They were a group of different individuals who's gone through one whole day of detention in high school. From there, a bond formed that took them to greater heights in their life, realizing the importance of friends, family and love.

Here's the gang... KEVIN He looks like the typical jock but he's actually a geek. He's the youngest among the brood of three men from the influential Richardson family and is pressured by the demands and expectations they have from him.
NICK He's gay, he's okay and that's what drives his father crazy. He's one of the brightest in his sophomore class but it's not enough for his dad. What will make him go back to the other side?
BRIAN The silent-type who worked his way to finish school, unlike his rich friends. No one knows what really goes on in his mind. And it often drives his friends crazy.
LEIGHANNE She's the prom queen and she can have the opportunity that she wants right in front of her. She's pressured by her family to do things they wanted her to be but in her heart, there's only one thing that she wants.
SAMANTHA The typical wild child, the one who's often misunderstood but undoubtedly, the smart one in her class. She speaks her mind and knows what she wants...a good life for her mother and her sisters.
JADE She acts like a boy and never cared about anyone else. But beneath the strong surface is a vulnerable person who just wanted a complete family and someone to love her.

Chapters

Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Samantha ... Part 2 | 1 |2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Kevin ... Part 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

Jade ... Part 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |

Nick ... Part 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Brian & Leighanne ... Part 6 | 1 | 2 |

Awards

Nominations

Fanfic Gallery

4

Samantha greeted her son excitedly when she arrives home. Drew happily welcomed his mother as he was scooped up in her arms.

"You seemed happy, Sam." Gretchen tells her daughter. She began preparing dinner for them.

"Where's Leigh?" Samantha asked her mother.

"She called earlier, said something about going to the airport today to meet someone. Maybe it's Brian." Her mother winked at her. "So, what makes my daughter happy today, huh? How's the day?"

"I got a job, Mom." Samantha kissed her son on the cheeks. "This friend that I met in college, she approached me about the business she just started. She hired me to be one of the cooks in the kitchen."

"That's great. But don't you think it will take a lot of your time away from your son?"

Samantha looked at Drew. "I'll do my best to balance everything. I've done it when I was studying, why can't now?"

Gretchen glanced at her daughter before continuing to prepare dinner. "Oh, by the way, there's a mail for you. It's on the side table by the TV." Samantha went towards where it is and found an envelope. She opened it. Her mother quietly watched her read what was in the mail. Gretchen saw her stared at the piece of paper for a while then sighed. "What is it, Sam?" She can't help but ask.

Samantha bit her lower lip. "I got accepted in Juliana's. Mom, that's Howie's restaurant."

"Did you submit an application there?"

"No," She shakes her head. "Mom, do you think that Howie already knows about my son?"

Gretchen glanced at her grandson who's now busy playing with his toy car. "You know that this time will come that his real father will discover about him. You can't hide it, dear. Sooner or later, he will come here to demand his right."

"But I don't want him to know," Samantha said.

"Do you think that would be selfish, my dear? And what about your son? What if he starts looking for his father? What will you tell him?"

Samantha actually doesn't know what to do or what to tell Howie.



~~~



Howie walked down the hall towards the HR office. He knocked on the open door and the elderly woman, Glenn Beverly, the HR manager looked up and smiled at her boss. Howie went inside and sit on the chair. "How did it go?"

"She's still lacking with experience, Howie, but based on her previous performance, I've thought about giving her a chance to try it. I've already sent a mail to her."

"I doubt that she'll accept it."

"Why don't you just go there instead and tell her that you know everything? That would save you a lot of time than just trying to do something to support her and your child this way. This is stupid. You should go there instead of hiding in here." Glenn asked. She's been his confidante and his mentor when he's just starting with his business. When her husband died years ago, Howie offered her a job to keep her occupied and less lonely.

Howie drew a deep breath. "I don't know, Glenn. I think she hates me."

"She deserves an explanation."

Howie pondered on that for a while. Glenn is right. He should not waste any more time and face Samantha and tell her that he knows what she's not telling him for years. He looked at Glenn who has a bright smile on her face. "You're right. I'll do what I should have done a long time ago. I'm so afraid that she might not want me but I want to tell her that I love her and our son."

Glenn gave him a nod. "Now, leave my office. Don't come back here without giving me a good result on your mission."

Howie smiled and walked around his manager's desk. He kissed her on the forehead. "Thanks, Glenn."

"Oh, Howie..." The older woman shakes her head. "I'm too sensitive. Don't go being mushy on me. Go to your family and take them home."



~~~



Samantha went out of the back door of the restaurant where she's currently working. In one hand was a bag full of food that her manager told her to bring home for Drew. She's tired and she's excited to go home and take the rest she's been longing for ever since some VIP came in the restaurant at noon and demanded a special dish which wasn't even included in their menu. It infuriated her but her manager told her to do the job anyway for they have no choice but to give in.

In about an hour, she reached the apartment but stopped on her tracks when she saw who's waiting for her in the hallway.

"It's been a long time." Howie said. He straightened himself from leaning back against the wall and walked towards her until he stopped in front of her apartment's door. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." They stared at each other for a while. Samantha couldn't discern the expression on his face. Why is he here? "And you?" she asks.

"I'm trying to be fine. I struggled to be fine." Howie replied. "And I think now is the time to introduce me to our son."

>> 5

5

"What do you want?" Samantha placed down her things on the side. She's actually nervous to see him again, knowing that this is the time she dreaded to happen. Howie is about to confront her about Drew and will state his right over the child.

"I want so many things, Sam." Howie said. "First of those is that I want to explain myself over what happened years ago."

Samantha was about to speak when the door of her apartment opened and Gretchen came out, carrying Drew with her. "Oh," she exclaimed. "I've heard voices in the hall and thought of taking a look." She saw the awkward look from her daughter. "Get inside," she tells them.

The two followed the elder woman. Drew went to his mother as his eyes were fixed to the man he doesn't know. Gretchen knew that this is the time that she's been waiting to happen. She knew that Samantha and Howie need to talk and settle the things between them. There's a child involved and it will be better if he grow up with two parents in his life.

"I'll just go out to get something in the grocery." Gretchen tells them.

Samantha sat on the sofa with Drew. "Remember when I told you that I'll introduce you to your daddy? He's here, baby. Daddy's here." Drew gave his mother a questioning look and glanced at Howie. His initial reaction was to snuggle closer to Samantha, afraid to go near the stranger that is his father.

Howie wanted to cry upon seeing the rejected reaction from his son. His jaws clenched but he tried not to show how it hurt him.

Without any word, Samantha stood up and prepared the food she brought home. Drew is still clinging in his mother's arms so Howie helped her. "I heard that you've been lucky in business," she started. She needs to have a conversation with him so that Drew will be comfortable around his father, by realizing that they're getting along well.

"It's been a blessing." Howie smiled to Drew. "Are you going to school soon?"

"Next year, isn't that right, honey?" Samantha smiled to her son. Drew nodded and showed his fingers to Howie.

"I'm three." Drew came up with his three fingers.

"That's very good. Did you already know the ABCs and the numbers?"

"Show to Daddy that you know the ABCs, Drew." Samantha stood in front of Howie just as he finished putting the plates on the table. Their son begins to recite the alphabet.

"Wow, that's great, baby." Howie kissed his son on the forehead. Drew looked up to him with a smile and accepted a little slice of cake that Howie took from one of the food that Samantha brought along. He also ate a slice.

"You got icing, Daddy." Drew laughed. Samantha and Howie looked at each other when they heard what Drew called him.

Howie wiped off the icing from the corner of his mouth and smiled to Drew. "Did you just call me daddy?"

"Daddy," Drew giggled. He snuggled close to his mother, burying his head on her neck but then turned back again to Howie. He opened his arms wide, wanting to go to Howie. Samantha gave him to his father.

She felt a light brush of h Howie's arm as she transferred her son to him. It brought tingles down her spine. Her eyes were fixed to Howie. "Your sister told me that you won't have anything to do with me, won't even care about me because I'm far from your type," she quietly said.

Howie didn't say anything as he walked towards the first bedroom he found and talked to their son for a while. Moments later, he left Drew inside and went back to her. As soon as he got near, he kissed her on the lips. "You're the only woman for me, Sam. Please remember that always."

Sam didn't say anything. Howie wiped her tears and pulled her close into a warm embrace.

"I didn't get the chance to see you because of what happened to my father." He started to explain. "I've tried many times but Nadia made it sure that I'm always occupied. When I got the chance, I found out that you're no longer there. I've searched everywhere. I've hired private investigators to locate you. I already found you last year but I didn't know what to do. I learned about Drew and it made me very happy. I was supposed to be mad because you hid him from me but I'm not. I tried to understand you and still is."

Samantha can only stare at him, trying to absorb the things she hears from him.

"I love you, Sam. I always have until forever has another day for me to love you."

"That's where she gives in and cried. Howie gathered her close to his embrace. "I love you, too, Howie."

Howie smiled and kissed her. He missed her so much and he thanked god that things are going to be alright soon. "No one's going to set us apart again. I'm here and will never leave you nor hide anything from you again."

"Promise?"

Howie nodded. But still, he saw the apprehension on Samantha's face. "What's wrong?"

"What about your sister?"

"She will never bother us again. She married a man who knows who she is and he got a tight rein on her," he chuckled. "She will never come close to anyone of you. I will take care of you." He cupped her face. "You can count on me for that. Things are gonna change." He's ready to start a brand new life with her and that includes starting a family with her and Drew. He's definitely looking forward to it.

>> Part 3

Part 3

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?
By Kevin Richardson
Helga Keats

Not me, I guess. To anyone who would hear and know my name, they would probably be awed because I'm a member of one of the most powerful clans in the state but for me, I'm not amazed especially when the package comes with a domineering father and equally menacing brothers who did nothing but give me a hard time. Was it my fault that I want myself be identified as a person apart from the perspective of what a Richardson is? I want to be different. I like sports especially football but since the family name left a legacy in the field, I went on the other way. I entered school politics instead and now in my last year, I am the first Richardson to be the senior class president. It felt good, Miss Helga. It is something that I can call my own: an achievement that I treasured so much.

Now that senior graduation is coming soon, it was as if I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have so many plans for myself and that includes studying psychology or biology course prior to medicine. I wanted to be a doctor. In a few years' time, I want to see myself making that kind of difference. I really wanted that to happen but I know when my dad learns about this, he'll do something to hinder it.

Right now, I've got to find a way to deal with him and overcome what fear that I had in him and made it clear what I really wanted in my life.

>> 1

1

Leighanne saw the same woman again. She motioned Kevin to come closer and when he did, she gestured him to look at the blonde woman from a distance. It is Kevin's father's birthday celebration that was attended mostly by the society's elite and top businessmen. Kevin invited his friends but only Leighanne was able to come. Nick is in Italy. Samantha is on her honeymoon with Howie, her husband. Brian is working overseas while Jade is somewhere in the country for her job.

"I always notice her looking at your father in a curious way and it's intriguing, Kevin. Do you know her?" Leighanne asks him.

Kevin watched as the beautiful blonde lady made another glance to his father. He frowned. Ever since his mother passed away two years ago, women began to flock around his father as if they'll get something from him. No one can blame him. Jerald Richardson is a multi-billionaire businessman and despite the age, still looks dashing like an aged Hollywood matinee idol. But it infuriated his sons, especially Kevin since he's the only one left unmarried among the siblings. Women would sometimes use him to get close with his father. It's insulting most of the time. He is rich enough to be part of the most eligible bachelors plus he's more than that. But it wasn't as if he's not man enough to get interested with.

"I'd like to know what she's up to..." Kevin tells Leighanne. He excused himself from his friend and walked towards the intriguing woman.

"Good evening."

The woman turned at the sound of a deep male voice. She gave him a smile and Kevin was charmed. She has a nice smile. He wished that his hunch about her isn't true. "Good evening. My name is Kristin Willits."

He didn't expect her immediate friendliness and it intrigued him more. They shook hands as he, too, introduced himself to her. "My name is Kevin Richardson. I hope you're enjoying this gathering. May I know who you are acquainted with in the family?"

Kristin's face turned red. "Well, honestly, nobody invited me. But I don't mean any harm. I just thought that my friend is going to be here and I wanted to see him. I haven't got enough time as I have a flight tomorrow."

"it's okay. I don't mind you being here," Kevin smiled. "Where is your flight tomorrow? Business trip?"

Kristin shook her head. "It's my work. I'm a flight attendant. Today's my last day of vacation and I thought I 'd see my friend here." She glanced at her watch. "Maybe, I should go home now. I couldn't stay any longer. It's been nice knowing you, Kevin." She glanced somewhere and exactly at that point, Kevin's father is coming their way. Jerald Richardson reached them before anyone can make a move about going somewhere.

"Kevin, it's nice to see that you've finally gone back to dating. Hello." Jerald greeted Kristin.

"Dad, this is Kristin. Kristin, this is my dad, the birthday celebrant." Kevin didn't try correcting his father's assumption. He doesn't care. It vexed him that he still had to be reminded about his dating history, of which most were unpleasant ones.

He watched as the two shook hands. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Richardson." Kristin said. Her greeting seemed like there's something in it that he couldn't fathom what. She really intrigued him. He better get a close rein with her.

"Likewise. Please excuse me and I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the night," Jerald smiled to Kristin one last time then proceeded to the other guests.

"You've been looking closely at my father, Kristin." Kevin pointed out but made it seem as though he's only amused. But deep inside, he's raging.

"Not really," Kristin smiled to him. "I'm just awed to meet your father. Everyone knows who he is and I'm glad to finally meet him."

Kevin wasn't paying enough attention to her probably alibi. "I'm bored at this party, too. How about if I take you home now and we can all get the rest we deserved?"

"Sounds good to me, Kevin."

"Very good," Kevin took her hand and pulled her out of the party.

>> 2

2

"What's up?"

Kevin adjusted his sunglasses as they stepped into the arrival area of the international airport. He insisted his friends, Leighanne and Jade, to come with him. Jade just came home from a business trip, who seemed pissed at her boss that she announced her own working holiday. Upon Kevin's call to accompany him at the airport without any clear reason, she quickly said yes. Leighanne immediately went along, too, without questions asked. Kevin knew he's going to pay for it later. He knew them that well. They will let him indulge first with this favor he asked of them.

"I'm just going to see someone here and I need your reinforcement," he chuckled.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Reinforcement, my ass. You just wanted us as props on something."

"Don't worry, girls. I'll treat you to anything you want later."

"Girls? I'm a woman," Leighanne pointed out as she looked around. Her friend is quickly catching the attention of some women there and she couldn't blame them. Kevin is a good-looking man and she witnessed the attention he's getting every time she's with him. Heck, she was even mistaken to be a girlfriend once.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure Brian knows about that," Jade retorted.

Leighanne blushed. She turned to her. "What is this tomboy doing here, anyway?" she asks Kevin.

"Excuse me!" Jade glared at her.

"Oh, come one. Give me a break and help me on this. I'm waiting for Kristin," Kevin said.

"Who's she?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "You've got a new girlfriend?"

Leighanne's lips pouted as she thinks of something. And then she dawned into a smile. "Oh, I see. You're waiting for that woman you met last night to show up." But Kevin didn't say anything. He silently looked around. And just in time, the person he came to see showed up. Without any word to his friends, he walked towards Kristin.

"Maybe you should cut your hair so short and dye it..." Leighanne paused when she noticed Kevin has left them. "Oh, great. Free spa is coming."

Jade turned to see Kevin approaching a woman. "A flight stewardess? I hate them." She began to rant. "They've been rude to me whenever I am on flight. Plus, AJ's ex was an FA!" Her face is now deep red. "Tell me, Leigh. Is Kevin interested in her?"

"Tell me who's AJ first." Leighanne sweetly said. "Did he feminize you to act like that? Suddenly, you're no longer a tomboy and now a woman because of him?"

Meanwhile, Kevin reached Kristin who was surprised to see him. "Hi," he greeted when he got near.

Kristin smiled wider. "Hi! You're here!" They shook hands. Jade rolled her eyes as she watched the two. Leighanne prevented her from coming over. When Kevin opened his mouth to speak and turned to them, she and Leighanne can only wave their hand in simple greeting.

"The blonde is Leighanne and the smaller one is Jade. They're one of my very good friends here and they are leaving today for Miami." Kevin tells Kristin.

Leighanne and Jade, on the other hand, said something to Kevin and looked at them with a bright smile. "That woman surely smiles a lot and I don't like it." Jade said in a singsong voice as they waved again. "Damn, we looked silly here. What are they talking about? I'm going there."

Jade walked towards the two before Leighanne could realize what's going on. She followed her friend. "Hi, my name is Jade. What's yours?"

"Kristin Willits. It's nice to meet you." Kristin shakes her hand. Her smile never left her face.

"And I'm Leighanne. By the way," Leighanne puts an arm on Jade's shoulders. "May I know your number, Kristin? If you have free time from your work, I can recommend you to my agent. You're pretty. You can make money out of it."

"Huh?" Still, there's the smile on Kristin's face.

"Leigh is a model, Kristin. Plus, she's sometimes scouting for new talents because she just started a talent agency." Kevin explained.

Leighanne nodded as she gives her business card to Kristin.

Kristin looked at it. "Oh, I don't think I'll be interested with this but I can still give you my number. I may refer some friends who might be interested." She takes the card from her.

"You're not qualified if you'd ask me," Jade muttered. "Ouch!" Leighanne pinched her in the back.

"Don't mind this girl. What's your number?" Leighanne smiled at her. Kristin recited her number as she keyed it in her mobile phone.

"I have to go. We'll still have a briefing before the flight. Bye. It's nice meeting you." Kristin turned to Kevin. "Bye, Kevin."

"Bye, take care. I hope we'll see each other again." Kevin said and Kristin only smiled. She walked on, bidding them her final good bye. When she's away, Kevin immediately turned to Leighanne. "Okay, may I have the number?"

When Jade started to recite it, the two looked at her in amusement. "What? It's just easy to remember, you know. C'mon, Kev. Save the number. I'm hungry. You owed me food plus shelter."

"Shelter? You have your place," Leighanne chuckled.

"I told you, I've declared a war against my boss. I don't want to be at my apartment in case he'll call."

"And why he'd call you? I never called my employees when they don't report for work," Kevin said.

They were surprised when Jade stopped walking. "Just drop the subject, okay?" She glared at them. "Don't push it through. I don't want to talk about that jerk!"

The two's face grew concerned. "Did he hurt you? Tell us, Jade. We're concerned." Kevin said.

Jade's face remained grim. Sometimes, Kevin wished she'd give in to her emotions. It's hard for him to understand her sometimes. "I'm fine, okay? Come on, don't delay the food, Kevin." She walked ahead towards the parking lot leaving the two wondering what's really going on with her.

>> 3

3

Kristin quietly looked out at the wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower during the night in Paris. She couldn't sleep although she have to because she has an early flight to Frankfurt and then back to Los Angeles tomorrow. She's thinking about the people back home. Her mother died recently because of cancer and she told her to look for a certain Jerald Richardson. She immediately thought that he might be the father she's looking for in a very long time. Her mother left her a golden necklace and said that the jewelry will lead her to the person she is looking for.

She looked down at the necklace she's wearing. She only wanted to meet the father she longed in a very long time. She wished that she'll meet him soon.

"You're thinking about your father again," her friend, Pia, said. She's also her co-worker at the airlines they're currently engaged in. "What happened to the Richardson birthday bash?"

Kristin sighed. "I never got the chance to talk to Jerald and show him the necklace. His youngest son ruined my plans." She hates the way that man charmed her without knowing it. He's really a good-looking and smart man. She doesn't want to get close to him knowing that in the end, he's probably her brother. But just thinking about him makes her heart flutter.

"Oh, my God, you met Kevin. He's like a Greek god, you know," Pia says.

Kristin sighed. "Yeah, I know but I'm worried. You should see the way he looked at me. He seemed to like me which shouldn't happen."

"Regardless of that, he's still gorgeous. You should try to kiss him once when you get the chance. He seemed delicious," Pia laughed.

Kristin did, too. "Silly." She needs some plans to avoid Kevin. She doesn't want to be romantically involved with him. It just wouldn't be right to do it to a brother. Her phone rang at that moment. She is hesitant to answer as it was only a number reflecting at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Kristin? This is Kevin."



~~~



Kevin didn't know why he pursued to dial Kristin's number. He scratched his head. There's no turning back now. "Kristin? This is Kevin. Hi." Oh, my God.

"Kevin? Why?"

"Uh, I got your number from Leighanne," he says. Obviously! He wanted to smack himself. He heard her chuckled. Oh well, this is embarassing.

"So, what do you want?"

"Well, I was just thinking about asking you out for breakfast tomorrow."

Kristin chuckled. "Come on, Kevin. I'm in Paris."

"I know, so am I."

Kristin paused on the other line. He felt himself nervous. "Kevin, why are you doing this? Do you like me?" Her straightforward question is unexpected.

"Okay," he drew a deep breath. "I don't want beating around the bush so yes, I like you. I happened to have a business trip here and I thought about you."

"Kevin, I have an early morning flight to Frankfurt tomorrow."

"What time?"

"It's very early. Look, Kevin. I don't want to see you, okay? Please, leave me alone." Then the line was cut. Ouch! That was really frank of her, he thought. He sat back on his bed. What came to his mind to call her anyway? He got to admit that he is attracted to her in an instant but that's not reason enough to call her in an unexpected circumstance. Besides, his speculation that she's on the lookout for his father is still there. Maybe the reason why she rejected him because she wanted his father. His jaws clenched at that thought. Well, at least he knows that she doesn't like him. That's a first. She made it clear to him. But why is there a feeling of hurt when she said the last one and then ended the call?



~~~



Keith glanced at his friend who is the one behind the wheel. "Come on, Kev. Slow down. What's your problem?"

Kevin frowned, beneath the dark sunglasses he's wearing. "Nothing, just tired." He swerved and then turned right. The person beside him cursed loudly that he chuckled. "I got the deal. It's worth it to go to Paris after all." His jaws clenched at that. The call he made at Kristin three days ago infuriated him. What does his father had that he doesn't have? That man is old. He doubt if his father can even bear another kid. While he, on the other hand, is young and very much potent. Kristin should know better the difference. Money isn't enough.

"Okay, you got the deal. Everybody's happy. Please slow down. I got a pregnant wife at home!" Keith yelled.

Kevin drew a deep breath when he realized that. He slowed down. "I'm sorry, man."

"Stop on the side."

"Why? I'm sorry."

"Just stop!" Keith is angry now. He followed his friend. He knew that Keith is angry. He forgot about his pregnant wife. When he stopped on the side, Keith yelled again. "Get out of the car!" When Kevin is about to protest, he repeated again. "Get out of the car, you dimwit!" Kevin followed and his friend ordered him to change places in which he followed. "You're not going to drive until you're sane enough to realize that what you did is wrong!"

Kevin leaned back on his seat. "She preferred Dad over me."

Keith didn't reply. He knew it. Another woman chose Kevin's father over him again. It's not a new story. "So how special is this girl this time?"

"I don't know."

She's special, Keith thought. "Why don't you know?"

"I still didn't know much of her and yet, she intrigued me a lot. All I know is that she's a flight attendant and she's an orphan. She haven't known who her father is. She loves to cook and read and dance."

"Wait... You had her investigated?" This is different. Kevin never did it to any woman before.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Keith shakes his head. He had to know this woman soon before Kevin would lose his mind. This one is surely different.

>> 4

4

Kevin stopped the car in front of his father's house. He takes his laptop bag and some document folders with him and went in to the house. It's Saturday and he's there for work. It's always like that whenever he goes home to the house where he grew up. After graduating high school, he was immediately sent to a prestigious business school to study and practice the family business. He wasn't asked or given the choice on what he wants. Young and alone, he felt helpless.

He didn't make it to be a doctor. Instead, he got used to live his life beating deadlines, making presentations for board meetings and for the company's investors and earning so much. Some think that he's lucky and successful at his young age. For him, he's still looking for the meaning of the terms. He continues to seek happiness that he longed for in a very long time.

The butler congenially greeted him when he entered the mansion. He heard faint voices somewhere. He turned to the butler.

"Your father has a visitor, sir. They are at the living room area."

Kevin said his thanks and went on his way. It must be some business partner who came for a visit, he thought. When he reached the living room, his heart beats fast to see the familiar blonde head. Kristin.

He secretly raged when he saw his father affectionately touched Kristin's arm. They were speaking in quiet voices that he failed to hear what is it all about. He cleared his throat to get their attention. He saw the look of surprise from Kristin when she saw him.

"I didn't know that you'll be having a visitor." He said as he walked towards them.

"Kevin, I'd like you to meet Kristin Willits." Jerald said. "And this is my youngest son."

Kevin saw the smile on his father's face. His jaws clenched. "We've already met, at your birthday party. She said she's looking for her friend. She must've been lying because she's here and talking with you. Remember when I introduced you? You don't seem to know each other. And now she's here and you're giving her the most affectionate pat I've ever seen." He caught them off guard with that statement.

"It's not what you think, son..." Jerald tried to say. Kristin has a confused look in her eyes.

Kevin shakes his head. "I don't want to hear it, Dad. I don't care. Anyway," he placed down the document folders on the center table. "Here are my reports and some other files. I think there's no explanation needed for that. It's been well created for easy comprehension. Excuse me." He gave one last glare to Kristin before walking off. But he didn't went out of the house. He went towards the grand staircase and up to his old bedroom.

