Hilab ng ulo ang unang naramdaman ko. Sinapo ko ang ulo sabay upo dahil sa sakit. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at hinilot ang sentido ng ulo.

Natulala ako. What happened last night? Oh my god.

Luminga linga ako. I'm inside my bedroom. I shouldn't panic right? I was drunk last night. Hindi ko man lang maalala kung paano ako nakauwi. Lintik ka, Hazeth!

All I can remember is Derek.. his friends.. And then, Marco! We danced! Pagkatapos ay.. holy shit- Leander! Leander.. He.. We kissed. Yeah, so we kissed? Should I start panicking now?

Pumikit ako ng mariin nang maalala ang nangyari kagabi. We talked, a serious talk. Obviously, he drive me home. I probably slept on his chest that time. That was honestly embarrassing for me. Siguradong nakita siya ng mga kasambahay ko at baka sila Mommy ay nawindang!

A knock on my door made me stood straight and act like nothing is happening inside my head. Tumuwid ako ng upo nang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto ko.

My sister came from the door, holding my niece on her arms. Malawak ang ngisi sa akin ni Ate at nahimigan ko kaagad ang dahilan ng ngisi niya.

"Mimi!" Kumawag si Isla sa hawak ni Astra kaya binitawan niya iyon.

I watched Isla ran towards me. I smiled yet I'm really sleepy right now. I don't even know what time is it. Siguro'y tinanghali ns ako.

Umupo si Astra sa kama ko. "Kumusta naman ang gising ng babaeng nag uwi ng lalaki dito kagabi?"

Namilog ang mata ko. "What? He's still here?"

Isla hugged me. Hindi ko siya gaanong pinansin. She sat on my lap while hugging me. I let her do that.

Umirap si Ate. "Wala na! Kagabi pa raw umalis! Bakit mo naman pinaalis?"

"What is it, Mama?" Isla asked her mom.

Astra leaned closer to her child, acting like she was about to whisper something. "Your Tita's going to have a boyfriend now. That means, you're going to have a cousin-"

"Ate!"

Nilingon ako ni Isla. "Boyfriend, Mimi?"

"He's not my boyfriend, Ate. Stop teaching Isla those things!"

Napahawak siya sa bibig na parang gulat pa sa sermon ko. "What? Ibig sabihin hindi mo pa boyfriend 'yon? How come? Oh my god, kapatid ba talaga kita?"

Pumikit ako ng mariin. I don't really know how Kuya Vander handle her. Pakiramdam ko ang kasama siya sa isang bahay ay napakalaking kamalasan sa buhay. I'd rather have Conrad stay in my house than her.

Si Isla ang pinagtuunan ko ng pansin ngayon. I smiled widely at her. "Don't listen to your mother, Isla. Anyway, why are you here? I have work to do so I can't play with you."

"Mom said you're bringing her to your work, ah?" Si Astra ang sumagot at humiga na sa kama ko.

Natahimik ako. Oo nga pala. That's fine, though. Ayos naman iyon kay Kuya Worth. I think he'd like that, too since nandoon din si Harris sa opisina niya. I'll let them play together.

I tickled Isla's tummy. "You're coming with me? Huh?"

Malakas ang tawa niya. I can't help but admire her cute baby laugh. I think I can just listen to her laugh all day. Mawawala pa ang stress ko. Minsan talaga gusto ko na din magkaanak, e.

Umalis din si Astra matapos akong bilinan ng mga kailangan kong gawin. Although, I know that already. Kailangan ko pa ding makinig dahil siya ang ina.

Alas dyis nang matapos akong maligo at mag ayos. I packed some clothes for Isla and some foods. I used to babysit her sometimes at work before. Ngayon lang naulit iyon.

Tinawagan ko si Bea nang nasa parking kami. She immediately picked up the phone. Nilingon ko si Isla na inaalis ang seat belt niya kaso hindi kaya ng maliliit niyang daliri.

"Miss!" She called.

"I'm with my niece. Late ako. Did I miss something?" Inabot ko ang seat belt niya at tinulungan ko siyang alisin iyon. She smiled widely at me with an amusement on her eyes. I winked.

