"Where did you get those?" I asked, confusion filled my voice. A bouquet of blue and red roses was placed on our table. There was also a small pink teddy bear beside it. I just woke up and those were the first thing I have noticed in our small living room.

My mother shrugged her shoulders while looking at the flowers. "They are from Simoun. They are so beautiful, aren't they?"

I pouted. I walked over to the flowers and inspect it. They were so beautiful to look at, I admit. But I just can't help but feel a bit confused because this is the first time that Simoun sent flowers. Usually, he will just drop by in our house if he has something to give. And I didn't receive any message from him that he sent me these stuff.

"Are you sure that they are from Simoun?" My voice was filled with doubt. I opened my phone to type a message for Simoun.

- Did you send flowers?

Just a seconds had passed, I received a reply from him.

Simoun:

- No. Why? Have you eaten your breakfast?

I pursed my lips, staring at the flowers.

"Simoun did not send these, Ma. Are you the one who received it?" I asked my mother.

She nodded. "Yes. From the delivery boy. I just signed it. And he said the name of the sender is Simoun."

"But Simoun told me that he did not send anything, Ma. I asked him." Now, my voice was hard but the fear laced in it was vivid.

Her brows furrowed as she blinked. "W-What? But the delivery boy said that..."

I swallowed as fear crept in my skin. "Why did you receive it? You should have called me."

"I-I did not know, Yula."

"Good morning."

A cold and rough voice made me stopped. It was Rael. He was standing in our door. He put down the gallon of water. His eyes drifted on the flowers but he immediately looked at me.

"Thank you so much, Rael. Please, put it in the kitchen. Come here," my mother said as she left.

Rael stared at me for a moment before he averted his gaze, following my mother inside the kitchen. As much as I did not want to, my eyes seemed to have their own mind as they automatically followed him.

We decided to throw the stuff away because we were not sure who sent those.

But after a few days, I noticed something unusual. While I was combing my hair infront of the mirror, I noticed a small red light coming from the clock which was hanging on the wall. My brows furrowed in confusion as I stared at it more. Slowly, I put down my comb and stood up.

My steps were slow as I walked over to the wall clock, staring at the red dot.

Pulse beating in my ears as my stomach churning.

I grabbed the monoblock chair and stepped on it to reach the wall clock. My hands were trembling as I stared at it.

I went out of my room with the clock in my hand. I went to our garden where my father and some of his friends were. They were drinking some beers. Rael was also there.

"Dad!" My voice shook miserably. My father stood up from his seat immediately as soon as he saw the fear in my eyes. I also noticed Rael stood up.

Dad dropped his gaze on the wall clock in my hand.

"I-It has a camera!" I uttered, voice laced with fear. My father started inspecting the wall clock in his hand.

Rael walked over to us. His jaw was clenched tightly while looking at me.

My tears were unstoppable. I was hardly breathing. I swallowed as I hugged myself.

Rael took the wall clock from my father and he examined it himself. He started breaking the clock and I gasped when he pulled out a small red light which was connected in a small cable.

It was a small hidden camera.

"What is that? Why is it there?" My father asked in a confused tone.

Rael looked at my father. Suddenly, he snapped his eyes at me. I could not describe the emotion in his eyes but I can clearly tell that there was anger in them.

"Someone put this here. Someone is watching you secretly..." Rael's voice was filled with indignance.

Terror sucked the very breath from my mouth as pulse beating in my ears, blocking out all other sound.

"W-What?" My voice was numb with shock. Rael's jaw tightened repeatedly as he looked away.

I felt so lost as they continued examining the wall clock. I do not know what to feel. Anger, fear and even mistrust were overpowering me. I could not even open my mouth when they asked me. I could see their lips moving but my ears became numb.

"Yula! Yula! Can you hear me?"

Someone shook my shoulder which made me pulled out from my thoughts. My mother's eyes were full or worry. My gaze drifted to the man beside her.

Rael was silent but his eyes were full of darkness. Even though they have different colors, darkness was extremely strong and intense.

"When did you buy this wall clock." Rael asked in a stern voice. His eyes remained staring into mine.

