"A-Are you really serious?" halata sa tono ng binata ang kaba nang iharap ko mismo sa kanya ang resignation letter ko. He went back to his table when I pushed him away when he tried to kiss me endlessly. Muntik na akong bumigay pero naalala kong hindi ako ganoong nakaayos bilang Serena Angeles. One clothing that will be removed, madali na niya ako mabibisto. I saw his disappointment and hurt on his eyes. I thought I would waver dahil halos hilain ko uli ito kanina para ituloy ang halik. Pero kinaya ko.

"This is just for formality. I heard from her that I was tagged as AWOL already. I went back just to clear my name para makuha ko pa ang last pay ko."

Nakatulala lang ito sa'kin. Bakas ang pinaghalung-halong emosyon na ngayon ko lang uli nakita sa kanya. He's frustrated but he is also longing to touch me, to hug me. Minura ko pa ang sarili ko na huwag mahabag at huwag magpadala sa konsensya ko. I'm doing this because... shit! I don't know why I am even doing this.

"Iyan ba talaga ang una mong sasabihin sa'kin matapos mong mawala?"

Binaling ko kaagad ang ulo ko sa labas ng malawak niyang bintana. I focused my eyes seeing the wide area of Metro Manila.

"Ano ba ang inaasahan mong sasabihin ko?" I really tried my best to sound so cold. I even felt something stuck on my throat and I have to make this fast. I have to end what is needed to end para matapos na 'tong existence ni Serena Angeles.

I heard him scoffed but it was silent in a sense that he didn't want me to hear it.

"I was busy looking for you—"

"No one asked you to do it,"

"But I want to!" napaatras ako ng isang hakbang at nagulat sa naging pagsigaw ni Troy sa'kin.

I almost slipped away when I saw how hurt he was.

"I wanted to search for you because you didn't even give me a chance to explain! You didn't even give me a chance to at least clarified what happened in the bar when we met Yvonne again! You left me there with her!"

"Hindi ba iyon naman talaga ang gusto mo?! Tapos na ang trabaho ko sa'yo 'di ba?! She was there, saktong sakto sa party dahil success naman ang business plan! Ano'ng tingin mo sa'kin? I'll stay to slap me the reality that I'm just temporary? Hell no, Troy Davis!"

Hindi ko na rin napigilan ang emosyon at nakipagsabayan sa kanya ng sagutan. He wanted to know my thoughts, right? There! I've said it!

"Paano mo naisip na 'yon talaga ang gusto ko? Huh? Ang mawala ka? Paano ka nakakasigurong 'yon talaga ang gusto ko?!" he threw me that question that appalled me. I was taken aback. "See? Hindi mo alam because you let your overthinking skills capitulated."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist. "I d-didn't overthink." I tried to sound confident, but the stutter failed me.

Troy started to walk towards me, and I've seen a glimpse of a grin on his lips, but his eyes are still mad and frustrated. It was like he wanted me to drown on it because of what he felt these past few weeks.

"You are unfair, Serena. You're not playing fair, 'My." His voice was calm but still there's a glimpse of danger. I even startled when I didn't notice that he held my right hand. I immediately removed it. The sparks were immensely... scary. I'm afraid that he might see right through me.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang gusto ko?" napalunok ako because we are now so close. His face was almost nearing my left ear as he whispered that question. "Do you want to know?"

"N-No," fuck shit, my confidence was failing me again.

"You. Only you, 'My."

I was electrified and shock when I felt his lips kissed my neck. Hindi ko napigilan ang hindi mapapikit sa pamilyar na sensasyong sobra kong na-miss.

He held my waist and pulled me towards him. Napahawak ako sa magkabila niyang balikat nang hindi nito tinigilan ang leeg ko.

"I miss your scent, 'My. I miss you."

Butterflies are fucking flocking on my tummy, and I can't stop to be joyous when I heard those words from him.

He really missed me! He longed for me!

