All Bets Are On

"Bro, I gotta hurry for work. Ate Esther texted me, said she'll drop by later to collect the rent. I left my share on the table, under the coffee jar, alright? Gotta go!."

Alexandra didn't even hear the other person inside the apartment respond. Just like that, Jacob, the man talking from the door of one of the apartments that her cousin Ate Esther is leasing, rushed through the gate of the apartment compound.

She's usually at her cousin's house during her free time to take care of her young nieces and nephews, when she's not at the university. Aside from the apartment compound that her Ate Esther is leasing, she also has a shoe store in Alabang, which makes it hard for her cousin to take care of her three children. Her Ate Esther is a single mom. Despite that, she adores this woman so much, as she's been a great sister to her ever since her elder sister and mom died consecutively when she was still twelve years old. Life became so hard and sad for Alexandra.

Alexandra's an early riser. Even though today's a Saturday, she still woke up at five o'clock in the morning, prepared breakfast for her father and brother, cleaned the whole house, and took a bath afterward. By the time she finished, it's already eight o'clock, and the three of them had breakfast together. She bid the two men of her life farewell, as they go to work on a Saturday morning, and went back to take care of the dishes and the house. Since she doesn't have any school activities left to do, she went on to pack her school stuff and extra clothes and head on to her auntie's compound which was six blocks away from their house.

Her mom's family owned a few compounds. Each compound was then given to the four children. One is located in Alabang which was given to his Papa Renato, one in Baclaran which was given to her Papa Antonio, and two in Sucat which were given to her mom, and the eldest daughter Auntie Lydia. Even though it's already getting common for new couples to live in separate houses located in different towns in the Philippines, their family is still the type to live together with the main family within a compound. It has its ups and downs, but for sure, this setting made her closer to her cousins. Sadly, for the compound that her mother inherited from her parents, they were forced to sell the apartments when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, leaving them with only four apartments to lease, and their own house.

It's already nine o'clock by the time she arrived at her Ate Esther's house. While she's arranging the slippers by the door, she hears an unfamiliar voice talking to someone by the other side of her Ate Esther's door. Since it was occupied a couple of months ago, this is the first time she saw the new tenants, well, in this case, one of the tenants. As any normal person would, she turned her head to where the voice was coming from, which is from her back, and quickly turned her face back to the shoe rack the moment she saw the owner of the voice automatically turned to look at her.

She hated herself for hiding her face when the man looked at her. She didn't do anything wrong. Aside from her nasty habit of looking at people from head to toe, which by the way, she's not even aware of, she only found out about it when people tend to always call her out jokingly, she's pretty friendly when she gets comfortable with people. Little did she know that this habit would one day backfire on her when she unconsciously opened her eyes wider together with her mouth, with what she just saw. It's just a side profile, but the guy on the other door looks so neat and handsome. With his black foot sock on, the man is trying to put on a dark brown boat shoe. Although the bottom of his denim pants is somewhat ripped on some parts, it was still able to highlight his long legs. At the top of the pants is a dark brown belt that matches the shoes, where his white polo shirt is tucked in. His black hair with a side cut is properly made. His outfit looks just so fine with his brown complexion, pointed nose, and somewhat bushy eyes. Damn! This guy is the definition of manly in every word, even without having to wear a suit, unlike the heroes she usually read about in novels. Despite the embarrassment, she felt butterflies in her stomach from the excitement of the thought.

Why does she feel shy? It was just one quick glance, and for sure, he didn't even notice her stupidly opened mouth when she looked at him. It was just very fast. She doesn't have to be embarrassed. Nobody noticed anything. Nevertheless, she hurriedly entered the door in front of her and greeted Mary Anne, her five-year-old niece, who's watching a cartoon on the TV, when she felt the guy was about to walk her way to go out.

"Hi, Mary Anne! What are you watching?"