It was about three hours later when he emerged from his room. He's done watching TV and took a shower. Now, he's hungry. He decided to go downstairs to check on something to eat. That woman must have already gone, he thought with irritation. But he's wrong. There's a movement from one among the rooms and he decided to locate it. He found the second door unlocked and burst it open. Kristin jumped in surprise.

"What are you still doing here?" Kevin asked angrily as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. Kristin stared at him in surprise. She glanced down and he realized that he's shirtless. So what? This is his house. In his condo back in the city, he'd even go around his place naked. "What? Haven't seen a half-naked man before? Or you want a piece of me after you had my father?"

"No!" Kristin frowned. "How could you think something like that?"

Kevin shakes his head. "You're an actress, Kristin. I knew it from the start. And you're here after my father because of his money. I hate your kind, gold-diggers! You will never succeed." He saw her shocked expression. "Okay, pretend that you're surprised that I know your plan all along. What if I offer you something, like ten million dollars, just to stop this craziness with my father?"

"No." Kristin firmly said which vexed Kevin more.

"Yeah, I forgot. You want bigger money than what I am offering you." He folded his arms across his chest, stretching the muscles of his upper body. "But remember this. You will never succeed. You will never get anything. I'm watching you." They stared at each other for a moment. Kevin smirked when he saw her glancing on his face and then at his body. "Like it?" He winked and then walked off.



~~~



Kristin stared at the closed door when it slammed behind Kevin. It's embarassing that she wasn't even able to quip during the confrontation that just happened. And it was so stupid of her that all she did was stare at those washboard abs. He's got a great body aside from the fact that he's really handsome.

She wearily sat on the bed. Jerald Richardson asked her to stay at least for the night to know her better. She came there earlier to confront the Richardson patriarch about being her real father. She already expected him to be surprised and then denied her, said something about he never had any other woman besides his late wife.

She felt the desperation and frustration sinking in. She showed him the golden necklace that her mother has left for her. And she saw the recognition on his face. Her hopes rise until he said that it was his best friend's necklace. Kristin immediately asked about his friend but the other doesn't even know where he is. His name was Luke Thomas, a retired marine general who's gone MIA. No one knew where he was but Jerald promised to help her look for him. Kristin felt so grateful and realized that her mother was right. Jerald Richardson is the key person that will lead her to her father. If only Kevin Richardson won't come her way...

She doesn't know what made him think that she and his father are having an affair. And she couldn't understand why he is very angry about it. Was it because she rejected him before and his ego couldn't take it if she'd rather choose an older man, and a richer one, than him?

She sighed heavily. That one has a crazy mind. But she doesn't have to worry about Kevin. Once she found her father, she will never see him again.

>> 5

5

Kevin saw his father's car leaving. It's Sunday and he wondered where he is going. Did he bring Kristin with him? Surely, the answer is no. He saw her walking along the picket fences. She must have just been from the stables. He called his brothers last night to tell about her and they just won't do anything about it. They're leaving the task on him to take care of the situation since he's already there. But what should he do?

After taking a shower, he went down for breakfast and was greeted by the dining staff. He told them to leave him alone.

"May I join you?"

Kevin looked up just as he was about to put the bread in his mouth. He saw Kristin standing by the doorway, wearing jeans and shirt. He watched her walk towards him and sat on a chair beside him. A dining staff instantly appeared to arrange a setting for her. The two were silent until when the staff is done with her duty.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're having an affair with my Dad and now, you're having breakfast with the son." He tells her.

"I want to get to know the son," she replied.

Kevin turned to her. Oh, if only she weren't his father's. Then a thought came to mind and he smiled. "Okay, if that's what you want." He saw her staring at him again. She always does that as if she seemed mesmerized. Well, he's going to use it for his advantage. "I'm Kevin, the youngest son of Jerald. I graduated from a business course in a university somewhere here," he chuckled. He used his sexy voice on her. This is going to be great. "And I'm now a Creative Director of my father's company. I earned hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. I'm may not be as rich as my dad but I'm younger and more good-looking."

Kristin looked away. He's using his charm again and he knows the effect of that. Damn him, she thought. She felt his fingers took her chin to face him. "I can even make you squirm in your bed more than my father can do."

Ouch!

There goes her hand on his face. Kristin's face is red with anger. "You don't talk to me like that, Kevin. You don't really know what is going on."

"And what is it that I don't know?" Kevin's large eyebrows furrowed. He growled like a tiger.

Kristin wanted to tell him but she couldn't. She remembered what his father had told her. Luke Thomas has been in a dangerous mission before his retirement and probably that's why he's gone MIA was because of the death threats. That's how dangerous it was. And she doesn't want to endanger her father's life by telling it to Kevin, or just about to anyone else. She's still hoping that he's still alive and she will see him soon. "I couldn't tell you." She'd rather let him believe what she thinks about her now.

They stared at each other for a moment. Kevin drinks his glass of water and without a word to her, he stood up and went out of the room.



~~~



Jerald stopped the car in front of a large old tree, somewhere in the woods. He thought about Kristin and Kevin's reaction when he thought that he had another young girlfriend. He wanted to correct it this time but Kevin may not listen to him. All this time, he's been a strict and an unreasonable father but he had his reasons. He wanted to protect them and lead them to the path that he thinks will be good for them. Call him manipulative and domineering but he only wanted a better welfare for his children. His wife died early where the three boys were too young to mourn for the loss. He promised his wife that he will take good care of them and he kept that. Thinking about Kristin now, he's hoping to find Luke. He wanted her to experience of having a father as good as his best friend.

He walked towards an old house. He saw some twigs by the door arranged in a symbol and he smiled. Someone is inside. That is the sign that he and his two other friends have made when any one of them is occupying the small abandoned house they used to hang out when they were young. He wondered who between the two is there. There's his friend, James Oswald, the famous film director, and then Luke Thomas, the retired Marine officer.

He knocked eight times. There was a light scratching inside the house and he heard the lock being released. It opened and he sighed in relief to see the face of an old friend.

"Luke!"



~~~



Jade looked around the main hall after the butler ushered her. Kevin asked her to come over to check some plans that he had for renovating the stables. Jade is an engineer and they have already talked about this project that Kevin wanted to start.

She turned when she heard faint sounds of steps and saw Kristin. Did Kevin already have her as his girlfriend? "Hey, you're here. Why are you here?" She asks her.

"I'm a family friend." Kristin replied.

Jade raised an eyebrow. She doesn't believe her. She has this thing about hating flight attendants and Kristin is one of them. "Are you going out with Kevin?"

"What do you think?" Kristin winked at her.

She frowned. "No. No offense but you're not his type." She said and looked around. She wished that the butler had already reached Kevin wherever he is. She doesn't want to stay any longer with Kristin. Her phone rang. She immediately takes a look on who's the caller. She drew a deep breath. She gives the phone to Kristin. "It's my boss. I don't want to answer it."

Kristin raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Why?"

"He hates me and he wants to see me." Jade tells her.

Kristin shakes her head as she looked at the caller ID. "AJ. Nice." She answered the phone. "Hello? Who is this? Yeah? Jade? She's not here." She paused as Jade looked on. "Who am I? I'm her girlfriend, that's me." Kristin frowned. "Excuse me? You're being a jerk, you know that? What are you, some sort of a hyena that keeps on yakking as if you're the perfect being in the world? Back off, AJ. You just don't go around judging other people as if you're the greatest gift to mankind." She immediately ended the call. "Is that really a boss?"

"I told you. What did he say?"

"Dirty! And something only assholes can say." Kristin gives back her phone. She walked away.

"Where are you going?" Jade asked as she saw Kevin came into view. He smiled to her. She turned back to Kristin who is now standing by the open front door, staring at the two newcomers. Kevin reached them and turned to the door too.

"Dad? Uncle Luke?"

Jerald acknowledged everyone and then faced Kristin. "Kristin, as promised, I introduce to you your father, Luke Thomas."

Kevin's mouth dropped open.

>> 6

6

Kevin watched as Jade drove away. They settled on building the project and she will draft a timeline for a series of meeting they will need. He was only half-listening as he's also thinking about the surprise that he had earlier. He didn't expect it that way. Not for a single thought it would occur to him that Kristin is the daughter of a family friend, of whom he fondly called as uncle. He felt embarassed that he thought she's another one of his father's latest flings. He felt embarassed to admit that he easily thinks that way about his father.

"Kevin..."

He stiffened when he heard his father's voice. He turned to face him. "So, Kristin is his missing daughter."

Jerald nodded. "Yes. We've been looking for them in a very long time, she and her mother. Luke's in-laws were very wealthy people then, before I heard about their declaration of bankruptcy. They didn't like Luke for their daughter even though the two were already married. They took Catherine away from Luke to a place where he wouldn't find his wife and child. It was hard to see my friend went through a major blow that he could have almost killed himself. We stopped him from doing that. Since then, he decided to focus on his career. He thought that he will prove himself worthy for their daughter. And then they will give up and will bring his family back to him. But it didn't happen that way and he never saw his wife and daughter again, until now."

Kevin turned back his look to the deserted road of his father's estate. "I'm sorry."

"I understand." Silence came between them. Although a few words were spoken, each one knows what the other was saying. "I'm sorry, too, for everything."

Kevin gave his father a questioning look.

Jerald faced his son. "I've been a manipulative, domineering and strict father and I never cared about what you want but instead, I controlled your life."

"Why are you saying that now, Dad?"

"Let's just say when I saw and met Kristin, I've realized how important her father is to her life and that I haven't been one to my children. You were fortunate that you have me as you grow up but I haven't given you the proper support that you need and instead, I manipulated your life. I disregarded your happiness and instead I focused on something for my own gain."

"Are you saying that you're going to let go of me now and do whatever I want?"

"Yes."

Silence came between them again until Kevin spoke. "I'm resigning from the company, Dad. I'm going to continue my studies for medicine."

"Continue?"

"I've been studying part-time for four years now. I've got few units left then I can finally have time to practice until I become a doctor." Kevin replied. His father stared at him in awe. "I wanted to be a doctor, Dad."

"I didn't know that."

"You didn't know a lot about us, Dad." Kevin said. They turned when they heard footsteps. Luke and Kristin are coming towards them. Her eyes are red from crying and she concealed it by wearing clear glasses. He met her look and she quickly turned away. "I didn't know that you have a pretty daughter, sir."

Luke chuckled. "Well, Kristin and I would have to leave now. She'll take me to her mother's grave."

"I understand how grave your situation now, Luke. It is really important that you leave now for your safety." Jerald went to hug his friend and then, Kristin. Kevin shook hands with him and when he turned to Kristin, he also shook her hand.

"Goodbye," he said. Kristin only nodded. They were silent as their fathers continued talking. He didn't know why he felt that he doesn't want to see her go. Half an hour later, he's standing with his father watching Kristin's car leaving the estate.

"For only a few days, I've known Kristin as a good woman. If I'd have a daughter, I want her." Jerald glanced at him with a smile. Kevin still feels awkward that he and his father are still in good terms. Oftentimes, they won't last a minute without bickering against each other. But now, he's even smiling at him.

"Maybe you should adopt," He said and excused himself from his father. Jerald followed his son with a look. He knew it wouldn't be easy to start things with Kevin again. But he made a mistake before and he's willing to make up for the wrong things he's done to his sons. Now that his youngest son is with him, he'll start with Kevin.



~~~



A few months later...

"I wondered what happened to him," Jade wondered as she sets down the shot glass in front of her. She motioned the bartender to refill it. "Nick left for Italy after we graduated. I know he's planning to study in a culinary school but that's it. Has he contacted any one of you?"

"No," Kevin replied. He toasts his bottle of light beer to Howie and Samantha who are sitting beside him. This is his night and he invited his friends to celebrate the day for his completion of his final exams at the Medicine school. He'll be preparing next to take up the full course by the next school year since he has resigned from his corporate job to focus on obtaining a medical license to be called a fully-pledged doctor. "I'm worried, too. I wish Leigh would be able to find him in her trip to Italy."

"Maybe he had a full course of soul searching and is finally a man," Samantha laughed. She turned to her husband. "Nick is our high school friend and he's gay. Pretty handsome guy but gay." She shakes her head. "How are you, Jade? I heard from Leigh that you're already a girl." Once again, she turned to Howie. "Jade is Nick's best friend. They're equally the opposites because she's a tomboy, on the other hand. Ouch!" Jade just pinched her arm.

"Thanks to me," AJ, Jade's boyfriend, said and kissed her. The group groaned as the couple kissed again. They've been doing it several times since the evening started.

"Get a room." Kevin laughed as he drinks his beer. He stopped in midair when he saw someone coming to their table. Kristin.

"Hi."

Jade turned when she heard the voice and frowned. The flight attendant is back. What is she doing here? How did she know that Kevin is here?

"Hi," Kevin replied and introduced Kristin to everyone. He stood up afterwards and led her away from the group. "What's up? How's your Dad?"

"Dad's fine. Your Dad mentioned that you're now pursuing to become a doctor. Congratulations," Kristin smiled. She bit her lower lip. "I came here when he said that you're here. I'm sorry about before. I let you believe on something that is really wrong. I haven't got the chance to say that. I just couldn't explain because of Dad's situation."

They stared at each other for a while. "Well, I've thought worst about you. Please forgive me, too." Kevin said. Kristin laid out her hand and he took it. They shook hands. "Let's start a new beginning."

"Sure."

"How about if you go out with me sometime?"

Kristin looked at him in surprise. "Huh?"

"Let's go out." Kevin simply replied to her.

She smiled. "Why?"

"Does it had to have a reason?" He gave her a charming smile. He knew how that trick never fails. But to his surprise, Kristin gave him a raised eyebrow and turned her back on him. She walked away without a word. He followed her. "What's that?"

Kristin stopped and turned to him. "Alright, pick me up at 8pm." She mentioned the direction of her place. "I'll wait for you."

Kevin returned to their table with a big smile on his face. Jade shakes her head. AJ nudged her. "Come on, Jade. Is that the flight attendant you're talking about? Get over it. You got me."

"Don't try to bring it up, okay?" Jade hissed. They fell silent when Kevin joined them. "What's with that face, huh?"

"I have a date with her tomorrow."

>> 7

7

Kevin gave his car keys to the valet. He consciously looked at himself at the glass doors of the restaurant. Kristin called earlier, telling him to meet her instead at the restaurant because she doesn't know her when her scheduled meeting at the airlines she's working will end. Kevin offered to pick her up but she refused. So instead of the possibility that he might lose his chance to date her if he insisted, he gave in. He didn't know why he's acting like this when it comes to Kristin but maybe because he really likes her. He doesn't want to lose this chance even now that he knows that she wasn't related 'romantically' to his father.

"You're already gorgeous."

Kevin turned and saw Kristin, smiling at him with amusement. She looked pretty with her deep red cocktail dress. Her blonde hair is longer than he saw her months ago. It cascades freely on her back and neatly clipped with a little pin with diamond accessory.

"You looked gorgeous, too." He said to her. He offered his arm and she held it. They were greeted by the staff and ushered them to their reserved table. For the next minutes, they settled on their seats and made their food orders. "How are you?" Kevin asked when the waiter left.

Kristin smiled. "I'm fine. I'm no longer a flight attendant."

"Why?"

"I'd like to have more time with my father now that I found him. That's the reason for the meeting that I had at the airline office earlier. I resigned from my post and applied for a land job, as what we called it." Kristin replied. "How about you? How are you?"

"I'm fine. Things changed for me, too. I resigned from my position in my father's company and then pursued my studies to become a doctor."

"Really? Will it take you long to finish that?"

"I've been studying part-time for four years now and I have few units left then I will continue with my practice." When Kevin looked at her, she's staring at him. "What? Is there something wrong, Kristin?"

Kristin shakes her head. "No. Everything's fine. I'm glad that you're pursuing the dream that you want."



~~~



Kevin sets down his pencil after jotting down his notes. It's exams week and he's been inside his apartment for hours now. He excluded himself from the outside world. He needs to concentrate on his review. Exams are very important to him. He's not getting younger and he wanted to be a doctor soon. He's glad that he didn't waste time before when he's juggling in between his corporate job and night school.

He turned the page and smiled. He didn't realize that he's done with the review. He checked his materials to prepare for tomorrow. Later, he'll call for a take-out delivery. He went to the music player and put on an Eagles CD. He's humming while finishing up his studies.

The sound of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts. He wondered who it was. When he went to open it, his face glowed.

"Kristin..."

"Your Dad told me that you have exams. I thought of bringing in something to eat." Kristin showed him a box of pizza, two cans of soda and a paper bag of something more.

"Wow. Come in. You are very much welcome!" They laughed. "You're just in time. I'm feeling hungry, actually." They exchanged kisses on the cheeks. "How are you? I'm sorry that I wasn't able to call and say hi for the past few weeks."

"I perfectly understand. I hope you'll do well." Kristin said. They were now in the kitchen and preparing the food. "Having fun?"

"Absolutely."

"Not going to give up?"

"Never." Kevin replied. He opened the box of pizza and exclaimed, "Wow! Come here." He surprised her with a pull and kissed her on the lips. "I'm very much inspired now. Thank you."

Kristin stared at him. "Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I loved to," Kevin replied. He turned to the food. Kristin quietly helped him as he began to tell a story about his days in school. She only half-listened as she thinks of the text messages he sent her after their first date. It's her daily dose of one-liners from him. As she sits down beside him when the food was set, she takes out her phone and browsed her inbox for his messages.

One more chance

To be with you will be a dream come true

I have never felt like this before

You are my inspiration

I miss you

After the last one, she didn't receive any message from him again. Maybe because it's exams week. While browsing for his next message, a new one came. It's from him. She glanced at Kevin who only gave her a smile.

I miss you

"Really, huh?" She smiled back.

"Yes." He replied. Another one came. This time, Kevin leaned over to read it. It's from him again. He read it aloud. "I love you."

Kristin stared at him. She knew she feels the same way too. She doesn't know when it became love but she's sure that she deeply cared for him and she wanted to spend more time with him. Bringing him food during his review is one of the things she wanted to do for him. Slowly, she smiled. She gently cupped her fingers. He returned her smile. "I love you, too..." And with that, she inched her lips closer to kiss him.

>> Part 4

Part 4

WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO BE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
Jade Archer

I think I'm still young to think about this but now given the chance since I've got nothing to do except to stay in detention, I think I would like to take care of my brothers and my Mom. And then I'm going to pursue a career wherein I can prove to anyone that I can protect and take care of myself. Most especially that I would like to do something that was perceived to be only a man can do. Unlike my mother, I will depend on myself and to no one else, not even to my uncle and brothers. Someday, I'm going to be great. I will be the woman who empowers other women to do things we are also capable of. I will be the woman who will never need a man beside me because I know that in this life, with pure sense of faith and determination, I can do anything.

>> 1

1

Jade watched as her classmate sighed in resignation. She smiled. No one can beat her if she knows she's right, especially in Math. She will be graduating in college soon. She took up Civil Engineering and she had lots of male classmates. There were actually five of them that are females in their class and more often, they were treated as part of the brotherhood, especially her who's the only one who doesn't have a boyfriend. She's around most of the time for drinking sessions or for the parties at a nearby dormitory, while her other female classmates were either out or would rather prefer to go with their own crowd. Although Jade has her own circle of female friends, she often spent her time with her classmates because her friends weren't around to join her.

Nick is studying in Italy. Kevin and Leighanne were in New York with Samantha who is now a mother to an adorable child, on the other hand. Brian is studying in some technical college. Jade has no choice. Kevin and leighanne were in New York. Brians is studying in some technical college that's far from her. So, she'd rather go with the crowd that's always been around than to stay in her dorm.

"Okay, you win, Miss Genius," Carl rolled his eyes.

"That's because you didn't notice the problem with the coordinates that were there from the start." She shakes her head. "Anyway, I'm going home." She puts her things in the bag while the men watch.

"Home, as in your uncle's?" Henry asks.

"Yeah. It's my brother's birthday." She replies.

"I'm guessing that they're going to ask again if you already have a boyfriend," Vince said. He and the others laughed and exchanged high-fives. "Why don't you ask any one of us to act as one so that your uncle and brothers will leave you alone? We don't mind. It'd be very beneficial, considering the free food. We won't charge you for anything else."

Jade chuckled. She's been telling them the pressure that her brothers were giving her every time they were together. They seemed to be afraid that she might be a lesbian considering the course took in college, the unusual relationship she has with the male crowd and the few number of female friends she only had. "I don't want to pick any one of you. That'd be disastrous, not resolving. They know the type of friends I hang out with and they'd figure you out easily."

"Seriously, Jade. Why don't you have a boyfriend?" Gary asked her.

She looked back at him. "Would you go out with me, Gary?"

Gary shakes his head. "No, you're my friend. I mean, you're great but I'd rather be friends with you because it's more fun." He quickly replied.

"Exactly my point. I'm not the girlfriend-type of woman," she took her backpack.

"Oh, you are. And you're hot." Vince said. There were laughter until she casts them a glare. Sometimes, they wouldn't take things seriously especially when it concerns her. She remembered on her first day in the university when the male population in the classroom were trying to intimidate the girls. But they outsmarted the men and they earned their respect and brotherly affection.

"It's just that you looked intimidating and very independent." Vince added. He's a joker but she knows when he tells the truth. Judging by the tone of his voice, he is serious.

"Whatever," Jade said and chose to ignore them. "Bye." She walked off. She crossed the green lawn of the school. What could be the best gift for her brother? She knows that he loves cars, fast cars, but she would never buy her one. She nearly laughed at the idea of sticking to what she's done the previous year. She will give him a limited edition of some car again. John loved it anyway.

Thud!

"Ouch!" Jade felt the back of her head hurt when a ball hit her. She turned to see a man, in a white shirt and black jogging pants, standing within a distance and his arms akimbo.

"You're blocking the way."

Jade turned around. She didn't notice that she reached and walked into the middle of a soccer field with a team practice going on. "I'm sorry. I've been so deep with my thoughts that I never noticed." She told the man.

"Stupid," she heard him said as he turned around to walk away. She read the back of his uniform, McLean. She raised an eyebrow. Who does he thinks he is?

She picked up the soccer ball she found on the ground. With a calculated aim, she threw it to the retreating man. While the others watched, the man got hit at the back of his head.

"Ouch!"

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Well, it hurts, isn't it?" And then she walked off, completely ignoring the angry remarks and threats of the infuriated man she left behind.



~~~



Jade's defenses rose to the next level when she saw the man coming inside the restaurant, found just outside the university campus. It's the arrogant soccer player, and his entourage.

"Do you know him?" Vince noticed her change of expression.

"He's the one I'm telling you about last week." She scowled when the man turned her way and smirked at the sight of her.

"Oh, him. Do you want us to do something about him?" Gary asks.

"There's no use. I already did," Jade said to her friends with a wink. She drinks her soda then afterwards said, "I threw back the ball at him and it hit straight at the back of his head."

"Whoa!" There were laughter. Their group is the noisiest in the place that some, including McLean's group, glanced their way.

"You missed out that part when you told us what happened," Carl says, shaking his head.

Jade smiled wider. "He won't get away with that so easily. You know me. Do you happen to know him, his name perhaps?"

The most silent among them gave a smile. "That's AJ McLean. He's not a student actually. He's an instructor." Henry tells them. "He's just passing time while waiting for the results of the engineering licensure exam."

"And how did you know that?" Carl asked him.

Henry rolled his eyes. "Duh, my dad's a dean."

Jade looked back at AJ. He happened to be looking at her, too. She's going to remember his name and she will make it sure that she won't cross paths with his again.



~~~



Jade finished her dinner and looked around. She hates it when the place is starting to get crowded that's why she'd have to leave. It's Saturday and she's on her way home to bring the first batch of her things. Since graduation is coming soon, she already started cleaning her dorm. She transports her things by batch to avoid carrying too much once the school year reached its end. Her brother let her use his car starting last week so she won't have a problem in transporting her things. On her way home, she made a detour of stopping by a restaurant first for dinner.

She asked for the bill from the waiter. While waiting, she looked around. The restaurant is old but cozy enough to make one comfortable with the food he eats as the place is completely spic-and-span. She turned on the other way and stopped. She saw her father, occupying a table within a distance. He's there with his mistress, the woman who's been the reason for her parents' divorce. She wondered what are they doing here. They didn't get married, despite the long period of time of being together. Jade never wondered why. She doesn't care about her father. She ended her relationship with him when he walked out of the door of their house.

She suddenly longed to see her mother. She will see her. It's been a long time. Although it hurts her to see her mother, she tries to withstand every painful moment of seeing her in a mental facility. Her mom had a nervous breakdown when the divorce was finalized. She couldn't carry the thought of losing the man she loved and it gave way to her mental breakdown. Jade and her brothers decided to admit her in a mental facility where she can get the best medical support she could have. And then, they would visit her from time to time. It's the least thing they can do for the person who brought them to the world. Right now, their mother doesn't know them anymore. As hurtful as it is, they still went to see her, hoping that someday, she'll be fine.

Seeing her mother's condition, Jade told and vowed to to herself that she will never be like her mother. She learned how hard it will be to be weak in the name of love. She promised herself that she will never be weak. The man should know better than to hurt her.

>> 2

2

Jade slammed the door shut. It opened again to reveal Matt, her boyfriend. "Get out!" She glared at him. "How dare you follow me here when you already made it clear that you don't want me? You should've seen yourself when you learned that my mother is crazy."

"Jade, you have to understand..." Matt tried to reach out to her. "I wasn't happy to hear about your mother..."

"You called her a baggage! What kind of a person are you?"

"Your mother is crazy, Jade! Listen..."

"No. I don't need to hear anything from you anymore. Get out. I don't want to see you again. We're over!" Jade pushed him away. But Matt didn't move. "What's your problem? Go away!" She pushed him out of her apartment. She slammed the door close and locked it.

She went to the kitchen and took a bottle of wine. When she had it opened, she took a swig of it as she walked towards the sofa in the living room. She grabbed her mobile phone and speed-dialled a number. A person on the other line answered her call.

"Vince?"



