O L I V I A   V A L E Z

There goes a saying that sometimes we create our heartbreaks through expectation. And I can say that it's true. Maybe, at the back of all the hate and annoyance, I felt for Mr. Atlas Mate, I actually think highly of him. I wouldn't think of something great when he said he would let me see something awesome.  I honestly thought Atlas would let me see some of his work. He was a well-known architect! Of course, his work will be awesome!

The mighty sun is standing proudly at the top of soft-looking clouds. It's radiating hellish heat that would make a person sweat without even blinking. I frown as I looked at the thing in front of me. The body of it was shining when the rays of the sun hit it. It was almost blinding. Atlas let go of my hands, and unconsciously my hand moved a little forward to reach his once again. But he was too fast on walking ahead. He faced me and positioned his hands like he was presenting a magnificent thing at the circus. 

"Presenting my Love!" 

Atlas Mate's smile was the most blinding more than the sun, and the motorcycle in front of me that he called Love. To be honest, the motorbike looked gorgeous. It was obviously a good fit for him. The motorcycle's color scheme was playing on black and silver—this type of motorbike I've seen in movies like Ghost Rider and a few mafia flicks. I wouldn't say I like motorcycles since they have a high risk of being involved in an accident. But I cannot deny the silver gears glistening like ice, and the black body of it looked like the night sky on rainy days, was to die for. Imagine Atlas Mate with his long untamed hair and ripped fucking jeans riding that thing. O, God! 

Wait, did he just called his motorbike Love?  Like the name I gave my violin too? What a coincidence! Common ba ang pangalang Love? Or was it a pure coincidence? Nonetheless, what a big surprise that we both named our favorite thing Love. 

"That's Love? And this is awesome?" I said as my brows were about to meet.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Kids."

"Hey, I heard you!"

"It was meant to be heard, Little Girl." then he smirked at me.

Atlas offered his hand to me, and I gladly took it, but before I did—I gave him my famous sweet fake smile, then I rolled my eyes at him. He just chuckled at what I did and guided me to his Love. 

"Love is a 1940 Harley-Davidson knucklehead model."

"How come Love is here in the Philippines?" 

He looked at me with a glint of happiness in his eyes, "She actually came here before I even set my foot here." Then he ruffled my hair.

Napaawang nang bahagya ang aking labi nang makita ang saya sa kaniyang mga mata. The happiness in his eyes was genuine, and not like before that has an arrogance in it. Nang mapansing medyo napasasarap na siya kagugulo ng aking buhok, ay agad kong itinabig ang kaniyang kamay. 

"So you are telling me na nauna pa sayo si Love?"

Tumango lamang siya sa akin, at may kinuha sa gilid. Inabutan niya ako ng helmet na siyang malugod kong kinuha sa kamay niya. Pero hangang doon lang ang nagawa ko— kuhanin at tignan. Hindi naman siguro kailangan pang gamitin ang utak sa paglalagay nito hindi ba? I started putting on the helmet to my head, but it was so loose. At iyon ang hindi ko alam kung paano gawin. I never ride a motorcycle in my almost seventeen years of existence on earth.

Itinaas ko ang shield nito, at muntik ko nang ibaba ang tinted shield pabalik nang makita kong pinapanood ako ni Atlas. He took an inch forward with a smirk in his lips. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nakahawak sa lock ng helmet, at unti-unting inalis iyon sa marahang paraan. 

"You could ask for help." 

"Well, wearing a helmet isn't that hard." 

I said in almost whispering. Atla's face was so near mine, and my heart started feeling restless. I could feel my cheeks heating up, and I don't know if it's because of the thing in my head or because he was inches away from me.  

"Mahigpit ba o sakto lang?"

I moved my head a little, "Maluwag pa."

He bowed a little and leaned closer. Even with the helmet on, I could almost feel his hands on my chin. I diverted my eyes away from him. I saw Tessa holding a broomstick while looking at us, amused. Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa 1940 Harley-Davidson na nagngangalang Love at sa amin. I waved at her, and she flinched. That made me chuckled. She looked cute.  Nang ibalik ko na ang tingin sa harapan, ay nagulat ako nang makitang may nakalolokong ngiti si Atlas sa kaniyang labi.

"What?"

Umiling lamang siya, "Sakto na ba?"