She felt his eyes quickly glanced at her as he passed by in front of their door. For whatever reason, she felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest from the nervousness. That was so awkward! In a span of how many minutes, if it even lasted for a minute, she felt four emotions; excitement, embarrassment, nervousness, and awkwardness. How can you feel so much from just a simple interaction, if there is any interaction between them anyway? Oh well, what a way to start the day!

Alexandra heads on to the kitchen to find her Ate Esther cleaning up the table. Seems like they just finished having their breakfast, and the kids just went their own ways to play. The two boys are playing with the train stationed near the corridor where the rooms are, the two girls are sitting on the couch watching TV while playing with their dolls.

The kids do not really require a lot of effort, they can walk, talk and pretty much just play on their own. However, someone has to always watch over them as they tend to fight a lot. Her Ate Esther feeds them breakfast and bathes them all before going to her store. All that's left for her to do is to feed them lunch, feed them snacks, clean them when they get dirty, and make them nap in the afternoon. To sum it all up, it's really not much of a burden. She can still do her school-related activities while she's there. Plus her Ate Esther gives her money, so she won't have to ask her father for extra cash.

Her Ate Esther usually arrives around five o'clock to six o'clock in the afternoon, just in time for dinner. By then, she will go back home to find her brother or father cooking their dinner. All that's left for her to do is to wash the plates afterward. However, on that particular day, her Ate Esther called her that she'd be late for a few more hours.

Ring!

"Hello, yes Ate Esther? Are you on your way?"

"Hey, Alex! Sorry! I'm going to be late. I think I'll arrive around seven or eight because there's an issue with the delivery of the shoe stocks."

"Ah Ok. I'll tell dad and Kuya that I'll be late too then."

"Thanks, Alex! I see the money I left you won't be enough for dinner. You can go to the room beside us, and collect the rent from them. I've messaged them too so they'll expect you. Use that to order delivery for your dinner with the kids. Order whatever you want. OK?"

"OK, Ate. Thanks!"

"Ok, I'll see you later! Bye!"

Alexandra then proceeded in front of the mirror, fixed her dress, brushed her hair, and put on some loose powder onto her face. She went out and knocked on the door beside their apartment, and a half-naked guy with only gray short pants opened the door. Well, it's ok. She's not really shocked. She's used to men wearing only shorts in this tropical country. Her brother is always bare-chested during the day when he stays at home, and will only wear a sleeveless vest when it rains. But her brother usually wears his vest if there are other people in the house. That's just courtesy. Alexandra thinks that's pretty common sense. When someone knocks on your door, it means that person doesn't live there, because they will just open the door if they are. Right? Automatically, he should've worn something before heading to the door. She felt a sudden annoyance by his lack of manners. She doesn't want to show that to him though, what's the point? Unfortunately, she was not able to suppress her facial expression. She unconsciously arched her eyebrow with a look of disgust and proceeded with her concern.

"I'm Ate Esther's cousin. She told me to collect the rent, thanks."

She doesn't want the ill-mannered guy to talk back to her and to just give her the money and move on. Somehow, the topless guy felt her disgust and apologized.

"Oh? Hi! Sorry, I'm Kevin, please come in while I get the rent money."

Kevin seemed to be embarrassed as he kept covering his upper body with his hand while he led her to the couch. He then proceeded to his room to get the money.

He was taking quite some time, so Alexandra scanned the house of the new tenant. It was a three-bedroom apartment, without many decorations.

The living room only has an L-shaped leather fabric sofa, a charcoal gray sofa bed on the left side which was already laid out, it even has a pillow and quilt which is probably taken from one of the rooms, and a brown rectangle-shaped center table with a drawer on the other half, the ones you usually see at this famous furniture store. It was pretty neat aside from two leftover empty cans of beers and an ashtray with a few cigarette butts. In the kitchen is only a two-door white fridge. A countertop with only a microwave, rice cooker, range, and jars for basic condiments. On the other side is an extension of the countertop with coffee, sugar, and creamer with a hot and cold water dispenser.

