part one

He arrives a little later than she did.

Milly's organizing the pack of yogurt in the refrigerator when he stepped into the kitchen area. She feels his towering, overwhelming presence even before she sees him.

"Hey," he greets.

She turns. He's sliding the top buttons of his black shirt off and pulling at his collar when their eyes connect, like he's freeing himself.

Her brows pull down in worry. She doesn't need to look twice to see how tired and stressed out he looks tonight. It's written on the planes of his face.

Seems she's not getting any action tonight.

"Water?" she asks, getting up to her feet.

"Please."

He's tousling his neatly-gelled hair when she brushes past him to get a glass from the white cabinets. Then she pulls a pitcher out of the refrigerator and fills it with cold water.

Kai bottoms out the glass in three gulps.

"One more?"

He nods, and she refills his glass.

"What happened to you?"

He takes three more sips before he places the glass down on the island. A heavy sigh escapes from his lips. "Dad," comes his only response and she understands.

"Stressing you out with work?"

"Overloading me is fine. But the constant pressure"-he halts and draws another sigh. His hand kneads his forehead -"is not. He's micromanaging me."

Milly returns the pitcher back into the refrigerator and faces him again. Without thinking, she reaches for him, her fingers making light presses down the back of his head, which she moves to the base of his neck, down to the tight muscles on his shoulders.

He closes his eyes and eases down under her touch, hands automatically seeking her waist like they have a life of their own.

"Why did you insist to work there if you hate it so much?"

"Mom asked for a favor."

"You don't need to indulge all their requests."

She works all the way down to his upper back, putting pressure on points she knows will help him feel better.

"If I say no, she will never stop hounding me. I told you that."

"Sounds suffocating."

"It is." He opens his eyes and nods at the bags of groceries still sitting on the marbled floor. He caught her in the middle of something. "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Tapos na. I went here thinking you'd be mine"-she gives another pass at his face and chuckles lightly-"but I guess not. 'Di ka pa kumakain?"

"No. I thought you haven't had yours yet."

"I'll join you na lang. Are we ordering out? I don't think you can cook in this state. I'd rather you just relax."

He shuts his eyes closed for a minute. Milly continues smoothing out the tight muscles on his shoulders until his hands stop her wrists.

"Naayos mo na mga gamit mo?" he asks, now looking at her again, his thumbs trailing across her palms.

"Nasa drawer na." She answers, then she suddenly remembers, "Kai, what if Kylie sees my things?"

"She doesn't go here."

"I thought nagpunta na siya dito?"

Kai lets go of her hands and walks over to the refrigerator. He carefully goes through the meat section.

"Once lang. Before I had it renovated."

Milly clasps her hands together to preserve the kiss of warmth his touch left on her skin. "Oh, okay. How are you gonna explain to her this isn't hers anymore?"

"She doesn't know this is for her anyway. It's fine. She won't come here."

Kai closes the refrigerator. He picks up the bags she left on the floor and places them on the island table, assessing the items she bought.

He clicks his tongue.

"Puro tsokolate binili mo."

"May beer din. Para sa 'yo. I stored the chicken and veggies na sa freezer. I don't know what you can make from those. Spiro said ikaw na raw bahala."

He instantly frowns. "Rules," he says before turning back to the refrigerator. He rifles through the vacuum-sealed packages of chicken and beef she bought and pulls out a raw steak from the freezer instead. "I can't believe you think it's okay to let me eat something that you bought with one of your men."

"He's my friend. And we bought it thinking of you."

"I thought he doesn't know about us."

"I said he has an idea na."

Kai closes the refrigerator and turns to her, face set in a hard line.

"And he's fine with that? That you're also with me?"

Milly chuckles at the jealousy clear as a day on his face. When he said he didn't like to share, he wasn't kidding, and he doesn't even bother hiding that fact. She reaches over and runs a thumb across the side of his eyes to soften his frown.

"You'll be surprised to know he's been cheering us on," she answers. "If there's anyone who knows how hard I pined for you, it was him."

Kai shakes his head. "I'll never understand your set-up."

"About time you should though. You're also in this set-up now."

He heaves a long, deep sigh. "Don't remind me," he says and then he starts to move around. "Pasok mo na 'yan sa ref. It'll take me time to finish this. Won't taste good defrosted like this, but it'll do," he says, walking over to the microwave at the other end of the kitchen. "Pakiayos lagay sa ref, Milly."

He's referring to the groceries she bought. All chocolates, yogurts, milk. There are bread and snacks. Mostly drinks.

Milly's chuckling again. Gods, he's so hot when he turns all serious on her like that. "Yes, chef."

***

Hours later, they're at the dining table. Kai's pouring down wine on her glass, the well-done steak he fussed over making now served on sizzling hot plates.

"Maybe you should consider quitting engineering," she says, putting a sliced piece into her mouth. The taste is rich on her tongue, and it tastes good, so she doesn't know why he looks so unsatisfied with it. "My mom owns a restaurant in QC. Our family chefs work there. You should try working there."

