne nodded.

"Owkie."

We entered an office, everyone stopped and looked at the two of us. Four men stood in the chair, while the two lawyers on the right frowned. They followed us with their gaze.  Louie motioned for me to sit on the sofa. I nodded and thanked him. He nodded and sat down in the swivel chair. Here we are in the conference room.

"Sino siya?" A man with apollo-gold hair asked as he glanced at Louie's direction.

"Ano mo siya?" A man who's wearing a simple blue shirt and black jeans. He's familiar to me.

"She's cute in her sunglasses." Oh god, I know. Malamig man ang boses niya ay hindi 'yun nakabawas sa dating niya sa akin.

"Nah, she's beautiful." Kinindatan naman ako nung isa, he looks mature like Louie.

The four looked at me at the same time, I smiled at them then waved slightly. Louie tsked in what I did and glared at the four beautiful creatures in my sight. Wow. I closed my mouth and averted my eyes, attorney looked angry. The four laughed and then talked to Louie. Pamilyar talaga sa akin 'yung isa, sa tingin ko siya 'yung kasama ni Louie noon.

"Shut up." Louie said making them shook their heads.

Napailing naman ako at tinignan ang paligid. Traditional 'yung theme ng conference room, napaka-elegante. Mula pa lang sa chandelier na nasa itaas, nakakamangha. Sa bahay nga dalawa lang 'yung chandelier, isa sa sala at sa dining area. Dito conference room lang tatlo na. Sana lahat.

The furniture are made of durable and expensive wood that I think even came from Korea. As well as the few things we use at home, I was held on a table. I looked at every medal, trophy, certificate displayed in a glass display. Sinasabi ko na nga ba at pamilyar ang firm nila. They are one of the most respected firms in the field of law.

I went to a handle, my eyes widened as it rang. A passage room? I looked at Louie, he felt like I was looking at him so his eyebrows met. Fast forward to the wind— I removed my grip on the wood. He was shaken and turned his attention back to the companions.

Naglibot nalang ako at nagtingin 'tingin. Ang conference room nila ay singlaki ng kwarto ko, kwarto ni ate at kwarto ni mommy ganda kapag pinagsama-sama. Oo, ang laki ng conference room. I held up a frame, Louie with the other lawyer. I nodded and leaned against the wall, looking at the picture.

"He's really handsome." I whispered softly, biting my lower lip and glancing at Louie's position now.

He looked at me, forehead furrowed. I, on the other hand, was just pouted. I was surprised when he looked down at my lips, his lips curved as he sneered at me. I touched my lips and smirked at him. He shook his head and mouthed 'Cute'. I looked away and warmed my cheek.

I tsked saka ibinalik sa ang frame. Naabutan ko naman siya'ng nakatingin pa rin sa akin. Matiim habang hawak ang isang folder. Nginusuan ko siya at nakipagtitigan.

"Eherm, tama na ang landian." Sabay kaming napalingon sa lalaking pamilyar sa akin. Those with them laughed softly. Louie said 'Continue'.

I took a breath then quietly read wattpad, one of my favorite apps. Unlike the other account, who have a many followers and stories. I don't have that much, I only have 10 followers. Pustahan mga deads account ko pa 'yan. Napailing ako saka tinignan kung saang chapter na ako. Chapter 33 na pala ako. Sumandal ako sa sofa at nagsimula ng magbasa.

Napapangiti ako tuwing naghaharutan ang mga bida, nakakakilig. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi, grabe 'tong si Zeke kay Aemie! Pero ba't ganun? Sobra pa rin 'yung tuwa at kilig ko. Ilang beses ko na ba 'tong binasa? Hindi ito mawala sa library ko. Nakakatuwa.

"Dismissed." I heard Louie said, I gasped and then reluctantly hid my phone. I’m not in my room, I have to make sure.

"Nakakagutom, wala ka bang pagkain diyan?"

"Ako din. Louie nasaan na ang foods?"

"Wala, magsilayas na nga kayo!"

"Ayy bad si attorney."

"Tang ina mo Gian! Manahimik ka."

