HINDI AKO MAKAHINGA.

My eyes met his gaze. It was surreal to see him again after two years. I assumed that by the time I met him again, my feelings would have been buried so deeply within me that I would be unable to feel them. My heart, however, betrayed me as soon as I set my gaze on him. I can feel my heart beating and the sound of it piercing my system as if I could hear it pounding against my ears.

We both just stared at each other and the silence was deafening after he called out my name. I tightened the grip on my bag when I felt the memories flood into my mind.

The past that we had, the happy moments we shared together, and the pain that he had caused me. He cheated, while I still begged him to not leave me. I even knelt in front of him, but he was unconcerned about my pain. He treated me that night like dirt that he needed to get rid of.

He's the reason why.... I didn't get the chance to see my father one last time.

I averted my gaze away from him and blinked several times to brush away the tears that was about to fall. I felt the bitterness in my mouth and I could feel it in my throat. I shouldn't be like this. The whole memory of him pains the hell out of me. He was like a dagger still penetrating my already wounded soul.

I closed my eyes for a while and I forced myself to look in his direction. His face was much more mature than it had been two years before; his hazel brown eyes were fixed on me, and his Adam's apple was moving. He was dressed in a black tux, and his hand was tightly gripping the corner of his swivel chair. His hair had grown a little longer and was pulled back and neat-looking.

I put a serious look on my face as I found myself moving towards him, trying to mask the unexplained emotions that I felt inside. My mind was in total chaos and my thoughts were now unclear.

"Engineer Zacharias Valencia - Ruscitti," Madiing saad ko habang naglalakad papalapit sa lamesa niya. Kita ko ang unti-unting pagbago ng ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha at napatayo siya ng maayos habang titig na titig pa din sa akin. The burning anger inside of me slowly resurfaced as I was staring at his face.

"Why the fuck did you buy our house?!"

I could tell he wasn't expecting my question because of how surprised he was by what I'd said. Hindi niya siguro inaasahan ang direkta kong pagkumpronta sa kaniya. Nakita ko ang bahagya niyang paglunok habang nakatingin sa mata ko bago bumagsak ang mga mata niya sa buhok ko. I saw how his eyes became anxious.

"Sam, your... h-hair..." he paused and blinked, "It's s-short now."

I kept my stoic face in front of him, unconcerned about what he had just said. Gusto ko nalang na matapos na ito. His face makes me sick. "My hair was none of your fucking business, " May bahid na ng galit ang boses ko. "Bakit mo binili ang bahay namin?!"

"S-sam..." Mahinang usal nito habang napayuko ng bahagya at bumuntong-hininga bago naglakad papalapit sa akin. Hindi ko napansin na ang bawat paghakbang niya ay ganoon din ang pagkabog ng malakas ng dibdib ko. Tumigil siya sa harapan ko at tinitigan ako ng direkta sa aking mga mata.

Agad na lumayo ako sa kaniya ng sinubukan nitong hawakan ang braso ko. I noticed his hurt expression after what I did. He averted his gaze and put his hand on his side, which had been on the verge of grabbing me earlier.

"Iatras mo ang pagbili sa bahay namin! That was the only memory I had of my family!" I looked at him with a disgusted expression, "Talaga bang wala ka nang naiwan na kahihiyan diyan sa balat mo para sa akin? "

Lumamlam ang mata niya. "S-summer, where have you been-"

I scoffed because of what he said. Hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan ko siya. "Don't act as if we are friends. Nandito ako para idikdik sa utak mo na hindi ko ipagbibili ang bahay namin. Cancel the contract. "

Nakita kong bahagya na pumungay ang mga mata niya at mas lumapit pa sa akin. Naalarma ako ng makita kong tumaas ang dalawang braso niya at sa takot na baka hawakan niya ako, ay parang napapaso akong umatras ulit habang nanlalaki ang mga mata na nakatingin sa kaniya.

I can feel the non-stop beating of my heart, which is bullshit.

"What are you doing?!" I squinted at him and gave him a warning look, saying, "Don't come near me."

"S-sam," He took a deep breath before wrapping his arms around my body. My eyes grew wider than usual, and my body stiffened. My mouth literally hung open because of what he did. I could feel his hot breath on my neck and his arms wrapped around my waist, tightening as he moved my body closer to his, as if we weren't already close enough. It was tight... The hug was so tight that it felt like I couldn't breathe anymore. I didn't expect this. Fuck.

