Said I Loved You But I Lied

I loved you. But you didn't love me back. I tried to move on but you wouldn't let
me. Now we're both stuck -- me in the present, you in the past and I do not know
who's the bigger fool.

Dear Readers,

This story just begs to be written. Another romantic possibility from the
hopelessly romantic psyche of your weird author. This is the story of Lee Ann and
Nickolai and I suggest that you read Red String of Fate first so you'll have a
background of Nick and Lee Ann.

♥ jennicka

Chapter 1
A three-year old girl sat uncomprehending as her father shook the hand of his best
friend. She didn't understand why her mother was inside the rectangular box. All
she knew was that they were supposed to bring her baby brother home today.

"Condolence, Pare." Atty. Sandoval said as he patted the arm of his friend. "Ganyan
talaga, may unforeseen complications ang panganganak. I know my words sound hollow
because no words will ever be able to assuage your pain. Magsabi ka lang kung anong
maitutulong namin."

"Salamat, Ferdie. Sapat nang nandito kayo para damayan kami."

"How's the little girl holding up?"

"Hindi nya naiintindihan ang mga nangyayari." Atty. Carbonel replied looking at his
daughter whose eyes were wide in wonder as she looked at the throngs of people who
came to pay respect to her mother. Francoisca Carbonel was well-loved by the
employees of their company. She was always kind, approachable and generous to a
fault.

"Dito kami matutulog ng mga bata para may kasama kayo." Atty. Sandoval said and
Atty. Carbonel felt his eyes water at his friend's support.

"Salamat, Ferdie."

"Pare, noong namatay ang asawa ko, ang buong pamilya nyo sa bahay tumira ng ilang
linggo, hindi na tayo iba sa isa't isa, ano ka ba." He said and his friend nodded
his head as he looked at Lee Ann. "Kaya mo yan, nandito lang kami." Atty. Sandoval
added.

Lee Ann stared at the crowd as she squirmed under the layers of the white satin and
tulle that one of their househelps made her wear. "Dad." She called her father but
he only turned his face for a few seconds towards her as another guest arrived.
"Dad!" She tried again.

"Lee Ann, behave. Dad has to attend to the guests." He whispered and she squirmed
more.

"Thirsty." She said but he ignored her. The tulle under her satin dress felt itchy
and she wanted to approach the box they put her mom in to wake her up. "Mommy!" She
called. "Mommy!" She tried again. Her mom always knows what to do, she always knows
when she's thirsty and she's thirsty now. "Mommy!" She called, louder this time.

"Shh, anak." Her father reprimanded her gently.

"Mommy!"

"Akin na po, Tito." A teenage boy approached as he took her from her father's arms.

"Salamat, Nick." Her father gratefully said patting the teenager's shoulders.

"What do you want, Lee Ann?" The teenager asked her. "Are you hungry?"

"Water po." She replied and he smiled at her.

"Lee Ann has learned her po and opo." He teased and she grinned as he led her
towards the kitchen. He asked one of the house helps for a glass of water and they
smiled dotingly at him. His name's Nickolai Sandoval, Atty. Ferdinand Sandoval's
eldest son. The boy wonder -- accelerated twice, born a charmer and a debater like
his father, witty like his mother. At fourteen, he's already a high school senior
and he heads his school's school paper. People praise him for his commanding
presence and the legendary Sandoval charisma.

"Thank you po." She said.

"No longer thirsty?" He asked as she handed him the glass of water after she nearly
gulped down half of it.

"Opo." She answered. "But aren't you supposed to say you're welcome because I said
thank you?" She asked much to his amusement.

"You're welcome, Lee Ann." He said. He's impressed at how grown-up she talks. She's
only three but she sounds like she's older.

"Very good." She said.

"You don't sound like a baby." He teased and she stared at him.
"I'm a baby." She answered.

"Yes, but you don't talk like one."

"Because Mommy said I shouldn't mumble my words but instead say them clearly like a
lady." She reasoned and he laughed. He lost his mother two years ago and he
understood how confusing it must be to the three-year old child. No matter how
grown-up you talk, you're still a child. He thought, taking pity on the girl.

"Is there anything else that you want to do, baby girl?"

"I want to see Mommy." She said and his pity tripled. "Where's Kuya Alex?" She
asked referring to his younger brother.

"He's with Dad, your Tito Ferdie." Nickolai replied and she nodded her head as he
led her back to the front of the house where her mother's remains were laid. She
stared at the rectangular box again, puzzled why her mother has still not waken up.
She was at the hospital when they covered her with a white blanket and she had
protested telling everyone that her mother might have difficulty breathing.

"Why isn't Mommy waking up?" She haltingly asked him and he took her small hands in
his. He crouched down beside her to be eye-level with her.

"Your Mommy is in heaven with my Mommy." He said and she frowned.

"No! My Mommy is right there, inside that box!" She announced. "There!" She pointed
at the box again and his expression softened as he hugged her to his chest.

"Remember what I told you before about stars? That they are Mommies, Daddies and
everyone that everyone loves?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Your Mommy is one of the stars now." He said. "She will watch over you from up
there so you remain a good girl, okay?"

"No." She replied and he chuckled as he chucked her under the chin.

"You don't want to be a good girl?" He asked and she shook her head.

"I want Mommy here." She uttered with a pout as her lower lips started to tremble.
"I want Mommy here, not up there." She repeated, her eyes starting to fill with
tears and he smiled at her tenderly.

"Mommy is here." He said, putting a hand against her chest. "She's in your heart so
that means she is wherever you are. Do you understand?" He asked as her tears fell
one by one. He took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her tears with and she
closed her eyes willing for her tears to stop falling. "Hey, stop crying." He
whispered as her thin shoulders shook.

"Lee Ann is now alone." She sobbed.

"No, that's not true. Lee Ann is not alone because Lee Ann still has her Dad."

"But it's different. Dad's always at the office and he doesn't play with Lee Ann. I
want Mommy. Mommy said she'll never leave Lee Ann."

"Lee Ann's Mommy did not leave her and she'll be watching over her."
"But I want someone who'll watch me down here not from up there." She stubbornly
said.

"Kuya Nick will take care of Lee Ann so she won't feel alone." He said as he
gathered her in his embrace.

"No. I want my Mommy."

"You don't want Kuya to take care of you? Now, Kuya Nick's sad." He said as he
scrunched his face. "Now you're going to make Kuya cry."

"Sorry." She mumbled as she cried harder. "I'm sorry, Kuya." She hiccupped. "Please
don't cry."

"Kuya will stop crying as soon as Lee Ann stops crying." He said and nearly laughed
when she bit her lower lip to prevent her sobs from spilling forth as she wiped her
eyes with the back of her hand. "Why are you crying?"

"Because Lee Ann is afraid." She miserably said. She's always been afraid about a
lot of things -- lightning, darkness, being alone.

"Why are you afraid? Aren't you brave?"

"No." She sobbed and he smiled.

"Lee Ann is brave. In fact, Lee Ann is the bravest girl Kuya Nick knows. But just
in case, Lee Ann gets scared, she needn't have to worry because Kuya Nick will be
there for her." He uttered and she looked at him.

"How can you be there for Lee Ann when you don't live in this house?" She asked and
he laughed affectionately at her quip.

"But Kuya Nick is in Lee Ann's heart so Kuya Nick is wherever Lee Ann is. If you're
afraid you'll only need to think of Kuya Nick and he'll come running to you, okay?"
He spoke and her brows furrowed. "You don't believe me?" He asked and she stared at
him. "I will make sure that you will never feel alone or lonely. I will take care
of you." He said and she nodded her head as she wrapped her little arms around his
neck.

"Thank you, Kuya Nick." She murmured and his heart just melted.

"You're welcome." He answered. "Lee Ann will never feel scared again, right?" He
asked and she nodded her head. "Is that a promise?" He asked and she nodded her
head again. "I want to hear you say it."

"I promise I won't be scared." She recited and he patted her head affectionately.

"Very good."

"But Kuya, do you promise to stay with Lee Ann even when she's no longer afraid?"
She asked and he looked at her and smiled.

"I promise." He said and she beamed. Not realizing that she held on to his words
even as years passed; not comprehending that even then he meant the world to her;
not recognizing the adoration in her eyes that would take years to extinguish and
not grasping that her affection for him would grow as she gets older. And all
because he promised.
 AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Readers, taglish to. Ingglesera lang si Lee Ann nung bata sya kaya ganyan. Pero sa
Chapter 2 hindi na kayo magno-nosebleed.

♥ jennicka

Chapter 2
Lee Ann Carbonel grew up having everything - an adoring father, a doting line-up of
people who are readily at her disposal and the Carbonel wealth, which made sure
that she's never left wanting. But unlike girls her age she played with dolls
instead of real children, she had a bevy of tutors instead of going to a real
school because Leandro Carbonel was afraid to let her daughter out of his sight
after he lost his wife. It's been two years since her father died and Lee Ann is
now a freshman BS Biology student at Ateneo de Manila University.

"Lee!" Someone called and the sixteen-year old turned her head. At 5 feet five
inches tall, Leandro Carbonel's daughter is a head-turner with her wavy, dark brown
hair, expressive dark-brown eyes, ready smile and fair complexion.

"Nicko!" She replied waving back. "Bakit?" She asked smiling.

"Susunduin ka ba mamaya?" The seventeen-year old boy asked. Nicholas Bentley de

Jesus came from a family of well-known doctors and he has been very vocal about his
feelings towards the younger girl who admitted that there's someone she likes. But
he's resolute and persistent. Hindi sya naniniwalang may bagay na di nakukuha sa
dasal at tiyaga. Kaya wala na syang ginawa kundi buntutan ang dalaga at maging
semi-personal assistant nito.
"Oo. Kelan ba ako hindi sinundo?" Lee Ann asked. She used to hate Nicko's attention
and the fact that he's the namesake of the person who broke her heart. But as they
got closer, Lee Ann realized na magkaibang-magkaiba ang dalawa lalaki -- Nicko is
spirited and fun while Nick is... Nick.

"Bakit naman ang taray mo? Nagtatanong lang naman ako." Nicholas asked sheepishly
and she laughed. They've been friends for months and Lee Ann felt very comfortable
with the young man.

"Hindi pa ako nagtataray sa lagay na to, Nick. I mean Nickolai. I mean Nicholas.
Pwede bang Bentley na lang itawag ko sayo?" She suddenly asked and he laughed at
how adorable she looks even when she stutters.

"You can call me whatever you want. You can even call me baby." He kidded and she
rolled her eyes at him.

"Is that supposed to turn me on?" Tanong nya at tumawa ang binata ng malakas.

"You're really precious, Lee Ann." He said turning serious. "And I really, really
like you."

"Naku, andito na naman tayo sa I really, really like you na part. As I said I have
someone I like who doesn't like me back and who made my heart incapable of liking
anyone else. For now."

"Yun naman pala meron naman palang for now, kaya maghihintay ako."

"Nicko pwede bang wag kang maging tanga tulad ko? Walang napapala sa paghihintay."
She said and he chuckled.

"Kung ikaw ang mapapala ko sa paghihintay, I will wait no matter how long it
takes." He announced and she somehow felt sad at his words. Parehong-pareho kami.
Siguro ganito rin katanga ang tingin sa akin ni Kuya Nick. She thought as he smiled
at her. "Tara na, our next class is about to start." He said and she nodded her
head.

"Nicko."

"Yes?"

"Do not wait for me."

"Bakit?"

"Because waiting is a waste of time." She answered. "Take it from me; I learned it
the hard way." She added smiling sadly at him.

