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TITLE: Said I Loved You But I lied

LENGTH: 522
DATE: Apr 18, 2014
VOTE COUNT: 3454
READ COUNT: 598488
COMMENT COUNT: 124
LANGUAGE: Filipino
AUTHOR: pajama_addict
COMPLETED: 0
RATING: 3
MODIFY DATE: 2014-06-16 12:43:24

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Said I Loved You But I Lied
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I loved you. But you didn't love me back. I tried to move on but you wouldn't let
me. Now we're both stuck -- me in the present, you in the past and I do not know
who's the bigger fool.

Dear Readers,

This story just begs to be written. Another romantic possibility from the
hopelessly romantic psyche of your weird author. This is the story of Lee Ann and
Nickolai and I suggest that you read Red String of Fate first so you'll have a
background of Nick and Lee Ann.

♥ jennicka
####################################
Chapter 1
####################################

A three-year old girl sat uncomprehending as her father shook the hand of his best
friend. She didn't understand why her mother was inside the rectangular box. All
she knew was that they were supposed to bring her baby brother home today.

"Condolence, Pare." Atty. Sandoval said as he patted the arm of his friend. "Ganyan
talaga, may unforeseen complications ang panganganak. I know my words sound hollow
because no words will ever be able to assuage your pain. Magsabi ka lang kung anong
maitutulong namin."

"Salamat, Ferdie. Sapat nang nandito kayo para damayan kami."

"How's the little girl holding up?"

"Hindi nya naiintindihan ang mga nangyayari." Atty. Carbonel replied looking at his
daughter whose eyes were wide in wonder as she looked at the throngs of people who
came to pay respect to her mother. Francoisca Carbonel was well-loved by the
employees of their company. She was always kind, approachable and generous to a
fault.

"Dito kami matutulog ng mga bata para may kasama kayo." Atty. Sandoval said and
Atty. Carbonel felt his eyes water at his friend's support.

"Salamat, Ferdie."

"Pare, noong namatay ang asawa ko, ang buong pamilya nyo sa bahay tumira ng ilang
linggo, hindi na tayo iba sa isa't isa, ano ka ba." He said and his friend nodded
his head as he looked at Lee Ann. "Kaya mo yan, nandito lang kami." Atty. Sandoval
added.

Lee Ann stared at the crowd as she squirmed under the layers of the white satin and
tulle that one of their househelps made her wear. "Dad." She called her father but
he only turned his face for a few seconds towards her as another guest arrived.
"Dad!" She tried again.

"Lee Ann, behave. Dad has to attend to the guests." He whispered and she squirmed
more.

"Thirsty." She said but he ignored her. The tulle under her satin dress felt itchy
and she wanted to approach the box they put her mom in to wake her up. "Mommy!" She
called. "Mommy!" She tried again. Her mom always knows what to do, she always knows
when she's thirsty and she's thirsty now. "Mommy!" She called, louder this time.

"Shh, anak." Her father reprimanded her gently.

"Mommy!"

"Akin na po, Tito." A teenage boy approached as he took her from her father's arms.

"Salamat, Nick." Her father gratefully said patting the teenager's shoulders.

"What do you want, Lee Ann?" The teenager asked her. "Are you hungry?"

"Water po." She replied and he smiled at her.

"Lee Ann has learned her po and opo." He teased and she grinned as he led her
towards the kitchen. He asked one of the house helps for a glass of water and they
smiled dotingly at him. His name's Nickolai Sandoval, Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval's
eldest son. The boy wonder -- accelerated twice, born a charmer and a debater like
his father, witty like his mother. At fourteen, he's already a high school senior
and he heads his school's school paper. People praise him for his commanding
presence and the legendary Sandoval charisma.

"Thank you po." She said.

"No longer thirsty?" He asked as she handed him the glass of water after she nearly
gulped down half of it.

"Opo." She answered. "But aren't you supposed to say you're welcome because I said
thank you?" She asked much to his amusement.

"You're welcome, Lee Ann." He said. He's impressed at how grown-up she talks. She's
only three but she sounds like she's older.

"Very good." She said.

"You don't sound like a baby." He teased and she stared at him.

"I'm a baby." She answered.

"Yes, but you don't talk like one."

"Because Mommy said I shouldn't mumble my words but instead say them clearly like a
lady." She reasoned and he laughed. He lost his mother two years ago and he
understood how confusing it must be to the three-year old child. No matter how
grown-up you talk, you're still a child. He thought, taking pity on the girl.

"Is there anything else that you want to do, baby girl?"

"I want to see Mommy." She said and his pity tripled. "Where's Kuya Alex?" She
asked referring to his younger brother.

"He's with Dad, your Tito Ferdie." Nickolai replied and she nodded her head as he
led her back to the front of the house where her mother's remains were laid. She
stared at the rectangular box again, puzzled why her mother has still not waken up.
She was at the hospital when they covered her with a white blanket and she had
protested telling everyone that her mother might have difficulty breathing.

"Why isn't Mommy waking up?" She haltingly asked him and he took her small hands in
his. He crouched down beside her to be eye-level with her.

"Your Mommy is in heaven with my Mommy." He said and she frowned.

"No! My Mommy is right there, inside that box!" She announced. "There!" She pointed
at the box again and his expression softened as he hugged her to his chest.

"Remember what I told you before about stars? That they are Mommies, Daddies and
everyone that everyone loves?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Your Mommy is one of the stars now." He said. "She will watch over you from up
there so you remain a good girl, okay?"
"No." She replied and he chuckled as he chucked her under the chin.

"You don't want to be a good girl?" He asked and she shook her head.

"I want Mommy here." She uttered with a pout as her lower lips started to tremble.
"I want Mommy here, not up there." She repeated, her eyes starting to fill with
tears and he smiled at her tenderly.

"Mommy is here." He said, putting a hand against her chest. "She's in your heart so
that means she is wherever you are. Do you understand?" He asked as her tears fell
one by one. He took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her tears with and she
closed her eyes willing for her tears to stop falling. "Hey, stop crying." He
whispered as her thin shoulders shook.

"Lee Ann is now alone." She sobbed.

"No, that's not true. Lee Ann is not alone because Lee Ann still has her Dad."

"But it's different. Dad's always at the office and he doesn't play with Lee Ann. I
want Mommy. Mommy said she'll never leave Lee Ann."

"Lee Ann's Mommy did not leave her and she'll be watching over her."

"But I want someone who'll watch me down here not from up there." She stubbornly
said.

"Kuya Nick will take care of Lee Ann so she won't feel alone." He said as he
gathered her in his embrace.

"No. I want my Mommy."

"You don't want Kuya to take care of you? Now, Kuya Nick's sad." He said as he
scrunched his face. "Now you're going to make Kuya cry."

"Sorry." She mumbled as she cried harder. "I'm sorry, Kuya." She hiccupped. "Please
don't cry."

"Kuya will stop crying as soon as Lee Ann stops crying." He said and nearly laughed
when she bit her lower lip to prevent her sobs from spilling forth as she wiped her
eyes with the back of her hand. "Why are you crying?"

"Because Lee Ann is afraid." She miserably said. She's always been afraid about a
lot of things -- lightning, darkness, being alone.

"Why are you afraid? Aren't you brave?"

"No." She sobbed and he smiled.

"Lee Ann is brave. In fact, Lee Ann is the bravest girl Kuya Nick knows. But just
in case, Lee Ann gets scared, she needn't have to worry because Kuya Nick will be
there for her." He uttered and she looked at him.

"How can you be there for Lee Ann when you don't live in this house?" She asked and
he laughed affectionately at her quip.

"But Kuya Nick is in Lee Ann's heart so Kuya Nick is wherever Lee Ann is. If you're
afraid you'll only need to think of Kuya Nick and he'll come running to you, okay?"
He spoke and her brows furrowed. "You don't believe me?" He asked and she stared at
him. "I will make sure that you will never feel alone or lonely. I will take care
of you." He said and she nodded her head as she wrapped her little arms around his
neck.

"Thank you, Kuya Nick." She murmured and his heart just melted.

"You're welcome." He answered. "Lee Ann will never feel scared again, right?" He
asked and she nodded her head. "Is that a promise?" He asked and she nodded her
head again. "I want to hear you say it."

"I promise I won't be scared." She recited and he patted her head affectionately.

"Very good."

"But Kuya, do you promise to stay with Lee Ann even when she's no longer afraid?"
She asked and he looked at her and smiled.

"I promise." He said and she beamed. Not realizing that she held on to his words
even as years passed; not comprehending that even then he meant the world to her;
not recognizing the adoration in her eyes that would take years to extinguish and
not grasping that her affection for him would grow as she gets older. And all
because he promised.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Readers, taglish to. Ingglesera lang si Lee Ann nung bata sya kaya ganyan. Pero sa
Chapter 2 hindi na kayo magno-nosebleed.

♥ jennicka

####################################
Chapter 2
####################################

Lee Ann Carbonel grew up having everything - an adoring father, a doting line-up of
people who are readily at her disposal and the Carbonel wealth, which made sure
that she's never left wanting. But unlike girls her age she played with dolls
instead of real children, she had a bevy of tutors instead of going to a real
school because Leandro Carbonel was afraid to let her daughter out of his sight
after he lost his wife. It's been two years since her father died and Lee Ann is
now a freshman BS Health Sciences student at Ateneo de Manila University.

"Lee!" Someone called and the sixteen-year old turned her head. At 5 feet five
inches tall, Leandro Carbonel's daughter is a head-turner with her wavy, dark brown
hair, expressive dark-brown eyes, ready smile and fair complexion.

"Nicko!" She replied waving back. "Bakit?" She asked smiling.

"Susunduin ka ba mamaya?" The seventeen-year old boy asked. Nicholas Bentley de

Jesus came from a family of well-known doctors and he has been very vocal about his
feelings towards the younger girl who admitted that there's someone she likes. But
he's resolute and persistent. Hindi sya naniniwalang may bagay na di nakukuha sa
dasal at tiyaga. Kaya wala na syang ginawa kundi buntutan ang dalaga at maging
semi-personal assistant nito.

"Oo. Kelan ba ako hindi sinundo?" Lee Ann asked. She used to hate Nicko's attention
and the fact that he's the namesake of the person who broke her heart. But as they
got closer, Lee Ann realized na magkaibang-magkaiba ang dalawa lalaki -- Nicko is
spirited and fun while Nick is... Nick.

"Bakit naman ang taray mo? Nagtatanong lang naman ako." Nicholas asked sheepishly
and she laughed. They've been friends for months and Lee Ann felt very comfortable
with the young man.

"Hindi pa ako nagtataray sa lagay na to, Nick. I mean Nickolai. I mean Nicholas.
Pwede bang Bentley na lang itawag ko sayo?" She suddenly asked and he laughed at
how adorable she looks even when she stutters.

"You can call me whatever you want. You can even call me baby." He kidded and she
rolled her eyes at him.

"Is that supposed to turn me on?" Tanong nya at tumawa ang binata ng malakas.

"You're really precious, Lee Ann." He said turning serious. "And I really, really
like you."

"Naku, andito na naman tayo sa I really, really like you na part. As I said I have
someone I like who doesn't like me back and who made my heart incapable of liking
anyone else. For now."

"Yun naman pala meron naman palang for now, kaya maghihintay ako."

"Nicko pwede bang wag kang maging tanga tulad ko? Walang napapala sa paghihintay."
She said and he chuckled.

"Kung ikaw ang mapapala ko sa paghihintay, I will wait no matter how long it
takes." He announced and she somehow felt sad at his words. Parehong-pareho kami.
Siguro ganito rin katanga ang tingin sa akin ni Kuya Nick. She thought as he smiled
at her. "Tara na, our next class is about to start." He said and she nodded her
head.

"Nicko."

"Yes?"

"Do not wait for me."

"Bakit?"

"Because waiting is a waste of time." She answered. "Take it from me; I learned it
the hard way." She added smiling sadly at him.

"No pressure, Lee. Gusto lang kitang maging kaibigan. Muna. I want to know you
more. Besides, di naman ako nagmamadali. Ang bata pa natin, pareho pa nating
gustong maging doktor kaya medyo matagal-tagal na panahon pa ang gugugulin natin sa
pag-aaral.

"Ganun din ang sabi ko sa sarili ko dati. That he can take his sweet time since I'm
in no hurry to be called his someone special but that's just bullshit. Masakit
maghintay. Masakit mangarap at masakit ang umasa sa wala." She murmured and he
looked at her despondent face.

"Hey, wag kang magdrama lalo akong nai-inlove." He kidded and she laughed.

"Loko."

"Sino ba yang taong nagpapalungkot sayo? Ilang beses na tayong nagkakwentuhan pero
hindi mo pa sinabi sa akin ang pangalan nya." He asked and she shrugged.

"Hindi mo na kailangang malaman ang pangalan nya ano, baka ma-shock ka." She
retorted grinning. "He's a family friend. I grew up holding his hand. Yun nga lang
friend lang talaga tingin nya sa akin. He thinks of me as a child."

"Wait, he thinks of you as a child? Bakit, ilang taon na ba sya?"

"He's twenty-seven." She answered and he comically widened his eyes at what she
said.

"He's that old?" He asked aghast and she cracked up. "What do you see in him?"

"A lot." She said. "Kaya ikaw, wag mo na akong hintayin at wala kang mapapala sa
akin. Magiging forever Tita lang ako ng mga pamangkin ko and I'm sure tatanda akong
dalaga."

"Masyado ka namang maganda para tumandang dalaga."

"Masyado kang bolero." She answered. "Lahat ba ng lalaki talagang innate na

bolero?"

"Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo." He uttered as they entered their classroom and took
their seats. He watched as one of their classmates asked Lee Ann about their
assignment. The first time he saw her was at the Ateneo Freshman Orientation
Seminar at the covered courts. She was standing alone and he was with his friends,
excited at the prospect of finally shedding their high school uniform and be
regarded as cool college dudes. Three things caught his attention that day -- her
face that begged to be stared at, her air of regal gracefulness and the fact that
he suddenly felt like hugging her to protect her from what's bad in the world. He
approached her then to introduce himself and although she looked surprised, she was
friendly and nice. It was love at first sight for him but it was friend-zone at
first sight for her.

"Nicko, hoy!" She called and he blinked.

"Bakit?" He asked, embarrassed at the idea of being caught gaping at her.

"Sabi ko anong kailangan mo at kanina ka pa nakangiti sa akin?" She said and he

blushed some more.

"Wala. May iniisip lang ako." He retorted and she shrugged.

"Gusto mo ng picture ko kesa nakatitig ka sa akin ng ganyan? It will last longer."

She kidded grinning at him and he stared at her in surprise. She was more
surprised, however, at his reply.

"Okay lang ba?"

"Hoy, joke lang yun!" She said laughing uneasily. "Ano ka ba!" She added as her
ears turned red.

"Nagba-blush o." Nicko teased and she arched her brow at him which made him crack
up. Aminado sya na kahit inaayawan nya ang binata, a part of her relish his every
gaze, his every compliment and the fact that he thinks she's beautiful. At least
may isa man lang lalaking nagngangalang Nick na nagagandahan sa akin. She thought.
Marami syang naging bagong kaibigan pero si Nicko ang constant nyang kasama dahil
hindi ito humihiwalay sa tabi nya kahit parati nya itong binabara. Ano kayang
nakain nito at nagpapakatanga sa akin? She murmured to herself.

"Mrs. De Jesus." He said and she turned to look at him. "Uy, lumingon." He ribbed
and she narrowed her eyes.

"Feeling ka ha." She murmured as she pretended to browse her book.

"Okay lang maging feeling kasi mukha ka naman nang nagkaka-feelings sa akin." He
replied grinning.

"Bilis mo naman, ano ka text?" She asked rolling her eyes at him.

"Hindi. Ako lang naman ang lalaking mapapangasawa mo." He answered and she couldn't
help but smile.

"Praning." She replied as he laughed.

She was on her way home when her phone rang. She took her phone out of her bag and
swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Ate!" She said. "Bakit po?"

"Tapos na ang klase mo, di ba? Nasaan ka na?"

"Pauwi na po."

"Lee, daan ka nga sa office." Atty. Alexa Carbonel-Sandoval said. "The HR is

currently looking for secretaries for me and your Kuya Alex and as much as I'd like
to browse the candidates' resumes, may meeting kasi ako with finance at si Kuya mo
may case briefing naman. Is it alright na pumunta ka muna dito to narrow-down the
applicants? Kailangang-kailangan na kasi namin ng sekretarya talaga kaya madalian
to. I will feel at ease kung ikaw yung titingin kesa yung head ng HR kasi mas alam
mo yung preferences namin."

"Sure, Ate. Ginawa ko na kanina yung iba kong assignments during my free time kaya
pwede akong pumunta dyan."

"Thank you, ha Lee. You're really a life-saver."

"Wala yun, Ate. Sige po at alam kong busy kayo dyan."

"Sige, Lee. Bye. I love you."

"Goodbye, Ate. I love you too." She said before she ended the call. "Manong Gener
pakihatid po ako sa office." She told her driver.

"Okay po, Miss Lee Ann." He replied. It's been months since she started avoiding
visiting her sister at her office because she was trying her hardest to evade
Nickolai Sandoval, her sister's brother-in-law. Like her and her sisters, Nickolai
is also part owner of the Carbonel and Sandoval Incorporated, a company that her
late father and his bestfriend, who happens to be Nickolai and Alexander Sandoval's
dad, established. Their last encounter wasn't exactly pleasant and she wasn't so
keen on seeing him again.

What did you do? Sinong nagbigay sayo ng karapatan na saktan ang girlfriend ko?!

He had said and she closed her eyes trying to blot the memory from her head. She
never hoped that he'd like her back -- she was too plain, too young, too Lee Ann.
She used to be contented loving him from afar. Used to be. She realized that as she
got older her longing to be with him grew stronger and the pain of his unspoken
rejections cut deep.

"Sa lahat naman kasi ng pwede mong magustuhan, yung imposible pa." She murmured to
herself.

"Ano po yun, Miss Lee Ann?" Her sixty-year old driver asked peeking at her through
the rearview mirror.

"Wala po, Manong." She replied. "Nag-iisip lang po akong mag-isa." She added. They
reached their building in less than thirty minutes and Lee Ann pleasantly smiled at
the guard on duty who touched his cap as a gesture of respect before he returned
the youngster's smile.

"Good afternoon po, Miss Lee Ann." He greeted.

"Good afternoon po, Manong Luis. Yung anak nyo po ba nakalabas na po ng ospital?"
She asked and the old guard beamed. Lee Ann inherited her mother's affability and
all their employees love her.
"Nakalabas na po, Miss Lee Ann noong nakaraang araw pa po."

"Mabuti naman po kung ganun. Uso po talaga ang dengue ngayon, sabihin po ninyo kay
Mabel na mag dobleng-ingat."

"Opo. Salamat po pala sa mga pinadala ninyong prutas sa ospital."

"Ay, naku wala po yun. Sige po, Manong aakyat na po ako."

"Sige po, Miss Lee Ann." The guard replied as the young girl waved goodbye at him.

"Good afternoon po." Their employees greeted and Lee Ann returned their greetings.
She glanced at her watch as she waited for the lift and took a step forward when
she heard a ping before the elevator door opened.

"Lee." Atty. Nickolai Sandoval, the subject of Lee Ann's daydreams, said looking at
the young girl who stared for a few seconds at him before pasting a polite smile on
her face.

"Good afternoon po, Kuya Nick." She said as she waited for him to get off. He was
holding the OPEN button for her but she refused to get in.

"Hindi ka ba sasakay?" He asked with a smile and her heart fluttered crazily. Ito
ka na naman. She told herself as she wet her suddenly parched lips.

"Hindi po ba kayo bababa?" She asked courteously.

"Hindi, paakyat ako." He answered and she wondered briefly why he's going back up.

"Ah, okay po." She replied stepping inside the lift. She moved to the wall furthest
from him and trained her eyes on the blinking red lights showing the floors.

"Kumusta na ang pag-aaral mo?" Nickolai asked the young girl who refused to look at
him. Since their last conversation at the Sandoval mansion a few months back, he
noticed that she started avoiding him.

"Mabuti naman po." She replied. Ang bagal naman nitong elevator na to. She murmured
to herself as seconds seemed to stretch endlessly. She contemplated getting off on
the next floor but he'll notice for sure.

"Pinapunta ka ba ng Ate mo?" He questioned and she nodded her head.

"Opo." She replied. He was getting infuriated. It's not like Lee Ann to be quiet
and almost impersonal around him. She had always followed him around, hang on his
every word and looked at him as if he's the most beloved man alive. He knew about
her infatuation, the girl was too obvious but she's eleven years younger and he
thought it's a phase that she'd get over. And now, she finally got over it. His
mind mocked.

"Kumusta ka naman?" He asked.

"Okay naman po." She answered.

"Ateneo ka di ba?" He tried again and she nodded her head still not looking at him.
"Masaya ka naman sa Ateneo?" He asked and she nodded her head the second time
making him more frustrated. "Why won't you look at me?!" He snapped as he pressed
the stop button and she turned her head to look at him in surprise.

"Po?" She asked, her eyes round with alarm.

"And stop saying po and opo because it's fucking annoying!" He hissed as her brows
knitted together. "Ano bang problema mo? Iniiwasan mo ba ako?"

"Bakit ko naman po kayo iiwasan, Kuya Nick?" She asked defiantly as she raised her
chin. "Mayroon po bang rason kung bakit ko po kayo iiwasan?" She asked and he
gritted his teeth.

"If this is all about yours and Precious--"

"Teka lang po." She said holding up her graceful hand and Nickolai suddenly felt
the urge to twine his fingers through hers. "Teka lang po, let's not even go there
kasi po tapos na po yun. Pinag-usapan na po natin yun. Ayoko na pong ulit-ulitin
kasi po lalo lang po akong nabwibwisit." She said stressing each po angrily and he
sighed.

"I already apologized, Lee. Hanggang ngayon ba naman galit ka pa rin sa akin?"

"Hindi po ako galit sa inyo. Ano naman pong karapatan ng isang batang tulad ko na
magalit sa isang big shot na abogadong nagngangalang Atty. Nickolai Sandoval?" She
asked and he clenched his fist.

"You are frustrating, Lee Ann!" He bit out and she arched her brow.

"You have to walk in my shoes to know what frustrating is, so don't start." She
answered and he nearly smiled. "Kung wala ka na pong sasabihin, Kuya paandarin mo
na po tong elevator kasi naghihintay po sa akin si Ate." She demanded as she
glanced at her watch but he didn't move.

"You're a brat, Lee Ann Carbonel." He said and she arched her brow again.

"And you're a boring idiot, Atty. Nickolai Sandoval." She replied as the elevator
resumed its ascent. He chuckled as he pocketed his hands.

"I'm a boring idiot kasi hindi ako nakikipaglaro sayo?" He asked and she bristled
as his words.

"Mukha ba akong nakikipaglaro sayo, Kuya?" She asked glowering at him. "Sa tingin
mo, anong laro tong nilalaro ko, Kuya?" She asked as she tried to rein in her
temper. He watched as she clenched her fists and sighed.

"Lee, I am your Kuya Nick who's too old for games; too old for a kid like you." He
uttered as the elevator opened on their floor. She shook her head in disbelief at
him.

"I know you're old, you definitely act like you're ancient and that's what makes
you boring. But for someone who's supposedly older and has gained more wisdom, you
haven't noticed that I'm no longer a kid and that's what makes you an idiot." She
angrily muttered before she stepped out of the elevator leaving him gawking at her.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The 'incident' between Lee Ann, Nickolai and Precious is on Chapter 48 of Red
String of Fate.

♥ jennicka

####################################
Chapter 3
####################################

Nickolai stared at the pen in his hand and laughed remembering Lee Ann's words. He
didn't even see her grow up, it's like for the past seven months that she's away,
another person took over her body giving the old timid her a spunk that's fun to
watch if you're not on the other end of her smart comebacks like he is.

"Anong tinatawa-tawa mo dyan?" Alexander asked his brother as soon as he took the
seat opposite him. They have a meeting with the finance department for next
quarter's budget and all of them have to be present.

"Anong nangyari dun kay Lee Ann, parang naging ibang tao?" He asked with a shake of
his head and Alexander laughed.

"Paanong naging ibang tao eh yun pa rin yun. The same sweet girl who's out to
please the world."

"Saan nakikita yang Lee Ann na yan kasi bitchy yung nagpapakita sa akin." Nickolai
remarked and Alexander laughed again.

"Ano ba kasing problema, Nick? Nung bubuntot-buntot sayo ang bata, ayaw mo kasi
masyado syang bata tapos ngayon na iniiwasan ka naman nya, ayaw mo rin kasi dalaga
na sya."

"Gago, wala akong sinabing ganun."

"Naglalaway ka dun eh. Panyo gusto mo?"

"Tarantado ka, Alex. Di ka ba kinikilabutan dyan sa mga pinagsasabi mo? Sixteen

years old lang yung pinag-uusapan natin dito!"

"Aba, bakit? Dalaga na yun, mukhang type mo. Hindi ka ba pwedeng maglaway?"

"Tarantado, ang bastos mo!"

"Kunyari pa to. Wag ka na, Nick. Ang lagkit ng tingin mo dun kay Lee Ann, I'm sure
kung anu-anong kamunduhan ang tumatakbo dyan sa isip mo."

"Tama na, Alex. Kinikilabutan ako sayo."

"Ikaw ang bahala. Napakaraming manliligaw nun. Kung sinu-sinong tumatawag sa bahay
at kung sinu-sinong kausap magdamagan sa telepono. Ang dami ngang pumupunta para
dalawin yun at lahat may itsura at galing sa matitinong pamilya." Alexander lied
watching his older brother's reaction closely and nearly laughed when Nickolai
clenched his jaw. "Ikaw rin, maunahan ka. Habambuhay ka na lang na Kuya at baka pag
yun kinasal kunin ka pang ninong." He taunted.

"Tumahimik ka na." Nickolai murmured trying to control his temper as the door
opened and Alexa walked in.

"Hi, Nick." She greeted before she went to sit beside her husband. "Hello,
gorgeous." She whispered against Alexander's ear. Nickolai watched his brother
eagerly turn his face towards his wife for a kiss. He cleared his throat at the
couple's blatant display of affection and wondered why Alexander and Alexa can't
seem to keep their hands off each other. He and Precious, his girlfriend of nearly
two years, stopped being affectionate after a month of intimacy and sweetness felt
more of an obligation rather than a need for Nickolai.

"Uwi na tayo, Love." He heard Alexander murmur and Alexa whispered something in
Alex's ear that made him hug his wife to his chest. "Promise yan." Alexander said
and Alexa eagerly nodded her head.

"Para kayong bagong kasal." Nickolai remarked and the couple looked at him.

"Magpakasal ka na kasi." Alexander replied. "Ayaw mong hiwalayan yung girlfriend mo

kaya siguro balak mo na talagang pakasalan yun."

"No comment." Alexa replied. "Nick, utang na loob pag ang napangasawa mo si
Precious, hinding-hindi ako dadalo sa kasal nyo kahit magkatampuhan pa tayo. Di ko
mapatawad ang ginawa ng bruha mong girlfriend sa kapatid ko!" Alexa uttered and
Nickolai frowned.

"What do you mean, ginawa ni Precious kay Lee Ann?"

"Bakit, hindi mo ba alam? Bakit mo pinagalitan si Lee Ann kung hindi mo alam?"

"What?"

"Bwisit ka, di mo ba alam na nagkapasa si Lee Ann sa braso dahil sa lakas ng

pagkakahawak mo sa kanya? Kung hindi ko lang mahal tong kapatid mo na nakiusap sa
akin na patawarin ka na, hinding-hindi na kita kakausapin!"

"Kelan sya nagkapasa? I didn't touch her."

"Hinawakan mo sya sa braso, Nick. Kaya may pasa sya kasi masyadong mahigpit yata
ang pagkakahawak mo."

"What?!"

"Muntik ko na nga lang sugurin yung girlfriend mo. Anong karapatan ng babaeng yun
na duru-duruin ang kapatid ko at tawaging malandi? How dare her! Naku, kailangan ko
ng tubig, uminit na naman ulo ko!" Alexa angrily uttered as she stood up leaving
the brothers inside the conference room.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin to, Alex?" Nickolai asked.

"Ayoko nang dagdagan yung gulo. Mainit na nga ulo ni Alexa, paiinitin ko pa ang ulo
mo. Si Precious pinagsabihan yung bata ng kung anu-ano, nagselos yata at dinuro-
duro ang noo ni Lee Ann kaya sinampal nya. Alam mo naman ang mga Carbonel, dinaig
pa ang mga amasona." Alexander said trying to lighten the mood.

"That must be the reason kung bakit sya galit sa akin." Nickolai thought aloud.

"Nick, may gusto ka ba kay Lee Ann?" Alex inquired and Nickolai vehemently shook
his head.

"Wala!" He said. "Alex, bata yun. Napaka-imoral ko namang tao kung pati bata
papatulan ko. I deeply care for her because she's like a sister to me. And the
reason why I'm bothered that she's not talking to me is because we're rather close.
Ako pa nagturo dun mag-bike, ako pa kasama nun sa first communion nya at ako pa ang
nakakita na tinagusan sya nung unang period nya! Nakukuha mo ba, Alex? She is just
a little kid to me, nothing more kaya please stop teasing me about her. Hindi ko
sya gusto romantically. I don't see her as a woman, I see her as a little girl and
your jibes are not only uncalled for, they're ridiculous!" Nickolai exclaimed as
the door closed with a bang.

"Sino yun?" Alexander asked as he stood up to open the door and saw Lee Ann's back
as she ran back towards Alexa's office. He looked at his brother's grim expression
and sighed. "Siguraduhin mo lang, Nick. Siguraduhin mo lang na di ka manghihinayang
at magsisi. Mahirap baguhin ang isip ng mga Carbonel."

"Sigurado ako. Wala akong gusto dun sa bata." Nickolai repeated and Alexander
nodded his head as he sat down again.

Lee Ann ran back to her sister's office and hastily closed the door behind her. She
clutched the folder containing the short-listed applicants to her chest as she felt
her heart break. She was supposed to give the folder to her sister but she heard
Nickolai and Alexander talk about her when she was about to open the door.

"Tama na kasi." She told herself. "Sabi mo di ka na aasa pero nasasaktan ka pa

rin." She murmured she felt tears gather in her eyes. "Tama na, tama na." She
repeated as she put the folder she was holding on top of her sister's table before
she ran to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.

Nakukuha mo ba, Alex? She is just a little kid to me, nothing more kaya please stop
teasing me about her. Hindi ko sya gusto romantically. I don't see her as a woman,
I see her as a little girl and your jibes are not only uncalled for, they're
ridiculous!

She heard his words in her head and she straightened her spine as she gazed at her
reflection on the mirror. "Sino namang tanga ang magkakagusto sayo? Napaka-plain
mo!" She murmured harshly. "Mukha kang bata, hindi ka mukhang dalaga!" She muttered
pulling the pink bow that was holding her hair near the nape. "Anong panama mo dun
sa Precious nya? Wala!"

"Lee?" She heard her sister's voice and her eyes widened considerably. She didn't
want her sister to catch her taking pity on herself because knowing Alexa Carbonel,
she'd probably castrate Nickolai for making her little sister cry. At ayokong
magkagulo silang lahat dahil sa akin. She thought.

"Ate? Teka lang po." She called. "Umiihi po ako!" She said as she flushed the
toilet before she pasted a smile on her face.

"Umiiyak ka?" Alexa asked as soon as she saw Lee Ann emerge from the bathroom.

"Hindi po. Makati kasi ilong ko kaya kinamot ko." She lied and felt guilty when
Alexa nodded her head. "Nasaan na ang listahan ng shortlisted applicants?" She
asked and Lee Ann walked towards Alexa's table to get the folder for her.

"Ito po." She said and Alexa smiled at her sister.

"Salamat talaga, Lee! I owe you one."

"Ate naman, may pa ganyan-ganyan pang nalalaman." She uttered. "Ay, Ate may tanong
po ako."

"Ano yun?" Alexa asked.

"Okay lang po ba akong makipag-date?" She asked blushing crazily that Alexa
couldn't help but laugh.

"Date? Dalaga ka na?" She teased and Lee Ann grinned. "May boyfriend ka na ba?"

"Wala pa po, nagtatanong lang."

"Oo naman, pwede kang makipag-date. Pwede ka ngang mag-asawa kung gusto mo. Ang sa
akin lang pumili kang mabuti, walang take two ang love."

"Wala pa nga, Ate. Nagtatanong lang ako tsaka minor ako, kahit naman gustuhin kong
mag-asawa di pa pwede."

"Kaya nga sinasabi kong pwede kasi di pa pwede." Alexa answered laughing again.
"Pero ipakilala mo sa akin ha kapag may nagugustuhan ka na. Magtatampo talaga si
Ate kapag hindi mo pinakilala sa kanya."

"Opo. Ipapakilala ko po. Ikaw pa, Ate." Lee Ann uttered smiling and Alexa walked
towards her younger sister to give her a hug.

"Buti naman okay ka na. I was worried because you've been really quiet these past
few weeks. Get over him, Lee. I was okay even when he did not return your
affections but when he started making you cry, hindi ako okay dun."

"I'm in the process, Ate. I'll get over him." She declared and Alexa smiled
tenderly at her.
"Good." She said. "O sige na, at nasa conference room na daw si Dad kaya
magsisimula na ang meeting." She added as she read a message from her phone.
"Mauuna ka na ba sa bahay?"

"Opo."

"Sige, mag-ingat ka. I love you."

"I love you too." Lee Ann replied as she kissed her sister's cheek. She stared at
the door and sighed as she prepared to leave. She heard her phone ring and she
picked it up and frowned at the name reflected on the screen. "Hi, Nicko." She
said.

"Hi, Lee." Nicholas answered. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the office. Bakit?"

"I have a favor to ask. Yung Tito ko kasi is a director and the model who's
supposed to do a commercial for him begged off kasi may sakit daw. He needs someone
ASAP and he asked me for help. Ikaw agad ang pumasok sa isip ko."

"Hindi ako model." She replied laughing as she picked her bag up from couch. "Wag
ako at baka mapahiya ka lang."

"Sige na, Lee. Ikaw kaya pinakamatangkad kong kakilala. I really need your help.
May talent fee naman to, I know you don't need the money but your efforts won't be
wasted."

"Napaka-comedian mo, Nicko." She said as she let herself out of her sister's
office.

"Sige na, Lee please. Nasa commercial din ako. It's actually my first time at
kabado ako. It would really help kung kilala ko ang ka-partner ko."

"Hindi nga ako model, ano ba yun. Besides, wala akong talent sa ganyan."

"Lee, naman."

"Ang kulit mo, Nicko!" She exclaimed and heard him sigh.

"Tito, hindi daw po sya pwede eh. Pasensya na po. Okay po." She heard him say.

"Can someone call Precious Abueva para itanong kung kelan sya pwede?" A man's
shrill voice sounded on the background and Lee Ann arched her brow. Precious
Abueva? Nickolai's girlfriend? She thought.

"Hello, Lee. Pasensya na't naabala pa kita. I was just trying to help my uncle,
nakulit kita tuloy. Sorry ulit ha, Miss Lee Ann Carbonel?"

"Okay lang. Pasensya na rin at nasigawan kita."

"All's forgiven and forgotten, ikaw pa ang lakas mo sa akin."

"Okay, bye Nicko."

"Did you say Lee Ann Carbonel?" Someone asked.

"Opo." Lee Ann heard Nicko reply.

"Let me talk to her!" She heard the voice demand and she frowned.

"Wait, Lee are you still there?"

"Yes." She replied. "Bakit?"

"Is it alright if my Tito talks to you?"

"Ha? Bakit daw?"

"Hindi ko alam." Nicholas answered.

"Hello, is this Lee Ann Carbonel?" A voice sounded.

"Opo. This is Lee Ann Carbonel."

"Oh my God!" The voice squealed and Lee Ann winced. Bakla ang Tito ni Nicko? She
thought. "Alam mo bang kilala ko ang Mommy mo? Madam Francoisca Lemercier Carbonel
was the epitome of beauty and grace! I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry!"
He chanted. "Get me bottled water, please!" He said. "I'm so sorry, iha. It's just
that I know your Mom and she was the very first face of this product in the
Philippines." He sobbed and Lee Ann sighed.

"Salamat po for remembering my Mom. I don't remember her much because I was very
young when she passed away."

"That's sad." The director said, "If you want I have videos and photos of her, do
you want to see them?" He asked and Lee Ann couldn't keep the excitement off her
voice.

"Talaga po?" She asked.

"Oo naman. Nasa set kami ngayon, gusto mo bang pumunta? I'll ask my P.A. to get the
album and files for me."

"Okay po, saan po ba kayo?" She asked and he gave her the address.

"But be quick, darling. Di kasi tuloy ang shooting ko ng commercial so we are

already packing up."

"Ay, ganun po."

"Oo. Yung model kasi di sumipot. Napaka-bratinella talaga ng model na yun akala mo
kung sinong sikat." He said. "Anyway, I'll wait for you, darling. Gusto kitang
makita, sabi kasi ng pamangkin ko napakaganda mo raw. It would have been an honor
to have you do the commercial your mother first did. Pero okay lang kung ayaw mong
pumayag. Kung papayag ka sana, I'll give you a copy of all the files that I have
about your mother--"

"Okay, you got me. I'll do it." Lee Ann replied and heard the director laugh.

"I knew you would." He said.

####################################
Chapter 4
####################################

Lee Ann arrived at the location after 20 minutes and Nicko's uncle greeted her in
his flowery frock. He was tall and handsome just like his nephew and he encircled
Lee Ann in his embrace as soon as he saw her.

