•Yves•“You got a nice office here, dude.” Ani Xienna habang sinusuri Ang bawat sulok ng opisina ni Yves.“Sure.” Tipid na tugon naman ni Yves habang pinagpapatuloy ang pagliligpit sa mga dokumentong na pirmahan na ni Xienna. Nang matapos si Yves sa ginagawa ay inayos niya ang kaniyang suot. Tumayo siya at pinagkrus ang mga braso habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kaniyang bisita na ngayon ay abala na sa mga aklat na nakahilera doon.“By the way, when you told me that I was about to meet someone, did you already know that you’ll be having a deal with me?” Asked Yves.Kumuha si Xienna ng isang aklat roon bago hinarap si Yves. “Well, your name do ring a bell. But mind you, I’m not that sure. I don’t remember names that much but I got a feeling that it’s you. Karson’s the one who recommended MH Suites to me, I’m a freelance model and I’m looking for something where I can grow my money into. Karson once checked in to a branch you have in Japan after his flight. He liked the accomm
•Yves•Hawak niya ang kamay ni Xienna habang mahimbing itong natutulog. Nakaupo si Yves sa gilid Ng higaan habang nakadapa Ang kalahati Ng kaniyang katawan.The rain has already stopped. The sun is starting to come out. Bahagyang gumalaw si Xienna dahilan upang magising si Yves. Yves run his hand through his hair as he looked around. “Xienna?”Xienna on the other hand has just started to open her eyes. Inilibot niya rin ang paningin sa paligid . Dumapo Ang kaniyang tingin sa magkahawak nilang kamay kaya agad niyang inilayo ang sa kaniya.Tumikhim si Yves. “I already called Karson, he’s on his way. Are you feeling better?”“I’m thirsty.”Inabot ni Yves ang nakapatong na water bottle sa ibabaw Ng bedside table at pinainom na Kay Xienna ang laman nito. Xienna looked at her hands. “Ummm… I have nyctophobia. I had a panic attack, I don’t mean to trouble you.” Her voice was so low.Lumipat si Yves mula sa upuan niya papunta sa kama. Umupo siya doon. He placed his hands on he
•Yves•“For how many days again?” Xienna ask.“Three. Stakeholders are encouraged to join this event to raise the workforce morale, but this is not mandatory, you still have the right to decline.” Explained Yves.“Do you need my answer right now?” “Preferably yes, but I can still wait up until tomorrow so that we can fix the documents.”“How many stakeholders had already raised a thumbs up?”“So far there’s two.”Xienna nodded. “I’ll think about it.”Aalis na sana si Xienna nang tawagin siya ni Yves. “Uhmm-““Yes?”“Are. We. Okay? Like did I do anything wrong?”She smiled. “You’re thinking too much. Of course we’re okay… Wait, I’ll just go grab something.” Xienna softly laughed as if brushing the topic off.Yves let out an awkward smile. “Sure.”At naiwan na nga itong mag-isa. Habang abala sa kaniyang selpon ay siya namang pagbaba ni Aaliyah.“Hey.” Pagkalapit ni Aaliyah ay hinalikan niya si Yves sa pisngi. “Today’s Sunday, do you have somewhere to go to?”“Lemme chec
•Yves•“You have already told me that for like five times now… I know. Just trust me. I’ll be fine. Alright, I’ll see you soon. Take care. “ Xienna put down her phone and walked towards Yves who is now standing as they are about to enter the airport.Sinabay na ni Yves si Xienna papunta sa airport dahil kinakailangan pang umalis nila ni Karson at Aaliyah dahil sa isang family reunion. Gustuhin man ni Karson na personal na mamaalam ay Hindi pwede dahil kukulangin na sila sa oras.“Let’s get going, Ms. Johnson.” Tutulungan na sana siya ni Yves sa kaniyang maleta pero agad itong nilayo ni Xienna.Nagulat naman si Yves sa ginawa nito. Matamis na ngiti Ang ginawad ni Xienna sa kaniya. “ It’s fine. I’m just not used to people keeping my things for me. I can handle myself.”Nagkibit balikat na lamang si Yves at pinauna na si Xienna.Pagkarating sa loob ng eroplano ay magkatabi si Yves at si Kyson habang nasa likuran naman nila ang limang investors na sumama sa kanila at ang dalawam
