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"you lost weight," automatikong huminto ang mga kamay ni kyungsoo sa paghihiwa ng mga prutas ng mapansin ang concern sa boses ng boss nito. "don't tell me you're working part time ulit at night?" 

bilang lumaki sa isang mahirap na pamilya, si kyungsoo ay sanay na kumayod 24/7. dito siya lumaki, working three part time jobs in a day, bilang panganay sa tatlong magkakapatid at breadwinner ng pamilya.

sa kasalukuyan, si kyungsoo ay private chef ng mag-asawang Park. hindi man nakapag tapos ng culinary or any related course, magaling naman itong magluto dahil bata pa lamang, siya na ang katuwang ng ina sa kusina. 

malaki man ang sahod nito sa mansiyon, hindi naman ito sapat kaya sa ngayon, kyungsoo's considering na mag-apply sa iba pa. lalo pa't halos linggo linggo na inaatake ng asthma ang ina at si kyungsoo din ang nagpapa-aral sa kanyang apat na taong gulang na pamangkin at bunsong kapatid.

"hindi naman kuya, puyat lang." sagot ni kyungsoo upang hindi mabahala ang apo ng amo nito. "..hehe." 

buntong hininga ang kumawala sa bibig ng lalaki at hindi na pinilit si kyungsoo na mag open up, reserved ang dalaga pero mabait naman ito. 

"may extrang prutas at gulay ako diyan sa shopping bag. iuwi mo na." 

"naku kuya,"

"kyungsoo, just accept it. kung hindi, sasabihin ko kay mom that you lied and you're not a professional-" 

"ssssh," mabilis na binitawan ni kyungsoo ang hawak na kutsilyo upang pigilan ang boss sa sasabihin nito. "..opo, ito na at dadalhin ko lahat pauwi. kahit yung buong cake na nandoon pa sa ref!" gently pushing the fingers from his mouth. the man just chuckled at the part timer's threat.

"isama mo na yung pizza," he smiles. "pag uwi ko and nandiyan pa yan, itatapon ko lahat ng pagkain doon." ayaw sa lahat ni kyungsoo ang pagsasayang ng pagkain kaya tiningnan ng masama ang amo.

"go, go, go, ako bahala kela lolo!" irap ng dalaga sa among lalaki.

"bye," he said cutely at naglakad na towards the front door. "by the way, i will be coming home late tonight but ate's gonna be here naman so you can go home earlier.."

"ingat kuya!"

//

nagdadabog si baekhyun, kunot ang noo at walang humpay ang paglabas ng mga mura sa kanyang bibig. another proposal she said yes to pero another day na hindi sila binigyan ng basbas ng mga magulang.

this is the third time she said yes to chanyeol and the third time she has been warned about not getting tied down habang ang kuya niya ay-

"...puputulan ko talaga ng tite ang lalaking yun, nagpapakasarap siya sa buhay at sa kama while i cant even marry you kahit pa tapos na ang dream house natin at may dalawang negosyo na!" 

"love, chill," Chanyeol squeezes baekhyun's hand, eyes on the road kasi they're on their way sa condo ng kuya ni Baekhyun. "you know we always have an option diba? you want Plan B instead of waiting sa pagtitino ni Jongin?" Plan B. getting married in secret.

"at this point, plan b ko na ang ipa tapos yang si kuya!" 

napangiti nalang si chanyeol sa nobya at sa tuwing red light or ma stuck sa traffic, to make his girlfriend feel better, Chanyeol would lean into Baekhyun and steal kisses sa kanyang noo, ilong, pisngi at labi. 

narating ng magkasintahan ang condo ni jongin ng walang kababalaghang naiwan sa kotse ni chanyeol. magkahawak ang kamay ng dalawa habang tinatahak ang floor ng kuya ni baekhyun.

chanyeol is the one who punches the security code and baekhyun is the one who entered first. 

the unit is a mess, not to exaggerate ang tunay na kalagayan ng unit ng bachelor. mess mess means, the kitchen sink is filled with unwashed dishes, the table have take out plastics everywhere, nagkalat ang mga filter ng sigarilyo and worst, amoy ihi ng aso kaya mabilis na uminit ang ulo ni baekhyun.

"KIM JONGIN!!!!" 

"in here!!!" 

padabog na tumungo si baekhyun sa kwarto turned walk in closet ni Jongin. entering and seeing na walang ni anumang saplot ang kuya niya, she was not even surprised anymore, didn't even blinked. 

"what are you doing? you have work in twenty minutes pero-"

"ang aga pero ang init ng ulo, kumalma ka magandang sister ko." jongin grins sa kanyang sister who seems unbothered talaga sa pagiging butt naked niya. they're siblings, baekhyun had seen, tasted and fucked by a dick (chanyeol and chanyeol only) kaya she's accustomed to it. "by the way, i think sira tong iron you bought me, it's not working eh, kanina pa ako here but hindi umiinit. it's supposed to heat up no?" seeing that unplugged ang plantsa, baekhyun rolled her eyes.

"sira? we double checked it when we bought it though." si Chanyeol iyon, kakapasok ng kwarto karga ang aso ni Jongin sa bisig niya.

no one talked as jongin tries to iron his boxer shorts, showing that it's faulty at sira like what he's claiming.

"see?" 

"did you atleast, plugged it?" baekhyun rolled her eyes sa kashungaan ng kuya niya whose light bulb lighted realizing that the iron is perfectly working at ang brain niya mismo ang faulty.

jongin bent down, chanyeol stood infront of his unmoving girlfriend at umalis lamang ng makitang nakatayo na si jongin, nakangiti habang nakatingin sa plantsa.

a few minutes passed. 

"sira yata," jongin mumbles at tahimik lang ang magkasintahan while studying him. "sira nga," he said. "b, not working talaga." he pouts. "the iron didn't moved like that robot vaccuum cleaner you bought," napahawak pa sa baba si jongin na animo nag-iisip kung ano ang damage sa plantsa. "it could be the plug? baka hindi siya nag cha charge?" until smokes began to rise from the iron. jongin panicked, lifted the iron at nakitang nasusunog na ang boxers nito. "oh fuck, di sira!" he proves to himself. 

"ulo mo may sira!" baekhyun yells, nagdabog na inunplug ang iron at tinulak palayo ang kuya niya. "this is it, ayoko na. whether you like it or not maghahanap ako ng katulong para sayo!" she tells her stupid brother bago hilahin palabas ng unit si chanyeol. 

"you cant do that!" 

"yes i can," baekhyun growls. "and i will."

"no. baekhyun, im warning you!" nasa labas na ng unit ang magkasintahan when baekhyun marches back inside. 

"did you know, chanyeol proposed to me last night..."

"what's wrong about it? it's the second time naman na diba? and you said yes."

"third time. THIRD!" Baekhyun groans frustratingly. why does her brother act selfishly? he's thirty two and acting like a two year old. math isn't mathing at pagod na si baekhyun. "and the parents said no to the wedding unless you," she glared at him. "settles first. alam mo, i could pay someone to pretend as your wife eh, thats my plan c."

"don't you dare byun baekhyun-"

"i wont talaga. maaawa lang ako sa tao," jongin pulled baekhyun into his chest seeing na nag die down na ang emotion ng kapatid after a quick argument.

"sorry na, sorry na love,"

"are you, really?" 

"ofcourse. you know i hate it when we fight," jongin says gently, hand carressing his sister's hair. "sorry na," 

"not forgiven," baekhyun sniffs. jongin hate  seeing women cry in front of him, it disgust him pero when it's his younger sister. it's a different story to tell. 

"hmmm, what do you want ba? plane tickets? a jewelry? food? new bag?" 

"a maid."

"maid?"

"gusto ko ng maid, i will hire to help you kuya."

"what-"

"if you want my forgiveness you have no choice but to accept it. it's not for me naman eh but for you and munggoh, ang dumi ng unit mo, ang baho. i thought baboy na ang brother ko." jongin sighs. "also, you need real food,"

"fine. if that's what you want talaga.. ikaw bahala mag hanap though. busy ako sa company so-"

"stay in din ha?"

"baekhyun, i think thats too much.."

"i cant hear you kuya.." nguso ni baekhyun, niyakap lang ang kuya nito para lambingin until he's left with one choice and that is to agree. 

"WHAT THE FUCK. WHO IS SHE? SABI MO SINGLE KA???" A woman yelling out of Jongin's room broke the moment ng magkapatid. Baekhyun glared at her and since bad trip siya, she couldnt help herself and vented out lahat ng init ng ulo sa babae. 

"IM HIS WIFE AT SIYA ANG AMA NG KAMBAL NAMIN," Baekhyun bitches back. "DONT LET ME SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN OR SA KULUNGAN ANG BAGSAK MO!" 

Nagmarcha ang dalaga, huminto sa harap ng magkapatid at akmang sasampalin si Jongin ng literally, Baekhyun growled at her, wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang mag walk out ng condo, grumpy at initimidated.

"B naman, she's by far the best lay, plan ko pa naman gawing siyang call a friend," 

"Ewan ko sayo. mag bihis ka na at kami'y aalis na din!" Baekhyun gave her kuya a peck sa cheek at lumabas na ng unit. 

si jongin, napakamot nalang ng batok. he too doesn't even know kung ano ang nangyayari sa sariling buhay niya.

Work, Sex, work and more sex. he's living a contented life and not considering changes. but for baekhyun's peace of mind.

//

behave ang mag-asawang Park today, wala ni isa sa matanda ang nag tantrum dulot ng kanilang dementia kaya peaceful ang naging hapon ni Kyungsoo sa mansiyon. she made them dinner at two at dumating ang panganay na apo upang pakainin ang dalawang matanda. 

around four pm nagpaaalam na't uuwi ang chef upang makaiwas sa rush hour kaya hindi pa man lubusang lumubog ang araw ay nakarating na ito sa kanilang bahay. 

ang pamangkin niya ang sumalubong sa kanya habang ang kuya niya'y nagluluto ng hapunan kasama ang kanilang ina. 

pinagpahinga siya ng mga kasama sa bahay, naupo si kyungsoo, sliced the cake na nasa kandungan ang pamangkin nito na kasing excited niya kumain.

"Pizza!!!" Dumating naman ang bunso nilang galing sa paaralan. "sino may birthday?" tanong pa ni Wendy. ngumunguya ito ng pizza kaya sinaway ni Kyungsoo. 

"wala lang, may pera ako ngayon eh, bakit ba?" pagyayabang ng breadwinner.

"tama ate, may project kami sa school. may bibilhin ulit," Wendy added. 

"Soo, si Manang Fe, naniningil na ng renta. Kuryente't Tubig na rin." Dagdag ng kuya ni Kyungsoo. "tatlong buwan tayong hindi nakapagbayad kaya malaki-laki ngayon yung gastos soo," Tanong ni Seungsoo. "kaya ba? para kung hindi dedelehensiya muna ako kay bossing," 

"Kaya ko kuya, mag wiwithdraw ako mamaya." Ngiti ang ipinapakita ni kyungsoo pero sa likod ay nakatago ang lungkot, at pagod. Habang buhay mang magpakahirap, magtrabaho si Kyungsoo pero tila hindi na uunlad ang isang kahig isang tukang pamumuhay ng pamilya. 

Napatingin lamang ito sa pamangkin niya at ipinagdadasal na sana makapag tapos ng kolehiyo, makapag trabaho sa isang magandang kumpanya na malaki ang sahod upang hindi maranasan ang paghihirap na dinanas ni Kyungsoo at ng buong pamilya. kahit isa lang, sana ay makatikim ng magandang pamumuhay sa hinaharap.

Ng gabing iyon, nasa kwarto si Kyungsoo. Tulog na si Wendy habang siya ay nagbibilang ng pera, namomroblema kung paano pagkakasyahin ang dalawang libong natitira para sa isang buwang budget.

Malalim na ang gabi, tahimik na ang bahay maliban sa mga lasinggero sa kanto na abot sa kanilang kwarto ang tawanan at hiyawan. Sanay man pero nais sanang magpahinga ni Kyungsoo sa gabing iyon.

Nag-aayos na ng gamit si Kyungsoo ng biglang malakas na katok ang tuluyang gumising sa kanyang diwa. Pumasok ang kanyang ama, hinihingal at nagpapanic. 

"Soo, ang mama mo.." 

Mabilis na tumakbo si Kyungsoo sa kwarto ng mga magulang nito. Ang ina niya, inaatake ng hika at kanina pa hinahanap ang hindi makitang inhaler. 

