January 2025

"Yeah, it went great! Sold a couple in three days, and just now someone purchased your portrait! That's why I had to call..." Julian's voice trails off as he nods his thanks to the barista, snagging his cup of tea from the counter, then heads to the Sun Life lobby.

"You wouldn't sell it to your Tito Randy, but you sold it to someone else?" Lina questions over the line.

"I could sketch you another one for free. And it's gonna be the best one. A masterpiece!" Julian promises, hopping into one of the elevators. His eyes widen when he spots Myka already inside. She waves, and he holds up his phone apologetically. With a knowing smile, she presses the buttons for floors 10 and 11, and the elevator begins its ascent.

"Ma, I'm already at work. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Come home this weekend. We still have so much holiday food left. You should've packed some."

"Okay, yeah, I will. Give Mark a cuddle for me, please?"

"How about you visit so you can see your brother—"

"I will! Love you! Talk soon!" He plants loud, exaggerated smooches into the phone and hangs up.

Myka nudges him lightly. "So, how's it going? How were the holidays?"

"Pretty great. Spent time with my family. Yours?"

"Same. Just family... What's that talk with your Mom?"

"Oh! That! Well, my first exhibit's been a success for the most part. Sold three works..."

"Three already?! That's amazing." Myka grins as she loosens her blazer. "Told you it'd be a hit."

Julian rocks back on his heels, a touch of pink tiptoeing to his neck. "Not really a hit. But it's nice. I didn't think I'd sell a single piece. And another curator has reached out... It's surreal."

Myka playfully wiggles her eyebrows. "This calls for celebratory drinks."

"Do you ever not find an excuse for a drink?" he groans. "It's our first day back."

"Hey, day one deserves a toast! Plus, I recruited you to this firm to be my drinking buddy..."

The elevator dings, the door sliding open to the tenth floor. "I'll text you the deets. Bring Evan!"

Julian doesn't bother protesting. It's practically routine. Since he joined the firm roughly six months ago, Myka would swing by his floor to rope him in at the end of the day. With Evan's office conveniently around the corner, the three of them had somehow become an unlikely trio, carving out a habit of post-work drinking.

"Good morning, everyone," Julian greets as he makes his way through the rows of desks. He converses with his colleagues about their holiday celebrations, sharing a laugh or two. Eventually, everyone settles in their respective cubicles, and the workday commences.

Two desktop screens displaying financial statements and spreadsheets in front of him, Julian's fingers fly across the keyboard, formula shortcuts flowing effortlessly. Between tasks, he takes a fifteen-minute breather, strolling around the floor and then sitting by the glass windows to admire the skyline. Makati City is as busy as ever.

A text notification pulls his attention. He glances at the messages and squirms. Seriously? The dude doesn't know when to quit. Two dates and a nice "it wasn't going to work" should've been enough. Yet, the messages keep coming.

"Ah, Ate Myka. You're so gonna pay for my drink..." Julian grumbles. Why had he ever let her swipe on his dating app for him?

Sighing, Julian deletes the message with a flick of his thumb and ambles back to his desk.

Time to dive back into the spreadsheets and crunch some numbers.

******

"Non-alcoholic drinks?!" Myka grunts in exasperation as she inspects her fake sangria. "You boys have turned weak. Weak!"

Evan places strips of meat on the grill, the sizzling sound slicing through the laughter, clouds of smoke rising around them.  "I have a backlog, okay?" He removes his sweater and laments, "And why didn't you warn me about Korean barbecue night? I wore my new top! It's gonna reek."

Julian and Myka scoff in unison.

"Remember when you lived in band shirts and loose jeans, and then your hair would stick out because you didn't shower every day?" Julian quips. "Good times."

Evan glares at him. "It's called growth, Julian. I work in corporate now. I've outgrown that phase!"

Julian grabs a pair of tongs and helps cook the beef. "And you, Ate Myka? Don't you have a hearing soon? You should be prepping for that."

Myka rolls her eyes and leans back in her chair. "Stop. I'm trying to unwind here."

Evan switches the topic. "Anyway, Julian, how's the exhibit doing? I heard folks rave about your technique when we were there."

Julian grins. "It's not bad. For my first one, I've sold three pieces out of the ten I submitted to the gallery."

