CASH LOOKS very tense while staring at his dad, who is standing still in front of our table. So, this is the great Sir Charles VM, owner of VM Corp. He seems pretty scary, just like what Curtis told me. He said that he's not close with his Uncle Charles because all he talks about is business.

Sir VM turned his head towards me. He looks at me very briefly before looking away. I swallowed hard. Our eyes only met for a second, but I felt a shiver down my spine. Bakit kinilabutan ako bigla?

I don't know why I feel so nervous. Hindi naman siguro nangangain 'tong tatay niya 'di ba? Bakit ba kasi sobrang tense ni Cash that his father's here kaya it makes me feel really tense too tuloy!

"You declined our client's dinner for this?" Cash's dad said, in disgust.

"I-I'm... sorry, Dad."

"You disappointed me again, Cash." Sir VM sighed deeply while slightly shaking his head. I bit my lower lip.

Oh, no. It's my fault... I was the one who invited Cash for dinner. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na may dinner pala sila with their client. Ayan tuloy nagalit ang tatay niya.

"I'm very sorry, Sir. It is my fault po why Cash couldn't attend the dinner with your client. I was the one who invited him tonight." I butted in. Cash quickly looked at me. His eyes were slightly widening. I stood up from my seat too and faced Sir VM.

I couldn't take how Cash looked so down and gloomy after what his father said. He couldn't even lift his head to look back at his father. I feel really guilty.

Sir VM turns his head towards me. His stares were very dark and menacing. He looks angry because he just clenched his jaw. He stared at me for a second, and that's when it hit me. My eyes slowly widened while recalling everything.

He was the man at the mall who got mad at Evo!

Oh my gosh!

Why didn't I see the resemblance between him and Cash? Cash got his father's strong jawline, thick brows, and pitch-black eyes. They both have jet black hair, but Sir VM has slick back hair and a bearded jaw.

"Dad—"

"Don't you dare interrupt me when I'm talking to my son. You don't have a say in this." agad akong napalunok. He said those without leaving his gaze to mine. My heart is beating so fast!

"I didn't mean to interrupt you, Sir. I just want to explain—"

"I don't need your explanation, young woman! Shut your mouth." His voice rose a little. His voice has so much authority that I felt my whole body freeze. Some of the customers were gawking at us. I don't mean to create a scene here. Gusto ko lang naman sabihin na walang kasalanan si Cash.

I could feel my hands shaking. I couldn't utter a word. He has so much power in his voice that could make you feel weak and small.

"Dad, please... not here," Cash pleaded. He looks really embarrassed.

Sir VM looks at the man behind him. Siya rin iyong lalaking kasama niya sa mall dati. Para siyang secretary niya.

"Hank," Sir VM called.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Make a reservation somewhere else. I just lost my appetite here," he commanded, and the guy named Hank immediately grabbed his phone to call.

"And you..." Sir VM said to Cash. "We are not done here. Report to me tomorrow morning,"

Cash sighed deeply. "Yes Sir," he said with his head down. Sir VM threw me a glance before he starts walking away.

My knees turn to jello and I have to grab onto the table to support myself from standing up. Napatingin ako kay Cash at kagaya ko parang nanghina siya dahil sa nangyari. I've always suspected that Cash is not on good terms with his father, but I did not expect it to be like this.

He's more like a boss to Cash than a father. He is so powerful and authoritative that I don't even want to encounter him anymore. He's just terrifying! I'm just glad he didn't yell at me just like how I yelled at him at the mall. I'm also lucky that he didn't recognize me. Baka nasigawan na niya talaga ko.

Bumalik na ako sa pagkaka-upo at ganon din si Cash. His head is still down.

"Cash?" I called but he did not respond. Our food came, and Cash was still quiet, and I couldn't see his face. I thanked the waiter before I stood up from my seat and went to Cash.

I chewed on my lips. Hindi ko alam anong gagawin ko. I actually don't know what to say or what to do. I just stood there while looking down at him. I don't care if some people were looking at us.

I sighed deeply before I gently put my hand on his back and caressed him.

"I'm sorry..." I mumbled. "If I hadn't invited you tonight, then your Dad wouldn't be disappointed in you."

"If you want, you can call your client and—"

"It's okay..." Cash said, he reaches for my other hand and kissed the back of my hand. Nabigla ako sa ginawa niya. He lifted his head and met my eyes. His eyes were moist.

"I'm sorry about my dad," he said, looking apologetic.

I gave him a small smile. "Okay lang." sabi ko.

Bumalik na ako sa upuan ko at saka kami nagsimulang kumain. We were just quiet while eating. Parang nawalan din ako nang gana dahil sa nangyari. I have never met someone like Sir VM. He is a very scary man. I'm glad I didn't choose to work at their company baka kasi mabuang ako pag makakasalubong ko si Sir VM!