"Maybe they cook but not that much?", she thought to herself.

Her inspection was interrupted when Kevin opened the door to his room. Now he's wearing a sleeveless vest with money in his hands.

"Sorry for the wait", he apologized again as he walked to the kitchen and took something from under the basket of the coffee jar.

Alexandra then rose from her seat and headed near the door. Kevin counted all the cash that he gathered from his room together with the money he got from under the coffee jar and approached her.

As she was counting the money that Kevin gave her, the door opened, and the guy she saw and tried to avoid this morning appeared in front of her.

Clearly, the guy was shocked to see her as she was, but she tried to hide her nervousness, and awkwardness by trying not to look him in the eyes and acting snobbish as her usual defense mechanism.

An angel might have suddenly just passed by as there was a moment of silence for split seconds. She can still feel the guy looking at her while he broke the silence, and said "Hi!" to her, as she pretended to count the money. Oh please, how many times does she have to count the money? She wants to leave, but the guy is still by the door and she doesn't want to talk to him or look him in the eyes. Kevin seconded and tried to introduce her to his roommate.

"Bro, she's Ate Esther's cousin, she came to collect the rent." Kevin summarized.

"Sorry, I was not able to get your name, you are?" as he turned to her while reaching out his hand to her awkwardly.

She looked at his hand to his face, and said her name, without shaking his hand. Gentlemen are not supposed to offer shaking hands with ladies unless ladies initiate it. Well, that's what she read on the internet.

"Alexandra" and smiled at him to compensate for not extending to his hand.

Kevin seemed to be OK with it and proceeded to introduce his roommate, Jacob to her.

"Hi, I'm Jacob, nice to meet you!"

"Hi" she responded without looking at the guy on the door. She's trying to pretend to be counting.

"Sorry, excuse me, I have to go", she can't take it anymore, she has to get herself away from the place.

Unfortunately, since she has to say some more to leave, she has to look up at the guy to give her way. In that instance, she saw him look down at her. He's clearly puzzled by her behavior, for sure. She's really not comfortable with the situation, and although she knows it's her fault, she can't help but make things awkward. She really has to work on her social skills with strangers.

She hurriedly put on her slippers and rushed to the other door. Panting and sweating, she called the restaurant to ordered their food.

_________________________

Author's Note:

1. Ate /æ:té/ - meaning sister. Usually put in before the name of an older girl/woman.

2. Alabang, Baclaran, Sucat - districts in cities located in the Southern part of Metro Manila

3. Kuya /ˈku:jə/ - meaning brother.

Jacob is supposed to be spending his Saturday at home. He usually goes to work from Monday till Friday. However, since his labor men work until Saturdays, there are some cases where he will be called to the worksite. Apparently, today is one of those days. He's been dreaming for these two whole weekends when he planned to just sleep, watch tv, eat, then watch tv, sleep some more and eat and sleep again. Basically, he planned on doing nothing and just being lazy for two whole days. The past two months have been so hectic with work, projects, and turnovers one after another.

Moreover, he was forced to file for a leave of absence from work, not to rest or go on vacation, but to find a house near his work, and move. Nevermind! Work is work. He just has to plan a schedule for another leave of absence in the coming weeks, so he can get a good rest.

He was giving instructions regarding the collection of the rent to his roommate, Kevin when he felt a pair of eyes fixated on him. As a natural response, he turned to look at the owner of the gaze and found a bent-up woman looking at him shockingly. Why does she look so shocked? Is there something wrong? He thought of smiling at her, and maybe, asking her what's wrong, but the woman quickly turned to look away. She even entered the other door hurriedly, so all he saw was her back. He didn't really see her face, but he was able to catch the sight of her striking red lips. It was so obvious as her skin is really fair. Unfortunately, they may have met on a bad scene. This woman might have a chip on her shoulder. He smilingly shook his head at the thought, while on his way to work.