"No pressure, Lee. Gusto lang kitang maging kaibigan. Muna. I want to know you
more. Besides, di naman ako nagmamadali. Ang bata pa natin, pareho pa nating
gustong maging doktor kaya medyo matagal-tagal na panahon pa ang gugugulin natin sa
pag-aaral.

"Ganun din ang sabi ko sa sarili ko dati. That he can take his sweet time since I'm
in no hurry to be called his someone special but that's just bullshit. Masakit
maghintay. Masakit mangarap at masakit ang umasa sa wala." She murmured and he
looked at her despondent face.

"Hey, wag kang magdrama lalo akong nai-inlove." He kidded and she laughed.
"Loko."

"Sino ba yang taong nagpapalungkot sayo? Ilang beses na tayong nagkakwentuhan pero
hindi mo pa sinabi sa akin ang pangalan nya." He asked and she shrugged.

"Hindi mo na kailangang malaman ang pangalan nya ano, baka ma-shock ka." She
retorted grinning. "He's a family friend. I grew up holding his hand. Yun nga lang
friend lang talaga tingin nya sa akin. He thinks of me as a child."

"Wait, he thinks of you as a child? Bakit, ilang taon na ba sya?"

"He's twenty-seven." She answered and he comically widened his eyes at what she
said.

"He's that old?" He asked aghast and she cracked up. "What do you see in him?"

"A lot." She said. "Kaya ikaw, wag mo na akong hintayin at wala kang mapapala sa
akin. Magiging forever Tita lang ako ng mga pamangkin ko and I'm sure tatanda akong
dalaga."

"Masyado ka namang maganda para tumandang dalaga."

"Masyado kang bolero." She answered. "Lahat ba ng lalaki talagang innate na

bolero?"

"Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo." He uttered as they entered their classroom and took
their seats. He watched as one of their classmates asked Lee Ann about their
assignment. The first time he saw her was at the Ateneo Freshman Orientation
Seminar at the covered courts. She was standing alone and he was with his friends,
excited at the prospect of finally shedding their high school uniform and be
regarded as cool college dudes. Three things caught his attention that day -- her
face that begged to be stared at, her air of regal gracefulness and the fact that
he suddenly felt like hugging her to protect her from what's bad in the world. He
approached her then to introduce himself and although she looked surprised, she was
friendly and nice. It was love at first sight for him but it was friend-zone at
first sight for her.

"Nicko, hoy!" She called and he blinked.

"Bakit?" He asked, embarrassed at the idea of being caught gaping at her.

"Sabi ko anong kailangan mo at kanina ka pa nakangiti sa akin?" She said and he

blushed some more.

"Wala. May iniisip lang ako." He retorted and she shrugged.

"Gusto mo ng picture ko kesa nakatitig ka sa akin ng ganyan? It will last longer."

She kidded grinning at him and he stared at her in surprise. She was more
surprised, however, at his reply.

"Okay lang ba?"

"Hoy, joke lang yun!" She said laughing uneasily. "Ano ka ba!" She added as her
ears turned red.

"Nagba-blush o." Nicko teased and she arched her brow at him which made him crack
up. Aminado sya na kahit inaayawan nya ang binata, a part of her relish his every
gaze, his every compliment and the fact that he thinks she's beautiful. At least
may isa man lang lalaking nagngangalang Nick na nagagandahan sa akin. She thought.
Marami syang naging bagong kaibigan pero si Nicko ang constant nyang kasama dahil
hindi ito humihiwalay sa tabi nya kahit parati nya itong binabara. Ano kayang
nakain nito at nagpapakatanga sa akin? She murmured to herself.

"Mrs. De Jesus." He said and she turned to look at him. "Uy, lumingon." He ribbed
and she narrowed her eyes.

"Feeling ka ha." She murmured as she pretended to browse her book.

"Okay lang maging feeling kasi mukha ka naman nang nagkaka-feelings sa akin." He
replied grinning.

"Bilis mo naman, ano ka text?" She asked rolling her eyes at him.

"Hindi. Ako lang naman ang lalaking mapapangasawa mo." He answered and she couldn't
help but smile.

"Praning." She replied as he laughed.

She was on her way home when her phone rang. She took her phone out of her bag and
swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Ate!" She said. "Bakit po?"

"Tapos na ang klase mo, di ba? Nasaan ka na?"

"Pauwi na po."

"Lee, daan ka nga sa office." Atty. Alexa Carbonel-Sandoval said. "The HR is

currently looking for secretaries for me and your Kuya Alex and as much as I'd like
to browse the candidates' resumes, may meeting kasi ako with finance at si Kuya mo
may case briefing naman. Is it alright na pumunta ka muna dito to narrow-down the
applicants? Kailangang-kailangan na kasi namin ng sekretarya talaga kaya madalian
to. I will feel at ease kung ikaw yung titingin kesa yung head ng HR kasi mas alam
mo yung preferences namin."

"Sure, Ate. Ginawa ko na kanina yung iba kong assignments during my free time kaya
pwede akong pumunta dyan."

"Thank you, ha Lee. You're really a life-saver."

"Wala yun, Ate. Sige po at alam kong busy kayo dyan."

"Sige, Lee. Bye. I love you."

"Goodbye, Ate. I love you too." She said before she ended the call. "Manong Gener
pakihatid po ako sa office." She told her driver.

"Okay po, Miss Lee Ann." He replied. It's been months since she started avoiding
visiting her sister at her office because she was trying her hardest to evade
Nickolai Sandoval, her sister's brother-in-law. Like her and her sisters, Nickolai
is also part owner of the Carbonel and Sandoval Incorporated, a company that her
late father and his bestfriend, who happens to be Nickolai and Alexander Sandoval's
dad, established. Their last encounter wasn't exactly pleasant and she wasn't so
keen on seeing him again.

What did you do? Sinong nagbigay sayo ng karapatan na saktan ang girlfriend ko?!

He had said and she closed her eyes trying to blot the memory from her head. She
never hoped that he'd like her back -- she was too plain, too young, too Lee Ann.
She used to be contented loving him from afar. Used to be. She realized that as she
got older her longing to be with him grew stronger and the pain of his unspoken
rejections cut deep.

"Sa lahat naman kasi ng pwede mong magustuhan, yung imposible pa." She murmured to
herself.

"Ano po yun, Miss Lee Ann?" Her sixty-year old driver asked peeking at her through
the rearview mirror.

"Wala po, Manong." She replied. "Nag-iisip lang po akong mag-isa." She added. They
reached their building in less than thirty minutes and Lee Ann pleasantly smiled at
the guard on duty who touched his cap as a gesture of respect before he returned
the youngster's smile.

"Good afternoon po, Miss Lee Ann." He greeted.

"Good afternoon po, Manong Luis. Yung anak nyo po ba nakalabas na po ng ospital?"
She asked and the old guard beamed. Lee Ann inherited her mother's affability and
all their employees love her.

"Nakalabas na po, Miss Lee Ann noong nakaraang araw pa po."

"Mabuti naman po kung ganun. Uso po talaga ang dengue ngayon, sabihin po ninyo kay
Madel na mag dobleng-ingat."

"Opo. Salamat po pala sa mga pinadala ninyong prutas sa ospital."

"Ay, naku wala po yun. Sige po, Manong aakyat na po ako."

"Sige po, Miss Lee Ann." The guard replied as the young girl waved goodbye at him.

"Good afternoon po." Their employees greeted and Lee Ann returned their greetings.
She glanced at her watch as she waited for the lift and took a step forward when
she heard a ping before the elevator door opened.

"Lee." Atty. Nickolai Sandoval, the subject of Lee Ann's daydreams, said looking at
the young girl who stared for a few seconds at him before pasting a polite smile on
her face.

"Good afternoon po, Kuya Nick." She said as she waited for him to get off. He was
holding the OPEN button for her but she refused to get in.

"Hindi ka ba sasakay?" He asked with a smile and her heart fluttered crazily. Ito
ka na naman. She told herself as she wet her suddenly parched lips.
"Hindi po ba kayo bababa?" She asked courteously.

"Hindi, paakyat ako." He answered and she wondered briefly why he's going back up.

"Ah, okay po." She replied stepping inside the lift. She moved to the wall furthest
from him and trained her eyes on the blinking red lights showing the floors.

"Kumusta na ang pag-aaral mo?" Nickolai asked the young girl who refused to look at
him. Since their last conversation at the Sandoval mansion a few months back, he
noticed that she started avoiding him.

"Mabuti naman po." She replied. Ang bagal naman nitong elevator na to. She murmured
to herself as seconds seemed to stretch endlessly. She contemplated getting off on
the next floor but he'll notice for sure.

"Pinapunta ka ba ng Ate mo?" He questioned and she nodded her head.

"Opo." She replied. He was getting infuriated. It's not like Lee Ann to be quiet
and almost impersonal around him. She had always followed him around, hang on his
every word and looked at him as if he's the most beloved man alive. He knew about
her infatuation, the girl was too obvious but she's eleven years younger and he
thought it's a phase that she'd get over. And now, she finally got over it. His
mind mocked.

"Kumusta ka naman?" He asked.

"Okay naman po." She answered.

"Ateneo ka di ba?" He tried again and she nodded her head still not looking at him.
"Masaya ka naman sa Ateneo?" He asked and she nodded her head the second time
making him more frustrated. "Why won't you look at me?!" He snapped as he pressed
the stop button and she turned her head to look at him in surprise.

"Po?" She asked, her eyes round with alarm.

"And stop saying po and opo because it's fucking annoying!" He hissed as her brows
knitted together. "Ano bang problema mo? Iniiwasan mo ba ako?"

"Bakit ko naman po kayo iiwasan, Kuya Nick?" She asked defiantly as she raised her
chin. "Mayroon po bang rason kung bakit ko po kayo iiwasan?" She asked and he
gritted his teeth.

"If this is all about yours and Precious--"

"Teka lang po." She said holding up her graceful hand and Nickolai suddenly felt
the urge to twine his fingers through hers. "Teka lang po, let's not even go there
kasi po tapos na po yun. Pinag-usapan na po natin yun. Ayoko na pong ulit-ulitin
kasi po lalo lang po akong nabwibwisit." She said stressing each po angrily and he
sighed.

"I already apologized, Lee. Hanggang ngayon ba naman galit ka pa rin sa akin?"

"Hindi po ako galit sa inyo. Ano naman pong karapatan ng isang batang tulad ko na
magalit sa isang big shot na abogadong nagngangalang Atty. Nickolai Sandoval?" She
asked and he clenched his fist.

"You are frustrating, Lee Ann!" He bit out and she arched her brow.
"You have to walk in my shoes to know what frustrating is, so don't start." She
answered and he nearly smiled. "Kung wala ka na pong sasabihin, Kuya paandarin mo
na po tong elevator kasi naghihintay po sa akin si Ate." She demanded as she
glanced at her watch but he didn't move.

"You're a brat, Lee Ann Carbonel." He said and she arched her brow again.

"And you're a boring idiot, Atty. Nickolai Sandoval." She replied as the elevator
resumed its ascent. He chuckled as he pocketed his hands.

"I'm a boring idiot kasi hindi ako nakikipaglaro sayo?" He asked and she bristled
as his words.

"Mukha ba akong nakikipaglaro sayo, Kuya?" She asked glowering at him. "Sa tingin
mo, anong laro tong nilalaro ko, Kuya?" She asked as she tried to rein in her
temper. He watched as she clenched her fists and sighed.

"Lee, I am your Kuya Nick who's too old for games; too old for a kid like you." He
uttered as the elevator opened on their floor. She shook her head in disbelief at
him.