Para akong tanga na nakatayo lang at hindi gumagalaw. Ang mga kamay ko ay bahagyang nakaangat sa ere dahil sa biglaan niyang pagyakap sa akin. Ramdam ko ang malakas na pagkabog ng aking dibdib na ni minsan sa loob ng dalawang taon ay hindi ko nadama. Ngayon lang.

"S-sam... You're really here," mahinang bulong niya sa leeg ko at naramdaman ko ang marahang pagdampi ng kanyang labi doon na nagbibigay ng kakaibang damdamin sa akin. "I-I thought I was dreaming a-again."

I saw his shoulders were lightly shaking when I lowered my head to look at him. It took me a while before I closed my eyes and shook my head. This is ridiculous!

"Bitawan mo ako!" Malakas na itinulak siya palayo sa akin. Humakbang ako palayo sa habang hawak ang dibdib. Hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan ko ang lalaki. Nakatingin siya sa akin at napakurap, pero agad na iniwas nito ang kanyang mga mata para tumingin sa ibang direksyon.

Namamalikmata lang ba ako o nakita kong may bahid ng luha ang mga mata niya?

Napahawak ako sa laylayan ng suot kong bestida dahil sa masidhing damdamin na lumulukob ngayon sa pagkatao ko. Mas hindi ako naging kumportable sa sitwasyon dahil sa ginawa niya. Parang gusto ko nalang umalis at puntahan sina Dawn at Olive. Gusto kong tumakbo paalis.

I breathed heavily and held my right hand, which was slightly shaking. Kailangan kong tatagan ang loob ko. Hindi ako magpapadala sa kaniya. Kung ano ang ipinunta ko dito, 'yon ang kailangan kong gawin. "You have to...to cancel the c-contract," I cleared my throat. I silently cursed myself when I stuttered.

Ibinalik niya muli sa akin ang malamlam niyang mga mata niya. " Are you staying here for good?

"Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong niya at nagpatuloy. "I'll ask my father's lawyer to arrange it. You just have to withdraw the payment-"

"So you're leaving again, Sam?" He asked, seeing him wetting his bottom lip and uttering in a deep, trembling tone.

My brows furrowed. "What? "

I noticed him shaking his head before turning his back on me and returning to his chair. My gaze was drawn to him as he took off his tuxedo and left the white long-sleeve polo inside. I noticed how he folded his arms' sleeves upwards, showing off his toned arms.

"I'm not cancelling my payment." He said huskily.

Huminto ang paghinga ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "What?!"

He didn't say anything, just sat in his swivel chair and looked at me intently. He leaned forward at his desk, tapping his fingers on the surface. "I'm not going to cancel it. The deed of the house was now in process. "

Nanggagalaiting humakbang ako papalapit sa lamesa niya at malakas na hinampas iyon gamit ang kamay ko. "Ang kapal naman talaga ng pagmumukha mo!"

He remained silent. It took a while for him to speak softly, not minding my sudden outburst infront of him. "Will you disappear again?"

I looked away from him for a moment when I couldn't stand his eyes. Parang tinitingnan niya ang buong ako. "A-ang pinag-uusapan natin ay ang bahay namin, at hindi ako! Stop asking questions!" Napakuyom ang aking mga kamay sa sobrang inis.

Dahan-dahan lsiyang napasandal sa kanyang upuan at mataman akong tiningnan.

"If it's not about you, then certainly we are done here." Kinuha niya ang folder na nasa gilid niya at binuksan iyon na parang wala ako sa harapan niya.

Sa sobrang gigil ko ay inis na hinablot ko iyon sa kaniya at tinapon ng basta-basta. Kung gusto niya ng bastusan, Sige! Fine!

"What do you want?" Matapang na saad ko.

He stayed silent for a few minutes. It was like he was thinking about something. His deep hazel-colored eyes gleamed, and I saw emotions I couldn't name.

"I don't think you can give me what I want, Sam. " Nilalaro niya sa kamay ang isang kulay itim na ballpen.

Kahit nagpupuyos sa galit ang loob ko ay sinubukan kong maging kalmado para matapos lang ang kahangalan na ito. "Try me," Inis na saad ko, "What is it that you want in exchange for cancelling?"

