IT'S BEEN a week since the last time I saw Cash, and that was after he showed me the ice cream store that he bought for me. Occasionally, pinupuntahan ko iyong store when I have nothing else to do or sometimes when I crave ice cream, especially in this hot weather.

I admit, I kind of miss his presence. But... I'm also taking his absences as my chance to withdraw my feelings for him. So far naman, I'm doing pretty good.

Isang linggo na rin akong nakikitira kila Tia. Evo's not feeling great, and Tia needed someone kaya I volunteered that I would accompany them for a while, and she agreed with me naman. Plus, I have a car in case biglang atakihin si Evo para mabilis siyang madadala sa hospital.

I heard a soft knock at my door, and Sir Andres emerged from my room. "How was the training for the newly hired employees, Ms. Madriaga?" he asked, he was holding the application forms of the newly hired employees.

"It's going well naman Sir," I replied, smiling a little bit, feeling proud of myself.

After working for months here at The Empress kasi, just last week lang ako may mga na-interview for the job openings, and a couple of days ago, I called a few of those applicants to inform them that they got hired, and yesterday naman nag start iyong training nila.

"That's great. Just so you know, we will be hiring more employees for the next few weeks for every department." My boss said, my forehead slightly creased, and he took that as a sign to enlighten me further.

He sat on the chair adjacent to me, crossing his legs before sighing faintly. Mas lalo lang akong na-curious because of how he was acting.

"I'm sure you've heard about the biggest competitor of The Empress and VM Corp. here in the Philippines, The Imperial. And they were taking the number 1 spot in a flash in the business industry." I gasped. My lips parted slightly, my eyes wide.

I knew it!

Kaya pala I've been hearing rumours going around here about that company! And eksakto pa na a lot of our great managers and employees were transferred to the newly opened branch in LA, kaya we're understaffed.

So, this might be the reason why Cash has been MIA this past week, because I'm sure he's been pretty busy. Plus, his father is Sir VM, and what should I expect pa 'di ba? Siguradong he's guarding his son on what he's been doing and making sure they'll be on top again.

After talking to Sir Andres, I immediately started researching our biggest competitor. I was in awe while reading all those articles about the company. They were all great articles! I couldn't find a single piece of news or article about the Imperial being a trash company.

Uh-oh!

It looks like the Imperial is a huge threat talaga.

I click the exit button and just focus myself on working, but my mind is stubbornly worrying about Cash, if he has already eaten his lunch ba. If he was too busy that he forgets to rest or is he getting enough sleep pa ba.

Ugh! I'm trying to remove my feelings for him, but I can't stop worrying about him!

I checked the clock, and it's 15 minutes before lunch break. I'm going to have lunch with Trent kaya I'm not worrying about what I'll eat.

"It's not my business anymore if he's eating lunch pa ba." I kept on chastising myself, but I just saw myself grabbing my phone and ordering food for him online.

'Order received'

Oh, my gosh! I really did order him food.

I placed my phone back in my bag and sighed heavily. Wala na akong magagawa. I already paid for the food online rinand it will be delivered to him at exactly 12.

I heard a knock on my door, but this time it was Trent. He was smiling adorably when he came inside. His dimples were showing again, which made me smile too.

"Let's go?" he asked. I nodded at him before grabbing my bag.

"Are you going to treat me something expensive ba?" I joked when we got inside the elevator.

He chuckled heartily before replying, "Sure." He pressed the parking button.

"I was just kidding. Anywhere will be fine. I'm not a picky eater naman if you have noticed."

"I know. You eat literally everything that's edible," he quickly agreed, and I just rolled my eyes at him playfully.

We rode to his car because he's driving us.

"Are you waiting for a call?" he asked when we got caught at the red stoplight.

"H-ha?"

"I just noticed that you've been checking your phone," he said, as his eyes landed on the phone that I'd been holding.

"O-oh. Wala naman," I stuttered. He just shrugs at me before he resumes driving when the stoplight turns green.

Truthfully, I am subconsciously waiting for a text from Cash, thanking me for the food that I ordered for him but nakarating na kami sa restaurant na kakainan namin ni Trent, wala pa rin akong natatanggap na text galing sakaniya. And it's past 12 na and I'm sure the food got delivered to him na.

"I told you I was just kidding kanina," I told Trent when we occupied a table.

He puts the menu down on the table and gave me a smile. "I know. But I booked a reservation here this morning."

"I heard from Maddy that it's really expensive here."

"If you're uncomfortable, we can just eat somewhere else." he immediately said, with a slightly concerned look on his face.

"No, no... Okay lang. We can eat here, but let me pay for half of our food, deal?" I suggested. He stared at me for a second before he sighed in defeat.

"If I agree to that, will you come with me to watch a movie tonight?" He boldly asked, but I could see the shaking of his eyes.

It was my turn to stare at him for a second. I was a bit taken aback by his question, but I gradually nodded my head, which made him smile.

"Okay," I answered

"Okay," he repeated.

After placing our order with the waiter, I excused myself to Trent to go to the washroom, but before I could even reach the washroom, someone immediately took my attention.

It was Cash.

He is here too, and he's not alone. He was enjoying his food with a woman. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba matagal na simula nang huli kaming mag kita at ngayon ko nalang ulit nakita iyong ngiti niya.

