"MAY HINIHINTAY ka bang tawag? Kanina ka pa nakatitig diyan sa cellphone mo."

I swiftly put my phone back in my pocket.

I sighed.

"Oh, y-yeah... I'm waiting for my mom's call," I laughed nervously. Tia gave me a skeptical look, but she didn't push it further.

She just shrugged at me and continued feeding Evo with peeled apples.

Cash hasn't replied to my dinner invitation from him. Is he mad at me for rejecting him this morning? Mali ba na pinauwi ko siya kahit na gusto niyang kumain kami ng breakfast?

I'm getting frustrated because I don't know what's right and wrong anymore! He's all that I've been thinking about since this morning, and it's not fun! Pakiramdam ko sasabog na iyong utak ko for thinking about Cash too much.

My mind is like, "Cash, Cash, Cash." Ugh!

I felt my phone vibrate and I immediately checked who texted me. I bit my lower lip in disappointment when I saw that it wasn't Cash who texted me. I sighed.

It was a text from Curtis, and he was asking if I wanted to have a drink tonight with a few of his officemates. Tinignan ko muna kung may reply na ba si Cash, but there's still nothing and it's been a couple of hours already. I mean, it's still early pa naman. He's probably busy or whatever.

I typed a reply to Curtis that I'd take a raincheck and I wanted to rest tonight. He immediately replied, "OK'," but he still told me that they were going to Sapphire just in case I changed my mind.

I just played with Evo, so I can stop stressing about Cash. I need to get him off my mind because it's frustrating to think about him all day! I didn't sign up for this when I started "this thing" with him. I should probably take the advice that Tia gave me way back when. I should meet other people, so I won't get attached to him this much.

I can't wait to start working, so I'll get busy thinking about other things.

"Do you want to go to the mall?"

Tia chuckled, "Ngayon na?"

I nodded, "Yup. Now na," I said. Her forehead slightly creased, probably thinking why I suddenly wanted to go to the mall.

Hindi naman nag-reklamo si Tia at nagpalit naman sila agad ng damit ni Evo. Tuwang-tuwa si Evo dahil pupunta kami sa Mall. I still have enough money pa and Kuya Baker keeps on giving me allowance rin kahit hindi naman ako nanghihingi. Seriously, Kuya feels like my dad or something. He's so nice to me. I should probably stop teasing him na. And it's good that I'll be working na rin so I can earn money for myself.

I booked us a ride to get to the mall.

"Wow," Evo said in awe when I brought him to Toy's R Us. Mabilis na tumakbo si Evo sa aisle na puro laruan pang-bata. Tia smiled beside me while looking at Evo, who was very excited looking at different kinds of toys.

"Don't worry, I'll pay for his toys. Just save your money," I told Tia when suddenly Evo grabbed a bunch of toys and put them into our cart.

"Nakakahiya naman, Sera. Masyado ka nang maraming naitulong samin,"

"I insist. Just think of me as Evo's Ninang nalang." I smiled at her. "Kumare na pala kita," I joked, and we both laughed.

"Ganda mo naman mars," Tia said, at pabiro niya akong hinampas sa balikat.

"Ganda natin pareho mars," I corrected her, and she agreed with me naman kaya natawa kami.

I bought Evo lots of toys and clothes. We strolled around the mall. I bought clothes for Tia too, because I noticed that she only has a few clothes, dahil palagi niyang inuuna si Evo. She deserves to get spoiled for all the hard work she does as a single mom. I couldn't imagine myself in her situation. She's really a tough woman.

"Ang dami naman nitong binili," Tia said when I handed her the paper bags with the clothes, I bought for her.

"That's fine. You deserve it," I smiled at her, and she immediately gave me a hug.

While we were at the arcade inside the mall, Tia excused herself to go to the bathroom for a second. Evo was riding the carousel, and he was smiling widely. I waved at him. He waved back when he passed in front of me.

"Did you have fun?" I asked when he was done riding the carousel.

"Opo, Tita!" excited na sagot niya.

I grabbed all the paper bags that were sitting on the ground. "Are you hungry na? Saan mo gusto kumain?" I asked. He wandered his eyes around the mall.

"Ice cream!" he exclaimed.

I smiled at him. "Okay..." I replied, as we walked near the ice cream store and bought him his ice cream cone.

I gave Evo his ice cream and while I was paying for our ice cream, he suddenly started running away.

"Evo, wait!" I called and chased after him after I was done paying. When I saw him, he was sitting on the ground with his ice cream spilled on the floor.

Agad ko siyang nilapitan at tinayo. "Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. The little kid nodded his head before looking at the old man who was standing in front of us. Nalagyan ng ice cream iyong lalaki sa pants at sapatos niya.

"Sorry po," Evo apologized to the old man.

"Be a responsible mother and put a leash on your kid," the old man said. Evo looked like he was about to cry, kaya I gave him a hug. I could feel my blood boiling because of what he said!

I immediately stood up and faced him. He had this scowl on his face, and he was glaring back at me. There's a guy wearing a suit and tie standing behind him who looks like his bodyguard or whatever. He looks like a businessman who is very strict and uptight about his posture. He looks scary — honestly, but I can't be intimidated by him after what he said!

I'm not even Evo's mother, and yet, I got insulted by what he said! I exhaled deafeningly.

"What did you just say? He's just a little kid. It was just an accident, and he had already said sorry." I glared back at him while gritting my teeth in frustration. There were people who were looking at us. I don't care if I'm causing a scene here, but I will not let this man say such things because of an accident. I'm sure hindi sinasadya ni Evo na madapa at madumihan siya.