Tumango ako nang maramdamang hindi na ito maluwag. Siya naman ang nagsuot ng kaniyang helmet, at napansin kong magkamukha ang helmet namin. Couple helmet ba 'to? I blushed shamefully with that embarrassing thought that invaded my mind. Hindi ba p'wedeng dalawa lang talaga 'yung helmet niya na same ang design? Pero mas maliit ang suot ko compare sa suot niya. 

Sumakay na si Atlas kay Love, at binuksan na niya ang makina nito. Kahit ang tunog ni Love ay maangas din, 'yung tipong hindi mo maiisip na Love ang pangalan nito. His face turned towards mine, and he held out his hands for me. Medyo elevated ang upuan para sa sasakay sa likod kaya nahirapan akong umangat. Mabuti na lamang at natulungan niya akong makasampa nang maayos. 

I put my hands on his board shoulders. Atlas head was automatically titled sidewards. 

"Hold on to me."

"I am holding into you."

He sighed and reached for my hands that were resting on his shoulders.  Atlas put my hands around his waist, and I swear to all the gods who been guiding, my hands trembled the moment I wrapped my arms around his. There were clothes between my skin to his, but I could still feel his heat on mine like we had skin-to-skin contact. 

"Hold on tight."

So I did. I hold tighter to him like my life depends on it. Halos bumaon na ang mukha ko sa kaniyang likod sa higpit ng aking pagkahahawak. Amoy na amoy ko rin ang panglalaking amoy niya na may halong sigarilyo at men's perfume. It was so intoxicating and addicting. 

"Do you ride fast or slow?"

"It's my first time."

Pinatunog niya muli ang motor and the whole vibrated, making my whole body tremble from an unknown feeling, "Hmm, I should do it slowly, but it wouldn't be fun."

"Why wouldn't it be fun?"

"You'll know later. We'll ride smooth yet a fast ride." 

After Atlas said that, agad niyang pinaharurot ang motor, at lalong humigpit ang yakap ko sa kaniya. Well, hindi pa man kami umaandar ay talagang mahigpit na ang kapit ko. At first, the ride was scary. That's why I can't help but shriek in a high pitch voice that made him laugh. I can't hear his laugh clearly, but I'm sure he did. Gumagalaw ako katawan niya dahil sa pagtawa kaya nalaman ko. I pinched his waist, so he would stop laughing at me.

"Stop it, Little Girl." his voice was muffled, but I was able to hear him.

"Then stop laughing at me!" I said, shouting.

He didn't answer me, and I was too distracted from the sight I was seeing. The wind started hitting my face as we ride fast yet in a smooth way. And I am starting to enjoy it. The sceneries were passing us too fast, and it was almost blurred; however, I was still so amused by it. Parang gusto kong itaas ang kamay ko habang dinadama ang malamig na hangin. Now, I knew why he said if we went slow, it wouldn't be fun.

The ride was indeed fast yet enjoyable. I didn't know why I never tried riding a motorbike before, and I'm thankful to Atlas Mate at na experience kong sumakay ng ganoong motor. My dad likes cars and planes only. He is not the type of person who would ride this kind of thing. Ang magugustuhan lang no'n ay ang convenient para a trabaho niya. He can't work and take calls while riding a motorcycle, so it's a no, no, no for him. Oliver Valez was also a protective father. He wouldn't like it if he saw me riding one.

I have this big smile on my lips after I removed my helmet. I jumped out of Love and started fixing my hair.

"That was fun!"

"That was the fun that big men like me likes."

I snorted and handed the helmet to Atlas. I looked at the building in front of me. It was big, yet it was still empty like a clean canvas waiting to be painted. It was a newly-built building in the city. The workers were so busy walking back and forth with their equipment and tools. They all looked sweaty and tired, and the day wasn't even in reaching the afternoon time. 

"Why are we here?" 

"Well, baka kasi na bobored kana sa mansion n'yo. Maybe, you want to see new places?" Atlas said while scratching his nape. Does he have kuto? 

"Aww," I said, faking my touched expression, "How thoughtful of you." 

Pinitik niya ang noo ko nang hindi kalakasan, pero agad na dumapo ang kamay ko sa aking noo na para bang napakasakit ng ginawa niya. 

"This is my workplace for a month or three, depends on how fast I will be plan and design this structure here." he pointed to the building in front and shrugged his shoulders.