Naupo si Kyungsoo sa tabi ng ina, hinawakan sa kamay while whispering reassuring words. Pero, hindi iyon ang kailangan ng mama niya at nagpanic na din si Kyungsoo realizing that her lips are slowly turning blue, hands sweaty and cold. 

"Kuya, kuya!!! Tumawag ka na ng ambulansiya!!!"

//

"huy? are you okay? don't tell me na panis ang pizza at cake na inuwi mo?" umiling si kyungsoo. ayaw man ipahalata but the eyebags hanging underneath her eyes couldn't lie. wala siyang sapat na pahinga and it shows. 

"kuya, since i can prepare food in advance para kela lola, i might squeeze a part time or two.." 

"how much?"

"huh?"

"how much do you need, i can help kyungsoo you know that."

"i know. kaya nahihiya na ako sayo kuya," tumayo ang binata from his seat sa veranda and moved closer kay kyungsoo who is watering the houseplants.

"you're stubborn to accept no? what if i offer something else?" kyungsoo gasped scandalized. masyadong seryoso ang binata and the mansiyon is kyungsoo's happy place. ayaw niyang dalhin doon ang mabigat na problema. 

"kuya hindi pa po ako ready for mature roles, inuunahan na po kita." 

"sira ulo," he laughs sabay hila sa buhok ni Kyungsoo, playfully lang kasi they're close like that. "a job. a permanent one." 

"pero sila lola," kyungsoo couldn't leave the elders knowing how the Parks entrusted the old couple sa kanya, and she's a responsible chef. 

"like you told me, you can meal prep," 

"what job though?" tanong ng dalaga. 

"a housekeeping job? stay in though."

"day offs?"

"weekend."

interested na, kyungsoo places down the hose at hinarap ang anak ng amo, her arms crossed infront of her chest.

"how much? location?"

"Taguig. the pay, i dont know yet. but we can discuss over coffee later."

"call!" 

like what they discussed and agreed upon, after her shift for the day, Kyungsoo was brought sa isang mamahaling restaurant around BGC, she felt small amongst the elegant and classy looking customers. 

nasa harap niya ang amo kaya sinipa niya ito under the table. the man looked at her in confusion.

"sana sinabi niyong iwiwine and dine niyo ako sana nakapag blush on man lang ako."  the woman next to her boss giggled. 

"next time we'll shop." she tells kyungsoo. 

"ito naman, joke lang yun. ang hirap niyong biruing mayayaman eh," kumain na si kyungsoo. she feels comfortable naman around the two.

ang hindi lang kumportable sa kanya ay ang manood na nagsusubuan sina Chanyeol at Baekhyun sa kanyang harapan. lagi naman siyang third wheel sa dalawa pero always, same reaction: she doesn't need to see all these flirtings. hindi siya naiinggit, weird lang for someone who never dated. 

the dinner went on without them discussing about the new housekeeping job niya. alam lang ni kyungsoo that baekhyun is searching for one at bakit pa sila lalayo if kyungsoo's here who they can trust and is suitable for the job.

chanyeol excused himself at ng maiwan sila ni baekhyun, a question was thrown towards her.

"soo, do you fall easily?"

"hmmm, di naman ako clumsy b." a chuckle she recieved as a response. 

"i mean, romantically? like, isang ngiti, isang salita nahuhulog ka na ba agad?" 

"hindi. kasi hindi ko naman priority yan ngayon eh," 

"kyungsoo about the job, you're not be working in my house. but instead, at my brother's."

"hmmmm?" 

"he's sakit sa ulo and i hate him. he could be stubborn most times, bobo naman sometimes pero i can assure you he's nice naman."

"as long as he's nice, im good." 

"maliit naman yung unit niya compared sa mansiyon, you can have a room all for yourself too. tapos, may puppy pala si kuya! si munggoh! he's behaved naman kaya wala kang problema sa kanya..." 

"how much baek? need ko kasi talaga ng pera ngayon." kailangang kailangan kasi ang supposedly pambayad sa renta ay nagamit para sa hospital bills ng mama nila. also, need nila ng kuryente at tubig at malas na naputulan. 

"25k??"

"25K?!!!!!" Alam niyang mayaman ang pamilya nila baekhyun pero for a housemaid? 25k? 

"masyado bang maliit? 40k kaya?" ang kuya naman niya ang magpapasahod kaya barya lang ito para kay Jongin.

"no! i mean, masyado ng malaki ang 25k baek.." 

"its okay. marami ka namang gagawin sa loob ng bahay eh, laundry, cooking, pet sitting, cleaning.. ironing." napangiti pa si baekhyun kasi napaka shunga ng kuya niya. tite lang yata ni jongin ang gumagana. kawawang utak, sayang. 

"why are you grinning? ang creepy!" kyungsoo asks, eyeing baekhyun weirdly.

"ang kuya kasi hindi marunong mag iron, ayun he accidentally burnt his favorite boxer shorts.." she giggles.

"close kayo?" tumango si baekhyun. "ah," baka kamukha ni baek ang kuya nito, kaugali din most probably kaya jackpot ang tingin ni kyungsoo sa papasukang trabaho. 

"but kyungsoo, there's one thing i want you to remember.." 

"im all ears baek.." 

"sa unit ka man ni kuya nakatira at nagtatrabaho, even if he's the one paying you, tatandaan mo that i am your boss. he might tell you things that'll hurt your feelings just please ignore kuya,"

"tinatakot mo yata ako baek..." ngumiting may halong kaba si kyungsoo.

"nah, just a heads up. i dont know how he'll react to you living under the same roof with him eh," baek sent her a playful wink. "basta kyungsoo, ako yung boss mo. palayasin ka man ni kuya huwag kang aalis, utusan ka man ng mga bagay na beyond your description, please, just tell him no." 

"baek pwede pa magback out?" followed by a cute hehe. may halong kaba na hehe.

"soo naman eh! im not scaring you, sabi sayo eh!" 

"okay okay. pero hindi naman ba killer ang kuya mo?" bumulong si kyungsoo, mamaya may mga paparazzi pang nakikinig. besides, baekhyun isn't just baekhyun. baekhyun is BAEKHYUN. Anak ng isang politiko at ng isang business tycoon. they're that powerful.

"sa pagkakaalam ko, no naman. pero if ever, i promise ipapakulong ko ang kuya!" tumawa na lamang si kyungsoo, baekhyun is funny too, kaya siguro click silang dalawa. yin and yang. magkaiba pero perfect sa isa't isa. "by the way, you can start next week. you have a day to pack your things, me and chanyeol can help you move kasi malayo ang bulacan. then we can come pick you up on sunday afternoon so you and kuya can already meet on sunday night?" 

"okays." Kyungsoo answered bago uminom ng wine. pampalakas loob kasi- "baek pwede kaya mag cash advance." humalakhak si baekhyun while confuse naman si chanyeol who just in time returned to their table. 

"cash lang ba? i got you," baekhyun assures her.

//

his kasambahay is actually twenty four years old and jongin couldn't help but wonder kung bakit hindi matandang babae na may tatlong anak na iniwan sa province  ang ibinigay ni baekhyun for him. it's the normal stigma jongin has towards kasambahay kasi almost ng helper nila sa family house are either matanda na or matandang matanda na. exaggerated. 

pero, that's the truth sa bansa, lalo pa ang mga kaedaran ni kyungsoo ay pinipiling makipag bakbakan overseas. 

anyway, baekhyun and chanyeol just dropped kyungsoo off sa unit ni jongin saying that they're running to have late dinner with chanyeol's friends. si jongin, nakaupo ngayon sa sofa, kandong nito ang curious na munggoh na katulad ng among lalaki ay hindi maalis ang tingin sa katulong.

breaking the ice, jongin is the first to speak.

"how much is your monthly wage?"

"po?" 

"kako magkano ang pinangako ni baekhyun sayo," 

"ah eh, sabi po ni baekhyun kayo daw po ang magpapasahod.." mentally, napa sabunot si jongin sa buhok niya. naisahan siya ng kapatid. 

"30k a month, you'll receive your weekly pay which is 7500. there's tons of thing to do dito, cleaning, laundry, cooking, and also, munggoh. si munggoh ang focus mo. you have to walk him atleast thirty minutes daily para may exercise siya." tumango si kyungsoo, it's her first to look after a puppy but since according to baekhyun behave naman ang aso kaya she's confident na magagawa niya ang mga tasks. "have we met before though?"

kumunot ang noo ni kyungsoo, nakatingin lamang sa boss niya, studying if she had really seen that face before. Kim Jongin. she's never been to the Kim's kaya ekis yung option na yun. she tried to dig deeper in her memory but still, wala siyang mapinpoint na place where they could have possibly met. 

also, kapatid ba talaga ni baekhyun to? wala silang similarities.

"hindi pa po yata sir.." tumango na lamang si jongin.

"your room's next to the common cr and i dont really eat in the morning, protein shake lang." 

"huh? ayaw niyo po ng silog meals?"

"the what?" oo nga pala, nakalimutan ni kyungsoo na burgis pala tong kausap niya. 

"silog meals? sinangag??? itlog? pwedeng hotdog, bacon, bangus, corned beef, tapa yung the best for me though-"

"too oily. unhealthy. im just gonna post the recipe sa fridge." then jongin stood up and pointed his home office kay kyungsoo. "will put an all nighter because it's month end, dont distract me and feel at home."

"sir, one last tanong nalang po.." 

"pwede ko po ba laruin si munggoh," si munggoh na nasa bisig parin ni jongin, ayaw ibaba ng amo or ayaw bumaba ng aso, its either of the two and kyungsoo couldn't tell, anyways. "bonding po namin." she said after that may hehe pa.

"tomorrow na, besides, bedtime na ni munggoh," lie. not sanay lang itong aso niya sa strangers or seloso lang din talaga si jongin when it comes to his pet. after all, munggoh is his for ten years now.

"okay sir, goodnight po!" 

meanwhile,

"love," 

"yes? uwi na tayo? noisy na ba?" baekhyun and chanyeol ended bar hopping somewhere in poblacion with their friends, despedida daw ng isang bestfriend ni Chanyeol who is migrating na sa U.S. 

"not that I'm uncomfortable here, parang may nakalimutan lang akong sabihin kay Soo?" 

"it's okay, maaalala mo din yan and right then, we can always tell her." chanyeol who is already tipsy kissed baekhyun sa forehead. 

"also, do you think my plan will work?"

"which plan? dami mong ganoon love eh," sa true lang.

"using kyungsoo in this experiment. just wondering if kuya will somehow like kyungsoo. i mean she's kind hearted, friendly, masipag, funny, what's there not to like?"

"how about you stop overthinking no? enjoy the night. we already sent kyungsoo in this war, she's a warrior kaya i believe she'll bring something good sa buhay ng kuya mo."

"you think so? pero what if mag backfire and kyungsoo falls for him instead?"

"i know her, pamilya ang priority ni kyungsoo at hindi siya naiinlab ng basta-basta." 

"sigurado ka ba?" 

"yes love." 

"thanks mahal," baekhyun tiptoes so she can kiss her giant like boyfriend na mahal na mahal niya. "for always having my back."

"b, parang gusto ko sa bahay natin tayo umuwi tonight." rich people talaga. may mga fully furnished bahay naman pero hindi inuuwian. like these two, not living together unless they share the same surname daw.

"why? ano gusto ng baby ko na yan?"

"you," chanyeol leaned down until his lips grazes the exposed skin sa leeg ng kasintahan. "always you my love." 

//

for kyungsoo's first morning as jongin's housemaid, the first thing she did was clean munggoh's mess, fed him at kinaibigan upang makuha ang loob and when she's done with the puppy, nagprepare na ito ng protein shake ni jongin. who in time came out of his room still groggy.

"good morning po sir- AAAAAH!" kyungsoo was greeted literally and figuratively by something massive kaya napasigaw ito sa nakita, mabilis itong tumalikod while Jongin's still trying to gather his senses. he slept well that night and kulang pa yata ang tulog. 

"why are you screaming, it's only 6 A.M."

"s-sir, m-magbihis po muna kayo," Jongin looked down and he's naked nga. for someone na nakitaan ng buong pagkatao by a stranger, hindi na nahiya si Jongin, besides, many women had seem him naked and in his all glory. 

"first time mo makakita?" 

