We are currently at a local supermarket that is only a few blocks away from the subdivision.

Padabog kong binagsak ang 4 cartons of fresh milk sa cart. I moved a little bit to my right to also get a tub of yogurt habang naramdaman ko naman na sumusunod siya sakin.

"Sir, sir!"

Great.

* * *

It was an uneventful morning. Except for the fact that he saw me on my undies, wearing nothing but a thin cotton shirt without bra and not to mention, a pair of Tigger printed socks. After 'nun, wala na. Parang wala lang nangyari. He basically followed me like a shadow at sa bawat galaw ko, walang imik niya lang ako pinapanuod. Sometimes, I'd ask what he'd like and he'd do the same.

There wasn't any awkward silence. It actually felt like we've been doing this for years when the truth is, this was my first time to do groceries with someone. I hate to think I'm comfortable with him but the truth is I am. Maybe, because whatever I say, he goes with it.

Being the gentleman that he is, he drove my Jeep silently while I list the things that I– we, would need that should last for a month.

I didn't add pouched baked mac because I like his cooking. Madami kasi siyang cheese na nilalagay.

"Do you want me to cook for you tonight?" He suddenly asked while driving.

"You know how to cook?" I asked.

He laughed. "I took culinary too."

Too. Ibigsabihin may iba pa. Of course. Why am I asking a stupid question? Akala ko kasi may chef na nagluluto para sa kaniya.

"What are you going to cook?"

"What do you want?" Every girl's favorite question.

Might as well take this advantage. It's been so long since I ate a home-cooked meal. Mhm. "I want lasagna. With fries! And, bread crumbs."

"That's all?"

"Mhm, are you making it up to me because you saw my undies kanina?" I squinted my eyes at him.

He chuckled. "That. And I love cooking. If you allow me to cook for you, I'll do whatever you want. Did you like my baked mac?"

"Yes." I pouted. "Cook me some more. Gusto ko 'yung sayo kasi madaming cheese."

He smiled. "I will."

He parked the car and shut down the engine. I didn't wait for him to open the door. I'm not a damn royalty. He only smiled when I raised my eyebrows at him when he saw me walked out the car already.

He went to get a push cart and followed me.

"Does this mean, we're friends now?"

Well, I mean we're already having a light conversation and you're practically my cook. I thought about it. I rolled my eyes na parang wala akong choice. Ang arte ko lang.

"Do I have a choice?" I deadpan looked at him. "Might as well. Who knows how long you're going to stay with me." Ginaya ko 'yung sinabi niya.

He just brightly smiled at me. "Noted."

"Noted, what?"

"That your weakness is my baked mac."

Now, he's teasing me. What did I get myself into? "Don't you dare blackmail me with it. I will castrate you." I glared at him.

"More cheese?" He looks cute, damn it!

"Dadamihan mo?"

He nodded. I raised my eyebrows, pleased with his answer.

He got me so good, alright. Like, I'm already pleased with his outfit. I'm so fucking doomed.

How could someone look so good in only a pair of black fitted pants and one of his infamous white shirts, why was he wearing boots? That Timberland shoes looked good on his feet, it drove me mad. I can still smell his scent on me that teasingly filled the car and I didn't mind. This is so unfair! Why?!

I sighed, dramatically.

God, give me patience.

* * *

How could a girl's mood change so quickly? I hate being a girl sometimes. We're petty and complicated. Not to mention, dramatic. But it couldn't be helped! If I could, I wouldn't be sulking right now.

"Sir, do you want to try our new product?"

The high-pitched voice broke me from my thoughts. I glared at the tubs of different yogurts that was in front of me.

"Sure." I heard the saleslady giggle.

Fucking yogurts...

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lang namin sa Entrance, 'di ko na mabilang kung ilang mata na ang napatingin, tumitingin at tumititig sa kanya. Yes, of course, with his staggering height that towers almost 90% of the population in this store, it would be impossibly hard for the respondents– specifically, the females– to act like they were not blessed to have such seen a fine, fine specimen. It changed my mood drastically. I wanted to be a murderer then but I realized I'm a cop. Damn.

"Sir, artista po ba kayo? Model? Ang gwapo niyo po kasi eh." Another fucking set of giggles.

"No." I can feel his smile without even looking.

Pagtapak na pagtapak pa lang ng paa ko sa mall na 'to, badtrip na ko.

I whipped my head to the giggles from my left. Lalong naginit ang dugo ko. Kanina pa kasi 'tong mga estudyante na 'to eh. Sunod ng sunod, wala namang binibili. Ni wala nga silang cart or basket for godsake. And this man, behind me, who was being nice to the promoter, is oblivious with the epidemic that he brought. Stick to my fucking side, Benjamin!

Hindi natigil sa kakatingin 'yung mga babae kahit na masama na ang tingin ko sa kanila. How old are they?! 17? 18? Stop looking at him! So, annoying!

Padabog ko ulit binagsak ang dalawang tub ng yogurt. Napalakas siguro dahil napatingin si Benjamin. Napatingin ako sa kanya at dire-diretso na lang umalis sa aisle na 'yun. Bahala ka diyan...

I heard him thank the saleslady and politely said he needed to go. I almost rolled my eyes. Who the fuck does that? What's he even thanking for?!

I purposely walked to the schoolgirls. I don't need to do this but they were testing my patience kanina pa. Nagtimpi lang talaga ako but since they're still here and they are in front of me might as well take care of this situation before I really fucking lose it.

When they were only a few inches away, I fakely smiled at them. Pero nung lumingon ako kay Benjamin nawala ito at tumigas ulit ang ekspresyon ko.

"Jaiden." For the first time, I called him by his name. I prefer Jaiden over Lucas. I mean, better leave a fucking impression.

