For the first time, Atlas wanted a normal life. He wanted to roam around anywhere without being noticed. He knew it was his choice to become an actor, but it was exhausting.

A simple flight somewhere required lots of energy. The worst thing? He couldn't even sit beside Laurel inside the airport while waiting for their flight. She was busy with her laptop while he was busy staring at her.

Suot niya ang shades na may kadiliman kaya hindi makikita nang kahit na sino kung saan siya nakatingin.

Laurel was three rows away from him and was busy doing her thing while eating some chips and some latte. He wanted the chips, too!

Papunta sila ng South Korea, and he was a little scared. It was cold, and he didn't know what would happen. Tagaytay breeze was a little hard for him, Baguio was too much, and he would be in Korea. It was winter.

Hindi alam ni Atlas kung ano ang naisipan niya. Si Laurel ang inisip niya. He knew that she didn't like the beach, so he thought of a nice place they could visit. Korea was suggested by Job, and he agreed.

"Hello."

Nilingon ni Atlas ang babaeng lumapit sa kaniya at nakangiti. May kasama pa itong apat na babae. Mukhang hindi naman pupunta sa Korea dahil naka-summer outfit. Malamang na sa kabilang boarding area ang mga ito. Hawak din ang phone. Alam na niya ang susunod.

"Hi," Atlas greeted the woman and her friends.

"Puwede po ba kaming magpa-picture?" tanong nito na ipinakita sa kaniya ang phone. "Kahit isa lang po."

Atlas wanted to decline, but he was already cornered. Alam din niya na kapag pumayag siyang magpa-picture kasama ang mga ito, may iba pang susunod. Maraming tao sa boarding area at hindi siya nagkamali.

One photograph to countless people walking towards him. Medyo nagkakagulo na rin dahil kumalat sa airport na nandoon siya.

It was rare because before, he would stay in the VIP lobby with other known personalities, people in business, and people in the first class. For the first time, he didn't want to. Ni hindi niya binanggit kay Laurel ang tungkol doon. He wanted to feel normal, but it was next to impossible.

Airport guards started assisting them and Atlas was escorted towards the VIP area because he made a fuss. Hindi puwedeng magkagulo sa loob ng airport dahil sa kaniya.

Nilingon niya si Laurel na nakayuko lang. Gusto niya itong ayain dahil first class din naman ang ticket nito, pero alam niyang hindi papayag.

Pagdating sa lounge, nag-offer ang isang lalaki na bibigyan siya ng pagkain o kahit na anong gusto niya. He declined. He just wanted his peace. He just wanted to talk to Laurel. He took out his phone and texted her.

I'm tired. Nandito ako sa lounge. You can come here. First class naman ang ticket mo.

Atlas waited for a reply, but ten minutes passed, still nothing. Malapit na rin silang pumasok sa loob ng eroplano. Naghintay pa siya ng message, pero wala pa rin. Typical Laurel who would reply days or weeks.

Another ten minutes and still no reply. Since in another ten minutes, they were gonna have to board the plane, Atlas decided to just stay in the boarding area instead to see Laurel but asked for some guards that could escort him.

Sa dating inupuan, mayroong mga tao at nakita niyang bakante ang upuan sa tapat ni Laurel. Nagtama ang tingin nila, pero walang nag-react kahit na isa.

Atlas thanked the guards who would stay close to him so no one could go near him for a photo. He then took out his phone and texted Laurel who was casually sitting and typing on her laptop.

Saan mo gustong kumain mamaya pagdating doon? Kaso madaling-araw yata 'yung dating natin. We could sleep, he texted.

Kinuha ni Laurel ang phone na nasa gilid nito at pinanood niya itong mag-type. Sa wakas, nag-reply.

Oo, matutulog ako, Laurel replied. Five days naman tayo roon, we can just sleep sa first day natin, tapos sa gabi na lang tayo maglakad-lakad. Marami ka bang dalang panlamig? Baka ginawin ka.

Atlas looked down and smiled when he read the message. Kung tungkol sa panlamig, marami siyang dala. Sinuguro niya kay Job na lahat ng dadalhin niya, mayroong heattech para kahit papaano, makaya niya ang lamig. He wasn't like Laurel who loved the cold, he actually hated it.

Ilang beses siyang tinanong ni Job kung bakit ba kasi Korea ang napili niya at ang naisip lang niya, dahil baka gusto ni Laurel, that was it.