"I know you're old, you definitely act like you're ancient and that's what makes
you boring. But for someone who's supposedly older and has gained more wisdom, you
haven't noticed that I'm no longer a kid and that's what makes you an idiot." She
angrily muttered before she stepped out of the elevator leaving him gawking at her.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The 'incident' between Lee Ann, Nickolai and Precious is on Chapter 48 of Red
String of Fate.

♥ jennicka
Chapter 3
Nickolai stared at the pen in his hand and laughed remembering Lee Ann's words. He
didn't even see her grow up, it's like for the past seven months that she's away,
another person took over her body giving the old timid her a spunk that's fun to
watch if you're not on the other end of her smart comebacks like he is.

"Anong tinatawa-tawa mo dyan?" Alexander asked his brother as soon as he took the
seat opposite him. They have a meeting with the finance department for next
quarter's budget and all of them have to be present.

"Anong nangyari dun kay Lee Ann, parang naging ibang tao?" He asked with a shake of
his head and Alexander laughed.

"Paanong naging ibang tao eh yun pa rin yun. The same sweet girl who's out to
please the world."

"Saan nakikita yang Lee Ann na yan kasi bitchy yung nagpapakita sa akin." Nickolai
remarked and Alexander laughed again.

"Ano ba kasing problema, Nick? Nung bubuntot-buntot sayo ang bata, ayaw mo kasi
masyado syang bata tapos ngayon na iniiwasan ka naman nya, ayaw mo rin kasi dalaga
na sya."

"Gago, wala akong sinabing ganun."

"Naglalaway ka dun eh. Panyo gusto mo?"

"Tarantado ka, Alex. Di ka ba kinikilabutan dyan sa mga pinagsasabi mo? Sixteen

years old lang yung pinag-uusapan natin dito!"

"Aba, bakit? Dalaga na yun, mukhang type mo. Hindi ka ba pwedeng maglaway?"

"Tarantado, ang bastos mo!"

"Kunyari pa to. Wag ka na, Nick. Ang lagkit ng tingin mo dun kay Lee Ann, I'm sure
kung anu-anong kamunduhan ang tumatakbo dyan sa isip mo."

"Tama na, Alex. Kinikilabutan ako sayo."

"Ikaw ang bahala. Napakaraming manliligaw nun. Kung sinu-sinong tumatawag sa bahay
at kung sinu-sinong kausap magdamagan sa telepono. Ang dami ngang pumupunta para
dalawin yun at lahat may itsura at galing sa matitinong pamilya." Alexander lied
watching his older brother's reaction closely and nearly laughed when Nickolai
clenched his jaw. "Ikaw rin, maunahan ka. Habambuhay ka na lang na Kuya at baka pag
yun kinasal kunin ka pang ninong." He taunted.
"Tumahimik ka na." Nickolai murmured trying to control his temper as the door
opened and Alexa walked in.

"Hi, Nick." She greeted before she went to sit beside her husband. "Hello,
gorgeous." She whispered against Alexander's ear. Nickolai watched his brother
eagerly turn his face towards his wife for a kiss. He cleared his throat at the
couple's blatant display of affection and wondered why Alexander and Alexa can't
seem to keep their hands off each other. He and Precious, his girlfriend of nearly
two years, stopped being affectionate after a month of intimacy and sweetness felt
more of an obligation rather than a need for Nickolai.

"Uwi na tayo, Love." He heard Alexander murmur and Alexa whispered something in
Alex's ear that made him hug his wife to his chest. "Promise yan." Alexander said
and Alexa eagerly nodded her head.

"Para kayong bagong kasal." Nickolai remarked and the couple looked at him.

"Magpakasal ka na kasi." Alexander replied. "Ayaw mong hiwalayan yung girlfriend mo

kaya siguro balak mo na talagang pakasalan yun."

"No comment." Alexa replied. "Nick, utang na loob pag ang napangasawa mo si
Precious, hinding-hindi ako dadalo sa kasal nyo kahit magkatampuhan pa tayo. Di ko
mapatawad ang ginawa ng bruha mong girlfriend sa kapatid ko!" Alexa uttered and
Nickolai frowned.

"What do you mean, ginawa ni Precious kay Lee Ann?"

"Bakit, hindi mo ba alam? Bakit mo pinagalitan si Lee Ann kung hindi mo alam?"

"What?"

"Bwisit ka, di mo ba alam na nagkapasa si Lee Ann sa braso dahil sa lakas ng

pagkakahawak mo sa kanya? Kung hindi ko lang mahal tong kapatid mo na nakiusap sa
akin na patawarin ka na, hinding-hindi na kita kakausapin!"

"Kelan sya nagkapasa? I didn't touch her."

"Hinawakan mo sya sa braso, Nick. Kaya may pasa sya kasi masyadong mahigpit yata
ang pagkakahawak mo."

"What?!"

"Muntik ko na nga lang sugurin yung girlfriend mo. Anong karapatan ng babaeng yun
na duru-duruin ang kapatid ko at tawaging malandi? How dare her! Naku, kailangan ko
ng tubig, uminit na naman ulo ko!" Alexa angrily uttered as she stood up leaving
the brothers inside the conference room.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin to, Alex?" Nickolai asked.

"Ayoko nang dagdagan yung gulo. Mainit na nga ulo ni Alexa, paiinitin ko pa ang ulo
mo. Si Precious pinagsabihan yung bata ng kung anu-ano, nagselos yata at dinuro-
duro ang noo ni Lee Ann kaya sinampal nya. Alam mo naman ang mga Carbonel, dinaig
pa ang mga amasona." Alexander said trying to lighten the mood.

"That must be the reason kung bakit sya galit sa akin." Nickolai thought aloud.

"Nick, may gusto ka ba kay Lee Ann?" Alex inquired and Nickolai vehemently shook
his head.
"Wala!" He said. "Alex, bata yun. Napaka-imoral ko namang tao kung pati bata
papatulan ko. I deeply care for her because she's like a sister to me. And the
reason why I'm bothered that she's not talking to me is because we're rather close.
Ako pa nagturo dun mag-bike, ako pa kasama nun sa first communion nya at ako pa ang
nakakita na tinagusan sya nung unang period nya! Nakukuha mo ba, Alex? She is just
a little kid to me, nothing more kaya please stop teasing me about her. Hindi ko
sya gusto romantically. I don't see her as a woman, I see her as a little girl and
your jibes are not only uncalled for, they're ridiculous!" Nickolai exclaimed as
the door closed with a bang.

"Sino yun?" Alexander asked as he stood up to open the door and saw Lee Ann's back
as she ran back towards Alexa's office. He looked at his brother's grim expression
and sighed. "Siguraduhin mo lang, Nick. Siguraduhin mo lang na di ka manghihinayang
at magsisi. Mahirap baguhin ang isip ng mga Carbonel."

"Sigurado ako. Wala akong gusto dun sa bata." Nickolai repeated and Alexander
nodded his head as he sat down again.

Lee Ann ran back to her sister's office and hastily closed the door behind her. She
clutched the folder containing the short-listed applicants to her chest as she felt
her heart break. She was supposed to give the folder to her sister but she heard
Nickolai and Alexander talk about her when she was about to open the door.

"Tama na kasi." She told herself. "Sabi mo di ka na aasa pero nasasaktan ka pa

rin." She murmured she felt tears gather in her eyes. "Tama na, tama na." She
repeated as she put the folder she was holding on top of her sister's table before
she ran to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.

Nakukuha mo ba, Alex? She is just a little kid to me, nothing more kaya please stop
teasing me about her. Hindi ko sya gusto romantically. I don't see her as a woman,
I see her as a little girl and your jibes are not only uncalled for, they're
ridiculous!

She heard his words in her head and she straightened her spine as she gazed at her
reflection on the mirror. "Sino namang tanga ang magkakagusto sayo? Napaka-plain
mo!" She murmured harshly. "Mukha kang bata, hindi ka mukhang dalaga!" She muttered
pulling the pink bow that was holding her hair near the nape. "Anong panama mo dun
sa Precious nya? Wala!"

"Lee?" She heard her sister's voice and her eyes widened considerably. She didn't
want her sister to catch her taking pity on herself because knowing Alexa Carbonel,
she'd probably castrate Nickolai for making her little sister cry. At ayokong
magkagulo silang lahat dahil sa akin. She thought.

"Ate? Teka lang po." She called. "Umiihi po ako!" She said as she flushed the
toilet before she pasted a smile on her face.

"Umiiyak ka?" Alexa asked as soon as she saw Lee Ann emerge from the bathroom.

"Hindi po. Makati kasi ilong ko kaya kinamot ko." She lied and felt guilty when
Alexa nodded her head. "Nasaan na ang listahan ng shortlisted applicants?" She
asked and Lee Ann walked towards Alexa's table to get the folder for her.

"Ito po." She said and Alexa smiled at her sister.

"Salamat talaga, Lee! I owe you one."

"Ate naman, may pa ganyan-ganyan pang nalalaman." She uttered. "Ay, Ate may tanong
po ako."

"Ano yun?" Alexa asked.

"Okay lang po ba akong makipag-date?" She asked blushing crazily that Alexa
couldn't help but laugh.

"Date? Dalaga ka na?" She teased and Lee Ann grinned. "May boyfriend ka na ba?"

"Wala pa po, nagtatanong lang."

"Oo naman, pwede kang makipag-date. Pwede ka ngang mag-asawa kung gusto mo. Ang sa
akin lang pumili kang mabuti, walang take two ang love."

"Wala pa nga, Ate. Nagtatanong lang ako tsaka minor ako, kahit naman gustuhin kong
mag-asawa di pa pwede."

"Kaya nga sinasabi kong pwede kasi di pa pwede." Alexa answered laughing again.
"Pero ipakilala mo sa akin ha kapag may nagugustuhan ka na. Magtatampo talaga si
Ate kapag hindi mo pinakilala sa kanya."

"Opo. Ipapakilala ko po. Ikaw pa, Ate." Lee Ann uttered smiling and Alexa walked
towards her younger sister to give her a hug.

"Buti naman okay ka na. I was worried because you've been really quiet these past
few weeks. Get over him, Lee. I was okay even when he did not return your
affections but when he started making you cry, hindi ako okay dun."

"I'm in the process, Ate. I'll get over him." She declared and Alexa smiled
tenderly at her.

"Good." She said. "O sige na, at nasa conference room na daw si Dad kaya
magsisimula na ang meeting." She added as she read a message from her phone.
"Mauuna ka na ba sa bahay?"

"Opo."

"Sige, mag-ingat ka. I love you."

"I love you too." Lee Ann replied as she kissed her sister's cheek. She stared at
the door and sighed as she prepared to leave. She heard her phone ring and she
picked it up and frowned at the name reflected on the screen. "Hi, Nicko." She
said.

"Hi, Lee." Nicholas answered. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the office. Bakit?"

"I have a favor to ask. Yung Tito ko kasi is a director and the model who's
supposed to do a commercial for him begged off kasi may sakit daw. He needs someone
ASAP and he asked me for help. Ikaw agad ang pumasok sa isip ko."

"Hindi ako model." She replied laughing as she picked her bag up from couch. "Wag
ako at baka mapahiya ka lang."

"Sige na, Lee. Ikaw kaya pinakamatangkad kong kakilala. I really need your help.
May talent fee naman to, I know you don't need the money but your efforts won't be
wasted."

"Napaka-comedian mo, Nicko." She said as she let herself out of her sister's
office.

"Sige na, Lee please. Nasa commercial din ako. It's actually my first time at
kabado ako. It would really help kung kilala ko ang ka-partner ko."

"Hindi nga ako model, ano ba yun. Besides, wala akong talent sa ganyan."

