"We're here, Moya."

God, that must've been the longest hour of my life.

I have no idea how Sir Lars and I were able to act as if nothing happened - on the surface, at the very least. Hindi ko naitago ang pagkailang ko dahil sa nangyari kaya literal na wala akong imik buong biyahe. My boss, on the other hand, seemed unaffected at first glance... until I noticed that he was purposely avoiding my gaze and he kept on tapping his finger impatiently.

Siguro naiilang din siya kahit konti.

Kaya naman laking pasasalamat ko nang makarating na kami sa opisina. Pagbaba ko pa lamang sa sasakyan, nahagip na ng mata ko si Tobi mula sa ikatlong palapag na panay ang kaway sa akin at pinagmamadali akong umakyat. Ang taas na naman ng energy ng taong 'to.

"Let's go." Sir Lars led the way without sparing me a glance. Para naman akong maamong tupa na nakasunod sa likuran niya.

When I realized that we were about to board the elevator, I immediately thought of an excuse to stay behind for a while. Sinabi ko kay Sir Lars na kailangan ko nang mag-jingle kaya dadaan muna ako sa CR dito sa first floor.

His lips slightly pouted in wonder. "Are you perhaps afraid that I might kiss you again?"

"What? No!" I responded too defensively. How can he say that so casually?!

"Hmm. If you say so." He tilted his head like a puppy. "I guess the sexual tension between us is too strong tonight. I hope you're not planning on doing anything indecent in the bathroom while thinking of me. While I would be flattered, this is not the appropriate time and place for that, my dear secretary."

My jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wha-"

"Pero hindi kita pipigilan," He wiggled his brows as the elevator closed. "Let your imagination run wild, Aria. You have my permission."

I was left there dumbfounded. Seriously, that beautiful man and his dirty mouth...

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko kaya mabilis kong sinampal ang sarili ko upang matauhan ako. "Don't get so flustered, Aria. Nang-aasar lang iyon. Malinis naman ang konsensya mo. Hindi ka naman nag-iisip ng mga gano'n-"

For some reason, the sound of his groans while we were kissing reverberated on my mind. My eyes widened in panic and guilt. "Oh, good lord. Baka tama talaga si Miriam na sexually frustrated ako."

Sinilip ko ang mukha ko sa screen ng phone ko at pulang pula ang pisngi ko. Okay, you can't blame me! I'm already a 24-year old adult but I've never kissed anyone before. That was my first kiss and it was so steamy! Masisisi niyo ba ako?!

Just when I was about to enter the comfort room, somebody lunged at me from behind. Bumungad sa akin si Tobi na noo'y patawa-tawa na naman akong sinakal. He really doesn't know how to greet people like a normal person.

"Gotcha!" Mas lalo pa niya akong inipit sa kanyang braso. "Are you going to the bathroom, Aria? Take me with you!"

For some reason, Tobi is very fond of me. Perhaps it's because we're around the same age. There's Nami too, but Tobi reasoned that she's too quiet for the likes of him.

"You pervert!" I exclaimed while struggling in his bear-like grip. "What are you doing here?!"

He grinned. "I came to get you, of course!"

I couldn't go to the comfort room anymore since Tobi dragged me forcibly to the office. Upon arriving, there were so many unfamiliar faces from other departments. Pumunta kami sa sulok kung saan magkakasama ang aming team.

"Good timing, my servants." Hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro ba si Sir Lars o talagang alipin ang tingin niya sa amin. "All members of each department are required to wear a bandana based on the color coding."

Inabutan niya ng bandana si Tobi kaya naman nakalaya na ako mula sa braso niya. Hinintay kong abutin ni Sir Lars ang bandana ko pero nabigla ako nang siya mismo ang magsuot nito sa ulo ko.

"So, did you enjoy your short trip to the bathroom?" Sir Lars whispered in a playful tone while adjusting the bandana on my head.

My cheeks flushed. "Please stop teasing me, Sir Lars. One more dirty joke from you and I might die from embarrassment."

He simply smirked in response.

Shortly, the party started. Katulad ng sinabi ni Sir Lars, may kanya-kanyang kulay ng bandana ang bawat department. Hindi ko napigilang matawa dahil para kaming mga gangster na nagtipon-tipon sa Tondo. Sino bang nakaisip nito?

