"Boyfriend ko..." It seems that I got a bit dizzy when Laura said that. My brows furrowed and I squint my eyes as I stare closely at Laura. 

"Gago seryoso?!" Gulat na tanong ni Gwen habang nakatakip ang kamay sa kaniyang bibig. 

Laura slowly nods, "Yes, seryoso ako." She replied while looking down. As much as I don't want to interfere with her relationship or love life. We're already here talking about it. And I am also invested about it. Laura? In a relationship? She barely, barely! Talk about relationship, she's someone who seems very uninterested towards it and also seems naive about love, that's why finding out she's in  a relationship surprises me. But I am happy for her of course. I am happy for her that she's in a relationship, I know she's in love and happy in her relationship. Any of my friend's happiness is my happiness also. 

She begun telling the story of how the two of them met. She ask us first if we remember the time her dad told her that he will pick her up but he didn't. Of course I don't remember that. I have a very short term memory, and counting all the times her dad didn't pick her up even though he said he will from elementary to high school? My fingers are not enough to count them. Her dad does it every time, telling her he will pick her up but in the end, he won't be able to make it. 

We are listening carefully to our friend's story, we look like kids listening obediently to some stories. It is really intriguing, specially she's the first one among of us to get into a relationship, or is she? 

While listening to her story, it crossed my mind that what if someone else among us six is in a relationship besides Laura. If Laura was able to hide it for four months... then someone else can too. 

"Takte bitin." I said as Laura stopped telling the story and proceed on laying down. We were just asking if after they meet what happened next?! Then she really said we have to sleep because we have to go somewhere tomorrow, unfair! Ali knows! Why can't we?!

"What time is it?!" My eyes shot open as I hear an ambulance siren right beside my ears, I sat up and look around with wide eyes. 

"5:56am. We need to go by 7:30am." Laura replied, I nod and stand up and go to my luggage as I get the clothes I'll be wearing today and proceed to take a shower in the bathroom. Since I will be a case of delay if I take a long shower, I just took a quick one and head back to her room once I am done showering. 

Inayusan muna si Laura at siyempre inayos na rin namin ang aming mga sarili. Hindi naman pala ako naging cause of delay. Mabilis lang din kaming kumain dahil may hinahabol kami na oras. And before the clock strikes 7:30, we're already in front of the building. 

We even got the time to joke around and circle around Laura and pretend like her bodyguard. She is beyond confused at the moment. 

When we reached a door and Laura's manager welcomed us, Laura told us to get inside. But we're not models here, she's basically the important person here, we need not to get inside. 

"Dito nalang kami. Hintayin ka namin." Ali said and I slightly nod to agree. Soon Laura is inside the room and us five are left outside. 

"Ang daya ni Laura at Ali, ang lakas mang gatekeep ng information about love life niya." Gwen said as she sit down on the floor, Ali giggled as she went on my other side and sit down and soon I sat beside her. 

"Ang secretive niyo naman bestie." Gwen added with a slight pout on her lips. 

Ali chuckled, "Gaga, hindi 'yon secretive, siguro gusto lang talaga ni Laura na maging private. Lowkey relationship ganun." Ali replied and Gwen scoffed. 

"Ah basta, ang daya pa rin." she said before crossing her arms in front of her chest and her pout being more pointy. 

"Pero alam niyo..." Their heads look at my direction. 

"Hindi sa pinag o-overthink ko kayo ha, pero what if hindi lang si Laura ang may jowa sa atin? What if may iba pala sa atin na may boyfriend or girlfriend pero hindi lang nagsasabi?" I added and Tobi gasp, 

"Oh my Gosh! Friendship over when?" Tobi exclaimed making Jax burst out laughing. 

"Siraulo ka talaga Tobi!" Jax exclaimed in the middle of her laughter. 

Then suddenly Gwen gasp, "Oh my God! Lory ha!! Ikaw ha!!" she said with a teasing smile, y eyes widened as I immediately got what she means. 

"But I am not saying na ako ang may boyfriend!-"

"Uy!! In-denial! Sis ha! Ikaw ha!" Gwen cut me off as she proceed on teasing me. 

