Chapter 5 Sinigang

Cassie's POV

Today is not good day for me. Waking up feeling cold, with a high fever and I can't even move my legs. I called the station and told the Chief that I am not going to work today.

I hate being sick and other thing I hate about being sick? I am alone. I got no one in this apartment but my pet dog, Sky.

I was about to call Mika but I remembered it's her day off today. I don't want to disturb her just to take care of me.

I stayed in bed and watched some Netflix movies. I heard Sky scratching my bed sheets then I look down from my bed and he was holding his bowl. He's hungry. I got up from my bed with my head still aching, I slowly and went to the kitchen to give Sky his food. As I put it down, I heard a doorbell.

I went to the door to open it. To my surprise, it was Paolo.

"What are you doing here, Paolo? and how the hell did you get my address?" I said and he was holding a paper bag with some groceries in it.

"First of all, hello. Second, I heard you are sick so I bought groceries to cook lunch for you and lastly, I got your address from the HR. You're welcome!" He said but this time with a smile.

"Okay, fine. You're lucky I don't have the energy to push you out of the door. Just come in." I said and let him inside my apartment.

"Nice apartment, Rivera." He said.

"Thanks. Whatever you want to do or whatever you're cooking, just do it in the kitchen over there." I pointed to where my kitchen is. "I going back to bed." I said and went to my room.

Paolo's POV

I'm in Cassie's kitchen, in her apartment. I don't know what got into me. I was bummed when I heard the she's not coming to work because she was sick. I don't even know why I went to the HR just to ask her address and also her phone number.

Damn, I even bought groceries. I know its short notice but I kinda start having feelings for her again. Her pushing me away, it's a no for me. I'm into her, I think. Maybe because she's the girl version of me.

I put away all of the groceries so I could start cooking her lunch. In my corner of my eye, I saw white labrador walking towards me. I guess it's her pet dog.

I squatted down to its level and see his collar.

Sky.

Cute name.

"Your mama is sick, is she?" I said to the dog and patted his head. He whined as if he understands me.

I stood up and started cooking.

********

The aroma in the kitchen smells amazing. Cooking is my other passion, thanks to my mom. To be honest I never cooked for anyone besides for myself and my family. This is my first time.

I can't believe I'm cooking for the Cassandra Rivera and I ain't complaining. Its sucks that she doesn't remember me like I do.

I shrugged that thought off and put the dish on her mini table so I could just bring the food to her bed.

I slightly open door and saw her sound asleep. I placed the tray on her table to check her temperature and damn, she was burning.

I quickly went to her closet and luckily there is a white small cloth in the back of the door. I wet the cloth with some water and place it on her forehead. But after I putted it on her, see opened her eyes.

"Paolo? What are you doing in my room?" She said confused because there was a cloth on her forehead.

"I brought you food. You have to eat lunch and drink some medicines, you are burning." I said flashing a smile at her.

She didn't say anything. All she did was sat on her bed and I placed the tray on her bed and watch her eat the dish I made for her.

"Hmm.. What is this?" She asked.

"It's a filipino dish. It's Sinigang." I said.

"It tastes delicious. You?" She pointed at the dish. "You cooked this?"

"Yeah. It's my mom's recipe." She nodded and continue eating.

After a few minutes, she was done. I took the tray and washed the dishes. I want to stay, I really do but I can't. My mom would be mad if she found out that I was here in Cassie's house.

I went back to her room and she was just watching Netflix.

I knocked on her door.

"Uhm.. Cassie? I have to go. If you need anything just hit me up." I was about to go when I remembered something. "My phone number is right there. I wrote it in a piece of paper. Get well soon, Cass." I chuckled and said goodbye.

Oh, I wish she remembers me.

Cassie's POV

I feel a lot better when he slightly took care of me and I craved for his, what's it called? Ah. Sinigang.

I don't maybe it was his cooking made me okay again. I stood up from my bed and went to my bathroom to freshen up. I don't know but he would make a great husband one day. Wait, why I am thinking about marriage? Gross.

After a warm shower, I saw the piece of paper which he wrote his number in it. Damn, Paolo's smooth, maybe?

I grabbed the paper and type his number in my phone but I am not going to text him.

I'm not REALLY into him so why bother text him right?

I'm just wearing some sweatpants and a shirt because I don't wanna go outside even though I'm already well. My body would collapse if I do that.

So I stayed in my room, binge watching some series when my phone rang. It was Mika.

"CASSANDRA ELISSE RIVERA!" I pulled away my phone from my ear.

"You don't have to scream, Mikaella!" I said.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're sick?! I should have taken care of you!"

"No. It's okay and besides it's your day off. I don't want to disturb you." I explained.

"I DON'T CARE. As long it's you, I'll be there."

"It's really okay. Paolo was here-"

"HE WAS THERE?! THAT'S IT, GIRL! I AM GOING THERE RIGHT NOW AND YOU ARE GIVING ME THE JUICY DETAILS!" Then she hung up on me.

20 minutes had passed and my doorbell rang. I guess that is Mika. I opened the door to reveal a tired Mikaella Colleen Sabino.

"Mika! Why are you breathing so heavily?"

"My car broke down a couple blocks from here so I have to run." She said while trying to catch her breath.

"Why on earth?!"

"Bro, this is a serious matter. The Paolo Catacutan was here in your home." She said as she let herself in and put her bag down on my couch.

"Why the heck is it a serious matter, Mikaella?" I said still confused.

"Girl. HE. WAS. HERE." She emphasized every word.

"You don't have any idea, don't you?" She said and shook my head in dissapproval.

"He likes you, Cassie." I laughed at her.

"I am not kidding, Cassandra Elisse." Shit, she said my full name. She is really serious.

"What am I supposed to do? Like him back? You know me, Mika. I don't fall that easy." I said.

"That might change you know? Paolo's really handsome, definitely your type. You don't know it but he is really your type." She said then laughed.

"Can we change the topic? You want to eat?" I said but hell no I am not telling her that Paolo cooked this, she'll just bring the Paolo topic back.

"Sure! What's the food?"

"Sinigang. Its a filipino dish. My neighbor gave me some awhile ago." I lied.

"Sounds delicious!" Then she sprinted to the kitchen.

I know somewhere in my mind, I do know someone named Paolo. Ugh, nevermind.

END OF CHAPTER 4

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