He breathed when he gazed at Laurel who was still eating. Parang hindi napapagod ang panga nito kangunguya ng chips. They were supposed to be together, pero ang layo niya rito. He was happy she agreed with out of the country tour dahil buong akala niya, hihindi ito lalo na at sa ibang bansa.

Nang makapasok na sila sa loob ng eroplano, ipinagpapasalamat ni Atlas na iilan lang sila sa first class ng airline na napili niya. Mabuti rin na foreigners ang cabin crew at hindi Pinoy kaya naman nakakikilos siya nang maayos nang hindi nag-iisip. Naiinis pa rin siya na hindi niya makita si Laurel dahil may harang ang mga upuan.

They were just communicating via text message until they took off. Wala ng signal kaya naman hindi niya ito makausap.

Pasimple siyang tumayo para silipin ito nang lumapit sa kaniya ang cabin crew at itinanong kung ano ang gusto niya, pero sinabi niyang gusto lang niyang silipin si Laurel. He didn't care, he was not in the Philippines and if this goes out, he would sue.

"You're together, sir?" tanong ng foreigner na crew at binigyan siya ng kape.

"Not really," Atlas responded. It was the safest answer.

Sinilip niya si Laurel at mahimbing itong natutulog, nakakumot pa. 'First time!'

It would take them less than four hours to arrive in Korea, hindi naman siya makatulog. Naka-arrange na rin lahat mula sa susundo sa kanila sa airport, pati na ang hotel na tinuluyan nila dahil nakiusap siya kay Job na ayusin ang lahat.

Hindi namalayan ni Atlas na nakatulog siya hanggang sa gisingin siya ni Laurel at sinabing magla-land na sila in thirty minutes. Nakangiti itong nakaharap sa kaniya at naupo sa tabi niya.

"Nakatulog ka kanina," bulong niya habang nakatingin dito. "Madaling-araw naman nga ang dating natin, matutulog talaga ako."

"Yeah, ako rin. Gusto kong matulog muna," sagot ni Laurel habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "Hindi ka ba lalamigin nang sobra? Tinanong ko 'yung crew kanina, sobrang lamig daw ngayon sa Korea. Bakit mo naman kasi naisip ang Korea?"

Atlas fixed his hair and face Laurel. "Wala naman, ikaw lang ang iniisip ko. I thought you might like it lalo na't mahilig ka sa malalamig na lugar," sagot niya. "Don't you?"

"Excited nga ako, e. I am actually looking forward to their food lalo na 'yung street food nila. Pati na rin sa popular spots nila. Hindi naman ako super fan ng kahit anong Korean, but I like their food. Sa Baguio, 'yun ang madalas kong dinner kapag tinatamad na ako," pagkukuwento ni Laurel. "Ikaw, first time mo ba rito?"

"Oo, first-time ko," Atlas responded and listened to Laurel.

Natutuwa siya na gusto nito ang pupuntahan nila. Nag-search din pala ito tulad niya ng mga puwede nilang puntahan at kainan. He was nervous and hesitant at first, but he risked. And seeing Laurel excited made him happier.

Pagbaba pa lang ng eroplano, naramdaman kaagad ni Atlas ang lamig. Halos tumatagos iyon sa buto niya. Malaking tulog ang heattech ng suot niyang damit, pero hindi pa rin siya komportable. Mayroon na siyang T-shirt sa loob, isang jacket, at hoodie pa.

Dumating na rin ang susundong sasakyan sa kanila. Atlas wore a face mask to hide himself from the Filipinos on the same flight. Suot niya ang hood sa ulo at sinigurong hindi sila mapapansin ni Laurel.

Madilim pa dahil madaling araw pa lang. Mabuti rin iyon para pagdating nila sa Seoul, makatutulog sila.

Sa sasakyan, panay ang galaw ni Atlas. Nakatingin siya sa bintana ng sasakyan para hindi mapansin ni Laurel na hindi na siya komportable. Gusto niyang kunin ang isa pang jacket, pero nasa trunk iyon ng sasakyan.

"Okay ka lang?" mahinang tanong ni Laurel.

Atlas nodded. He was lying, of course. He didn't want to disappoint Laurel. Nakita niya ang tuwa nito at excitement sa Korea at hindi niya hahayaang masira iyon dahil lang sagad na sa buto ang hirap niya sa lamig.