"Lory ha! Ikaw ha! Baka naman gusto mo na sunod mag kwento?" Jax teased and a disgusted expression appeared on my face. 

"EW! Wala akong boyfriend kaya wala akong ike-kwento sa inyo!" I exclaimed, Tobi, Gwen and Jax burst out laughing. 

"Ay... ay... Oh my God may na-alala ako." Our heads snap at Ali's direction. She have this teasing smirk on her lips which made her brows furrowed. 

"What?" I asked but her grin widened. 

"Oh my God kayong dalawa! Pati kayo may gine-gatekeep?!" Gwen exclaimed and my head snap at them three. 

"Halika kayo mga anak! Huwag tayo sa dalawang 'yan! Masyadong mapaglihim!" Gwen exclaimed before hugging both Jax and Tobi making the two burst out laughing. 

The door suddenly burst open making the five of us stand up form sitting on the cold, tiled floor. 

Laura's manager ask us if we want to go with them in the dermatologist, and for me, it's a no. It'll be just awkward for us there. And besides, we have no business in that place. Gladly Ali spoke for us and declined what she said. I'm sure the others also don't want to go. 

"Wag na, no need, mag ma-mall nalang kami." I replied when Laura ask why, her frown is so visible on her face. 

Laura nods and Jax bid a goodbye to them two as we walk away. 

"Hayaan niyo na si Lory at Ali sa mall, iwan natin 'yang dalawang 'yan, hmmp!" Gwen exclaimed and Jax immediately burst out laughing.  

Nag jeep kami papunta sa pinakamalapit na mall na alam ko. Taxi didn't became their option kasi mahal daw, willing naman akong i-libre sila pero huwag na daw. Pagtigil ng jeep sa tapat ng mall ay agad kaming bumaba, but of course we already paid. We entered the mall and I sigh in  relief as I felt the chill inside the mall. It was so hot in the jeepney awhile ago, it was full of poluttion and smoke. Ganito ba talaga ka polluted sa Manila? It's just 8am and yet there's already a lot of vehicles. 

Now I know why tito Thiago would rather live in Tagkawayan than the cities. Tagkawayan feel so calming and peaceful. Province life is really much better than city life. 

"Parang haggard ka bestie." Ali said as she noticed me wiping the sweats on my neck. 

"Siksikan kasi sa jeep, mainit." I replied and she slowly nod, "Hintayin daw natin sila Tobi, Jax at Gwen dito, mag ba-banyo lang sila." she said which caught my attention.

I squinted my eyes, "Don't you think its a bit suspicious? Baka iniwan talaga tayo nung tatlo." I said and her lips parted a bit. 

"Gaga, hindi naman siguro." she replied and I just slowly nod. 

"Would you rather live in the province or city?" I suddenly ask while we are waiting for the three. 

"Ako? City life ako bestie." she replied and I slowly nod. 

"Why?" I asked, "Eh kasi... may mas maraming opportunities sa buhay sa siyudad, tapos mas advanced sila, maraming restaurant, maraming stores, malls, shopping centers, pasyalan at iba pa." she explained and I slowly nod, 

"Ikaw ba? Province or city life?" she ask, I look at her direction and slightly tilts my head, "Province life, tahimik, payapa, walang masyadong ingay at pollution." I replied, 

"Tsaka maganda lang tumira sa siyudad kapag mayaman ka." I added and her brows furrowed. 

"So ano tawag mo sayo? Hindi ka pa ba mayaman sa lagay mo na 'yan? Kung hindi ka pa mayaman sa ganiyan, so ano ako dukha na?" she joked which made me giggle. 

"Sira ka, hindi ko sinabi 'yon, I just really admire the province more than city, though I know I can have a good life in a city because of money, I can't buy peace and silence here." I replied and she slowly nod. Then suddenly the though of the three entered my mind. 

"Ali tara na, iniwan na talaga tayo nung tatlo." I said and she started looking around. 

"Oo nga 'no! Mga siraulo talaga!" she said before the two of us proceeds on walking. 

Me and Ali decided to head to a bookshop first, when I saw the stack of books, I can't help but to feel excited and my serotonin to burst. Me and Ali immediately separated once we get inside. I know she somehow likes books but our genres are different. She likes romance and drama while I like fantasy and a different genre. 

