CHAPTER ONE

ABIGAIL'S POV

"Thanks, Mom, Dad." I gave them both a kiss on the cheek.

Mom smiled at me and gave me a tight hug. "You're old enough to handle yourself out there, sweetheart. And you deserve this short vacation. If you want, pwede mo pa ngang mas pahabain eh."

Napailing naman ako saka ngumiti. "Nah, okay na ako roon, Mom."

Dad gave me a pat on the shoulder. "I promise you, Abigail, we'll settle this one. Once you come back, there'll be no issue or talk about this."

"Thanks, Dad."

"But I would still want you to settle down while you're still twenty-eight, Abigail. And a grandchild. I want a grandchild. Boy or girl, doesn't matter," my dad demanded, then his face lit up as if he remembered a happy memory. "But Rohan is an adorable little boy. I did promise him a part of my company once he reached ten."

Pareho kaming napailing ni Mom. I then chuckled. "I could give you a grandchild without a husband, you know?"

Mom frowned. "I know, Abby, but we'd still prefer it if there's someone who would take care of you too."

I just smiled and gave her a hug. "Thanks for always worrying about me, Mom." I let go and looked at both of them. "I love you both."

They lovingly smiled at me and replied, "We love you more, Abigail."

We then exchanged goodbyes and I headed to the garage. I put my duffle bag in the trunk. I'll still pick up Korin, who didn't even want to join us if Hanz didn't offer help to babysit Rohan for three days.

I started the engine and quickly but safely drove towards my best friend's house. Korin has been my best friend since elementary. We have always been in the same school since then. I was there for her when she lost both of her parents in an accident that almost took her life as well. She was eighteen at that time, but since she was still studying and both of her parents are the only child on both sides, my parents decided to take her in and care for her.

We're sisters. Inseparable. She's the twin sister I never had, and I knew that she felt the same way.

Once I reached her house, I honked my car and I saw her getting out, still carrying her little boy. Lumabas na lang din ako ng kotse pagkatapos buksan ang trunk. "You really don't have to do this, Hanz. Pwede ko namang sabihin sa kanilang hindi ako pwede—"

"Tumigil ka na, Coleen. You need to enjoy life. Saka close na close na kami ni Rohan. He trusts me, don't you?" tanong naman ng lalakeng nakasunod sa kanya na bitbit ang bag niya.

Korin sighed. "I do. Pero kasi baka nakakaistorbo sayo. Masyado nang malaki ang naitulong mo sa akin—sa amin. I don't want to burden you more."

Hanzelle just smiled, showing his set of white teeth. "Just go, Coleen. 'Wag kang istorbo sa boy bonding time namin ni Rohan."

Napailing na lang siya saka mahinang natawa. "Fine, fine. Thank you so much again, Hanz," aniya saka ibinigay kay Hanz ang cute na inaanak ko. "Take care and be a good boy to Tito Hanz while Mommy's away ha? Babalik agad ako, baby ko." She showered him with kisses.

Rohan giggled, making me smile as well. "I will miss you, Mommy ko." He softly tapped his chest. "But I'll be fine, Mommy ko. Tito Hanz is very mabait po, and I'll be a good boy rin po."

Hindi na bago na naging maluha-luha na naman ang mga mata ni Korin. She smiled softly at her seven-year-old son and gave him another kiss on the cheeks. "Mommy's gonna miss you so much."

"I will too, Mommy, but Tito Hanz and I will play and watch Transformers so go na po, Mommy ko. Babye po," he smiled and waved his hands.

Lumapit na ako nang tuluyan saka ipinalibot ang braso ko sa braso niya. "Come on, Korin. My baby Rohan already said he'll be fine. Saka maaasahan naman si Hanz. Right, Hanz?"

Lumaki naman ang ngiti ni Hanz. "Oo naman. Willing pa nga ako maging ama ni Rohan eh. Ayaw lang pumayag ng kaibigan mo."

Korin rolled her eyes, which caused me to laugh. "You guys are cute. Galingan mo kasi ang panliligaw, Hanz," pangungunsinti ko.

He pouted. "I wanna do my best, but she's not letting me," sabi niya sabay turo sa best friend ko gamit ang nguso niya.

Napailing na lang si Korin. "Come on, Abby. Mukhang mas gusto ko na ngang umalis kung puro ganyan ang topic na lalabas sa bibig ng lalakeng 'yan," she referred to Hanz.