"Mademoiselle Carbonel." He said, his voice raw with emotion. "You have your
mother's eyes, figure and height. Parang nakikita ko sya sayo. Oh, I feel sad
again." He said as he wiped his eyes with a lacy, white handkerchief. "Alam mo bang
she was the one who gave me a break? Assistant lang ako nun but she must have seen
something in me because she introduced me to a lot of people and even trusted me
enough to direct this product's first-ever commercial."

"Ganun po ba?" Lee Ann said for lack of anything to say. She somehow felt cheated.
Buti pa sila nagkaroon ng time na makasama si Mommy ng matagal.

"You look like your sister Lia." He remarked.

"Magkakamukha po kaming magkakapatid. Kahit po si Ate Alexa." Lee Ann replied and
Nicko's uncle smiled.

"Malakas ang dugo ni Atty. Carbonel. Late condolences for your father's passing."

"Salamat po."

"You can call me Tito June, actually and tunay kong pangalan ay Juanito de Jesus
the fifth pero ang sagwa, di ba kaya June na lang." He said ushering the girl to
sit on one of the couches.

"Okay po, Tito June. Si Nicko po pala?"

"Ayun binibihisan. May contract tayo ha, Lee Ann. Is it alright if I call you Lee
Ann?"

"Oo naman po. Wait, a contract? I need my sister to review the contract first.
Tsaka minor po ako kaya I cannot yet sign legal documents."

"Alam ko. Give me her email and I'll email it to her. Kakausapin ko na rin sya."

"Ako po munang kakausap sa kanya. I can give you the email of our corporate office,
pakilagay na lang po sa attention yung full name ni Ate. Here, let me write it down
for you." She said as she took a piece of paper from her bag and wrote Atty. Lianna
Alexa Carbonel-Sandoval on it. "Excuse me po, let me talk to my sister first." She
said before she stood up to dial her sister's number. She answered on the second
ring.

"Hi, Lee!"

"Ate, may ii-email po sa inyo na contract, may gagawin po kasi akong commercial."
Lee Ann offhandedly said and winced when she heard a crash.
"Sorry, nahulog yung phone." Alexa mumbled after a few seconds. "Commercial? Hindi
ba magdo-doktor ka?"

"Opo."

"Eh ano tong contract para sa isang commercial?" Alexa asked and Lee Ann couldn't
help but smile. Si Ate talaga.

"Bakit, Ate ayaw nyo po bang magkaroon ng kapatid na model?" She joked and heard a
sigh.

"Kahit gusto mong maging taong-grasa ay okay lang. Mamahalin pa rin kita at
yayakapin pa rin kita ng mahigpit basta ba nakaligo ka na." Her sister replied and
they both laughed. "Pero, I want you to tell me honestly bakit bigla kang naging
commercial model. Ano yun, bumaba ka lang ng opisina tapos pagsakay mo sa sasakyan
naisip mo na gusto mong rumampa?"

"Kasi Ate, itong product na to si Mommy ko po ang unang model. Kaya po ano..." She
trailed off suddenly unsure of what to say.

"Okay." Alexa replied. "Basta ayokong may frontal or posterior nudity. Ayoko rin ng
may halikan, ayokong nagpapakita ka ng boobs o kung anu-anong anong kalaswaan.
Pakisabi dyan sa kung sino mang kausap mo na hintayin ako. I will just read the
contract at pupunta ako kung nasaan ka because I want to be there, mamaya i-exploit
ka nila."

"Ate, Tito po sya ni Nicko."

"Ay, kahit si Tito Boy Abunda pa yan ay wala akong pakialam. Send me the address."

"Okay po." Lee Ann answered. She was relieved that her sister will be there and she
was pleased that Alexa would actually take time out of her busy schedule just to
ensure that she's in good hands.

"Anong sabi ng kapatid mo?" Nicko's uncle asked as soon as she pocketed her phone.

"Pupunta daw po sya dito para makausap po kayo." Lee Ann said.

"Good." He replied smiling as the door opened and Nicko stepped in.

"Hi, Lee! Buti pumayag ka, sobra akong kinakabahan, ang sabi kasi nila mataray daw
yung Precious. Buti na lang di sya dumating." He uttered chuckling. Mataray talaga
yun pero wag syang magkakamaling tarayan ako ulit at hindi lang sampal mararanasan
nya sa akin, suntok at tadyak na. She thought as they waited for her sister. Alexa
arrived after thirty minutes and she was all business.

"I will act as her manager kasi biglaan naman ito so she obviously doesn't have an
agency. I don't like numbers 3.1 and 7.2 kasi this is not something that she'll do
for a long time unless gusto nya. Gusto kong per-commercial basis ang kontrata kasi
ayokong matali ang kapatid ko, I don't want her to feel obliged." She finished
before she looked at Nicko and smiled. "Hi, Nicko." She greeted before she turned
to look at Nicko's uncle. "You don't have to worry about the changes because I have
created a new contract that we both can sigh." She added as she took a folder out
of the bag she was carrying and handed it out to him.

"Carbonel ka nga." Tito June said laughing. "Naalala ko ang Daddy mo when I first
talked to him, he represented Lee Ann's mom too. The same brisk tone, the same no-
nonsense manner and nearly the same manner of speaking. That's the highest
compliment I could give you."

"Thank you." Alexa replied sincerely. Tito June went over the contract before he
affixed his signature and handed Alexa all of the copies. "I'll ask our messenger
to bring your notarized copy to you. Ito yung office address nyo di ba?" She asked
pointing at the address indicated on the contract.

"Yes." He replied pleasantly. "O tara na, nang maayusan na si Lee Ann." He said as
he stood up and Alexa stood up too to follow her sister.

"Ate, salamat." The younger girl whispered and Alexa draped an arm around her.

"Anytime." She replied.

Nickolai was in a middle of a meeting with Alexander and Dustin when his phone
rang. He excused himself and stood up to take the phone call.

"Precious." He said over the phone.

"Nick! Fire this receptionist who won't let me go up to see you! Baguhan ba to?!
Hindi ba nya alam na girlfriend mo ako?!" Precious shrieked and Nickolai moved his
phone away from his ear.

"She's just following orders. Sabi ko nasa isang importanteng meeting ako kaya
hindi ako tatanggap ng bisita." He replied coolly.

"Bisita?! Ibang tao ba ako?! I am your fiancée, Nick!" He heard her angrily say and
he sighed.

"Precious, I haven't proposed yet." He uttered.

"So, you have no plans of proposing?!"

"Precious--"

"I'm going up! Tell these morons na wag nila akong haharangan or else--"

"Fine, umakyat ka." Nick tiredly answered. "Let's end this call, tatawagan ko ang
reception." He muttered expelling a heavy breath. He went back inside the
conference room and Alexander looked inquiringly at him.

"Sino yun, Nick?" He asked. "Bakit nag-iba yata timpla ng mukha mo?"

"Ano nga ba ang local ng reception?" Nickolai questioned as he picked up the phone
from the conference room's table.

"401." Dustin answered. "Si Precious yata." He mouthed at Alexander who nodded his
head.

"Regine. Hi. Wait, are you crying?" He asked and Dustin and Alexander looked at
each other. "Sorry about that, Regine. I will talk to her. Oo paakyatin nyo na sya
sa office." He said over the phone before putting it down. "I'm going back to my
office." He said before he left. Precious arrived knocking angrily on his door and
he pressed a button to unlock it.

"You better fire that bitch or else--"

"Or else what?" He asked. "My God, Precious kailangan mo bang ipahiya yung tao?
Kailangan mo bang isaboy sa mukha nya ang kapeng dala mo?"

"Naiinis ako eh! May magagawa ba sya?!"

"Wala kang karapatang mamahiya o mambastos ng tao!" Nickolai snapped before he

expelled a heavy breath as he tried to control his temper. "What do you want?" He
asked.

"Nick..." Precious whined as she walked towards him to wrap her arms around his
waist. "Why are you like this? Alam mo bang kinancel ko pa ang shooting ko ng isang
commercial just to be with you because I missed you?" She asked as she tiptoed to
rain kisses down his jaw.

"Why did you cancel it? That's another breach of contract." He stated and she
smiled.

"Why would I be scared eh nandyan ka naman? Besides, we can always sue the
producers, director and even the model who'll be asked to replace me. Tsaka, sa
tingin mo meron silang makukuhang ipapalit sa akin?"

"Precious, what do you mean by we can sue them. Wag mo akong isasali dyan sa mga
pinaggagawa mo. I don't want our law firm to be dragged into your affairs."

"Nick naman, don't tell me mas mahal mo tong law firm ninyo kesa akin?" She asked
as she batted her eyes at him and felt angry when he did not reply.

"Kung wala kang importanteng kailangan, I was in the middle of a very important
meeting when you called--"

"Puro ka na lang meeting!" She hissed as she leaned away from him. "Wala ka nang
time para sa akin! Para sa atin!"

"Precious--"

"God, Nick! Wala na ba akong halaga sayo? I went out of my way para dalawin ka! May
hindi ako sinipot na shooting para lang makasama ka! Tapos ganito lang? Ganito na
lang tayo parati? I make time for you yet you can't do the same for me?!"

"You know I'm busy!" He snapped and sighed. "Babawi ako, okay? Busy lang talaga ako
ngayon." He uttered.

"Kelan ka ba hindi naging busy?"

"Precious, when we agreed to exclusively date ay alam natin ang limitations ng

isa't isa. I am a lawyer and I have this company to look after; hindi ako isang
empleyado lang na pwedeng lumabas o mag-leave kung kelan nya gusto."

"Para saan ba yung kapatid mo at kailangang ikaw ang gumawa lahat?!"

"Do not drag Alex into this issue dahil hindi mo magugustuhan ang maririnig mo mula
sa akin pag sya dinamay mo!"
"Nick--"

"Kailangan ko nang bumalik sa meeting. Ingat ka sa pag-uwi mo." He said before he

dipped his head to kiss her on the forehead.

"Okay." She murmured. "Pupunta na lang ako sa shooting ko ng commercial. I'll see
you this Saturday?" She asked and he didn't reply. "Don't tell me may gagawin ka
kahit Sabado?" She inquired, her voice filled with hurt.

"I'll call you on Friday kung pwede ako." He dismissively said as he opened his
door for her. She looked at his face before she sighed and stepped out of his
office. "And Precious..."

"Yes?" She asked as she turned to smile at him thinking that he changed his mind
about attending the meeting.

"Do not mess with any of our employees again. They are under Alexa's direct
supervision and she will have your head if she hears about what happened. And even
I, will not be able to stop her." He said before he nodded his head at her. "Ingat
sa pagda-drive." He added before he turned to leave. She stared in shock at his
retreating back before she walked back to the elevator. When she reached the
basement parking she quickly got inside her car and drove to the location of their
shooting.

"Pakialam ko ba kay Alexa o dun sa batang malanding kapatid nya? Bwisit sila!" She
murmured to herself as she drove unaware that the subjects of her ire were busy as
Lee Ann sat still while make-up artists were getting her prepared.

"Ang ganda ng cheek bones mo." One remarked and she smiled.

"Salamat po." She answered as a phone sounded.

"Lee, nandito na si Ate Lia. Naku, tinawagan ko kasi wala akong alam sa pagmomodel
na yan, at least sya makatulong man lang sayo." Alexa quipped and Lee Ann laughed.

"Full force?" She asked as Alexa laughed too.

"Ganito kami ka-supportive." She answered as Lia Carbonel walked inside the room.

"Oh my God, si baby sister ay magmomodel!" She said as she and Alexa kissed each
other's cheek. "Bakit parang nananaba ka? Don't tell me buntis ka na naman!"

"Ate naman! Hindi no! Hiyang lang sa pag-aasawa."

"My God, ha ginagawa ka nang manok nyan ni Alexander na maya't maya ay

nagingitlog!" She tactlessly muttered and Alexa laughed.

"Hindi ko na tatanungin kung sino ang kasama mo kasi feeling ko kilala ko. Where is
he?"

"May pinuntahan at hinatid lang ako dito." Lia replied.

"Ate Lia, turuan mo akong mag-project." Lee Ann said and Lia started strutting in
front of them.

"Hay naku, madali lang para ka lang nagtataray sa madla." She said. "Maldita ka rin
naman, kaya mo na yun. You have to think that you're fierce and confident. Tsaka
natural na yun sa atin, ano kung di ba naman lahat tayo produkto ng model at
artista." She said and Alexa laughed.
"Oo, Lee kayang-kaya mo yan."

"Parang ang hirap naman." Lee Ann mumbled as they heard someone scream.

"Where is June?! You cannot replace me! I am this product's model and you cannot
just kick me out!"

"Ms. Abueva, teka lang po. Bawal po kayong pumasok dyan."

"Putang-ina umalis ka sa harap ko kundi sasampalin kita! June! Nasaan kang bakla
ka?! JUNE! Sino ang model na pinalit nyo sa akin?! SINO?!" Precious screamed as she
yanked the door open. The three Carbonels turned to look at her and she stopped on
her tracks.

"Yes?" Alexa asked, her brow arched, as Precious gripped the doorknob tightly.

"May problema ka sa kapatid ko?" Lia questioned as she straightened to her full
height. "Sabihin mo lang, kasi di ako nakapag-yoga kanina kaya stressed ako at
kailangan kong maglabas ng pent-up energy." She said as she flexed her hand.

"Ako rin eh, parang gusto kong manampal kasi gusto kong mag-ubos ng pera.Pwede ko
bang sirain yang mukha mo tutal afford ko namang bayaran ka?" Alexa casually asked
and Precious hastily turned to leave.

"Girlfriend ni Nick yun di ba?" Lia questioned and Alexa nodded her head. "Alam
kong tanga yung lalaking yun pero pinatulan nya si Precious Abueva? She's a gold-
digger! Ang bobo ni Nick!"

"Ate, dahan-dahan sa pagtawag kay Nick ng bobo, may nasasaktan." Alexa joked as Lee
Ann blushed.

"Alam kong type nya si Nick, naglalaway kaya yan dun." Lia replied as she and Alexa
laughed.

"Nakamove-on na ako, mga Ate." She murmured and her sisters laughed harder.

"Ang pagmo-move-on hindi sinasabi, kundi ginagawa!" Lia exclaimed as someone

knocked on the door.

"Pasok." Alexa said and Nicko opened the door and stopped.

"Ay, good afternoon po." He said as he bowed his head politely at them. "Lee, ready
ka na?" He asked and Lee Ann nodded. The four of them left the room as Lia and
Alexa trailed behind the teenagers.

"Mas bet ko to." Lia whispered and Alexa nodded her head. "Kung ganito kagwapo si
move-on ay ora-orada magmu-move on na ako. As in agad-agad."

"Tama." Alexa whispered back. "Pero ang puso, alam mo naman minsan may pagka-
tanga."

"Akong bahala." Lia said.

"Anong gagawin mo, Ate?"

"Maghanda ka ng buhay na manok at isang sako ng dahon ng pito-pito, ipapa-albularyo

ko si Lee Ann." She retorted and they stopped walking as they stared at each other
and burst out laughing.
####################################
Chapter 5
####################################

It was the Saturday after her commercial shoot and Lee Ann was lounging near the
pool waiting for Nicko. They were partners for a project and as agreed ay pupunta
si Nicko sa bahay nila para sa book report na kanilang gagawin. The young girl re-
read the summary of the book she prepared glancing at her watch to check the time.

"Late yata si Nicko." She mumbled to herself. Dapat alas tres pupunta sa bahay nila
ang binata pero he's usually thirty minutes early so she was surprised when he
still hasn't arrived.

"Miss Lee Ann, nandito po si Sir Nick--"

"About time!" Lee Ann exclaimed as she prepared to stand up. "Saan ka ba galing at
ang tagal-tagal mo? Alam mo bang kanina pa kita hinihin--" She said and stopped
talking.

"Good afternoon, Lee." Nickolai said, his heart breaking a little when he saw the
smile vanish from her lips.

"Kuya Nick." She said recovering quickly. "Good afternoon po." She greeted politely
as she pasted a smile on her face. She tried to appear unaffected even as her heart
fluttered crazily at how dashing he looked. He was wearing a plain white shirt,
khaki cargo shorts and a pair of dark brown loafers and he looked ten years
younger. Tama na, wala ka talagang pag-asa dyan. She reminded herself as she tried
not to look too bitter. Ang ampalaya kinakain, Lee Ann at hindi sinasabuhay. She
thought grimly.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Nickolai asked trying to keep the disappointment
off his voice as he closely watched Lee Ann's reaction. For days, he thought of
ways para makausap ang dalaga pero dinaig pa nito ang social schedule nya kasi
every time na tumatawag sya sa mansyon ng mga Carbonel ay parati itong wala. He had
a feeling that she changed her phone number too kasi hindi na nya to matawagan at
lalong hindi ito nagrereply sa mga text messages nya.

"Actually, yes." The young girl answered. "Akala ko po kayo na po yung hinihintay
ko, hindi pa po pala." She said and Nickolai felt his heart painfully squeezed. Iba
ang dating sa kanya ng sinabi ng dalagita kahit na alam naman nya na ang tinutukoy
nito ay ibang bagay.
"Sorry to disappoint." He apologized as he smiled.

"Ano po ang kailangan nyo, Kuya?" She inquired noticing the bouquet of flowers that
he was holding. His eyes followed her gaze and he cleared his throat.

"Para sayo pala." He said and he nearly lost his nerve when she just stared at him.

"Para po sa akin?" She asked doubtfully and arched her brow as he held out the
flowers towards her. She must have realized that her brow was raised and she
immediately smiled, although it lacked warmth and didn't even reach her eyes.

"Oo." He mumbled feeling like an unsure teenager. He cleared his throat again and
she moved forward to take the bouquet from him.

"Salamat po, Kuya." She said. "May kailangan po ba kayo?" She asked and he nearly
blushed. For days, he was consumed with the burning desire to talk to her. Gusto
nyang magkaayos silang dalawa. Hindi sya sanay na hindi sya pinapansin ng teenager.
Gusto nyang mag-sorry kasi alam nyang may kasalanan sya dito at higit sa lahat
gusto nya itong makita at makausap. Pero sa dinadami ng gusto nyang gawin, lahat
yung naglaho sa tanong na may kailangan po ba kayo? It sounded so impersonal, it
sounded so unwelcoming and it tore his heart.

"Ah, wala. Napadaan lang." He muttered with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Ah. Okay." She answered. "Gusto po ba ninyo ng juice, coffee, water or anything?"
She asked and he shook his head.

"Wala. Kumain na ako." He said as he rocked on his heel. Hindi nya alam kung bakit
sya ninenerbyos pero grabe ang kaba ng dibdib nya, dinaig pa nya ang pakiramdam ng
magpa-final interview para makapasok sa U.P. College of Law.

"San po ba kayo galing?" Lee Ann asked because the silence was becoming unbearable.

"Dyan lang." He said.

"Okay." She answered, training her gaze on the brick path leading to back of the
house.

"Sino pala ang hinihintay mo?" He asked and she looked up to smile at him.

"Yung classmate ko po, may gagawin po kasi kaming project." She retorted and he
nodded his head. The silence stretched like a tight coil around them and they both
felt uncomfortable. It was Nick who broke the silence as he addressed the young
girl once again.

"Nangongolekta ka pa ba ng figurines ng elephants?" He asked averting his gaze when

she looked at him. He was about to take the small glass figurine out of his pocket
when she spoke.

"Hindi na po, Kuya eh. I've outgrown that phase." She replied and he put the small
figurine inside his pocket again. He smiled to hide the pain he felt.

I've outgrown that phase.

He heard her voice again in his head. Para syang dinibdiban. It was him who gave
her the very first elephant figurine when she was five. Naalala nyang pasalubong
nya ito kay Lee Ann when he went to Thailand for a debate tournament. He had missed
her like crazy -- isang bata na sobrang kulit na wala nang bukambibig kundi Kuya
Nick; isang bata na sobrang sweet na naghihintay sa may hagdanan ng mansyon nila
araw-araw para sa kanya; isang batang hindi nakakatulog sa hapon kapag hindi nya
tinatabihan; isang batang umiiyak at nagseselos kapag may kasama syang ibang babae;
isang bata na sa sobrang ayaw nyang nakikitang umiyak ay hindi sya nagka-girlfriend
kahit na tumuntong na sya ng kolehiyo; isang bata na ngayon ay dalaga na at di na
sya kailangan.

"Okay." He said as he looked at his shoes. "Sige pala, tutuloy na ako." He uttered
and she nodded her head.

"Salamat po ulit dito sa mga bulaklak na dala mo, Kuya." She uttered and he was
about to say something when one of the house helps appeared.

"Miss Lee Ann, nandyan na po yung classmate ninyo." He heard the old woman say.
"Good afternoon po pala, Sir Nick." She greeted and he smiled.

"Good afternoon din po." He greeted back.

"Kuya, hindi ko na po kayo ihahatid palabas ha. Nandyan na po kasi yung hinihintay
ko. Sige po, bye!" She said waving at him as she ran off leaving the flowers that
took him nearly two hours to choose lying on the table. He could hear her excited
squeals as he left the house unnoticed. Dalaga ka na nga. Dalaga ka na at hindi mo
na ako kailangan. He murmured to himself as he got into his car and drove off.

Lee Ann excitedly waited as Nicko took his laptop out of his backpack. The young
man couldn't help but smile as she watched his every move.

"Ano ka ba, bilisan mo!" She said and he laughed. "Ang bagal mo eh, kukunin mo na
nga lang sa bag mo yung laptop mo dami-dami mo pang seremonyas."

"Teka lang, nandito na nga. Napakareklamamador mo, Di susi talaga itong bag ko kasi
magko-commute ako pauwi. Hindi kasi ako masusundo at may lakad sina Nanay at
Tatay." He replied. "Ito na, nailabas ko na sa bag ko, kamahalan itu-turn on ko
muna." He kidded and she pinched his arm. "Aray. Ang kulit mo." He laughingly said
as he turned his laptop on. "Excited masyado, akala ko ba ayaw mong maging model
pero ikaw tong di mapakali." He teased.

"Eh ba't ka ba? Syempre ayokong hindi maganda ang kalalabasan!" She reasoned as he
laughed again. "Wag kang mag-alala, ipapahatid kita sa driver namin para di mo na
kailangang mag-commute."

"Wag na, nakakahiya naman. Marunong akong mag-commute. In fact, buong pamilya ko ay
marunong mag-commute."

"Naku, ipapahatid na kita kasi mamaya mapano ka pa sa daan. At least I won't be

worried kapag hinatid ka ng driver." She added and he couldn't help but smile.

"Nagsisimula ka na yatang magkagusto sa akin, Mrs. De Jesus."

"Ang feeling mo, Nicko!" She exclaimed and he laughed hard.

"Pinakiusap ko lang to kay Tito ha, dapat tayo lang makakapanuod nito. Hindi pwede
kahit yung mga Ate mo or else lagot ako."

"Oo nga!" She said as he clicked on a file and her eyes never left the laptop's
screen as she watched numbers appeared and disappeared for a countdown.

"Hoy, kumurap ka!" He said putting a hand in front of her face, which she slapped
away.

"Ano ba, wag kang magulo!" She exclaimed as the screen flickered. "Ayan na." She
excitedly whispered. "Aw, ang ganda ko." She muttered to herself. "Hala grabe ang
ganda ko dyan!"

"Maganda ka naman talaga." He murmured as he stared at her face.

"Kaya tayo magkaibigan eh, ang galing mo
watched herself smile beguilingly on the
one else knew. "Ang galing ni Tito June,
look at it now para tayong nasa garden."
her.
kasing mambola." She laughing said as she
screen as if she knew of a secret that no
hindi ba green lang ang paligid nyan? Pero
She gushed and he beamed affectionately at

"Yan ang nagagawa ng teknolohiya." He muttered. Her eyes widened, however, when the
last frame flashed.

"Hala, bakit parang totoo tayong nagki-kiss?" She asked. Ang layo kaya ng labi
natin sa isa't isa dyan!" She complained.

"Dahil sa lighting at angle." He told her. Yan nga bago kong profile picture sa
Facebook." He spoke and she turned her head to look at her.

"Yang part na yan mismo?!" She asked and he laughed.

"Oo. Bakit? I took a screenshot of it. Ang gwapo ko kaya dyan."

"Palitan mo!" She whined. "Para tayong naghahalikan eh!"

"Grabe naman, walang pakialamanan ng profile pic, mag-boyfriend ba tayo at meron

kang karapatang sabihin sa akin kung ano dapat ang profile pic ko?" He joked and
she took one of the throw pillows and hit his head with it.

"Loko ka, Nicko! Puro ka kalokohan!" She muttered as he cracked up.

"Pag ako sinagot mo, kahit papapalitan mo ng picture ng unggoy yung profile pic ko
gagawin ko para sayo."

"Para-paraan, de Jesus." Lee Ann retorted. "Halika na nga at gawin na natin yung
project. Gumawa na ako ng summary nung librong pinapa-review sa atin. Ang kailangan
ko na lang ay input mo. Mamaya magkasalungat tayo ng opinyon." She spoke as she
gave him a folder.

"Ang kapal naman nito summary na to, babasahin ko to lahat?"

"Pwede mo ring kainin kung gusto mo." She answered grinning.

"Parati mo na lang akong binu-bully." He complained as he started reading the files

she gave him. "Ikaw din, kaka-bully mo sa akin baka madevelop ka nyan." He
announced without looking at her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Ayoko na sa mga lalaki. Puro kayo sakit sa ulo at perwisyo sa puso." She declared
and he put the files that he was browsing down.

"Iba ako, hindi kita sasaktan."

"I'm sure." She sarcastically replied. "Pwede ba, Nicko. Ayoko ngang mag-
boyfriend."

"May crush ka lang na iba eh." He said, his tone accusing and she looked at him.

"Seloso mo naman, ayoko pa naman sa mga lalaking seloso." She ribbed and his
shoulders drooped.

"Hindi sa ayaw mo sa lalaking seloso, ayaw mo lang talaga sa akin." He murmured as

he took his book from his bag. "Sige na nga, gawin na natin yung project."

"Nicko, ang drama mo."

"Ikaw kasi eh, kung saktan mo ako ganun-ganun na lang." He uttered and she laughed.

"Baliw! Punung-puno ka talaga ng kalokohan!"

"Alam ko namang lokohan lang to para sayo, Lee. Pero sa akin, iba to. But I'm not
going to force you to acknowledge my feelings. It is enough that you know about
what and how I feel towards you." He sadly articulated before he smiled at her.
"Anyway, I am sure you don't know how it feels and you don't understand why I feel
the way I do so just ignore what I said." He finished as he patted her hand that
was lying on top of the center table. They were hunkered down on the floor and he
moved to find a comfortable position. He was surprised when suddenly embraced him
and it took a few seconds before he was able to react. "Lee?"

"I know how it feels. I carried the pain for more than half of my life." She
whispered and slowly his arms wrapped around her.

"He'll love you back." He sighed against her hair. "And when he's stupid not to,
I'll be just here waiting."

####################################
Chapter 6
####################################

####################################
Chapter 7
####################################

Saturday and Lee Ann was excited. She used to think na ayaw nya yung mundong
ginalawan ng Mommy nya because she's too shy, she couldn't stand crowds and she
hates being asked questions but when her commercial came out and her's and Nicko's
popularity rose, she couldn't help but be pleased with herself.

"Miss Lee Ann, nandyan na po ang mga classmates ninyo." One of their house helps
said and Lee Ann smiled at her. "Nasa blue room po sila."

"Salamat po, bababa na po ako. Wala pa po ba sina Ate?"

"Wala pa po."

"Sige po, salamat ulit." She said. She was wearing a simple blouse and a pair of
hip-hugging denim pants. She tied her hair by the nape and didn't bother wearing
make-up as she ran down the stairs to meet her guests.

"Nicko!" She called as soon as she opened the door to the blue room.

"Nandito na ang model." Nicko kidded as he watched Lee Ann run up to them. Ang
ganda mo talaga. He thought. Wala ka man lang kakolo-kolorete sa mukha pero ang
ganda-ganda mo. He murmured to himself as she beamed at him.

"Loko, model ka dyan!" She replied laughing. "Hello, guys!" She greeted their other
classmates.

"Lee, magsabi ka nga ng totoo, kayo na ba ni Nicko?"

"Matagal na naming alam na gusto ka ni Nicko, sinagot mo na ba sya?"

"Was that kiss real?"

"Are you, guys officially a couple?"

"Nicko, isn't confirming or denying anything kaya umamin ka na Lee!" They asked and
the teenagers looked at each other and laughed.

"Wag nyo kaya kaming gawan ng issue." Lee Ann uttered.

"Oo nga, hindi pa ako sinasagot nito mamaya hindi na ako sagutin sa kakulitan nyo."
Nicko replied half-jokingly and Lee Ann hit his arm.

"Ano ba! Loko-loko ka talaga!" She remarked laughing harder. He draped an arm on
her shoulder but she didn't even notice dahil masyado na syang komportable sa
kaibigan nya. "Si Tito June pala?" She directed the question at him.

"Hindi makakapunta, may shooting kasi pero sabi nya ililibre nya daw tayo next
weekend."

"Ganun ba? Sayang naman." She replied.

"Ako na muna representative ng buong angkan namin." Nicko uttered. "Isasama kita sa
bahay bukas, sabi nina Tatay gusto ka daw nilang makilala. Binibida ka kasi ni Tito
June sa pamilya."

"Nakakahiya namang pumunta sa inyo."

"Parati nga ako dito tapos ikaw hindi pupunta sa amin? Magtatampo na ako nyan." He
stated and she smiled.

"O sige na, sasama ako bukas." She answered.

"Nicko, baka mangailangan pa ng model yung Tito mo i-recommend mo naman kami."

Trisha, one of their classmates, said and the conversation started to revolve
around commercials and modeling. Someone knocked and Lee Ann turned her head
towards the door.

"Lee, nandyan na sina Alexa." Manong Edgardo said and Lee Ann excitedly stood up.

"Salamat po, Tatay! Mga kaklase ko po pala."

"Good afternoon po, Tatay." Nicko greeted the old man who smiled at him.

"Good afternoon po." Their other classmates chorused.

"Good afternoon. Iwanan ko muna kayo dyan at sumakit na naman ang rayuma ko." The
old man said and Lee Ann's eyes immediately filled with concern.

"Gusto nyo po dalhin ko po kayo sa doctor?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Hindi na. Ganito talaga pag tumatanda na, nahihirapan na kahit sa pagbangon.
Nagkausap na kami ng mga Ate mo at hinihintay ka na nila sa labas."

"Tara, Tatay sabay na po tayong lumabas." Lee Ann answered as she followed Edgardo
out of the room.

"Nasaan na si Lee Ann?" She heard Lia ask. Her eldest sister was facing the other
way and Lee Ann put a finger against her lips when Alexa was about to say
something.

"Baka nagre-retouch, alam mo na dalaga." Alexa kidded as she winked conspiringly at

Lee Ann.

"Ate!" The teenager yelled excitedly and Lia shrieked.

"Ay! Puke ng kabayo!" She said much to the amusement of her two sisters. "Ano ka
bang bata ka!" She scolded gently as she wrapped her arms around the younger girl.
"Wag mo akong gugulatin ng ganun kapag dinala ko yung prospect ko dito at baka
mahalata nyang pinipeke ko pagiging demure ko."

"Ate naman, bakit ba kailangan mong magkunyaring demure. Hindi ba mas maganda kung
tanggap ka nya kung ano ka?" Alexa asked and Lia rolled her eyes at her.

"Alexa, mas exciting yung nagkakagulatan kayo. Besides, keri lang yung
magkukunyaring demure paminsan-minsan tapos sya magkukunyaring gentleman pagkatapos
pag patay na ang ilaw nagbabastusan na kayo." She said and Alexa cracked up as Lee
Ann blushed. "Kaya ikaw wag kang sumama sa isang lalaki lalo na't ayaw mo syang
makabastusan kapag patay ang ilaw. Take it from me."

"Ate naman eh..."

"Anong Ate naman, maloko yang mga lalaki na yan
magtitiwala. Iilan lang ang nagpapauto kaya wag
She said pointing at Lee Ann's head. "Wag ito."
Ann's crotch. The three of them doubled over in
one to recover.
kaya wag kang basta-basta
ka ring magpauto. Gamitin mo to."
She added as she pointed at Lee
laughter and Alexa was the first
"Bata pa yan si Lee Ann, Ate masyado mo namang hina-harass."

"Walang bata-bata pagdating sa pag-ibig. Naalala ko na naman ang first love ko."

"Yung kapitbahay nyo dati, Ate?" Lee Ann asked.

"Oo, yung gagong ako ang nakadevirginize. Hay, such fond memories." She dreamily
said and Alexa laughed harder. "Gagong yun, nag-migrate na kasi sila sa Canada kaya
tapos ang maliligayang araw namin pero tinuruan namin ang isa't isa ng kahalayan.
Kahawig nga nya si move-on eh."

"Sinong move on?" Lee Ann inquired.

"Ano ka ba, si move on yung kapartner mo sa commercial. Kahawig nya, kaya

ininterview ko yung batang yun akala ko kamag-anak nya, hindi naman nya kilala."

"Oh my, so gwapo rin?" Lee Ann asked and Alexa and Lia looked at each other.

"Effective ang pitu-pito." Alexa said and Lia nodded her head.

"Korek, hindi na lang si Nickolai ang gwapo para sa bagets!"

"Ate naman eh!" Lee Ann protested.

"Ikaw ha, wag kang papauto masyado dun kay Nickolai. Diyos ko hindi na yun fresh,
mas masarap kapag fresh ang lalaki--"

"Ate! Ano ba!" Alexa objected laughing as Alexander, Nickolai and Dustin arrived.

"Love, sinukaan ni bunso si Nick." Alexander informed his wife, his voice filled
with amusement. "Japorms na japorms pa man din ang loko." He added before he
guffawed.

"Niloloko mo na naman yang kapatid mo." Alexa immediately said as she gave Nick and
apologetic smile. "Sorry, Nick."

"Okay lang, pamangkin ko to eh. Pero yang asawa mo naasar na ako." Nickolai uttered
as Alexa took her daughter from her brother-in-law's arm.

"Kailangan mong magbihis. Teka may mga damit si Alex sa kwarto ko, papahiram ko
sayo ang isa. Lee, akyat ka muna para ikaw na mag-abot kay Nick ng damit." Alexa
said and Lee Ann nodded her head as she followed her sister and brother-in-law up
the stairs.

"Anong oras ba magsisimula ang party mo, Lee?" Alex asked the teenage girl.

"Maya-maya po, Kuya kasi po hinihintay pa po yung cake. Kuya, tikman mo yung
spaghetti ha kasi ako po nagluto nun." She said grinning and Alex laughed.

"Oo naman, pero mamaya pa ang party? May time pa pala tayo, Love." He said winking
at his wife who frowned at him.

"Alex, umayos ka. Di ka na nahiya kay Lee Ann."

"Sanay na ako sa lambingan nyo, Ate. Take your time, ipapakatok ko kayo kapag
dumating na ang cake." Lee Ann replied as Alexander gave her a high-five after she
took the shirt Alexa handed.
"Kaya kita mahal, Lee!" Alex remarked earning a laugh from the teenager and a scowl
from Alexa.

"O, sige enjoy each other. Baba na ako." Lee Ann uttered before she stepped out of
the room.

"Dinadamay mo pa sa kahalayan mo ang bata!" She heard her older sister say before
she heard a laugh and a shriek. "Bastos ka talaga, Alex!"

"Di ka pa ba sanay? Aba, araw-araw, hapun-hapon at gabi-gabi kitang binabastos ah.

Kulang pa, Love?"

"Si Kuya Alex talaga." She murmured to herself shaking her head as she descended
the stairs. "Ate Lia, nasaan po sila bakit mag-isa ka dito?"

"Lumabas si Dustin at may tumawag." Lia answered. "Si Nick naman nasa isa sa mga
banyo nag-retouch." She added laughing.

"Dala ko po kasi yung shirt na pinapaabot ni Ate kay Kuya Nick."

"Puntahan mo na lang sa banyo." Lia said and exclaimed when her phone rang. "Ay, si
prospect number two!" She excitedly giggled. "Teka, Lee ha I need to take this
call."

"Okay po." Lee Ann replied. She left the room to go to the left-wing comfort room
to check if Nickolai was there. "Kuya Nick." She called as she knocked. "Kuya Nick
nandito po ba kayo?"

"Pasok." Nickolai answered and Lee Ann gingerly pushed the door open. She stopped
when she saw him shirtless. "Yan na ba yung shirt ni Alex?" Nickolai asked as Lee
Ann stared at him and blushed. "Lee?"

"Po?" She answered as her gaze left his chest. "Ano po yun?" She questioned
clutching the shirt tightly against her own chest, her throat suddenly going dry.

"Hand me the shirt." He instructed, amused.

"Ah, oo nga pala." She stammered. "Ito po, salamat po. Bye." She mumbled as she
hurriedly turned to leave.

"Lee!" He called and she stopped moving.

"Po?"

"Hindi kita na-congratulate ng maayos." He said but she didn't turn to look at him.
"Congratulations. You look amazing on television." He muttered as he watched her
back stiffen.

"Salamat po." She replied as her hand grabbed the door knob frantically.

"Did he kiss you?" He asked the question that burned inside his head for days.

"Ha?" She asked finally turning around to face him, her face filled with confusion.
She immediately lowered her gaze when she realized that he still hasn't put a shirt
on. "Sino po?" She inquired as he moved closer to her.

"Yung lalaki na kasama mo sa commercial." He stated plainly and her brows furrowed
as she trained her gaze on the tiled floor of the comfort room. "Did he kiss you?"
"Si Nicko?" She asked in surprise as she lifted her head and took a step back when
she realized that they were nearly toe-to-toe. The door prevented her from moving
further and she blinked at his nearness. "Bakit nyo po tinatanong, Kuya?" She
questioned as he tilted his head to the side looking at her. She felt her heart
drum like crazy inside her chest as she felt for the doorknob behind her. "Alis na
po ako, Kuya baka po kasi --" She spluttered and stopped breathing when he tilted
her face up using his finger.

