"TITA SERA will miss you," I pouted, and Evo was quick to give me a hug. I hugged the little kid so tight because it is true that I will miss him and Tia in my unit.

"Bibisitahin ko kayo ng Mama mo palagi," I promised him after we pulled away from our hug.

"Promise, Tita Sera?" He said it in a cute little voice, and his eyes twinkled in delight. He extended his pinky finger at me.

"Promise," I said, entwining my pinky with his and stamping it with our thumbs.

May lilipatan nang bahay sila Tia at Evo kaya aalis na sila sa unit ko. I'm really glad that it's not that far from the Empire and that I can easily visit them anytime. I will surely miss the loudness of Tia and Evo. Simula nang tumira sila kasama ko, walang oras na hindi natahimik sa unit ko.

I'm a little bit sad now, but I know that it is better if they have their own place to live.

Tia just told me the next morning, after she met with the father of her child that he gave her two hundred thousand pesos and a place to live for an exchange that Tia will promise to him that she will NEVER bother or contact him anymore.

When I heard that from Tia, I was ready to go after that man! He is a scumbag, and he doesn't deserve to be Evo's father! Ever!

Hanggang ngayon, sobrang nagagalit pa rin ako, but what can I do? Tia accepted what that man gave her because her priority was her son. She got the money that she needed to get Evo checked up, and that's what matters to her the most... And I can't do anything but respect Tia and her decision. Kahit na gustong-gusto ko sapakin iyong lalaking iyon!

I really swear that if I ever cross paths with that man, I will beat him into a pulp!

Tia really loves her son. I wanted to ask her about Evo's father, but I didn't want to pry. I treat her as my friend, and I will just wait for her to tell me herself about Evo's father...

"Do you need anything else?" I asked Tia. She only has clothes to bring to their new home, kaya hindi kami nahirapan maglipat.

I was kind of relieved that the house was nice. It is a small, two-bedroom house that is perfect for Evo and Tia. It was fully furnished, and Tia didn't have to spend the money on buying appliances for the house.

Umiling siya. "Wala na siguro... Salamat talaga Sera sa lahat ng tulong mo samin ni Evo ha," she said, smiling, her eyes were getting watery.

I wrapped my arms around her. She'd been through so much, and I really admire her for being a strong woman.

"You are my friend now, Tia. Don't ever forget that... I will always be here for you and Evo." I promised her and she nodded her head while hugging me back.

I spent the whole afternoon at their house. I played with Evo and just chatted with Tia all day. She cooked sinigang na hipon for dinner, and I loved it! She is the best cook – after my mom, of course.

Mga bandang 8 PM, I bid them goodbye. I told them that I would visit them more often. Mabuti nalang at magsisimula na ako sa pagtatrabaho kaya may iba na rin akong pagkaka-abalahan.

When I returned to my apartment, I quickly showered. I was dressed comfortably in cotton shorts and an oversize t-shirt.

It was unusually quiet, and I'm not used to it. With this stillness, I feel as though I'm going nuts.

I'm considering whether or not I should invite Cash over...

I'm not going to ask him for sex since all I want is companionship on this lonely night. With a sigh, I took out my phone and started composing a message.

"Are you free tonight? Do you want to come over?" But my finger wouldn't move to hit the send button.

There's a part of me na gusto siyang papuntahin dito, pero naisip ko na parang ang clingy nang dating ko sakaniya and I don't want that. We created rules, and we don't follow most of them anymore, and being clingy is a different story... I don't want to be clingy to him.

I just grabbed a pillow off the couch and buried my face in it to scream my rage away.

Why am I making this so difficult?

Why do I continue to overthink things?

This isn't what I promised myself...

Ugh!

I let out a heavy sigh before tossing my phone on the other end of the couch to prevent myself from texting him.

I should probably do as Tia said. I should get out and meet new people to keep myself from worrying about Cash all day! This is quite aggravating.

When I got up from my couch to get some water, I heard a knock on my door. I abruptly came to a halt on my path...

Who the hell?

"Hey, Serenity. It's me, Cash," he said before knocking on my door again.

My heart starts beating erratically at the sound of his voice! What is he doing here? Hindi ko naman siya tinawagan, a!

"What are you doing here?" sabi ko, still not opening the door because I'm still trying to calm my nerves!

"Uhm..." he trailed off, "I just want to see you. That's why I came by," he replied.

Nag-inhale exhale muna ako bago ko binuksan iyong pintuan. I creased my forehead para hindi niya mahalatang natataranta ako sa biglang pagdating niya.

"Missed me already?" I teased him. His lips curved up, and his gaze darted across my whole body. His Adam's apple bounced up and down as he examined me.

"What if I do miss you?" he retorted.

I was taken aback by his response, which left me speechless!

I heard him chuckle as he passed me and entered my apartment without my permission. Feel at home masyado!

