Chapter 45

I can feel Ivo's eyes on me while I am at the counter. Hindi ko maiwasan mailang sa mga titig niya sa akin ngayon. 

Hindi kami nakapag-usap kanina dahil nasa shift ako ngayon. I told him that I'd talk to him after my shift, and he insisted on waiting.

I sighed, as I wipe the coffee mugs. Nararamdaman ko pa rin sa tiyan ko yung mga butterfly. Hindi ko sila kayang pakalmahin habang nandiyan si Ivo.

"Sana all baby tawag," Leah says as she tries to suppress her giggles. "Sino ba yan, Skyla? Ex-boyfriend mo ba yan?"

Hindi ko pinansin si Leah at pinagpatuloy na lamang ang pagpunas sa mga coffee mugs. "Did I tell you na lagi ka niyang hinihintay? Mula umaga hanggang mag-close ang shop ay nandito siya."

I bit my lower lip. Hindi naging maganda ang huling usapan namin ni Ivo at ngayong nandito na siya ay hindi ko alam kung paano siya kakausapin.

Do his friends know he's here?

I can still remember the words Polina told me that night.

"You're slowing Ivo down, and in the process, he's slowing us down too because of you."

"I told him to leave you after we have your chip removed."

I still do not know what Polina meant by those words, but I have a hunch.

They know that I have the Costa blood in me, and Ivo's interest in me won't do them any good because Ivo is a Moretti, and they work for the Moretti Mafia.

Lastly, Costa Mafia and Moretti Mafia are not in good terms.

It's a conflict in interest, kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit gusto ni Polina na lumayo ako kay Ivo at ganoon din si Ivo sa akin.

But why is he here?

Why did he wait for me?

And why does my heart aches for him?

I glanced at Ivo; he's reading a book now. Buti nalang at hindi na siya nakatingin sa akin kasi baka matunaw ako.

Halos tatlong linggo lang kami hindi nagkita pero parang lalo siya naging gwapo. Pwede ba iyon? Napatingin ako sa mga mapupula niya labi at sa mga kamay as he flips the pages of the book.

Those lips traveled and kissed my body.

Those hands caressed me gently that night too.

As if sensing me looking at him, his eyes moved up from the book to me. At agad akong nag iwas ng tingin pero ramdam ko pa rin ang mga mata niya sa akin ngayon.

I can feel myself redden at napahawak ako sa dibdib ko para pakamalhin ang mabilis na tibok ng aking puso.

Binaling ko ang mga tingin ko kay Leah. She's watching Ivo and me. "Wow, Skyla. Teenager lang ang peg mo? Bakit ka nagblu-blush diyan. Para kang kamatis!" Bahagya kong kinurot si Leah sa tagiliran niya. "Aray!" ani niya.

Hinimas niya ang parteng kinurot ko bago ako tignan ng seryoso. "Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa inyong dalawa, Skyla pero sana magkaayos kayo ni gwapito. Isipin mo ito girl. Hinintay ka niyan ng halos dalawang linggo. Mahal ka niyan!"

I can feel my heart race, especially when I heard Leah's last words, and I shook my head.

Umiwas ako ng tingin, sa halip ay pinili kong tignan ang mga tea bags. "Paano kung bawal? Paano kung hindi pwede?" I whispered.

"Anong bawal? Sa tingin mo may pake siya kung bawal? Kasi kung bawal bakit siya nandito ngayon?" Leah explains. "Nandito ako noong naghihintay siya sayo. Halos dalawang linggo rin iyon. Sa tuwing bumubukas yung pinto ng shop ay nandoon ang pag-asa na sana ikaw yung makikita nya pero hindi. Ngayong nandito ka na, sana ay mapag-usapan niyong dalawa kung ano man ang naging alitan niyo."

Hindi ako umimik sa mga sinabi ni Leah. Naninikip kasi ang dibdib ko sa mga narinig ko mula sa kanya.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka engage sa ibang lalake pero sana hindi matuloy kasi mas bagay kayo ni gwapito. Promise!" dagdag pa ni Leah.

