"ARE YOU doing okay in there alone?"

"Yes, Kuya. Okay na okay ako dito. Mag-i-isang linggo na kaya ako dito, so you don't have to worry about me," sabi ko nang medyo natatawa. Ang paranoid talaga ni Kuya sa'kin.

"Just call me if you need anything,"

"Yes, Kuya. Thank you. Bye!" I said before ending the call.

I finally moved to the Empire just a week ago, and that's because of Cash, who used his connections kaya mas napabilis 'yung paglipat ko. I don't know what he did, but at least I have my own space—it's not like I don't like living with Kuya Baker, but it's still nice to have your own private place, plus I can walk around my unit naked.

The Empire Building is magnificent! This is the tallest and most expensive condominium building here in Manila. Pagpasok mo palang sa lobby, you'll know that rich people live here. Hindi na ako nagtataka why a lot of people want to live here, because it is just gorgeous! My unit is huge and very spacious. It is a fully furnished unit, so I don't have to worry about buying big appliances. I only bought an air fryer and a bread toaster because I don't really know how to cook, and I've watched tons of videos on Tiktok on how brilliant an air fryer is when it comes to cooking.

Bukas sasamahan ako ni Arlo mag-grocery dahil mas nakabisado ko 'yung mga lugar malapit sa condo ni Kuya kaya ngayon igagala naman niya ako sa mga lugar malapit dito sa Empire dahil dito rin naman siya nakatira kaya siya nalang ang sasama sa'kin.

Actually, Cash wanted to accompany me on my grocery run tomorrow, but I declined. Because it is very risky, and I don't do grocery shopping with the guy that I'm "friends with benefits" with.

There is an imaginary line between us that I will never cross.

Sa harap ni Kuya at ng mga kaibigan nila, magkaibigan lang kami ni Cash. We have a very small world in which we have to build a friendship, so it won't be weird when they see us together.

"Friends lang kami," that's what we always say to them. Although, I could feel that Arlo and Gael's have been suspecting us pero wala naman silang sinasabi samin. Pero si Gael, she always gives me a meaningful look pag nakikita namin siya ni Cash. Mabuti nalang hindi siya close kay Kuya Baker dahil baka may alam siya at may masabi siya bigla kay Kuya.

The next day, Arlo accompanied me to do groceries. He made me hold his arm so I couldn't prank him again on getting lost because I pranked him the last time na sinamahan niya akong bumili ng air fryer and bread toaster. Tawa ako nang tawa dahil ang puti na ni Arlo pero noong niloko ko siyang nawawala ako e mas namutla pa siya! He looks like Edward Cullen in Twilight because he looks very pale dahil sa takot talaga!

"Is that really your Cara? She's very pretty!" I beamed when we paid for our groceries.

Arlo just nodded at me with a small smile on his lips. He became quiet after we encountered Cara. Hanggang makabalik kami sa Empire ay hindi na siya ulit nagsalita.

I organized my pantry when I got back to the Empire. I took a quick shower because I felt really sticky all over my body dahil sa pawis kaninang nasa labas kami ni Arlo.

I don't know what to do afterwards and I am really bored. I don't want to bother Arlo because of what happened a while ago. And I don't think I'll enjoy his company when he's that quiet.

I think I need to get a job for me to do something and meet with other people and make friends. I'm going to live here in Manila, and I can't just do nothing.

So that's what I did. I took my laptop and made myself a resumé. My only problem is that I don't have a printer to print my resumé.

I texted Kuya if my printer ba siya kahit na alam kong wala naman dahil wala naman akong nakitang printer sa condo niya when I lived there. I also went to Arlo's unit too to ask him, but he's not in there. He most likely went to see his girl, so I was stuck in the unit.

I guess I don't have any choice...

It's already 15 minutes before 5 PM, kaya nagmadali na akong magbihis para abutan ko pa si Cash sa VM Corp.

I just wore a white ruffle top with long sleeves and fitted skinny jeans with my black strap heels and went to see Cash. Malapit lang naman 'yung VM Corp. sa Empire, kaya nakarating din ako agad.

At the front desk, I was greeted by the same woman, but this time she didn't stop me from entering the building. I quickly went to the elevator and pressed the floor to Cash's office.

I already texted him na pupunta ako sa office niya but he didn't reply. And our rule is that I can see him basta after 5 PM, and guess what... it's exactly 5 PM as I knock on his door.

"Who's that?" I heard him say it from the inside of his office.

I bit my lower lip and cleared my throat. "This is the stripper that you booked, Sir," I answered, using a sensual voice. Inipit ko 'yung boses ko para hindi niya ako makilala. I was covering my mouth with my hands because I couldn't stop laughing!

Thank God, his secretary left already! I just found out last week from Kuya that Cash's family owns this company pala! No wonder he has that kind of connection. Akala ko normal worker lang si Cash dito, 'yun pala sakanila 'to. Kaya pala ang lakas makipag make out sa'kin sa fire exit!

"Sir? Can I come in now so I can strip in front of you?" I said, and he didn't say anything back.

He said, "I didn't book any strippers," and I can already imagine him running his hand through his hair with his creased forehead and a very confused look on his face.

Gosh, why can't I stop teasing this guy!

