I just got off from a call with my dad who's been excessively worrying about my independent living here in another state. It has been a month since we migrated from the Philippines and I'm supposed to be living with my family in Minnesota. But then, I got accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, leaving me here alone in another state.

Hindi pa nakakailang minuto, may tumawag na naman. Tiningnan ko ang caller ID at nakitang si Oceanne iyon—my new found friend who is, fortunately, a Filipino as well. We met each other weeks ago and I could still remember how persistent she was in persuading me to be her friend.

It was the day when my family left for Minnesota and I was left alone and bored in my condo. I decided to go buy some school and skincare stuffs so I drove to the nearby mall.

Pumasok ako sa Sephora at dumiretso sa Mario Badescu section at hinanap ang paboritong facial mist. Nasa pinaka-mataas na shelf iyon at hindi maabot ng kamay ko dahil sa inner part iyon ng shelf. I was about to ask for assistance when I felt someone's presence beside me.

"Here," anang isang baritonong boses at ipinatong ang isang facial mist sa shelf na kalebel ng mukha ko.

Nagulat ako sa nangyari kaya hindi man lang ako nakapagpasalamat. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang papalayong bulto ng lalaki. His scent was still lingering and I shamelessly sniffed it, only stopping when a girl nearby saw me and giggled.

Napatingin ako sa babae na agad namang binaling ang atensyon sa isang lipstick na baliktad pa ang pagkakahawak. Napangisi ako sa nakita at ibinalik ang atensyon sa mga pinamili.

"That was my brother." I flinched when a voice spoke from behind. Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang hinahawakang basket. "He's wearing Tom Ford Oud Wood."

I turned my back and saw that it was the girl who giggled. A big smile was plastered on her face and I could see her eyes twinkling with delight.

"Do you like him? I think you two would make a greaaat pair," she said, emphasizing the word great, with matching thumbs-up. "He's single. Are you single?"

Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot dahil sa gulat. Hindi naman na judgmental ako pero mukhang feeling close ang isang 'to.

"Anyways." Her eyes drifted from me to my basket. "Does skincare products work for you?"

"Yes," I answered politely and walked towards the cashier while she walked beside me.

"Good for you." I heard her say. "In my case, I have skincare but my skin doesn't care."

Napahalakhak ako sa kaniyang sinabi at ganoon din siya. Pinagtitinginan kami ng ibang customers pero patuloy kaming tumawa.

After I paid, I bade goodbye to the girl who giggled and dined in a restaurant. Hindi nagtagal, ate gurl from Sephora sat in front of me.

"HI! I'm Oceanne Estrella Alvarez," she introduced and offered a hand. At dahil ayaw ko namang maging rude, nakipagkamayan ako sa kaniya at nagpakilala na rin.

"Lorelle Andionna Farello." I smiled. "You can call me London."

"So, can we be friends?" straightforward niyang sabi. "I know you must be crept out by now but I could really feel that we're gonna vibe well."

Pagkatapos nun, she talked me into hanging out with her. She's quite talkative and I honestly don't mind since I'm one as well. Even though we only know each other for a short time, I'm sure that she's genuine.

Tinanggap ko ang tawag at ang manipis at nakakabinging boses niya ang siyang bumati sa akin.

"London! How are ya? Just want to remind you about my birthday dinner. You have to be there cause my kuya's gonna be there as well," aniya, parang kinikilig sa sariling pinagsasabi. "I'm gonna introduce you two to each other!"

What she said made me anxious. I'm no man-hater but the thought of being introduced to a man with Oceanne having the agenda of pairing us startled me. I feel like that when such happens, heartbreak comes next. And I don't want that.

"I'm going to your birthday because of you, and not because I want to meet your brother!"

Tumawa ang baliw sa kabilang linya at nagpaalam na. Mabilis ang paglipas ng oras at kasalukuyan akong naghahanda para sa dinner party ni Oceanne. I decided to wear a light pink, square-neck, tweed dress and a pair of rock-stud sandals.

Nang makarating sa rooftop restaurant, agad akong namangha. The ambiance that the place was giving off was relaxed and soothing ambience. The place overlooked the towering skyscrapers of Massachusetts and the busy streets of could be seen from here.

"Oceanne!" tawag ko sa kaibigan at niyakap ito. "Happy Birthday, Dagat. Enjoyin mo ang alon ng buhay."

Nag-asaran kaming dalawa hanggang makarating kami sa table kung nasaan ang dalawa niyang kapatid. Pinagmasdan ko ang dalawang lalaki. One looked younger and kinder while the other was serious and intimidating.

The one who helped me in Sephora was the intimidating one. His aura screamed power and dominance. The rays of the setting sun hit his face, highlighting his charcoal-gray orbs. His serious gaze drifted to me as he ran a hand through his clean-cut hair.

Before I knew it, the serious and intimidating one was already in front of me, smirking, both hands in his pocket as he casually stood with his eyes still on me.

"Orion Vero Alvarez," his deep, smoky voice filled my ears, snapping me back to reality. "Nice to meet you, London."