Twenty Three

Gabby’s POV

“Good morning, Gab! Glad to see you finally showed up,” Kerl greeted the moment I stepped out of the elevator. He was one of my officemates.

The second I walked into the office, a wave of hellos came my way. Well, look at that—celebrity treatment. Guess being professional really makes you famous. Ha!

“Morning,” I greeted back with a grin.

I strolled toward my desk… only to stop dead in my tracks.

What in the world—did my desk turn into a flower shop? There were roses. Everywhere. All kinds. Different colors, too.

And there’s only one man who’d do something this over the top. Rei.

Of course. When you’re rich, you don’t just buy a bouquet—you buy the whole damn garden. Show-off.

I spotted an envelope sitting on top of one of the bundles. Curious, I picked it up and read the note inside.

For my future girlfriend,

These are for you—to brighten your long, heavy day. You’ll be drowning in work, Baby. :D Don’t push yourself too hard.

Let’s go on a date later?

The man who got you first,

R.S.

A laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. God, every word was ridiculous—and perfect.

If I weren’t in the office right now, I’d probably be squealing like a high school girl. Ugh. I can’t even hide it.

I’m so giddy right now.

How sweet can he get? Baby, really? My heart did a full flip. God, I’m so giddy I could melt.

“Hey!”

“Sweet Rei!” I blurted out before I could stop myself, then immediately slapped a hand over my mouth. Crap! What the hell was that?! I glanced around the office, relieved when I saw no one was paying attention. Thank God. No witnesses.

When I finally exhaled, I glared at the woman who nearly gave me a heart attack.

“What’s with that look?” Kesha chuckled, clearly amused.

“This is your fault! What if someone heard me?!” I hissed through clenched teeth. Damn it, she always shows up when I’m caught blushing like a fool.

She glanced at my desk, bursting out laughing. “Who sent all that? You turned your space into a flower shop!” She leaned closer, eyes glinting. “Oh, I know. Hah! You’re totally smitten!”

Good Lord. Is my best friend high on something? Honestly, how did I end up friends with her again?

“Go away! You’re trouble, Kesha!” I shooed her off, trying not to laugh.

She wagged her brows. “You should be thanking me!” she teased before walking off, still giggling like she’d just won something.

“Thanking you? For what? You nearly got me caught,” I muttered under my breath.

I sighed, picked up Rei’s note again, and read it once more—like a fool who couldn’t help herself.

“For his future girlfriend, huh? Dream on,” I muttered with a laugh. Still, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. He even had the nerve to joke about my mountain of work. And what did I do? I laughed. Because damn it—I’m giddy. He could probably kick me right now and I’d still be blushing like an idiot.

“Don’t work too much,” he wrote. As if I had a choice, I thought, laughing to myself. And then—Let’s date later?

Hold up. Let’s date later? My brain took a full five seconds to process that. A date? With him? What the hell am I supposed to say to that?!

Just then, the intercom on my desk rang loudly.

*Ring*

“Ugh,” I groaned. Perfect timing. Way to kill the moment. I grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”

“Good morning, future girlfriend. Did you get the flowers?”

I froze. Heat flooded my cheeks. God, hearing his voice say that—future girlfriend—felt so much different over the phone. It was deeper, teasing, way too smooth for my own good.

“Ah… uh… You’re so full of yourself,” I stammered, trying to sound playful. “As if I’d ever say yes to you.” I forced a laugh, even though my heart was racing. Honestly, I sounded like a high schooler with a crush.

He chuckled on the other end. “Like you won’t.”

“I’m serious! I’m not saying yes to you,” I shot back, though I was smiling like a fool. God, I couldn’t even fake indifference anymore. My heart had already betrayed me.

“Don’t worry,” he said in that low, confident tone. “I’ll make you.”

I swear I felt that in my spine.

Then, casually—like it was nothing—he added, “Let’s go out tonight?”

I froze again. Do I say yes?

Of course I do. Who am I kidding?

“Uh… okay,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“I’ll pick you up at… seven?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Where do I get you?”

“My house. Not the condo—”

“I know where it is,” he said smoothly. “See you later, baby.”

The line clicked as it ended.

I just sat there smiling at the receiver like an idiot—a date. I had a date. And he called me baby.

Maybe I really do have a baby face—but who cares? Right now, I feel like the luckiest fool alive.

**

“Gino! Have you seen my white sandals?” I yelled from my room. He was out in the living room, probably lounging like he had nothing better to do. For heaven’s sake—it was almost seven, and I wasn’t even dressed yet! And now my sandals have decided to go missing. Great. Just great.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Oh, I knew that sound. Here we go.

BANG!

The door flew open.

“Why the hell are you asking me about your sandals? Do I look like I’m your stylist?” Gino snapped, his voice booming through the room.

I froze mid-search, still kneeling by my dresser drawers. Oh, he did not just yell at me. Slowly, I rose to my feet, brushing my skirt down as I turned to face him.

