A crowd was gathered at the very middle of the university, a wide, open space surrounded by the school's building. The place was a popular hang out place to students and was also a space where big events, such as school concerts and celebrations, were held. Curious to what was going on, Yuka couldn't help but stop and take a peak before heading to her next class.

"Ano'ng nagyayari?" Yuka asked the woman standing next to her.

"Hindi ko din alam. Inannounce lang kanina sa speaker na pumunta dito sa field." She answered, shrugging her shoulders.

She had missed the announcement dahil pagkatapos ng klase ay dumiretso siya sa restroom para ayusin ang make-up niya. Something she used to do with Tracy and the monkeys in between classes, but now she does everything alone.

"Good morning everyone." Sabi ng boses sa mike. All eyes were suddenly on the platform in front of them. There stood Janno in front of them with Tracy standing next to him with a withdrawn and annoyed look on her face. Janno cleared his throat, his eyes fixed on the paper he was holding. "We would like to take this time to publicly apologize to Yuka Grace Flores for damaging her reputation."

Yuka's brows crumpled when her name was said.

"We, Janno Alonzo and Tracy Padua, were the one who played the video of the alleged oral scandal that has tainted Yuka Grace Flores' name. Nandito po kami, nakatayo sa harap niyo, para linisin ang pangalan ni Yuka." Said Janno.

"It was a year ago when it happened at my party." Si Tracy naman ang nagsalita. "We were playing 7 minute in heaven and since Yuka was the new girl, we decided to play a little joke on her."

"It was a joke that got out of hand and we deeply aplogize to Ms. Yuka Grace Flores." Tila maamong tupang sabi ni Janno. "We were locked up in a dark closet, just as how the game is supposed to go, I unzipped my pants and pushed her down her knees to make it seem like she was giving me oral and then that was when I signalled for Tracy to open the door. It was just a joke, guys."

It happened just as how Janno told it. She was pushed down and the next thing she knew, the door opened and there was a dick in front of her face. She wanted to belong, to be one with the rich, liberated kids and went along with it. She didn't want to act all embarrassed when people at the party started teasing her about it because honestly, she'd seen them do worse. People were making out and dry humping each other at the party and she didn't want to be called a prude. After the party, Janno started pursuing her hanggang sa pumayag na siyang i-date ang lalaki. She wasn't attracted to the man, it was just that he was a famous basketball player and it gained her a little social leverage being seen with him. Isa pa, kaibigan din siya ni Tracy, the woman she was trying to impress at that time so that she could get into their social circle. She was once a Ciara not too long ago willing to do anything to get on Queen Tracy's good side.

He broke up with Janno after she became best friends with Tracy and he wanted more out of their relationship. Hindi na ito kontento sa make out lang, he started pressuring her to having sex so she broke up with him. Her refusal to sleep with him didn't come from high moral ground, it was in fact the opposite. Janno just wasn't rich enough for her. He was just a pawn, the first step up the social ladder. She looked at sex as power and if she was going to give it away, she'd want something huge in return. She wasn't going to give it away like her mother did, for just a few coins in the pocket. She was no one thousand peso whore. So far, nobody had given her a car yet to allow them access between her legs.

"If you're hearing this, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive us, Yuka." Sabi ni Tracy.

Yuka couldn't deny that it felt good hearing Tracy and Janno ask for forgiveness in front of all these people, the same people she had been humiliated in front of. But she wanted more than an apology. She wanted them to feel the humiliation she felt. Kulang pa ito sa mga kagaguhan na ginawa nila sa kanya.

Yuka strided towards the stage and got on it. Parehong pumihit ang ulo ni Janno at Tracy sa gawi niya. She held her chin up as she looked at the two people who had almost ruined her relationship with Tate.

"You want my forgiveness?" She asked.

"Y-yeah..." Janno answered. "Patawarin mo sana kami sa nagawa namin, Yuka."

"Paano ko malalaman kung sincere kayo?" Her eyes narrowed into slits.

Tracy fought hard not to make a face. "Hindi pa ba sapat na nandito kami ngayon?"

"No, Tracy, hindi pa sapat yun. I want you two to earn my forgiveness." Yuka answered.