He gives her a stern stare before he sits close to her. "You're funny."

"It's just a thought. You seem to really like cooking."

"I'm picky with my food. Doesn't mean I want to make a career out of it."

"Consider it though. Then maybe I can also fulfill my kitchen fantasies there."

She says that to lighten up the mood and tease him, but he must be really tired because Kai doesn't even bother responding to that. Instead, he stands up again to turn on the speakers. To her surprise, a familiar tune by Saint-Saëns starts playing as the sound of cello resonates in the air and tugs at her memories.

She perks up.

"How do you know The Swan?" she asks when he sits by her side again and starts eating.

"You played it in your performance."

Her brows furrow in intrigue. "Did you really watch all of my performances?"

"Just a few."

"Why?"

"I was bored," is all he says as if that's enough to answer her growing curiosity. "How many instruments can you play? I've seen you play the piano, the violin, and the cello. What else?"

Milly's baffled. Did he really take all that time to watch her? An antsy flutter of warmth starts in her chest, shooting down her spine all the way to her fingertips.

"Mostly strings. I use acoustic, electric, and bass guitars now," she answers. "Can do drums too but I'm only decent there. Harp, decent. Contrabass, decent. I have kalimba and harpika too. I play them when I'm bored or when I wanna post easy music videos."

"You've been very busy. Ang dami mong alam na gawin."

"It's not uncommon naman among musicians to have a second instrument. Or at least, for string players to learn how to play the piano too. Plus I don't really have anything to do in my down time. It eases me when I play music."

There's a beat of silence. A sound of the utensils clinking softly against the table. And then Kai's looking at her intently, curious eyes boring into her confused ones.

"Play the piano again for me."

Her breath hitches.

No one has really brought this topic up for years. Not her mother, not her lolo. No one until him.

Why is he so interested in this?

She shakes her head, faking her confusion with feigned amusement. "Ang kulit mo, Kai. I told you I don't play that anymore."

He smirks. "Now you know how it feels when you come onto me."

Is that the only reason why?

"You're equating sex with piano? Really?"

He shrugs. "You love both."

"I can't believe you're equating sex with piano," she says with a laugh. "Correction. I played the piano out of love and passion before. I hooked up with others because I had needs. They're different." Then she's leaning toward him, close enough to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "And I'm hooking up with you now because you'll drive me crazy otherwise."

Kai's brows crease at her words. He forks a slice of meat and pushes it into her mouth.

"Eat your food," he says, going to back to his own.

She's grinning now. "You found a way to deflect me. You've used food against me twice."

"Seems effective so far."

A thought flits into her head.

"Do you like yogurts? I bought us some kanina."

"Why not? It makes for healthy diet."

Her grin widens, and she tilts her head.

"Good. So if I lather yogurt on my skin, will you be good and clean me off with your tongue, chef?"

Kai's eyes squint at her. "Malagkit."

"'Di mo naman na mapapansin 'yon when you're turned on na."

"'Wag ka magdumi sa kama ko."

She laughs at the irony.

"Okay. We can do it here instead." She taps her index finger against the cool surface twice to make a point.

Kai looks so exasperated that she laughs again. "On my dining table? Really?"

"Or the library? Kahit sa'n mo gusto. I'm flexible."

He sighs. "When are you joking and when are you not?"

"You can choose ano yung joke and ano yung hindi," she says, grinning ear-to-ear. "Finish your food, Kai. Stop sighing at me. Baka mag-choke ka pa d'yan."

"Then stop desecrating my kitchen and my dining room."

Milly snickers. "Oh, babe. I swear. One day, you'll beg to fuck me here."

"If you don't beg first."

Oh?

His retort catches her by surprise, and another teasing joke builds in her throat as a response, but she tamps it down so he can focus on his food now.

She changes the topic.

"Since you mentioned strings, I just remembered I need to buy new strings na rin for my cello."

"Where?"

"I have a music store I go to. Near Pasay."

"Kelan?"

"Tomorrow siguro after my shoot."

"Anong oras sila nagsasara?"

"Until six lang, I think."

"Go on Saturday. May trabaho ako bukas."

"You don't need to come with me."

"Bukas ba sila ng Sabado?"

She nods.

"Yeah, but you don't need to accompany me."

"I'm going with you," he presses. "Wala naman akong gagawin. Gym lang."

The Swan peters out and concludes in the background and another piece comes on.

"Okay, ikaw bahala. I'll consider it a date. Wait." Milly gets up and pads over to the speakers. She pairs her phone through bluetooth and starts browsing through her music library. "I remembered this piece kanina. I think you'll like it. I played this with other string players before for my lolo's birthday."

"What's that?"

"Bruch. String Quartet one. Adagio."

Kai looks like he didn't understand what she said, but he says nothing to that. His attention shifts to the music when the violin comes in. Brows furrowed, eyes set on the speakers as if he'd see the string quartet playing live there.