"My underlings, you know what to do tonight." He just called us his servants earlier, and now we're his underlings. "Our team must emerge victorious. I won't tolerate failure!"

Huh? Victorious? Failure of what? I thought this was a party. Aren't we supposed to have fun? What's with this sense of competitiveness?

I was even more confused when Sir Lars sat in the middle and my colleagues surrounded him. Bakit may pag-pose pa sila? Hindi ako maka-relate!

"What's our objective for tonight?"

"To win each game and to get every prize!" My teammates answered in unison.

"Hmm." Sir Lars seemed satisfied.

Nagtataka ko naman siyang siniko. "What's going on, Sir? Why is everybody so fired up?"

"You don't understand, my dear Moya." He clicked his tongue. "A contest is a contest. I refuse to go home a loser tonight."

After a few opening words, the first game in the program began. Bring Me. Such a simple and traditional game. Hindi nawawala ang larong 'to sa mga christmas party namin noong elementary at high school.

Simple lang ang mga bagay na hiningi noong una. Puting panyo, pulang sapatos, butas na medyas, hanggang sa...

"Bring me..." pabitin na sabi ng host. "Something cute!"

Huh?

The next thing I knew, somebody carried me on his back and my vision turned upside down. Tsaka ko lang napagtanto na binitbit pala ako ni Tobi sa host at nakita ko pa si Sir Lars na pumapalakpak sa pwesto niya.

"Tobi, put me down!" Halos himatayin ako sa hiya dahil nagtawanan ang mga tao sa ginawa niya. We were told to bring something cute, why is he bringing me?!

"What? I think everyone agrees that you're the cutest thing in this office." My companion burst into laughter. "I mean, you're the cutest human here!"

Out of embarrassment, I covered my face with both hands. "Please stop embarrassing me any more than this."

Sinakyan naman si Tobi ng mga taga ibang department. Nagpalakpakan sila at todo hiyaw pa ang iba na ang cute ko raw. I know that I'm exceptionally small, but I wish they wouldn't rub it on my face!

Mistulan parin akong isang sako ng bigas sa balikat ni Tobi nang makabalik kami sa aming pwesto. Tuwang tuwa naman si Sir Lars at pinuri pa si Tobi.

"Nice reflexes, Tobi. You brought our cute Aria in a speed of lightning." aniya at tinapik pa si Tobi sa balikat. "You're an idiot, but I suppose you're still useful at times. Good job."

I shot him a horrified look. That's so mean, Sir!

"Thanks, Sir!" Tobi replied with an air of confidence. No, why do you look so proud? He just dissed you, you know?!

The next game was more tiring. Paunahan ang lahat na maiputok ang mga lobong nakapatong sa hita ng teammate mong nakaupo. Ayoko sanang sumali pero pinilit ako ni Miss Kyla.

Napuno ng tawanan ang opisina dahil may ibang nahihirapan na putukin ang lobo at isa na ako roon. Nagkataon namang si Sir Lars pa ang nakaupo at sumunod sa akin!

"Faster, Moya~ Do it harder!" Sir Lars told me with a lascivious grin.  "Bilisan mo pa. Iputok mo na~ Malapit na!"

"Please stop teasing me, Sir Lars!" My cheeks heated up due to his words. His jokes are dirty, but my mind is dirtier! I wish he'd stop messing with me!

Abot-tenga naman ang ngiti niya dahil paulit-ulit akong kumakalong sa kanya upang subukang putukin ang lobo. Why am I so small?! This is all my height's fault!

"Sorry, we're gonna cheat for a bit." Sir Lars blurted out then wrapped his arms around my waist.

Hinila niya ako paupo sa kanya at tinulungan niya akong putukin ang lobo. Halos bumigay ang tuhod ko sa ginawa ni Sir Lars at naghiyawan naman ang mga nanonood.

Right now, I just want to die out of shame.

That game was so tiring. Parang naghiwalay ang katawan at kaluluwa ko sa sobrang hiya at pagod. I was just about to take a seat when Sir Lars grabbed me by the wrist.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"Let's pair up. The next game is newspaper dance."

