Mom had been pretty withdrawn lately. We all knew she was still struggling to accept that Lolo Jaime was gone now. She always wanted to be alone. She wouldn't open up even to Dad. Uncle Tristan told us to give her a little space and time. Alam ko kung gaano din nahihirapan si Dad sa sitwasyon ngayon. He wanted nothing but to be there for Mom and comfort her but he didn't know how.

"Senyorita..." Our help came up to Mom as she was watering the flowers in the garden and I was sitting on the patio, chatting with my friends on the phone.

"Yes?" She answered back.

"Hinahanap po kayo ni sir Vito. Pwede daw po ba kayong makausap?"

My hearing went on full alert when I heard his name. Nawala ang atensyon ko sa pakikipagchat sa mga friends ko. My brows furrowed in irritation. Why does he want to talk to my Mom? Ano naman ang pag-uusapan nila?

"Sige, sabihin mo I'll be there in a few seconds. Offer him a drink." Mom said, putting the water pot down.

I watched as Mom went inside and I followed her in. Umakyat si Mom sa taas at pumunta naman ako sa living room kung saan naghihintay si Vito. Right next to him was a basket of beautifully decorated fruits and boxes of chocolates and a bottle of expensive champagne.

"Hi, Bryce." Vito politely stood up from his seat when he saw me walk into the living room.

"Hey." I coldly shrugged, my arms folded across my chest. 

"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday. I think I deserve a chance to redeem myself." His eyes gleamed in amusement and his lips curved into a light smirk. "I hope we can be friends, Bryce."

"I'm sorry. Marami na kong friends. I don't need more." I gave him a sarcastic smile.

His brows shot up, obviously surprised by my answer and then an amused smile broke across his lips. "It wouldn't hurt to make one more, would it?"

I looked at him from head to toe, nakataas ang kilay ko. "You're not the kind of person I'd want to befriend."

"Ano bang klaseng kaibigan ang gusto mo?" He took a step towards me which made my heart beat fast. His eyes shimmered in the most wicked way I could ever see in a person's eyes reflect. I wanted to take a step back as he got closer and closer. There was something about him that intimidated me. "This sounds like a challenge to me, Bryce. And I love challenges."

He was getting so close I could already smell his cologne. His cologne smelled to good to be this close. I started taking a slow step back until I tripped over my own foot. Mabilis akong nasalo ni Vito, one arm wrapping around my waist. 

I took in a sharp inhale as his scent overwhelmed me. I could feel the warmth of his body against me. My body tingled everywhere getting this close to him. I put both my hands on his chest and pushed him away. 

"Careful. You don't want to fall, do you?" He chuckled deliciously.

"I... get away from me." I feigned annoyance, stumbling on my own words. I quickly regained my composure and stood straight up. "I don't want to be your friend. Do I need to spell it out for you for you to understand?"

"What do you want us to be, then?" His smile grew wider.

"Nothing. I don't want anything to do with you." I said and let out a taunting smile. "Why? Are you having a little crush on me? That's cute."

"I didn't know you have sense of humor. You're so funny, Bryce. Good one." He laughed a hearty laugh. 

My face wanted to crumple in annoyance but I had to put on a confident front. "It's okay, Vito. There's nothing wrong with a little crush. You don't have to be embarrassed."

"You're beautiful, Bryce." He said in a serious tone as he looked at me. For a moment, my brain stopped function. Okay, I wasn't expecting that kind of response. I could feel my cheeks slowly heating. "I think I would've liked you if it weren't for your attitude."

I swallowed, feeling my throat dry. He let out a wide smile as he watched my baffled reaction. He knew exactly what buttons to push.

"Vito." I heard my Mom say as she walked in.

"Senyorita." His face glowed instantly. "I brought you and your family something."

He went to get the basket and brought it to Mom.

"Oh, you shouldn't have, Vito." Mom smiled.

"It's just a little sympathy gift. The fruits were from our farm." 

"Thank you so much. This is so thoughtful of you." She said and asked the help to put away the basket. I'd been here for a good ten minutes or so, kung para sa amin talaga yan why didn't he hand it to me? Bakit kailangan kay Mommy pa?

"What is it you said you want to talk about?" Mom asked.

I marched out of the living room, apalled by everything that was happening in front of me. Akala mo umaakyat ng ligaw itong Vito na 'to sa Mommy ko! Where's Dad when you need him?

If Dad knew about this, he wouldn't be happy about this. Dad went with Uncle Tristan, Kuya Coco, and Kuya Yvo to the farm to get fresh fruits and vegetables for dinner later. I went upstairs and hang out with the women who were looking after Ate Anais' kids and Toffie. Sa dami-rami ng babae dito si Mom pa talaga ang gusto niyang makausap? 