"Lee, naman."

"Ang kulit mo, Nicko!" She exclaimed and heard him sigh.

"Tito, hindi daw po sya pwede eh. Pasensya na po. Okay po." She heard him say.

"Can someone call Precious Abueva para itanong kung kelan sya pwede?" A man's
shrill voice sounded on the background and Lee Ann arched her brow. Precious
Abueva? Nickolai's girlfriend? She thought.

"Hello, Lee. Pasensya na't naabala pa kita. I was just trying to help my uncle,
nakulit kita tuloy. Sorry ulit ha, Miss Lee Ann Carbonel?"

"Okay lang. Pasensya na rin at nasigawan kita."

"All's forgiven and forgotten, ikaw pa ang lakas mo sa akin."

"Okay, bye Nicko."

"Did you say Lee Ann Carbonel?" Someone asked.

"Opo." Lee Ann heard Nicko reply.

"Let me talk to her!" She heard the voice demand and she frowned.

"Wait, Lee are you still there?"

"Yes." She replied. "Bakit?"

"Is it alright if my Tito talks to you?"

"Ha? Bakit daw?"

"Hindi ko alam." Nicholas answered.

"Hello, is this Lee Ann Carbonel?" A voice sounded.

"Opo. This is Lee Ann Carbonel."

"Oh my God!" The voice squealed and Lee Ann winced. Bakla ang Tito ni Nicko? She
thought. "Alam mo bang kilala ko ang Mommy mo? Madam Francoisca Lemercier Carbonel
was the epitome of beauty and grace! I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry!"
He chanted. "Get me bottled water, please!" He said. "I'm so sorry, iha. It's just
that I know your Mom and she was the very first face of this product in the
Philippines." He sobbed and Lee Ann sighed.

"Salamat po for remembering my Mom. I don't remember her much because I was very
young when she passed away."
"That's sad." The director said, "If you want I have videos and photos of her, do
you want to see them?" He asked and Lee Ann couldn't keep the excitement off her
voice.

"Talaga po?" She asked.

"Oo naman. Nasa set kami ngayon, gusto mo bang pumunta? I'll ask my P.A. to get the
album and files for me."

"Okay po, saan po ba kayo?" She asked and he gave her the address.

"But be quick, darling. Di kasi tuloy ang shooting ko ng commercial so we are

already packing up."

"Ay, ganun po."

"Oo. Yung model kasi di sumipot. Napaka-bratinella talaga ng model na yun akala mo
kung sinong sikat." He said. "Anyway, I'll wait for you, darling. Gusto kitang
makita, sabi kasi ng pamangkin ko napakaganda mo raw. It would have been an honor
to have you do the commercial your mother first did. Pero okay lang kung ayaw mong
pumayag. Kung papayag ka sana, I'll give you a copy of all the files that I have
about your mother--"

"Okay, you got me. I'll do it." Lee Ann replied and heard the director laugh.

"I knew you would." He said.

Chapter 4
Lee Ann arrived at the location after 20 minutes and Nicko's uncle greeted her in
his flowery frock. He was tall and handsome just like his nephew and he encircled
Lee Ann in his embrace as soon as he saw her.

"Mademoiselle Carbonel." He said, his voice raw with emotion. "You have your
mother's eyes, figure and height. Parang nakikita ko sya sayo. Oh, I feel sad
again." He said as he wiped his eyes with a lacy, white handkerchief. "Alam mo bang
she was the one who gave me a break? Assistant lang ako nun but she must have seen
something in me because she introduced me to a lot of people and even trusted me
enough to direct this product's first-ever commercial."

"Ganun po ba?" Lee Ann said for lack of anything to say. She somehow felt cheated.
Buti pa sila nagkaroon ng time na makasama si Mommy ng matagal.

"You look like your sister Lia." He remarked.

"Magkakamukha po kaming magkakapatid. Kahit po si Ate Alexa." Lee Ann replied and
Nicko's uncle smiled.

"Malakas ang dugo ni Atty. Carbonel. Late condolences for your father's passing."

"Salamat po."

"You can call me Tito June, actually and tunay kong pangalan ay Juanito de Jesus
the fifth pero ang sagwa, di ba kaya June na lang." He said ushering the girl to
sit on one of the couches.

"Okay po, Tito June. Si Nicko po pala?"

"Ayun binibihisan. May contract tayo ha, Lee Ann. Is it alright if I call you Lee
Ann?"

"Oo naman po. Wait, a contract? I need my sister to review the contract first.
Tsaka minor po ako kaya I cannot yet sign legal documents."

"Alam ko. Give me her email and I'll email it to her. Kakausapin ko na rin sya."

"Ako po munang kakausap sa kanya. I can give you the email of our corporate office,
pakilagay na lang po sa attention yung full name ni Ate. Here, let me write it down
for you." She said as she took a piece of paper from her bag and wrote Atty. Lianna
Alexa Carbonel-Sandoval on it. "Excuse me po, let me talk to my sister first." She
said before she stood up to dial her sister's number. She answered on the second
ring.

"Hi, Lee!"

"Ate, may ii-email po sa inyo na contract, may gagawin po kasi akong commercial."
Lee Ann offhandedly said and winced when she heard a crash.

"Sorry, nahulog yung phone." Alexa mumbled after a few seconds. "Commercial? Hindi
ba magdo-doktor ka?"

"Opo."

"Eh ano tong contract para sa isang commercial?" Alexa asked and Lee Ann couldn't
help but smile. Si Ate talaga.

"Bakit, Ate ayaw nyo po bang magkaroon ng kapatid na model?" She joked and heard a
sigh.

"Kahit gusto mong maging taong-grasa ay okay lang. Mamahalin pa rin kita at
yayakapin pa rin kita ng mahigpit basta ba nakaligo ka na." Her sister replied and
they both laughed. "Pero, I want you to tell me honestly bakit bigla kang naging
commercial model. Ano yun, bumaba ka lang ng opisina tapos pagsakay mo sa sasakyan
naisip mo na gusto mong rumampa?"

"Kasi Ate, itong product na to si Mommy ko po ang unang model. Kaya po ano..." She
trailed off suddenly unsure of what to say.

"Okay." Alexa replied. "Basta ayokong may frontal or posterior nudity. Ayoko rin ng
may halikan, ayokong nagpapakita ka ng boobs o kung anu-anong anong kalaswaan.
Pakisabi dyan sa kung sino mang kausap mo na hintayin ako. I will just read the
contract at pupunta ako kung nasaan ka because I want to be there, mamaya i-exploit
ka nila."

"Ate, Tito po sya ni Nicko."

"Ay, kahit si Tito Boy Abunda pa yan ay wala akong pakialam. Send me the address."

"Okay po." Lee Ann answered. She was relieved that her sister will be there and she
was pleased that Alexa would actually take time out of her busy schedule just to
ensure that she's in good hands.

"Anong sabi ng kapatid mo?" Nicko's uncle asked as soon as she pocketed her phone.

"Pupunta daw po sya dito para makausap po kayo." Lee Ann said.

"Good." He replied smiling as the door opened and Nicko stepped in.

"Hi, Lee! Buti pumayag ka, sobra akong kinakabahan, ang sabi kasi nila mataray daw
yung Precious. Buti na lang di sya dumating." He uttered chuckling. Mataray talaga
yun pero wag syang magkakamaling tarayan ako ulit at hindi lang sampal mararanasan
nya sa akin, suntok at tadyak na. She thought as they waited for her sister. Alexa
arrived after thirty minutes and she was all business.

"I will act as her manager kasi biglaan naman ito so she obviously doesn't have an
agency. I don't like numbers 3.1 and 7.2 kasi this is not something that she'll do
for a long time unless gusto nya. Gusto kong per-commercial basis ang kontrata kasi
ayokong matali ang kapatid ko, I don't want her to feel obliged." She finished
before she looked at Nicko and smiled. "Hi, Nicko." She greeted before she turned
to look at Nicko's uncle. "You don't have to worry about the changes because I have
created a new contract that we both can sign." She added as she took a folder out
of the bag she was carrying and handed it out to him.

"Carbonel ka nga." Tito June said laughing. "Naalala ko ang Daddy mo when I first
talked to him, he represented Lee Ann's mom too. The same brisk tone, the same no-
nonsense manner and nearly the same manner of speaking. That's the highest
compliment I could give you."

"Thank you." Alexa replied sincerely. Tito June went over the contract before he
affixed his signature and handed Alexa all of the copies. "I'll ask our messenger
to bring your notarized copy to you. Ito yung office address nyo di ba?" She asked
pointing at the address indicated on the contract.

"Yes." He replied pleasantly. "O tara na, nang maayusan na si Lee Ann." He said as
he stood up and Alexa stood up too to follow her sister.

"Ate, salamat." The younger girl whispered and Alexa draped an arm around her.

"Anytime." She replied.

Nickolai was in a middle of a meeting with Alexander and Dustin when his phone
rang. He excused himself and stood up to take the phone call.

"Precious." He said over the phone.

"Nick! Fire this receptionist who won't let me go up to see you! Baguhan ba to?!
Hindi ba nya alam na girlfriend mo ako?!" Precious shrieked and Nickolai moved his
phone away from his ear.

"She's just following orders. Sabi ko nasa isang importanteng meeting ako kaya
hindi ako tatanggap ng bisita." He replied coolly.

"Bisita?! Ibang tao ba ako?! I am your fiancée, Nick!" He heard her angrily say and
he sighed.

"Precious, I haven't proposed yet." He uttered.

"So, you have no plans of proposing?!"

"Precious--"

"I'm going up! Tell these morons na wag nila akong haharangan or else--"

"Fine, umakyat ka." Nick tiredly answered. "Let's end this call, tatawagan ko ang
reception." He muttered expelling a heavy breath. He went back inside the
conference room and Alexander looked inquiringly at him.

"Sino yun, Nick?" He asked. "Bakit nag-iba yata timpla ng mukha mo?"

"Ano nga ba ang local ng reception?" Nickolai questioned as he picked up the phone
from the conference room's table.

"401." Dustin answered. "Si Precious yata." He mouthed at Alexander who nodded his
head.

"Regine. Hi. Wait, are you crying?" He asked and Dustin and Alexander looked at
each other. "Sorry about that, Regine. I will talk to her. Oo paakyatin nyo na sya
sa office." He said over the phone before putting it down. "I'm going back to my
office." He said before he left. Precious arrived knocking angrily on his door and
he pressed a button to unlock it.

"You better fire that bitch or else--"

"Or else what?" He asked. "My God, Precious kailangan mo bang ipahiya yung tao?
Kailangan mo bang isaboy sa mukha nya ang kapeng dala mo?"

"Naiinis ako eh! May magagawa ba sya?!"

"Wala kang karapatang mamahiya o mambastos ng tao!" Nickolai snapped before he

expelled a heavy breath as he tried to control his temper. "What do you want?" He
asked.

"Nick..." Precious whined as she walked towards him to wrap her arms around his
waist. "Why are you like this? Alam mo bang kinancel ko pa ang shooting ko ng isang
commercial just to be with you because I missed you?" She asked as she tiptoed to
rain kisses down his jaw.

"Why did you cancel it? That's another breach of contract." He stated and she
smiled.

"Why would I be scared eh nandyan ka naman? Besides, we can always sue the
producers, director and even the model who'll be asked to replace me. Tsaka, sa
tingin mo meron silang makukuhang ipapalit sa akin?"

"Precious, what do you mean by we can sue them. Wag mo akong isasali dyan sa mga
pinaggagawa mo. I don't want our law firm to be dragged into your affairs."