I blinked as I tried to find answer. "I bought that two weeks ago." My tone was tired and weak.

His jaw tightened mercilessly. He let out a deep sigh.

"I think it is not a camera? It is probably just some sort of design?" my father's friend commented.

"This is a camera. I can't be wrong," I responded in a firm voice.

"But who will put it there if it is really a camera? What is their motive?" My father furrowed his brows.

"Where did you buy this?" Rael asked. His eyes fixed on mine.

"A-At the night market."

Rael pressed his lips together. When he looked away, he stared at the horizon as though he was in deep thoughts.

My mother accompanied me in my room. They already threw the wall clock away. They also had stopped drinking beers. My father's friends had already left and Rael was the only one who stayed. He was talking to my father.

I could not sleep after what happened. My eyes kept on finding a possible small red dot. I was so paranoid. I feel like someone was watching me. I could not even be comfortable in my own room anymore.

I was still lost even in the next morning. The fear in my heart was still overpowering my whole system. I could not even talk to my parents. My thoughts were in disarray.

I felt someone entered the kitchen. I immediately looked away when I saw Rael. He was holding some plastic bags and he put those down on the table as I continued washing the dishes. My mother asked him to accompany her at the wet market because my brother and my father were not here.

"Can I drink water?" I heard him uttered in a soft voice. I swallowed hardly as I quietly grabbed a glass. I wiped it with a clean towel before I filled it with water. I did not look at him but I could feel him watching me intently causing my hand to shake in discomfort.

"H-Here," I whispered as I put down the glass near him. I did not spare him a glance.

"Thank you..." he said gently.

I just nodded my head slightly before I went back to the dishes. Suddenly, I felt his presence beside me. My heart pounded ridiculously inside my chest. It was so fast that I thought I would lose my balance especially when I noticed our distance. I felt like I was on fire and like I might spontaneously combust at any moment.

I trembled when I felt the warmth of his body behind mine.

"Let me do it," he whispered. I let him washed the glass he used. I did not even notice that my breathing had stopped as I watched him carefully rinsed the glass. He put it beside him when he was done but he remained on his spot.

Slowly, I looked at him. His eyes were tired, I can tell. I swallowed hard. His eyes were weak as though he was in pain.

"How are you?" he whispered huskily.

My lips parted a bit as my heart was beating so loudly I thought he would hear it.

"I-I am okay." I do not know why his question brought a lot of pain in my heart. It hurts that I wanted to cry.

I saw how his eyes weakened even more. "Please, do not worry about anything."

I could not talk. This feels like a sweet torture.

"Yula..." His voice was almost begging. "Can I... hug you?"

I found myself swallowing nervously. I stared into his tired eyes. But he immediately took a step back, aggressively running his fingers through his hair.

"I am sorry. Just..." He sighed excessively, averting his gaze. "Just forget about it," he whispered before he turned his back on me, leaving me alone.

I do not know if I should be thankful about the thought that it has been a whole month since the last time I felt scared. Now, I feel like I am safe. Maybe whoever that was had already stopped or they probably realized that the they won't get anything from doing that.

"I bought you some food. I cooked more than enough," Sol said as she visited at night with a plastic container in her hand.

I smiled before taking the container.

"Thank you so much, Sol. Have a seat for. My mother cooked some sweet potato. I will get you some," I uttered but she just shook her head and smiled.

"Thank but no need, Yula. I just finished having dinner. My stomach can't take another food anymore, dear."

"You might want to bring some so you could try it tomorrow."

"Oh. Yes! That is perfect. That is my nephew's favorite."

I moved quickly and went to our kitchen. After putting the sweet potato in the container, I went back to the living room where Sol was.

Sol thanked me before she went home. She always brings some food. Almost everyday she goes here and offer some food that she cooked.

"Why is Sol always cooking this dish? Isn't it she also brought us this dish the last day?" Mama asked with a knitted brows.

I shrugged my shoulders while washing the dishes.

"I am so tired of eating that dish," my brother, Kevin, said as he entered the kitchen.

"You are so bad," I said between my laugh.

"It seems to me that that is the only dish which Sol knows how to cook. Isn't Rael getting tired of it? If she ever cooks that dish next time, tell her to not give us some at all... ouch, Ma!"

"Sol might hear you, you asshole."

I washed the container to give to Sol. I did not stay any longer there. I noticed that Rael was not home because I did not notice his motorcycle. As soon as I gave the container to Sol, I went back home.

The scorching heat of the sun was stinging my skin. It was a month of March so the weather is sunny.

We were at the small hut. We brought the lunch of the farmer who are under the scorching sun now. The two women that I was with are very talkative. I was silently preparing our food as I listened to them. They were talking about this particular farmer.

No... they were fantasizing about him.

About Rael.

Whenever we go here to bring lunch for the farmers, they will never let the opportunity to fantasize the clueless farmer. They were always talking about him.

I glanced at Nessa when I heard her giggle.

"Rael really makes me weak. I do not want to look at him! Gosh! I am making a sin!"

"What do you call his condition again, Yula?" Lucille asked curiously.

"Heterochromia..." I responded in a soft voice.

"Right! Is there a pink and violet for that case?" Lucille uttered as she furrowed her brows.

"I am not sure, though. But I think there is none."

"Really? Is it just always blue and brown?"

"You will not look good with those eye color, Lucille! You will just look like stupid!" Nessa said.

I could not help but glanced at the direction of the man who these girls were giggling about. My father was there and also my brother with the other farmers, and of course, the tall man. He was wearing a faded jeans, thin red long sleeves and black boots that were covered by mud, and a native hat.

He is Sol's nephew, Rael. After that day, he started to avoid me. He never talks to me and I never talk to him either. If we ever have a conversation, it was just when he asks something about my father.

"Oh? Why am I seeing some regret in your face, Yula?" Nessa commented which made me glanced at her. Her cousin, Lucille, looked at me also.

"Oh my, Yula! Rael is yummy, yes, we definitely know that but if I were in your situation, I would rather choose someone who has a profession, of course! In this difficult life, you have to be wise enough. Your eyes would only be the one to be full by Rael's gorgeousness. But what about your stomach? So, be happy with Simoun. He is kind and well, he is handsome somehow." Lucille held my hand dramatically.

I laughed softly as I shook my head. They are always like this whenever we are together so I got used to them.

"What are you guys talking about? You are the only one who's thinking that. Can you please leave the man alone? He might hear you." I pouted.

She let go of my hand and now, she played with my hair.

"You are so beautiful, Yula. I know that you are aware about that. You are lucky with Simoun. He is rich. A teacher! His family owns a big grocery store! And if he would ever ask your hand for marriage, do not hesitate to say yes! Your future is secured!" Lucille smiled at me.

Lucille was a petite woman with bronzed skin. Her shoulder length hair perfectly highlighted her features. Nessa looked like her because they are cousins. Their facial features are not far from each other. The only difference was Nessa is taller than Lucille.

"Marriage is not yet in my priorities right now, Lucille. I still have a lot of things to do in life. And Simoun is still not yet my boyfriend. He is still courting me."

"Sus! But when you were still the mistress of mayor, you were always telling us that you were ready to marry him for your family."

"That was before but my situation now is completely different. Especially now that I do not remember anything that happened in my life before."

"Isn't it so surreal?" Nessa commented as her brows furrowed while watching me. "I did not expect that I would witness an amnesia in real life. I thought that it only happens in movies."

"Why? Do you also want to have amnesia? Come here. I will shake your brain."

Nessa frowned at her cousin. I just smiled at these two.

"Anyway, Yula. I have a quick question. We have never asked this one before. Simoun? Is he big?" Nessa asked nonchalantly.

I knitted my brows in confusion but she just laughed at me. So hard that her face turned into red.

"Big! Is it big?!" Lucille said, laughing with her cousin.

My eyes widened when I realized what they wanted to imply. My cheeks turned red.

"W-What are you talking about? I do not know! Why are you even asking that kind of question!"

I couldn't even look at them because of embarrassment. That was not pleasant to hear! Is it even necessary to ask that kind of question?

