Chapter Three

Andrew’s POV

Hindi ko itatangi na noon, ayoko talaga kay Selena nang unang beses ko siya makilala. Kung paano siya magsalita, kung paano siya gumalaw, kung paano niya dalhin ang sarili niya, at kung paano niya ako pagalitan at pagsabihan tuwing binibigyan ko ng sakit ng ulo si Dad. Akala ko noon ay masyado siyang nagpapabida sa trabaho, dahil gusto niyang mapansin siya ni Dad. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang init ng ulo ko tuwing nandiyan siya, pero ngayon, naiintindihan ko na. Siguro ay dahil gusto ko siya para sa akin, at hindi para kay Dad. Kaya naiinis ako kapag nakikita kong nagtatawanan sila sa tuwing may pinag-uusapan silang dalawa. Parang may inggit ako na hindi ko kayang ipaliwanag noon. Siguro, natatakot akong ilayo niya ang loob sa akin ni Dad, at natatakot ako magustuhan siya ni Dad. Dahil gusto ko siya.

I’ve come to understand myself better now. I've realized that Selena isn’t my enemy. She holds meaning in my life—her strength, beauty, and care for me remind me that there’s more to life than fear and jealousy. What I feel for her is no longer just anger or envy. Her presence brings me peace, like she’s connected to something I’ve been searching for within myself. The way she cares for me also reminds me of my late mother’s love.

I can’t hide my feelings anymore. Maybe I was just afraid of how everything could change, but now I know what I feel for Selena is more than I ever imagined. She’s the woman I want by my side for the rest of my life. I’m tired of the fleeting excitement of immature relationships. Selena is real—she challenges me, makes me think, and most importantly, she helps me become the man I want to be.

Her maturity, wisdom, and experience draw me in. She knows what she wants, and I admire that. I want to be the best version of myself for her, to grow and be worthy of the strength and love she’s shown me.

It's past midnight, and I'm standing in front of my room door, waiting for her to come home. She’s staying next door, so I know I'll see her when she returns. Kagaya ng mga nakaraang araw, iniiwasan na naman niya ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero ramdam kong umiiwas siya kahit ideny pa niya. Huling pag kikita pa naming ay noong Charity Ball ilang araw na ang nakalipas, nasa iisang bahay lang kami pero hindi ko siya naaabutang gumising, mag almusal, o mag hapunan. I knew something was wrong. I missed her.

Matapos ang ilang minutos na nakasandal ako sa pinto ng kwarto ko, nakarinig ako ng mga yabag sa hagdan. Nakita ko siyang paakyat na sa kaniyang silid. Unti unting bumagal ang pag hakbang niya nang makita niya akong nakatayo sa harap ng aking pinto at naka pamulsa. Tumitig lang ako sa kaniya.

“Where have you been? Its already late?” I asked her.

She crossed her arms on her chest. “As far as I know, your father is my boss not you Mr. Andrew!” She said as she arched her right brow.

“Okay, I’m sorry for asking you that question, by the way I have something to give you.” I said as I got something from my pocket. Her face sounded so curious of what is this folder paper I am handing her. She open it and a surprise reaction is evident on her face.

“I remember that you ask me that you want to keep that so I am giving it to you now, I just have to polish it.”

“So, you remember that I asked you for this,” she said, raising the paper in front of my face. “But you don’t remember kissing me that night?”

“Sinong nagsabi sayo na hindi ko maalala?” I said, challenging her with my stare.

Flash back. . .

One Sunday night, I went to a club in Makati to meet a client who asked me to do her portrait. Turns out, she was a schoolmate of mine. We chatted for a bit, and as the conversation wrapped up, I was about to head home when I saw her. Selena. She was in the middle of the party, enjoying herself, surrounded by people, and looking like she was having the time of her life. But what caught my attention wasn’t just the fun atmosphere or her presence—it was who she was talking to.

Lucas Sandoval.

I knew him. Well, at least I knew of him. He was the son of my father’s biggest political rival, someone I couldn’t afford to ignore. But here’s the thing: He didn’t know who I was. My father had made sure of that. He never went public about having a son. He always said it was for my sake, to keep me out of the spotlight.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less about Lucas. I never did. His family, the politics—they didn’t concern me. What bothered me, though, was the sight of Selena talking to him, laughing, engaging. My mind was racing, and I couldn’t shake the thought. Why was she with him? I wanted her to stay away from him. I didn't want her getting tangled up in that mess, whatever it might be. The Sandovals were nothing but trouble. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about that family in the past, and I didn’t want Selena anywhere near them.

I decided to approach her.

"Andrew! What are you doing here?” She asked as if she got scared seeing me there.

"What are you doing here? And you're with the son of my dad's political opponent, huh? Are you dating him? " sunod-sunod na tanong ang ibinalik ko sa kaniya.

"Excuse me! I am not," pagtanggi niya, tinitigan niya ako ng masama.

"What if ako ang magsumbong sa'yo kay daddy na nakita kita dito kasama ang anak ng kalaban niya sa pwesto?" I was trying to scare her.

"I'm not with him, he is actually my friend's interest," she said calmly, as if trying to convince me.

"Don't you try to fool me, I saw him, inakbayan ka niya kanina," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Look, Andrew, it's not what you're thinking, believe me," she said, placing her hands on my shoulders, trying to calm me down.

I watched her, considering her words.

"Okay, I won't tell dad I saw you, pero samahan mo muna ako," I said, my tone a little less harsh, trying to negotiate with her.

I brought her to a rooftop bar and restaurant, away from the noise. Leaning on the balcony, I looked out at the city lights, and Selena did the same.

"Bakit mo ako dinala dito?" she asked, taking a sip of her whiskey.

"Don't move, Selena." I ordered, pulling out my art materials from my bag. I wanted to sketch her face, and she was trying to stay still for it.

She stayed frozen for a while as I carefully worked on the sketch.

"Matagal pa?" she asked, sounding a bit impatient. I could tell she was getting uncomfortable.

"Just hang on, malapit na," I assured her, though I was focused on the details.

After a few more minutes, I reached up and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her pulse seemed to quicken, and I couldn't ignore the way she reacted, but I kept working.

Finally, I finished the sketch and showed it to her. "Here," I said, handing it over. She looked at it for a moment, then spoke.

"Ang ganda," she commented, her voice soft. "Pwede bang akin na lang ito?"

"Sa isang kundisyon," I replied, keeping my tone calm.

"Ano?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I took a swig of my whiskey, then pulled her gently towards me, pressing a soft peck on her lips.

She was stunned, and I could tell I’d caught her completely off guard.

I couldn’t stop myself. The moment our lips met, I realized what I’d done—and panic hit me hard. I had no excuse, no words. I just wanted to disappear.

In my shame, I acted like I lost consciousness, trying to escape the awkwardness. I didn’t know what to say, I just wanted to vanish.

End of flash back . . .

“Why are you doing this to me?” She stared at me, almost pleading for an answer.

“I want you, Selena.”

“You know you can’t. I love my job. Please stop doing this to me. I cannot commit to you, Andrew!”

“I’m willing to accept whatever you could give me right now. I really like you, Selena. Could we give it a try?” I said, watching her closely. She stayed silent, tense, and stunned, and I felt a wave of defeat.

"I'm sorry!" I managed to say, but before I could retreat, she pulled me back and kissed me. My heart skipped a beat.