Ano ba talaga ang gusto niya? Bagong bahay? Pera? "Pera ba? Fine, how much? I'm willing to pay for it, para mabalik lang sa akin ang property na iyon!"

"You didn't get my point here. I just said that I don't want to cancel it. " He answered, but in a soft voice na parang naghihina. Parang wala lang sa kaniya ang galit na binubuga ko ngayon. This man!

"Hindi pwede! I'm not selling that house! I'll take legal action against this if you make it difficult to talk to me!" Banta ko sa kaniya habang pinaningkitan siya ng mga mata. "Remember, I am still a lawyer. I have a license! "

His brow furrowed a bit. "That house was sold in a legal way, Sam. I know you knew Mr. Lawrence Quin, right? "

Agad na natahimik ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Of course, I'm familiar with him! He's my uncle, and he's the one who instigated the sale of the house.

"But that property is mine because I'm their daughter! So I have the authority for it!" I shot back at him. I know Attorney Ortalejo told me to just talk to him and persuade him, but this guy is just as difficult as I expected. After what he did to me in the past, I didn't expect him to act this way.

I averted my gaze when I felt the swelling of pain in my chest. How dare he act as if nothing ever happened between us? I'll always remember the past when I looked at him. Natatandaan ko kung paano niya ako niloko...kung paano niya ako sinira ng tuluyan. Napalunok ako ng mariin ng maalala si Zacharael.

Ang anak naming dalawa na hindi niya alam. Parang bumahag ang buntot ko dahil doon. Natandaan ko din ang sinabi ni Olive na kapag humindi ang lalaki, dapat ay hindi ko na pilitin.

Bumalik ang titig ko sa mga mata niya at ramdam ko ang panunuot ng mga tingin niya sa pagkatao ko. Nakaramdam agad ako ng takot... natatakot ako.

"I-If that's your decision, then I'm leaving." Nanginginig ang boses na sambit ko at tumalikod na para lumabas. If I can't persuade him in this way, I might as well look for other options.

Malapit na ako sa pintuan at hahawakan ko na sana ang seradura ng pinto ng marinig ko ang malalim na boses niya.

"W-wait,"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at nilingon ko siya. Nakatayo na siya sa kanyang kinauupuan habang malambot ang mga mata. I saw him sigh heavily and looked up before he stared at me. Seryosong tiningnan ko lang siya, at hinihintay kung ano man ang sasabihin niya sa akin.

"I—I'll reconsider it," he said in a deep voice, and then he sighed, "We'll talk again. A proper meeting this time. "

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Again? So ano 'yon? Magkikita kami ulit? Ayoko na! This one encounter was too much, and I'm not having another awkward conversation with him. Ayoko na din siyang makita dahil ramdam ko pa din ang sakit na gumuguhit sa dibdib ko. Akala ko talaga ay naibaon ko na sa limot.

Napakurap ako at napalunok ng mariin. "You can just talk to my lawyer about this."

"I have my demands, but I'll think about what you offer at the meeting."

Umarko ang kilay ko. "I'll have our family lawyer arrange that-"

He shook his head. "We should talk about it, the two of us. You are a lawyer too. You also know how it works. " He paused and looked deeply into my eyes. "W-we can... Talk it out. I want to hear your offer directly from you. A proper negotiation. I'm a businessman too. "

Napakuyom ako. "Only one meeting about the house."

"Three."

"One meeting," Naningkit ang mata ko.

He licked his lower lip. "Two since one meeting is not enough to discuss."

"I said one." How presumptuous!

I noticed him shaking his head. "It's not enough to discuss everything in one sitting-"

"Fine... two then. That's it. " Mahinang sagot ko bago bumuntong-hininga. I'm just doing this for our house. Kailangan ko iyong mabawi at pagkatapos nito ay makakabalik na kami agad ni Zacharael sa California.

Nakita kong napahinga siya ng maluwag before I saw a small smile in his lips. Napatulala lang ako sa kaniya.

"Then I guess," he said, leaning forward on his table and looking at me softly. Or am I just hallucinating?

"I'll see you soon...Attorney."

***

Tulala na naglalakad ako palabas ng building hawak nakahawak ako sa aking dibdib. Ramdam ko pa din ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso ko sa loob nito. Tumigil muna ako sa paglalakad at huminga ng malalim. I slapped my chest softly and repeatedly to stop it's strong throbbing. This is really insane. I shouldn't feel like this. Para akong nanghihina.

