"Hanggang ngayon hindi parin nahahanap ang nawawalang pera sa department mo, Sari. Ayoko man gawin, we need to do a thorough investigation. And if I order that, it means kasama ka. Ayokong isipin ng mga tauhan natin na porket kapatid kita, exempted ka na."

I sighed. Nakatingin ako sa telepono ko kung saan nagsend ng message si Liam na susunduin daw niya ako.

"Malaking eskandalo ito kung magkataon, as much as I don't want you getting involved specially that this about the company's money--Are you even listening to me, Sarika?"

I smiled to myself remembering the last time we were together. My lips puckered at the thought of him kissing me.

"Sarika!"

"Oh?!" pinamulahan ako ng pisngi nang mapagtanto ko kung nasaan ako. I'm in a meeting with Blue and I'm daydreaming about my best friend! "Shit! I'm sorry, Kuya. Where were we na nga?"

My brother's eyebrows furrowed. "Are you okay?"

Itinago ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko sa pamamagitan ng pagbuklat sa folder na hawak ko. "About the budget--"

"We are not talking about the budget, Sari," my brother sighed impatiently. "Have you been drinking? Are you drunk? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you using drugs?"

"No!"

"Then what the fuck is going on with you?" napakagat ako sa labi ko nang pagtaasan niya ako ng boses. Napakamot si Blue sa ulo niya. "I have been droning on and on for the past thirty minutes and I don't think you picked up anything from what I've said."

"Sorry, kuya," I apologized timidly.

May ilang segundo na tinitigan lang niya ako bago siya bumalik sa pagkakaupo niya sa lounge chair. Itinukod niya ang siko sa arm rest at hinilot hilot ang pagitan ng mga mata niya. "What is going on, Sari? May problema ka ba?"

I shook my head in response. "Wala, kuya."

"Are you sure? Cause you have been acting weird lately."

"I'm fine, just.." I toyed with the edge of my folder. "A little distracted about this whole missing sales thing."

Tumango tango si Blue. "I understand," mag iisang buwan na naming problema ang nawawalang pera ng kumpanya. Blue asked me to keep it quiet but he's now getting impatient. "What do you suggest we do about the missing money?"

Matapang na tumitig ako sa kanya. "Do a thorough investigation. I don't mind."

"What about you?"

"I don't have anything to hide, kuya," I answered. "mas mahalaga na malaman natin kung saan napunta ang pera."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga ang kapatid ko saka itinaas ang dalawang kilay bago sumandal sa backrest ng upuan. "Alright, I'll talk to Red." I took that as a signal na tapos na ang meeting naming dalawa kaya tumayo na ako. I was halfway towards the door when he called me.

"Yes, Kuya?"

He just looked at me and said nothing. Weird.

I was buried with office work and the upcoming audit I forgot about the dinner Liam and I were supposed to have. It was quarter to seven when he called me.

"Hey, 'you ready? I'm picking you up in fifteen."

"Sorry, Li! Sobrang dami ko pang tatapusin. Rain check muna?" nakangiwing sabi ko habang patuloy na nagta-type sa computer. Nakaipit lang ang telepono sa pagitan ng pisngi at balikat ko. I know I look like a mess.

"What? You're not going to eat? Pupunta ako d'yan, dadalhan kita ng pagkain if you really can't make it."

"I'll just get a sandwich--"

"Ika--"

"It's fine, really!" I started jotting down things that I still have to get done. I groaned, it's really going to be a long night. "H'wag ka na pumunta, sobrang busy ko talaga ngayon."

"Iniiwasan mo nanaman ba ako?"

Natawa ako. "Hoy! Ang clingy mo ha? Hindi kita iniiwasan. Sobrang dami ko talagang tatapusin. Ang daming problema dito sa office and Blue's giving me a hard time. I'll fill you in some other time."

Narinig kong umangil si Liam sa kabilang linya. "Fine! Sabik na sabik pa naman akong laplapin ka tapos--"

We both laughed. Things were getting easier between us. We're both getting used to our new situation, although wala paring linaw kung ano bang meron sa kanilang dalawa.

"Call me when you're done with work, I'll pick you up."

"Seriously, Liam--"

"Seriously rin, Sarika. No buts. Call me, I'll pick you up. I miss you. Bye."

