ღHello, Exღ

"I'm really sorry for how I acted before," I said, my voice a bit shaky. Embarrassment rushed over me like a tidal wave. My god, I wanted to disappear.

He smiled gently. "No, don’t be sorry. I actually found it entertaining. I kind of liked how you treated me."

“But... you’re a high-profile person. I shouldn’t have been that casual with you. I really mean it—I’m sorry.”

He shook his head and gently held my shoulders, stopping me from bowing any further. For some reason, my cheeks felt hot—like, really hot. I swear my face turned crimson, and my heart forgot how to beat. All I could feel were flutters in my stomach, like a thousand butterflies suddenly woke up and threw a festival. Mosquitoes, flies, and all sorts of flying insects joined in. Seriously, Oh Em Gee!

"You don’t need to apologize," he said. "We’re all just people here. The only difference is I’m a businessman, but that doesn’t mean I expect special treatment. It’s honestly a lot of pressure."

He chuckled softly and tapped my shoulder lightly. I scratched the back of my head, totally embarrassed, and let out an awkward laugh. Where did all my confidence go? It had completely disappeared the moment I stopped being annoyed with him. I wasn’t even sure I could go back to acting that way again.

"Uhm... have you eaten?" he asked, walking beside me toward the elevator. "I was supposed to eat with a friend, but he had to run home. His twin was drunk and causing chaos. Obviously, he couldn’t just leave his brother with his wife—considering, you know, the history there.”

“Wait... your friend is married?” I asked curiously. Cyline, when did you become so nosy?

"Yeah. He fell deeply in love with his wife and tied the knot as soon as he could."

“So what happened with the twin brother? Did they fight over the same girl?”

I wanted to slap myself for asking more questions. I barely knew this guy! And here we were, diving straight into gossip without even formally introducing ourselves. My god, get a grip!

“Well...” he said, pressing the elevator button for the 7th floor—the cafeteria. “The truth is, Zack fell for Irene first.”

“Zack’s your friend?” I asked, looking up at him. He nodded and smiled.

“Yes. Then—”

“Did the girl fall for Zack too?” I asked again, instinctively leaning closer. Ugh, embarrassing.

He nodded. “Yeah, so when Zack confessed, she said yes right away. I don’t know what she saw in that guy—” he laughed—“Ouch! Hey! Why’d you hit me? That hurt!”

I scowled at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be his friend? Why are you badmouthing him like that? Maybe Irene saw something special in him. Look at them now—they’re married! You’re so mean!”

I gave him a couple more playful swats, feeling like we’d become oddly close already. Who did I think I was, hitting him like that? Sheesh.

I stepped out of the elevator and headed straight to the cafeteria, looking for a place to sit. He followed me, insisting on ordering the food. Since he offered, and clearly wasn’t hurting for money, I let him.

When he returned, I was stunned by how much food he brought—two full meals, extra rice, three types of viands: kare-kare, adobo, and bulalo. Plus two bowls of halo-halo. Was there a fiesta I didn’t know about? Had he forgotten he was a model? Shouldn’t he be eating, like... salad?

“Let’s eat,” he said, flashing that killer smile again.

Okay heart, calm down. I tried to act sassy. “Uhm... don’t you believe in dieting or something?”

He laughed. “Why? I take supplements, I exercise regularly—basically live at the gym. So what’s the harm in enjoying a feast once in a while?”

“Well, you might be okay with it, but I can’t eat all this. I’m strict with my diet. I prefer healthy meals, not... this.” I gestured dramatically at the spread. “I’ll just order something else.”

As I stood, he gently took my wrist.

“What now?” I asked, feigning annoyance, though my insides felt like jelly.

“I ordered this for us. I can’t finish it all alone. Besides, don’t you want to hear the rest of the story about my friend? You seemed really interested.”

True. He hadn’t told me what happened with the twin.

“But... I’m on a diet,” I reminded him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you not gain too much weight. Promise. Just... eat with me.”

I sighed. “Fine! But only if you finish the story.”

