CHAPTER 3

MAXINE POV

Two weeks have passed. And honestly? Nakakapagod.Kusina sa umaga, training buong araw, tapos gabi—review for my certification exam.

Pero at least ngayon… Sunday. Finally, pahinga. Well, konti.

I still had things to do. After church, balak kong bisitahin ang mga kumpanya ko. Surprise inspection ‘ika nga. Kasi kung kailan wala ang CEO, dun lumalabas ang mga nagfi-feeling boss.

On top of that, may product launch din today. Tatlong bagong items. And the face of that campaign?

Si Sandra.

She’s more than just a pretty face.

She’s kind, graceful, and may charm na hindi pilit. Parang siya yung tipo ng babae na effortless ang dating.

The total opposite of me, maybe.

Pero okay lang. I like being the bossy sometimes, when needed, specially.

I finished getting ready early and decided to ride alone. Gusto ko ng tahimik na biyahe.

Kaya habang nasa kotse, I called Jewel, my secretary-slash-P.A.-slash-life-saver.

Five rings.

“Hello, Ma’am Rielle. Sorry it took a bit. Anything urgent po?” Jewel’s voice came in, calm as ever.

“No worries. Just let all the branches know I might drop by today.” I said while checking the parking lot at church.

“Noted po. I will alert them later.”

“No. Change my mind. Don’t tell them anything. I want to see the raw version—kung sino ang tunay na nagtatrabaho, at sino ang puro pa-cute lang sa opisina.”

She chuckled.

“Copy that, Ma’am. I’ll handle the internal notes. Anything else?”

“That’s all. Enjoy your Sunday.” I said before ending the call.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, sakto namang dumating ang van nila Dad. I smiled and lumapit na sakanila.

Kasama nila sina Kuya Kiefer with his family, pati si Kuya Zander—aka my future matchmaker. Mommy hugs me tight and b****o.

Pumasok kami sa church together.

Tahimik. Peaceful. The worship team was rehearsing, and the scent of incense mixed with the morning air.

While waiting I closed my eyes for a second.

Nakakapagod maging adult.

But moments like this?

Worth it.

After service, habang lumalabas kami, si Daddy na ang unang nagsalita.

“Let’s eat at Amore Bistro.” he suggested. As expected.

“Oo nga! It’s been months since our last visit.” sabat agad ni Kuya Zander.

“Si Kuya Elliotte nasan ba siya?” tanong ko, looking around.

“May inaasikaso sa business. Solo niya ngayon ang office since ayaw nga ng dalawang kuya mo mag-handle.” sagot ni Mommy, half-annoyed.

“Cause we have our own business to manage plus yung pamana pa nila Mamila at Dadilo.” sabi naman ni kuya Kiefer.

Napangiti na lang ako. And we say our temporary goodbyes.

On the drive to the restaurant, si Kuya Zander ang kasama ko. Ako ang nagda-drive—not surprised.

“So… ready ka na ba sa blind dates mo?” tanong niya with a teasing tone.

“Kuya naman, I said yes na nga diba? Pero five dates lang. After that, you’re off my case. Ikaw ready ka na ba?” tanong ko pabalik

“Yes. Same ng rules sayo.” he said.

“At least this way, you’ll stop saying love isn’t your priority. Give the boys a chance.” Dagdag niya pa.

“Give myself peace of mind, you mean. Ikaw nga jan eh.” sabay irap ko.

“Saka, wala pa akong nakikitang lalaki na kasing sexy ng panaginip ko.”

“Nagluluto ba yung panaginip mo?” he teased.

“Oo. Shirtless habang nag-chachop ng sibuyas. Baka nga allergic ako sa totoong lalaki eh. Actually I don’t see myself with someone.”

Tawanan kami all the way. Ang daming chika nito kalalaking tao. HAHAHAHA. Pero as a bunso I know how hurt my kuya feels when his greatest love left him. But seeing him now, he look a lot better than ever.

We have arrived at my restaurant. And nauna pa sila mom. “Ang bilis niyo naman makarating.” Sabi ko at umupo. “Nag short cut kasi si mang Ben ng daan para mabilis.” Sabi ni ate Xiara. “Ikaw talaga manong.” Sabi ko dito habang natatawa.

Nakapag-order na sila kaya ng dumating na ang pagkain nagdasal kami at nagsimula ng kumain. The food was great, as usual. Homemade pasta, fresh salad, fluffy focaccia.

Amore never disappoints. I love my employees.

“Ano na palang ganap sa blind dates niyo Zande?” tanong ni dad. Grabe ganun na ba kayo ka excited na magkaroon kami ng sariling love life naming. Hay nako.

“Well napag-usapan namin na ngayong week kami mag-start and si bunso gabi lang siya available kaya ang mga kadate nia dapat night owls.” Natatawang sagot ni kuya Zander.

“Aba sorry naman kuya ha may tinatapos ako para maging certified chef.” Sarkastikong sagot ko dito. At inirapan ko pa siya saka pinagpatuloy ang pagkain.

After lunch, nagyaya ang mga bata sa mall.

At siyempre, ako ang designated yaya dahil gusto mag-spa nila Mommy.

While they ran off toward the arcade, I sat down at a nearby bench and opened my phone.

Blind dates. Let’s get this over with.

Nag-d******d ako ng dating app para kay Kuya.

After a few scrolls, I found someone interesting.

Louise Ann Lim

Hi! I’m here messaging you if you want a sched to have a blind date with my brother? -ME

Habang hinihintay ko ang reply, bumili muna ako ng ice cream. Yes, emotional support cone.

As I licked my chocolate swirl, napalingon ako sa café across the arcade. I see a familiar figure. Is that Kuya Timothy?

