"It's good that you arrived," said Mama. "But I'm sure you're tired from the trip. We'll be at home and I'll prepare you something to eat.""I'm okay there, Tita!" and Jonas."All right. But don't get ready, Mom. We have some food," Livius smiled at the same time. He's used at addressing her that way. He considered Mama to be his family.Livius' car was parked in front of the house. Our neighbors were not surprised because they often saw Livius. That's all, sometimes we can't stop the spread of gossip. Many people say that Livius is my boyfriend but I just don't admit it.But then again, it's just rumors and all. I don't have to hit that anymore. It's up to the people what they think. Why would I bother explaining when the truth for them is what they want to believe?"They're also animals of beauty, what?" Brenda whispered to me as we entered the house."Brenda," I warned her again. He only giggled and scrutinized those men with her maliciou

"You have something to pick up, Kaia. I'm leaving then ..." Serio said shyly. In shock, I grabbed his arm to restrain him. I was taken aback by my action. He was the same so I left immediately."Uh, next time ..."I bit my lower lip. The truth is, that's not what I want to say. It's just, I was pressured by Sage's stare on me. I was also ashamed of what I did. I don't touch men just like that. Men sometimes misunderstood simple gestures like what I did. I don't want Serio to think like that. He's a good friend."I'm sorry," I added.Seriously smiled. "It's okay. All right, I'll go first." He looked at Sage and nodded before leaving."Why are you here?" I asked, a bit cold. It's the way to hide the uneasiness I'm feeling. I don’t want to look stupid in front of him. I don't want to be rude, either."Is it Livius?" It's not that hard to figure out. It also happened once that Livius sent me to his friend. Only that it was Jonas who did it

I was intimidated. I nervously presented him with the menu. Why is he still stuck here in so many coffee shops?"Black coffee and clubhouse sandwich," he said in a low voice as he stared at me."Uh, okay ..." I hesitated if I should put 'sir' on the last part like how I usually address the male customers. But I just didn't do that and turned away. Arriving at the counter I immediately told Sage’s order to Rian."Are you okay, Kaia?" asked Joseph, the cashier there."Yes ..." Why, what do I look like? Do I look constipated?In recent months Sage's association with Livius has diminished. Every time he came, we didn't talk. I mean, we interact with each other on small things. But we haven't really been able to communicate properly yet. Not that I want a long interaction with him. The point is, we are not close even when he comes home. So I counted on him.There's also that unapproachable air on him. Very different from Livius."Han

That night Livius texted me. I immediately read that when it popped up on my cellphone screen.Livius:Sorry for late reply. Let go of Sage, Kaia. He is my eyes on you. I'll visit you soon. I miss you and Mom.I smiled at the last part of his text. But realizing the content of the first part, my smile faded. Let? Now that Sage knows something personal about me, I can count on him even more!I turned off the cellphone and hugged the pillow. I did not reply. I still wanted to convince Livius, just in case he wondered if I would insist. I don't want him to get the wrong idea. Why is it that all his friends are still Sage? It could be Jonas or Carson!"Good afternoon, Miss Beautiful!" Lucio introduced me as I entered the coffee shop. I caught him mopping near the counter. It's Thursday so I'm in at two o'clock. I can't smile properly. I'm just thinking that Sage will pick me up again later because I'm losing my appetite."Good afternoon too, Luc

At six o'clock Rose's car arrived to pick me up. I told him that there was no need for a case, he was really insistent. Mang Kanor is the driver. I already knew him because when Rose and I went home together, they would pass me by. She smiled when I opened the door."Thank you.""Are there many guests at the party?" I asked while Mang Kanor was driving."I'm sure there are many, hija. And I think only the rich will attend.""I hope I don't stay there. I'm not rich," I smiled slightly."But you're Rose's friend so you should just go there. And then you're something there. Alas, I immediately remembered my son. It was a dream to attend the parties of the rich.""How old is your son?""Maybe he's just your age. How old are you?" he said while glancing in the rear view mirror."Nineteen ...""You're only a year apart. It's already twenty."Because of my conversation with Mang Kanor, I didn't realize that we had arrive