I sat back down and picked up my fork, chuckling to myself when I saw him grin triumphantly. Psh.

“So... what happened next? After she said yes to Zack?” I asked, chewing slowly.

He took a few big bites before answering. “So... Zeke—Zack’s twin—had a nice, friendly talk with Irene during their shared birthday. I wasn’t there the whole time, but Zeke told me Irene was very easy to talk to. He even said Zack was lucky to have her.”

“And then?” I leaned forward again. “Did he... feel something?”

He paused mid-bite, rested his elbows on the table, and laced his fingers together thoughtfully.

“Not yet, according to him.”

“So when did it happen then? When did he realize he had feelings for her?”

“I think... it started when I asked him directly if he liked Irene.”

“What?? Then what did he say? That he did like her? Did you make him like her?”

He laughed. “No! I just asked. He said it was impossible to like his brother’s girlfriend—it would ruin everything.”

“So what happened next? You’re making me crazy with this suspense.”

“Hey, I can’t finish the story if you keep interrupting with more questions!” he teased.

“Fine. Just finish it.” I looked down and returned to eating, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“Anyway,” he continued, “I bombarded him with questions—same ones my dad used to ask my brother when he was confused about his feelings for his sister-in-law. Like... did he text Irene randomly? Did he call her for no reason? Did he start caring too much about how he looked when she was around? Get more jealous of other guys than his own twin? Worry when he couldn’t reach her? Things like that.”

“And??”

“He eventually admitted it—he liked her.”

“Did he tell Irene? Or his brother?”

“He told Zack, but he promised not to cross any lines. They both knew who Irene loved.”

“Was Zack mad?”

“No. He understood. Irene’s the kind of woman who’s hard not to fall for. Sweet, kind, traditional Filipina—exactly their type.”

I stared at him. “Wait. You didn’t fall for her too, did you?”

He looked scandalized. “No! She’s my cousin!”

“WWWHHHHAAAAT??” I practically shouted, making half the cafeteria turn our way. I covered my face in embarrassment.

He’s her cousin?! All this time, I thought he had a thing for her too! I don’t know why I felt relieved... but I did.

“Cousin?? Wow... I really thought... wow.”

“Yeah. Not everyone knows. We’re just really protective. She’s the only girl cousin we have.”

“So... what about Zeke? Did he move on?”

“Yes. Irene introduced her best friend, Aira, to him. Set them up on a blind date. They hit it off. After a month, Zeke confessed he had feelings for her—and get this, he never officially courted her. He just declared she was his girlfriend.”

“And Aira was okay with that?”

“Yes. The feelings were mutual.”

I watched him devour his halo-halo, noticing how fast he’d finished three plates of rice. Is he even human? A model who eats like that but doesn’t show it?!

“Then... why’s he drunk now? And at his brother’s house?”

“Aira’s parents disapprove of their relationship. When she suddenly disappeared, he spiraled. We suspect her parents were behind it.”

“Ugh, that’s heartbreaking. When was the last time they saw each other?”

“The day we ran into each other at the café. They were having lunch. I third-wheeled and even asked them to pay for my order.”

“What?! You’re rich! Why mooch off them?”

He grinned. “They’re used to it.”

“Psh. You’re the worst. But their story? Total Novel-like vibes. I hope Zeke and Aira get their happy ending too.”

“In God’s perfect time. We’re doing our best to help.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever. Thanks for the feast. I’m done.” I stood, gathering my things.

But I froze when he held my hand.

Again.

Butterflies. Again.

“W-why?” I stammered, turning to look at him.

“Can I have your number?”

“Why?”

“So I can call you whenever I want to see you.”

GULP.

“Why would you... want to see me?” I asked, nervously.

He looked straight into my eyes. “Because I’m interested in you. I mean... I like you. A lot.”

GULP x1000.

Am I dreaming? Why me? He knows what I looked like before. We just started talking—like, just now! Why would he say that?

Why? Why? Why?

I need help.

I need my sister.

I’m not ready for this.