"Iyon nga po, Miss. Kasi.. late din po ako. Nakalimutan ko pong sabihin na may conference meeting sa floor ni Mr. Worth."

Imbis na magpanic. I just nodded and smiled. "Okay, Bea. Ilang minutes pa?"

"Kanina pa po nagstart.." Ramdam ko ang nerbyos niya sa sinabi. "Miss, kasi.. late po talaga ako nagising! Hindi ko po namalayan-"

"Its okay. I think Worth will understand that. Pwede pa ba ako humabol?"

"Ah! Oo, Miss! Ako na po bahala kay ano.. kay Isla po."

"Okay, aakyat na ako." I removed my seat belt and worn my big shades on.

"Yes, Miss. Should I get you some tea?"

"Green tea." Sabi ko.

Pinatay ko ang tawag matapos ang ilang minuto. Hindi naman ako nagmadali. Sanay naman na silang minsan nalelate talaga ako sa mga meetings. Usually, kasalanan ko talaga pero ngayon ay si Bea ang pumalpak. That's fine, though.

Tumalon talon si Isla nang nakababa. I'm holding her pink Dior bagpack and my Hermes handbag. Hindi naman iyon nakakasira sa outfit ko. I matched my white slacks, white plain spaghetti strap and blazer on Isla's white dress.

Kung titignan ay para kaming mag inang rumarampa lang. Well, everyone thought of that.

Nginitian ko ang security guard. He looked at Isla. Hawak hawak ko ang kamay niya sa kabilang kamay ko.

"Good morning, Ms. Monreal! And little Monreal!" Bati niya.

I giggled. "Good morning, Manong!"

"Morning, Manong.." Isla's little voice behind me.

"Say po," Sabi ko pa.

She pouted. "Po.."

I laughed. We both laughed. Kumaway ako kay Manong bago ako pumasok sa loob.

Mabagal maglakad si Isla dahil maliliit ang mga paa niya kaya natagalan pa ako. I don't want to carry her because she's heavy, at isa pa she might stain my pants. Next time ko na lang siya bubuhatin.

Panay ang tanong ni Isla sa paligid. Ako nama'y panay ang sagot at tingin sa cellphone ko para sa mga mensahe ni Bea. She's waiting for me outside the room.

Nang makarating ako doon ay kaagad binuksan ni Bea ang pintuan. Binigay ko sa kaniya ang bag ni Isla. I squatted in front of my niece.

"I'll be back, Isla. Wait for me with Tita Bea, okay?"

Sinilip niya ang loob at sumimangot. "Yes, Mimi."

Kumaway ako bago pumasok sa loob. She stayed with Bea outside but she's still looking at me with a frown. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti dahil doon.

I went inside the room. They were already talking about something. It was interrupted when I went inside. Pinaikot ko ang tingin ko sa mga tao sa loob ng conference room.

Nanigas ang paa ko nang matagpuan ang mukhang hindi ko inaasahan ngayon. He was seating beside a very familiar woman. Nakatingin lahat sa akin pero ang mata ko'y naiwan sa dalawang taong iyon.

"Have a seat, Miss Monreal." Ang magaspang na boses ni Worth ang gumising sa akin.

Kaagad akong lumapit sa upuang may baso ng tea sa harap. I swallowed very hard and took a deep sigh before seating down.

"So, as I am saying.." Worth continued what he is talking about.

Nilingon ko si West na nagtagal ang tingin sa akin. He raised his eyebrow, like asking me why am I late this time. I just shrugged and didn't want to talk about it now.

Tumuwid ako ng upo at pinaglaruan ang tea sa harap ko. My eyes slipped on the other side of the table. Natagpuan ko ang tingin ni Leander sa akin. It was brooding. I looked at the woman on his side.

She's nodding to everything that Worth is saying. She looked serious and very intimidating. Her cleavage is almost showing behind those very slim dress, yet why does it looked decent on her?

Why is she even here? I know Leander's an investor in this company. Ayon kay Bea ay introduction daw ang meeting na ito para sa bagong investor ng kumpanya at discussion din para sa ibang bagay.

Paano siya naging kasali dito?

"Next month's sale chart might be affected by it. Some client might decline our engineers because of that incident." Worth declared.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya dahil doon. Ayan, hindi ako nakikinig kaya hindi ko alam kung anong pinag uusapan nila.

A guy cleared his throat. He was familiar. Another investor, I think. Ngumiti siya sa akin bago ilipat ang tingin kay Worth na nakataas ang kilay.

"Although, sa tingin ko'y mababawi din 'yon kaagad. With the Salazar Cement Trading Company as the new business partner, it will surely pull the audience to trust us again."

Nilingon ko si Leander. He leaned back. Lucia whispered something to him. Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa nakadikit na dibdib ni Lucia sa braso ni Lean. Unti unting nangunot ang noo ko.

Ngumisi si West. "Well, that's if that company will not withdraw the investment. The issue will spread sooner or later, it'll be surely a large impact to us since the building belongs to a quite known hotel branch. Plus, the damages to some construction workers on the site."

Nilingon ko si West. What does he mean by that? Oh my god. Did I miss something? What issue?

Binuksan ko ang cellphone ko at palihim na tinanong kay Bea kung ano ang nangyayari at hindi ko man lang nabalitaan iyon.

"I will not back out." Si Leander. "I trust the company's ability and I'm quite sure this is all trustworthy. Besides, the incident happened surely had a little mistake."

I met his eyes. Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang dibdib ko pabalik sa aking mukha. He licked his lips before clearing his throat and clenching his jaw.

"It is all under investigation now. Let's trust our engineers for this." Tikhim ni Worth.

Nag vibrate ang cellphone ko sa hita ko kaya kaagad ko iyong tinignan. It was Bea. She sent me an article. Binuksan ko iyon kaagad.

Kumunot ang noo ko habang binabasa iyon. A hotel branch in Makati collapsed. And it was handled by two of our engineers. Umawang ang labi ko nang mabasa ang pangalan ni Seidon doon. Lintik na bwisit na Seidon. What happened?

"I will ask Hazeth for a copy of the expectation of next month's sale rate." Naitago ko kaagad ang cellphone ko nang tawagin ni Worth ang pangalan ko.

I immediately nodded. "I'll work on it, Mr. Monreal."

He nodded. "I think that will be the end of the meeting today. Adjourned, everyone."

Sabay sabay kaming tumayo dahil sa sinabi niya. Kaagad akong sumunod kay West nang tumayo na din siya at senyasan ang sekretarya palabas. I didn't wait for anything else. I don't even want to stay there.

I was expecting Bea with my niece outside but I found nothing. Siguro'y nauna na sila sa opisina ko. Imbis na lumakad paalis ay tumigil ako sa harap ng conference room.

Nakalabas na ang iilan. Wala akong namalayan na Leander at Lucia na lumabas galing sa loob. I kept my hands behind me while standing outside.

Wala na sigurong tao sa loob. What are they doing inside? Kanina pa nakalabas ang mga tao! What the hell?

Sumandal ako sa dingding habang masama ang tingin sa pintuan. Kumuyom ang palad ko at iniisip kung sisilipin ko ba sila o hindi. But I remained standing there. Ayaw kong maging chismosa.

Pumikit ako ng mariin nang lagpas limang minuto ay hindi pa bumubukas ang pinto. Bagsak ang balikat ko.

Why do I feel like they're doing something inside? Like what? Kissing? Making out? Siguro! Kung makadikit kanina si Lucia sa braso ni Leander ay nakadikit na ang dibdib niya! Maybe Leander felt hot so.. no, of course not.

Umirap ako at padabog na lumakad paalis dahil sa iniisip. I was frowning until I made to my floor and my office.

Naabutan ko na kakalabas lang ni Bea sa opisina ko. Maingat niyang sinasarado ang pintuan. She smiled at me widely when she found me.

"Where's Isla?"

"Nakatulog po, Miss."

Umangat ang kilay ko. "What? Bakit nakatulog?"

She giggled. "Nainip po yata kahihintay sa inyo."

I nodded and glanced at my phone. Its 11 o'clock. Maglulunch na kami mamaya. Siguro'y sa isang fast food chain ko nalang siya dadalhin o magpapadeliver ako ng meal para sa kaniya.

Pumasok ako sa opisina. I gently closed the door. I found Isla laying down on my sofa hugging a bear from her bagpack. Nakakumot sa kaniya ang jacket na sa tingin ko ay kay Bea pa yata. Nakakahiya naman.

Inalis ko ang suit ni Bea sa katawan ni Isla. I removed mine so I can return Bea's jacket. Kinumot ko kay Isla ang suit ko. It fit her perfectly since she's small and my vest is a bit oversized.

Hinaplos ko ang pisngi niya. I was about to kiss her on her forehead when the door opened. Mabilis akong napatayo.

"What.." I saw Leander. ".. are you doing?"

I stopped myself from shouting because I might wake Isla. Leander looked at my niece and back to me again with his weary expression. He removed his coat and walked towards me silently.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at sinalubong ng tulak ang dibdib niya. Matalim ko siyang tinignan dahil malaki pa ang kasalanan niya sa akin.

"Get out. You'll wake Isla." Bulong ko.

He held my elbow. Namungay ang mata niya. "How's your sleep, baby?"

Kinilabutan ako sa tono niya sa akin. Umangat baba ang dibdib ko pero hindi ako napadala doon. I swallowed so hard and ignored how he sounded when he asked me that.

Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko. "Where's your girlfriend? Huh? Ano? Tapos na kayo?"

"What are you talking about? Hindi pa tayo tapos."

Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya. "Lumabas ka na, Lean. You'll wake Isla!" Pigil ang sigaw ko.

A smile crept on his lips. "I'm quiet, Zeth. Ikaw lang ang nag iingay."

"Get out. Bakit ba nandito ka? Where's Lucia, huh? Bumalik ka doon! I don't need you here." Impit ang bulong ko at nagpipigil sa ibubuga ko sa kaniya.

Para kaming tangang nagbubulungan dito para lang hindi magising ang kawawang bata sa sofa.

He tilted his head. "Why are you so mad at my secretary?"

Tumaas yata ang presyon ko dahil doon. What did he say? Secretary, is it? I gritted my teeth. Bakit mas lalong dumumi ang utak ko dahil doon! Lintik na Westley! His affair on his secretary is poisoning my head!

Umirap ako at humiwalay sa kaniya. Lumiko ako sa lamesa ko at padabog na naupo sa swivel chair.

Secretary pala, ha? He must've liked that kind of secretary. The one I usually read in fiction romantic novels. The boss hooked up with his sexy secretary. Caught them kissing and making out in his office. Yumukom ang palad ko.

I looked at him place his coat on the sofa, beside Isla's.

Tinitigan niya ng konti ang pamangkin ko bago ako tinignan. I rolled my eyes on him and opened my laptop. I want to distract myself. Naalala ko si Seidon. Right. Kailangan ko iyong sermonan para sa kagaguhan niyang ginawa.

Nilingon kong uli si Leander nang buhatin niya ang isang upuan galing sa isang gilid. Nanlalaki ang mata kong pinanood siyang lumapit sa akin habang buhat buhat ang upuan na iyon. Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko.

I glared at him. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting." He placed it beside. And when I say beside me, there's no literally space between us.

The round chair is placed beside me. Umupo siya doon. With his legs spreading widely and facing me.

Tuluyan na akong nadistract dahil doon.

Nilingon ko siya. "Lean, may bata- I mean, we shouldn't.." I can't find any words! "Just get out."

Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. He leaned closer to me, to the point that his massive chest is already touching my arms. I was about to remove my arms there when he caught it and his hand slided to mine.

He intertwined our fingers with looking at me. "Tell me what's your problem this time. Is it about Lucia? My secretary?"