"How?" Tanong ni Janno.

"Lumuhod kayo sa harap ko in front of these people" One corner of Yuka's lips tugged into a smirk.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Sino ka para luhuran ko?" Hindi na napigilan ni Tracy ang inis.

"Give me a break! Alam ko kung ilan lalaki na ang niluhuran mo." Yuka chuckled.

"You bitch." Tracy said through gritted teeth.

"Just fucking do it, Tracy." Janno whispered to him as his eyes went to the man standing in the far corner. The man he had accidentally shot and had threatened him with a lawsuit if they didn't do as told. He had a voice record of the conversation Tracy and him had at the parking lot. Patong-patong na kaso ang pwedeng isampa sa kanila and his father couldn't do anything about it, the family was well-connected.

Yuka followed his eyes and had realized that Yvo was standing in the corner, watching them. Nagtama ang mga mata nila, she was taken aback for a few moment before regaining her composure. She somehow knew that he had something to do with this.

"Wala sa usapan natin ito." Tracy threw him a sharp look.

"Do you want to go to jail? Kasi ako ayoko." Janno said in a low tone.

Nag-iwas si Yuka nang tingin at ibinaling ulit ito kay Janno at Tracy. She put back on her bitchy face and looked at them with a smug smile. She had the upper hand here.

"I'm waiting." Sabi niya.

Janno went down on two knees in front of her and her smile grew big. Then she looked at Tracy, the woman spitefully looked back at her for a few seconds before finally giving in and kneeling in front of her. It was as if her hand had a mind of its own when it lifted up and slapped Janno across the face and then she spat on Tracy's face. It generated a gasp and whispers from the crowd.

"You asshole!" Tumayo si Tracy at nang akmang susugurin siya ay pinigil siya ni Janno. The woman wiped away the spit on her face.

"Bitawan mo ako!" Tracy tried to pry Janno's hands away from her. "I'm going to kill that bitch!"

"I don't want to go to jail, Tracy." Janno said.

"Kulang pa yan sa ginawa niyo sa akin." Dinuro niya ang dalawa bago bumaba ng stage.

She walked away from the crowd of people. Nakita niyang naglalakad na din palayo si Yvo. Things hadn't been the same since that night and she knew it would never be the same again between him and her. The thought of that made her feel somewhat sad because Yvo was one of the few people she could really be herself with. They could never be friends again after what had happened, lalo na at kaibigan pa ito ni Tate. They could never be together again without the thought of the threesome they had.

"Doc!" She couldn't help herself.

Agad naman na lumingon ang binata. They both just stood in front of each other. Yuka opened her mouth but her mind went blank for a few moments that she had to take in a deep breath to regain her thoughts.

"Kumusta na ang sugat mo?" She asked, her eyes lowering to the calf where the bullet had grazed but the trouser he was wearing covered it.

"It's nothing to worry about. Mababaw na sugat lang iyon, it barely break through my skin." He answered.

Yuka nodded her head. "Buti naman at walang nangyari sa'yo."

"How are you?" Yvo smiled, his hand lifting up to push his glasses higher onto the brigde of his nose, a habit he always does when he feels nervous or awkward.

"Okay lang." Yuka forced a smile. "May kinalaman ka ba sa paghingi ni Tracy at Janno ng tawad sa akin?"

"I told them that if they make a public apology hindi ako magfa-file ng lawsuit. What they did to you- to us, was not right." Yvo shook his head, letting out a sigh. He could never take back that night even if he wanted pero gusto niyang bumawi man lang kahit konti kay Yuka, she had lost the most that night. She wanted the people who had ruined Yuka's reptutation to clear out her name.

Yuka lowered her gaze to her feet. That night was a memory she didn't want to go back to.

"Gusto kong kalimutan na iyon." Mahinang sabi niya.

"I understand." Yvo nodded his head. "You know, Tate has always seen the best in you while at first I never wanted to see you in that light and for that I'm sorry. I didn't tell you that Tate's my bestfriend because I wanted to know if you really did have feelings for him. I thought the worst of you but you proved me wrong. I'm keeping my word, Yuka. Ako na ang iiwas sa inyo ni Tate. It would be best if I stay away from you two."