"sir naman eh," 

"shower lang ako and you can make yourself breakfast too," 

as soon as jongin walked back sa kanyang room kyungsoo ran to get her phone. mabilis siyang nag scroll and since wala siyang number ni baekhyun, she called chanyeol instead. 

"soo? g-goodmorning."

"kuya shet, bakit ganito si sir Jongin???" 

"HA? Anong ginawa sayo ni kuya? Gago talaga yan, ano sabihin mo kyungsoo, inaway ka ba? Pinagalitan na walang kasalanan?" 

"hindi ganun baek! ano kasi! ano, uh- uh," mainit pa sa pandesal ang mukha ni kyungsoo, alam niyang namumula siya. "LUMABASKASISIYANGHUBADSAKWARTOKAYAKITAKOLAHAT!!!" sigaw ni kyungsoo at sigurado naman siyang hindi naririnig ni jongin ang pagmemental breakdown niya. katahimikan mula sa kabilang linya. "hello? guys?"

doon lamang humalakhak si baekhyun.

"love is this the important thing you forgot to tell soo?" rinig niyang tanong ni chanyeol.

"yeah," muling humalakhak si baekhyun and kyungsoo waited until it died down. "sorry soo, di ko naman sinasadyang wag sabihin sayo but ayan, kuya sleeps without clothes on kaya masanay ka na. shaved naman yan kaya clean." sa sinabing iyon ni baekhyun muling ibinalik si kyungsoo sa eksena not two minutes ago. shaved nga ang jongin at lalong nang-init ang kanyang pisngi. "unless he haven't shaved this time? well, malaki naman si kuya kaya mayabang din," 

"baek naman eh," 

"hahahaha, soo, stop thinking about it. apparently masasanay ka naman. tite lang yan,"

"soo never had a boyfriend before.." chanyeol reveals kaya napanguso si kyungsoo. 

"its okay. at some point in your life makakakita ka naman niyan. atleast praktisado na."

"ayoko na. magreresign na ako baek.."

"hahahhaa. good morning soo." and the call ended just like that, kyungsoo was left blushing na tila birhen na isasabak sa unang gabi nito. 

sinubukan na lang niyang kalimutan ang nakita. besides, jongin isn't even thinking about it habang umiinom ng protein shake while reading the news sa kanyang ipad. thankfully, fully dressed na ang bachelor. 

si kyungsoo iniisa-isa ang kitchen cabinet, nagugutom na rin ito at walang mahanap na rice or anything to cook sa ref maliban sa stock ng breast chicken. 

"may hinahanap ka ba?"

"sir, nasaan po yung rice? wala po ba kayong stock ng pagkain?" 

"ah," jongin clicked his tongue. "i usually eat out kasi work. but here," jongin slides the credit card sa table. "go get what we needed here sa bahay. buy something for munggoh too."

"pwede ko pong dalhin si munggoh?"

"yeah sure.."

"yehey!!!" kyungsoo made cute faces kay munggoh na nasa lap ni jongin. "we're going on a date, we're going on a date!!!" she singsongs at the adorable little pup.

the aegyo works on munggoh naman kasi voluntarily itong lumapit kay kyungsoo, even gave kyungsoo's unwashed face a lick. 

//

"wends, sa makalawa na ba talaga yung due nung para sa school trip niyo?" 

"oo ate, pero kung walang wala ka na, okay lang. hindi na ako sasama."

"hindi, sasama ka. minsan lang yan. gagawan ko ng paraan. magkano nga yun? 6k?" kakasahod lang ni kyungsoo last weekend, ang 7500 ay ibinayad lang din sa inutang nilang pang hospital sa kanyang mama at wala ng natira si kyungsoo para sa sarili. 

lunes palang, ilang araw pa bago sumahod muli. also, nahihiya ito sa bossing niya. second week palang niya tapos mag aadvance agad. she's not abusado at ayaw niyang maging ganun sa mata ng big bosses. 

but kyungsoo has friends too kahit workaholic at alipin ng salapi. kaya besides chanyeol at baekhyun na tila abusong abuso na ni kyungsoo ang kabatian, may kaibigan naman siyang malalapitan. 

"ate, please, magpapagod ka na naman."

"wends, hindi naman mabigat ang trabaho ko. hindi ko nga napapansin na katulong ako. para lang akong taga bantay ng bahay, ganun?"

"mentally kaya mo pero paano pag katawan mo yung bumigay?" 

"wala naman akong sakit. healthy naman ako. kaya wag ka mag-alala okay?" 

"basta ate, promise me, pag hindi mo kaya mag rest ka na." 

"promise ko yan. pero sige na wends, magpa plantsa na muna ako ng mga susuutin ni boss for the week, tawagan kita if may pera na ako." kyungsoo ended the call, letting out a sigh when the call had completely disconnected. ayaw niyang mag-alala ang pamilya, ayaw niyang maging kargo ni wendy ang pagtatrabaho niya. 

"how much yung need mo?" 

"b-boss.. goodmorning po. akala ko nasa work ka na?"

"forgot some documents." he explains shortly. "how much?" 

"yung alin po?" jongin closes his eyes, ang aga aga and kyungsoo's pretending not to understand. 

"do you need. for your sister." 

"ah," another hehe, shy kind of hehe ni kyungsoo. "sir, ano kasi, sa kaibigan ko nalang po ako uutang. thank you nalang po. ayaw ko po magkautang sayo." 

"who said im lending you some?" oo nga naman. delikado talaga ang pagiging assuming, nakaka hiya. "i can advance your pay for this week. if you really need it." mabait naman pala ang boss. well, rich people pero sana all. 

anyways. nahihiya si kyungsoo. desperada ito sa 6k na iyon kasi ayaw niyang itulad sa kanya at kay Seungsoo si Wendy na walang experience ng tinatawag na school trip. kaya lang, pride wins. ayaw ng ego niyang abusuhin ang boss kaya she politely declined which in her relief, jongin brushed away saying 'okay. if you dont want my offer then im not insisting'. kinda disappointing though, akala pa naman ni kyungsoo pipilitin siya ng boss. 

ayun, after umalis ng boss niya, she called her bestfriend immediately.

"Sehun!!!!"

"Soo, problem?" 

"grabe naman tong bestfriend ko, tingin mo ba ganon akong tao?" 

"gusto mo ng honest answer?" sehun sounded cold pero it's Sehun, ugali niya ito. pero pag together naman, malambing siya.

"kasi si wends, may school trip, babayaran ko naman Se sa friday night!!!!" 

"how much?" 

"6k." 

"hmmm, 6k lang?" 

"yes. pero kung gusto mo dagdagan, go lang. basta 6k lang utang ko!" 

"6k and a date. tagal mo ng hindi nagpapakita." 

"sorry na, pero sa saturday, day off ko naman. nasa taguig lang ako, date?" 

"yes. and your treat." 

napahaba pa ang kwentuhan ng mag bestfriend, currently sehun's in his workplace and because walang workload he's free to hang a bit. ganun din si Kyungsoo, maaga niyang naidaan sa mga Park ang food ng mag-asawa kaya madami siyang time for today. mamamalantsa, magreresearch ng food na swak sa gym rat niyang amo at mag grocery for both greens and fruits.

after the talk with sehun, nagiging frequent na ang pag-uusap ng magkaibigan. si kyungsoo ang clingy one, laging nagtetext sa bestfriend even sending him memes or funny videos at random times kaya naman when Saturday came, maaga palang umalis na si kyungsoo ng unit. sa taguig lang din sila magkikita ni sehun pero dadaan muna sa mga Parks si Kyungsoo upang i drop ang foods ng mag-asawa for the day. 

lucky for her, that day naalala siya ni Mrs. Park, the eighty two year old is glad to see kyungsoo and since it felt like forever since they last saw each other, the old woman quickly pulled kyungsoo into the veranda kung saan overlooking ang buong kamaynilaan.

"kyungsoo, how is your mom? is she that sick kaya ka umalis dito?" her heart sank. ayaw umalis ni kyungsoo dito sa mansiyon pero kailangan talaga niya ng mas malaking halaga kaya ito tumanggap ng full time job. 

magkatabi ang dalawa sa rattan chair. umiinom ng tsaa at magkahawak kamay. napalapit na rin ang loob ni kyungsoo sa matandang babae dahil sa kabaitan nito.

"maayos naman po si mama, si wendy kasi need tustusan yung pag-aaral, graduating na po. ayoko po kasing matulad siya samin ni kuya and please don't think po na ayoko na dito. alam niyo naman po na para ko na kayong pamilya." 

"i know dear. and since im feeling great today, how about we go shopping? ililibre kita ng kahit anong gusto mo. you're so pretty and masyadong busy si yoora, wala na akong ma baby," Ah. sayang. if this is ordinary day she'll say yes, not that she's waiting na ipag shopping pero mahalaga din na may exposure ang matanda sa labas na mundo. this house might be big but still can be suffocating. but she already made a promise with sehun. "soo?" hinawi ng matanda ang mahabang buhok ni kyungsoo. "alam mo ba, kung wala lang kasintahan si chanyeol, ikaw sana ang gusto ko for him, you're perfect and proud ako sa mga sacrifices mo. but baekhyun is as amazing as you are too.."

kyungsoo's flattered sa mga flowery words ni Mrs. Park. usually hindi siya nadadala sa matatamis na salita pero noong mga oras na iyon, kyungsoo just dropped her head sa balikat ng matanda. she has never received compliments at tumaba ang puso nito. umiyak si kyungsoo sa dahilan na walang kasiguraduhan. lalo siyang umiyak ng bigla siyang yakapin ng matanda at hinele sa kanyang bisig.

until she felt the woman's hand freezing, stopping her ministrations kaya napatingin si kyungsoo sa matanda, she is staring right at Kyungsoo with her eyes empty. 

"who are you again miss?"

kyungsoo found no word to describe how she felt at that moment, but her heart can tell how much she's hurting for Mrs. Park's situation kaya niyakap na lamang ito ni Kyungsoo at umiyak ng malakas.

//

It's been almost three weeks since jongin last get laid. kaya after work, he went to moonkyu's bar to have fun. normally, he would dance with the crowd, scan the area for possible hook up and if walang mahanap, he'd go up sa vvip area because women up there are way different, more sophisticated, elegant and smarter, some are little shy pero kinkier sa bed, his type of woman.

it's a saturday, jackpot si jongin when within a minute his eyes found this woman in a red sequin tight dress. his gazes didn't left her spot, even after he's ordered his drink, nasa dalaga parin ang kanyang mga mata, studying whether she's with a guy or like him, naghahanap ng makakalaro ng apoy sa kama. 

thirty minutes later, jongin notices na ilang lalaki na ang nireject ng babae kaya taking his shot, he went closer towards her and started moving his body in a way na masasabayan ang senswal na pag indak ng babae. one seductive smirk coming from her lips and jongin leaned to whisper in her ears.

"want to go home with me?" 

"sure, i'm-"

"no names. just sex." jongin whispers and she kinda agreed. 

mahirap pigilan ang libog ni jongin habang paakyat sila sa kanyang penthouse. may cctv sa elevator and even the damn hallways. paano at most occupants ng building are rich people, Jongin rich type of people kaya mahigpit ang seguridad. 

damn, he had to wait that long bago mahawakan at mahagkan ang dalagang ito. stepping out of the lift, jongin took long strides to fasten their pace kaya they arrived in no time. 

pagkapasok, the woman are more aggressive than Jongin, surprising the latter when she pushed him to a wall, smashing their lips together.

they kiss aggresively, nagkakagatan na ng labi and it quickly escalated until the two are out of the restrictions of their clothings. 

jongin led her to his bedroom where the bed awaits, closed the door and it's a long stormy night for them three.

for the past days, jongin noticed that kyungsoo's been aloof, umiiwas at every attempt ni jongin ng isang mahabang conversation, not only that but kyungsoo couldn't stand the eye contact na animo ay nandidiri sa boss nito.

hindi nawari ni jongin ang dahilan. isang araw he decided to ditch work, called in sick because he's not feeling working that day. wala, he's just feeling lazy. he stayed sa bahay, nakahiga sa sofa, topless at si munggoh ay nasa lapag, tailing kyungsoo habang nagva-vacuum ng sahig. 

munggoh likes walking now, everyday siyang nilalabas ni kyungsoo to play with other dogs sa man made park ng condo buidling.

jongin and his countless attempt of a conversation had failed for the past couple hours and it's irritating him. para siyang jowa na sinusuyo ang kasintahan but he wouldn't actually know how it truly feels like kasi una, never siya nagcommit sa isang relasyon, second, ayaw niya mag jowa kasi he's not patient enough upang manuyo ng topaking dalaga. 

but kyungsoo's confusing him, ano ba nagawa niya? or hindi ginawa that she's distancing herself from him.

