Aziel Luke was driving, and his mind still buzzing with the never-ending laughter Ashleigh and Lucas in the restaurant earlier. Tumingin siya sa kanyang rear view mirror at nakita niya si Ashleigh na mahimbing ang tulog, nakasandal ang ulo sa upuan.

Aziel couldn't help but smile as he watched her peaceful slumber. He had always known that Ashleigh had a crush on him, but he had never acted on it. He didn't want to ruin their professional relationship and he thought it would be best to keep their feelings at bay.

Bigla niyang naalala ang unang kita nila ni Ashleigh at unang pasok nito sa trabaho bilang secretary niya. Nawala ang kanyang pagkamahiyain sa babae dahil ’yun kay Ashleigh.

Inihinto niya ang kanyang kotse pinagmasdan niya ang natutulog na si Ashleigh. He smiled while looking on her.

Seeing her now, so vulnerable and innocent, made his heart flutter. He couldn't deny the fact that he also had a soft spot for her. He always admired her hard work and dedication, and her sharp mind always impressed him.

Aziel pulled over his car and got out, careful not to wake Ashleigh. He opened the back door and carefully took off his suit jacket, covering her with it. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up.

He sat in the backseat next to her and watched her sleep. He brushed a stray hair away from her face and couldn't help but smile at her soft features. For a moment, he forgot about work and all the stress that came with it. Being with Ashleigh felt like a breath of fresh air.

Suddenly, Ashleigh’s eyes fluttered open and she let out a small gasp when she saw Aziel next to her.

“Sorry po, Sir Luke. Kung nakatulog po ako. Nandito na po ba tayo?” she said, looking embarrassed.

Aziel just smiled and shook his head. “It's alright, sweetie. Don't worry about it. You've been tired lately, you needed some rest,” he said, trying to reassure her.

“Sir, anong oras po ang meeting?” tanong ni Ashleigh at tumingin sa labas. Nakita niya ang madilim na paligid.

“Naku! Sir pasensya na po. Siguro dahil sa akin hindi tayo umabot sa meeting nang dahil sa aking pagtulog.” paghihingi niya ng paumanhin sa kanyang boss.

“In fact, there was no meeting at all,” mahinang sabi ni Aziel Luke na nakayuko.

“A-Ano po'ng ibig n’yong sabihin, Sir Luke?” takang tanong ni Ashleigh dahil sa sinabi ng kanyang boss.

“I simply want to be with you right now. This place has a gorgeous nighttime view. Come on, sweetie.” yaya ng kanyang boss sa kanya.

Ashleigh's cheeks turned rosy at his words and she couldn't help but smile. Aziel's mere presence always had that effect on her. “Maraming salamat po, Sir. Luke. You're always so kind and make my heart feels like a butterfly,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aziel Luke smile to her. And waited to get out in the car.

Bumaba siya ng kotse at nilibot ang kanyang tingin namangha siya sa kanyang nakita.

“Ang ganda naman dito, Sir Luke.” maligalig na sabi ni Ashleigh.

Aziel leaned in closer, their faces only inches apart. “Please, call me Luke,” he whispered, his breath tickling her skin.

Ashleigh's heart skipped a beat as she looked into his mesmerizing eyes. Without any hesitation, she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss.

Aziel Luke was taken by surprise at first but it didn't take long for him to wrap his arms around her and deepen the kiss. It was an explosion of pent-up feelings and passion.

As they finally pulled away, Aziel rested his forehead against Ashleigh's, both of them panting for breath.

“I've wanted to do that for so long,” he whispered, his voice filled with longing.

Ashleigh smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. This time, they both knew it wasn't just a one-time thing. They both wanted to explore this new side of their relationship.

Tama ba itong ginawa ko? Hayaan ko lang ba ang aking sarili na magpapalunod kay Sir Luke? Oo, gusto ko si Sir pero sinabi na niya sa akin noon na imposibleng magiging kami.

Habang lumalim ang kanilang halikan ay biglang bumitiw si Ashleigh.

“Sir Luke, mali po itong ginawa natin.” umatras na sabi ni Ashleigh.

“Walang mali rito, Ashleigh.” madiin na sagot ni Luke sa kanya.

“Maling-mali dahil hindi mo naman ako gusto. ’Yung nangyari sa atin kalimutan na lang po na tin 'yun, Sir Luke.” nangingilid na ang luha ni Ashleigh.

“We both like it right?” tanong ni Aziel Luke habang humakbang ang kanyang paa papalapit kay Ashleigh.

“Siguro pinagsamantalahan mo ako dahil gusto kita. Ganun ba ’yun?” hindi na napigilan ni Ashleigh ang kanyang luha at dumadaloy ito sa kanyang pisngi.

“Is not like that, Ashleigh.” hinawakan ni Aziel ang kanyang kamay.

“ANO?!” sigaw na tanong ni Ashleigh sa kanya.

“I don't know! All I know is that being with you and seeing you makes me happy. When you're with someone else, I feel betrayed and incorrectly identified because.... I am unable to express my feelings to you.” mahabang sabi ni Aziel na ikinagulat ni Ashleigh.

“Sir, hindi naman po ako nagsisisi na inamin ko ’yung tunay kong nararamdaman para sa'yo. Pero sana huwag mo naman akong bigyan ng mixed signals, Sir Luke. ” binawi ni Ashleigh ang kanyang kamay na hawak ni Aziel Luke at pinunasan ang kanyang luha.

“Ashleigh, hindi kita binigyan ng mix signals. H-Hindi ko lang alam kung ano ang ire-react ko dahil sa buong buhay ko, sa'yo lang ako nahiya dahil babae pa talaga ang aamin sa akin sa kanyang tunay na nararamdaman patungo sa akin. Ngayon lang ako nakakaranas ng ganito ba babae ang umamin.” mahabang pagliwanag ni Aziel Luke at malungkot ang kanyang mga mata.

“Ang tahimik ng mata mo, hindi ko alam kung nagsasabi ka ba ng totoo.” pagkasabi ni Ashleigh ng mga katagang iyon ay naglakad ito at iniwan si Aziel Luke na nakatayo.

Pinagmasdan ni Ashleigh ang mga ilaw na nagmula sa syudad.

“Ang gulo-gulo mo, Ashleigh!” sigaw ni Ashleigh sa kanyang sarili at ginulo ang kanyang buhok.

“Alam mo naman na hindi ka magugustohan ng taong 'yun pero pinipilit mo pa rin ang iyong sarili na ipagsiksikan sa kanya.” dugtong niya at hindi niya alam na narinig ito ni Aziel Luke.

“Ashleigh,” tawag ni Aziel sa kanya.

“Tama na po, Sir. Mabuti pa uwi na po tayo gabi na rin kasi. Tapos nagugutom na rin ako.” sabi niya at pinunasan ang kanyang luha bago humarap kay Aziel.

“Ashleigh?” tawag ulit ni Aziel sa kanya.

Pero hindi siya pinakinggan nito at nilampasan lang siya. Walang nagawa si Aziel at sumunod ito kay Ashleigh.

As they drove home together, no one was trying to talk. Aziel couldn't help but feel guilty for that moment when he stopped his car and watched his secretary in the rear view mirror seating in the backseat. It was a moment that changed everything.

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