"Thank you." Yuka said in a small voice. It would indeed be best if they stay away from each other. They could never look at each other the same way again knowing that they had shared a bed together. Ayaw din naman ni Yuka na bigyan si Tate ng dahilan para

Nothing had changed with the way Tate sees Yuka. His feelings for her remained the same even after that night. Magsisinungaling siya sa sarili niya kung sasabihin niyang okay lang sa kanya iyon. No man would ever be okay with having the woman he loves sleep with his bestfriend but it had already happened, what more could he possibly do? Wala ni isa sa kanila ang may kasalanan sa nangyari. Not him, not Yvo, and not Yuka. They were drugged. It was just sex. There was no feelings involved. Iyon na lang ang paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi sa sarili niya. He wouldn't lie. The thought of it still kills him inside. No matter how promiscuous Tate was, it was still different with the woman he really had feelings for. Unwanted questions would swarm his head. Did Yuka come with Yvo? Did she liked the feeling of him inside her? And everytime, he would try so hard to swat it away. It was just sex, just... nothing.

"Tate!" Yuka hopped towards her as he leaned against his car, this time he took out his aqua blue Zenvo to pick her up.

Tate jogged to her, meeting her halfway and taking the books she was carrying. "Hey, buttercup. How's your day?"

"Okay naman. Nothing special." Yuka answered. It had been two weeks ago since Janno and Tracy made a public apology, they were both suspended when the dean heard what they had done to her, and she was able to redeem her social status. Lalo na ngayon na palagi siyang nababalitang kasama ni Tate, friends flock to her like butterflies to a daisy. Everybody wanted to be her friend. She had overthrown Queen Tracy, she had established her reign as the new queen bee when she made Tracy kneel in front of her. Everything was working in her favor.

"Dapat hindi mo na ako sinundo. Galing ka pa ng meeting, nagpahinga ka na lang sana. Ang layo ng pinanggalingan mo." She said in a concerned tone. Yuka knew Tate was a huge star, not just in the Philippines but internationally. He had a lot of projects lined up but still, Tate made sure he always had time for her. Ramdam niya talaga ang sincerity nito sa panliligaw sa kanya.

"Makita lang kita kahit gaano ako kapagod, seeing you makes everything so much better.." He pinched her chin between to fingers and tilted her head to look at him. "That beautiful face is like sunshine to me. Warm sunshine."

Her eyes disappeared as she smiled and her nose crinkled. "Ikaw talaga. Dinadaan mo na naman ako sa sweet talk mo. You really know what a woman wants to hear."

"I speak from the heart, buttercup." He winked at her before leaving a soft kiss on her forehead. He had been a real gentleman to her despite of what had happened between him, her, and Yvo. He stood true to his words when he said that they'd take it slow at liligawan niya ang babae. "Lahat ng lumalabas sa bibig ko, know that I meant every word of it. I love you, Yuka."

Yuka tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. Those words and the soft look in those mesmerizing eyes sent tingles down Yuka's spine. He meant it. He really did. There was nothing but sincerity in those words. He had never had a man love her as gently as he did.

"I love you too, Tate." She said, her heart swelling with emotions for the man standing in front of her. There was no doubt in her heart that Tate was the one for her. She could see her future with him. As practical as she was when it comes to love, there was still a hopless romantic girl inside her. She had wished for a love story like her Ate Saskia's. Pinangarap niya din na makahanap ng isang Migs na mamahalin siya at iaalay sa kanya ang mundo and she found it in Tate.

A soft smile etched across Tate's perfectly shaped lips. His head lowered to kiss the tip of her nose and then pressed his lips against hers. It was quick, sweet, and wholesome unlike the kiss they had shared in the past. He was really trying to prove himself to her even though she know there was no need to. He had already proven himself by still being here with her sa kabila ng nangyari.

Muling umangat ang ulo ni Tate para tignan siya. He held her face in both hands.

"You're the only girl I've ever felt this way about." He pushed some loose strands of Yuka's iron curled hair behind her ears.

"Naniniwala naman ako sa'yo." Ngumiti si Yuka sa lalaki.

"Good." He said with a cheeky smile. As soon as his eyes left hers, he'd caught a sight of Yvo walking to the parking lot from the building.