We finished eating without talking. I'm not used to this kind of silence with Cash. Hindi rin ako sanay na makita siyang problemado. The only time that I saw him like this is when he went to my unit before, and he asked for a hug.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked when we got out from the restaurant.

"Ikaw? You can leave na if you want. So, you could talk to your Dad,"

He exhaled sharply. "It's okay. You don't have to worry about my Dad."

"Baka kasi mas magalit lalo siya. I'm okay by myself naman here,"

"I'm your date for tonight. I couldn't just leave you." he uttered, and I felt the lump in my throat.

Did he just say 'date'?

"So, this is a date pala?"

A sexy grin appears on his lips. "You heard it right, babe," he said before winking at me.

I could feel my face heating up. I pursed my lips together to stop myself from grinning. Tinaas baba pa niya iyong kilay niya habang nakatingin sa'kin kaya hinampas ko siya sa balikat.

"You're so maharot!"

"You're marupok!" he replied. That made me laugh.

"Nahahawa ka na sa'kin. Akala ko ba ayaw niyo iyong pagiging conyo ko?" I raised one eyebrow at him.

"Who said I don't like you?"

"What?" I asked. Para akong nabingi sa sinabi niya.

"Nothing. I said, let's go na," sabi niya before walking past me towards his car.

My mind was dazed. I know I heard him right, but my mind won't admit it. Para nag-buffering bigla iyong utak ko because of what he said.

#

"Where are we going?" I asked when I got inside his car. Ang bango talaga nang loob ng sasakyan niya! It smells like him.

"Batangas."

"Ha?" kumunot iyong noo ko.

"Serenity please clean your ears." he chuckled. I glared at him.

"Why are we going to Batangas suddenly? and I have work tomorrow." I said, napatigil siya sandali. Tomorrow's my first day at The Empress and I don't want to leave a bad impression kahit na friends ko iyong anak ng owner ng company. And I am not the one who shows up late at work.

I value my time and work.

"I promise we will be back to Manila before you go to work," he said with a pleading eye.

I sighed. I know hindi ko naman siya matitiis. And he said this is our date, so...

"All right, But promise mo na babalik tayo in Manila before I go to work at 8,"

"Yes ma'am!" he said with a salute. I chuckled lowly because he looks cute.

"Buckle up, babe!" he cheerfully said before starting the engine of his car and driving away.

I think he really needs a spontaneous trip like this because of what happened kanina. A while ago, he looked really dejected. And if this trip could make his mood lighter again, then I am more than willing to take him on this trip.

He's like a vine that slowly crawls its way into my heart without me noticing.

Hindi ko namalayan that I fell asleep sa byahe. I just woke up when I felt Cash slowly tapping my shoulder.

"We're here..." he said, upon opening my eyes.

I looked outside and it's very dark already. Almost 10 PM na rin. Cash went outside the car and I followed him to the beach. I took off my high heels and walked on the soft sandy beach.

The beautiful sound of water that was coming from the beach welcomed my ears. The night is dark and stunning. The sky is full of stars that shine brightly above us. It was very calm and serene.

It is my first time here in Batangas and I'm really glad we went here.

It's very peaceful...

Kami lang ang tao na nandito ngayon. I was hugging myself when I sat beside Cash. I am wearing a dress and the wind is cold because we were sitting near the beach.

Cash took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulder. "Thank you," I smiled at him.

We stared at the beach in front of us. The silence enveloped us. I secretly turn my gaze at him. His face looks so serious.

"I wish my mom hadn't left us," he said, breaking the silence between us. Napalingon ako sakaniya but his gazed remain at the beach.

"I'm sorry..." I said, and he smiled a little.

"She didn't die. She just left because apparently, she met someone else better than my Dad. And that's how it all began." I kept my mum and just listened to him even though my heart is breaking in half.

"I don't know the whole history of it, but my Dad started to hate women. He thinks that women are very weak, cunning, and selfish. He despised women so much that he thinks that he has the power to manipulate them." he exhaled sharply before looking at me.

"I'm really sorry that he treated you like that."

I reached for his hand and gently squeezing it. "It's really okay."

"It's not okay with me that he treated you like that. It's not okay that he treats every woman like that. His gaze was very intense. I could hear anger, sadness, and loneliness in his voice.

I wish I could do something to make him feel better.

"Serenity, can I hug you?" he said, and I immediately nodded my head and wrapped my arms around him. He snuggled up to me like a baby. I softly patted his back, trying to make him feel better.

Is his father also the reason why he couldn't date anyone?

Even just the thought of it makes my heart clenched in pain. I guess I'm really starting to like him.

"I'll always be here whenever you needed a hug, Cash. Always remember that." I mumbled and he hugs me tighter.

W H A T Y A S E Y