"kyungsoo, come here muna." naupo si jongin and taps the spot beside him. 

"later po sir, malapit namang matapos to."

"nah, this talk can't wait, come." there's a shift sa expression ni kyungsoo, unpleasant reaction. "come or i wont pay you this week? thursday na kyungsoo." may pagbabanta na si jongin kaya si kyungsoo umupo naman sa tabi ni jongin, leaving a space sa pagitan nila which munggoh occupied, katawan ay nasa sofa habang ang ulo nasa lap ng katulong. "okay, tell me honestly why are you giving me cold shoulders? a week now." 

"so nagbibilang ka?" napapikit si jongin, prayed for longer patience. 

"kyungsoo," a warning.

"wala naman boss, ito naman. wala ka namang kasalanan. sadyang ganito lang ako. mahiyain, awkward, di kasi ako sanay na may naririnig na nagsesex sa kabilang room. kaya hindi, okay lang ako. di po ako galit sayo." 

"wait what? what do you mean?" 

"sir naman klarong klaro naman yung sinabi ko,"

"are you trying to say that you were here last weekend? heard me fucking?" jongin laughs. "sorry okay, i didnt know you were here, i expected you to be in bulacan." natawa na lamang si jongin, this is the first time na may na awkward after hearing jongin having sex. usually pag si baekhyun or chanyeol, he'd get an earful, pag his friends, wala, they're deadma. also, dapat si jongin ang ma awkward since he's the one who got caught in his lustful activity. 

"hay naku," kinamot nalang ni kyungsoo ang tummy ni munggoh, the puppy's asking for it eh, also it's better than an eye contact with her boss, naiilang parin siya and she kinda hate herself kasi jongin's not at fault here.

"sorry na nga," he laughs. kyungsoo growled inwardly. "huy," sinundot ang bewang ni kyungsoo, the maid looked offended kaya tiningnan ng masakit ang boss. "sorry na, i didnt know eh na you're here. will bring nalang them at other places." 

"dapat lang sir, ako naglalaba ng bedsheet mo, yuck!!!" 

"hahaha, i uses condom naman-"

"huy sir, kahit na may ganun kang ginagamit it doesnt change the fact naman no na pagpapawisan kayo." 

"hahaha! you're cute. by the way, you a virgin?" 

"boss!!! hindi ko trabaho ang sagutin yan kaya stop," 

"ah, so you are! also it's now making sense why you were surprised seeing my dick."

"boss???!!!" tumayo na lamang si kyungsoo, tumalikod upang itago ang pamumula na pisngi. si jongin, napahiga kakatawa samantalang si munggoh, nagtataka sa mga kasama, his innocent gazes jumping from kyungsoo to jongin and vice versa. "ewan ko sayo boss, pa plantsahin ko nalang mga susuutin mo for next week kaya stop distracting me."

"huh? bakit today? you do that on mondays diba?" 

"ah eh," nahihiya si kyungsoo. "pwede ba ako umabsent sa lunes sir, schedule kasi ni mama sa check up yun at wala siyang kasama. si papa may pasada, si kuya may work sa construction." 

"ah sure, its alright." tumayo si jongin, iniwan ang sofa para lang mag push up sa bagong linis na sahig.

"thank you sir,"

"ofcourse, im the best boss."

"hehehe. you're okay but not the best." 

"what if no day off sa monday?"

"sir what if kayo mag plantsa dito? ang kulit mo po," hehe she added. okay na si kyungsoo. makakatulog na siya at night without that ungol ringing in her head, lately hina-haunt siya ng mga narinig kahit hindi undas.

tumayo si jongin, uminom ng tubig and walked sa walk in closet where kyungsoo's ironing his office clothes. 

"turuan mo ko?" 

"ng alin po sir?"

"magplantsa.. baek's making fun of me because i dont know how to do it." 

"mag tshirt ka muna," 

"why? distracting ba?" that mahangin statement earned an eyeroll from kyungsoo. kasi naman ang hangin, ang hangin hangin ng boss niya. 

pero she's glad, kasi his boss is not as bad as baekhyun first warned him about. he's actually friendly and fun, nasasakyan ang joke at topak ni kyungsoo despite the age gap.

"fine, come here," she moved a little making space for the boss. jongin followed and asked him to get a wrinkly handkerchief. jongin did. "ilatag mo na sa board then you do it." jongin, again, like a good student followed kyungsoo. akma pa nitong hahawakan ang ilalim ng iron to check the temperature. "tama nga po si baekhyun, shunga po talaga kayo sir," 

"why? is it that hot? try mo po ng malaman niyo yung sagot," pilosopong sagot ng kasambahay, now it's jongin's turn to glare at her. 

"you touch it," 

"ayoko nga po, di naman ako shunga."

"im still your boss." he deadpans.

"boss naman, matampuhin. oh ayan na po, plantsahin niyo na yung lukot. ano po, ipadaan niyo po yung iron sa lukot na part." jongin started in the middle, pressing the hot iron sa handkerchief. "wag niyo patagalin sir, masusunog yan!" saway ni kyungsoo kaya nagsimula ng gumalaw ang plantsa sa itaas ng panyo. left right, left right. jongin ironed in a repetitive direksyon hanggang sa naplantsa na nito ang buong panyo. 

he smiled, proud na ipinakita kay kyungsoo ang product ng practice niya, carefully folding the fabric into four equal folds.

"can you please take a video of me while ironing the other handkerchief? send it to baek," tumango si kyungsoo, nakangiti habang vini-video ang boss niyang nagpa plantsa. 

after his second success, handa ng ibalik ni jongin yung plantsa when kyungsoo handed him one of his wifebeaters. 

"next.."

"what?"

"sssh, just be a good student boss."

topless na naman ang kim jongin habang nakahilata sa sahig. nagrereklamo ito na masakit ang braso't balikat sa dami ng pinlantsa. ang kasambahay, masayang sumisipol habang nagpe prepare ng dinner nila. she's making bicol express daw kasi she's craving for it and jongin didn't protest na. lately kahit bawal sa diet niya, basta luto ni kyungsoo hindi niya pinapalagpas. sometimes, she would send lunch din sa office ng boss kaya lately nawawala na ang abs ni jongin.

"hello?" sinagot ni kyungsoo ang tawag ni chanyeol, her phone stuck in between her ear and shoulder. "kuya chanyeol?" 

"s-soo, s-soo, lola. lola, lola mommy's gone.." jongin is quick to check on kyungsoo when he heard a loud thud in the kitchen. nahulog ang sandok mula sa kamay ni kyungsoo. worst, she looked like nakakita ng multo. "she left," 

"hey kyungsoo, are you okay? nasusunog na yung," napamura si jongin when the pan starts to smoke, the sauteed spices are burning at hindi parin nakakagalaw si kyungsoo. 

"sir.. sir," he held her in his arms ng makita ang shocked reaction ng dalaga. "Mrs. Park, Mrs. Park died," natumba si kyungsoo, hindi kinaya ng nanlalambot na tuhod ang bigat ng sakit sa dibdib niya. 

// 

to keep chanyeol's mind off his lola's death, baekhyun brought him to a trip. wala sa bansa ang magnobya. yoora's being brave while looking after their lolo at kung may time minsan, kyungsoo would drop by sa mansiyon to see lolo. 

may mga araw na tatanungin siya nito where his wife went kasi she's not answering when he calls for her kapag nagigising siya in the middle of the night. kyungsoo would reassure him, tell him that his wife is in safe hands where pain is non-existent. 

"hi pretty, want to come home with me?" Kyungsoo rolls her eyes ng makita ang boss na nakahinto sa harap niya. she hops sa front seat. 

"ang corny naman ng pick up line mo boss, ganun ba gusto ng mga chicks mo? eeew, cheap.."

"hey, di sa pick up line yan. sa itsura ko talaga sila naaattract, bonus lang at malaki din," 

"eeew, dont remind me please." jongin laughs and as they drive away, biglang sumeryoso sa loob ng kotse. "how's lolo?" 

"you were in the area, di ka pa nag drop by to visit. ate yoora would appreciate it."

"sorry na okay, okay?" 

"nagtanong si lolo kung how's lola.. sabi ko okay at masaya. alam mo ba, simula nung nagwork ako sa kanila, walang araw na hindi ako naaawa sa kanila because of their sickness. pero ngayon, i'm kinda glad na merong dementia si lolo. atleast he won't notice that lola's gone, he wouldn't feel pain."

"that's one thing i wonder about humans eh, why do people still invest sa love love na yan eh masasaktan lang sila.."

"kasi that's how you know na nagmamahal ka ng tunay. and kapag ba hindi ka nagmahal it means you're free from pain? hindi no, pain and joy is a package. it's up to the person nalang to which one he'd allow to win. yung sakit ba? or yung mga oras na masaya siya?"

"how about you? what will you choose? the time you were happy or the days you were crying because of heartache?" kyungsoo's conquered by silence, she's unable to answer it pero alam niya ang sagot sa utak niya. 

"the happy days of course, eh ikaw boss? kaya ba ayaw mo mag commit kasi takot ka masaktan?"

"nah, im just not into it." 

"ewan ko talaga sayo, naduduwag ka lang yata eh." 

"here you go again kyungsoo, hurting me with your words.." 

"hala!" kyungsoo dramatically gasped and turned to jongin. "nasaktan ka boss? eh sorry na boss.. alam ko namang masakit yung katotohanan minsan eh. aminin mo nalang po na shunga ka at duwag," jongin pouted, it's been a long day to bicker with his housemaid. "pero sana dumating yung taong magpapabago sayo,"

"so you think im a bad person?"

"not naman po. ikaw kasi kung sino sinong babae sinisiping niyo. why can't you stick to one?" 

"nakakaumay yung isa lang. ikaw, can you eat only dinuguan for a week?" 

"opo! favorite ko yun, lalo na pag may puto." sagot ni kyungsoo. "hala, bigla akong nag crave." 

"i have an idea," 

"okay what's that sir?" sa pagiging english speaking ng boss nahahawa na sometimes si kyungsoo. palaging straight tagalog, minsan straight english and sometimes conyo na like Baekhyun. 

"lets go out," 

"sir ayoko po sa womanizer.." 

"hey, i mean labas tayo tonight. bar? hanap tayo ng guy for you."

"no no no no. hindi. nope, over my dead, beatiful and sexy body. N.O. hindi. ayoko." jongin laughs.

despite sa protesta ni kyungsoo the two still ended up sa isang bar na frequent si jongin, the two are in the bar, si kyungsoo ineenjoy ang drink na binili ni jongin. matamis kaya iniisip niya kung anong mix ng juice ito. 

umiikot ang paningin ni jongin, kapag may nakikitang naka sexy dress nasa side track ang binata pero this night is about Kyungsoo at hindi sa sariling libog. kaka check out niya ng girls hindi nito namalayan that kyungsoo's downing the alcohol like how she gulps her water. 

"oh shit," napamura ang boss ng makitang umorder ulit ng maiinom si kyungsoo. "hey, thats alcohol. high tol ka ba?" 

"hehehe. hello, tol." low tolerance si kyungsoo mukhang good shot na sa isang baso pa lamang. 

"sabi ko maghahanap tayo ng guy for you, not me baby sitting the drunk you.." 

"sabi ko din po kanina na ayaw ko sa lalaki, na ayoko sumama so i'll be your responsibility until we're home." kyungsoo smiles. "kuya where's my drink po?" she asked the bartender na sinenyasan naman ni jongin to give her warm water instead. she needs to sober up since the night is still young. "huh? sehun?" 

"what?" through the loud music, jongin's having a hard time hearing her mumbled words.

"sehun?" kyungsoo whispers again before abandoning her boss only to follow sehun na palabas ng bar. "Sehun!" pagtawag ni kyungsoo sa bestfriend. 

nakalabas ng bar si kyungsoo, nahihilo man pero hinanap parin si sehun. she's looking left and right pero wala ang bestfriend niya. baka tama si jongin, maybe alcohol had gotten into her kaya kung sino-sino ang nakikita. 

tumalikod nalang si kyungsoo, babalikan nalang ang inorder na drink at ang boss niya when she accidentally bumped into someone.