"Hey, dude!" He waved at the man walking and oblivious that they were even there. Agad na tumingin sa kanya ang lalaki.

Things had never really been the same between Yvo and Tate since what had happened. Nag-iiwasan ang dalawa. They knew the bro code, none of them had fucked a woman the other had fucked. They had not just broken it, they had shattered it to pieces that night.

Tate wanted to make it less awkward. He didn't want to brew any hostility between them, Yvo had been his bestfriend since they were probably just infants. Magkaibigan ang mga magulang nila at ayaw niyang mag-iwasan sila. Maliit lang ang mundong ginagalawan nila. Most of all, gusto niyang patunayan na wala sa kanya ang nangyari. He thought that if he showed that it didn't matter to him, it wouldn't matter to the two of them and they could all just forget about it like it never even happened at all.

Yvo stopped and waved at them. Umiiwas ang lalaki hindi lang kay Yuka kung hindi kay Tate na din. He thought it would be best if he stayed away from the two. Sa tuwing aayain siya ni Tate na lumabas ay palagi siyang tumatanggi and he knew his friend knew the reason as to why he was avoiding him. He was a conservative man and unlike his bestfriend, he could not just forget and act like he had not gone to be with the couple. Sure he had laid with women here and there, have had a few casual sex as he was still a man after all, but to have a threeway with his bestfriend and his girl was beyond him.

"How are you doing, man?" Lumapit si Tate and he playfully punched him on the arm, just as how he'd typically greet him.

Yvo smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Doing good. I'm a bit busy with research but everything's good."

"Nabanggit nga pala ni Yuka ang ginawa mo kay Janno at Tracy. I know it's a bit overdue but I want to thank you for clearing her name."

"I just did what I thought was right."

"But still, thank you, dude." Sabi ni Tate bago lumingon kay Yuka na nakatayo sa likod niya. Yuka kept her eyes away from them, she was hoping that Yvo would just go. Tate took her hand and pulled her to his side, possessively wrapping an arm around the small of her waist as if marking his territory. "Sinundo ko lang nga pala si Yuka. We're going out for dinner tonight."

"That's good, you two have fun. Kailangan ko na din umalis." Yvo lifted his wrist and looked at his wrist watch, sensing the heavy tension between them. "Work doesn't finish in the office. Marami pa akong trabaho sa bahay."

"Typical Yvo. When are you launching the next wonder drug, genius?" Tate asked, trying to sound enthusiatic.

Yvo chuckled. "I'm hoping soon. What about your next game? Super bowl is just around the corner."

"Yeah, I'm trying to enjoy myself before I leave for training. You know how intense it gets."

"Good luck with that. I know you'll do great, Kailangan ko na talagang umalis." Paalam niya bago tumingin kay Yuka.

Yuka stiffened when their eyes unexpectedly met. It just felt awkward for her to be there with the two men she had slept with. Hindi niya alam kung paano patutunguhan si Yvo sa harap ni Tate. Should she act like that never happened? Would it be appropriate to do so?

"Bye, Tate, Yuka. Have a wonderful evening." Sabi nito.

"You too, dude." Sagot naman ni Tate.

Yvo began to walk away and Tate walked her to the car, opening the passenger's side for her. Nang makapasok siya ay sinara nito ang pinto, she watched through the windshield as Tate jogged to the driver's side and opened the door, slipping inside. He started the engine and drove off.

"You've been really quiet." Pansin ni Tate habang nagdadrive siya. "Is everything okay?"

Yuka shifted to her seat to face him. "Thank you, Tate."

"For what?" He took a quick glance at her.

"Kasi nandito ka pa rin pagkatapos ng nangyari."

"Yuka katulad ng sinabi ko, walang magbabago sa pagtingin ko sa'yo. That meant nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. Out of all the women I've been with, I loved none of them. It was just a physical act that people do. Yung nangyari, it was just that."

Yuka nodded her head as she leaned her head against his shoulder. All the fear she had of losing the man of her dreams disappeared. Mahal siya ni Tate at iyon ang mahalaga ngayon.

"Akala ko iiwan mo na ako pagkatapos ng nangyari."

