I'VE BEEN feeling uneasy for the past few days. I always feel like someone's watching me, especially at work. I feel like I'm getting paranoid na because I keep looking around my surroundings.

Seeing Hank outside the hospital where Evo is makes me feel suspicious. I know that seeing him there is not a coincidence. He really is watching Tia and Evo, and it frightens me more because I know that he is capable of hurting them at any time.

"Sera? Don't you like your food?"

"H-Ha?"

Trent grins, showing his dimples, before pointing at my untouched food.

"You've been playing with your food. Is there something bugging you?" His face became worried.

I forced a smile. "Hala hindi. I'm okay lang. Medyo busog pa kasi ako." I reasoned out. He didn't ask further, and just nodded his head.

"How are you guys doing sa Marketing department? I've heard everyone's getting pressured for new plans and advertisements."

"It's like the worst. I don't even want to think about it, Sera. I've been working here for years, but this is the first time I've experienced such pressure from my work." He exhaled sharply.

"You're really smart and hard-working, Trent. I'm sure you can pull that off." I replied with a wink.

He smiles at me. "Thanks, Sera."

We continued eating our lunch together. Kami lang kasi ang magkasama ngayon dahil sobrang busy talaga nila. Nagtataka nga ako dahil mabuti pa si Trent may time pa para mag lunch because I haven't seen Curtis in a week now. They were all really, really busy!

"See you later. Thanks for having lunch with me." Trent said with a wink before showing me the dimples on his cheeks.

"No problem! Good luck!" I replied, waving at him as he got off the elevator.

The elevator door was about to close when a hand stopped it from closing.

"H-Hank..." I swallowed. My eyes widened in surprise.

He went inside the elevator with me, and I instinctively took a step back away from him, remembering Tia's story about how they endangered and hurt her.

"Get away from Cash if you don't want to get hurt," he muttered, without gazing at me.

"What?" I asked, brows furrowed.

"I said, leave Cash alone. I already know that you know what happened to Cynthia before, so save yourself and just leave Cash as soon as possible." His eyes landed on mine. I couldn't see any emotions on his face. It's like I'm staring back at a rock that has no emotions at all.

The elevator reaches my floor, and the door opens.

"Why are you telling me this?" I inquired. I was now outside the elevator. His eyes landed on mine.

"Because I wasn't able to save Cynthia before," he said before the door finally closed.

#

My conversation with Hank was rather sharp and nippy, but it left me more baffled. I don't get what he was trying to say. Gusto niya akong balaan dahil hindi niya nagawang iligtas si Cynthia noon?

I felt like I was going insane! Hindi ko na alam kung anong uunahin kong isipin.

And what does he mean by leaving Cash alone? If he's spying on me, he should know by now that Cash and I are not talking anymore. Even knowing how much that hurts me, it is the truth. Cash has his focus on Tia and Evo now.

He didn't even try to talk to me again after our conversation weeks ago outside the hospital. He probably realized now that Tia's back, he still loves her, and maybe... maybe they will get back together, and he will become Evo's father.

A lump formed at the back of my throat.

Maybe we were really not meant for each other.

Baka sila talaga ni Tia ang para sa isa't isa.

When I got home from work, I still couldn't stop overthinking that I decided to visit Evo. I really miss that kid! And he's like a breath of fresh air to me. No matter who his real father is, my love for this kid will not change.

I put on denim shorts, a plain white shirt, and white snickers. I grabbed my sling bag along with my phone and wallet before I headed to the hospital. I keep on praying that Cash is not here dahil gusto ko na talagang makita si Evo. Sigurado akong si Evo lang ang magpapagaan sa kalooban ko.

When I got there, I peeked at the small glass on the door muna to make sure that Cash was not inside. I sighed in relief when I saw that it was only Evo and Tia's inside, but before I could open the door, I heard his voice that sent thousands of electricity through my veins.

"Why are you peeking? To make sure that I'm not inside?" A pain in his voice was evident.

Gosh, I miss him.

I noticed that he's still wearing his office suit. He probably just got off from work too and came straight here. Parang dati lang sa unit ko siya dumidiretso after work niya pero ngayon... hindi na.

It's painfully funny how he makes you get used to something, but then he will suddenly stop. It's upsetting, but I can't do anything about it.

I unconsciously rolled my eyes at him. "Hindi no," I denied it, but his lips curved into a grin.

I want to yell at him to stop smiling, because he still has the same effect on my body!

"Go on. Evo misses you already. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you, " he said, motioning me to get inside. I held on to the door handle, but then I paused and looked at him.

"Are you not coming inside?" I inquired.

"You don't seem comfortable being with me anymore. I can just wait outside," he replied, and my chest immediately tightened. He quickly turned his back on me, and before he could even take a step forward, I called out his name.

"Wait lang," he paused on his spot. He turns around and faces me. His eyes narrowed.

"Do you need anything?"

"You... can come inside with me," I said in a very low voice. I couldn't look him in the eye. I got startled when I felt him touching my chin, tilting my head so he could look me in the eye.

I swallowed. His face is very close to mine!

A lopsided smile appeared on his face. "You can just tell me that you missed me." he teased. I smacked his hand away from my chin and frowned at him.

"Kapal mo, ha!" I exclaimed. He chuckled at my annoyance.

It's been a while since the last time I heard his laugh. And it still makes my heart race. I pursed my lips together to hide the smile forming on my lips.

I cleared my throat. "Saya ka?"

Cash, still chuckling, nodded his head. "God, I've missed you," he uttered.

His eyes landed on mine. His lips stretched into a wider smile before he closed the gap between us. Slowly, his hand reaches for my face, gently caressing my cheek using his warm thumb. I instantly lost my sanity and closed my eyes, savoring his touch. But then, I suddenly heard Hank's voice in the back of my head, warning me. "Get away from Cash if you don't want to get hurt."

My face turned pale, and my heart started beating nervously. What if someone's watching us right now? What if they kidnap and hurt me too? The worst scenario came flooding back to my head in an instant.

"Are you okay?" Cash worriedly asked, but I smacked his hand away in return.

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to..." I apologized. The wretched look on his face was noticeable. A sudden stream of guilt rushes through me.

"Cash..." I choked, but he was already out of my sight.

I don't think it's even possible for us to go back to the way we were before.

W H A T Y A S E Y