I couldn't get rid of that silly smile when the conversation ended. Does this mean I'm infatuated with my best friend? Siguro nga.

Pasado alas onse na nang padalhan ko ng mensahe si Liam na tapos na ako. Ibinaba ko ang iphone ko sa mesa bago ako tumayo upang ayusin ang sarili ko. My body felt stiff and I have a slight headache. Dumiretso ako sa personal kong banyo upang mag-freshen up.

I opened the lights and groaned as I saw my reflection in the mirror. My hair was up in a messy bun and my eyes have dark circles around them. I splashed some water on my face to woke myself up. Pagkatapos ay sinuklay ko ng daliri ang buhok ko. I peed and washed my hands before coming out of the wash room.

Muntik pa akong mapasigaw nang makita ko si Liam na nakatayo sa may gilid ng desk ko.

"Bakit ang bilis mo?!"

He glanced at me and smiled. "I was already downstairs when you texted." he did something with my computer before looking back up at me. "I saved your file and backed it up. Nakalimutan mo nanaman. Are you ready to go?"

I nodded.

He walked towards me and planted a soft kiss on my lips. "You look really tired. Let's go."

Nagpatianod na lamang ako sa kanya. It hasn't been a while since I last dated someone and truth to be told, not one of them ever treated me the way Liam does. Mas nararamdaman kong inaalagaan niya ako kumpara sa mga naging boyfriend ko noon. He does simple things like backing up my files, making sure I eat on time, checking on my car's battery and oil replacement. He even do as far as charging my phone whenever I forget to.

Minsan naisip ko tuloy kung bakit naghahanap pa ako ng boyfriend. I already have someone who takes care of me, protects me and annoys me.

Nang lumabas kami sa opisina ko ay wala nang tao doon. Nakapatay na rin ang ilaw sa mga cubicle except sa hallway. Napadaan kami sa office ni Blue at nakitang naroon pa ang kuya ko mula sa salamin na pinto nito. Kinawayan ko siya at tinanguan lang niya kami ni Liam.

"Doesn't he have a life outside work?" nakakunot noong puna ni Liam dito.

"Alam mo namang ganyan siya simula nang iwan siya ni Gianna," banggit ko sa huling naging kasintahan ni Kuya. He never really got over her so he just buried himself with work.

"What a pussy," tudyo ni Liam.

Inirapan ko lang siya. Hindi pa naman kasi niya nararanasan na ma-inlove. What do I expect? He treats women like things. Mga bagay na pwede at madaling palitan. Sino nga ba naman ang hindi magiging ganoon ang mentality if women are literally throwing themselves at you? I love my best friend, but sometimes--fine! I always pray that he would change for the better.

Kung ang mga kaibigan nga niyang hindi ko inakalang magbabago ay nagbago, bakit naman hindi si Liam? I've always thought that Ram would never settle for one woman but look at him now! He's married with two children. Si Caleb at Z, kasal na rin. Si Scor naman hinahabol habol parin ang ex nito but at least he's focused on one girl. Kailan kaya magsesettle sa isang babae si Liam? I looked at him while we were walking on the parking lot.

"What? Poging pogi ka nanaman sakin?"

"Mukha mo."

Sumakay na kaming dalawa ni Liam sa kotse niya. Pwede ko namang iwan ang kotse ko at wala namang gagalaw noon dahil safe ang parking ng building namin.

"Where to?"

"Wala nang bukas na magandang kainan ngayon, I'll cook something sa condo," he announced.

Ngumuso lang ako at tumango. Hindi naman ako gaano nagugutom pero pagbibigyan ko na lang siya since ako naman ang nag-cancel ng dinner namin.

"Is Justin still trying to get in touch with you?" he asked, out of the blue.

"No," I answered while browsing on instagram. "Why would he?"

"Dahil may gusto siya sayo?"

I eyed him suspiciously. "Are you trying to act jealous so that I'd kiss you?"

Humalakhak si Liam. "Is it working?"

Tumango ako. "Pero later. Baka bumangga tayo," nakangisi ko namang sagot.

"I can't wait." he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Justin followed me on IG nga pala. I'm thinking of following him back."

"Are you trying to make me jealous so that I'd kiss you?"

