Folding my arms, I studied the face of Jonas who was standing mightily in front of me. He stood beside Joshua and a man I didn't recognize. He was out of out of my league, not even in my circle of friends.
"He's the client I was telling you," Joshua spoke up, referring to the stranger. "He has a land property in Aurora. He plans to renovate it. It's an old house and they want to turn it to a restaurant."
"What era?" I asked and looked at the stranger.
"By the way," Joshua piped up. "It's rude to just discuss things without proper introduction, right?"
"I'm Architect Reyes," I introduced myself to the guy and offered him a handshake.
"Jacob Lozano," he smiled—it was benevolent, and accepted my hand.
His hand was big and warm. I smiled warmly. He looked good. He was friendly and approachable.
Jonas cleared his throat, jabbing the back of his palm against Jacob's chest. Jacob brought my hand down.
"Would you like to take a seat?" I offered.
"Sure, Ms. Reyes," he smiled again.
We took our seats around the table. Joshua and I were seatmate. Across from me was Jacob who sat next to Jonas.
"So," I intertwined my hands together and placed them on the table. I straigthened up my bacl. "Do you have any plan or ideas in the renovation of your property?"
"We want to turn it into a restaurant since we have a business in-line with catering like you know... food and stuff," Jacob answered. "Although we want to renovate the old house, we still want to preserve its tradition, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, Mr. Lozano. Can I see the pictures of your property or we will visit it some other time?"
"Will you be available tomorrow? We can schedule the visit right away."
"Sure!" I giggled. "I'll be free tomorrow."
"Great. We will discuss furthermore all the ideas and uhh, the necessary info."
"That would be interesting, Mr. Lozano. Thank you so much."
We had a handshake again. We bid our goodbye after the meeting. Jonas and Jacob left together while Joshua and I remained inside the restaurant.
"Good job, Etincelle," Joshua teased as he sat across from me. He leaned on his seat and crossed his legs comfortably.
"How did you know them?" I asked.
I was utterly shocked when Jonas came into view, showing off his impressive chest. Standing at the door, he blocked the light from outside the restaurant with his body. He was wearing a checkered, long sleeved polo with two buttons left open. He looked fresh from the market that any customer would be willing to buy him at any cost. His wavy hair was brushed up with taper fade. I've seen those styles before but today looked different.
"Jonas is my batchmate. He just asked if I know an architect who can help Jacob."
"And who is Jacob to you?"
"We're friends too."
I fell silent. The image of Jonas staring boldly at me flashed through my mind. My heart skipped a beat.
"By the way, who took you home last night?" He asked and I flinched.
"H-Huh? A friend of mine."
"So, you called that friend of yours?"
"Uhm, yeah... I got home safe and sound."
Silence followed. I turned my face away to avoid follow up questions just in case he wanted to know who's that friend.
"How's Thrante?" He asked suddenly. I focused on him again.
"She's good and happy now. I wish she will reunite with Baste."
His brows met in between his nose bridge. "You want them to get back together?"
I nodded. "There's no better man than Baste if we're talking about Thrante. I can't find someone who fits in Thrante's standard."
I shut up. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.
I went home after that conversation while Joshua worked again. My life felt boring all of the sudden. I decided to stay inside my room when I heard a noise downstairs. I was curious so I decided to go down.
When I got down, I saw my mother carrying an infant. I squinted my eyes and walked towards her.
"Mommy?" I called. She quickly shifted her eyes on me.
"Yes, honey?"
"Whose baby is that?"
"You don't know? It's Raymar's baby."
I snapped my eyes. I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. I whipped around and saw Raymar with a lady.
"Hey, E!" He greeted with a wide smile on his face. He went to me and hugged me. "Long time no see!" He loosened up.
"You're married?" I asked, confused.
"Not yet, E."
"But Mommy that's your baby?" I glanced at the baby then to his father again.
"Yeah. Well," he shrugged.
"Damn," I whispered. "Is that even legal?"
"The what?"
I looked over his shoulder instead of answering him. The woman behind Raymar smiled at me.
"Hi," she greeted shyly. "I'm Jessy."