Napakurap ako ng tumunog ang cellphone ko. Hinagilap ko iyon sa loob ng aking bag at tiningnan kung sino ang caller, but it was an unregistered number.

Without thinking, I pressed the answer button. Inilapit ko iyon sa aking tainga habang nagpalinga-linga sa paligid para sumakay na ng taxi papunta sa parking lot ng mall kung nasaan sina Dawn at Oli.

"Hello?"

[Hello...] A familiar voice answered on the other line.

Fuck.

[It's me. I just... want you to know my number. I will use this to call you.]

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. Yeah, I gave him my calling card, but I did not expect him to call right away. Ang sabi ko ay tatawagan niya lang ako kung magkikita na kami.

"I... I said you can just call me for the meeting, hindi ngayon."

He went silent for a while bago ako nakarinig ng pagkataranta sa boses niya.

[A-alright... I'm sorry.] The call ended.

I just shook my head and placed the phone inside my bag again. Pumara ako ng taxi at agad na sumakay doon. Buong byahe ay tahimik lang ako pero sa loob ko ay hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ba dapat ang maramdaman ko. I promise that the next meeting will be the last time we'll see each other again. Hindi na pwede na magkita pa kami ulit, dahil hindi ko na iyon kakayanin pa.

"How was it, Sam? Pumayag ba?"

Tahimik na kinuha ko si Zacharael sa bisig ni Dawn, bago ko hinalikan sa pisngi ang anak ko. Napangiti ako dahil inabot nito ang mukha ko habang tumatawa. Nanggigigil na pinisil ko ang pisngi niya bago tiningnan ang dalawang pares ng mata na naghihintay sa isasagot ko.

Malakas na bumuntong-hininga ako bago nagsalita. "H-hindi..."

Kita ko na dismayado silang parehas sa naging sagot ko. Pinanood ko nalang silang dalawa na kumakain sa harapan ko dito sa loob ng sasakyan. Nakaupo silang dalawa sa harapan habang kami ni Zacky ay nandito sa likod.

"Ano na ang plano mo? Grabe talaga iyang lalaking 'yan ha! Hindi ka man lang pinagbigyan!"

Tumango si Olive sa sinabi ni Dawn bago kinagatan ang hawak niyang nuggets. "Parang walang past kung makapag-hindi 'no? Parang hindi nagchukchakan noon."

"Olive," may pagbabantang saad ko sa babae. She just laughed and shook her head.

"I'm just saying that, na sana man lang ay nag-consider siya. Even though you've been apart for a long time, he knows what happened to you. He understands how important that house is to you and your family. "

I sighed. "But he said he'd think about it."

"What?"

"What?"

Sabay na nagsalita ang dalawa. They were both taken aback. I just rolled my eyes at them, attempting to hide the emotions that were resurfacing inside of me.

"Really! That's good! Anong sabi niya?" excited na saad ni Olive.

I turned away from them and focused on my son, placing the pacifier in his mouth. Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko pa sa kanila o hindi ang gusto ng lalaki.

"H-he said, we will talk in a proper meeting," hindi ko naiwasan ang pag-ilap ng mga mata ko matapos kong sabihin iyon. Natahimik sila saglit dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Talaga bang usap lang 'yan? Baka may pa sumbat 'pa 'yan ha?! " Mataray na tanong ni Dawn sa akin. Kita ko ang pagkadisgusto sa kanyang mukha dahil sa narinig.

Kita ko din ang pagsimangot ni Olive sa akin. "Baka ibang usapan 'yan ha, Nako, Sam! Huwag na, baka masaktan ka pa,"

While looking at them, I took a deep breath and exhaled deeply. "Don't worry about me. Kailangan... iyon nalang ang pag-asa ko para hindi matuloy ang pagbili niya. Siya na mismo ang nagsabi na pag-iisipan niya." I paused and played with my son's fingers. "At saka, we'll just meet and talk about the house. Nothing more. Nothing less. "

Natahimik silang dalawa pagkatapos ay nagkatinginan. Alam kong parehas silang nag-aalala. Nababasa ko iyon sa mga mukha nilang dalawa at alam ko na mas nag-aalala din sila kay Zacky. My son, right now, is my top priority.

Napatingin ako sa harapan ng sasakyan nang may nakita akong babae na pamilyar sa akin. Nanlaki ang mata ko ng makilala siya.

