The moment I stepped inside the Chandler's mansion, I directly did the chores that was waiting for me. Nagluto agad ako ng umagahan bago pa magising si Timothee. I know that he would wake up with a terrible headache kaya nagluto na din ako ng mainit na sabaw. Matapos kong magluto ay nagpaalam muna ako kay Manang Abby na ilalabas ko lang saglit si Pixie, yung aso ko."Ilalabas mo lang?" Nandududang tanong ni Manang."Ilalabas lang talaga, Manang. Ayoko namang magdudumi siya dito. Nakakahiya yun," sagot ko."Siguraduhin mo lang na 'yan yung pakay mo. Malalagot ka talaga kay Sir kapag nalaman niyang nakikipagkita sa lalaki," sabi niya.Kumunot yung noo ko.Ano daw? Makikipagkita sa lalaki? Sinong lalaki naman? And as if gagawin ko din yun! "Anong lalaki ba yung ibig niyong sabihin Manang?" Naguguluhan kong tanong."Rinig ko kasi nagkagusto sa'yo yung gardener sa kabilang bahay. Baka nagkadevelopan na kayo niyan," taas-kilay niyang sabi."Hindi ko nga kilala," iling ko. "Saka hindi ako
"I can't believe nandito ka pa rin. I thought Timothee got rid of you. Pero mukhang hindi niya iyon ginawa. Bakit kaya?" Taas-kilay niyang tanong.I crossed my arms under my breast and acted as if I'm also thinking. "Hmm. Common sense naman siguro yung sagot sa tanong mo," I paused. "I work here. My job is to serve Timothee. Now tell me, why would he want to get rid of me?""Kasi malandi ka. You want him for yourself because of his money. Hindi ba, hampas-lupa?" She insulted.I gasped. "Paano mo nalaman na ang habol ko sa kanya ay pera?""So you admit it! Pera lang talaga ang habol mo!" Tinuro-turo pa niya ako."Oh, Rosie. I thought you are smart," iling ko. "It's a no-brainer actually. Kaya nga ako nagt-trabaho, diba? For money. You disappoint me."Mas lalo siyang nagalit sa sinabi ko. 'Yan kasi. Kahit anu-ano nalang yung sinasabi na hindi naman nag-iisip. Napahiya tuloy."Sino ba 'yan?" I heard Timothee asked from behind.Lumingon ako sa kanya na nakakunot pa rin yung noo. I opened
Matapos naming kumain ay tumakas na ako sa kanila. I can feel kasi na ayaw talaga akong makita ni Rosie. Ayaw ko din naman siyang makita kaya mutual lang feelings namin sa isa't-isa. It's not like I don't want to hang out with them, gusto ko lang talagang mag-bond silang tatlo. Gaya ng sabi ni Rosie, na-miss niya 'yung silang tatlo lang. Just because I don't like her doesn't mean I should invalidate her feelings."Huwag kang lalayo ha? After you're satisfied with a few runs bumalik ka agad," Sabi ko sa aso ko.She replied with a bark kaya agad ko nang pinakawalan siya sa tali. Alas singko na ng hapon at usually ganitong oras ko nilalabas si Pixie. Nasa parke kami malapit sa mansyon. May mga aso din kasing ginagala ng mga amo nila kaya pinabayaan kong makipaglaro siya sa kanila. I sat down on the bench and watched her played with other dogs."Hi," someone greeted.Tumingala ako and saw a man smiling. Moreno siya at sobrang ganda ng ngiti niya. He's wearing a white shirt and brown short
"Akala ko ba manunuod tayo ng movie? Bakit umiinom na kayo?" Tanong ni Rosie sa dalawa.Suppose to be magluluto lang kami ng popcorn. Nag-aaway pa kasi silang dalawa kanina kung sino 'yung gagawa kaya nagpresenta ako na ako nalang. They even fought over kung sino ang tutulong sa akin but I insisted na kaya ko na. Ang dali lang kaya.As I was making popcorn, I heard the both of them bragging about their tolerance in alcohol. Paglingon ko sa kanila ay nagsimula na silang mag-one on one. Iba din 'yung trip nila."Don't worry. Makakapanuod pa naman tayo. I have high tolerance, remember?" Pagmayabang ni Timothee."Dahan-dahan ka sa pinagsasabi mo, Tim. Baka kakainin mo lang 'yan," Kento smirked."As if. Baka ikaw 'yun tinutukoy mo," Timothee fired back.Iinom na sana ulit si Timothee sa shot glass niya pero binawi na ito ni Rosie."Tama na nga 'yan! Ano bang pumasok sa mga kokote niyo?" Sita ni Rosie.Binawi ni Timothee 'yung shot glass mula sa kamay ni Rosie at diretsong nilagok."Manunuo
