January 4, 2016 when Hans flew back to Manila alone. He spent his Christmas and New Year in South Korea. But even if he was with his family, he still felt incomplete. Parang hindi siya masaya."How's the restaurant going?" Hans asked his youngest brother Vans.Nasa loob sila ngayon sa silid ni Vans. Malawak ito at parang opisina na rin. This was where Vans liked to stay whenever he wasn't busy with his work."It's good. For the past two months, its performance improved. Thanks to Chef Fernando." He winked at him.Somehow Hans was satisfied kahit na sa ganitong paraan niya lang malaman ang kaganapan sa buhay ni Sheika. Ayaw na niyang mangialam pa. Halos dalawang buwan na rin silang 'di nagkikita ng dalaga lalo na at hindi pa siya nakababalik muli sa bahay-ampunan."How's St. Claire?" Vans asked back. "By any chance... you meet Chef Fernando there?"Nagkasalubong ang kilay n

"I don't know, big brother! Why does the blame always have to be in me?" reklamo ni Vans nang kinompronta siya ni Hans sa loob ng private room ng restaurant."You did have a research about her. To whom should I point the blame?"Vans closed his eyes, keeping himself together. Kinuyom niya ang kanyang kamao para mapigilan ang sariling sumabog. Nang nagmulat siya, tinignan niya nang diretso ang kaniyang kapatid."You're also curious of her, big brother. Don't tell me you're not guilty of invading her privacy?"'Di nakaimik si Hans. Yes, he was guilty. But the fact that he had no files yet was enough to comfort that guilt.Hans' lips coiled in a slightest bit. He was impressed with what was going on."Back off, Vans. You don't know who you are messing with. You're gonna deal with me," Hans stated.Pero imbes na matakot ay umismid lang si Van

Hindi nakatulog si Hans kagabi kaiisip kung nasaan na si Sheika. She warned him to resign. Paano kung totohanin niya? Would she just disappear out of his life without a final goodbye? Paano kung hindi na rin niya makikita pa ang dalaga sa bahay-ampunan?Nakailang buntong hininga na ang binata pero wala pa ring matinong bagay na tumatakbo sa isip niya. He could not force himself to call her. Naduduwag siya. Natatakot na baka mas lalo lang siyang ipagtabuyan ng dalaga.Ano nalang ang gagawin niya? Mababaliw ata siya kaiisip. Malinaw na malinaw sa isip niya kung paano siya tignan ng dalaga na para bang he was just a stranger.His phone beeped. Tinignan niya kung anong mensahe ang dumating. Sa kasamaang palad, he received the background information of Sheika.Personal InformationFull Name: Sheika Rose Delos Santos Fernando

Silence occupied the space between them. Nasa labas pa naman sila ng restaurant. Maraming taong dumadaan sa kanila, at ang ilaw galing sa mga poste ay para bang nanonood sa kaganapan ngayon.Gumilid ang sulok ng labi ni Hera at humalukipkip siya. "Nandito ka pa pala. I wonder how you survive working here," Hera uttered as she looked down on Sheika."I simply love what I am doing without dragging people down," Sheika taunted back. "How about you? Are you happy staining someone's name just to get what you want?""Honestly? Yes, and I won't give up until you beg me to spare your life."Napangiti si Sheika, goading her. Ngayon ay alam na niya kung ano ang problema ni Hera. She was self-entitled."Talaga ba? I won't wonder why the Big Boss dislikes me. Ikaw ang pasimuno ng lahat.""Kung sana hindi mo na tinanggap ang alok ni Sir Hans, baka payapa pa ang buhay mo ngayon. Why don

Nakabalik na ng restaurant si Vans at tulad ng sabi ni Hera sa kaniya ay hihintayin siya. But when he saw her, he was filled with surprise."I thought you went home already, Hera," Vans said, knitting his brows in confusion. Natagpuan niya ang dalaga na nakaupo mag-isa sa isang mesa.Hera faked a sweet smile and stood up. Yumuko ito silbi bilang galang. "I told you I will wait for you here, Sir Vans. It's okay.""God, you took all the troubles for me. Anyway, what is it that you want from me?"Gustong matawa ni Hera dahil sa choice of word ni Vans. As if she wanted something from him. Like a thing.Hera took a deep breath. "Can we talk in private?"Muli na namang nabigla si Vans. This woman was full of surprises! How far can she go for him? Hmm.Vans smirked. "Yeah, sure."Vans led the way to the private room. Su