PaintingHis hand settled on my small waist while he held my other hand. I swallowed hard as I placed my hand on his shoulder. It’s been a long time since we haven’t been this close. Napalingon ako sa aming paligid. All eyes are on me and Teo.Nasa labas ang media pero hindi imposibleng walang nakalusot dito. They might be talking about me and Teo. They might be curious if who really is my fiancé now. Or who I’m dating.“Relax,” wika niya.Hindi ko napansin na medyo wala ako sa sarili. I unconsciously tighten my hold on his shoulder.“We shouldn’t be dancing with each other.” I heard his small chuckle and a smirk formed on his lips. Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin. I can feel my heart going wild inside its fragile cage.“I like the rumors going around,”Kumunot ang noo ko.“What rumors?” I asked slowly.“That we’re dating.”“At gusto mo ‘yon?”“I like it better than you fooling my brother.”Biglang pumait ang timpla ng mood ko. He really has to say that. This man in front of me was once

SufferChapter 13Biglang humagalpak ng tawa si Teo habang kami ni Tita Riona tulalang nakatingin sa kan’ya. Napakurap-kurap ako habang umiiwas ng tingin sa kan’ya. What the hell did he just said?I glanced at Tita Riona. She’s shaking her head in disbelief and later on, smiles at Teo. Napailing ako sa sarili. Though I know Teo is just joking and I know I shouldn’t be having any reaction but I feel my stomach having the flutters.I licked my lips and tried to smile at Teo but it turned out sarcastically.“Malayong mangyari. From the looks of you, you’re bad news, Mateo.”Tumawa ang ginang at umiiling. She doesn’t agree with me, eh?“Hija, trust me. Mateo just likes to joke.”I saw him stop for a moment and looked at me intently. Napalunok ako. May kung ano sa paraan ng kan’yang pagtitig sa akin. Hindi ko mawari. There’s something in his eyes so mysterious and wanting. We stayed like that, looking at each other’s eyes. Na para bang wala si Tita Riona.Na para bang meron kaming sariling

MeetingChapter 15I took my hand from him. It dropped. At tinignan lang niya iyon. He looked so weak with every step I take away from him.Nababaliw na ba ako? Why did I even let him do that? I breathed in heavily. Ramdam ko parin ang kalabog ng aking puso. I feel the trembling of my knees even if I stand straight and strong in front of him.“Nandito si Hunyo. Hindi na nakakatuwa ang pinagsasbai mo, Mateo.”He glanced at me weakly. Nakasandal na ito sa dingding. Parehong kamay ay nasa bulsa at nakayuko na ang ulo. Mas mabuti iyon. I don’t think I would have the strength to reject him over and over again if I look straight into his eyes.“I knew you would disagree.”I gritted my teeth. Hinding hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan.“What the hell are you planning, Mateo?”“I’m supposed to ask you that,” his eyes bore on me coldly.Napalunok ako. Natigilan ako habang iniintindi ang sinabi niya. He’s supposed to ask me that? May alam ba siya? I was in the verge to breakdown to my thoughts w

ProposalChapter 17Kumunot ang noo ni Teo nang makita ang gulat kong mukha. I surveyed the office, looking for a space where I can hide.“Hunyo’s here,” sabi ko at papunta na sa isang corner ng kan’yang opisina para sana magtago.Ngunit naramdaman ko nalang ang paghigit ng kamay niya sa akin. He looked confused why I’m acting this way. Ako naman, hindi magets kung bakit parang kalmado lang siya.He should panic because we’re alone together in a room! Pero naalala ko, he really doesn’t care about me.“And? Why do you look flustered?”Napanganga ako.“Ano sa tingin mo ang iisipin niya na tayo lang dalawa dito? Did you plan this?” I accused him.“What? No! You’re the one putting malice in our meeting, Zell.”Napasinghap ako. Somehow, nagets ko ang sinabi niya. I am putting malice to our situation. And how sure am I na masamain ni Hunyo ang pagbisita ko dito kung wala naman talaga kaming ginawang kababalghan?I am overthinking this. And why do I feel like a cheating wife? I sighed heavil

High Road A voice at the back of my mind told me that I shouldn’t have turned in this direction. But there was also a different voice. A louder one. Mas malakas. Nagsasabi ito na puntahan siya. Na bumigay na. Dahil sa huli, hindi ko rin mapipigilan. Bumangon ako galing sa pagkahiga. I bit my lower lip. Napalingon ako sa bintana. The curtains are slowly revealing the view on the outside as the wind blew harder. The cold breeze of the wind touched my bare skin. I glanced at my shoulder. Then down to my back and then to the sheets covering me. At paunti-unting bumababa ang mata ko sa kan’ya. I looked at Teo. Mahimbing itong natutulog. I yawned and stood up. Umalis na ako sa kama at kinuha na isa-isa ang damit ko na nakakalat sa sahig. I looked for my panties and I couldn’t find it. I looked at every corner pero wala talaga. Hindi ko nalang hinanap pa. I went inside the bathroom and took a bath. Cold bath for the morning. Gustong gusto kong buhusan ang sarili ng malamig na tubig. Hind