"Atlas," diin ni Laurel.

Alam nitong nagsisinungaling siya. Hinarap niya ito at tipid na ngumiti. "Hindi ako okay," pag-aamin ni Atlas. Nanginit ang boses niya. "Ang lamig, sobra."

Naramdaman niya ang panginginig ng baba niya na ikinangiti ni Laurel.

"Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano'ng pauso mo na ito pa ang lugar na napili mo, e." Hinawakan ni Laurel ang kamay niya at tinanggal ang suot niyang gloves. "Ganito, para hindi masyadong malamig. Hawakan mo ang kamay ko, tapos itago natin sa hoodie mo. Hindi ko alam kung effective, nakita ko lang sa movie."

Mahinang natawa si Atlas at ginawa ang sinasabi ni Laurel. It felt better. The heat coming from Laurel's hand helped him ease. Kahit papaano, nabawasan ang pangangatog niya. Nakatulong din ang pagkukuwento ni Laurel tungkol sa napanood nitong movie para hindi niya maisip ang sitwasyon niya.

Madaling-araw pa lang, pero buhay na buhay ang Seoul. Pagdating sa hotel, umiling si Laurel habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Nasayangan ito sa nakuha nilang kwarto dahil masyado raw malaki at masyadong mahal, e mas madalas naman silang lalabas.

"Sana naghanap na lang tayo," ani Laurel na ibinaba ang mga gamit nila. "Hindi ka naging practical, Atlas."

Binuksan ni Laurel ang heater ng kwarto. Naramdaman ni Atlas ang pagiging komportable ngunit biglang naisip na si Laurel naman ang mahihirapan.

"Kaya mo pa ba 'yung lamig? I-adjust ko pa?" tanong ni Laurel.

Umiling si Atlas dahil okay na rin naman siya. "No, okay na 'yan, baka ikaw naman ang mainitan. May extra hoodie naman ako, isusuot ko na lang, tapos nag-request pa ako ng extra duvet for me. Sorry, alam ko nakakahiya ako, na sobrang weak ko sa lamig."

Naupo si Laurel sa kama. "Ba't ka nagso-sorry? Normal naman 'yan. Matutulog na muna ako, ikaw? Matulog ka na rin. It's just five in the morning. Sumasakit din kasi ang ulo ko, e."

Tinanggal ni Laurel ang mga damit at iniwan nito ang T-shirt at shorts. Nanatiling naka-hoodie si Atlas dahil ramdam pa rin niya ang lamig.

Habang nakahiga, nakadapa si Laurel katulad ng dati at nakatagilid naman si Atlas na nakarap dito. Sandali silang natahimik. Ilaw mula sa kitchen area ng kwarto ang nagsisilbing liwanag nilang dalawa.

"Thanks for coming here with me," nakangiting sabi ni Atlas at hinaplos ang buhok niya. "Means a lot to me, Laurel."

"Parang others." Laurel yawned. "Besides, kailangan mo rin 'tong break na 'to kasi babalik ka na sa work after, right? Babalik na rin kaagad ako sa Baguio after nito kasi marami na akong na-miss na updates. Halos isang buwan na rin akong hindi active sa pagsusulat, so I need to be back on track."

Atlas didn't say anything and just stared at Laurel. Matagal na matagal silang binalot ng katahimikan. A part of him knew that he was thinking about the possibility of them separating in the future.

They were clear about their setup and Atlas would be very busy in the next few months due to the projects his network accepted.

"Ang mahal nitong room na napili mo." Inaantok na ang boses ni Laurel dahil mababa na iyon. "You could've gotten a simple one lalo na't nagbabalak naman tayong mag-tour na lang dito. Sana 'yung maliit lang kinuha mo."

"It's okay," Atlas murmured. "Minsan lang naman akong mag-indulge sa traveling dahil wala naman talaga akong time and interest. Gusto ko lang talagang subukan this time and I'm glad you said yes, really."

Katahimikan ulit.

Humikab si Atlas, ganoon din si Laurel.

Nag-angat ang kamay ni Laurel at hinaplos ang buhok ni Atlas—a gesture he loved about her. It would make him calm and he would even fall asleep in an instant.

"Matulog ka na," Laurel closed her eyes while brushing his hair. "I'm tired.

