"Roman will pick me up. We can drop you home if you want," presenta ni Meredith habang pinupuno ang baso ko ng lemon juice. Nasa kusina kami ngayon at habang abala ang mga katulong na ipaghanda kami ng almusal, abala naman akong magpawala ng sakit ng ulo. It is always the morning after a night-long party that sucks!

"What did you do last night and why do you look so tired?" intriga nitong tanong.

I didn't answer and drank the juice instead. She chuckled a little and shook her head before serving me breakfast.

I can't help but think about the man. I kissed him, that's for sure, but I cannot remember what happened after. I woke up alone in the bed with a different set of clothes. I tried to regain my memories but my head is still spinning. Sinubukan kong igalaw ang katawan pero bukod sa paa, wala namang ibang masakit.

"Who is it this time?" ani Red habang nakatingin sa akin. I raked my hair and sighed.

"I don't know," I honestly answered. She raised her eyebrow, indicating she needs more of it.

"I don't know him. I don't know if we had sex, or if he used protection if we did," I continued.

It is now her time to sigh. Napahilot pa ito ng sentido na para bang hindi niya akalaing gagawin ko talaga iyon.

Among us three, I admit that I am the black sheep. Meredith may be liberated, but she has a clear mission in life, and she knows how to stick with it. Vinnie is unquestionable even though her brother is the opposite. I, on the other hand, am the type that goes with the flow and beats around the bush. I don't plan, I don't think about what didn't happen yet. I only turned twenty and all I care about is enjoying things that I do.

I play around boys because it is fun. I like getting attention. I find it satisfying when I receive praise and admiration. At first, they are all cool and sport with it, but as time goes by, they make demands, they offer beyond the line, and they proclaim love.

Love. Natawa ako sa naisip. I am no scientist, but I believe that there's a logical explanation for that. Someone cannot be attached to another person just because. The magic and fairy dust aren't included on my list, and there's nothing that could convince me otherwise.

It is also the reason why I never really did it with anyone. So I do not see any point in doing it. If I want to have fun, I'll drink and flirt, but that's it. No one really entertained me enough. Once they are hooked, I lose interest and I never look back again. In fact, I am the kiss-and-ditch type, and my friends know about it. People who aren't involved in my life think that because I am vulgar and liberated, I am also easy. I don't blame them, but I do not need to prove them as well. I have learned long enough that how people see me is their version of reality, but it doesn't mean that it is the truth.

"What's your plan now? You wanna find the guy?" Tanong ni Meredith. I shook my head in response. Bakit pa? I've embarrassed myself already, and I don't plan to add it up. Isa pa, I have bigger things to be worried about.

We are in our last year in adult school. We just survived the last exam which is why we are attending back-to-back parties. Not to mention, we still have the graduation ball to prepare for before the actual ceremony. Finding a random guy after an accidental one night with him is the last on my long list.

I absentmindedly touched my lips. I can only remember fragments of what happened, but I can vividly recall something that he said.

"What? You liked his kisses?" Ani ng kaibigan. I pulled my hand from my lips and continued to eat. Tinawanan niya ako na para bang nakakalibang ang nangyari. "If only you knew how to stick with just one guy, eh di sana, hindi ka nanghuhula kung sino 'yon," dagdag niya.

I rolled my eyes at her. It sounds dull and boring. Iniisip ko pa lang, nauumay na ako.

She continued teasing me about it by saying I have some serious issues. Nadatnan kami ni Vinnie na nagbabatuhan ng pagkain. When she tried to stop us, we made her our target instead. Umabot pa sa puntong naghabulan kami sa kusina patungong swimming pool. Of course, since I am an awful friend, I pushed both of them into the pool. Iniwan ko sila roon na nagpapaunahang umahon.

I went back to the kitchen to get some water. I glanced at the wall clock to check the time. We have two more hours to spend before Roman will pick my friend up. At dahil tumakas lang ako kagabi, wala ring susundo sa akin. It's not like my parents will actually do it anyway.

"Sounds like you're having fun," ani ng boses mula sa likuran. I turned to check the voice and my eyes immediately went huge.

Ismael came near for a hug. I was too stunned to speak, not because he is here, but because of the guy he is with!

He was staring at me the whole time while I was still trying to process everything. Naputol na lang iyon nang kumawala si Ismael sa pagkakayakap sa akin.

"What? Did Vinnie not tell you I am coming home?" Aniya at saka ko pa lang siya binalingan ng tingin. I gave a nervous chuckle and shook my head.

"Well, surprise?" Aniya na muli kong tinawanan. I tried so hard to keep my eyes on him despite feeling a gaze not far from me.