Tinignan ko si Leah, "Ikaw anong gagawin mo kung ikaw yung nasa posisyon ko? Paano kung komplikado? Paano kung hindi pwede? Paano kung maraming magagalit?"

Paano kung masasaktan ako? 

I have a lot of things to think of, namely my engagement with Anthony, my relationship with Uncle, my fake relationship with Noah, the truth about my parent's death, Costa Mafia, and these feelings for Ivo that I do not want to acknowledge.

Because acknowledging it would make it real.

That I am in love with him.

I am in love with Ivo Luca Moretti.

However, I can't afford to be distracted lalo na ngayong nasa misyon ako at ayoko rin maging pabigat kay Ivo.

Leah's features soften, and she smiles kindly at me. "Skyla, when you love someone kasama na sa kontrata na may masasaktan, na may hahadlang at pilit kayong paghihiwalayin. Hindi rin sigurado kung kayo hanggang sa dulo pero ang mahalaga ay lumaban kayo. If I were you, I would fight for our relationship. Mabuti na yung sinubukan ko kasi ayokong magsisi sa huli. I do not want to regret not trying. Sana ikaw din."

Yun ang mga huling sinabi ni Leah bago siya pumasok sa locker room for her thirty minutes break. Sa buong hapon hanggang sa matapos ang shift ko ay pilit kong nilibang ang mga sarili ko sa mga gawain sa shop.

Nang dumami ang mga customer ay panandalian kong nakalimutan ang mga bagay na bumabagabag sa akin. Gayunpaman ay nandoon pa rin ang mga mata ni Ivo na nakatingin at nago-obserba sa akin.

Sana lang ay hindi ako masyadong haggard tignan. Minsan ay nahuhuli ko si Ivo na pinagmamasdan ako habang kinakausap ang mga customer, tuwing gumagawa ako ng kape, at sa tuwing naghahatid ako ng order.

Buti na lamang at hindi ako natisod sa mga maiinit niyang tingin sa akin.

I changed back to my regular clothes. Tinignan ko ang cellphone ko at nakitang walang text mula kay Noah.

"He's probably not coming," I say at nilagay sa bag ko ang aking smartphone.

"Skyla, kausapin mo si kuya gwapito ah! Sasabunutan kita pag inaway mo." sabay ngise ni Leah sa akin.

"Yeah, we will talk." Matipid akong ngumite sa kanya at ito na naman ang puso na para bang nagwawala.

"Good luck sa inyo. Mag-make up sex kayo ah!" sabay halakhak ni Leah. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya kaya ko siya binato ng basahan at tumama ito sa mukha niya. "Joke lang!" ngise niya sa akin.

"Baliw! Mag-uusap kami. Kung anu-ano ang iniisip mo diyan."

"Bakit? Pwede naman mauna ang make-up sex tapos mag-usap kayo." I glared at Leah, siraulo ang babaeng ito. Anong klaseng suggestion yan?

Then a memory of Ivo kissing and touching me flashed in my mind.

Tumalikod ako kay Leah para hindi niya makita ang expression ng mukha ko ngayon. Napa-paypay ako sa sarili ko kasi pakiramdam ko biglang uminit ang locker room kahit naka-aircon naman kami.

Nang kumalma na ako kay kinuha ko na ang bag ko para umalis. "Mauna na ako. See you tomorrow."

Leah smiled knowingly at me. Inirapan ko na lamang siya. Mas bagay ata silang magkaibigan ni Alexavia. Mas match kasi yung personality nilang dalawa.

Halos kumawala ang puso ko sa dibdib ko sa bawat hakbang patungo kay Ivo. He's still sitting at table two, kailanman ay hindi siya umalis. He was patiently waiting for me.

Nang makalapit na ako ay nagbabasa pa rin siya ng libro pero inangat niya rin ang kanyang ulo. "Are you done?"

