Chapter 7

Folding my arms, I studied the face of Jonas who was standing mightily in front of me. He stood beside Joshua and a man I didn't recognize. He was out of out of my league, not even in my circle of friends.

"He's the client I was telling you," Joshua spoke up, referring to the stranger. "He has a land property in Aurora. He plans to renovate it. It's an old house and they want to turn it to a restaurant."

"What era?" I asked and looked at the stranger.

"By the way," Joshua piped up. "It's rude to just discuss things without proper introduction, right?"

"I'm Architect Reyes," I introduced myself to the guy and offered him a handshake.

"Jacob Lozano," he smiled—it was benevolent, and accepted my hand.

His hand was big and warm. I smiled warmly. He looked good. He was friendly and approachable.

Jonas cleared his throat, jabbing the back of his palm against Jacob's chest. Jacob brought my hand down.

"Would you like to take a seat?" I offered.

"Sure, Ms. Reyes," he smiled again.

We took our seats around the table. Joshua and I were seatmate. Across from me was Jacob who sat next to Jonas.

"So," I intertwined my hands together and placed them on the table. I straigthened up my bacl. "Do you have any plan or ideas in the renovation of your property?"

"We want to turn it into a restaurant since we have a business in-line with catering like you know... food and stuff," Jacob answered. "Although we want to renovate the old house, we still want to preserve its tradition, if you know what I mean."

"Yes, Mr. Lozano. Can I see the pictures of your property or we will visit it some other time?"

"Will you be available tomorrow? We can schedule the visit right away."

"Sure!" I giggled. "I'll be free tomorrow."

"Great. We will discuss furthermore all the ideas and uhh, the necessary info."

"That would be interesting, Mr. Lozano. Thank you so much."

We had a handshake again. We bid our goodbye after the meeting. Jonas and Jacob left together while Joshua and I remained inside the restaurant.

"Good job, Etincelle," Joshua teased as he sat across from me. He leaned on his seat and crossed his legs comfortably.

"How did you know them?" I asked.

I was utterly shocked when Jonas came into view, showing off his impressive chest. Standing at the door, he blocked the light from outside the restaurant with his body. He was wearing a checkered, long sleeved polo with two buttons left open. He looked fresh from the market that any customer would be willing to buy him at any cost. His wavy hair was brushed up with taper fade. I've seen those styles before but today looked different.

"Jonas is my batchmate. He just asked if I know an architect who can help Jacob."

"And who is Jacob to you?"

"We're friends too."

I fell silent. The image of Jonas staring boldly at me flashed through my mind. My heart skipped a beat.

"By the way, who took you home last night?" He asked and I flinched.

"H-Huh? A friend of mine."

"So, you called that friend of yours?"

"Uhm, yeah... I got home safe and sound."

Silence followed. I turned my face away to avoid follow up questions just in case he wanted to know who's that friend.

"How's Thrante?" He asked suddenly. I focused on him again.

"She's good and happy now. I wish she will reunite with Baste."

His brows met in between his nose bridge. "You want them to get back together?"

I nodded. "There's no better man than Baste if we're talking about Thrante. I can't find someone who fits in Thrante's standard."

I shut up. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.

I went home after that conversation while Joshua worked again. My life felt boring all of the sudden. I decided to stay inside my room when I heard a noise downstairs. I was curious so I decided to go down.

When I got down, I saw my mother carrying an infant. I squinted my eyes and walked towards her.

"Mommy?" I called. She quickly shifted her eyes on me.

"Yes, honey?"

"Whose baby is that?"

"You don't know? It's Raymar's baby."

I snapped my eyes. I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. I whipped around and saw Raymar with a lady.

"Hey, E!" He greeted with a wide smile on his face. He went to me and hugged me. "Long time no see!" He loosened up.

"You're married?" I asked, confused.

"Not yet, E."

"But Mommy that's your baby?" I glanced at the baby then to his father again.

"Yeah. Well," he shrugged.

"Damn," I whispered. "Is that even legal?"

"The what?"

I looked over his shoulder instead of answering him. The woman behind Raymar smiled at me.

"Hi," she greeted shyly. "I'm Jessy."

"Etincelle, Raymar's cousin. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. You're so beautiful."

"Oh," I gave Raymar a quick glance. He just shrugged. "Thanks, Jessy."

Raymar hissed, making me turn to him. He stood next to Jessy.

"We're not staying long, E. We just come her to introduce Jessy to all of you."

"Awe. That's so thoughtful, Ray. Have you eaten yet? We can have our lunch together."

"Sure, E." He nodded.

We had our lunch together and talked about Raymar and Jessy's relationship, especially how and when the baby came into their lives. They still have no plan on getting married because they want to work first and prioritize the baby. Marriage is up to follow if they have enough money.

"Didn't you regret loving Raymar?" I asked Jessy while we were chitchatting in the sala. She was breastfeeding the baby. Raymar and Mom weren't around because they had some errand to do.

"None. Raymar is kind and responsible. He is the man that I needed."

"Did you plan on getting pregnant and have a baby?" I paused and realized I was insensitive. "No offense. I have no intention of mocking you or what.  Did you guys plan to have a baby first before the marriage?"

She laughed at my defensive words.

"It's okay. About the baby... we plan it of course but he came unexpectedly. You get it?"

"Like the baby came not in your own timeline?"

She nodded. "Supposed to be the baby is after the marriage but here she is now."

I smiled at the back of my head. It seemed like she never regretted anything. She wasn't married with Raymar yet but she is happy. Raymar is such a nice guy.

"How about you? Do you have a plan to get married?"

I cringed at the question. "Not in my plan. What's the point of marriage?"

"To make your relationship holy. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I'm not in love with any man."

"Why?"

"Because I think loving someone is having them the upper hand. You are allowing yourself to be vulnerable too."

"What's wrong with being vulnerable? We all came to that point."

"Nothing."

"Maybe you're just afraid."

"Of what?"

"Commitment?"

"Not so... I'm not gonna bow down on men, Jessy."