I have only spent few minutes on one side and yet I already have four books in my hand. When I switch to a different side, I got two more. When I noticed that I haven't seen Ali for few minutes, I stand up from crouching down on the ground and look around the bookshop where I spot Ali on the other side. 

"Hey, may nahanap kana?" I asked as I stand beside her and look around the aisle she's looking at it. 

She place down the book she's holding, "Wala, ikaw mukhang marami na." she said smiling at her, my brows furrowed, the stack of four books on the side caught my attention, those four books looks so odd in there, they are not in the right place. 

"Let me guess, you pick those four books because you like them but then you will leave them when we're about to leave?" I ask, pointing at the four books. Her eyes widened a bit  before looking towards them then looking back at me. 

"Sira ka, paano mo nalaman? Nag window shopping lang talaga ako. Akala ko kasi mura mga books dito kagaya nung Book Sale sa Lucena. Mahal pala dito." she said, giggling a bit. 

I step forward and reach for the four books, "I'll get them for you--"

"Gaga huwag! Yung isa diyan 400, yung isa 600 yung isa 350, yung isa 150, ang mahal." she cut me off as she reach for the four books. 

I begun calculating the price in my head, 150, 350, 400, 600, 1500. 

"1500 lang naman, okay lang 'yon." Agad akong naglayo paallis mula sa kaniya hawak-hawak ag sampung libro at dinala na ito sa cashier. 

"Huy, Lory hindi kita mababayaran niyan." Habol niya sa akin sa counter, I look at her and smile. 

"You don't need to pay them, okay? I'm getting these for you." I replied before looking at the total amount of the books. More than 4000 pesos, the books are good anyways so I know it will be worth it. 

Ali reached for the paper bags, I just let her do it cause I know by now she's feeling guilty that I pay for the books, but there's nothing to be guilty about. I'm happy to get her the books she wanted. 

We're walking through the second floor when we spot three people walking and eating ice cream. 

"Ayun na ang mga siraulo!" Ali begun running towards them, a chuckled escaped my lips before chasing after her, in few seconds she was able to hit Tobi with the paper bags. 

"Aray ko, puta! Sino-... ay hi!" Tobi said, awkwardly smiling and waving at us. 

"Mapunit sana butas ng pwet mo kapag tumae ka! Bakit niyo kami iniwan!?" Ali exclaimed which made me chuckle and escaped my lips. 

"Kasi gatekeeper kayo, bleh!" Gwen stick her tongue out, acting like a kid. 

"Kung sumama sana kayo sa amin sa bookshop ini-libre ko kayo ng books." I said and Gwen look at me with wide eyes. 

"Hind, hindi ako maiinggit, bakit ako maiinggit, diba? Sa ice cream shop palang kami nakakapunta tapos lakad-lakad lang tapos kayo pala nasa bookshop na? Bakit ako maiingit?" she said sounding jealous which made me giggle and shake my head. 

"Alam niyo tara na nga, ang dami mong sinasabi." I said and Jax nods before the five of us starts walking to our next destination. 

Our next stop is the arcade, I bought tokens worth 1000 pesos and share it to the five of us. 

The five of us separated inside the arcade and begun playing on our own. I'm enjoying the shooting game, I saw Jax and Tobi in the basketball, Ali in the drop ball and Gwen in another game. I would saw Ali getting tons of tickets and she would start jumping in happiness. 

Soon after, I run out of tokens and got my tickets. I brought it to the counter to get it exchanged for prizes. Since I didn't got a lot of tickets, I only get to afford a soda in can and some chocolates and pens. While Ali got a lot of tickets that she git herself a stationery set. Gwen also got soda in cans and a potato chips while Tobi and Jax got themselves chocolates. 

While we're walking inside the mall, Laura called Ali that we can go back to the building. So after they ended the call, we head out of the mall and go back to the building where we left Laura a while ago. 

"Wuy! kamusta?" Gwen ask when saw Laura. 

Laura smiled, "It was okay, lunch na tayo?" she ask and we all nod. We get inside her van and it brought us to a Korean restaurant. She said its on her and we can order anything we wants. 