"Did he kiss you?" He asked again and her eyes widened considerable when he moved
his face close to hers. "Sagutin mo ak--" He started to say and stopped when he
felt her warm mouth on his. He watched her eyes flutter close as their lips touched
and he groaned before he lifted her off the floor and made her sit on top of the
counter beside the sink. She gasped when his mouth opened over hers evoking a
thousand question in her head and a heap of emotions in her heart.

"Kuya--" She protested weakly as she grew weak-kneed.

"Shh..." He whispered as he cupped her face and claimed her lips while guiding her
arms around his neck. His tongue rubbed against her lower lips begging for entrance
and she was unsure what to do. Gently, his thumb and forefinger coaxed her chin
downward as he nibbled on her lower lip. As soon as her mouth opened, he took
possession of her tongue by drawing it out of her mouth using his own and sucking
it. Lee Ann moaned holding on to him tightly and froze when she felt his hand on
her breast. He felt her grow rigid in his arms and his hand stilled.

"Sorry." He said lifting his face an inch away from hers. They were both panting
and she moved to lean her forehead against his chin. "Shit, Lee sorry." He
repeated, his actions dawning on him. He had just molested a child and he felt
disgusted with himself. He tried to step away from her but she tightened her arms
around him. "Lee..." He whispered her name against her hair but she remained quiet.

"I still love you, Kuya." She whispered against the front of his shirt and he felt
his heart squeeze. "And I don't think I'll be able to stop." She added.

"I hope you'll never stop." He whispered back as his arms slowly wrap around her.
"Because I'll die if you'll fall for someone else."

####################################
Chapter 8
####################################

She heard the words and her heart automatically thumped fitfully inside her chest
as he kissed the top of her head. Pero may girlfriend to! The thought drifted
inside her mind and she slowly pushed him away from her.

"What's wrong?" He asked and she gave him a tentative smile.

"Tara na sa labas, Kuya." She said as she slid off the counter. "Hinihintay na nila
tayo dun." She uttered, her tone light and casual not betraying the storm of
emotions that was raging inside her.

"Lee Ann." He called as he grabbed her by the wrist. "Anong problema?"

"May girlfriend ka at yun ang problema. Gusto man kitang makasama pero hindi tama."
She said and he laughed softly.

"Matapos mo akong halikan, tsaka mo lang mari-realize na may girlfriend pala ako?"
He teasingly said and she lowered her gaze.

"Pasensya na po, that was a lapse on my part." She murmured and he laughed again
before he put his arms around her. Her eyes widened as she stared at his bare
chest. "Hala ka, Kuya teka po." She mumbled as she tried to push him away but he
tightened his embrace.

"Panagutan mo yung kiss mo sa akin, Lee. Galing mong magnakaw ah." He playfully
said and she blushed but raised her chin in defiance.

"As far as I know, ikaw ang nagnakaw ng innocence ko!" She uttered glaring at him.
"FYI, I didn't expect my first kiss to be inside the bathroom!"

"You kissed me first." He reminded her.

"You should have pushed me away since you're older and wisdom is supposed to come
with age."

"I kissed you back because wisdom comes with age." He replied and she huffed. "What
do you mean your first kiss? You haven't been kissed before that?"

"None of your business." She snapped as she tried to step away from him but he
pulled her back.

"Hindi nga?"

"Tara na nga, Kuya!"

"Kuya ka ng kuya kung maka-respond ka naman sa halik ko hindi pang-Kuya." He stated

and she arched her brow.

"Uy, first time mo? I'm flattered to be your first kiss." She retorted and he
laughed aloud. The sound making her heart beat more erratically.

"Tayo na." He suddenly said and she looked up at him in surprise.

"Ano?"

"Tayo na, wag mo akong tawaging Kuya." He repeated and stared unblinking at him.
"Did I just make your dream come true?" He ribbed grinning and she continued to
gawk at him.

"Anong tayo na?" She finally asked.

"I'm now your boyfriend." He declared and her jaw dropped.

"What?!"

"Tayo na. Kaya iwasan mo na yung Nicko na yun kasi anino pa lang ng lalaking yun
naasar na ako." He murmured.
"Hoy, Kuya okay ka lang? Oh crap, pinakulam ka ba ni Ate Lia? I thought it was a
joke! My God!"

"Ha?"

"Don't worry, Kuya kakausapin ko po sya to have the spell reversed!" She said
grasping his hand as she tried to reassure him. "May gusto ako sayo pero ayokong
maging tayo sa ganitong paraan!"

"Lee..."

"Di bale siguro pag natanggal yung kulam tingin ko makakalimutan mo to lahat--"

"Lee!"

"Po?"

"Anong kulam pinagsasabi mo?" He asked in confusion. "Sa tingin mo nakulam ako?"

"Opo, Kuya kaya po kayo nagkakaganyan." She said her eyes filled with pity. She
gasped in surprise when he pulled her face towards his for another thorough kiss.
"Kuya--" She started to say and he held her face with both his hands and kissed her
again, his tongue darting out to explore her mouth. She felt unsettled and she
pushed him away.

"Stop calling me Kuya for Pete's sake!" He whispered looking at her. They were both
panting and her eyes darted towards the doorknob. She made a move to pull the door
open and he smiled as he used his body to block her exit.

"Palabasin mo ako para matapos na yang kalokohan mo at maipagamot ka na!"

"Wala akong sakit, Lee." He stated, amused.

"Meron po or else what could have caused you to act like a total moron, Kuya?" She
remarked and shrieked in surprise when he wrapped his arms around her.

"Stop calling me Kuya, Lee Ann. Ilang halik pa ba ang gusto mo?" He asked huskily
before he opened his mouth over hers again.

"Kuya!" She protested and stopped when he again ravaged her mouth. "Nickolai!" She
yelled and he finally let her ago. She immediately stepped away from him as she
leaned against the bathroom counter, her breathing uneven.

"Kuya pa?" He asked grinning and she scowled at him.

"Ang pervert mo, this could be taken as sexual harassment!"

"Sexual harassment is like farting, Lee Ann. You know someone did it but it's
difficult to prove who. Besides, sa workplace lang may batas regarding sexual
harassment sa Pilipinas."

"Oo na, abogado ka na at ako ay estudyante lang." She mumbled and he laughed.
"Ku--" She started to say and closed her mouth when he stepped towards her.
"Nickolai." She remedied and he smiled.

"Ano yun?" He asked.

"Anong nangyayari sayo?"

"Bakit, may mali ba sa akin?"

"Oo. Kelan ka pa naging perv?" She questioned and he chuckled.

"Perv ako kasi ako ang first kiss mo?"

"Oh, don't flatter yourself." She said rolling her eyes and he pulled her towards
him before he enfolded her in a hug.

"My baby Lee Ann." He whispered aware that she remained stiff in his embrace.
"Naalala ko nung bata ka pa napakaselosa mo at lahat ng lumalapit sa akin inaaway
mo. I used to think that it's cute how territorial you are. I used to find your
jealous tantrums adorable but I realized now, hindi pala nakakatuwa ang magselos.
Nagseselos ako dun sa kaklase mo, Lee at sana tulad ng ginawa ko dati nung
nagseselos ka ay iwasan mo sya."

"Nalilito ako, teka lang. I am trying to process everything." She said as she
pushed away from him again. "Teka lang, are you really sure you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Saan galing tong lahat ng to? Ano yun, nagising ka na lang pagkatapos na-realize
mong gandang-ganda ka pala sa akin?" She asked incredulously and he laughed.

"Matagal ka nang maganda para sa akin."

"If I remember correctly, Ku--" She said and he arched his brow. "Nickolai." She
rectified and he nodded his head in approval. "May girlfriend ka who's a two-faced
bitchtard and you feel nothing towards me aside from brotherly affection."

"I used to mistake my feelings towards you as brotherly affections but i realized
that it's something else."

"Oh my God, this is too much to take in." She mumbled as he continued to talk.

"Besides, wala na kami ni Precious. I used to be single a few minutes ago pero
since tayo na, in a relationship na ako ulit." He uttered so casually that she
nearly missed the last part of what he said.

"Ah, okay... Wait! What?! Anong tayo na?"

"Ayaw mo?" He asked.

"Ha?"

"Ayaw mo ba na maging tayo."

"Teka lang, ang bilis naman. Hindi ako prepared!"

"Bakit mo kailangan maging prepared? We've waited for each other our whole lives.
Hindi ba dapat hindi na natin to pinapatagal? I've always had feelings for you but
I wasn't sure kung ano yun until you started ignoring me. I'm in love with you,
Lee." He said and she raised a hand to silence him before she turned away from him.

"Stop." She said and he stared questioningly at her averted face.

"Lee?" He asked, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong?"

"This better not be a joke, Nickolai or I swear I'm going to kick your ass." She
whispered and he stared at her for nearly three seconds before he moved towards her
and hugged her from behind.

Alexa immediately noticed the change between Nickolai and her younger sister pero
hindi na sya nagtanong at hinintay na lang ang kapatid na magsabi sa kanya. Lia
shared her opinion but unlike her ay walang preno ang bibig ng Ate nya.

"Anong meron?" Lia asked as soon as all the guests, including Dustin and the
Sandoval brothers who agreed to play golf, left. "Bakit parang may mga tinginan
kayo ni Nickolai na hindi ko alam kung kikiligin ba ako o mandidiri?"

"Ate naman eh."

"Anong meron sa inyo, Lee? Hindi sya umalis sa tabi mo the whole time at nung
umalis sila nina Dustin at Alex ay masyado yatang matagal ang pagkakahawak nya sa
kamay mo?" Alexa inquired.

"Dalaga na." Lia teased. "Pero hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit mas pinili
mo yung si Nickolai na dumaan na sa ilang kamay, mamamasa-masang lagusan at labi
kesa dun kay move-on na fresh na fresh at virgin. Alexa, ipatingin mo nga tong si
Lee Ann at baka may sira na sa utak to."

"Si Ate talaga." Lee Ann murmured turning crimson with embarrassment as Alexa
cracked up.

"Hindi ko kaya ang mamasa-masang lagusan, Ate!" Alexa muttered laughing.

"Totoo naman di ba? Ay sus kung ako lang dun na ako kay bagets. Bakit naman ako
pipili ng antigong, seryosong mukhang gwardiya sibil noong panahon ng Kastila?"

"Ate!" Lee Ann complained but she joined her two elder sisters as they all burst
out laughing.

"Wag mong ipapapasok lagusan mo dun ha." Lia warned and they all laughed some more.

"Ang bastos mo, Ate Lia!" Alexa said as she tried to catch her breath.

"Uy, wag ka ngang pa-demure! Parang virgin naman to! Pustahan sa susunod na buwan
buntis ka na naman!"

"Naka-family planning kami, ano." Alexa said and Lia rolled her eyes at her sister.

"Sus, ipupusta ko ang natitirang puri ko na di gagana yang family planning na yan!"
She said. "Wait, wala na nga pala talaga akong puri." She added and the three of
them doubled over in laughter again.

"So, kayo na ba, Lee Ann?" Alexa asked. "Pero paano si Precious?"
"Hiwalay na daw po sila, Ate."

"Aba, dapat in writing yan kasi mamaya hindi nakuha ng utak ni Precious ang memo na
hiwalay na pala sila at umeksena pa sya." Lia said and Alexa nodded her head.

"Tama si Ate Lia, Lee. Basta ito lang, kapag may problema wag mong solohin. Tsaka,
bata ka pa ha. Alam kong wala kaming karapatang mag-lecture ni Ate sayo about
abstinence at kung anu-ano pa man pero mag-debut ka naman muna."

"Ate Alexa naman, wala pa po yun sa utak ko!"

"Hoy, si Nickolai Sandoval gurang na at wala nang laman ang utak nun kundi puro
kamunduhan. Kaya ikaw, ilagay mo na sa utak mo yang bagay na yan at i-internalize
mong mabuti na bata ka pa at kailangan mo munang i-enjoy ang pagiging bata mo.
Mamaya magkagulatan kayo at bigla na lang malaglag yang panty mo, patay ka." Lia
said and the three of them fell down laughing.

"Ate, saan mo ba napagkukuha yang mga pinagsasabi mo?" Alexa asked and Lia waved
her hand in front of her.

"Kay experience. Close kasi kami nun. Ewan ko ba sabi ko tama na ang lesson pero
todo pa rin sya, kinarir ang pagturo sa akin." She answered and the three of them
looked at each other before they laughed aloud.

Lee Ann, Nicko and some of their friends were having a snack at a nearby diner when
her phone rang. She immediately searched her bag for it and couldn't hide her smile
when she saw who was calling.

"Hello." She said over the phone.

"Nasaan ka?" Nickolai asked. He was just outside the establishment where Lee Ann
and her friends were eating and his blood boiled when he saw Nicholas.

"Nandito sa Yellow Cab kumakain." She replied. "Nasaan ka, are you at the office?"

"I'm somewhere else." He retorted. "Sinong kasama mo?"

"Mga kaibigan ko." She answered and he watched as Nicholas put his hand on top of
Lee Ann's shoulder before the young man leaned towards her to murmur something in
her ear. "Bakit ka pala napatawag?" She asked and he sighed.

"I was supposed to fetch you from school." He retorted as he continued to watch
her.

"Fetch me from school? Bakit?"

"Isn't that what boyfriends do?" He asked and she looked at the phone in her hand
before she burst out laughing. She stood up and told her friends something before
she left their table.

"Seriously hindi bagay sayo ang umastang smitten teenager because you're a man.
Nakakapanibago naman yang pinaggagawa mo, Kuya Nick." She said as she pushed the
glass door and stepped outside unaware that he was waiting for her inside his car.

"Anong Kuya Nick?" He asked in annoyance. "Di ba sabi ko wag mo akong tawaging
Kuya?"

"Bakit, may magagawa ka po ba, Kuya Nick?" She teased grinning by herself.

"Oo, meron." He answered and he continued to watch her.

"By the time na makarating ka ng school ko, nakauwi na ako sa bahay." She taunted
laughing and he opened his car's door and stepped out of the vehicle.

"Talaga?" He asked and she laughed harder, her back to him. "Nasaan ka ba at
pupuntahan kita?"

"Nasa Timbuktu." She said and yelped when someone put his arms around her waist.

"Kuya Nick!" She exclaimed out of habit. She started to struggle against him until
he whispered something in her ear.

"Na-miss kita." He said and she sagged bonelessly against him before she turned to
wrap her arms around his waist.

"Ako rin." She replied and sighed when he hugged her tight unaware that Nicko had
followed her out and saw them embrace.

####################################
Chapter 9
####################################

Nickolai hugged her close and she lifted her face to look at him. He held her face
with both his hands before he kissed the top of her head. She sighed contentedly
against his chest as the arms around his waist tightened.

"Wala ka bang hearing?" She asked and he shook his head. "Gusto mong pumasok sa
loob para maipakilala kita sa mga friends ko?" She offered and he laughed softly
before he rumpled her hair. He's aware that the 11-year age gap would be a taboo
and he would never wish for her to be subjected to something unpleasant because of
him.
"Hindi na, baka magulat sila na ang tanda na ng boyfriend mo. Akalain pa nilang
sugar daddy mo ako." He teased and smiled when she frowned.

"Ano palang sasabihin ko pag tinanong nila kung sino ang boyfriend ko? Secret? Wala
lang? Someone you don't know? Ganun?" She questioned and he gently pinched her
cheek before he spoke.

"Hindi mo naman kailangang ipaalam yung details." He answered as he tapped the tip
of her nose with his finger. "Ang mahalaga lang naman ay malaman nila na may
boyfriend ka na so you better not accept any suitors or else magtatampo talaga ako
sayo."

"Alam ko naman, ano. Pero ibig bang sabihin ay hindi kita pwedeng ipakilala? Paano
ako, hindi mo rin ako ipapakilala sa mga kaibigan mo?" She asked, her eyes filling
with distress. "Ibig sabihin hindi ko man lang masabi sa kanila na ako ang
girlfriend mo?"

"Gusto mo bang ipakilala kita sa kanila?" He asked and she pursed her lips to show
her displeasure.

"Hindi, wag na lang." She mumbled and he laughed aloud. She wanted the world to
know that he belongs to her and she felt a little letdown when he didn't seem to
share her views on the matter.

"Nagtatampo naman si baby Lee Ann kaagad."

"Anong baby?" She asked, annoyed. "Bawal kitang tawaging Kuya pero pwede mo akong
tawaging baby?"

"Ano pala ang itatawag ko sayo?" He asked and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Ewan ko sayo." She mumbled and he laughed harder.

"Pasok ka na sa loob at kunin mo yung mga gamit mo kasi ako ang maghahatid sayo sa
bahay ninyo." He instructed and she continued to frown. "Sige na, Hon."

"Yuck!" She exclaimed before she giggled. "Anong Hon? Ew. Baduy. Kadiri." She
laughingly said and he laughed along too.

"Lee Ann, pumasok ka na dun at kunin mo na yung gamit mo habang tatawagan ko naman
ang driver mo para sabihin sa kanya na ako na ang maghahatid sayo."

"Fine." She answered before she turned to leave. He caught her around the waist and
kissed the top of her head.

"Bilisan mo." He whispered against her hair. She nodded her head and eagerly ran
inside the restaurant.

"Guys, I'll go ahead." She told her friends as she picked her bag up. "Bye!" She
said waving goodbye at them.

"Ang bilis naman, may pupuntahan ka ba?" Trisha, one of her friends, asked.

"Wala pero kailangan ko nang umalis." She said. Her eyes fell on Nicko who did not
even bother to look at her. "Hoy, de Jesus bakit napaka-isnabero mo yata ngayon?"
She teased but he continued to ignored her. "Sige na, meron yata yan si de Jesus
ngayon kaya ganyan. Bye!" She said before she ran out.
"Nicko, bakit para kang nagtatampo dyan?" Janet asked the young man who, minutes
ago, was happily exchanging jokes with them.

"Oo nga, Nicko. Nagpaalam na si Lee Ann, di mo ba sya ihahatid sa sasakyan nya?"
Gilbert inquired. "Paano ka naman sasagutin nun kung hindi ka consistent?"

"Akala ko ba susundan mo si Lee Ann kanina? What happened at biglang nag-iba yata
ang mood mo pagbalik mo?" Cindy inquired and Nicholas shook his head and sighed.

"I just saw something that I shouldn't have seen." He murmured before he took a
gulp from his can of soda.

Nickolai drove as Lee Ann chattered endlessly. He glanced sideways at her as she
continued to talk and he couldn't hide his smile. Sino ba namang mag-aakalang
magkaka- girlfriend ako ng isang mahilig manuod ng Korean drama at naglalaro
online? He thought amused.

"Kasi lalaki yung character ko and there was this girl na nilalandi ako online kasi
akala nya lalaki ako. So I told her that I'm actually a girl and she thought I was
just kidding and she continued to stalk me online! Ang creepy!" She said and he
laughed.

"Bakit ka ba kasi naglalaro online?"

"Masaya eh and I get to kick other players' asses." She answered with a grin. "Saan
tayo pupunta?"

"Saan mo gusto?" He asked and she scrunched her nose.

"Sa mall?"

"Anong gagawin natin dun?"

"Timezone tayo." She said and he nearly stepped on the brakes.

"You want me to play with you?"

"Bakit hindi? You used to play with me before." She retorted and he chuckled.

"Lee Ann, you were a kid then."

"Hindi naman lahat ng naglalaro dun bata ah. Bakit, ano bang gusto mong gawin
natin?" She asked innocently and he nearly cursed aloud when not-so-innocent
thoughts invaded his mind. Ano ba, Nickolai! Are you crazy?! He scolded himself as
she waited expectantly for his reply. "Nick!"

"Ha?" He asked distractedly.

"Sabi ko, ano ang gusto mong gawin natin?" She repeated and he cleared his throat.
"Kahit anong gusto mo." He answered and she grumbled.

"Ayaw mo naman ang gusto ko. Sige umuwi na lang tayo." She said and he sighed. Ang
hirap naman nitong may girlfriend kang bata. He murmured to himself.

"Wait!" She exclaimed after a few minutes. "Punta na lang tayo sa bahay mo at
ipagluluto kita!" She added and nearly groaned aloud.

"Hindi pwede sa bahay ko."

"Bakit?"

"Madumi. Hindi pa ako nakakapaglinis. May sakit kasi yung cleaning lady ko." He
lied and she pouted before she grinned again.

"Ipaglilinis na lang kita!"

"Hindi. Timezone na lang tayo." He said and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"May tinatago ka ba sa akin?" She asked and he arched his brow.

"Anong tinatago? Bakit naman?"

"Bakit ayaw mo akong papuntahin sa bahay mo? Last na punta ko dun nung pina-bless
mo yung condo mo! Siguro may mga gamit si Precious dun ano? Siguro may mga damit
sya, toothbrush at mga kung anu-ano pang toiletries na hindi mo pa tinatapon kasi
may sentimental value sila para sayo!"

"Lee Ann." He laughingly called her name. "Hanggang ngayon ba naman selosa ka pa
rin?" She asked and she crossed her arms over her chest and mumbled angrily to
herself.

"Kunyari pa to. Totoo naman yata lahat ng sinabi ko. Kainis itong mga lalaking ito,
napaka-stressful sa buhay. Hay naku, wag talagang magpapahuli itong isang tong sa
akin kundi sasabunutan ko talaga sya ng walang humpay kahit ang ganda ng gupit ng
buhok nya!"

"May sinasabi ka, Lee?" He inquired grinning as she continued to sulk.

"Wala!" She answered which earned a laugh from him. He changed lanes and she turned
her head to look questioningly at him.

"Saan tayo pupunta?"

"Sa condo ko." He said and she smiled excitedly.

"Talaga?" She asked and he nodded before he gave her a wink. She babbled endlessly
and he let the sound of her voice sooth him. Being with Lee Ann felt like a breath
of fresh air. Walang preno ang dalaga sa pagsasalita and she usually says what she
wants to say, hindi ka mag-iisip kung ang mga sinasabi ba nya ay calculated because
you could feel her sincerity with every word.

"Daan muna tayo sa isang diner at walang pagkain sa bahay puro tubig lang laman ng
ref ko at beer."

"Busog ako eh!"

"Paano naman ako?" He asked and she giggled.

"Ay gutom ka pala." She said. They stopped by a coffee shop and he opened the door
for her. She nearly ran towards the counter and he shook his head as he hid his
smile. "Anong gusto mo?" She asked as she turned to him.

"Order for me." He said.

"Ang cute naman po ng kapatid ninyo, Sir." The girl behind the counter uttered and
he and Lee Ann looked at each other.

"Thank you." The teenager spoke. "But he's actually not my brother." She added
smiling.

"Ay, sorry po." The woman replied. "Parang ang close nyo po kasi kaya akala ko po
related po kayo sa isa't isa."

"We actually are." Lee Ann replied as she linked her arms around Nickolai's. "He's
my future husband." She announced as she smiled up to him. "Hon, may gusto ka ba
dito? Di ba I told you na ipagluluto na lang kita?" She said and she pulled her
with him. She turned to look at the woman behind the counter who looked very
surprised at her announcement. "Wala pala kaming gusto dito." She uttered before
they stepped out of the coffee shop.

"Ginulat mo yung babae." Nickolai remarked at umismid lang ang dalaga.

"May gusto sya sayo! Masyado syang halata at gagamitin pa daw nya ako para
magpalakad!" She angrily spoke.

"Ano ka ba, paano mo naman nasabing may gusto sya sa akin?"

"Don't tell me hindi mo ramdam? Wag ka kayang plastic. Ako ramdam ko agad nakita ko
pa lang kung paano sya tumingin sayo!" She declared and he laughed as he opened his
car's door for her. She thanked him before she slid into the passenger's side.

"Ano nang kakainin natin ngayon?" He asked a few minutes later as they drove off.

"Magpadeliver ka na lang. Wag pizza kasi kaka-pizza ko lang." She said. They
reached his condo in less than 30 minutes and the guard-on-duty greeted them
politely. "Good afternoon, Kuya!" Lee Ann warmly greeted back much to Nickolai's
amusement and the guard's surprise. They walked hand-in-hand towards the elevator
and stepped in as soon as it opened. "I remember which floor your unit is!" She
exclaimed as she pressed number 73 on the lift's panel. He smiled dotingly at her
and led the way when they reached his floor. He typed in his password and his door
buzzed open.

"After you, my lady." He said and she curtsied in front of him.

"Thank you, my lord." She uttered giggling before she ran inside. He stepped in
after her as she made herself comfortable on his sofa.

"Saan tayo magpapadeliver?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Kahit saan."

"Ikaw na ang pumili." He said and she took her phone out of her bag and began
searching for restaurants. "I'll leave you here, here's my wallet. Mag-cash ka na
lang." He instructed and she nodded her head. "Bihis lang ako."

"Okay." She answered as she took the wallet he handed out to her. Naabutan nyang
naglalaro sa kanyang tablet si Lee Ann and she looked up to smile at him. "Tumawag
na ako ng delivery. Bakit ka naligo?" She asked.

"Bakit?" He inquired.

"Ay nakakainis, mangangamoy-araw ako kasi fresh ka!" She muttered and he laughed as
he sat beside her. He moved his face close to her neck and inhaled.

"Mabango ka naman ah." He said.

"Sinasabi mo lang yan para di ako maasar!"

"Mabango ka nga." He insisted as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Kahit na mabango ako, mas mabango ka pa rin!" She said as she moved towards him
and pressed her nose against his neck. He stiffened and she looked worriedly at his
face. "Bakit?" She asked and squealed when he moved and tackled her to the sofa.
"Ano ba!" She laughingly exclaimed when he started to rain kisses on her neck. "Ano
ka ba nakikiliti ako!"

"Nakikiliti ka?" He asked huskily and she nodded in reply before she laughed again
when he burrowed his nose on the crook of her neck.

"Tama na! Tama na!" She shrieked laughing and he stopped. "Alam mo bang dyan yung
kiliti ko?" She asked and he smiled. "Paganti ako!" She suddenly said as she sat up
and started tickling him.

"Wala akong kiliti." He stated plainly and she tried harder.

"Walang taong walang kiliti." She
sat astride him. "Wala dito?" She
touch him. "Imposibleng wala kang
Teka hanapin ko!" She said and he
started to develop a hard on.
said and he gulped in surprise when she suddenly
asked grinning innocently as she continued to
kiliti ah! Pinipigil mo lang siguro yung tawa mo!
froze. She seemed unaware of his plight as he

"Lee Ann." He called her name and something in his voice made her stop. She looked
at where she sat and her eyes widened in surprise before she made a move to get off
him.

"Sorry." She mumbled but he wrapped his arms around.

"Hindi ako tumatanggap ng sorry." He whispered before he held her face and kissed
her senseless.

####################################
Chapter 10
####################################
He thought she'd struggle against him. He thought she'd fight his advances but she
surprised him by kissing him back. His blood felt like liquid fire in his veins as
she adjusted her position to accommodate his weight. He had never felt a need so
intense in his life. His past girlfriends teased him for being too cold even in
bed. Ang sabi nila instead of blood, his heart must be pumping liquid nitrogen
making him cool and aloof even when they're intimate. Hindi sya nao-offend when
they call him Ice God and he never really understood Alexander's seemingly
inextinguishable passion towards Alexa. Until now.

"Lee, hindi ka ba takot sa akin?" He whispered and she shook her head. Alam nyang
kailangan nyang huminto, Lee Ann is still a child but he was too carried away to
care. He held her face as he kissed her again before he coaxed her to tongue out of
her mouth. She acquiesced and he wondered at her responsiveness. They parted for
air and her lips looked bruise; he thought they've never looked so tantalizing. Her
pink tongue sneaked out as it ran across her lower lip and a groan escaped his
lips. He found himself lapping at her mouth, which opened willingly under his
assault. Her arms went around him as she hugged him to her.

Lee Ann was lost at the feelings that he kisses evoked. She knew they couldn't go
any further but she didn't want him to stop. She felt his hand cup her cheek and
tenderness enveloped her completely. You know him all your life. She told herself
as his kisses got more demanding.

"Nick..." His name rolled off her tongue and he lifted his face off hers.

"Bakit?" He asked, his breathing ragged.

"Hindi ako takot sayo." She whispered and leaned his forehead against hers.

"Dapat matakot ka." He said. "Kasi ako natatakot na ako sa pwede kong gawin sayo."

"Hindi mo naman ako sasaktan di ba?" She naively asked and he shook his head.

"Hindi." He replied.

"Anong ikakatakot ko?" She questioned and he moaned before he claimed her lips
again. She was pliant and receptive beneath him and he felt his loins tighten. He
had to remind himself that she's only sixteen but her tentative and chaste
responses made his blood boil with yearning. He wanted to own her, to possess her
and the idea shook him to the core. It took nearly all of his strength to stop
kissing her and he smiled at how disappointed she looked.

"Tama na." He whispered before he got off her and helped her to her feet. She
seemed dazed, her breathing was shallow and she was clasping the hand he offered
tightly.

"Anong problema?" She asked and he looked at her upturned face.

"What do you mean?"

"May ginawa ba akong mali?" She questioned, her eyes bright with telltale sheen of
tears.

"Mali? Anong mali?" He asked confused before he sat down beside her to put his arms
around her thin shoulders.

"Bakit ka huminto? Bakit ayaw mo na? Dahil ba hindi ako marunong?" She inquired and
he nearly laughed but she looked so upset and on the verge of crying that he pulled
her to sit on his lap. "Alam ko namang wala akong alam sa ganun eh pero sabihin mo
sa akin kung paano at pag-aaralan ko."

"Lee, your innocence is refreshing." He said.

"Innocence ka pa dyan, ayaw mo nga sa akin dahil dun. I'm sure mas gusto mo yung
may experience. Sorry ha kasi wala ako nun." She dejectedly whispered and his heart
burst with pride.

"Hindi. That's not the reason why I stopped. I am flattered to be your first kiss
and I love how inexperienced you are."

"Stir." She mumbled disbelievingly.

"Oo nga." He answered chuckling. "I'm honored to be your first and I want to be
your first in everything." He said, his voice turning husky but she was too young
to understand what it meant. "The reason why I stopped was because I was afraid
that we might do something that you're not ready yet."

"Tulad ng ano?"

"Tulad ng... mga... bagay-bagay." He vaguely said and she frowned.

"Tulad ng sex?" She asked candidly and he stared at her in surprise before he burst
out laughing. "Bakit mo ako pinagtatawanan?"

"Hindi kita pinagtatawanan. Natutuwa lang ako sayo. Pero teka nga, san mo naman
natutunan yan?"

"Sa friends ko tsaka sa bahay. Hot topic kaya namin parati yung pinangarap nilang
gawin with their boyfriends although sabi nila hindi pa daw nila nagagawa yun."

"Sino ba yang mga kaibigan mo at parang hindi ko sila gusto. Kung anu-ano yata ang
tinuturo nila sayo."

"Wala naman silang tinuro sa akin, ikaw nga nagturo sa aking humalik eh." She
uttered and he grinned like an idiot. "At tsaka hindi ba kasal ang Ate ko kay Kuya
Alex, eh kung maglandian yung dalawang yun parang sila lang parati ang tao sa bung
mundo." Lee Ann answered and Nickolai laughed again. "Lahat yata ng parte ng bahay
namin at bahay nila nakita ko na silang maglambingan dun."

"Hindi magandang example sayo sina Alex at Alexa." He remarked and Lee Ann smiled.

"Cute nga sila eh. They're so in love at si Ate ramdam na ramdam mong kinikilig.
Para silang bagong kasal. si Kuya Alex naman looks very cool with his
possessiveness. Ang sweet lang."

"Gusto mo ng lalaking possessive?" Nickolai asked
is, gustung-gusto nya ang mga lalaking possessive
sayo, yung mga lalaking malapit lang ang anino ng
na sa galit at yung mga lalaking hindi napapakali
text at tawag nya.
and Lee Ann smiled dreamily. Fact
- yung mga lalaking takot mawalay
iba sayo at halos maghurumentado
kapag hindi ka sumasagot sa mga

"Depende kung nasa lugar." Lee Ann answered as she tried to hide her smile. Iniisip
pa lang nyang ganun si Nickolai sa kanya ay gusto na nyang tumili sa kilig. Ano
kaya ang feeling ng hinahabol-habol ng lalaking ito? She asked herself.

"Ang possessiveness ay walang pinipiling lugar at oras, Lee." The man of her
daydreams spoke and Lee Ann was finding it difficult to hide her grin.
"Possessive ka ba?" She asked as she turned to look at him.

"Hindi." He answered and her smile slipped. Wala man lang kaemo-emosyon. Wala man
lang kaunting bahid ng selos. Wala man lang kahit ano.

"Okay." She murmured with a shrug although she felt like hitting his face with her
fist. Ikaw na ang confident sa kagwapuhan mo. She added in her head. Bakit si Kuya
Alex gwapo din naman pero sobrang seloso at possessive? Kainis naman itong isang
to, di man lang ako kikiligin dito. She mumbled to herself. Wala man lang ka-roma
romantic bone sa katawan. Nakakaasar!

"Anong oras ang labas mo bukas?" Nickolai asked and she smiled trying to hide her
disappointment.

"Bakit?"

"Susunduin sana kita." Wag na, no! Nakakahiya naman sayo!

"Wag mo na akong sunduin, may tatapusin kami ng mga groupmates ko so late na kami
makakauwi." She replied. Hindi naman sya nagsinungaling dahil may tatapusin naman
talaga sila ng groupmates nya at ang usapan nila tatambay sila sa Starbucks malapit
sa school nila para dun.

"Saan kayo pupunta?"

"Sa Starbucks daw pero hindi pa sure yun. Kailangan kasi naming tapusin kasi
pasahan na this Friday, alam mo naman ang mga college students mahilig mag-
cramming."

"Mga anong oras ka makakauwi?" He asked and the annoyance she felt earlier vanished
at the concern in his voice. Pasalamat ka talaga ang gwapo mo at kinikilig ako
sayo. Naku! She thought to herself.

"Wag kang mag-alala, I will text you pag malapit na kaming umuwi; I will text you
kapag nasa loob na ako ng sasakyan at pauwi na kami and I will call you kapag nasa
bahay na ako." She told him with a smile and he smiled back.

"Hihintayin ko ang mga texts at tawag mo." He said and she nodded her head. Someone
rang the door and Lee Ann stood up. "Yan na yata ang pinadeliver natin." She said
and Nickolai watched her skip happily towards the door.

"Good afternoon po, Mam. Ako po si Roel ng Don Henrico's."

"Good afternoon po!" Lee Ann enthusiastically greeted back.

"You ordered for calamari fritti, 7 pieces buffalo wings and cheesy baked lasagna."

"Yes, I did!" Came Lee Ann's cheerful reply and Nickolai chuckled. He stood up to
wash his hands before he set the table for their meal.

"Nandito na ang pagkain!" Lee Ann enthused and stopped when she saw the table that
he prepared for them.

"I set the table for you." He proudly said and her brows furrowed. "O bakit?"

"Ano yan, bakit ganyan?"

"May mali ba?" He asked as he checked the plates, glasses, spoons, forks and knives
again. "Tama naman."

"Ang pormal! Nakakaloka! Hindi ba tayo pwedeng kumain sa paper box mismo? Bakit
kailangan pa ng plato at kubyertos? Tsaka gusto kong kamayin yung buffalo wings!"
The girl exclaimed and Nickolai laughed.

"O sige, hindi na tayo magpipinggan at magkakamay na lang tayo."

"We still need forks for the lasagna."

"Opo, mahal na reyna." Nickolai answered affectionately. Niligpit nya ang mga
pinggang at kutsara at ang tanging tinira ay ang dalawang tinidor at mga baso.

"Ayan. Ano ba yun, ang pormal para tayong nasa meeting ng mga matatanda." She
tactlessly uttered and he laughed softly at her quip. She was about to take a
buffalo wing from the paper box when he cleared his throat."Bakit?" She asked.

"Aren't you going to wash your hands first, young lady?" He inquired and she made a
face before she stood up to wash her hands. She was back a few minutes later and
showed him her hands.

"Malinis na yan ha!" She announced and he laughed. She took a buffalo wing and
began eating it. "Ang sarap kahit maanghang! Totoo bang nakaka-increase ng libido
ang anghang?" She questioned unpretentiously and he choked on his lasagna.

"Ha?" He asked and she grinned. "Saan mo naman nakuha yan?"

"Narinig ko somewhere." She answered. "Anyway, parang tanga lang kung kakain ka
lang ng maanghang tataas na libido mo." She mumbled to herself as she started to
feed him bits of buffalo wings. "Ang sarap di ba?"

"Oo, masarap." He said and she beamed.

"I really love to eat buti na lang mabilis metabolism namin or else siguro ang taba
ko na ngayon." She uttered. "Kami ni Ate Alexa pag nagpapadeliver kami dati sobrang
maramihan tapos pig-out talaga, parang walang bukas yung kain namin." She proudly
confided. "Kaya nga nung buntis si Ate she thought it was food poisoning because we
had a pizza party the night before at naka walong box yata kami!"

"Oo nga, naikwento sa akin yan ni Alex." Nickolai said. Lee Ann chattered endlessly
all throughout the meal at pagkatapos nilang kumain ay si Nickolai na ang nagligpit
ng kinainan nila samantalang si Lee Ann naman ay nagbanyo.

"May extra toothbrush ka?" He heard her holler from the bathroom.

"Nasa cabinet sa taas ng sink." He hollered back.

"Salamat!" She replied. He heard a shriek and he ran to the bathroom to check on
her.

"Anong nangyari sayo?" He asked and arched his brow when he saw Lee Ann's very wet
blouse.

"Para saan ba to, why does this squirt water?" She asked, a little annoyed and he
chuckled.