Troy was almost made me lay down on his couch when my eyes saw Yvonne's dagger looks are shooting behind his folding curtain. Doon ako nagising at mabilis kong naitulak si Troy habang nananatiling nakatingin ang mga mata ko sa kakaaalis lang na dalaga.

"What? Hindi mo ba ako na-miss?" may pagtatampong tanong ni Troy sa'kin pero agad ko s'yang binigyan ng masamang tingin. Now that I'm not on his trance anymore, I clearly remembered something that I can use.

"Miss you?" I scoffed really hard. "Really? Parang hindi naman since mukhang tuwang tuwa kang makipagyakapan sa 'girlfriend' mong sobrang yaman. At talagang kapangalan ko pa."

I saw Troy gulped and fixed himself to explain. "A-About that,"

I put my hand in front of his face to stop him from talking. "I don't want to hear anything about that. My decision still stands. Now that Yvonne already took over her previous post, there's no need for me to be here. For sure tuwang tuwa ang ate mong dragon dahil nawala ang taong sumagupa sa kanya."

"'My, please naman. Can't we talk about it?"

Umiling iling kaagad ako sa kanya. "I still have school, remember? I have to go back to regular classes para matapos ko na ang degree ko in real-time. I know ikaw ang may dahilan kung bakit kinonsidera ng pamunuan ng PUP na gawing Internship program itong ginawa ko sa company mo and I'm thankful for that. I have to go back now to my reality."

Jusko po, why am I good at lying? Sana huwag naman akong tamaan ng kidlat nito mamaya.

Based on his facial reaction, it seems my reason made sense to him... or not.

"I'll agree if... you'll stay at my condo for good." He negotiated. Ano 'to? Negosyo?

Pinanlakihan ko s'ya ng mata. "Nahihibang ka na ba?"

"Oo. Dahil sa'yo."

Natigilan ako ng ilang segundo sa mabilis niyang pagsagot sa tanong ko. Tangina, was he trying to pull up a pick-up line? Kikiligin na nga yata ako, shit.

I cleared my throat; my smile might show 'pag 'di ko 'yon ginawa. "You have a girlfriend already jusko ka! And she's not any girl, Troy. She's a big catch! I don't want to be on the shoes of Yvonne. At ayokong may makaaway na gano'ng tao."

Napakunot ito ng noo. "Alam mo, nagdadahilan ka lang. Baka nakakalimutan mong nakaaway mo ang ate ko na mas grabe pa ang ugali sa iba. Ba't ngayon ka pa natakot?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Ibang usapan 'yon lalo pa't maugong pa ang pangalan niya rito sa Pilipinas. She's an icon for damn sake! Ayokong pestehin ng mga supporters niya kapag inaway ko 'yon."

Pagdadahilan ko. Besides, it's damn awkward na awayin ko ang sarili ko, hello! At ang hirap i-pull off no'n.

Nagulat ako nang hawakan nitong muli ang baywang ko at nilapit niya ako sa kanya. "Our relationship is just for a show. We are just collaborating to do something. We are not serious, okay? It's plainly business, 'My."

I know. Pero bakit I feel uneasy?

"Aren't should we cut all the ties since my job is done already? I know my place, Troy. Alam kong parausan—"

His calmed face turned sour and dangerous when he stopped me. "What? No! Hindi kita parausan, 'My. What made you think that?"

"Then, kung hindi. Anong tawag mo dito? Ano'ng tawag mo sa set-up nating 'to?"

Grabe ang kalabog ng aking dibdib sa binitawan kong tanong. I know I shouldn't ask that pero he's confusing the hell out of me. Kung totoong may ibang Serena Angeles, ano nga ba ang tawag sa kanila?

"Fubu?" I asked and tried to answer it. Baka kasi 'di nito kayang sabihin 'yon.

"What? No!"

"Sex partners with no strings attached?" I probed.