Today's work is pretty chill. He just spoke with the owner of the house their team is renovating, while touring them. However, he stayed the whole day at the site as per the request of the client, since the financier of the renovation works overseas, and it's the only time she can spare in checking the house. Nevertheless, at least he doesn't have to stay past his working hours.

After work, he stopped by the nearest grocery store to buy the ingredients for his dinner. He bought his favorite pork leg which he plans to roast, and a couple of dark beers to partner the meat.

By the time he reached home, he saw a pair of a woman's slippers outside the door. Wondering who it could be, he continued walking to the door and opened it. Shocked but mesmerized; shocked that the visitor seems to be the girl who snubbed him this morning, mesmerized that he never thought she'll have such good features in that small face. She has perfectly arched eyebrows, which somehow complements her hairline, pointed cheeks which are still obvious even without smiling, really nice fair skin, and the feature that struck him the most is her deep red lips.

The surrounding seemed to move slowly as he was bewitched by this woman's beauty. He was called back to earth when he heard Kevin called him out and tried to introduce him to her.

"Bro, she's Ate Esther's cousin, she came to collect the rent", Kevin summarized.

"Sorry, I was not able to get your name, you are?" he turned to her while reaching out his hand to her awkwardly.

She saw the woman looking at Kevin's face, down to his hand blankly. The thing is, she never even bothered to accept his hand. Oh, man! That was awkward. He doesn't have the slightest idea how to react to the situation.

Good thing, Kevin has one of the thickest skin he's known. This guy doesn't seem to feel any embarrassment. He could just brush the cold treatment off as if nothing happened. Jacob's pretty thick-skinned too, himself. He can just laugh off embarrassment. But he finds it hard to accept rejection. He finds it humiliating when some people are blatantly rejecting others in front of other people. Besides, out of all the women, they've met, Kevin seemed gentle in approaching her.

What did they do to this woman? Did they unknowingly offend her or something? First, she frowned at him this morning, when she's the one staring at him in the first place. Now, she didn't accept Kevin's hand when he was trying to shake her hand, although she said her name, at least, but still. She seemed to be really hostile towards them. She never even bothered to look up to him, when they were being introduced. Yes, she looked at Kevin when he talked, but it's a look of disgust. What the hell happened before he arrived?

Slightly scratching his head, he wondered how many times she had to count the money until the woman suddenly forcefully excused her way out of the room. That's when she looked up to him for one second and continued her way. And that's also when he realized how small she is. With his 6 feet height, she just stands below his armpit. How cute is that?

Both Jacob and Kevin instinctively looked at each other's eyes in a silent search of an explanation. Both chuckled at the same time and shook their heads in answer. Both oblivious to what has transpired, both head on to each of their respective rooms.

Jacob decided to rest on his bed for a while after changing into a T-shirt and short pants. He fell asleep after scrolling onto his phone and woke up thirty minutes after.

Kevin seems to be doing something with his laptop, on the couch, when Jacob stepped out of his room. He then proceeded to the kitchen and started working on his roasted pork legs. While in the middle of cooking, someone knocked on their door. Since the kitchen is nearer to the door, he decided to take it.

"I'll get it", he told Kevin who attempted to stand up to get the door, but apparently went back to his previous position upon hearing what he said.

Jenny showed up by the door when he opened it. He doesn't seem to know how it happened, since she has an entirely different taste from him and Kevin, but she's been friends with them since her college days. On her hand is a food container covered with foil.

"I made lasagna!", she held up while presenting the food container to his face.

"Thanks! Right time for dinner", he replied to her while accepting the food container and went back to the kitchen.

Jenny on the other hand proceeded to the living room and chatted with Kevin.

He scooped some lasagna onto a plate and ate while cooking his roasted pork.

Jacob can barely hear what they're talking about, well, he's busy eating and cooking anyways. Although there are times when he can hear both of them laugh so loud. These two are really touchy and flirty to each other. Looks like Kevin is showing her something from his phone as their heads are almost glued together. She also doesn't seem to care when touching Kevin's shoulders. She does the same thing to him too, at times. She's like the opposite of the other woman from today.

