"Miryenda po muna kayo! Rest muna, ipahinga ang ating mga kamay at sarili." I happily said as I placed down the foods I bought on the way to the factory or warehouse. I can't made up my mind if i should call its warehouse or factory, but since we are just in the process of makings, maybe factory?

"Maam Laura, malapit na po kaming matapos. Tatlong designs nalang po ng damit at matatapos na po lahat." One worker said. I smiled at him and pat his shoulder 

"Good job mang Fredie, kapag natapos na sa lahat ng damit, magpapa-party ako, gusto niyo ba 'yon?" I asked and mang Fredie chuckled.

"Naku maam, gastos lang 'yon sa inyo. Pasensya na nga po maam at medyo mabagal kami sa paggagawa." Sagot ni mang Fredie at napasimangot naman ako.

"Mang Fredie, hindi po. Hindi po 'yon gastos lang, reward ko po 'yon sa inyo. At.. okay lang naman po kung matatagalan ang paggagawa. Kakaunti palang naman po kayo kaya nai-intindihan ko kung medyo matagal ang paggagawa. Ang mahalaga mang Fredie, ay may natatapos tayo, diba?" I said and Mang Fredie nods and smile. I hand him a burger and drink and he bid goodbye to me.

After giving all the workers their foods. Me, Lester and Ara went to the finished products.

"Maam Laura, bagay na bagay 'to sayo. I'm sure maganda ang kalalabasan ng mga pictures mo! Bebenta agad ito sa market!" Masayang turan ni Lester. Napatawa naman ako ng bahagya bago uminom ng hawak-hawak kong drink.

"It doesn't matter kung bagay sa akin o hindi. Ang dapat ay bagay sa nakararami at magugustuhan nila ito." I softly said and the two nods.

"Sinabi ko na rin po maam sa mga kaibigan ko ang tungkol sa fashion line niyo para kapag open na ang store, bibili na sila." Ara excitedly said and I smiled at her.

"That's great! Thank you so much Ara. Pero baka matagalan pa tayo magbukas. We need to do the photoshoots first and make sure that everything in the store is there." I said and the both of them nods.

"Ay maam Laura, the other day nga po pala, may nag contact sa akin. Friend niyo daw po, if need niyo daw po ng help sa pag de-design sa store, willing daw po silang tumulong. Ang pangalan po ay Jax Gabriela at Tobias Emory, kilala niyo po sila diba?" Lester asked and I nod.

"Yes, they're my closest friends. Tell them maybe.. soon kailangan ko ng tulong. Maybe in the next few days. Diba may photoshoot ako bukas?" I asked and Lester nods.

"Yes maam, 9am till 11am lang po." He said and i nod.

After checking few more things, I bid goodbye to ny workers and drive back to my condo unit. I did some editing for signage and other posters for the store and social media accounts that I made for my business.

Around 1 PM, I had my late lunch while watching a movie. After that, I just took a nap and around 5pm, I woke up and started cooking. I cooked pesto pasta and made some garlic bread. I prepared four meals and quickly changed clothes before driving to the hospital.

"Hoy, what's with the rush?" Ali asked as I was about to leave her clinic.

"Kakadating mo lang, pupuntahan mo na agad si Jiro 'no?" She teasingly  asked and I chuckled.

"Yes, pero alam ko rin na you're leaving in few minutes. Ayaw kong ma-late ka sa next shift mo." I said and she gave me a teasing smile.

"Crush mo talaga ako, agawin kita kay Jiro e. Sige na, ako na magbibigay kay Gwen nito." I said and I smiled at her, mumbling a small thank you before taking another lift.

While walking through the hallway, I checked the eco bag if everything inside is complete such as the utensils and tissues. I arrived in front of Jiro's clinic and I make sure to knock first.

"Come in." He said and i reach for the knob.

"I know its you." He said as I enter his clinic. I slightly chuckled and close the door behind me. I walk towards his table and put down the eco bag.

"I cooked for us, my friends too. Idinaan ko na kay Ali yung sa kanila ni Gwen." I said and he slowly nod before placing another container which contains a dessert inside.

