A/N:

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS! :)

I'm not that bad. I just like to have fun once in a while.

Love you, guys.

Here's the next one.

Enjoy.

xoxo

***

Three weeks after Neri abruptly left for London, sinorpresa niya ako by coming to the set.

It was almost time for lunch and nagulat ako ng bigla na lang may yumakap sa likuran ko.

I knew it wasn't Maria.

For one, the person smelled of oatmeal milk and honey.

I turned around and saw Neri beaming.

Unlike the day she called where it sounded like the world is ending for her, she looked radiant.

She was grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat.

"Hey. When did you get back? I gave her a quick hug then let go.

"Kahapon lang."

"Why didn't you call or text?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"I am surprised. Kumusta ka na?" Lumakad kami papunta sa likod ng classroom.

I have just finished shooting the classroom confrontation scene.

Alex and Gabby were now sitting on the platform and looking at their phones.

"I'm good." Hinila ko ang isang upuan at una ko siyang pinaupo.

"How's Mama? Is she better?"

"She is. I'm really thankful when the doctor said that it was exhaustion and not anything else kaya siya hinimatay. Kasi naman, she was shuttling back and forth between London and Kent dahil siya ang nagbibabysit sa mga apo niya. I was so mad at Ate Beth. Hindi kasi nila sinasabi sa akin na she's divorcing and Mama was helping her out dahil she couldn't afford daycare.

Her cheeks turned red habang nagkikwento.

"But I'm not here to bore you with the drama in my life."

"You don't bore me."

"I know. But that's not the reason why I came over."

"What is the reason then?"

"Kahit nasa London ako, I'm still updated sa mga showbiz chika."

"Ah." I crossed my legs.

"So? Tell me. Is it true?" She didn't need to mention names.

We can read each other like a book.

I looked around to make sure no one's milling about.

After the blind item, Maria pleaded to keep things on the down low.

Naiintindihan ko naman ang kagustuhan niya for privacy.

God knows it's like fighting tooth and nail to keep my private life away from the prying and cruel eyes of the public.

"Why don't we take a walk? It's time for a break anyway." Tumayo ako at sumunod si Neri.

I took her to the school grounds where it was quieter and isolated.

The sun was beginning to settle down but the sky was still a vibrant blue.

Neri and I walked side by side.

"I'm still making ligaw." I admitted.

"What?" Neri blurted, the amusement in her face, obvious.

"Kelan ka pa nanligaw, Kyle Obregon?" She grinned.

"Nunca." I answered in what little Spanish I know.

"Wow! You really got it bad for her huh?"

"When you left, the two of us grew close. She's still the same person who's loud and irreverent."

"But?"

"But what?"

"There's something about her that won you over di ba?"

"The same qualities I mentioned. She makes me laugh. I didn't realize how cathartic it was to just laugh out loud and let go. I don't know how she does it."

"Does it help that she's not intimidated by who you are and what you've achieved?"

"I think it does. We agreed not to bring up my wealth and her poverty. It was actually her idea."

Neri's expression turned serious.

"But eventually you have to deal with that reality. You can't keep avoiding the most obvious difference in your status."

"I know but I'm really happy right now and I don't want to ruin what Maria and I have because of money."

"Does your dad know?"

She stopped in front of a bench and sat.

We were facing Rizal's statue.

A bird was perched on his shoulder, its eyes closed.

"He asked about the blind item."

"What did you tell him?"

"I reminded him he never used to care about who I'm with so why bother now?"

"Anong sabi ni Tito?"

"Desperada na daw ba ako na pati writer eh pinapatulan ko? Then I threw it in his face that he dated his secretary."

"Oh crap!"

"I mean, really? If you're going to preach to me about who I'm dating, make sure your arguments are ironclad."

"What happened after?"

"I haven't talked to him for weeks and to be honest, I don't care."

"I'm sorry, Kyle. Does Maria know about your contentious relationship with your Dad?"

"Hindi pa. She hasn't asked and I didn't volunteer. Baka maturn-off siya kapag nalaman niya ang background ko."

"But then again, marami din namang magandang legacy ang mga Obregon di ba?"

"I know. A part of me wants to enjoy the romantic phase of our relationship before things turn to shit."

"You really are in love with her aren't you?"

"What made you say that?"

"Kasi you're trying to protect her from the bad things."

"I guess I do."

"Pero sa tingin ko, you don't need to worry too much."

"Why not?"

"I've met Maria. She can handle anything."

I smiled at that.

We went back to the classroom and Neri stayed to watch the next scene where Gabby as Mindy was writing her thoughts about Tonette on the board.

It was pivotal because it was her coming out moment.

When the camera started rolling, I zoomed in on Gabby's face and realized that she wasn't acting.

Whatever she and Alex have in real life was closely resembling Mindy and Tonette's story.

My heart skipped while I was looking at the camera.

Deep inside, my biggest desire was to show Maria to the world.

I want to take her out on dates and not be afraid that there are people taking videos of us and uploading it on the Internet.

I told myself to be patient.

To be thankful that Maria, although a newbie in the business, understands how my world operates.

We finished shooting past ten in the evening.

I was walking to my car when my phone beeped.

There was a text from Maria.

She wants to see me ASAP.