The following days went by quickly. One day we were celebrating Christmas with my family, the next thing I knew we were at NYC with Orion's family celebrating the New Year.

Pagkatapos ng holidays, we had to go back to work and fortunately, we still had time for each other despite our busy schedules.

March came and Orion and I celebrated my birthday together. We went to Taylor Swift's concert and had a dinner date at my place.

"Here's your cake, birthday girl, ani Orion sabay lapag ng nirequest kong cake sa kaniya.

It was the same like the one he gave me for Christmas. I actually can't remember what it tastes like. All I know is that it's delicious.

He sang the birthday song for me and I was surprised that he can actually sing really well. I teased him because of it but he diverted my attention to the cake so I ate instead.

He then excused himself while I was eating, then coming back with a small box. He sat beside me and handed the box to me.

I smiled gratefully at him before accepting it. I untied the ribbon and I was surprised when paper flaps started appearing.

"It's an explosion box!" I said enthusiastically. I saw a lot of these on Pinterest and I never thought I'd receive one.

There were several pictures and handwritten letters inside and I couldn't help but feel a tug on my heart because of his gift. Mahirap gumawa ng explosion box dahil napaka-intricate itong gawin.

Alam kong siya ang gumawa nito dahil naabutan ko siya noong isang araw na mukhang stress na stress sa ginagawa. May nagkakalat na mga colored papers at art materials sa kaniyang office at sa sobrang busy niya, hindi niya pa ako napansin.

That time, I thought that he just felt "creative" and "artsy", little did I know that he's actually making his gift for me.

"Always welcome, baby," he said with a smile after I thanked him.

Napangiti rin ako sa kaniyang sinabi ngunit hindi mapigilang magtaka kung bakit ganoon ang endearment niya para sa akin.

"Why are you calling me baby? Mukha ba akong sanggol?"

"How about you? Why are you calling me squid? Mukha ba akong seafood?" Pamimilosopo niya.

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako o maiinis dahil sa sinagot niya. Ngumuso na lang ako at niyakap siya mula sa tagiliran.

"Birthday ko ngayon tapos pinipilosopo mo—"

I was cut off when he suddenly moved and cupped my face. I was too surprised by his sudden movement that I wasn't able to react. Next thing I knew, his lips were on mine's.

He tilted his head while his hands were traveling down to my waist, pulling me closer while the other went to my nape, deepening the kiss.

We stayed in that position and only stopped when we had to catch our breaths. I encircled my arms on his neck and looked straight in his deep-set eyes.

I just realized that I was already straddling him. I could feel some sexual tension in the air so I leaned closer to him and brought my mouth near his ear so I could whisper.

"Resorts World Manila."

He muttered some curses to himself before breaking into laughter.

See? Ang galing ko talaga! No more tension in the air!

Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo habang siya naman ay patuloy lang na tumatawa. I decided to check my phone cuz my friends' are probably spamming me with messages.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali at sobrang dami ng messages nila. They even sent me the complete list on how to avoid heartbreaks as their birthday gift for me even though I'm the one who made it.

The list was no use anymore since I'm already in a relationship and there's no turning back now.

I replied to all their messages before going back to my cake. But this time, Orion ate with me while we talked about random topics.

It was a simple celebration but my heart was full. It was indeed a happy birthday to me.

The following month, it was Orion's birthday that we celebrated. Just like my birthday, we had dinner as well but this time, we ate at a restaurant.

From time to time, he had to answer calls from his friends and cousins who wanted to greet him. Nang patapos na kaming kumain, ang mga magulang niya naman ang tumawag.

At dahil tapos naman kaming kumain, tumayo muna ako at sumandal sa railings ng balkonahe at pinagmasdan ang kalangitan habang hinihintay siyang matapos kausapin ang mga magulang.

Just like all the other times, looking at the night sky calmed me. The moon was exceptionally bright, radiating its light to the dark and busy city.

I looked up again but this time, I searched for that certain constellation. And there it was, the hunter, Orion.

I couldn't help but compare the two Orions I know; both are bright, stealthy, brave and prominent. And both give light to my dark town.

"You seem so lost in your thoughts."

I flinched when he suddenly spoke behind me, then encircling his arms on my waist and moved even closer. My back was on his chest and his lips were now trailing from my neck down to my shoulders. His kisses made me shiver and heat seemed to flow all throughout my body.

"I guess I am," I replied, trying to control my voice.

"That was my dad. He offered me again to handle all our companies but I refused."