"No piano?"

"Wala. Full strings lang 'yan," she answers when she rejoins him. "I played the violin for this one."

Silence envelopes them as the sweet, calming piece plays and the strings take them up to a different, much lighter atmosphere. Kai's gaze drops, the line of his brows still pressed down into a focused frown. But the tension on his shoulders dissipates and ebbs away.

"You'll become an enthusiast after this," she comments in mirth after observing his face.

"Acquired taste, sabi mo nga."

They fall silent as the music goes on. Milly finishes her food but soon notices he's barely touching his, still too busy listening to Bruch.

"Tapos ka na ba?"

"'Di pa," he says, picking his fork and knife again.

She chuckles. "Take your time. No need to rush dinner. We can watch a movie after na lang."

"You," he says like she said something funny, "will watch a movie without pulling anything? You?"

"No promises I won't touch. But you can put your guard down. I won't ask you to to touch me when you've just finished eating. I'm not an asshole. Besides," she says, reaching over to touch the sides of his eyes again. "You look tired, babe. How can I have fun if you're not enjoying?"

He inches away from her touch. "I'm fine."

"We don't need to do anything. I'm not in the mood either."

Lie. She was hoping to get them into bed again after his last reply to her, but seeing how tired he was drained the desire out of her.

"Bahala ka." Kai takes a sip from his red wine and suddenly asks, "May video ba?"

"Ng?"

"This piece. When you played it."

Does it?

She tries to remember. "I think meron. Just not posted anywhere. I'm not sure if I can find it pa. That was way back highschool pa kasi."

Kai nods and finishes his food before the piece lulls to a close. The third movement comes in, replacing the quiet, tranquil flow of the adagio with a more energetic, vibrant scherzo.

He collects their plates and deposits it into the sink. Before long, she hears the sound of rushing water as he starts washing the dishes.

Huh. She really can't get used to this image of him.

"Isasama mo ba 'ko sa Sabado o hindi?" he asks.

"You can join me," she says, moving to the couch while she waits for him. She would've offered to wash the dishes herself, but Kai's really territorial and protective of his kitchen. "They have instruments there that you can try too. You can check if you want to get your own."

Milly turns the music off and turns on the TV. "What movie do you wanna watch?"

The realization that she knows so little of him hits her out of nowhere. Months of knowing him, and several hook-ups and encounters in between, and yet she doesn't even know the things he likes.

She'll fix that some other time.

"Kahit ano," he answers when he joins her at the couch and sits beside her.

She turns to him, eyes running up and down his body. He lifts a lazy brow at her.

"Bakit 'di ka magpalit ng damit? Take a shower para guminhawa ka."

"Later. Wala pa 'kong gamit dito."

She frowns in confusion. "You stocked up your fridge. But you didn't bring any clothes with you? Kahit spare?"

"Wala."

She studies him closely, worry gnawing at her. "Do you want me to take care of you tonight? Might help you destress. You don't need to fuck me after."

She's already reaching for his belt when he halts her.

"No, ayaw mo, 'di ba? Either we go all the way or not at all," he says in a firm voice.

"Which one is it? You don't wanna receive without giving? Or you don't think you'll be satisfied with a handjob lang?"

Kai leans behind, against the back of the couch, and closes his eyes, sighing. "Both. Now stop tempting me."

A smile slides onto her face at his casual admission.

Milly scoots closer to him and gently rests her head on his chest. He flinches for a second before he relaxes, and his hand snakes around her body to press her even closer.

"I can give you a massage if you want," she offers in a quieter voice.

"Just stay still. This is fine," he answers, his chest vibrating under her ear with his voice.

Warmth flutters in her stomach at their close, quite intimate, position.

"You're domesticating me so early in this arrangement," Milly whispers to him as an afterthought. "I don't think I expected this from you when I first started considering hooking up with you."

"Yet you've made a feral man out of me."

She chuckles quietly.

"You've always been intense. That's not a surprise," she says. "But this, this right now, is unexpected."

Her right hand palms its way up to his chest, all the way up to his right shoulder blade, to continue what she started hours earlier. She puts more pressure this time. Making little squeezes, to untangle the knots of tension in his upper torso.

His eyes are closed, and his breathing's steady, yet she can feel the beat of his heart picking up at her action.

She's propping herself up to get a glimpse of his face when Kai rolls them over. Face close to hers, arms framing her body, trapping her underneath.

His eyes are burning when they meet hers.

"Are you really not in the mood?" he rasps.

"It's not that. I know you're tired."

"Not tired enough to keep my hands off," he says and then he's already marking her lips. "I remember you were saying something earlier. Gave me a hard time at work. Got me an earful."

"Which one?"

"Did you get to buy your lingerie?" he reminds her, a half smirk taking over his face as he slides her blouse off of her without giving her time to react.

The warmth in her chest blazes with excitement.

Ah. What do you know? She's getting laid after all.

💝💛💙

classical pieces mentioned: