Days passed and we're working together. I fixed my old laptop and lent it to her. Looking up from my laptop, I opened the door. There she is by the door, standing and looking at me. She asked to borrow my laptop. I'm finished so there would be no problem--damn. The video is still in my files! I quickly encrypted the folder. I stood up and walked past her. This is it. I failed the last time. Nung natapon niya yung tubig sa iba mga papel na kinalat ko. I purposely put back my ex fiancee's picture as my laptop's background photo. What a small world for all of us. Walking outside, I think I can go back now. It's been ten minutes but I'll go back anyway. Tell her I left my wallet or something. Crap I feel stupid for doing this. However, I can't just tell her that I was ordered by her dad. I need to finish what he told me to do. There, I saw her trying to tell me something. Just say it, Dahlia. "...Oh. I guess I'm leaving then." Crap. It's damn awkward. She should say something. I looked back at her when she called me. Alright. "... this woman on your wallpaper, is she your fiancee? The one that came to me last time..." When she handed me her camera, I stared at it. I've seen this photo again. It seems fast but I don't feel anything about this unlike before. Anyhow, I dropped it after telling her our story. "I don't need to see that," I managed to say. I can't look straight at her. I can see how it hurts in her eyes. If this really hurts, I'm sorry. She walked out of the apartment. I just want to end this connection I started... we started. We aren't meant to be good with each other. "Crap! Hey--" she got out already before I even managed to call her back. Parang nagsisi kaagad ako sa ginawa ko. I can't just say those things to her... It's hard. I don't understand. Somehow, there is a pain in my chest. I don't think this is from the photo. Now I am staring at a letter given to her. This looks familiar. It annoys the hell out of me too. Looking at the last part, I read something. Is this a threat? Why would they use a love letter to cover up a threat? "Somehow we are connected," that's the only thing I can say. She should trust me on this. I know who these guys are. Riding my motorcycle, I drove to their place. I am not mistaken. They are still here. It is a condo. They all live together. Only a few blocks from my apartment. I pressed the button on their door. "Why are you here? Decided to give it a go now, huh?" his voice came out from the speaker attached by the door. I placed my arm by the wall to serve as my support and leaned closer to the camera. "We need to talk." Nang pinapasok na nila ako, naabutan ko yung iba kong kasama na nasa may lamesa. They looked like they had a meeting. "What now?" "Carl, I know this is from you. I'm telling you, there is no point in doing this. That woman is innocent. Don't drag her into this," he just laughed and sat on the couch. "Yeah, man. There is really no point in doing it. We were about to, but there are people who were willing to do the same thing." he shrugged. "What are you talking about, huh?" Lumapit pa ako sa kaniya. "Men in a black suit with masks on are there. People are actually confused about them but they seemed to know the landlord there." I walked to them and looked into his eyes. Men in suits. I can only think of one. They must be those men I saw who attempted to kidnap her. I highly doubt it's from her father at all. Her father must be that man, but he sounded anxious for his daughter when he called me. "Carl, look at this video. The men look loaded," one of my comrades said while turning his laptop to Carl. I leaned near them, "Let me see." There, I can see in my own eyes. They look like those men from before. Yung galing sa father niya. However, they are different people. They look like those I dialed the number of the man who approached me. "Hello?" "I need a favor. Regarding Ms. Ty," I said. "Just make sure no money is involved. This man needs to work for it too." I got a copy of the video from them and stormed out of the condo. They were confused but I don't care. There is this urge inside me to do something. To act now. Lumapit pa sa akin si Carl. My fists hurt. Maybe punching him was a bad idea. Pagkarating ko sa apartment, may mga nakabantay sa bawat sulok. People are looking at them weirdly. Walang alam yung tinawagan ko tungkol dito. I'm sure he already informed Mr. Ty. Alright, this mask and suit will do. "Mrs. Ty ordered for more," I started. They just nodded and let me in. I casually walked through the halls and there, I called out the men. "I will inform the boss about this. Just do your part and keep the daughter safe." Without you telling me, I know I'll do it. "That's enough now. You can take your breaks. I'm going to handle this." I said after I got into a commotion with men outside. They wouldn't let me inside my own apartment. They left and somebody even patted me on my shoulder. I sighed and looked at Dahlia. I rushed to her. I am feeling it again. The same feeling of before. Damn it! I should take you away from here. I cannot let you out of the country... Only one place will do. Even if that place is from him. I can't let Dahlia suffer. "We need to leave this place right now. I settled things with them... but I didn't think... things are settled with your father." bumulong na lang ako sa huling mga salita ko. After she slept, I brought her to the very place her father bought for me. "I don't need this," I said again but he is not listening. "I told you, what happened got to the boss and he was thankful for you. He wants you to use--" "I don't want to use anything from that man." if it's not for her. "Do what you want, I'm outta here." I looked around the office. It's small office space but with a luxurious setup. I looked at her on the bed. She looks... peaceful. "The things I do for you..." I mumbled. I should convince her more to stay. That would do. Walking out of the office, there is a woman standing by the hallway. Chelsea... "Looks like my job, for the second time brought me to you, Marcus." "I told you already--" "That day I met you, did you know how miserable I am?" she walked towards me. "...but you were there. I was ordered to be here, a place away from