Jenny yanked Kevin's hair as she stood up, laughingly in protest to Kevin's joke perhaps, and bid her farewell speech.

"Ok, I have to go, you guys! I'll check with my girlfriends if they're cool with blind dates first Kevin, before giving you their numbers", she told Kevin while walking on her way to the door. Kevin responded with a boastful laugh and that's it. She then timidly looked at Jacob, clipped her hair to her ears, and said goodbye to him.

"You liked the lasagna huh? Make sure to leave some for Kevin."

"I'll leave him one spoonful if he doesn't get his share", he smirkingly replied to her while giving her a thumbs up, to show his approval of the taste.

"Hahaha! Silly! Let's hang outside sometimes! See you!", and then, she left.

Perfect timing that he's half full and the roasted pork is finished. He decided to eat and drink in the living room so he could watch the replay of the San Miguel Beer team and Ginebra team championship which was held this afternoon.

Kevin stopped working on his laptop and joined him with his so-called "chilling", where they watch sports, drink beer, and eat.

"Too bad it's a replay. I would bet for Ginebra, look at their lineup, man!", Kevin excitedly muttered.

"Hahaha! Who cares about that? San Miguel Beer's teamwork is great! I'll bet on them".

"Are there any more lasagna?" Kevin asked while rubbing his stomach.

"I forgot, I haven't eaten, and yet I'm drinking", he continued while walking his way to the countertop.

"Yeah! I left some on the countertop. I thought you had dinner man?"

"No, I just finished working on my design before Jenny arrived. Thank you!", he teasingly said to him, making it obvious that he's thanking him, not the Jenny who gave them the food.

"Shut up, man!", annoyed, he replied, as he knows he's trying to tease him with the poor lady.

"What? Why? Hahaha! It's all thanks to you, she always remembers to give us delicious food. Told you, man, you just got to give her a chance", Kevin provokingly said, before munching in a spoonful of lasagna.

"Come on! It's not like that. It's just you, and your malice. Because I swear, I've never felt it from her before, and I'm not feeling it until now".

"Can't you see? The way she looks at you! Hahaha!"

"..."

"Oh please? Can't you really see it? I saw her many times, the way she looks at you, she looks... she looks...", Kevin paused while trying to find the right word to say next, "smitten. Hahahaha!", he continued.

"Hahahaha!"Jacob laughed at how Kevin described Jenny's look to him.

"But she's more flirty and touchy with you. I bet you're the one who doesn't see it since she's always locking arms with you every time she's with us, and she talks to you a lot more.." he continued.

"That's because if I don't, you won't talk to her. You really don't talk much, and I feel like she'll feel awkward, you don't even look at her that much, for Pete's sake!" Kevin told him before throwing the pillow to him.

Defeated, Jacob just shrugged off his shoulder. He thinks he's funny too. When he's in the mood, and with the right people, every word he says sounds like punchlines.

He doesn't really talk that much unless necessary. Kevin is funny and talkative. He's funny but quiet. Between him and Kevin, he's the more serious one. Maybe it's because of the fact that he has lots of younger siblings, and their father died while they were still young. He started working when he was ten years old, as a helper for his uncle who's a foreman. At eleven, he taught himself some carpentry. He was able to handle and operate a welding machine, and weld steel by the time he reached fifteen years old. Growing up, being the seventh child, he bore on his mind that he has to be responsible, and help his mom and older siblings in taking care of the younger ones. Fortunately for their family, their sister was able to land a job overseas and help support him, and he was able to finish architecture.

"By the way, what can you say about Ate Esther's cousin? Very pretty but scary, huh?" Kevin jokingly said. He's still not finished talking about women.

"Yeah, man! I saw her this morning, very beautiful, but she seems snobbish?"

