Agad kumunot ang noo ko, humakbang ako papasok habang itinabi naman ni Mile ang isang sirang bangko na nakaharang sa daan.

"Ano 'to?" Taka kong tanong, naglilibot ng tingin.

"Well... uhm... it's our place— me, kuya Franz and Kuya Dev, we only get to come here. Sabi nga ni kuya Dev, makakapasok lang dito ang Altairavez ang surname." sagot niya at utay-utay akong tumango habang naglalakad-lakad at inuusisa ang paligid.

"Bakit mo 'ko dinala dito? Hindi naman Altairavez ang apelyido ko." Tanong ko rito, kumunot pa ang noo ko nang mapansin na nakasulat sa pader ang pangalan ni ate Gio. Nakalagay dito ang edad, birthday at kahit address niya.

"Well... because kuya Dev and kuya Franz already graduated. Hindi kita madala dito last year dahil madalas pa rito si kuya Franz. Now, graduate na sila both and ako nalang ang pwedeng pumunta rito. And I choose to bring you with me." he replied and I slowly nod.

When I faced him back, he was standing awkwardly few meters away from me, both his hands inside his pocket, "Plus... we'll get there naman, diba?" He asked, which made my brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?' I confusedly ask.

He shrugged, "You know... Pollyn Altairavez?"

I felt my cheeks heat up the moment I realized what he meant. The moment I realized what he was pertaining too, I felt like I froze and a cold water bucket was just poured into me.

"Ah... you meant... us getting married?" I asked and he nod, bitting down his lower lip.

A smile grew on my lips before letting out a sigh. I took steps closer to him until we're half a meter apart from each other.

"What do you see yourself in the future? What's your plan? For us?" I asked, looking directly into his eyes.

His eyes widened, forming into a doe shape like a surprised little kid.

"Uhm... we're gonna get married." He replied and I hum, giving him slow nods while fixing the collar of his polo shirt.

I hummed, "And when is that?" I asked in a flirtatious tone. I looked directly into his eyes, I saw how his cheeks turned a light shade of red. He pursed his lips, followed by his teeth burying on his lower lip.

"After graduation...?" I choked on mg saliva. I broke the eye contact, held on his shoulder to support my weight as I broke into small giggles.

"After graduation!? So... next year!?" I wasn't trying to sound teasing nor make him feel bad. But his answer really surprised me.

He smiled before nodding, "Why? Ayaw mo ba?" He asked and I immediately shook my head. "Gusto ko naman, gusto ko." Sagot ko rito, nagpipigil ng tawa.

I was feeling intimate and heated awhile ago, but it was replaced by aflutter and meltsome emotion.

He picked up two arm chairs that looks the most sturdy among the broken ones inside the classroom. With the tissues that came with our food, he wiped the dust of from it before we both settled and ate our lunch.

I wasn't expecting it would our new hang out place. Every lunch or every time we have an opportunity, he would bring me there and would eat snacks or our lunch.

Since there's just the two of us there, the sudden change of environment, the sudden quietness and roomier, it feels strange and new. At least, no more glances and rolling of eyes at me that comes from the girls, but still, I must admit that I miss that noise and crowd of the canteen.

Half of the first semester, we already started working on our final thesis, as expected, me and Mile were in the same group, together with another girl and another guy.

Finishing half of it was our final requirement for the first semester. When the second semester started, it was time for our internship. Our Dean suggested for me to take my internship in our company but I immediately decline the idea as I do not want to be there, worried I might receive a special treatment.

Mile was supposed to take his at their company, but when he heard that I refused to take my internship in our own company, he also refused to take his at their company.

"I wanted to be with you." He pouted, we're now in their hang out place, our prof will release the institutions where we will take our internship after lunch and Mile had been chanting since morning that he wanted to be assigned in the same place as me.

I chuckled, finding him cute, he even have a smudge of the sauce in the side of his lips that I wiped using my thumb.

"Hindi pa tayo sure, let's wait for the list nalang." I replied, I tapped on his nose that he soon scrunched.

"What if hindi tayo magkasama? Mami-miss mo 'ko." Napasinghal ako sa kaniyang tinuran bago nagpakawala ng isang hagalpak.

"Wow ha! Feeling ka! Paano ka nakakasigurado na mami-miss kita?" Pagtataray ko rito,

Muli itong ngumuso, "I'll miss you eh, hindi mo ba ako nami-miss?" Nagpa-cute pa ito na ikinatawa ko nang bahagya.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo," pabiro kong inilayo ang mukha niyang nakaliyad sa akin.