I was really worried about him, and yet, it looks like I don't have anything to worry about pala. He looks okay naman and he has time to go on a date pa.

"Excuse me," a waiter holding a tray of food said, because I was blocking his way.

"Sorry." I apologize. And as soon as the waiter was out of my sight, my eyes landed on the table where Cash and his woman were eating, but this time my eyes met his. He was staring back at me, and he looked a bit surprised.

My heartbeat quickens, and I can feel myself panicking inside. I saw him rising from his seat kaya, napatingin na rin iyong babae na kasama niya sa'kin kaya agad akong naglakad pabalik sa table namin ni Trent.

"Are you alright, Sera? Did you really go to the washroom or run a marathon?" he chuckled as I was panting. Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil sa kaba lalo pa't nakita ko si Cash na naglalakad palapit sa table namin.

"Can we talk?" Cash asked when he reached our table. Ni hindi man lang niya dinapuan nang tingin si Trent.

Trent looks puzzled while staring at me and Cash.

"We can talk later," I replied, without looking at him.

"Okay. I'll be at your place after work." sagot niya bago siya naglakad paalis. Para akong mauubusan nang hininga dahil sa lakas nang pag tibok ng puso ko. Why would he say that in front of Trent?!

Mabuti nalang our food came na and we started eating. Although I lost my appetite na I still ate all my food. This is mahal kaya and sayang naman if hindi ko uubusin.

Trent didn't ask me any question kahit na I could see the curiosity look on his face hanggang makabalik kami sa work. I still thanked Trent for the lunch, kahit na I paid for half of it gaya nang pinag-usapan namin.

I was glad that I got so busy with work the whole afternoon kahit na sporadically I think of Cash and that beautiful woman na kasama niya. I've never seen her. And I must say that her beauty is radiating. She is really pretty!

"Bagay silang dalawa." That thought crossed my mind, and my chest automatically constricts in pain. Hays.

From: Cash

Can I see you? I want to talk to you.

I took a deep breath before typing a reply to him.

To: Cash

I'll come over to your place instead.

After sending a reply to Cash, I sent a text message to Trent, saying I'm sorry that I couldn't come tonight. I'm sure I won't be focused din watching the movie after talking to Cash. I also texted Tia that I might come home late, and she then replied that she cooked my favorite ulam kaya mas na-excite akong umuwi agad.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit gustong-gusto ako makausap ni Cash. Does he think I'm mad because I saw him with some other woman?

I drove to his place, and when I got to his condo, I immediately got inside the elevator, going up to his unit.

"Serenity." I immediately froze in my spot when I heard Cash's voice. He was standing in front of his door. He was obviously waiting for me.

I stutter, "C-Cash." I couldn't move. My eyes were glued to him. He looks like he just got off work too.

"Thank you for coming over."

"What do you want to talk about ba?" I quickly asked because I wanted to leave as early as possible because being alone with him is not good for my sanity. I got a heavy sigh in return. He closed the gap between us and looked me straight in the eye.

"Dad required me to have lunch with her. She's a possible investor." He was staring intently at me as if he was waiting for a reaction from me.

I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to calm myself.

"I did not ask," I said. I don't need his explanation. He doesn't have to explain to me if he's going on a date with someone else. After all, we're not in a relationship. We're just fuck buddies and that's it.

But... I couldn't deny the fact that what he said made me sigh in relief.

Hindi siya nagsalita dahil sa sinabi ko. I chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood, but his face remained passive.

"Ano ka ba. We have rules di ba? You don't have to explain it to me even if you start seeing another woman." I said, and then I saw how he was clenching his jaw.

Hindi ulit siya nagsalita. He just went inside his unit, and I followed him. It's been a while since the last time I came here. Mas madalas kasi na siya ang pumupunta sa unit ko. Wala namang pinagbago iyong unit niya but somehow, I suddenly feel nostalgic.

"By the way, thank you for this," he said, before pointing at the paper bag on top of the table. "If I knew that you'd buy me lunch, I wouldn't have gone out for lunch."

My heart starts beating faster again. I smiled a little.

"You're welcome," I replied.

His eyes didn't leave mine, and then I saw him staring at my lips. Napalunok ako because of the weight of his stares at me. He took one more step towards me before placing his hand on the small of my back.

"C-cash..." I mumbled.

Magsasalita pa sana ako pero hindi ko na naituloy because his lips immediately captured mine. His kisses were rough and needy.

In between our kisses, he murmured, "I want you, Serenity Rose." Hearing him say it really threw me off guard.

I placed my arms over his neck, pulling his hair to intensify our kiss. He hauled me up with ease, and I swiftly wrapped my legs around his waist. In his arms, he made his way to his bedroom and placed me on his bed, smothering me with kisses. He hovered over on top of me and began kissing my neck, sucking the sensitive part of my neck and leaving marks on my skin. And before I knew it, we were fully naked.

It was already dark outside nang matapos kami ni Cash. I rested for few minutes bago ako umalis sa kama at nagsimulang magbihis. We have rules, and this time I'm going to follow them. And that includes cuddling with him after sex.

I started getting dressed when Cash suddenly spoke.

"Let's get married," he blurted out, as if he was just asking me to eat with him.

W H A T Y A S E Y