"About that..." Tate trailed off as if trying to add in a little suspense.

"Bakit?" Yuka lifted her head up.

"Kailangan kitang iwan, buttercup, but only for, I don't know, three months. I'll be leaving for our football practice. Are you going to wait for me?" He gently asked, pleading with his tone.

"Hindi na dapat tinatanong yan, Tate. Syempre, maghihintay ako sa'yo." Sabi niya and then her eyes narrowed. "Baka naman pag nandon ka na, makalimutan mo ako kapag may ibang babae kang makita."

Tate shook his head, smiling. "I would never look at another woman the way I look at you."

"Promise?"

He took a quick glance at her, looking her straight in the eye. "I promise."

"Kailan ka ba aalis?" She pouted.

"Next week." Sagot niya.

"Pag balik mo na kita sasagutin." Yuka grinned. "I'll make sure you'll have something you'd want to go back to."

"Does that mean you don't trust me?"

"It means I don't want to lose you." Malambing na sabi niya.

"I want to take you somewhere really special." Sabi ni Tate, taking a glance at her.

"Saan naman yun?" 

"You'll see." He grinned.

Tate drove until the car pulled up in front of a simple bungalow-type house with a wide front yard with white picket fence. Even though the house was simple, it was elegantly designed. It had a very intimate and cosy feels to it. You could tell that the people living in the house were a family. A tight-knit one. The bushes of flowers, the front porch swing, the big tree in front of the it made it even more so endearing.

"Ano'ng ginagawa natin dito?" Tanong ni Yuka when Tate started pulling into the driveway. He pressed a button in his car and the garage door opened. She didn't expect the inside to be huge because looking from the outside it seemed as though it could only fit 3 cars. But it was designed to look small at pahaba lang ito sa loob. There were two lines of cars and each had 4 cars parked next to each other, all 8 looked luxurious and expensive but she was sure the garage could fit 10 cars in it as there were still two empty spaces. Nagpark si Tate sa dulong bakate na puwesto. Bumaba sila sa kotse at ginaya siya nito sa pinto papasok sa bahay. 

The house was divine. It wasn't Yuka's dream house as she wanted a mansion bigger than her sister's husband's, she wanted to live and breathe luxury, but she still couldn't help but admire the interior of it. It was sophisticatedly styled.

"Tate, anak?" A woman came walking towards them. Matangkad ang babae, mahaba ang biyas, at tila pangmodelo ang figure. She was in a casual light blue floral dress, her hair tied up in a bun as if showing her beauty in full beauty. Yuka knew right away who she was as her features gave her away. Tate had gotten his gentle features from his mother. 

"Hi Mom." He leaned down to give his mother a kiss on the cheek. Even though the lady was tall, Tate was way up there. Pagkatapos ay ibinalin ni Tate ang atensyon sa kanya. "This is Yuka."

"Hi po." She gave her the most charming of her smiles. She knew first impressions last and she didn't want to give her future mother-in-law a reason to not like her. "Ang ganda-ganda niyo po. You look more like Tate's sister."

Hindi naman nagsisinungaling si Yuka. The lady still looked too young to be a mother of a grown man like Tate. She was stunning. Of course, she'd be beautiful. She was rich. Sabi nga ng Ninang Jodie niya wala kang makikitang mayaman na pangit. They have enough money to fix whatever was wrong with them or too maintain whatever beauty they had in their youth.

The lady giggled. "Oh, you're making me blush."

"I thought I'm the only one who can make you blush." A voice of a man took her attention away from Tate's mother. Lumapit ang isang matangkad na lalaki at tumabi ito sa ina niya. Now she knew where Tate had gotten his height. May anggulong kamukha ni Tate ang ama niya but he looked more like his mother. But nevertheless, Tate's father was a total DILF.

Tawa lang ang isinagot ng ginang sa lalaki. 

"Ito nga pala ang asawa ko." Pakilala niya sa lalaki kay Yuka and then she looked at her husband, wide-eyed. "Our son brought a girl, can you belive you that?"

"I know, angel. Looks like our boy is a man now." Wayne said with a proud smile before turning his attention back to them. "We usually only hear about women he dates in magazines and gossip pages."

