SHE HASN'T given him her answer, yet Vane was now starting to give her gifts, an expensive one at it. Halos manlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ang mga tatak na nakalagay sa mga paper bags.

First was an expensive watch. Alam ni Aria sa sarili na it's necessary to have one pero hindi yung sobrang mahal lalo na kung siya ang gagamit. Baka hindi na siya makauwi ng buhay o kaya naman ay wala na ang isang kamay niya kapag sinuot niya ang relo.

Aria was biting her nail while staring at the watch. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto na nakatingin lang siya sa relo, she stood up and picked up her bag. Itinabi niya ang relo sa side table at iniwan 'yon doon. 

She hasn't still recovered from the expensive watch pero nang makauwi siya sa unit nilang dalawa ni Vane may nakalapag na mamahalin paper bag sa kama. That only means that it was hers, again. 

Nagpalit muna siya ng pang-itaas bago lumabas dala ang paper bag at nahanap ang lalaki na nilalapag ang pagkain na na-order nito para sa dinner nila. Which was a good thing, she don't think she could lift even one finger to cook.

"Para saan 'to?" Aria asked. Tinaas niya ang dalang paper bag. 

The logo was very familiar with her dahil ilang beses na niya 'yon nakikita. Sa mga kaibigan niya, sa mga kliyente, at higit sa lahat sa bar kung saan sila madalas. Kahit saan nakikita na niya ang logo ng brand na 'to. 

Inilapag muna ni Vane sa lamesa ang mga pinggan na hawak nito bago humarap sa kanya. 

"I think you need a new one. You don't like it…?" humina ang boses na tanong nito sa kanya. 

"Okay pa naman ang phone ko, Vane," sagot niya sa lalaki.

"It looks…" he placed his tongue inside his cheek and avoided her gaze. He probably didn't find any appropriate word that would hurt her feelings. "Old?" 

Marahan siyang tumango. "Pero okay pa." 

He's right. It was an old phone. She couldn't afford to pay for it for instalment, mas lalo na kung cash kaya binili niya ang lumang cellphone ni Denise sa halaga na ikatatahimik ng kaluluwa niya. Napa sakto lang na gustong-gusto mag upgrade ni Denise.

She saw how Vane pouted his lips when she placed the paper bag on the table. With clear intention na isoli 'yon sa lalaki. 

"Nagagamit ko pa naman ang phone ko. And please, mag dahan-dahan ka sa pagbibigay mo ng gamit sa akin. Kung hindi ka talaga mapigilan, pwede ba na yung hindi naman mahal? Hindi ako sanay at ayaw kong masanay." Aria smiled at him.

Ayaw niyang masanayan ang mga bagay na hindi niya afford.

Aria does not want to take advantage of his kindness, if that's kindness or what. Hindi niya alam ang itatawag doon. Alam din naman niya na may kapalit ang mga 'yon. And it was to tend his need as a healthy man. 

Sinenyasan siya nito na umupo sa bakanteng upuan. Itinabi ni Vane ang paper bag sa counter top. 

"I'll keep this. In case na gusto or kailangan mo na palitan ang phone mo." Vane smiled at her. 

It was a hopeful kind of smile. Maski siya ay hindi sigurado kung magkakaroon siya ng lakas na loob na gamit 'yon. It was brand new and not to mention na iyon din ang pinaka latest. 

Baka magtaka na talaga sa kanya ang mga nakakakilala sa kanya. 

"We should change the interior design of this unit. What do you think?" Vane suddenly asked after a minute of silence. 

Inilibot niya ang mga mata sa paligid. The unit itself was nice, and you'll feel the home vibes once na makapasok ka. The theme was a mixture of fem and masculine, pink and dirty white. Pati ang mga gamit sa sala, it was minimalist, as if they were chosen carefully. 

"Pumayag ba si ma'am?" tanong niya. 

Pero sa totoo lang, wala siyang balak na palitan ang interior ng unit nila. She likes it already as it was. 

Maarte na lumipad ang tingin ng lalaki sa kanya. Tila hindi nagustuhan ang narinig. "Ma'am? You can call her 'Ate', she won't mind." 

Umiling lang siya sa lalaki. She doesn't want to. Nakakahiya. 

Nalingat lang siya sandali, kausap na ni Vane ang kapatid nito through phone call. He was asking if they could change the interior and put his phone in a loud speaker.