Nang mag vibrate ang cellphone ko ay agad kong tiningnan kung sino ang nag message.

"May list na raw, nasa hallway na!" Napatayo ako mula sa bangko.

Kagaya ni Mile ay parehas kaming nagmadaling inayos ang mga gamit bago umalis ng classroom.

Nang dumating kami sa hallway ay nagkakagulo na ang mga tao sa hallway. Nakipagsisikan pa kami ni Mile para lang makita ang lista. It took us around three minutes before finally reaching the bulletin board.

"What!?" Narinig ko itong napasigaw.

Hinahanap ko palang ang pangalan naming dalawa pero mukhang nauna na siyang makakita nito. Dahil nasisiksik na rin kami ay hinawakan ako nito sa tagiliran bago hinigit paalis ng karamihan.

"Nakita mo? Saan tayo? Magkasama tayo?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong rito.

Pumameywang ito bago bumuntong hininga, "Nakakainis," bulong nito, nakakunot ang noo at nakanguso.

Napakunot din tuloy ang noo ko, "What do you mean? Bakit nakakainis?" Tanong ko rito,

Pumadyak ito sa sahig, "You're assigned in Palmer Incorporation, I'm assigned in Salazar Group." Pagmamaktol nito, natawa ako nang bahagya pero nakakunot ang noo ko. 

"It's okay, magkikita pa rin naman tayo, eh." I tried to console him. 

He tutted, "Kahit na, I want to be with you always." he scoffed, I smiled and wiped the slight sweat on his forehead using my palm. "Wala tayong magagawa, doon tayo naka-assign, eh. Pero don't worry na, we will see each other pa rin naman. We'll still go on dates kahit magkalayo tayo." I gave him an assuring smile. 

Between the chaos and students pushing each other to see the bulletin board, I leaned closer towards Mile and gave him a peck on the lips. It was quick and a light kiss, muntikan pa ngang hindi dumampi ang labi ko.

His eyes widened, I smiled at his reaction before grabbing his hand, walking away from the students. 

Nang magsimula ang internship namin ay kabado ako, lalo pa at ni minsan at hindi ako nagawi sa kumpanyang ito. Naririnig ko paminsan-minsan noon ang apelyidong Palmer lalo na tuwing may company party sila dad, iyon nga lang ay hindi talaga ako interesado.

Mile badly wanted to send me off to my workplace for the first day, but how? He has his driver that will send him to the Salazar group and I have my own car to go to Palmer Incorporation. It made him so upset.

I was told to use my phone only on important times, which means, I couldn't answer nor reply to Mile's messages during shift. Tuwing break ko lang nabibisita ang cellphone ko at na re-reply-an ang mga message niya.

[I miss you so bad!!] I laughed at Mile's expression on the screen.

"Chill, four days palang tayong hindi nagkikita, miss mo na agad ako?" I tease, he pouted before nodding.

[Matagal na yung four days, okay? Nanghihina na ako!!] He dramatically said, laying down on his back, placing his hand on his chest.

"Si OA! Friday na bukas, let's see each other after our shift." I said, he immediately lay back on his stomach, his eyes wide like a puppy.

[Okay! I'll look forward to it!] He excitedly said which made me smile followed by a yawn.

"I'll sleep na, goodnight Mile, see you tomorrow!" I bid my goodnight, he smiled, bid his goodnight before I ended the call.

"Here are the paper works ma'am." I placed down the pile of papers my supervisor asked me to photocopy.

"Thank you, Pol, rest ka muna diyan." She said, not even glancing at me as she's too focused on her computer.

I sat down on the sofa where I usually stay. I envy some of my schoolmates who have their own table. I only have a small sofa and a coffee table as my work station.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket, checked Mile's messages and replied to all of it.

"Mr. Palmer...! What brought you here?" Narinig kong gulat at tarantang turan ng supervisor ko.

Nag-angat ako ng ulo at napalingon sa gawi ng pinto na katabi ko lang. Doon ay nakatayo ang sinasabing ka-uupong CEO ng kumpanya.

Agad akong napatayo, inayos ang mini skirt ko bago bumati rito, "Good morning sir," My voice almost cracked.

This is the first time seeing the boss. Marami akong naririnig na nakakatakot daw ito, masungit at may pagka-matapopbre. At higit sa lahat, may tinakbuhan daw itong responsibilidad.

"Sino 'to?" Turo sa akin, may halong inis pa ang boses.

"Intern po natin 'yan, sir. She's from Al Te Valle univ--" Nanlaki ang mata ko nang itaas ng boss ang kamay nito sa mukha mismo ng supervisor ko.

