Chapter 2

Without hesitation, Tracy accepted the handkerchief handed to her by the passenger next. She immediately wiped the tears from her face. She was ashamed of herself and the passenger next to her because her emotions became shallow during the movie she watched.

"T-thank you," she turned to the person next to her. Her lips parted when she saw the face of the man, her fellow passenger. He is a mestizo; his face is shaped with thick eyebrows, his eyes are small, and he has a pointed nose. He is the definition of a handsome that looks stuck. She instantly admired the stranger even though she had just seen him.

“It's all right, Miss,” his baritone voice brought him back to reality. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her face. "I just don't want to look like I'm making you cry, and the other passengers might think ridiculous about us. If there were another vacant seat, I would have moved already."

She looked back at him with embarrassment. She looked at him again. "Okay, I got your point, mister; I’m sorry; I have shallow tears. I'll just change this handkerchief of yours with a new one."

It made him shake his head. He couldn't believe that she could ward off his irritation. "Take it; I still have a lot of that."

She shrugged. "Oh sure, I'll just wash it, then when we meet again, I'll give it to you. It is a waste if I throw it because it looked expensive."

He didn't respond anymore. As if disgusted, he looked away from her and turned to the front.

 She cheered secretly. She took her cell phone to check the message on her messenger. She turned her attention there instead of the hostile stranger next to her. But there is something strange about the smell of his perfume that she is still smelling. It smells like sandalwood. Very masculine.

With the different people she met in her restaurant, she could deal with them. But next to her, there was an inexplicable feeling. Just now, she felt she was interested in a man.

 Calm down, Tracy, don't think about him anymore; you two do not get along. He is far from the gentleman you expect and has an alpha personality. She reminded herself.

Later, on the bus was Sta. Maria and I stopped at the first bus stop to pass. She noticed that the man next to her stood up to get down.

So, he is also living here in our town? she asked herself as she followed the man with her stare. He has a towering height. The clothes he is wearing are signature brands. From the way he walks, one can’t deny that he has wealthy life.

There is sadness in her heart when he disappears from her sight. She wonders if they will still meet. She hopes it's possible because they seem to be in the same town.

Once, she slapped her forehead with those thoughts. She took the bag to prepare herself for getting off at the next bus stop.

"FIEN, at last, you have come!" Resty, one of his friends, was happy to meet him. Just after he got off the tricycle outside his house in Sta. Maria immediately approached him.

 "Of course, I don’t want to miss the birthday of my playboy friend," he greeted him with a tease in return.

He laughed at what he said. "My well-behaved friend spoke. We should go inside; the gang has been waiting for you now."

They entered Resty's big house in a subdivision in Sta. Maria. When they arrived at the large living room, the rest of their friends were there. A friendship formed when they were still in high school.  They are five in their group. They approached him very happily and hugged him. It's only now that he's been with them.

"I thought our CEO was not coming and forget us," said Troy, one of the coolest of the gang. They sat down in their seats again. There was overflowing with food and drinks on the table.

"You're crazy!" he said, laughing. "I will not allow that to happen. I will do anything just to be here. Even if I feel discomfort while commuting."

Earlier, he had no choice but to take the bus. His car is in the auto repair shop in his town of Amante. He shook his head as he remembered the female passenger sitting next to him whom he handed a handkerchief. He didn't want to borrow a car from his father or mother because it would prevent him from leaving. Their reason is especially his Dad; he has much to learn in their family business. But he has a rebellious side. But he cannot stop and will do anything to get out.

 "And that will surely give your Dad a headache again," Niel said, the most serious in their group.

He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He got his glass with ice and filled it with an expensive wine. He drinks it. He let the strong liquid draw down his throat.

 "Let it be," he said after drinking the wine. "I followed what my father wanted, and here I am, CEO of Montagne Development Corporation."

 Montagne Development Corporation is a well-known developer of large residential subdivisions scattered in different towns in their province. In short, he is now a real estate magnate, apart from being the heir to their family.

 "And it looks like you will be obedient to your father," Renz said in disbelief. This is the one who is no longer single among them. He just got married last month.

His face suddenly became serious. "I have no choice, guys; I also waited long for my Dad to approach me again. You know that I failed him once. This time, I want to regain his trust."

“Our conversation is getting too serious," said Resty, raising his glass. "Let's cheer first! Because we are complete again."

In the air, the glass with the drink they were holding touched and bumped with each other.

It was ELEVEN at night when Tracy arrived at their house. She even had to deliver the ingredients she bought to the restaurant. She walked into their home. She felt slightly nervous when she noticed the light was still in the living room. She prayed that it would not be her mother, Consuelo. But she should prepare herself in case her presence is the one she will find out later. Every step of her foot became gentle.

 She let out a sigh when she was in front of the door. She turned the knob. She noticed it was not locked, so she opened it and entered their house.

"Did you just come home, hija?" There was a tremor in her chest when she heard that voice.