"Nick naman, don't tell me mas mahal mo tong law firm ninyo kesa akin?" She asked
as she batted her eyes at him and felt angry when he did not reply.

"Kung wala kang importanteng kailangan, I was in the middle of a very important
meeting when you called--"

"Puro ka na lang meeting!" She hissed as she leaned away from him. "Wala ka nang
time para sa akin! Para sa atin!"

"Precious--"

"God, Nick! Wala na ba akong halaga sayo? I went out of my way para dalawin ka! May
hindi ako sinipot na shooting para lang makasama ka! Tapos ganito lang? Ganito na
lang tayo parati? I make time for you yet you can't do the same for me?!"

"You know I'm busy!" He snapped and sighed. "Babawi ako, okay? Busy lang talaga ako
ngayon." He uttered.

"Kelan ka ba hindi naging busy?"

"Precious, when we agreed to exclusively date ay alam natin ang limitations ng

isa't isa. I am a lawyer and I have this company to look after; hindi ako isang
empleyado lang na pwedeng lumabas o mag-leave kung kelan nya gusto."

"Para saan ba yung kapatid mo at kailangang ikaw ang gumawa lahat?!"

"Do not drag Alex into this issue dahil hindi mo magugustuhan ang maririnig mo mula
sa akin pag sya dinamay mo!"

"Nick--"

"Kailangan ko nang bumalik sa meeting. Ingat ka sa pag-uwi mo." He said before he

dipped his head to kiss her on the forehead.

"Okay." She murmured. "Pupunta na lang ako sa shooting ko ng commercial. I'll see
you this Saturday?" She asked and he didn't reply. "Don't tell me may gagawin ka
kahit Sabado?" She inquired, her voice filled with hurt.

"I'll call you on Friday kung pwede ako." He dismissively said as he opened his
door for her. She looked at his face before she sighed and stepped out of his
office. "And Precious..."

"Yes?" She asked as she turned to smile at him thinking that he changed his mind
about attending the meeting.

"Do not mess with any of our employees again. They are under Alexa's direct
supervision and she will have your head if she hears about what happened. And even
I, will not be able to stop her." He said before he nodded his head at her. "Ingat
sa pagda-drive." He added before he turned to leave. She stared in shock at his
retreating back before she walked back to the elevator. When she reached the
basement parking she quickly got inside her car and drove to the location of their
shooting.

"Pakialam ko ba kay Alexa o dun sa batang malanding kapatid nya? Bwisit sila!" She
murmured to herself as she drove unaware that the subjects of her ire were busy as
Lee Ann sat still while make-up artists were getting her prepared.
"Ang ganda ng cheek bones mo." One remarked and she smiled.

"Salamat po." She answered as a phone sounded.

"Lee, nandito na si Ate Lia. Naku, tinawagan ko kasi wala akong alam sa pagmomodel
na yan, at least sya makatulong man lang sayo." Alexa quipped and Lee Ann laughed.

"Full force?" She asked as Alexa laughed too.

"Ganito kami ka-supportive." She answered as Lia Carbonel walked inside the room.

"Oh my God, si baby sister ay magmomodel!" She said as she and Alexa kissed each
other's cheek. "Bakit parang nananaba ka? Don't tell me buntis ka na naman!"

"Ate naman! Hindi no! Hiyang lang sa pag-aasawa."

"My God, ha ginagawa ka nang manok nyan ni Alexander na maya't maya ay

nagingitlog!" She tactlessly muttered and Alexa laughed.

"Hindi ko na tatanungin kung sino ang kasama mo kasi feeling ko kilala ko. Where is
he?"

"May pinuntahan at hinatid lang ako dito." Lia replied.

"Ate Lia, turuan mo akong mag-project." Lee Ann said and Lia started strutting in
front of them.

"Hay naku, madali lang para ka lang nagtataray sa madla." She said. "Maldita ka rin
naman, kaya mo na yun. You have to think that you're fierce and confident. Tsaka
natural na yun sa atin, ano kung di ba naman lahat tayo produkto ng model at
artista." She said and Alexa laughed.

"Oo, Lee kayang-kaya mo yan."

"Parang ang hirap naman." Lee Ann mumbled as they heard someone scream.

"Where is June?! You cannot replace me! I am this product's model and you cannot
just kick me out!"

"Ms. Abueva, teka lang po. Bawal po kayong pumasok dyan."

"Putang-ina umalis ka sa harap ko kundi sasampalin kita! June! Nasaan kang bakla
ka?! JUNE! Sino ang model na pinalit nyo sa akin?! SINO?!" Precious screamed as she
yanked the door open. The three Carbonels turned to look at her and she stopped on
her tracks.

"Yes?" Alexa asked, her brow arched, as Precious gripped the doorknob tightly.

"May problema ka sa kapatid ko?" Lia questioned as she straightened to her full
height. "Sabihin mo lang, kasi di ako nakapag-yoga kanina kaya stressed ako at
kailangan kong maglabas ng pent-up energy." She said as she flexed her hand.

"Ako rin eh, parang gusto kong manampal kasi gusto kong mag-ubos ng pera.Pwede ko
bang sirain yang mukha mo tutal afford ko namang bayaran ka?" Alexa casually asked
and Precious hastily turned to leave.

"Girlfriend ni Nick yun di ba?" Lia questioned and Alexa nodded her head. "Alam
kong tanga yung lalaking yun pero pinatulan nya si Precious Abueva? She's a gold-
digger! Ang bobo ni Nick!"
"Ate, dahan-dahan sa pagtawag kay Nick ng bobo, may nasasaktan." Alexa joked as Lee
Ann blushed.

"Alam kong type nya si Nick, naglalaway kaya yan dun." Lia replied as she and Alexa
laughed.

"Nakamove-on na ako, mga Ate." She murmured and her sisters laughed harder.

"Ang pagmo-move-on hindi sinasabi, kundi ginagawa!" Lia exclaimed as someone

knocked on the door.

"Pasok." Alexa said and Nicko opened the door and stopped.

"Ay, good afternoon po." He said as he bowed his head politely at them. "Lee, ready
ka na?" He asked and Lee Ann nodded. The four of them left the room as Lia and
Alexa trailed behind the teenagers.

"Mas bet ko to." Lia whispered and Alexa nodded her head. "Kung ganito kagwapo si
move-on ay ora-orada magmu-move on na ako. As in agad-agad."

"Tama." Alexa whispered back. "Pero ang puso, alam mo naman minsan may pagka-
tanga."

"Akong bahala." Lia said.

"Anong gagawin mo, Ate?"

"Maghanda ka ng buhay na manok at isang sako ng dahon ng pito-pito, ipapa-albularyo

ko si Lee Ann." She retorted and they stopped walking as they stared at each other
and burst out laughing.

Chapter 5
It was the Saturday after her commercial shoot and Lee Ann was lounging near the
pool waiting for Nicko. They were partners for a project and as agreed ay pupunta
si Nicko sa bahay nila para sa book report na kanilang gagawin. The young girl re-
read the summary of the book she prepared glancing at her watch to check the time.

"Late yata si Nicko." She mumbled to herself. Dapat alas tres pupunta sa bahay nila
ang binata pero he's usually thirty minutes early so she was surprised when he
still hasn't arrived.
"Miss Lee Ann, nandito po si Sir Nick--"

"About time!" Lee Ann exclaimed as she prepared to stand up. "Saan ka ba galing at
ang tagal-tagal mo? Alam mo bang kanina pa kita hinihin--" She said and stopped
talking.

"Good afternoon, Lee." Nickolai said, his heart breaking a little when he saw the
smile vanish from her lips.

"Kuya Nick." She said recovering quickly. "Good afternoon po." She greeted politely
as she pasted a smile on her face. She tried to appear unaffected even as her heart
fluttered crazily at how dashing he looked. He was wearing a plain white shirt,
khaki cargo shorts and a pair of dark brown loafers and he looked ten years
younger. Tama na, wala ka talagang pag-asa dyan. She reminded herself as she tried
not to look too bitter. Ang ampalaya kinakain, Lee Ann at hindi sinasabuhay. She
thought grimly.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Nickolai asked trying to keep the disappointment
off his voice as he closely watched Lee Ann's reaction. For days, he thought of
ways para makausap ang dalaga pero dinaig pa nito ang social schedule nya kasi
every time na tumatawag sya sa mansyon ng mga Carbonel ay parati itong wala. He had
a feeling that she changed her phone number too kasi hindi na nya to matawagan at
lalong hindi ito nagrereply sa mga text messages nya.

"Actually, yes." The young girl answered. "Akala ko po kayo na po yung hinihintay
ko, hindi pa po pala." She said and Nickolai felt his heart painfully squeeze. Iba
ang dating sa kanya ng sinabi ng dalagita kahit na alam naman nya na ang tinutukoy
nito ay ibang bagay.

"Sorry to disappoint." He apologized as he smiled.

"Ano po ang kailangan nyo, Kuya?" She inquired noticing the bouquet of flowers that
he was holding. His eyes followed her gaze and he cleared his throat.

"Para sayo pala." He said and he nearly lost his nerve when she just stared at him.

"Para po sa akin?" She asked doubtfully and arched her brow as he held out the
flowers towards her. She must have realized that her brow was raised and she
immediately smiled, although it lacked warmth and didn't even reach her eyes.

"Oo." He mumbled feeling like an unsure teenager. He cleared his throat again and
she moved forward to take the bouquet from him.

"Salamat po, Kuya." She said. "May kailangan po ba kayo?" She asked and he nearly
blushed. For days, he was consumed with the burning desire to talk to her. Gusto
nyang magkaayos silang dalawa. Hindi sya sanay na hindi sya pinapansin ng teenager.
Gusto nyang mag-sorry kasi alam nyang may kasalanan sya dito at higit sa lahat
gusto nya itong makita at makausap. Pero sa dinadami ng gusto nyang gawin, lahat
yung naglaho sa tanong na may kailangan po ba kayo? It sounded so impersonal, it
sounded so unwelcoming and it tore his heart.

"Ah, wala. Napadaan lang." He muttered with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Ah. Okay." She answered. "Gusto po ba ninyo ng juice, coffee, water or anything?"
She asked and he shook his head.

"Wala. Kumain na ako." He said as he rocked on his heel. Hindi nya alam kung bakit
sya ninenerbyos pero grabe ang kaba ng dibdib nya, dinaig pa nya ang pakiramdam ng
magpa-final interview para makapasok sa U.P. College of Law.
"San po ba kayo galing?" Lee Ann asked because the silence was becoming unbearable.

"Dyan lang." He said.

"Okay." She answered, training her gaze on the brick path leading to back of the
house.

"Sino pala ang hinihintay mo?" He asked and she looked up to smile at him.

"Yung classmate ko po, may gagawin po kasi kaming project." She retorted and he
nodded his head. The silence stretched like a tight coil around them and they both
felt uncomfortable. It was Nick who broke the silence as he addressed the young
girl once again.

"Nangongolekta ka pa ba ng figurines ng elephants?" He asked averting his gaze when

she looked at him. He was about to take the small glass figurine out of his pocket
when she spoke.

"Hindi na po, Kuya eh. I've outgrown that phase." She replied and he put the small
figurine inside his pocket again. He smiled to hide the pain he felt.

I've outgrown that phase.