"soo? why are you here?" she loooked up proving that she's not hallucinating or being delusional sa nakikita. it is indeed sehun and not the alcohol.

"hi," yumakap si kyungsoo dito. "im lasing na.." 

"sino ba kasama mo? why did you drink? alam mong low tolerance ka."

"hehehehe. si boss kong shunga. takot sa love like you."

"told you im not afraid of it, iuwi na kaya kita? goods ka na eh." 

"hehehe." 

//

here jongin goes again, nanunuyo kay kyungsoo na isang linggo ng masama ang timpla sa kanya. as far as he knows wala siyang fault, didn't brought a woman sa room niya to fuck and even washed the mug he used the previous night and made sure na walang naiwang huhugasan sa sink. he's been good pero its him against kyungsoo and her mood swings. 

"how was the guy? may nangyari na ba?" kung hindi lang boss ni kyungsoo si jongin, lumipad na siguro ang sibuyas na hinihiwa niya. 

"nakakagalit ka."

"miss what did i do now?" nagwhine pa na parang bata ang bachelor.

"for letting me leave with a man,"

"thats the point of that night naman diba?" nagdabog si kyungsoo, didn't answer jongin kasi napaka selfish ng boss niya. he's old enough to use his common sense but sadly he's taking it for granted. 

"what if pinatay ako? what if masamang tao yun at binenta ang mga lamang loob ko? what if-"

"okay ka naman ah, what's the big deal?"

"napaka selfish mo."

"kyungsoo napaka moody mo." that's it, to act maturely, she chooses to ignore her boss than patulan pa ito. kagaya ng sinabi niya, selfish si jongin kaya why bother to argue sa taong sarili lamang ang iniisip. "ano? hindi mo na naman ako papansinin? fine, it's okay. katulong lang naman kita kaya bakit kita susuyuin." 

selfish. 

after the heated argument ng dalawa. the friendship and trust they built started to crumble down. they lost their verbal  communication kahit maliit na espasyo lang ang nilalakaran nila sa maghapon, jongin somehow returned to sleeping around, hindi sa unit niya though.

while for kyungsoo, walong buwan na siyang nagta trabaho for baekhyun as maid ng kuya nito, three months ago napromote din sa office ang asawa ng kuya seungsoo niya kaya nakapag ipon si kyungsoo.

gumraduate naman na si wendy, magsisimula na siya sa kumpanyang dati ay pinangarap niya lang. her family's begging her na magpahinga for a while or better if she considers enrolling sa university. 

all of the requests and suggestions, kyungsoo is taking into consideration. pagod na din siya and since hindi na ito masaya sa pagtatrabaho, kailangan niya ng magpahinga.

basag ang mug ng bumagsak ito sa sahig, nasugat pa si kyungsoo ng tumalsik ang mga butil sa kanyang paa, she immediately bent down to pick up the pieces only to get cuts from the sharp piece. 

"you're bleeding. damn it," jongin helped kyungsoo out of the kitchen at pinaupo sa sofa before running sa banyo and came back with the first aid kit.

silently, he sat on the floor at inisa isa ang sugat ni kyungsoo. napapangiwi siya sa tuwing naglalapat ang cotton na may alcohol sa kanyang sugat pero patuloy lang si jongin sa paglinis sa kanya. sinubukan pa ni kyungsoo na bawiin ang paa pero hinila lang ito ni jongin.

"sir, ipapa check ko nalang yan sa clinic."

"mamaya, after the first aid."

"bakit mo nililinis eh katulong mo lang naman ako," 

"kyungsoo stop it, ano ba?" nagtama ang mga paningin nila, for the first time in a while. "sorry for being selfish okay? if you wont accept it it's up to you, sa ngayon let me clean you up baka magka infection."

"nagtatanong lang eh," 

"what happened ba?" 

"di ko alam. ang bigat ng loob ko like something bad is about to happen or nangyari na." 

while jongin cleans her, she borrows jongin's phone because hers is charging sa kanyang room. she couldn't wait until matapos si jongin.

"hello mama?" 

"hi anak, kamusta ka na? uuwi ka ba sa sabado?"

"opo mama. may gusto po kayong kainin?"

"wala naman anak. wala ka bang trabaho ngayon?" 

"alam niyo naman pong walang masyadong ginagawa dito eh, nakaupo na nga lang ako ngayon, nag iisip ng gagawin para hindi mabored. kamusta ikaw mama?"

"maayos naman nak, maganda tong bagong gamot ko. yung suwestiyon namin ng papa mo? napag isipan mo na ba?" 

"opo ma, pag usapan nalang po natin sa sabado pag uwi ko, see you ma!" 

"hay naku ikaw na bata ka, umuwi ka na ha. pamangkin mo marunong na magpasaway dito." kyungsoo chuckled sa reklamo ng ina niya. ganyan din siya noong musmos pa lamang siya, laging sakit sa ulo ng mama't papa. edi sa kanya nagmana ang pamangkin. 

"opo, opo, uuwi na. sige ma, kay boss kasi tong phone baka gagamitin niya na."

"ingat anak ko, i love you."

"i love you too mama!" nakahinga ng maluwag si kyungsoo. baka stress or overfatigue lamang itong nagpaparamdam. baka pag nakatulog siya later she'll feel better. 

"akin na kamay mo," kyungsoo offered the injured hand sa boss and notices na may bandage din si jongin sa kamay. she's not paying attention sa boss kaya hindi niya nalaman amg nangyari dito. magtatanong siya later.

"so bakit mo ko hinayaan sumama sa lalaking yun?" 

"are we not over this yet? clearly kasi i told you my reason."

"you boss, me maid. okay. got it." kung text lang ito at hindi actual conversation baka nag send pa ng thumbs up si kyungsoo, sarcastically. 

"what do you want to hear from me ba?"

"conyo ka, just next time po, wag niyo akong hayaan sumama sa strangers. kasi paano ang pamilya ko kung wala na ako? sino bibili ng gamot ni mama? sino magpapaaral kay Sunhee?"

"ikaw kyungsoo, kapag tumandang dalaga ka sino mag-aalaga sayo." 

"back to you mr. womanizer," 

"third wheel ako sa kapatid ko at chanyeol, kaya nila akong buhayin." 

"pwede po makipamilya sir?" she pouts that made him laugh. 

"we good now? you laughed na eh."

"hmmmp, tampo nalang sir. slight." humalakhak si jongin. 

"sorry for being an ass. promise I won't let you go home with someone else anymore." kyungsoo snorts, sana naman narealize ni jongin how dangerous that was. buti nalang si sehun yung sinamahan ni kyungsoo and not just some random guy. "sakin ka lang uuwi,"

"HA" 

"HA?" 

natulala si kyungsoo, healthy ang pandinig niya kaya she heard what she heard.

"HA." shunga si jongin, tanga naman si kyungsoo. walang masagot sa naging banat, naging estatwa pa.

"because you live with me eh?" oo nga naman. tanga kyungsoo.

"oo nga no,"

"what are you thinking ba?" jongin teases, wiggling his brows suggestively. "ikaw ha, naughty," 

"SIR!!!"

"I like naughty, my style." 

"boss naman eh!" 

"Mukhang nakaka abala kami ah, uuwi nalang kami ha?" napasarap ang harutan kaya both failed to hear and notice that they've got guest na dumating. si Baekhyun eyeing her brother suspiciously while kyungsoo tries to act like jongin didn't just flirt with her (if jongin called it flirting). "hi soo, kuya, can we talk.." Baekhyun led her brother into the bedroom, leaving her lover with kyungsoo sa salas. when jongin locked his door baekhyun wasted no time. "im pregnant." 

"congrats!!! ilang buwan na? alam nila dad?"

"kuya, for sure they won't allow us to marry lalo na't i got pregnant out of wedlock. worst case scenario they'll send me overseas until the baby's out." 

"i'll talk to dad," 

"go get married."

"huh? baekhyun its not that easy. i cant just settle with someone na wala akong feelings for-"

"marry kyungsoo.."

"what?" 

"baka nakalimutan mo kung gaano ka kagalit sa sarili mo the night kyungsoo went home with a stranger sa bar?"

"katulong ko siya kaya responsibility ko si kyungsoo." explain ni jongin kahit wala naman dapat iexplain. 

"so gusto mo ipaalala ko pa sayo kung ilang beses mong sinuntok ang poste? kami ang sumundo sayo, wag ako kim jongin!" 

"and you're saying?"

"wow kuya, alam ko shunga ka pero disappointing na hundred percent ang kashungaan mo. maximum level na." jongin crossed his arms sa dibdib, raised a brow sa kapatid as if telling her to go straight to the point. ang daming ebas. "gusto mo si kyungsoo."

"i dont?" 

"question ba yan o statement. wag mo na pala sagutin, shunga ka kasi."

"byun baekhyun, i swear to god.." 

"kuya gusto mo ba lumuhod ako. please mag setttle ka naman na para sakin oh, kung hindi lang mahalaga ang basbas ng parents natin eh i wont force you, desperada lang ako."

"sorry. i cant marry someone and definitely not kyungsoo."

"kahit love mo siya?" ayon, mahinang batok ang natanggap ni baekhyun na kasagutan. "bakit na naman."

"lets not drag her into this complicated family alright? may sariling problema si kyungsoo wag na nating dagdagan pa.. baek, ganito, kakausapin ko si papa. i'll do everything for them to give you their blessing okay?" tumango na lamang si baekhyun at niyakap ito ni jongin. 

"when's the last time you had sex?"

"cant remember. why? it's not even related to this." 

"bakit din? bakit di ka din nag se sleep around?" 

"do you want me to talk to dad? i think i'm changing my mind kasi." si kyungsoo ang dahilan. he admits and kept the answer in his head.

"hay kuya ang complicated mo." 

habang nag uusap ang magkapatid sa room, si kyungsoo ay naiwan kay chanyeol. magkatabi sila sa sofa at hindi napigilan ni kyungsoo ang magbukas ng saloobin kay chanyeol. si chanyeol na naging close na sa kanya at itinuring siyang kaibigan despite sa difference ng kanilang social status.

"kuya, im thinking about resigning."

"bakit?" all ears si chanyeol lagi sa kaibigan.

"kasi may trabaho na si wendy, promoted ang sister in law ko and they want me to rest. kahit for a while lang, then maybe enroll back sa college?" 

"thats nice to hear, see? lahat ng paghihirap at sacrifices mo nagkabunga na. simula palang yan at for sure may nahihintay pang blessing for you. alam na ni jongin?" 

"i cant tell him na isa siya sa dahilan kung bakit ako magreresign eh."

"sinasaktan ka ba ni jongin? i heard na you've been ignoring him lately.."

"may sumabit na feelings." hehe. the napipilitan type of hehe ni kyungsoo. "bago pa malunod isasalba ko na ang sarili ko," 

"sorry soo, kasalanan ko yata kung bakit ka napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon." 

"kuya ano ka ba? thankful nga ako't tinulungan mo ako sa work na to. hindi naman mabigat ang maging all around kay sir jongin tapos malaki pa sahod."

"not that. we were testing jongin eh, see if he knows how to love.. and there's you. the perfect girl kaya poof, you're here." honestly, hindi alam ni kyungsoo if she'd feel offended kasi at some point, her trusted friends used her. "pero promise!! kaya ka namin ipinasok kay jongin kasi ikaw lang yung mapagkakatiwalaan namin! and also to help you na din talaga." or be happy kasi kahit hindi nakapag tapos ng pag-aaral, kahit hindi branded ang mga damit na suot, mataas ang tingin nila kay kyungsoo. she's hurt at the betrayal pero he can't afford to get mad. "soo, sorry please. sorry na sa ginawa namin." 

"may conclusion kayo sa test niyo?" 

"yes. meron na and surprisingly, me and baekhyun came up with the same conclusion. he like you kyungsoo. but this is jongin who already engraved no to love sa loob ng puso't isipan." 

"wag mo nga ako paasahin, marupok ako."

"naglasing yan nung nag bar kayo, masama ang timpla after na sumama ka sa ibang lalaki. muntik pa mag-amok habang pauwi, ayon sinuntok ang poste sa kanto." 

"lasing lang yun," chanyeol sighs. minsan mas okay pa ang maging tanga kaysa mag assume ng mga impossibleng bagay. "so what now?" 

"what now kyungsoo," pagbabalik ni chanyeol ng tanong sa kaibigan.