After about an hour, the guys finally came home. May dala-dala silang prutas, gulay, at meat and fishes that we were going to have for later. Nang bumaba kami ay wala na si Vito at si Mom sa living room kung saan ko sila iniwan kanina.

"Daddy!" Toffie ran up to Dad. 

"Hey, buddy." Dad raked his fingers through his hair. 

"Did you get a lot of food from the farm? Cause I'm really hungry." Sabi ni Toffie.

"Yes, I did." Dad smiled at his only son. "We'll just have to cook the food."

"Is it going to take long?"

"For you, I'll cook it a little faster." Dad answered and then looked around. "Where's Mom?"

"I don't know..." Toffie shrugged.

"Kanina nandito siya kasama si Vito?" I answered.

Awtomatiko naman nagdilim ang mukha ni Dad. His brows began to contract into a frown. "Eh nasaan na ngayon ang Mommy mo?"

"I don't know. Umakyat ako, pagbaba namin wala na sila." I answered.

"Baka naman namasyal lang, Dad. Let her have her space." Ate Anais rolled her eyes.

"Manang, nakita mo ang asawa ko?" He asked the help who was passing by.

"Ay sir, kasama po ni sir Vito. Nakita ko silang sumakay ng kotse." The help answered.

Dad's jaw clenched at what he heard. We both exchanged looks as if we'd read each other's mind. We both knew that that Vito was up to no good. 

"Oh, he also gave Mom a little 'sympathy gift'. Nagbigay siya ng fruits and chocolates and champagne." Sumbong ko kay Dad.

"Ooh, I want the chocolate!" Sabi ni Toffie.

"I want it, too!" Sabat naman ni Cookie.

"I'm going to call your Mom." Naiiling na sabi ni Dad bago umalis para kuhanin ang phone. He went back with the phone pacing back and forth while waiting for Mom to pick it up.

"Dad, kanina pa nagriring yung phone ni Mom sa patio." Anais informed, peeking her head into the living room. Mom didn't bring her phone with her.

I could see Dad's frustration as he clenched his fingers around the phone in his hand. 

"Alam mo ba kung saan sila nagpunta?" Dad asked.

"I already told you, I went upstairs. We were all upstairs. Si Mom lang at si Vito ang naiwan dito kanina." I told him.

Mom and Vito got back just in time for dinner. Mula sa bintana ng living room, I could see his red pick up truck pulling up in front of the house. I stood up from the couch and hurried to the front door. Mom got out of the car and Vito soon followed after her.

"Vito, I don't know what to say." Mom said, unsmiling. "I... I never expected this..."

"I understand." Vito nodded his head. 

"Sana walang makaalam nito. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipaliliwanag sa kanila ang lahat." Mom's face fell. "Ayaw kong magbago ang tingin nila sa-"

"I promise I'll keep this a secret. You don't have to worry about anything." He rubbed Mom's shoulder. 

"Thanks, Vito." Mom's eyes fell to the ground. "This shouldn't have happened."

"But it already did and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin anything. Ayaw ko din guluhin ang pamilya niyo." Vito let out a heavy sigh. 

I could see how hard Mom was trying to hold her tears in.

My face instantly paled. What happened? Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan nila? Bakit magugulo ang pamilya namin? What was going on?

Dad suddenly walked in and went directly to Mom. He greeted him with a hug and kissed. I noticed kung gaano ka-ilag si Mom kay Dad ngayon. She didn't react when Dad wrapped his arms around her or kissed her.

"Where have you been, hon?" Dad gently asked.

"Doon sa farm ni Vito. He showed me his priced horses." She couldn't even look Dad straight in the eyes.

"I found out that she's fond of horses." Sabi naman ni Vito.

"I see..." Dad just nodded his head, his face stoic. 

"I think I have to go. Gabi na." Vito forced a smile as he looked at Dad and then turned his attention back to Mom. They exchanged a very odd look, as if they had a secret together. Mom quickly looked away from him.

Hindi kumibo si Dad. Does he also feel the thick tension in the air? Dad and Mom started walking in and I remained glued to my spot. I wanted to tell Dad what I just heard. I wanted to find out what was happening. What they were talking about pero parang umurong ang dila ko. 

"Bryce, dinner's ready. Let's go." Aya ni Dad nang lumagpas sila sa akin.

I quietly observed everything. Mom seemed so detached as we were having dinner. Halos hindi siya kumain at halos hindi siya makatingin sa amin. Hindi naman manhid si Dad para hindi mapansin iyon. I knew he noticed Mom's aloofness towards everyone. 

I guess he was just afraid as I was to know what had happened while she was with Vito. Sometimes it's best to not know things.