CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

MONTHS HAVE passed, and most of the things are still... the same, except for Daniel, who still has not come back after he bid his goodbye that night.

Wynter's best friend, Dominique, still isn't making a move toward her brother nor telling him the truth about their situation and even the wedding.

Angelo was still coming back and forth on LUST DAWN and Heaven's Taste but lately, he spends most of his time in the US. As per Wynter's request to their dad. For her, his brother needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the dangerous part of their lives.

Narae finally graduated and began working. Living her dream job while still not in the mood about have a boyfriend at all.

As for Anurak, he finally found the love of his life but ended up devastated after losing him. Kaya naman kada pupunta siya sa Thailand ay pagtutulungan nilang magkakaibigan na pasayahin ito.

Mike would still often visit her. Same reason, s*x. But there are times when he invites her for dinner. Usually, she would decline, but from time to time, she would just... accept it. They're still friends after all.

Then there's Wynter's busy life. A common routine. At least once a month, she would fly to Thailand to check on their club and her friends. Her work at her psychiatric center and some work at Heaven's Taste. Though lately, Autumn has been working a lot there.

Malimit na rin siyang makapunta sa mga bar at makahanap ng lalakeng magpapainit sa gabi niya. Kaya nga pabor na pabor sa kanya ang relasyong mayroon sila ni Mike eh.

Just s*x, no feelings, but still friends.

Speaking of Mike, hindi na rin naman siya kinausap nito tungkol sa pagpapalalim ng relasyon nila o kahit anong patungkol sa pagiging magkasintahan. Mukha ngang phase lang talaga ang nangyari sa kanila noon.

Months turned to years. Ganoon kabilis ang pangyayaring halos hindi naman din naramdaman ni Wynter. Dalawang taon na simula nung sinabi ni Dan na mawawala ito. Dalawang taon na niyang hindi nakikita o walang nakukuhang balita mula sa binata. Ngunit hindi siya nagpaapekto. As much as possible, ayaw niyang magpaapekto.

Bumalik siya sa nakasanayan. Her everyday life was a routine. The only thing that changed was Mike's news tonight.

The man knocked on her unit's door and asked if he could come in. Agad namang niluwagan ni Wynter ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. He seemed so serious.

"Do you want something to drink? Your face tells me you're not here to f*ck," saad ni Wyn nang makaupo ang lalake sa sofa.

Umiling naman ito. "I'm fine. Mabilis lang naman ito."

"Okay then." Wynter sat on her couch, the one across from Mike's. "What is it?"

Mike took a deep breath as if he was still contemplating with himself if he was going to say it or not. "We're finally together."

Ilang minutong nanahimik ang paligid. Walang nagsalita sa kanilang dalawa. Mike was waiting for her to say something, and Wynter was waiting for him to add more.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Janelle finally said yes."

Wynter remained emotionless, making Mike more nervous than he already was.

"'Di ba ilang buwan ko na rin siyang nililigawan simula nang maghiwalay sila ng boyfriend niya?" He waited for Wynter's response but he got nothing so he continued. "What I'm saying is..."

"This is where it all ends," seryosong pagpapatuloy ni Wyn sa sasabihin nito. Then she stood up. "All right then. Congratulations. I'm happy for you, but I still don't like her. But you do love her. That's all that matters. Be happy, okay?" She even smiled a little.

Nag-aalangan namang tumayo si Mike saka siya nito tiningnan. "Would it be okay?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Why wouldn't it be? Mike, 'yan ang usapan natin, hindi ba? Our relationship ends once one of us enters a real relationship."

Muli itong napabuga ng hangin. "Thanks for everything, Wyn," anito saka siya niyakap.

She hugged him back. "We're friends after all." Wynter gave him a pat on his back before letting go. "Have fun and don't you dare cheat on her."

Mahina namang natawa si Mike. "I won't. I promise."

Hindi niya napigilang umirap. "Hindi ka sa akin dapat nangangako. You should be saying that to Janelle."