I massaged my temple.

"God, Yula! Stop acting so innocent! You are acting like a virgin! As if you did not become the mayor's mistress!" Nessa rolled her eyes in between her laugh.

That was what I always hear from the people. But because I can't remember anything, I am not able to answer whenever I hear about that.

I just continued preparing the foods while the two cousins were still not done fantasizing Rael.

"If I ever have a next life, I would pray to be a rice crop. But Rael should be the one to harvest me," Nessa uttered and giggled.

"That is the most nonsense wish I have ever heard! Who would ever want to be a rice crop? Only you because you are stupid!" Her cousin frowned at her.

I glanced at the farmers once again. My brother was talking to Rael and they seem to have a fun conversation.

I blinked multiple times when Rael's eyes suddenly drifted at my direction. I did not even notice that I was staring at him a bit long and he caught me!

I immediately looked away, cheeks burning red. I wanted to hide in shame! He might think that I was fantasizing him like these two girls!

I tried to focus my attention on the foods. Everything was prepared and we were only waiting for the farmers. Fried eggs, salted egg, longganisa and of course, rice.

After a few moments, I saw the farmers walking towards the hut. I suddenly felt so nervous when I glanced at Rael. I could not forget about the fact that he caught me staring at him awhile ago!

"You did not even buy a soft drinks?! What are you?!" My brother hissed when he looked at the foods.

"Wow! Why? Did you give money?!" Lucille rolled her eyes.

"Here! Ten thousand! Buy yourself a shampoo! Your hair smells so bad! Get out of my way!"

"Fuck you! Pa! He is so arrogant!"

I just shook my head at these two. They just stopped when Lucille's father scolded them.

"Rael! Here is some water. You can sit here beside me," Nessa said shamelessly as she tapped the space beside her.

I swiftly glanced at Rael who was now wiping his sweat using his towel. He took off his native hat. He just smiled at Nessa and sat beside her.

While I occupied the space beside my father. I wiped his sweat. He thanked me and smiled.

"Dante invited me to go to his son's party. It is Danica's birthday on Saturday." My father said when we started eating.

"Gosh! I did not know that ugly gay is celebrating birthday? I am not going!" Nessa rolled her eyes but when she looked at Rael, she smiled sweetly.

I pouted when Rael smiled a bit at her. I immediately dropped my gaze on my plate when he glanced at me.

"I am not also going. And also Yula, of course," Lucille uttered.

I raised an eyebrow. "It is fine with me to come."

Lucille rolled her eyes. "That bitch is fake! She is insecure to you! Can't you see it?"

I pouted and shrugged my shoulders. Danica is kind to me so I do not know why Lucille is saying that. Danica shows nothing but kindness. She is a great friend.

"I will help you," a deep voice whispered beside me. I was a bit shocked and looked at him. I was not able to refuse his help because he started moving.

I could not help but smell his scent because of our distance. It was a warm subtle woodsy with a hint of earthy smell. My lips parted a bit.

Why can't I smell any trace of tiredness from him consider that he was working under the scorching heat of the sun?!

I glanced at Lucille and Nessa. I caught their malicious stares at us. The other farmers were outside, smoking cigarettes.

"Uhm, thanks," I responded in a small voice. He did not answer. He didn't even glance at me. I was starting to think that he hates me for some reason. He is not like this to other women. He is smiling at them but to me... he never did, even once.

I noticed that my head was only reaching his shoulder. That is how tall he was. I put some distance between us when I noticed that we were quite too close.

"Sorry," he uttered in a cold voice when he noticed that I took few steps away from him. But he was still not looking at me.

I bit my lip. I scratched my forehead. He might think that I do not want us being close to each other. He might think that I am being over dramatic. But I should not care about whatever he is thinking, right? Suit himself! And one more thing, we were not even close!

That was our only interaction until we finished cleaning the table. It is not like I wanted us to have a conversation. I was just wondering why he treats me differently compared to other women here. I do not know if I was just being paranoid or what.

Simoun visited at night. Every night he is always here, bring a lot of foods that we can't even consume.