"May naglako ng fruit cake kanina, mukhang masarap so I bought one." He said and I nod. I sat down on the chair across him and hand him his foods.

"This looks nice." He mumbled,

"And it taste nice." I said making him chuckle a bit. He took a bite first and i examine his expression.

"What? Masarap diba?" I said and he chuckled before nodding.

"Oo naman, basta ikaw nagluto." He said and i rolled my eyes.

"Pero mas masarap pa rin yung luto ng boyfriend ni Jax, diba? Diba?!" I asked, pretending I'm mad. He choked on his food and started coughing while laughing at the same time.

"Bahala ka mabulunan, operahan mo sarili mo." I said, before taking a bite of mine. He burst out laughing that made me roll my eyes.

"Pati ba naman 'yon? Of course Laura.. he's..  that's he's speciality." He said and I rolled my eyes.

Few weeks ago, Jax send me foods made by his boyfriend. And of course, I brought Jiro some. And he almost said, hundred times in how good the foods are. And now, I always use it against him.

"Fine, dun kana." I said and he once again burst out laughing.

"Hay Laura, ang cute mo magselos." He said and i rolled my eyes.

"Selos mo mukha mo." I mumbled and take a bit of my garlic bread.

"By the way, how's the factory?" He asked,

"Factory pa rin." I mumbled and I hear him snorts.

"I'll be happy if maging ospital 'yon. Of course it's still a factory, what I mean is,  how's the development of the clothes?" He sarcastically said that made me chuckle as well.

"Hmm.. its nice, the clothes really turn out well. Magaling ang buong team. Three more designs and we can proceed to photoshoots. Gusto mo kunin kitang model?" I asked and he scoffed.

"Model ng? Scalpel? Forceps? Blades?" He joked and I rolled my eyes.

"Hindi, cadaver." I said and he look at me with shocked eyes.

"Lasing ka ba?! You're joking? Wow ha, hindi ko alam na may ganito ka palang side. You should joke more sometimes. I need some good laughs." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't even drink much. I only drink with my friends and I only started drinking noong umuwi ako ng Pilipinas. I barely, barely!  Drink sa New York." I said and he nods while looking down on his foods.

"Me too, I barely even go out sa dorm ko. I'm always in my room studying, while my other classmates go out partying." He said,

"That's why I dont make jokes to you, baka hindi ka tumawa." I said and his head snap up.

"Do you even know how to make jokes?" He asked, raising his brow.

I stare at him blankly, "No, honestly I don't. I was joking." I said and his eyes squinted.

I hear him chuckle and saw him shake his head, "And gulo, buti nalang mahal kita kung hindi baka pagkamalan ko may kulang ka." He said and I rolled my eyes.

I scoffed, "Ewan ko sayo, 'wag na nga, ibang model nalang ng mga damit panlalaki ang kukunin ko." I said and take another bite of my food.

"Sige lang, I won't be jealous." He said and i scoffed once again.

"I'm not trying to get you jealous. Bahala ka nga." I said and look down on my food. I hear him chuckle before I felt his hand on my cheeks.

"Biro lang, don't be mad at me. Baka hindi mo na ako dalhan ng pagkain. Ang sarap mo pa naman magluto. Pwede kana mag-asawa." He said and a small pout formed on my lips as my brows almost cross each other.

"We are not even engaged." I said and I I him let out a small 'o'.

"Okay, expect an engament ring soon then." He said and my brows furrowed. After that he didn't mention anything about engagement or didn't utter any word anymore. We just finished our foods and head out teh hospital. He let me drive msyelf home which I'm thankful because I always bring my car with me.

I arrived at my condo and the day ends there. The next day, I woke up early to prepare on going to the set of the photoshoot. Around 6am, Lester arrived at my condo and around 8am, we head to the set. The make up artists immediately fix my make up. Everything gives me the feels of being a model once again. The hassle dressing room and make ups in front of me. The shoot starts at 9am just like in the schedule. We had few minutes break before going back on the shoot.

