After the "welcoming" party, they all left. Except for Laura and Aziel. Rae, Chlis, and Karla had to go to their own place, while kuya went running for errands, kalalabas lang niya actually. Laura's staying here and not at Karla's because we have something to discuss, and I don't know why Aziel is staying but he'll probably leave a little later. 
"Hey, Shy?" Aziel approached me, I just closed the door because kuya just left seconds ago. "Yeah, why? Want something to drink?" I questioned him, I don't know why but I'm a little nervous. "Can we talk?" he glanced at my cousin na sunod sunod ang inom ng alak, "In private?" dagdag niya. Napaisip naman ako sandali, "Sure, where do you wanna talk?" I grabbed my phone sa center table in the living room, "I was hoping we can talk outside? There's a park around here, right?" I nodded naman, "Shall we?" I gestured towards the door, "We shall," he smiled and walked towards the door and opened it for me. Butterflies. "Laur, we'll just go outside for a bit," paalam ko sa pinsan ko, she just shoo-ed us with a hand gesture. Napairap na lang ako, "Let's go, let her be," sabi ko kay Az, he just chuchkled at napangiti naman ako.
"What are you guys up to now?" he asked, "What do you mean?" we walked towards the elevator. Before he could even utter a word, "Shoot, lift's out of order," I mumbled. "Looks like we have to use the stairs," he clapped and chuckled. Naglakad naman kami papunta sa dulo ng hallway, nandun ang pinto para sa emergency stairs eh.
"Back to the topic, your group Beauvémeux, what are you guys up to? Any events?" napa O naman ang bibig ko, "We were supposed to do a performance two days after our interview with you on your show, but unfortunately, I got hospitalized so it got postponed. Its weird though," I told him. "What's weird?" "That I fainted," I chuckled, "What did the doctor say?" 
"The girls told me that the doctor said it was because I was overworked, exhausted, depleted and that's really, really weird because I wasn't even doing much, even if we don't have any events scheduled," 'di siya sumagot agad, like he was thinking of what to say, "That's really weird, maybe you did something that made you weary," he answered after a few seconds. "I swear I didn't," I chuckled, "Because if we have nothing to do, I'm just laying around, either eating or watching," I admit I'm kind of an introvert but hey, I was born like that, what can I do? But I can be a bit outgoing if I'm comfortable with the people I'm with. "Oh, we're already outside," he blurted out. Ngayon ko lang din napansin. Nasa fourth floor lang kasi yung condo namin. "So what you wanna talk about?" I opened the topic, the reason why we're here walking outside in the middle of the night. Its past 12 midnight now.
"You know, I was actually looking forward at interviewing you guys, Beauvémeux, because of...you," he answered, I smiled secretly, "Why me?" we're still walking. Where the fuck is that park? "I don't even know, I just like you I guess?" 'Di naman ako nakasagot agad, "I get that you won't say anything, that's fine," nakonsensiya naman ako, "No, no. I went speechless...for a bit. What do like about me then?" I challenged. "I really like your quirky, silly side. That playful smile that shows up when you're having fun with Reasse or either of the girls. Your cheeks that always fill up when you're eating, I've always wanted to squish it," he chuckled. Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya, but it feels familiar. I'm trying to remember how it comes off as familiar to me, but nothing comes up. Stupid, slow brain. Ugh.
"That's really sweet, Az," I smiled at him. Napansin ko namang nakarating na kami sa park, "Let's sit over there," he gestured towards the bench that's near the lamppost. Pagkaupo naman namin, he turned to me, "Shyrvielle, I know many guys asks you out, and I don't wanna be one of the guys who bothers you everyday, but you're irresistible. I really, genuinely like you, your eyes that sparkles when you see food, how you dance excitedly when you like your food," he paused and chuckled, I can tell that he's nervous because his voice is shaky and he can't look at me straight into my eyes. "But I'm taking my chance here since we're alone, and I know you don't like publicity that much," ugh butterflies, "Shyrvielle, can I take you out on a date? I haven't thought of a date yet, but can I?" he asked sincerely, and this time, he's looking at me. Into my eyes. Wala ng patumpik tumpik pa, ngayon lang may nagconfess at may nag-aya sa'kin ng date na may ganiyang details, "Yes, of course. I have no reason to decline, haven't I?" lumaki naman mga mata niya. Napatawa ako sa reaction niya, "Really?" I nodded, "Are you serious? Is this real? This ain't a dream, right?" 