"Thank you for the foods, Simoun. But next time, you do not have to bring so many." I smiled.

I accompanied him outside because it was already quite late. I think it will rain because it has been thundering.

He smiled and gently caressed my arm. My eyes dropped on his hand and I can't help but feel uncomfortable. But I did not let him see it. I opted to smile instead.

"Yula, what I am doing right now is still not enough. I would give you the world if you want me to. There is nothing I can't give to you. That is how much I love you, my love." His eyes became hooded as he stared at me intently.

My lips parted a bit.

"Simoun..." I suddenly felt uncomfortable with that endearment.

"Do you love me as much as I love you?" he said sweetly while his palm remained on my arm and caressing it every so often.

I blinked multiple times and everted myself from his touch.

"S-Simoun, you know that I am still ready for that. I am still not complete." I replied softly.

He nodded. "I understand. But I know that I am the one who has the power to complete you, Yula. You will not just be complete. I will make sure to make you more than that. And I know that you will fall for me eventually," he told me with absolute certainty.

I massaged my temple but smiled at him.

"Aren't you going now? It will probably rain," I told him, secretly telling him to leave. I do not know why but this conversation is draining me.

"Can I at least get a kiss?" He tilted his head as he waited for my response.

"Uhm..." I massaged my temple once again.

"Please?" He even gave me a pleading look.

He is always asking this but I do not know why until now, I can't get used to it.

I immediately tiptoed to kiss his cheek but he suddenly moved his head making our lips touched for a bit. My eyes widened. He immediately pulled away after that kiss. His smile was huge when he looked at me.

But I almost jump when I heard a loud horn. Simoun and I looked at where the horn came from.

I saw a motorcycle and the man riding on it.

"Move your car, bro. It is blocking my way," Rael said in a rough and imperative voice. His eyes were glaring at Simoun. When he looked at me, he immediately looked away as though it burned him.

Simoun seemed to be not affected by the tone of Rael because he was still smiling largely when he bid goodbye.

"I gotta go, love. I'll see you tomorrow," he uttered sweetly before he jogged towards his car. He horned before his car moved.

When I looked at Rael, he was still glaring at the car before he glanced at me.

"Next time, if you are going to flirt with each other, do it in more appropriate place. Not in the middle of the street," his voice was hard and he did not even wait for my response as he started his motorcycle and left.

My lips parted, shocked by his rude words. My eyes followed him until he went inside their house. While I was left with annoyance.

"Before you take a shower, bring this to Sol first, Yula."

I blew a sighed when I heard my mother. I turned around and went back to the kitchen to get the rice cake.

Whenever I think about what happened last night, I can't help but be annoyed. He does have not the right to talk to me like that! Does he own the street?! I was right! That Rael has some attitude problem!

I chose to follow Mama's order even though I really wanted to refuse. Surely, I would see that jerk. My annoyance for him has not disappeared yet. If he ever say something that I will not like, I swear, I am going to punch him!

I rolled my eyes when I saw him at their garden. The jerk was not wearing any top again!

When his eyes drifted at my direction, he just furrowed his brows. I stopped myself from frowning at him. It was too early for him to ruin my day.

I showed him the plastic container.

"My mother wanted to give you this. She made this yesterday." I tried to hard to talk in a calm voice.

He threw the hose nonchalantly on the ground before he walked towards me. I immediately handed him the container.

"Thanks," he uttered lazily as he took it.

I brushed my fingers through my hair. Suddenly, I did not know what to do. We were just both standing without saying anything. I pretended to be busy looking around us. And when my eyes drifted back at him, I caught him staring at me.

I could not help but be amazed at his eyes. His deep set beneath those heavy black brows were of a different color from one another.

The other one was the blue of every dancing sky. While the other one was the flecks of deep brown... like the warmth of an eternal hearth.

But this man is rude! His eyes are the only beautiful thing about him! And you should never be deceived by physical looks!

"Do you still need something?" His brows knitted in a frown.

My lips parted a bit and blinked multiple times. I could feel my cheeks burning.

But because I was determined to pour out what I was feeling...