"I hoped they cooked something for us. I only told Vinnie about it, but I forgot to request some food," ani Ismael. Tumango ako kahit na hindi ko naman naintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

"Oh, Kuya, you're early," komento ni Vinnie pagpasok. Hinayaan ko silang magkamustahan doon. I checked the guy's side again and saw that his eyes were still on me. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. It was like he's not even trying to hide it!

"Manang, can you serve some food by the pool? We had coffee on our way, but I don't think I'll eat. Kayo ba?" Ani Ismael sa mga kasama. Some of them were actually familiar to me. Kaya naman labis ang pagtataka ko kung bakit hindi ko kakilala ang lalaki.

I tried to remember him from before. Ismael went straight to college while Vinnie stayed for adult school. He moved out and attended a different school in a different district and only comes home when he likes it. Sa tuwing umuuwi ito ay nagsasama siya ng kaibigan, mostly boys from his sports team. I met some of them, but never this man.

But he was already here last night! It means he didn't travel with Ismael coming here. Or is he his relative?

I wanted to ask Vinnie while we are at their pool, but she will get weirded out for sure. I don't want to give the impression that I am interested as well. To top that, I just know the moment I will ask it, Red will get the hint.

Saglit na umalis si Meredith para salubungin si Roman. Vinnie is occupied tending to his brother's visitors as if they don't have enough helpers to do that. Their pool area extends far. Unlike last night, I can now clearly see their backyard under broad daylight. The grass-covered lawn has been cleaned and the tables are gone already. The mirror ceiling reveals an open sky as the sunlight sways with the pool, like some crystals are floating on it.

I was left alone in the pool and the group was on the other side. Some of them went to rest but there are still few who remained. By far, this is the biggest group Ismael brought home so far. I'm not even sure why. Their birthday is still months from now.

In between the crowd, I found the same, familiar eyes. His jet black hair sways with the wind. He's holding a glass of I can only guess as an orange juice. Everyone around him was occupied with the food and socializing, but his focus remained on me.

I sighed and decided to take another dip in the pool. I swam for one lap before deciding to end it. Nang umahon ay nakarinig pa ako ng pito mula sa isa sa kanila. I glanced at whoever it was and the guy waved at me. I gave a playful grin na agad namang nakaani ng panunukso mula sa kanyang mga kaibigan.

My grin disappeared when I saw the guy. Compared to the gaze he was giving me a while ago, his forehead is now creased and his lips on a thin line. Anong problema nito?

I saw Vinnie waving at me. I waved back and pointed to the inside of her house before making my way in. I went straight to the room and had a quick rinse before changing into a pink spaghetti dress. I did my hair and applied lip gloss as well.

Based on the way he stares at me, I am certain that he knows who I am last night, not to think he was there twice. If he is a friend or a relative of the Rivieras, how come he didn't introduce himself, or let Vinnie introduce him for that matter?

I don't know how screwed I am if he is a relative of my friend. Malilintikan ako kay Vinnie kapag nalaman niyang may nangyari sa amin ng kapamilya niya!

But what if he's just a friend? Ismael and I don't have any mutual agreement, but I am aware of his feelings towards me. What would happen to them? To us?

I grunted and shook my head. Kailan pa ako nagsimulang mamroblema tungkol sa lalaki?

Pissed off at my own self, I went out of the room and went to the kitchen. Nauna kong nakita si Meredith na nagtitimpla ng inumin. Sa kanyang tabi si Roman, bitbit ang isang hindi ko mapangalanang ulam. Roman is whispering something on my friend's ear which made them laugh. I faked a cough and their attention turned to me.

"Let's eat lunch here before going home," ani Red na tinanguan ko. Roman excused himself and left us. Tahimik kong pinagsilbihan ang sarili habang panay tikhim ang ginagawa ni Meredith sa tabi ko.

"What?" I asked her so she can stop whatever she's doing. Lumaki ang mata niya at sinubukang pigilan ang tawa. In the end, she became serious when I didn't start laughing.

"It was the guy, huh?" Komento niya na nakapagpalaki ng mata ko. She grinned like she just hit a jackpot.

"Who is he?" Maliit na boses kong tanong. Sinimangutan niya ako na para bang kahibangan ang tanong na iyon.

"He's been here a few times!" Aniya na mas lalo kong ikinagulat. Akala ko'y nagbibiro siya pero sa paraan ng tingin niya sa akin, mas lalo yata siyang gulat kaysa sa akin. She gasped like I was so unbelievable while I remained dumbfounded with her revelation!

"Wait, you don't really know him?" Tanong niya habang nanatili akong tahimik. "My goodness! You never fail to surprise me!" Dagdag nito. I have to cover her mouth because she was being loud at it!