•Xienna•So the next morning, Yves decided to tag her along. May meeting si Yves sa labas Ng isla kaya isasama na niya si Xienna upang mapatingn Ang kaniyang paa sa Isang clinic doon. Tutal ay wala namang mapagkakaabalahan si Xienna kung mananatili sya sa Isla Lalo pa’t abala ang mga tao roon sa mga team building activities na inihanfa ni Kyson.After the 30 minutes sail on the yacht, narating na nila ang syudad. Alas nuwebe na ng umaga pagkababa nila kaya naman ay abalang abala na ang mga tao roon. Hindi pa rin nakakalakad Ng maayos si Xienna kaya inaakay siya ni Yves pababa. “Are we going to commute?” tanong ni Xienna habang inaayos ang buhok nito na Kumakawala sa pagkaipit sa likod ng kaniyang tenga. Sinundan ng tingin ni Xienna si Yves na naglakad sa kaniyang likod at bahagyang lumapit sa kaniya.“We’ll be in my car. The driver is on his way.”Tumango si Xienna at nagsimula nang maglakad patungo sa isang drugstore na malapit sa kinatatayuan nila. Habang si Yves naman a
•Yves•“Hey.” Napalingon si Yves ng tawagin siya ni Karson. Agad Naman niyang sinenyas ang cellphone na nasa tainga pa niya.Karson formed an ‘o’ with his lips, signaling that he understood what he meant. Itinaas na lamang niya ang dalawang canned beer na hawak nito. Tumabi si Karson sa kaniya at sinimulan na ang pag inom ng alak.It took a couple of minutes hanggang sa matapos ang ginagawa ni Yves. Pagkababa niya ng tawag ay inabot na ni Karson ang Isa pang alak na dala niya.“You don’t wanna join them?” Gamit ang ulo ay itinuro ni Yves ang iba pa. Masayang nagsasayawan Ang mga ito. Bagama’t may kalayuan ay dinig pa rin ang tunog at tawanan Nila. “I don’t dance.” Karson softly chuckled. “At least I have someone that is on the same boat as me.” Tugon naman ni Yves. Kapwa silang nakatayo sa baybayin. Kapwa may hawak na alak sa Isang kamay. Kapwa nakatanaw sa bilog at mahiwagang buwan.“So, the team building’s will end tonight huh?” pagbubukas ni Karson ng usapan.“ Yeah.”
•Ozanne•Marahang pinisil ni Ozanne ang tiyan ng bata. “ How about here?”The child twitched. “It hurts.” Ani ng batang lalaki na nagngangalang Landley at pilit na inilalayo ang kamay ni Ozanne.Sumandal siya patalikod at inabot ang papel at panulat. Pagkatapos ng iilang sulat na ginawa niya ay inabot niya ito sa babaeng katabi ni Landley.“ It seems that Landley is constipated. Just show that to the pharmacy below.” Tiningnan ni Ozanne si Landley at inilapat ang palad sa ulo ng bata. “ Drink a lot of water, alright Landley?”The 7-year old boy met her gaze. “If I get better, can I still come to see you?”“Of course, but the hospital is not a place to hang out. I will also be occupied because I have to help other children too so I can’t entertain you that much. “ As soon as she said that, Landley looked disheartened.Hindi niya mapagilan ang sarili
•Yves•Marianna blew a kiss before turning her back on him and walked towards the door in a sultry way. As she was about to went out she looked over her shoulder and glanced at the man sitting on the edge of the bed, blanket covering his nakedness underneath.“Don’t forget to call me, babe.” ani Marianna.“Of course, Chloe. I’ll give you a ring.” Sagot naman ni Yves habang pinupulot ang salawal sa sahig.Imbes na lumabas ay muli siyang hinarap ni Marianna habang nakakrus ang mga braso. “Akala ko ba ay hiwalay na kayo. Why are you calling me Chloe? I’m not her, you dumbass!”Suot na ni Yves ang pantalon niya ngayon habang nanatiling walang saplot ang kaniyang ibabaw na bahagi ng katawan. Lumapit siya kay Marianna at niyakap ito mula sa likod. “My bad. I just got confused. It was not that long after we split up, maybe I just got a hang of it.” Atsaka marahan niyang kinagat-ka
•Yves•“Hey.” Napalingon si Yves ng tawagin siya ni Karson. Agad Naman niyang sinenyas ang cellphone na nasa tainga pa niya.Karson formed an ‘o’ with his lips, signaling that he understood what he meant. Itinaas na lamang niya ang dalawang canned beer na hawak nito. Tumabi si Karson sa kaniya at sinimulan na ang pag inom ng alak.It took a couple of minutes hanggang sa matapos ang ginagawa ni Yves. Pagkababa niya ng tawag ay inabot na ni Karson ang Isa pang alak na dala niya.“You don’t wanna join them?” Gamit ang ulo ay itinuro ni Yves ang iba pa. Masayang nagsasayawan Ang mga ito. Bagama’t may kalayuan ay dinig pa rin ang tunog at tawanan Nila. “I don’t dance.” Karson softly chuckled. “At least I have someone that is on the same boat as me.” Tugon naman ni Yves. Kapwa silang nakatayo sa baybayin. Kapwa may hawak na alak sa Isang kamay. Kapwa nakatanaw sa bilog at mahiwagang buwan.“So, the team building’s will end tonight huh?” pagbubukas ni Karson ng usapan.“ Yeah.”