Mas lalong lumala ang gatla sa kanyang noo. "We do that thing but definitely the strings are attached."

Natigilan ako sa naging sagot nito. Hindi man nito diniretsa ang tanong ko, his words implied to something closer from what I'm expecting.

"Don't play with words, Troy. You are good at that and I hate it." I warned him.

Nagulat ako nang unti-unting lumalapit ang mukha nito sa mukha ko. I thought he will kiss me kaya napapikit ako but I felt his forehead to mine instead. "I don't chase my woman that long, Serena. I am not usually moody... well, extremely moody but when I didn't see you here the first time you went gone, I felt my world spin drastically and I longed for you. I don't easily get jealous but when I'm seeing you talking with my friends, I can't stop myself to be so possessive to you."

Didn't I mention a while ago that his eyes today are like ocean that wanted me to drown because of its depth? I felt like I'm really drowning with those words he said, and I can't stop my heart to beat erratically by it.

When he kissed my lips, I felt it. I felt it too. My heart was swelling with joy. At mas lalong 'di na ako nakaahon nang... "If you still don't get it, 'My. Gusto kita, 'My. Gustong gusto kita. Gustong gusto to the point that I can't afford of not seeing every single second of my life."

Holy shit, I think, I'm dead... sa kilig.

"ABA buti naman at buhay ka pa?" nagtataray na tanong ni Tina one Monday afternoon. It was sunny day and the scorching sun wants to fry my skin. Mabuti na lamang at pumwesto kami at nakakita ng bakanteng lamesa sa PUP Lagoon.

"Internship nga, isa pa?" tugon ko sa tanong niya nang mailagay na namin sa kabilang side ang mga bag namin.

"Sabi mo 'eh. Pero parang may kakaiba talaga sa'yo ngayon." Anang nito na nagpakunot ng aking noo.

"Ano na naman 'yang napapansin mo?" tanong ko habang chinecheck ang mga pina-xerox na kopya ng ilang chapters ng isang libro na gagamitin namin mamaya sa last subject.

"Ang glowing mo ngayon. Parang bagong sex."

Kung may kinakain siguro ako, pakiramdam ko nahirinan ako bigla sa sinabi ni Tina. Agad na pinamulahan ang mukha ko at yumuko. Nang makita 'yon ni Tina ay dinuro duro niya ako at nanlalalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa'kin.

"Malandi kang haliparot ka! 'Di ka na virgin?!"

I hissed at her and tried to make her calm. "T-Tina! Ang lakas ng boses mo! H-Huminahon ka nga." Wika ko habang nililingon lingon ang ilang estudyante na tila narinig ang naging bulanghit ng babaeng 'to.

"Magkwento ka nga! Napakahayup mo! 'Di ka nagkukwentong bruha ka. Ako nga napaka-vocal ko sa nangyayari sa'min ni Enrico. Ta's ikaw? 'Di ka truepa!"

Bakas na ang 'di maipinta kong reaksyon sa mga pinagsasasabi niya. Pati ba naman 'yon naungkat na naman niya?

Nagulat ako nang magkwento ang babaeng 'to kanina na may nangyayaring something daw sa kanila ni Enrico. In her more vulgar terms, nag-s-sex daw sila nitong mga nakaraang linggo pero hanggang doon lang daw 'yon. Kungbaga, tawag ng laman. Nang marinig ko 'yon ay napahawak talaga ako sa aking sentido dahil sa gigil at inis sa binata. We had an agreement that he will protect Tina from his mission but taking advantage of her likeness to him was not included.

"Ayos lang ba kayong dalawa?"

Agad na nalipat ang talim ng tingin ko sa dumating na si Enrico hawak ang isang tray ng naglalaman ng mga pina-order namin sa kanya nang magkusa ito.

Enrico saw my fierce look at him and immediately pursed his lips while putting the tray on our table.