Atlas breathed and slowly shut his eyes, too. Laurel was the last thing he saw before the darkness. "Good morning, Laurel."

"Good morning, Atlas."

—

Natawa silang dalawa dahil late na silang nagising, halos alas-tres na ng hapon. Ni hindi na nila nagawa ang agenda nila na mag-iikot dahil mas piniling matulog at worth it naman ang lahat.

Hirap na hirap maligo si Atlas. Akala niya, Baguio was already too much, but Korea was the worst. Nakapunta naman na siya sa ibang bansa, mostly sa US o sa Europe, pero iba ang lamig sa Korea.

Matagal siyang nasa banyo at pinag-isipang mabuti kung tama ba ang gagawin niya. Nasa loob ng bathroom si Laurel na nakatingin sa kaniya at naghihintay. Sinabi nitong hindi naman na ganoon kalamig dahil timplado na rin ang tubig.

Nang matapos naman, nanginig na nga ang katawan niya sa lamig, tinawanan pa niya ni Laurel. Nagtago pa nga siya sa ilalim ng kumot pagkatapos maligo samantalang si Laurel, naglakad lang nang nakahubad.

Nagsuot lang si Laurel ng simpleng black leggings, loose shirt, and a hoodie, at cardigan. Nakasimpleng rubber shoes lang din ito para sa paglalakad nila. Suot naman ni Atlas ang pantalong makapal, T-shirt, hoodie, jacket, at isa pang makapal na jacket. Nakasuot pa ang pang-ulo ng hoodie bago nag-mask.

"Saan ang agenda natin ngayon?" tanong ni Atlas.

Laurel smiled instead of responding to the question, she asked, "Grabe lang, hindi ka ba pinapawisan?" Isinuot nito ang gloves sa kaniya. "There."

"I'm not like you and a part of me, naiinggit sa 'yo na kaya mong maging ganito sa malamig na lugar. The main reason mas gusto ko ang beach, it's warm."

"Ako naman ang hindi masyadong makatagal sa beach kasi mabilis akong magkaroon ng sunburn and masakit talaga siya, hindi nakakatuwa," sagot ni Laurel. "One of many things about me."

"That's the thing," sabi ni Atlas habang naglalakad sila, "almost two years since I've known you, I have celebrated two birthdays with you, kahit na 'yung isa, hindi ka aware, but I don't even know yours."

Tumingin si Laurel kay Atlas. "It's better that way. Mas okay na kung ano ang alam mo tungkol sa akin, 'yun na lang. Maybe next time, we'll never know."

Bukod sa ilang layer ng damit, naka-mask si Atlas para kung sakali mang may makasalubong silang Pilipino, walang makakikilala sa kaniya. Sa pagkakataong iyon, gusto niyang maranasang maglakad sa daan nang walang nakatingin at hindi maiilang kasama si Laurel.

They took a cab and went to Starfield Library.

Pagkapasok pa lang, kita na ni Atlas kung gaano kasaya si Laurel. She was smiling from ear to ear knowing that she was a bookworm. Nakita niya ang ninging ng mga mata nito at excited na lumapit para haplusin ang title ng mga libro.

Atlas thought that the entire place was Laurel's haven, for sure.

Nakatingin si Atlas kay Laurel nakatingala itong nakatingin sa mga libro. She looked happy and peaceful. Parang ayaw nitong umalis kung saan sila nakapuwesto, kung saan kita ang lahat ng libro. Naglakad pa ito at tiningnan ang title ng bawat librong makikita, nakangiting ipinalilibot ang tingin sa lugar, at kahit pakiramdam ni Atlas mukhang hindi siya nag-e-exist dahil busy ito, he was contented with seeing her smile like this.

"Atlas, wait, ha?" nakangiting sabi ni Laurel habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "Wait lang talaga."

"Go ahead!" Atlas shrugged. "No worries at all. I'll wait for you here."

Nakangiting tumalikod si Laurel sa kaniya. Nanatili siya sa likod nito at inilabas ang phone para palihim na kuhanan ito ng picture. He took some candid shots of her. May mga kuha pa na nakangiti lang si Laurel na nakatingala, nakangiti sa kung saan, at tahimik na nakayuko habang may binabasa.

Walang idea si Laurel na may ilang pictures ito sa phone niya. She wasn't the type of person who would invade someone's privacy.