"Wow, that's so awesome," Evan beams. "Funny how you used to say it was just a hobby."

Myka nods. "Took forever to convince him into selling even one work."

It's Julian's turn to do an eye roll. "It was just a hobby. I don't have room to keep all my work in my new apartment. And my old room's a storage unit now. That's the main motivation."

"Regardless," Evan says. "We'll be there for your next one."

"Thanks. Appreciate it."

Myka picks up her fork and cuts a small piece of chicken, chewing thoughtfully. "By the way, I've got news to share..."

Julian asks coolly, "What news?"

"The new lawyer the senior partners have been talking about is officially coming on board."

"And...?"

"You know who it is."

Julian flips the meat over. "I do? Do I know other lawyers besides you?"

His phone rings suddenly, pulling his focus from his companions. Expression turning sour, he shows Myka the caller ID.

"Oh, shit. He's still after you?"

"It's been almost a month. I don't get what his deal is."

"Who's this?" Evan asks, glancing over the phone, as he uses a pair of scissors to cut the meat.

"A weirdo Ate Myka picked for me when she was drunk as hell," Julian whines, waiting for the ringing to end.

"I'll take responsibility. Let me block him." Myka lunges to steal his phone, but Julian flicks her forehead.

"No way. I'm not letting you anywhere near my phone again."

"Then you do it! What a creep," Myka utters, wrapping a piece of pork in lettuce and dipping it in sauce before shoving it into her mouth.

"Look at you, Julian. You're popular now, huh?" Evan teases, elbowing him.

"If it's going to be like this guy, count me out."

Myka giggles. "Why? Did you put out on the second date, and he couldn't get enough?"

Julian wrinkles his nose. "Get your mind off the gutter! What do you think of me? I let him hold my hand, sure, but everything else? Not happening until... I learn more 'bout him. Which isn't likely to happen."

Evan dramatically claps. "Wow. Just holding hands, and you've got him hooked. Impressive work."

Julian sips from his glass of sparkling water. "What can I say? I'm that hot."

Evan and Myka burst out laughing.

"Sure, sure. Hot." Myka snickers, tapping Julian's nose with an index finger. "You're hot for a... what's that term? When you look young and skinny..."

Julian leers at her and snatches her newly lettuce-wrapped pork. "Don't you dare." He devours it.

Myka laughs. "I'm joking!"

"I'm going to start working out! You'll see!"

"No! Don't work out!"

"I'm serious! I will!"

"We know you wouldn't! You said that last month!"

"Ate Myka!"

******

That following weekend, Julian finds movers loading boxes and furniture into unit 803 across from him. It feels like residents are moving in every other day—not surprising, given the building's prime location. It's just a fifteen-minute walk to his office, a big perk. Myka had done him a favor recommending this new flat to him.

What he hadn't anticipated? Some of his colleagues living in the same building, scattered on various floors. With fifteen floors in total, Julian often runs into someone. He isn't obligated to give them a smile or a nod of acknowledgment, but he does it anyway. Occasionally, though, he'd rather go unnoticed.

Even he, an extrovert, needs a break from constant socializing.

It's also the reason why he wouldn't use the gym on the first floor. Or at least, that's the excuse he's feeding himself and Myka.

Julian gets out of the cab and eagerly rings the doorbell. When the door swings open, Mark and Lina are waiting for him.

"Kuya!" the four-year-old boy calls out, stretching his arms wide.

"Ahhhh, Marky!" Julian beams, scooping his younger brother up and planting a kiss on the top of his head. "How're you, buddy?"

"Good," he mutters, fidgeting with his tiny fingers.

"He's been waiting for you all morning."

"Sorry. Got caught in traffic," he says, leaning over to give Lina's cheek a peck. He sets Mark down, clutching his hand as they head to the dining table where lunch is prepared.

"Where's Tito Randy?"

"At work," Lina replies, placing a cup of rice onto his plate.

Julian raises a brow, pulling Mark onto his lap. "On a Sunday?"

"You know how it is. Big project means he's swamped."

"And you're okay? Not bored?"

She pours water into their glasses and smiles. "Bored? With your brother making me run around after him?"

Mark giggles.

Julian leans in, feigning sternness. "John Mark, are you wearing Mama out?"

"Noooo!"

"No?"