She was dressed in a white dress and red stiletto sandals. Her hair was dyed blonde, and I noticed her holding a phone, which she was probably texting. Mabuti nalang talaga at tinted ang sasakyan, kung hindi ay makikita ako nito.

"Sino 'yan? Kilala mo?" Tanong ni Dawn habang nakatingin din sa babae na ngayon ay binubuksan ang nakaparadang sasakyan sa tapat namin. I nodded towards them.

"Si Architect Asha," sambit ko sa kanila. "Katrabaho ni Zacharias noon."

Naintriga ang dalawa at mas sinipat ang babaeng nakatayo pa rin sa nakabukas na sasakyan na parang may hinihintay ito na dumating.

Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Dawn at naningkit ang mata. "She reminded me of... a Malanding low-class?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Mahinang hinampas ko siya sa braso. "Don't judge that easily, Dawn. Hindi mo nga kilala yung tao. " However, because of what she had said to me before, Asha was an annoying bitch.

"Excuse me, hindi pumapalya ang hula ko. Malandi din ako kaya amoy ko din ang mga malalanding walang breeding." She rolled her eyes at me. Narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Olive na nasa gilid niya.

After we stayed there for a few minutes, we decided to go back on our hotel suite para makapagpahinga. Nakaramdam din ako ng pagod dahil sa naging pag-uusap namin ni Zacharias kanina. My energy has been used up. I really need to re-energize myself for tomorrow. When we got there, agad na inilagay ko sa crib ang natutulog na si Zacharael pagkatapos ay sinabihan ko sina Dawn at Olive na matutulog muna ako sa kwarto. Sinabihan lang nila ako na magpahinga.

Nagising nalang ako dahil sa mahihinang pagtapik sa aking mukha. Agad na nabungaran ko ang nakangiting mukha ni Olive na nasa gilid ko.

"Sam! Wake up! "

Papungas-pungas na bumangon ako at tiningnan siya. Nagtaka ako dahil nakasuot ang babae ng malaking shades, black strapless top and some black jeans. Nakaayos din siya.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

She smiled even bigger and took my hand in hers to help me in getting out of bed. "You are coming with us! Magba-bar tayo! Let's go to Astro!" Masayang saad niya.

Agad na umiling ako sa kanya ng maalala ang anak ko. "I can't Olive, walang maiiwan kay Zacharael. "

"I'm staying with him."

Agad na napalingon ako sa pinto ng makita doon ang pamilyar na mukha ng lalaki. He's still as handsome as he was before and even got leaner. He was wearing a white shirt and black jeans. He was smiling at me while putting both of his hands in his pockets.

Masayang tiningnan ko ang lalaki at naglakad papunta sa kaniya. Dalawang taon ko din siyang hindi nakita. Kasunod niya sa likod si Dawn na nakabihis din ng maikling tube dress at make-up. Her heart-shaped face was absolutely stunning.

"Gillen! It's so nice to see you again. " Bati ko sa lalaki na nakatingin lang sa akin. Nagulat ako ng hapitin ako nito ng magaan na yakap pagkatapos ay nginitian. "Wait a minute, ngumingiti ka na din." Hindi ko mapigilang sabihin sa kaniya. He was a very quiet type of guy who rarely spoke. I also didn't see him smile as much as I do now. He seemed happy.

"After you've had your fun, we'll catch up. I'll take care of your son."

Tiningnan ko si Dawn sa likuran niya na ngumisi. "Don't worry, he will keep Zacharael's identity a secret." Nagkatinginan sila ni Gillen saka parehas na napangiti sa isa't isa.

Hmm...

Ngumiti ako sa lalaki. "Thank you, Gillen. "

Pagkatapos noon ay agad na pinagbihis na ako ni Olive at Dawn. Gusto daw nila na magkasama kaming tatlo na pumunta ulit sa Astro dahil matagal na din silang hindi nakakapunta doon. I only wore a white V-neck longsleeve top and high-waist jeans. Nothing out of the ordinary. Bago kami umalis ay hinalikan ko muna sa pisngi ang anak ko at hinaplos ang matambok nitong pisngi. Mahimbing ang pagtulog niya kaya mabuti ay hindi ito nagising. Si Dawn na ang nagpresinta na magmaneho ng sasakyan at si Olive naman ay busy ulit sa paglagay ng balabal sa kanyang mukha.