My eyes are still open, still processing what's going on. Nakapikit ang mga mata ni Timothee. He's kissing me softly, and the butterflies in my tummy are going crazy. Ramdam ko ang pag-akyat ng init sa aking mga pisngi. I softened at his kiss and pushing him might not be one of my options now. I slowly closed my eyes and kiss him back. Inilagay ko 'yung kamay ko sa batok niya para mas diinan 'yung halik.It took him by a surprise pero pinagpatuloy niya pa rin 'yung paghalik sa akin. He caress my face as if it's the most fragile thing his hand had ever held on to. His other hand reached for my other hand and intertwined our fingers. Hindi ko mapigilan ang makaramdam ng kiliti sa tiyan."Ava..." He whispered. Humiwalay siya sa halik at tiningnan ako sa mata."Hmm?" I responded."Hindi mo ako tinulak. Bakit?" he paused. "If I continue, I might not stop myself."Napakurap ako. Ano ba 'tong ginagawa namin? Ano bang ginagawa ko?! Bakit hindi ko siya matulak? Did I just kissed him back? I o
"Timothee, you're drunk," I whispered softly. "I am not drunk," he smiled. "Yes you are," iling ko. "Come on. I'll take you to your room."I was going to push him but he held me on both of my shoulders and pinned me against the wall. He leaned his arm on the wall just above my head."Let's stay here," he said. Inilapit niya 'yung mukha niya sa akin. Sobrang bilis nang tibok ng puso ko and I know that I am as red as a tomato right now."Anong gagawin natin dito?" I asked."Hmm," he hummed. "To continue what we left off?"Napakurap ako. Magsasalita pa sana ako pero bigla nalang niya akong hinalikan sa ilong. My breathing became heavy as I am lost for words."Lower?" He asked.I blinked twice and met his eyes. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang meron sa akin ngayon. Damn, I'm not hating it!"Ava," tawag niya sa pangalan ko."H-Ha?""You want me to go lower?" He smirked. "Tell me, baby."I bit my lower lip. The urge of kissing him grew stronger and stronger. I stared at his perfectly plump lip
Making Timothee's breakfast while he's watching me is so uncomfortable. Kanina ko pa nararamdaman 'yung titig niya and it's making me feel conscious of what I am doing.I prepared breakfast the moment I woke up. Gising na din si Manang pati 'yung chef ng mansyon. Since sanay naman 'yung chef magluto ng pagkain kapag nandito ang tatlo, pinabayaan nalang namin siya ni Manang. Nag-a-assist nalang kami sa kanya.It didn't took long so I had a shower first before taking Pixie out. Pagbalik ko ng mansyon ay dumiretso ako sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. Pero nakuha ng atensyon ko ang pancake ingredients na nasa pantry. Sayang naman ito kapag hindi lutuin. I thought na baka nauumay na si Timothee kakakain ng pagkain na kinakain niya araw-araw so how about pancakes for today?Sinimulan ko na 'yung paggawa ng batter when I heard footsteps from the stairs. Ilang minuto lang ay nasa harap ko na si Timothee. I blinked twice, not knowing what to do."G-Good morning, Tim," I stuttered.I never stutt
"Where have you been?" Tanong ni Timothee nang buksan ko 'yung pinto ng silid niya."Doing my chores?" Patanong kong sagot. "Inutusan din ako ni Manang na ibalik 'yung hiniram niya sa kapit-bahay kahapon. Bakit po?"He squinted his eyes and sat at the edge of his bed. "Close the door."Kumunot 'yung noo ko pero sinunod ko pa rin 'yung gusto niya. I closed the door and then faced him."May kailangan po kayo?" I asked.Hindi siya sumagot, sa halip, itinaas niya 'yung mga kamay na para bang humihingi ng yakap. Kumunot 'yung noo when he started frowning."Sir?" I asked."Sabi ko na huwag mo na akong tawaging 'sir'. Pang-ilang beses na ba 'yan?" Nguso niya."Tim," iling ko. "Ano 'yan?""I want a cuddle," he said.I chuckled. "Ano?""Cuddle," mas lalo pa siyang ngumuso. "I woke up without you by my side. Pinakaba mo ako."Napailing ako. "Why would you be scared?""Girls never left my side when I sleep with them," he replied.Bumaba ang magkabila kong balikat. "So you think I'm one of those
"Happy Birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday our Ava~ Happy Birthday to you!"Everyone clapped their hands after I blew the candle. It's my 25th birthday at kasama mo ang buong pamilya. Sina Daddy, Mommy, Tito Diego, Peter, and Sofia. Kasama ko din si Timothee, his Dad Tito Vincent and her mother, Manang Abby. Nasa isang beach resort kami at sinadya kong dito kami kasi naaalala ko na nangako ako sa sarili na dalhin si Manang Abby dito as this is one of her dreams.After Timothee told the world about our relationship, the media keeps on tailing me. I became one of the most recent searches in the country. Inuungkat nila yung buhay ko later found out that I am a businessman's daughter. Nalaman din nila yung clothing line ko. Akala ko ib-boycott nila business ko pero sa katunayan mas marami pa akong naging customers.It was hard for the people to accept the fact that Timothee is courting me. Pati 'yung company na naghandle kay Timothee ay hindi inaa