"Yes, Sir, you did; you ordered a—"

"Serenity!" Cash exclaimed when he opened the door.

Tinanggal ko na 'yung takip sa bibig ko at saka tumawa nang malakas. Tama nga ako! His face has a very puzzled look at sobrang kunot ng noo niya. Napapikit pa siya sandali bago napasuklay sa buhok niya at nag face palm. His ears were so red too!

"What are you doing here?"

"I need your help," sabi ko, still laughing.

"You're gonna ask for my help after you made fun of me?" he said in disbelief. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing and nodded my head.

"You're unbelievable," he said, while shaking his head. He walked inside his office, and I followed him inside, making sure that I locked his door.

"You know, I can act as a stripper for you." I said, and gave him a wicked smile. Napapikit na naman siya. He's probably under stress because of me. But what can I do? He's so fun to tease!

"What do you need?"

"Are you declining my offer?" sabi ko na parang nasaktan dahil tinanggihan niya 'yung alok ko na mag role play ako bilang stripper.

"I didn't say that!" he instantly replied before walking towards me. Nakayuko 'yung ulo ko para mas dama 'yung pag-acting ko.

He tried to remove my hands covering my face, "I... didn't say that you couldn't strip in front of me. I just wanted to help what you needed first then we can proceed into that, you know." he said in a very soft voice.

I've been grinning the whole time. He just couldn't see it because I was covering my face. I don't know if he's just too soft or if he really is a gullible person.

"Really ba?" I said after removing my hand from my face and facing him.

Akala ko magagalit siya dahil umaarte lang ako, but he just smiles at me.

"You should get an award for being a good actress, you know..."

I replied, "Agreed," and then we both laughed.

"Now tell me what you need so you can start stripping," he said before winking at me. That made my heart race.

#

"Are you free this weekend?"

He paused for a second before shaking his head. "I think so... why?"

"Let's go clubbing," I replied while getting dressed.

He just shrugged at me, "Sure." he said, before we headed outside after getting dressed.

Ang dilim na sa buong building paglabas namin dahil kami nalang yata ang naiwan dito. Hinatid ako ni Cash dahil gabi na at dadaanan din naman niya ang Empire pabalik ng condo niya.

"Thank you for this," I said while holding my résumé that he printed out for me. Nagpa-print lang naman ako sakaniya pero lap dance at stripping ang kapalit. Ink and paper lang naman 'yun, pero napilitan akong sumayaw sa harap niya.

"My pleasure... You can always ask me to print something for you starting today," sabi niya nang nakangisi, kaya hinampas ko siya sa braso. "Thank you for the lap dance," he added.

"Thank you for... being a great performer," I replied before winking at him.

"Aren't you going to invite me inside?"

"Aren't you tired yet?"

"No. Never..."

Nginitian ko lang siya bago ko tinanggal 'yung seatbelt ko. "See you this weekend. Bye Cash," sabi ko at mabilis na lumabas ng sasakyan niya. I saw him grinning while shaking his head. Grabe, ang dami niyang energy sa katawan!

I waved my hand before he drove away.

I was on my way up to my unit when I felt my phone vibrating. I took my phone from my pocket and saw that Curtis was calling me. We haven't really talked after he found out that I know Cash. Last week na mag usap kami ni Cash tungkol dito, he just laughed when I told him about it. He doesn't really care if I'm friends with his cousin Curtis. Actually, he looks very amused pa because of our situation na parang akala mo hindi siya natakot kay Kuya nang malaman niyang pinsan ako ng kaibigan niya.

While I was walking my way inside the Empire, I answered the call from Curtis.

"Hey," I said.

"Guess where I am right now,"

My brows furrowed. "Where?"

"I said, guess." He sounded very amused.

I stopped in my tracks. Nasa loob na ako ng lobby and my eyes widened when I saw him standing in the middle of the lobby!

"Oh, my gosh!" I screamed and immediately run towards him.

He pulled me into a hug, "Surprise!" he said while laughing.

"Bakit 'di mo sinabing ngayon ka dadating!" I said after I pulled away from him.

"Then it won't be a surprise anymore if I tell you that I'm flying to Manila,"

"Fair enough," I replied, still staring at him in disbelief that he was actually here!

Finally, I have someone else to bug here! Minsan kasi nahihiya na akong mang gulo kay Arlo. I feel like he's just too nice to say no to me.

"Where are you staying right now?" I asked while we were inside the elevator, and he just shrugged at me.

"You can stay here with me muna!" I beamed. Nakakalungkot din mag-isa actually and I really need to catch up with him. We haven't talked since last week.

"Okay," he said, kaya agad ko siyang niyakap.

I have two rooms in my unit naman kaya okay lang na dito muna siya mag stay kasama ko.

Curtis took a shower first, while I ordered some food for us. It's a good thing I told him I'd already moved to the Empire.Kasama niya 'yung mga Kuya niyang umuwi at doon pala sila sa bahay ng parents ni Cash mag-i-stay but he told them that he's going to see me first, kaya bitbit niya 'yung luggage bags niya.

We were talking in the living room when I heard a knock on my door. I excitedly went to get the door because I was expecting the food delivery, but my eyes widened when I saw Cash outside my door.

W H A T Y A S E Y