“What?” Florian leaned in on the counter with a smirk. It’s been two hours since Leandro left the store but this brute insisted to stay here. Up until now, I’m still shocked and mostly pissed at him. What if Leandro spread that word to everyone? I don’t even know what the hell is he talking about? Is he insinuating that we’re together? Hell no!Leandro didn’t respond to his remark. Instead, the guy smirked at us before exiting the store with a playful whistle. He even winked at me from a distance before he entered his car.I glared at Florian. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re spreading to everyone that we’re not cousins-““’Cause we’re not?”“Yes! But you agreed to this, right? You know how conservative and close-minded this town is.”He rolled his eyes. “I don’t care about other people’s opinion, Nina.&r

Florian looked like he couldn’t wait to go in the funfair anymore so I agreed to just leave the dishes on the sink after we had our dinner. He also insisted that he’ll be washing them himself once we get back. I thought it’ll be awkward in the dining but no naked conversation was mentioned as we ate. Well, thank God for that. I threw on a plain black hoodie and I was surprised to see Florian wearing the same thing. It looks like we purposely pick the same clothes to pair up each other. I blushed a bit as I finally headed out of the door. He locked the house and trailed behind me.The cold wind immediately whipped past my face as we passes by the beach. Looks like everyone’s in the carnival tonight because the beach was almost empty. “Crap! I forgot my wallet,” I looked at Florian and smiled sheepishly at him. “Can you wait for me here? I’ll just go back to get my wallet. I’ll be quick!”He shook his head. “It’s fine. My treat.”“A-ah…you don

 Instantly, we traveled to Sta. Rita that night after the news exploded on the television. I couldn’t stop my sobs as I sat beside Florian in the bus on our way there. He was caressing me on the back from time to time, trying to hush me off. His arm was wrapped protectively around my shoulder as I lean helplessly on his chest.This is too much. I refuse to believe it. Maybe they had put the wrong name on that list? It can’t be my mom, right? It hasn’t been a week since she left for Sta. Rita! I won’t believe it unless I see it with my own eyes!I leaned in closer to Florian. My body was desperately seeking for his warmth ‘cause I wanted to feel comforted. I felt him planted a soft kiss on my temple as his arm tightened around me. My tears were never ending; they’re like a waterfall streaming down my cheeks.The bus halted for a bit on the next terminal to let other passengers get it. Florian get off the bus quickl

Leandro was quick enough to answer me. It didn’t even take him three rings before he picked up the call. It’s as if he’s really certain I would ring his phone eventually about this.“Are you out of your mind?!” I looked at the phone in utter disbelief after hearing what he had said. “You can’t do that! I’m not accepting this job anymore! You first-class brute!”“Come on, Nina. Immediately this week, you can finally start-“ I heaved out an exasperated sigh before dropping the call. I also shut my phone off ‘cause I’m sure he’d try to call me back.Can you believe this guy? Don Pio, his father, already has his personal nurse. I was fuming when he told me he’ll fire the nurse in exchange of me. I got angry because that was so unfair! I wouldn’t be able to stomach having that job knowing that I stole it from someone else. Who knows if that nurse was feeding a wholeass family? Or supporting a sick person from her salary? Or sending a younger sibling to school

  We headed to the parking lot of the mall where a black wrangler was waiting for us. Ryan opened the door for me and I said my thanks before I slid into the passenger seat.  "Sorry, I should've asked you out to eat first before we head back. So rude of me..." he chuckled as he manipulated the big car. "We can stop by somewhere?"   I shook my head and smiled in assurance at him. "It's fine, I'm not hungry anyway. We can do the eating later once I get hired."   "Alright..."   His mother's café was only ten minutes away from Whale Bay. If I get hired, it wouldn't be much of a hassle. I really hope my mind would function well later at the interview 'cause I wouldn't want to let this opportunity slip away because of my lame answers. I don't know much about Ryan's mother but it's a known fact that they're one of the humblest and kindest family in our town. I hope that fact isn't just a rumor!