Prologue

"Na na na na na, wow, fantastic baby, dance wuhooo I wanna dance dance danc-"

I stopped running and took my earphones off because I was already in front of the coffee shop. Itinulak ko ang glass door at pumunta sa counter para umorder and I ordered my favorite Americano coffee and sat on the sofa.

I opened my phone and checked if there's a message from my family but the inbox was fucking empty.

"Woah, I can't believe this." Humigop ako sa kape. Wala man lang nag text o tumawag sa akin.

"Did I do stupid thing?" I asked myself. Naglayas kasi ako sa bahay at dalawang araw na ang nakakalipas pero wala pa ring nag-aalala sa akin. I rolled my eyes as I turned my phone off.

"Yes, you did!"

Halos maibuga ko ang kape na nasa loob ng bibig ko dahil sa pagsulpot ng taong 'to. Sumama ang tingin ko sa kanya at inilapag ang kape sa lamesa.

"Fuck you. You scared the shit out of me." I rolled my eyes.

He sat in front me and drank my coffee. "Hey!" I shouted but he didn't give a damn.

"When are you going back? Your parents and Lola were worried about you." He crossed his arms.

"Ha! Worried? They didn't even give me a call!" For the nth time, I rolled my eyes again. This scenario irritates me. Wala namang pakialam sa akin ang pamilya ko.

Mabilis niya akong binatukan kaya sinigawan ko siya sa inis. "Paano ka nila tatawagan, pinalitan mo ang number mo?"

My jaw dropped. What the hell? Did I change my number? Binatukan ko rin ang sarili ko. Oo nga pala, paano nga nila gagawin 'yon kung pinalitan ko ang number ko? "Letse!" inis na sabi ko.

"Pero naging okay din sila kasi sabi ko maayos ka naman at buhay ka pa," sagot niya.

"What are your plans, Hez? You need to go home. Think about your Lola's blood pressure." He drank my coffee again. I crossed my legs and arms. I then shrugged.

"Don't know. Hindi naman nila ako pinagbibigyan sa gusto ko, e," I placed my hand on my chin. I'm already eighteen at malapit nang mag nineteen pero kung itrato nila ako ay parang fifteen years old.

"What a spoiled brat." Napapailing na sabi niya kaya sumama lalo ang tingin ko.

"I am not a spoiled brat!" I shouted in anger. Wala akong pakialam kung pagtinginan ako ng mga tao dahil maingay ako. Walang hiya naman ako.

"Yes, you are, Hez. Just swallow your pride and go home." Inubos na niya ang kape ko.

"Huwag mo nga akong pilitin, Timo! Mataas ang pride ko!" Umikot ang mata ko sa inis.

Nagkibit-balikat ang kaibigan ko at tumayo. "Alright. You're always the stubborn girl I've known for eight years. I have to go. I have a meeting. Thanks for the coffee." He then smirked and left.

Hindi ko siya sinagot dahil sa inis ko. Lumabas ako ng coffee shop at muling tumakbo. Babalik na ako sa condo. Umagang-umaga, nasira ang araw ko. Letse.

Pagdating ko sa tapat ng elevator ay may lalaking naghihintay din para makapasok. He was wearing a black jacket with hood. He was also wearing a black jogging pants. Mukhang galing din siya sa pag jojogging.

He was sweating and uh? He was so damn hot.

I cleared my throat. I stood beside him and there, I smelled his manly perfume. Okay. He's so manly. His face was really serious while waiting for the door to open. He didn't even give me a look. Wow. Am I a ghost? He didn't even notice me. This is so annoying.

Nakakainis. Masyado yata akong nasanay na kapag may nakakasabay akong lalaki ay tumitingin agad sa akin.

The elevator finally opened and he entered first so I followed him. Kaming dalawa lang rito at amoy na amoy ko ang mabango niyang pabango. He pressed the 25th floor so I didn't bother myself to press mine because he already did.

"So, you're my neighbor?" I asked him. My forehead creased when he didn't look at me. I let out a small laugh because I felt a little embarrassed. I fold my arms across my chest and looked at him, he was still acting like I wasn't here. "Hey, I'm talking to you." I said, trying to calm my voice.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi niya ako nilingon. Tila ba isa lang akong hangin para sa kanya.

I walked in front of him but still, he didn't give me a look. It seems like he doesn't know that I was here. "Didn't you notice me?" masungit na tanong ko. I am just being a friendly neighbor here.

"Woah. I can't believe this is happening to me," nakahalukipkip kong sabi at tumango-tango.

"Fine," sumusukong sabi ko. "If you're not going to talk to me. Can I have your number instead?" I smirked.

At sa wakas ay tumingin na siya sa akin. I was shocked when he looked at me seriously. I swallowed to clear my throat.

"No." Baritonong boses niya.

Bumagsak ang kamay ko at tumaas ang isang kilay. Pinapahiya ako ng lalaking 'to. Men were always liked me when they first saw me but this man? Geez. Nakakainis ang tingin na binibigay niya sa akin. Parang isa lamang akong walang kwentang bagay kung titigan niya.

"Why no?" tanong ko.

"I don't like kids. Just focus on your studies." Nilagpasan niya ako at lumabas ng elevator.

My jaw dropped because of what he said. Kid? Do I look like a fucking kid? Uminit ang dugo ko at lumabas ng elevator. Nakita ko pa siyang nage-enter ng passcode at nang nakalapit ako ay nakapasok na siya sa loob.

"What the hell?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko.

I walked towards my unit and pressed my passcode. I went inside and started to take a bath. I was thinking about that stupid man as the shower drips on my body. His eyes were deep and really serious. Ang tangos ng ilong. I really like his thick eyebrows. His lips were natural red. Bakit ganito? Bakit parang ang sarap niyang halikan?

Mabilis akong umiling at winala siya sa isip ko. Pinagnanasaan ko pa ang lalaking iyon. Grabe na talaga ako.

Pagkatapos ng isang oras sa banyo ay lumabas ako ng naka bathrobe at may tuwalya sa ulo. Naglakad ako papunta sa walk in closet at pumili ng damit.

I took my gold sleeveless and backless dress. Kumikinang ang dress na ito na galing pa sa New York. I bought this last year when I was in New York pero ngayon ko lang susuotin. I took my tacones altos and wore it. I wore my aviators and looked at my mirror. "Omg!" I clapped my hands and flipped my straight black long hair.

"You're so pretty, Hez!" puri ko sa sarili. I started to brush my hair. "Why so elegant?" I asked myself.

I put a red lipstick on my lips. Grabe ang ganda ko. Crush ko na sarili ko.

After fixing myself, I went outside my unit. I was planning to eat at the restaurant because yes, I don't know how to cook. Biglaan lang ang pangyayaring 'to dahil nga naglayas lang ako.

Paglabas ko ay naabutan kong lumabas din ang kapit-bahay ko. A smirk plastered on my face and walked towards him. He was just looking at me with his cold and serious eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm not a kid anymore." I flipped my hair at tumalsik ang iba sa mukha niya.

"Tang ina," mahinang bulong niya pero narinig ko pa rin.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko dahil sa pagmumura niya. Ako ba ang minura niya?

"Tsk." Inis na sabi ko at naglakad para maghintay sa pagbukas ng elevator. Naiinis ako sa kanya.

Bumukas ang elevator at nauna siyang pumasok. He faced me so I raised a brow. "Don't you dare seduce me, kid. I might end up kissing you and take off your clothes."

My jaw dropped and the door started to close. What. What... was... that?