He heard her voice again in his head. Para syang dinibdiban. It was him who gave
her the very first elephant figurine when she was five. Naalala nyang pasalubong
nya ito kay Lee Ann when he went to Thailand for a debate tournament. He had missed
her like crazy -- isang bata na sobrang kulit na wala nang bukambibig kundi Kuya
Nick; isang bata na sobrang sweet na naghihintay sa may hagdanan ng mansyon nila
araw-araw para sa kanya; isang batang hindi nakakatulog sa hapon kapag hindi nya
tinatabihan; isang batang umiiyak at nagseselos kapag may kasama syang ibang babae;
isang bata na sa sobrang ayaw nyang nakikitang umiyak ay hindi sya nagka-girlfriend
kahit na tumuntong na sya ng kolehiyo; isang bata na ngayon ay dalaga na at di na
sya kailangan.

"Okay." He said as he looked at his shoes. "Sige pala, tutuloy na ako." He uttered
and she nodded her head.

"Salamat po ulit dito sa mga bulaklak na dala mo, Kuya." She uttered and he was
about to say something when one of the house helps appeared.

"Miss Lee Ann, nandyan na po yung classmate ninyo." He heard the old woman say.
"Good afternoon po pala, Sir Nick." She greeted and he smiled.

"Good afternoon din po." He greeted back.

"Kuya, hindi ko na po kayo ihahatid palabas ha. Nandyan na po kasi yung hinihintay
ko. Sige po, bye!" She said waving at him as she ran off leaving the flowers that
took him nearly two hours to choose lying on the table. He could hear her excited
squeals as he left the house unnoticed. Dalaga ka na nga. Dalaga ka na at hindi mo
na ako kailangan. He murmured to himself as he got into his car and drove off.
Lee Ann excitedly waited as Nicko took his laptop out of his backpack. The young
man couldn't help but smile as she watched his every move.

"Ano ka ba, bilisan mo!" She said and he laughed. "Ang bagal mo eh, kukunin mo na
nga lang sa bag mo yung laptop mo dami-dami mo pang seremonyas."

"Teka lang, nandito na nga. Napakareklamamador mo, Di susi talaga itong bag ko kasi
magko-commute ako pauwi. Hindi kasi ako masusundo at may lakad sina Nanay at
Tatay." He replied. "Ito na, nailabas ko na sa bag ko, kamahalan itu-turn on ko
muna." He kidded and she pinched his arm. "Aray. Ang kulit mo." He laughingly said
as he turned his laptop on. "Excited masyado, akala ko ba ayaw mong maging model
pero ikaw tong di mapakali." He teased.

"Eh ba't ka ba? Syempre ayokong hindi maganda ang kalalabasan!" She reasoned as he
laughed again. "Wag kang mag-alala, ipapahatid kita sa driver namin para di mo na
kailangang mag-commute."

"Wag na, nakakahiya naman. Marunong akong mag-commute. In fact, buong pamilya ko ay
marunong mag-commute."

"Naku, ipapahatid na kita kasi mamaya mapano ka pa sa daan. At least I won't be

worried kapag hinatid ka ng driver." She added and he couldn't help but smile.

"Nagsisimula ka na yatang magkagusto sa akin, Mrs. De Jesus."

"Ang feeling mo, Nicko!" She exclaimed and he laughed hard.

"Pinakiusap ko lang to kay Tito ha, dapat tayo lang makakapanuod nito. Hindi pwede
kahit yung mga Ate mo or else lagot ako."

"Oo nga!" She said as he clicked on a file and her eyes never left the laptop's
screen as she watched numbers appeared and disappeared for a countdown.

"Hoy, kumurap ka!" He said putting a hand in front of her face, which she slapped
away.

"Ano ba, wag kang magulo!" She exclaimed as the screen flickered. "Ayan na." She
excitedly whispered. "Aw, ang ganda ko." She muttered to herself. "Hala grabe ang
ganda ko dyan!"

"Maganda ka naman talaga." He murmured as he stared at her face.

"Kaya tayo magkaibigan eh, ang galing mo
watched herself smile beguilingly on the
one else knew. "Ang galing ni Tito June,
look at it now para tayong nasa garden."
her.
kasing mambola." She laughing said as she
screen as if she knew of a secret that no
hindi ba green lang ang paligid nyan? Pero
She gushed and he beamed affectionately at

"Yan ang nagagawa ng teknolohiya." He muttered. Her eyes widened, however, when the
last frame flashed.

"Hala, bakit parang totoo tayong nagki-kiss?" She asked. Ang layo kaya ng labi
natin sa isa't isa dyan!" She complained.
"Dahil sa lighting at angle." He told her. Yan nga bago kong profile picture sa
Facebook." He spoke and she turned her head to look at her.

"Yang part na yan mismo?!" She asked and he laughed.

"Oo. Bakit? I took a screenshot of it. Ang gwapo ko kaya dyan."

"Palitan mo!" She whined. "Para tayong naghahalikan eh!"

"Grabe naman, walang pakialamanan ng profile pic, mag-boyfriend ba tayo at meron

kang karapatang sabihin sa akin kung ano dapat ang profile pic ko?" He joked and
she took one of the throw pillows and hit his head with it.

"Loko ka, Nicko! Puro ka kalokohan!" She muttered as he cracked up.

"Pag ako sinagot mo, kahit papapalitan mo ng picture ng unggoy yung profile pic ko
gagawin ko para sayo."

"Para-paraan, de Jesus." Lee Ann retorted. "Halika na nga at gawin na natin yung
project. Gumawa na ako ng summary nung librong pinapa-review sa atin. Ang kailangan
ko na lang ay input mo. Mamaya magkasalungat tayo ng opinyon." She spoke as she
gave him a folder.

"Ang kapal naman nito summary na to, babasahin ko to lahat?"

"Pwede mo ring kainin kung gusto mo." She answered grinning.

"Parati mo na lang akong binu-bully." He complained as he started reading the files

she gave him. "Ikaw din, kaka-bully mo sa akin baka madevelop ka nyan." He
announced without looking at her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Ayoko na sa mga lalaki. Puro kayo sakit sa ulo at perwisyo sa puso." She declared
and he put the files that he was browsing down.

"Iba ako, hindi kita sasaktan."

"I'm sure." She sarcastically replied. "Pwede ba, Nicko. Ayoko ngang mag-
boyfriend."

"May crush ka lang na iba eh." He said, his tone accusing and she looked at him.

"Seloso mo naman, ayoko pa naman sa mga lalaking seloso." She ribbed and his
shoulders drooped.

"Hindi sa ayaw mo sa lalaking seloso, ayaw mo lang talaga sa akin." He murmured as

he took his book from his bag. "Sige na nga, gawin na natin yung project."

"Nicko, ang drama mo."

"Ikaw kasi eh, kung saktan mo ako ganun-ganun na lang." He uttered and she laughed.

"Baliw! Punung-puno ka talaga ng kalokohan!"

"Alam ko namang lokohan lang to para sayo, Lee. Pero sa akin, iba to. But I'm not
going to force you to acknowledge my feelings. It is enough that you know about
what and how I feel towards you." He sadly articulated before he smiled at her.
"Anyway, I am sure you don't know how it feels and you don't understand why I feel
the way I do so just ignore what I said." He finished as he patted her hand that
was lying on top of the center table. They were hunkered down on the floor and he
moved to find a comfortable position. He was surprised when she suddenly embraced
him and it took a few seconds before he was able to react. "Lee?"

"I know how it feels. I carried the pain for more than half of my life." She
whispered and slowly his arms wrapped around her.

"He'll love you back." He sighed against her hair. "And when he's stupid not to,
I'll be just here waiting."

Chapter 6
Alexander, Alexa, Dustin and Nickolai were having lunch as Alexa waited for her
younger sister's commercial to air. Alexa had chosen a restaurant with a large flat
screen TV for the occasion.

"Ano ba yang surprise mo?" Dustin asked grinning. "Buntis ka na naman?" He kidded.

"Hindi, ano." Alexa answered laughing. "Ayoko muna, nag-message na sa akin yung
matres ko at gusto daw muna nyang magpahinga." She jested and Dustin laughed.

"Love, inaakit mo kasi ako gabi-gabi na lang." Alexander said as he leaned to kiss
his wife.

"Wala tayong magagawa, kaakit-akit talaga ako." Alexa retorted earning a laugh from
the men. She glanced at her watch and couldn't contain her excitement. "Proud Ate
here." She uttered and Nickolai frowned.

"This is about Lee Ann?" He asked and Alexa nodded her head.

"Wait, ilang minuto na lang!" She exclaimed excitedly and they trained their gazes
on the TV. "Ayan na!" She said as the commercial started.

"That's Lee Ann?" Dustin asked in amazement. "Dalagang-dalaga na." He added, his
voice filled with wonder. "Wow..."

"Dalaga na nga." Alex said smiling. Alexa couldn't stop talking about Lee Ann's
commercial and he's proud of the young girl.

"I can't believe that's our Lee Ann." Dustin uttered in disbelief. "That's the baby
angel?" He asked and Alexa eagerly nodded her head.

"Ang ganda ng kapa--" She said and stopped when Nickolai butted in.

"Why did you allow her to kiss that guy?!" He asked angrily as he glared at Alexa.
"Ilang taon pa lang yung bata may ganyan nang commercial? Hindi ba yan
exploitation? Lee Ann is a minor! What were you thinking, Alexa?!"

"Nick, dahan-dahan naman sa pagtaas ng boses sa pinakamamahal at napaka-sexy kong

asawa." Alex joked.

"Hindi ba wrong decision on your part na payagan ang batang gawin yang commercial
na yan?" He asked sharply.

"Hindi ba pagseselos yang pagpuputok ng butse mo?" Alexa calmly asked back and
Alexander and Dustin burst out laughing.

"Burned!" They chorused.

"Wala na, Nick halatado ka na talaga." Alex said. "Sa haba ng commercial ang
napansin mo talaga yung halikan?"

"Was that kiss real?" Nickolai demanded furiously. "She's only sixteen!" He stated
crossly and Alexa laughed.

"You will never find out from me, Nick." She replied.

"Pwede na bang ligawan si Lee Ann. Aba, pipila na ako." Dustin kidded earning a
scowl from Nickolai. "Bakit ganyan ka makatingin sa akin? Find your age ba ang
pila?" He asked and the three of them laughed again. However, Nick wasn't laughing
or happy. He was surprised to find Lee Ann star in a television commercial but he
couldn't get over his righteous indignation at the thought that Alexa let her
sister kiss on national TV. But he was afraid to get teased again so he clenched
his jaw and shut up.

"Si Nicko yung kasama nya di ba?" Dustin asked and Alex grinned looking at his
brother's furious stance.

"Oo, si Nicko. Ang cute ano, Lee Ann at Nick-o." He said and doubled over in
laughter. The two others joined him as Nickolai looked on irately at them.

"Akyat na ako." He announced as he stood up. "May imi-meet pa pala ako mamaya."

"Sinong imi-meet mo, Nick? Si green-eyed monster?"

"Alex, alam ba ni Alexa na nung nasa Paris sya humahagulgol ka kapag nakakapanuod
ka ng commercial ng diapers?" Nickolai asked cooly and Dustin cracked up while
Alexa looked at her husband in amusement.

"Iniiyakan mo ang mga advertisments ng diaper, Love?" She asked teasingly and
Alexander shook his head in denial.

"Hindi ah." He grumbled. "Gawa-gawa lang ni Nick yan."

"Kung gusto mo ng video, Alexa meron ako sa phone." Nickolai said.

"Meron din ako." Dustin seconded and Alexander glowered at them.

"Love, okay lang yan. Turn on nga eh." Alexa whispered and instantly her husband's
expression changed.

"Talaga?" He asked. "Akyat na tayo sa taas." He whispered as Nickolai and Dustin

looked on enviously at the couple's display.

"Teka nga, tama na baka uminom na ako ng muriatic acid sa sobrang lambingan ninyo.
Pwede bang preno-preno ng kaunti kasi loveless ako?" Dustin jibed as Nickolai shook
his head.