~~~



"Okay, spill," Vince said. He sat on the single couch across her.

A week after graduation, Jade was surprised when the man she considered to be one of her best friends is gay. Vince revealed this to her and feared that she might be angry at him. But she's not. Instead, she laughed. She never thought about it. It never even came to mind that Vince is gay.

Their friendship becomes stronger and while her childhood friends were not around, she can always turn to Vince for just about anything. Once, he even posed to be her boyfriend just to get rid of some psycho who has been wanting to ask her out even though she already declined. There are many other things they have done together. Jade is thankful and blessed for having such a good friend like Vince.

She didn't know why she happened to have two gays as a best friend. One is Nick and the other is Vince. But whatever the reason is, she felt lucky to have them. She only wished though that Nick is around. She hadn't heard of him since he left off to study in Italy. She missed him a lot and she had lots of things to share with him, just like what happened now.

She sighed heavily. "I broke up with Matt."

"Huh? Why? What happened? You said he's good in bed." Vince laughed. "What happened?"

Jade glared at him. "Excuse me. I'm not that shallow to hold on to him just because he's given me the most number of orgasms in one night."

"Jade, I'm surely going to miss those biceps."

"Come on, Vince. I'm serious here."

"I'm serious, too." Vince said. "Anyway, what really happened?"

"He learned about my mom. I told him. I thought it was the time to tell. He's a wonderful guy but I was wrong." Jade shakes her head. Was it a bad timing to tell Matt that she has a crazy mother?

"He couldn't accept that you have a crazy mother living in a mental facility along with the other people like her?" Vince received a glare. "Hey, you know how I love your mother. And I think that Matt is a fool to think that way and to look at you in a different way just because you had a crazy mother. It's not your fault and it's not your loss. The good thing here is that you realized it early in your relationship. He wasn't the good guy that we think he was."

"Yeah, he called Mom a 'baggage'." Jade gritted her teeth.

"I think he's not the guy for you. But don't worry. I'm hoping you'd find a guy who would accept you for what you are and for what you have. I can feel that he's coming soon. And he's going to take care of you and more of your mother." Vince reached out to touch her hand. Jade cried once again. "Oh, darling. Don't cry."

"I'm not crying over him. I'm crying because I also found out that my boss died about two hours ago..."

Vince gasped. "Mr. Hobbs? He's the nicest boss you could ever have! What happened?"

"Heart attack, fatal. He didn't survive that. And you know what's going to happen? I'm going to have a new boss effective tomorrow. There are large accounts that needed immediate attention and Mr. Hobbs' nephew will be taking over the company." Jade replied. "He's like a father to me, you know. I'm going to miss him."

"Have you seen his nephew?"

"No, but George told me that he co-owned an engineering firm in Orlando and he'll temporarily take over the company just to keep things going. Mr. Hobbs doesn't have a family, no children. So it's still a question on who will permanently inherit the company he's established a very long ago." Jade sighed.

"Maybe he will distribute the shares to among of you. You're a part of the board, courtesy of your brothers. And Mr. Hobbs was so kind. He might consider."

Jade shakes her head. "No, I don't think so."

>> 3

3

Jade is busy. She's taking down some notes from the emails she received that morning, carefully outlining her things to do for the requests she received from their newly-acquired large account. If only Mr. Hobbs was here, he'd know immediately what to do and how to start things.

It saddened her again to remember her kind boss. Even the office is in mourning for what happened.

"Jade..."

She looked up and saw George. He's wearing dark shades even though he's already inside the office. Her wild guess is that he cried too, just like what she did yesterday. She stood up and hugged him.

"The temporary General Manager will be coming soon. We need to draft the agenda for a meeting about Graw Corp." George said. "I don't want to work. I miss Mr. Hobbs but we have to continue, business as usual. It's hard." He told her quietly.

"I know." They sat down and focused on her notebook. "I've made some notes when I read the email." They continued her draft. They turned when they heard commotion down the hall. They looked at each other. "Could it be?" She asks him.

"He's here." George stood, followed by her. They went by the glass door of her office and saw an entourage. Jade had to raise an eyebrow on that especially when she saw someone familiar. The group stopped when they passed by them.

She remembered the sports jersey when she recognized the face, McLean. This is AJ McLean.

"Your hair is still short," AJ said.

Jade looked at him. He remembered her. She quietly studied him. He had a few stubbles on his face but he is wearing a fine three-piece suit. "Long time, no see," she remarked. "Welcome to the company."

AJ looked at her from head to feet, glanced momentarily to George and then without a word, he walked towards Mr. Hobbs' office. Jade went back in hers.

"You know him?" George asks her.

"In college. He's my enemy." Jade grabbed her notebook. "Do you think this is enough? We need to have a meeting as soon as possible."

"Yes. We'll call our team to go to the conference room." George smiled to her. "We can do this, boss." He walked out of her office.



~~~



AJ frowned when he read the organizational chart again. In such a young age, Jade is already a boss of her own team, most of which are men. In his uncle's engineering firm, a male-dominated industry, he least expected a woman spearheading a team that handles large accounts. His uncle trusted a woman on that?

He looked up when there was a knock on the door. He called for the person to come inside. It's Jade. "Yes?"

"It's for the Graw Corp, sir. We'll be having a meeting in a few minutes before we spread out in the field."

"I'll be calling for a staff meeting too. Yours can wait." AJ leaned back on his chair, his look never leaving her. He saw the resignation in her voice.

"Okay, sir. Excuse me."

AJ watched her walked out of the office. She is a woman and for him, there's no place for a woman in his world, even in this office. Only clerks and administrative assistants were the only positions intended for them, not an Engineering Operations Manager.



~~~



Jade opened her network messenger as soon as she gets back from AJ's office. That man is surely not doing his homework. Graw Corp. is a big account. His uncle won't delay this for anything else, if only he was alive.

She gathered her team in a conference chat while waiting for the evil boss' call for the staff meeting. She, on the other hand, is inviting her team for a lunch meeting, in a restaurant nearby. Afterwards, she told her secretary to make the necessary reservations.



~~~



AJ walked down the hall and he felt that the office is almost empty. Almost all the engineering staff are not around. Probably in the field, he thought.

He turned down the corridor and saw Jade going out of her office. She's bringing her laptop bag and another office bag. AJ realized how beautiful her smile is. She smiled at her secretary as the other one tells a story. But when she saw him, her smile faded.

"Going out for lunch?" AJ asks.

"Lunch meeting." Jade said as they passed by him. "Graw Corp. Do you want to come with us, sir?"

AJ watched her walked by. "Why don't you have the meeting here instead?"

Jade stopped and faced him. "We're hungry. Time is precious. After this, some of my team are going on field. We need to talk about Graw Corp. first. It is a large account and they need our plans before the week ends. I can't afford to lose this. Mr. Hobbs dreamt of acquiring this account."

AJ stared at her for a moment. When Jade opened her mouth to speak, he beat her to it. "May I go with you?"

"Yes, of course." Jade quickly replied. "Sir," she added.

"I'll just get my laptop. I've got proposals for planning that I prepared last night."

"You do?"

AJ winked at her and then walked back to his office.

>> 4

4

"You're going home?" AJ asks when he saw Jade at the lobby. He studied her appearance. She is wearing a maroon satin long-sleeved blouse tucked neatly in a pair of black slacks,a pair of black polished low-heeled shoes and her short hair has been pulled back with a diamond-studded band. She doesn't have any makeup, but probably applied loose powder on her face. His perception of her is that of a tomboy. It would always seem to be. He never thought she's pretty and she always dressed up like this.

Jade turned to him. "Yes. I have a dinner appointment." She thought he looked respectable, despite of his tattoos that she caught sight earlier, in his suit. And she liked his clear eyeglasses, too. She wondered what does he looks like in casual clothes.

The elevator opened and both stepped inside. Neither spoke as they waited for the ride to finish.

Jade turned to AJ. "How come you still remember me?"

AJ looked up in the ceiling for a moment before he turns to her. "Why do you want to know?"

Jade raised an eyebrow to him. The elevator dinged and opened. She went out ahead of him and saw Kevin at the lobby. He's on the phone with somebody. They are going to have dinner to catch up on each other's happenings. Kevin is in town for business. He called her earlier and invited her for dinner. She looked up to Kevin as an older brother and she always look forward into spending time with him.

Hiding a naughty grin, she went to him and surprised him with a kiss on the cheeks. Kevin smiled. It's their old time joke whenever they meet. Every time Jade is in trouble with her boyfriends or simply with men, she will use Kevin, aside from Vince, to pose as her boyfriend.

Kevin ended the call. "Alright, who is it this time?" He hugged her. "I miss you, kid." He chuckled.

"None, nothing. I only wanted to kiss you. I miss you." Jade grinned. She glanced around and saw AJ looking at them and then walked away when she saw him. She turned back to Kevin. "He's gone. Let's go, Kev." She pulled her friend out of the building.

Kevin sighed. "I knew it. There is someone again." She tugged harder and he didn't protest anymore as he followed her out of the building.



~~~



"How's your Mom?" Kevin asks when they were already settled in a table for two at a Filipino restaurant near Jade's office building.

"She's fine, the last time I checked." Jade replied and started eating.

Kevin shakes his head at the large amount of food in her plate. This one truly eats a lot but doesn't get fat. "I'd like to visit her by the end of this week." He announced.

Jade stopped eating and looked at him. Her eyes grew misty with tears. She's very sensitive about her mother's condition in the mental facility. "Thank you. I really appreciate your concern." She wiped her tears. "You know, I just broke up with my boyfriend after I told him about Mom. He freaked out. I thought he'd understand that's why I told him. I thought it's about time but I was wrong."

Kevin stared at her. "Wow, you've had a boyfriend," he chuckled.

Jade pouted. "Come on, Kev..."

She's the little sister he never had that's why he cared so much for her. He went to sit beside her and put an arm on her shoulders. "I'm just kidding." He comforted her. "You know, I think it's his loss. You don't have to cry for someone who wasn't worth it. Listen, if a man comes in your life and accepted and loved everything in you, including your Mom's condition, don't let go of that guy. Don't let it pass."

Jade didn't say anything as she only stared on her plate.

"So who's the guy who's been watching you earlier when you meet me?"

"Pardon?"

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "The reason for the kiss. Usually, you'd give me a high five or a hard slap on the back."

"No, there's none." Jade lied.

"Well, you said 'he's gone' and it implies someone's watching you go to me."

"No, there's none." Jade said again. Kevin didn't press it anymore. She doesn't want to talk about it and they will only argue on that.

"By the way, my dad's birthday is coming up. I am inviting you to come. Wear a dress."

Jade looked at him with an apologetic face. "I can't. I have a special project that might need me to go on location. I'm sorry, Kev."

He nodded. "Well, Leighanne's coming anyway. That's alright. I don't want to go but I have to. I have an eye for a certain company and I need to impress some businessmen."

Jared stared at him. "It's not what you really, really want , Kevin. I'm looking forward that you finish your med school so that you can leave your father's company and have something to do that is truly on your own." Her friend is taking up night classes three times a week in a medical school. Kevin had always wanted to be a doctor.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward, too." They looked up when their ice cream came.

"Enjoy," the waitress smiled.

"Thanks, Faye." Kevin winked at her and the waitress walked away.

"Wow, you know the people here?" Jade chuckled and shook her head.

"I know the owner and the pretty ladies," Kevin grinned.

"Come on, Kev. Don't play around. Settle youself to only one." Jade tells him. When he grinned wider, she added, "One day, you will find the only woman you'll ever want and you can't even do something about it. So better behave."

"I am behaved." Kevin nodded to a waitress who passed by and greeted her by her name. "I'm just a friendly person."



~~~



"Really? You're in Seychelles. That's nice," Jade smiled. She's talking with one of her best friends, Samantha, on the other line. Samantha just got married to her son's father, her ex-boyfriend, the famous entrepreneur Howie Dorough. They're in honeymoon right now and Sam called just to tell her stories about her trip.

"It's more than nice. It's wonderful." Sam said. "Howie says hi, by the way. You know, we talked about you once. We were hoping that you'll be next soon. Forget Kevin; he still had to go around and look. Forget Leighanne and Brian; they were very stubborn yet so much in love with each other. Nick is MIA so that leaves the focus to you."

Jade continued packing her clothes. She's going on field to monitor the Graw project, as they called it. "Sam, don't go there. I just broke up with Matt."

"What? I thought Matt's the one. What happened?"

Jade told her the details about her breakup with Matt. She still felt bad about it but she realized that Kevin is right. He's not worth anything from her anymore. "By the way, I'm going to Chicago today. Duty calls."

"Did your new boss have any problem with you when he found out that the Operations is headed by a woman?" Sam asks her. She knew how Jade was scrutinized and mocked in her position because she's a woman. There are still quite a number of egoistic males around who couldn't accept that a woman would take a lead in the industry.

"It's his problem, not mine. I got the trust of my team. He, on the other hand, is just new in the company."

"So how's he? Is he cute?"

Cute? Jade asked herself. Well, AJ's cute, ruggedly cute, artistically cute, adorably cute. He looked gorgeous in the suit he wears in the office. She saw him once in khaki pants and golf shirt. She noticed his tattoos on his arms. She thought it's beautiful. And she has never seen such a man, a businessman, who had this intense love affair with tattoos. Oh, and don't forget about the eyewear. It seemed like he had a collection of those. "He's okay," she replied to Sam with a smile.

"After a long pause, he's just 'okay'? I knew it, Jade. He's way more than cute, isn't he?" Sam chuckled.

"I'm doing something here. I'm packing up. And you're expecting me to answer that immediately."

"It's only answerable by yes or no, Jade." Sam pointed out. "Instead, you gave me a safe and creative answer."

Jade knew that her friend's trying to get some details from her and will surely relay it to Kevin, Leighanne and Brian. "Sam, he's not important. My answer doesn't mean anything." She bit her lower lip on that and smiled.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Sam chuckled. "I have to go. Howie's biting my neck. I need to fight back." Howie laughed in the background. A few words were exchanged and then, the call was finished. She's glad that the two found each other again. She wished she'd find hers someday. She wondered who.

>> 5

5

"Are you going to eat that?" AJ asks his seatmate.

Jade looked at him. "I would like to consume everything the company has paid for."

AJ shrugged. "Well, I just thought you don't want it. You're just staring at it."

Jade didn't say anything as she continued to eat. She would have to tell the administrative assistant not to put her seat next to this man for the next business trip. AJ seemed to notice the things she does on the flight.

The flight attendant passed by and offered AJ something to drink. He opted for a glass of water only. "Excuse me. I'd like a glass of water, too." Jade said with a glare. The attendant was about to walk away without asking what she also wants.

"My girlfriend would also like to have the same, Dina." AJ added. The attendant walked away without a word.

"Don't tell people that." Jade pulled his ear and he only chuckled.

"Well, she's starting to bother me. She's my ex-girlfriend. Since we broke up, I've made it clear that it's been over between us and there's no chance, in any other way, I'll get back to her."

"So now you'll use me to get rid of her. That's so creative, very original." Jade shakes her head. "So what made her special then?" She's only curious. Subconsciously, she would like to know his type of woman.

"She initiated me on becoming a member of the mile-high club," AJ chuckled.

Jade's face reddened. "Oh, okay. She must be that good."

"Why are you blushing?"

"Because I'm a woman and clearly you're talking about something private that involves a woman like me." She can only say. She rolled her eyes. "It's a common courtesy that you don't talk about things like that with a woman especially to me. We're not close."

AJ shifted on his seat and turned to her. "Why do you hate me?"

"I don't hate you."

"Why don't you like me?"

"I like you." It was too late before she realized what she said. They stared at each other and before she knew it, he leaned closer and kissed her. Her eyes widened when she felt his lips. His kiss was slow and sure and sweet.

"Here's your water."

AJ stopped the kiss and stared at Jade. "Thank you. Just leave it." He tells Dina, the flight attendant, as his look never left on Jade.

Jade touched his face. "You know, you should try using a razor. It's a big turn off for me feeling the brush of stubbles whenever a guy kisses me."

But AJ wasn't insulted. He smiled instead. "Alright. I'll kiss you again after I shaved."

Jade rolled her eyes. "I don't want another kiss. Leave me alone." She said and turned back to eating.



~~~



Jade casts a glance to the man beside her as AJ quietly types the report in his laptop. He's wearing clear eyeglasses. She admits to herself that she always looks forward on the eyewear he uses. He always looked good on it.

"Yes, Jade?" AJ asked, his look never left the screen.

"I've already received the email from our accountant on the budget for Graw." She replied quickly.

"I would like to give Graw the best materials for this construction but in a reasonable price."

"Philip Graw is going to be on his all-out support for the project. He doesn't care when money is involved." Jade tells him. AJ didn't reply. His phone rang and when he looked at the caller, he excused himself and stood up.

Jade stared at her nails. She saw the ones in the flight attendant and they looked pretty. Then she studied herself. She felt unglamorous compared to AJ's ex. She only dresses up during special gatherings but that's rare. She would rather stay at home than attend parties.

Then the flight attendant looked so confident and sexy with her shoes while she feels comfortable with her sneakers. She'd rather wear her hair tucked in a headband or sometimes, she'd cut it shorter. All in all, her preference of fashion is inclined to something that she feels comfortable.

To her surprise, she actually thought that a woman like her will never be AJ's type. The kiss they had was only an act, regardless how wonderful it felt for her.

"Why are you blushing?"

"Huh?"

AJ smirked. "You're blushing."

Jade rolled her eyes. She went back to her work and had all the plans of concentrating on it. What's happening to her? She grew up surrounded by men and she never gets tongue-tied around them until now. What is it with AJ that gets her crazy for the past days since he assumed the position in his uncle's company?

"I'm hungry. C'mon, let's eat," AJ tells her.

"I'm not hungry." And she doesn't want him around either. He's too irresistible for her.

"Okay," she heard him said and went out of the room. Jade continued her work for the next few minutes until she heard her stomach growled. Why does she had to sacrifice her hunger for that man? Her mobile phone rang and she answered the call from their accountant. Within the hour, she was busy talking on the phone with various people. When she went back to check on some layout plans, the door opened and revealed AJ. He had several paper bags of food. He smiled at her.

"I won't just left you hungry and alone, you know. I want to eat with you." He said. She watched him set up the table and convert it from office into a dining one. She never had any man prepared the food for her. She was usually the one who does that.

"How much do I owe you?" She asked him.

AJ laughed. "You're really quite a woman, don't you know that? Come on, let's eat." He takes her arm and led her to sit.

"So what did you do when you got your license?" Jade started to ask when they began eating.

AJ takes off his glasses. Jade felt somersaults in her chest when she saw his chocolate brown eyes. Oh my God. How did she become so crazy about this man? The slightest moment already mean so much to her. "I borrowed some capital from my uncle to start my own business. It wasn't easy at the start but me and my partner survived."

Jade looked down on her plate and avoided his gaze. "You must be very proud."

"Yes, I am." AJ replied. "So how about you? Why did you choose to be an engineer? It's a man's job. You will be better as a chef in a restaurant or a teacher."

"Do you think so?"

AJ thought she's thinking about his opinion. He smiled wider. "Yes."

Jade shakes her head. "No, I don't think so. I think it's more fun working in this kind of environment and beating the shit out of some guys who seemed too confident but actually are very stupid just because they thought that women don't belong here."

"I think it's true. The field is dangerous for women."

"But what's the difference? It's dangerous for you, too." Jade's nose started to flare. She glared at him. She hated it when people, especially men, tried to measure what men and women can do.

"We can take care of ourselves." AJ stopped her when she's about to retort. "Women, on the other hand, should be protected. That's how it goes through the course of time."

Jade's jaw clenched. Not all men were able to protect women, just like her father. That is one of her reasons to do things that were stereotyped as only men can do. She wanted to prove to everyone that she is strong. She wanted to prove to herself and to others that she's not afraid of anything. And she wanted to show the chauvinists such as AJ that she can do anything. "No, I think you're wrong." She stood up. She started taking her food.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to eat alone." She gave him one last glare. "Excuse me."



~~~



What is wrong with him? Jade asks herself as she watched AJ went around with the key people in the project. She's supposed to be with them but he told her to stay in the shade and wait for the three emails he's expecting. She's not his secretary to boss around but despite all of these, she chose to be professional. But next time, she will not let him do this to her again.

AJ glanced at her and winked. She ignored him and turned back to the laptop. Her mobile phone rang. It was Vince.

"I'm so glad you called, Vince. I love you forever."

"Ew! Jade. I'm gay, in case you're forgetting."

"Save me from the hell where I am right now."

"Why? He hasn't taken you to bed yet?" Vince teased.

"I'm serious! Aarrgghh!" She began telling her about AJ and his views about women doing men's job, etc.

"Wow, the man got issues."

"You're telling me." Jade rolled her eyes and glanced at AJ and the team who is now coming back to where she is. "He kissed me too."

Vince got excited on the other line. "How does it rate?"

"Boring," but of course, she's lying. Vince will tease her more and she doesn't need it right now. The person in subject is now coming her way. He is looking at her with gleam in his eyes. She wondered what's on his mind this time. "He's coming. Oh, I hate the ego of this man."

"You're lying," Vince laughed on the other line. He stopped laughing when he heard her went mushy on him. This woman needs to get laid and her boss is probably the nearest candidate for it. She needs to stop using her friends as her decoy boyfriends. She needs to have someone who will seriously stay with her and take care of her. And will accept her mother as part of her package.

"I have to go, darling. I love you." Jade said.

"Yeah, I love you, too. Oh and the reason I called was because I got accepted in the job I've applied for in Sweden. They want me to start there by next week." Vince tells her.

"Seriously?" Jade excused herself to AJ who is standing and waiting for her to finish. She walked away from them. "Hey, wait for me when I get there. Let's go out and drink."

"The last time I remember, you're a woman and I'm gay. I don't go out and drink about it just like men do." Vince replied.

Jade laughed and ended the call. She braced herself as AJ walked towards her.

>> 6

6

"May I speak with you in private?" AJ asks in a low voice.

"Is there something wrong?" Jade asked in return. AJ led her away from the group. "What's going on?"

"One of our clients, George, likes you. He's so smitten that he told me he will ask you out." AJ replied with a teasing grin.

"George?" Jade gave a side glance towards the group they left behind. George is the nerdiest looking of them all. When she looked back at Alex, she thinks she knows what is coming next. "No, Alex. I will not go out with him or with anyone, especially for the sake of my work. He should know better than to mix business with pleasure."

"Yeah, I reminded him about that too." AJ shakes his head. "I wondered what did he see in you that's attractive." He chuckled more when Jade frowned at him. To his surprise, she leaned closer and kissed him on the lips. And before he could respond, she ended the kiss. The moods changed. She's the one smiling and he's the one frowning.

Jade touched his cheeks with affection. "You're too sweet and thoughtful, baby."

AJ watched her walk away, quietly noting the way her hips swayed. Don't mess with me, he thought to himself.



~~~



Jade tried to contain the excitement to herself as she shakes hand with their bigtime clients. They have fully secured the project for Graw Corp. They knew it is a big risk considering the big investment they are going to give out. But she is confident that they are going to be successful on this. Graw is a multinational real estate company that is successful in many countries and is listed in Forbes' top corporations. They are planning to build a structure that will be the takkest bulding in the country. And they chose their engineering firm to spearhead the ambitious project.

"I'd still like to have that date when you're single again," George tells her before going towards his boarding gate at the airport.

Jade smiled sweetly as she bids goodbye. When she turned, she saw AJ standing behind her, his arms across his chest. "You act like a hormonally-charged teenager," he said and turned away.

Jade's smile faded and followed him towards the waiting limo to go back to the hotel. Their flight back to LA will be tomorrow but AJ already declared a day off for both of them. "You're just jealous," she managed a chuckle.

AJ looked at her through his shades. Jade knew and felt that there's a sexual chemistry between them that she cannot resist. He also possesses her likes and dislikes in a man and it charmed her in a way.

She glanced at her watch. She is planning to go around the city while there's time because she knew that once they are back in LA, they have a lot of work to do. "What are your plans?" She asks him.

"I'm planning to catch some sleep for the whole day but in the evening," he turned to her, "I am inviting you for dinner to celebrate the success of this trip."

"No dancing."

