"A-anong ginagawa mo rito, Jhon Rey?!" I immediately grabbed my towel and covered it with my body. My heart beats like crazy from panic.

"I've been knocking on your door, and you're not opening the door. That's why I entered. You've been here almost an hour, and I thought something happened to you," he explained while looking at the wall. I can sense his worry, even if all I can see is his back.

"Ahh... n-nakatulog ako," nahihiya kong sagot. Did he see it? My all?

I bit my lip so hard, and I knew the surroundings had suddenly warmed up. Even my cheeks felt like they were burning. The awkwardness filled the room. I want to be drained, just like the water in the tub.

"O-okay. I'm sorry."

Mabilis na umalis si Jhon Rey palabas ng comfort room, kaya naman nakapagdamit na rin ako. Actually, hindi ko na alam kung dapat pa ba akong lumabas. Hindi ko alam kung paano lumabas sa kahihiyang ito. Bakit kasi nakatulgo ako? And the fact that it was the exact time of his entry into this place. What a coincidence!

When I came out of the bathroom, I saw him come out of his room. Our eyes met, and we both immediately avoided looking at each other. Even I have no words coming out of my mouth. I don't know what to say. I still can't get over the epic situation I was in a while ago. Why would I always embarrass myself in front of him?

He cleared his throat and tried to break the ice between us.

"I just fixed your bed. I'll just sleep here on the couch," pagtukoy niya sa kwarto kung saan siya lumabas. Mukhang doon ako matutulog ng isang linggo...sa kwarto niya.

"O-okay." I nodded.

A little moment of silence. Should I ask and confirm if he saw everything? The hell! Why would I do that? It will just bring more embarrassment if I do.

"Anyway, what do you want to eat?" he asked, trying to maintain our conversation because the silence is indeed more deafening.

Especially now, nothing enters my brain because I am so bothered by the most unforgettable and embarrassing moment of mine, which he also witnessed.

Suddenly, I heard my stomach growl. Gutom na ako.

"Shouldn't we be supposed to eat at a Japanese restaurant last time? Do you want to get Japanese food instead?" he offers while scratching the back of his head.

"Sure. I'm craving maki too," I answered.

He nodded. "Alright. Can you order for us? I'll just take a shower."

"S-sure."

"Alright. The telephone is on the side of the couch. Be right back." Ngumiti siya bago pumasok sa shower room, kung saan niya natunghayan ang hubad kong katawan.

I breathed a sigh of relief when he disappeared from my sight. I repeatedly punched myself for remembering my stupidity and questioning myself about whether I really deserved to graduate with flying colors because of what happened. Napapailing na lang talaga ako kapag naaalala ang tagpong iyon. Unang araw ko palang dito, pero mukhang gusto ko nang umalis.

Katulad ng sinabi ni Jhon Rey, ako na ang nag-order ng pagkain naming dalawa. Nag-search muna ako sa phone ko ng malapit na Japanese restaurant at tinanong kung open sila for delivery. Fortunately, they have delivery services, so I was able to place an order. Habang naghihintay, naisipan kong tawagan muna si Mommy para kumustahin siya at para na rin sabihing ayos lang ako. I was glad when Mommy answered the phone right away.

"Sweetie, how are you? Kumain ka na ba? Nakauwi ka na? Kumusta? Okay ka lang d'yan?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni mommy na naging dahilan ng pagtawa ko.

"I'm okay, Mommy. Don't worry too much. I promised to contact you now and then, right?"

"You did. Always update me, darling. Especially if you sense that a bad guy is planning to do something to you."

And then it hits me. She doesn't know that I am not with my ex-boyfriend anymore, that our professor made a few changes of partners, and that I have to be with Jhon Rey on this project now.

Should I tell her? But I don't want her to worry about this. I don't want her to be involved when my father learns about me living with Carpio's son.

I bit my lip as I deeply thought about it. I really hope Father will consider these sudden changes, and I can't update him anymore because he's in Europe, but I guess someone will tell him this news even if I let it be hidden.

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"Yes, mommy. I will. Ikaw d'yan? Have you eaten your dinner? How are you?"

"I already did. Huwag mo akong alalahanin; ayos lang ako. I just baked a couple of cakes that I am experimenting with that might get launched next season."

