CHAPTER TWO

ABIGAIL'S POV

"So... ano 'yung sinasabi ni Winslet na may inabot kang papel sa gwapong kargador na 'yun?" Korin asked when she visited me in my cabin.

Napailing naman ako saka ngumisi sa kanya. "It was just a tip. You know? Money tip, for being helpful."

My best friend rolled her eyes at me. "It's their job to help, Abby. So, name, phone number, and cabin number, huh?" pagbabalik na naman niya sa topic.

I just kept my silence and finished unpacking my things. Ilang saglit akong ganoon pero hindi pa rin umaalis si Korin sa sofa. She was just staring at me, following my movements. Hanggang sa mairita ako. "Fine. Yes, I gave him a paper with my information."

Korin grinned and started hopping as if she couldn't contain her romantic excitement with just a smile. "OMG! Ang bilis naman ah!"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "I just want to talk."

Tiningnan niya ako na para bang 'di siya naniniwala. "Ayy sus! Ako pa talaga ang niloko mo, Abigail," aniya saka mahinang natawa. "But I'll support. If that's what you want me to believe, then so be it."

I knew that if I talked more and defend myself, she'll just say that I'm being in defensive. Alam ko naman na ugali niya, at ganoon din siya sa akin. Kaya naman pilit kong itinatago ang ngiting nagbabadyang lumabas dahil alam ni Korin na hindi lang basta usap ang mangyayari.

A few moments later, Korin took out her phone and walked towards the door. "Tawagan ko lang muna ang baby ko. Night time na niya eh."

I nodded my head and let her be. Saktong tapos na akong maglagay ng gamit sa loob ng cabinet nang may kumatok sa pinto. It's impossible that it's Korin. She wouldn't have knocked. And the same thing goes with the other baliws.

The person continued knocking when I did not open it. "Who is it?"

"Ahm... It's... Zendrix." I blinked numerous times when I heard that baritone voice. Hindi ko malaman pero parang naapektuhan ako sa boses niya.

I shook my head and removed those weird thoughts. Once calmed, I stared at the door. I don't know any Zendrix. "Who?"

"Y-Yung kargador po, Ma'am," sabi nito na nagpakaba sa akin.

I wasn't able to see him after that passing of paper when we're getting off the yacht. Iba rin ang nagdala ng gamit ko sa cabin kaya naman mas nagtaka ako at napaisip kung pupunta pa siya. Agad kong binuksan ang pintuan saka ngumiti nang makita ko siya, hiding the fact that I'm starting to get nervous. "Hi?"

He warmly smiled at me. "Hi. So uhm... what... are we supposed to uhm... do?" halata sa boses niya ang medyo pagkailang, which I somehow found amusing. I really thought he was a well-spoken type of guy.

"Wanna come in?" Great, Abby. You're letting a complete stranger enter your cabin just because you're attracted to his physical features. "What do you want to drink?" I asked when I told him to sit on the dining chair.

"Coldwater would be nice," he replied, making me smile and get him a glass of water. "Thanks."

I nodded and sat on the chair across from him. "So... Do you have a girlfriend?" He shook his head. "A wife?" Muli siyang umiling. "Kids?" Iling na naman. "How about flings?"

He then chuckled. "I have none of those things you've mentioned, Ma'am—"

"Abby," I cut him off. "Just call me Abby."

He gave me that knee-wobbling smile. "As I was saying, Abby, I'm a faithful man who never had a girlfriend since I was twenty."

Napatango naman ako. "Ilang taon ka na ba? If you don't mind me asking."

"I'm turning thirty this coming April," he answered wholeheartedly. "How about you?"

"Just turned twenty-eight last November." I smiled, getting a little more comfortable with him in every question.

He stared at me. "And as for the boyfriend part of the questions?"

Tulad niya ay mahina rin akong natawa. "Well, I was supposed to be married yesterday, but my groom ditched me—"

"Why?" I saw his face darken.

I blinked a couple of times. "I actually don't know. I haven't heard anything from him since then."

Nawala ang pagkadilim ng mukha niya pero nanatili itong seryoso. "Konektado ba sa sitwasyon mo ang dahilan kung ba't mo ako kinausap kanina?"

I nodded, staring straight into his eyes, not lying about anything. "You caught my attention, I want to forget, and you seemed like a nice guy. I was going to ask you to at least make me forget during this short vacation, but then you've mentioned that you're a faithful guy, I don't think I still have the heart to use you—"

"It's fine." Bahagya akong natigilan. His serious face never changed. "You can use me to forget. It's fine with me."

Ilang beses na naman akong napakurap saka umiling. "I don't think I can do that plan anymore, Zendrix. I thought you only seemed like a good guy, but talking to you made me realize that you really are one."

It took a few seconds before he replied. "But what if I'm not a good guy like what you think? Would you use me?"

Bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata. This talk wasn't supposed to be like this. "Zendrix, why are you doing this? Ayaw na nga kitang maging possible rebound—if you ever consider it rebound kahit na hindi ko naman minahal ang ex-fiance ko—tapos ikaw pa mismo ang pumapayag?" naguguluhan kong sabi sa kanya.

He let out a sigh and looked away. "I just... I just feel like I want to... to help you," Zendrix softly said, almost coming out as a whisper.

Pinakatitigan ko siya hanggang sa makapag-desisyon ako. "Do you really want to be used by me?" He quickly smiled and nodded his head fast. Napailing naman ako sa akto niya. "Even if it means being a rebound?"

Zendrix smiled innocently at me. "Hanggang rebound lang ba ang pwede?"

I was taken aback for a second but I was able to pick myself up. I cleared my throat. "I'm not closing the door for that chance, but I'm also not saying that it'll be easy."

He looked challenged and determined. "I'll try my luck then."

Muli akong napailing sa itsura niya. He looked really happy about it. And it makes me curious who Zendrix really is.

"Ayy, Abby. Gagala raw sabi ni—Oh my, who is he?" From shock to teasing, Korin grinned at me.

Her reactions and words made me shake my head. I stood up and Zendrix followed. "Zendrix, this is Korin, my best friend. Korin, this is Zendrix, my uhm..."

"I'm her suitor, Miss Korin. It's nice to meet you." He smiled as he proclaimed those words.

My jaw literally dropped open. Just what the hell is going on?

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