"Nako wala, Bebeboy. Kalandian lang nitong kaibigan ko ang pinag-usapan namin. Pinagsabihan ko na." Tugon ni Tina na may pasimpleng panlalalaki pa ng mata niya akong tiningnan na animo'y magsasalita ako patungkol sa ginagawa nilang milagro ng magaling na lalaking 'to.

"Oo, natuto ako ng sobra sa advise n'ya. Nakaka-motivate mabuhay." Sarkastiko kong wika habang kinukuha ang in-order kong FEWA (Footlong and Egg Wrap Around).

Napalunok ako nang muling makita ang pagkain sobra kong na-miss dito sa PUP. Agad ko 'yon nilantakan. Enrico was having his Submarine— not sure kung sa'n galing yung name but it was really tasty too. It's a fried shredded beef. I just don't know how it was cooked but surely the taste was superb.

Tina was having her favorite Club Sandwich with a free drink. It was really cheap, but it also tastes good. It's not the usual club sandwich that I'm eating in a restaurant as it was done with simplicity.

Nagpagkwentuhan namin ang mga bagay na 'di ko na naabutan sa University nang magtrabaho ako kina Troy at ang two weeks kong pagkawala. Hindi ko raw naabutan yung COB week o College of Business Week wherein may mga parade, activities, concert and games ang hinanda para sa lahat ng sangay ng College of Business.

Alam na rin nila na may mga units akong napalitan due to the internship program kaya kailangan ko raw humabol kaagad sa mga acads as the Finals week is nearing.

Enrico and I were left alone nang biglang tawagin si Tina nang isa nitong kasama sa isang group project. Schedule na kasi para gawin nila yung first ng Thesis dahil nalalapit na raw ang pasahan.

"'Di ko siya aagawin sa'yo, magpirmi ka nga, Tina." Natatawa kong anang rito nang palingon lingon pa rin ito sa'min habang hinihila na s'ya ng kasamahan nito.

Nang mawala sa paningin namin ang dalaga ay agad kong tinapakan ang paa ni Enrico sa ilalim.

"Shit! B-Bakit ba?! Ang sakit, ah!" daing nito habang sapo sapo ang sapatos kung saan naroon ang nasaktang paa.

"Malinaw ang usapan natin, Enrico, na poprotektahan mo si Tina!"

"And that's what I'm doing!"

I scoffed. "At kailan pa kasama sa pagprotekta ang i-take advantage and kagustuhan niya sa'yo?" diretsa kong tanong rito.

Natigilan ito at muling napalabi dahil alam kong may nangyari sa kanilang dalawa.

"Poprotektahan ko s'ya. Huwag kang mag-aalala." Anas nito sa mahinahong paraan pero 'di ako kuntento roon.

"Paano kung mabuntis mo s'ya?"

"We are using protection, Serena. Sabi ko 'di ba? I'm protecting her— arekup!" muli nitong daing nang pitikim ko namang sunod ang isa nitong tainga. Napakapilyo pa ring sumagot ng kupal na 'to.

"C'mon, Serena. We are both consenting adults. We know what are doing."

"Really?" tanong ko at napansin ko ang pagkabigla nito sa ginamit kong tono. "Then, ano'ng gagawin mo kung sa ginagawa niyong 'yan ay mahulog s'ya sa'yo at mahalin ka?"

Natigilan ang binata sa naging tanong ko rito at biglang napipilan. "Naiintindihan ko ang pangangailangan ng katawan, Enrico. Pero ibang usapan kung ang isa sa inyo pati ang puso nangailangan ng mas higit pa sa katawan."

Ang pilyo nitong anyo ay biglang naglaho at nakatulala na ito ngayon sa pinagkainan namin.

"Alam mong hindi ka magtatagal rito sa Maynila. Kapag natapos mo na ang misyon mo ay kakailanganin mo nang magbalik sa probinsya." Paalala ko pa rito. At ang layo pa ng probinsya nito jusko.

"I know," rinig kong bulong nito.