"I assume that's a yes." AJ smiled at her.



~~~



Jade felt nervous when she went to the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess and the maitre d'. The last time she dressed up was during her high school prom. She should have worn something more comfortable but at the last minute, she had the urge to wear a dress she bought earlier for tonight's dinner. She felt that she wanted to show AJ that she's maybe tough in a man's job but she's also a woman.

Now where did that thought come from?

AJ. She wanted to prove to him a lot of things about women and their capabilities.

When she showed up on the reserved table for them, AJ stood up and greeted her. "You looked nice." He helped her to her seat and went to his.

Nice? Just nice? She took all the effort she got to look more than nice. "Thank you." She can only say.

"I didn't expect you to dress up tonight."

She raised an eyebrow. "I actually try to dress up and look decent during invited dinners." Of course, that's a lie. "So don't get all your hopes up."

AJ raised both his hands in defense. "Hey, I'm not expecting anything. Let's just drop the subject and eat. What do you want?"

They said their orders to the waiter and when the latter left, silence came on the table.

Jade tried to overcome the silence between them. "By the way, I made some time chart for the Graw project and I'd like to present -"

"Jade, let's not talk about work right now. Let's relax and have dinner." AJ smiled to her. She only nodded. She felt his look on her and somehow, she doesn't feel conscious about herself but just being beautiful.

"Uhm, so what are we going to talk about?" She asked him.

"Well, let's do some questions and answers."

"Huh?"

"Like what are our favorites," AJ continued. "What is your favorite food? I like burger and fries, then barbecue steaks." He winked.

"I love food, just any kind of food." Jade said. She wondered what's going on in this man's mind.

AJ looked at her from head to feet. "Well, you certainly don't looked like one."

She rolled her eyes. AJ only smirked. "Do you play sports?" She asked instead.

"Soccer skills are history. Now, I play golf during free time."

"I'm more into the not-your-usual sports. I'm a licensed scuba diver, a mountaineer, member of the rock-climbing group, ski-diver..."

AJ laughed. "Okay, I get it. You're not the usual woman who'd rather wear tutu and get dainty."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Are you mocking me?"

"No! I'm actually impressed. I've never met anyone like you. You're incredible. Plus you're working in my uncle's company, with your own team. That's actually great." AJ said. Jade gave him a suspicious look. "I'm serious."

"I don't care."

AJ noticed how she is being careful on herself. He wondered what caused her aloofness. She's so guarded about herself that he wondered if any one could break through her and know the real her. It must be the man he saw with her at the lobby. He wondered how enjoyable it would be to be with Jade without hiding anything.

"Do you read books?" He tried again.

"Yes."

"Do you like music?"

"Of course."

He leaned back on his chair and stared at her. "I can sing. And I'd like to sing to you some time."

Jade tried not to smile at that. Her heart fluttered at the thought of a man singing for her. "Can you do it now?" She challenged him. AJ winked at her. She was surprised when, without a word, he stood up and went to the pianist and they quietly spoke to each other.

Everyone turned when a mic was tapped. AJ is now holding a microphone while the pianist is smiling will playing a familiar tune. Jade bit her lower lip. She held herself from sighing like a teenager. AJ is becoming more charming as the minutes go by.

"I would like to dedicate this song to the most beautiful woman in the room, Jade Archer." AJ winked at her. People on the nearby tables began to tease her.



Tell me when will you be mine
Tell me quando quando quando
We can share a love devine
Please don't make me wait again



He got a soulful voice, Jade told herself. AJ is bringing a whole new meaning to the song, a little bit of jazz with a touch of soul. Some couples stood up and danced.

When will you say yes to me
Tell me quando quando quando
You mean happiness to me
Oh my lover tell me when



AJ is getting the hang of it. She watched him sway to the melody of the music. She gave in to a smile. When AJ saw that, he smiled to her.



Every moment's a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when



Then it was the pianist's cue for the interval. AJ swayed himself towards her. She chuckled as she stood up and met him. She puts her arms on his shoulders, his on her waist as they danced around.

"I thought there will be no dancing." AJ teased. He dipped her on her back then back up again. Wow, great dancer too, she thought as she swayed along.

When the pianist finished his interval, AJ raised his mic again.



Every moment's a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when



When the song was finished, the guests in the restaurant applauded for AJ. He bowed down with a big smile on his face and led Jade back to their table. The waiter came with their food.

"That was great, sir." The waiter said.

"Thank you." AJ quickly replied. When the waiter excused himself and left, AJ turned to Jade. "What do you think?"

Jade chuckled. "I didn't actually think you'd do it."

"Jade, you should know better than to challenge me. And we danced." He nodded at that.

"Yes, I know." Jade felt like a special woman now. AJ asked for champagne and he filled their dinner time with different stories. He also continued with his questions-and-answers game.

"It's ridiculous that you don't like needles when you have your tattoos." Jade shakes her head. But she appreciates him telling her that, even if this is just their first date.

"A man still has his weakness."

"I don't like frogs." She tells him.

"Just that?"

"I'm a woman and we mostly hate frogs."

"It's alright. They were misunderstood creatures." AJ said instead. He felt her stare. "What?"

"You're not going to tease me about it?"

"Who teased you about being afraid of frogs?"

Jade stared at him. "My brothers and then exes."

"You don't tease a person's weakness. It should be respected and helped to overcome with."

Jade looked away. Is this man for real?

Two hours later, after a bottle of champagne, two glasses of margarita for Jade and zombie for AJ, they are now seated together in a lounge chair by the pool side. The questions and answers continued.

"Blue skies or gray skies?" Jade asked him.

AJ pulled her closer to lean against him. "Why did you ask?"

"Hey, that's not part of the game." Jade giggled.

"No. I'm just wondering why choose between blue and gray. I think it depends on the mood. If you're happy, you appreciate blue skies. If somber, gray skies remind you more." He stopped when she turned to him. She cupped his face.

"You talk too much." She leaned closer to kiss him. She was hesitant and shy at first until when AJ's fingers went through her hair and returned the kiss with much fervor.

>> 7

7

Jade quietly sat on a lone table in a restaurant. She's staring at her phone, hoping it would ring anytime soon. She's waiting for AJ. He said that they will have dinner at eight and he will came straight from his meeting. Since their trip, she was inseparable to him. He charmed her enough to stick with him, despite the fact that they are co-workers and it was her philosophy not to mix business with pleasure. But she couldn't help it. AJ is irresistable.

Her phone finally rang but it was Kevin calling. "Hi, Kev."

"Hey, what's with the sad tone?"

"What's up?" She asked instead of replying his inquiry. She heard him drew a deep breath. "Okay, bro. What do you want?"

"I need a favor. Go with me to the airport to meet someone. I'll pick you up at 6AM."

"6AM?" Jade's jaw dropped. Kevin hung up. What has gotten to that man? She looked around and she still couldn't see AJ. She tried to call but his phone was out of reach.

"Would you like to place an order, ma'am?"

Jade nodded to the dining staff and the menu was brought to her. She is hungry and she will not wait for AJ any longer. It's almost nine and he's still nowhere in sight. Although she's worried on what could have happened to him, he should have the courtesy to call her and tell her his whereabouts.

Almost ten minutes later, the food was served and she started her dinner. She's almost done and there's still no sign of him. When she's done, she paid for her meal and went out.

Her evening is ruined. She wondered what happened to AJ.



~~~



"What's up?" Jade asked Kevin as they stepped into the arrival area of the international airport. Leighanne was with them. She, on the other hand, is pissed with AJ that she announced her own working holiday. At least, she had something to do by hanging out with her high school friends.

"I'm just going to see someone here and I need your reinforcement," Kevin chuckled.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Reinforcement, my ass. You just wanted us as props on something."

"Don't worry, girls. I'll treat you to anything you want later."

"Girls? I'm a woman," Leighanne pointed out as she looked around. They stood in the middle of the crowd, bustling around for the flights.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure Brian knows about that," Jade retorted.

Leighanne blushed. She turned to her. "What is this tomboy doing here, anyway?" she asks Kevin.

"Excuse me!" Jade glared at her. She's not a tomboy. Well, she's just comfortable wearing jeans and shirt and she had more male friends than most women she knew. But, is it enough for her to be called a tomboy?

"Oh, come on. Give me a break and help me on this. I'm waiting for Kristin," Kevin said.

"Who's she?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "You've got a new girlfriend?"

Leighanne's lips pouted as she thinks of something. And then she dawned into a smile. "Oh, I see. You're waiting for that woman you met last night to show up." But Kevin didn't say anything. He silently looked around.

"Do you like my hair?" Jade asked Leighanne when their friend ignored them and busied himself looking for someone.

"Maybe you should cut your hair so short and dye it..." Leighanne paused when she noticed Kevin has left them. "Oh, great. Free spa is coming."

Jade turned to see Kevin approaching a woman. "A flight stewardess? I hate them." She began to rant. "They've been rude to me whenever I am on flight. Plus, AJ's ex was an FA!" Her face is now deep red. Damn! She told herself never to think about him or say his name. AJ tried calling her but she doesn't want to answer it. "Tell me, Leigh. Is Kevin interested in her?"

"Tell me who's AJ first." Leighanne sweetly said. "Did he feminize you to act like that? Suddenly, you're no longer a tomboy and now a woman because of him?"

"Please, spare me." Jade retorted. She rolled her eyes as she watched Kevin. Leighanne prevented her from coming over. When Kevin opened his mouth to speak and turned to them, she and Leighanne can only wave their hand in simple greeting.

"That woman surely smiles a lot and I don't like it." Jade said in a singsong voice as they waved again. "Damn, we looked silly here. What are they talking about? I'm going there."

She walked towards the two before Leighanne could realize what's going on. "Hi, my name is Jade. What's yours?"

Although she seemed surprised by Jade's sudden intrusion, Kevin's new 'apple of the eye' turned to her. "Hi. Kristin Willits. It's nice to meet you." Kristin shakes her hand. Her smile never left her face.

"And I'm Leighanne. By the way," Leighanne puts an arm on Jade's shoulders. "May I know your number, Kristin? If you have free time from your work, I can recommend you to my agent. You're pretty. You can make money out of it."

"Huh?" Still, there's the smile on Kristin's face.

"Leigh is a model, Kristin. Plus, she's sometimes scouting for new talents because she just started a talent agency." Kevin explained.

Leighanne nodded as she gives her business card to Kristin.

Kristin looked at it. "Oh, I don't think I'll be interested with this but I can still give you my number. I may refer some friends who might be interested." She takes the card from her.

Jade studied Kevin's new conquest. This woman surely looks nice but she can't really be sure. "You're not qualified if you'd ask me," Shee muttered. "Ouch!" Leighanne pinched her in the back.

"Don't mind this girl. What's your number?" Leighanne smiled at her. Kristin recited her number as she keyed it in her mobile phone. Jade glared at her friend.

"I have to go. We'll still have a briefing before the flight. Bye. It's nice meeting you." Kristin turned to Kevin. "Bye, Kevin."

"Bye, take care. I hope we'll see each other again." Kevin said and Kristin only smiled. She walked on, bidding them her final good bye. When she's away, Kevin immediately turned to Leighanne. "Okay, may I have the number?"

When Jade started to recite it, the two looked at her in amusement. "What? It's just easy to remember, you know. C'mon, Kev. Save the number. I'm hungry. You owed me food plus shelter." It's just a phone number. They always tease her and her incredible math skills since high school.

"Shelter? You have your place," Leighanne chuckled.

"I told you, I've declared a war against my boss. I don't want to be at my apartment in case he'll call."

"And why he'd call you? I never called my employees when they don't report for work," Kevin said.

Jade stopped walking. She doesn't want to explain further about AJ. "Just drop the subject, okay?" She glared at them. "Don't push it. I don't want to talk about that jerk!"

The two's face grew concerned. "Did he hurt you? Tell us, Jade. We're concerned." Kevin said.

Jade's face remained grim. "I'm fine, okay? Come on, don't delay the food, Kevin." She walked ahead towards the parking lot leaving the two wondering what's really going on with her. Well, she didn't owe them a story to tell. She's pissed off right now.



>> 8

8

Jade tried not to turn when she heard AJ's voice when he entered the working room. She's currently working with her team on the Graw Project, outlining datas and computing the limits of the structure. Graw has presented their proposed building design yesterday and they are analyzing it.

AJ began introducing everyone to his companion. Jade looked up when her name was called. A man stood beside him. His name is Dan and he's AJ's partner in his firm in Orlando.

"That's Jade Archer, the head of this team," AJ finished. They met each other's look before she turned to Dan. She shook hands with him.

"Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Dan said. "You have my respect. You're building the tallest structure in America." He smiled wider.

"I say, me and my team are responsible for that," she chuckled. She received affirmations behind her. "How's the business?"

"Fine, still doing well that's why I found time to visit my partner here." Dan replied.

Jade raised an eyebrow as she glanced to AJ.

"Business partner," AJ explained.

"Yeah, I know you're not gay," Jade said and turned to her team. "We're having some discussion about the cubic values in the design layout, Dan. What do you think about this?" She pointed something on the large blueprint in front of them, totally ignoring AJ. Dan walked closer to take a look. He heard his friend telling him about this woman. She seemed smart and passionate. AJ should not worry about having a woman on the management position in the company especially when Jade proved her skills and expertise when she got the biggest project that many vied for, including their company. She deserved to be where she is now.



~~~



"Hey..."

Jade looked up from her working table and saw Kevin. "Hey, I thought you're in Paris." She greeted her friend with a kiss on both cheeks. "How are you?"

"Fine. I saw you on Today Show. You're ambitious. Building the tallest structure in the US eh?" Kevin pulled a random chair somewhere and sat beside her.

"Do I look pretty?" Jade chuckled.

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you start thinking that way? You're always pretty."

Jade didn't reply on that. "Why are you here?" She asks instead.

"I hope I can still fill in on your busy schedule. I have a project that I only trust you to do. It's something about in my dad's estate."

Jade turned to him. "Yeah, about that barn or something? I remember that. But I'm so busy right now." She bit her lower lip. She placed down her pencil and turned to him. "I can drop by your dad's place to survey it. And then I am going to put a team to do it. Sorry, Kev. You know how my work keeps me away right now."

Kevin nodded. "It's okay. Don't worry. Thanks, anyway. I'll be expecting you to drop by," he takes out his blackberry and they arranged the schedule. "So, how's your boss?"

Jade placed her blackberry on top of her table. "What do you mean?"

"The last time we're together, you're trying to avoid his call."

Jade only smiled. She really doesn't want to answer that. She's thankful for the interruption from George who only submitted a report. And then he's gone quickly.

"So?" Kevin grinned.

"I never thought you could be so nosy, Kevin." She drew a deep breath. "All I can say is that I like and hate the guy at the same time. It's complicated."

"I can tell that. This is the first time you're uncomfortable talking with me about some guy."

He can't blame her, Jade thought. She's not expeting too much from AJ especially when she just came from a relationship with Matt, who couldn't understand and accept the fact about her mother. She wondered what will be AJ's reaction to that knowledge if the time comes.

"Kevin, I know you know how I looked up to you like a brother. But don't get so overprotective of me," she smiled. "I can handle this situation. I tried not to get involved especially since he's my boss. But sometimes, things come in unexpected situations." She touched his cheeks. "Love yah, buddy."

"I love you, too." Kevin grinned. They turned when they heard someone. It's AJ.

"Oh, here's my report," Jade said and gave a folder to AJ. "By the way, this is Kevin Richardson. He's a friend. And this is AJ McLean, my boss."

The two men shook hands. AJ looked at Kevin from head to feet. "Nice to meet you," he says. "I'd have to excuse myself and go back to work." He gave one last glance at Jade and went off.

Kevin chuckled. "He's jealous. Did you see that?"

Jade rolled her eyes. "No and I don't think so." She tapped her work. "I think you should leave. I still got lots of work to do."

Kevin stood up. "Okay. See you at home."

Jade only smiled as her mind is preoccupied with AJ, if he thinks she and Kevin are having a relationship. She's concerned. A number of nights together, a date and a no-show dinner, she thinks that she needs to clear everything about them.

"I didn't expect you to be a two-timer."

She looked up from her desk and saw AJ closing the door. "What do you want, Sir?" She emphasized the last word. AJ still hasn't explained his side on why he stood her up on their dinner.

"Is he related to the Richardsons of the manufacturing business?" AJ asked.

"Why didn't you show up on our dinner?" She asked instead. She's not going to make it easy for him.

"Why was Kevin here? What was he doing here?"

Jade frowned. "I don't have anything to explain to you. We don't have anything for each other except being fucking buddies. I don't know what am I to you. You didn't even explain why you stood me up on that dinner. And now you want me to explain Kevin's presence here? Clearly, you can see I'm working and still was while he's here so you can't say that I'm neglecting my duties just because some man you've been jealous about was here. I really cannot understand you."

"You're my girlfriend, that's why. And I'm not jealous."

Jade frowned even more. "Girlfriend? Come on. You're playing with me, AJ. Can you please get out of my office?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard it right. I want to continue with my work. Once you're over with whatever problems that you have, come back here and we'll talk. You'll tell me why you stood me up and I'll tell you who is Kevin. For now, I don't want you here." She turned back to her work.

"Jade..." AJ did not leave her office.

She stood up. Without a word, she went out of her office.



~~~



Jade looked around the main hall after the butler ushered her. Kevin asked her to come over to check some plans that he had for renovating the stables. She turned when she heard faint sounds of steps and saw Kristin. Did Kevin already have her as his girlfriend? "Hey, you're here. Why are you here?" She asks her.

"I'm a family friend." Kristin replied.

Jade raised an eyebrow. She doesn't believe her. She has this thing about hating flight attendants because of AJ's ex and Kristin is one of them. "Are you going out with Kevin?"

"What do you think?" Kristin winked at her.

She frowned. "No. No offense but you're not his type." She said and looked around. She wished that the butler had already reached Kevin wherever he is. She doesn't want to stay any longer with Kristin. Her phone rang. She immediately takes a look on who's the caller. It's AJ. She drew a deep breath. She gives the phone to Kristin. "It's my boss. I don't want to answer it."

Kristin raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Why?"

"He hates me and he wants to see me." Jade tells her.

Kristin shakes her head as she looked at the caller ID. "AJ. Nice." She answered the phone. "Hello? Who is this? Yeah? Jade? She's not here." She paused as Jade looked on. "Who am I? I'm her girlfriend, that's me." Kristin frowned. "Excuse me? You're being a jerk, you know that? What are you, some sort of a hyena that keeps on yakking as if you're the perfect being in the world? Back off, AJ. You just don't go around judging other people as if you're the greatest gift to mankind." She immediately ended the call. "Is that really a boss?"

"I told you. What did he say?"

"Dirty! And something only assholes can say." Kristin gives back her phone. She walked away.

"Where are you going?" Jade asked as she saw Kevin came into view. He smiled to her. She turned back to Kristin who is now standing by the open front door, staring at the two newcomers. Kevin reached them and turned to the door too.

"Dad? Uncle Luke?"

Jade knew something is going on. The two looked surprised as they looked at the man beside Jerald Richardson. Kevin's father acknowledged everyone and then faced Kristin. "Kristin, as promised, I introduce to you your father, Luke Thomas."

Kevin's mouth dropped open.

Jade realized that this is some family thing. She quietly walked towards the other part of the main receiving area. She heard Kevin's voice saying something to the newcomers. A few minutes later, she heard her friend looking for her. "I'm here."

Kevin found her and pulled her out of the house. "May I ask what's going on?"

Kevin didn't say anything. They walked in silence. When they reached the stables, he let go of her hand as he slowly walked towards the side and leaned on it. She silently watched him. Turning his back on her, she saw his shoulders shook. Kevin is crying. She hesitated at first but she thinks her friend needed her at this moment. "Kev..."

"I've never been so ashamed of myself, Jade." Kevin says. He continued crying. "I thought she's my father's lover but it turned out that she's uncle Luke's missing daughter."

"So Kristin is your cousin?" That sucks if he likes that woman very much.

Kevin shakes his head. "I'm just used to calling him uncle but we're not related. He's Dad's best friend." He looked at her. "I'm so angry with myself and to her. It's hard that I try to hold back my feelings because I thought she and Dad were involved. I've said mean things to her. And she's not telling me the truth." He continued his story as Jade listened. She reached out and hugged him afterwards.

"What are you planning now?"

"I don't know, probably to keep myself away for the meantime. And then, I'd probably quit this job and pursue medicine. This must be a sign that I should go for my dreams instead." Kevin wiped his tears. He turned to smile at her. "Thanks, Jade."

"Hey, I'm just here whenever you needed me."

"Don't worry. I'm going to look out for you, too."

Jade smiled wider and hugged the man who is one of her best friends. "I hope you'd be able to settle down on what you really want, Kevin. You still got time."



>> 9

9

AJ walked down the garden and found his mother. The nurse he hired is sitting beside her in the gazebo where they usually spent the afternoon. "Hi, Mom." He kissed her on the forehead.

Denise McLean didn't budge. She only stared in space, unaware of the world around her. AJ tried not to cry for pity at his mother's situation. She used to be a successful businesswoman, an industry leader in her chosen field: in the stock market. Unexpectedly, the people she was supposed to trust betrayed her. She was almost left with nothing. She wasn't able to carry the fate that has befallen her and tried to commit suicide. AJ and his brother, Ben, were able to save their mother but after that, she never spoke or look at anyone's eyes again. For months now, she only sat in a chair, her face in shocked silence.

"Did she already eat?" AJ asks the nurse. He hired her as advised by the doctor. His mother's case is dangerous considering that she has a suicidal tendency. Anything can happen if no one's looking after her.

"She did, Sir."

AJ took his mother's hand and held it tight. The nurse, sensing this is their private moment, excused herself and left.

"I don't want anyone, any woman, taking a high position such as yours for fear that they may take it hard like you did. I'd pity their families for going through this because it's hard. I don't want to see you like this, Mom. I miss you. I need you. I want you back. You didn't deserve this." AJ stared at her. "Mom, please don't shut us out."

Denise continued to stare into space.

AJ drew a deep breath. "I met this woman in Uncle Fred's company. Her name is Jade. She's the Engineering Operations Manager. She's young yet so smart and strong. I feared to see her disappointed once she failed her projects. In a way, I'm attracted to her but I tried to keep distance. Because I intend to get her out of her position. Women should not be holding such responsibilites, especially in that male-dominated world of engineering."

He paused as he imagined Jade and her ever-ready smile. She'd walk around the office, always a pencil and her reliable notepad in hand. People loved her. She'd greet her eevrywhere. But he knew that someday, someone would betray her like those who did to his mother. He doesn't want to see that happen. He doesn't want her to have that kind of big responsibility.

"But as much as I wanted to do that to her, I can't take anything against her because she's good at what she does. She's building the future tallest structure in the country. She's amazing. She's great." He shakes his head. "And I think I love her, Mom." He paused and pondered about what he said.

Yes, he thinks he's in love with Jade Archer. He's never felt so much attraction and concern towards a woman aside from his mother. "Gosh, what am I to do? I don't want to see her failure. I don't want to see her hurt." He continued, more on talking to himself than telling it to his mother.

"But I didn't treat her well. I said some not-so-kind words. I stood her up on our dinner. I got mad at her for being jealous of that Kevin guy she's always been with." He drew a deep breath. "I'm looking forward that you meet her, Mom. She's a good woman, I can see that. She's one of a kind. She can do things unlike any other." He began to smile. "How am I going to tell this to her? She's mad at me right now." He paused. What is he going to do?

For the first time in months, Denise McLean moved and reached out for his hand. AJ was surprised by the reaction.

"Mom!"