I laughed nervously. "Pwede po bang pass muna ako, Sir? Medyo pagod na po ako."

He raised his brow. "Are you going to take a break when your boss is working so hard?"

Okay, if he pulls the boss card, how could I possibly refute that?! Of course I'd have no choice!

"Are you enjoying yourself, Moya?" Sir Lars queried as we circled the newspaper on the floor.

I pouted. "Not really."

Tinawanan lamang niya ako.

Lumiit nang lumiit ang dyaryo namin habang patuloy parin ang tugtog. Kalaunan ay kinailangan na akong buhatin ni Sir Lars.

He's too close...

My boss didn't even break a sweat when he carried me on his arms. The distance was making me nervous, so I opted to look away from him and focus my gaze elsewhere.

"And you, Sir? Are you enjoying yourself?" I thoughtlessly asked just to break the silence. Pasimple ko siyang sinulyapan.

"Of course," Sir Lars looked at me in the corner of his eye then gave me a small smile. "This year's party is especially fun because you're here, Aria. Thank you for coming to work with me."

My heart pounded at his words.

All my life, my family made me feel like I wasn't needed because my sister was superior to me in many ways. I always felt like a failure and I never had a place to belong.

But, Sir Lars... He's grateful to have me here and he makes me feel needed. His subtle kindness makes me want to cry.

"Are you crying?" nakangisi niyang tanong.

I bit my lower lip to suppress my sob. "No."

"My adorable secretary," Sir Lars gently placed his face on my head. I felt his lips smiling upward. "What am I supposed to do with you?"

The party ended without a hitch. Unti-unting numipis ang mga tao sa opisina hanggang sa kami na lang ng mga ka-team ko ang natira upang uminom at magpalitan ng regalo sa isa't isa.

Maya-maya, siniko ako ni Sir Lars habang abala ang mga kasamahan namin na mag-inom at magkwentuhan. Mukhang tipsy na rin sila.

"Mind joining me for a smoke, Moya?"

Tahimik naman akong tumango. Nauna siyang tumayo at pasimple ko siyang sinundan. Mukhang hindi kami napansin ng iba.

Well, I want to get some fresh air, anyway. Aside from that, this could be my chance to give my boss the gift that I prepared for him. Siya kasi ang nabunot ko sa exchange gift, 'di ba?

When we arrived at the balcony, I closed the glass doors behind us. I stood beside Sir Lars who was lighting up a stick. Inabutan niya rin ako at sinindihan din niya ito para sa akin.

"What's your plan for christmas?" he inquired.

"I think I'll probably stay at home, Sir. I'm not really in good terms with my family, so spending christmas with them is a bit..."

"Hmm. So you'll be alone." Napaisip naman si Sir Lars. "Shall we spend it together, then?"

My eyes widened.

"Why?" Iyon ang unang lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Why not?" he casually replied.

Napayuko ako. "But you have a boyfriend, Sir."

We were both engulfed in silence. I know that we kissed and there were times when Sir Lars flirted with me jokingly, but I'm not forgetting the fact that he's in a relationship. In fact, I feel guilty.

Nabigla ako dahil yumuko rin si Sir Lars upang silipin ang mukha ko. Napigilan ko ang aking paghinga noong ngumiti siya sa akin.

"If I say that we're no longer together, will that make you feel at ease, Moya?"

My lips parted in surprise. Wala na ba sila?

"Sorry, but I don't want to ruin the mood by recollecting our breakup." He must've read my mind. "Let's save that talk for another day. I'll tell you."

Sir Lars took something hidden on the corner of the balcony. It was a nicely wrapped gift. Natulala ako nang abutin niya ito sa akin.

"Ikaw ang nabunot ko."

I gaped. "Akala ko si Nami?"

"Of course I'd lie. Now, where's my gift?"

Napakurap naman ako.

"My gift. Ako ang nabunot mo, 'di ba?"

I gasped. "How did you know, Sir?!"

He chuckled heartily. "My dear Moya, you're incredibly bad at lying. I can see through you."