"If she could be more approachable, what a waste?" Kevin ruefully said.

"What? I think she's my type, actually. Wonder what she looks like when she smiles genuinely."

"I bet, that's going to be hard, man!"

"I'd bet, I can do that", he replied while looking at Kevin in the corner of his eye.

Not intentional, but he's really very curious about this girl. He just can't forget about her lips. Wondering, how would it taste to kiss those lips? Can't imagine how those smooth skin would feel on his hands.

Jacob doesn't really mean to say that he'd bet. Kevin on the other hand was quick to hear what he said and challenged him even more.

"Oh yeah? I'll buy you the latest PlayStation PS5, give it say, three months? Is that enough? If you're not able to, you buy it, sounds good?"Kevin laid out all the bets. All that's left for him is to nod and agree or disagree.

Geez! It's wrong to bet on people. Playstation would be very nice. He's so thrilled about this bet, but not because of the fact that he'll get a PlayStation in three months, but with the forthcoming relationship, he could have with the girl. At least now, he's an excuse to really up his game and make the move to get close to her.

Since he just finished reading "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler last night, Jacob is staring at his stash of new books to read, trying to decide what to read. Flipping through the three new books on his hands, Alexandra's angelic face flashed in his mind's eye. In those few seconds that she looked up to him this evening, he felt as if she was trying to look right through him. Like she was trying to find something in his eyes but was not able to.

Although being on a joking term with her is somewhat far from impossible, Jacob thinks it must be nice to at least be on smiling terms with her. Those kinds that when you see each other on the road, and instead of frown, she'll greet you with a smile. That doesn't sound so bad either. Such a fine thought, but he doesn't want to bother himself too much. The bet? He couldn't really care less about that. The girl seems to have her nose high in the air, and can just cut you dead when she's displeased. He just doesn't think that he'll be willing to go through that humiliation if he ever tries to approach her.

Shaking his head for getting distracted, he finally picked "The Aquitaine Progression" by Rober Ludlum, tucked himself to bed, and read, till he fell asleep.

***

Sunday afternoon, Jacob woke up from his nap hungrily, he decided to go to the neighborhood grocery store, which has a food court inside. As he is munching on his sisig on a sizzling plate with two cups of rice, and two cans of soda pop, his gaze suddenly routed in the direction of the entrance of the food court. There he saw a familiar woman with angelic facial features wearing a floral Sunday dress, carrying lots of small and big plastic bags, entered the food court. It's Alexandra, Ate Esther's cousin. After looking upon the rows of tables and chairs, the woman decided to sit on the corner which was four tables apart from his right. She put the plastic bags with groceries to the chair beside her to save the seat and proceeded to the counter to order food.

When she came back, Jacob saw her smiling while looking at the tray she was holding. On the tray are a sisig on a sizzling plate, one cup of rice, and a soda pop. A slight chuckle escaped from his lips, as he found it amusing that they both ordered basically the same thing. It's just that he ordered doubles of all those things.

Jacob continued eating while sneaking stares from Alexandra, here and there. She still doesn't seem to notice him there as it looks like she has her own world. She seemed to be really enjoying her food, like those people who were finally able to eat the food they've been craving for a long time. The woman barely even glances at her surroundings while eating.

He finished eating few moments before her. However, since he decided to leave after her, he stayed sitting at his table, pretending to be flipping through his phone while still sneaking stares at her. Finally, she finished eating. She stood up and collected her plastic bags with groceries. After she turned her back, he also stood his way up, as it was his signal to leave as well, when suddenly, two of the plastic bags that the woman upfront was carrying burst, and spread out her groceries. Fortunately, they're not food, but mostly detergent soap, bleach, and toiletries. From this moment on, he doesn't care anymore whether she notices him, and who he is, and scornfully looks at him. She needed someone to help her, so he went forward and approached her.

"Are you Ok? Let me help you", he told her while picking up the scattered groceries.