Wow! He would be designing this massive thing? That's amazing! He was really a big-time architect then. I know he is excellent at his job, but this proves that he is indeed at a higher level than I was thinking—Hindi na kami binigyan ng safety helmets dahil gawa na naman ito. Interior na lang talaga ang kailangan. 

"You still haven't started the work?"

"I did. I already have the blueprint, but I still want to see it for myself so that I would think of better designs." 

Seeing the workplace and how people from this industry works amaze me. It was like love at first sight! I cannot take off my eyes to the whole place. I like how everyone was walking and doing labor works rather than sitting in an office chair and facing computers. This is much exciting and lively. Sa tagal nang paglilibot namin ay hindi manlang ako na bored, ni hindi ko naramdaman ang panganaglay ng aking paa kalalakad. Kung hindi pa ako pinaupo ni Atlas habang may kinakausap siya, ay hindi ko talaga mararamdaman. 

Puro lalaki ang nakikita ko rito, pero may iilan din namang babae—mabibilang mo nga lang sa kamay mo. At madalas ay architect din sila. I never tried drawing a building or place, however, I like to draw a person or any part of them, and I truly believed that humans are the most beautiful creation in the world. I think after coming here, I would start learning how to draw structures. 

After all the things he did in his workplace, I followed Atlas like an obedient puppy—I kept on tailing him wherever he went. When The clock struck at twelve noon, he told me that we should grab our lunch. Dinala niya ako sa isang fast-food chain na sa tingin ko ay sikat na sikat sa mga teenager and families. The place was full of yellows and red. There was even a clown statue standing at the entrance. 

"Have you tried eating in this place?" Atlas asked as he held the door open for me. 

The place was too crowded and noisy. I'm not too fond of this kind of atmosphere when I eat. I like to eat quietly and without hassles. 

"No."

"Yeah, your face is also showing its distaste."

"No one in my circle of friends eats at this kind of place. But I know this fast-food chain tho."

He looked at the board full of foods. I think that was the menu. Hindi pala sila nagbibigay sa customer ng menu? Tinitignan na agad pala 'yon pagkapasok pa lang? Atlas stands at the end of a line. What was that line for?

"What do you want?" he asked me, his eyes were not leaving the menu board.

"Shouldn't we take a seat first?"

"No, tell me your order first."

Kahit nalilito sa system ng kainang ito ay sinunod ko naman ang sinabi niya. Well, mukhang sanay naman siya sa ganitong bagay. Kunot noo kong tinignan ang mga nakasulat. Puro iyon unhealthy foods at preservative! People are actually eating this food regularly? 

"I can't choose."

"If you don't mind, I'll order for you."

"I'll appreciate it."

I looked around, and I noticed that people formed a line to order their food and pay for it immediately.  That was a smart move for business people. Hindi nga naman sila matatakbuhan kahit gaano pa karami ang customer nila. And their employees won't need to come back and forth for the bill and change. 

"I'll order a kiddie meal for you." 

Agad na napabalik ang tingin ko kay Atlas na ngayon ay nakatingin nang nakaloloko sa akin. What did he say? He'll order a kiddie meal for me? Is kiddie meal some special menu or something? I looked at him longer as I try figuring out what he said. And then it hit me. Kiddie meal as in meals for kids! Those meals come with a toy inside. This damn old fart!

I send daggers through my eyes as I gaze at him, and he chuckled at my reaction. It seems like he was having fun at watching my reaction change from confusion into anger. 

"You're having fun, huh?" 

Glorious blue eyes peered deep into mine, and I'm not sure what I saw, but something was definitely glowing through his gaze. Atlas Mats' was glowing with, and the vibe he was giving off was light. He put his hands inside his pockets, and the muscles on his biceps flexed shamelessly. His body leaned a little sideways, feet standing unevenly to one another. This is the kind of pose male models from underwear brands always do.  And Atlas Mate was doing it effortlessly perfectly with full clothes on. 

"Yes."

It was just a simple answer, but it caught me off guard. It felt like the ground shake, and I lost my footing. The way he said yes wasn't the one I was expecting. I was expecting the mischievous response he always had to his sleeves, but the way he said those three letters, one word, an agreement, was beyond me. It was as if he would love my company forever.

