Chapter 3

"Isn't it still not available?" I asked when I called the car repair shop.

"Not yet, Mam. We're still fixing the engine." When the other line said that, I don't have any choice now.

Dressed in white square neck bishop sleeves and leather mini skirt, I went down to the condo to book a grab. I was waiting to be connected with the grab drivers when someone blew a horn in front of me.

"Engineer," I said in shock because I didn't expect to see him here.

"Where's your car?"

"In the workshop. It broke down the yesterday."

He get out of his car and goes in front of me, where I saw that he was wearing jeans and a black button down shirt that was up to an elbow. When he got closer I can smell his perfume. Manly.

He open the door for me.

"Huh?"

He pointed the car. "Let's go together. I also need to get something in 30th floor." I felt my cheeks heated.

I smile before going inside. When he closed the door, I immediately smelled his perfume again. I feel like I can stay here all day. "Good morning by the way," Engineer said when he close his side door.

"G-good morning, Engineer." He turned to me so I turned to him too.

"I said it's Sean." He said before starting the engine.

"It's embarrassing in the office if I call you by your name."

"What's wrong with that? I didn't see anything wrong about calling me by my name. Besides, it's not just you who will call me that."

Of course. What a shame there. "Only engineers and architects called you by your name in the office. I'm no engineer nor architect." I looked at him again.

I saw him smirk as if something was funny in what I just said. I just ignored him and focused on admiring his manly arms as he hold the wheel. I just look away when he look at me.

"Thanks," I don't know if it's Sean or Engineer I'm going to say so I just didn't add. We entered the building at the same time as well as the elevator. He even pressed the 25th. Like when we first met we were quiet until the right floor arrived.

I could see the eyes of the others people because we entered together. I didn't look at him anymore as I turned to my table. My ass wasn't even hot when I sat down when Ramone came.

"What do I hear on the right wing that Engineer Rivera and you entered together? Are you together?" I laugh at him.

"No. We were just together because he saw me waiting for a grab at my condo. No other meaning." I explain.

He tickle me with his index finger that makes me step back away from him. "What is it, Ramone. Go back to your cubicle." I said trying to sound annoyed but it came like I am about to blush.

"Someone is happy.. Someone is happy.." He chant as he walks away.

We received a news from Architect Hernandez that they also liked the furniture we passed so I immediately contacted Miguel. "The CEO approved the furniture. I'll send through your emails the furniture we need to order." I said when he answer my call.

"Yeah. Yeah, sure." I thanked him before saying goodbye.

I started typing the furniture we need because it was too much. "It's lunch time. Let's eat!" It was Allyssa's voice behind me. So I stopped typing first and went out for lunch with my friends. We only ate in the office canteen because we also needed to get back right away for work.

It was already afternoon when I sent the furniture to Miguel. I thought I had nothing to do when Martin approached me. "Venice, can you help me?" Martin was kind and reliable so I agreed immediately.

"We need to order for the wall designs from the suppliers but my girlfriend is already waiting downstairs. It's our anniversary so she surprise me." I had nothing to do so I say yes.

"Thank you. Thank you very much." He handed me the order list.

"Sure, no problem. Happy Anniversary to the both of you." He smiled before finally leaving.

I turned to my computer again to type. The email from the furniture shop is also here. The wall design and other needs are so much to the point that I didn't notice that it was already dark outside as I finished.

I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair since my neck is aching, I was in front of the computer for too long. I also stretched my legs and arms I can hear my bones cracking from that stretch.

"Ahh, that felt so good." I'm talking to myself.

"What are you saying?" I almost jumped there.

When I saw Allyssa standing, I didn't notice. Ramone texted us earlier that he was just flirting some guys so I know he left earlier.

"Going home?" I asked Allyssa while she was also arranging things.

"No, I'm going to driver some papers to the other building. I just passed by because I know you're still here, you don't have a message that you're home." I'm retouching my lipstick.

"I'll wait for you? Let's go home together." I asked but she shook her head. "You go first. I might take too long." We went down together. I left the building to go home and then she when right to go to the other building.

On the way home, I was able to book a grab since there was someone nearby so I quickly got connected with them. When I get out of the elevator, I immediately saw my parents standing in front of my unit and ringing the doorbell.

"Mom! Dad!" I call them.

"Venice, we thought your work is done. We are here to surprise you." Dad said with his Batangas accent.

(Batangas is a province here in the Philippines)

You can't hear my accent much because I can control it, I'm also from Manila so I'm used to have a normal tagalog voice. "There's so much work so I overtime. Let's go in." I said and open the door.

It's good that I was able to call the cleaning maintenance this morning. I know my mom will nag me for not making my condo clean. "Have you eaten?" Mom asked.

"Not yet. I came straight from work."

"I knew it. We got you dinner, come and eat." I just dropped my bag and removed the heels before I followed them into the kitchen.

Mom was serving while Dad approached my refrigerator. When they come here, they are always checking my refrigerator to know that I am eating properly. If my refrigerator are empty they will do me a grocery store.

