D A R W I N

"We lost the bidding," Jade announced. "Briones went over a hundred. You told me not to go higher."

I stifled a curse. "No. I told you to start with a hundred. Phoenix is a huge corporation. They're not going to take anything less!"

I hung up before I start yelling shit at her. We have been pursuing Phoenix for months now and we lost them just like that.

I was gone for a day and this is what happens. I sure am going to hear a mouthful from my father tomorrow.

*** CALLING ***
Delfin Romero

Or now.

Fuck.

I answered the call immediately and prepared for my father's usual ranting which is exactly what he did.

"What the fuck happened, Darwin? I trusted you with that client! Why did we lose them to Briones?!"

"It was just a misunderstanding, Dad."

"Fucking hell," he cursed. "We'll talk when I get there."

He hung up the call, so I wasted no time and immediately started drafting a new proposal on my laptop. Phoenix still hasn't signed a contract with Briones, so I might as well play dirty and send them a better offer while I still have a chance.

I swear to God, we are not losing Phoenix under my watch.

It was almost 4 in the morning when I finished the draft and forwarded it to Jade. My head is exploding and I needed some air so I decided to get out of the room and take a walk. Good thing, Mads is awake.

Kumatok ako sa bintana niya at kitang-kita ko kung paano siya napatalon mula sa pagkakahiga.

Haha. Cute.

Binuksan niya 'yong bintana at saka ako sinuway, "Para kang multo diyan!"

I just smiled at her. Even with her face bare and her hair flying everywhere, she — to me — looks breathtakingly beautiful. "I'm going for a walk. Do you want to come along?"

"Bakit ako sasama sa iyo, eh, ang sungit mo sa akin?"

"Mads—"

"Nag-text ka ng good morning, wala namang smiley."

"I was smiling when I texted."

"Hindi ko naman nakita."

"Mads—"

"Kiss mo muna ako with tongue, sasama ako."

"Alright. Come out and I will."

Does she think I'll say no? Only a dumb goat with no eyes won't want to kiss her.

I waited outside for two hours. Checking my breath and trying my hardest not to fall asleep while standing.

It was a little over 6 a.m. when she finally stepped out.

I didn't ask why.

I invited her so it is my job to wait.

I did notice that she was wearing something on her lips, though.

We ended up lounging on the bean bags because she was no longer in the mood to walk, and within minutes, I could already hear her softly snoring next to me.

She must have been exhausted. I should have just let her sleep instead of asking her out on a walk.

I pulled her to me and let her head rest on my shoulder. I thought I woke her up because she wrapped her arm around me, but she just settled next to me and went on sleeping.

I love her.

Fuck, I love her.

I want to feel this for the rest of my life.

Watching the waves wash along the shore while Madeline dozed off beside me, I was in heaven for a while.

"Dhie..."

I froze.

"Uhhh, dhie..."

I looked at her and her mouth was slightly open while she dreamt.

The sound of my thoughts was not loud enough to cover up her vehement moaning. But a few minutes passed and then she began crying.

"Don't leave..." She cried.

"I won't," I whispered, knowing full well I'm not the one she's calling out for.

"Dhie..."

"Shhh," I whispered, wiping a few strands of hair from her face and forcing a smile. "I'm here."

She has been through so much. Patrick may be my brother, but he is a shit for what he did to her.

For the rest of the day, I tried my best to not make her feel my dejection. Like I said, falling for her was a risk. I knew just what I was getting into, so now I have to swallow it.

I put on a smile.

I laughed.

I cracked jokes.

But I still failed.

"This one looks like you," I said, smiling as I handed her a white seashell with orange streaks that look just like her hair.

"Thank you," she whispered, before getting it from me.

We have only been alone in the beach for ten minutes when Madeline had enough of me and wanted some space. "Puntahan ko lang sila Belle," she said. "Pupunta raw sila sa cave."

I just nodded at her; afraid that I might say the wrong thing and make everything worse. I know I'm the only one to blame for ruining our supposedly fun day.

She turned her back on me and headed to the cave but not before I saw her throw the white seashell back on the sand.

I looked for it for minutes.

There were plenty other seashells on the sand, but none of them I want.

Like her, that particular one is hard to find.

"Darwin!" I heard Belle call out. "Tito Delfin is looking for you! Do you know where Denver is?"

Why is Belle here?

I thought she was at the cave with Mads.

I gave up looking for the seashell and ran to greet my father who just arrived in his chopper.

"Dad," I whispered, out of breath.

"Where is that woman?!" he yelled.

"What woman?" I asked.

"The woman who has been distracting you!"

I swallowed. "I don't understand."

"Don't you think I noticed how your work hours have drastically lowered the past months?" he boomed. "You used to work
14 hours every day, but now you go to work at 10 and go home at 3!"

I admit that I haven't been to the office a lot. Araw-araw ko kasing hinahatid sundo si Madeline. But of course, I won't tell my father that.

"Your secretary told me that you are so busy courting this... girl... that you don't even have time to do your job right! And now what happened? We lost Phoenix!"

"I sent a counter-offer to Jade. We can still steal Phoenix from Briones, Dad. I'll handle it myself."

"No!" my father insisted. "I already trusted you with Phoenix and you failed me. You failed the company! So show me this woman who's making you crazy!"

I looked around and everyone was looking at me but I couldn't find Mads.

Or Patrick.

"Tito!" sigaw ni Adam. "Tito, nasa lagoon si Denver. Pinuntahan na ni Acid pero high tide kasi. Na-trap siya sa loob."

My father cursed one more time before turning his back on me and charging on the tour guide.

"Si Mads?" I asked Belle as soon as my father was out of earshot. "Nando'n?"

Malungkot siyang tumango. "Sila ni Denver at iyong isang aso."

For five minutes, it's almost like I couldn't breathe.

They're alone. In a cave. Just the two of them.

Nami looks like she's about to throw up, too.

Good thing Acid finally showed up, followed by Patrick, and Madeline — all looking safe and unbothered.

I let out a loud sigh of relief and immediately rushed to Madeline's side while Patrick dealt with our father.

"How are you? What happened?" I asked, surveying her face.

"Okay lang. Natagalan lang kami makalabas," sagot niya.

Mads is a lot of things, but she is not a liar. If that is the answer she gives me, then that is the answer I am going to believe in.

I looked at her and noticed that she is wearing the university shirt that Patrick was wearing earlier. Good thing he lent it to her so she won't have to feel too cold now that she's back in the open.

I looked at where my father is and saw him looking in our direction. He walked over to us, a lion ready to pounce. "Darwin, you said you'll introduce someone to me. Is it her?" he asked, still looking infuriated from our conversation earlier.

I felt Mads stiffen next to me.

I know she doesn't want to face my father like this. She would want to be presentable.

Add that to the fact that my father might just blame her for the way I have been acting the past few months.

I am not going to put her in that situation.

I want to introduce her to him, but now is not the time.

I let go of my hold on her shoulder and quickly answered my father, "No. This is Mads," I said.

The woman I love. I thought.

"A volunteer in the Foundation."