Busy siya’ng mag-masahe sa kamay niya’ng kanina pa namamanhid nang may maglapag ng isang bote ng mineral water sa harap niya. Asia raised her eyes to meet with a chinito one.
“Thanks,” pagpihit niya ng cap, bukas na pala iyon. “Are you sure you’re not bored?”
“I’m sure.” Drew assured her. “Besides, I’m… looking for something.”
“And what is this something?” pang-uusisa niya.
“I don’t exactly know.”
“May hindi ka s
It wasn’t the first time she’s going to be late for their Sunday family day, but this time it’s a little different because she’s not meeting up an investor or will be doing some business, instead she’s going to a meet-up with the operators of the accounts she’s been talking to as Carmela Cole. Friday night when Rafa sent her the date and time and place for the blowout plus meet-up. Of course, excited naman si Awa, medyo kinakabahan lang. She’s finally going to meet, well, them. Questions like: what would they be like? Would they like me? What do I say to them? Should I start the conversation first? Flooded her mind for the whole Saturday. She wasn’t able to sleep properly, she was feeling jittery. So when Sunday came, Asia was up way too early.&nb
Mia stayed until the sesh was over. Pero busy ito makipag-usap sa sekretarya ng boyfriend nito sa labas while they were busy with the counselling. Pagkalabas nila, tsaka tumayo ang kaibigan at lumapit sa kanila. “Done?” “Yep. Papahatid na’ko.” “Ginawa mo pa’ng driver ang boyfriend ko.” Mia pouted. “Kumuha ka ng sarili mo’ng driver kaya.” “Papahatid ka rin diba?” tanong niya sa kaibigan. Tumango ito. “’Yun naman pala, ‘wag ka na magreklamo.” “For the second time, Asia Winnessa, stop taking advantage of my boyfriend’s kindness.” &n
There are different kinds of struck: star-struck, awestruck, wonderstruck and dumbstruck, to name a few— and it was obvious which kind of struck would she fall into, if categorized: dumbstruck. “So shocked or surprised as to be unable to speak.” There was definitely no deny it. Asia found herself staring at a gorgeous pair of greyish eyes, which were staring back at her with equal intensity. He didn’t look quite surprise at all, if anything, he was simply studying her and her reaction intently; eyes never leaving hers, holding her gaze and staring into her eyes as if he was looking right into her soul. She couldn’t let go of his either, parang hinihila n
Nanlulumo siya’ng naka-upo sa passenger seat ng kotse ni Drew habang binabaybay nila ang daan papunta sa Acosta compound. Hindi man lang niya nalaman kung sino ang operator ni Liam. Baka si Rence pala ‘yung crush niya, hindi pwede! Rence already has Izza, and Awa knows love when she sees one. Hindi siya pa’ng third party, nor is she a relationship wrecker. She sighed again, na hindi nakatakas sa pansin ni Drew. Saglit na lumingon ang binata sa kanya bago binalik ang tingin sa daan. “Are you okay, Awa?” he asked, eyes glued on the road. “Kanina ka pa bumubuntong-hininga diyan.” “I’m fine,”&
As they stood outside the mall to wait for Asia’s ride, the operators circled around her, thanking her for the chocolate treat. “Grabe ka, Asia,” Kian enthused, eyes sparkling with excitement and adoration. “Ang mamahal kaya nito tapos ni-libre mo kami’ng lahat!” “Dinaan sa discount ‘yan,” she joked. “Oo kasi pinsan mo rin ‘yung may-ari, diba?” pagsakay ni Kian sa sinabi niya. “Swerte! Thank you rito!” “Wala pa ba jowa mo, girl?” singit ni Niel, craning their neck to check the car she told them about. “Sure
Carmela Cole: so u finally have an identity now, huh Liam Skye: tho to be completely honest I wanted to keep the anonymity going Carmela: for all I know, you’ve known me for some time now May seen sa baba ng message niya pero wala’ng reply. Asia waited for a few minutes pero wala pa rin reply ang magal
“Hello, babe.” Asia wasn’t imagining it, she swear she could her a smile in his voice. Something she didn’t imagine he’d what with the impression she had of him earlier. Pushing her phone away from her for a second, bahagya siyang napalunok. Kinurot pa niya ang sarili dahil baka ay nananaginip lang siya. Binalik niya ulit sa tenga ang phone at nakinig. “Babe? Are you there?” She didn’t reply. Baka manginig lang ang boses niya and it might give her away. “If this is
She decided to answer the call. Mukha kasi’ng na-i-istorbo na niya ang pahinga ng pinsan. She pulled her AirPods out and connected it to her phone. Hindi siya nagsalila. She waited until he said his hello, which he did. “Hello? Babe?” Babe? They’re not together pero bakit babe pa rin ang tawag nito sa kanya? They’re talking not as Liam and Carmela, but as Jae and Asia, so what gives? “Hmm?” “I wanted to apologize,” Asia felt her breath hitched. Was that a prank? April fools? Was he teasing her? Or a test or somethi— “But not for what I said, I meant that.” Oh. “I wanted to apologize for taking you by surprise with that, I should’ve waited for the right time to say that.” There was a nervous laugh elicited from Jae. “I didn’t mean to scare you or make you think I was some sick psycho stalker or anything, but I really like you. Like… a lot.” “Um