•Xienna•So the next morning, Yves decided to tag her along. May meeting si Yves sa labas Ng isla kaya isasama na niya si Xienna upang mapatingn Ang kaniyang paa sa Isang clinic doon. Tutal ay wala namang mapagkakaabalahan si Xienna kung mananatili sya sa Isla Lalo pa’t abala ang mga tao roon sa mga team building activities na inihanfa ni Kyson.After the 30 minutes sail on the yacht, narating na nila ang syudad. Alas nuwebe na ng umaga pagkababa nila kaya naman ay abalang abala na ang mga tao roon. Hindi pa rin nakakalakad Ng maayos si Xienna kaya inaakay siya ni Yves pababa. “Are we going to commute?” tanong ni Xienna habang inaayos ang buhok nito na Kumakawala sa pagkaipit sa likod ng kaniyang tenga. Sinundan ng tingin ni Xienna si Yves na naglakad sa kaniyang likod at bahagyang lumapit sa kaniya.“We’ll be in my car. The driver is on his way.”Tumango si Xienna at nagsimula nang maglakad patungo sa isang drugstore na malapit sa kinatatayuan nila. Habang si Yves naman a
•Yves•“You have already told me that for like five times now… I know. Just trust me. I’ll be fine. Alright, I’ll see you soon. Take care. “ Xienna put down her phone and walked towards Yves who is now standing as they are about to enter the airport.Sinabay na ni Yves si Xienna papunta sa airport dahil kinakailangan pang umalis nila ni Karson at Aaliyah dahil sa isang family reunion. Gustuhin man ni Karson na personal na mamaalam ay Hindi pwede dahil kukulangin na sila sa oras.“Let’s get going, Ms. Johnson.” Tutulungan na sana siya ni Yves sa kaniyang maleta pero agad itong nilayo ni Xienna.Nagulat naman si Yves sa ginawa nito. Matamis na ngiti Ang ginawad ni Xienna sa kaniya. “ It’s fine. I’m just not used to people keeping my things for me. I can handle myself.”Nagkibit balikat na lamang si Yves at pinauna na si Xienna.Pagkarating sa loob ng eroplano ay magkatabi si Yves at si Kyson habang nasa likuran naman nila ang limang investors na sumama sa kanila at ang dalawam
•Yves•“For how many days again?” Xienna ask.“Three. Stakeholders are encouraged to join this event to raise the workforce morale, but this is not mandatory, you still have the right to decline.” Explained Yves.“Do you need my answer right now?” “Preferably yes, but I can still wait up until tomorrow so that we can fix the documents.”“How many stakeholders had already raised a thumbs up?”“So far there’s two.”Xienna nodded. “I’ll think about it.”Aalis na sana si Xienna nang tawagin siya ni Yves. “Uhmm-““Yes?”“Are. We. Okay? Like did I do anything wrong?”She smiled. “You’re thinking too much. Of course we’re okay… Wait, I’ll just go grab something.” Xienna softly laughed as if brushing the topic off.Yves let out an awkward smile. “Sure.”At naiwan na nga itong mag-isa. Habang abala sa kaniyang selpon ay siya namang pagbaba ni Aaliyah.“Hey.” Pagkalapit ni Aaliyah ay hinalikan niya si Yves sa pisngi. “Today’s Sunday, do you have somewhere to go to?”“Lemme chec
•Yves•Hawak niya ang kamay ni Xienna habang mahimbing itong natutulog. Nakaupo si Yves sa gilid Ng higaan habang nakadapa Ang kalahati Ng kaniyang katawan.The rain has already stopped. The sun is starting to come out. Bahagyang gumalaw si Xienna dahilan upang magising si Yves. Yves run his hand through his hair as he looked around. “Xienna?”Xienna on the other hand has just started to open her eyes. Inilibot niya rin ang paningin sa paligid . Dumapo Ang kaniyang tingin sa magkahawak nilang kamay kaya agad niyang inilayo ang sa kaniya.Tumikhim si Yves. “I already called Karson, he’s on his way. Are you feeling better?”“I’m thirsty.”Inabot ni Yves ang nakapatong na water bottle sa ibabaw Ng bedside table at pinainom na Kay Xienna ang laman nito. Xienna looked at her hands. “Ummm… I have nyctophobia. I had a panic attack, I don’t mean to trouble you.” Her voice was so low.Lumipat si Yves mula sa upuan niya papunta sa kama. Umupo siya doon. He placed his hands on he