"hindi ko alam kuya. wala na akong kasiguraduhan sa susunod na mangyayari. gusto ko na rin magpahinga for a while but at the same time, ayoko iwan si sir." 

"you can't really put yourself first no?" 

saktong lumabas ang magkapatid ng kwarto, si jongin dumiretso sa front door and holds it for the lovers. si baekhyun yakap pa si kyungsoo, whispered her the good news at ng mangiyak na si kyungsoo sa tuwa, nagpaalam na ang magkasintahan. 

kung sa sakit ng mga sugat hindi umiyak si kyungsoo, sa magandang balita naman napahagulgol ito. after years and years of trying, dumating din ang blessing ng magkasintahan at the most unexpected time. si jongin, napangiti na lamang bago lapitan ang kasambahay. he pat her hair but when her cries intensified, niyakap na lamang ito ni jongin sa kanyang dibdib.

"buntis si baek sir," 

"i know." 

"naunahan ka po," jongin laughed. harder. 

"hindi ako nagmamadali."

"sir wala ka na sa kalendaryo.." 

"kyungsoo, stop na, rest ka muna diba need mo yun?" tumango si kyungsoo. inaantok na din ito. ng huminto ang mga luha, doon lamang narealize ni kyungsoo that jongin held her in his arms- kaya dali dali siyang nagpunas ng luha, kinalma ang sarili and pulls back from the embrace. "ano? nahimasmasan ka na?" 

"sir, ligo lang po ako."

mukhang gago na sinasabunutan ni jongin ang sarili, what the hell did just happened? bakit niya niyakap si kyungsoo when she cried? okay, he began gaslighting himself that he's just a concerned boss sa empleyado nito. umiiyak si kyungsoo and she needed comfort but malakas ang evil side niya na sumisigaw that kyungsoo needed no comfort since tears of joy yun? 

nahihilo na si jongin, its the first time he felt weirdly concern sa ibang babae not Baekhyun. deep in his own confusion, jongin forgot his injury sa kamay. napalakas yata ang kanyang pag clench kaya dumugo ang sugat. he slightly panicked kasi he's dripping. Jongin speedwalked towards the bathroom to clean his wound but when he's inside he was surprised, frozen and dumbfounded ng makabangga si kyungsoo who is only in her towel, water dripping from her wet hair into her collarbones. 

manyakis si jongin and he's not denying it, but he does manyak someone with respect and consent, not like this na parang gago barging in kahit knowing nasa banyo si kyungsoo (that slipped off his mind after seeing blood okay). kung si jongin natameme si kyungsoo natulala rin, isang minuto yata silang nakatayo doon until kyungsoo found jongin's knuckle bleeding. 

"shit, linisin natin sir." hinatak ni kyungsoo si jongin towards the sink,  started running warm water and placed jongin's bleeding hand underneath. "anong nangyari kasi dito sir? sana sinabi mo agad to sakin ng malinis ng maayos, tingnan mo, ni wrap mo lang siya basta basta sa bandage without applying some cream."

"kasalanan mo," he said. 

"ay? sir? ako ba may gawa neto?"

"if you didn't gave me a cold shoulder baka nalinis at gumaling na yan, but you didnt." nagulat naman si kyungsoo at through the mirror he looked at jongin. nakapout ang boss niya. 

"eh sorry na nga, may fault ka din you know that." kyungsoo then took out the first aid kit sa likod ng mirrored cabinet. applied some cream sa sugat and wrapped his hand with a clean bandage. "malalim at malaki pala tong sugat mo, alis tayo sir? pa check up natin? magpapareseta lang ng anti biotic." after putting the bandage, kyungsoo taps it. "masakit ba sir?" 

"yeah," 

"hurry na tayo.. or i can call the company doctor to come over." mabilis na tumalikod si kyungsoo, opened the door when she felt jongin's pair of hand sa kanyang manipis na bewang, holding her down, stopping her from leaving the cramped bathroom they're in.

"kyungsoo mamaya," he said. at nagulat naman si kyungsoo when he steps forward until she can feel the warm emitting from the male's body. "mamaya na, please." added jongin and kyungsoo's heart began racing when Jongin reaches to close the door. "you're so perfect you're driving me crazy." and her towel slipping off from her body, falling into the floor. kyungsoo's very much aware that the only thing covering her nakedness is gone, that currently every inch of her is expose for Jongin to see. lalong lumakas ang kabog ng puso niya when Jongin cupped one breast habang pinapatakan ang kanyang batok. "you can stop me if ayaw mo," he whispers, squeezing one breast and moving his lips into her shoulder blades, planting soft kisses in there.

pero bago pa lumayo ang ministration ni jongin, she walked a little making space, faces jongin at pilit pang itinatago ang dibdib sa sariling braso.

"s-sir,"

"sorry, nadala lang," umiling si kyungsoo, couldn't look at him straight.

"gently lang, sir," kyungsoo didn't straight up said he can fuck her but jongin understood, kaya slightly, hinila niya ang magkabilang braso ni kyungsoo and wrapped them around his neck, when her breasts are in full view, he leaned pa and kisses her cleavage. 

"gently, got it babe."

kyungsoo's all alone sa kama niya when she wakes up, nakahubad ito and picked the largest size of tshirt sa sahig at lumabas ng room. wala si jongin pero she sees na kumakain si munggoh ng dog food. 

"jongin?" pagtawag niya.

"in here babe," sigaw ni jongin kaya in the walk in closet Kyungsoo went. 

they just spent their night having rounds of minblowing sex pero ng makita ang hubad na jongin, hindi mapigil ni kyungsoo ang sarili na mahiya. para siyang bata na hindi makatingin ng diretso kay jongin na tila may hinahanap sa kanyang closet. 

"g-goodmorning." kung fully clothed si jongin baka binack hug ni kyungsoo. pero she can still do that naman even if he's naked. ayaw niya mag mukhang clingy though? jongin isn't a cuddler, kaya ito umalis ng bed agad? kyungsoo's conflicted inside kaya nakatayo lamang ito sa entryway. 

"goodmorning. kita mo yung suit that baekhyun bought two months ago?" ah. not  even about the sex. 

"i think it's here- aaah, ouch," akmang tatakbo to help si kyungsoo when nakaramdan ng hapdi sa pagitan ng hita niya. mabilis naman itong nilapitan ni jongin and carries her bridal style. 

she was placed atop of the accessory cabinet slash table na nasa gitna ng walk in closet and jongin easily squeezes himself in between her legs. 

"sorry, i'll get you pain reliever in a bit." he says, thumb dancing along her blushing cheek habang nira-rub ang noses nila together.

"in a bit pa?" 

"yes, because," 

"fuck," kyungsoo's nails digging against jongin's back when wordlessly he thrusted inside kyungsoo. she's warm and tight and wet and sarap na sarap si jongin and failed to keep himself from thrusting back again. "jongin," 

"hmmm?" another slow yet precise thrust where he's already hitting her spot. "my shirt looks best on you," but he got rid of it for his mouth to latch into her nipple. sucking into her erect bud like a starved man.

right then nagsimulang bumilis ang pag galaw ng hips ni jongin habang lumalakas naman ang mga ungol na kumakawala kay kyungsoo.

he kept on fucking her, sometimes they would share messy kisses in between but most of the time, sa dibdib ni kyungsoo ang bunganga ni jongin. addicted with her perfectly round breast and pink nipples na tanging siya lang ang nakakatikim.

the fucking continues, kyungsoo's on four now, jongin's trying to be gentle and wholesome not to scare the innocent one, his hips didn't stop thrusting hanggang sa sabay nilang narating dulo.

//

nagising si jongin one saturday morning feeling kyungsoo wiggling out of his arms. that woke him up kaya bumangon na rin ito with kyungsoo.

"babanyo ka?"

"hindi, sabado ngayon. uuwi ako," muling bumalik sa kama si kyungsoo, niyakap si jongin na niyakap din siya pabalik. "gusto mo sumama? last week na namin sa bahay na yun kaya gusto sana ni mamang magsalo-salo kami." a kiss sa leeg ni jongin, kyungsoo's not seducing him, naglalambing lang. 

"can i come with you?" 

"oo naman. matutuwa sila mama na may iuuwi akong lalaki maliban kay Sehun."

"who is sehun?" kunot noo ang jongin.

"remember the guy from the bar?"

"don't tell me na inuwi mo na yun sa bahay niyo? kyungsoo, are you insane? nauna pa talaga kaysa sakin?"

"ano ba yan, napaka overthinker naman ng boss ko. let me explain kasi. bestfriend ko simula pagkabata yung si Sehun, kaya sumama ako sa kanya, namiss ko kasi nga busy na kami both." 

"tapos nagalit ka nung hinayaan kita sumama?" 

"akala ko ba tapos na tayo dito," kyungsoo groans cutely, sumiksik lang sa leeg ni jongin at ngumuso for a kiss. "sama ka na pauwi sir," 

"oo na, uuwi na with you."

bago tuluyang bumangon, umisa muna ang jongin. he might be sleeping around sa past pero he never thought lazy morning sex is as bomb as hardcore ones until kyungsoo came. sex with kyungsoo is different from his one night stand, bago din sa kanya ang slow sex eh and it's fucking amazing.

anyways, the two are on their way na sa mga Do, Kyungsoo asked if her mom can cook her specialty, oyster sisig and sariwang lumpia. bumili lang din si jongin ng ibang food para kaunti nalang ang aasikasuhin ng pamilya ni kyungsoo.

nauna pa ang meet the family than LABEL.

kyungsoo's humming along the song playing in Jongin's car stereo, si munggoh deep asleep sa lap niya when her fingers are playing in his soft fur. while jongin couldn't keep himself from stealing glances on her. 

para siyang grade three na may crush- none can blame because the emotions
baekhyun insisted he's actually feeling, is new for Jongin. except baekhyun, it's the first time he cared for a woman. it's the first time he gets excited to come home as soon as his office clock turns five. alam ni jongin ang feelings for kyungsoo, he had long accepted it.

"babe," kumabog ang dibdib ni kyungsoo at lalong nagwala ang mga butterfly sa tiyan ng kinuha ni Jongin ang kanyang kamay and intertwine it with his. "can you tell me about your family? how they are like."

"bakit naman sir?"

"i'm meeting them for the first time today, i don't want to embarrass myself," he explains and kyungsoo giggles. para siyang may jowa na ipapakilala sa family pero what she actually has is a boss whom she sleeps with. she blushed at her own thoughts and jongin noticed. "mamaya kasi baka kunin ka nila sakin," ah, tama. may gumugulo pala sa utak niya and she prays na sana her parents and siblings won't open about that later sa lunch.

"well, si papa at si kuya seungsoo, parehas ugali ng dalawang yun, masipag, mabait pero mahilig uminom, mamaya pag inaya ka ng tagay humindi ka!" warn ni kyungsoo. "si mama naman, maganda yun, lagi gustong kino-compliment, may asthma din siya kaya kahit gustong magwork niyan bawal talaga. kaya ko naman saluhin kaya prinsesa siya sa bahay. mahal na mahal ko yun si mama, naalala ko nung bata pa ako, lagi ako dinadala sa office kasi wala siyang mapag iiwanan sakin."

"they seems nice.."

"oo, wag lang talaga lasingin si papa kasi minsan maoy yun," jongin nods, dinala sa baba ang magkahawak nilang kamay and kisses her knuckles. "ikaw? hows the kim?"

"well, what you see in kdramas, they're all like that. also, they're conservative and superstitious. kaya baekhyun couldn't marry without me getting tied first. soo, i have an offer pala," 

"sakin? kung fake marriage yan so baekhyun can marry then no. dont get me wrong ha, i love baek and i want happiness for her pero deceiving your family? di ko kaya."

"even in exchange of ten million pesos cash?"

"kelan yan, naku sir di mo naman sinasabi agad eh, bukas na ang kasal ha? excited ako." jongin laughs, ang cute ni kyungsoo when she shows love for money. true love yata ni kyungsoo ang pera. 

"joke lang,"

"hala you know how to joke? corny though," kyungsoo giggles. "if not, ano yung offer?" 

"a scholarship."

"huh?"

"yearly, our company chooses atleast twenty scholars to study abroad. all expense ng kumpanya kaya you dont have to spend from your own pocket." kyungsoo bit her lower lip, hesitant siya to agree kahit tempting ang offer. "so?" 

