They had a wonderful meal together and avoided discussing any issues. A stroll was the icing on the cake. Even though the sky looked dark, they were able to see clearly because of the solar-powered lights that were draped around the coconut trees. Nakaramdam ng ginaw si Iris at niyakap ang sarili. Ngumiti ang lalaki at hinapit s'ya palapit sa katawan nito at niyakap. "Better?" "It's nice and warm, thank you." Iris' arms remained on her side. "That's good. But it will help you warm your body faster if your arms were wrapped around me." Nagmistulang bulong 'yon dahil sobrang lapit nila sa isa't isa. Iris didn't know what to say and let her heart lead for a bit. She didn't want to ruin the moment. Yumakap s'ya at inihimlay ang pisngi sa dibdib ni Salvo. She stopped shivering instantly. Hinagod ni Salvo ang likod niya. "Gaano tayo katagal dito?" "For as long as it takes." His answer was vague. "As long as it takes to what?" Pero hindi na s'ya sinagot nito. "What are you doing?

Half an hour later, Iris grabbed her book and went to sit outside. But when she saw the two women wearing a skimpy bathing suit and flirting with Salvo— nagpanting ang tainga niya. Is he playing with her? Hindi na nga ito bumalik sa kwarto kagabi at nagising s'ya na wala ito sa isla– tapos nang bumalik may kasamang dalawang babae?Those women looked like supermodels! The taller one has a snake tattoed on her back, while the other one has something tribal on her left arm. Nevertheless, it didn't make them less beautiful. In fact, those tattoes looked attractive and added to their appeal.She tried to focus on her book pero ang bawat irit ng dalawang babae ay lalong nagpapasakit ng ulo niya. "Have some margarita. Reina made it." Nang tumunghay s'ya ay nakita niya si Estefan na may hawak na coupette— a stemmed glass with a curved bowl. "Thanks." Tinanggap niya 'yon at sumimsim. "Tastes good.""Thank you!" Nakakalong si Reina kay Estefan at ang sweet nang dalawa. Gusto niyang mainggit p

Iris wasn't joking when she said she's not cooking. Damn! Napakatibay din. Ang gusto lang naman niya ay kusa itong lumapit sa kaniya. Isang lambing lang nito ay lalambot na s'ya. Ilang beses ba s'yang tatanggihan nito? Nagsisimula na s'yang mag-isip na baka talagang ayaw lang nitong makasal sa kaniya. May mga babae naman na ayaw ng kasal. Moderno na ang mga babae ngayon at mas gusto pang makipag-live in kaysa matali sa isang pagsasama na walang kasiguraduhan kung magtatagal o hindi. He cooked pasta and made garlic bread. Nang umalis si Iris kanina ay hindi pa sila nagkikita ngayong tanghali. Gusto yatang magpakatusta sa labas. Talagang iniiwasan s'ya nito but Roxy is watching her kaya hindi s'ya nag-aalala. "Wow. Ang sarap naman magmahal ni Mamay." Namataan niya si Bebe. She looked ridiculous wearing the slutty maid uniform pero ito ang nakaisip ng costume kaya hinayaan na niya. Mukhang tagumpay naman dahil selos na selos si Iris. Nagwalk out pa kaninang agahan.Nagpunas s'ya ng kam

There was nothing he could do to take back what he said, but he felt a wave of relief once it was out. This time though, he couldn't read Iris and he has never felt so much fear in his life until now. He didn't want to lose her."And I was part of your plan?" "I thought about it, but then I saw you and I couldn't put it in motion. I couldn't do it." He answered her without leaving her eyes. He was afraid that if he blinked, he would lose Iris.Iris nodded a few times. Her facial expression remained the same. If there was a perfect description for it, it would be distant. Pakiramdam niya ay palayo ito ng palayo sa kaniya. "When do I leave?" tanong ni Iris habang naglalakad papunta sa dresser. Kumuha ito ng bihisan doon saka nagpatuloy sa papunta sa banyo. "We are not finished talking." "May nakalimutan ka pa ba? You already answered my questions." Malamig ang tinig ni Iris habang nagsasalita. Mas mabuti pa noon kapag inis ito sa kaniya, halata niya ang gigil at panay ang iwas. This

Now that their house has been seized, she has two choices— either she stays in a hotel or stay with Jacklyn's family. The only problem is she's not alone. Kasama niya si Bebe at Roxy at nakakahiya namang patulugin ang mga ito sa banig. Jacklyn's family is not wealthy at maliit lang ang bahay ng mga ito. Okay lang sa kaniya kahit maglatag sa sala, pero hindi niya kabisado ang mga kasama. Kahit ang mga pangalan ng mga ito ay hindi niya alam kung alyas o totoo. Bebe drove the car and Roxy sat at the front. She took the backseat and look outside the window. She took her phone out from her pocket at tiningnan kung may tawag o text si Salvo pero wala s'yang natanggap. To pass the time, nagpahatid s'ya sa coffee shop para makita ang kaibigan. Sinalubong s’ya ng isang mahigpit na yakap ni Jacklyn. “Mabuti naman at maayos ka. Nag-alala ako nang mawala ka bigla. Pinuntahan ako ng daddy mo kasama ni Rosanna.”Naupo s’ya loob ng opisina habang si Bebe at Roxy ay naupo sa corner. Pinabigyan niya