him in order to help him get what he wants..." "I have no time for this." I firmly told her. "I want a position in their hospital. Her stepmother is a nice person, you see. Anyways, I must thank you again. The first time, I got miserable and bored but you provided something to me. Then now, you have someone I need." I can't believe she's looking at me like I lost something. "Stop looking at me like that." "Oh... maybe it's true. You regret losing...me?" "I didn't lose anything. How would I lose someone who's never mine?" she is quite full of herself. "You even proposed to me!" now she is shouting. It looks like she's the one who lost. I must admit, the relationship felt quick for me as well. I looked back at the closed door of my office when she leaned toward me. "...I know she's there, Marcus. If I were you, since her father is under her stepmother, I would side with me." I clenched my fists. I can't. But she already entered the office. Dahlia is also there. That hug was the last time. "I know I cannot reason with you right now... so maybe, like how others do, feelings will convey my message," I said to her. I watched her walk away from me. This is the best... and probably the last time. I can't and I won't stop her from reuniting with her father. I know how it feels. However, right now, I'm still bothered by how I feel. Looking at that file, I sighed. I talked to the people I know from my military service before. Some of them became police. I sent them the video and there I heard about what happened to her father. The same pain I felt before... "Damn," I muttered to myself. I will come back to her. Even if she does not want to see me anymore. After I got my degree, I flew to the Philippines. I need to know what happened to her. I settled in a condo, thanks to my continuously growing side business. Marketing and doing the other thing was challenging but soon I developed a team. Now, I'm here. In the very hospital where I lost my father. It still hurts me, the fact that we were ignored. I won't let other people suffer the same. "I am very pleased of this deal. I am looking forward to working with you. However, I think I need to confirm this with someone first," he said while looking at the papers. Confirm with someone? I assume it's her. He sounded... personal about it. Isa pa, simula nang tumuloy na ako dito sa Pilipinas, nakita kong lagi silang magkasama. I don't know why, but she's probably special for him. I've followed her around, talked to doctors to help her because I know, I will only make her situation worse. I know that she needs to learn to overcome on her own. The only thing that I cand do to actually look out for her is to partner with her family's hospital. Hindi na nakakagulat na hindi siya ang kausap ko ngayon. I know how disorganized she can be, she will hate the chief position. "Sure, sir. Thank you," I said and made my way out of the office. I think I forgot to give this to him. Damn, I'm already in my car. I somehow managed to get to his office but they told me he was in a meeting. I waited there for an hour or so. I can just leave the papers here but I want to talk to him... for some reason. "Excuse me sir? Mr. Alcantara is at the meeting room. They finished a while ago." Papunta doon ay may kakaiba akong nararamdaman. It's fool of me, still expecting to see her around. I saw a room slightly open. Alright, I will just-- "For what...?" that's her voice. Lumapit pa ako sa may pinto. I peeked through and saw her there. She is wearing something formal. Much different from before. She looks fine too. Not much of a difference than when I saw her all these years. It's just kind of different seeing her nearly close like this. "Uh, just... things. Business. Yes, I think you can help me a lot. Ito pala," the man I talked with gave her flowers. "...I can't go since I have work... thank your dad for me please." he continued. I sighed and walked away from the room. I knew it. Entering my car, I saw her ride her car too. She looks busy... I still have time before my team meeting. Checking her won't hurt. I promised myself this will be the last time since she found someone already, but I'm not sure. When she talked to her dad, I stayed behind. I went to the grave shelter of her family. "Sir, what happened before is quite unforgivable. However, I know you did your best. Alam ko ring gusto ng father ko na patawarin kita. It's hard, and I know it will never be easy, but you are a person too." Matapos kong gawin yun, pakiramdam ko gumaan ang lahat. There is just one thing that I think is complicated--she found someone else. Napatingin ako sa phone ko. "Hello, ma, yes. Sige po. Pupunta ako diyan. I'm sorry, I forgot to visit you... yes I know the last time was my graduation. Okay, bye." New York it is. The first thing I did is going to our old house. "Ma, I'm here." She came running to me and I bent over to meet her. She got ahold of both of my cheeks. "Where have you been all this time? You know, I still hated that you went back to Philippines. You should have stayed here," I smiled at her. "I'm fine, ma. May pupuntahan lang po ako. Last day na ng open house ng university ko dati. I want to visit it again," "Oh? I will prepare your food first, come, come," So when I saw her there, my heart felt the same feeling again. I told myself that was the last time, but I can't let this slip. What are you doing here, Dahlia? Making me do the things I don't like, again. She pushed me and I was taken aback. By what I did and what she did. "The hell?! What are-- M-Marcus..." "I'm sorry, I--" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang yakapin niya ako. That hug, I thought that was the last time. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." There's a warm feeling again. Whenever I see her, I can't stop myself. Hugging her back, I won't waste anytime to tell her, "I want to BEnch WITH YOU, Dahlia." She pushed me lightly. "What kind of pun is that? And, I won't forgive your stolen kiss!" "W-what? We're even now," I said in defense. In any case, what I heard about this bench, the legend, I want to believe it now. I want it to happen to me as well. Foolish of me to rely on legends, but I am just a man. A man who felt this way.