I sighed. "Hindi ako magsasabing itigil mo na kaagad kung anuman 'yang nasimulan n'yo. Ikaw ang mas may higit na may karapatang mag-isip kung ano ang gagawin mo sa mga katanungan na maaaring lumabas kapag nagtagal kayo sa ganyang set-up."

I pursed my lips because I can clearly see the relevance and similarity of their set-up sa naging set-up namin ni Troy. Although, things have changed to us when he admitted that he likes me but I'm more worried with these two.

Ayokong danasin ni Tina ang nangyari sa'kin nitong mga nakaraan na linggo. Ang hirap at ang sakit sa puso.

Tumango lamang ang binata sa'kin at dumaan ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Ngunit binasag 'yon sa naging wika ni Enrico.

"Troy attacked me in my condo two weeks ago."

Kaagad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa topic na binuksan nito. "P-Pinuntahan ka n'ya?"

Tumango ito at sinamaan ako ng tingin. "I know that you went to a faraway place and I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with him kaya ka nawala ng dalawang linggo. Yeah, nahanap niya kung saan ako nakatira rito sa Manila at sa dahas niya ako tinanong kung nasaan ka."

Napakamot ako sa aking ulo sa 'di malamang dahilan.

"Gusto na niya akong bugbugin noong sinabi kong wala akong ideya kung saan ka nagpunta. Kung 'di lang ito pinigilan ng kapatid mo ay baka hanggang ngayon nasa ospital pa ako."

I sighed exaggeratedly. Travis didn't report me this.

"I'm sorry from what happened at kung nadamay ka." I sincerely apologized.

Enrico squinted his eyes on me as if he's analyzing my situation. "You're pretending to be someone else."

It's not a question but a statement. He's confident that his hunch was right.

"Paano mo nasabi?" tanong ko rito to know if how.

"He emphasized your last name as Angeles and not a Fontanilla."

I see, that's how.

"And...?" I can feel that he has something to say about my lie.

Ilang segundo lamang ito natigilan at tila iniisip kung itatanong ba nito o hindi pero kalaunan ay tila bumigay na rin ang binata. "How long you are going to keep that lie?"

Pagak akong natawa dahil muli na namang sumagi sa isip ang mga consequences ng ginagawa kong pagpapanggap.

"As if it matters anyway. Malaman man niya ngayon o kalaunan, sa huli alam kong kamumuhian niya ako ng lubos. Bakit 'di ko nalang lubusin pa 'di ba?" komento ko na animo'y parang okay lang sa'kin na magalit si Troy but I know deep inside me... I'm scared that he would curse me to death once he finds out.

Napakunot ang noo nito sa sinabi ko. "And what if he already knew?" he probed.

Ako naman ang nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay. "Impossible."

"What if... he knew, Serena? Answer me."

Natigilan ako sa kaseryosohan ng mukha nito nang tanungin niya ako no'n. I was shocked to see him serious like this. Nakailang kurap pa ako ng mata bago tuluyang inisip ang tinanong niya.

Paano kung alam na n'ya? Hindi. Imposible. I've tried to test him just a few days ago but he showed no signs of knowing the truth. But there were times that he was using words as if he's implying something.

"Kung alam man niya?" muli kong tinanong ang kanyang tanong at isang buntunghininga ang pinakawalan ko. My head is spinning to find an answer but left none. "I don't know. I really don't know."

Natigilan ako sa naging sunod nitong sinabi. "Mag-ingat ka sa kanya, Serena."

"What do you mean?" I asked and I felt a bit nervous because of his warning.

Isang buntunghininga ang pinakawalan rin nito bago ako muling tiningnan.

"Basta mag-ingat ka sa isang tulad n'ya. Alamin mo kung sino ba siya talaga bago mo ituloy 'yang pagpapanggap mo. You're a genius woman, gamitin mo 'yang utak mo. Or you'll regret it sooner rather than later."