"Tang ina mo too, pakainin mo na ako."

Louie's companions laughed and shut him up, and I was caught in my stomach. It barely sounded, I nodded and then bowed.

"Are you hungry?" I heard Louie asked. He was sitting next to me.

"Ahm, yes." Mahinang sagot ko.

He tsked. "Sinabi ko naman kaseng kumain ka ng marami kanina."

"Hindi ako pwedeng kumain ng marami." Giit ko, sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"Fine, what do you want to eat? I'll order."

"Ahm, kahit ano nalang, hindi naman ako mapili sa pagkain. Yung Korean dish sana." Nakangiting sabi ko sa kanya. Mahina siyang natawa. Narinig ko ring natawa 'yung mga kasama niya, umalis na 'yung dalawang lawyer na nandito kasama namin.

"You know what, I like you already—" Hindi pa natatapos ang sinasabi nung naka-asul na shirt when Louie glared at him.

"Tang ina, gusto mong makasuhan?!" He said, making the man chuckled.

"Ano naman ang ikakaso mo sa akin attorney?" Nang-aasar na tonong sabi pa niya, iniis si Louie.

"Shut up." Imbes na umawat ang mga kasamahan nila ay nagtawanan ang mga ito.

"Pakainin mo na kase kami, libre."

"May mga pera kayo, bumili kayo ng inyo. Magkanya-kanya tayo para tipid." Supladong sabi ni attorney.

Napailing naman ang mga kaibigan niya, halata naman na magkakaibigan sila. Kinuha ko ang wallet ko saka kumuha ng isang libo. Kinalabit ko si Louie, napatigil siya sa pagsasaway sa mga kaibigan. Nagtataka ang mukha niya, naguguluhan.

"Ayan 'yung akin, baka mahalan mo 'yung singil sa akin. Wala pa naman akong cash ngayon."

"Huh?" Umuwang ang bibig niya, napatingin sa mga kasamahan na naguguluhan din.

"Attorney, kasasabi mo lang kanina na magkanya-kanya tayo sa pagkain. Ayan 'yung akin." Sabi ko at inabot sa kanya 'yung pera. Napakurap 'kurap siya at umiling.

"Nah, exception ka." He said.

"O-Okay?" I said.

"Wala! Ano 'to, favoritism?" Angal naman ni Gino.

"Oo nga naman attorney." Sang-ayon nung tatlo kay Gino, nakatayo sila sa aming harapan.

"Fine. Ngayon lang 'toh." Parang labag pa sa loob na sabi ni Louie at tumayo na. Nagpaalam para tumawag ng order. Nagsiilingan ang mga naggagandahang lalaking ito.

"Pasikat ang gago." I heard Gian mumbled as he looked at me.

"Police officer Gian Madrid as your service!" Sumaludo siya sa akin.

"Baliw, Macky Felix here." Siya 'yung may apollo-gold hair.

"Nathan Arenas miss." Oh, siya 'yung mukhang matured like attorney Louie. Napatingin naman ako sa lalaki na may itim na mata. He's so handsome, halos lahat naman sila.

"Xean." He said.

"Oh, I'm Hazel." Pakilala ko sa kanila.

"You're Louie's girlfriend?" Gian asked, making me shook my head.

"No, actually we just met earlier in the park and then he invited me to eat."

They looked at each other. "Oh, he invited you huh?"

"Why?"

"Nothing, ang gago'ng 'yun." Hindi ko na sila pinansin pa dahil nagkaroon kaagad sila ng kanya kanyang mundo.

Si Gian ay inaasar si Nathan na nakaupo sa swivel chair. Kinakalabit tapos iiwas ng tingin na para bang walang ginawa kapag lumilingon si Nathan. Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Nathan but Gian being makulit ay hindi nakinig.

Napatingin ako kay Macky, he's smiling like a lunatics in his phone. Mukhang may lovelife ang isang 'toh, nakaupo sa kabilang sofa at panay ang kagat sa ibabang labi. Si Xean naman ay nakatingin lang sa kung saan, mukhang maraming iniisip.