"Akyat na ako, may gagawin pa ako." He repeated when Alexa's phone rang.

"It's Lee Ann!" Alexa uttered excitedly as she swiped her phone to answer the call.
Alexander smiled when his older sat back down. "Lee! Yeah, we watched it! Ang ganda
mo, manang-mana ka sa amin ni Ate! Ngayon ko lang naintindihan yung paulit-ulit na
sinabi ni Tito June na ang ganda ng rehistro ng mukha mo sa camera!"

"Talaga, Ate? Thank you! Kinakabahan nga ako eh kasi baka mamaya hindi maganda ang
kinalabasan." Alexa heard the teenager say.

"Maganda! Kahit itanong mo pa sa mga to, teka I'll turn the speaker on." Alexa
spoke before she laid the phone on the table.

"Hi, Lee! Si Kuya Alex to! Congratulations, baby girl! That commercial was awesome.
Your Ate and I are so proud of you! We love you, baby girl!"

"Kuya Alex!" They heard Lee Ann squeal. "Muntik na akong maiyak sa sinabi mo!
Salamat po! I love you and Ate too!"

"Lee, si Kuya Dustin to! Dalagang-dalaga na ang bunso namin ah. Pwede mo akong
kuning bodyguard at baka dumami ang maghabol sayo so I'm offering my services."

"Si Kuya Dustin talaga! Thank you, Kuya. Feel ko tuloy ang ganda-ganda ko nga."

"Maganda ka naman talaga, Lee. I'm sure you'll leave a trail of broken hearts.
Libre mo naman ako, mas malaki na yata kinikita mo kesa akin." Dustin kidded and
Lee Ann laughed.

"Sige po, Kuya ililibre ko kayo this Saturday. Magkita tayo sa bahay, ipagluluto
kita."

"Thank you, Lee! Kaya kita mahal na mahal eh! I love you, baby girl!"

"I love you too, Kuya Dustin kahit puro pambobola ang sinabi mo sa akin!"

"Hindi bola yun ah." Dustin answered laughing. They all turned to look at Nickolai
who stared questioningly at them.

"Bakit?" He mouthed.

"Wala kang sasabihin?" Alexander whispered. "Hindi mo iko-congratulate si Lee Ann?"

"Hello, Ate nandyan pa po ba kayo?" Lee Ann's voice sounded and Alexa arched her
brow at Nickolai.

"Lee." He finally said after a full minute. "Si Kuya Nick to." He mumbled.

"Hello po, Kuya Nick." Lee Ann replied and Nickolai nearly sighed noticing how the
excitement seem to vanish from Lee Ann's voice.

"Congratulations." He added.

"Salamat po, Kuya Nick." Lee Ann retorted and Nick felt unsure about what to say
next. He stared at the phone on top of the table and tried to form words in his
head but nothing came to mind.
"Um..." He started to say but Lee Ann cut him off.

"You can come over po, Kuya Nick this Saturday. That is kung wala kayong date ng
girlfriend mo."

"I'll be there." He quickly replied. "Dadating ako."

"Okay. Thank you ulit, Kuya." Lee Ann said and Alexa hid her smile as she picked
the phone from the table and turned the speaker function off.

"Congrats ulit, baby sis!" She said.

"Salamat po uli, Ate!" Lee Ann answered. "Ay, teka po may incoming call po from Ate
Lia."

"Sige. Usap na lang tayo later. Tatawagan ko din yan si Ate mamaya tungkol dun sa
mga dahon ng pito-pito--" Alexa started to say but stopped when she could no longer
contain her mirth. "Sorry, I can't help it. O sige na, bye!"

"Bye, Ate!"

"Dahon ng pito-pito?" Alexander asked and Alexa shook her head laughing.

"Mamaya, ikukwento ko sayo habang minamasahe kita."

"Love naman, ang lakas mong magpa-ulol." Alexander complained as he wrapped his
arms around his wife's waist. "Uwi na tayo." He whined and Alexa laughed before she
turned her head to reward him with a kiss.

"This Saturday yung party ni Lee Ann?" Dustin asked and Alexa nodded her head.

"Oo, this Saturday." She responded. Nick was quiet the whole time and Alexa
actually felt pity for him. Ito ang taong confused kung Kuya ba sya talaga o
boyfriend-material. She thought as Nick offered to pay for lunch.

"Aba, bakit generous ka ngayon?" Alexander teased his brother.

"Ngayon lang yan." Nickolai countered. "Kasi nasa mood ako."

"Bakit kaya nasa mood si Nick?" Dustin kidded and received a scowl from Nickolai.
"Sorry, di na ako magsasalita." He uttered laughing.

Nickolai pulled his drawer open and took out a giftwrapped box. He gingerly opened
the lid and stared at the charm bracelet inside it. He was supposed to give it to
Lee Ann as a peace offering but he never found the guts to. He thought it's too
grown-up and too intimate. You give little girls cute things, whereas girlfriends
receive jewelries.
"Nick, don't overthink!" He chided himself. The moment he saw the bracelet, Lee Ann
had come to mind so he bought it. "Ang liit-liit na bagay kailangan mong bigyan ng
kahulugan? Ibigay mo na lang yan sa bata, tapos." He mumbled and sighed again when
he heard his phone ring.

"Nick!" Precious said over the phone.

"Bakit?" He asked and he leaned against his seat as he massaged his temple. Every
time his girlfriend calls he develops an instant headache.

"Nick! Two of my commercials were cancelled! Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari. I
was supposed to do a commercial for a cologne at isa naman para sa isang
international clothing brand."

"O, tapos? Di ba reklamo ka ng reklamo na ang hectic na ng schedule mo? At least

you'll have more time to relax."

"Nick! Are you even listening to me?! Cancelled! Nawalan ako ng work! I want to sue
them!" She screamed and he expelled a heavy breath.

"Anong rason bakit cancelled? Send the contract over at titingnan ko."

"Yun na nga! I didn't sign the contract yet! I was hoping na tataasan nila yung TF
ko kaya di muna ako pumirma!"

"Kung walang kontrata wala kang laban dyan. Ikaw pala tong nag-cause ng delay, it's
no longer their fault if they thought you're not interested so they decided to
offer the job to someone else." He patiently explained and winced when she
shrieked.

"No one cancels on me! Ako ang nagka-cancel ng commercials at hindi sila! I am
Precious Abueva!" She yelled and he was tempted to end the conversation.

"Precious, hindi lahat ng pagkakataon nasa itaas ka. Learn humility for once."

"Humility?! I started modeling since I was thirteen, Nick! Sikat ako! All the
brands I endorsed became successful! I think I have the right to demand!"

"That's what you think but aren't these cancelled jobs proof enough that it's
otherwise?"

"Nick! You're being a jerk right now! I called you so you can comfort me but
instead you're being an ass!"

"Anong gusto mong sabihin ko?" He asked confused. "I am giving you an opinion based
on the situation."

"Fuck you, Nick!"

"Hindi ko na gusto yang tabas ng dila mo." Nickolai muttered, his patience getting
shorter. "Kung tumawag ka lang para murahin ako mas mabuting wag na tayong mag-
usap."

"Wag na talaga! Maghiwalay na tayo! Wala kang silbi! You're not even good in bed!"
Precious screamed before the line got disconnected. He stared at the phone in his
hand and frowned.

"Did she just dump me?" He asked himself and was surprised to feel relieved.
"Good." He said smiling. And frowned again when his eyes fell on the bracelet.
"Shit." He mumbled. He remembered many years ago when Lee Ann proposed. She was
just eight and he was already in law school.

"Kuya Nick, tanggapin nyo na po tong singsing." She had insisted as she sat on his
lap. "Di po ba pakakasalan nyo po ako pag laki ko?"

"Lee, paglaki mo lolo na ako. Gusto mo bang magpakasal sa isang lolo?" He had
kidded as she leaned her head against his chest. He remembered, he had wrapped his
arms around the little girl because she looked so devastated.

"Wala na po ba akong pag-asa sa inyo, Kuya?" She had asked and he had laughed.

"Ang bata-bata mo pa, may dadating na para sayo. Yung kaedad mo at sigurado akong
mas gwapo sya sa akin."

"Pero, Kuya kayo ang gusto ko eh! Ayoko sa iba. Nag-practice na nga akong magsulat
ng name ko: Lee Ann Carbonel Sandoval."

"Mag-aral ka kaya muna, tsaka mo na lang ako ligawan kapag nakapagtapos ka na." He
had joked and her eyes had twinkled with hope.

"Sasagutin nyo po ba ako Kuya pag niligawan ko kayo by then?" She had asked and he
had rumpled her hair affectionately.

"Alam mo maganda ka, mabait, matalino at maraming lalaking maghahabol sayo. Pag
dumating na ang oras na yan ay sigurado akong makakalimutan mo na ako kasi hirap na
hirap ka nang mamili."

"Paano kita makakalimutan kung ikaw lang ang mahal ko?"

"Paano mo naman nasabing mahal mo ako?" He had asked with a smile. "Iba ang
pagmamahal ng isang Kuya kesa pagmamahal ng isang kasintahan. Tandaan mo yan. Ako
mahal mo ako bilang Kuya pero dadating ang panahong makakahanap ka ng lalaking
mamahalin mo bilang kasintahan mo and eventually ay bilang asawa mo."

"Kuya Nick, ikaw ang gusto ko. Ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko bilang Kuya, bilang
kasintahan at bilang asawa." She had insisted as she inserted a plastic ring on his
pinkie. "Ayan ha, may singsing na tayo, ibig sabihin nyan akin ka lang."

Nickolai smiled fondly at the memory as he opened another drawer and took out a box
that contained the plastic ring she gave him that day. "Hay, Lee Ann." He murmured.
"Napakakulit mong bata." He added as he put the plastic ring on his little finger.
Chapter 7
Saturday and Lee Ann was excited. She used to think na ayaw nya yung mundong
ginalawan ng Mommy nya because she's too shy, she couldn't stand crowds and she
hates being asked questions but when her commercial came out and her's and Nicko's
popularity rose, she couldn't help but be pleased with herself.

"Miss Lee Ann, nandyan na po ang mga classmates ninyo." One of their house helps
said and Lee Ann smiled at her. "Nasa blue room po sila."

"Salamat po, bababa na po ako. Wala pa po ba sina Ate?"

"Wala pa po."

"Sige po, salamat ulit." She said. She was wearing a simple blouse and a pair of
hip-hugging denim pants. She tied her hair by the nape and didn't bother wearing
make-up as she ran down the stairs to meet her guests.

"Nicko!" She called as soon as she opened the door to the blue room.

"Nandito na ang model." Nicko kidded as he watched Lee Ann run up to them. Ang
ganda mo talaga. He thought. Wala ka man lang kakolo-kolorete sa mukha pero ang
ganda-ganda mo. He murmured to himself as she beamed at him.

"Loko, model ka dyan!" She replied laughing. "Hello, guys!" She greeted their other
classmates.

"Lee, magsabi ka nga ng totoo, kayo na ba ni Nicko?"

"Matagal na naming alam na gusto ka ni Nicko, sinagot mo na ba sya?"

"Was that kiss real?"

"Are you, guys officially a couple?"

"Nicko, isn't confirming or denying anything kaya umamin ka na Lee!" They asked and
the teenagers looked at each other and laughed.

"Wag nyo kaya kaming gawan ng issue." Lee Ann uttered.

"Oo nga, hindi pa ako sinasagot nito mamaya hindi na ako sagutin sa kakulitan nyo."
Nicko replied half-jokingly and Lee Ann hit his arm.