"Because I shave." He tried to explain but she continued to scowl angrily at her
soaking blouse. "I'll get you a new shirt." He said.
"Mamaya damit ni Precious ang ipasuot mo sa akin ipapakulam talaga kita!" He heard
her bellow and he laughed aloud.

"Nakakaaliw talaga tong batang to." He muttered. "Tama, Nick bata sya kaya wag kung
anu-anong kalokohan ang pumapasok dyan sa utak mo." He told himself as he pulled a
shirt from his drawer. "Lee." He called as he knocked on the bathroom door and it
opened.

"Salamat!" She enthusiastically said as she took the shirt from him.

"Thank me with a kiss." He joked and she pulled his face towards hers as she
noisily kissed his cheek.

"Tama na ba yan?" She asked smiling and his gaze dropped to her mouth.

"No." He whispered as he pushed the door open and kissed her thoroughly. He molded
her young body against his and she responded eagerly.

"Ang hilig mong manghalik sa banyo." She remarked when they parted for air. "Ang
romantic naman, kung saan ka nagbabawas dun din tayo naghahalikan." She kidded as
she smiled and gasped when he seized her mouth again.

"Gusto mo ba sa kwarto?" He murmured.

"Well, at least dun may kama. Ang sakit kaya sa likod ng kung saan-saan mo ako
sinasandal." She guilelessly uttered and he was torn between moaning and laughing.

"Gusto mong nakahiga?" He asked.

"Hindi ba dapat ganun?" She asked back and he stared at her wide, innocent eyes
before he pulled her with him towards his bedroom and locked the door behind him.

####################################
Chapter 11
####################################

He leaned against the door while she sat on his bed staring at him. Ang dami nyang
gustong sabihin pero hindi nya alam kung paano sisimulan. With a sigh, he walked
towards his bed and sat down beside her.

"Lee, there are things that you need to remember, okay at ayokong magsisi ka sa
huli."

"Ano?" She asked.

"Una na dun ang lalaki ako. Regardless kung gaano mo na ako katagal kakilala,
lalaki ako and I have urges." He slowly said and she listened with rapt attention.
"Pangalawa kahit wala akong intensyong hindi maganda sayo dahil dun sa urges na
sinasabi ko baka may mangyaring hindi mo magugustuhan."

"Tulad ng sex?" She inquired and he smiled and nodded his head.

"Tulad ng sex." He answered. "You're only sixteen but you're my girlfriend and I
see you as woman." He said and she tried to keep a straight face but ended up
laughing. "What's so funny about what I said?" He asked.

"Woman ang tingin mo sa akin? Seryoso ka ba dyan? If you think of me as a woman we

wouldn't be having this discussion, Nick. Don't worry, I know about the flowers and
the bees and how children are conceived. I might have been home-schooled but I have
access to the internet and I know how to read." She added.

"Hindi lahat ng nababasa o napapanuod mo tama."

"Yun din yun, lahat naman ng pinapalabas at sinusulat ay naka-base sa experience ng

tao."

"Iba nga. You can't call it an experience kung nababasa mo lang."

"It's the same." She argued and he laughed.

"Carbonel ka nga, ayaw mong magpatalo."

"Syempre naman." She replied flipping her hair and she arched her brow when he
cupped her right cheek with his hand.

"Iba nga. Trust me." He insisted and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Just because you're older doesn't mean that you're always right." She uttered and
watched as his face moved closer. She was the one who closed the gap between them
when she boldly captured his lips. He stopped moving in surprise and she grinned as
she nibbled his lower lip. "I'm a fast learner, am I not?" She kidded as she moved
her face away from his. He smiled that lazy smile and her heart did a somersault.

"Madali ka ngang turuan." He murmured as he cupped the back of her head and covered
her lips with his, taking his time and savoring her taste. The kiss felt very
gentle but the effect on Lee Ann was the opposite. She felt heat creep from her
stomach up to her neck as her toes curled with every caress of his lips. He guided
her to lie down and she followed his lead. "Are you comfortable?" He asked and she
nodded her head. "Good." He whispered before she felt his lips on hers again. She
was relishing the moment, groaning and unknowingly undulating against him and his
control was quickly slipping. "Teka, Lee." He murmured but she won't have any of
it.

"Gusto ko pa, Nick." She protested before she pulled his head close for another
kiss and his restraint snapped. The kiss became fiery and demanding as his hand
travelled to cup her young breasts. She gasped in surprise and he used the
opportunity to allow his tongue to explore the crevices of her mouth.

"Nick--" Lee Ann started to protest as his fingers deftly unclasped her bra but he
silenced her with another kiss. "Teka, Nick..." She said but he became deaf to her
objections as the need to possess her gripped his soul. "Nick!" She started to
struggle now but he captured her hands and pinned them above her head before she
felt his mouth on her breast. She quit struggling and he let go of her hands. It
felt weird to feel his mouth on her flesh but she didn't care. She loves him and it
was all that mattered that instant. She felt his fingers fumble with her pant's
zipper and she closed her eyes as she pushed her fears aside.

"Lee." He called her name and she opened her eyes to look at him. "Shit, I'm
sorry." He whispered as he gathered her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Lee." He repeated
as he held her close. "I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry." He
chanted as her arms went around him.

"Sorry para saan?" She asked.

"Sorry because I nearly took advantage of you. You must have been very scared. I'm
so sorry."

"I wasn't scared." She said. "Noong una, oo pero ikaw yan alam ko hindi mo ako
ipapahamak."

"Muntik na." He whispered against the top of her head. She felt so frail in his
arms and his guilt tripled. Nickolai! Bata sya! He reminded himself. And she trusts
you!

"Hindi ako takot." She said. "Ikaw naman talaga ang gusto kong makasama habambuhay,
so I fear nothing." She muttered and he looked at her to stroke her face.

"Ako rin, gusto kong ikaw na nasa tabi ko habambuhay pero hindi pa ngayon ang
panahon. Sixteen ka lang, nag-aaral ka pa. I don't want you to spend your youth
tied to an old man like me. When you're old enough, let's get married pero wag muna
ngayon. I want you to have a choice."

"Ikaw na ang pinili ko and stop calling yourself old, mas matanda ka lang sa akin
but it doesn't make you ancient." She mumbled pouting and he laughed before he
kissed her on the forehead.

"Unan ka sa braso ko." He said and she gladly complied as she wrapped an arm around
his waist. "I couldn't believe I lost control." He murmured to himself.

"Ay, first time?" She kidded laughing and he solemnly nodded his head.

"Do not underestimate your sex appeal, Ms. Carbonel." He said.

"Ganun? May sex appeal na pala ako ngayon?" She asked and he laughed softly. "But
how do you define sex appeal? Sinasabi yan sa akin ng mga classmates kong lalaki
but I never really fully grasped it's real meaning."

"Sinong nagsabi sayo nyan?" He asked suddenly angry at whoever dared to tell Lee
Ann that she's sexy as hell.

"Yung classmates ko pero hindi ko pinapansin, feeling ko kasi it's interchangeably

used with charm. Parang charming ka ganun."

"Sex appeal is different, kapag may nagsabi sayo nyan ibig sabihin he's thinking of
you in a sexual way. Sabihin mo sa akin kung sinong nangahas nagsabi sayo ng ganyan
at aabangan ko sa labas ng school nyo." He said and she lifted her head to look at
him.

"Selos ka?" She asked and he shook his head incredulously.

"Hindi. Bakit ako magseselos sa mga bata?" He replied and she frowned.

"Fine." She mumbled as she move away and turned her back to him. "Bakit ako
magseselos sa mga bata?" She mimicked. "Oo na, hindi na ako maganda at wala ka
talagang pagseselosan kasi di naman ako attractive." She murmured angrily to
herself. "Nakakainis tong isang to."

"Nagtatampo ka?" He asked as he scooted close to her and threw a leg over her hip.
"Napakaselosa naman nitong girlfriend ko."

"Sorry ha, ordinaryong nilalang lang ako kaya malamang wala ka talagang
pagseselosan samantalang ikaw ay demi-god sa kagwapuhan!" She snapped and he
laughed aloud.

"Sino namang nagsabing ordinaryong nilalang ka lang? Mamahalin ba naman kita if

you're someone who's ordinary?" He asked and she couldn't help but grin. She turned
to face him, her eyes twinkling with delight.

"So feeling mo maganda ako?"

"Oo naman." He answered.

"Mas maganda kesa mga naunang girlfriends mo?"

"Definitely." He said and she giggled girlishly.

"Binobola mo na ako but I love it." She said and he laughed again. She snuggled
against his chest as she listened to his steady heartbeat. "Nickolai?"

"Yes?"

"Sana hindi magbago ang tibok ng puso mo." She whispered and he hugged her tight.

Kinabukasan nasa loob ng conference room ang tatlong Sandoval discussing about the
upcoming budget meeting. It was just seven in the morning and Alexander was having
difficulty keeping his eyes open.

"Alex, araw-araw ka na lang puyat." Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval remarked and his
youngest son grinned. "Where's Alexa?"

"Tulog pa, Dad. Ako na ang representative ng pamilya namin." He answered grinning
boyishly. "Tsaka, dad sinisikap ko lang na bigyan ka ng maraming apo kaya parati
akong puyat." He said and Nickolai laughed aloud. Alexander and their father looked
at him as if he grew another head and sprouted fangs.

"What?" He asked them defensively.

"Kelan ka pa natutong tumawa ng malakas? Ang sakit sa tenga." Alexander uttered.

"Bawal ba tumawa ng malakas sa loob ng conference room na to?" Nickolai answered

grinning.

"Are you okay, Nick?" Their father asked and Nickolai nodded his head.

"Never been better." He said.

"Okay, spill. Bakit kakaiba ka yata ngayon? Meron ba akong sikretong hindi alam?"
Alexander asked.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin kakaiba? Ganito na talaga ako dati pa."

"Nick, dati mukha kang nagpa-root canal araw-araw dahil parati kang nakasimangot."
Alex stated and Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval nodded his head in agreement.

"Dad! Pati ba naman kayo?" Nickolai laughingly asked his father who scowled at him.

"Sabihin mo sa akin kung anong nararamdaman mo at natatakot na ako sa mga ngisi

mong ganyan." The older Sandoval said making Nickolai laugh harder. "Alex, tawagan
mo nga si Dr. Espino at mag-schedule ka ng appointment."

"Dad!" Nickolai protested. "I'm fine."

"What's up, Nick? Magsabi ka na bago ka pa ipadala ni Dad sa mental." Alex teased
and Nickolai sighed before he smiled again.

"Masaya lang ako." He said and his father and Alex looked at each other. "Masayang-
masaya lang ako." He repeated when his phone suddenly sounded. "Teka lang, may
message ako." He told them and they both frowned as he read the message from Lee
Ann.

I have a surprise for you. She texted and his smile threatened to split his face
into two as he ignored his father and brother who were curiously looking at him.

Ano yun? He texted back.

Sabihin mo muna sa akin na love na love na love mo ako. She replied and he chuckled
as Alexander and Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval inched closer towards him.

Love na love na love na love kita, Lee Ann Carbonel. He typed and smiled again
before he pressed SEND.

I love you more! She texted and he laughed.

So what's the surprise? He typed when his phone rang.

"Hello?" He said over the phone as he stood up leaving his father and brother
gaping at him.

"Hello, baby bear!" He heard her reply and he burst out laughing again.

"Baby bear?" He asked incredulously but he couldn't stop himself from grinning.
"Ako ang baby bear?"

"Oo! Tapos ako si Mommy bear. Ang cute di ba?" She answered giggling. "Nasaan ka,
baby bear?"

"Sa conference room. Why?" He asked as he moved towards the door but it burst open
before he even touched the doorknob.
"I missed you!" Lee Ann exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around his waist unaware
that they were not alone. "The moment I got out of your car, I felt like dying
because I started missing you." She added and he wrapped his arms around her. I
love this girl to pieces. He thought calmly knowing that they were in plain view of
his father and Alex.

"I missed you too. Don't you have classes?"

"Mamaya pa. I came here early to see you kasi sobra kitang miss." She confided and
he smiled gently at her but she tiptoed to kiss his lips and Atty. Ferdinand
Sandoval cleared his throat. Lee Ann shrieked in surprise before her eyes widened
at the sight of her father's best friend and her sister's husband. "Good morning
po." She timidly greeted as she tried to step away from Nickolai but he didn't
loosen his arms around her.

"What is the meaning of this, Nick?" Atty. Sandoval asked his son.

"Kami na, Dad." He answered.

"Nick! Are you crazy?!" His father yelled as he stood up and Lee Ann bowed her head
as she stared at her shoes. "Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Leandro kung nabubuhay
sya ngayon at nakita nyang inahas mo ang bunsong anak nya who's eleven years
younger than you?!"

"Dad." Alexander said as he too stood up and put a hand on their father's shoulder.

"Shut up, Alex! Do you know about this?"

"I had an inkling. Ano namang masama, Dad kung nagmamahalan sila?"

"Dios mio." Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval mumbled as he massaged his temple with his
hand. "Anong masama? Lee Ann is a minor and her father told me to look after her!"

"I am looking after her." Nickolai replied.

"You are looking after her pero ginawa mong girlfriend ang bata?!"

"Dad, stop." Nickolai calmly said.

"Don't tell me what to do, Nickolai!"

"No, stop talking!" Nickolai yelled. "Because you're upsetting Lee Ann and I won't
have that. Now, you only have one choice and that is to accept that we're together
dahil kung hindi I'm going to leave this country and take her with me." He said
before he put an arm around Lee Ann's shoulder and guided her out of the conference
room.

.
####################################
Chapter 12
####################################

They walked quietly towards the elevator and Lee Ann kept her head bowed the whole
time. She was ashamed to be caught all over Nickolai and she was ashamed that it
was her father's best friend who saw them. She sniffed as she tried to hold back
her tears.

"Lee." She heard Nickolai's voice and she looked up. "Bakit ka naiiyak?" He asked,
his voice soft and filled with concern. "Ano yun, Lee?" He repeated and she shook
her head as her tears raced down her cheeks.

"Iyakin naman talaga ako eh." She murmured as she wiped her tears with her hands.
He pulled her towards him and encircled her in his embrace and she started sobbing.

"Stop crying." He whispered. "Tahan na. Please." He murmured and she cried harder.
"Ano yun? Sabihin mo sa akin bakit ka umiiyak ha, Lee?" He asked as she wrapped her
arms around him and continued to cry. "Ano yun, Lee? Please, stop crying. Bakit ka
umiiyak, Lee?" He asked, getting worried.

"Nahihiya kasi ako eh." She whispered against his tie.

"Nahihiya ka saan?" He inquired as he tightened his arms around her. "Nahihiya ka

saan, Lee?" He repeated when she didn't reply.

"Kasi... nahuli... tayong... nag...kiss." She haltingly answered and she continued
to weep and Nickolai stilled as his mind re-processed what she said before he burst
out laughing.

"Sa dinami-dami ng sinabi ni Dad, ang iniiyakan mo ay ang nahuli nya tayong nag-
kiss?" He asked, amused and she nodded her head. "Akala ko kung ano na. I was so
worried." He sighed as closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head. "I love you,
Lee Ann Carbonel." He said, his heart twitching as soon as the words were out of
his mouth. She stopped sobbing then as she lifted her tear-stained face to look at
him.

"Talaga? Love mo talaga ako?" She hiccupped and he smiled.

"Oo naman." He replied as he tapped the top of her nose. "Kaya wag ka nang umiyak
at ako na maghahatid sayo sa school, okay?"

"Paano yung driver ko?"

"Kakausapin ko at sasabihin kong ako na ang maghahatid sayo." He uttered and she
smiled before she hugged him again.

"Nick."

"Yes?"

"I love you too." She said and he held her face with both his hands dipped his head
to kiss her on the forehead. He took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped
her face with it. "Nakakahiya naman, I'm sure my face is all blotchy tapos ikaw,
you look so perfect." She announced candidly.

"Maganda ka. Kahit anong gawin mo, maganda ka." He replied smiling.

"Ganun? Lakas mong mambola."

"Hindi yun bola, I'm merely stating the truth and nothing but the whole truth."

"So help me God." She added and they both laughed. He pinched her cheek before he
hugged her again.

"Salamat sa surprise. Your presence totally made my day. Wag mong pansinin yung
sinabi ni Dad, wag mo na ding problemahin at ako na ang bahala, okay?" He said and
she nodded her head.

"Okay." She replied. He kissed her on the forehead again before he took her hand as
they waited for the elevator.

"Nick, okay lang bang ikaw ang maghatid sa akin? Wala ka bang work? Wala ka bang
hearing or meetings?"

"Gusto kong ako ang maghatid sayo." He stated and she giggled.

"Ang cute!" She smilingly said. "Pero kailangan mong magtrabaho para sa future
natin." She added as she tried to keep a straight face but ended up giggling
girlishly. Nickolai looked fondly at her before he draped an arm around her and
pulled her close. The elevator dinged open and out came Dustin and his secretary
Eunice.

"Good mor--" Dustin started to say and stopped. "Eunice, mauna ka na sa opisina."
He instructed.

"Okay po." Eunice replied. "Good morning po, Atty. Sandoval. Good morning po, Miss
Lee Ann." She greeted before she bowed her head and left.

"Anong meron dito?" Dustin asked as soon as Eunice was out of earshot. His tone was
neutral but Nickolai's expression instantly darkened.

"What do you mean exactly by anong meron dito?" He asked.

"Bakit mo kayakap ang angel ko?" Dustin answered grinning as he took Lee Ann's hand
and pulled her away from Nickolai whose jaw instantly clenched in anger. "Hello,
baby angel." Dustin said and Lee Ann sniggered.

"Baby angel ka pa dyan, Kuya Dustin." She said and was surprised when Nickolai
pulled her back and wrapped an arm around her waist. Dustin arched a brow as he hid
his smile at the older man's possessiveness.

"Bakit overprotective ka yata sa baby angel ko, Nick?" He said trying hard not to
laugh as he looked at Nickolai's red, angry face.

"Stop calling her your angel or your baby or your whatever!" He hissed
threateningly and Dustin was truly enjoying the show.

"Bakit naman hindi pwede eh baby angel ko naman talaga to." He kidded as he winked
at Lee Ann.

"She's my girlfriend!" Nickolai snapped and Dustin could no longer contain his
mirth and he doubled over in laughter.

"Langya ka, Nick. First time kita nakitang magalit, nakakatakot ka pala." He said
as Nickolai continued to scowl. "Alam kong kayo na, halata naman. Ingatan mo yan,
pag yan binitiwan mo, aangkinin ko." He joked but Nickolai didn't relax his grip on
Lee Ann. "Ako ang number one fan ng love team nyo." He added as he stepped forward
to slap Nickolai on the shoulder.

"Wag kang magkakamali, Dustin." Nickolai said relaxing a little bit.

"Ikaw ang wag magkakamali. Kahit nakakatandang kapatid ka ng best friend ko kapag
itong magandang babaeng ito ay pinaiyak mo, hindi kita sasantuhin." Dustin answered
seriously before he smiled. He offered his hand and Nickolai shook it. "Congrats,
Nick. Great catch." He said before he chucked Lee Ann under the chin. "Mauna na ako
sa inyo, lovers."

"Bye, Kuya Dustin!" Lee Ann waved gaily at Dustin who smiled and waved back. "Ang
bait-bait nya, ano?" She asked as she watched Dustin's retreating back. Nickolai
didn't answer but continued to scowl at the space the younger lawyer vacated.
"Nick!" She called and he blinked. "Are you okay?"

"Oo." He replied smiling. "Tara na? Anong oras nga pala ang class mo?"

"9 AM pa." She answered as they stepped inside the elevator. Dumiretso sila kung
saan naka-park ang sasakyan ni Lee para kausapin ang driver nya. "Sure ka na okay
lang na ikaw ang maghatid sa akin?" She asked again as he fastened her seat belt
for her.

"Oo nga." He said and she nodded her head. "Bakit, ayaw mo bang ako ang maghatid
sayo sa school mo?"

"Gusto. Kaso baka masanay ako tapos may mga times na hindi mo ako pwedeng ihatid o
kaya magsawa ka na sa kakahatid sa akin."

"Hindi ako magsasawang ihatid ka." He assured her as he turned the engine on and
drove.

"Nick, di ba twenty-seven ka na?" She asked and he glanced sideways at her.

"Oo, bakit?"

"Eh magsi-seventeen pa lang ako, mamaya gusto mo nang mag-asawa."

"Next year eighteen ka na, kaya pwede na tayong mag-asawa." He replied smiling.

"So anong uunahin, kasal natin o debut ko?"

"Sabay, gusto mo?" He asked and they both laughed. He sighed as he held her hand
and squeezed before he let it go. "Hihintayin kita tulad ng paghihintay mo sa akin,
Lee."

"Wag kang mag-alala, Nick hindi kita paghihintayin ng matagal kasi malapit na ang
expiration date mo." She teased and he frowned.

"Anong expiration date?"

"Malapit ka nang mag-menopause." She answered laughing.

"Hindi nagme-menopause ang mga lalaki, Lee Ann." He said and she laughed some more.

"Eh anong nangyayari sa inyo pag tumatanda na kayo?" She asked. "Di ba ang mga
babae nagme-menopause?"

"Wala. Lalaki pa rin kami." He replied.

"Weh."

"Papatunayan ko sayo yan." He said grinning and she turned to look at him.

"Is it just me or was that statement green?" She asked and he laughed.

"It's whatever color you deem it to be, Lee." He said. She continued to stare at
him and he glanced at her and smiled. "Hindi ka na nagsalita dyan." He remarked.

"Nick, humanda ka talaga pag nag-eighteen ako babastusin talaga kita kahit mas
matanda ka sa akin." She retorted and he laughed again.

"Pwede mo naman akong bastusin kahit ngayon." He said.

"Nickolai Ricaforte Sandoval, you are flirting with me." She flippantly uttered.
"And I like it." She added.

Nicholas Bentley de Jesus watched as Lee Ann waved goodbye at the silver Porsche
911. Alam nya kung sino ang nagmamaneho ng kotseng yun at alam nyang wala syang
karapatang magtampo at magalit. Lee Ann had been very vocal and coldly
straightforward regarding her feeling towards him pero di nya pa rin maiwasang
masaktan. Kahit anong kumbinsi nya sa sarili na dapat magkaibigan lang sila, hindi
nya mapigil ang nararamdaman nya para dito. He remembered what he saw yesterday and
felt his heart break all over again.

"Bakit ba kasi ikaw pa, Lee?" He asked himself as he watched Lee Ann talk to
another student. Alam nyang nagtatampo ang kaibigan nya sa kanya dahil hindi nya
ito pinansin kahapon pero hindi nya maitago ang selos; hindi nya maitago ang
masaktan at hindi nya maiwasan ang manghinayang. "Anong nakita mo sa kanya? He's
successful, I know pero kaya kong higitan yun if that's what it would take to make
you mine." He said.

"Hi, Lee Ann!" Someone called and he watched her as she waved at one of their
blocmates.

"Suzette! Saan tayo mamaya? Di ba tatapusin natin yung project na ipapasa natin
this Monday?" He heard her say.

"Sa condo na lang siguro ni Kahlil para malapit lang sa school."

"Akala ko ba sa Starbucks?" Lee Ann inquired. "Anyway, let's finalize kung saan ba
talaga para masabihan ko ang sundo ko."

"Okay, Lee. Sino pala yung naghatid sayo kanina? Boyfriend mo?" Suzette asked and
Lee Ann's melodious laughter reached Nicko's ear.

"Hindi." She replied and he perked up. "Future husband ko. May kontrata na kami."
She added, her voice teasing and it felt like a dagger pierced Nicko's heart. He
wanted to ignore her, he wanted to pretend that she doesn't exist pero alam nyang
lalo lang syang masasaktan. In the end, he gave in and called her name.

"Lee!" He said and she turned towards the direction of his voice.

"de Jesus, natapos na mens mo?" She joked as she smiled at him. As usual, kapag
ngumingiti si Lee Ann ay nahihirapahan syang huminga. He cleared his throat
repeatedly before he returned her smile. "Good mood ka na ngayon? Ano bang nangyari
sayo at bigla-bigla ka na lang hindi namansin? Nakakatampo ka naman."

"Sorry kahapon." Sabi nya habang sinabayan sa paglakad si Lee Ann. "Mainit lang ulo
ko kaya ganun."

"Okay lang yun, ano." She answered as she patted his arm. "Ang mga kaibigan dapat
nagpapatawaran." She added and he winced inwardly. "May problema ka ba? Pwede mo
akong kausapin if you need someone to listen to you." She offered and his heart
broke at how kind and unintentionally cruel she is at the same time.

"Wala."

"Wala daw, eh bakit mainit ulo mo kahapon?"

"Ganun talaga ako pag nasasaktan." He murmured and she frowned.

"Who dared to hurt this handsome guy's feelings?" She asked in mock indignation.
"Merong nagkamaling saktan ka? Dali, ibulong mo sa akin kung sino at sasabunutan
ko!" She said and he laughed softly before he sighed and held her hand. She was
surprised by the gesture and she looked questioningly at him. "Ano yun, de Jesus?"
She asked and he shook his head before he averted his gaze. "Are you alright?" She
asked and he smiled bitterly before he pulled her towards him and hugged her. She
was too surprised to protest as he continued to embrace her.

"Lee." He murmured and she understood that he needed someone that instant. Slowly,
she wrapped his arms loosely around her and patted his back. His heart painfully
trembled at her gesture.

"Bakit, Nicko? May problema ka ba? Do you want to talk about it? You can always
talk to me. Para naman tayong hindi magkaibigan nyan kung hindi mo nasasabi sa akin
kung ano ang problema mo." She intoned softly and felt him shook his head.

"Just let me hold you." He whispered and her brows furrowed in confusion. "Just let
me hold you as my heart shatter to pieces." He murmured and he squeezed his eyes
shut as his tears threatened to fall.

.
####################################
Chapter 13
####################################
Nickolai nodded at the valet parking attendant before he gave him his keys. Dapat
sya na ang magpa-park ng kotse nya but he was already late as it is kaya iniwan na
lang nya sa harap ng opisina.

"Atty. Sandoval!" One of the receptionists called.

"Yes?"

"Sabi po ng Daddy ninyo hinihintay daw po nya kayo sa opisina nya." The
receptionist replied and Nickolai nodded his head. His Dad had been calling him
nonstop and he ignored all his calls. Alam nya kung ano ang sasabihin ng ama nya
and he wasn't in the mood then to talk to him over the phone. He knocked on his
father's office's door and heard the soft click of the automatic door opening.

"Dad." Nickolai said and Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval motioned for his eldest son to
sit down. He expelled a heavy breath as soon as Nick took the seat fronting his
table.

"Kailan pa naging kayo ni Lee Ann?" His father asked.

"Saturday." Nickolai replied and the older Sandoval nodded his head before he
sighed again.

"May nangyari na ba sa inyo?" He asked holding his son's gaze and Nickolai returned
his stare.

"Wala pa pero kung may mangyayari man labas na kayo dun."

"Nickolai she is a child! Have you gone mad? Maliban dyan, she is someone who's
like a member of our family, para nyo syang nakakabatang kapatid ni Alex!"

"She is a member of our family, alright but she's not my sister and unless Sandoval
ang apelyido nya I am free to love her!"

"Love? Are you sure you're in love with her or is she just a passing fancy to you?
Nick, hinding-hindi kita mapapatawad kapag pinaglaruan mo si Lee Ann. She is you
godfather's daughter for heaven's sake! Kinakapatid mo sya!"

"Pinaglalaruan? Bakit ko sya paglalaruan? I have hidden my feelings for her for
years because she's too young, Dad! Alam kong mas bata sya sa akin ng mahigit isang
dekada! Bakit ba sa tingin ninyo hindi ako nag-aasawa because I am waiting for her
and I'm done waiting! She only maybe sixteen but she has her own mind! She might
just be a child to you but she knows her own heart! Mahal nya ako at mahal ko rin
sya!" Nickolai answered heatedly. "You can't keep me away from her because I intend
to keep her." He added and his father massaged his temple.

"How about Precious? Ano ang gagawin mo sa kanya?"

"We're done. Nakipaghiwalay sya sa akin so I'm free and before you insinuate na
kaya naging kami ni Lee Ann ay dahil ginagawa ko syang panakip-butas sa
paghihiwalay namin ni Precious, sasabihin ko na sa inyo ngayon na mali kayo ng
iniisip."

"Nick, hindi mo man lang ba hinintay na mag-debut ang bata--"

"Hindi na sya bata, dalaga na sya. At hindi ko na kayang hintayin. She belongs to
me!"
"What would her sisters say--"

"Dad, I don't care what they say. Lee Ann is mine!"

"Nick--"

"Dad, pareho tayong lalaki so please, let's skip the drama. I've loved her since
she was the little girl who just lost her mother and I used to think na naaawa lang
ako sa bata because I lost my mother too. I used to think na ang rason kung bakit
nagkakandarapa akong umuwi kada hapon para dumiretso sa mansyon ng mga Carbonel ay
dahil alam kung kailangan ni Lee Ann ng kuya and I used to think that I can ignore
how strong my feelings have gotten for her. Tiniis ko yun, Dad. Tinago ko. But I
can no longer hide what I feel. I want to be with her hindi bilang Kuya nya o
kinakapatid but as a man who'll protect his woman."

"My God, ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Leandro--"

"Mahal ko sya, Dad and I think Atty. Leandro Carbonel would be happy knowing that I
love Lee Ann with all my heart and I will protect her with my life."

Lee Ann reread the text message she received from Nickolai. He texted her nearly an
hour ago at wala na syang natanggap na text pa ulit. Baka tulog na. She thought
smiling. She did not expect that he'll play the smitten boyfriend role down to a T.
I miss you. His text message had said and she had replied with I miss you too. I
miss you so much, I wish you're here. It was already 11:52 PM at hindi nila
inasahang matatapos sila agad. Overnight ang paalam nya sa Ate nya. Atty. Alexa
Carbonel-Sandoval even left her office early para ipag-empake sya ng duffel bag na
puno ng damit at gamit na hinatid ng driver nya sa condo ng kaklase.

"Order tayo ng pizza!" One of their groupmates, Trinity, suggested and they eagerly
nodded their heads. "24/7 ang yellow cab di ba?"

"Oo, 24/7." Nicko replied unable to hide his smile. He was excited to spend the
night together with Lee Ann and he couldn't hide his delight. "Libre ko na." He
added.

"Aruy si de Jesus inspired." Suzette teased and everyone laughed as Lee Ann looked
up to smile at her groupmates.

"What did I miss?" She asked as she pocketed her phone.

"Wala lang. Inspired lang si de Jesus. Ahem."

"Bakit nga ba inspired si Nicko?" Jerome, their other groupmate, asked and they all
sniggered as Lee Ann's phone rang.
"Hi." She said over the phone as she stood up to go to the condo's terrace. "Bakit
hindi ka pa tulog?" She asked smiling as she closed the terrace's glass sliding
door behind her.

"Hindi ako makatulog. Nami-miss kasi kita." Nickolai answered. "Sinong katabi mong
matulog? Ayokong tumatabi ka sa lalaki. Ilang rooms ba meron dyan? Bakit kailangang
dyan pa sa condo ng classmate mo? Sana sa mansyon nyo na lang para mas comfortable
ka and you can sleep in you own room. Hindi pa ba kayo tapos? Nakakain ka na ba?
Wag puro junk food."

"Tapos ka na ba sa cross-examination mo, Atty. Sandoval?" Lee Ann asked laughing

and Nickolai couldn't help but laugh along with her. He felt foolish parked in
front of the condo where Lee Ann slept over with her group mates. And he definitely
felt like a lovesick fool as he glanced at his sandaled feet, denim shorts and
white, cotton shirt. Wala sana syang intensyong puntahan si Lee Ann but he changed
his mind when he received her text message. Para kang nasa high school, Nickolai!
He admonished himself. Pero hindi naman nya malalaman na nandito ako. He thought.

"Nasaan ka? Bakit parang mahangin dyan?" He asked as he frowned. "Are you outside?"

"Yes, nasa terrace." She replied and he immediately got off his car. He looked up
and saw her. Nasa 5th floor sya and he felt his heart pummel elatedly inside his
chest at the sight of her. "Ikaw, nasaan ka?"

"Ito pinapanuod ka." He answered and chuckled when she turned to look around her.
"Down here, Lee." He said as he waved his hand. She excitedly waved back.

"Bakit ka nandito?" She asked.

"Gusto lang kitang makita." He replied and she giggled.

"Ganun?"

"Oo, ganun." He answered. "Baba ka naman kahit saglit lang. Let me just hug you
goodnight." He added.

"Okay." She said. She ended the call went back inside. Nagtatalo ang mga group
mates nya kung ano ang flavor ng pizza na io-order and they looked up when she
closed the terrace's door.

"Tapos na tayo sa project di ba?" She asked and they nodded their heads.

"Magdi-DVD marathon daw tayo. Ang saya di ba? We should do this more often." Katy
said and Lee Ann smiled.

"Alis na ako."

"Ha? Bakit?" They asked.

"Tapos na naman ang gagawin eh." She answered before she went inside the bedroom
where all their bags were kept and picked up her duffel bag and school bag.

"Bakit biglaan? May emergency ba? Is everything okay? May sundo ka ba?" Nicko asked
in rapid succession and Lee Ann turned her head to look at him.

"Relax, de Jesus. Oo, may sundo ako. May utang ka sa aking pizza ha. Sisingilin ko
sa Monday." She said before she waved goodbye at everyone. "Bye, guys!" She said.
"Salamat, Khalil sa hospitality na pinakita mo. I owe you one." She added as she
walked to the door.
"Lee!" Nicko called. "Sino ang sundo mo? Alam ba ng mga Ate mo na susunduin ka nya
dito? Alam ba nilang sasama ka sa kanya?"

"Ha? What the hell are you saying?"

"Alam ko kung sino ang nasa baba na naghihintay sayo."

"And when did my affairs become your business?" She asked as she arched her brow.
"I do not remember you giving birth to me, bakit parang nanay kita kung umasta?"

"Lee, listen to me--"

"No, Nicko you listen to me. My affair is none of your business, you're a great
friend and I appreciate the concern but I don't need it."

"Lee--"

"Stop talking because the more you talk the more I'm starting to hate you." She
said before she opened the door and left. He wanted to follow her pero parang
nanghina sya kaya umupo na lang sya sa isa sa mga sofas.

"Nicko, okay ka lang ba?" Suzette asked and he nodded his head. "Malaki na yun si
Lee Ann, alam na nya ang ginagawa nya."

"May boyfriend na ba si Lee Ann?" Khalil asked and they all looked at him. He
realized that he somehow tainted Lee Ann's reputation by hinting that she's going
home with her boyfriend and he shook his head.

"Wala. Bigla lang akong nagselos. Crush ko kasi yun pero sure naman akong yung
driver nya ang sumundo sa kanya."

"Pero sino yung naghatid kay Lee Ann na naka Porsche 911?" Suzette inquired and
Nicko smiled even when he felt like punching someone's face.

"Family friend nila or pwede ring si Kuya Alex, yung brother-in-law nya."

"Ah. Naks, Nicko may pakuya-kuya Alex ka pa ah. Have you met Lee Ann's family?"
Tanong ni Katy.

"Yes." He replied as he pretended to check his phone for messages because he could
no longer smile at them as his heart broke.

Lee Ann waited for the elevator door to open and ran out as soon as it did. She
waved at the guard who smiled at her.

"Bye, Manong!" She said before she ran down the concrete staircase. "Nick!" She
called happily and he looked up to her and smiled before he opened his arms wide
for her.

"Na-miss kita." He whispered against her hair as he hugged her to his chest. "God,
how I miss you."

"Na-miss din kita." She whispered back. "Ihatid mo ako sa bahay. Tapos na kasi kami
sa project, di ba sabi mo ayaw mong may katabi akong lalaki? Kaya sa bahay na lang
ako tutulog."

"Sige, ihahatid kita sa bahay ko."

"Sa bahay namin." She answered laughing. "Loko ka ah, sumbong kita kay Ate."

"Tara na." He said as he opened the door for her. She gracefully slid into the
driver's seat and watched him get inside the car. "Kumain ka na ba? Have you had
dinner?"

"Puro chips lang kinain namin." She replied as the car roared to life. As usual,
she talked nonstop and he listened smilingly at her. She stopped talking when the
car stopped in front on his condo building and a valet parking attendant moved and
opened the door for her. "Bakit tayo nandito sa bahay mo?"

"Akala ko ba hindi ka pa kumakain, papakainin kita dito. Bring your things with
you."

"Bakit hindi na lang sa mansyon?" She asked but she complied as she carried her
bags and stepped out of the car. He took her bags from her and held her hand.

"Kasi anong oras na." He said as he pulled her towards the rotating door glass door
of the entrance. "Gigisingin mo pa ba sila para makakain ka lang?" He asked and Lee
Ann frowned. Hindi nawawalan ng pagkain sa mansyon nila and she could easily open
the one of their refrigerators and microwave something to eat. They rode the
elevator and he glanced smiling at her. "Are you okay?" He asked and she nodded her
head. "The password to my unit is your birthday." He stated as he pressed numbers
on his door's panel.

"Ganun?" She asked grinning. "Grabe, ang ganda ko talaga." She added and he laughed
as he pulled the door open for her. She ran inside and he followed her after he
double-checked the locks.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked putting her bags down and she turned to him and
smiled.

"Nick, seriously do you honestly believe that I'm here for the food?" She asked and
he watched as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse.

.
####################################
Chapter 14
####################################

She watched him watch her and the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile. "Nick,
napaghahalata ka." She uttered laughing as she fastened the two buttons on her
blouse that she undid. "Grabe yung concentration mo, it was funny to watch!" She
said as she doubled over in laughter. "Sabi ko na nga ba eh kaya mo ako dinala dito
kasi may balak kang masama." She added as she giggled. "Ikaw ha." She said as she
lifted her face to look at him only to find him staring seriously at her. "Nick?"
She asked. "Um... gutom na ako." She mumbled after a minutes as she cleared her
throat, his humorless gaze suddenly making her feel uncomfortable. "Mag-order na
lang tayo ng pizza, gusto mo?" She asked as he slowly walked towards her.
Instinctively, she took a step back.