Humarap ako sa kaniya at nakita ang seryoso niyang titig at mukhang nag-iisip. Ipinalibot ko ang mga braso sa kaniyang leeg at hinintay siyang magpatuloy.

"Go on, you seem distressed."

"A bit... though I don't mind managing our businesses, I'd like to focus on my own company first. I want my businesses to be stable before I take all the responsibilities of our family businesses."

"Just do what you think must be done," I advised. "I'm sure your dad understands your sentiments."

"He did, I don't regret my decision but I just feel a bit guilty for turning it down again like... I don't know—" he shrugged. "—for the eleventh time already."

"Don't feel guilty for choosing what's best for you. It's not like you're oppressing someone with your decision."

He smiled gratefully at me before pulling me for a hug. He rested his chin on my shoulders while I was caressing his hair.

I sometimes envy Orion. He knows what he wants and he goes for it. He makes decisions for himself and doesn't regret any of it.

He's not scared of trying something new, even if it's uncertain. Even if he still doesn't know what the outcome would be.

He's a risk taker. And I envy and I admire him for that.

Hindi kami nagtagal sa restaurant dahil tapos naman kaming kumain at may trabaho pa kami pagkabukas.

Both of us became busier especially Orion since he's both managing his own businesses and is also the president of their family company. There were times I felt neglected but I never used it against him since I know that that's his job and I should not hinder him from achieving his goals.

If he aims high, then I'll support him.

But then, the months progressed and hot season came yet our relationship got cold. I'm not a clingy person but I just feel like we haven't had enough time for each other.

I wasn't planning on telling him about what's bothering me but the thought that communication is the key prompted me to do so. I want to make our relationship work and I'm sure that he does too.

Pumunta ako sa floor ng office niya at hinanap ang kaniyang secretary para makapagtanong kung pwede ba akong pumasok. Mahirap na at baka may importante pala siyang ginagawa at naistorbo ko pa.

Hindi ko nahanap ang kaniyang secretary kaya kumatok na lang ako at pumasok. Ngunit imbes na si Orion ang makita, si miss Tavora ang nakita kong nakaupo sa swivel chair ni Orion at abala sa kaniyang laptop.

"Miss Tavora?" I called.

I feel like there was something suspicious going on but I shrugged those thoughts off.

Mukhang nagulat siya na nandito ako pero agad namang nakabawi at nginitian ako. "What brings you here? Mr. Alvarez is currently not around but uh... he asked me to oversee some financial statements for his company."

But do you really have to be here?

Tumango-tango ako at lalabas na sana para matawagan si Orion dahil may masamang kutob ako. Ngunit bago pa ako makapagpaalam, tinawag niya ako at may ibibigay daw sa akin na galing kay Orion.

"If he didn't give it to me, it simply means that he doesn't want me to have it yet," I said in a serious tone, trying to read the situation. There was something wrong and I'm sure of it. The problem here is that I can't pinpoint it yet.

"He told me to give this to you," aniya na ikinataas naman ng kilay ko. "Before you ask further, I don't know why he asked me but if I were you, I'll just take this envelope and read the content."

Biglang naging masungit si miss Tavora, sobrang malayo sa palagi niyang inaasta. Palangiti ito at parang ang ganda palagi ng gising. Pero ngayon, may kung anong kakaiba sa kaniya lalo na sa mga mata niya... iyong tipong may masamang binabalak.

I sighed heavily and took the envelope from her. It was addressed to me and the letter was written with Orion's handwriting but I'm pretty sure this one's forged.

Kahit alam ko nang hindi talaga ito galing kay Orion, patuloy ko pa ring binasa ang sulat. Mapakla akong natawa dahil sa pekeng breakup letter na ito.

"Not from him—" napatigil ako nang makita na nasa harapan ko na si miss Tavora. "—why are you wearing a mask?!"

"I'm sorry... but I knew that this was gonna happen," she apologized but there was no hint of resentment in her voice.

Before I could even process what's happening, I saw her lift a hand with a paperweight on it. I was too shock to act that I didn't get the chance to stop her from hitting me at the head.

Nasapo ko ang ulo at biglang nanghina nang makakita ng dugo. I feel like I'm gonna faint at the sight of blood and my mind is in turmoil, disabling me to think.

Miss Tavora was also spraying something in front of me. It smells like a chemical but my mind was already in panic mode to even think. For some unexplainable reason, I couldn't seem to move. It was as if I'm rooted to the spot and paralyzed with fear and shock.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed and struck my head once again with the paperweight.

That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.