My brother stood there, arms crossed, wearing that I’m-so-done-with-you expression. And I—well, I gave him my best you-just-dug-your-own-grave look right back.

Gino’s POV

Gabby slowly stood up and turned to face me.

Gulp.

Well, hell. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m dead meat.

The way she was looking at me—Lord help me—it could’ve sent a grown man running for cover. And really, was it my fault she lost her sandals? What kind of man gets dragged into a missing footwear investigation?

Then—what the fuck?—She smiled.

A sweet, almost angelic smile. Maybe I was safe after all.

“I’ve got a date tonight, Gino…” she said in that singsong, sugary tone people use when they’re trying not to strangle someone.

Oh no. That tone.

“…SO IF YOU DON’T MIND, FIND MY SANDALS!”

I swear I didn’t even think. I bolted out of the room faster than a shot of whiskey down a cowboy’s throat. My sister, when she’s mad? Pure monster.

Where the hell were those damn sandals?

Ah—there! Thank God!

I ran back upstairs, waving the white pair like a man who’d just found gold.

“Here!” I said, shoving them toward her.

She turned around, beaming at me like I’d saved the day. “Thanks, little brother!”

I rolled my eyes and muttered, “You’re welcome,” under my breath as I turned away.

Then I heard her laugh—soft, teasing. I couldn’t help but shake my head.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Oh my God, Gino!” she gasped, clutching at my shirt.

I froze. Now what kind of trouble is she dragging me into this time?

“What the hell, Gabby! Don’t pull on my favorite shirt!” I snapped, swatting at her hand. For crying out loud, that shirt cost me a fortune.

Yeah, we didn’t have much, but Mom’s always had my back. Gabby’s more of Dad’s favorite—but it’s not like he even remembers her now. So I share what little I can. Heh, call me the generous one.

“He’s here! Can you get the door? Please? Pleeeaaaase?”

I turned to her with my deadliest glare which didn’t even faze her. She just batted her lashes and looked at me all sweet. Damn it, why’d my sister have to be cute?

“Fine! Damn it, fine!” I groaned, storming out of her room.

“Don’t scare him, okay?” she yelled after me.

Yeah, right. Like I’d eat the poor guy alive. “Sure,” I called back. “Not like I’m gonna chew him up anyway.”

I trudged toward the front door as another round of knock, knock, knock echoed through the hall.

“Wait up,” I muttered, twisting the knob.

The moment the door opened, I froze.

And so did he.

“Reigan?” I blurted.

“Gintaka Noellio?” he barked back.

“Jesus, man!” I exclaimed. “You know I hate my full name! What the hell’s wrong with you? You could have called me ‘Gino’.”

God, I hated when people used my full name. Sounded like something your mom yelled right before she whooped your ass. And it's too old school kind of name.

Guess it’s about time I introduce myself.

Name’s Gino Tolentino—well, technically Ginataka, but let’s keep that between us. I’m Gabbriel Lane Tolentino’s brother. You probably know her better as Gabby… or Gab… or maybe even the dragon, depending on her mood. Yeah, that’s her.

I work part-time as a vocalist in a band—and not just any band, mind you. We’re popular. Ask our neighbors; they can’t stop talking about me. Can’t blame them, though. Stardom suits me.

I carry our dad’s last name, though the man himself? Gone. As for my mom… according to Gabby’s mother, she’s up there in heaven now. Yeah, she’s gone too.

Gabby’s mom practically raised me. My mother and hers were best friends, and when mine passed, she took me in without a second thought. So yeah, I’m the adopted one—the honorary Tolentino.

Anyway, that’s enough about me. Let’s get back to the present, shall we?

“What are you doing here?” Rei asked.

I’ve played with Rei before—once, during a gig. He’s the cousin of my current bandmate, Akira. Back then, Rei was our lead guitarist for that one show.

“I live here,” I said simply.

“What? And who’s Gabby to you?” he asked again.

Of course, he didn’t know. When we met, I was what, third year in high school? The adoption papers took a long time to finalize, so I hadn’t been adopted by Mom yet when I met Rei, so technically, I didn’t have a sister back then.

“She’s my sister,” I answered. That’s what everyone else knew anyway. And I guess he should too.

“Sister? But—”

“Sorry for keeping you waiting!”

Both Rei and I turned our heads. There she was—my sister—coming down the stairs with that radiant smile on her face. Damn. I froze for a second.

“Don’t you even think about stepping outside,” she whispered while pinching my side.

“Ow!” I hissed, rubbing the spot.

“We’re heading out now! Lock the door, okay?” my dear sister called over her shoulder as she slipped on her heels. I was still nursing the pinch mark—she had long nails, for crying out loud.

I watched as Rei placed a hand around her waist, guiding her out. I gripped the doorframe, and the moment Gabby slid into the passenger seat, Rei turned back to glance at me. I gave him a short nod.

As the car rolled away, I shut the door behind them with a sharp—

BANG!