Timothee and I stayed inside their hotel room. Hindi pa kasi bumalik si Kento and Timothee insisted for me to stay. I couldn't say no matapos niyang sabihin na magc-cuddle kami. It's something that I need right now. Nakayakap ako sa kanya habang siya naman ay nilalaro ang buhok ko habang nakahiga. "Ava," he called."Yes?""I've been meaning to tell you something," sabi niya.Kumunot 'yung noo ko at nilingon siya. "Ano 'yun?""Ano kasi. I don't want to keep secrets from you and I am getting more guilty as time goes by," he said.Nagsimula na akong kabahan. Is it something that would upset me? Kaya ko bang magalit kay Timothee? He's the only person I have left and when I feel betrayed by him, kanina nalang ako tatakbo? Sino ang natira para sa akin?"Say it."He sighed. "I'm sorry but I've been in contact with your parents."Napakurap ako. "Since when?""Since yesterday," kamot niya sa ulo. "They know where we are. Alam nila na sa akin ka lalapit. Your Dad knows kasi na nililigawan kita
Lumapit ako sa kanya at ganun pa rin 'yung tingin niya sa akin. I decided to get a lipstick that would look natural on his lips. I took a brush para sana lagyan siya ng lipstick sa labi pero umiwas siya.I sighed. "Timothee...""Anong pinag-uusapan niyo ni Kento? Did your little crush on him came back now that you see him after a long time?" Tanong niya.Hindi nga ako nagkakamali. Nagseselos nga siya. I saw it coming."Hindi," iling ko. "I was apologizing for fooling him as well.""Bakit siya nakangiti sa'yo?""Turns out alam na niyang nagpapanggap lang ako noon pa," iling ko. "Now I understand why he's always been so understanding to me before.""Psh. Mas understanding pa ako," he whispered but I heard him anyway.I smiled. "So, can I put on your lipstick now?"Umiling siya. "Doon ka sa Kento mo.""Timothee naman. Let's not fight, okay? Maraming naghihintay sa'yo," I said.Hindi siya sumagot. His face is facing on the other side as if ignoring everything that I just said. Alam ko nam
"Ava," I heard someone calling my name softly.Hindi ko pinansin ang boses na 'yun. I am sleeping comfortably in a soft bed. Dala siguro sa pagod kaya ako nakatulog agad. I remember after dinner, I felt so sleepy that I instantly fell asleep the moment I closed my eyes.After kong pinakilala kay Rosie and sarili ko, in a harsh way, Tito Vincent told us to eat instead of roasting each other. Of course nag-sorry naman ako agad. Ang bastos kaya nun sa harap ni Tito Vincent. Hindi na siguro kami magkakabati ni Rosie. Hindi naman din akong umasa na magustuhan niya ako. Well, kung ano 'yung ipapakita niya sa akin edi yun din ang ipapakita ko sa kanya."Ava," I heard it again.I groaned and turn to the side, away from the voice. Ayoko munang bumangon. Nagulat nalang ako nang may malambot na bagay na dumampi sa labi ko. Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata at doon ko nakita si Timothee na nakangisi."Halik lang pala ang makakagising sa iyo," he said.Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at napaatras habang
"Paano ko malalaman kung nagsasabi ka nga ng totoo? Nakita ko kung paano umiyak si Timothee. Hindi ko akalaing makikita ko siya nang ganun," Manang said as tears started forming in her eyes. "Kung pwede ko lang akuin ang sakit na nararamdaman niya ay ginawa ko na.""I'm sorry," yuko ko.Hindi ko na alam kung ano 'yung sasabihin. Saying sorry was what I think is the best thing to say. "Bakit ka sa akin nagso-sorry?"Huminga ako nang malalim. "Kasi alam kong nasaktan ka din na makitang ganun si Timothee." I paused. "Timothee and I settled our differences. Okay na po kami ngayon. We promised to be honest from now on at hindi ko na po siya sasaktan."She sighed. "Nakita ko kung gaano kalaki ang mga ngiti niya kamakailan. Siguro dahil din sa'yo," she said, looking at me. "Kapag narinig kong sinaksaktan mo ulit siya, huwag kang magpapakita sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magagawa ko sa'yo."Bahagya akong yumuko. "Hinding-hindi na po 'yun mangyayari."She stared at me one last time befo