Denise's face is full of tears. "Then support her and be strong for her like what you are to me, Alex. Do it now while you can."



~~~



AJ watched as his brother, Ben, and his wife were having a conversation with Denise. It's a celebration that she went back to her self, but a renewed person who took her time to recover from everything that has happened.

"You were saying that you're losing it?" Dan asks him.

AJ turned to his friend. "What do you think?"

Dan shakes his head. "You're losing it."

"I just don't want her to be there, in that position because she might get hurt when things go wrong. She's a woman and ..."

"She can take care of herself," Dan cut in. "Don't give me that crap, Alex. You're not like that. You're not a chauvinist. You've treated women with respect. What happened to your mother then was beyond our control but that doesn't mean that you should take responsibility in preventing high-powered women from getting hurt just like your mom."

AJ glared at him.

"Oh, don't give me that, Alex. I'll say what I have to say because I'm sick of your drama. I love Denise. She's like a mother to me and it hurt me when she went through a very hard time dealing the betrayal she had from the stockbrokers. Plus, I love the women so much that I won't discriminate them from the things they can do."

AJ didn't say anything. "When I saw her that time and putting a face to the person you've been talking about, I think she's just the woman you've been waiting for in your life." Dan added.

"What am I going to do?"

Dan frowned. "I don't know. You know her more than I do."

"You're useless."

"I know," Dan chuckled. AJ sighed. How is he going to tell a person that he's in love with her when he admits that her personality is so strong, it somehow intimidates her?



>> 10

10

Jade did not say anything when she saw AJ went inside the elevator. It's almost evening and she wanted to go home and rest. It's been a busy week for her and her team. Next week, she will fly back to Chicago for her project.

"I'm ready."

"Huh?" Jade looked at him. AJ is wearing a suit, something that is contrasting with his tattoos and bad boy appeal. But she loves him just the same. In fact, she loved everything about him. If only he will open up himself and talk about their problems and the real deal about their relationship.

AJ looked at her. "I'm ready to talk, about everything and anything." He takes her hand. "So shoot me your first question."

Jade looked around as the other people were watching them in curiosity. AJ is making a show for everyone inside the elevator so she asked something impersonal. "How many glasses do you have?"

AJ gave her a look of wonder. She rolled her eyes. She pointed at the glasses he wears on his face. "Oh, this." He gripped her hand tighter. "Three hundred, believe it or not."

Jade was amazed. Three hundred? He's obsessed with any kind of pair of glasses? "That's unusual."

AJ only smiled. "It's your time to shine and ask me questions. I'll tell everything."

But can she tell him everything in return, including the fact about her mother?

"Would you like to go out for a dinner with me?" She asks. "Tonight?"

The people quietly listened to them. AJ's secretary, who stood on the side, smiled in amusement.

AJ stared deeply in to her eyes. "You must have read my mind. I'm hungry." The elevator dinged when it reached the ground floor. There were groans everywhere. They are enjoying a live show. To Jade's surprise, AJ pulled her out, crossing the large lobby and to the waiting car outside. "Pardon me but I deliberately took care of everything for our dinner. It's only something simple but the important thing is, you're with me." He tells her when they are already in the car. He gave her a flower bouquet. "For the very special lady," he says.

With a raised eyebrow, she tried to conceal the effect of his gestures. Her heart is beating so fast. "Thank you."

AJ nodded. He seemed awkward and shy beside her. It's unusual for him. Jade chose to ignore him as she checked to see where they are going. There was silence in the car.

"This is the first time I was given some flowers," she blurted out, breaking the silent mood. "Thank you."

AJ smiled. "Anything for you, Jade."

"Why are you acting weird, AJ? Is there something wrong?" She couldn't help but ask now.

His reply was a chuckle. "I had an amazing week, Jade."

"And does that had to do with me?"

"Partly, yes."

Jade turned away, hiding her smile from him. Her heart's fluttering right now. She noticed that the car entered some large gates. "Where are we?"

"Uncle Fred's house. I have something for you." Jade felt him took her hand as the car drove in front of the large house and stopped. He gently takes her out of the car.

Jade took a deep breath. She's never been in Mr. Hobbs' place before. It suddenly brought back memories of the good-natured man. "He gave this house to you?" She asks AJ.

AJ nodded. "I'm his favorite nephew. He gave half of his assets to me in his will." He swallowed hard. "I loved that guy." He turned to her. "Let's go to the kitchen and fix some dinner."

"Huh?" Suddenly, she chuckled. "I thought you're good with dinner."

"Well, this night is special and I want to start things off by doing it with you." They went inside the house and the chief housemaid greeted them. A few introductions were made and the two were off to the kitchen. AJ began taking out the ingredients from the various parts of the kitchen and prepared their dinner. He instructed Jade on things for her to help out. While working, they were having a conversation and even joked around. Jade would stare at him for a moment when he's unaware. She came to easily love the man. She hoped that he's the one she wished for.

An hour later, they are finally settled in a square table at the dining nook of the kitchen and ate AJ's homemade pasta and steaks.

"Start talking now, AJ." Jade said moments later. "Are you really my boyfriend?"

He looked at her. "Yes. I would like to be known as your boyfriend, Jade."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why did you make me wait for you at the restaurant? You've been very rude. I haven't received any calls or notice from you that you'll never show up. I'm still hating you for that."

AJ drew a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Someone in the family was hospitalized. But things are okay now. I wasn't thinking clearly then. I'm so sorry."

Jade didn't say anything.

AJ completely turned to her. "I was trying to explain but you never answered my calls. I couldn't even reach you in the office. You've been keeping your pace at a purely professional level. I know that's only the right thing but I'm so frustrated, I tried to rack my brains trying to think of a way for you to hear me out. And then Kevin came along..."

Kevin is right that he's jealous, Jade thought. He gripped her hand when he reached out to her.

"I always see him going all over you and I'm mad and jealous at the same time. I'm your boyfriend and I see you flirting with him."

"Kevin is only a friend, one of my best friends actually. I've known him since I was in high school. You mistook it as something else but that's just how we treat each other. We're very close. He's like a brother to me." Jade cleared it with him.

"Really?" When she nodded, he began to smile. "I believe you."

"Thank you. You've got to trust me, AJ."

"Do you trust me too, Jade?"

Jade was surprised when he returned the word. Trust. Is she willing to trust him? Is she willing to tell him about his mother? She likes him so much. But she's afraid that he might turn away when he learns about it. She doesn't want to lose him. Her musings were interrupted when he let go of her hand.

"You don't trust me."

Jade looked at him as a tear fell down her cheeks. She stood up. "I'm so sorry, AJ." Then she quickly left.

AJ blinked. What happened? He stood up and immediately ran after her. He's not going to let go of her. He's supposed to be angry but he couldn't find himself to feel that way. He loves her so much. She may not trust him but he will make her. Whatever she has that she couldn't tell right now, he's not going to press her to tell it. He will wait when she's ready.

He saw her in the main hall and quickly took her hand. "Jade, I will try to accept it if you don't trust me as hurtful as it is to me. I won't let you go. I will be beside you and I will wait for the time when you're ready."

Jade looked away as her tears continue to fall. Will he? Is he willing to be with her through everything?

"Jade..." AJ pulled her in his arms and embraced her. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

Jade cried even more. He loves her. How could she not trust him when he said he loves her? The past men in her life said the same thing but it all came down to nothing. She hoped that it won't be this time. She loves him too.

AJ started to worry. What could be wrong to make her so sad? It was his first time to say the three words to a woman and got tears in return. Not happy tears but tears of sadness. He embraced her tighter. "Please don't cry, Jade. It hurts me to see you crying. I'm so sorry if I've done mean things to you."

Jade finally returned his embrace and rested her head on the crook of his neck. "I love you, too."

"I don't know if I'll believe that because you don't trust me."

Jade nodded. Her face still hidden on his neck. "But I love you." She said. "I cared so deeply about you. I love you. And when I'm ready, I'll say it again. I love you."

"I wished I know what's wrong, Jade. So I will be able to ease the sad and painful thoughts away from you." AJ said. He will wait and he is sure that it will come soon that Jade will be ready. And he's going to accept everything about her. Asking her to marry him was supposed to be one of his agenda tonight but this happened. He will get the right time to propose to her. She's the only one for him and nobody else.



~~~



Jade walked down the corridor after she came from the finance department where she just finished accomplishing her travel order for Chicago next week. Her high heels softly make a noise on the carpeted floor. She's wearing a skirt and although she saw the admiring or the teasing looks from her male colleagues, they didn't dare to say a word. They knew better than to do that, she thought with a grin.

The administrative assistant meets her and informed her about the visitors who is waiting for her at the reception area.

"Who is it?"

"Leighanne Wallace and Samantha Dorough, Jade."

Jade smiled and thanked the assistant. As she walked towards the lobby, AJ happened to go out of the meeting room.

"Where's the fire, gorgeous?"

Jade smiled. She takes his hand. "I'll introduce you to my friends." They walked towards the reception area.

Two beautiful women were standing there and waiting. They smiled when they saw her and gave AJ a look of curiosity. So this the man that Jade is crazy about. And has made her wear skirts.

"These are my beautiful friends, Leighanne and Samantha. They're Kevin's classmates in high school. I was two years their junior then." Jade says.

AJ shook their hands. "It's nice to meet you. Do you have a schedule for lunch or anything?"

"We actually dropped by to take your girlfriend out for lunch," Leighanne said.

"Sure. Take care and have fun." AJ tells them. They only nodded but their look never left him. He felt that he's being scrutinized through their impression. They must have cared so much for their younger friend. "Uh, are you the model?" He asks Leighanne.

"Yes," was the short reply.

Jade sensed the tension when she saw that smile painted on Leighanne's face. She knew her friend and she wanted to interrogate AJ. So does Samantha. "Uh, I'll just leave these in my desk and get my bag. Wait here." She excused herself and left.

Samantha and Leighanne went nearer to AJ. "So, what are your plans with our friend?"

"Plans? I'll marry her."

The two looked at each other. "Have you already met her family?" Leighanne noted his cool glasses. She wondered how many specs does he own.

"No, not yet. She said she had brothers and her mom. I'd like to meet them anytime when Jade's ready."

"What do you mean when she's ready?" Samantha asks.

"I asked her to meet them. She said she's not yet ready. I assume that she's still not ready to take it far for now. But for me, I want to marry her."

"Are you going to accept everything about her?"

"Yes," AJ looked at them. "Does she have a deep dark secret?" He asks with a smile.

The two smiled back. "Yes." They said together. They seemed to be only joking about it but they knew better. They need to talk to Jade. She found a man who's going to love her for the rest of their lives and he said he's going to accept her for whatever she has. Well, the knowledge about Jade's mother will prove him to the test. After that, there's no turning back for AJ.



>> 11

11

"You actually looked good in skirts, Jade. Keep it up." Samantha tells their friend. They went out for lunch. The two noticed the unusual gleam in Jade's eyes and they knew now how AJ contributed so muc as its reason.

"Thanks. I felt weird at first. I felt the men at the office were glancing my way and it's awkward. But I only want to look good for AJ. And it's worth it. He loved it." Jade giggled.

Leighanne and Samantha laughed. Jade never giggled until now. She's like a late bloomer, just beginning to explore the act of being feminine.

"Do you love him?" Leighanne asks.

Jade only smiled as she continued eating.

"When are you going to tell him about your family?" Samantha says. "We're concerned, Jade. We don't want you to get hurt. He seemed to be a wonderful guy but your exes all seemed to be until they found out about your family."

"I told him I'm not yet ready about that."

"And it was okay with him?" Leighanne frowned.

"Of course, it's not. But he's willing to wait for me. Ouch!" Samantha just smacked her in the head.

"Stupid."

"What? I'm stupid?"

"Why don't you try to say it to him and find out if he will and can accept you and everything about you? It's much better than moving on in a fantasy that he's the one when you can't prove yet if he's really the one, you know what I mean." Leighanne shakes her head.

Jade bit her lower lip. "I'm afraid."

"Would you rather be afraid and suffer for the rest of your life or be happy?" Leighanne asks her.

"I want to be happy."

"Then do what you should do." Samantha finally said. Jade didn't reply at all. Maybe she should give in and say it to AJ.



~~~



Jade went to open the door in her apartment. She's cooking dinner and expecting AJ will come anytime soon. But she was surprised to see her ex-boyfriend Matt standing in the hallway.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?"

"No." There's no point being friendly to a person who couldn't accept her and her family. "I told you to leave me alone."

"I'm sorry but I can't."

Jade shakes her head. "Don't give me that drama, Matt. And for your information, I'm expecting someone tonight, my boyfriend. We're getting married soon." Although the last one is not true, she knew that saying it would make Matt back off a little bit.

"I regret that I let you go, Jade. I realized how I loved you and important you were in my life when you're gone. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry about saying those things pertaining to your mother too."

"Whatever, Matt. I've moved on from that episode now. It's okay. But could you please leave?" Jade was about to close the door when Matt put his body in between to stop her. "Matt, I said I don't want you anymore."

"I need you, Jade."

"No. Leave me alone." Jade tried to push him away but Matt insisted himself inside. She screamed. "Matt! I said it's okay. Let's move on. Just leave." She continued stepping back. She took the vase she saw and prepared herself to throw it to him. "Don't come near me."

Matt walked closer. "I'm sorry, baby. Please. Let me go back to your life."

"We can be friends but that's all we'll ever be." She screamed again when Matt jumped in front of her and quickly took the arm that held the vase. She dropped it. "AJ!"

"It's that his name, huh? You dumped me for him, huh?"

Jade tried to pushed him away but he's too strong for her. She wished AJ or anyone would come to save her from this man. She screamed again and this time, Matt hit her. She scrambled down the floor. He pulled her short hair.

"Matt!" Jade screamed in pain as he pulled her across the floor. Where's AJ?

"If I can't have you, then no one will."

Her eyes widened when he said that. Is he going to kill her? She struggled to free herself from him. He pulled her up and banged her head on the wall. It hurts so much. She groaned in pain. Where's AJ?

"Stop. Please..." She closed her eyes. "AJ..." She kept on groaning. She wished she could have told AJ how much she loves her. She wished she could have trusted him and told him about her mother. She wished she had known him longer so she could have spent time with him. If she's going to die, she wished AJ will find her fast so he can revive her back to life. He's the only life she can ever have now. She is his.



>> 12

12

AJ's jaw clenched as he tried to suppress his anger. He saw Kevin at the hall. He quickly wiped his tears. Jade is still being treated in the emergency room. He found her just in time when Matt banged her head on the wall. His rage went overtime as he pulled Matt away and kicked him hard on the crotch. And as it wasn't enough for him, he punched the man so many times he thought he's capable of killing a person.

"I made sure he's not going anywhere but jail," Kevin said. "How's she?"

Some neighbors in the building and the security heard the commotion when AJ arrived and they immediately called the police and an ambulance. AJ beat them from going inside Jade's apartment. Help came immediately and Jade, who went unconscious, was immediately rushed to the hospital. AJ thought of calling Kevin first, through Jade's phone he found in the pocket of her jeans.

"They're still treating her inside." He replied quietly. "I'd kill him if only the people didn't stop me!"

"Justice will be on our side, AJ. I'll make sure he'll never go out from jail or get near Jade again." Kevin assured him.

They fell silent. They sat on the seats near the nurse station. "I love her, you know." AJ tells Kevin. The man beside him did not say anything.

"I spoke with Leigh and Sam about you. Jade is still holding herself back for some reasons." Kevin said.

But AJ knows that she loves him. He heard her kept on calling his name when he came until she went unconscious. "Some reasons like?"

Kevin looked at him. He will take the liberty to tell AJ about Jade's family. This is for his friend's sake. "Her parents were divorced. Her father left them when she was in high school."

"And that's holding her back?" AJ saw Jade as a strong person who's not afraid of relationships. She's just being cautious but she's willing to give love to someone. She's a person with a good heart. The tragic ending of her parents' marriage did not stop her from loving and sharing herself to others.

He saw Kevin shakes his head. "Her mother had a severe nervous breakdown. She wasn't able to accept the downfall of the marriage and lost her mind. Until now, Jade's mother is in the mental institution. Jade visits her every week. I also visit every now and then and her mother's condition never improved."

"I understand," AJ felt tears in his eyes once again. He held it back.

"She thought you might not understand. Just like Matt and the rest of his ex-boyfriends who never understood. They'd leave her as soon as they learned that."

"Oh, Jade..." AJ sighed deeply. She's gone through a lot of heartbreaks. But he's not going to give her one. He understood her. And he will support her for everything she'll go through.

Kevin turned when AJ stood up. Is he going to leave, just like the others did? Is he going to walk out on her too? "Where are you going?" He saw AJ peeked through the glass window of the door of the emergency room.

"I want to know if she's going to be alright. She needs me more than anything else right now, Kevin."

Kevin felt tears in his eyes. His heart swelled. If only the rest of the gang can see this, they will like this man. AJ is the one they have been looking for.



~~~



Jade opened her eyes and first saw Kevin and Samantha. She's about to ask where AJ is when she saw his head beside her, sleeping.

Kevin smiled. She got them all worried. The doctor announced her condition an hour after he and AJ talked. Jade was in trauma and under observation. She was hit hard on the head but it wasn't enough to cause major problems like concussion. She had bruises too. She was taken to the ICU and was unconscious for two days. When her vitals became acceptable for the doctors who are observing her, she was transferred to a suite for recuperation.

"You have a good man on your side, Jade." Kevin said. "He saved you."

Jade bit her lower lip. She became teary-eyed all of a sudden.

"Kevin told AJ about everything." Samantha said.

"Huh?" Jade's heart beats faster. "What did he say?"

Kevin and Samantha looked at each other. Samantha lightly tapped AJ's shoulders. "Why don't you find it out yourself?"

AJ woke up and when he saw that Jade was staring back at him, he immediately pulled himself up. He gently cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead. "Jade, baby, are you fine now?'"

To AJ's surprise, she cried and pulled him for a hug. Kevin and Samantha discreetly went out of the room. "Thank you, AJ. Thank you for coming." She cried. "I love you and I'm glad to be able to say that to you. I kept on saying your name, like a prayer, hoping that you'd come. My head's spinning. I thought I'm going to die and will never see you again." She hugged him tighter.

"I was so afraid I'd lose you and I'm so angry that, if not for the people who also came to help, I'd have killed that man. No one's going to hurt you, Jade, as long as I'm here."

Jade cried more. "What have I done to have someone like you? I love you so much, AJ. Thank you. Thank you for your understanding."

AJ cupped her face. He gently wiped her tears away as she did on hers, too. "You have a lot of love in you, darling, that's why He's only giving back the things you deserved."

"Yes, I think I do," she chuckled.

"And you're going to introduce me to your family, especially to your mother." AJ tucked some strands of her short hair behind her ears. "Do you trust me?"

Jade kept nodding as tears kept falling. "I trust you, AJ. I was about to tell you about her when it happened." She couldn't bear to say whatever has happened. The important thing now is that she feels better that AJ knows and he understands. She couldn't ask for any other man but the person that is in front of her now. "You're not going anywhere?"

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll never walk out on you." AJ leaned closer and kissed her. "I love you very, very much."

For Jade, she thanked the heavens above for bringing her the man she longed and wished for.



>> Part 5: Nick

Part 5: Nick

PART 5
WHAT DO I WANT TO BE?
Detention
Nickolas Carter

I have thought about this before, on what I wanted to be when I grow up. I want to meet my father's expectations but at the same time, to do what I want to do. But first, I want to be accepted for who I am. It's not a secret to everyone that I'm gay. I love my feminine side more, the beautiful and the colorful things that surround me. This personality that I have is something that I'm not afraid of, no matter what the people say about gay people. I would rather be doing great things and think of happy thoughts than to let others bring me down with their negative criticisms.

I want to be myself. I want my father to accept me as I am. I'm not doing anything wrong. It only happened that I'm a man with a soft spot and more in touched with my feminine side.

I also wanted to do something that caters to people's needs, like to be a nurse or a teacher or a chef. And whatever I become someday, I will surely do the things I do with the happiness in my heart and the appreciation to every thing and anything.



>> 1

1

Nick smiled and muttered his thanks to the baker. He gathered the goods he bought and went out of the bakeshop.

"Ready?"

Nick turned to his friend, Xenia. She's an American who was also his classmate in culinary school. "You changed your perfume again? Oh, please. The dogs would no longer follow your trail." He tells her. They started walking back to the apartment.

Xenia laughed. "Do you like it?" She asks.

"It's okay. I like the previous one better, the Marc Jacobs."

She did not say anything. They continued to walk. "Aren't you going back to the States?" She asks him.

Nick shakes his head. "Nah. I exiled myself here." When he began to live with his aunt, he never had the chance to please his father. His father never accepted his sexual preference so after he graduated high school, he decided to enroll in a culinary school in Italy. His Aunt Matilda supported him. He bid a good farewell to his friends back home and he never tried contacting them since. He wanted to concentrate on his studies and show it to his father someday. As much as possible, he wanted to avoid homesickness. When he's ready, he will go home. But now, he will take all his time to be an excellent chef and start a business.

"You're so dramatic."

"I'm just biding my time." He quietly replied. "Just like Madonna bide her time before she married Guy Ritchie."

Xenia chose to ignore the subject. She really will not be able to get something out from him. "So what's on your palette tonight, chef?"

"Well," Nick pouted his lips as he began to think, "I'm going to have pasta. I'm going to try out something new again."

Xenia puts an arm on his waist. She considered Nick as her best friend ever since she started college here in Italy. When she met Nick, she felt at ease that someone's there to remind her of the States, as she's never been there although she's an American citizen. Nick is a fun person. She never had dull moments. On their second year in school, Nick offered his apartment for her to live in. He said it's practical for him, to lessen his pay of rent as Xenia will share a little part of it. She had jobs to be able to help him pay. And spending a lot of time together made them great friends.

"Yummy! I'd like to take write it down again. And then I'm going to earn millions in selling your recipes, Chef Carter."

"Oh my God, no," Nick laughed. "I'd rather make money selling gowns and dresses than sharing my recipes. I'm not yet ready for that. Oh, look who's coming. Gorgeous... Look at the sweater."

Xenia turned and tried not to laugh at Nick's comment on the checkered sweater of the man approaching them. Sweaters are out, jackets are in. She wondered why Harold kept on wearing those. "Come on. Have pity on the guy. He's gorgeous."

"Yeah, and he only wants my money." Nick muttered. "Hi, Harold."

"Hi, Nick, Xenia. Are you going home?"

"Yeah. You're not invited." Nick said and received a poke on the ribs from Xenia. He never liked the guy. It doesn't matter if he had Brad Pitt's charm. Nick never got into the idea of having relationships with men even though he's gay. He's attracted to them but he's probably the only gay who's still virgin - with men. Well, he tried it twice but with a woman before, when he's in college. Xenia reminded him once that he might change his mind someday because of that and go back to being a man. But that's something he already kept at the back of his head.

"It's okay. I'm not inviting myself," Harold said. Nick raised an eyebrow.

"So what are you doing here?" He asks.

"I'm going back to the US and I'd like to invite Xenia out before I leave."

Nick instantly turned to the woman beside him. He knew that despite Harold's bad choice of clothing, Xenia had a big crush on this man even though they both knew that he's a trying-hard gold-digger who attempted to woo Nick and get cash from him.

Xenia bit her lower lip. "I'm sorry, Harold, but first things first. Nick's cooking something tonight and I already promised to stay."

Nick smiled triumphantly. He stuck out his tongue to Harold.

"Oh, come on. At least with me, you'd get something aside from good food." Harold smirked. Nick's jaw dropped when he heard that. He's about to retaliate but Xenia beat him to it.

"You're wrong about that. Nick has given me the best orgasm I've ever had, and that's something for a gay person like him."

Nick couldn't decide if he'll laugh or be insulted from what he heard. "Oh, Xenia. That's too much information. Eww! I'm fine that you chose me over him, okay? I'm out of here." He walked away. How could she say that? It's too embarassing!

Xenia chuckled. She turned back to Harold. "It's a girl thing. Anyway, have a nice trip."

"You aren't going to change your mind?"

She shakes her head. "Nah, I'm going for someone that I'd love to be with." She winked at him and went to follow Nick.



~~~



"Yes! Yes!"

Nick ran out of his room when he heard Xenia exclaiming loudly in the living room. He just got out of the shower and only wearing a pink robe. "Hey, where's the fire?"

"My reservation at El Bulli has been accepted." Xenia jumped in joy.

"Oh, shit. For how many?" That's the best restaurant in the world. And it is found in a town in Spain. They dreamt of going there someday and try out some of their best-tasting specialties. One had to make some reservations as early as now but will only be confirmed if there's available. Usually, they are already full for the whole year. Nick and Xenia have filed their reservation two years ago and forgotten about it, until now when she checked her email.

Xenia rolled her eyes. "Of course, for the two of us. We're going to Spain!"

Nick screamed and joined her. They jumped in joy. "Oh my God. I need to file a week's leave. Then let's tour Spain. I'd like to see if Spanish guys are gorgeous."

Xenia sighed. "Yeah, right. You only stare. You never had a boyfriend."

"It's safer to stare." Nick smiled. He went back to his room.

"Yeah, safer." Xenia said as she watched him go. He has a great body. She loved his arms. He must have got it from the hard work he had in the kitchen. Nick is working as an instructor in an exclusive culinary school. She always wondered what it would be like to have him as a boyfriend, if he's straight. But as Nick said, it's safer to stare than do something about it. She doesn't want to compromise their friendship if she gave in to her emotions.



~~~



"What a waste."

Nick looked up when he heard the person beside him. He's in the market, buying some extra ingredients for his course later. He will be teaching his students some extra tips in cooking pasta. "Pardon?"

The woman turned to him. "You're a very good-looking young man but you're gay."

Nick frowned. This woman is ridiculous. What does she care? "Oh, you've got a problem with that? Because apprently, for me, I don't care what other people think." He told her. "And before you take notice of other people, look at yourself first. You better check your clothes, darling, before you look at other people. It's so hideous that the person responsible for that should be sentenced for death penalty or reclusion perpetua. Consider going to the flower shop at the corner, too. I heard they need some grass. Your hair would be the cheapest way for an alternative." He walked away. How dare that woman? She's just envious because he's prettier than her. Most often, people would really see him as a man and would be surprised that he's gay. And he doesn't care.

As he walked out on the streets towards the school minutes later, he received a call from his Aunt Matilda. "It's your Dad, Nicky," she tells him.

"What does he wanted this time, auntie?" The last time he heard was his father was asking for a grandchild. Since Nick is the only son, there's no one he could ask for but him. His father's a successful businessman in the restaurant industry and he's the only heir. Nick thought of adopting since it's impossible that he would bear a child.

"He's ill, Nicky. He's got pancreatic cancer."

Nick stopped on his tracks. No way. He still had plans on how to please his father. "Oh my God..."

"We need you to go home immediately, darling, when you still have time to spend with him." Aunt Matilda said.

"You don't have to tell me that," Nick tried not to cry, "I lost Mom when I was so young. I'll try to spend a lot of time with Dad this time. I'll go home."



