NANA Talia, standing in the foyer, rushed to her as soon as she got out of the car. She hugged her tightly and cried. “I was so worried about you. Thank God, you’re home now.” Her nanny sniffled as she caressed her back. Kate heaved a sigh and hugged her nanny back. Now she really felt bad about what happened, and she promised herself not to make the same mistake… ever again. “I-I’m so sorry, Nana.” Her nanny moved away a bit and cupped her face. “This isn’t you, Kate. Tell me, what happened?” She scratched the side of her neck and glanced at Jan, who was just standing a few steps away from them, silent. “Remember my friend Natalie?” she said afterward. “I met her again… at my new school. She happened to transfer there as well. And you know her, right? She’s a party girl, and… uhm… she brought me to this resto-bar to celebrate our mini-reunion,” Kate explained a little louder so Jan could hear what she said. Nana Talia

KATE raised her head when she saw her friend Natalie sitting across her chair. She was inside the library, finishing her activities so she could catch up for the prelims.“So. Rob wants to recruit you to be their—”“Natalie…” She heaved a sigh. “I told you I’m not in for a gig right now.”She wanted to focus on her studies, and as much as possible, she did not want to upset Jan.“What is wrong with that? It’s during the night, and it’s not even every night so—”“Jan would not allow me,” she told her friend.“Did you tell him? Did he say no?” Natalie arched a brow. “Come on, Katie! I bet you haven’t even tried asking him.”“Fine. I’m not… interested. I just came with you last time because I want us to bond after years of not seeing each other.” Kate ran her fingers through her hair and

KATE sipped her tea a few consecutive times because she let go of the cup. She joined her mother-in-law in the veranda as she waited for her husband to come home from the hospital. He was gone for almost an hour now and still has not returned. She could not help but think that something happened like Jan brought Winona home and the latter would not let him leave and then they would end up in bed and there goes a one steamy night…She shook her head hard to erase such thought. There she goes again… paranoid. But she just could not help overthinking. There was not even a single phone call from him to update them on what had happened and why he was running late to return home. Kate checked her phone again and sighed when she saw no updates from Jan.Maybe this is how it feels to wait for nothing… said the voice at the back of her head.“A penny for your thoughts?” She turned her gaze in the direction of Jan’s mother,

KATE slowly opened her eyes the following day, and she could not help but smile at the sight that greeted her. Unlike those days, Jan was still lying beside her, with an arm around her waist. He was still asleep. Kate did not know that watching him breathe peacefully would mean so much to her.She brought her hand to his cheek and gently caressed it. He would take more time to fully open his heart for her, but Kate was more than willing to wait. She then lightly trailed her fingers from the bridge of his nose down to his cherry-colored lips. Kate saw his lips move, and it was so tempting. So, she crossed their distance and kissed him.Jan kissed her back, deep, rough, and then slowly. Damn, he was such a tease. And then the realization hit her.“You’re awake!” she moved away and punched his chest.He chuckled softly. “Yes.”Jan pulled her close to him and sucked one nipple. His leg then moved and parted her legs. Now h

JAN watched and listened to the presentation inside the conference room with a hand propped on the side of his head. He knew he should be absorbing everything, but nothing registered in his mind. Whatever comes into the right ear goes out to the left. Why? Simple because he was dying to talk to his brother about the favor he wanted him to do for his wife.“What can you say about it, Jan?”His father’s voice pulled him out of his reverie.“Hmm? What did you say again, Dad?” Jan sat up straight and fixed his coat.“I said, what can you say about the proposal.” Alejandro Villamar Sr. shook his head.“It’s, uhm… I think it’s great.” He scratched his jaw. “I just want a little revision with the hotel’s parking and the rooftop garden.”The architects nodded their heads.“And uhm, please send a copy of the presentation to my secretary.” He