Around 11:45, we are able to leave the set. While we are on our way back to my condo, I decided to call Lory to check up on her. I've been busy these weeks and I would only see Ali and Gwen when I visit the hospital.

"Hey, lunch break kana?" I asked when she answered the call.

[Not really, we are in a team building celebration. Nasa resort kami ngayon.] She replied and my mouth formed a small 'o'.

"She's with your parents?" I asked,

[Nope, kasama ni Ali.] She said and my eyes widened.

"What!? Really!? Oh my God! I need to go to the hospital! Bye bye! Ingat ka dyan! We will take care of her!" I said and i hear her laugh before bidding me a goodbye and I end the call.

When I arrived at my condo, I changed to more comfortable clothes first before asking the driver to bring me to the hospital and he can bring back the van to the condo after.

"Ali, where is she?" I immediately asked as I push the door open of Ali's clinic.

"Sssh! Tulog, ikaw naman! Nakakagulat ka! Paano kung may pasyente ako? Gaga ka! Katok-katok din mare pag may time." Ali said and a pout formed on my lips. My shoulders drop and I closed the door behind me.

"Sis, nag lunch kana?" Ali asked as I sit down across her. My eyes widened widened I  realized it's pass 12pm and I still haven't eaten any lunch.

"Ayan, kakaisip ng kung ano-ano, nakakalimutan kumain. Pumunta ka sa cafeteria, andun si Jiro panigurado, kakatapos lang din ng surgery nun kanina." Ani niya at napasimangot ako.

"But I want to stay here. I'll wait for her to wake up." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"Hindi siya aalis dito, kumain kana muna. Sana ma-abutan mo pa lalaki mo don. May next patient pa 'yon." She said and my eyes squinted.

"Bakit alam mo?" I asked and her eyes widened.

"Gaga, pagdududahan mo pa ba ako? Pasyente ko ang  asawa ng next niyang ooperahan. Aahasin ko pa ha boyfriend mo? Baka ikaw pa nga agawin ko sa kaniya. Sige na! Kumain ka muna sa baba!" She said and I pouted exiting her clinic. I once again took the lift and went to the cafeteria. I look around before spotting a table with lots of doctors in coats sitting there. I squinted my eyes a si saw Jiro with them. Oh gosh, ang dami niyang kasama.

I pull out my phone and immediately dialed his number. I saw him look at his phone which is just on the table and pick it up.

[Hey, how's the shoot?] He said out loud and I saw his co-workers started teasing him.

"Ssshhh! You're with your friends. Dont say it out loud. I'm here in the hospital, I'm seeing you right now." I said and i saw him started looking around. Our eyes met and I saw how a smiel formed on his lips.

[Come here, 'wag ka nang mahiya. I'll introduce them to you.] He said and I sigh.

"Fine." I said and end the call before march towards their table.

"Oh my God! Si Laura! Pwede pa picture!? Idol na idol talaga kita nung college!" One girl squealed, I hear the guy at my side scoff.

"Regina tumigil-tigil ka." He said and Jiro made a space beside him to let me sit.

"Kumain kana? What do you want? The food here just states odd pero it's still edible." He softly said and I pursed my lips.

"Kahit ano nalang, I'm not a picky eater." I said and he slowly nod.

"Ms. Laura baka naman si Dr. Egnasio ang gusto niyong kainin?" One doctor ask and my eyes widened. She received a smack from the head from another doctor and I hear Jiro chuckle.

"You want pork chopped with mushroom sauce? It's nice, trust me." He said and I slowly nod. He excused himself first, leaving me with his friends.

"Ms. Laura, sorry kung maingay itong si Regina at Maxine, ganiyan talaga 'yang dalawang 'yan, kulang sa height kaya hindi nakapag model. By the way, Jeffrey nga pala." The guy doctor said and I forced a smile.

"Pwede naman mag model kahit hindi gaano katangkadan. But only few agencies accept them." I said and they nod.

"Totoo pala 'no? Ilang news na rin kumakalat sa internet na may jowa talaga si Ms. Laura. Ang cute niyong dalawa! Bagay na bagay kayo." Jeffrey said and i shyly chuckled. Few minutes Jiro came back with my food.