"Al Te Valle?" he scoffed,

"So you know...  the three Altairavez?" He asked, a smirk printed on his lips.

I slowly nod, "Yes sir, I know them." I hesitantly replied.

He slowly nod, putting both his hands in his pockets, "Sino sa kanila? Close ka?" He asked, my brows furrowed a bit.

I know the business industry, marami ang magkaka-away o di naman kaya ay may mga hidwaan ang mga may-ari ng bawat kumpanya. Sa tono palang ng pananalita nito, alam ko na ang pakay ng isang 'to.

Umiling ako, "Wala po akong ka-close sa kanila." Sagot ko rito, tumaas ang isa nitong kilay bago tumango.

"She's the daughter of Mr. Salvatierra, sir. The one supplying us our machines." Sabat bigla ng supervisor ko.

My eyes grew wide, looked at my supervisor then to Mr. Palmer who seemed intrigued of what he just heard.

"Oh really? That's nice."

It wasn't nice. I know it wasn't. The tone of his voice, the way he looked up and down at me, it is surely, not nice.

He gave me a smile, "See you around, miss Salvatierra." he turned his back at me. That's the time I get to sigh and roll my eyes.

"Dito ka lang, mukhang may kailangan si sir." Bilin sa akin ng supervisor ko. I flashed a smile before nodding as I watch her follow him.

I flopped down on the sofa once the door closed. I pulled my phone and scrolled through my social media as I wait for time to pass.

When it was finally 5PM, I happily packed my belongings, clocked out and went straight to the parking.

I was about to hop in my car when someone honked at me, my brows furrowed, glance at my back to see a black BMW pulling up.

The windows rolled down, my eyes widened seeing Mr. Palmer.

"Miss Salvatierra, going home?" He asked,

I immediately nod, "Yes sir, may... kailangan po ba kayo?" I asked, I saw how he bit his lower lip which almost made me arch a brow.

"Wala naman, see you tomorrow." He said and was about to roll his windows up when I spoke.

"Wala po ako bukas sir. My shift is only from Monday to Friday." I said, he glanced back at me and smiled.

"See you on Monday then." He said before driving off.

I just sighed, rolled my eyes and went inside my car.

I arrived five minutes late on our meeting place. Mile already reserved a table and ordered our usuals.

"You seem so tired, masyado bang busy sa Palmer?" He asked as I sat down across him.

I pouted, placed my bag on the table and nod. "Medyo, plus, I photocopied around 11 files today, nakakapagod!" I whispered shouted which made him chuckle a bit.

He reached for my hand on the table and gave me a smile, "Rest tomorrow, I missed you so much and badly want to hang out with you tomorrow but you deserve to rest." he softly said.

As if all the exhaustion in my body disappeared. A smile prints on my lips before nodding, holding onto his hands and giving it a slight squeeze.

"Thank you, how 'bout you? How's your day?" I asked, he then smiled, let go of my hands to fix his glasses.

"Mine is pretty good. Kilala nila akong lahat, they always offer me food. Ang ginagawa ko lang ay mag check ng temperature sa room, minsan may ipinapadala sa 'kin na papers or minsan pinapag-observe ng meeting." He answered. Bahagya akong natawa lalo na't alam kong pinapaboran siya dahil isa siyang Altairavez.

"The old ladies and titas in our department are nice sa akin. They always look after me and give me foods." He added which made me chuckle.

"Kahit sa matatanda matitinik ka sa babae." Ani ko,

Kumunot ang noo niya, "Ha?" Taka nitong tanong, dumating na ang waiter dala ang mga orders namin kaya naman napa-iling nalang ako. "Wala, let's eat? I'm hungry." I said and he nodded.

While eating, he kept on talking about his day and week. Kahit gaano siya kadaldal sa chats at sa call namin tuwing gabi ay may mga hindi pa rin pala siya naike-kwento.

Dahil medyo gutom na gutom na rin ako at pagod, pinapakinggan ko nalang siyang magkwento. Paminsan-minsan ay may comment ako sa sinasabi niya pero halos buong oras na kumakain kami at nagkekwento siya ay tango lang ako nang tango habang kumakain.

Just like what he suggested, I rested the whole Satruday. I even had a slight fever due to the always cold temperature in the office and the clothes I'm wearing is not enough to suppress the cold.

When Sunday came, Mile had some errands to take and had things to do in their company so we did not get the chance to see each. But before the sun sets, he brought me food and medicines.