"Last night," I trailed off, fearless.

He cocked a brow in surprise.

"What about last night?" he asked in a cold voice but I did not miss the amusement in there. I ignored his annoying tone.

"We were not flirting with each other. And you should know that I did not like what you have said," I said in a hard voice.

He gave me a dazed look of bewilderment. He pouted as he nodded his head a bit.

"Okay..."

I pursed my lips. He really is trying to annoy me!

"I am serious, Rael. I'm offended by your words. You should never talk to me in that way especially we are not even close." I stared pointedly at him with an icy coldness.

His brow furrowed as his mouth turned grim. I knew that he was annoyed by my words because his expression turned serious and cold.

I turned my back on him and did not wait for his response. I do not have time to prolong our nonsense interaction because what for? I do not want to waste my time to someone like him.

"Yula!"

Danica had a huge smile on her lips when she saw me. She was wearing a pink dress for her birthday today. She hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"You're so beautiful as always, dear. Come here! I will introduce you to my friends! I'm sure they will like you because you are pretty like us!" She held my hand and looked at Lucille an Nessa.

"Ugly ducklings are not allowed in our table so you can't join us." Danica smiled sweetly at them but there was a hint of mockery.

"You witch gay-" Lucille was about to come near to Danica when Nessa stopped her. Danica pulled me away and waled towards a table full of beautiful gays.

There were three beautiful gays at the table. All of them were smiling at me.

"Girls, this is Yula. I told yah! Quality control!" Danica winked at them.

My smile remained in my lips even though I was slightly uncomfortable.

"I like her! And I am sure Ma'am Black will also like her! Apple's girls are going to be losers!" One of them clapped happily.

They made me sat and poured many questions to me.

"Your face is so fresh, honey! You should use that beautiful face of yours! Do you want to earn a lot of money? Just by sitting?"

My brows slightly furrowed at Danica.

"Just by sitting? Is that even possible?" I laughed awkwardly a bit.

"Two thousand is very easy to earn in this job!"

"Our customers are very thirsty for women like you! Soft features and very soft skin! I am sure you are going to be the apple of their eyes!" One of them cheerfully said.

"This girl seems to be so rich. Her hands look so soft," I heard one of them whispered.

"Are you in, Yula? You are just going to entertain our customers. Drink with them and have some fun conversation at their tables but I promise! They are not allowed to bring you outside or anywhere," Danica uttered.

"Uhm, i-isn't that dangerous?" I bit my lip.

"Dangerous? What are you talking about? Of course not! People nowadays are just very narrowed minded but this job that I am offering to you is noble, Yula! And we will never bring you in danger! Kevin will surely hate me!"

"I am sure you drink beers and all that, right, Yula?" Rafaela asked me but her name in the morning is Rodolfo she said.

"I d-do not," I responded in a small voice.

"Oh, dear! You should learn how to drink beers! Our customers do not drink milk!" Rafaela clicked her tongue, disappointed in me.

"What are you?! Of course, we are going to teach her how to drink!" Danica rolled her eyes before glancing at me.

"What do you think, Yula? Are you in?"

Until I reached home, I was thinking about their offer. If it weren't for my father, I would grab the offer immediately. I know that my parents would think that working at a bar is not very pleasing to the ears.

"What did you say?! One night, two thousands?! God! Grab it, Yula! You will never find a job that offers a salary like that!" Kevin commented when I explained the offer the following day.

But when I saw my father's reaction, I knew immediately that he will not let me work at the bar.

"At a bar? Do you even know what it is inside of a bar, Yula?" Papa asked me in a stern voice.

My shoulders slumped. I could not defend myself because I know that my father has got a point.

"I-I will not put myself in danger, Pa. And-"

"No! Stop with this nonsense conversation, Yula! I am working so hard for this family! You do not have to put yourself in that kind of job." My father was really determined to oppose me that I was not able to defend myself at all.

"Andres," Mama called him in a soft voice.

"Even you, Lourdes. Do not tell me you are going to let your daughter work at a bar?"

"But your daughter wants to. Why would you be selfish for something that she wants to do? That is a noble job, Andres. You are belittling people who work at a bar by that reaction you are showing to us."