Hindi ako pinatulog ng maayos ng babala ni Enrico sa'kin. Nag-inat ako sa kama at bahagyang nagulat ang natutulog na katawan ni Troy sa'king tabi. We were just done an endless round of making love. Pinaramdam sa'kin ng binata kung gaano n'ya ako ka-miss sa dalawang linggong nawala ako. He made me feel a real woman again and that thought made me smile.

Nakadapang nakatulog ang binata sa tabi ko pero ang kanang braso nito'y nakadantay pa rin sa baywang ko. Nakaharap sa'kin ang gwapo nitong mukha at tila 'di makabasag pinggan ang mukha nito sa pagtulog. He's a monster when awake but he's like an angel while sleeping. Natawa ako nang sumagi sa utak ko na sana lagi nalang s'ya tulog para mukha pa rin s'yang anghel sa paningin ko.

I went to the comfort room as I need to wash my face and body. Ramdam ko pa ang lagkit ng ginawa namin and I think that added the reason why I couldn't sleep for long. Pagkapasok sa banyo'y inalis ko ang pekeng kilay na nakalagay sa kilay ko and my prosthetic braced teeth. This is what I'm using kaya kahit tanggalin ko ang aking salamin ay 'di pa rin nila ako makilala as Serena Fontanilla.

I put everything on the sink and soaked myself in the shower. Binilisan ko lang ang pagligo dahil kinakabahan akong baka biglang kumatok si Troy at magising.

As soon as I'm done bathing, inisip ko pa kung hihiga pa ako o hindi na. Pero dahil gising na gising pa rin talaga ang diwa ko'y nagpasya na lamang akong lumabas ng kwarto at pumunta ng kusina. Ginutom ako.

Troy's penthouse was really huge. Ganoon pa rin ang disenyo nito na naakma sa isang tulad ni Troy na lalaking lalaki at brusko ang dating. The combination of gray, white and black colour gave its way to achieve a monochromatic vibe in each piece. His penthouse has two floors. Sa hagdanang bahagi ay makikita kaagad ang sala and I've seen Gab Gab already playing there. Napatingin ako sa orasan na nakasabit sa dingding at nakitang mag-a-alasais na pala ng umaga.

Tatawagin ko sana ang bata nang mapansin kong may kasama itong babae na sopistikada ang kasuotan. She's just wearing a white blouse and the way she moves are all classy. Kapag natatawa ito sa bata ay mahinhin pa nitong tatakpan ang bibig gamit ang isang kamay at ang pwesto ng dalawang hita nito'y nakausli pa.

Who is she?

"Mommy!" nawala kaagad ang katanungang iyon sa isip ko nang makitang nagmamadaling tumakbo papunta sa'kin ang bata at ngiting ngiting sinalubong ako sa baba ng hagdanan.

"I missed you so so much!" magiliw nitong wika at pinupog ako ng halik sa buong mukha ko. Hinayaan ko naman s'ya at napuno rin ng tuwa ang puso ko sa pagmamahal na binibigay sa'kin nito. I hugged him tight after he kissed my whole face and even sniffed his neck to check if he already took his bath.

"Wow, very good Baby! You're already done taking your morning bath." Natutuwa kong komento rito.

The kid smirked at me at humalukipkip pa. Aba! Nagulat ako! Sa'n nito nakuha 'yon?

"Of course, Mommy! I heard when I woke up that you're already here that's why I asked Yaya to help me to take a bath. You love sniffing me and I don't want you to smell my sweat." Magiliw nitong paliwanag sa'kin na nagpatawa sa'kin.

"So, if wala ako rito? 'Di ka maliligo?" natatawa 'kong tanong sa kanya.

Gab pouted immediately a sudden sadness passed on his eyes. "Why, Mommy? Are you going somewhere again?"

Kinurot ko agad ang magkabila nitong pisngi at hinalikan ito matapos niyon. "Of course not, baby! Ikaw, binabalik mo sa'kin ang mga tanong ko, huh."