"Sa akin ay ano... black bean noodles tapos honey glazed chicken." Ali ordered, most of us ordered cheese ramen or just simply ramen, Laura, Jax, Tobi and Gwen ask it to make it less spicy while I'm fine with it's original taste. Gwen ordered more chickens, Jax ordered other Korean foods and I understand why she knows a lot about it. 

"Masisiyahan nanaman ang Koreanang dila ni Jax Gabriella." Gwen said once the waiter left with our orders. 

"When was the last time you were in Korea, Jax?" Laura ask as our attention is on Jax. 

"Ahm ano... noong six ako, dinala ako ni mommy sa Korea, winter that time eh, sobrang lamig!" she exclaimed cutely, acting like shivering to show how cold it is in Korea in winter. 

"Sana all, kapag pupunta ka ng Korea huwag mo kamig kalimutan pasalubungan ha?" Ali said and Jax nods, 

"Baka bago may college papuntahin ulit ako ni mommy sa Korea." sagot niya at tumango kami. We got surprised when the waiter came back and starts serving some foods. 

"Ang bilis naman," Ali said while we're watching the waiter serve our foods. 

"Five more minutes pa po yung noodles maam, sir." the waiter said before leaving. 

"Ito yung bibimpab?" Ali asked, pointing at the food in front of her. 

Jax nods, "Tapos ito yung gimbap, ito hotteok 'to, parang pancake na may palaman sa loob. Ito fish cakes, street foods siya sa Korea, para siyang fish ball kung baga dito sa Pilipinas." She explained and she continue to introduce the Korean foods to us. Some seems new but most of it, I am familiar with. 

Just like what the waiter said, after few minutes, the noodles got serve and we started eating. Silence took over the place and the only sound is the utensils hitting each other. Since we ordered a lot of foods, it took us almost an hour before to finish everything on the table. Laura ask for the receipt and paid before we leave the restaurant. 

"Uuwi na pala tayo." Ali said while we are fixing our belongings. It around 1PM now and we are about to go back in Tagkawayan. 

"Akala ko matagal pa tayo dito HAHAHAHA!" She burst out laughing, we continue to fix our things and soon leave Laura's house. 

It was a complete tiring 8 hours of travel from Manila to Tagkawayan. That's why when I reach the house, I didn't bother unpacking my things and just change into pajama and head to bed. 

The next day I woke up around 9AM, that's when I started unpacking my things and bringing the used clothes in the laundry and ask the maids to wash them. I had my breakfast at 11PM, so technically it's a lunch, but at least I get to eat with Theo. 

"How have you been these pass few days?" I ask as we're eating the steak for lunch. 

"It was good ate, I enjoyed  my time alone. Some of my friends came over din." he replied and I nod. 

"That's great, I'm sorry I wasn't able to get you anything from Manila, we only had a stop over in a gas station at wala naman akong mabili na maganda doon." I said and he nods, 

"It's okay, mom and dad head to Taiwan the other day, I'm sure when they get back they have things for us." he said and I slowly nod. They left pala, that's great, I feel more safe in this house when mom is not around. She can be the death of me. 

After lunch, me and Theo grab a tub of ice cream from the freezer, we brought it to the living room and start eating it as we watch a movie. 

Around 1PM, a maid approached us, "Ma'am may bisita po kayo." she said and my brows furrowed, I stand up from the sofa and walk towards the front door to see who it is. 

And to my surprise and disappointment, it's the least person I want to see right now. 

Sam waved at me, a smile crept on his lips as he head out of his car, "Glad you're here now, I heard you were in Manila the other day, sayang hindi tayo nagkita." He said as he walk towards me, a box of donut in his hand. 

"Ayaw naman talaga kitang makita." I said with an annoyed tone, he stopped in front of me and smiled. 

"Well someone does wants to see me." he said and my brows furrowed. 

"Kuya Sam!" My brows furrowed when I hear Theo rush towards Sam, "Hey big guy, here, kuya Sam have donuts for you." Sam handed the box of donuts to my brother which Theo immediately accepted and brought it back inside. 

"What are you doing?" I ask with a threatening tone, he smiled a me, "Getting friends with my future brother-in-law." he said before heading inside leaving me there dumbfounded. 

"Samuel Ponce!"