Tumango ako. Ivo closed the book at nanatili ang kanyang mga tingin sa akin na para bang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwalang nandito ako sa harap niya ngayon. Kumirot ang puso ko.

I cleared my throat, "Saan mo gustong pumunta? Kumain ka na ba? Baka gusto mong kumain muna? May alam akong malapit na kainan. Libre kita?" dire-diretso kong tanong sa kanya. Kinakabahan ako!

"No, I'm okay. Are you hungry? We can eat first before we talk." Ivo says gently, smiling at me.

I shook my head. "I'm okay too." Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin. Ano bang nangyayari sa akin?

Ivo chuckles. Kukunin niya sana ang kanang kamay ko na kanina pa nakahawak ng mahigpit sa sling ng bag ko pero pinigilan niya ang kanyang sarili. "It's just me. You don't have to be nervous." At his words, my heart and nerves calmed down. "Is it okay for me to hold your hand?"  

Namuo ang mga luha sa mata ko pero pinilit ko itong pigilan. Ivo then reached for me. His hands are warm, secure, and it fits right with mine. Ayoko ng bitawan pa ang kanya mga kamay.

Tumango ako kay Ivo. I interlocked our hands together because it feels like it's the right thing to do. Everything seems to be right when I am with Ivo.

Magkahawak kamay kaming lumabas ng shop papunta sa parking lot. Nandoon ang pamilayar na sports car ni Ivo.

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. I slid in his car, and the familiar smell hit my nose. Remembering the first time I was here.

Nang makapasok na si Ivo sa loob ng kotse ay hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang kanyang mga mukha dahil madilim sa loob pero ramdam ko ang mga tingin niya sa akin, but when my eyes adjusted, Ivo's eyes are intense as he watches me.

I gripped my bag, what's going to happen next? What are we going to talk about?

I stared back at Ivo and his handsome features in the darkness. I stared at his dark eyes, lips, slightly pale skin, distinct cheekbones, and angular jaw.

An overwhelming feeling enveloped me. I missed him so much. As I stare at him, I can't help but ask these questions in my mind.

Is it okay for us to meet?

Is it okay for me to be happy because he's here?

Is it okay to be here?

Is it okay to love you, Ivo?

I do not know how long we stared at each other, but then Ivo leans forward. He grabs the side of my face and pulls me towards him.

His lips brushed mine. He pulls back for a second then repeats the action. He kisses me. Not innocently, like a tease, and it's demanding, passionate, and fiery.

I want to pull away before I lose myself, but I can't seem to do it. He nips my lower lip, and I gasped, then his tongue delves inside my mouth.

I moaned in his mouth and gripped his coat. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, but I wanted to kiss him back the way he kisses me.

I felt his hand rested below my ear, his thumb caressing my cheek as our breaths mingled. Ayokong tumigil sa paghalik sa kanya pero pakiramdam ko ay mawawalan ako ng hangin kung hindi ako titigil.

I pulled away for a second, "Ivo," I say, an unfamiliar tone came out from me.

"Baby," he says, and brings his mouth against mine again. Napasandal na ako sa pinto ng sasakyan niya. Naramdaman kong bumaba ang kanyang mga kamay mula sa aking tenga patungo sa aking leeg.

I ran my hands on his back, pulling him closer until there was no space between us. My hands then moved to cup his face. Kissing Ivo is probably the most addicting experience I've ever had.

Hindi ko alam kung paano tumigil. Ayokong tumigil.

"I love you," I say, between our kisses. When he pulled away for a second, I repeated it, "I love you."

Ivo stares at me with an intense look on his face. I looked at his swollen lips and traced it with the tip of my fingers.

Maybe I've been in love with him from the very first time I met him. He never left my mind. Lagi siyang nandoon. Mentally if not physically.

He was like a stable force that has always been there, and I never knew I needed him. Ivo is my calm in this world filled with chaos, and I need him.

I'm so in love with him, and I wanted to punch myself for only realizing it now.

Ivo was quiet, but his eyes were soft. He pulls my face and kisses me again with an intensity that made my head spin.

And then he says the words I wanted to hear, "And I'm in love with you too, Skyla, because I know no other way. My path will always lead to you, baby."

I kissed him again. I gently pushed him back and climbed on his lap. Hinawakan ko kanyang mga mukha habang tinutugunan ang mga maiinit niyang halik.

The feeling is strange. I couldn't believe I would have this intense feeling for someone, but I am scared too.

Relationships are so risky because sometimes, no matter how good you are, they could lose feelings for you in a blink of an eye. And our backgrounds aren't average too. We're not normal.

Our families are people with shady backgrounds and businesses.

I can feel Ivo's hardness, and I unconciously grind against it. Damn, it feels good. 

I can feel him grip my shirt up. Bumaba ang mga halik ni Ivo mula sa aking labi papunta sa aking leeg.

Nag-iinit ang katawan ko at pakiramdam ko ay hindi pa sapat na ganito kami kalapit sa isa't-isa. "May dugo akong Cos-ta." I moaned, as he nips my neck.

"I don't care." He says and kisses my lips again.

I pulled back and stared at his eyes. Ivo caresses my thigh. "People will be against us—our relationship." ani ko sa kanya.

"We could be against the whole world, and I wouldn't give a damn." Nilapit niya muli ang kanyang mukha sa akin para halikan ako.

I kissed him back with the same intensity. My hands reached his thick and soft hair. "Ivo," I whispered against his lips.

"Yes," he asks huskily.

"I missed you."

His features soften. He reached for my face and caressed my cheek with his steady hand, "I missed you more. Where were you? I looked for you everywhere, but I couldn't find you."

Napakagat ako ng labi ko. "I had to go somewhere para tanggalin yung microchip tracker na nilagay ng Uncle ko sa loob ng katawan ko."

Bumaba ang kamay niya sa bewang ko at napakunot ang kanyang noo. "Who helped you remove it?"

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko ba itong sabihin sa kanya lalo na at dating nagtra-trabaho para sa Costa Mafia si Eli.

Gusto kong sabihin kay Ivo ang tungkol sa mga na-diskobre ko sa mga nagdaang linggo. I wanted to tell him about my mission and the Costa Mafia. Pero ayoko rin naman sirain ang kung anong meron kami ngayon.

I'll just tell him some other time. I'm sure he will understand.

I sighed, hinawakan ko ang pisnge niya. "You won't be mad, right?"

He squeezed my waist, "Hmm, I'll try to understand."

I smiled at him, "I asked someone to help me remove it." Hindi ko sinabing si Detective Michaels at Eli ito dahil hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react si Ivo. "It was successful. Wala na iyong microchip tracker sa loob ng katawan ko."

"I'm happy to hear that." He smiles for a moment, and then his face turns serious. "Is it the guy I saw this morning?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What guy?" I asked, suddenly confused.

"Baby? Are you going to act oblivious?" Ivo frowns at me. "I saw an article this morning. You were with this guy." His jaw is tense at hinimas ko ito. "Did he kiss you?" Napatingin siya sa mga labi ko bago umiwas ng tingin.

Is he referring to the article about Noah and me this morning?

Hindi ko napigilan ang tumawa. He's so cute! "No, I didn't kiss Noah."

He looks at me sharply at the mention of Noah's name. "So, the dude has a name."

"He's just..." I bit my lower lip. Paano ko ba ito ipapaliwanag sa kanya? I was so absorbed with his kisses that I completely forgot about Noah and our fake relationship.

"He's just what, Skyla?" Ivo's face is serious at hindi ko mapigilang ngumite. "Why are you smiling? Baby, this is not amusing at all. Nagseselos ako."

I leaned to him and pressed my lips against his mouth. "Don't be jealous. He's just a fake boyfriend. It's an act. I'm trying to delay my engage with my adoptive brother." I explained. Ivo relaxes after hearing what I said.

Tinaas niya ang t-shirt ko at naramdaman ko ang mga kamay niya sa aking bewang. He caressed me on my waist gently and I can't help but shiver with his touch. His hands are so warm against my bare skin.

"Are you staying with him?" seryoso niyang tanong sa akin.

"Yes," ani ko sa kanya. Ivo removes his hand on my waist pero hinawakan ko ulit ang mga kamay niya at pinasok ito sa ilalim ng t-shirt ko. "It's only temporary, Ivo. I will move somewhere else too sa oras na makahanap ako ng matitirahan."

"You can stay with me." He declares. I do miss staying with him, but I shook my head.

"I can't. I have to do this, or else my relationship with Noah won't be convincing."

"Just so you know, your Uncle is a bastard." He gritted his teeth in anger. "Hanggang kailan kayo magpapanggap?"

"Until my Uncle cancels my engagement with Anthony."

Ivo sighs and rubs his forehead using his free hand. Yung isa niya kasing kamay ay hinihimas ang aking bewang. Sadyang binalik ko ang kamay niya doon kasi gustong hinahawakan niya ako.

We didn't see each other for almost two- or three-weeks, gusto kong bumawi sa mga oras na nawala sa aming dalawa.

"It's going to take a while then." He sighs one more time, and I can't help but feel sad too.

Hindi ko rin kasi alam hanggang kailan kami magpapanggap ni Noah. As much as I wanted to declare to everyone my relationship with Ivo, it will have to wait. I need to solve my personal matters with Uncle Bern and Anthony first before being free with Ivo.

"Yes, but I love you, Ivo. No one else." I kissed him. I paused, "We're together now, right?" I tilted my head as I looked at him.

I mean, we confessed to each other, so technically, we're together-together now, right?

"Yes, baby. Always." I grinned against his lips.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga susunod na mangyayari, but I am praying that we will last and will remain together even with the upcoming storm because I don't think I can do it myself without him.

Gustuhin ko mang magtagal pa kasama si Ivo ay hindi pwede dahil kailangan ko nang umuwi at magpahinga.

Bago niya ako hinatid sa bahay ni Noah ay kumain muna kaming dalawa sa isang malapit na karinderya. Sadyang doon ko dinala si Ivo kasi ayokong may ibang taong makakita sa aming dalawa.

It wouldn't look good if there's another batch of photos of me with another guy.

Tinanggal ko ang seat belt at tinignan si Ivo. "I'll see you soon?" I say. Hindi ko alam kung kailan kami ulit magkikita and I miss him already.

He nodded, "Good night. Dream of me tonight, Skyla."

Hinalikan ko siya sa pisnge bago lumabas ng sasakyan. Hinintay ko rin makaalis ang kanyang sasakyan bago ako pumasok sa loob ng bahay ni Noah.

When I got inside, the lights are off, so I turned it on at napahawak naman ako sa dibdib ko ng makitang nakaupo si Noah sa sofa at nakatitig sa akin.

"What the hell, Noah." I say. Nakakagulat naman kasi ang biglaan niyang pagsulpot.

I walked towards the sofa and sat down. He watches me at hindi ko mabasa ang mga tingin niya sa akin. "What's wrong?" I asked. He's wearing his usual attire: sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

Noah stared at me before opening his mouth. "You were with Ivo?"

I blushed at the mention of Ivo and remembering his soft kisses and his gentle touches. Para akong sinilaban at uminit ang aking mukha.

There's no need to deny it, so I nodded at Noah. "Uhm... He and I are tog--"

"There's no need to tell me, Skyla."

Tumango ako sa kanya. "You will still help me, right?"

His expression is unreadable, but Noah says, "Yes, don't worry, but you have to help me."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I can't do this alone. If magpapanggap tayong may relasyon ay dapat walang makakakita sa inyo ni Ivo sa publiko."

Noah's right. If may makakabisto sa aming dalawa ay hindi ito magiging maganda para sa akin.

Napahawak ako sa noo ko nang maalalang magkahawak kami ni Ivo ng kamay sa may parking lot. Sana ay walang nakakita sa aming dalawa.