They both chuckled and smiled before bidding each other goodbyes. Nang tuluyan nang makalabas ng unit niya si Mike ay nakangiting isinara ni Wyn ang pinto. At least, he finally chose to settle down.

Kinabukasan ay hindi niya inaasahang bibisitahin siya ng mga kaibigan niya sa opisina. Anurak is now blooming, Narae keeps on frowning, and Dominique is on the verge of needing her medical help.

"Ako lang ang may masayang love life," wika ni Anurak na nagpataas ng kilay ni Wynter.

"You finally found someone else?"

Umiling naman ang kaibigan niya. "Siya pa rin," nakangiti nitong sagot.

Wynter's eyes widened. "Kayo na? As in legal?"

Anurak was grinning while nodding his head. "Hindi lang legal." He grabbed something from his bag. A black envelope with a gold ribbon. Saka nito inabot sa kanya. "See it for yourself."

She quickly opened the envelope—the invitation and carefully read it. "You're getting married?" The shock in her tone was completely obvious.

Malalaking ngiti pa rin itong tumango. "This year, Wyn. This year. Ayaw na naming patagalin pa ulit."

Nanlalaki pa rin ang mga matang tumingin si Wyn kela Dom at Narae. "Is this real?"

"May invitation na nga, Unnie eh," pagod na sagot ni Nar.

Mas nag-focus si Wyn kay Dom. "Naunahan ka pa niya?"

Agad naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin ng lalake. "Shut up, Wynter."

She rolled her eyes before looking back at Anurak and smiled. "I am so happy for you, An. You have finally found your life partner."

"I'm also glad that it's still him. Pakiramdam ko, worth it lahat ng pagmumukmok ko."

"Baliw." Natawa na lang silang dalawa. "Is that the reason why you're all here?" nakangiti pa rin niyang tanong sa tatlo.

"Somehow," nakapanlumbabang sagot ng bunso nila. "Yayayain ka rin sana naming mag-clubbing. Hindi ka naman kasi tumatagal sa LD kaya kami na lang ang maga-adjust."

"Nakakahiya naman sayo," segunda pa ni Dom.

Bigla namang naalala ni Wyn na wala na nga pala siyang f*ck buddy kaya balik siya sa dating gawi kapag bored o stressed. "Sure. I'll just make sure that I have no other important appointments whatsoever today." Sakto namang may kumatok pinto na nagpatigil sa kanilang apat. "Come in," sigaw niya.

Pumasok naman si Ella saka tumingin sa kanya. "Señorita, your final appointment for today was cancelled due to personal reasons."

Napatango naman siya. "Would that be the only thing I have for today's schedule, El?"

"Sí, señorita."

Wynter smiled. "Gracias, El. You may now go."

Her secretary slightly bowed before leaving the room.

"So, let's go?" agad na yaya ni Narae.

Wynter rolled her eyes as she slowly shook her head. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good for the day. Let's go."

Agad namang tumalima ang dalawang lalake saka sunod-sunod silang lumabas ng opisina niya. Nagpaalam lang siya sa sekretarya saka ito sinabihan na ring umuwi bago tuluyang umalis ng center niya't sumakay sa kotse para magsimulang mag-ikot at maghanap ng club.

"How about doon tayo sa minsan pinagta-trabahuhan ni Kuya Angelo?" suhestyon ni Narae na agad kinromponta ni Dom.

"He works in a club here?" pagalit nitong tanong.

Napailing naman si Wyn. "Chill the eff out, Dom. But yes, he did when he's here in the Philippines and he's bored."

Agad nanahimik ang matalik niyang kaibigan pero paniguradong galit pa rin ito. May sira rin eh.

Ilang minuto lang ay nakarating na rin sila sa club at agad nakapag-order.

Right there and then, the four of them decided to party and get drunk for different reasons. Hanggang sa hindi inaasahan, Wynter finally saw him.

Dan...