"Bakit ka lumalayo?" He questioned as he continued to move forward.

"Wala." She mumbled and he smiled. "Ano... anong gusto mong kainin, pwedeng pizza
na lang?"

"Pwede bang Lee Ann na lang?" He inquired quietly as he tilted his head to the side
to regard her with interest. "Can I have Lee Ann for dinner?" He requested casually
and she nervously averted her gaze. She felt his thumb on her chin and she looked
at him. "Can I have you for dinner, Miss Carbonel?"

"Ha?" She asked stupidly. "Ay, hindi ka pa ba kumakain?" She nervously queried as
she began fiddling with the hem of her blouse. "Gusto mo labas tayo o gusto mo
punta tayo sa mansyon madaming pagkai--" His lips on hers stopped her words as he
kissed her gently. Unhurriedly, his lips moved over hers as his tongue snaked out
to slide across her lower lip. She gasped in pleasure and he immediately took
advantage as he invaded her mouth. She tentatively rubbed her tongue against his
and he moaned in need. "Am I doing it right?" She asked when they parted for air
and he nodded his head.

"You're doing it too well." He whispered before he imprisoned her in his embrace
and captured her mouth again. She tiptoed to be closer to him and he stooped to put
an arm under her hip to pull her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips and he
felt his body respond to contact. "You are going to be the death of me, Lee Ann
Carbonel." He whispered against her lips. "When did you grow up to be such a
tease?" He murmured before he covered her mouth with his again. He started to move
towards his leather-covered sofa and lay her down gently before he moved atop her.
"Are you comfortable?" He asked and she nodded her head in reply. He dipped his
head to kiss her again and she opened her mouth to accommodate him.

"Nick..." She whimpered and he groaned in response. The kiss started gentle but
quickly became passionate as his hands travelled to touch her in places that made
her toes curl with pleasure. He nudged her legs apart before he moved to lie in
between them. She was wearing a pair of cotton, three-quarter pants and she could
feel the bulge on his shorts.

"Are you scared?" He asked and she shook her head even when she was apprehensive.
"Good." He whispered as he kissed her again. She forgot about her fears as his lips
opened languidly over hers. She felt him rock gently against her and her mouth went
dry. She knew they were fully-clothed but she couldn't help feeling naked and
vulnerable beneath him.

"Nick..."

"Yes?" He gasped.

"If you're going to take my virginity tonight, I don't want it to happen on top of
this sofa." She mumbled and he stopped moving. "Kasi mukhang doon na to papunta."
She added bravely. " I have no qualms whatsoever about losing my virginity to you
pero wag dito."

"Losing your virginity... I mean... do you want to do it?" He asked, excited and
afraid at the same time. Alam nyang wala pa sa tamang edad si Lee Ann but he
couldn't stop his physical response to her offer as he grew harder under his
shorts.

"It isn't a matter of me wanting to do it or not, di ba? It is a case of you

wanting to do me and me loving you enough to let you do me. Now, do you want to do
me because I love you enough to let you?" She inquired and he stared at her for a
few seconds before he laughed shaking his head.

"Minsan, nagugulat ako sa mga sinasabi mo." He said as he got off her. He sat down
near her feet and he turned sideways to look at her. "Sa akin nakasalalay pala kung
gagawin natin o hindi kasi kung anong gugustuhin ko ay papayag ka?" He questioned,
his tone teasing and she nodded her head.

"Tsaka mas mature ka, you know what's best for both of us." She replied guilelessly
and he smiled.

"Minsan yun mga mas nakakatanda ay hirap sundin kung ano ang dapat at ano ang
tama." He answered as he pulled her to sit up and sit astride facing him.. "You are
playing me like a harp, Lee Ann Carbonel." He spoke, his voice filled with longing,
as he nuzzled her neck. "Hindi yata ako tatagal sayo. Saan mo ba natutunan ang mga
pinaggagawa mo at wala man lang akong kalaban-laban?"

"Wala pa nga akong ginagawa eh." She replied.

"Wala ka pang ginagawa sa lagay na yan?" He teased and she grinned. He straightened
her blouse before he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Tao lang ako Miss Lee Ann
Carbonel at marupok ako pagdating sa tukso." He kidded and she laughed, her bell-
like laughter making his heart reel. He was proud to watch her grow up and he's
prouder that she's his.

"Pinagtatawanan mo ako? Masyado mo na akong pinapahirapan sa mga pinaggagawa mo. I

will need a very cold shower later."

"Sabi ko nga kung gusto mo, okay lang sa akin. Papanagutan mo naman ako di ba? At
kung hindi man at least may remembrance ako sayo." She quipped and he laughed.

"Remembrance? Bakit? Magpapaanak ka ba sa akin?"

"Bakit hindi? Kung okay lang naman sayo kasi mamaya pala ay gusto mong ipagdamot
yang lahi mo." She replied grinning and he laughed harder.

"Ilang anak ba ang gusto mo at ibibigay ko?" He asked and she grinned.

"Alam mo ba kung paano ginagawa ang mga babies?" She teased and he guided her to
sit up. Her eyes bulged in surprise when he put his hand inside her Capri pants.

"Dumadaan dito di ba?" He asked huskily as she blushed profusely. "Unless mali
ako." He added.

"Tama ba naman yung nandadakma ka na lang ng mga hindi dapat dakmain?" She asked in
a whisper.

"Akin din naman yan, Lee. Ingatan mo muna ng mahigit isang taon but when the time
comes, I will claim what's mine."

"Claim? Anong akala mo sa akin, bag na iniwan mo sa isang security counter?" She
asked and he gave her a boyish grin. Hindi nya alam kung bakit hindi nya makuhang
magalit. Why does it feel normal to have his hands all over me? She asked herself
quietly.

"I want to marry you and I want you to bear my name as well as my children." He
said as he took his hand from inside her pants.
"Nakakaasar ka, kinikilig ako!" She exclaimed covering her face with her hands as
he pulled her into his embrace. "Mahal kita, Lee. Mahal na mahal at gusto kong sa
akin ka lang. But Dad is right, you're still a child."

"Hindi na ako bata!"

"Dalaga ka na, oo pero ayun sa batas, bata ka pa rin at dahil bata ka pa hindi pa
tayo pwedeng magpakasal. I want us to get married in a church. I want our families
and friends to be there to bear witness to me laying a legal and spiritual claim on
you."

"Kunyari ka pang kasal ang gusto mo eh, I'm sure mas excited ka pa sa honeymoon."

"That too." He agreed chuckling. "You'll be seventeen in a few months, mahigit

isang taon na lang ang hihintayin natin and we can get married."

"Okay lang ba sayo kahit nag-aaral pa ako?" She asked as she leaned away to look at
his face. "Okay lang ba sayo na gusto kong maging doktor?"

"Bakit naman hindi? Lahat ng gusto mo, gusto ko rin." He uttered and she smiled.

"Talaga? Lahat ng gusto ko?" She asked and he solemnly nodded his head. "Kiss mo
ako, please." She said and he gladly obliged. Her eyes fluttered open when he
lifted his lips off hers and she sighed. "Why are you such a good kisser,
Nickolai?" She asked and he smiled but his smile vanished immediately when she
scowled.

"O bakit?" He asked.

"Sinong nagturo sayong humalik?! Anong pangalan nya para aabangan ko sya at
kakalbuhin ko sya!" She angrily said as her eyes started to well-up. "I'm so
upset!" She murmured.

"Bakit ka upset?" He asked as he hugged her. "What got my baby Lee Ann upset?"

"Hindi ako ang first mo! Ang unfair!" She said as fat tears started to roll down
her cheeks. It was difficult for him to hide his laughter but he did because he
knew she'd be more distraught.

"Hindi ikaw ang first ko saan?"

"Sa lahat ng bagay." She wailed and he could no longer contain his laughter. "Bakit
ka natatawa? Are you laughing at me?" She sobbed and he shook his head.

"No. Why would I do that?"

"Then why the hell are you smiling?!" She asked as more tears fell from her eyes.
He wiped her face with his hand before he kissed the tip of her nose.

"Tama na, stop crying." He said. "Tahan na." He murmured. "It's no longer important
if you're not my first, what matters is you're my last." He said and she stopped
sobbing.

"Sure ba yang ako ang last mo?" She asked doubtfully and he nodded his head.

"Ikaw ang last ko. I promise." He said as he watched her use the hem of her shirt
to wipe her tears. "Kaya tama na ang iyak. Hindi na natin ulit pag-uusapan to at
hindi mo na ulit iiyakan to." He added.
"Okay." She replied before she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, Nick
with every thread of my being and with every fiber of my soul." She whispered
against this ear and he tightened his arms around her.

"I love you too, Lee. I love you so much." He whispered back. She lifted her face
off the crook of his neck and held his face with both her hands.

"Nickolai Sandoval, you're one lucky man to be owned by Lee Ann Carbonel." She
declared before she giggled. He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

"Dito ka matutulog ngayong gabi." He said. "Gusto kitang makatabi sa pagtulog. When
was the last time na nagtabi tayong matulog? I think that was five years ago."

"Oo, five years ago. I was eleven and I had my first period. Nag-freak out ako nung
nakita ko ang tagos sa kama." She said and he laughed softly.

"What do you want for dinner?" He asked her after minutes of cuddling.

"Pizza." She replied.

"Hindi healthy ang parating pizza." He said and she sighed.

"Fine. Kung ano na lang ang nasa ref mo. Ano bang laman ng ref mo?"

"Beer." He answered laughing. "Sige, pizza na lang." He agreed. They waited for
nearly an hour bago dumating ang pina-deliver nila and they wolfed down the pizza
in less than thirty minutes. Lee Ann took a bath first and Nick followed after she
finished.

"Manuod muna tayong palabas sa cable." She said when they were in bed. He gave her
the remote controls and she happily clapped her hands. "Ito! Ito! Gusto kong
panuorin to!" She gleefully announced.

"Gusto mong manuod ng horror movie bago ka matulog?" He asked in disbelief.

"Oo! Nandito ka naman eh kaya di ako matatakot."

"Baka magka-nightmares ka nyan." He said but she insisted. Yun nga lang
nakatalukbong sya ng comforter the whole time. "Matulog na lang tayo." He uttered
as he turned the television off. He pulled her into his arms as she threw a leg
over his.

"Goodnight, Nick." She whispered and his mouth sought hers in the darkness as he
started kissing her. She was eagerly kissing him back when they heard his phone
ring. "Baka emergency." She mumbled.

"Hindi yan." He murmured before he kissed her again.

"Baka importante yan." She said and he expelled a heavy breath and rolled off her.
He stood up to get his phone from one of the drawers. "Kanino galing?" She asked
but he didn't reply as he stared at the message on his phone.

Precious:

I'm outside.

.
.

####################################
Chapter 15
####################################

"Nick, sino yan?" Lee Ann asked again and Nickolai turned his phone off.

"Wait lang, Lee." He said as he walked back to his bed and kissed her lightly on
the cheek. "Balik ako agad." He added as he walked to the door and stepped out of
the room. Dali-dali nyang pinuntahan ang telepono nya at binunot ito sa saksakan.
He went to his main door and checked if the triple locks were in place.

"Nick! Ang tagal mo!" Narinig nyang sigaw ni Lee Ann and he smiled.

"Andito na." He said as he went back inside the bedroom and closed the door behind
him. "Ang bilis naman akong ma-miss ng girlfriend ko." He said as he lay down
beside her.

"Anong ginawa mo sa labas?" She petulantly asked and he laughed as he hugged her to
his chest.

"Wala, may chineck lang." He murmured against her hair.

"Mamaya nambabae ka pala." She grumbled and he chuckled.

"Ang bilis ko naman kung nambabae ako. Besides, bakit pa ako mambababae?"

"Wag ka ring manlalaki ha." She said and he laughed aloud.

"Kung anu-anong pumapasok sa isip mo." He said as kissed her on the forehead. She
threw a leg over his hip and he felt himself harden. Nick, bata pa yan! He
admonished himself as she snuggled closer against him.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm not wearing a bra. Napaka-uncomfortable kasi." She
mumbled sleepily and he felt heat start in the middle of his stomach and spread to
his chest.

"You always say the damndest things, Lee Ann." He said as he felt desire stir in
his loins. "You're going to be the death of me." He muttered and she sleepily
opened her eyes to regard him with interest.

"Na-arouse ka?" She asked and he stared at her upturned face for a few seconds
before he burst out laughing.

"Kung anu-anong sinasabi mo. Saan mo ba natutunan yang mga yan?"

"Sa internet, sa movies, sa mga ate ko at sa friends ko."

"Sa mga Ate mo? Pagsasabihan ko nga yang si Alexa that they should be careful with
what they say around you. Kung anu-ano na lang yang lumalabas sa bibig mo. You're
only sixteen."

"Nick, don't you know that the youngest mother in the Philippines is just nine
years old? So kung tutuusin, I'm seven years late." She replied grinning. "Nick..."
She whispered after a few minutes.

"Ano yun?" He answered.

"Papatong." She replied.

"Ha?!"

"Patong ako sayo." She mumbled as she crawled on top of him. "Di ba ganito mo ako
pinapatulog dati?" She asked as she yawned and he grimaced. Dati, oo kasi bata ka
lang nun at wala ka pang boobs. He wanted to retort but held himself back. "Pa-meme
mo ako." She demanded and he hesitantly patted her back with his hand. Sobra na
syang naiinitan at sobra na syang nag-iinit. He peeked at Lee Ann's face but she
seemed fast asleep. Langhiya naman tong buhay na to. He thought shaking his head.
He closed his eyes and felt her move. He tried to ignore the sensations that were
awakened at her movements as he feigned sleep. He stifled the urge to open his eyes
as she continued shifting above him until he felt her warm breath on his face.

"Lee--?" Her eager mouth silenced him and he groaned as he accepted her kiss.

"Goodnight." She said as they parted for air. "Sweet dreams." She added grinning.

"Hindi na ako makakatulog nito." He murmured and she arched her brow when she felt
his hand under her shirt. "Why the hell are you so hot?" He asked as his hand
explored her back.

"Hot? Anong akala mo sa akin pandesal?" She jested and he laughed.

"Lee Ann Carbonel, why do I have a feeling na alam mo ang mga ginagawa mo at
pinaglalaruan mo lang ako?" He asked as his hand moved towards her hip.

"Bakit kita paglalaruan? Ang gwapo mo namang laruan." She replied and gasped when
he reverted their positions. He stared at her surprised face as his hand moved to
explore her skin. And she felt it then, the tingling sensation that unfurled in the
pit of her stomach. "Nick--" She started to pant as his hand continued its journey.

"Yes, Lee?" He asked and she squirmed.

"Ano ba talaga? Parang nakikiliti ako na hindi." She answered and he laughed
softly. "Ano to, Nick initiation rite ba to?" She tried to joke and gasped when she
felt his hand on her chest. She saw him close his eyes and groaned.

"God, Lee--" He panted as he squeezed her flesh.

"Are you okay?" She asked in concern and he opened his eyes to look at her. "Anong
nangyari sayo?" She inquired as he slumped over her.

"Teka lang, give me a minute." He whispered and she wrapped her arms around him. "I
need to use the bathroom." He said as he made a move to get off her.

"Okay." She answered. And he wondered kung alam ba ni Lee Ann kung bakit sya
magbabanyo. Does she know the effect that she has on me? He questioned himself. "O
sige na, magbanyo ka na at baka magka-UTI ka pa kapag pinigil mo yan." She added
and her reply confirmed his suspicion. Hindi man lang alam nito kung anong
pinaggagawa nya sa akin.

"Lee."

"Yes?"

"Wala." He replied as he got off her. But she grabbed his shirt and frowned at him.

"Ano yun?" She asked. "Pwede ba namang wala? Lakas mo namang mambitin!"

"Ikaw nga tong malakas mambitin eh." He answered with a chuckle. "Kawawa naman
talaga pagkalalaki ko sayo, masyado mo nang inapi."

"Ngee." She said. "Pagkalalaki mo? Bakit, ano bang ginawa ko sayo, aber?"

"Gusto mo talagang malaman?" He asked.

"Oo."

"Wag na baka patayin ako ng mga Ate mo." He responded with a grin as he pried her
hands off his shirt but she held on to him tighter.

"Nick naman eh! Ano nga yun! Nakakabanas ka na! Ayoko na sayo! Tampo na ako!" She
announced pouting and he laughed. "Hindi mo talaga sasabihin? Uwi na nga lang ako!"
She added as she lay back down on his bed and turned her back to him. He chuckled
as he lay down beside her.

"Napakamatampuhin nito." He said as he pulled her to him.

"Ayoko!" She snapped as she scooted away from him.

"Lee naman."

"May pa-intro intro ka pa di mo naman tinutuloy yung sasabihin mo!"

"Halika na, sasabihin ko na." He cajoled and she finally turned to face him.

"Ano na?" She asked when he just stared at her. "Akala ko ba sasabihin mo na?"

"Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang sabihin sayo."

"Sus, ano ba yun. Sabihin mo na kasi. Dami mo pang pasakalye eh. Yun kamo ang
nakakaasar sayo, feeling mo bata pa ako. Feeling mo--" She stopped talking when he
guided her hand to his crotch. "Oh my God." She murmured.

"Ngayon, pwede na ba akong magbanyo?"

"Mag-aano ka?" She asked. "Hala, maghugas ka ng kamay ha." She added naively and he
laughed aloud before he kissed her again. She waited for him for nearly ten minutes
and sat up on the bed as soon as he emerged from his bathroom. "Success ba?" She
asked and he gave her a wink. He walked towards the bed and lay down beside her as
he gathered her in his arms.

"Matulog ka na." He said closing his eyes.

"Goodnight, Nick." She murmured against his neck and he nearly groaned at the
sensation of her warm breath on his skin.

"Goodnight, Lee." He replied before he cupped her face and kissed her thoroughly.
She felt him move atop her again and she arched her brow.

"Sige ka, ayan ka na naman." She said and he grinned.

"Okay lang, malapit lang naman ang banyo." He replied before he dipped his head to
claim her mouth.

Sabay silang nag-breakfast at nag-lunch. Mag-aalas-tres na nung hinatid sya ni Nick

sa mansyon. They couldn't stop kissing and they stayed inside his car giving each
other unlimited goodbye kisses.

"Go. Alis na." Nickolai spoke panting. "Baka hindi na kita palabasin." He added
before he nibbled her lower lips again.

"Gusto mong pumasok sa loob?" She murmured against his lips.

"Baka dumiretso akong kwarto mo." He whispered back before he opened his mouth over
hers. "Okay, tama na." He said closing his eyes. "Tama na."

"Alis na ako. Salamat sa paghatid." She said and he nodded his head. He asked her
to leave her duffel bag filled with her clothes and things in his unit and she
obliged without question. "Bye, Nick." She said as she moved to open the door and
squeaked when he pulled her back.

"Isa pa." He said before he kissed her again. Forty-five minutes later, she
couldn't hide her smile as she ran towards the mansion.

"Aba, masaya." She heard someone say as soon as she opened the door and she twirled
around to find her older sisters.

"Ate!" She happily ran towards where they sat and gave each of them a hug. "Kanina
pa ba kayo dito?"

"Hindi masyado, mga ten hours lang." Lia replied as she immediately noticed her
younger sister's kiss-swollen lips. "Nag-sex na ba kayo ni Nickolai?" She asked
bluntly and Lee Ann immediately shook her head.

"Hindi pa po." She replied.

"Narinig mo yun, Alexa. Hindi pa daw. Ibig sabihin, may balak."

"Sa kanya ka ba natulog, Lee?" Alexa asked, her voice tinged with worry. "Did you
spend the night with him?"

"Opo." Lee Ann replied as she sat down on the sofa fronting her two sisters. "Wala
namang nangyari sa amin. Mahal na mahal ko po sya, Ate." She said, her head bowed.
"Hindi ko naman kinu-kwestiyon yun eh." Alexa started to say. "Pero, nag-aalala
kami sayo kasi, Lee sixteen ka pa lang. Are you ready for something like this?"

"Ang libog, Lee walang pinipiling edad." Lia seconded. "Pero syempre kailangan ka
naming pagsabihan kasi nakakabata ka naming kapatid at tingin namin kailangan mo ng
guidance."

"Wala naman pong nangyari sa amin, Ate."

"Wala pa sa ngayon." Alexa spoke. "Pero baka bukas o sa susunod na araw meron na.
Emotional ang intimacy para sa babae, Lee at dahil mahal mo sya baka bumigay ka
agad."

"Nahawakan na ba nya pempem mo?" Lia asked and Alexa stared at her older sister
before she doubled over in laughter.

"Ano ka ba, Ate! Pempem talaga?"

"Aba, bakit? Bawal bang itanong yun? Ano, Lee anong base na si Nickolai sayo?"

"Ha?" Lee Ann asked in confusion.

"Ganito yan, kiss, dede, pempem tapos tusok-tusok na." Lia retorted without guile
and Alexa continued to laugh as Lee Ann blushed furiously. "Oh my goodness,
nahawakan na nya pempem mo?!" She demanded seeing Lee Ann's guilty expression. "Ang
bilis naman ni Nickolai! Ilang linggo pa lang kayo ah."

"Ano?!" Alexa blurted out as she stood up. "Bakit ka nagpahawak dun? Nakalimutan na
ba ni Nick kung ilang taon ka pa lang. Lagot sa akin yung manyak na yun!"

"Hoy, Holy Virgin St. Alexa umupo ka nga dyan. Ito naman kung maka-react parang di
hinahawakan gabi-gabi ang pempem nya." Lia said and they three of them looked at
each other before they doubled over in laughter.

"Ate naman! Ayan ka na naman eh! Ang bastos mo!" Alexa exclaimed laughing.

"Ito ka na naman, pa-virgin. Teka lang, may ikukwento ako." She whispered
conspiratorially at her sisters and they moved closer to her. "I got laid." She
said before she giggled.

"Sino?" Alexa asked curiously. "Do we know him?"

"Secret." She replied. "Pero ang galing nya. Wala akong masabi. Wala sa itsura kasi
kagalang-galang sya. Parang di makabasag-hymen pero wag ka, he's an animal in bed."
She said.

"Boyfriend mo, Ate?" Lee Ann asked and Lia laughed.

"Hindi. Boytoy lang." She said.

"Binata naman yan, Ate?" Alexa inquired. "Yan ba yung bakla?"

"Hindi no, naghiwalay na kami ng landas nun matapos ko syang bigyan ng tips sa
pagmi-make-up. Ito binatang-binata."

"Ate, mag-iingat ka." Alexa said.

"Darling, no glove, no love policy ako. Besides, it's been ages since I got laid.
More than a year na. mahirap kasing maging sexy kung meron kang mga problema. Hoy,
Lee Ann wag mo akong gagayahin ha. Itong si Holy Mother Alexa ang gayahin mo at
kasing-puti ng nyebe ang puri nito."

"Ate naman." Alexa uttered laughing.

"Pero, Lee seryosong usapan. Aminado naman akong I am not a great role model of
morality dito sa pamilyang ito. But sex and losing one's virginity is not something
that should be taken lightly. Kasi believe me, when you lose the V parang may
kulang ka na lalo na kung wala lang. And you're too young to experience the
insecurity and self-doubt that you'll feel after you lose it."

"Tama, Lee. Bata ka pa. Hinay-hinay muna ha." Alexa stated. "Hindi ako magagalit at
hindi kita pagbabawalan. Hindi rin kita ipapahiya by speaking to Nick about it kasi
personal na decision yan pero malay natin, in a year or two ay magbabago ang
pagtingin mo sa kanya o kaya ay magbabago ang pagtingin nya sayo."

"Alam ko naman po yun, mga Ate. Pero pag nandun ka na kasi sa moment--"

"Ay, naku yang moment na yan." Lia interjected. "Panira ng buhay yang moment na yan
eh."

"When you're eighteen, you can do whatever you want because you'll be an adult by
then. Alam naming dalawa ni Ate Lia na hanggang payo lang ang pwede naming ibigay
because you will be the one to decide pero sana you'll heed our advices."

"Alam ko naman po eh." Lee Ann answered. "Don't worry, mga Ate I'm not going to
turn into a slut if that's what you're scared about." She added and Lia arched her
brow at Lee Ann.

"Excuse me, but since when is being a slut a sin in this family?" She asked. Her
two younger sisters stared at her in shock before the three of them burst out
laughing.

.
####################################
Chapter 16
####################################

It was Sunday morning and Lee Ann sleepily opened her eyes. She rolled unto her
back and felt the empty space beside her.

"Nick." She groaned. "Bakit hindi kita katabi?" She asked her pillow as she hugged
it to her chest. She slept over at Nick's last Friday night and it felt weird not
to wake up wrapped in his arms. She groped for her phone and dialed his number.

"Good morning, Lee." He sleepily said over the phone. "Aga mo namang nagising. Wala
pang 4 AM and it's a Sunday kaya wala kang pasok." He said yawning.
"Nick..."

"Yes?"

"Punta ka dito para paggising ko magkatabi tayo." She told him and he laughed
softly at her quip. "Nick, geh na." She repeated.

"Sige, sige. I'll be there in twenty minutes." He replied and she cheered loudly.

"Yey! Mag-ingat ka sa pagda-drive. Gusto kong nandito yung katawan mo hindi yung
kaluluwa mo." She told him and he chuckled.

"Sige, shower lang ako."

"Wag na, mabango ka pa rin naman eh."

"Mabilis lang tapos punta na ako dyan." He said. They ended the call and he ran to
his bathroom to take a shower. Since it was still early, walang katraffic-traffic
mula sa condo nya papunta sa mansyon ng mga Carbonel. She was waiting at the top of
the stairs like she used to when she was younger and he couldn't help but smile.

"Nick!" She exclaimed as she ran down the stairs to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Hi." She whispered in his ear before she kissed his cheek.

"Nasaan na yung batang papatulugin ko?" He asked her fondly and she frowned.

"Nick naman." She mumbled but smiled immediately when he draped his arm around her
shoulders.

"Bakit medyo basa ang buhok mo?"

"Nakakahiya eh, kaya sabi ko wag ka nang maligo para pwede rin akong hindi maligo
pero naligo ka naman. Kaya naligo na rin ako kahit tinatamad ako." She answered and
he laughed. They took the stairs to her bedroom. She immediately pulled him towards
the bed and she eagerly made him lie down beside her. "Grabe inaantok pa ako." She
murmured closing her eyes after she felt his arms enclose her in a hug. "Good
morning, Nick." She whispered as she snuggled into his chest.

"Good morning, Lee." He whispered back before he tilted her face up to kiss her
lips. Sanay syang gumising ng maaga pero hindi nya alam kung bakit inaantok sya
habang pinapanuod si Lee Ann na natutulog. There's something so peaceful about her
when she's sleeping.

"Nick." She murmured in her sleep and he leaned forward to kiss her on the
forehead. She sighed contentedly and he couldn't help but smile.

His eyes fluttered open at the shrill sound of a phone ringing and the girl in his
arms stirred. "Nick, yung phone mo." She whimpered in irritation as she covered her
ears with her hands.

"Nasa kotse ang telepono ko so it's yours." He answered and she opened her eyes to
look at him.

"Ang gwapo mo naman." She muttered grinning before she kissed his chin. "Good
morning." She greeted.

"Good morning." He greeted back as she sat up and padded barefoot towards her study
table. "Anong oras na?" He asked.
"9:17 AM. She replied as she walked back towards the bed bringing her phone with
her. "Bakit kaya tumatawag si Tito June?" She asked herself aloud.

"Who's Tito June?" Nickolai inquired.

"Yung Tito ni Nicko na director nung first commercial ko." She answered. Nick was
about to say something about hearing the teenage boy's name so early in the morning
but bit back his tongue as Lee Ann dialed a number. "Hello po, Tito June! Good
morning! Yes po, pasensya na I just woke up. Bakit po kayo napatawag?" Nick heard
her say over the phone and she pouted when he grabbed the phone from her hand and
activated the speaker function. "Pakialamero ka." She mouthed at him and he
grinned.

"--project for you. I hope you'll indulge me again." Tito June said. "They're
looking for a fresh face at ikaw ang pumasok sa isip ko. Ang ganda ng feedback na
nakuha natin sa first commercial mo and the client was very satisfied!"

"Tito, I'll have to discuss this with my sisters. Pwede po bang pa-send ng
background tungkol sa product pati na rin po ng outline ng commercial kay Ate
Alexa. Do you sill have her email address?"

"Yes, Darling--" Tito June replied and Nickolai frowned. "I saved your sister's
email address. At tsaka tatawagan ko rin sya kasi I want your law firm to handle my
contracts. Will it be alright na tawagan sya ng Sunday?"

"Naku, Tito pinapatay nya po yung business phone nya kapag Sunday kasi gusto nyang
nasosolo sya ng family nya."

"Ganun ba? Okay. I'll call her tomorrow then. Pasensya sa abala, Lee. Have a
blessed Sunday!"

"You too, Tito! Don't worry hindi po kayo nakaabala." Lee Ann politely replied
before they ended the call.

"Why do you let him call you darling?" Nick asked and her brows furrowed at his
question.

"Because he calls everyone darling." She reasoned. "Also, didn't you notice kung
gaano sya kalamya magsalita? Hindi sya mahilig sa babae, Nick." She added but his
frown didn't vanish. "Nick naman, ang aga-aga mo naman akong pinapakilig." She said
and he smiled before he pulled her towards him to nuzzle her neck.

"Kinikilig ka?" He asked and she readily nodded her head. "Talagang hindi ka
nahihiyang aminin sa akin na kinikilig ka?" He probed and she nodded her head
again. "Bakit yung ibang babae tinatago--"

"Sinong ibang babae?! Bakit ilang babae na ba nakasama mong matulog?! May
pinuntahan ka ring ibang babae para tabihan sa pagtulog nya?!" She angrily asked as
her lower lip trembled.

"Hey, hey..." He murmured.

"Hey, hey ka dyan!" She retorted and he chuckled. "Umuwi ka na nga lang! Baka may
ibang babae pang naghihintay sayo sa condo mo para batiin ka ng good morning!" She
snapped before she pushed away from his chest to stand up.

"Lee." He said as he stood up too. "Napakaselosa mo."

"Hindi ako selosa!" She huffed as he put his arms around her. "Bitiwan mo nga ako!
Nakakainis ka! Ang dami mong babae!"

"Wala nga eh, yung girlfriend ko naman bata." He joked and she got more annoyed.

"Okay, fine bata na ako. Sige, dun ka na sa lanta mong ex-girlfriend at sasagutin
ko na si Nicko!" She retorted furiously and without thinking. He instantly froze at
her words.

"Nanliligaw sayo yung Nicko?" He asked serenely as his hold around her tightened.
She felt his demeanor change and she struggled to be free form his grasp.

"Maliligo na ako! Kainis! Bitiwan mo ako! Di pa ako nagtu-tootbrush!"

"Nanliligaw sayo yung Nicko?" He repeated, his tone still calm.

"Eh ano naman kung oo? It's not as if -- Nick!" She shrieked as he lifted her off
the floor and brought her back to the bed. "Ay grabe dinadaan ako sa dahas." She
said as he covered her body with his.

"Sinong nagsabi sayong pwede kang magpaligaw?" He asked before he rained kisses on
her face. "Ha? Sinong nagsabi sayo?" He repeated as he started to tickle her.

"Ano ba, Nick!" She squealed. "Kasalanan ko ba kung madaming mahumaling sa ganda
ko?" She asked and laughed harder as he continued to tickle her. "Tama na,
Nickolai!" She shouted laughing and he stopped.

"Nagpapaligaw ka pa?" He asked and she held his face with both her hands.

"Hindi." She said.

"Ano yung sinabi mo kanina?"

"Naasar lang ako sayo. Sabihan mo ba naman akong hindi tulad sa ibang babae blah,
blah, blah..."

"Lee, nababasa, napag-uusapan at nao-observe ko lang yun. Hindi naman ibig sabihin
ay marami na akong nakatabi sa pagtulog."

"Sus. Wag ka na. Huling-huli ka na eh. Palusot."

"Selosa."

"Whatever."

"I love you."

"Maniwala ako sayo." She murmured and he kissed her soundly on the lips.

"Halika, Lee paliguan kita." He whispered against her ear and she giggled.

"Ang bastos mo." She said but she let him pull her to her feet.

They bathed separately because he thought it would be too much for his sanity kung
sabay silang maliligo. They decided to go to the mall and agreed to visit Alexander
and Alexa later. "Tawagan kaya natin sina Ate para alam nilang padating tayo." She
suggested and he shook his head.

"Hindi sila umaalis ng bahay kapag Sunday. In fact, nasa loob lang daw sila ng
kwarto maghapon."
"Baka busy sila." She worriedly said.

"Sabagay, mahirap mabitin." Nickolai chuckled as he took his phone out and dialed
his brother's number. "Alex, pupunta kami dyan kasi gusto daw makalaro ni Lee Ann
ang mga bata." He said.

"Bakit pa kayo nagpapaalam? Dumiretso na kayo dito." Nickolai heard his brother
reply.

"Baka maka-istorbo kami eh." He answered laughing softly.

"Red flag kaya tapos ang ligaya." Alexander stated and Nickolai laughed.

"Sige, may bibilhin lang daw tong si Lee Ann." He said before he disconnected the
call. They went inside a bookstore and Lee Ann bought new books. They went inside
the department store next kasi gusto ni Lee Ann na bilhan ng pasalubong ang mga
pamangkin nila.

"Alin ang mas cute, Nick?" She asked holding up two toys in front of his face.

"Bilhin mo na lahat para hindi na natin kailangang mamili." He said and she
frowned.

"Dapat may effort naman yung gift." She scolded him lightly and he grinned.

"Ang mga lalaki hindi mahilig mamili, kung ano ang una naming makita ay yun na
yun." He told her.

"Excuse me." Someone said from behind them and they both turned to look at the
owner of the voice.

"Bakit po?" Lee Ann asked.

"Ikaw ba to?" The woman asked pointing at a large standee of the product that Lee
Ann modeled for.

"Ay, medyo po." She answered giggling.

"Sabi ko na ikaw to eh. Pwedeng magpa-picture?" The woman asked and Nickolai
stepped forward.

"Hindi pwede." He said. "Tara na, Lee." He said as he steered Lee Ann away from the
lady.

"Ang sungit naman nung bodyguard nya sayang gwapo pa naman." They heard the woman
say and Lee Ann laughed.

"Bodyguard pala kita, Nick. Ang gwapo naman ng bodyguard na to. Nakakagigil. Pa-
kiss nga ako." She teased and he looked in amusement at her.

"Mamaya, pag-uwi natin sa bahay panggigilan natin ang isa't isa." He answered and
she sniggered.

"Ipapakulong kita for corrupting a minor." She joked.

"Ipapakulong kita for seducing a lawyer." He retorted and she stuck her tongue out
at him. They took the elevator to the mall's parking area and continued to tease
each other.
"Kahit naman i-seduce kita eh dapat hindi ka nagpapa-seduce kasi bata pa ako at
wala pa ako sa tamang pag-iisip."

"Wala rin ako sa tamang pag-iisip." He replied as he stopped to kiss her quickly on
the lips. "I love you." He said.

"I love you." She responded before they resumed walking.

"Nick!" A familiar voice called and he was tempted to ignore her but he called his
name repeatedly.

"Si Precious." Lee Ann whispered and she felt his arms tighten around her.

"Nick! Wait up!" Precious hollered as she ran after the pair.

"Mauna ka na sa kotse." He whispered to Lee Ann but she shook her head.

"Dito lang ako." She replied stubbornly and he sighed. Precious was panting
slightly when she reached them and her smile nearly slipped when she saw the
youngest Carbonel but she chose to ignore her.

"Hi." She said smiling at him and Nickolai glanced at his watch.

"May sasabihin ka ba? Kasi kung wala aalis na kami at meron pa kaming pupuntahan."
He spoke, his tone business-like.

"I was outside your condo last Friday, hind mo ba natanggap ang message ko?" She
asked as she continued smiling. Nasa labas sya ng condo ni Nick noong nakaraang
gabi? Sya yung nag-text? Lee Ann thought but remained quiet.

"I did. But I do not know what to do with such an information. Ano naman kung nasa
labas ka?" He asked and her smile vanished.

"Nick, look I'm sorry. I know it was my fault kaya nga tina-try kong ayusin--"

"Wala ka nang aayusin. Salamat for doing me a favor. Wala na tayong dapat pang pag-
usapan kaya aalis na kami."

"Nick!" She called as she grabbed his free arm. Nickolai stared pointedly at her
hands and she let him go. "Nick, magbabago na ako. Gagawin ko lahat ng sasabihin
mo, Nick--"

"I'm not interested." Nickolai coldly said before they turned to leave.

"Nick, I want you back!" She shouted as she hurried after them. "Please, Nick..."
She begged as she followed them to his car. "Magpapakamatay ako, Nick kapag hindi
ka bumalik sa akin!" She screamed as he opened the passenger's door for Lee Ann. He
closed the door and moved towards the driver's side of the car. "Nick! Please!" She
begged as she wrapped her arms around him. "Alam ko namang nasaktan kita, alam ko
it was a blow to your ego that I broke up with you--"

"Precious. Enough. As I said, you did me a favor when you broke up with me."
Nickolai calmly told the hysterical girl as he tried to unclasped her arms from
around his waist.

"I don't believe you, Nick. Alam kong nasaktan lang kita kaya ka ganyan. You still
have feelings for me!" She said as she tiptoed to kiss Nickolai on the lips. He was
too astounded to react until Precious screeched in pain as someone grabbed her by
the hair and slammed her face against the car's hood.