I bit my lower lip before looking at him. "Maybe?"

"Lagot ka talaga sakin mamaya."

LIAM WAS WEARING A GREEN APRON and I think he looks cute as fuck. I was watching him with my fingers pinching my lips, whether it's to avoid grinning or drooling, I don't know. Pwede both?

He was standing with his back on me while working on the oven. Ang cute cute ng puwit niya parang ang sarap paluin. I couldn't help myself so I giggled and got up from the breakfast table and slapped his butt. Liam yelped before turning on me with a scowl.

"What the hell was that for?"

I stuck a tongue out at him before looking over his shoulder. "Matagal pa ba yan? I'm famished."

"I'm famished," he repeated, trying to mock me. "Kanina sabi mo hindi ka gutom?"

"I'm famished now," tumingkayad ako at ipinatong ang baba ko sa balikat niya. He side glanced at me and planted a swift kiss on my nose.

"I'm famished, too." nakangisi nanamang sagot niya pero tingin ko naman ay hindi sa steak siya gutom. Ngumuso ako. "Bumalik ka na sa upuan mo, Sarika, bago pa magbago ang isip ko at ibang steak ang bumusog sakin ngayon."

Ngingisi ngisi akong bumalik sa breakfast table. "Just for the record, it doesn't look like steak, more like white meat--"

"Sarika del Valle!"

Ang lakas ng tawa ko sa reaksyon ni Liam. Mahilig si Liam na biruin ako ng mga bastos na bagay pero pag siya naman ang biniro ay ganyan ang reaksyon niya? Ang daya.

"Garlic butter steak with potatoes courtesy of Liam Sy," he placed the dish in front of me and my mouth watered. Nilapagan din niya ako ng wine glass sa gilid at sinalinan iyon ng Cabernet.

I narrowed my eyes at my best friend when he took a seat in front of me. "Is this a date, Liam Sy?"

"It is if you want it to be," he placed the napkin on his lap. "Just for the record," panggagaya niya sa akin. "all my dates end up on a their hands and knees after the meal."

Inirapan ko siya. Oo, kissing has been a regular thing between us. Actually, making out would be a more appropriate term dahil hindi lang naman labi ko ang hinahalikan niya. But we have never gotten past that. Hindi pa siya nakaka-second base sa akin, kahit pa gustong gusto ko na. God, I'm becoming a slut!

I moaned when I first took a bite of his steak. "Liam!"

"Stop doing that, Ika! Para kang tanga!"

"Ang sarap, e!"

He rolled his eyes at me. "Stop it with your innuendos!"

"That's - -"

"Finish your food!"

Pinigilan kong mapangiti. What's up with him, anyway? Dati naman ay okay lang na magbiruan kami tapos ngayon napaka-sensitive na niya?

"Tell me about work." he said before stuffing his mouth with a potato.

I took a sip from my wine. "We still couldn't find the missing sales reports. May mga lumabas na products sa kumpanya na unaccounted, meaning there's missing money. It was around a million or so, hindi ganoon kalaki pero you know Blue, kahit limang piso importante sa kanya."

"Is that why you're working late?"

"I was still trying to figure things out bago yung audit." I toyed with my fork. "Gusto ko lang malaman sino ang nagkamali sa mga tauhan ko. Gusto ko makausap bago makarating kay Blue at kay Dad."

"Kung may nagnakaw ng pera sa kumpanya, dapat siya managot, Ika,"

"I know!" I sighed. "Pero malay mo naman hindi siya nagnakaw diba? Maybe it was just a mistake!"

"A million pesos isn't a mistake--"

"Or maybe he really needs the money--"

Liam quickly jumped of his stool to go behind me. Hinilot hilot niya ang likod ko. "Hey, relax. Hindi pa naman natin sigurado ang lahat. You've worked hard today, h'wag mo munang isipin ang problema mo sa opisina. You are here to enjoy your meal."

"And you."

"And me."

His expert hands went to the space between my neck and shoulders. He's good at this. I wondered if he's given his bed partners a massage before. Napaungol ako sa sobrang sarap ng pag-kneed niya sa mga tight muscles ko. "Oh my god, Li--"

Hindi na ako nakatapos sa sasabihin ko dahil basta na lang niya akong hinalikan.