"Ano ba! Loko-loko ka talaga!" She remarked laughing harder. He draped an arm on
her shoulder but she didn't even notice dahil masyado na syang komportable sa
kaibigan nya. "Si Tito June pala?" She directed the question at him.

"Hindi makakapunta, may shooting kasi pero sabi nya ililibre nya daw tayo next
weekend."

"Ganun ba? Sayang naman." She replied.

"Ako na muna representative ng buong angkan namin." Nicko uttered. "Isasama kita sa
bahay bukas, sabi nina Tatay gusto ka daw nilang makilala. Binibida ka kasi ni Tito
June sa pamilya."
"Nakakahiya namang pumunta sa inyo."

"Parati nga ako dito tapos ikaw hindi pupunta sa amin? Magtatampo na ako nyan." He
stated and she smiled.

"O sige na, sasama ako bukas." She answered.

"Nicko, baka mangailangan pa ng model yung Tito mo i-recommend mo naman kami."

Trisha, one of their classmates, said and the conversation started to revolve
around commercials and modeling. Someone knocked and Lee Ann turned her head
towards the door.

"Lee, nandyan na sina Alexa." Manong Edgardo said and Lee Ann excitedly stood up.

"Salamat po, Tatay! Mga kaklase ko po pala."

"Good afternoon po, Tatay." Nicko greeted the old man who smiled at him.

"Good afternoon po." Their other classmates chorused.

"Good afternoon. Iwanan ko muna kayo dyan at sumakit na naman ang rayuma ko." The
old man said and Lee Ann's eyes immediately filled with concern.

"Gusto nyo po dalhin ko po kayo sa doctor?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Hindi na. Ganito talaga pag tumatanda na, nahihirapan na kahit sa pagbangon.
Nagkausap na kami ng mga Ate mo at hinihintay ka na nila sa labas."

"Tara, Tatay sabay na po tayong lumabas." Lee Ann answered as she followed Edgardo
out of the room.

"Nasaan na si Lee Ann?" She heard Lia ask. Her eldest sister was facing the other
way and Lee Ann put a finger against her lips when Alexa was about to say
something.

"Baka nagre-retouch, alam mo na dalaga." Alexa kidded as she winked conspiringly at

Lee Ann.

"Ate!" The teenager yelled excitedly and Lia shrieked.

"Ay! Puke ng kabayo!" She said much to the amusement of her two sisters. "Ano ka
bang bata ka!" She scolded gently as she wrapped her arms around the younger girl.
"Wag mo akong gugulatin ng ganun kapag dinala ko yung prospect ko dito at baka
mahalata nyang pinipeke ko pagiging demure ko."

"Ate naman, bakit ba kailangan mong magkunyaring demure. Hindi ba mas maganda kung
tanggap ka nya kung ano ka?" Alexa asked and Lia rolled her eyes at her.

"Alexa, mas exciting yung nagkakagulatan kayo. Besides, keri lang yung
magkukunyaring demure paminsan-minsan tapos sya magkukunyaring gentleman pagkatapos
pag patay na ang ilaw nagbabastusan na kayo." She said and Alexa cracked up as Lee
Ann blushed. "Kaya ikaw wag kang sumama sa isang lalaki lalo na't ayaw mo syang
makabastusan kapag patay ang ilaw. Take it from me."

"Ate naman eh..."

"Anong Ate naman, maloko yang mga lalaki na yan kaya wag kang basta-basta
magtitiwala. Iilan lang ang nagpapauto kaya wag ka ring magpauto. Gamitin mo to."
She said pointing at Lee Ann's head. "Wag ito." She added as she pointed at Lee
Ann's crotch. The three of them doubled over in laughter and Alexa was the first
one to recover.

"Bata pa yan si Lee Ann, Ate masyado mo namang hina-harass."

"Walang bata-bata pagdating sa pag-ibig. Naalala ko na naman ang first love ko."

"Yung kapitbahay nyo dati, Ate?" Lee Ann asked.

"Oo, yung gagong ako ang nakadevirginize. Hay, such fond memories." She dreamily
said and Alexa laughed harder. "Gagong yun, nag-migrate na kasi sila sa Canada kaya
tapos ang maliligayang araw namin pero tinuruan namin ang isa't isa ng kahalayan.
Kahawig nga nya si move-on eh."

"Sinong move on?" Lee Ann inquired.

"Ano ka ba, si move on yung kapartner mo sa commercial. Kahawig nya, kaya

ininterview ko yung batang yun akala ko kamag-anak nya, hindi naman nya kilala."

"Oh my, so gwapo rin?" Lee Ann asked and Alexa and Lia looked at each other.

"Effective ang pitu-pito." Alexa said and Lia nodded her head.

"Korek, hindi na lang si Nickolai ang gwapo para sa bagets!"

"Ate naman eh!" Lee Ann protested.

"Ikaw ha, wag kang papauto masyado dun kay Nickolai. Diyos ko hindi na yun fresh,
mas masarap kapag fresh ang lalaki--"

"Ate! Ano ba!" Alexa objected laughing as Alexander, Nickolai and Dustin arrived.

"Love, sinukaan ni bunso si Nick." Alexander informed his wife, his voice filled
with amusement. "Japorms na japorms pa man din ang loko." He added before he
guffawed.

"Niloloko mo na naman yang kapatid mo." Alexa immediately said as she gave Nick an
apologetic smile. "Sorry, Nick."

"Okay lang, pamangkin ko to eh. Pero yang asawa mo naasar na ako." Nickolai uttered
as Alexa took her daughter from her brother-in-law's arm.

"Kailangan mong magbihis. Teka may mga damit si Alex sa kwarto ko, papahiram ko
sayo ang isa. Lee, akyat ka muna para ikaw na mag-abot kay Nick ng damit." Alexa
said and Lee Ann nodded her head as she followed her sister and brother-in-law up
the stairs.

"Anong oras ba magsisimula ang party mo, Lee?" Alex asked the teenage girl.

"Maya-maya po, Kuya kasi po hinihintay pa po yung cake. Kuya, tikman mo yung
spaghetti ha kasi ako po nagluto nun." She said grinning and Alex laughed.

"Oo naman, pero mamaya pa ang party? May time pa pala tayo, Love." He said winking
at his wife who frowned at him.

"Alex, umayos ka. Di ka na nahiya kay Lee Ann."

"Sanay na ako sa lambingan nyo, Ate. Take your time, ipapakatok ko kayo kapag
dumating na ang cake." Lee Ann replied as Alexander gave her a high-five after she
took the shirt Alexa handed.

"Kaya kita mahal, Lee!" Alex remarked earning a laugh from the teenager and a scowl
from Alexa.

"O, sige enjoy each other. Baba na ako." Lee Ann uttered before she stepped out of
the room.

"Dinadamay mo pa sa kahalayan mo ang bata!" She heard her older sister say before
she heard a laugh and a shriek. "Bastos ka talaga, Alex!"

"Di ka pa ba sanay? Aba, araw-araw, hapun-hapon at gabi-gabi kitang binabastos ah.

Kulang pa, Love?"

"Si Kuya Alex talaga." She murmured to herself shaking her head as she descended
the stairs. "Ate Lia, nasaan po sila bakit mag-isa ka dito?"

"Lumabas si Dustin at may tumawag." Lia answered. "Si Nick naman nasa isa sa mga
banyo nag-retouch." She added laughing.

"Dala ko po kasi yung shirt na pinapaabot ni Ate kay Kuya Nick."

"Puntahan mo na lang sa banyo." Lia said and exclaimed when her phone rang. "Ay, si
prospect number two!" She excitedly giggled. "Teka, Lee ha I need to take this
call."

"Okay po." Lee Ann replied. She left the room to go to the left-wing comfort room
to check if Nickolai was there. "Kuya Nick." She called as she knocked. "Kuya Nick
nandito po ba kayo?"

"Pasok." Nickolai answered and Lee Ann gingerly pushed the door open. She stopped
when she saw him shirtless. "Yan na ba yung shirt ni Alex?" Nickolai asked as Lee
Ann stared at him and blushed. "Lee?"

"Po?" She answered as her gaze left his chest. "Ano po yun?" She questioned
clutching the shirt tightly against her own chest, her throat suddenly going dry.

"Hand me the shirt." He instructed, amused.

"Ah, oo nga pala." She stammered. "Ito po, salamat po. Bye." She mumbled as she
hurriedly turned to leave.

"Lee!" He called and she stopped moving.

"Po?"

"Hindi kita na-congratulate ng maayos." He said but she didn't turn to look at him.
"Congratulations. You look amazing on television." He muttered as he watched her
back stiffen.

"Salamat po." She replied as her hand grabbed the door knob frantically.

"Did he kiss you?" He asked the question that burned inside his head for days.

"Ha?" She asked finally turning around to face him, her face filled with confusion.
She immediately lowered her gaze when she realized that he still hasn't put a shirt
on. "Sino po?" She inquired as he moved closer to her.

"Yung lalaki na kasama mo sa commercial." He stated plainly and her brows furrowed
as she trained her gaze on the tiled floor of the comfort room. "Did he kiss you?"

"Si Nicko?" She asked in surprise as she lifted her head and took a step back when
she realized that they were nearly toe-to-toe. The door prevented her from moving
further and she blinked at his nearness. "Bakit nyo po tinatanong, Kuya?" She
questioned as he tilted his head to the side looking at her. She felt her heart
drum like crazy inside her chest as she felt for the doorknob behind her. "Alis na
po ako, Kuya baka po kasi --" She spluttered and stopped breathing when he tilted
her face up using his finger.

"Did he kiss you?" He asked again and her eyes widened considerable when he moved
his face close to hers. "Sagutin mo ak--" He started to say and stopped when he
felt her warm mouth on his. He watched her eyes flutter close as their lips touched
and he groaned before he lifted her off the floor and made her sit on top of the
counter beside the sink. She gasped when his mouth opened over hers evoking a
thousand question in her head and a heap of emotions in her heart.

"Kuya--" She protested weakly as she grew weak-kneed.

"Shh..." He whispered as he cupped her face and claimed her lips while guiding her
arms around his neck. His tongue rubbed against her lower lips begging for entrance
and she was unsure what to do. Gently, his thumb and forefinger coaxed her chin
downward as he nibbled on her lower lip. As soon as her mouth opened, he took
possession of her tongue by drawing it out of her mouth using his own and sucking
it. Lee Ann moaned holding on to him tightly and froze when she felt his hand on
her breast. He felt her grow rigid in his arms and his hand stilled.

"Sorry." He said lifting his face an inch away from hers. They were both panting
and she moved to lean her forehead against his chin. "Shit, Lee sorry." He
repeated, his actions dawning on him. He had just molested a child and he felt
disgusted with himself. He tried to step away from her but she tightened her arms
around him. "Lee..." He whispered her name against her hair but she remained quiet.

"I still love you, Kuya." She whispered against the front of his shirt and he felt
his heart squeeze. "And I don't think I'll be able to stop." She added.

"I hope you'll never stop." He whispered back as his arms slowly wrap around her.
"Because I'll die if you'll fall for someone else."

Chapter 8
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Chapter 9
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Chapter 10
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Chapter 11
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Chapter 12
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Chapter 13
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Chapter 14
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Chapter 15
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Chapter 16
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Chapter 17
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Chapter 18
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Chapter 19
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Chapter 20
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Chapter 21
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Chapter 22
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Chapter 23
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Chapter 24
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Chapter 25
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Chapter 26
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Chapter 27
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Chapter 28
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Chapter 29
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Chapter 30
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Chapter 31
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Chapter 32
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Chapter 33
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