"Sinong diyos ng malalandi ang nagsabi sayong pwede mong halikan ang boyfriend
ko?!" Lee Ann furiously demanded as Precious stared at her in shock.

####################################
Chapter 17
####################################

"Boyfriend mo?" The older girl asked as she stared at Lee Ann in disbelief.
"Ilusyunada ka ring bata ka--"

"Ikaw ang ilusyanada! You pathetic bitch! Ayaw na nga sayo di ba? Bakit ka ba
naghahabol? Gaano ba kaliit yang utak mo at hindi pumapasok dyan sa kokote mo na na
hiwalay na kayo?!"

"Don't make me laugh, kayo ni Nick?!"

"You can laugh all you want but hands off my man!" Lee Ann declared as she pulled
Nick with her. "Sabihin mo sa babaeng yan na tantanan ka na nya kundi sisirain ko
ang pagmumukha nya!" She said and Nickolai cupped her face.

"Baby, calm down." He whispered and her lower lip trembled. Bakit ba napak-iyakin
ko kahit ako naman ang nanalo sa argument? She thought annoyed with herself.

"Precious, wag ka nang magpakita sa akin, wag mo na akong puntahan sa opisina at

was mo rin akong puntahan sa condo or else I will be forced to ask for a TRO
against you." Nickolai intoned without looking at his ex-girlfriend. He walked to
the passenger's side and opened the door for Lee Ann before he got inside the car.
"Baby, yung seatbelt mo." He said and Lee Ann obeyed. "Okay ka na?" He inquired and
she nodded her head.

"Yes."

"Let's prepare for the possibility that Precious might sue you for physical
injuries." He calmly stated as they drove off and she sighed.

"Can I hire you as my lawyer?" She asked quietly and he smiled.

"Oo naman, unlimited na kiss lang okay na." He answered.

"Are you mad at me?" She questioned in a soft voice.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because I lost my temper?"

"A girlfriend has every right to lose her temper when another woman is after her
man." He uttered and she covered her mouth with her hands as she giggled.

"Nick naman eh! Kinikilig ako sayo." She said and he laughed. "Pwede mo bang itabi
yung kotse saglit, dyan sa may park na yan." She said and he glanced sideways at
her.

"Why?"

"Basta." She replied. Ginilid nya ang sasakyan bago hininto. He was surprised when
she unsnapped her seatbelt and moved to hold his face with both her hands to give
him a kiss. His response was automatic as he kissed her back.

"Wag na lang kaya tayong tumuloy kina Alex?" He asked in a whisper in-between
kisses. "Kung gusto mo diretso tayo sa condo para pwede tayong mag-kiss kahit gaano
katagal?"

"Mamaya, dun ako tutulog ulit." She whispered before she placed a chaste kiss on
his lips. He got excited at the prospect that she will be sleeping over tonight but
he also felt uneasy, he knew his control was slipping.

"Baby, hindi sa ayaw kitang sa condo ko matulog kaya lang Monday tomorrow kaya may
pasok ka. Ayokong magalit sa akin ang mga Ate mo at ayoko ring isipin nila that our
relationship is hindering your studies."

"Gusto kong doon matulog." She started to whine. "Nick!"

"Ganito na lang, Baby susunduin kita sa school mo ng Friday para dun ka matulog
hanggang Saturday tapos ihahatid kita kinagabihan." He placated as he smiled at
her. "Hindi ba mas mahabang oras na magkasama tayo?"

"Ayoko! Gusto ko mamaya dun ako matutulog." She mumbled as she continued to scowl.
Nick, you have to let her down carefully at kilala mo naman yang girlfriend mo
kapag nag-tantrum. He told himself quietly.

"Baka nga kasi--"

"Hindi naman yan ang totoong reason mo eh! Ang sabihin mo gigimik ka!" She uttered
angrily and he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Bakit ka natatawa?!"

"Lee, hindi ako ma-gimik. Don't you know me? Sa bahay lang ako naglalagi because I
can't stand three things -- noise, crowd and cigarette smoke."

"Why do I have the feeling that you're not telling me the truth?"

"What truth?" He asked.

"The real reason why you don't want me to sleep at your condo." She stated plainly.
"Masyadong mababaw kung acads kasi ang layo pa naman ng exams ko, besides excellent
yung standing ko ngayon if we are to based it on my recent quizzes, projects and
recitations."

"Yun nga, maganda ang academinc standing mo kaya ayoko yung magbago at ayokong
bumaba grades mo." He explained.

"Stop the car." She suddenly said and he glanced at her.

"Why?" He asked not slowing down.

"Just stop the freaking car so I can get off!"

"Lee, ano na naman yan?"

"Don't take me for a fool! I can feel it when you're lying so stop the car and let
me take a cab home!"

"Lee Ann--"

"Stop the car!"

"Lee Ann, stop acting like a brat!"

"Stop treating me like a child!"

"You are a child!" He yelled and closed his mouth. She stared in shock at him and
he cursed himself in his head. Now you've done it, Nick. He thought as she bowed
her head, gazing intently at her lap. Hindi na sila nag-imikan.

"Look, Lee I'm--" He started to say.

"Save it." She cut him off harshly. He could see that she was crying although no
sound came from her, and he felt like a jerk. He pulled his handkerchief out of his
pocket and handed it to her but she ignored his offer.

"Lee, sorry na." He murmured as he stopped on a red light. He was surprised when
she suddenly opened the door and got out of the car. He tried to do the same but
another car was barring his way. Lee Ann!" He called. "Fuck!" He murmured as he
watched her hail a cab on the other side of the street. "He immediately dialed her
number but she had turned her phone off. He called his brother.

"O, nasaan na kayo? Sabihin mo kapag parating na kayo para hugutin ko na."
Alexander uttered laughing over the phone. "Joke lang, ayaw pumayag kahit lumuhod
na ako, ano bang meron sa mga babae at ayaw kapag may period, pareho lang naman yan
mas madulas nga--"

"Alex!"

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked hearing the distress in his brother's voice.

"Hindi na kami tutuloy--"

"Nick, sixteen lang yan, magsarili ka na muna--"

"Gago. Nag-away kami." He murmured before he sighed and heard his brother laugh
again.

"First na away ba yan? Naku, mahirap suyuin yan. Magdala ka ng mascot."

"Loko ka, Alex." He answered although he couldn't help but smile. "O sige na at
nagda-drive ako."

"Sige, ingat. Kung hindi gagana ang mascot daanin mo na lang sa iyong mga kamay at
dila panigurado--"

"Bye, Alex." He said as he ended the call. Tarantado talaga tong kapatid ko. He
thought to himself as he made a u-turn. He reached the Carbonel mansion in less
than an hour and was disheartened when they informed him that Lee Ann hasn't
arrived yet. He called his brother again.

"O ano na? Bati na kayo?" Alex asked.

"Wala dito sa mansyon nila. Text mo ako pag dumating dyan. Kung may info ka kung
nasaan sya, paki-relay kaagad sa akin."

"Bakit mo ba inaway?"

"Hindi ko naman inaway. May hindi pagkakaintindihan lang."

"Bili ka ng lollipop at lobo." Alexander suggested laughing.

"Tumahimik ka, Alex. Tarantado." He replied and his brother laughed harder. He
ended the call feeling more frustrated. Nasaan kaya yung batang yun? He thought. He
decided to wait for her at the mansion. Three hours later, no Lee Ann arrived and
he was starting to get worried.

"Hindi ko alam kung alam ni Love kung nasaan ang kapatid nya, mainit ulo sa akin
kaya hindi ako kinakausap."

"Papaghingain mo naman yang asawa mo." He said.

"Para mo namang sinasabing inaalipin ko tong misis ko."

"Bakit magagalit sayo yan kung wala kang kasalanan dyan?" Nickolai asked and
regretted the question.

"Nagsalita ang naghihintay sa pagdating ng girlfriend nya." Alexander taunted.

"Sige, lambingin ko muna tong asawa ko at kapag may malaman akong information about
Lee Ann's whereabouts sasabihin ko kaagad sayo."

"Salamat, Alex."

"Dahan-dahan kasi, binibigla mo eh." Alexander said over the phone and guffawed
when Nickolai cussed.

Lee Ann arrived two hours later with shopping bags in tow and she ignored Nickolai
when she saw him.

"Ipaghahanda ko po ba kayo ng dinner, Miss Lee Ann?" One of the housemaids asked
and Lee Ann smiled kindly at her.

"Hindi na po Manang Rita. Kumain na po ako sa labas. Ay, may binili pala ako para
sa inyong lahat." She said as she handed the househelp three of the bags she was
carrying. "May mga nakapangalan na po dyan, pakibigay na lang po sa kanila."

"Naku, Ms. Lee Ann, salamat po talaga." Manang Rita happily replied as she
gratefully bowed her head and left. As soon as she did, Lee Ann started walking
towards the stairs completely ignoring Nickolai.

"Ako ba walang pasalubong?" He asked in a light tone and she paused.

"Let's break-up, Nick." She said before she resumed walking. He stared at her
retreating back for a few seconds before he ran after her and grabbed her by the
wrist.

"Lee--"
"You will always see me as a child no matter what I do. You won't see me as a
partner but as someone younger who adores you. I want a man who'll regard me as his
equal. Hindi ikaw yun." She said as she shook her hand free from his grasp. She
continued walking while he stood rooted on the spot. She opened her bedroom door
and plopped down on her bed leaving the shopping bags she was carrying strewn on
the floor. "Wag kang umiyak, tanga ka." She murmured to herself. She knew that she
was childish, she knew that she's playful and she knew that she's way younger than
him. Pero kaya ko bang baguhin kung ano ako? Kaya ko ba namang magkunwaring mature
kahit hindi naman? Hinog sa pilit tong relasyong to. She mumbled to herself.

"Lee--" She heard his voice and she sat up as she hastily wiped her tears with the
back of her hand. Hindi ko pala na-lock yung pinto.

"Bakit ka nandito?" She asked as he walked towards her bed and sat down beside her.

"I know you don't want anything to do with an old man like me but before you decide
to leave, I need you to hear me out." He said.

"Hindi na kailangan." She murmured but he continued talking.

"You grew up before my eyes. Isang batang sobrang kulit na wala nang ginawa kundi
sundan ako kahit saan man ako magpunta. I knew of your feelings and I am not
telling you this to embarrass you, I am telling you this to let you know that I
have recognized and acknowledged the affection that you have for me even before we
became a couple. I am confused right now because I have this burning urge to
protect you yet I have this unquenchable craving to own you. A part of me wants to
see you soar but a part of me wishes that you'll stay as you are so you won't ever
stop needing me. And this battle that rages inside me is constant, Lee -- I want
the best for you yet I want to be the best for you."

"Nick--"

"I understand if you want to break-up. Why would you want to stay with an old man
like me when you can have any man that you want? But before you decide to walk out
of my life for good, I want you to realize this -- I will never be the same without
you." He uttered as her eyes pooled with tears. "So if you decide after this speech
that you want to leave me--" The words died in his lips before she suddenly lunged
at him.

"Nakakainis ka, Nick!" She cried softly. "Nakakainis ka talaga!"

"Sorry na nga."

"Pinaiyak mo na nga ako tapos magsasalita ka lang okay na ulit tayo? Ang unfair mo
kamo!" She wept as he held her tight.

"Sorry, I said the wrong words earlier. I know you were offended and you have every
right to be mad."

"Wag ka na!"

"Sorry na nga. Alam mo bang nag-alala ako sayo? Bakit mo ba pinatay ang phone mo?
Sana kahit galit ka, wag mong i-off para alam kong okay ka lang."

"Alam naman ni Ate Alexa kung nasaan ako eh, magka-text kami."

"Alam ng Ate mo pero hindi alam ng boyfriend mo."

"Nakakainis ka kasi." She mumbled pouting. He held her face with both his hands and
kissed her thoroughly. She kissed him back and he felt the familiar stirring in his
loins in no time.

"Lee, I love you." He declared. "And no matter how old you get, you will always be
Nickolai Sandoval's baby." He added. "That being said, I'd like to ask a very
grown-up favor from you." He whispered against her lips.

"What?" She asked.

"Live with me." He replied.

####################################
Chapter 18
####################################

Live with me.

The words he uttered sounded dream-like and sinfully inviting. She stared at his
solemn expression and she thought of an apt reply. She opened her mouth to say
something but shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. Anong ibig nyang
sabihin? Magpapakasal kami? Magtatanan? Magli-live-in? Paano na sina Ate? I'm sure
hindi sila papayag.

He smiled at how flustered she looked before he took something from his pocket.
"You proposed to me when you were eight years old, do you remember?" He asked and
she nodded her head.

"Alam ko kung ano ang laman nyan." She declared smiling broadly. "Yung plastic ring
na binigay ko sayo, tama? Alam mo bang may kasamang candy yun kaya lang di ko
natiis kasi ang tagal mong dumating kaya kinain ko." She added laughing softly at
the memory. He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Lee, I know I'm not perfect and I know I may not be the best man for you. I
promise you, however, that I will endeavor to give you the best and my best." He
murmured. He suddenly felt nervous when he saw her frown.

"Ano yan, Nick? Are you proposing?" She jokingly said as she laughed. She stopped
laughing when he opened the small box in his hand and she saw a diamond solitaire
ring. "You're proposing." She stated flatly as he slipped the ring into her finger.
Her lower lip trembled as her vision blurred with tears.

"Bakit ka umiiyak?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her. "Lee, ano yun?"
"Hindi ko alam." She replied as she continued to sob.

"Pwede ba naman yung umiiyak ka ng hindi mo alam?" He asked softly and she cried
harder.

"Hindi ko lang inaakalang may magpo-propose sa akin." She wept and his heart melted
at her confession. "Hindi ba kasi ang plain ko lang? There's nothing extraordinary
about me. I'm too tall for my age, I'm not curvaceous like Ate Lia, not as smart as
Ate Alexa and not as interesting as everyone else."

"Lee, that's not true." He uttered as he held her face with both his hands. "You're
special. Maganda ka tulad ng mga Ate mo, matalino ka tulad din nila at higit sa
lahat ay mas interesting ka kesa ibang kaedad mo because you're very open and
honest."

"Lahat sinabi mo maliban sa sexy. So hindi nga ako sexy?" She asked frowning and he
laughed.

"Sexy ka syempre. Besides, bata ka pa, hindi ka pa fully-bloomed."

"Ano ako, bulaklak?"

"Parang ganun." He answered grinning. "But you're curvaceous for your age. I don't
want to think how other members of the opposite sex will react to you when you turn
eighteen or nineteen kaya magpakasal na tayo pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng debut mo."

"Ay pagkatapos pa pala ng debut ko? Akala ko now na."

"Gusto kong magpakasal tayo sa simbahan, Lee."

"Ay, sorry naman. Ako na talaga ang excited." She muttered smiling. But the smile
disappeared from her face as she regarded him seriously. "Eh ano yung sinasabi mong
live with me? Magli-live in tayo?"

"Hindi. Live with me when you turn eighteen."

"Ay, wala to paasa." She mumbled as she lay down on her bed. She pulled a pillow
and covered her face with it. He lay down beside her and pulled the pillow off her
face.

"Lee, hindi ko nga kayang dun ka natutulog tapos gusto mo pang magkasama tayo sa
iisang bubong?"

"Okay." She murmured as she closed her eyes. "I understand. If only I'm two years
older, I wouldn't have felt so inadequate."

"That ring I gave you is an invitation to live with me, but I can only oblige you
to live with me kapag may wedding ring nang kasama yan."

"Oo na." She mumbled as she turned away from him. She felt him move to wrap his
arms around her as he kissed her on the nape.

"Wag ka nang magtampo."

"Hindi ako nagtatampo." She retorted and they grew quiet. "Do you want to break up,
Nick?" She whispered after nearly a minute of silence.

"Lee naman--"
"I know you're a man and there might be things that I won't be able to give you
because of my age. I'll let you go. Kapag mas matanda na ako and we're still
interested in each other, sige tayo ulit. I think this might be my defense
mechanism talking, ayoko kasing dumating yung panahong tayo nga pero maghanap ka ng
iba dahil may limitations yung pagiging girlfriend ko sayo."

"Saan to galing? Saan galing yang mga pinagsasabi mo? I already apologized for what
I said earlier, hindi pa rin ba enough yun? I cannot allow you to sleepover often
kasi baka ikama kita and you're just sixteen, Lee!"

"Hindi ako nagpapakama sayo, okay ka lang?!"

"Pero dun hahantong kung hindi tayo mag-iingat." He sighed. "Hindi ako santo,
lalaki ako and I have baser needs. Aminado naman ako dun pero hindi naman ako
makakapayag na maghihiwalay tayo because you feel that you won't be able to give me
what I want!"

"So ano na lang, maghihintay na lang akong lokohin mo?!"

"Where are you getting those ideas? Have I given you reason to doubt that I can't
tame my urges for you?" He questioned and sighed as he hugged her to his chest.
"Lee, stop thinking too much." He whispered against her hair. Alam natin ang
limitations ng isa't isa. Bakit puro break-up na lang yang sinasabi ko? I feel
neglected and unwanted. Malapit na akong magtampo."

"Weh, bakit ka magtatampo?" She asked as she turned to kiss him on the cheek.

"Kasi ito pa nga lang ang problema natin but you're giving up on me. Paano kung may
mas malala pa, does that mean iiwanan mo na lang ako?"

"Ayoko lang na may gawin kang masasaktan ako ng sobra kasi may pagkukulang ako
sayo."

"Wala kang pagkukulang sa akin. You don't owe me anything. You do not exist to
please me at hindi kita ginawang girlfriend to prove to the world that I am a man.
Mahal kita, Lee Ann."

"Hindi ka kaya magbago? Baka mamaya may makita kang sexy dyan bigla mo na lang
akong hiwalayan." She murmured as she snuggled against his chest.

"Hinintay kita ng ilang taon tapos hihiwalayan na lang kita ng ganun na lang?" He
asked and heard her giggle. "Why are you laughing?"

"The way you said it parang ang ganda-ganda ko." She answered and he chuckled. He
tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I can wait. I hope your feelings will remain steadfast. And I hope you'll still
find me attractive even when your suitors come swarming in. But I have my pride,
Lee. If the time comes when you no longer feel the same towards me, sabihin mo sa
akin kasi iintindihin kita. But as long as I'm the man you want, I will stay by
your side."

"Gusto kong sayo matulog ngayon." She whined and he groaned.

"Lee, nasabi ko na ang reason kung bakit hindi pwede di ba?"

"Pero sabi mo rin you can control your desires because you love me and you know
that I'm not ready."
"Paano kung hindi ko mapigil?"

"So nagsinungaling ka."

"No. Hindi ako nagsinungaling."

"Bakit sabi mo kanina kaya mong pigilan tapos ngayon hindi na? Ibig sabihin you
just said those things to pacify me but you have no intentions of honoring them."

"Lee Ann Carbonel, you are making things difficult for me." He uttered as he
expelled a heavy breath and she smiled sweetly at him.

"I'll behave, Nick. I promise." She stated and he arched a brow. "Promise! Hindi
kita kukulitin. Hindi kita iki-kiss. Tapos hindi ako dadantay sayo. Hindi rin ako
yayakap. Sige na, Nick!" She spoke as she sat up, her expression anxious. "Gusto
lang kitang makasama eh." She added bowing her head and he laughed.

"Ang kulit mo." He muttered and she sighed.

"Wala kasi akong kasama dito kaya nalulungkot ako. Nahihiya naman akong makitulog
kina Ate Alexa kasi syempre may sarili na silang pamilya tapos si Ate Lia naman
kapag may modeling job ay madaling araw nang nakakauwi. Ayokong maging pabigat sa
kanila kaya kahit nahihirapan akong mag-isa dito ayokong magreklamo. Ang laki kasi
nitong bahay and I can't help but feel lonely but I don't want them to feel that
I'm too clingy and burdensome." She confided quietly as she averted her gaze. He
watched as she pasted a big smile on her face before she turned to look at him.
"Ayoko silang agrabyaduhin pero ikaw ang ginugulo ko, ano?" She asked.

"Lee--"

"I understand. Lalo na't may work ka kaya yung weekend yung time mo lang para sa
sarili mo. Don't worry, Nick I'm fine." She said as she crawled towards the edge of
the bed. "It's late, umuwi ka na. Bati na tayo, hindi ako nagtatampo." She told
him. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry--"

"Ano ka ba, hindi mo kailangang mag-sorry. Naiintindihan ko."

"I'm sorry kasi naturingan akong boyfriend mo but I didn't realize that you were
lonely."

"Hindi ko sinabi yung sinabi ko para mapapayag ka lang sa gusto ko. I don't want
you to think that I am using emotional blackmail. Sinabi ko yun kasi yun ang totoo,
na nalulungkot ako dito minsan."

"Alam ko namang hindi ka ganun. I watched you grow up, remember?"

"O sige na, umalis ka na. I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked before she frowned.
"That is kung wala kang gagawin pero kung meron wag mong pilitin." She smiled.
"Bye, Nick!" She said as she waved at him. She was surprised when he hugged her to
her chest.

"Go, pack your things." He uttered.

"Para saan?"

"Dun ka matulog sa condo ko. Monday bukas kaya dalhin mo na din yung gamit mo sa
school."

"Hindi na. I'm okay." She retorted as she pushed away from his chest.

"Well, I'm not okay na hindi ka sasama. I've already made up my mind na isasama
kita sa bahay ngayong gabi at sa susunod pang mga gabi."

"Ano yun, ibabahay mo ako?"

"Medyo." He answered grinning. "May tatlong bedroom ang unit ko, you can use of one
of the rooms as your own."

"Are you sure that you don't mind?" She asked, her eyes hopeful and he smiled as he
chucked her under the chin.

"I'm sure." He replied and she squealed before she kissed him on the cheek and ran
to pack her things. Nearly twenty minutes later, they were on their way to his
condominium unit. He listened smiling as she babbled happily. He cooked spaghetti
and made French toast for her for dinner.

"Ang sarap." She said when they finished eating "Ako na ang maghuhugas ng pinggan."
She volunteered and he laughed.

"Ako na." He said. "Go freshen up para maaga kang makatulog at may pasok ka pa
bukas."

"Are you sure?" She asked and he nodded his head. She ran to the bathroom and took
a bath while he watched the evening news. "Tapos na ako, Nick!" She announced as
she ran to her bedroom wrapped in a large, white towel. He closed his eyes as he
felt his libido kick in and felt himself harden. Nick, snap the hell out of it! He
harshly reprimanded himself. Minutes later, he heard her open her bedroom door and
he hastily pulled a pillow to hide his crotch.

"Tulog ka na?" He asked as she bent down to kiss him on the cheek.

"Oo. Matulog ka na din. Goodnight." She said as she gave him a hug.

"Goodnight." He replied giving her a smile. She went back to her bedroom and he
sighed with relief when he heard her door click close. "That was close." He
murmured as he took the pillow off his crotch. "Maligo ka na, Nickolai." He told
himself as he stood up to take a bath. "Ginamit nya ang sabon ko." He whispered to
himself and groaned when an image of Lee Ann taking a shower flashed in his head.
"Ano ba naman kasi, Nick bakit ba ang hilig-hilig mong pahirapan ang sarili mo?" He
uttered as he stepped under the shower.

He bathed quickly and changed into a pair of cotton shorts and plain white shirt.
"Lee?" He knocked on her door but she did not reply. He turned the knob and was
relieved to find it open. "Lee?" He called again.

She was fast asleep and hugging a pillow to her chest. He stared at her sleeping
form as protectiveness and gentleness wrapped around his heart. He closed the door
and walked towards her bed before he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. "Umalis
ka na at pumunta ka sa sa kwarto mo!" He murmured as he gazed at her beautiful
face. "Tumayo ka na, Nickolai." He whispered to himself as he slowly stood up and
walked towards the door. "Anak ng." He murmured as he stopped in his tracks.
"Bahala na." He told himself as he walked back to her bed, took her into his arms
and carried her to his bedroom.
####################################
Chapter 19
####################################

He laid her down on his bed gently and she curled into a ball the moment he did. He
stood there watching her as she slept soundly. Bakit ko ba dinala to dito? Lalo
akong di makakatulog nito. He thought shaking his head. She rolled onto her back
and her pajama top hiked up revealing her flat stomach.

"Shit." He murmured to himself as he hastily covered her exposed flesh with a

pillow. "Sa kabila na nga lang ako matutulog." He grumbled. "Di sana hindi mo na
sya dinala sa kwarto mo!" He angrily mumbled. He lay down beside her holding his
breath but the moment his back touched the bed, she instinctively moved towards him
and snuggled against him. "Patay tayo nito." He sighed. Her hand moved to lie
against his chest and he covered it with his own. "Goodnight, Lee." He whispered.

"Nick..." She sighed his name and he abandoned all worries as he wrapped his arms
around her and held her close against him.

"I love you, Lee Ann." He whispered as he kissed her on the forehead. She looked so
frail and young and he gently cupped her face. "Hindi mo lang alam kung gaano kita
kamahal." He murmured as he kissed the tip of her nose.

She tilted her face towards him and he gave in to his longing to kiss her as he
touched his lips against her, careful not to wake her up as he softly nibbled her
lower lip.

"Tama na, Nick!" He scolded himself. "Tulog na yan tapos iniistorbo mo, may klase
pa yan bukas." He admonished himself. But his gaze fell on her pink cheeks and he
inwardly groaned. "Isa na lang." He told himself as he nuzzled her cheek. She
stirred as she pushed agains his chest.

"Ate! Ang aga pa! Mamaya na!" She murmured as she turned away from him.

"Lee?" He called and sighed when her breathing evened again. "Lee..." He whispered
as he gathered her in his arms. Nick, tantanan mo na yang girlfriend mo. He thought
to hmself as he closed his eyes.

"Nick..." She whimpered his name and he felt his heart reel.

"Ano yun?" He asked softly as he kissed her on the forehead again. "Nickolai,
matulog ka na." He spoke as he put an arm against his forehead and closed his eyes.
"Malala na yang obsession mo sa girlfriend mo." He grumbled. Bakit ba kasi ang cute
nitong babaeng to? Parang ang sarap yakap-yakapin, halik-halikan... He groaned.

His brow knitted together when he felt her soft hand move from his chest to his
stomach. "Lee, are you awake?" He asked and felt foolish. Tulog na yan, wag mo nang
guluhin! He thought as he closed his eyes again.

He was drifting off to sleep when he felt her hand move under his shirt. He hissed
at the contact. Shit, I should take another shower. He murmured as he gently pried
the sleeping girl off him. She held on to him tighter, however, and he was drowning
in frustration. Dapat kasi hindi mo na dinala dito. Tanga ka rin kasi. Tulog na
tulog na yan kanina talagang kinarga mo pa! He slowly moved away from her but she
moaned and threw her leg over his hip. "Anak ng..." He sighed surrendering to his
fate of eternal hard-on when she suddenly giggled. "Gising ka." He uttered, his
tone accusing and she laughed hard.

"Bakit nandito ako sa kama mo?" She asked as she opened brown eyes to regard him
with interest.

"Kasi wala ka sa kama mo." He retorted smiling.

"Dinala mo ako dito?" She questioned and he tried to appear serious as he shook his
head.

"Nag-sleep walk ka." He replied and she arched her brow.

"Yung totoo." She queried and he nodded his head.

"Oo nga, nag-sleep walk ka." He said as he tried to stop himself from laughing.

"Okay." She murmured. He was about to tell her the truth when she suddenly spoke.

"So totoo pala..."

"Ang alin?" He asked curiously.

"Yung sabi ni Nicko na nag-sleep walk daw ako nung nag-shooting kami tapos tumabi
daw ako sa pagtulog sa kanya at hinalikan ko daw sya." She thoughtfully murmured.

"WHAT?!" Nickolai yelled and she nodded her head gravely. "That bastard!"

"Akala ko gawa-gawa nya lang pero since sinabi mo ngayon na nag-sleepwalk nga ako
papunta dito, ibig sabihin tama yung sinabi nya. I should really apologize--teka,
saan ka pupunta?" She asked when he suddenly stood up. "Nick!"

"He lied to you!" He snapped. "You do not sleepwalk! Ilang taon na kitang
nakatabing matulog and you never did! Not even once!" He said as he opened his
closet and pulled out a pair of jeans. "I'm going to teach that brat a lesson! Saan
sya nakatira?!" He angrily inquired and she doubled over in laughter. He looked at
her as she tried to catch her breath.

"Ah, so not even once?" She asked grinning from ear-to-ear and he froze.

"Lee Ann Carbonel, did you just toy with me?" He asked.

"I just gave you a dose of your own medicine." She retorted and grinned sheepishly
when he continued to stare at her. "Bakit ka magagalit eh ikaw ang nagsimula?" She
said as he moved towards the bed. "Weh, tinatakot ako ni Nick." She added as she
scooted away from him.

"Pinaglalaruan mo ako, Lee?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Hindi ah!" She replied shaking her head. "Sabi mo kasi--"

"Lapit ka." He said and she looked at the hand he offered.

"May gagawin ka sa akin?" She inquired and he laughed softly.

"Marami." He answered with a smirk and she paled. "Lee, lumapit ka."

"Sinong tangang lalapit knowing na paparusahan sya?" She asked him crossly and he
laughed.

"Bakit naman kita paparusahan?"

"Di ba sabi mo marami kang gagawin sa akin?"

"Kino-consider mong parusa ang halikan kita?" He asked and she smiled with relief.

"Ay, di mo naman sinabi agad!" She said as she crawled towards him. She stood on
his bed and wrapped her arms around him. "Sorry, Nick." She whispered.

"Sorry din, binibiro lang kita. I carried you here."

"I surmised as much." She muttered and he couldn't help but smile at her words. He
found it comforting wrapped around her arms as he inhaled her sweet scent.

"Lee..."

"Yes?"

"Sana hindi ka magbago." He murmured against neck.

"Wag ganun, I've been praying for bigger breasts." She confided and he laughed.
"Para kasing ang flat ko."

"Your breasts are fine." He said.

"Weh."

"Oo nga. It doesn't matter what size they are. They belong to you so I love them."

"Kadiri ka, Nick! You love my breasts?" She asked giggling.

"Bakit? Anong kadiri dun? I love everything about you. Your hair, your face, your
smile, your breasts..."

"Waah! Naalala ko yung sinabi ni Ate Lia!"

"Na ano?" He questioned as he looked at her face. She was blushing furiously and he
became more curious. "Anong sinabi ng Ate mo? Is it about me?" He asked and she
nodded her head. "Ano ang sinabi nya?"

"Sabi nya, punung-puno daw ng pagnanasa yang utak mo at baka daw turuan mo ako ng
kamunduhan." She answered worrying her lower lip. He stared at her for a few
seconds before he burst out laughing.

"Si Lia talaga." He said shaking his head.

"Is it true?"

"Ang alin?"
"Na puno ng kamunduhan ang utak mo?" She hesitantly queried and he was torn between
denying and telling her the truth.

"Let's sit." He said as he sat down on the bed and pulled her to sit beside him.
"Paano ko ba sisimulan?" He murmured looking at her expectant face. "Nasabi ko na
sayo dati di ba that I am a man and I have needs. My body reacts to you and as much
as I'd like to control those reactions, minsan mahirap gawin."

"Anong klaseng reactions?" She asked and he smiled.

"Alam mo na yun, Lee." He said.

"Oo, but it's fun to watch you squirm." She replied laughing. She sobered after a
few seconds as her brows furrowed. "Yung pagtulog-tulog ko dito, mahirap ba para
sayo?" She asked and he shrugged.

"Kaya pa naman." He said.

"Kasi ayokong maging pabigat--"

"Hindi ka pabigat, believe me." He interrupted. "Ayokong iniisip mong pabigat ka. I
love having you around. Ang lungkot ng bahay ko kapag wala ka dito. You give life
to my boring existence." He said and she grinned.

"Binobola mo ako."

"No. Hindi ako marunong mambola." He said. "Matulog na tayo kasi may pasok ka pa
bukas, ayokong antukin ka sa school." He uttered and she nodded her head before she
collapsed on his bed. "Okay lang sayo yung intensity ng dim light?" He asked.

"Okay lang." She answered. He lay down beside her and she immediately wrapped an
arm around his waist. "Goodnight, Nick. I love you." She mumbled.

"I love you." He answered. "Goodnight." He added. She immediately fell asleep while
he lay awake thinking about the girl in his arms.

He drove her to school the next morning and she talked endlessly about random
things. She was all praises about the ham and eggs that he cooked for breakfast for
her.

"Grabe, ang sarap ng niluto mo!" She gushed for the nth time.

"Kahit prito lang?" He asked grinning. "Prinito ko lang naman yung ham at egg."

"Syempre hindi lang prito yun kasi may halong pagmamahal!" She answered laughing
and he laughed along with her. When they reached her school, she leaned towards him
and he kissed her on the lips. "You don't have to fetch me, papasundo na lang ako
sa driver ko."

"Anong oras ba matatapos ang last class mo?"

"5:30 PM. Don't worry, Nick wag ka nang mag-abala. Todo-todo nang pang-aabala ko
sayo."

"Okay lang, gusto ko ako ang sumusundo at naghahatid sayo." He said smiling fondly
at her. "Give me another kiss." He said and she moved closer to him and cupped his
face with both her hands before kissing him on the lips. He opened his mouth over
hers and she returned his kiss eagerly. "I'll see you later." He murmured against
her mouth and she nodded her head.

"Wag ka nang bumaba, you don't have to open the door for me." She said as she
placed an innocent kiss on his lips before she smiled and waved goodbye. She got
out of the car and peered inside to wave at him one last time before she closed the
door. He watched as she ran towards a group of girls who were all smiles when they
saw her approach. His phone rang and he attached the handsfree kit to his ear.

"Dad." He said over the phone.

"Nick, where are you?" His father asked, his voice sounded strained and Nickolai
frowned.

"I'm on my way to the office. Why? Are you okay, Dad? Naninikip ba dibdib nyo?"

"I'm fine. Mag-usap tayo pagdating mo ng opisina." His father said before the call
ended. Nickolai frowned. He's suddenly worried about his father's health. He
reached their office in less than an hour and immediately went to see his father.

"Dad, are you okay?" He asked.

"Okay lang ako, Nick. Have a seat." Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval said and Nickolai sat
down. "We have a problem."

"Tungkol saan? Tungkol ba sa opisina?"

"No, Nick it's about Precious." The older Sandoval replied as someone knocked. The
door buzzed open and Alexander walked in.

"Anong problema, Dad?" He asked as he took a seat opposite his older brother.

"Si Precious, tumawag sa akin. Magsasampa daw sya ng kaso." Atty. Sandoval replied
and Nickolai sighed as Alexander frowned.

"Kaso tungkol saan? Dahil hiniwalayan sya ni Nick?" He asked. "Gwapo mo talaga,
Nick." He taunted grinning as Atty. Ferdie Sandoval shook his head.

"Hindi. Nagkasagutan sila ni Lee Ann at hinampas sya ni Lee sa hood ng kotse."
Nickolai uttered and Alexander let out a whistle.

"Mas nakakatakot pa yata si Lee Ann kesa Ate nya."

"No. Hindi yan ang problema." Their father muttered. "She said that since Lee Ann
is a minor, your brother here has committed a criminal offense."

"What?!" Alexander demanded. "That's ridiculous! Nagbasa ba si Precious tungkol sa

age of consent sa Pilipinas?"

"She also threatened to tell the media about it." Their father added. Alexander
looked angry but Nickolai was calm.
"What's your plan, Nick?" Alex asked his brother who just shrugged.

"Naisip ko na dati na dadaanin nya ako sa ganito." He sighed. "Ako nang bahala sa
kanya." He said as he stood up.

"Bakit? Anong plano mo?"

"Pareho tayong abogado, Alex. Alam mo na siguro kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ko."
He said and Alex nodded his head.

"I'll tell Alexa about this." He said before he left.

"Alis na po ako, Dad." Nick told his father as he stood up. "I'll handle this,
don't worry."

"I'm not worried about Precious, Nick. I'm more worried about what you'll do to
her." Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval replied watching his son. Nickolai looked calm but
his fists were clenched. "Nick--"

"Mali sya ng binangga." He announced clenching his jaw before he stood up and left.

####################################
Chapter 20
####################################

Nickolai was inside his office mulling over Precious and his course of action when
he heard an urgent knock on his door.

"Nick, this is Alexa." He heard his sister-in-law's voice and he pressed a button
to unlock his office door. He stood up as soon as she stepped inside his office and
she glared at him.

"Hi, Alexa." He greeted as she regarded him angrily. "To what do I owe the pleasure
of being visited by you?" He tried to smile but she continued to frown at him.

"Sit down." She ordered and he hid a smile. Parang nagkabaliktad sila ng role, sya
ang bisita at si Alexa and may-ari ng opisina. He sat down and watch her do the
same. "May nangyari na ba sa inyo ni Lee Ann?" She asked and he hid his surprise.
What the? He murmured to himself although his face remained stoic.

"At bakit mo naman natanong yan?" He asked carefully as he regarded the woman in
front of him curiously. The Carbonel sisters look alike but if you get to talk them
and get to know them, you'll realize how different they are. Lia is modern and a
woman of the world, she does what she wants and she doesn't care about your
opinion; Alexa is the conservative, calm one but she can cut you into pieces with
her words when she's annoyed and Lee Ann... His Lee Ann is sweet and innocent but
she can turn naughty at the blink of an eye. If there's one thing in common between
the sisters, it's their unwavering loyalty and fierce protectiveness of each other.

"Just answer the fucking question, Nick! What made Precious say that since Lee Ann
is a minor you will be facing a criminal offense?! If she's talking about statutory
rape, Nick ako mismo ang magkakaso sayo!"