"sir," 

"you don't have to answer right away, pag isipan mo thrice. alam ko you prioritizes your family than yourself pero dont forget about yourself too," Kyungsoo nods. tangina naman ni jongin, marami na ngang iniisip si kyungsoo dinagdagan pa ng binata. hay.

mabilis ang naging byahe ng dalawa at nakarating agad sa bahay ng mga Do. Jongin wasn't surprised sa maliit na inuupahan ng mag-anak. 

nakahain na ang pagkaing naghihintay, nagyakapan naman ang mag-ina na animo kay tagal hindi nagkita, si Sunhee ay tumingin sa paper bag na pasalubong ng tiyahin habang si Munggoh at Jongin ay nakatingin lamang sa mag-anak, hindi gumagalaw, naghihintay na bigyang pansin.

nalunod ang mag-anak sa tuwa ng pag uwi ni kyungsoo at kung hindi pa kumahol si munggoh kay Sunhee marahil aamagin ang dalawa sa gilid. 

Kyungsoo introduced Jongin sa family and it warmed his heart seeing how fond the members sa kanya. Niyakap siya ng mama ni Kyungsoo and Jongin was taken aback by the affection. 

"hi hijo, pasok ka. sabi ni kyungsoo gusto mo yung lumpiang sariwa kaya marami ang ginawa ko," inakay si jongin ng mama ni jongin sa maliit na hapag kainan at si wendy naman hinila ang ate niya. 

"ate, ang pogi ng boss mo," 

"sira ka,"

pinagkumpulan na ng mga lalaki sa bahay si Jongin, si Sunhee naka kandong na sa bisita kasi masiyahin at friendly ang bata kagaya ng tita kyungsoo niya.

masarap ang lumpiang sariwa, naka apat si Jongin at naka dalawang plato na ng kanin. paano, sa tuwing nauubos ang laman ay sinasandukan ng mama ni Kyungsoo.

ang mga dalaga naman ay nagpa plano ng staycation, nakakaraos na at kahit paano maranasan nila bilang pamilya iyon. kanya kanya topic ang lahat, si kyungsoo paminsan-minsan ay sisilipin si Jongin, ang bachelor ganoon din.

nagulat na lamang si kyungsoo ng makitang inabutan ng kuya si Jongin ng beer. nanlaki ang mata niya at akmang sasawayin ang papa't kuya ng pigilan ito ni wendy.

"hayaan mo sila mag enjoy,"

"uuwi pa yan eh, sila kuya talaga."

"ate, umamin ka nga, gusto mo ba siya?" simple ang tanong at sigurado si kyungsoo sa sagot but she's just stunned to speak. gusto niya, inaamin niya sa sarili pero she's not certain sa feelings ni Jongin. heck, Jongin had expressed many times how much he values her but still, none crosses that one line.

"ikaw, magtrabaho ka ng maayos Wendy,"

"nakapag decide ka na ate? alam mo, i can send you to school naman this time around." 

"jongin offered me a scholarship pero overseas. libre lahat pero ayoko iwanan si mama." 

"hindi mo naman iiwanan si mama, nandito kami." tama. hindi naman nag-iisa ang mama nila ngunit kyungsoo can only breath if hands on siya sa kanilang mama. "ate, buong buhay mo kami ang inuuna mo, alam mo ba, gustong gusto kong bumawi sayo? ayaw kong magpapakakuba ka para sa amin. deserve mo magpahinga, at hindi kami magagalit kung uunahin mo sarili mo." 

"pag-iisipan ko ha?"

"ng madaming beses dapat ate," 

tumingin si kyungsoo sa hapagkainan. noon wala silang halos maihain at nagtitiis sa asin, ngunit ngayon, napupuno na. kung dati maliit ang inuupuhan ngayon sementado na ang lilipatan. she can see the fruit of her sacrifices and maybe it's time to choose herself. 

tumayo si kyungsoo, sumali sa katuwaan sa lamesa. Jongin looked up to her and they both shared a shy smile. 

definitely herself this time. 

wala pang alas tres tumba na ang kuya at papa ni Kyungsoo, si Jongin nagpapahinga sa shared room nila Kyungsoo at Wendy. while the last two, they are washing the dishes.

"umakyat ka na doon,"

"wendy ano ba," 

"basta wag mo lang mantsahan bedsheet ko."

"ang bastos mo, yan ba natutunan mo sa school??"

"ate, im twenty one. ano ba, im not that innocent ano. kaya go, umakyat ka na kay boss at akitin mo. deserve mo ng mayamang jowa." 

kyungsoo didn't bicker any longer, umakyat din ito sa kwarto kagaya ng utos ni wendy at ng sariling puso't isip.

jongin's not asleep, just laying there cuddling with the sleeping munggoh. kyungsoo joined him sa kutson at sumiksik sa braso't kili kili ng boss who gladly accomodated her.

nakahiga ang dalawa, jongin playing with her hair, twirling them in his finger. tahimik ang lahat but their screaming hearts. 

"uwi ka na in a bit?"

"pinapauwi mo na ako, not even inviting me to stay for the night?"

"wala kang mahihigaan dito, mas comfortable sa condo,"

"paano yan, lasing na ako?" 

"you're not. ano ba boss, konti nalang iisipin kong love mo na ako,"

"who said i don't?" backfired agad. namula si kyungsoo, walang maisip na counter attack kaya sumiksik lang ito sa kili kili ni Jongin. "come home with me?"

"pupunta daw kami mamaya sa kumare ni mama eh, sa kabilang kanto, magpapa alam.." jongin bit his lips. "and magpa pack pa ng things."

"okay. i'll wait for you sa bahay," 

"did you had fun?" jongin nods his head. 

"munggoh too, fun daw ka play si Sunhee.." 

"boss?" jongin huns, pumupungay na ang mata ni kyungsoo, handa ng bumagsak any time. "yung sagot ko sa offer mo, pag-uwi ko nalang sa monday."

"make sure you're 101% sa magiging desisyon ha? i trust you," 

"opo," kyungsoo looked up and kissed jongin sa lips. 

it started from an innocent kiss until they were heavily making out in the bed, Jongin's on top of her, carefully not to crash the body underneath. his hands are all over her, squeezing her thighs as he thrusts his hips sa pagitan ng hita ni Kyungsoo. he's horny as fuck at kung sa condo lang ay baka kanina pa walang saplot ang dalawa.

a knock however ruined the heated moment, pumasok sina Sunhee at Wendy who is now staring knowingly at her sister. napaupo si jongin sa kutson while kyungsoo has to pretend na hindi nila binaboy ang kama ni Wendy.

"uncle jongin, iwan niyo po si Munggoh," Kyungsoo has to butt in kasi kung hindi baka wala ng makakauwi tonight.

"sun, walang food dito si munggoh eh, next time nalang ha?" she tells her niece na ngumuso. jongin laughs at hinalikan ang pisngi ni sunhee. 

"yes, next time babalik ako at si munggoh," 

"promise uncle ha?"

"syempre naman, promise ko yan." nagising naman si munggoh ng marinig ang masiglang hiyaw ni sunhee, kaya ang bata nanggigil at kinarga ang poodle.

tumayo na si Kyungsoo, hinila si Jongin dahil ayaw niyang abutan ng rush hour sa daan ang boss. nakainom pa naman at takot na baka makatulog si jongin behind the wheel at worst, maaksidente pa.

after magpa-alam sa mga Do, doon lalong naramdaman ni jongin that he's welcome sa family, especially when Mama Do handed him a packed take out, making sure na maraming fresh lumpia ang mauuwi ng bachelor.

si Kyungsoo karga si Sunhee ng kanilang hinatid si Jongin sa kotse. he hops in after siguraduhing safe at comfortable si munggoh sa kanyang cage. 

"ingat ka, dont text and drive and if sleepy, stopover muna for coffee.." Jongin winks. 

"gotchu babe,"

"babye uncle," binuhay ni Jongin ang makina, umatras si kyungsoo and waited until umalis si jongin but seems like the latter's waiting for them to go back sa bahay.

"boss," jongin answered with a portruded lips, nais niya ng kiss pero dahil nasa eksena si sunhee, dapat wholesome si kyungsoo.

"pag-uwi po sir," she promises. "go na.."

"pasok ka na din soo, or else hihilahin kita for my goodbye-" 

"Okay, okay, papasok na!!!" At tunay sa kanyang sinabi pumanhik na nga si kyungsoo sa kanilang inuupahan.

umakyat si kyungsoo sa kanyang mama upang tumulong sa natitirang tutupiin when her phone rings. Si Jongin iyon kaya kanya itong sinagot and not even one minute after, tumakbo pabalik sa labas si Kyungsoo.

"ano yung naiwan ko?" she asked jongin who is still parked sa tapat nila.

"come and get it, nandito inside." Kyungsoo opened the door only to be pulled inside, every second counts, walang sinayang na oras ang binata at ipinalupot ang mga braso sa bewang ni kyungsoo, letting Kyungsoo rest her head against his chest. 

"sus, alam ba ng nakaka one night stand mong clingy ka?"

"admit it kyungsoo, gusto mo din." a huge smile erupted from her lips. parang dalawang gabi lang magkakahiwalay, parehong dramatic. funny also because neither of the two are into romance. si Jongin, sex lang hanap while kyungsoo's only goal is money. "uwi ka na sa monday ha, lets talk about this and the offer." kinabahan bigla si kyungsoo, pag uusapan na nila ang harutang ito? the affair that's never been talked about? what if sex lang kay jongin? what if magkaiba ang feelings nila? what if- "i can hear your thoughts. wag ka nga mag overthink kyungsoo,"

"luh siya, di no," inayos ni kyungsoo ang pag-upo at baka imaritess ng neighborhood. "ingat ka po aking boss." binuksan ni kyungsoo ang kotse at bago tumakbo paalis ay pinabaunan si jongin ng mainit na halik sa pisngi, at mahabang ngiti.

//

excited sa pagdating ng lunes ay hindi nakatulog ng maayos si kyungsoo. alas kwatro pa lamang ng madaling araw ng lumuwas na ito pauwi sa taguig sa dahilang nais ipag handa ng breakfast si Jongin. the last text he sent ay nag bar hopping daw ito with his colleagues at sigurado may hangover iyon.

she stopped by sa isang bakery because cravings niya ang freshly baked pandesal at cheezwhiz, she also bought croissant para sa boss niya. perfect ito sa binabalak niyang lutuin na arroz caldo. 

mabilis naakyat ni kyungsoo ang 24th floor, punched in the passcode of the unit. the first thing she'll do pagkauwi sa condo is to dived into jongin's bed, wake him with kisses and cuddle (maybe morning sex na din). nakangiti pang parang tanga si Kyungsoo pagkapasok ng unit, didn't bother to switch on the light since kabisado niya ang bawat sulok ng unit. 

pero when she came in, muntik niyang mabitawan ang hawak when someone came sneaking out of jongin's bedroom. a thief she first thought it is pero ng makita ang estado ng damit ng tao, bumagsak ang tiyan ni kyungsoo. 

"uh, sister ka ba niya?" umiling si kyungsoo bilang tugon sa tanong ng babae.  "ah, the maid?" bitterly, kyungsoo laughs, oo nga pala. katulog lang naman siya ni Jongin. "i got to go."

naiwan si kyungsoo na nakatayo sa gitna ng malamig at madilim na condo unit hanggang sa bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto ng boss revealing a naked tan skinned male na kakagising lang- or hindi pa nakakatulog- whichever, alam ni kyungsoo na nasasaktan siya at hindi napigil ang mga luha. 

"k-kyungsoo.."

"please," she forces her throat na ilabas ang sinisigaw ng utak. "wala kang kasalanan, this is me and my dilemma Jongin." 

"kyungsoo, please let me explain-" mabilis lumapit si jongin kay kyungsoo na ngayon ay maingat na inilalapag ang pinamiling breakfast sa table. "soo," his attempt of holding her failed when kyungsoo herself dodges his hand. ang mga mata, bukod sa madilim ay blurry na ang kanyang paningin. "kyungsoo," her body shivered feeling jongin's fingers wiping her fallen tears. gusto mag wala ni kyungsoo, wanting to scream her hearts out pero ano ang karapatan niya?

she doesnt want pity from jongin kaya tinapangan niya ang sarili at pinigil ang mga luha.

"i brought breakfast, kainin mo to sir." she says. "also, my answer? scholarship, rejected."

"kyungsoo,"

"and im resigning na din effective po sana today.." 