"I am not belittling anyone, Lourdes," my father's voice was stern.

I bit my lip.

It saddened me because I know that could be a big help for us if I ever get to work in there. We have a very huge debt when I was in coma. Our bill at the hospital grew larger and larger. Even though my mother has been telling us that the person who they borrowed money from is very kind because they are not asking for an interest. They did not also give us a deadline.

From what I know, my father has already able to pay twenty thousand pesos but our debt is still huge.

"What? Did Uncle Andres give you his permission to work at the bar?" Lucille asked me while we were preparing the foods for the farmers.

I was not able to come here yesterday because I had a severe migraine. Simoun visited me and bought a lot of foods. He even brought a doctor. When the doctor said that there was nothing to worry about, he calmed down.

"Not yet. I think it is impossible for him to give his permission." There was a sorrow in my tone.

"That could have been a big of a help for your family. If I were born beautiful, I would not hesitate to grab that work!"

It has been two days since I told my parents about the job but until now, I have not gotten any answer from my father. I was slowly accepting the fact that he will never let me work in there.

"God! What is that woman here again?" Nessa's voice was low but filled with annoyance. I looked at the direction she was looking at.

I saw a woman dressed in a printed maxi dress. Her hair was being swept away by the wind. She was carrying a box. Her eyes were covered by a big sunglasses. She was smiling widely as she walked over to us.

I saw a white car. She was probably the owner of that.

She pulled her sunglasses up to the top of her head when she came near us. She was roaming her eyes in the surrounding as though she was looking for something else.

"Hi! Oh my god. It's so hot!" She flipped her hair as she laughed softly. "Anyway, where is Rael? I told him yesterday that I am going to visit today. Is he there?" She pointed at the direction where the farmers were.

I furrowed my brows as I looked at Nessa and Lucille.

"Ah! Yes! He is there! You should just wait for him. They will be here any minute now." I was aware that Nessa's smile was fake.

"Okay! Can I sit here for a while? I brought you guys this cake. This is my favorite flavor and I'm sure Rael will also love this." Her smile was sweet and I could say that it was genuine. She put down the box on the table.

Her eyes shifted on me suddenly. Her smile slightly disappeared but it went back immediately. Of course. I returned her smile because I'm not rude.

"I think I didn't see you here yesterday. I'm Nikola. I believe you are not Rael's girlfriend, right?" she uttered cheerfully.

My forehead creased a bit.

"Oh! I am not!" I shook my head.

"That's what I thought. Because I asked him yesterday if he has a girlfriend but his answer was so vague!" She suddenly stood up and waved behind us.

"Rael!"

The farmers were walking towards the hut.

Rael was wearing a plaid longsleeves with a white inner shirt. His bottom was long. He was also wearing a black boots.

Nikola greeted all of them as though she has known them for many years.

"Join us, Nikola. Do you eat these kind of foods?" My brother, Kevin, asked her.

There is adobo, fried milk fish and some vegetables. My mother and Sol were the one who cooked these foods. We helped them in preparing the ingredients.

"I do not eat with barehand. I am sorry," Nikola said in a shy tone when she probably noticed that there was no utensils.

"This woman is really beautiful," I heard Lucille whispered in a sarcastic one beside me.

Nikola did not eat but she sat beside Rael.

"I was texting you the whole night but you were not replying. You just replied this morning." Nikola's voice was low but I heard it clearly. She was smiling but I could hear the disappoinment in her voice.

I was sitting in the middle of Lucille and Nessa. Infront of me is Nikola and beside her is Rael.

Nikola was just eating some fruits using the fork. Her move was very classy and womanly.

"I was busy with some things, Nikola," Rael responded in a cold voice. Our eyes met all of a sudden. Our stare lasted for few seconds. I was the one who broke it off because those eyes was too heavy for me...

And I am still annoyed at him.

"You might get annoyed at me because I am always texting you. I will understand if you will say that you are busy so I will know," Nikola uttered softly.

I discreetly scolded myself. Why am I listening to their conversation?!