"Here, it's delicious, promise." He said as he place down the plate.

"Ayyy!! Ang sweet naman, kinikilig ako!" Regina squealed and she received a smack from Jeffrey on the head.

"Awan ko sayo Regina! Tara na nga! Iwan na natin yung dalawa! May pasyente ako in 30 minutes." Jeffey said before standing up from his seat.

"Ay oo nga pala! Ako rin! Jiro hintayin ka nalang namin sa operating room." Maxine said before the 3 of them leaves.

"Bakit hindi ka sumama sa kanila?" I asked while chewing on my food. Jiro chuckled and I felt him brush my hair.

"I want to stay here longer with you." He said and I can't help but to blush.

"Stop it, your work and the life of your patients are more important." I said and he chuckled.

"Oo nga, pero the operation is in 30 minutes pa naman. Pinilit nga lang nila ako kumain." He said and I nod before taking another bite of my food.

"Ali did forced me too. I'm actually here to visit someone in her clinic. I'll just eat quick para makabalik agad ako." I said and he nods. Just lile what i said, I ate quick due to two reason. One, I want to go back back Ali's clinic as soon as possible. And two, some people are starting to take pictures of me already.

"Kumain ka ba talaga? Ang bilis ha!" Ali said as I entered her clinic.

"I did, naabutan ko pa nga si Jiro. He's with with friends. May next operation pa nga siya kaya binilisan ko na." I said and she nods.

"Not yet awake?" I asked and she shakes her head.

"After lunch, maybe after 30 minutes siya nakatulog, so baka mamayang nga 3pm pa siya magising." She said and I slowly nod.

"Where's Gwen?" I asked and she shrug while checking something on her clip board.

"Awan nga eh, hindi siya pumasok. Maybe something came up sa lalaki niya." She said and my mouth formed a small 'o'.

"Diba.. matagal naman na yung accident?" I asked and she shrug.

"Hindi ko alam sa dalawang 'yon. Okay namam yung guy, naka-usap ko na. Kaso.. mukhang iba kasi talaga silang dalawa. May something." She replied and i slowly nod.

"Maybe.. it was a messed up relationship too." I said and she shrugs.

"Maybe.. baka walang naging closure?" She asked and i chuckled.

"We really are bad when it comes sa relationships." I said and she chuckled.

"Baka nga, pero ma-iba ako. You and Jiro are going well. Hindi niyo.. napag-usapan yung past?" She asked and I pursed my lips. Clasping my hands together on the table.

"He.. he doesn't want to talk about it. I've been bringing it up for quiet a lot of times already. But he would always stop me in my mid sentences." I said and she slowly nods and lift her head up.

"Matagal-tagal na rin kayo nagkabalikan. Dapat napag-uusapan niyo na 'yan." She said and i slowly nod.

"I'll try again, soon. If I feel like everything is fine." I said and she nods.

Whenever a patient would come I would go to Ali's bedroom and just let beside  'her'. Around 2 PM she woke up and we started playing non-stop. Ali would scold us after a patient leaves because we're   being too noisy while playing.

Ali said she will take her at her unit because Lory might take longer in their team building. Since I asked my driver this afternoon to take back my van to the condo building. I ask Jiro if I can sleep at his unit for tonight. It was actually my plan at  first since I'm not in the mood to sleep alone again.

"Jiro.. what do you think about having a kid?" I suddenly ask while watching him dry his hair. His head snap at my direction with a confused look on his face.

"Kasal muna, Laura." He said and I chuckled.

"No I mean, do you like having kids?" I asked, he didnt answer immediately and hang his towel before sitting beside me on his bed.

"Of course, lalong lalo na kung sayo ako magkaka-anak. I sometimes imagine you taking care of our kids and being the best mom you can be. Pero.." he reach for the lampshade at my side and turn it off.

"Like what I said, I won't touch you until we haven't said our vows, and exchange our wedding rings first." He said and plant a kiss on my forehead and wrap his arms around me.

And I won't let us get married until we have talked about the past first. I need to know few more things. And I need to explain why I had to hurt you that bad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•