"Makikilala ka pa din, Oli." Nanglalagay na ngayon ng facemask ang babae sa mukha. Tinaasan lang ako ng kilay nito at isinuot ang itim na bucket hat.

"Of course not! I've already reserved the VIP lounge! So it's okay!"

I sighed heavily and just nodded towards her. Maingay ang buong sasakyan habang papunta kami doon. Ngumingiti lang ako sa mga pinagsasabi nilang dalawa at lalo na ang mga nakakatuwang kwento ni Olive patungkol kay Martina Miguel, iyong sikat na artista din ngayon na insecure daw sa kaniya.

Napangiti ako ng malaki habang nakaharap sa Astro. The place was fully packed with people. Nagpahila nalang ako kina Dawn at Olive ng hindi na kami pinapila. Mas madami ang mga tao sa loob, perhaps it's because it's Saturday. If you've had a particularly stressful and busy week, now is the best time to unwind and enjoy yourself.

We made our way through the crowd until we reached the VIP rooms. Agad na binuksan ni Olive ang pinto at agad na umupo ako sa pulang couch. Iginala ako ang paningin ko sa loob and, as far as I remember, it was not like this before. Astro really improved a lot.

"Sino may-ari nitong Astro? Compared to the last time I was here, the place has greatly improved. " sambit ko habang nakatingin sa erotic painting na nasa harapan. There is also a large television in the room. The music was loud and the lights blinded my eyes.

Agad na tinanggal ni Olive ang suot niyang balabal at ngumisi sa akin. "Hindi mo pala kilala ang may-ari? It was George. "

Nagulat ako. "It was Val's friend, right?"

Tumango si Oli.

"Oh..."

Nakita ko si Dawn na may pinindot sa gilid at mga ilang minuto ang makalipas ay may pumasok na babaeng nakasuot ng mini skirt at white polo na nakangiti sa amin.

"Goodevening ladies! What's your drink for tonight?" Nakangiting sambit nito sa amin habang may hawak na tablet sa kamay. Agad na nagsalita si Olive sa babae.

"I'll get Happy Island," Olive said and then looked at us. "What do you want?"

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Do you have a shake? "

"Yes po ma'am! We have mango, avocado, strawberry- "

"One strawberry shake please." I cut her off. "I have a baby to breastfeed. It's gonna be a pass tonight. "Tiningnan ko ang dalawa na parehas an nagthumbs up sa akin.

I already knew that I was going to be the one to look after them tonight. Like I always do before.

"I'd like a scotch, please." Maarteng saad ni Dawn at tinanggal ang suot niyang shades bago tumingin sa babae. Nakita ko agad ang panlalaki ng mga mata nito at papalit-palit ang tingin sa dalawa kong kaibigan.

"Oh my god! Ms. Cassandra Strom! and... and... Ms. Dawn Gillman! I'm a fan po!" Masayang saad nito at may inilabas na cellphone sa kanyang bulsa bago tumingin sa dalawa. "Pwede po bang magpapicture?"

Agad na tumango sila at ako na ang nagpresinta na kumuha ng kanilang litrato. Sobrang nagalak ang babae at sinabi na ililibre kami nito ng isang bote ng alak. Tumanggi kami dahil baka mabawasan ang sahod niya, but she insisted. Kaya ayon, wala kaming nagawa kundi pumayag nalang. Natatawang tiningnan ko silang dalawa matapos lumabas ang babae.

"Told you, makikilala ka."

Napapailing na napahawak si Olive sa noo niya. "She's cute though. I mean, she remembered my movies." She looked at Dawn, who was typing on her phone. "And she knows the brands who hired Dawn and her runaway shows."

When we received our drinks, we were surprised to find two bottles, one of Margarita and the other of Black Label, in addition to the ones we had ordered. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako ng makitang masaya ang dalawa na parang nakakita ng ginto.

"I'll gladly pay for these extra two bottles. Iiwanan ko din ng tip iyong waitress coz she's good in picking drinks. " Masayang saad ni Dawn habang hinahawakan ang bote ng Margarita.

"Mga lasenggera," Umiiling na saad ko sa kanila. They just laughed.

"Of course! Matagal na!"