>> 2

2

"Well, it's a good thing that our confirmation with El Bulli will still be in December." Xenia said when Nick asked her to come back with him to the US. He knows that his friend has nowhere to go and he informally adopted her and responsible for her. He doesn't want to leave her in Italy. His father had chains of restaurants, he will find something where she can go for work there. Right now, he wanted her to go home with him.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with me," Nick said.

Xenia stared at him for a long time. He thought she's going to say something when she opened her mouth but she turned away instead. "Have I ever told you how I ended up here in Italy?"

He shakes his head. "I tried not to ask but I was curious. You're American but never been to the States? Ridiculous. I'm waiting for you to tell me that."

"I grew up in a children's home run by nuns. One of them told me that I was left outside the adoption home, and beside me were my stuff except my birth certificate. They only knew my name and birthdate by my passport that was left behind." Xenia drew a deep breath. "I was never adopted by anyone. I grew up and studied in the convent. When I needed to go to college, I received a scholarship from an unknown benefactor. I decided to take up culinary." She sat on the bed beside him.

"I always thought of the things happened to me. Why they did not want me? Why do they left me at the door of the adopted home, of all places here in Italy, thousands of miles away from the US? Was I kidnapped?" She wiped her tears. "Those are the reasons for me to go home with you. This is a big chance for me to look for my parents."

"Oh, darling." Nick hugged her. "Why do you spoke fluent English when you grew up here?"

"The nuns probably made sure I still know my native language. But I knew Italian, too."

Nick smiled. "Yeah, I know, fluently." He stood. "I have to go to school now and file my resignation."

"You'll be resigning?"

"My Dad needs me, Xenia. I'm going home for good."



~~~



When Nick arrived in Los Angeles, he wondered what his friends are doing right now. On his last call, his Aunt Matilda said that Kevin is somewhere in the world with his job, Leighanne is in New York, Samantha is somewhere with her husband, Brian is in Europe for his overseas work and Jade is in Chicago. He lost contact with them and he doesn't know what happened to them now. He will try to get some details about them later but for now, he will focus his time with his father.

"According to my passport, my birth town is in Miami, Florida." Xenia said, looking at her passport, as they walked through the arrival gates of the airport.

"You don't have to go there immediately, Xenia. Get yourself stable here for a while. Let's find an apartment and look for a job. And in between, you can find your parents. At least when you go there and find them, you can show them what you have become." Nick winked.

"So where are we going now?" She asks him when they are outside the terminal. Nick looked around for something. There were cab drivers offering them a ride but he ignored them. He looked so confident, Xenia thought. A couple of women smiled at him but he ignored them. She chuckled. Nick's boyish charm can be really deceiving.

"What?" Nick chuckled too.

"I saw that."

"Disgusting," he laughed as he rolled his eyes. The gay man is exposed now. "I'm prettier."

A black Escalade stopped in front of them.

"We're going to my Dad's place." He opened the door of the vehicle and let her in first.

"Oh..." Xenia went inside. She looked around. The driver greeted her congenially. When Nick got inside, the vehicle sped away. "You knew someone's going to pick you up?"

"Aunt Matilda arranged for it. I'll introduce you to her. She had this aura like Meryll Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, classy, strict and sophisticated, but she's very nice. You're gonna like her."

"You seemed to adore her so much."

"She's my second mother. And she worked as a style magazine editor too. You should've seen how happy I was whenever she brought me along for fashion shows. If I'm only a woman, I'd have to benefit with all those privileges she had. Sweetie, you should see her collection of Manolo Blanik and Valentino. Ugh."

"I don't know what you're talking about but it must have been something cool." Xenia was amused by her friend's lively behavior.

"Cool is so high school. Those things are gorgeous."

"Alright. Whatever you say, Nick. By the way, can you tour me around? This seemed to be a wonderful place." She looked through the glass window.

"A lot has changed actually. I'll ask Aunt Matilda to tour us. And she will show us the best places to go to."

"Did you also have friends here?" She asks him.

"Yes but they weren't here in LA. They were somewhere I don't know for work." He chuckled. The vehicle stopped for traffic. He looked around and saw a familiar place. "Xenia, that's where I graduated high school."

Xenia saw a big maroon building situated a few meters away from the main road, with trees and plants beautifully landscaped in the area. Kids were going to and fro the place. Cars come and go. She never went to this kind of place except in college. She only went in a small high school run by nuns. "Wow, it's huge."

"Yeah, the best years of my life happened there. I met my best friends there. Lots of things happened. I can never forget those."

Thirty minutes later, they are pulling up in a driveway inside a big backyard. Xenia knew that Nick's family background is of wealthy descent but she never thought that it could be this much. And Nick never boasted about it.

"I'm excited that I brought you here, Xenia. Auntie is also looking forward to meet you." Nick said when the vehicle stopped. He went out and waited for her. When they got inside the house, a butler named Val greeted them.

"Hello, Val. You looked older." Nick greeted back. "Kidding."

The elder man smiled. "Welcome back, Master Nick."

Nick turned to Xenia. "He insisted to call me Master," he rolled his eyes upwards. "Yuck." He laughed. "By the way, Val, this is my very good friend but I'm prettier, Xenia. Darling, this is my darling old friend, Val, our butler. The English aren't the only ones who have butlers but so are we. He's been with us for a long time. I grew up with Val around."

Xenia felt awed by the display of love and concern for the house's loyal employee. Val seemed really nice too. She shook his hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, sir."

"The pleasure is mine, madam."

"Classic. Now, Val also calls you madam. He's a very nice man, Xenia. And you should try his homemade pizza," Nick said about Val. "To say it's yummy is an understatement." The butler chuckled.

"It's only a simple recipe not probably compared to yours, sir. Congratulations on your graduation, no matter how belated my greetings are." Val led them towards the main hall.

"It's okay. Thank you, Val." Nick smiled.

"Is that my darling Nicky?"

Nick looked up and saw his aunt descending the stairs. He exclaimed with excitement. "Auntie!" He met her halfway. Xenia saw how he deeply cared for his old relative. And he's right when she saw Matilda Carter-Anderson. She also reminded Xenia of Meryll Streep from that famous movie. She looked elegant despite her age. Her former husband, as Nick mentioned, never realized how much he had lost because his aunt is such a wonderful person.

"And I'd like you to meet my friend, and former classmate, Xenia Kiefer." She heard Nick say.

"Finally, the day has come that my darling gay nephew has finally brought home a woman."

Xenia chuckled as she went to shake hands with Matilda. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

"Oh, dear. And she called me ma'am. Please, Matilda will be fine. I feel old hearing that word," Nick chuckled at his aunt's statement.

"See? She's cool. My cousins were crazy over her, too."

"My sons spoiled me to death," Matilda tells Xenia. She turned to him. "And what have you been telling her, Nick?"

"Oh, nothing that will embarass you, auntie."

Matilda took her hand and kept her look on her. "Nick told me that you're a great cook. How about sampling me and the whole household your expertise?"

"Auntie!"

Xenia winked at Nick. "Will you allow on some conditions, Matilda?"

"Sure."

"I trust that the kitchen is full with what I need but I wish that Nick will help me."

"Sure," Matilda glanced at her nephew. She caught Nick sticking out his tongue at his friend. Her nephew is helpless. If he's only straight, she only wished he would find a good woman, probably as good as his friend, Xenia.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay. So, auntie, can I see my Dad now?"



>> 3

3

Nick drew a deep breath. He's already in front of his father's room in the hospital where the elder man is confined. The nurse gave him a short period of time for his visit. Matilda explained that he's the son that the patient has been waiting for since last week.

He quietly entered the room. He realized that his aunt took a suite for his father. He shook his head. His aunt always took care of him and her brother. And even now, she made sure that her brother would be provided the best care he needed in the hospital.

He passed through the receiving area towards the other room where his father lies. He saw his father sleeping. But George Carter must have sensed the newcomer and opened his eyes. When he saw Nick, there was a long moment of silence between them, just staring at each other.

"Nick..." George extended his hand to him.

"Dad..." Nick's tears fell as he rushed to his father's side and hugged him. "I missed you."

There were tears in George's eyes too. "I missed you, too. I'm sorry for the things I've done in the past..."

"Sshhh, let's forget it, Dad."

"No, let me speak, Nick. I'm sorry for beating you up before, for not accepting you for what you are. I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to be the father that you expected me to be." George ran his hand on his son's back. Nick continued to cry. "I hope it's not yet the end for both of us. I want to make it up with you. I accept you for whatever you chose to be and I'm proud that I'm your father. As long as you're happy with the things you do, it's fine with me."

Nick wiped his tears. "Thank you, Dad."

He gripped Nick's hand tight as they shared a new level of father-son bonding moment. It will take longer than the time the nurse has given Nick to spend his visiting time with his father but he doesn't mind. He's home and he will stay with his father and do everything in his power to take care of him.



~~~



Matilda saw Xenia in the garden, sitting in a gazebo. She just arrived from the hospital where she left Nick with his father. She walked towards the young woman and sat beside her. "Hello."

Xenia turned to her. "Good evening."

Matilda observed her. This woman would be needing a makeover and she is the fairy godmother who will grant her a gift soon. Xenia's aura looked promising. And there is something inside Matilda's head nagging her to do something about this woman. Nick already told her about his friend. She's very willing to help her. "How long have you known Nick?"

"Six years, ma'am." Xenia bit her lower lip. "Oops, sorry."

Matilda nodded, insinuating she understood. This woman is so polite and respectful. If she kept on calling her ma'am, she won't mind at all. "So, how did you know each other?"

"We were classmates on the first year. We became partners in a project and we spent a lot of time together for that. He learned that I'm a working student so he decided to help me lessen my dues by offering his apartment and would only pay a little as rent. For me, it's practical because I'm struggling to go to school. His offer really helped a lot and in return, I do the chores more often than him."

"You've been living together for six years." Matilda stated. "Nick has been telling me a lot about you, Xenia. You know, my children are all men, including Nick as I considered him as a son. They were all grown up and living on their own now. I've dealt with each one of them. Nick was the least person I'd expect to be living with a woman." She shrugged. "I mean, I know my sons. They've had relationships. But my nephew is special. Not because he's gay but lots of things have happened in his life, he's been through a lot. He got the pressure of being the son of his father but he's full of life and I never expect that a woman is the one keeping him grounded."

"Don't worry, Matilda. I've been a perfectly good housemate." Xenia smiled at that. "And obviously, there wasn't something going on between us. We're just really good friends."

"Oh, but I wished there was."

"Huh?"

Matilda gave her a knowing grin. "Forget what I said. So, tell me about your family."

"I don't know them. I grew up in an adopted home in Italy."

"What?"

"The nuns said I was left on the door. There were baby pictures of me and my passport on my side. That's when they knew my citizenship, my birthday and of course, my name."

Matilda held her hand. "That's not nice. And the nuns never bothered to report what happened?"

"I asked them. They said they tried but no one came to get me. So I grew up there until I graduated in high school. It was surprising when someone granted me a scholarship for college and I decided to take culinary arts. That's when I met Nick." Xenia replied.

"Could it be that it was your family who gave that scholarship?"

"Could be," she shrugged. "Maybe they would want me to be someone and then find them someday, too, because they left my passport with me. I was born in Miami, Florida. I even know my real name. All I have to do is to find the people with the same surname."

"I can help you with that. I have connections in Miami."

"Thank you so much, ma'am. Would it be too much? Because you just met me and..." She paused when Matilda placed a hand on hers.

"Trust me. I've dealt with heavier issues than that."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"I can get used to it." Matilda said with a smile. "When I wasn't retired yet, people in the office called me ma'am or madam with fear. I don't know. Do I look formidable? Because with you, I felt respect."

"A little but you've shown kindness and that lessened the impression." Xenia replied.

"Really, huh?" She glanced at her watch. "It's almost dinner. Why don't we go out together? My treat. Forget your dinner preparation for tonight. It will take long for Nick to stay in the hospital."



~~~



Xenia grimaced when there was another flash come her way. Matilda did not tell her that she's famous here in LA. They only went to a restaurant for dinner and people were all over Nick's aunt. She only heaved a sigh when she was assured that the restaurant were strict against cameras inside its premises.

"Why are they so interested in you, Matilda?" She asks innocently.

The elder woman smiled to the waiter before the other one left. She turned to her. "I don't know, too. I only edited a fashion magazine a few years back and one of my sons is an actor." Matilda paused. "Yes, maybe that's the reason." She smiled at Xenia.

"Oh, I see." She looked around. "The staff seemed to know you. Is this one of your brother's restaurants?"

"Yes." Matilda replied. "By the way, I checked my address book earlier. I found an acquaintance with the same surname as yours. She also lives in Florida, but in Pensacola. Her husband's a US Airforce."

"Really?" There was a sudden interest in Xenia's voice and in her facial expression.

"Yes, really. But I'd have to call her next week. She's in Greece right now. I can't contact her." Matilda reached for her hand. "Don't worry. You'll find your family soon and if they don't accept you, I'm open into having a new daughter. I never had one." She didn't know how could she like this woman so easily. Xenia seemed to be really a good person.

Xenia smiled after a moment of sadness. "Thank you. You're so kind."

"So okay, I have something to ask about Nick. Did he have boyfriends while he's studying in Italy?"

"As far as I know, none. Then recently, he said that it's safer to stare. I think he's the type who only wanted to be gay, a happy person and very feminine." Xenia shrugged. "I don't know. People tend to mistake him as a straight guy and he doesn't care. He looked like one until he opens his mouth. It's deceiving 'cause he's a looker," they chuckled. That's true. The way Nick speaks gives away his true personality.

"He's been his father's disappointment until a few years ago when my brother realized what he's missing. Nick is a good man, a good son, a trusted friend. It's been so unfair to him that his father could not accept him."

"That's probably why he said that he exiled himself in Italy for an indefinite period of time." Xenia tells her. "Nick doesn't have any plans of going home until your call. He loves his father, I saw that. It saddened him a lot to learn what happened to him."

"I hope there will be more time for them to be together and for my brother to make up for the things he's done in the past." Matilda looked up when their food arrived. "Frank, I'd like to speak with Jacques please." She tells the waiter.

"Yes, Miss Matilda." Frank courteously excused himself and left. A few moments later, the head chef, who seemed to be near Matilda's age, approached their table.

"Good evening, Matilda. And to your beautiful companion, too."

"Jacques, this is Xenia Kiefer, Nick's friend and classmate in Italy."

"Oh, interesting. I'm pleased to meet you, Xenia," Jacques looked at Xenia. "So Nick is finally here. How is he?"

"He's fine. He's with his Dad in the hospital." Matilda replied. "Our young lady here is also a graduate in your school. Would you like to try her competencies in the kitchen?"

"Ma'am!" Xenia exclaimed in surprise. She didn't expect that Matilda will be recommending her for a job.

Jacques smiled at her. "Most certainly. Is Mademoiselle Amelie still teaching there?"

"Yes, sir." Xenia replied. "Amazing teacher. She taught me a lot about baking." She smiled at the memory.

Jacques nodded. "Very well. I'm looking forward to see you next Monday, okay?" He turned to Matilda. "Thank you, Matilda. You're really a gem." He leaned down to kiss Nick's aunt on the cheeks.

"See? Okay, get back to work." They laughed. Jacques acknowledged Xenia and then left them.

"Thank you. Now you're giving me an opportunity for a job." Xenia said to Matilda when they are alone.

"Jacques heard that my nephew is coming, along with a friend. So he asked if any one of you can be of help in his kitchen since someone just left. I've thought of you. Nick won't be able to work for now. He had to take care of his father."

"I understand. Thank you, ma'am. This means a lot."

"Well, you need to arrange some documents first. Like tax number, social security number... since this is your first time here in the US. I will be very glad to help you with your needs for your possible first job. But for now, let's eat." Matilda said. She watched as Xenia followed her. If this young woman only knew, she's already hired. Amelie happened to be Jacques' daughter and she already gave her recommendation to her father. Now, all Xenia had to do next is to look for her family. Matilda, after these years of feeling unwanted, finally found something to look forward to. And that is to help Xenia. She wanted to. It comes from her heart and she hopes that Xenia will not put it in any other way. She does not want others to go through what she's been through.



>> 4

4

"Wow, that's great news. And it happened all in just your first day here. Isn't it a good sign?" Nick said as he and Xenia are in his room and browsing on the internet. He went to Google and typed in pancreatic cancer. He wanted to know the details about his father's sickness and if there's still chance for him to survive.

He had a very long talk with his father last night. The nurse allowed him to stay overnight. They settled their differences. Forgiveness was exchanged and Nick is excited to spend moments with his father. He doesn't want to think that time may be short for them. He will make the best of it.

"I didn't know that Miss Amelie is Jacques' daughter. It's a good thing that I liked her." Xenia chuckled. "And your aunt is so nice. She's very glad to help me finding a work and finding my family."

"Yeah, that's genuine, by the way. My aunt only helped people who she finds to be a good person. She does it from the heart. You're lucky, she trusted you right away." Nick winked at her.

"Yes. And thanks to you, Nick, for bringing me here," Xenia stared at his face as his focus is on the laptop in front of him. Can she just kiss him, just like what she did before? He's looking so gorgeous right now, especially that he just got out of the shower and smelled so good. She's been wanting to tell him how much she's really in love with him. It's crazy for other people because Nick is gay but for her, she thinks she stood a chance. She believed he's not gay, maybe bisexual, and she's ready to make him straight.

"C'mon, Xenia. I don't want to go through that again," Nick muttered. He must have read her mind.

"Yeah, I know," she sighed. She pulled her knees up and rested her head on it. "I'm still sleepy."

Nick glanced at her. He's not comfortable whenever Xenia started to remind him of what happened a few years ago. They lost their virginity to each other and although he liked the experience, he doesn't want to do it again. However, it occurred unexpectedly again and that's where he started doubting himself. He knows he is gay but why did he like those intimate moments with a woman? But then, he doesn't feel like doing it with a man either just to make a comparison or to prove to himself that he's still gay.

He turned again when he felt her weight on him. She fell asleep. The butler said his Aunt Matilda and Xenia came home after midnight. They only had dinner outside. But knowing his aunt, she gave Xenia the taste of LA's night life. Not in the starlet-kind of night life but the corporate side of it. He's sure that his aunt took Xenia out on several establishments and introduced her. She loved making connections and being a friend to everyone.

Nick left his laptop and carried Xenia to his bed. When he laid her down, he felt a little tingle on his spine from the touch of their bodies. What's happening to him? He quickly moved away and went back to the table.

His phone rang and only a number appeared. He hesitantly answered it.

"Hello, Nick?"

"Leighanne?"

He had to move the phone away from his ear when she shrieked. "At last! I found you! Where are you?"

"I'm back. My father is sick. We're now fine, anyway. It's great."

"You're home?" Leighanne almost screamed in his ear again.

"Will you stop doing that? You're going to kill me. I'm still hoping to see Brad Pitt." Nick chuckled.

"Whatever. Anyway, I've got lots of things to tell you. Sam is married. Kevin is married. Jade will be getting married but that depends."

"Whoa!" It seemed a lot really happened to his friends. "Jade? That's divine intervention."

"No, Nick. She actually had several boyfriends before this one. And you? You must have had boyfriends too, huh?"

Nick only chuckled in reply.

"Okay, don't answer that. I'm hoping to see you soon. I'm in Italy. Isn't it ironic? And I didn't find you here. It's crazy." Leighanne said. They exchanged a few words before hanging up. Nick has a smile on his face. He lies beside Xenia on his bed and yawned. He felt sleepy and lazy too. Both of them had a busy first day in LA yesterday. They don't have anything to do today so a good rest will do for them.

Moments later, Nick is already asleep.



~~~



Xenia is in one of her dreams once again. And in that dream, Nick is a straight guy. They are in a deserted island. She's lying on the sand, the waves were their music background. She saw him walked near. He is topless. He takes his place beside her, turning on his side and facing her.

"Nick?"

Nick showed his charming smile and she felt herself melting with that simple gesture. He placed an arm on top of her body and inched himself closer to her. She leaned towards his muscular chest as he wrapped her in his embrace.

"I love you, Nick. I've been in love with you for a very long time."

Nick didn't say anything. She felt his lips kissed the top of her head. She sighed. She began kissing his chest then upwards to his neck. And then moved more towards his mouth.

It felt like home when their lips met. Their bodies molded in the right angles as the kiss deepend. Nick pulled her closer, and sucking her breath away. Slowly, his mouth left hers and moved lower to her neck. His hands on her back and her bottom. Xenia felt the heated sensations and she never wanted this to end. Nick is hers and since this is a dream, she thought of never waking up again.



~~~



"Xenia..."

Nick moaned. Xenia heard that. She opened her eyes and looked around. The room is dark. The big curtains were drawn together and she couldn't see if there's still light outside.

She moaned as she felt a tingling sensation on her neck and down her body. Nick is kissing her. This is not a dream. She's already awake. Nick is acting like a straight guy. He's loving what he's doing.

She moaned again when he rubbed his hand on her. She should stop. She doesn't want Nick to regret it later although for her, she's loving the feeling and the attention she's getting from him. "Nick, stop. No, you don't want to do this." She tried to push his lips away from her collarbone. Oh, how much she wanted him to do that. "Stop this, Nick."

Nick opened his eyes, stopped and looked at her. "Oh, sorry."

"Yes, I know." He's hovering over her. He's shirtless, like he was in her dream. "You know that I love you and how much I've wanted to do you but I also respected your decision. Get off me."

"Sorry."

"Stop saying it, Nick."

"I know. It's confusing me."

Xenia chuckled. He stared at her. "You're just going to regret it if you continue doing this. Now get off of me."

But Nick only pressed his body on hers. "I'm hard. Can you feel that? I don't know what's there in you that made me like this."

Xenia frowned. He made her feel unwanted. That he had nothing to do with his body's reaction. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's weird. I'm gay and yet, my body is reacting and wanting to have sex with you." Nick replied.

Xenia rolled her eyes and she tried to push him away. "You're playing with me again. Don't do this as if you're just compelled to do it." They are the best of friends and they have a very unusual relationship. Xenia was already moving on with her attraction for Nick until when he started kissing her earlier. He's the one who started it and now he's going to rub it in her face that he's just following the heated and lustful response of his body. As if he doesn't have any choice and it's against his will to do it because he's gay. She will show him that she doesn't want that.

Nick chuckled. "Yeah, sorry. Actually, I fell asleep too and I thought it was all a dream." He moved beside her on the bed. They are now both lying on their back and staring at the ceiling.

"You know how I valued our friendship so much, Nick, even though my feelings were more deeper than that. I hope that the weird things happening on us won't come between us and ruin what we have."

"Yeah," Nick replied huskily. He grunted.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Huh?" He glanced at her, "Nothing," he left the bed and went to his bathroom. She realized that he still has a hard-on, probably went to jerk it off. Oh, geez. It wasn't her fault, was it?



>> 5

5

Xenia watched as Matilda and Nick went off excitedly to get something for her. They brought her to some boutique and will buy clothes for her. There will be a small gathering at the house this coming weekend because Nick's father will be coming home. Matilda suddenly thought of shopping and Nick, who just came home from the hospital, was excited to do it for his friend.

"I think she would look better on this dress, auntie." She heard Nick said.

"No, this one." Matilda argued.

It seems like the two were not agreeing on which one would look best on her. She stood up. "I think I'll try both and let's see which one is better."

"I think we should buy both," Matilda glanced at her nephew with a raised eyebrow. Nick only grinned.

Xenia went inside the fitting room. She looked at the dresses and her eyes widened when she saw the price tags. It's more than a thousand dollars! How come such a piece of clothing would cost that much?

"Four, three, two, one..." Nick smiled at her when she went out of the fitting room. "I knew it."

"This is so costly." She tells them.

The two shared high-fives. Matilda walked towards her. "It's alright. It's a gift from me and Nick's father."

"Uh, but the... What?" She asked quietly. She didn't know what to say. These people are so kind.

"For a lot of things," Nick started. "You got a job in less than a week you're here and my dad's health went fine and he wanted to meet you."

"Huh?" Xenia looked from him to Matilda. "Thank you. You're so nice."

"Try it on, sister. We still have to go somewhere, you know." Nick said. Xenia didn't protest more and went back to the fitting room.

A few hours later, they went to a restaurant where there were paparazzi on a standby. Xenia felt Nick's hand holding hers as they walked inside. She saw Matilda went to a corner and greeted a couple. When they reached them, she realized that it's Matilda's famous son, the actor Sean Bridges and his pregnant wife, Lauren. They were introduced.

"Wow, Nick. Great catch." Sean teased.

Nick rolled his eyes at his cousin. "Excuse me, Sean. If you must remember, I'm an ex-man." They laughed.

"So, how are you?" Sean asks Xenia. He looked relaxed sitting beside his wife, his hand holding hers. It seemed like he's in the best place in the world even though paparazzi were lurking outside and waiting for them.

"I'm fine. Things seemed to be going well. Nick and Matilda were very nice people."

"You should come with us sometime at one of our Sunday barbecues. You'll meet the other brothers." Lauren tells her.

Xenia smiled and said her thanks.

"Well, Sean. What about the favor I asked of you the other day? Have you found something?" Matilda asks her son.

"Well, for a start, I asked my friend to check on a birth certificate at the statistics office in the city hall. And he Fed-exed it this morning." Sean takes out a package and gave it to Xenia.

Everyone is looking at her. She's so touched. These people are so nice. With a trembling hand, she began to open the package.

"Rip it off, sister."

They laughed at Nick. "Don't ruin the moment, Nick," Sean tells his cousin.

Xenia finally opened the package. She found a document inside and saw it was her birth certificate. Xenia Grethel Madrid Kiefer. It has her birthday, the birthplace and then the name of her parents. She felt herself on the verge of crying.

"My friend said that there are other Xenia Kiefer in the registry but you stood out among them because of 'Madrid'. I wondered why they would give you such name." Sean said as she reads the document.

"Maybe that's where she was conceived and then she was dropped off in Italy," Nick said. "Maybe her parents were jetsetters." Xenia playfully hits his arm.

"Thank you. I can't get enough of saying it," Xenia tells them.

"Isn't she wonderful?" Matilda said fondly. "I told her that if she did not find her real parents, I will adopt her."

"You already had a daughter, in Nick's form," Sean chuckled.

"Only I don't get to wear the dresses she had at the office when she's still in Glamour Mag." Nick replied. He looked at his watch. "I have to go. I need to go back to Dad." He stood up.

"You haven't eaten yet," Xenia tells him.

"I'm on a diet." Nick quickly replied and went off.

"It's such a waste that Nick's gay," Lauren shakes her head when Nick was gone. "Does he had boyfriends in Italy?"

Xenia chuckled. "None that I knew of. He said he didn't want a relationship. And it's safer to just stare."

"Yeah, but is he happy?" Sean asks. "Sometimes, I think that he's not gay after all. He's just a soft guy but within that facade is a man. Just a little push from the right person would make it come out."

"That's ridiculous, Sean." Matilda chuckled. "Nick is a helpless case."

The three only looked at each other. Xenia, on the other hand, decided to look at her birth certificate again.

"What's your next plan?" Matilda asks her.

"I'd have to work and save money for now, Matilda. I want to do something with my life first before I go and look for my family. I want to show them, at the right time, on what I achieved despite the fate they've brought me."

Matilda held her hand. Xenia met her look. In only a short time of knowing the older woman, she came to look up to her like a mother she never had. "Good luck, Xenia. And may God always bless you."