"Because I'm genius like Dad."

Napailing iling naman ako. Kung anu-ano na naman ang tinatanim ng lalaking 'yon rito at tinuturuan yata maging hambog.

"Both of you are so sweet," muntik ko nang makalimutan ang bisitang babae at agad na napabaling ang tingin ko sa kanya.

The woman smiled at me. I'm still assessing though if it's genuine or not. It really looked genuine and seems nice but my guts telling me otherwise.

"Gab, go to your room first. I'll be there in a minute and we'll play all day, okay?" anas ko sa bata dahil kahit parang santa ang babaeng 'to ay wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko. I know how bitch of a woman I am and I don't want him to witness that.

"That's a promise?" paninigurado ng anak na s'yang kinatango ko at hinalikan ang noo nito.

"Go get your toys."

"Okay, Mom!" Magiliw nitong saad at mabilis na kinuha ang ilang laruan nito sa sala at nagdiretso na sa kwarto nito.

Nang mawala sa paningin ang bata ay muli kong tiningnan ang babae. I made my face unreadable but still approachable, enough not to intimidate this woman. Hindi ako si Fontanilla ngayon. I'm an Angeles today.

Bakas sa mukha nito ang munting pagtataka kung bakit ko pa pinapasok ang bata but she slightly shrugged and smiled at me again. And then she realized something.

"Oh, I'm sorry for being rude. I'm Aubrey Johnson. My parents and Troy's parents are friends... if you want to know." Pagpapakilala nito at inabot pa sa'kin ang kamay nito.

Since I'm an Angeles today, I set aside my bitchiness. I'll reserve that if she shows the same.

"Serena Angeles," I simply introduce myself when I took her hand to shake. "Please have a sit?"

"Yeah sure, shall we?" she agreed then she took the initiative to sit first na sinundan ko naman.

"Do you want some drinks?" I even offered.

"No need na. I asked the kid's Yaya to bring some. I just asked a difficult one since I'm quite picky to what I eat."

I only nodded. She's still nice, she's like Maria in a whole lot level. Parehas mapili sa kinakain.

"Troy's still asleep kung s'ya ang pakay mo ngayon." Saad ko to let her know the status of the owner of this penthouse.

"I figured, actually, napaaga ako ng ganitong kaaga kasi usually naabutan kong gising si Troy ng ganitong oras."

Agad na nagsalubong ang dalawa kong kilay sa sinabi nito. So, madalas s'ya rito? Ba't 'di ko s'ya nakikita bago ako nawala ng dalawang lingo?"

"Oh no, my bad. I mean, I usually call him ng ganitong time. I'm working in an early schedule in our business. I love working early kasi."

She really is the epitome of modern Maria Claria. Sobrang hinhin magsalita, her voice was soothing to hear, and her genuine responses are like she wouldn't do anything bad to you.

And mind you... that's the scariest part in a woman.

I only nodded with her clarification. But she added something.

"I'm actually expecting her new girlfriend here to meet her but..." bigla itong nag-alangan sa susunod na sasabihin habang nakatingin sa'kin na medyo sira ang hilatsa ng mukha niya.

Napamura ako ng wala sa oras. Ba't ko nga pala nakalimutan ang bagay na 'yon? Fuck! I totally forgot this kind of scene nang pumayag akong maging girlfriend ni Troy as Serena Fontanilla. Hindi ko rin naman kasi naisip na may nabisita ritong ibang tao maliban sa mga kaibigan niya at kapatid ko kaya naging complacent akong manatili rito as an Angeles.

Her reaction is normal. Kung ako nga naman ang maabutan ang jowa ni Troy na may lumabas na ibang babae imbes na ang totoong girlfriend ay iisa lang rin ang maiisip ko. Na third-party ako sa buhay ni Troy at Serena Fontanilla. And this is bad kung ikalat ng babaeng 'to ang nalaman.