"kyungsoo naman please, explain muna ako." umiiyak si kyungsoo, hindi mapigil ang sakit kasi jongin broke her heart and worst, her trust. or did he really? confused din si kyungsoo thinking that this pain is self inflicted kasi sino ba yung nag assume? its her. 

pero tangina, gusto niyang umiyak at ilabas ang sakit, gusto niya isisi kay jongin ang nadarama to gaslight herself. ganito pala yung feeling ng brokenhearted? now she understand people na nagwiwish na sana hindi nalang sila magmahal kasi ganito kasakit. you'll never know pain until it cuts through you. 

"kay kuya chanyeol ko nalang po ipapakuha yung mga gamit ko, paalam po." 

tumakbo si kyungsoo paalis, kasi at that point ito ang inuutos ng utak niya, it's the only reasonable thing her mind can think of sa gitna ng pagdadalamhati ng kanyang puso, ang tumakbo palayo sa lalaking sinaktan siya.

//

as the eldest of the two, jongin had never opened up kay baekhyun about his feelings and thoughts about something. but one night while babysitting his sister and little niece, nacorner ng kapatid si Jongin kaya napa amin ito ng feelings. 

he likes kyungsoo, mabilis siyang nahulog sa dalaga dahil sa bubbly side nito but unfortunately, on the day kung kailan siya nakapag ipon ng lakas ng loob to confess doon pa niya nasaktan si kyungsoo. he hurt her at hindi siya nabigyan ng chance to explain his side.

thirteen months na ang paghahanap nila kay kyungsoo subalit hindi nila matukoy ang kinaroroonan ng dalaga. they found their new address but wendy said that kyungsoo's in a vacation, kung saan? walang nakakaalam.

kaya heto si jongin, araw-araw naghihintay sa muling pagbabalik ni kyungsoo.

"kuya, me and chanyeol are having barbecue tonight, join us!" nasa labas ang magkapatid, jongin's accompanying baekhyun while shopping for her wedding dress. yes, jongin managed to convince their parents to let baekhyun marry first especially that the baby is finally out of the oven, in exchange, pinangako niyang magpapakasal din next year.

"and watch you feed each other? no." 

"weh, wala ka namang problema about it before eh, naiinggit ka lang." it was supposed to be a joke but sineryoso ni jongin kaya hinead lock si baekhyun.

"oo naiinggit ako, miss na miss ko na si kyungsoo kaya please lang, stop bullying me." 

"sorry na kuya, di ko-"

"ay wait lang, wendy's calling." Iniwan ni Jongin sa fitting room si Baek and moved to a quiet corner to answer the incoming call. "hey wends,"

"k-kuya jongin," halos hindi makapag salita si wendy kaya labis na kinabahan ang bachelor. "kuya si ate,"

"wends, damn it, what happened."

"si ate nakauwi na,"

"okay i'll be there, dont tell her na im on my way," 

"please, bilis go, siya lang sa bahay." 

nagpanic si jongin, tumakbo kay baekhyun who just came out suot ang mahabang traje de boda Jongin asked her to fit. 

"kuya?" 

"she's back."

"oh my god." nagpanic na rin si baekhyun, hinubad ang suot at pilit na sumasama kay Jongin sa Quezon City. thankfully malapit lang ang nilipatang apartment ng mag-anak kaya hindi na kayang lumayo. 

jongin drove them two and during their drive, parehong hindi mapakali ang dalawa, si jongin tila sinisilaban ang singit, kinakabahan at baka like before, hindi siya bigyan ng chance to clear his name. worst case scenario yung bukod sa ipagtabuyan ay baka ipabugbog sa mga tambay doon.

"yan kasi, before ka pang sinabihan ihinto ang pakikipag one night stand at magsettle nalang ayaw pa, so ano ka ngayon? alila ng isang do kyungsoo. kung alam ko lang na ang chef pala ng mga Park ang tatabla sayo edi sana matagal ko ng ginawa yun," 

"not helping B," namawis si Jongin. totoo nga, tataob lamang tayo sa taong mahal natin.

"just saying lang din, ang funny kasi that of all hookups and flings mo, kay kyungsoo ka tumiklop." 

"because your brother's got taste,"

"true, surprising din that you can already iron clothes.." jongin smiled, his mind brought him back to that one day kung kailan kyungsoo tricked him into ironing his own work clothes when he's actually the boss.

sabi ng waze, they arrived sa destination nila, baekhyun pushed jongin to hop out of the car at simulang suyuin ang TOTGA. Kakatok na sana sa gate si Jongin when he jogs back sa kotse.

"B, buy ka muna flowers," 

"ayoko nga, shunga ka kasi, alam mong manunuyo ka di ka pa bumili??" 

"just-"

"daming dahilan, kung ako sayo baka kanina pa ko nakaluhod sa taas, ngayon mo ipakita na may balls ka kuya," 

mali yatang dinala niya ang kapatid. ayon, lahat ng sinabi ni baekhyun nasa utak at ego niya kaya umakyat na nga sa second floor si Jongin, doon ang unit nila kyungsoo at tanaw sa kotse kung saan nakaupo si Baekhyun.

humingang malalim si jongin, kabisado ang schedule ng mga kapatid ni kyungsoo kaya alam niyang ang mama lang nito at si Sunhee ang possibleng naroroon. He knocked, walang sagot. another knock against the wooden door. still, unanswered. Jongin breathed in, deeper this time kasi nabawasan ang tapang na naipon. 

fidgety na ito sa labas, what if kaya walang sumasagot eh kasi fake news si Wendy? what if this is the Do siblings trying to trick him for hurting kyungsoo? but since he's already here, lulubusin na niya. malakas ang iniwang katok niya this time and fortunately he heard rustling sa loob ng apartment.

impatient ang bachelor kaya even knowing na alam ng nasa loob na may tao sa pintuan he knocked again, isang katok ng pinagbuksan na ito. 

nanlaki ang mata ni Jongin ng makita si Kyungsoo sa kanyang harapan, her lips are red dahil sa lipstick, sa mahigit isang taon lalong gumanda si Kyungsoo sa paningin niya. 

huminto ang oras ni jongin, nag-awitan ang mga anghel sa langit at nagliparan ang mga paru-paro sa kanyang tiyan. inshort, if he fell harder para sa dalagang kay tagal hinanap.

time started ticking for jongin, the heavens closes and the butterflies dying ng makita ang karga ng dalaga. isang tulog na sanggol sa bisig ni kyungsoo, an infant na tila bagong silang lamang. 

"kyungsoo," hindi maialis ni jongin ang paningin sa bata, ang puso kumakabog dahil sa kaba, excitement, takot na baka mali ang iniisip niya. "ako, ako ba ang tatay ng batang yan?" 

"WHAT THE HELL KUYA?" Baekhyun enters the scene sa tanong ng kapatid. if jongin thinks na siya ang ama ng batang hawak ni Kyungsoo then- "May nangyari sa inyo ni kyungsoo??? kuya answer me," pinaulanan ng suntok ni Baekhyun ang kuya nito, alam niya about the feelings pero she was kept out of the dark about the sex thingy! 

"Baek, wait lang kasi," saway ni jongin sa kapatid, nandito na si kyungsoo sa harapan niya tsaka pa umepal tong si Baekhyun. "Soo," he asks for help. 

hindi naman dapat mag step in si kyungsoo upang pigilan si baekhyun eh, yun nga lang nakakahiya sa neighbor at naiistorbo ang natutulog na baby. kaya naman si Jongin ay hinila, handed the baby sa binata and pushes them both sa loob ng apartment.

"baek, usap tayo after namin ni Jongin ha," 

"sandali lang, sagutin mo muna ako kyungsoo, pinatulan mo ang kuya ko???" 

kyungsoo just shrugged her shpulders, pet baekhyun's hair and smiled.

"dalhin mo dito sometimes ang baby niyo ni kuya, play sila ng Hunter namin," 

"OH MY GOD." kyungsoo's statement left baekhyun stunned at habang hindi maka galaw si Baekhyun, pumasok na si Kyungsoo to face the storm. 

si jongin tameme, his eyes couldn't wander than the baby's serene face. mahimbing parin ito sa bisig niya. until kyungsoo softly took the sleeping baby from his hold. pansamantalang nawala ang dalaga to tuck the baby in his crib sa kwarto and came back to jongin na nakatingin parin sa kanya.

"sir," 

"kyungsoo, anak ko ba yun?"

"shunga," kyungsoo laughs. "anak ni kuya yun," literally, naka nganga si jongin sa sagot ni kyungsoo. his heart now a little unhappy dahil nais niya magka-anak sila ni kyungsoo. "disappointed ka?" tumango si jongin. "jongin bakit ka nandito," biglang sumeryoso ang expression ni kyungsoo. pero si jongin, tameme parin kaya iniwan ito ni kyungsoo upang maghanda ng maiinom ng bisita. 

"kyungsoo, isang taon kita hinanap."

"i travelled." she answers shortly.

"kyungsoo before you push me out mag eexplain ako. that girl? walang nangyari samin. i didnt even kiss her kahit she offered herself sakin." kyungsoo snorts, not believing the words. "we just got home minutes before you arrived. i was drunk, Tally said she'll only drive me home-"

"Tally, first name basis?" 

"she's a co-worker. the team went out then i passed out then woke up again with her insisting to drive me home, she did several times na din so i was kinda confident na drive lang talaga,"

"you were naked."

napasabunot na si jongin sa sarili, nababaliw na siya, gusto niyang yakapin na si kyungsoo, nalulumbay na ang mga bisig at nais lang na ikulong ang dalaga sa kanyang yakap pero mailap parin ito, puno ng katanungan sa mga nangyari.

"because lumabas na siya, i was preparing to sleep then nakita mo na pala.. you misinterpreted what happened and im sorry kyungsoo, im sorry babe, ive been honest i swear!" kyungsoo's stare softens a little, nakahinga ng maluwag si jongin. "i was excited for that monday to come alam mo ba yun? i was about to tell you how much i want you next to me, how much i love you," finally his feet moved and started walking towards the woman and try to lessen the distance separating them. "i still do, mahal parin kita kyungsoo.." 

kyungsoo nods. 

"sir," she sniffs. "s-sorry din kung hindi kita binigyan ng chance na mag explain. masyado akong nasaktan,"

"and im sorry for that my love," jongin finally, finally wrapped his hands around her and cried together. "i know i shouldnt have made you doubt pero i still hurt you, sorry."

okay lang pala umiyak, walang sakit kapag may isang taong yakap at hindi ka binibitawan. kaya sa braso ni jongin, sa pagmamahal niya, ang sakit sa puso, ang panghihinayang at guilt ay unti-unting napapalitan ng tuwa. 

"sorry jongin," 

"mahal kita," ang kamay ni jongin na may sariling utak mabilis na naglakbay to cup kyungsoo's cheek, making her face him until their teary eyes meet. jongin smiled and kyungsoo smiled back. "mahal kita," he utters confidently before capturing her lips with his. it's sweet, lingering but a gentle one. he's always been gentle with her kahit alam niyang may aggressive side din si kyungsoo.

"liligawan mo ko?" 

"oo naman, pero hindi ba talaga sakin yung baby?"

"hindi nga satin, kulit naman." irap ni kyungsoo bago ngumiting muli, tiptoeing, snaking her arms sa leeg ni jongin and reconnecting their hungry lips once more. 

this time, unlike the first kiss they shared, kyungsoo allowed their lips to explore the kisses they longed for, they kiss longer, more aggressive until they were both running out of breathe.

"gawa nalang tayo ng satin?" kyungsoo smiles. 

"oo, pero not now. baekhyun's outside and I owe her a lot."

muli, hinagkan ni Kyungsoo si Jongin, ang kanilang mga katawan ay magkadikit habang ang mga labi'y nagsasayaw sa isang masayang awitin ng mga puso.

uncaring about the world, uncaring na kahit pumasok man ang mama niya or si baekhyun sa unit at mahuli sila. kasi ngayon, kyungsoo's neverbbeen sure sa kanyang sariling future. Jongin- kay Jongin niya nakikita ang sarili kaya wala na silang minuto o segundong aaksayahin pa. 

"you made me realize one thing babe," jongin breaks the kiss for them to breathe, magkadikit ang mga noo habang parehong naghahabol ng hininga, his hands cradling her face. "that no matter how much it will hurt, kung ikaw naman ang ending ko, im willing to go through such pain," he smiles fondly at tuluyang bumagsak ang masasayang luha "coz you're always worth it,"

the end ✨