~~~



Nick walked down the hall towards the hospital's cafeteria to grab a bite. Actually, he's hungry. But it seemed that every time he had was so important to spend with his father. Almost every day since he came, he's always by his side, accompanying him with his chemoterapy and all other things that were advised by the doctors. He ensured that his father will live longer and they will make up the time lost with each other.

When he reached the cafeteria, he bought a sandwich and a pasta meal and a large serving of fruit juice. He saw his father's doctor, a young man named Dr. Ken Froilan, who smiled and nodded at him before going out of the cafeteria.

He hoped he didn't blush for the doctor is cute. He loved looking at him talk about some confusing medical jargons. He liked the way the doctor would perch his eyeglasses on top of his nose and lightly brush his eyebrows.

He quickly finished his meal. His father is sleeping at the suite so he will spend the time watching the TV while the other is resting.

When he reached the fifth floor, he went straight to his father's suite. He remembered that he put the lights off in the receiving area, that's why it is semi-dark. He quietly glanced at his father who is still sleeping peacefully. He went back to the receiving area and sat on one of the couches.

He began to think about taking over his father's company while he's still sick. It's one of the ways he can do to help and be useful. His father was glad to hear that from him.

And then Xenia. He's glad that she was able to get a job in such a very short period of time. He's also thankful that she allowed herself to go home with him because he wanted her to be back in the country where she was born.

And he also wanted her to expand her horizons in meeting other people so that she will divert her attention away from him. Although he tried to understand that his friend is in love with him, he still found it ridiculous and sent goosebumps down his spine. He is hoping that she will meet a man here. She did not deserve him.

His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and Dr. Ken went inside. Nick felt his knees seemed to wobble as he only stared at him. He did not bother to stand up. "Is there anything you want, doc?" He can only ask.

The doctor sat beside him. "No, I'm just relaxing. My shift has ended. How's your Dad?"

"He seemed fine. You know that." Nick tried not to raise an eyebrow. He felt nervous. What does this man doing here?

"Yeah," Ken chuckled. "Listen..." He placed a hand on top of Nick's hand. "If you need anything, I'm just here."

"S-sure..." Nick felt his heart beating so fast now. Oh, he suddenly had the urge to kiss the doctor.

But the doctor beat him to it before he could rethink. Ken pulled his hand and made him lean closer. And to Nick's surprise, he felt the doctor's lips on his.



>> 6

6

Xenia saw her friend walking down the hall looking like he was lost in his deep thoughts. After her meeting with Matilda, Sean and Lauren yesterday, she went to visit Jacques at the restaurant for a briefing. He asked her if she could start immediately and she agreed. She will start tomorrow, two days earlier than she's supposed to.

She wanted to tell Nick about it but he seemed troubled. "Hey, is there something wrong?"

Nick looked at her for a while as if the processing in his brain will have to take longer than the usual. "Huh?"

"What's wrong?" She tried again.

Nick frowned. "Nothing."

Xenia bit her lower lip. "You seemed troubled. Something's bothering you."

"Leave me alone, okay?" Nick snapped. He walked away. Xenia watched his retreat.

"I only want to tell you about the job," she whispered, almost out of Nick's earshot. "I'm starting tomorrow." She wondered why he seemed mad. He never spoke that way to her. She walked away to prepare herself for work. She needed to rest now. Whatever Nick had in mind may cool off later on. Maybe she really needs to back off for now.

Nick drew a deep breath when he realized what he's done. He never treated Xenia like what he did just now. He turned around but she's already gone.

He's confused. It was a new experience for him about the incident last night. He was caught off guard by the kiss. And when he thought he would like it, the result came otherwise. Why does it felt weird and unacceptable? He's gay. Isn't he supposed to like the kiss? He's attracted to Ken but why, after what happened, does he not want it to happen again?



~~~



Matilda watched as Nick walked everywhere while the preparations for tonight's small gathering are going on in the estate's garden. She finished clarifying with the chef about tonight's menu. When the chef is gone, she leaned back on the chair she's sitting and watched her nephew from the gazebo where she is staying.

Nick had this blank look on his face when he stopped pacing. His back turned to her as he watched the people set up the tables and chairs. He turned when he heard his aunt calling him.

He went towards her.

"What's wrong?" Matilda asks him.

"Huh?"

Matilda raised an eyebrow. They both knew that he can always confide in her whenever she sensed that something was bothering him. "What time will Xenia be arriving?" She asks him instead.

"I don't know. But she knows what time this will start." Nick replied. He turned away. "Excuse me."

"I'll see you inside when you're done here." Matilda said. She walked away. When she got inside the house, she saw her brother being pushed in a wheelchair by the nurse she hired for him. She insisted that George would be in a wheelchair as she doesn't want him to get tired. "Can you walk?" She winked at him.

George smiled. He tried to stand up. "Where's Nick?"

"He's outside, looking confused." Matilda nodded at the nurse who excused himself and walked away. She turned back to her brother, who's now slowly walking with her. She understands that George would need a little exercise too.

"Ken is a good doctor and an actor." George said.

"Nick will be mad if he learns about this," Matilda shakes her head. "I thought you already accepted him for what he is. Why do this, George?"

"I accepted it. I tried to understand him. But when I saw Xenia, I saw hope. I noticed something special between them. I think that it might not be late at all if I try to do something about his sexual preference."

"Your son seemed so confused now."

"Where's Xenia?"

"She's probably at work," Matilda tells her brother. "I'm happy to see her enjoying what she loves doing. She seemed so passionate about her skills." She smiled. "I wished I had a daughter like her."

George nodded. "How's your search for her family now, anyway?"

"No success story yet," his sister replied.

"I have a hunch that she's the missing child of Lawrence Keifer. You know him, right?"

Matilda thought about it for a moment. Then her eyes grew wide. "What... Wait... Lawrence. The one whose child was kidnapped? I thought they found the girl already, dead alongside her mother. I never thought about it. I didn't pay much attention when I read Xenia's birth certificate."

"Well, it seems like she's the missing daughter. Lawrence told me that he had the dead child under DNA test. It turned out that wasn't his. So his daughter might still be out there. Lawrence had several enemies because of the scam he exposed back then. They did that as revenge." George said. Lawrence is his friend since they were in the university. After graduation, they ventured into several businesses while Lawrence also tried his luck in politics. Three months after his child was born, the baby and his wife was kidnapped. It took another three months before they were found dead, in a small town in Kentucky. The tragedy caused so much pain to Lawrence and he exchanged his life from the world of politics and corporate offices to be a simple rancher in Texas. And he vowed to seek the people behind the kidnappings and murder.

"There's no harm in trying," Matilda winked at her brother. "I'm looking forward to the reunion."

"And it will be great to help someone," George smiled back.

"Hi, Dad. Nice to see you home," They turned when Nick walked towards them. "And walking. Wow, you're walking." He kissed his father on the cheeks. "What are you talking about?"

"What do you mean?"

"What will be great to help someone?"

"You mean, who. It's Xenia," Matilda replied. "It will be great to help her."

"Any news?" Nick helped his father go and sit on a nearby couch situated in the large hallway.

"Well, we thought if it is possible that she's Lawrence's daughter. You remember him, right? Former Mayor Lawrence Keifer, your Dad's friend."

Nick paused, trying to remember the person. "Oh, yeah." He looked at them. "Wow."

"I know." Matilda chuckled. "Back in the day, he's my ultimate crush. I always try to find a way to see him whenever George was home from the university. He'd always invite Lawrence over."

"Apparently, you didn't work hard enough for him to notice you." Nick teased his aunt.

"It's okay. He's my first kiss anyway," Matilda replied.

"What?" George immediately turned to his sister. Nick was already laughing. Matilda gave her brother a big smile.

"Yeah, you know, things like sneaking inside a closet," Matilda laughed.

"Quit fooling around. What?" George is frowning.

"Quit being all that big brother to me. I'm no longer that kid sister you used to hold off from unwanted suitors." Matilda said. Nick kept on laughing.

"Well, you ended up with the wrong man. Honestly, I'd have wanted Lawrence for you. But he fell in love with a childhood sweetheart and the rest is history." George said.

"Yeah, I know. You told me that already," Matilda sighed. She turned when they heard footsteps. Xenia has arrived. "Darling! Glad that you came on time." She motioned the younger woman to come near. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"I saw the arrangements outside. It seemed grand," Xenia replied. She did not glance at Nick. "It's good to see you again, Sir George."

"I told you to call me George. By the way, did Nick already tell you about my proposal?"

Xenia finally looked at her best friend, who still seemed distant. "What proposal?"

"It's about starting an Italian restaurant. Dad said he wanted to start an Italian trend through you." Nick tells her.

"A business for me?" Xenia looked at each one of them.

"Yes. You." George smiled.

"Uh, thank you but I think it's premature. I didn't have enough experiences yet to be part of that great responsibility."

"Hush, don't worry about it. It's still a proposal anyway." George says. "But of course, I will already spare a budget for you and my team in the office will be doing a feasibility study. But I want you to handle that business."

Xenia glanced at Nick.

"Don't worry about Nick. I'm giving you an opportunity. He didn't need to have a say over the matter. This is between you and me." George said.

"May I speak with Nick for a while, George?" Xenia said instead. Nick turned to her in surprise. George and Matilda looked at them in amusement.

"Go on, please. I need your answer ASAP." George replied. "Even before I die."

"Don't say that," Nick shakes his head at his father and went to follow Xenia who pulled him away.

"Ah, don't you miss the old times, George?" Matilda asks as they watched the two went inside the nearby room.

"More than ever."



>> 7

7

"What's going on?" Xenia asked as soon as they got inside the room. It's an office.

Nick looked down to her. "What are you talking about?"

"You're acting different, Nick. What's going on? You snapped at me when I was talking with you, in a nice way. Then earlier, you're trying to ignore me. I want to know what's going on with you because I need your opinion on your father's proposal. We can't go on like this. You're my best friend."

Nick avoided her look. How is he going to tell his confusions? How is he going to tell her what happened? He was surprised when Xenia cupped his face and turned it to her.

"Something happened," she said.

"Huh?"

Xenia let go of him. "Some kind of friend you are," she shakes her head. She looked disappointed.

Nick looked at her. "I'm sorry. It's difficult for me as it is to you." Xenia didn't say anything. She turned on the other way, still disappointed. Nick continued, "I'm confused. I don't know if this could even be possible."

Xenia turned to him with question in her eyes.

"Something happened to me two nights ago," Nick saw the disappointment turned into concern. Xenia held his hand. "Ken kissed me."

"Huh? Who's Ken?"

"Dr. Froilan, Dad's doctor. I was surprised when he kissed me that night while I was in the hospital."

"And?"

"I was thinking that I'm just pretending to be gay. It actually disgusted me. I don't know. Could that even be possible?"

Xenia shrugged. "I don't know."

"Even tough I'm attracted to some guys, I can't even imagine kissing let alone, to have sex with them. But with you, it's okay," Nick tells her.

"Ouch, you used me for comparison?" Xenia slapped his arm. "And it's only 'okay'?"

Nick stared at her. He sighed. "I'm really confused, okay? Maybe, I need space right now. I have to find myself and rethink about everything."

"What are you going to do?"

"I think you shouldn't accept Dad's proposal for now but later, when you're ready enough. Then I'm going to give you the keys to a condo unit in downtown until you have enough on your own." Nick replied.

"You wanted me out of your Dad's house. It's alright. I understand."

Nick sighed. "It's not that. I need to clear out my head because having you around is also confusing. I'm sorry if you will take it the other way. You're my best friend. I want to take care of you but at the same time, there's something bothering me whenever you are around. I don't know. This is all new to me."

Xenia shook her head. "Sorry but I can't seem to understand."



~~~



"Hey, Xenia," Sean called her during the party. Xenia saw Matilda's son and his wife coming her way. She's been alone for an hour now. After her talk with Nick earlier, they came out and she refused George's proposal and accepted Nick's offer of a place to stay. She decided to move out and will save from her salary so that she can live on her own. She did not try speaking with Nick ever since. She did not know what or how to feel after that.

"Hi, Sean, Lauren. Good evening." She greeted them with a smile.

"Where's Nick?" Sean asks her.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since this party started."



~~~



Could it be possible that a person could change overnight? Nick thought as he stared at himself on the mirror in front of him. The party has been going on for almost an hour now. His father had sent people several times for him to come down but he stayed.

He stared at himself. For years, he thought he was more in touched with his feminine side. He had lots of girl friends and a few of male ones. He applied stylish gel on his short dark blonde hair. He is wearing a formal suit, a coat and tie. He looked more like a businessman. He could not see any hint of his gay personality. He looked like a man, a real man. And it's weird for him because it felt good. He felt proud of himself.

He stood up. He should start exploring his new self. He had to slowly realize and grasp this new concept that he is a man.



~~~



"My brother still had to undergo some chemo but we have strong faith that we will get through this," Matilda said to her friends. George smiled quietly beside her. Dinner is about to be served in a few minutes. He wondered where is Nick. They sensed that something was wrong with him and Xenia when they went out of the office earlier. Whatever it is, it somehow changed their friendship. He could not put a name on it. But he is sure that something has changed.

"But whatever happens, I am happy and content to leave because things are in order. I have a great son. He's back and he can overtake the duty as the CEO of my company." George said. He glanced at his sister. "And I have a sister who is always there for me for everything. I am thankful to be surrounded with a loving family."

"Where is Nick, by the way?" Francine, their friend, asks.

Matilda looked around. "Oh, I don't know. Where is he?"

"I haven't seen him since he went to study in Italy." Jake said to them. "He is a chef now, isn't he?"

"He loves the kitchen ever since," George laughed. "And he's preparing excellent meals now. I couldn't be more prouder as a father. As I told you, he's a great son."

"Oh, my God..." Matilda muttered when she saw Nick.

"Huh?" George turned around and went speechless. "Nick?"

They saw Nick arriving at the cocktail area, standing more than six feet tall. He is wearing a suit and he looked so manly. The guests turned at him in curiosity but more were surprised.

What happened? Matilda asks quietly. How could he change in a matter of hours? Nick looked gorgeous, like a bachelor should. She looked around for Xenia but she cannot see her. Nick has gone straight from being gay. She saw her brother looked at her and she only shrugged.

"You didn't tell me that your son has, well, changed..." Martha tells George. The latter only smiled. They watched as Nick went towards them.

"Hi, Dad. How are you?" Nick asks George first.

"I'm alright, son. You looked great."

"Thank you." Nick turned to his aunt and their guests. "Good evening..."



~~~



"Usually, those kind of trees only grow in tropical countries," Lauren said to Xenia. "You know, Sean was actually in Malaysia three months ago and I suddenly had this urge for some kind of fruit that has a distinctive smell but was actually very delicious."

Xenia laughed. "It's funny to hear Sean would always grant your cravings. He had this persona of a macho guy." Sean is most famously known as an action star in Hollywood, the tough guy.

Lauren laughed. "He doesn't have a choice. I don't accept complaints. I'm the tough guy in our household."

"Don't say it loud. I don't want to ruin my reputation," Sean winked at them. The two women laughed. Xenia thought that these two would be different from the other married Hollywood couples. Their marriage will last forever. They clearly love each other.

"Oh, will you take a look at that?" Sean suddenly said beside them. The two turned.

Xenia frowned when she saw Nick. What is he thinking right now, dressing up like that?

"Isn't he gorgeous?" Lauren said.

"What is he thinking? Why the change?" She asks. The couple wanted to go to Nick. "I'd rather stay here." She tells them.

"Did something happen? Did you have a fight?" Sean asked her.

"No. I just want to take a good look of him from afar." She smiled to them. "I'm sure the people were curious. This is his moment to shine," she winked at them.

"You're weird," Lauren remarked, shaking her head. She leaned closer to whisper to her. "I know you like the guy. As in like, not a friendly like, you know what I mean." Xenia only smiled in response. She watched as the couple walked away. Nick is now surrounded by his father, aunt, a few more relatives and uh, women. Well, he really became a charming bachelor this evening.



~~~



"Why are you alone here?"

Xenia stiffened when she heard Nick's voice. She is standing alone inside the main house's hallway. She doesn't know anyone out there in the party except a few of Nick's relatives.

"I'm tired. I'm hiding from your aunt. She kept on introducing me around," she chuckled.

"Auntie is always like that." Nick said behind her. "Will you turn around, Xenia?"

She turns around and saw Nick. A strand of hair fell on his face. She did not hesitate to do it as she reached out and set it aside. "Why did you change?"

"I've been thinking a lot about myself, even when we were in Italy."

Xenia dropped her hand to her side. "I'm not used to this. You looked great but I was surprised seeing you like that."

"Like what?" Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Like a man."

"I am a man."

Xenia did not say anything on that. "By the way, I'm moving out tomorrow. I got the keys you've sent out earlier."

"I'm sorry, Xenia."

Xenia showed a strong face, as if she didn't know what he is talking about. "For what?"

"For hurting you."

"I understand. I like you but I know where I stand. I won't push myself to you." She tells him. They stared at each other for a while. "You know, I think I should retire and call this a night. I have to pack and move out early tomorrow."

Nick nodded. "I already told Dad and Aunt Matilda."

Xenia drew a deep breath. "Okay, but I will have to tell them myself too." It's called respect, she silently added. "Excuse me," she said. Nick stepped aside to give her way. She was already away by a few meters when she decided to go back. Nick is watching her. She reached for her target, much to Nick's surprise.

Matilda shakes her head in amusement as she watched the two kiss. She still could not believe that Nick would go from being gay to a straight guy. As far as she knows, it is impossible to happen. But Nick made history.

"I wondered why it took them to kiss for that long?" George whispered. Her brother also sneaked with her when they saw the two were talking in the hallway. They were hidden behind a glass panel leading to the common room.

They watched as Xenia was the one who pulled away. She left Nick and walked away. Nick was left standing alone. He seemed occupied with his deep thoughts.



>> 8

8

Xenia looked up when she heard the change of order at table twelve. She shook her head as she busied herself with the blueberry cheesecake that she is doing. The pasta chef, Yuri, took another set of ingredients for creating zucchinni.

Xenia is dreaming of ending the shift. She wanted to go home, soak herself in the bathtub, then crawl to her bed and sleep.

"It sucks when the guests would have a change of mind and change their orders," Edward said beside her. He is preparing a new dish, also a change from the previous one he just finished. "It's a good thing you're doing something 'general', Xenia," he added, quoting it with his fingers.

She smiled. The restaurant has a pastry section where guests can go before or after eating or while waiting for their orders. Jacques assigned her there as one of the assistants to the pastry chef. She realized how popular that section to the guests. They would often ran out of pastries and would have to be quick in making new ones. Their peak days are during weekends where families are their usual customers.

"Xenia, are you done with the blueberry cheesecake?" Hannah asks her. Hannah is the pastry chef. She's nice and she always have a smile on her face. That's one thing that she loves in this kitchen, compared to the restaurant she worked for in Italy. The people in this kitchen usually had a smile on their faces. It brightens up the mood and the work environment.

"Yes, Hannah." Xenia made her last squeeze of the cream on the side. Hannah carefully takes it out.

"Follow me, honey." Hannah tells her. Xenia went to follow her boss. She saw quite a number of guests tonight. There was a soft jazz music playing in the background. She thought she saw a couple of actors at the left corner of the restaurant. She continued to follow Hannah.

"Here she is!" Hannah exclaimed as she sets the cheesecake on one of the guests' table. There is a couple sitting there. The woman excitedly thanked Hannah as she sliced the cake. "This is Xenia, one of the talented pastry chefs inside. She made this."

Xenia smiled to them.

"These are my friends, Gina and Fred. It's Gina's birthday and this is her favorite. I told her that I have a surprise for her," Hannah said. She turned to her friends. "Xenia has the most amazing blueberry cheesecake you'll ever taste. You can die and go to heaven." They laughed.

"Thank you. Happy birthday, Gina." Xenia shook hands with her. "I hope you'll enjoy the cake."

Gina eats a bit of her cake. "Wow, you're right, Hannah."

"I told you."

Xenia chuckled. "Thanks."

"By the way, are you friends with Nick? I saw you somewhere in a newspaper with him and his aunt. How is he?" Fred asks her.

"Well, I don't know. We haven't seen each other for more than a month now. He's probably busy with the family business plus I heard that his dad's doing well with the chemo." Xenia replied. She realized how long she haven't seen her friend. It was the longest time that they have been apart and without communication.

"We were classmates in high school, by the way." Fred said. "I suddenly remembered him. I saw his friend Leighanne the other day."

"Oh. That's great." Xenia smiled. She doesn't want to talk about Nick now. "Can you excuse me for a while? Sorry, I left something in the oven."

Hannah nodded. "Sure. Thanks, Xenia."

Xenia started walking back to the kitchen but before she continued on her way, she passed by the pastry section. There is a couple and three women looking over the cakes and pastries they prepared for that night. She continued towards the kitchen but along her way, she bumped into someone.

"Nick!" She was surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, this is my restaurant..."

Xenia rolled her eyes. "I know."

Nick chuckled. "Kidding. I'm here for a business meeting."

"How's George?"

"Well, he's trying hard on the chemo. So far, we're getting good results. I tried so much as to make most of our time together." Nick replied. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Nick stared at her for a while. When he opened his mouth to say something, he was interrupted by someone who approached them. "Nick, what's taking you so long?"

Xenia looked at the woman beside her friend.

"Julie, this is my friend, Xenia. Xenia, this is Julie." Nick tells her.

"His girlfriend." Julie added.

"Huh?" Xenia looked at her and then, to Nick. She saw him frowned. "Oh, it's nice to meet you. You're also part of the business meeting?"

"My dad owned the business so Nick is making a deal with him," Julie replied. "Anyway, why don't you go back to the kitchen?"

"Julie!" Nick turned to her.

"I'm just wondering that she's still working so she should be there."