Sa daan palabas ay hindi ko siya tinigilan. I wanted to know who the guy was, but she won't give me any! Nakarating na kami sa pool area nang lumapit si Roman at kunot-noo kaming pinagmasdan.

I eventually stopped. Fine! It's not like I am really interested in him anyway!

Wala na akong nagawa nang tinawag kami ni Vinnie upang umupo sa hapag-kainan. Around the wooden rectangular table are Ismael, his friends, and Vinnie. My knees felt weak when I realized there's only three vacant chairs remaining, and one of them is in front of the guy!

Meredith gestured to the seat beside her. I frowned while she smirked. Hindi pa talaga siya nakuntento sa pang-iinis sa akin at gusto pang sa harap ako ng lalake umupo!

I managed to settle without shaming myself. The helpers started serving us the food. Nasa dulo ako ng table, katabi si Meredith. Beside her is Roman and in front of Roman is Vinnie, who's beside the guy that is in front of me. Speaking of, halos mapaubo ako nang maabutan ang tingin niya sa akin. Does he even know the word discreet?!

"So, I was saying, Lacuston is pretty boring. I mean, there's nothing much here in the day except for resto and boutiques. We have mountain trails if you want to hike, but aside from that, I don't think there's more to see," pagsisimula ni Vinnie sa usapan.

"I told them that, but they want to experience the nightlife instead," Ismael, who's seated beside his sister, glanced towards me. His sister elbowed him when he gave me a wink. I smiled wryly and sipped on my juice. Nang bumaling ako sa lalaki at nakitang nakatingin pa rin ito sa akin ay halos maubo ako!

"I can get us a pass tonight," presenta ni Roman sa grupo. Nabaling sa kanya ang tingin ng lalake. Ismael clapped his hands like it was a good idea.

They continued discussing their plans on touring the area. Paminsan-minsan ay tinatanong ako tungkol sa mga pwedeng gawin, but most of the time, I remained silent.

The lunch ended swiftly. Hindi ko alam kung hindi lang ako gutom o sadyang hindi ako makakain ng maayos dahil katapat ko iyong lalaki. And don't get me wrong. I am always sport with the guys I dealt with before. Heck, some of them even became acquaintances. Ngayon lang ako nagkaganito, and for what?!

I excused myself and went upstairs. Red said we are leaving in a few minutes and I want to get ready soon. Wala pa namang pasensya iyon pagdating sa paghihintay. Isa pa, I can't stand being near the guy. Not when he won't stop looking at me!

I took the time to gather my stuff. Buti na lang at nalabhan ang damit ko kagabi dahil hindi ko yata kayang iuwi iyon pagkatapos noong nangyari. I packed it into a small bag that I found in one of the cabinets. I even retouched and freshened up. Nang makuntento ay saka lang ako lumabas ng kwarto.

To my surprise, the man was already outside of the door. Salungat sa gulat kong hitsura ay kalmado siya, tila alam na papalabas na ako. He blocked my way yet I cannot find the strength to tell him to step aside. Wala rin yata itong planong umalis sa harapan ko dahil titig na titig ito sa akin.

I equalled his intensifying stare with a curious one. I am dying to ask him, but the way he looked at me made my mind blank. It was as if I was curious one minute and the next second, I feel... drawn to him.

Sa tagal ng pagtitig ko sa kanya ay hindi ko maiwasang punahin ang kanyang mukha. I was tipsy last night and there was a minimal amount of light for me to see him. Even then, I knew he looked good. It was probably the alcohol but now that I'm feet apart from him, I can clearly validate that fact.

His thick, dark hair is in a clean cut mode. A mole under the lower lid of his right eye is visible at this distance. His dark brown, almost black pair of eyes were intense. A perfectly shaped brow, pointed nose, and red, red lips screams everything about him.

He started to advance and my knees trembled. It feels like he has this invisible force around him that I cannot explain. Kumunot ang noo ko habang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya. May isang parte sakin na sumisigaw ng kung ano. My nape burned with heat and I touched it, hoping it would cool down.

I was about to step closer to him when Ismael appeared from the corner. Kuryuso itong nakatingin sa amin. His lips were in a grim line and his brows furrowed. I cleared my throat and smiled at him.

"Come, I'll drive you home." Aniya habang nakatingin parin sakin. Wala sa sarili akong tumango at nilagpasan ang lalake.

Ismael held me by my elbow as we descended on the stairs. Too shocked to react, I let him be until we reached the bottom of it. Binitawan niya iyon nang hinanap ang kapatid.

Nang makabawi ay lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan namin. Bakante ang espasyo ng hallway, wala ang nais masulyapan. I exhaled a big amount of air and walked away.