Kumibot ang labi ko dahil doon. "Are you guys planning on getting wasted tonight? All of those drinks are strong. "

Olive chuckled and rolled her eyes at me before handing me my shake. "You're mothering us once more. Unwind and have a lot of fun with us! Tagal na nating hindi nakapunta dito. Kahit sight seeing ka lang, ganon!"

"All right, but don't make me your driver, or I'll abandon you both on the streets." Pagbabanta ko sa kanilang dalawa pero parehas lang silang humagikhik sa akin.

The night went well, and we had a great time. Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ko lang ang dalawa na naghahagikhikan. Dawn was already dancing in front of us, her hips swaying to the beat of the loud music like a wild animal.

"Kembot mo pa girl! Ayusin mo!" Saad ni Olive habang humahagikhik. Natawa ako sa dalawa dahil itong si Olive ay halatang natamaan na ng alak dahil may inilabas na siyang pera at itinatapon iyon kay Dawn na sumasayaw sa harapan namin. It was as if she was a stripper. Napapangiti na sumimsim ako sa strawberry shake na hawak ko. It tastes good though.

"Oh!"

"Olive!" Tumatawang inalalayan ko siya ng matumba ito sa sahig. She was holding a bottle of Margarita and trying to pour some into her glass. Si Dawn naman ay kinuha ang shot glass sa mesa at deretsong nilagok ang laman niyon.

Sinipat ko ang babae at hindi pa naman siya lasing. Mukhang si Olive ang unang matatamaan kaysa sa kaniya.

Narinig ko ang paghalakhak ni Dawn. "Lasing na yata 'yan eh! Ginawa na akong stripper!"

Bumuntong-hininga ako at tumango sa kaniya. Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo ni Olive sa couch at ako na ang naglagay ng inumin sa baso niya. I placed it in her hand. "This is the last one, okay?"

Namumungay ang mga mata na tiningnan niya ako at sinimangutan, "Kamukha mo iyong kaibigan ko, Miss. Yung abogada namin. "

I rolled my eyes at her and went to get my handkerchief from my bag. Mas mabuti pang punasan ko ang mukha nito para mahimasmasan.

"Dawn-"

Napakunot ang noo ko ng makitang wala na doon ang babae at nakabukas na ang pinto. Baka lumabas, at nag-banyo. Agad na tiningnan ko ang nakapikit na si Olive. "Babasain ko lang to Oli. I'll be right back." Pagpaalam ko bago lumabas sa VIP lounge namin.

Agad na narinig ko ang malakas na sigawan ng mga tao at malakas na tugtog sa paligid. Naglakad ako sa direksyon kung nasaan ang banyo at muntik pa akong matalisod dahil nahihilo ako sa pagpapalit-palit ng kulay ng mga ilaw. Mabuti nalang at may humawak sa mga braso ko at itinayo ako ng maayos. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya at naglakad ulit ng dahan-dahan.

I went inside as soon as I saw the bathroom and wet the handkerchief I was holding under the faucet. Pumasok ako sa isang cubicle para umihi saglit. Natigilan lang ako ng makarinig ako ng mga mabibigat na hakbang at ang tunog ng pagbukas ng pintuan. Pinabayaan ko lang dahil baka may gustong magbihis. I just flushed the toilet after using it and I gently fixed my short hair before opening the cubicle door.

I thought that I would see the mirror right away when I opened the door, but my face eventually hit something hard. My brows furrowed when I moved away a little and I saw someone standing in front of me. Nabangga ko pala ang dibdib niya.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry-"

My mouth hung open when I saw his face when I looked up to see who it was. He kept his gaze fixed on my face as he approached me. I can feel my heart begin to beat again. Naramdaman ko ang kaunting panginginig ng tuhod ko habang nalulunod ako sa mga tingin na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

My gaze was drawn to his white polo long sleeves, which had all three buttons open and they exposed his chest. I could see his spade tattoo peeking through it.

He had his hands outstretched on both sides of the cubicle door as if attempting to entrap me inside. I forced a hard swallow, and when he took another step, my hand went to push him, but it landed on his chest instead. The unexpected contact made me shiver.

"What are you doing here? " He asked, breathing hard.

Parang nawala ang hilo na nararamdaman ko kanina ng marinig ko ang malalim niyang boses. Naggtagpo ang aming mga mata na siyang nagdulot ng hindi maipaliwanag na kaba sa dibdib ko.

"Zacharias..."