5

                                    

                                          
DARREN.
"You okay?" Ace asks as soon as we got out of the plane. He stood beside me while we were waiting for the others to come out.
"H-ha? Ah, oo naman. Why?" I replied. I guess he noticed that I was massaging my left shoulder.
Ngawit kasi.
"Wala naman, I'm just–"
"Ace." Tss, si Ben nanaman. 
"We better walk together. Your management says may media daw na nakaabang sa arrival." Ben explained and all the while, Ace's attention was shifted to him.
Parang nakalimutan na niyang na'ndito ako sa tabi niya.
Ace nodded, smiling at Ben. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."
It happened in mere seconds and Ben only gave me a timid smile before they walked away from me. Ace didn't even bother to look at me one more time. He just went with him.
I was just watching them leave, not realizing that Haze already walked up to me. He tapped my shoulder, making me look at him. 
"Uy, ba't nakatulala ka pa dyan? Tara na. Dun daw tayo sa kabilang gate dadaan. 'Di naman tayo VIP." He chuckled.
It just got me thinking, Haze likes Ace, doesn't he? Is he not hurting when he sees Ace and I talking, knowing there's something going on between the two of us? He probably gets hurt, too, right? And he'd probably understand that I'm hurting now, right?
"Huy!" He snaps his fingers infront of my face, catching my attention. I didn't even realize I was staring at his face.
"Huh?"
"Tara na. Punta na tayo sa arrival area... for the economy gang." He says, making "quotation marks" with his fingers. 
I didn't bother answering anymore and just started walking as he trails behind me.
-----
HAZE.
The whole process of getting checked into our suites went pretty smoothly, as I had hoped so.
We got out of the airport, got in a separate van that took us to the hotel, checked in for our rooms, and proceeded to see them. And all the while, Darren and I sat and stood beside each other. I think it's just because none of us are close with Ace's management team—although they kinda know me—so we had to stick beside each other the whole time.
Surprisingly, we didn't even bicker, too. We were really quiet but his presence is quite comforting so I really have no problem with that.
Ugh, I can't believe I just indirectly implied that I like his presence.
But who cares? Siguradong ngayon lang 'to.
"Darren and Haze, you will be staying in this suite for a week. Kayong dalawa lang." 
WHAT THE—
Shock and confusion were very evident on my face when Ace's manager handed us the keys to our suite. I quickly glanced at Darren and he was just observing the flowers by the door. Does he not care? Or did he not hear what she said?
"Ano po? Akala ko po ba kasama namin kayong mga staff?" I asked.
She tapped my shoulder. "It was supposed to be like that but Ben is more generous than we thought so he said mas okay daw na hiwalay yung rooms naming staff sa inyo. I mean, you two are our guests, as well. Mga kaibigan kayo ni Ace, hindi ba? It's just right that we also treat you enough." She explained and smiled before leaving Darren and I alone in the hallway.