"Ah yes, thank you!", she replied nicely, while looking down on him.

"Ah! These plastics are so fragile", he commented as he looks up at her while kneeling.

He saw her dumbfounded face the moment he raised his head. Apparently, she changed her expression, smiled hastily, and look on the left corner of her eyes, while clipping her hair on the right side of her ears.

"Ah yes, I think so."

"Don't think these can carry heavy stuff. We need an eco bag. Give me a second, I'll get you one", he continued and hurriedly went to the counter and bought two eco bags from the bagger man.

He caught her rearranging the rest of the scattered groceries and the stuffed plastics that are still intact. After presenting her the two eco-bags, he rearranged them all and packed the items accordingly, and carried them all for her.

"Oh no! It's OK. You don't have to carry them, please. You've done a lot for helping me. Thank you!", Alexandra tried to demur.

"Please, I insist. It's so heavy, our place is near anyway."

"But I will feel bad not having to carry anything..."

He then pulled up one plastic of lotion, facial wash, and soaps; looks like the stuff she mainly uses and gave it to her.

"Ok, here. You can bring this."

She reached for the plastic bag and clipped her hair on her ears.

"Just so you know, I don't live in Ate Esther's house. We live six blocks away from her and its father from here", Alexandra continued as they started to walk together out of the food court.

"Much better!", he jokingly said.

He regretted his flirty remarks for a while after he forgot that she might not take that nicely. Well, based on what transpired yesterday, who could've blamed him? Until he saw her break into a smile. Although she tried to hide it by looking down slightly, it was too late as he already saw it.

The faint expression Alexandra did just gave him the confidence and courage to get to know her. He got a bit excited about his own thoughts. He found himself smiling like a Cheshire cat, and thought of starting a conversation before she even sees him as a complete idiot. He tried to fake a cough to disrupt the awkwardness.

"So, do you always go to Ate Esther's?", he asked trying to hide his awkwardness.

"Ah, yes! I go there mostly after school, and during weekends, if I'm not doing anything, or if Ate Esther's needs me to look for my cousins. You? How long has it been since you moved there?".

"We just moved two months ago, me and my friend Kevin. So you're still studying? What course are you taking?".

"Yep, I'm on my fourth year in Accountancy."

"Wow! Debit, credit? That's so hard. I never understood that during my Accounting 101 way back in college." he replied in his attempt to avoid having a monotonous question and answer portion.

She chuckled before answering, "No, not really. That's just the basics of Accounting. This field is so much more than that."

This is nice! She's smiling and is very gentle. He has to keep her engaging in a conversation. Should he up his game? No, she might get overwhelmed and run away again. Jacob debated in his thought. Geez! He's walking on eggshells!

Fortunately, she seemed to feel at ease as they exchange conversations after conversations. She's now on the phase where she smiles every time she responded to him. This made him feel a bit closer than he feels as though they've gotten closer, compared to how they were a few minutes ago, much more since a day ago.

***

Alexandra's tired after buying their groceries and decided to eat at the food court, as she still hasn't had lunch. After scanning the tables, she chose to sit at the corner so won't get disturbed. She put all her grocery bags on the chairs and headed to the counter. In the food court are different stores to choose from, but she decided to buy from this restaurant that serves all their dishes on a sizzling plate. Sisig is their best seller as this dish really tastes different when put on a sizzling plate. She bought one order of sisig, one cup of rice and a coke.

Fully satisfied with her late lunch, Alexandra plans to continue reading the romance novel she's reading at home, which has occupied her mind from when she left. As she stood up to leave, distressing as it can be, some of the bags that carry the heaviest items burst and scattered all the groceries on the floor. Aside from the fact that she felt embarrassed after hearing the other diners expressed their shock at her situation, all eyes are on her. Let's not forget the fact that it's also a hassle.

"Ugh!", Alexandra annoyingly sighed.