Napanguso lang ako sa sinabi niya. Akala ko hindi niya napansin. Bagama't nahihiya, inabot ko na ang maliit na box na naglalaman ng regalo ko kay Sir Lars. Kinuha ko na rin ang regalo niya sa akin at sabay naming binuksan ang mga natanggap namin.

"This... I've seen this before!" sambit ko habang tinitignan ang dress na regalo niya sa akin.

"Yup. You were looking at that dress when we were in the mall, so I thought you wanted it." Sir Lars rested his chin on the back of his hand. "Unfortunately, it wasn't available in your size... so I had it customized."

"Thank you, Sir. You're so attentive." I told him with all sincerity. "I will treasure this."

"You're welcome." He responded with a lazy smile that barely reached his eyes. "But that's just the obligatory chrisymas party gift. I have another gift for you, Moya."

Sir Lars gently took hold of my hand then put on a bracelet on me. I don't know much about jewelries, but it was pretty and seemed expensive.

"I hope you like it, Moya." Sir Lars planted a soft kiss on my wrist. "I was thinking of you when I bought that."

His lazy eyes stayed on me for a while. I thought he would let go of my hand, but he didn't. Instead, Sir Lars placed my hand on his cheek, as if he wanted me to caress him.

Too much. This is too much for me to handle. I don't think my heart can take this.

"Thanks for the earring, Moya. I really like it." This time, he kissed my palm. "Can you put it on for me?"

I nearly forgot how to breathe. Still, I indulged his request and put the silver earring on his ear. Medyo na-pressure pa ako dahil masyadong malapit ang mukha namin sa isa't isa at titig na titig pa sa akin si Sir Lars.

After putting it on for him, I hesitantly backed away. However, as soon as I took a step back, Sir Lars closed the distance between us again.

"Should we kiss again?" he politely asked.

I bit my lower lip. "I don't think we should."

He was taken back. "Do you hate it?"

"No." I covered my face with both palms. "I like it so much. But if you keep kissing me, I might misunderstand, Sir. I might think that you like me."

Sandali siyang natahimik. Hindi ko parin inalis ang mga kamay ko sa aking mukha dahil sobra talaga akong nahihiya. Sometimes, I'm way too honest for my own good.

"You think I'm someone who would go around kissing random men and women, Moya?"

My fingers trembled. "No, Sir."

"Then look at me." Kinuha niya ang mga kamay ko at muling sinilip ang aking mukha. "I do like you. I'm attracted to you. And I want to make a mess in that pretty face of yours."

I shot him a horrified look. "Sir Lars!"

"I'm serious." A soft chuckle escaped from his lips. "I feel that way because it's you. I don't kiss anyone thoughtlessly, so please don't think that I'm playing with you."

Sir Lars carefully embraced me in his arms.

"What have you done to me, Moya? You got me wrapped in your little finger." He affectionately caressed my head. "I want to do so many things with you that I don't even know where to start."

"Then let's start with a kiss?" I suggested.

"Too cute." He sighed. "You're too cute."

You'll regret this. That's what I thought to myself. I admit that I was too intoxicated by his words, but at that moment, I just wanted to be happy. And Lars Altaria was too good in making me happy.

Once again, his lips touched mine and we shared the taste of that momentary bliss. While our colleagues were oblivious to our intimate exchange, the moon was up there as a witness.

"God, I'm going crazy." Sir Lars was out of breath after our kiss. He lovingly cupped my cheeks then placed his forehead against mine. "You're driving me mad with love."

The next thing I knew, he was in tears.

"I've been waiting for you all these years, Moya. I've been praying for someone like you to come." Tears streamed down to his cheeks. "He didn't choose me twice. He chose my twin sister for the first time, then he chose my half-sister for the second."

You must have been hurt so bad.

"I just want someone who will choose me over anyone else. Will you take me, Moya? Please?"

My eyes watered with tears. "Gladly, Sir."

I should be the one begging you to choose me. I'll make sure you never feel that way again, Lars Altaria.

---

I'm back! I will update as much as I can.

I hope you're still willing to read this story even though I've been inactive for a year lol. Thank you for your patience!

Anyway, I seriously feel bad for Lars, and I feel like I gave him such a hard time. Kasalanan ni Hana 'to lol.

Mind sharing me your thoughts?
Stay safe and happy reading!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san