Xenia nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I have to go. See you around, Nick." She turned and walked away. Nick has moved on with his 'new life' and she should, too.



~~~



Xenia smiled at Yuri. "It's a deal. One of these days, you will show me how to cook that special pasta." She winked at her.

"It's a promise," Yuri replied. They stopped walking when they reached the condo building where Xenia lives. "We're here."

Xenia faced him. "Bye." She blew kisses to him. Yuri is the person she's closest with in the restaurant. Once again, she ended up having a gay friend but he is different. He's an all-out gay and he even has a boyfriend.

She suddenly remembered Nick. Why did he end up with someone like Julie? Doesn't he have any choice? She shakes her head at the thought.

She unlocked the door to the condo unit but it was odd that she found the light in the living room was open. She always keep it off to save electricity.

"Glad you're home."

Xenia jumped in surprise. Then, she saw Nick. "Nick! You surprised me." She watched as he stood up and walked towards her. He was every inch a man now. He looked so handsome. She felt her heart beats faster as she looked at his face.

"I came here to apologize about Julie."

The moment was lost when he mentioned that woman's name. She walked past him and dropped her things in her room. When she saw the bed, she felt how tired she was.

"Xenia..."

Nick followed her to her room. "Don't worry, Nick. I was hurt but I'm going to be fine. I'm used to it." She said. She turned to him. "Could you please get out for a while? I'll change."

Nick went out. She quickly changed her clothes. When she went out of the room, she's already in her shorts and tank top. "How are you?" She asks him. She found him by the kitchen counter. He poured himself a wine on a glass. The wine has been there when Xenia arrived at the condo.

"I'm okay. Come here."

Xenia sat beside him. He poured her a share of the wine. They sat in silence for a while. She turned when he stood up suddenly and went to check on the fridge and the cabinets. As she looked on, she realized that he decided to cook pasta. Judging from experience, when Nick decided to cook in the middle of the night, or in this case in the wee hours of the morning, something is bothering him. She watched him work in the kitchen. He looked sexy with his apron, his sleeves brushed up and his hair spiked. He's like a dancer in the kitchen. When he looked at her and smiled, she almost melt.

Getting used to the busy kitchen and at the culinary school in Italy, Nick finished the pasta in about fifteen minutes. It took him a while to find some of the ingredients before he was done. Xenia watched as he came back to her, now holding a plate of pasta with two forks. He placed it on the counter. Still not saying any word to each other, they ate.

"Still haven't lost your touch." She tells him. "Hmm..." She closed her eyes to savor the taste. When she opened her eyes, she caught him staring at her. Then, he went back to eating. They forked together and took the same strand of spaghetti. Xenia bit first to cut it. They smiled.

"I miss you."

"I miss you, too." Xenia said. She drinks her wine. When she turned to him, she was instantly met by a kiss. She didn't protest by the sudden gesture. Her arms instinctively went around his neck and pulled him closer. Nick was able to lift her up over the kitchen counter. Their kiss went deeper. Xenia knew that she wanted to go further than this. They both knew that something special will happen tonight and there's no way to stop the hungry passion that has been holding them for so long.



~~~



Xenia woke up, finding herself alone in her bed. After a mind-blowing act in the kitchen last night, Nick carried her in the room and continued loving her. She looked around and found a note on the bedside table.

Dear Xenia, Office called. I'll be back. Nick.

She glanced at the clock. Ten AM. She groaned and closed her eyes again. She wanted to go back to sleep. They were insatiable last night. She never thought about it.

She was about to drift back to sleep when the phone rang. She lazily reached out for it to answer. "Hello."

"Xenia, how are you? Did I wake you up?" It was Nick.

She opened her eyes and sat on the bed. Is he calling to check on her? "I'm fine. I just woke up and decided to sleep again. I got five hours more to rest."

"Okay. Go back to sleep. I'll be there in the afternoon to pick you up. We'll have an early dinner before you go on duty at the restaurant." Nick said.

"Okay." She yawned. Nick chuckled on the other line.

"That's my sign. I will let you rest. Bye." Then Nick hung up. Xenia stared at the phone. She still could not understand what is happening. Nick went to the condo last night, cooked a delicious pasta then they made amazing love for the rest of the early morning. He did not say anything about it. Now, he checked on her and will pick her up later, like a boyfriend would. She sighed. What happened to Julie? Did he break up with her last night after what she did and he came to the condo and sought comfort in her arms?

She almost jumped in surprise when the phone rang again. She answered it. It's Matilda.

"Darling, I heard your birthday will be in two weeks. How about an early birthday gift?" Matilda asked as soon as she answered the phone.

"Huh?"

She imagined Matilda rolling her eyes. "Just come here this afternoon before you go to the restaurant. What time are you available to be here at home?"

"Four."

"Alright, four. See you later, darling." The phone clicked.

What could be Matilda's surprise? She went back beneath the covers as she dialed Nick's number. "Nick? Matilda wanted me at the house by four. Can you make it on that schedule? Because it's okay if you can't. I can go there on my own."

"We'll go there. It's okay." Nick said. "Go back to sleep now."

Xenia wasn't used to this new side of Nick but she likes it. It's weird that she liked him telling her what to do. "Yes, sir. I'm tired." She said. Nick chuckled.

"Alright, bye."

Xenia decided it's time to go back to sleep.



>> 9

9

Matilda hides her amusement when she saw Xenia came and Nick is walking behind her. Her nephew changed a lot. She and George guessed that Xenia had something to do with it. Nick assumed his father's duties. She was able to witness the couple of dates that he had in which none were successful. And now, he arrived with Xenia.

"I thought the two of you weren't on speaking terms. I assumed you have a fight." She started after they kissed her as a greeting.

Xenia turned to Nick.

Nick looked at her. He scratched his head. "Are we okay now?"

Xenia found his uneasiness charming but she raised an eyebrow. She turned to Matilda. "We're alright, Matilda. We've settled our differences last night." She grinned. Yes, there's a big difference last night. And that's between Nick as a man and she as a woman.

"Oh, last night, huh? Interesting." Matilda said. She turned to some papers in her table.

Xenia looked at Nick. He only shrugged and smiled to her. Since he became a man, he was more quiet and reserved. We'll talk later, she mouthed the words to him. Nick replied with a wink. Oh my. She wished he was as loud as before but he changed now.

"By the way, here's my birthday gift." Matilda handed her a piece of paper.

Xenia read it. "DNA test? With whom?"

"With your possible father. We have a family friend that has the same surname. I didn't pay much attention to your birth certificate. What's your father's name?"

"Lawrence Kiefer."

Matilda smiled. "We thought so, too. He's coming this weekend for a visit. Now, do you want that DNA test so that we can be sure that he's your missing family?"

Xenia could not reply. She's trembling. She's going to meet her father. It wasn't sure yet but it felt overwhelming to have this chance to finally meet her possible father. She felt Nick's hand on her back. He led her towards the nearby sofa. "Yes. What about my mother?"

Matilda looked at her through her glasses. "If Lawrence is your father, then I am your mother." The two stared at her as she laughed. Nick shakes his head. "Just joking. He's my crush. Anyway, I'm just trying to lighten things up."

"I'll sign this right away." Xenia went to fill up the form. "When can I go to the doctor to get my samples?"

"You can do that tomorrow. I'll go with you," Nick said.

Matilda didn't say anything. She watched the two exchanging looks. Something was going on between Nick and Xenia. For several years she spent in a fashion magazine, she learned to read body language. For her, it was essential in dealing with a superficial world filled mostly with pretentious people. So she tried to read and analyze people. And she's very sure that these two had sex last night. There was the unusual blush and glow in Xenia's face. And Nick, he was very attentive to everything that Xenia says or do. If he could only kiss the ground she walked on, he might probably would.

"You have a work tomorrow." Xenia protested.

"I can make a way."

Matilda pretended she didn't care as she continued writing in her notepad. The two continued to argue quietly.

"Okay, if that's what you really want," Xenia gave in.

"I'll cook later."

"You're staying over again?" Xenia asks. She only received a wink in reply. Matilda tried not to raise an eyebrow. Nick has been coming over to Xenia's place? For how long?

"I'm done. Let's go out for dinner." Matilda rose from her seat. "Nick's treat." She chuckled as she glanced at her nephew.

Xenia stood up too. "I'll just have a quick bite. I still have to go to the restaurant."

"Alright, come one, ladies," Nick takes her hand. That's when Matilda raised an eyebrow as the two walked ahead of her. What's going on? She's itching to know.



~~~



Xenia closed the door when she got home and searched for the switch but instead, she felt someone grabbed her.

"Aahh..."

"Hey, it's me," Nick chuckled.

Xenia hit him in the arm. "I hate you. Why are you here?" She asked in between kisses. Nick found her lips.

"I'm cooking, remember? I prepared Mexican."

"I love that," she moaned. "Wait, Nick. Wait..." She pushed him away. "Let's talk first." When he tried to kiss her again, she pushed him firmly. "Let's talk. Explain."

Nick stared at her. "What?"

"Why are you doing this? What is the meaning of this? Where's Julie? What about her?"

Nick drew a deep breath while he brushed her arms up and down. He held both of her hands. "I broke up with her that night. I don't want anyone treating you like that. I went here to apologize and while waiting, I came to a conclusion." He looked down to their hands and right back to her. "You knew that everything is still new for me, especially this. I like you a lot, Xenia. I want to do everything for you, anything to make you happy."

Xenia stared back at him. She could see how it took a lot for him to say those things. She saw his conviction to become what he wanted to be now. And he likes her, a lot. It may not be the same to the love that she has for him but she's fine with it. She will help him out to be the man that he wanted to be, guide him if needed to.

"What if you went gay again?"

"No. It will never happen."

Xenia raised an eyebrow.

"Believe me, Xenia. It won't." He stared at her face, into her eyes. He moved a hand to brush her hair aside. Then he cupped her face and kissed her. "Let me do things for you."

"Will you be my boyfriend?"

Nick smiled at her. Xenia felt special at that moment. She never wanted anything but to see his eyes being only meant for her. "Yes."

Xenia smiled back as she reached out to kiss his lips.



~~~



"How are you, sir?" Xenia asked. After submitting herself to several paternity tests in the hospital, she went to visit Nick's father, George, who is now confined. His health only improved for a while and then it became worst again. He religiously undergo therapies. He lost weight already. Nick has been worried lately of his father.

"Still alive," George replied with a chuckle.

"That's not a good joke, sir." Xenia shakes her head.

"I feel contented."

She knows what George means by that. Nick told her about the problems he had with his father before. And they know how happy he was when he heard that they were dating.

"Xenia?"

"Huh? Sorry, I spaced out," She turned to George.

"I hope you are Lawrence's daughter. Probably even before I die, I would see my best friend happy for finally finding his child."

"I hope so, too. I've been looking for my family for so long." Xenia replied. "It must have been wonderful to feel a father's love."

George smiled. "It's a wonderful feeling. So," he shifted his position and folded his arms across his chest, "how are you and Nick?"

"We're good." Is that an answer? "He's a very thoughtful and sweet man." And it makes me love him more, she added quietly to herself.

"Is he coming over today?"

"Yes. He said we'll be having dinner at the Ivy. We joked once about the celebrities who were eating there despite the fact it was always loomed with paparazzi. We thought of trying to eat there to check if it's the food or the media that the celebrities were after." They laughed. Xenia remembered Nick telling her that after they passed by the restaurant two days ago. They saw Lindsay Lohan being photographed but the young actress were trying to hide her face. It was ridiculous, Nick said with amusement. Lindsay should have gone to some restaurant without worrying about those paparazzi if she does not want her face to be taken for photos.

"Well, it's a mixture of both although I personally think that some were only after the media." George replied. "Even if the food is delicious, you will not appreciate it when you're bothered with the people surrounding you. That was what our restaurants boast for. We are exclusive."

"Who's exclusive?"

The two turned at Nick's arrival. He brought a packed meal for his father. "I made that. It's your dinner." He told his father. He looked at Xenia. "Hi, beauty." He placed a kiss on her lips.

"Hello, beast," Xenia chuckled. She traced his lips with her thumb. "You didn't bring anything for me?"

"I'm taking you out for dinner. Isn't that enough for you?" Nick grinned.

"Just when I told your dad that you're sweet and thoughtful," she shakes her head. They turned to George.

"How are you, Dad?" Nick asks him.

"I'm alright. We were just talking about your dinner tonight at the Ivy. Xenia is excited." George amusingly said. Nick rolled his eyes as he laughed.

"We're going to spy," Nick said with another laugh. They stayed for more than an hour. Nick talked to his father about what is going on in the business while Xenia only listened nearby. Sometimes, they would ask her insights on some matter. When the clock struck six in the evening, Nick and Xenia bid goodbye to George to go out for dinner.

"I received a call earlier," Nick said while driving.

"What is it about?" Xenia turned to him. She noticed his troubled expression. He didn't show it when they were in the hospital.

"Leighanne called and we'll be having a reunion, all six of us." Nick answered.

"So? That's great. You'll be seeing each other again. You haven't seen them since graduation, right?" Xenia brushed his arm lightly. "What's bothering you?"

Nick drew a deep breath. He glanced at her. "What if they don't accept me for what I am now?"

"Huh?" She stared at him. She reached out and kissed his cheeks and rested her head by Nick's seat.

"I'm worried that they may not accept me or laugh at me."

"They are your best friends. I'm sure they will understand you. You said that they've been very supportive and concerned of you back then. I know they won't change."

Nick stopped in the intersection. The traffic light is red. He turned to her. "You know a lot, huh?"

Xenia winked at him. They kissed.

"I will move in with you, Xenia. Is it okay if this weekend?" Nick asks her.

"You missed living with me," Xenia chuckled.

"Yes." Nick kissed her quickly and went back to driving.

"Lawrence Kiefer will be coming this weekend. I have to meet him." She says. "I wished I'd be able to meet my real family. Do you know him?"

"I call him Uncle Lawrence. He's Dad's best friend. As I was told, he's coming here because he wanted to see Dad and you." Nick replied. "He's a nice guy. Of course, I never met his wife. His wife and daughter was kidnapped when their baby was only less than a year old. Six months later, they were found dead but when he tested his child for DNA, it wasn't his."

"That's horrible!"

"Dad said that he was never the same again. He vowed to look for his child as long as he lives. Many years have passed, and there was you. We tried to put the link between you, hoping that this is it." Nick reached for her hand. He gripped it tight.

"I hope that this is it."

Nick stopped the car. They reached the Ivy. There were lots of paparazzi and tourists as well. "Oh, do you see that? Lots of people. Let's go somewhere quiet instead."

Xenia looked at the place. "Yes. Oh, I saw Ben." She smiled.

"Who's Ben?" Nick frowned.

"I met him last week at the restaurant. I was at the pastry counter. He told me how delicious my pastries are," Xenia smiled wider.

"So?"

Xenia turned to him. "Nothing. It's not everyday that a gorgeous guy would appreciate what I've done."

"And I'm not counted because...?"

"You're my boyfriend," she replied. Nick realized she's only teasing him. "Don't be jealous, Nick. You're the hottest among them. And just imagine about the amazing sex..."

Nick chuckled. "Alright, alright. I trust you. I don't trust them. I have the hottest chef as a girlfriend." He kissed her. "Come on, let's go." Nick drove away and took her to somewhere quiet instead.



>> 10

10

Nick took Xenia's hand as they went out of the church. He decided to take her there first for Sunday mass before going to his father's estate. They prayed for his father's battle and recovery against cancer and Xenia's quest to find her father, hoping that this time she doesn't have to look for one anymore.

Nick moved in yesterday. They were living together now. The first day started as if they were doing things as husband and wife. Xenia wondered when will that happen but Nick is not hinting anything about a more serious commitment. She decided to wait.

"Aunt Matilda, we'll be having breakfast there. We're on our way," Nick said to his aunt over the phone. He glanced at Xenia who has been quiet since they woke up this morning. She's probably nervous about what will be the turnout of events today.

"Are you alright?" Nick asks her after he ended the call with his aunt.

"I'm scared."

Nick reached out for her hand and kissed it. "At least you tried. If it didn't turn out the way we want it to be, we can go and look for another one. We can try and try until we find your real family."

Xenia drew a deep breath. "Pull over." She tells him.

"Huh?"

"Pull over," she repeated.

Nick followed her. He found a spot to stop temporarily. When he did, he turned to her. He was surprised when she kissed him suddenly on the lips. He kissed her back.

"I want you to know how I appreciate everything you've done to me, for boosting my morale and making me feel special." Xenia kissed him again.

"I like this," Nick smiled in between kisses. When they pulled apart, he went back to the road. "Don't worry, Xenia. I'm just here when you needed me to."

And Xenia felt she depended on Nick to assure that everything is going to be alright. After almost an hour of leisurely having breakfast, Nick invited her for a quick dip in the pool. Xenia assumed he is trying to ease her worries. Afterwards, they lounged in the gazebo, just sitting and doing nothing.

"Why isn't he here yet?" Xenia sighed. Matilda said that Lawrence had to finish a breakfast meeting first before going to the estate. "It's almost lunch. I don't know if I'll be able to eat with all that anticipation."

"Maybe you can take a nap for now while waiting," Nick suggested. "We woke up early and you still have a night shift later."

"I filed for leave. The restaurant is closed tomorrow anyway." Xenia replied. They turned when Matilda arrived with a man.

"This is Dr. Hartley," Matilda introduced the man with her. Nick and Xenia stood up. "While waiting for Lawrence, we will check on the DNA test result to know if he's your father, Xenia."

"I thought you're going to wait for me for that."

The voice of another man made them turn. A tall man, with gray hair yet still looking good, walked towards the gazebo. Matilda smiled.

"Well, I get tired of waiting. What took you so long?" She said.

"Hello to you, too, Matilda." The man kissed her on the cheeks. He turned to the doctor, shook his hands and then, to the couple.

"I would like to introduce to you, Lawrence Kiefer." Matilda said. "And Lawrence, this is Nick, as you know, and his girlfriend, and hopefully your daughter, Xenia Kiefer."

Lawrence shook hands with Nick and Xenia. "I was already told about how you came to Italy. God, you looked so much like your mother."

"Do I?" Xenia's eyes grew misty with tears.

"Well, it seems like it," Dr. Hartley cleared his throat. "Even if I haven't told you the results yet, you seemed to already know the outcome." Everyone turned to him. "According to the tests, you are 99 percent matched. Xenia, you finally found your father."

Xenia turned to Nick, who gave her an encouraging nod. She kissed him. "I love you," she tells him and then, turned to her father. There were tears in their eyes. Her father wiped hers away.

"Sweetheart..."

"Daddy..."

Lawrence could not help himself now. He cried as he gently pulled his daughter for an embrace.



~~~



Nick watched, from the gazebo where he is, Xenia and his father walking on the estate grounds. After the revelation, the two took time to get to know each other more. He was left behind, watching them from time to time while he was in front of his laptop and studying some reports for Monday's board meeting.

"Have you ever told her that you love her?" There came his aunt's question.

Nick glanced at his Aunt Matilda. He only smiled.

"Well?"

Nick drew a deep breath. "Well, no. I like her very much. I don't know if this is love. Do you think it is love, auntie?" Ever since, she has been his confidante.

"I don't know. What is she to you, anyway? A friend, a lover? What?"

Nick glanced to where Xenia is. His heart beats fast even with just the thought of her. He always longed to see her face and feel her touch. She can always make things bright for him, with just a few words, a single touch and a sincere smile. She inspired him in so many ways.

"You don't have to be afraid of anything. You already know your score. What's holding you back?" Matilda asks him.

Worry crossed Nick's face. "I want to get a wonderful moment to tell it to her but I'm afraid. What if she won't trust me, that I might go back to being gay again?"

"Will you?"

"No." Nick drew a deep breath. "It's the past. I don't regret it but I won't become the way I used to be. I fell in love with a woman and it is a wonderful feeling. I don't want to lose her. I can't imagine myself without her now."

"Just tell her, Nick. I bet she's only waiting for you to do that."

Nick only nodded.

Matilda silently watched her nephew. In her mind, something's nagging her to tell Nick about the conspiracy that his father did with Dr. Ken Froilan. She felt guilty. Nick has to know about the event that led to his confusion and to his realization that he wanted to convert. She bit her lower lip. She didn't have to tell her brother about this. She only hoped that Nick would forgive them.

"Uh, Nick. There's something I have to tell you..."



~~~



"Your mother was a very wonderful woman. She always made me laugh, a good listener and she was a good storyteller." Lawrence tells Xenia. She asked her father about her mother.

"Does she had any brothers or sisters?"

"She has a sister and a brother. I'll call them later to tell that you're back," Lawrence kissed the top of her head. "I missed you, baby." There were tears in his eyes again. "I wasn't able to see you grow up, in your pigtails, pick you up from school, see you graduate in school or ward off any of your bofriends."

"We have a lifetime now to make up for anything, Papa." Xenia hugged him. "I missed you, too. I longed to feel this, be belonged in a father's embrace. I always longed for my family."

Lawrence smoothed her back. "Have you ever found out who sent you to school?"

Xenia shakes her head. "It was weird, in a way. I wasn't the only one who was granted with an educational support. There were five of us." She already told him how she grew up in Italy. "Why did you add Madrid on my name, Dad?"

Lawrence smiled in nostalgia. "I met your mother in Madrid. She was a runaway, so do I, at that time. We were rebellious back then. We got separated in a annual festival. There was a big parade. I wasn't able to get her address but I knew her name. When I got home, I looked for her. I found her after college graduation."

"So, I'm the total opposite of what you have been," she chuckled. "The only thing I felt rebellious was out of frustration from Nick."

"You've known each other for a very long time, huh?"

"I love him, even when he's still gay, Dad."

Lawrence glanced at the gazebo where he saw Nick talking with his aunt. "You changed him. He's a different person from the last time I saw him. Are you planning to get married?"

Xenia shrugged. "I don't know if he'd like that."

"What if he asks you?"

"I will say yes in an instant."

Lawrence hugged his daughter again. "Honestly, I would like to have you by myself first. I don't want you to get married immediately. We just met again. I don't think I'm ready to give my daughter away that easy."

"We can always prolong the engagement." Xenia looked at her father. She wanted to spend more time with him as well, as a single woman that is. She wanted to do things that fathers and daughters were bonded to do. "Nick will understand that."

"Is he?"

Xenia nodded. "I have a great trust in him, Dad."

They turned when they caught Nick hurriedly walked away from the gazebo, his face is furious.



>> 11

11

Nick opened the door to his father's suite in the hospital. When he saw his father's condition, tears started streaming down his face. His aunt already told him about his father's plan that involved Dr. Froilan.

"I thought you accepted me already..." He couldn't help but cry. He didn't want to be mad at his father but he didn't want to just let that thing pass. It hurt to know that his father had to set him up and made him confused on his sexuality. It was hard and embarassing for him. It tortured him. Although there was a good outcome, it still angered him that it had to happen. That particular situation was manipulated by his father.

He saw his father slowly waking up. "Nick? Why are you crying?"

Nick wiped his tears. He stared at his father. "Aunt Matilda told me about the conspiracy you had with Dr. Froilan." He said without preamble.

George opened his mouth in surprise.

"Why?" Nick asked him.

"I'm sorry, Nick."

"I don't know what to feel. You don't trust me. You don't appreciate me. You were never happy for me. You lied to me."

Tears fell from his father's eyes. "I'm sorry, son."

"Are you, really?"

George took a while to speak. He's weak. It's been an exhausting week, from all those therapies that he had. "I was sincere and happy when I told you that I finally had you back here in the US. I missed you so much. But I also admit that there was still a feeling in me that you can be straight, after I saw the way you had a friendship with Xenia. Dr. Froilan helped me."

"Whatever your reason is, it's still not right, Dad. It hurt me so much to learn of this. I'd like to hate you but I can't." Nick didn't want to say anything more. He might not be able to control what he will say. Instead, he turned and left the suite.



~~~



Xenia gave up when she cannot reach Nick on his mobile phone. She was told that he got mad when he learned something that his father does to him. Matilda told her the whole story. Nick's aunt is crying inside now and her father is trying to calm her. She, on the other hand, decided to look for Nick. She went to the hospital but the staff told her that he came for a while but leave immediately. George was sleeping so she didn't disturb him.

She also went to the condo but he's not there. She tried to look for any of the restaurants they have been to but he's nowhere to be found.

She went home by two in the afternoon. She had lunch. Nick has not arrived yet. She went outside and sat on the front steps. The weather is starting to go bad. She could see the dark clouds coming.

"Where are you?" She asks. "Why don't you let me be a part of what you're going through?"

An hour passed. The butler came out a few minutes ago and advised her to go inside. The clouds continued to go dark. Black skies are looming overhead. It will surely rain any minute by now. But she stayed. She waited for Nick.

Xenia buried her face in her hands. Where is Nick?

And then there came the rain. Large raindrops fell on her. She didn't notice a vehicle stopping in front of her as she tried to wash off the water from her face. She looked up when someone put an umbrella over her.

"Nick!"

"I'm sorry."

Xenia stood up and held his hand. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you. Matilda told me what happened. I've searched everywhere. I even went to the hospital, found your dad resting then left."

"I drove around and think. Then I went back to Dad and forgave him," Nick answered. "I'm afraid, Xenia, but I guess I should give this a try."

"What are you afraid of? Why?" Nick takes off his jacket and puts it on her.

"You might not trust me to be the man who can take care of you, love you. Xenia, I'm not going back to back what I was before. That's for sure."

Xenia shakes her head. "I'm not thinking about that. The only important thing for me is that you're here, we're together... Wait, you said you love me?" She smiled despite the tears that fell down her cheeks.

Nick kissed her. "I love you, Xenia."

Xenia kissed him again. "I've waited so long to hear that. I love you, too."

Nick chuckled. "I've never felt so happy like this, and so peaceful. Oh, Xenia. I thank God for having you in my life. I love you." They kissed again. It lasted for a while and it doesn't matter if despite the umbrella that Nick is holding, they are wet already. Nick pulled back. "I also took the time to do some shopping."

"Huh?" Xenia looked up to him. Her arms were around him.

Nick took something from his pocket. He opened the velvet case and showed her a blue-and-red diamond ring. "We already started living together. I guess, God's blessings are all we need now to make our relationship stronger. Will you take me as your husband? Will you marry me, Xenia?"

Xenia stared at Nick. "Yes!" She replied, full of conviction. "Yes!" She hugged him. She looked up when Nick threw the umbrella aside.

"Isn't this more romantic?" Nick chuckled. "Getting all wet while proposing..." He placed a long and lingering lips on her lips.

Xenia laughed. She pulled him and they ran across the driveway, towards the estate grounds, the rain came pouring over them.



>> Brian & Leighanne ... Part 6

Part 6





>> 1