I smiled. Naalala ko na naman ang talent na itinuro niya sa akin. Baking is what we really love doing together. Namana ko ang galing niya sa pagbe-bake.

"How about dad? Is there any news about him?" tanong ko.

"Nothing. You know your dad; he's always focused on his business. I am used to living without him contacting me," tugon niya.

Sometimes I really can't help but wonder if dad thinks about mom and if he greets her too. They have been together for a long time. I wonder if he really loves my mother. O baka nga, sanay na lang sila sa isa't isa kahit walang communication. Maybe they were so confident that even if they were far apart, they would be safe and stay loyal.

Sabagay, for almost half of their lives, they have been together. The trust they build for each other is something no one can match. I am also impressed with Mommy's patience with Dad, even if he's so strict and cold most of the time. Nakakabilib how she endures it all and still stays with dad, but I guess that's what you call true love.

Honestly, I don't know their love story because they don't mention it every time I ask, and we don't have such loving and intimate conversations, especially when we're with Dad, but to think that they are still together even now, that's a great bond and foundation, I guess.

I was in the middle of my conversation with myself when I heard the doorbell ring, a sign that our order was already here, so I said goodbye to Mommy. Nagmadali na akong lumabas para puntahan ang delivery guy para kunin ang orders ko. I paid online and gave him a tip.

"The food is already here?" Nagulat ako nang marinig ko si Jhon Rey. I almost forgot about his existence.

I looked at him, but my eyes immediately widened when I saw him... Topless. I almost dropped the food because of the surprise.

"Jhon Rey!" kinakabahan kong sigaw habang umiiwas ng tingin. But my perverted eyes wanted to peek and ensure that every detail of his body would be remembered.

"What?" tanong niya na para bang hindi alam ang ibig kong sabihin. The only part of his body that the black towel covers is the lower half, and still some water is dripping from his wet hair down to his upper body. Gusto niya ba akong mamatay agad? Sure, this is an effective way to have a heart attack.

"A-anong ginagawa mo? Bakit ka nakahubad?"

His body... I admit it; it's mesmerizing. I was left with no words.

He had just emerged from the restroom like a model in a rated-r magazine, with his hair still damp. Bakit ba siya lumalabas nang ganiyan? I can clearly see the shape and curve of his body. Honestly, it was as if I was immediately satisfied with what I saw. I think I don't have to eat now.

"Bakit? Hindi ka pa ba nakakakita ng katawan ng lalaki?" he smirked, which made my jaw drop. Kanina lang ay napakalaki ng agwat namin dahil sa pagkailang sa nangyari kanina, ngayon naman ay parang inaasar niya ako. Gumaganti ba siya dahil nakita niya ako, kaya ipinapakita niya rin sa akin ang lahat? "It's your chance now. It's free," he continuously teased me as he walked towards me. I can definitely smell his freshly bathed scent.

"Can we make a freaking agreement?" I exclaimed, and I immediately turned my back on him to bring the food to the table.

"What kind of agreement?" I felt him following me, still not getting what I meant for him to understand. I looked at him, thinking he was already dressed, but he wasn't. Seriously, I feel like my heart is pounding like double.

"Can you get dressed first?" mataray kong tanong. Paano ba naman kasi? Napapatingin ako sa ibaba.

I closed my eyes and slapped my face against the back of my mind. This project is trying my patience. I really wanted to preserve myself, but, hell, this guy is seducing me.

"Why?" tanong niya habang naglalakad papunta sa kwarto.

At last, he got what I was trying to imply. Kanina pa ako nag-iinit sa kabila ng malamig na simoy ng aircon. Pinagpapawisan na nga ako. Is he trying to show off how handsome his build is? I bit my lip so hard as I restrained myself.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him come out wearing a white T-shirt. Lumapit siya sa akin kaya naman muling tumibok nang mabilis ang puso ko. Nanunuot sa ilong ko ang mabango niyang amoy.

I invited him to sit down and discuss the agreement first. We really need to make some rules and regulations for the two weeks that we will be living together. Even if he is the individual I fantasized about and claimed to be my Mr. Right, I must ensure my safety by behaving appropriately.

I put the food on the side of the table first and then addressed him.

"Alright, it's like this..."