"What's the fuss, Vane? I already—" 

Mabilis nitong pinatay ang tawag at pinatay rin ang cellphone nito. She raised her brow, looking at him suspiciously. Pero ang magaling na lalaki, ngumisi lang sa kanya.

"So? Wanna change it?" tanong nito. 

"Okay naman na?" 

"We'll decorate the unit according to your liking, Isla," nakangiti na sabi nito sa kanya. 

She pursed her lips. Muntik nang malaglag ang panga niya dahil sa sinabi nito. They will decorate the unit according to her liking, as if siya lang ang nakatira sa unit, and as if sa kanila ang unit gayon na pareho lang silang nakikitira. Well, he's different from her. 

"Pag-iisipan ko muna…" Aria answered in a low voice. 

EVERY SUNDAY pareho silang nasa unit ni Vane. He was working, and so was she, nasa sala lang sila at pareho rin na tahimik. 

Aria started working as a freelancer. It was actually fun and damn boy! Masyadong galante ang boss na nakuha niya. She's working as a brand manager, pigang-piga na ang utak niya, but at least she was enjoying her work. 

"May gusto ka ba?" tanong nito sa kanya.

Hindi siya sigurado kung siya ba ang kausap nito but since silang dalawa lang ang nasa unit, binigay niya ang mga cravings niya sa lalaki.

"Bibimbap, sushi, saka tayokayi." 

"For drinks?" 

"May tubig at juice naman tayo sa refrigerator." 

Aria didn't bother to look at him. Masyado siyang lunod sa ginagawa niya, ayaw niyang umahon dahil mawawala lahat ng mga ideya na umiikot sa utak niya. 

She's been living with Vane for almost three weeks now pero kahit minsan ay hindi pa siya naka received ng message mula kay Chris. She doesn't mind, though.

Wala silang kibuan ni Vane, puro trabaho lang not until may nag doorbell.

"May bisita ka?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya.

"Wala. That's probably the delivery service." 

Tumayo na ito at dinaluhan ang tao sa labas. Pagkabalik nito may dala na itong isang malaking supot. Niligpit muna nila ang mga gamit sa coffee table bago isa-isa na nilabas ni Vane ang mga pagkain na in-order nito.

Aria was flabbergasted when she saw that it was all her cravings. Sinunod talaga nito ang mga sinabi niya. 

Inabot sa kanya ni Vane ang takoyaki. "Here." 

"Are you spoiling me now?" takang tanong niya. 

"Hm, am I doing it right?" 

Aria gave him a puzzled look. 

"You know, I'm new with this sugar daddy thing. Based on the internet, I should spoil you with material things. That's why I gave you the watch and phone, and I am planning to buy you designer bags. Pero ang sabi mo, you don't need those. So, I browse the internet again, and this… is part of spoiling you too." 

Napatanga si Aria sa lalaki. "Nag search ka talaga sa internet?" 

"Yes. I don't want to ask my father's friend because I know for sure that they're giving their wives much pricier than the phone I bought for you." 

"I'm speechless." Aria dryly chuckled. 

"Is this fine?" tanong nito. She hummed softly as an answer. 

She had to control herself. At this point, gusto niyang ipamukha sa lalaki na mas mukha itong attentive boyfriend kaysa sugar daddy. Aria ate silently, habang ang mga mata niya ay tutok pa rin sa laptop niya. 

Aria stilled when she felt a thumb wiping the side of her lips. Alam kaagad niya na si Vane 'yon. She reminded herself to guard her heart. She's not really that invested in her past relationship with Chris, but unlike her ex, she knows how to respect. 

VANE SIGHED upon reading the message from his extended family group chat. Inaaya siya ng mga ito sa bar. Kumpleto na ang mga ito at siya na lang ang wala. 

They don't actually care if it's Monday the next day. As for him, wala siyang problema. His time was flexible. Hell, he could work at home if he's that lazy to go to his office.

He sighed. Tiningnan niya si Aria na kanina pang umaga naka pako ang mga mata sa laptop at cellphone nito. He even caught her tearing up because of it. 

"Hey," tawag niya sa atensyon nito. Aria didn't look at him, pero tumaas ang kilay nito sa kanya. "Is it okay if aalis ako? My extended family wants me to be there." 

"Saan?" tanong nito sa kanya. 

Vane could smugly say that she's interested only if she's not looking at her laptop screen. 