The old man raised one eyebrow at me and said, "And that is why you should start training him at such a young age."

I bit my lower lip in anger. "Excuse me, Sir. But he is a kid and not a robot that you will train. Magkano ba iyang pants ninyo?!" Tumas na iyong boses ko because nanggigil na talaga ako sa matandang 'to!

He snickered before looking at me from head to toe, as if he had already judged my whole being.

"Sir, we have to leave now for the dinner party," the guy behind said to the old man.

Evo was hiding behind me because he was scared of this old guy. He appears to be familiar to me, but I'm not sure if I've met him before.But one thing's for sure, he's a rude old guy!

The old man gave me one more glance before he walked away.

My heart is beating so loudly because of anger. It's a good thing that Tia's not here so she didn't hear the insults that the old guy said to Evo. Tia's a very soft person and I'm sure masasaktan siya kapag narinig niya iyong mga sinabi nang matandang iyon.

"Tita Sera..." Evo called while tugging at my blouse. I lowered myself and gave him a hug. I patted his head.

"It's okay, baby... Don't cry na. Hindi mo naman sinasadya," I consoled him.

Maya-maya lang, Tia came back and saw that Evo was crying. Agad niyang niyakap ang anak niya.

"Anong nangyari?" Tia instantly asked.

I sighed deeply and told her what happened, but I didn't tell her the insults that guy said. Mabuti nalang at tumigil na sa pag-iyak si Evo kaya umuwi na rin kami. Umuwi na rin ako after ko silang mahatid pabalik sa bahay nila.

I took a quick bath when I got back to my unit. I'm still a bit mad because of that old guy! There's something about him that makes my blood boil in anger.

I wore my satin lace nightgown and just laid down on the couch. I was browsing a movie on Netflix when my phone vibrated. It was a text message from Curtis – again.

I couldn't conceal the disappointment that I was feeling. He invaded my mind once again.

From: Curtis

We're at the Sapphire, drinking. Just so you know :)

I... really don't want to be alone tonight because I'm sure I'll just be thinking about Cash all night and I don't want that to happen. So, I immediately turned off the TV and went back to my room to change.

I texted Curtis that I was coming over, and he just sent me a smiley emoji.

I wore a black spaghetti strap bodycon dress with black stiletto heels that hugged every curve of my body. I put on a little bit of makeup and curled the end of my hair. Curtis asked if he wanted me to pick him up, but I told him I'd just book a ride and so I did.

I checked for the last time if Cash replied while I was on my way to the Sapphire, but he didn't. So, I set my phone on silent mode before hiding it back in my clutch bag.

I really need to drink...

#

"Guys, this is my friend Sera. And Sera, this is Maddy, Brienne, Trent, and Gabe." Curtis introduces me to his co-workers. They all smiled at me, and I smiled back and said hi.

We were seated at a round booth table. I sat beside Curtis. They all look so nice naman. I really can't wait to start working and meeting other people!

"Hey," Trent, who was sitting in front of me, said.

I smiled at him, "Hi." I returned his greeting.

"I heard that you'll be working at The Empress," he said before flashing his perfect set of white teeth. His dimple popped out on his cheeks every time he talked.

"You heard it right," I replied. He smiled again, and I just wanted to poke the cute little dimples on his cheeks. "I'll be starting on Monday," I added.

"Great! That'll be fun,"

"I guess so,"

Trent gave me a shot of Cuervo. "Game?" he asked.

"Of course!" I replied. We chuckled before taking the shot of Cuervo together.

Trent is a fun guy. Maddy, Brienne, and Gabe were also nice, but Trent and I just clicked instantly. I don't know... I feel comfortable talking to him.

"Looks like you and Trent are getting along," Curtis whispered when Trent went to the washroom. He gave me a meaningful smile, and I just slightly smacked his arm.

"Issue ka diyan!" I said to him, and he just laughed.

"Trent's a nice guy. I knew that you two would get along instantly,"

"Bahala ka nga riyan. Washroom lang ako," I said before rolling my eyes at him. He just laughed at me.

I went to use the restroom, but because there are so many people at the bar tonight, I had to wait in line. After I pee, I touch up my makeup. I saw my phone inside my bag, and I was so tempted to check if Cash replied na ba, but I forced myself to stop doing what I was thinking.

I was on my way back to our table when I bumped into Kenzo.

"Hey!" I greeted him.

"Are you with Cash?" he asked, which made my forehead slightly crease.

I chuckled at his question. He has this meaningful smile on his lips, "Nope. I'm with my... friends." I lied.

"Oh..." he just said, as if there was something wrong with my answer. Mas kumunot iyong noo ko. Nagpaalam na ako sakaniya and went back to our table.

Trent said, "You can sit here," when he saw me. He tapped the space beside him.

Curtis and his co-workers teased us when I took the spot beside Trent. Sinipa ko nang mahina iyong paa ni Curtis sa ilalim ng table and frowned at him.

We continued taking more shots. I already feel tipsy, and so does Trent. He became more comfortable with me so that I could feel his arms around my waist. I didn't mind though. He's super nice and super hot! Lalo na when he smiles, his dimples make him look sexier and cuter at the same time.

We were busy drinking when I heard a familiar voice. Hindi ko alam if it's because I'm drunk or what, but I swear I heard his voice.

"Cash, what are you doing here?" Curtis suddenly said that made my heart start beating so loudly inside my chest.

I slowly turned around to look at him. And I swear, I saw him clench his jaw when his eyes landed on mine.

W H A T Y A S E Y