Natawa na lang kami ni Hanz saka tuluyang nagpaalam na. Rohan hugged me as well and gave me a kiss on the cheek. When I finally succeeded in pulling Korin into my car, we finally headed to the port, where three of our friends were waiting for us impatiently.

"Mom even told me that the vacation could extend," I pointed out when we were all waiting for the guys to pick our bags up and put them in our respective rooms.

Napapalakpak naman si Winslet. "Ayan ang gusto ko kay Tita Jan eh. Very very supportive."

Napailing naman si Korin. "Basta hindi ako pwede ng mas matagal pa sa tatlong araw. Mamimiss ko ng sobra ang anak ko at nakakahiya kay Hanz."

"Hindi mo pa ba sinasagot si Hanz?" takang tanong ni Jelly.

I shook my head the same time I chuckled. "Hindi pa rin nga niya hinahayaang manligaw eh."

Napailing na lang ang lahat bago nagkayayaang pumasok na sa loob dahil malapit nang umalis ang barko.

Unfortunately, before we could successfully enter the ship, I bumped into someone. I wanted to apologize, but I suddenly felt my breath hitch when I saw the man's face. Thick eyebrows, hazel eyes, proud nose, and luscious lips. Why are those lips making me think of such sinful thoughts?

I saw his mouth move as if he was speaking but I couldn't hear anything, I was focused on his handsome face. I knew that I was shamelessly staring at him but I couldn't stop myself—and I honestly don't want to.

My eyes started to look lower, down to his arms, and oh my. If his lips are making me a criminal, I'm definitely willing to be cuffed by his big hands. Two wrists for one hand. Yep. Definitely.

"Hoy!" Bigla naman akong muntik nang tumaob dahil may biglang tumulak sa akin. Agad kong sinamaan ng tingin ang may kasalanan. Winslet just raised an eyebrow. "Oh, ano? Yak, Abigail! Nakakahiya 'yung laway mong tumutulo!"

Agad ko namang pinunasan ang baba ko, but it wasn't wet. I glared at her again. "Not funny, Winslet."

She rolled her eyes on me. "Sayo, hindi. Dyan sa machong kargador, oo."

Bigla akong napatingin sa lalakeng nagbubuhat ng bags namin. He was indeed chuckling. What a sight to see.

"Kuya, her bag goes with the rest of those ones, okay?" I heard Grace's voice. Tumango naman ang lalake habang nakangiti saka sumunod agad. But after he took a glance at me and his smile widened.

"Winslet, bakit nag-iba-iba pa tayo ng cottage? Hindi na lang nag-isahan since vacation trip naman nating lima 'to. You know? Bonding?" Jelly asked when she and Korin finally got near us.

Pinilit ko ang sariling ibigay ang buong atensyon sa mga kaibigan ko. "I don't think you're all into orgies."

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Winslet!" sabay naming sigaw ni Jelly dahil sa pananalita niya.

Si Korin naman ay natawa na lang habang naiiling. As for Grace, "What are orgies? Is that a board game?"

We were about to answer her when Winslet spoke first. "Oo, beh. Board game na hinding-hindi ka mabo-bore. Maraming players doon, tapos iba-iba ng positions depende sa partner mo."

Korin's laughs became louder, while Jelly and I just facepalmed. Of course, Grace being the youngest of the group and the one closest to Winslet believed the latter. She even nods her head slowly as if she was absorbing all the information.

"Anyways, so ba't nga hindi pwedeng iisa na lang?" Jelly brought it up again, still hoping Winslet would answer properly.

Well, Winslet flatly looked at her. "Seryoso ka na riyan? Tinatanong mo talaga?" Jelly nodded. "Nakita mo ba kung paano tingnan ni Abby 'yung machong kargador? Pinagnanasaan niya!"

My eyes grew wider and I was about to cover Winslet's mouth when she moved farther from me and stuck her tongue out.

"Duda na ako kung walang mangyayare sa kanila." Bigla naman niya akong tiningnan na para bang seryoso siya. "Abby, it's your time to shine. Hilahin mo na yung kuya papasok ng CR tapos jugjugan na!"

Napatakip na lang ako ng mukha sa pinagsasasabi niya. Kung wala siyang kahihiyan sa mga pinagsasasabi niya, pwes ako, meron.

Hindi na napigilan ni Jelly na batukan si Winslet. "You really have to watch your mouth, Winslet. Kung makapagsalita ka parang expert ka na sa bagay na 'yan ah."

She just rolled her eyes at Jelly. As for me, I had to move a little far from them—from Winslet, to be specific. I could still feel my cheeks burning. And here I was, a while ago, lusting over a random stranger.

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