"Etincelle, Raymar's cousin. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. You're so beautiful."
"Oh," I gave Raymar a quick glance. He just shrugged. "Thanks, Jessy."
Raymar hissed, making me turn to him. He stood next to Jessy.
"We're not staying long, E. We just come her to introduce Jessy to all of you."
"Awe. That's so thoughtful, Ray. Have you eaten yet? We can have our lunch together."
"Sure, E." He nodded.
We had our lunch together and talked about Raymar and Jessy's relationship, especially how and when the baby came into their lives. They still have no plan on getting married because they want to work first and prioritize the baby. Marriage is up to follow if they have enough money.
"Didn't you regret loving Raymar?" I asked Jessy while we were chitchatting in the sala. She was breastfeeding the baby. Raymar and Mom weren't around because they had some errand to do.
"None. Raymar is kind and responsible. He is the man that I needed."
"Did you plan on getting pregnant and have a baby?" I paused and realized I was insensitive. "No offense. I have no intention of mocking you or what. Did you guys plan to have a baby first before the marriage?"
She laughed at my defensive words.
"It's okay. About the baby... we plan it of course but he came unexpectedly. You get it?"
"Like the baby came not in your own timeline?"
She nodded. "Supposed to be the baby is after the marriage but here she is now."
I smiled at the back of my head. It seemed like she never regretted anything. She wasn't married with Raymar yet but she is happy. Raymar is such a nice guy.
"How about you? Do you have a plan to get married?"
I cringed at the question. "Not in my plan. What's the point of marriage?"
"To make your relationship holy. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I'm not in love with any man."
"Why?"
"Because I think loving someone is having them the upper hand. You are allowing yourself to be vulnerable too."
"What's wrong with being vulnerable? We all came to that point."
"Nothing."
"Maybe you're just afraid."
"Of what?"
"Commitment?"
"Not so... I'm not gonna bow down on men, Jessy."
The following morning I readied myself because we were going to Aurora. I brought extra clothes and underwears just in case of emergency. I just thought they would tell me we would go home tomorrow.Five in the morning was our call time. We have to be early because Aurora is far from here and to avoid the heavy traffic too. I calculated the time travel. It's almost five hours."Good morning, E!" Joshua greeted happily when we met outside the house. He told me he will fetch me up and we will go to Jacob's place together."Good morning, Josh! Why are you happy today?""I don't know either," he chuckled.His attire is just simple. Plain pink shirt, heavy jeans and a leather boots."You're in love," I accused."Oh?" I chuckled. "I'm just happy today.""Don't lie to me, Josh. I know you. So, you're hitting on someone?""Nah," h
"I was surprised that Jonas was there. I remembered he offered me a job too. Maybe that's the offer he was referring to. He said his friend is looking for an architect," I told Thrante. I recalled what happened yesterday."And? Have you talked to Jonas again?""I haven't yet. Someone called him yesterday when we were off to go. He called her Honey. Do you think that's his girlfriend?""I'm not sure. But I know someone whose name is Honey.""Really?" She nodded. "Who is she?""Honey Rallos, my family lawyer.""Oh," my lips formed in O shape. "Do you think there's a connection between the two? Isn't she a friend of Joshua?""I don't know," she shrugged. "Jonas is a friend of Joshua, I supposed.""They were batchmates.""Maybe Jonas and Honey were batchmates too?"I fell silent. What is it with me if they wer
They left after that while I and my friends remained on our round table. I wandered my eyes around and realized how full of people this place was."Boy hunting you want?" Morthena asked all of the sudden."Boy hunting?" Morayta repeated, sounding confused."It's up to you, guys. You might like to. Philip told me there's a lot of boys here.""Pass," Morayta quickly replied, waving her hands dismissively. "I'm not into boy hunt tonight.""Same," Haponesa shrugged off."Where's Azy by the way?" I asked. This is why I feel ùlike someone is missing. Azy isn't here."She's not available. You already know why," Morthena replied.This was why marriage sucked. It restrained you from doing your old lifestyle. Thinking about it made me sick."I'll just room around," I told them and excused myself.I looked for a shot to drink. I would drink tonight but not too much. I promised to Mama I wouldn't come home drunk.
