The Architecture (Batchelor Series #1)

35

"Hub, let me explain first, please," Baltazar called out, chasing after me. I sped up, heart pounding as I darted through their yard. Tangina, dead end? Seriously?!

I gritted my teeth, my thoughts racing. I was here to ask permission to court him, and now I find out he got someone pregnant? What the hell kind of chance do I stand? I mean, come on, anong laban ko—talong lang kaya ko, while that woman, Beatriz, may pepe at puwedeng magka-anak.

"Why? Because I caught you? I thought things were getting better, Baltazar. I forgave you! But then you—nakakapotangina ka talaga! You cheated! You—"

Before I could finish, Baltazar crashed his lips against mine. "I'm fucking celibate, hub. I—wait, hahaha!" Baltazar laughed as I bit his lip, hard. He really thought he could kiss his way out of this?

I pulled back, glaring. "Celibate ka? Oh, really? Edi kaninong anak 'yung nasa tiyan ni Beatriz, ha? Kung celibate ka?"

"Hub. Let me explain—" he began, but I grabbed a nearby rock and threw it at him. He dodged it, of course.

"Explain your face! I was about to court you, but now I'm pissed. Wag ka na mag-explain, I'm just going to believe what I saw!"

"Ano ka ba? Anak ko daw, gago. I don’t even know the father! Beatriz lives here with Mom dahil nga sa leakage video diba? Nasira ang buhay niya because of my dad's mess, and Mom’s been supporting her ever since. Beatriz’s family disowned her, so my mom took her in. When I came home earlier, we just happened to arrive together. I swear, hub, she’s here to see my mom, and I came here for you—my tampurorot." He smirked.

I threw another rock, and he dodged again. "I heard you talking to your mom! You were planning on courtship! Pero now? Forget it."

"Manuel Da Vinci, if you throw another rock, I'm going to bend you over right here and—"

I slapped my hand over his mouth. "Hoy! Ang eskandaloso mo! Mahiya ka, nasa bakuran tayo ng mama mo!"

"Bakit ako mahihiya? You're gonna court me, right? So, start courting!"

"Pinagsasabi mo, siraulo," I muttered, cheeks flushing.

"If you're serious about courting me, you should start by kneeling down and... well, you know what else to do." He pointed at the bulge in his pants, grinning like the devil himself.

I punched him in the arm, making his muscles flex. "Pakabastos mo! Mamaya ka lang sa akin. Tara, baka hinahanap na tayo ni Tita."

"Mamaya saan? Diba you’re gonna court me?" he teased, voice dropping. "You know what they say—if it’s not hard anymore, wala ka nang chance."

"Shut up and tape your mouth. Tita might hear, and what if Beatriz starts craving you, huh? Not gonna let you go that easily."

"Ang possessive naman ng hub ko. Pogi ba baby mo?"

"Wala na akong baby. May kabit ako." I couldn’t help but grin at my comeback.

Baltazar's expression darkened. "Sino? Tell me so I can punch their face in."

"Si Ryder, taga-kabit ng USB ko sa projector. Hahaha. Ikaw siguro may kabit."

"Oo, may kabit ako. Kakabitan kita mamaya," Baltazar shot back with a wink, leaving my face burning.

By the time we reached the living room, Beatriz and Baltazar's mom were sitting there. Beatriz immediately turned to me, apologizing for everything. She clarified that Baltazar wasn’t the father of her baby.

“Sorry talaga, Manuel. Alam kong awkward. But to be clear, Baltazar isn't the father. I’m here because I wanted to tell Tita na lilipat muna ako. I need to get away for a while—ang gago kasi ng tatay ng baby ko e,” Beatriz explained, gesturing to her belly.

"Sino ba ang ama ng bata?" I asked, eyebrows furrowing.

"Honestly? I don’t even know," Beatriz replied, her voice soft.

I facepalmed. Ano ba yan, babae ka na nga, papaputok nalang sa loob di pa tinanong ang pangalan nung kumarat. Baltazar and I quickly said our goodbyes, leaving before he could get any more ideas about his ridiculous "courtship" challenge. His mind was already running wild with his usual nonsense, talking about ligawan na raw tite nya. Tangina, ano bang klaseng ligaw ‘yan?

---

Architect Manuel Da Vinci couldn’t help but notice the way Engr. Baltazar Lopez’s eyes sparkled as they poured over the building plans. He looked so serious, making notes, and Manuel’s heart skipped a beat. Ampogi talaga ng shota ko. It didn't help that Baltazar’s arms were bulging from his rolled-up sleeves. Oo, niligawan ko na siya… sakit nga ng panga ko ngayon.

"Hey, Engr. Baltazar," Manuel teased, walking over to the table. "How’s our building design looking?"

They were working on the renovation of the fire-damaged Star City in Pasay, a new project that required a fresh team. Nobody here knew about their relationship, which was fine—they kept things civil at work and saved the action for private time.

Baltazar glanced up with a small smile. "It's looking good, Architect Manuel. But we could strengthen the foundation a bit more."

Manuel grinned. "You’re always about making things stronger, aren’t you?"

Baltazar's cheeks turned pink. "Just making sure our building lasts, Manuel," he muttered, eyes still on the plans.

Manuel leaned closer, eyes twinkling with mischief. "I think you’re trying to build something more, Engr. Something that’ll last forever."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world fell away. Baltazar smiled, soft and sincere.

"Maybe I am, Manuel. Maybe I am."

Without thinking, Manuel’s hand reached out, fingers brushing over Baltazar’s pants. Tangina, wala sa script na hawakan ko burat niya, stress-reliever lang naman. But who could resist when the guy was this cute, especially when he was flustered?

"I think we make a great team, Engr. Both at work and outside of work." He gave Baltazar’s zipper a playful squeeze, causing the other man’s face to flush even deeper.

"Careful," Baltazar whispered, his voice low and teasing. "We’ve got a house to build after this. Our next project—tayo ang unang magbibinyag."