"I'm sorry. I will be more careful, Noah."

He nodded at me, "You can meet him secretly, but you have to make sure it's away from the prying eyes."

Wala sa sarili akong tumango sa kanya. I have to talk to Ivo about this. Well, I can call him later before I head to bed. "Please, don't mention anything to Eli and Detective Michaels." I say. 

"I won't. I'll let you do that yourself." I nibbled my lower lip, feeling guilty. 

Tumayo si Noah mula sa pagkakaupo niya at dumiretso sa kusina. "Kamusta lakad mo?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Hindi ko alam kung saan pumupunta si Noah pero alam kong may kinalaman ito sa misyon na gagawin naming dalawa.

Sinundan ko siya sa kusina at nakita ko siyang naghuhugas ng mga pinggan. Tumayo ako sa harap ng refrigerator at pinagmasdan siya habang ginagawa ito. Sumandal ako sa pinto at hinintay ang reply niya sa tanong ko.

"It was fine." He mumbles. Noah is acting strangely. He also looks tired. I wonder if something happened?

"You sure, Noah?" I asked. He glanced at me and smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Pinatay niya ang faucet at pinunasan ang kanyang mga kamay.

"I am sure. By the way, bago ko pa makalimutan. I want you to know na may mission tayong dalawa. I will inform you of the details soon when everything's ready."

I can feel myself frown at Noah. Another mission? Is this from Detective Michaels?

"What mission?" kuryoso kong tanong sa kanya.

He grins at me, "It's a secret. You will know soon." Yun lang ang sinabi niya at iniwan niya na ako sa kusina mag-isa.

Ano kaya ang misyon na sinasabi niya? Sa mga ngite ni Noah kanina ay mukhang may kabaliwan na naman siyang balak.

Maybe I could ask Detective Michaels about it?

Kinabukasan ay hindi ako nahatid ni Noah sa University dahil may iba raw siyang lakad. He texted me around five in the morning. Naging palaisipan pa rin sa akin ang mga sinabi ni Noah kagabi.

Kung kulitin ko nalang kaya siya para sabihin niya sa akin?

Kahit hindi ako nahatid ni Noah ay hindi naman ito naging problema dahil malapit lang din naman ang Welston mula sa bahay niya. Maganda na rin itong ehersisyo para sa akin. Naalala ko ang mga naging payo ni Noah nang matapos ang training namin.

I have to keep training by myself para hindi makalimutan ng katawan ko ang mga tinuro niya sa akin.

Maybe I can ask Ivo to teach me too? I blushed at the thought of him teaching. Hindi ko ata kakayanin. Baka matunaw lang ako sa bawat tingin at hawak niya sa akin.

"Ganyan ba pag in love? Ngumingite mag-isa?"

Ngumise ako kay Alexavia. "Hanap ka na kasi ng BF mo." Pang-aasar ko sa kanya. She's so pretty, and her dimples are a killer.

"No, thanks. Hindi kaya ng oras ko." Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng Law building. "Kukunin ka ba ni Noah mamaya?"

Nawala ang mga ngite sa labi ko sa tanong niya. I am lying again to my best friend. I wanted to tell myself na ginagawa ko ito para sa kabutihan niya kasi ayokong madamay siya sa mga problema ko pero hindi ko maiwasang ma-guilty.

Pakiramdam ko ay ang sama-sama kong kaibigan. She's my best friend. I should be honest with her. Tinignan ko ang mga mapupungay na mata ni Alexavia. I bit my lower lip and says, "Nope. May gagawin siya sa work. Sa bahay na kami magkikita."

"I see. So, diretso ka na sa coffee shop? Tapos na ba mga klase mo?" tanong niya sa akin habang tinitignan ang kanyang relo.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow?" ani ko sa kanya. Malapit na kasi kami sa gate ng University.

"Ay! Skyla, may camping nga pala. Megan organized it." Speaking of Megan ay hindi ko pa siya nakikita simula nang bumalik ako sa Welston.