I woke up feeling exhausted and in pain. I checked myself and to my great surprise, I was naked! I abruptly covered my body with the comforter. I felt like all my blood went dry."What?!" I shouted.I wandered my eyes around the place. My eyes quickly widened as I realized I was inside a familiar room. My heart hammered against my chest.The door opened and a familiar face of a man came into view. My eyes quickly widened. I checked myself again and I was utterly naked!"W-What..." I trailed off.My cheeks flared up in embarrassment. Why is he here?! Why am I here inside his room?! Why am I naked?! Did something happened last night?!I swallowed the lump in my throat. My mind went wild. I hear voices in my head but I can't even open my mouth to speak up. My tongue cowered."Did we have some fun last night?" I asked directly."You forgot?"
One month passed and that was the last time that I saw Jonas. I tried not to show up in front of him. I don't to remember what he said that I did the first move that led to something. That was the least thing I would do! Men beg for me. I don't beg for heaven's sake!He really thinks highly of himself, huh?As I descended from thre stairs, I smelled an awful odor from the kitchen. I winced, fanning my nose to shoo away the bad odor."What are you cooking, Manang?" I asked our helper as I arrived at the kitchen."Adobong manok, hija. Why?""Why does it smell so bad?""Really? I put some ginger already.""It makes me so sick, Manang. Please, change your menu.""Your mother requested me to cook this.""Nah," I waved my hand dismissively. "Please, Manang. Just change it already. I hate the smell.""What do you want me to cook?""Anything. Just please not chicken."I walked away. I can't endure the
Two red lines on the pregnancy test made my heart pound cruelly against my chest. The result told me I was positive. I was pregnant!My hands were shaking in fear. I don't want to believe my eyes. I don't want to believe that the results told me I was pregnant. I wasn't! This can't be!My menstruation was delayed for two months already. I never missed my period so it's quite questionable. It's my first time to experience this.A tear escaped from my eyes. My hands were shaking while putting the testing kit on the sink. I tried another test and it had the same result. There were two red lines.I picked up my phone and called Thrante. It took few rings before she picked up her phone."Thrante," I called out."Why? Is there something wrong?""W-Where are you? Are you home?""Yes, Etincelle. Is there something wrong? You sound troubled.""Uhh," I trailed off. "I-I have something to tell you.""Huh?" She sounded dread
The following morning I called Jonas to meet up with him. Thrante convinced me that I should tell Jonas about the baby. If he will accept the baby, that's good. If not, it's okay."Uhh, sorry I didn't clean up. I didn't expect your arrival," Jonas said shyly, rubbing his nape. "You told me you brought me some news?""Yes, Joe." I swallowed a chunk of fear. "Uhh..."His place suddenly became hot but cold sweat gleamed on my forehead. My heart never stopped beating so wild against my chest. Just like a lionness that wanted to escape from its cage."I'm listening," he said calmly."About what happened two months ago..."His throat moved. Shock flickered in his eyes. He probably didn't expect this. Neither did I.I walked past through him and roomed around. I stood few meters away from him."Y-You got me pregnant, Joe," I said directly even if I stuttered. I was anxious again I could not think straight. "I just want you to kn
"Thank you," I said as I got out of Jonas' car. I turned around, made few steps and then faced him again. "Take care.""Just tell me when to set the date to tell your parents about the baby," he said. I just nodded without a word. I was exhausted physically.I entered inside my house without waiting for Jonas to drive away. I proceeded upstairs and locked myself inside. I called Thrante as I sat on the edge my bed. I felt empty inside."How was the check up?" She asked me immediately as she answered my call."Confirmed, caz. I'm really pregnant," I said in a weary voice. "Jonas is the father of my baby.""What was his reaction? What did he say? Will he take full responsible of the baby?""I think so... he even offered me to live with him.""Really? And what was your decision?""I don't think that's a good idea, Thrantw. We're not even together.""Yeah, but he's the father of your child. He needs to see the it that