Chapter 6

Saturday morning, Kaella juggled two overstuffed grocery bags outside her apartment building. Her phone was wedged between her ear and shoulder, and her tone was all business.

“Dion, sabihin mo na lang kay Tita Mila na ako na ang magdadala ng mga gamit, okay? Wala na siyang iisipin,” she said, even as her knuckles whitened from the weight.

Her brother’s voice crackled on the line. “Ate, sigurado ka? Ang bigat n’yan, and two rides pa ‘yun!”

“Kaya ko ‘to,” Kaella insisted, though her back was already protesting.

Just then, a familiar silver sedan slowed to a stop beside her. The window rolled down to reveal Jerome, his usual playful smirk lighting up his face.

“Well, well… Sales Manager on a Saturday,” he teased. “Heavy lifting, huh?”

Kaella groaned. “Jerome? Wala kang ibang tambayan?”

“Coincidence lang ‘to,” he said, hopping out of the car. “Seriously, let me help.”

“I can manage,” she lied.

Jerome grinned and, without asking again, took the heavier bag effortlessly. “Saan tayo, boss lady?”

“Barangay San Isidro. Kailangan kong ihatid ’to kay Tita Mila. Snacks para sa fundraiser ng kapatid ko.”

“Perfect,” he said, opening the passenger door for her. “Mukhang road trip.”

“Baka may lakad ka—”

“You’re my lakad now.” His grin widened.

Kaella rolled her eyes but smiled as she climbed into the car.

The drive was peppered with light banter. Jerome hummed along to a love song on the radio—badly.

“Please, stop,” Kaella laughed. “Sasakit ang tenga ko.”

“That bad?” He mock-pouted.

“Worse,” she teased, but her chest warmed at how easy it felt between them.

When they reached Tita Mila’s cheerful yellow bungalow, the older woman’s eyes twinkled when she saw Jerome.

“Sino ‘to, Kaella? Boyfriend?” she teased.

“Hindi po!” Kaella flushed. “Trainee lang.”

Jerome extended a hand, ever charming. “Jerome po. Nice to meet you.”

They helped prepare snack packs inside, Jerome impressing even Kaella with his efficiency. At one point, he joked about folding boxes being a secret skill, and Tita Mila giggled like he was already part of the family.

Stepping out for fresh air, Kaella found Jerome crouched by a stray kitten on the porch, softly stroking its fur.

“You’re full of surprises,” she said.

He looked up, his smile gentle. “Told you I’m not just a clumsy newbie.”

She crossed her arms, pretending not to be charmed. “Don’t get cocky.”

On the way back, rain clouds gathered. Jerome suggested a stop at a roadside café. They shared a slice of cassava cake, their fingers brushing once when they reached for the same fork.

“So,” he said, “if you weren’t managing sales, what would you be doing?”

Kaella thought. “Maybe… my own café. Cozy, full of books and plants. A place people can breathe.”

“That suits you,” Jerome said sincerely. “I can picture it—Kaella’s Corner. Best coffee, best company.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Flattery won’t get you promoted, trainee.”

“Who said I’m after a promotion?” His voice dipped, playful yet strangely earnest.

Kaella’s heart skipped. She looked out the window to hide her smile.

The rain poured harder on the drive back. Jerome parked under her building’s canopy, engine humming. For a moment, neither moved.

“Thanks for today,” she said softly.

“Anytime,” he replied. “Actually… I had fun.”

She chuckled. “Folding snack boxes is your idea of fun?”

“Folding snack boxes with you is.”

The words hung between them. Kaella’s pulse raced, unsure how to respond. She was about to make a light joke when thunder rumbled overhead, startling her. Jerome instinctively reached out, steadying her shoulder. The brief contact sent a strange thrill down her spine.

Then—knock knock! A courier appeared at the window, holding a large envelope marked Confidential – Roque Snacks Internal Memo.

Jerome quickly rolled down the window and signed for it, sliding the envelope onto the dashboard without comment. Kaella’s curiosity sparked—what kind of memo would a mere trainee be entrusted with?

She opened her mouth to ask, but Jerome’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it and quickly silenced the screen, his easygoing expression slipping for half a second before returning.

Kaella narrowed her eyes playfully. “Secretive much?”

He grinned, deflecting. “Trade secrets. You’ll just have to keep training me para malaman mo.”

Before she could push further, lightning cracked outside, plunging the street into momentary darkness. Kaella gasped, and Jerome’s hand instinctively found hers in the dim glow of the dashboard lights.

Neither of them let go right away.