"Camping?" I parroted.

"Yeah, sama ka! Don't worry; there will be a lot of us. Aoede and Tyrone will be there too. Let's treat this as a get-together. Hindi na kasi tayo masyadong nagkakasama. Isama mo si Noah para masaya!"

Ngumite ako sa kanya. Megan organized it? Does it mean that Kev will be there too? Aren't those two together?

As if reading my mind, lumapit si Alexavia sa tenga ko saka bumulong. "Don't worry. Kev Conti won't be there. You'll be safe."

I felt relieved after hearing those words. I smiled at Alexavia, "Sure. Noah and I will join. Kailan ba yan?"

"This weekend. The camping will be for two days, but don't worry kung gusto mong umuwi on Saturday ay okay lang din. Hindi naman kailangan na mag-stay ka for two days."

"Okay, I'll let Noah know. Thanks!" ani ko sa kanya.

"Yehey! Bisitahin ka namin nila Aoede at Tyrone one of these days." She smiled at me and I nodded at her happily.

"Sure, libre ko kayo ng kape."

I bid Alexavia goodbye after our conversation at tumungo na ako sa coffee shop para simulan ang afternoon shift ko.

Hindi rin naman ako natagalan dahil malapit lang ito sa Welston. Mula sa labas ng coffee shop ay nakikita kong medyo maraming customers ngayon kaya binilisan ko paglalakad.

Tumungo agad ako sa locker para magpalit. Out of all the coffee shops around the city, No-Doze Coffee has the cutest uniform.

I probably sound bias because I work here, but no. Cute talaga ang uniform namin. The pants are black slacks; our upper is a light brown blouse with a collar. May kasama rin itong small necktie na dark brown and a short dark brown apron around our waist.

May misyon man ako o wala ay gustong gusto ko ang pagtratrabaho dito sa coffee shop. It feels good to be normal and ordinary.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng locker room. "OMG, SKYLA!" Leah shouted na para bang may humahabol sa kanya.

"Leah, don't shout. Nagugulat ako sayo eh." Natatawa kong sabi sa kanya. "Pag ikaw pinaglitan ng supervisor natin..." ngumite ako sa kanya.

"Sorry! Nandiyan kasi yung crush ko! Hindi ko kayang humarap sa kanya. Ikaw nalang, please!" nagsusumamo ang boses ni Leah.

Iniwan niya ang counter? Sino ang tao doon ngayon? Naku, bulyaw na naman ang abot namin nito mamaya doon sa maldita naming supervisor.

I rolled my eyes at her, "Bakit ako? Di ba crush mo yun? Bakit mo pinapasa sa akin ang pagkakataon mo na makausap siya?"

"Skyla, mauutal lang ako! Sige na, please. Libre kita ng kwek-kwek sa labas after shift. Ako gagawa ng kape niya pero ikaw ang humarap at magtanong."

"Alright. Sige na nga. Tignan natin kung gwapo ba yang crush mo na iyan."

Sabay kami lumabas ng locker ni Leah at nakasunod lamang siya sa likod ko at nagtatago. Para siyang bata na takot at ayaw mahuli ng kanyang magulang.

Umiling lang ako at ngumite. Nang makalapit na ako sa counter ay ni-log out ko ang account ni Leah sa POS at pinalitan ng akin.

The customer is leaning against the counter and his back against me. Kanina pa kaya ito? Buti nalang at walang nakasunod na customer sa kanya.

I cleared my throat, "Hello, sir. Welcome to No-Doze Coffee. Can I take your order, please?"

He said a few okay and goodbye and turns to me. I was smiling when I told my welcoming spill, but it automatically vanished when the guy faced me.

He is taller in-person, plus his eyes were a striking mixture of gray and black. Nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko dahil sa mga tingin niya sa akin.

Hindi ako mapaniwalang nasa harap ko siya ngayon. The picture Detective Michaels gave me didn't do justice.

Xavi Pravo looks so intimidating and menacing in person.  

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