"Alexa, should I be offended that you think I have no morals that I would take an
innocent child's virginity? Should I be affronted that you're insinuating that as a
lawyer, I do not know about laws to sleep with a minor? Should I feel slighted
that, as a family friend who watched your sister grow up, I will be brutal as to
subject a young girl to satiate my carnal needs and lastly should I be hurt that
you've just thrown the love I have for your sister in my face?" He asked and she
gaped at him before she arched her brow.

"Nick, for a lawyer, you're rather inept at answering a simple question." She
uttered and he sighed.

"No, I haven't slept with Lee Ann. Yet. I am bidding my time kasi gusto kong-
magpakasal--" Nickolai stopped talking as he heard another urgent knock.

"Nickolai!" The familiar voice said and he sighed again before he pressed the
buzzer and Lia came marching in. "Hoy, tarantado kang lalaki ka--" She started to
say and stopped when she saw Alexa who stood up to give her a kiss. "Andito ka rin
pala!"

"Oo nga, bakit ka andito, Ate?"

"I received your text message about dun kay Precious." Lia replied before she
turned angrily towards Nickolai who was watching the two women with amusement in
his eyes. "Hoy, Nickolai! Ano to, bakit nagpaparamdam na naman yang pesteng,
bobaita mong ex-girlfriend?! Kayo ba naghiwalay na talaga o pasakalye mo lang yun
at ginagawa mo lang panakip-butas ang kapatid ko?! Ayusin mo ang sagot mo kundi
susunugin ko tong opisina mo!"

"Break na kami at hindi panakip-butas si Lee Ann." He replied calmly and Lia
huffed.

"Siguraduhin mo lang kasi kung gagawin mong panakip-butas ang kapatid ko, ipapasak
kita sa butas nyang lintek na Precious na yan!" She snapped and Nickolai arched his
brow at her words while Alexa cleared her throat. "Halika na, Alexa." She said and
his brother's wife stood up.

"Nick, what's your plan?" Alexa asked.

"Marami." He replied.

"Teka lang, anong plan?" Lia inquired curiously. "At bagong issue ba ito? Bakit di
yata ako updated?"

"Si Precious pa rin, Ate." Alexa answered and Lia rolled her eyes. "Ikukwento ko
sayo sa office ko." She said. "Bye, Nick." She added before she and her sister
left. Nickolai expelled a heavy breath before he massaged his temple. The phone on
top of his table suddenly rang and he sighed before he picked it up. "Atty.
Nickolai Sandoval." He uttered in a clipped, business-like tone.

"Ano nagsisisi ka nang iniwan mo ako?" Someone said and Nickolai's anger surged.
"Do not contact me again." He said before he put the phone down. He took his phone
out and dialed reception. "Regina, I am not going to accept calls regardless if
they claim that they're my clients, friends or relatives." He uttered. He opened
his computer and clicked on a folder detailing the cases he handled for Precious
for free. Gusto mong maduming laban? Sige. He thought before he called their
accounting department.

Precious was waiting for her turn to film and she was fuming. He called Nickolai
nearly an hour ago and he had the gall to end the call without her permission. "At
ang nakakabwisit, ayaw nang i-transfer ng reception nila yung calls ko!" She
hissed. She even paid one of the make-up assistants to call and ask for Nickolai
but was informed the same thing -- Atty. Nickolai Sandoval is busy and is not
available to receive anyone's call.

"Ms. Precious, tawag na po kayo ni direk." One of the crew said and she smiled.

"Ako na ba?" She asked and frowned looking at her watch. Alam nyang in two hours pa
ang shooting nya. She was excited to be offered a small role in a film dahil sa
mahina ang offers sa kanya sa commercials. Kaya kahit tindera ang role nya ay
tinanggap nya. Malay mo naman ito na ang break ko. She thought smiling to herself.
Humanda ka, Nickolai maglalaway ka talaga sa akin. She added angrily. Maaga syang
dumating sa set to get a good impression and it seemed to be working dahil mas
napaaga ang pagfi-film nya. She looked for the director and was led to his RV. Aba,
gagong to may masamang balak yata sa akin tong matandang to. Akala ko ba loyal to
sa asawa nya at wala tong kahit anong scandal? Oh, well who could refuse my charm?
She murmured to herself as she patted her hair in place. She pushed her breasts up
and knocked.

"Pasok." The director said and Precious pasted a smile on her face.

"Hi, direk!" She exclaimed. She did not have time to admire the interior of his
plush RV as he somberly nodded his head at her. She made a move to kiss his cheek
and he held up his hand.

"Maupo ka, Precious." He said, his tone gloomy and she felt a little unsettled.
Teka lang bakit parang madrama ang aura nito? Ah alam ko, sasabihin nyang may sakit
ang asawa nya at kailangan nya ng kalinga at kung anu-ano pang checheburetche pero
ang totoo gusto nya lang akong sakyan. Gagong to!

"Thank you." She murmured as she tried to appear sympathetic, thrusting her chest
forward. "Bakit nyo po ako pinatawag dito, direk?" She questioned smiling coyly.

"Precious, mahalaga sa akin itong pelikulang ito dahil bukod sa launching movie ito
ng anak ng matalik kong kaibigan ay isang taong malapit pa sa akin ang sumulat
nito." The director started to say and her smile slipped. Saan naman papunta itong
usapang ito? Maghubad na lang kaya ako ng diretso nang matapos na?

"Direk," She murmured as she moved closer to where he sat. "Kahit ano po gagawin ko
kung mabibigyan nyo ako ng magandang role--"

"What?"

"Direk, let's cut the chase. Saan ba ako hihiga? Ano ba ang gusto nyo ako sa taas o
kayo?" She asked and was confused that the old man's face looked scandalized.

"Precious, I don't know what made you say those things pero ang bunso kong anak ay
kaedad mo lang at mahigit thirty-five years na akong kasal sa asawa ko. Now, if
you're here because you thought I found you charming enough that I'd break my vows
to my wife ay nagkakamali ka. I gave you a break because I pity you, nothing more!"

"Pity me--what?!"

"Yes, after your row with Direk Jun de Jesus wala nang direktor ang gusto pang
makatrabaho ka and I used to believe that you have talent but I think I was
wrong--"

"Excuse me, matanda ka, anong sinasabi mo?!" She snapped, angry and humiliated at
his words. Sino naman itong gurang na to para pagsalitaan ako ng ganito? My
reputation, ruined?! NEVER!

"Direk, okay lang po kayo?" Someone said and her mouth gaped open in surprise.
Hindi lang pala sila ang tao sa loob, merong lalaki at babae na nasa may unahan at
natatakpan ng foldable bed.

"Ano to?! Is this a set-up?!" She asked furiously as she stood up.

"Set-up? Bakit ka naman isi-set-up ng Daddy ko?" The woman, who looked like she was
about her age, spoke and Precious glared at her.

"Kaya kita pinatawag dito dahil may narinig akong kaso mo daw kaya papakiusapan
sana kitang umalis ng tahimik sa set dahil ayokong mabahiran ng iskandalo ang kahit
anong pelikulang ginagawa ko--"

"Kaso?! Ako may kaso?! Ano?!" She demanded, she was trembling in fury as she
glowered at the other occupants of the RV.

"Grave slander at physical injuries."

"What?!"

"I got an email from the Carbonel and Sandoval Law Office, tungkol ito sa ginawa mo
sa isang empleyado nila--"

"Putang-ina nila!" She screamed as she picked the plastic chair close to her and
threw it near the director's feet. "Sila pa ang magkakaso, mga gago sila!" She
screamed as the RV's door opened and some of the male crew came to the director's
rescue. "Ano ba bitiwan nyo ako!" She yelled kicking and screaming as they forcibly
took her to where her car was parked. "Ano ba?!" She bellowed. Pinagtitinginan sila
ng ibang crew, artista, staff at mga fans.

"Wag ka nang bumalik dito, Ms. Precious." One of the men said. Someone handed her
bag to her and she angrily snatched it before she opened her car and slid into the
driver's seat.

"Shit kayong lahat!" She hissed as her phone rang. She hastily took it out of her
bag and swiped the screen to answer the call. "Bakit Benedict?" She asked.

"Pumunta ka sa opisina ko agad-agad."

"Pwede ba Ben, mainit ang ulo ko at wala ako sa mood makinig sa mga kabaklaan mo,
ano bang kailangan mo?!" She snapped before she lit a cigarette.

"May tinatago ka bang five million dyan?"

"Tangna mo, sabi nang wala ako sa moo--"

"Putang-ina mo rin, puntahan mo sa opisina ko yung summary of fees mo dahil wala
akong balak bayaran to at ayokong ma-involve dito sa kalokohan mong to!"

"Anong summary of fees?!"

"Ewan ko sayong babae ka! Ang pagkakaalam ko nagbayad ako at ang agency mo para sa
abogadong hinire mo para sa mga sabit mo dati pero bakit sinisingil tayo nito?!"

"Ha?" She asked her heart beating wildly against her chest. Si Nickolai ang humawak
ng mga kaso nya at hindi sya nagbabayad at dinadaan nya lang sa lambing. Pero hindi
ito alam ni Benedict dahil ang pagkakaalam nito ay nagbabayad sya.

"Putang-ina mo, Precious! Gaano mo na kami katagal niloloko?!" Her manager snapped
before the line died and she stared at the hands gripping the steering wheel
tightly. Shit ka, Nick. She murmured as her phone rang again.

"Hello?" She said, the number wasn't registered. "Sino to?"

"Mahal magpakatanga ano?" Nickolai uttered with a smirk and Precious' lower lip
trembled.

"Nick--"

"I expect the payment in a week or else the media will know about this."

"Wala akong pera, Nick!"

"How is that my problem?" Nickolai replied before he ended the call. He turned the
phone off before he took the sim card out and dropped it into the trash bin. His
iPhone rang and he smiled seeing who was calling him. "Hi, Lee!" He happily
greeted.

"Hi, baby bear!" Lee Ann's cheerful voice lifted his mood. "What are you doing?"

"Thinking about you." He replied and heard her giggle.

"I was thinking about you too." She answered and he smiled. "Sunduin mo ako." She
said, her voice sweet and pleading.

"Papunta na." He replied as he stood up. "Pero mamaya pa labas mo di ba?"

"Eh wala kaming class kaya maaga kaming uuwi."

"Sure yan na wala kang class?"

"Oo nga!" She replied. "Sunduin mo na ako, please." She repeated and he laughed.

"On my way na. Are you excited to see me?" He joked as he opened his door and came
face-to-face with a grinning Lee Ann.

"Paano mo nalaman?" She asked beaming before she threw herself into his embrace.
####################################
Chapter 21
####################################

"What are you doing here?" He asked pleasantly as he wrapped his arms around her
and pulled her inside his office. "Baka nag-cutting ka, Lee magagalit ako sayo."

"Hindi ka ganun ka-cute para maging reason na mag-cutting ako noh!" She pouted at
him. "Ayoko na nga! Uwi na nga ako!" She said and he laughed as he tightened his
arms around her. "Uwi na ako!"

"Bakit? Kakarating mo lang ah." He teasingly told her. "Hindi mo man lang ako iki-
kiss muna?"

"Hindi." She grumbled pushing away from him. "Uwi na ako--"

"Nagtatampo na naman ang girlfriend ko."

"Ikaw kasi eh! Ikaw na nga itong dinadalaw, ikaw pa yung sobrang lakas
makapagbintang! Siguro kung iba yung boyfriend ko tuwang-tuwa sya na pumunta ako sa
office nya to see him!"

"Natutuwa naman ako ah." He smiled. "My concern is just that you might be doing
what I'm doing."

"What exactly are you doing?" She asked, a hint of anger in her voice.

"Minsan pinapa-cancel ko ang meetings ko to be with you." He said tapping the top
of her nose with his finger and she continued to glare at him.

"Weh." She asked and he solemnly nodded his head. Her face broke into a grin as she
wound her arms around his neck. "Ikaw pala nagka-cutting eh." She told him and he
laughed.

"Kaya nga, bad influence ako. Wag mo akong gayahin. You have to finish school and
you have to do well in school."

"Eh si Nick nagpapaka-sweet." She spoke laughing before she tiptoed to give him a
kiss. He kissed her back as he lifted her off the floor and carried her to his
sofa. He sat down with her on his lap. " Na-miss kita."

"I missed you too." He sighed against her mouth. "May meeting ako in a few minutes.
Hintayin mo ako, mabilis lang to. Then we'll go home. Okay?"

"Kahit hindi mo na ako ihatid sa mansyon. Pwede ko namang tawagan yung driver ko.
Mag-aaral nga pala akong mag-drive kasi di ba I'll be seventeen in a few weeks?
Yehey! I get my own car kasi sabi nin Ate ibibili daw nila ako ng bagong sasakyan!
I'm so excited!"

"My student license ka di ba? Pwede ka namang mag-drive basta't may kasama kang may
license."
"Meron, three months ago ko pa kinuha. Pero I'm so excited to drive by myself!" She
squealed. "Nai-imagine ko pa lang where I can go--"

"No." He snapped.

"Ha? Anong no? Hindi ako pwedeng mag-drive?"

"Kahit marunong ka nang mag-drive ako ang maghahatid at susundo sayo. And I don't
want you going to places by yourself. Babae ka--"

"Ano naman kung babae ako? Hindi porke't girl hindi na pwedeng magpunta sa kung
saan? That's chauvinistic, Nick." She told him and he expelled a heavy breath. Ang
totoo, ayaw nyang lumakad mag-isa si Lee Ann, ayaw nyang naiiwanan sya, ayaw nyang
hindi na sya kailanganin nito.

"It's not in reference to your gender. Babae ka, my woman and I won't have you
courting danger." He said.

"Weh, maka-my woman naman to." She teased before she kissed his cheek.

"Lee, ayokong umaalis ka nang di ako kasama. Ayokong pumupunta ka sa kung saan-
saan." He sighed and she laughed.

"Ganun? Masyado mo naman akong binabakuran, Nick."

"Ayaw mo ba? Sige, kung gusto mong mag-drive mag-isa--"

"Bakit kaya ang cute mo?" She cut him off. "May kasagutan ba yang tanong na yan?"
She asked as he stared at her face. "Ang gwapo mo, sobrang gwapo mo and it's no
longer funny." She stated and he chuckled.

"Ayaw mong gwapo ang boyfriend mo?"

"Gusto. Pero hindi naman fair na ganyan ka ka-gwapo."

"Ang galing mong mambola." He told her and she laughed. "Sa akin ka uuwi. Dun ka
matulog sa condo. Do you want the room you're using redecorated? I can call my
interior designer--"

"Hindi na. Gagawan mo pa ako ng kwarto eh kinikidnap mo naman ako papunta sa room
mo in the middle of the night." She ribbed sticking her tongue out at him. He
groaned before he captured her mouth with his and she grew pliant in his arms. She
moved to sit astride him and his breathing hitched.

"Don't tempt me, Miss Carbonel." He uttered and she arched her brow.

"All is fair in love and war, Nick." She taunted before her soft hands held his
face in place. Her kisses were tentative as if she was testing him, challenging his
limit and he succumbed to her innocent advances. His lips parted to accommodate her
as he cupped the back of her head and drew her tongue inside his mouth. She exhaled
heavily at the action and he nearly smiled. "Ang unfair mo, ang galing mong
humalik." She complained weakly when they parted for air and he pulled her face
towards his for another kiss in answer.

"Magaling ba?" He tormented her by nibbling her lower lip and she squirmed on top
of him. "Paano mo nasabing magaling?" He whispered running his tongue against her
lower lip and she moaned.

"Hindi ko alam." She answered as he continued to tease her. "Nick naman eh." She
whined when he kissed the side of her lips.

"Bakit?" He asked grinning.

"Kiss me properly!" She said and he laughed before he invaded her mouth with
ferocity and a passion that left her begging for more. She clung to him,
defenseless against his fervor and he intensified their kiss. She tried to keep up
with him but couldn't and she surrendered as she was reduced to gasped and mewls.

"I don't think it is a good idea na dun ka matulog sa akin mamaya." He spoke softly
as he clasped her to his chest.

"Bakit?" She questioned. "Gusto ko dun matulog!"

"Kawawa naman talaga ako sayo." He said and she giggled. "Pinapahirapan mo na ako
masyado."

"Kaya mo yan, Nick. Nandito lang ako para sayo." She taunted and laughed when he
started to tickle her. She was still laughing when the door opened and Alexander
walked in.

"Sorry!" Alex said as he turned his back to them. "Hindi ko naman alam na malandi
pala si Nick. I mean na sweet pala si Nick." He added chuckling.

"Kuya Alex talaga!"

"Hi, Lee." Alexander greeted her sister-in-law without looking at her. "Pwede na ba
akong humarap?" He asked and cleared his throat when he saw that Lee Ann was still
sitting on his brother's lap. "Magmi-meeting na tayo, Nick pinapasundo ka ni Daddy,
di mo daw sinasagot ang phone mo."

"Naka-silent." Nickolai replied. "Sige sunod ako." He told his brother who was
having a hard time keeping a straight face.

"Sige, okay lang kahit hindi mo bilisan. Baka mabigla si Lee Ann." He said before
he stepped out of the office.

"Ano daw?" Lee Ann asked and Nickolai frowned.

"Don't mind him. Alam mo naman si Alex." He spoke smiling at her. "Hintayin mo ako
dito sa loob. Mabilis lang ako. Do you want anything? Baka gustom ka, I'll have
food delivered to you."

"Hindi na, busog pa ako."

"Okay. Mabilis lang ako ha, wag kang mainip."

"Kasama ba sina Ate sa meeting ninyo? Balak ko sana silang puntahan sa office
nila."

"Oo, nandun silang dalawa, kasama sila sa meeting."

"Ay ganun? Okay, sige di bale dito na lang ako maghihintay sayo."

"You can use my laptop, baka gusto mong mag-research."

"I brought my I-pad. Okay na ako, maglalaro na lang ako." She said and he smiled as
she got off him. She kissed him on the cheek and waved goodbye.
"Yun lang?" He asked. "After all those heated kisses we exchanged?" He taunted
before he bent down to move his lips closer to hers. "Kiss me properly, Lee Ann."
He whispered. She heeded and he regretted that he did as fire again burned in his
loins.

They drove home and she was again chattering endlessly jumping from one topic to
another. He listened smiling to her animated storytelling. Nakakatuwa talaga tong
batang to. He thought and stopped. Alam nyang bata si Lee Ann but she turns into a
woman in his arms. Hindi nya alam if it has something to do with her candor, wit
and charm but he's so physically attracted to her, it was starting to scare him.

"Tapos ang sabi nung professor namin magkakaroon daw kami ng quiz kaya ayun natapos
ang tawanan. Bakit kaya sila ganun?"

"Sino?"

"Ang mga prof."

"Bakit?"

"Parang ayaw nila na masaya ang mga estudyante. Pag nagkakatuwaan sa class parati
silang nagpapa-quiz parang di dumaan sa pagiging mag-aaral, OA sa pagiging
killjoy." She uttered and he laughed.

"Baka naman may quiz talaga kayo dapat at nagkataon lang na nagkakatuwaan kayo so
hindi nila yun sadya."

"Kanino ka ba kampi?" She demanded and he laughed.

"Syempre sayo." He replied and she made a face. "Nakausap mo na ba ang mga Ate mo?"

"Hindi pa? Bakit?"

"Wala naman, natanong ko lang." He answered. He had to admit that, although he knew
that Lee Ann's sisters will respect the younger girl's opinion, he still wouldn't
want to go against Alexa and Lia. He definitely wants them on his side. Si Alexa
madali lang kasi nandyan si Alex pero si Lia, she won't be sweet talked, not that
I'd even want to try. He told himself.

"Anong dinner natin, Nick?" She asked and he glanced briefly at her.

"Anong gusto ni baby Lee Ann?"

"Bakit mo ba ako tinatawag na baby? Gusto mo bang tawaging kitang Kuya?"

"Baby naman..." He joked and she scowled at him. "Kaya baby kasi baby kita. Di ba
sinabi ko na sayo dati na no matter how old you get you will still be Nickolai
Sandoval's baby?"
"Weh, si Nick ang arte."

"Ayaw mong tinatawag kitang baby? Sige Lee Ann na lang."

"Eh! Gusto ko may baby!" She whined and he chuckled. They ate dinner at a
restaurant and he winked at her in warning when she opened her mouth to retort to
the waitress' cute po ng kapatid ninyo remark.

"Wala naman tayong magagawa, cute ka naman talaga." He told her after they had
dinner and were driving home.

"Kapatid? Magkamukha ba tayo?!"

"Pag magkamukha daw nagkakatuluyan." He said and she rolled her eyes at him. "Hindi
ba? Tingnan mo si Ate Alexa mo at si Alex, hindi ba magkamukha na? You can't even
tell them apart." He exaggerated and she burst out laughing.

"Grabe ka naman! Lalaki kaya si Kuya Alex tapos may you can't tell them apart ka
pang sinasabi?" She asked laughing harder and he laughed along with her. He handed
his car keys to the valet parking attendant on duty before they took the marble
steps to his building's entrance. They were talking happily as they made their way
to the lobby when someone called his name.

"Nick!" Hindi pa man sya lumingon ay alam nya kung kaninong boses yun galing.
"Nick, mag-usap tayo, please!"

"Wag kang lumingon at dumiretso ka sa elevator." He murmured to Lee Ann. Nickolai

inclined his head at the guard near the reception who nodded his head in
understanding.

"Ma'am, paumanhin po pero bawal po kayong sumunod. Hanggang dito lang po kayo." The
guard told Precious, blocking her way.

"May sasabihin lang ako sa kanya! Putang-ina bitiwan mo ako! Hindi mo ba ako
kilala?" Precious shrieked.

"Pasensya na po talaga, Ma'am ginagawa lang po namin ang trabaho namin."

"Magkano ba! Magkano ba ang kailangan mo para makapasok ako?" Precious shouted as
she opened her bag. Pinagtitinginan na sila ng iba and the guard was trying to calm
him down. A man in polo barong arrived and he smiled pleasantly at Precious.

"Good evening po, Ma'am. I'm the head of security of this building. How can we help
you po?" He asked politely and Precious glared angrily at the guard who blocked her
way.

"Pakisabihan itong gwardya ninyo na matutong rumespeto! Hindi nya ba ako kilala?! I
am Precious Abueva at parati ako sa building na to dati! I do not understand kung
bakit kailangan akong bastusin nitong hampaslupang tarantadong to!"

"Ma'am, pasensya na po talaga. Ako na po ang humihingi ng paumanhin pero hindi po

namin kayo pwedeng papasukin."

"Bakit?! Ano bang kailangan para makapasok ako?!"

"Madali lang naman po, Ma'am." The head of security retorted. "Kailangan nyo lang
po ng fifty-five million pesos. Pag may unit na po kayo dito ay pwede na po kayong
maglabas-masok sa building na ito." He told her, smiling amiably and she threw
daggers at him. "May kailangan pa po ba kayo?" He asked in the same genial tone.
"Wala na!" She asked before she turned to leave.

####################################
Chapter 22
####################################

####################################
Chapter 23
####################################

"Teka, kelan nya to binigay?" Lia asked looking at the diamond solitaire engagement
ring on Lee Ann's finger. "Nagulat ako kasi biglang kwintas ang binigay nya sayo
ngayon, napaka-symbolic, balak ka nya talagang sakalin." She added and Alexa
laughed.

"May nauna na pala kasing binigay, Ate." Her sister said and Lee Ann beamed.

"Ang taray, kapag inere mo ang panganay nyo, may reward kang earrings." Lia said
before the three of them laughed. "Installment ang peg!"

"Si Ate talaga." Lee Ann laughingly spoke. Nasa loob sila ng office ni Alexa
because Nickolai and Alexander had to attend a case briefing.

"Inunahan nyo pa talaga ako, bigla akong nalungkot. And I feel so old and wrinkly."

"Ate ha, kanina pa ako naloloka sa pabago-bago mong mood." Alexa uttered. "Ano bang
meron sayo? Mag-usap nga tayo ngayon at wala na tayong balita sa isa't isa."

"Wala ngang bago sa akin. Si Lee Ann maraming ikukwento yan."

"Wala." Lee Ann shook her head and Lia arched her brow.

"Ayaw kitang i-buking pero alam namin ni Alexa yung camping mo parati sa condo ni
Nick."

"Ate naman eh!" The youngest Carbonel grumbled.

"Hoy, wag ka ngang umastang parang bata dyan. Engaged ka na. Malapit nang maging
masaya yang pempem mo."
"Ate talaga." Alexa was laughing hard and Lia rolled her eyes at her sisters.

"Taboo pa rin ba hanggang ngayon ang usapang pempem? Aba, anong petsa na?"

"Hindi, pero minor si Lee Ann." Alexa protested.

"Hindi na yan inosente and I would rather that she learn these things from us kesa
malaman nya sa iba. At least tayo hindi magsisinungaling sa kanya at pwede nyang
itanong lahat nang walang takot na itsismis natin sya."

"Well, my point ka." Alexa agreed nodding her head and both of them rested their
gazes on Lee Ann who lowered her eyes at her sisters' scrutiny.

"Magtanong ka na. Nahiya pa to. Free lesson to. Kung ano man ang pag-uusapan nating
tatlo, sa atin lang ha."

"Oo naman!" Alexa was quick to reply and Lee Ann nodded her head.

"Ikaw, baby hanggang saan na kayo?"

"Ha?"

"Ano ba? Uulitin ko pa ba ang lecture ko about bases?"

"Alam ko na po yun, Ate." Lee Ann answered. "Sa ano na... kiss." She added.

"Sure yan?" Lia arched her brow.

"Kiss nga lang daw." Alexa came to the younger girl's defense as Lee Ann blushed
profusely.

"Ang tanong kiss saan?" Lia asked and laughed aloud when Lee Ann's blush darkened.
"Ano ba tong batang to, kawawa naman na-harass na ito ni Nick."

"Hindi naman, Ate." Lee Ann murmured. Her sisters are very open about these things
but she's not comfortable talking about her intimate experiences. As if naman kasi
marami na akong maikukwento. She thought.

"If you're not comfortable, wag na nating pag-usapan. Alam mo na naman ang tama at
mali di ba?" Alexa asked. "Pero basta, kapag kailangan mo nang tulong o kailangan
mong may mapagkwentuhan, sa amin ka dumiretso. Hindi kami magagalit sayo at hindi
ka rin namin huhusgahan."

"Korak!" Lia seconded. "Kapag nagkwento ka sa classmates mo, they could use those
information against you kaya gusto kong piliin mo kung kanino ka magko-confide,
okay? Kasi kung may bruhildang aaway sayo, di ako magdadalawang-isip na kalmutin
ang pagmumukha nya."

"Opo." Lee Ann replied smiling. "Salamat, mga Ate."

"Masaya ka ba, Lee?" Alexa questioned. "Papalampasin ko lahat as long as you're

happy. But the moment Nickolai makes you cry, I'm going to kick his balls hard that
he won't be able to feel them for years."

"And I'm going to tear his hotdog off him with my bare hands." Lia added and her
sisters looked at her in alarm. "What?" She asked them.

"Pero, Ate Lia bakit parang ang blooming mo? There's something different about
you." Lee Ann observed and Lia flipped her hair.

"Matagal na akong blooming, di nyo lang napapansin." She said. "Aba, itong ganda ko
walang kupas to."

"May lovelife ka na yata, Ate eh." Lee Ann stated.

"Oo nga, Ate. Baka mamaya sa TV o newspaper pa namin malalaman na meron ka na

palang ka-relasyon, magtatampo talaga kami."

"Alexa, anong ka-relasyon? Di ako mahilig sa relasyon. Pwede ba? Kapag nasa isang
relasyon ka pati yaya ng pet ng nanay nya kailangan mong pakitunguhan. Hindi pa man
din ako magaling sa plastikan kaya hindi talaga bagay sa akin yang mga ganyan.
Besides, enough na sa akin na may dalawang Carbonel na willing magpatali at maging
hiyang sa pag-ibig." She uttered as someone knocked. The door clicked open and
Nickolai, Alexander and Dustin walked inside.

"Hello, Love!" Alexander greeted his wife wrapping his arms around her as Lee Ann
took the hand Nickolai offered.

"Do you want to eat dinner with us?" Nickolai asked the others.

"We have to be home kasi yung mga bata." Alexa replied. "Siguro next time na lang."

"Pagod na ako kaya diretso na ako sa condo." Lia said.

"Ako rin uuwi na ako." Dustin announced and Nickolai shrugged.

"Sige. Dinner muna kami ni Lee Ann." He told everyone as he draped an arm around
his girlfriend. They took the elevator to the basement parking and he opened the
car's door for her. "Saan mo gustong kumain?" He asked after he slid into the
driver's seat and fastened Lee Ann's seatbelt.

"Kahit saan, Nick." Lee Ann answered smiling. Her cellphone rang and she frowned
when she saw who was calling. "Nicko, bakit?" She asked over the phone and
Nickolai's demeanor instantly changed when he heard the name. Bakit tumatawag tong
batang to sa girlfriend ko?

"Lee, birthday ni Jessie next week at plano ng buong bloc na bigyan sya ng surprise
birthday party. Mag meeting tayo bukas ng umaga. Pwede ka ba?"

"Anong oras?" Lee Ann asked. "Wag naman sobrang aga."

"Mga around 6:30 AM. Natawagan ko na yung iba. Hindi kasi pwede ng hapon kasi
makakahalata si Jessie kung hindi natin sya isasama."

"Okay, so 6:30 AM dapat nandyan na ako?" She asked looking at Nick who nodded his
head.

"Saan pala para alam ko kung saan ka ihahatid bukas?" Nickolai asked.

"Saan daw--"

"Sino yun?" Nicko cut her off and Lee Ann arched her brow. "Sinong kasama mo?"

"Bakit?" She queried.

"Gabing-gabi na magkasama pa rin kayo nyan. Hindi ka nag-iingat. Alam mo bang

pinag-uusapan ka na ng mga ka-bloc natin dahil sa paghatid-hatid sayo nyan?"
"O tapos?" Lee Ann questioned. "May pangalan sya at alam mo kung ano so don't refer
to him as nyan. "Tsaka mukha ba akong may pakialam sa mga sinasabi nyo?" She
uttered sharply.

"Sinasabi ko lang sayo. I am trying my best to curb the gossips about you--"

"You don't have to. Hindi na kailangan at salamat na lang. Tinatawagan mo ako to
attend a meeting for a celebration tapos sasabihin mo sa akin na pinag-uusapan ako
ng mga blocmates natin?"

"Sinasabi ko lang ang totoo. They're saying nasty things behind your back kasi
iba't ibang kotse ang naghahatid sayo."

"Hindi ko kasalanan kung mayaman ang boyfriend ko at marami syang sasakyan!" She
yelled. "At kung sasakyan lang din naman ang pag-uusapan, hindi nyo ba nakita yung
garage ng Daddy ko kung ilang sasakyan ang nakatambak dun kasi mahilig sya sa
kotse? Walang gumagamit sa mga yun ngayon, pakisabihan silang pwede silang
mainggit!"

"Lee, wag mong masamain--"

"You told me that they're saying nasty things about me and you actually have the
nerve para ako pa ang sabihan na wag kong masamain? Are you for real? Kaibigan
kita, Nicko and I treasure the friendship pero ayokong sinasabihan ako kung sinong
sasamahan ko at kung anong gagawin ko. Kaibigan lang kita." She said before she
ended the call. She angrily stashed her phone inside her bag and Nickolai spoke.

"Anong nangyari?"

"Wala."

"I heard your outburst. You can tell me about it."

"Some of my blocmates are saying unpleasant things about me kasi nakikita nilang
hinahatid mo ako." She uttered and Nickolai's brows furrowed. "Don't mind them,
it's as if I give value to their opinion."

"But it obviously affects you or else you wouldn't be this upset."

"Sino naman ang matutuwang pinagtsitsismisan, Nick? Maayos sila sa harap ko tapos
pala pag-uusapan nila ako pag nakatalikod ako?"

"Do you want me to stop driving you to school?"

"No." Lee Ann replied. "Malapit na naman akong mag-seventeen, I can finally drive."
She murmured. He wanted to tell her that he's not too keen about her driving by
herself but he kept quiet. Alam nyang mainit ang ulo ni Lee Ann. "Nakakainis!" She
hissed.

"May magagawa ba ako for you?" Nickolai asked.

"Wala." She answered with finality and he ignored the pain he felt because of her
rejection. They stopped at a restaurant a few blocks away from his condominium to
eat dinner and he watched as she pushed her food around her plate.

"Do you want to order something else?" Nickolai inquired and she shook her head.
"Magugutom ka nyan kasi hindi ka naman kumakain." He observed. He called the waiter
and ordered four more viands.
"Nick, bakit ang dami? Wala nga akong gana!" Lee Ann complained.

"To go yun. Just in case magutom ka later may pagkain at ima-microwave ko na lang."
He replied. They drove home in silence and he was getting frustrated. Ano bang
gagawin ko dito? He thought.

He handed his building's valet parking attendant the key to his car and guided Lee
Ann towards the entrance. The silence was killing him as she continued to mope.
They rode the elevator to his floor and she walked ahead of him.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" He asked her as they entered his unit.

"No."

"Do you want to play scrabble?"

No."

"What do you want to do?"

"I'm going to take a shower. Matutulog ako ng maaga." She told him and he nodded
his head.

He wished there was something more that he could do to lift her mood pero mukhang
hanggang bukas ay mainit ang ulo ng girlfriend nya. He saw her get out of the
bathroom wrapped in a white bathrobe and he sighed as he massaged his temple. Lee
Ann and her moods. He thought. The gossips must really be bad if she's acting this
way. He stood up and put the food he ordered inside the refrigerator before he
opened a bottle of beer.

"Lee, goodnight kiss ko." He said. He knew she could hear him but she didn't reply.
He waited pero hindi na lumabas si Lee Ann but she continued to ignore him. Bakit
parang sa akin galit to? He asked himself as he opened his glass cupboard to get a
bottle of brandy.

He felt so frustrated as he poured himself a generous amount. Ano naman ang ginawa
ko sa kanya? He asked as he downed his third glass. "Makaligo na nga lang." He told
himself because he was starting to feel dizzy. He took his time in taking a shower
as he tried to come up with ways to perk up her mood. Pero wala syang maisip.

Now I feel so inadequate. He thought as he thoroughly brushed his teeth. He poured

mouthwash into a glass before he tipped it into his mouth and spit it out after
after less than a minute. Wala, Nick matanda ka na talaga. He humored himself as he
changed into a pair of cotton shorts and shirt. He went to her bedroom and saw that
she was sitting on her bed. And crying.

"Lee?" He asked as he moved towards her. "Lee, ano yun?"

"Naasar ako." She sobbed.

"Sa akin?" He asked softly and she shook her head.

"Sa sarili ko. Kasi no matter how much I say na hindi ako affected, ito umiiyak pa
rin ako. Naasar kasi ako because they're judging me and they're judging you. Alam
ba nila yung story natin? Why are they so quick to conclude? Hindi ba dapat
tanungin nila ako kesa pag-usapan nila ako?" She wept and Nickolai gave himself a
mental shake. Way to go, Nick. This is your chance to make your girlfriend feel
better and you're feeling woozy.
"Tahan na." He whispered as he hugged her to his chest.

"Nakakainis kasi eh!"

"Lee, it is human nature to gossip. And people love to talk about something that
they don't understand. I don't want to tell you that shouldn't be affected because
I am not the one bearing this cross. However, I want to tell you now that you will
not be able to control what people say about you, what you can control is how you
react to them. So itong pag-iyak mo ngayon, that's your reaction and that's
something you can control. Kung iiyak ka ba hihinto sila? Hindi ba hindi rin? So
why waste precious tears?" He asked as he wiped her tears using the pad of his
thumb.

"I love how smart you are." She said and he chuckled. "I also love how much of a
good kisser you are." She teased and he laughed before he bent down to kiss her on
the lips.

"You're a good kisser too." He whispered.

"Nah. My kisses are very clumsy and juvenile compared to yours." She said and he
quirked a brow.

"Gusto mo turuan kita?"

"Kung paano maging good kisser?" She questioned and he nodded his head.

"Pabor na pabor sayo yun ah." She grinned and stopped when she felt his mouth on
hers. He got into the bed with her and she sighed against his lips as he coaxed
hers to part. He was more eager than usual and her unguarded responses fueled his
avidity. She felt his hand under her pajama top and she mewled. "Nick..." She
murmured when he started raining kisses down her neck.

"I want you." He muttered and warning bells started ringing in her head when he
guided her to lie down before he pulled her pajama bottoms off her.

"Hala." She whispered when he pulled her undies down her hips. "Nick."

"Yes?"

"Are you drunk? Uminom ka ba?" She asked. She knew hanggang beer lang si Nick or
else, according to Alexander, he'd go crazy. "Teka lang, Nick. Hala." She tried to
sit up but he pushed her back to the bed.

"Mahal mo ba ako?" He asked and she stared wide-eyed at him.

"Anong klaseng tanong yan?"

"Just answer me, Lee Ann."

"Yes." She retorted and her jaw dropped when he started taking his clothes off.
####################################
Chapter 24
####################################

####################################
Chapter 25
####################################

Nickolai felt someone shake his shoulders but his eyelids felt too heavy. Sino ba
naman to, ang aga? He thought as he burrowed deeper and deeper into the pillow.
"Nick!" Someone said and he pulled his comforter over his head and ignored the
voice.

"Nick! Nick naman eh mali-late na ako!" Ano ba naman to ang kulit! He murmured to
himself. "Nick!" Hay naku!" He heard her leave and he felt relieved. Buti naman
umalis na yun. He sleepily thought. He heard footsteps and the sound of a door as
it closed with a bang.

"Sino ba yun? Ang ingay! Ang sakit sa ulo." He groaned. His throat felt parched and
his head felt like it was repeatedly hit with a hammer. "Anong oras nga ba klase ni
Lee Ann ngayon?" He murmured and his eyes flew open. "Shit, si Lee Ann nga pala!"