Damn, where did those thoughts came from, Olivia? Don't assume otherwise stated.

 We were staring at each other for how long, God knows until the lady behind us and the cashier in front spoke.

"Excuse me, Ma'am and Sir. Kayo na po ang oorder." sabi ng lalaking cashier.

"Kita ng gutom na mga tao rito, maglalandian pa." bulong naman ng ale sa likod namin na mukhang hindi naman talaga bulong.

I felt my cheeks flush from embarrassment. I bowed my head a little and move forward to the cashier. I heard Atlas cleared his throat like something blocked it. He scratched his nape and smiled boyishly at the cashier. Does he really have kuto? Hindi ko tuloy narinig ang in-order ni Atlas dahil sa kahihiyan, hindi ko tuloy alam kung talaga bang kiddie meal ang ibinili niya para sa akin. 

Saka ang tanda-tanda na ni Atlas 'no para mapagkamalang naglalandian kami! I know I may look a little bit older than my age because of my foreign blood, but do we really looked like a couple? I could feel my cheeks burning hotter with that thought. I looked at Atlas Mate as he ordered us food. I don't know why, but I was so focused on his heavenly sinful face that what he was saying became inaudible. P'wede pala talaga mangyari 'tong ganitong bagay. 

After ordering, humanap kami ng aming table. Wala bang mag-a-assist sa amin dito papunta sa aming table? Duh, that's a common ethical practice. How come they don't know that? Are they that unethical? Atlas seems to read what was going in my head as we kept finding an available table.

"Little Girl, para-paraan dito paano makaupo. Diskartihan sa mga ganitong bagay."

So instead of being ethical, they are doing diskarte rather? Wait, what was diskarte? I meant, I never heard of that. What does that word equivalent in English? Don't get me wrong. I'm not conyo. It just that I never heard of that word. Well, most of the student in our school doesn't know deep and unusual Tagalog words.

When we found a spot to eat, Atlas grabbed me and walked faster towards it. I was surprised by his speed, but then as I saw some other guy walking towards the same spot we were aiming for, I finally understand why we need to move quickly. I was sweating a bit as I took a seat. Atlas wink at me when we beat the guy who was planning to sit here also. I laughed heartily and looked at the teenager walking away with his sorry ass.

I was surprised the food wasn't serve on our table, and rather we are the ones who need to get it from the counter with our assigned number. All the rules in fast-food chained left me bewildered! The food wasn't that food we can call a delicacy, but it was good! I can now understand why people love eating this unhealthy food. I can see myself eating here again, but not alone. I don't think I would be able to follow all the rules here.

Surprisingly, the day went smoothly. I never imagined that being with Atlas Mate would be enjoyable. We didn't argue much, but the teasing comes every minute, and I wasn't pissed off! I was actually having fun. The ride back home was satisfying, yet my heartfelt heavy thinking that our little journey was about to end. Ang ngiti sa aking labi ay hindi natanggal. Kahit sa pagtanggal ng helmet ay nandoon pa rin ang nditi ko. I handed him the helmet as I fixed my hair. Our little adventure may be ending now, but the happiness in my heart didn't go away.

"Don't tell your Dad that you rode, Love. He'll kill me." Atlas said while laughing devilishly.

"I would love to see that."

"Hey! After I made your vacation fun, this is what I would get?" 

Inilagay niya nag kamay niya sa kaniyang puso, at umarteng nasasaktan siya nang husto. He looked funny. That's why I can't hold my laugh. My laugh burst into the afternoon air. Pinahid ko ang munting luha galing sa pagtawa sa aking mata.

"That won't make my whole vacation fun, Mr. Mate." I said in a challenging tone.

"Are you suggesting that one escapade isn't enough?" 

I shrugged and smirked at him. He smirked back, and dangerous fun seems to dance into his eyes. He walked towards me, and leaned until his lips were near my ears.

"If you want more, then better keep this a secret to your dad. This will be our rendezvous, Little Girl."

~TBC~ 

This will be my handa para sa birthday ko kahapon! This chapter is especially long for the celebration of the day I started existing. I hope y'all love it. Kayo ba may na experience na kayong rendezvous? Also, have you guys read the blurb of SA#5? If you haven't, then check it out on my profile! 

This is a rough draft, so please bear with all the errors.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe, everyone!

Love lots. :>>