"Sit down, Venice." Mom called me.

"Wow. You cook this, Mom?" I said when I saw my one of my favorite food in Batangas.

"Yes, I know you miss that." I start eating and my tongue are having a party as I chew. Hmm.

"Are you guys going to sleep here?" I heard the television open in the living room and Dad was watching the news. "No, hija. We're going to our house here in Manila, you haven't slept there again, right?"

I drink my water. "Mom, it's a long way from work so I'm staying in a condo. It's convenient." We have a house here in Manila and my parents are staying there when they came here but sometimes when I miss them so much, they sleep here.

I have another extra room so it's okay. "How's Red Rock, Mom?" It was one of the businesses that they have in our province, it was new so I was worried. "It's fine. Lots of high school students are eating." That's good to hear.

"How about the other resto?" That has many branches throughout Luzon and Visayas. We are also planning to have a branch in Mindanao. "By the mercy of God the resto is also in good condition."

I'm happy that my parent's businesses are going well. "You're not coming back to us in Batangas? Wienna is coming home soon." Wienna was the daughter of Ate Fatima, our house helper.

We became close when we were kids because Ate Fatima always bring her in our house when no one is going to watch her over their house. Thus she became my playmate too since I am an onlu child.

"Not yet, Ma. When I'm free, okay? There's still a lot of work to do." I just want to finish that topic.

"I know you don't want to go because of what happened before but Venice, we miss you in Batangas. I hope you go home with us and Manila too far for us." I just nodded.

When it comes to this, I avoid it and I know Mama knows that. I am afraid to go home in our province because every time I am going back, my memory from that day is also coming back. All the bad things that happened to me that I don't want to go back to.

When I finished eating, they later said goodbye because they need to be early tomorrow to go to the branches here in Manila of their business. I couldn't sleep so I decided to go to the pub here above the condo. Only those who live in this condominium have the privilege to enter there but if you are not from here you need a resident before entering.

I am holding the card that will allow me to enter the pub. I just wore a simple black bralette and high waisted pants. I have no plans to get drunk, I just want alcohol because I still have work tomorrow.

I just need to forget about what Mama and I talked about earlier. "Enjoy, Mam Venice." I smiled at the bouncer who was guarding the entrance.

He already know me because of Ramone and Allyssa when I take them here. I am not with my friends so I just sit down at the bar and not the sofa. "One vodka, please." I said only one but after minutes past I can't count already count how many vodka did I just drink.

Me going back to my province stays in my mind. "I think I'm drunk." I talked to the bar tender.

"Yes you are, Mam." He answered.

I just laughed at him before paying and decided to go back to my condo. I was alone in the elevator thanks God since I am too drunk to stand up properly. I feel like my eyes are everywhere so I can't focus my eyes on the numbers.

I don't know how many numbers did I just click before the 41th floor where my unit is. "I need to focus." I laugh at myself as the door opens on the other floor because I pressed the wrong way.

Coming out of the elevator I felt my legs numb which caused me to run down the hallway carpet. "Oops!" I said to myself while laughing. I almost kiss the carpet when I had the grip to hold into the wall to stand up. When someone holds my waist and pull me up.

I looked at it. "Sean," I don't know what's funny but I laughed.

"You're drunk." He said before I helping me to walk. I am having a hard time because of the numbness I feel on my whole body.

I almost scream when he scop me into his arms. "Woah, Engineer. Take it easy." I laughed again.

I feel like high because I am laughing without nay reason. "What's your door pin?" I'm playing with his hair now. He tilted his head so I could look at him and remove my hands into his hair.

"What's your door pin?" He repeated.

"Uhmm, 0525" I replied.

I can see he's having a hard time pressing because I am still in his arm and I am moving. "Wrong pin," I laughed because of that.

I know that's wrong because my birthday is not the door pin I just want to tease him. "What really is your door pin?" I smiled first.

"Should I tell you? Hmm but you're too handsome to be stress with me, Engineer. Fine!" I could see amuse in his eyes following with a giggle. "Ayiee, you laugh." I tease him.

He stop giggling and now I can see no reaction in his face. Hmp! "Door pin?" He now look at me again.

"Fine. 0214,"

I saw him stunned but also recovered. He opened it, walking straight ahead as for me dizziness is eating my mind. I felt my bed. I don't know what happened because as soon as I felt my bed I was pulled by my sleepy eyes and alcohol.

From a loud call Ramone woke me up. I didn't answer because it died as soon as I got the cellphone. "Holy shit! It's 10:45am!" I shouted and quickly ran to the bathroom to take a shower and get dressed.

I did not bother to make the bed and I ran down to the parking lot to enter the office. "Shit! I'll pick up my car later!" I quickly booked a good grab and someone was just near me. When I get inside the grab I remembered everything I did with Sean last night. Embarrassing! I hope I don't meet him later otherwise, I'm doomed!

(Grab is a app where you can book a taxi that is near you)