He scrambled out of his bed to go to her bedroom. "Lee! Baby, nasaan ka?" He asked.
Shit, umalis na yata. He thought running back to his bedroom. He tripped in his
haste and he stared at his bare chest then at his naked crotch in surprise. "What
the hell?" Why am I naked? Did something happen last night? Dapat talaga hindi ako
umiinom no matter how upset I am! He stood up to dash to his bedroom and stopped
when he saw a note taped on his bedroom door.

Umalis na ako. Salamat sa paghatid. Sarcastic nga pala yan. Thanks for ruining my
day. Hindi na sarcastic yan.

Don't contact me again. I'm furious.

Your soon-to-be ex girlfriend,

Miss Lee Ann Carbonel

He smiled despite himself. "Itong batang to talaga kahit na galit, ang cute pa
rin."

He quickly bathed and put on a pair of blue denim pants, three-fourths white V-
necked shirt and white top-sider shoes. He went inside his bathroom and opened his
medicine cabinet before he took a small white plastic bottle and opened it. "I hope
this works." He said before popping two aspirin tablets inside his mouth. "Dapat
tinawagan ko muna yung guard sa baba at mukhang kakaalis lang ni Lee Ann kanina."
He told himself as he took the elevator to the ground floor.
"Good morning po, Attorney." The guard greeted and he curtly nodded his head.
"Ipapaakyat ko po ang sasakyan ninyo, Sir?"

"Please do. Yung Ferrari. Thank you." He answered as he glanced at his watch. The
guard called someone on his walkie-talkie before he smiled amiably at Nick.

"Anong oras umalis si Lee Ann?" He couldn't help but ask. Pinipigilan nya ang
sarili nya because he didn't want to sound like a lovesick fool but he couldn't
help it.

"Kakaalis lang po. May sumundo po."

"Anong sasakyan?"

"Blue po na Honda City." Honda City? Walang Honda City ang mga Carbonel.

"Nakuha mo ba ang plate number?"

"Opo. Sinulat ko po sa logbook." The guard showed his logbook to Nick and the
lawyer frowned. This definitey is not one of the Carbonel's cars. Sinong sumundo sa
kanya? He thought as his car emerge from the basement parking's entrance.

"Salamat." He uttered and the guard beamed. Atty. Nickolai Sandoval is considered
as a VVIP and they all bow down to his every whim. The unit he owns is one of the
priciest condominium unit in the country.

"Wala pong anuman, Attorney."

Nick took the marble steps two at a time and thanked the valet parking attendant
who brought his car to the entrance. Sino kaya sumundo dun? He asked himself he as
drove off. He weaved in and out of cars and was glad that he took two aspirin
tablets to clear his headache.

"Sinong kasama mo, Lee?" He asked aloud, jealousy gripping him with force. Dapat
kasi bumangon ka na agad! Kung sinu-sino tuloy sumundo dun sa girlfriend mo! He
harshly scolded himself.

He saw the car then and maneuvered his vehicle so he was nearly side-by-side with
it and his temper drastically rose when he saw who was driving. "Tarantadong to."
He murmured as he reached for his handsfree kit on the dashboard. He connected it
to his ear and dialed her number. He was worried na baka hindi sagutin ni Lee Ann
ang tawag nya and he breathed easy when he heard her voice.

"Hello, Nick." She said.

"Ask that boy to pull over." He replied.

"Ha? What do you mean?" She sounded confused.

"Get off that car, Lee Ann. I'm right behind you." He added. She did not reply.
"Lee, bumaba ka dyan. Ako ang maghahatid sayo." He tried to sound calm. He knew it
was his fault but the anger in her voice still surprised him.

"Don't tell me what to do!" She shouted over the phone.

"Baby naman-"

"Ikaw itong naglasing, ikaw itong hindi gumising nang maaga tapos ikaw pa daw
talaga ang may ganang sabihan ako kung ano ang dapat kong gawin?!" Damn, galit nga.
Nickolai thought.

"Kaya nga, baby nag-a-apologize ako. I'm sorry. Kung nag-away man tayo kagabi
because of what I did, what I said or how I acted humihingi ako ng forgiveness. I
do not remember kung anong ginawa ko o sinabi ko pero please, patawarin mo ako.
Please, baby?"

"Wag mo akong dinadaan-daan sa baby na yan! I'm ending this conversation!" He

cursed under his breath when the line died. He knew the legendary Carbonel temper
all too well, he had witnessed first hand how Alexa had transformed into a dragon
with the blink of an eye that had his brother cowering in fear.

"Think, Nick!" He told himself as he continued to follow the car. He tried calling
her again but she had turned her phone off. "Langya naman."

He dialed his brother's number and grumbled in impatience when he didn't take his
call. He called Alexander again and he answered on the fifth ring.

"Alex-"

"Teka, teka." The younger Sandoval sounded as though he was out of breath. "Tawagan
mo ako after an...an hour." Nickolai frowned. "Nagkaroon kasi kami ng kaunting
misunderstanding kanina kaya naglalaban kami ngayon-"

"Ha?" Nickolai asked in confusion.

"Alex, come back to bed!" Nickolai arched his brow when he heard Alexa's voice.

"Ito na, Love-" Alexander said before the call ended.

"Itong dalawang to wala nang ginawa magdamag yata kundi mag-ano." Langya naman,
sana kung ganyang lambingan kami kahit ba araw-araw kaming mag-away. He thought
with envy. It was difficult to control his urges but he knew that she wasn't ready
no matter how pliant she often becomes in his arms. Bata pa, Nick. Wag mo munang
pitasin. He told himself.

He saw the car slowed down and he did too. It stopped in front of a coffee shop and
he followed. He parked beside them and watched the two teenagers get out of the
car. He stepped out of his Ferrari and headed inside. Lee Ann was throwing daggers
at him but he pretended to ignore her. Dalawa ang bukas na counter at sa kabila sya
pumila.

"Lee, ako na mag-o-order para sa atin. Umupo ka na lang." He heard Nicko spoke and
he wanted to hit him so bad that he had to clench his fists.

"Okay lang, sabay na lang tayo." Lee Ann replied. Ikaw na bata ka, you are a brat.
Ang sarap mong paluin minsan. He murmured to himself and inwardly groaned when a
picture of his naked girlfriend lying across his lap waiting to get punished, crept
inside his head. Nick, ang aga naman nyan. He chided himself.

"Good morning, Sir!" The perky voice of the young woman behind the counter
interrupted his thoughts. He flashed her one of his rare smiles and she giggled. He
saw Lee Ann, out of the corner of his eye, look at them.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi po! What's your order, Sir?"

"I can't choose." He knew he sounded flirty. "Can you help me out?" He smiled again
and saw her blush.

"Um... Sir, okay...po." She started to stutter. "Um...ano po bang gusto

ninyo...um...hot...cold...?" She was biting her lower lip and he felt uneasy.
Flirting was never his game, he found it too taxing and a waste of his time. He was
about to tell her his order when someone grabbed his arm.

"Uwi!" Lee Ann said before she turned to glare at the girl behind the counter.
"Seriously?" She asked before she pulled him with her.

"Lee?" Nicko asked.

"Next time na, de Jesus." She replied without a backward glance. Nickolai hid his
smile as he allowed Lee Ann to pull towards the parking lot. "Ang landi landi mo,
nakakainis ka! Makakatikim ka talaga sa akin! Pag ako naasar sayo babalatan talaga
kita ng buhay! Walang pinipiling lugar! Kahit sino na lang!" She angrily grumbled.

He wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless but he maintained his
cool. "Buksan mo ang pinto!" She snapped at him and he took the keyless entry
remote from his pocket and pressed a button. He opened the door for her and she
gracefully slid into the seat. He ran to the driver's side and got in. "Ikaw-" She
started to say but he held her face with both his hands and opened his mouth over
hers.

"Sorry na, baby." He murmured against her lips. "It's my fault. Sorry na, please."

"Mag-so-sorry ka ngayon tapos-" The rest of her words died on her lips when he
kissed her again.

"Baby, please. Bati na tayo. I'm really sorry." He whispered.

"Anong sorry-" His lips were on hers again and he sighed in approval with need when
she started to respond. He was glad that his car was heavily tinted as he sucked
her tongue into his mouth. They parted for air and he kissed her on the forehead.
"I missed you." He spoke. "Bati na tayo, please? I'll make it up to you, I
promise."

"Wag ka na ngang uminom, Nick."

"Hindi na ako iinom kahit kelan." He readily replied and she smiled.

"Okay." She leaned towards him for another kiss.

"Anong oras klase mo? Di ba mamaya pa?" She nodded and he watched her pink tongue
run across her lower lip. "Seatbelt, Lee." His voice sounded thick as the Ferrari
roared to life. They reached his condo in less than twenty minutes and a few
minutes later they were inside his bedroom and on top of his bed. He reached around
her and deftly unclasped her bra.

"Nick-"

"Shh..." He said before his mouth latch onto her flesh. She gasped in surprise but
did not protest. "You're mine alone, Lee Ann. Get it?" He said and she opened her
mouth to speak but he sat up and started to unbutton her pants. "Seloso ako, Lee."
He uttered. "Yung sa akin, akin lang." He pulled her pants all the way down. He
carelessly threw it to the floor. "Wag mo nang uulitin yun, ha, Lee?" He spoke and
this time she replied.
"Selosa din ako, Nick so do not ever flirt with any other girl-"

"I wanted you to get jealous enough to want to come home with me." He interrupted
and she scowled. "Ikaw lang. You're all I want, Lee Ann Carbonel."

"Want lang?" She asked and he laughed softly.

"Sa tingin mo want lang to?" He asked as he ran his yes on her body. He lay down
beside her and gathered her in his arms. "Mahal na mahal kita. I love you so much
that I don't mind losing everything for you." Somehow, she knew what he meant
because, her older sister, Alexa explained everything to her.

"Malapit na, Nick. I don't want you to choose between me and your profession. Isang
taon mahigit na lang and I'm all yours."

"We can-"

"No." She said and he sighed. She pulled his face towards hers and kissed him
passionately. "I love you." She said.

"I love you." He replied before he began raining kisses from her neck to her
stomach. She pulled at his shirt and he understood as he stood up and stripped
leaving his boxers on. He moved on top of her and she welcomed his weight, her arms
going around him. He ground himself against her and she gasped, their clothing
adding friction to their movements.

"Nick, mabibitin ka lang." She said as he continued moving. She knew it wasn't
enough. Not for him.

"Ako nang bahala." He murmured before he captured her lips with his mouth. He
kissed her tenderly on the forehead as she lay panting in his arms. "Banyo lang
ako." He said as he made a move to get off the bed but she grabbed his arm and
pulled him to lie back down beside her. "Ano yun, Lee?" He asked as he put an arm
around his waist.

"Dito lang." She whispered. She waited for him to protest, he still hasn't reached
his release after all.

"Okay." He said as he turned to his side to face her. "Magpahinga ka muna kahit
ilang minutes at may class ka pa-" He stared in surprise at her. She was looking
intently at him. "Lee..."

"This time ako nang bahala." She murmured and he wanted to protest but she silenced
him with her mouth. She swallowed his moans as he started to surge against her hand
which found its way under his boxers.

####################################
Chapter 26
####################################

"Are you sure about this?" He whispered and she just stared at him. Ayaw man nyang
aminin pero kinakabahan sya na baka hindi nya magawa nang tama. "Lee...?"

"Yes." She answered swallowing her apprehension. Waah! Paano ba yun gawin? She
asked herself as she started to panic. She knew she was supposed to move her hand
while holding him but she wasn't sure how. Paano kung mamali ako? Paano kung-Her
musings were interrupted when she heard him moan.

"Oh shit. Sorry!" She said as she let go of his hardness. "Sorry! Oh my, sorry,
Nick! Masakit ba? Hindi ko sinasadya!"

"No." Nickolai replied.

"Ang totoo, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin. I just pretended to know. Kaya sorry
kung namali-" She murmured as she lowered her gaze. Bigla syang nahiya. That's so
unsophisticated, Lee Ann Carbonel! You don't even know how to give your boyfriend a
hand job!

"Lee."

"Sorry."

"Why do you have to apologize?" He asked as he used his thumb to tilt her face
towards his. "Thank you kasi kahit hindi mo alam kung paano yun gawin, you are
trying to please me. And your effort pleases me, Lee." He murmured before he took
her hand and guided it to his crotch. He seemed to change his mind as he looked at
Lee Ann's bewildered expression.

"Bakit?" She asked when he stopped.

"Let's not do this, Lee. Hindi mo naman kailangan gawin to para matuwa lang ako.
Masaya ako sayo at masaya na akong magkasama tayo. I can see that you're
uncomfrtable and scared and it makes me feel guilty that you think you have to do
something like this."

"Dito ka lang, banyo lang ako, okay? Mabilis lang."

"Nick!"

"You're not yet ready for something like this, wag nating pilitin-"

"Gusto ko ngang hawakan!" She blurted out and blushed. Sige, Lee kaya mo yan! Ang
landi mo na! Pero, bakit ba kung gusto ko yung hawakan? "Do I have to beg?" He held
her gaze. "Gusto kong gawin yun for you." She added and he sat up.

"You can stop anytime, okay?" He told her before he took his boxers off. He guided
her hand towards his crotch and she bit her lower lip feeling nervous all of a
sudden.

"Sasabihin mo sa akin di ba kapag mali ang ginagawa ko?" She asked, her brown eyes
filled with anxiety. "I really am not scared about holding your... I mean about
holding you." She stammered and he hid a smile. "But I'm worried that I might not
be able to do it right."

"I will love whatever you do, however you do it.." He said before he cupped her
face with his hand. "I love you, Lee."
"I love you."She answered.

Her actions were unsure and tentative and he was breathless second-guessing what
she'd do next. There were moments when he wanted her to move faster but she would
lose momentum and there were times when he wanted her to slow down but she'd
suddenly quicken her hand's movements.

"Lee-" He gasped and she felt something warm and sticky in her hand. Ow shit! Ito
ba yun? She asked herself.

"Anong gagawin ko?" She asked innocently and Nickolai nearly laughed.

"Teka lang, baby let me catch my breath. Wag kang gumalaw." He panted and she lay
there still holding him. "Okay ka lang?" He asked.

"Nakakangawit." She candidly replied and he laughed.

"Thank you, Lee." He said. "That was amazing." Okay, I got amazing on the first
try, not bad. She mumbled to herself.

"Saglit lang, baby." He kissed her on the forehead briefly before he reached for
his bedside drawer and took something out.

"Ano yan?" Lee Ann asked, filled with curiosity. May gagawin pa ba after nito?

"Wet wipes." He grinned.

"Ah okay." She murmured as he cleaned her hand.

"So para sa ganitong purpose talaga yang wet wipes?" She queried and he smiled.

"Medyo." He answered and her brow arched. Teka, bakit kaya may wet wipes to sa tabi
ng kama nya? Eh di ibig sabihin parating-Wait! May ibang babaeng gumagawa sa kanya
ng ganito?! Shit ka, Nickolai! Now I feel so dirty! She furiously thought. "Tara,
baby let's take a shower." He had gotten up and offered his hand to her but she
ignored it and got up on her own.

"May klase pa ako." She told him frowning. "Bilisan mo unless ayaw mo na naman
akong ihatid. Magsabi ka na ngayon pa lang para makapagtawag ako ng susundo sa
akin." She added and Nickolai was confused at her sudden change of behavior. Ano na
naman kayang problema? He thought as Lee Ann picked up her clothes off the floor.
Ano na naman, Lee Ann?

"Dun ako sa kabila." She uttered as she left him standing in the middle of his
bedroom. She slammed his bedroom door and Nickolai felt more flustered.

"Ano na naman." He groaned in frustration. "Ito talagang babaeng ito, hindi mo

maintindihan!" He grumbled as he walked to his bathroom. Ang sakit sa ulo nitong
mood swings ni Lee Ann, paano na lang ako kung mabuntis to? Eh di puro kantyaw ang
inabot ko kay Alex? He thought. He remembered his brother who looked harassed
everyday when Alexa was pregnant with Alexanna. "Hay, Nick. Maghanda-handa ka na."

He showered quickly and immediately got dressed. Paglabas nya ay nakabihis na rin
si Lee Ann at walang imik na nakaupo sa sofa nya. Ang aga mo namang naglihi, baby.
Hindi pa tayo dumaan sa sarap, pahirap agad? "Baby-"

"Halika na." Lee Ann got up and headed towards the door. He ran after her and
grabbed her by the wrist. "Ano ba?!"
"Lee, Ano yun?"

"Anong ano?!"

"Anong problema?"

"Wala!" She yelled.

"Wala pero nagkakaganyan ka? Bakit ba biglang uminit ang ulo mo? Anong kasalanan
ko?"

"Wala nga!" She snapped as she reached for the doorknob. Nickolai immediately
stepped in front of the door. "Umalis ka nga dyan!"

"You have to tell me first what I did wrong. May nagawa ba akong kasalanan sayo
kaya ka nagalit? May sinabi ba ako na kina-offend mo? You have to tell me, Lee."

"Wala nga sabi eh! Di ba hindi mo rin naman alam?! Eh di wala!"

"Lee Ann-"

"Ano?!"

"Hindi ka lalabas dito hangga't di tayo makapag-usap nang maayos. Ano yun? Sabihin
mo sa akin kasi walang subtitle yang iniisip mo at hindi ko nababasa." He tried to
joke but her frown deepened. "Baby naman-"

"Stop calling me baby! Hindi na ako bata! Bata pa rin ba ang tingin mo sa akin?!
Kahit anong gawin ko, you still think that I am a child?!"

"Lee, I don't think of you as a child. I think of you as my woman. Does that mean
that I'm a perverted sicko because I get turned on while talking to a child? Kung
ayaw mo yung term of enderament ko sayo, let's change it, okay? I'm sorry if you
feel that way pero kung anong gusto ng Lee Ann ko na itawag ko sa kanya, yun ang
itatawag ko." His voice was soft and pleading but for some reason she got more
irritated.

"Umalis ka na nga sa harapan ng pinto at mali-late na ako!"

"Kakaayos lang natin tapos away na naman ulit? Di ka ba nagsasawang away tayo nang
away?"

"Bakit?! Sawa ka na sa akin, ganun?!" Anak ng kalungkutan naman itong batang ito,
oo! Ang hirap intindihin! Ano na naman kaya ang nagawa kong atraso dito? Nickolai
expelled a heavy breath as he thought of a way to explain the frustration he felt
better.

"Mag-usap tayo, baby." He said as he pulled her away from the door and towards his
sofa.

"Mali-late na nga ako!"

"I will make sure na hindi ka mali-late. Kung gusto mo ipapasundo kita sa
helicopter para dumating ka sa school mo on-time." He smiled as he sat down and
pulled her to sit on his lap.

"Ayokong kumalong!"
"Sige na. Si baby naman."

"Fine! Magsalita ka na!" Nickolai hid his laughter as Lee Ann sat stiffly on his
lap.

"Paano naman tayo mag-uusap kung di mo ako titingnan?" He said and she mumbled
under her breath as she turned slightly towards him. "Tayo ka saglit." He said and
she grudgingly obeyed and frowned some more when he made her sit astride facing
him.

"Ayan." He said.

"Ano to?"

"Mag-uusap tayo." He grinned. "Ganito yan, baby, ako nag-aalala ako kapag nagagalit
ka kasi ayokong nag-aaway tayo. Nalulungkot ako at hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa
office kapag hindi tayo okay."

"Nakakainis ka kasi eh!"

"Sorry kung naiinis ka sa akin pero pwede mo bang sabihin kung bakit ka naiinis?
Was it something I did? Was it something I said? Was it something that I
unconsciously hinted?" He asked. "Maawa ka naman sa akin, paano na lang ako sa
office kung galit ka sa akin eh di hindi ako makagawa ng work dun? Baka mawalan
akong trabaho, ikaw din."

"Pwede ka ba naman nilang i-fire eh isa ka sa mga may-ari? Kahit kelan talaga ang
hilig mong magpa-cute!"

"Malay mo sa sobrang affected ko-"

"As if naman, ganun ka ka-apektado kapag nag-aaway tayo." She rolled her eyes at
him and he pulled her face towards his for a kiss before he whispered against her
lips.

"You have an enormous effect on me, Lee Ann. Hindi mo lang alam what power you have
over me."

"Ang lakas mambola."

"Totoo." He said. "See isang kiss lang may hard-on ulit ako." He stated before he
surged against her.

"Ang bastos mo, Nick!" She exclaimed and he laughed before he put his arms around
her and hugged her tight.

"Baby naman, alam mo ba kung gaano kita kamahal? Ang profound ng epekto mo sa akin.
Kapag malungkot ako, isang tawag o message mo lang sasaya na ako. Kapag mainit ang
ulo ko sa opisina, maalala ko lang mga kalokohan mong pinaggagawa dito sa condo
kapag magkasama tayo, nawawala na ang inis ko. Kaya, please sabihin mo naman sa
akin kung ano ba ang problema at bigla ka na lang naasar?"

"Eh kasi..."

"Ano yun, baby?"

"Bakit may wet wipes ka sa bedside drawer mo? Ibig sabihin may ibang babaeng
gumaganon sayo?" She asked blushing and his brows furrowed.
"Ano yun, baby?"

"May ibang nagbibigay ng ganun sayo?"

"Anong ganun?"

"Don't make me say it! Ay, naku, Nick ayoko na sayo talaga!"

"Ah, you mean kung may-"

"Wag mong sasabihin!" She glared at him and he laughed aloud.

"Nagseselos ka sa imaginary na babaeng supposedly ay nagpasaya sa akin maliban

sayo?"

"You don't have to sound so condescending!"

"Baby naman. I've never talked down on you."

"Sagutin mo yung tanong ko? May iba bang gumawa sayo nun?"

"Wala."

"Sus."

"Totoo. Aminado naman akong hindi na ako virgin pero hindi ako nagpapatulog ng
babae dito sa bahay. At lalong hindi ako basta-bastang nangkakama ng babae."

"Aray, ang sakit. Ayoko na talaga sayo, hindi ka na fresh tulad ng sabi ni Ate
Lia."

"Nasasaktan na ako dyan sa sinasabi mo, Lee and I really am not one to mind what
others think of me but if it affects our relationship, I'd be really angry at your
sister."

"Hindi ka pwedeng magalit sa kahit sino sa mga Ate ko, ano or else magagalit talaga
ako sayo." Lee Ann replied.

"So wala akong kakampi kasi mga Ate mo pala ang kakampihan mo?" He asked and she
grinned.

"Ako ang kakampi mo, baby bear." She said before she kissed the tip of his nose.
"Pero, Nick! Siguraduhin mo lang talagang ako lang gumagawa nun sayo or else
ipapabugbog talaga kita!"

"Oo naman. Sa tingin mo ba mangangaliwa ako?"

"Dapat lang na hindi, ano!"

"Hindi ano mangangaliwa. Mahal na mahal ko kaya itong baby na to."

"Tapos pag wala ako, magtiis ka na muna, ha?"

"Basta pag eighteen ka na, humanda ka sa akin."

"Is that a promise, Atty. Sandoval." Lee Ann flippantly replied and Nick laughed.
He kissed her again and she started to move against him.

"Lee, baby wag." He groaned. "Sige ka, hindi na kita papaalisin dito at di ka na
papasok sa school."

"Nilalandi ka lang eh." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Sige na nga, tara na,
ihatid mo na ako sa school."

"Okay. Kiss ko muna." Nickolai whispered and she leaned forward to kiss him on the
lips. "Malapit na ang seventeenth birthday mo. Anong gusto mong regalo?"

"Baby."

"O sige, hubad. Io-overtime ko na yang regalong gusto mo." Nick kidded and Lee Ann
burst out laughing. She cupped his face and held his gaze.

"Mahal kita, Nickolai Sandoval." She said and he smiled. "At sana kahit kelan hindi
na tayo maghiwalay."

"Hinding-hindi tayo maghihiwalay." He promised and she believed. "I can't wait for
your birthday, Lee." He whispered against her hair. "May surprise ako para sayo."
He muttered and she suddenly felt nervous.

Author's Note:

Readers,

I have not given anyone permission to create FB and/or twitter accounts for my
characters. If you get invites to follow or add people bearing any of my stories'
characters' names, kindly decline. You'll just be disappointed and your reading
experience will surely be ruined.

Seriously, people. Respect. You're awesome as you are. And no matter how amazing a
Fictional Character is, it's just fiction. Get a life.

Thanks.
♥ jennicka

####################################
Chapter 27
####################################

Lee Ann's phone vibrated and she took it out of her pocket. It was a message from
Nickolai and she couldn't help but smiled as she read his text message. Ang sweet
naman nitong boyfriend ko! She thought to herself as she started typing her reply.

Baby bear, nasa class ako. Terror pa man din yung teacher namin, mamaya mahuli nya
akong nagrereply sayo, mainggit pa sya kasi may boyfriend ako at sya wala. I love
you too. Di ko kasi matiis na di magreply sayo kapag nagti-text ka. Wag ka na
munang mag-reply ha.

"Miss Carbonel." Her professor called and she guiltily looked at her. "Hand me your
phone, Miss Carbonel." Lee Ann inwardly groaned. No! Aw! Mababasa nya yung reply ko
kay Nick! Bakit ba may ganun pang rule? Nakakainis! "Miss Carbonel. Your phone.
Now." Her professor repeated. Lumapit ito sa kanyaay namewang sa harap nya. "I
don't have all day, Miss Carbonel."

May rule sila sa class na kapag may nahuling mag-text ay babasahin ng professor
nila ang laman ng message. Lee Ann's face flared as she gave her professor her
phone. Mamaya magalit sa akin yun at bumagsak ako sa subject na ito!

"The sender's name is Baby Bear." Nagkantyawan lahat ng kaklase nya as her
professor dramatically cleared her throat. "Baby, I miss you. I can't wait to see
you tonight. I miss the smell of your hair; I miss the sound of your giggles and I
miss your kisses."

Someone please kill me now. Lee Ann kept her head bowed while most of her
classmates cheered. Some of them laughed. Yung iba naman nagbubulungan.

"I love you so much, baby and I can't wait to marry you." Her teacher read. "Aba,
Miss Carbonel, pati ang relationship status ko ay nasama pa dito sa landian ninyo
ng boyfriend mo." Her teacher said and the whole class laughed. "This is Miss
Carbonel's reply, class. Baby bear, nasa class ako. Terror pa man din yung teacher
namin, mamaya mahuli nya akong nagrereply sayo, mainggit pa sya kasi may boyfriend
ako at sya wala. I love you too. Di ko kasi matiis na di magreply sayo kapag nagti-
text ka. Wag ka na munang mag-reply ha." Everyone laughed as Lee Ann drowned in
embarrassment. "Minus 5 in your next exam's score, Miss Carbonel." She said as she
handed the phone back to Lee Ann.

"Yan kaya yung naghahatid parati kay Lee Ann sa school? Yung paiba-iba yung sports
car na dala?" Lee Ann heard someone whispered. "How old is that guy kaya? DOM?
Dirty Old Man? Paiba-iba yung kotse at imposibleng ka-age natin-"

"Inggit lang kayo!!" She turned in her seat to glare at the girls. "Mamili kayo,
anong kotse ang gusto ninyong sasagasa sayo, Ferrari, Audi, Porsche, Mercedes Benz
o BMW?" She asked arching her brow as she flipped her hair.

"Miss Carbonel-" Her professor spoke without looking at her.

"Sorry." Lee Ann unsmilingly said.
bago ito nag-resume na magsulat sa
ito! Ano naman kung mas matanda si
ako at sila wala?! Nakakaasar! She
leaned towards her and whispered.
"Sorry, Ma'am." Tiningnan sya ng professor nya
whiteboard. Bwisit talaga itong mga inggiterang
Nick sa akin?! Kasalanan ko bang may love life
frowned. Nicko, who was sitting beside her,

"O, bawal sumimangot."

"Tumahimik ka, de Jesus at mainit ang ulo ko!" She hissed. Nag-away sila ulit at
hindi nya alam kung ano ang rason bakit sila nagkatampuhan basta ang naalala nya
naasar sya sa kaibigan.

"Ang taray mo naman. Ngayon mo na nga lang ako kinausap tapos ganyan pa ang
sasabihin mo. Hindi ko naman sinadya eh at honest lang naman ako. Tinanong nila ako
kung sino ang crush ko kaya sinabi kong ikaw. Bakit ka magagalit?" Nicko murmured
and Lee Ann pushed her guilt aside. Kasi ginawa mong kumplikado ang buhay ko!
Nadagdagan haters ko kasi naasar sila sa akin at sinabi mong may crush ka sa akin,
bwisit! "Lee, maawa ka naman, kausapin mo na ako." Ano naman kung hindi kita
kakausapin? Pakialam ko ba sayo? Nakakainis ka! "Lee, bati na tayo. Sige na,
please. Lee, please." Ay naku, de Jesus! "Lee."

"Ano ba?!" She snapped.

"Miss Carbonel! If you'd rather not listen to my lecture, you might as well step
out of this class!" Her professor glowered at her. "Another five points will be
deducted from your next exam's score!" What?! Itong katabi ko kanina pa bumubulong
tapos ako two words lang, minus five na naman agad? Ang bitter nyo, Miss!

"Sorry." Nicko mumbled but she ignored him. "Lee Ann." He called as soon as their
class ended. "Lee Ann, please sorry na." He said as he grasped her hand. "Sorry
na."

"Ang kulit mo!" She yelled and his face fell. Ay naku! Ang galing magpa-guilty
nito! "Nakakaasar ka, Nicko! Naiinis ako sayo! Tingnan mo may bawas na naman ako
kahit wala pang exam!"

"Bati na tayo, Lee. Please. Tutulungan kitang mag-review para sa next exam natin.
Wag ka nang magalit sa akin." He begged. "Please. Hindi ko naman sinadya eh. Masama
bang magsabi nang totoo? Ikaw ang crush ko." Gusto nya sanang magtaray but he
looked so dejected at ayaw na nyang dagdagan.

"May boyfriend nga ako! Ano kaya kung nagkapalit kayo ni Nick ng sitwasyon?
Matutuwa ka ba knowing that someone's after your girl?"

"Sorry. I was insensitive." He sighed. "Friends? He looked hopeful and she smiled.

"Ilibre mo ako, friends na tayo ulit." She answered and he gave her a hug.
"Kailangang may yakap?" She laughingly asked as she patted his back.

"Na-miss kita, Lee."

"Wag ka na, nagtatampo pa rin ako sayo." She answered.

"Nag-sorry na nga ako eh. Ilang ulit na. Grabe ka ang tagal mo akong pinatawad,
almost two weeks."
"Pinatawad kaya kita kaagad pero hindi lang kita pinapansin." She reasoned. Bumitaw
sya sa pagkakayakap sa kaibigan before she stepped away from his hug.

"May pinatawad ba namang hindi papansinin?" Nicko asked as they started walking
towards the stairs.

"Pwede kaya yun."

"Pauso ka."

"Okay fine, hindi na tayo bati ulit." She frowned at him. "Ang choosy mo, ha."

"Joke lang." Nicko laughed. "Bati na tayo. Saan mo gusto kitang ilibre?"

"Kahit saan. Pero dito lang sa malapit sa school. Susunduin na ako mayamaya ni Nick
eh." She unwittingly told him and the smile disappeared from his face. "O, bakit?"

"Wala." He smiled at her again. "Tara, coffee na lang?"

"Okay." She readily agreed. She realized that she missed him too. He's a good
friend. Sana lang hindi kumplikado ang feelings nya, mas okay sana kaming dalawa.
Ang bait na kaibigan kaya nitong taong to. Pero-

"Hoy, bakit nakasimangot ka na naman dyan?"

"Wala, may iniisip lang." She responded laughing. "Birthday ko next week and I'll
be happy kung pupunta ka. Syempre ikaw ang pinakauna kong kaibigan dito sa school
and I want you to be there. Intimate dinner lang-"

"Mahirap lunukin yung salitang kaibigan pero since malakas ka sa akin-"

"Nicko, anong petsa na hindi ka pa rin maka-get over? Grabe na ito, hindi naman ako
dyosa, ano. Mag-move on ka na kaya. Or naka-move on ka na yata pero feeling mo lang
hindi. Wag ka kayang feeling!"

"Dyosa ka para sa akin. At ang pagmu-move on hindi agad-agad nangyayari. Kung

possible yan eh di sana wala nang dramang pinapalabas sa movies or TV at wala nang
nakakapagsulat ng sad love songs na hugot sa broken hearts."

"Ang baduy mo, de Jesus! Ano ba yan! At kung ganyan ang mindset mo, I think mas
makakabuti sayo kung hindi na lang tayo friends."

"Joke lang. Okay na ako at tanggap ko na. Wag kang mailang sa akin, okay?"

"Hindi ako maiilang sayo, ano. Ililibre mo kaya ako. Pero dapat nandun ka sa party
ko ha. Ikaw lang ang inimbitahan ko eh, alam mo naman ako walang masyadong friends.
Yung mga trabahante namin na kilala ko since my thumb-sucking days ang nandun.
Tsaka syempre sina Ate at family ni Nick."

"Baka naman maa-out-of-place ako."

"Sa chika mong yan? Grabe na kung makakaramdam ka pa ng ganun. Basta, I want you to
be there."

"Oo, pupunta ako. Saan ba ang venue? Sa mansyon nyo ba?"

"Oo dun. Gusto ko kasi sa garden na inaalagaan ni Dad dati. I want to be with him
kahit sa ganung paraan lang." She answered. They reached his car and he opened the
door for her. "Salamat." She said as she slid into the passenger's seat. Nicko
closed the door for her and she fastened her seatbelt.

"Kumusta naman kayo ni Attorney?" He casually asked after he put his seatbelt on.
He glanced to smile at her as he turned the engine on. "Gusto ko lang malaman if
he's treating you right. Walang halong malisya, just a friend asking another kung
kumusta ang love life nya."

"Salamat sa concern but he's treating me like a queen."

"I'm glad to hear that. Pag niloko ka nun, isa ako sa mga bubugbog sa kanya."

"Don't worry, pag ako niloko nya ay hindi lang bugbog aabutin nya sa akin." She
laughed as she took her phone from her pocket. "Pero mahal ko yun, de Jesus kaya
ito ti-text ko sya na sunduin ako sa Starbucks later."

"Oo na, kayo na ang nagmamahalan."

"Uy, wag kang bitter."

"Hindi ako bitter." He said. Nasasaktan lang. He added in his mind. "Sinabi mo ba
sa kanyang ako ang kasama mo?"

"Oo, di naman ako kahit kelan magsisinungaling dun."

"Buti hindi nagalit."

"He trusts me daw although he doesn't trust you." Lee Ann laughed.

"Well, I don't trust him too." Nicko murmured. They reached the coffee shop and he
ran to the passenger's side to open the door for Lee Ann.

"Ano ba yun, pwede namang ako na lang ang nagbukas." She told him. "Napaka-
chivalrous mo for a friend."

"Yan ang turo sa akin ni Nanay." He replied after he made sure that the all the
doors were securely locked. They took the stairs to the coffee shop and was
surprised when someone barred their way. Maganda ang babae at matangkad and she
looked haughtily at them.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?!" Lee Ann's voice was sharp and Nicko looked inquiringly
at her before he turned his gaze at the tall woman. Saan ko nga ba nakita itong
babaeng ito? He thought.

"Ilang araw na akong nag-aabang dito hoping na makausap kita. Sinadya talaga kita
dahil may importante akong sasabihin."

"Precious, you desperate bitch. Pwede ba? Wala akong balak na kausapin ka. Halika
na, Nicko." Lee Ann said. Oh, this is Precious Abueva, the model. Nicko thought.
"Tabi. Tumabi ka kung ayaw mong ihampas kita sa pintuan nitong coffee shop."

"Look, ayoko ng gulo. Kung gusto kitang guluhin eh di sana matagal ko nang ginawa-"

"At hindi tayo friends so I'm not sure why you think you can start chitchatting
with me. Wala akong pakialam sa sasabihin mo at hindi ka importanteng tao sa buhay
ko kaya don't waste your breath."

"Alam kong mapangmataas ka-"

"Mataas ako. Hindi ko alam bakit feeling mo ka-level kita at may may karapatan kang
harangan yung dadaanan ko para aksayahin ang panahon ko-"

"I'm pregnant." Precious said and Lee Ann stared at her. "I'm pregnant at si Nick
ang ama."

"O tapos?" Lee Ann asked without batting an eye. "Ano naman kung buntis ka? Anong
kinalaman ko dyan?"

"Hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko? Si Nick ang ama-"

"Narinig ko kasi hindi ako bingi. And if you think that my feelings for him will
change just because you're telling me now that you're pregnant with my boyfriend's
child, tanga ka. Mahal ko sya. Akin sya. Okay, buntis ka, eh di buntis ka."

"Wala ka bang kunsensya? Paano kami ng baby ko-"

"Matanda ka na, kaya mo na yan. Natuto kang maglandi, matuto kang panagutan yang
kalandian mo. Halika na, Nicko. Nawalan na ako nang ganang magkape." Lee Ann added
as she turned to leave. Sumunod si Nicko sa kanya at bumaba sila ulit sa hagdan.
Dumerecho sila sa sasakyan and Nicko looked worriedly at her.

"Lee-"

"Wag kang magsasalita." Lee Ann whispered as he opened the door for her. "Thanks."
She murmured as she fastened her seatbelt and waited for Nick to turn the engine
on. "Tara na." She said and they drove off.

"Saan tayo pupunta, Lee?"

"Kahit saan." She replied as her tears started falling.

"Lee-"

"Shit! Hindi ko alam kung totoo pero ang sakit." She sobbed. "Ang sakit sa dibdib."
She cried. Nicko slowed the car down before he turned the hazard lights on. He
stepped on the brakes before he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Ang sakit, Nicko."

"Alam ko." He said taking her into his arms. Alam ko kasi nasasaktan din ako para
sayo. He held her tight as she wept.