I nodded again, "Yes, Az, it isn't," I smiled sweetly at him, napatawa naman siya habang ang mga kamay niya ay nasa ulo niya. Tumayo naman ako, and lumapit siya sa'kin at hinagkan ako, napatili naman ako when he lifted me into the air. Nang marealize niya 'yon, ibinaba naman niya ako kaagad. "S-sorry, I got carried away. But thank you, thank you for giving me a chance," he smiled, a big smile. A genuine happy smile. I really appreciate real smiles because I only get to see a few. I'm living in a world that fake smiles are more wore than real ones, even in the underground. Especially in the underground, because for me, when you're in the underground and you see a smile, watch your back for the rest of your life or you'll be dead in a few days, even hours.
"Its fine, I was shocked but good for you I didn't punch you. Its my defense mechanism," I chuckled, "Woah really? I guess I need to be careful. Have you punched someone already?" he asked, but still smiling, "Yeah, when this one guy touched my waist, he ended up with a broken nose. I'm surprised you don't know that, it was all over the news, you know," I explained, "I'm not really aware of my surroundings and what's happening on the web," that's weird.
We talked for a bit more until we decided to call it a night. Inihatid niya ako sa building bago umalis. I took the stairs again kaya pagkapasok ko sa bahay, nakita ko namang tulog sa sofa ang magaling kong pinsan. 'Di ko na siya ginising kasi matagal 'tong magising. Kumuha na lang ako ng kumot mula sa mga bakanteng rooms at kinumutan 'tong isang 'to bago dumiretso sa kuwarto ko. Did my night routine and all and went to sleep.
"What do you think about this?" Az asked me, we're at our date. A typical date, looking around the mall, shopping, eat and maybe we'll go to the movies. Too common.  And I'm getting bored. 
Don't blame me, I've been to different dates with different guys and they were all similar, took me to similar places, elegant restaurants, elegant gifts. All I want is a simple one who will treat me like I'm no different, because I am. 
"Its pretty, but not my type. That's more like Karla, she likes elegant things,"  I said while looking at a ring. Aziel showed me a bracelet, but I didn't like its design. But this ring, its familiar to me. "Well, what do you like? Your type rather," napapagod na ako mag-English, jusko. " Something simple, I don't know," I answered in a  bored tone, at napansin niya ata 'yon. I'm not even sorry, and again, y'all can't blame me. "Hey, I have an idea, come with me," he held my hand and walked out of the store, 'di ko alam kung ano balak niya. Sigh, might as well follow him, ayoko pa umuwi because I literally have nothing to do back at home. "Where we going?" I asked, he's still walking. Thank God I didn't wear heels today. "Its a surprise," we entered the lift and he pressed the button for the third floor. Pagkabukas naman, hinila niya ulit ako. Jusko, isa pa at matatanggal na 'yang kamay mo mula sa katawan mo Aziel Davis. "Ta-da!" he let go of my hand and raised both of his arms into the air. Its the arcade. Now this date is getting exciting. 
"You're such a loser!" I playfully said and hit his arm, "No fair, you probably always go to arcades like this and play this game," I shrugged and grinned at him, "Well, what can I say?" we laughed. We were playing hockey, the ones you find in arcades. He lost several times. "Let's play basketball, I heard you're pretty good," aya niya, "Sure, let's bet this time," he laughed naman. Ano nakakatawa? "The loser gets to do whatever the winner wants," ba't 'yan na lang lagi ang pusta? Hayaan na nga lang, "Deal," we shook hands. Pagkastart ng machine, ay agad na akong kumuha ng dalawang bola. Sunod sunod lang ang pagshoot ko ng bola, tumingin ako sa machine ni Az, malayo pa score niya sa score ko. Loser. 
In the end, natalo talaga siya. We played several games after playing basketball, lagi siyang talo, "Loser," I mocked him, he just chuckled at what I said. "I intended to lose, so you can smile like that," sabi pa niya and smiled. Okay, butterflies again. "Aw, aren't you sweet?" I smiled back and pinched his cheek. "What game do you wanna play next?" 
"I don't know, you choose Az."
"How 'bout a shooting game?" 