•Yves•“You got a nice office here, dude.” Ani Xienna habang sinusuri Ang bawat sulok ng opisina ni Yves.“Sure.” Tipid na tugon naman ni Yves habang pinagpapatuloy ang pagliligpit sa mga dokumentong na pirmahan na ni Xienna. Nang matapos si Yves sa ginagawa ay inayos niya ang kaniyang suot. Tumayo siya at pinagkrus ang mga braso habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kaniyang bisita na ngayon ay abala na sa mga aklat na nakahilera doon.“By the way, when you told me that I was about to meet someone, did you already know that you’ll be having a deal with me?” Asked Yves.Kumuha si Xienna ng isang aklat roon bago hinarap si Yves. “Well, your name do ring a bell. But mind you, I’m not that sure. I don’t remember names that much but I got a feeling that it’s you. Karson’s the one who recommended MH Suites to me, I’m a freelance model and I’m looking for something where I can grow my money into. Karson once checked in to a branch you have in Japan after his flight. He liked the accomm
•Yves•He’s feeling out of place with all their talks and whatnots. Kaya naman nagpokus na lamang siya sa pagmamaneho. And besides, having a lot of people inside the car with him as the driver is taking a toll. Malayo ang kanilang biyahe, mula airport papunta sa beach house nila sa Batangas. Aaliyah’s brother and his friend is going to stay there for their vacation.“Are you sure it’s okay for you to have an overnight here? You seem to be a busy man.” Tanong ni Larson.“I got an off. It’s fine, I don’t have a lot of work to do anyway.”Liar. Even Aaliyah knows that he’s lying right now. She looked at him with a questioning look and he just nodded. Kahit sarili niya mismo ay hindi alam kung bakit siya pumayag. Yves’ phone beeped announcing that they have already reached their destination.“Is this it?” Yves said, making sure. “Yes, yes.” Karson.They all went out the car. “This place didn’t even change for a bit.” Pagsasalita pa ni Xienna.“Oh? You’ve been here alre
•Aaliyah•“What’s happening? Why are you crying?”Yves said as he cupped her face. He guided him to the seat while delicately holding her shoulders.“How’s your head? Does it hurts? Should we go back to the hospital?”Aaliyah firmly shook her head. “Ayos lang. I just remembered something.”“You sure? You’re not feeling weird? Or anything?”“I hate sunsets.” Pag aamin ni Aaliyah. Sinundan ni Yves ang tingin ni Aaliyah sa album na ngayon ay nahulog na sa sahig. “I got a bitter memory with it.”_She’d been staying at Yves’ residence for two days.'I’m bored'. That crossed Aaliyah’s mind for quite some time now.Bumangon siyang muli sa pagkakahiga Ng halos ilang oras na din. Pagkatapos mag-agahan kanina ay diretso lang siyang kwarto. At dahil Wala naman siyang magawa at hindi siya pinapayagang magkikilos masyado, nanghiram na lamang siya ng libro at iyon ang pinagdiskitahan niya.Magulo at tumatakip sa kaniyang mata An
• Yves•Hindi siya mapakaling naglalakad nang paikot-ikot. Pinagmamasdan niya ang kaniyang mga palad na may bakas pa Ng pulang likido. A certain image continuously flash in his mind.Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na si Kyson. Tinawagan ito ni Yves pagkatapos madala ni Aaliyah sa ospital. “Dude, can you please sit down?”Pero imbes na sundin ito ni Yves ay mas pinili niyang idikit ang likod na lamang sa dingding . Pinagkrus niya ang mga braso, umaasang maitatago nito ang panginginig Ng kaniyang mga kamay.“Drink this. And stay calm, will you?” Inabot ni Kyson ang isang bote ng tubig Ng hindi siya tinitingnan. Agad naman itong tinungga ni Yves. Nang maubos nito ang laman ay siya namang paglabas at paglapit ng doktor.“It’s a mild concussion. She just lost unconsciousness. Other than the external bleeding in the left temporal lobe, fortunately she didn’t acquired other physical injury. She’ll undergo some tests. But for now, we need to let h