I cleared my throat and followed him into my living room, locking the door behind me.

"Do you want anything? I could only offer coffee or water though," I honestly said. He let out a soft laugh before shaking his head.

"No, I'm OK. Thanks though."

"Okay," I murmured as I took a seat next to him.

He didn't say anything further after that. It was silent again, but this time I didn't mind since I knew I had company.

When I peeked over my shoulder, he seemed to be in deep thought, as if he had gone off the rails someplace. Nakatulala lang siya na parang ang lalim nang iniisip. This is the first time that he's been this quiet ever since I met him.

Umayos ako nang upo at hinarap siya habang naka-indian sit ako sa couch. He looks really stressed over something. I don't want to ask him about his problem unless he is going to tell me himself.

Kahit na mukhang stress siya, he still looks so damn good! His brows were furrowed, and his soft pinkish lips were pursed together while his jaw was intensely clenched.

He sighed again.

I poked his right cheek using my index finger.

"I'm not going to ask what's bothering you because of our rules, and I'm not going to ask if you're okay because you're obviously not okay." I said when he faced me. "But... I'm going to ask if you want to take a walk outside and probably grab some ice cream. My treat..." I said while smiling at him.

Nakangiti lang ako sakaniya habang hinahantay iyong sagot niya, pero nakatitig lang siya sa'kin. I almost thought he didn't like what I said at babawiin ko na sana but then I saw him smile.

"Okay..." he replied, smiling back at me.

"Okay! I'll just quickly change." I told him and stood up from my seat, but then he held my hand to stop me from leaving.

I looked at him while he was holding my hand. I kept my cool kahit na sobrang lakas na nang tibok nang puso ko! Nakayuko lang siya habang nakaupo pa rin.

"Cash?" I called when he didn't say anything.

"Can I also get a hug from you?" He said this in a very low voice. I almost didn't hear what he said. He lifted his face, and his eyes met mine.

I don't like seeing the sadness in his eyes. And that's why I immediately nodded my head and smiled at him before I gave him a hug.

His face was buried in the crook of my neck while his arms were wrapped around me. I gently patted his back, trying to comfort him with whatever his problem is.

I was hugging him because he needed it, but I didn't realize that I also wanted a hug from him. Someway, I wanted him to comfort me as much as I wanted to comfort him.

I felt so warm and comfortable being wrapped in his arms that I thought a hug was almost as good as sex.

The hug is more comforting and soothes my inner soul.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na kami katagal na magkayakap ni Cash at bumitaw lang ako nang mangalay na iyong binti ko.

"M-Magpapalit lang ako sandali. I'll be back," I told him after we broke the hug. I almost ran towards my room to change and to hide my tomato-red face!

We just hugged, but why do I feel like we had sex?

#

Nagyaya si Cash sa park na dating pinuntahan namin. He drove us there tapos doon kami naglakad-lakad. Kahit gabi na, there are still lots of people outside.

There are lots of couples hanging around the bushes, and there are also a few families with their kids enjoying the park.

Bumili kami nang ice cream sa malapit na convenient store. Hinanap kasi namin si Manong na nangtitinda nang ice cream dati pero wala na siya. Baka naubos na niya agad iyong tinda niyang ice cream kaya maaga siyang umuwi.

The weather is perfect. It's already dark outside, but there are tons of streetlamps that give light to the people in the park. Hindi rin gaanong mainit, hindi rin gaanong malamig. It's really perfect to walk around the park.

Tahimik lang kami ni Cash, habang nag-iikot sa park at kinakain iyong ice cream na binili niya dahil ayaw niyang ipabayad sa'kin. I told him that it was my treat, pero sabi niya siya nalang daw ang manlilibre dahil niyakap ko siya kanina.

I don't know if I should be happy because of what he said or what... Hindi naman ako nanghihingi nang kapalit for hugging him. It was my choice to hug him.

"Are you really going to work at The Empress?" he asked, breaking the silence between us.

"Yes. I got hired na 'di ba?" I replied.

"So, there's really not a chance for you to work for me instead?"

I looked at him and frowned a little. Binunggo ko siya nang mahina sa balikat, "Business partners naman kayo nang The Empress. So, technically, I'm still working for you." I said that made him laugh.

"Fair point," he muttered. He suddenly stopped walking, kaya napatigil rin ako sa paglalakad. His eyes landed on mine.

"But it's still different when I know that we're working in the same building, don't you think?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "When did you become this clingy, Babe?" I said, grinning at him.

His lips slightly parted that made my lips stretch into a wider grin. I stepped closer towards him until our faces were inches away from him.

I gave him a quick peck on his cheeks.

"Just say please and I might reconsider, Mr. Cash Evander," I whispered against his ear that made his ear turns red.

W H A T Y A S E Y