"... I'm the N-Nanny of Gab!" bigla kong naisip na palusot. "Ako na kasi ang tinuring ng bata na ina nito at hinayaan ko lang kasi 'di ko mahindian ang bata."

Napatango tango si Aubrey sa binigay kong palusot. Shit, mabuti nalang at hindi ako nagsuot ng malaking t-shirt ni Troy kung'di hindi epektibo ang palusot ko.

"I see, but dalawa na pala ang Yaya niya? I only know Yaya Rosing."

Pagkatapos nito masasapak ko 'tong si Troy. He lied to me nang sabihin nitong kaunti lang ang nakakaalam kay Gabriel! Or was she really part of those 'few'?

"Kakasimula ko lang last two weeks ago pero kinailangan ko kasing umuwi ng probinsya nitong nakaraang linggo kaya ngayon lang ako nakabalik."

Naniwala na rin sa wakas ang babaeng 'to dahil sa paraan nito ng pagtango at nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil ro'n.

"Got it. I understand it na. Thanks for clarifying." Anas nito at muli akong binigyan ng ngiti.

"Gusto mo bang tawagin ko si Troy para malaman niyang andito ka?" tanong ko rito.

"Ah, no need. I can wait naman. It's Saturday and I don't really have anything else to do. I'll just wait for him here, thank you."

Girl, amoy kita. I know you have an agenda for coming here. Huwag ako ang gawin mong tanga.

"Are you sure?"

Tumango pa ito sa'kin.

"Is there anything else that I can do for you?" this time, I pushed her to ask it. Alam kong may gusto itong itanong. It's written on her innocent face.

"Uhh, actually, I have a question. I hope you don't mind?" got'cha!

"Sure, what is it?" I enthusiastically indulged her.

"D-Do you have any idea about her relationship with Serena Fontanilla? Like was it just a fling? Serious? Something to do with business?"

Hmmm.

"I actually don't know. Pero balita ko, bumisita nga yung Serena sa opisina ni Troy at na-meet yung ate niya at Daddy."

"Really?"

"Yeah, would it be okay to know why you asked?" I used my persuasive tone to indulge her more to share something. And I think it's working.

Aubrey smiled sadly. "Our engagement is way long over and I don't really know what to do anymore."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nito. Engagement?

"F-Fiance mo si T-Troy?" nautal ko pang wika.

"Don't say it to other people, huh. And it's not official pa naman. Our families have been talking about it since we were young. It's just being delayed because of his studies before and numerous women linked in his life. My family doesn't want to push it yet because of his reputation with women. Lalo pa't naging matagal na naging girlfriend nito ay si Yvonne pa."

"And you think it's being postponed again because of... Serena Fontanilla?"

Nahihiya itong tumango. "Yeah, and this time it's getting harder na."

Ano raw? "Getting harder?"

Muli itong tumango. "It's not easy to think of a plan of getting rid of Yvonne in his life since Troy was madly in love with that woman and he's protecting her. But heaven has been given me a way when an opportunity strike about the Joaquin business proposal competition. I gave them an easy way to be part of it and I suggested to his father if he could hire someone who can replace Yvonne for this project. And it actually worked. But sadly, Troy and Serena became an item before my family could ask to push now the engagement."

Kung may ilalaglag pa ang panga ko ay siguro nasa ground floor na siguro 'yon ng naturang building.

I can't believe this! So, this was her plan? It was her idea why I was asked here?

No, I think not. She only gave Don Alfonso an idea, but the wicked man used that an opportunity to get my family involved in this.

It was not Aubrey's heaven who called her for this chance to take. It's Don Alfonso's calling. He wanted this idea for us to be involved and I want to know why?!

Maybe my lying scheme with Troy was not bad after all. Pretending twice to Troy wouldn't go in vain if we found out their secret. This has something to do with the Fontanilla, Monteverde, and that Rolando Martinez.