My hard voice caught Benjamin's attention from smiling at the two girls who I knew purposely passed by this aisle. Desperate, so fucking desperate.

"Yes, do you want me to get anything?" Yes, get your shit together and focus on me.

Kulang na lang cherry on top sa tamis ng ngiti ko. The only difference was that mine was fake.

"Push the cart."

That fucking smile again. I hated that smile. Lagi naman siyang nakangiti pero nagiiba! Am I making a sense here? Basta! It's like he's trying to figure out what I said. Parang may iniisip o gusto siyang sabihin na hindi ko magugustuhan kaya titignan lang niya ko. What the fuck are you smiling at again?! It's frustrating!

I really hated that smile.

He obediently pushed the cart hanggang sa magkatabi na kami. Inirapan ko siya. Now, for my girls...

"Why are you following us?"

Nawala ang ngiti nila at napalitan ng takot. "P-Po? H-Hindi naman po namin kayo sinusundan."

"Do you like him? Do you find him attractive?"

I saw them blushed profusely. Para silang ticking bomb na konti na lang sasabog na ang kalandian.

"Kanina ko pa kasi napapansin na sunod kayo ng sunod samin, wala naman kayong binibili." I fake another smile.

"If I so much as see your plaid skirts on the next aisle, I will call the security. It's obvious that you didn't come here to shop. And I asked if it was because of him and you clearly said no. Obviously, this is not a walk in the park because just in case you didn't notice, this is a grocery store. So, what else could you be doing? Shoplifting? I will give you 3 seconds to get out of my face. 1–"

Before I can even say two, nagsitakbo na sila.

Thought so.

"Do you like organic fruits?" I asked.

Kinuha niya ang basket na lalagyan mula sakin. "They were kids, Margareth."

Hindi ko siya tinignan. Now, where are the apples?

"They're legal. Alam na nila ang ginagawa nila. Someone should put them on their feet."

"They weren't doing anything wrong with you. You shouldn't have done that. Although, you said it in a nice way. You basically threatened them." He said while taking the apples from me.

I glared at him. "Why are you reprimanding me?"

"I'm not." Malambing niyang sinabi na parang kumakausap ng bata habang kumukuha ng orange.

"Are you taking their side?" Great, I'm being such a girl again. Now, I can't stop talking!

He smiled. "I'm not taking sides. I'm just saying–"

"Oh, I get it! You knew that they were following you. You know that you're making every female here turn their heads for you." Padabog kong binato 'yung mga apples sa basket niya.

Stop talking, Margareth!

"Gustong-gusto mo na nasayo ang atensyon nila? Ganun 'yun, di ba?" Boys will always be boys. And why am I so fucking dramatic over this? But I can't stop talking now. Not when my ego is already bruised. "You pay attention to all the girls when you know for a fact that you had them at your feet. You think with your dick and not with your brain."

I made sure to keep my voice down kahit gigil na gigil na ko. Pero syempre, imbes na magalit siya o mainis, ngingitian lang niya ko. Ganyan kayo! Nagpapacute pag galit na kami!

"Of course, not."

Hinablot ko ang basket sa kanya at nilagay na 'yun sa cart. I left him there. I don't need an explanation! The damage has been done. You're taking their sides well, whatever! Mamili ka sa mga babaeng 'yan at sa kanila ka makitira!

"If you like them so much–"

"I don't. That's not what I mean–"

"Even if that's not what you mean, still. You tolerated them."

"Tolerated?" He sounded amused now.

I stopped pushing and looked at him. He took a few steps and now were only away. I held my breath. He was looking at me with that amused smile. Don't, Margareth!

"You're letting them. You're even smiling at them. Of course, anong iisipin nila? I'm with you, Benjamin. I can see everything. I get that you're being polite. But, you're with me." I'm making a sense here, right? Because he made me feel like- Well, he shouldn't but still!

He only stared at me with that stupid smile.

"Benjamin, listen to me."

"I am." His voice was low and husky. It sent flutters to my system, and he was smiling at me with that fucking smile.

"If I so much as see you smile or even look at any girls here one more time, I will leave you. Fucking shop on your own. Stop being nice and stay close to me. Your attention should only be mine and no one else." That's my ego talking, for your information, self. "Now, get those grapes on your side and push this cart. Do you understand?"

He nodded, not taking his eyes off me.

"Answer me. You know, I hate repeating myself!"

He shook his head like something's funny and reached for the grapes. I frowned again.

"Benjamin!"

"What?" He chuckled, taking my hands off the cart.

"Answer me!"

Tumawa lang siya at umiling-iling. He pushed the cart. What! He is really testing my patience!

"Jaiden!"

He looked back with a cute smile. Holy shit- wrong move, wrong move! He looked fucking good in that angle!

"Come here and tell me what you want." Tapos ngayon lalambingin niya na naman ako.

I glared. "I want this fucking mall. Bibilhin mo?"

He laughed.

Fucking, Benjamin.

"You do realize that you acted like a jealous girlfriend?"

"Even if I'm not your girlfriend, I'm allowed to demand things from you. I'm allowed to throw tantrums even if it's irrelevant and get away with it. We're girls. We always get what we want."

"And are we stupid because we always fall for it?"

"No, you're smart. Because you know what's good for you."

He smiled again with that fucking smile. I ignored him and walked straight. I saw a new group of girls giggling and I whipped my head to my right to look if he dared to smile at them. Mukhang hinintay niyang tumingin talaga ako sa kanya dahil nakatingin na agad siya saking with that teasing smile. I squinted my eyes at him. It only sparked his eyes more. Kinuha niya ang listahan sa kamay ko.

"Just you dare, Benjamin."

"I'm a good boy, Margareth."

"You better be."