It's Saturday and here I am in front of my dear friend, Sebastian. Just the two of us because Garet was in Davao for a business trip.

I stared at Seb's face, he looked troubled but feeling at ease at the same time. I can't seem to read what's on his mind right now.

Well, if Garet was here, he could easily tell what Seb's bothering about or at least he could give a hint.

"Do you have any plans for the next two weeks? I'm thinking of going on a trip since school is on break," I said as I watched the people walk by from the tinted glass wall.

"I made some plans as well, Luci. I won't be leaving town, just staying in the city."

"Oh, really?" I looked at him cautiously and scoffed because I already had a hint about his plans. "Rampage? Fucking girls?"

Damn... Seems like I will spend my time at my apartment alone or going out alone.

May field trip naman ang school sa mga araw na 'yan kaya lang ay hindi ako mahilig na sumama. Bukod sa nakakapagod, marami pang makukulit na mga estudyante na panay ang pa-cute, ang sarap patulan kaya lang ay off-limits.

And besides, wala si Ms. De Leon sa listahan sa mga sasama field trip. Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko.

"I'm off the market to that. It's no longer fun to play with them."

I looked at him surprised by his response. I just can't believe he's no longer a VIP member in the Rampage, because as far as I know, he's a regular client.

Or maybe he's still a member but he stopped going there because he was done.

Or maybe...

I laughed. "What the... don't tell me you are finally going to settle everything for Rose?"

Rose is beautiful and wise. She's Seb's secretary at The Grays; their family's business owned by his father.

"Rose is my friend and nothing else, Luciano. What happened before was nothing. We're both casual."

Yes, Seb treated her like a friend and nothing more even though they slept together once. For me, she's the best candidate if Seb decides to settle down, again.

"Damn... casual," I mumbled. "How can I make myself casual to the woman I like? Damn it."

Pilyong napangiti si Seb sa akin. "May nagustuhan ka? Mas bata ba sa huli?"

"Nothing." I shook my head and tried not to think about her.

"Give it a try, Luciano," he said without looking at me. "I'm going to try it, too, Luciano."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa huli niyang sinabi. It means...

"Yes, I'm gonna give it a try... Eva might be different. I want to try with her."

God damn it! I couldn't utter any words.

Funny, because most of the time we are talking about shit, but right now we are fucking serious!

And I'm not used to it.

________

"Hello, Mr. Valerio," bati sa akin ng mga estudyante ko.

Isang tango at tipid na ngiti lang ang sagot ko sa kanila.

"Sir, sasama ka na ba sa field trip?"

"No," mabilis kong sagot habang busy sa pag-aayos ng mga documents sa table ko.

Malapit na ang oras para mag-start ang klase ko pero wala pa rin si Ms. De Leon.

I sighed and looked at my wristwatch for the last time.

"Okay, class, let's start our class!" I get my book and turn the pages. "Open your Marketing book at page 187."

"Sorry, Mr. Valerio, I'm late."

Nang marinig ko ang boses ni Ms. De Leon mula sa pinto ay bigla na lang bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko.

I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself. I looked at my wristwatch. She's thirty seconds late.

"Have a seat," I said with my cold tone of voice.

Kaagad naman siyang umupo sa pinakadulong upuan. Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko. Mas lalo akong na bad trip pero mas pinili ko na lang ikalma ang sarili ko.

"What is Marketing is all about?" panimula ko sa lesson namin.

Napansin ko na nagtatanong si Ms. De Leon sa katabi saka mabilis na binubuklat ang pages ng libro niya.

Amused akong nakatingin sa kaniya pero hindi ko pinapahalata. I just continued my lesson.

"Sir, Marketing is about understanding the needs of customers," sagot ng estudyanteng nasa harapan ko.

I nodded my head in agreement. " And what else?"

"And also communicating how a business meets those needs. If you can build a relationship with customers, you can build loyalty."

"That's correct. Okay, let's turn on page 189."

Naging smooth ang klase ko ngayon kaya mabilis din kaming natapos. Isa-isa na ring nagsilabasan ang mga estudyante ko hanggang si Ms. De Leon na ang pabas, ngunit pinigilan ko.

"Ms. De Leon, late ka na naman kanina."

"Sorry, Mr. Valerio, it won't happen again."

My eyebrows furrowed while looking at her face. She seems apologetic.

"I won't tolerate late students, Ms. De Leon. Detention ka ngayon ng isang oras sa office ko."

"What?" Hindi makapaniwala ang mukha niya. "Mr. Valerio, 30 seconds lang ako na late tapos detention na kaagad?"

Seryoso ko siyang tinitigan. "Like what I said, I won't tolerate late students in my class. Detention or suspension, just choose."

Gusto kong mapangiwi sa reaksyon ng mukha niya ngayon. She was powerless and I liked it.

She sighed. "Okay, I'll go with you."

My lips curved a little. "Good. Let's go."

Wala kaming imikan hanggang sa makarating sa office ko.

"Have a seat, Ms. De Leon, may ipapagawa ako sa'yo," kaagad kong saad sa kaniya.

Umupo naman siya sa harapan ng table ko. Hindi ko pa rin mabasa ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Hindi ko alam kung galit ba siya, naiinis o hindi.

"Here." Inilapag ko sa harapan niya ang isang listahan. "Put your name on the list."

Matagal siyang nakatitig sa papel bago nagsalita, "Sir, listahan ito ng mga sasama sa field trip ngayong school break."

"Exactly." I smiled at her.

"Hindi ako sasama kaya wala ako riyan."

I smirked at her. "Kung ayaw mong magtagal dito sa opisina ko ay ilagaya mo na ang pangalan mo rito sa listahan."

Hindi maipinta ang mukha niya at ewan ko ba kung bakit natutuwa pa ako. Parang nakakatuwa siyang asarin.

***

Please vote. Thank you❤️