"Pagaling okay? Monday nanaman bukas." He gave my hand a slight squeeze. We're now outside the gate and his driver is waiting for him in their car.

I nod, giving him an assuring smile. "I will, gosh, I hate Mondays!" I nagged which made him giggle.

"You hate the whole week." He joked which made me chuckle.

He bid his goodbye and I watch him leave while waving like a kid.

Gladly, my fever went down the next day. I always just bring a water bottle with me and brought medicines in the office.

My slight fever continued for few more days. Hindi ko nalang namamalayan na gumagaling na pala ako at nawawala na ang bigat ng katawan.

"Pollyn," napa-angat ako ng tingin sa supervisor ko.

"Yes ma'am?" Sagot ko rito,

"Pinapasama ka ni Mr. Palmer sa meeting." Ani nito na ikinakunot ko ng noo.

"Bakit daw po?" Taka kong tanong,

Nagkibit-balikat ito, "Hindi sinabi, pero para na rin siguro makapag observe ka." Sagot nito at tumango ako. Tumayo na ako, inayos ang gamit at sumunod kay ma'am sa meeting room. 

Pagdating ko roon ay nakita ko sa isang tabi ang ibang intern. Kumaway pa ito sa akin at ikinuha ako ng isa sa mga blockmates kong lalaki ng bangko para tumabi sa kanila. 

"Miss Pollyn, sit with us." Paupo na sana ako nang biglang magsalita si Mr. Palmer. Lahat ng member ng board ay napatingin sa akin, ang mga blockmates ko ay gulat na gulat akong tiningnan. 

"P-Po?" I stuttered, not because I am scared but because I am confused. 

Mr. Palmer smiled at me, "Sit, here, next to your supervisor." he pointed at the chair on his right. 

My eyes grew wide, that chair is for someone who's in a high position. Why would he want me there? 

"Our COO is not with us today anyway, so why don't you seat with us so you'll hear things clearly?" he added, I saw my supervisor signalled me to come with hint of rush in her eyes. 

I hurriedly stood up, walked towards the chair and sat where Mr. Palmer told me to. 

He gave me a smile which I shyly returned. 

Throughout the whole meeting, I was listening carefully, I was even taking down notes just like what my supervisor told me. 

From time to time, I would lock eyes with Mr. Palmer which would make me panic and immediately switch direction and look back at the presentation. 

I was amazed on how Mr. Palmer would ask question, explain things even though he wasn't the one presenting. He sounds so confident and full of pride while talking. He looks young to be a CEO but he's so well spoken and versed in what he's doing. 

"That's all sir," the presenter smiled. Mr. Palmer gave him a nod, "Everyone, please give a round of applause for Mr. Reyes." Everyone clapped at Mr. Palmer's command. 

After few more minutes of discussion, the meeting wrapped up. I was fixing my things, putting back my pen and notebook in my bag when Mr. Palmer approached me. 

"Miss Pollyn, how was it? How was the meeting?" he asked, crossing both his arms in front of his chest. 

I smiled, "It was nice, sir. I was impressed on how you speak throughout the whole meeting even though you're not the one presenting. Parang bihasang-bihasa kana po sa pagiging CEO." I complimented, he smiled, chuckled a bit before nodding. 

"Salamat, I hope I inspired you a bit. I know you'll be a great CEO on your own company in the future." he said which made me chuckle shyly.

"Sana nga po sir," I said in a hummorous tone which made us both laugh. 

He invited everyone, including the intern for a little feast. Hindi na ako nagtagal doon at umuwi na rin pagkatapos. Hindi ko na nagawa pang maghapunan sa bahay dahil sa sobrang busog. Habang gumagawa ng mga ibinigay sa aking gawain ng supervisor ko, magka-videocall kami ni Mile habang siya'y may ginagawa rin. 

Habang tumatagal ang internship, mas nagagamay ko ang mga gawain sa kumpanya. Nagiging pamilyar na ako sa mga papeles, sa mga meetings, sa mga events at gawain. Mas marami pa akong natutunan dito kaysa sa sarili naming kumpanya. 

"Pogi ni sir 'no?" Kwento ni May na isa kong blockmate, andito kami ngayon sa pantry ng department dahil breaktime. 

"Medyo masungit lang pero pogi naman siya kahit masungit." Sagot ni Dio, blockmate ko rin, napataas ang isa kong kilay habang hinihintay na matapos ang kape ko. 

"Hindi naman siya masungit." Sabat ko rito bago kinuha ang mug at sumandal sa countertop. 