In a white button-down, sleeves rolled up, sipping coffee like a damn magazine model.

Naka-shades pa siya, but I don’t know if he was looking in my direction.

Like a spy? Creepy.

Nope. Not today.

Bumalik ako sa upuan, enjoying my ice cream.

I was off-duty.

I wasn’t his trainee today.

I wasn’t anything to him.

Then, suddenly—

“Tita, I want ice cream too” si Kim. Jayden followed her like a duckling.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go.” I said and we go to the ice cream parlor.

Nang makabalik kami, biglang may humarang sa harap naming.

“Ninong!” sigaw ng mga bata sabay yakap sa kanya. “Hi, Kimmy and Jayden, how are you? sabi naman nito habang yakap ang mga bata. Guess who’s that. It’s no other than Timothy or I rather say Kuya Timothy. How good this day is?

“Oh. Chef. Hi.” I said, dryly.

“Don’t call me that unless we’re on work. It’s Tim. Or Kuya Tim. Unless gusto mong turuan pa kita kahit Sunday.” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes.

“Relax. We’re just here for ice cream. Not a surprise kitchen inspection.” I muttered.

Sa totoo lang, he wasn’t acting like the cold, grumpy chef sa kitchen.

He was... soft. Warm.

Pero baka Sunday lang yun. At dahil sa mga pamangkin ko. He’s playing a nice guy today.

“Where is your parents Jayden?” tanong nito sa pamangkinn kong lalaki. “Tita said they when shopping. They will be back soon.” Sagot naman nito habang kumakain din ng ice cream.

“Ohh I see, let’s shop too after you finish your ice creams.” Sabi naman nito sakanila. Aba ako ang guardian dito ahh. Hangin lang ba ako.

“If tita will allow us, ninong. Can we tita?” Kim asked with puppy eyes pa.

“I will come. Mamaya kidnappin pa kayo ng isang toh.” Sarkastikong sabi ko pero pabulong na huling sinabi ko. “What did you say Maxine?” taas kilay na tanong nito sakin.

“Wala po ‘Kuya Tim’. Finish your icecreams so we can go.” Sabi ko na lang sa mga bata at umiwas ng tingin sa lalaking nasa harapan ko.

We all went to the toy store. Ako ang nag-push ng cart habang sila Timothy at ang kids nag-bonding.

Pagdating sa cashier, I took out my card.

Biglang hinablot ni Kuya Tim sa kamay ko at binigay ang card niya.

“I got this. My treat for my inaanaks.”

Alpha energy alert. Ang hangin masyado nito. Sa restaurant ang init ng ulo pag Sunday ba mahangin?

Hinila ko ulit card ko.

“Kaya ko magbayad, thanks.”

“Hindi yan about sa pera, Maxine.”

“Good. Then stop grabbing things that aren't yours.”

Tumalikod ako at lumabas ng store to check my phone.

Louise Ann Lim

Hi, I am here messaging you if you want a sched to have a blind date with my brother? -ME

HER- Yeah, sure what’s his name and number so we’ll be connected.

I’ll just send your name and number to him. Btw his name was Alexzander Blake Perez. -ME

HER- Ohh, okay here’s my number then. 09*******03. Thanks for choosing me go on a blind date for your brother.

Thank you too for considering him. -ME

After ko ma-message ang ka blind date ni kuya sinend ko agad sakanya ang detail para makapag usap na sila and meet.

“Tita we’re done. Ninong carried everything!” Kim

“Did you say thank you?” I asked

Tumango sila.

“Good. Next time, make sure you carry your own too, okay?”

“Thanks, cuoco mostruoso (monster chef).” Sabi ko at naglakad na kami ng mga bata.

“Hey! What did you say?!”

“G****e mo na lang.” sabi ko. Kung maalala mo pa.

We met up with the rest of the family. “Mom, Dad.” Sabay na bangit ng dalawa kaya hinayaan ko na silang tumakbo. “Did you have some fun?” tanong ni ate Xiara. “Yes and ninong shop for us.” Sabi ni Jayden sabay turo ng nasa likod ko.

He greeted everyone, syempre kaclose naman niya ang family ko. So Mommy invited him—for dinner.

Pagdating sa mansion lumapit ako kay kuya Zander para itanong kung nakausap na niya si Louise.

“Did you ask her out na?” tanong ko dito. “Yes I already did. We will meet tomorrow.” Sagot naman niya. “That’s good then.” I tapped his shoulder and diretso akyat ako to change.

Loose shirt. Pajama. Para naman feel at home ako kahit bahay ko din naman ito.

Nang bumaba ako, narinig ko pa silang nag-uusap sa living room.

“Okay ba si Maxine sa Moonlight?”

I cleared my throat.

“What are you talking about?”

Tahimik. Guilty.

Ugh. Ayoko ng ganito.

Dumiretso na lang ako sa kitchen and helped the staff prep dinner. Kahit papaano, it calms me. Akala mo wala akong karapatan sa bahay na ito. Char.

Nang handa na ang lahat, we ate. The food was great. The mood? Cozy.

Even Kuya Tim looked like he belonged here.

Which was... strange. But not that awkward baka kasi sa sobrang tagal ko sa Italy kaya ganto. We often have dinner with his family naman when I was younger.

After dinner, I stayed in the garden with a glass of champagne.

Just watching stars. Listening to laughter.

It felt...

Peaceful.

Around 10 PM, I stood up and stretched.

“Good night everyone.”

Umakyat na ako, nag-night routine at nagpalit ng night dress ko. I didn’t wear a bra since it’s more comfortable. “What a exhausting day.” Sabi ko at nahiga na. “Good night self, tomorrow will be a new day.” At unti-unti ng pumikit ang mga mata ko.