He simply rolled his eyes and answered, "Sa bar." 

"Aw, okay." 

His eyes went down on her phone. Aria's phone case was in pastel colour and cute, may charms pa ito na kasama, iba na naman sa case nito noong dumating siya sa unit. Vane mentally noted that he'll buy her a lot of phone cases for the phone he bought for her, since she loves changing it every week or depending on her mood. 

"Hindi ako magtatagal." Vane uttered. 

"Sige lang. Enjoy!" Aria waved her hand, still looking at her laptop screen. 

"May gusto ka ba?" tanong niya.

"Kahit McDo na lang pag-uwi mo, lods!" 

Vane shook his head, and it was now his turn to remind her to lock the door at huwag itong magbukas unless it was him. May peephole naman ang pinto nila. Vane almost chuckled when he saw her yawning. 

"If you feel like sleeping, sleep, Aria. Work can wait." 

Aria smiled. "Yes, Daddy! Tunog tatay ka, e." 

Napailing na lang siya nang gawin siya nitong literal na tatay. Halos hindi na lumabas sa unit si Vane kung hindi lang nag message sa kanya ang kapatid niya at nagtatanong kung nasaan na siya. 

They do gather once a week, pero sa village lang nila at kasama pa nilang uminom ang mga tatay nila. The oldies were now weak except their Tito Alistair, hanggang ngayon tinataya pa rin nito ang atay. 

Nang makarating siya sa bar ng Tito Alistair nila, his son, Sacxer waa making out with someone kahit wala pang influence ng alak. Tinapik niya lang ito sa balikat ang lalaki at dumeretso sa table nila. Kei saw him and handed him the shot glass, punong-puno 'yon ng alak.

"You have to drink 10 times. Nalagpasan mo 'yan, tagal mo kasi." Kei scrunched her nose. Obviously teasing him. 

Isa lang ang wala sa kanila ngayon dahil bagong panganak pa lang. Tahimik siyang tumabi sa kapatid niya kahit naiirita ang buong pagkatao niya sa lalaking nasa tabi nito. Kei, on the other hand, para itong buntot niya. 

His relationship with Zayndrei didn't change even after he and his sister got together, finally. 

"Vane? Ipa-process na ba ang pag transfer ng unit sa kanya?" Ayze, his sister, asked. 

Vane simply nodded his head while accepting Kei's drink. The couple talked randomly, and he's just silently listening when Ky sat beside him.

"Why are you scowling? Ah!" Ky laughed when he saw Zayndrei. "Ganyan din ako noon." 

"I don't think it'll change even if they're going to tie the knot." He rolled his eyes, making Ky laugh. 

Nilibang siya ni Ky dahil busy ang mga kasama nila sa dance floor. They talked about Ky's work mostly. It was the usual, nothing new. 

"I'm thinking if maybe I should travel and capture beautiful places and start blogging?" Ky shared his idea with him.

"That was a good idea. While you're at it, if you want money, look for Ate Lucia and ask her to get your service. She's planning to open an art exhibit." 

"The best ka talaga!" Ky tapped his chest and left him to look for their Ate Lucia.

Vane noticed na siya lang ang inaabutan ni Kei ng alak. He glared at her, and Kei just giggled with her fingers signed peace. He has no choice kung hindi ang sumabay pauwi sa kapatid niya.

Hinatid siya ng mga ito sa tapat ng tower at hinayaan siya makaakyat mag-isa dahil kaya pa naman niya. It's already midnight, kaya hindi na siya kumatok. He used his key card and opened the door. 

His head was spinning, and all he wanted to do was to lie down. He doesn't care where. Nahimasmasan siya nang makita na gising pa si Aria.

"You're still awake?" He massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Naka idlip naman ako kanina. Teka lang, gusto mo ng tubig?" 

Umiling lang siya at umupo sa sofa. Malapit kay Aria. Hindi alam ni Vane kung anong klase ng espiritu ang sumapi sa kanya, but he couldn't take his eyes off of Aria's lips.

"Isla?" he called her name and asked, "Can I kiss you?" 

"A-ano ang sabi mo?" 

"I want to kiss your lips, Isla, can I?" Vane asked. 

He found himself leaning and cupping her jaw, lifting her head a little before tilting his head and pressing his lips against hers. Her lips were soft, and he wanted to do more, but darkness swallowed his line of sight. 

☕️