Napa-ismid si May, "Oo kaya, may pagkamasungit siya. Noong minsan, sinigawan niya yung supervisor ko, grabe, nakakaawa."  Napa-iling pa ito bago napasaltik ng dila. 

Napa-ismid ako bago sumimsim ng kape, "Mukha naman siyang mabait." ani ko rito.

"Alam niyo ba, may kinwento sa 'kin supervisor ko." Pare-parehas kaming napalingon kay May. Kahit ang mga kasama naming lalaki ay napalapit. 

"May tinakbuhan daw na anak si sir. Nakabuntis daw 'yan noong college. Party boy at play boy raw kasi 'yan." Pagkekwento nito. Bahagyang napakunot ang noo ko nang may ma-alala. 

"Teka," napalingon sila sa akin. 

"Oo nga! Siya nga yun!" May na-alala ako bigla. 

"Alin? Sino?" Takang tanong ni Dio, 

Napapitik ako ng daliri, "I've been in one of his parties way back first year. Oo, party guy nga siya. I don't remember much specially I stopped going in parties din naman pero na-alala ko na siya." Pagkekwento ko sa mga ito. 

"Pero grabe yung tinakbuhan niyang anak. Siguro hindi rin niya bet yung babae kaya di niya pinanagutan." ani ni May. Biglang nag message sa akin ang supervisor ko dahil may ipapagawa sa akin. 

"Anumang dahilan kung bakit hindi niya pinanagutan, mali siya na tinakbuhan yung responsibilidad niya." ani ko bago naglakad paalis ng pantry. 

Pakiramdam ko ay nalulunod na ako sa trabaho. Kahit intern palang ako ay parang ayaw ko nang tumuloy sa pagiging boss. Hindi ko rin naman masisi ang supervisor ko sa mga ibinibigay niya sa aking gawain dahil maski siya ay punong-puno rin ng papeles ang kaniyang lamesa. 

Lagi ko rin itong pinagmamaktulan kay Mile. Tuwing gabi na magkaka-usap kami ay ito ang bukang bibig ko. Kung gaano ako kapagod sa kumpanya kahit hindi pa ako empleyado. 

[Relax, once you're the CEO, you don't have to do all the paperworks. You're doing employee workload kasi, CEO doesn't do all those things but they get stressed over other things.] Paliwanag sa akin nito, napanguso ako bago bumuntong hininga. 

"I miss you na, Mile..." bulong ko rito, nakasubsob sa lamesa, naiipit ang pisnge sa aking braso. 

Mile smiled, [Date tomorrow? I'll pick you up, 'wag kana magdala ng car.] he softly said, a smile immediately grew on my lips. I sat up straight and gave him a nod. 

"Sige! I'll wait for you tomorrow!" I excitedly said. 

Even though there was a lot of things I had to do and finish in the company, I had a smile printed on my lips the whole day. Just the thought of seeing Mile today excites me. Paano pa kaya kapag nakita ko na siya mamaya? Baka tumalon ang puso ko palabas ng dibdib ko. 

"Pollyn, it's pass 5 na, tama na 'yan at umuwi kana." Sita sa akin ng supersvisor ko. Nilingon ko ang orasan sa office niya at nakitang 5:13 na. Agad kong pinatay ang laptop ko, inayos ang mga gamit ko at umalis ng opisina. 

I was waiting at the front parking lot of the company. I was standing by the exit of the parking lot when a familiar black car stopped in front of me. 

"Miss Pollyn, wala yata ang sasakyan mo today?" Mr. Palmer said as he rolled down the window of his car. 

"Ahh, yes po sir, kasi po--"

"Hop in, I'll send you home." he cut me off, my lips parted for few seconds before flashing a shy smile. 

"Hindi na po sir, susunduin po kasi ako ng boyfriend ko today, may date po kami." sagot ko rito. Nakita ko kung paano nagparte ang labi nito at gumuhit ang gulat sa mukha. 

"You have a boyfriend?" tanong nito at tumango ako, "Yes sir, he should be here in-- ah, andiyan na siya!" Kinawayan ko ang puting Alphard nila Mile. 

Bumukas ang pinto nito at lumabas si Mile ng sasakyan, nagbalik ako ng tingin kay sir na may ngiti sa labi na agad ding napawi nang makita na masama ang tingin nito kay Mile. 

He smirked, "So... your boyfriend is an Altairavez? What a coincidence." 

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a/n: if you read AS2: Fierce, you'll know this Mr. Palmer mwheheheh, btw HAHAHAH ang sponty na makikilala siya ni Pollyn aaaaaaa, pero it leads me to an idea for the plot hehehe