“H-hello?” nakangiwing sagot ni Samantha sa tawag sa cellphone niya.  Mrs. Cobarrubias was calling her.“Samantha, hija, totoo bang hindi mo na gagawin ‘yong event nina Aaron at Kristine?” tanong nito in her usual sweet voice.She inwardly groaned and  released a slow breath-trying to calm herself down. Sinasabi na nga ba at iyon ang dahil kung bakit napatawag ang matandang babae sa kanya. Well she expected that. Earlier that morning, sinabihan na niya si Kristine na si Mandy na ang magiging head coordinator sa engagement party nito at ni Aaron. Idinahilan niya na kailangan niyang lumipad patungong California sa susunod na linggo dahil sa isang emergency at hindi na niya mutututukan pa nang maigi ang preparation at coordination para sa engagement party.At first Kristine bargained with her, ayaw nitong bitiwan niya ang event ng mga ito. But when she assured her that she will make sure that everything is alrea

 “You’re silent, Aaron. Are you angry with what I did?” tanong ng Mommy ni Aaron  sa kanya maya-maya.Marahan siyang nagbuga ng hininga  bago ibinaba ang tasa niya sa coffee table. Honestly, he’s not sure what to say or what to do. His mother did again what she does best—play cupid. And sometimes, her mother’s antics irks him hindi lang niya talaga masabi nang harapan dahil ayaw niya itong masaktan. He’s a 32 year-old engaged man for Pete’s sakes! Bakit hindi na lang siya nito hayaan sa mga diskarte niya sa pakikipagrelasyon.She knew you too well, you half-hearted dimwit! komento ng isang bahagi ng isip niya.He scoffed internally. Mukhang pati lohika niya, hindi rin kampi sa kanya.But what can he do? He had given his words. And he’ll do what he had promised no matter what the damn price is. Everybody expects him to do that. He ain’t a CEO for nothing. He’s

Hindi mapakali si Samantha habang nakikipag-usap silang dalawa ni Mandy kay Madam Liza. Paano, panay ang sulyap sa kanya ni Aaron, na para bang siya ang may kagagawan ng lahat ng kasalanan sa mundo. Hindi naman ganoon kalaki ang kasalanan niya.  She just denied that she knows him. What's the big deal? Yes, it's a big deal. You lied. Three damn times! panenermon ng isang parte ng isip niya sa kanya. She swallowed hard, her conscience slowly getting under her skin. Bakit ba kung itinanggi niyang kakilala niya ito, na dati niya itong boss? Kapag ba inamin niya rito na oo, kilala niya ito at dati siya nitong empleyada, will it change a thing? Will it change everything she had gone through? Will it heal her broken heart? Will it undo her past? Their past? She cursed herself silently and secretly shook her head. She should not be thinking about those things anymore. She had promised herself that she’ll never think of anything about Aar

 Nang matapos ang dinner nila, nagprisinta ulit si Aaron na ihatid siya sa bahay niya gamit ang sasakyan niya. Hindi na siya tumanggi. Pinagbigyan na lang niya ito. Besides, that’s probably the last she’d see Aaron for a long time.  Baka pagbalik niya sa pagtatago—nila ng anak niya, kasal na ito at si Kristine.A familiar pain rose from her chest at the thought. And as she settles herself inside her car, she tried to take in as much of him as she could, for she might not have another chance in the future to be that close to Aaron. She’d indulge herself this time. Hindi man maaring maging kanya si Aaron, at least she’d have this memory of him aside from that night.Bahagya niyang nilingon ang kanilang likuran nang sandali silang maipit sa traffic. Nakasunod ang sasakyan nito sa kanila. He said his bodyguard were driving his car again and will follow them wherever they’d go.“Why did you

 Napalunok si Samantha sa lakas ng pagkabog ng dibdib niya. Her mind was in a panic and she can feel her knees shaking.Bakit ba sa tuwing lumalayo siya kay Aaron, lagi na lang gumagawa ng paraan ang tadhana para muli silang pagtagpuin. Ano ba ito, nananadya?Aaron extended his hand for a handshake. Alanganin niyang tinanggap iyon. His grip was strong and firm and his eyes were still fixed on her. Agad siyang napakapit sa braso ni Lucas nang bitiwan ni Aaron ang kamay niya. Nang magsalita ang MC, iginiya siya ni Lucas sa uupuan nila. At sa malas niya, her seat was in between Lucas and Aaron.She was on edge the whole of the short program. Moreso when Aaron seemed to be so relaxed and casual while she’s panicking and losing her composure by the minute she stays there. Napakaraming tumatakbo sa isip niya. Mga tanong. Mga alalahanin. At lalong lalo na ang alaala ng pinagsaluhan nilang halik ilang araw na ang nakararaan.And he