Mark's eyelashes dance. "Noooo. I'm not a bad boy."

"Well, there you have it. Children don't lie."

Lina chuckles, shaking her head. "He reminds me of you."

"What? Super cute and charming and smart—"

"Overflowing with energy," she cuts in with a grin. "So, how's everything?"

"Same, same. I mean, I was just here a week ago. Nothing much has changed." Julian bounces Mark on his lap, eliciting another round of giggles. "I just missed this kiddo. Plus, I want the leftovers."

"And the art exhibit?"

"It's wrapping up soon. I'm taking care of it. I've been talking with another interested curator..." His smile broadens. "I'll give you a cut for that painting. It's officially the most expensive one I've ever sold. They offered more than my asking price!"

Lina waves him off. "No, save it for yourself. Travel somewhere. Buy your friends a meal. Or better yet... take someone special out."

Julian snorts, drinking his water. "I'm not spending that much on a date."

She arches her brow.  "So you are dating someone?"

"So, you were just trying to corner me?" he huffs, his lips twisting up. "I'm dating here and there, Ma. But no one's worthy of your attention."

"But you are looking for someone who is?"

He shrugs. "I'm 24. A few unworthy ones are part of the process..."

"Fine," Lina concedes with mock seriousness. "Just be careful. Use protection."

"Ma!" Julian huffs, clapping his hands over his brother's ears. "Why would you say that? And you're lecturing me when you're the one who had a miracle baby?"

"At least I'm sleeping with one person."

"Ma!" Julian grunts again, throwing his head back. Lina reaches over and touches his hand, laughing.

*****

Julian loves his mother dearly. But ever since that night he'd poured his heart out to her, she's taken a keen interest in the romantic side of his life, which could sometimes be overwhelming. In the beginning, it was all about Joaquin. Whether they were still in touch.

And they were. Technically.

After all, there were events they had to put up with each other's presence on multiple occasions: the AIESEC farewell party. Alexander's birthday. Another member's birthday... But despite the awkwardness, they'd managed to be civil.

Sort of. To be precise, they'd managed to avoid each other completely, faking cordial relations when the situation demanded it. The end of that term marked the end of Joaquin's time at the university, and they inevitably went their separate ways.

Julian heaves a sigh as he gets into the elevator. No need to reminisce. Best to leave the past in the past. The reality is that his mother is still worried about him. She passes it off as playful teasing, but he knows she is worried. He hates it, feeling like a burden at his age.

Should he actually take dating seriously? So his mother would be at ease?

Another sigh. It's not that he isn't being sincere.

But you can't force relationships. He's learned that lesson the hard way.

Also, it's not as if he's surrounded by the most dateable men around! Sure, they're not straight men anymore, but none of them have that spark. That heart-skipping factor. Or worse, some of them are just outright creepy.

Like this one—standing right in front of his door.

"Julian," he calls, voice husky and thick with intoxication. His eyes are bloodshot, with dark circles beneath them. Myka really thought this was the guy for him?

Julian swallows, pulse picking up. "Christian," he says as calmly as possible. "How did you find, uh, this place...?"

"The internet."

Fuck the internet.

Why did he post his moving day? He basically doxxed himself like a fool.

"And why are you here?"

"Because you blocked me." Christian staggers as he inches closer to Julian. Julian freezes, weighing his options. Should he make a run for it? Call the police?

"Look, I... I've made it clear that I'm not interested. I'm sorry. But this... This isn't okay. You can't just show up like this."

Christian clicks his tongue and roars, "Then why the hell did you block me?!"

Panic surges in Julian's throat, his shaky fists balled in his sides. He needs to get out. He can't reason with someone who's clearly not in their right state of mind.

But just as he retreats and pivots on his heel, he's stopped short by another person in his way. "S-Sorry–"

Julian's breathing hitches. Hooded amber eyes. Square-shaped thin-framed glasses. Sharp, sculpted jaw. He's just as he remembers him, yet somehow, not.

"What's going on here?"

Julian needs something stronger than a drink.

******

A/N: Hello, hello, hello! We are finally back! Hope everyone had an amazing holiday season because I did! I'm running behind on written chapters, though. So we'll only do two chapters a week. As usual, once I have written and edited more, we'll return to three.

Hope you guys are ready for cuteness, *some* spice, and everything in between. <3