As she was about to bend down and pick up her groceries, a man from her back hurriedly went to pick up the stuff for her. She doesn't know who he is yet, but he's talking to her right away.

Are you Ok? Let me help you", he told her while picking up the scattered groceries.

"Ah yes, thank you!", she replied nicely, while looking down on him.

"Ah! These plastics are so fragile", he commented as he looks up at her while kneeling.

At that moment, Alexandra saw who the guy was. She felt her ears and cheeks burned. Unconsciously, she turned to look away to hide her flush.

"Ah yes, I think so."

"Don't think these can carry heavy stuff. We need an eco bag. Give me a second, I'll get you one", he continued and hurriedly went to the counter where the bagger men are.

"This guy has a habit of leaving when he wants to huh?" She thought to herself, as he didn't even wait for her to respond and just went there right away. It's the same thing as what he did yesterday with his roommate. Nevertheless, she appreciated his gesture and thought that he may also be a gentleman.

She rearranges the groceries which Jacob gathered and decided to pack them in some of the bags. Jacob arrived with two pieces of eco-bags. He took the liberty to snatch the bags from her and put them all in the eco-bags.

Even though she thinks it's convenient and safe, Alexandra thought that carrying all the items at once would be so heavy for her to bring, compared to when the items are put in different bags. Between a rock and a hard place, she just decided that she will just ride a tricycle on her way home. That is her plan until she saw him carried the bags! There is no way, she'll let him carry the bags. He already helped her with the scattered groceries, and now this. She felt it's going to be too much trouble for him, and she doesn't want to cause trouble for anyone.

She tried to decline the offer while trying to reach for the bags to take them from him. Apparently, Jacob dodged her hands before she even reached his shoulders.

"Please, I insist. It's so heavy, our place is near anyway." Jacob looked at her gently as if he was begging in a friendly way.

For a couple of seconds, she felt drawn into him as he was looking at her with those eyes. Alexandra felt her ears and cheeks are about to get burned again, so she tried to brush off her thoughts and look down.

Over and above her hesitation, she felt uncomfortable know someone is going through all the troubles for her.

"But I will feel bad not having to carry anything...", she defeatedly replied.

Alexandra thought that Jacob must really be a very sensitive and nice guy. To stop her from worrying, he handed her a plastic bag, so she won't feel as much of a burden. She read his gesture and thought that it's very thoughtful of him to think.

With that, she happily accepted the plastic bag and left the food court with him. While walking on their way outside the grocery store, she let her thoughts wandered. It just stuck to her that Jacob might be thinking she lives with Ate Esther. He could be thinking that it's on his way.

"Just so you know, I don't live in Ate Esther's house. We live six blocks away from her and it's father from here", Alexandra's still trying to dissuade him.

"Much better!"

She was not looking at him, but he sounded so confident, which prompted her to look at him. There, Alexandra saw him blanked face while looking straight ahead. Thinking it how the situation seems awkward, she felt kind of happy. Oh my gosh! What is this? Is he flirting with me? Inside her head, she let out a ticklishly giddy that only she could hear.

They were conversing nicely while walking and passed by an ice cream vendor almost outside of the park. Alexandra thought of buying him one in return for helping her carry her baggage. However, she was just reminded that the grocery could still be heavy, so she decided against the idea when Jacob suddenly pointed at the ice cream vendor.

"Hey! Let's buy some ice cream." Jacob excitedly told her while pointing at the vendor.

Again, he didn't let her answer. Jacob walked to the ice cream vendor, which she happily followed.

He ordered chocolate ice cream on a waffle cone, while she ordered her usual vanilla, on a waffle cone too.

Jacob pointed to the park, and ask her if she wants to go inside to sit so they could focus on eating.

"Do you want to go to the park, let's sit on a bench somewhere nearby, so we could focus on eating? Hehe!" Jacob encouraged her, to which she agreed after flashing a wide smile.

Jacob led her to the park and decided to sit on a bench near the entrance and continued talking just about anything.