Pumuwesto si Atlas sa gilid ni Laurel. Seryoso ang mukha nitong nakatutok sa isang libro at palihim na kinuhanan ng video. He pretended as if he was taking a video of the place, but he was focused on her.

Laurel gazed at him and smiled. The camera caught it—the smile that made his heart pound.

"Ayaw mo bang gumawa ng social media?" Atlas asked.

Laurel shook her head. "Nope. Toxic," she murmured. "Mas tahimik kasi and I don't have to deal with insensitivity."

Atlas hid his phone and focused on Laurel.

"I love my privacy," she said while browsing another book. "Alam mo, sa totoo lang, being with you is a risk. But it's fun. I'm having fun with you."

"What if you stopped having fun?" Atlas asked lowly. "We're gonna stop this?"

Natahimik si Laurel at tumingin sa kaniya. Hawak nito ang nakabuklat na libro. "We'll never know, alam mong 'yan palagi ang sagot ko sa 'yo. Hindi natin alam kung hanggang saan tayo, Atlas. We're friends, pero may hangganan ang lahat. Posible na this setup will change, but our friendship will remain. Hindi ako nakakalimot sa friendship, kahit ano'ng mangyari."

"I don't like the idea of us not being friends, Laurel." Atlas didn't even stutter. "I am used to your presence already and we've been friends for almost two years. Minsan nga, iniisip ko na paano kaya ako kapag umalis ka na?"

It was true. Atlas had been thinking about it the past few weeks.

Laurel snorted and laughed. "Bakit kasi ang advanced mong mag-isip? Matagal na sana akong umalis, but I'm still here. Kahit nga kayo na ni Amira sa tingin ng ibang tao, pumapayag pa rin ako sa setup natin dahil alam ko na hindi kayo totoo. Pero, Atlas, you know my condition. Kapag may love ka na sa kaniya, we'll stop this. Wala akong balak sirain ang relationship ninyo."

Atlas stared at Laurel. It was one of the reasons he needed to be more careful because they already agreed about the setup, about him and Amira. It was the hardest decision, but they had to. The network forced them to.

Sa dami ng proyektong nakahanda, wala na silang nagawa ni Amira nang bigla na lang lumabas ang article tungkol sa kanila. Everyone cheered, everyone congratulated them, not knowing it was decided for them.

"Laurel," Atlas uttered. "We're not romantically together and you know that."

"I know." Ibinalik ni Laurel hawak na libro sa lamesa. "But let's face it, Atlas. You will eventually fall in love with her. Araw-araw kayong magkasama and it's possible for some and if that ever happens, I will be happy for you," dagdag ni Laurel habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "I will support you in ways I can, Atlas, and you know that. I am not just your whore, I am your friend."

Atlas frowned. "You are not my whore, Laurel."

"Whatever's going to make you sleep at night, Atlas." Laurel walked towards him. "Tara, kain na tayo. Saan mo ba gustong kumain? Parang gusto ko munang mag-ikot, ikaw ba? May plano ka bang puntahan? Let's just walk around and enjoy the place. Hindi ka ba giniginaw?"

"Hindi naman." Inayos ni Atlas ang hood sa ulo ni Laurel. Sandali niyang ginamit ang pagiging artista para hindi nito makita na hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi nito. "Ikaw, saan mo bang gustong kumain?"

"Mamaya na tayo kumain, doon sa street food ng Myeongdong. Ang dami ko kasing gustong i-try doon," excited na sabi ni Laurel. "Wala rin naman kasi akong hilig mag-shopping and since marami pa tayong time bago mag-dinner, mag-tour na lang muna tayo kung saan."

Naghanap sila ng car service na puwede silang dalhin kung saan katulad na lang ng Seoul Tower kung saan may observatory na pareho nilang na-enjoy. Pareho silang walang fear of heights. Sumakay rin sila ng cable car at dahil weekdays at hindi naman peak season, walang masyadong tao na nasolo pa nila ang isang car.

Nakatayo si Laurel habang nakatingin sa paligid, palubog na rin ang araw. Nakaupo naman si Atlas habang nakatingin kay Laurel. May mali sa nararamdaman niya dahil parang mabigat. Nararamdaman niyang malapit na silang matapos at naiisip niyang gusto niya nang sanayin ang sarili na wala si Laurel sa tabi.

Atlas already admitted to himself that he relied on Laurel too much and she wasn't. Laurel was too independent that she didn't need help from anybody.