"And bet again?" 
"Why not?" 
"May I  remind you that you owe me four favors in total, Mr. Davis."
"Yes, I know that, and if I win, I ask you to terminate all four favors I owe you., Ms. Cervantes"
"No, if you win, I'll terminate three and only one will be left, deal?"
"Deal."
We shook hands again, and he guided me towards a gun firing game. Oh Aziel, if only I could tell you how much of a sharpshooter I am. I practice both in real life and and games. But I can't "show off" my talent in gun firing because there might be spies around us following me. They can't know, even if we're only playing a game. They can't. Paano ko ba 'to malulusutan? Bahala na nga. Bahala na si Batman.
"How many rounds?" 
Napaisip naman ako, "Hmm, three," tumango naman siya, "Can't wait to beat you, Shy," he mocked, "I feel the same way," I smirked. Looking confident. Looks like I'm gonna throw this fight and let him win. Wala akong magagawa, I can't risk it kahit laro lang 'to. 
"Ha! In you face!" he mocked, "No fair," I whined. "Sorry princess, but I can't do four favors," he laughed, "Whatev," I answered. "Let's go? We haven't eaten yet and its getting dark," aya niya. Nabuhayan naman ako ng loob at the mention of food. "Let's go!" this time, ako naman ang humila sa kaniya, "You really love food, huh?" he chuckled, letting me drag him to any restaurant I'm fond of, "Food is life, you know," napatawa siya lalo sa sinabi ko. What can I say, food is love. 
"Miss Shyrvielle?"may humarang sa daan, a teenager, "Oh hi," I answered cheerfully, masaya ako kasi makakakain na ako, "Can I take a picture with you please? I saw you at the arcade," she shyly said while looking down, "Aw, why didn't you approach me sweetie?" I asked her, I let go of Aziel's hand and placed both of my hands on the girl's shoulders, "I was afraid that you'll be pissed for bothering you because I know that you only get to enjoy like this once in a while," I chuckled, "Don't worry, I don't get pissed at people, now how about we take that picture? Where's your phone?" she handed me her phone, " Az, can you take a picture of us?" I handed the girl's phone to him, "Sure," I placed my arm around the girl, "Is this okay?" referring to my arm, because she might be uncomfortable, she nodded, "1, 2, 3," we heard a shutter sound, "Okay, another one," the girl suddenly hugged me, napatawa naman ako. "Sweet!" Aziel exclaimed. Ibinalik niya yung phone sa'kin, "What's your name?" I asked the girl and handed her phone back to her, "I'm A-ashley," she stuttered. "That's a nice name. We'll get going now, Ashley okay? Are you alone?" 
"O-opo," oh, "Filipino ka?" tumango naman siya, "Ba't 'di mo sinabi? Gusto mo sumama sa'min?" 
"Ah, hindi na po. Salamat po sa picture," ngumiti naman siya. A real one. "Sige, ingat ka ha?" yumakap naman siya ulit at kumaway, which I reciprocated before walking away. 
"You were sweet," sambit ng kasama ko, "I have no reason to not be sweet anyway," I sighed.
"See you later," inihatid na ako ni Aziel dito sa condo pagkatapos naming kumain. "Buti naman umuwi ka na," rinig 'kong sabi ng pinsan ko pagkasara ko ng pinto, she's in the living room, watching a movie, "How was your date?" 
"A nice one, not like the other dates I've been to before," I answered at dumiretso sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. "Tell me about that later, for now, tawagan mo si tita," she said, tinutukoy niya si Mom. "Why?" 
"I don't know, she was calling you earlier pero 'di ka raw sumasagot kaya ako tinawagan niya. Sinabi ko naman sa kaniya kung bakit 'di ka sumasagot," tumango na lang ako, "And she told me that we should be together if you call her, I think its serious," kinabahan naman ako 'don. Shit, alam na ba nila yung ginawa ko? Fuck. 
Tumabi naman ako sa kaniya, "Call her," I ordered her. Binuksan naman niya ang laptop na nasa center table, and called mom. 
"Hi tita."
"Hi, mom!" I energeticlly said, mahirap na, "How was your date, honey?" 
"It was fine, mom. Don't worry. Laura told me you wanted to talk to both of us?" 
"Yes, that. Your father and I want you to go to Russia."
Shit. Another mission.