"Okay lang talaga?" I asked Timothee as I parked my car in front of their mansion.Sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi ko alam kung paano haharapin sina Mommy. After everything I knew, hindi ko na alam kung paano sila tratuhin. I'm scared of avoiding them kasi ayaw ko din silang saktan. Timothee told me that I can stay in their house. I was hesitant syempre. How can I come back in that house matapos ko siyang lokohin sa ilang buwan kong pananatili doon. It would remind me of everything I've done."Ava, I thought that we left the past behind us?" He faced me."I'm sorry. I still feel ashamed of what I did.""Stop it," seryosong sabi niya. "Let's not talk about it, okay? Tapos na 'yun Ava. I forgave you already."I nodded. "Okay."Pumasok na kami ni Timothee sa loob ng mansyon at halos walang pinagbago. Nandun pa rin 'yung mga bulaklak na minsan kong dinidiligan araw-araw. The front lawn is still as wide as ever. I bit my lower lip as we get closer to the entrance. Nakakakaba. Alam ko naman na
I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. Timothee was stunned as I am."Sige 'yan!" Sigaw nung photographer. "Kiss her Timothee!"I bit my lower lip as tears continued crawling down my cheeks. Nanghihina na ang mga tuhod ko. Timothee immediately pulled himself off."What are you doing?!" He asked his partner."What? 'Yun ang gusto nila. Isn't it our job to do what the client wants," sagot nung babae."Timothee ano ba?!" Sigaw nung photographer. "We almost got the shot. What is wrong with you?!" He paused and faced the woman behind me which I assumed as the client. "I'm really sorry about that. I will make sure that we give you the shot that you want.""You better. Ano bang nangyari kay Chandler?" Tanong nung babae. "It's your job to model."Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Timothee and as if on cue, our eyes met. Nanlaki ang kanyang mata and all I could do was to smile forcefully with tears in my eyes."Ava," he mouthed.Umiling ako at tumalikod. I walked away kasi alam kong Timothe
"I have a shoot today."'Yan ang huli kong narinig mula kay Timothee. Pagkagising ko pa lang ay siya na agad ang hinahanap ko. The reason? Hindi ko din alam. I called him the moment I woke up. Ilang rings pa bago niya sinagot 'yung phone. Base sa boses niya ay parang nagmamadali. He said may shoot siya ngayon. I sometimes forget that he's a model.Napag-isipan ko na surpresahin siya. Alam ko naman kung saan sa kadalasang nagsho-shoot kaya hindi na ako mababaliw kakahanap sa kanya. Agad akong bumangon at dumiretso sa banyo. I took a bath and then brush my teeth. Matapos kong magbihis ay dumiretso ako sa baba kung saan naabutan ko sina Mommy at Daddy na nag-uusap sa kusina. Kumunot 'yung noo ko. Bakit silang dalawa lang? Natutulog pa kaya sina Tito Diego.Out of curiosity, sumilip ako at pinakinggan ang kanilang pinag-usapan. It was suspiscious enough that they are talking privately."I'm sorry about what happened last night, Adam. Nadulas ako. Excited lang ako na makita si Timothee.
I bit my lip as I dialed Timothee's number. Alam kong magugulat siya o maguguluhan kapag sinabi kong dito nalang siya maghapunan. Hindi naman nagtagal ay sinagot na ni Timothee yung tawag."What took you so long to call me?" Bungad niya.Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon alam kong nakanguso siya."Unexpected things happen," I smiled kahit hindi naman niya kita."Nakausap mo na Daddy mo?" Tanong niya. "Is everything okay?"Umiling ako. "Hindi. Hindi ko nakausap si Daddy." I paused. "Ano, Timothee. Kumain ka na ba?""Hindi pa ako kumain. Bababa na sana para kumain," he chuckled. "Concern ka sa akin no?""Sira!" I giggled. "I'm inviting you kase. Dito ka na kumain."There was a long pause. Paniguradong naguguluhan siya sa biglaan kong pagkasabi. If he'd ask me the same, panigurdong maguguluhan din ako."What's the occassion?" Tanong niya.I sighed. "Gusto kang makilala nina Mommy. Dad told them that I had a date with you kaya ganun nalang sila ka-curious sa'yo."I'm gonna meet your fam