His thumb is gently brushing my thumb. Sumimangot ako habang nakatingin doon. Tila may pumalipit sa tiyan ko't hindi ko maiwasang mapakagat labi habang nakatingin doon.

I glanced away. "Wala akong pakealam sa babae mo."

"Babae ko? Wait a second, are you talking about yourself?"

I immediately withdrawn my hand to him. "Stop playing around. Its not funny."

He chuckled and held my hand again. Tinapat niya ito sa labi niya. I froze when he planted a kiss on my fingers. He licked his lips.

"I thought we're cool last night?" He tilted his head.

"I was drunk."

"Hell, yeah, you are." He narrowed his eyes on me now. "You shouldn't really drink sometimes. I can't handle the noise you're making when you're drunk."

Umayos ako ng tindig. "What did I do?"

"You're making weird noises on my car last night, baby."

Tumitig ako sa kaniya. I don't even remember myself inside his car. Maalala ko pa ba iyon?

"What do you mean?"

He leaned forward to me.

"Ah." He moaned.

Namilog ang mga mata ko. Tinuro ko ang sarili ko na tila hindi naniniwala sa sinasabi niya. Oh, no. Did I really- wait, what?!

He nodded. "That was you the whole time. I don't know if you're having a dream or you're hurt on something.."

Hinampas ko siya sa dibdib. "I can't remember that! I was probably just drunk!"

He chuckled. Lumapit siya sa akin at sinandal ang baba sa aking balikat. His face is now inches away from mine. And I can't even look at him because if I did, then I will be kissing him later on.

"Ah," He moaned again.

Humiwalay ako sa kaniya at uminit ang pisngi sa mahihinang ungol na ginagawa niya sa tenga ko. If Isla's awake, she must've been hearing those kind of shits right now!

"Stop, Lean." Banta ko.

He chuckled and kissed my shoulder. Natulala pa ako saglit sa ginawa niya. He just did that like a normal thing to him while I am almost gasping in a corner right now.

Namungay ang mga mata niya. "I want to hear it from you this time."

Bumilog ang mata ko. "What! Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yan?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "I feel like I need to hear it from you. But no, I cannot take it this time. May bata, Hazeth.." Tumawa siya.

Nagtagal ang masamang tingin ko sa kaniya bago ko sulyapan ang sofa ni Isla. She's in a deep sleep while hugging her doll. Hindi naman siya masyadong madaling magising. But sometimes, she hates noise. Ayaw niyang magising dahil sa ingay. She would tantrums so long.

I touched my laptop. Hindi ko pinansin si Leander sa tabi ko. He remained looking at what I'm doing. His hand rested on my table now and the other one is probably on my back.

Tinitigan niya ang suot ko habang ako'y busy sa pag tatype ng email sa kung saan.

He touched my back. I shivered because of it. Sinita ko siya gamit ang mata at binalik din kaagad sa laptop.

"Do you wear this shit in work always?"

This shit?

I gritted my teeth. "Don't call this like that! I paid for this."

He tss-ed and didn't talk. Nakatapos ako ng isang email na nandito siya at nanood. Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko iyon ginawa nang hindi nadidistract sa kaniya.

I looked at him. I caught him looking at my laptop and back to my face when I glanced at him.

"Hindi ka pa ba aalis?" Taboy ko.

Umiling siya. "I don't have work today."

"Mukha ba 'tong tambayan kapag walang trabaho?"

"Well, atleast I can rest here." He winked.

Matalim ko siyang tinignan at tinaboy ang kamay sa lamesa ko kahit hindi naman ako inaano 'nun.

"Where's your secretary, then?"

He shrugged. "Head back home. I don't know, I don't ask her."

Tumaas ang kilay ko at pinagkrus ang mga braso sa dibdib. "Close kayo?"

"We should be. I should be comfortable with her so I need to-" I cut him off because of irritation.

"Are you that close to each other that you're letting her call you by your second name?" Maingat ang boses ko at ayaw kong taasan dahil nag aalala ako sa pamangkin ko.

Gumapang ang isang kamay niya