Tate let out a small groan. "Dad, don't embarrass me."

Yuka felt as though she was being tickled. She had no doubt that Tate was serious with her but she had no idea that he was THIS serious. The thought of being the first woman he had invited in his parents' house made her feel special. She was not like any other girl he had ever dated.

"Nagluto ako ng tinolang manok." Sabi ni Tanya. "Iyon kasi ang paborito ng mag-ama ko. Hindi naman kasi sinabi ni Tate na may bisita pa pala kami, nakapaghanda pa sana ako ng iba pang ulam."

"Okay lang po, Tita. Sure naman ako na masarap ang luto niyo." Yuka said, switing on to her charming mode. "Minsan po, ituro niyo sa akin ang recipe para naman mapagluto ko din si Tate."

Tate watched as Yuka hooked her arm around her mother's, in an instant they were mother and daughter. It was as if they had known each other for a long time now even though they just met. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. 

"This is Therese, our oldest. Ito naman si Tate noong bata siya."

"Ang cute talaga ni Tate. He's handsome even as a little boy." Yuka squealed as they past by an end table that had frames of pictures on it. 

"Yes, he was. Sa akin nag-mana yan." Wayne proudly said.

"Parang mas kamukha naman po ni Tita si Tate." Yuka joked.

"See, I told you." Tanya teasingly said. "Si Rocco at si Mimi ang kamukha mo."

"Mimi's going to get mad when she hears that." Tate snorted. Camilla, or Mimi as they fondly call her, was born after him and Socrates or Rocco was the youngest. "Ayaw niyang nasasabihan siyang kamukha ni Dad because she thinks it means she looks like a man."

"Uy hindi ah! Maganda si Mimi." Depensa ni Yuka as she looked at the younger sister's picture. The woman in the picture had Wayne's elegant features but also had Tanya's softness. She was chiseled like a supermodel but soft like a fragile doll all at once. "Mukha ngang maynika ang kapatid mo. Si Rocco, kamukha talaga ni Tito, parang pinagbiyak na bunga. Ito naman Ate mo, siya yung sikat na journalist, di ba?"

"Yes, we're so proud of her." Tanya said, smiling.

"Thank God she's not a gossip writer, imagine what it would be like for Tate." Wayne snorted. 

"Halika na nga, kumain na muna tayo. Mamaya na yan. Baka lumamig na ang kanin at ulam." Aya ni Tanya.

They went to the dining room, the table had already been set up for them. They'd usually have dinner as much as they can but it was the weekday and his siblings had prior plans. Sinadya din ni Tate na weekday dalhin si Yuka at wala ang mga kapatid niya. She knew Therese would bombard her with questions, Mimi would be too excited to meet her as she had been looking forward to the day he brings a woman to meet them, and Rocco  would probably try to piss him off by telling Yuka embarrassing stories about him. He thought it would be best if Yuka meets his parents first before his obnoxious siblings. 

"So how long have you two been dating?" Tanong ni Wayne as he scooped rice from the bowl.

"Isang buwan ko na siyang nililigawan, Dad." Tate answered.

"At sinagot mo na ba?" Wayne looked at her.

"Hindi pa, Tito." Yuka grinned habang naglalagay ng sabaw ng tinola sa plato. "Pinapahirapan ko pa itong anak niyo."

Tanya couldn't help a laugh. "That's good. Make him work for it."

"Pagbalik ko ulit dito you said you'll be my girlfriend." Tate said.

"Basta siguraduhin mong walang ibang babae." Sabi ni Yuka.

"I promise. I won't even look at another woman. I wouldn't even have time to. I'd be practicing the whole duration of my stay there." He said.

Inilapit ni Yuka ang kutsara sa bibig. The moment her mouth closed around the spoon, the taste and smell of ginger from the soup exploded into her mouth. It assaulted her to the point of nausea, her eyes tearing a bit from the strong smell and flavor. She paused for awhile dahil para siyang sinuntok sa sobrang tapang ng amoy at lasa nito.

"Is everything okay?" Pansin ni Tanya. 

Yuka forced the food down her throat. She didn't want to seem impolite even though all she wanted was to spit the food out. 

She nodded her head, a small wince escaping her throat.