"Tungkol pala saan ang movie na isyu-shoot mo next two weeks?" tanong ni Laurel sa kaniya. "Hindi mo pa rin ba ako bibigyan ng passes para mapanood 'yun?"

Atlas smiled. "Baka kasi mag-cringe ka lang, e. Kahit nga interviews ko, hindi mo pinapanood dahil ayaw mo akong nakikita sa TV."

"Kasi naman, guwapo ka naman sa TV, pero mas gusto ko aura mo sa personal, 'yung totoong ikaw. Pakiramdam ko kasi kapag pinapanood kita, ang plastic mo. Lagi kang naka-smile, kahit hindi naman dapat," Laurel honestly said in a sad voice. "Kapag kasi sa personal, I get to see the real Atlas, and that's better. Ako na lang ang mag-i-interview sa 'yo."

"E hindi ka rin naman nagtatanong ng tungkol sa buhay ko," Atlas snorted. "To be honest, I don't feel like you're my friend. I know this isn't a measure of friendship, pero can I at least know your birthday, Laurel? Kahit 'yun lang, hindi na ako magtatanong, just your birthday."

Natawa si Laurel at naupo sa tabi niya. "Why? So you could send me cake, flowers, and gifts? Hindi naman kailangan."

"Alam kong hindi mo kailangan, I just want to. We're friends, kahit 'yun lang," sabi ni Atlas. "Sorry for pushing you."

"It's better that you don't know about it," Laurel insisted. "Ayaw ko rin nang may ibang nakakaalam. I don't really celebrate mine. For my peace of mind and yours, too, can we skip this one? Okay naman tayo nang ganito lang, 'di ba? "

Alam ni Atlas na seryoso si Laurel. Huminga siya nang malalim at ngumiti. "Okay, fine. Kain na nga lang tayo ng corndogs."

"I like that," Laurel joyfully uttered.

—

Nang makarating sa Myeongdong, nagsimula silang kumain ng mga street food at kung ano-ano ang mga natikman nila. Natatawa si Laurel na kahit sa maanghang, hindi masyadong mahilig si Atlas.

Pinaka na-enjoy nila ang grilled cheese na mayroong condensed milk. It was tasty, yes, but it was too sweet for Laurel. Atlas knew that she preferred eating spicy fish cakes and tteokbokki. She was into savories, Atlas was into sweets. Sobrang opposite sila sa lahat ng bagay.

"Sakit na ng paa ko!" Nakaupo sila sa isang plantbox habang hinihilot ni Laurel ang binti dahil sumakit kalalakad.

"Here." Iniabot ni Atlas ang hinihipan niyang taiyaki, or fish-shaped bun na may beans and sugar sa loob. "Malamig na. Ano'ng gusto mong drinks?"

"Water lang," Itinaas ni Laurel ang paa sa plantbox.

Nagpaalam si Atlas para bumili ng tubig ngunit habang nasa malayo, nakatingin siya kay Laurel na ipinalilibot ang tingin lugar.

Laurel loved to observe things while loved to observe just her. His full attention was all about her. His eyes were just into her.

Atlas fixed his mask and walked towards Laurel who squinted. Alam na niya. May sasabihin itong obserbasyon sa kaniya.

"Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit dito mo piniling magbakasyon, e ang lamig, hindi ka naman sanay. Pabibo ka rin, e!" natatawang sabi ni Laurel. "Tingnan mo, para kang bandido, balot na balot."

"At least, I get to walk with you. For the first time, nakakain tayo sa labas nang wala akong iniisip na may titingin sa atin. Nakapasyal tayo sa mall nang magkasama, nakasakay tayo sa cable car, nakapag-tour tayo, nakalakad tayo sa tabi ng kalsada na walang nakatingin sa atin, at ngayon," binuksan niya ang bote at inabot kay Laurel, "nakaupo tayo rito sa public na walang iniisip na iba."

Laurel stared at him.

"When Job suggested this place, I agreed and personally chose Korea 'cos I know I can walk around without thinking about our privacy, about your privacy, kasi hindi nila ako kilala rito, and they won't see my face 'cos the outfit is normal," pag-aamin ni Atlas. "For the first time, I get to normally bond with you."

Laurel looked at Atlas. "So, you chose Korea to walk around normally?"

"Yes . . . with you."

T H E X W H Y S