A Close Second

Thirty Seventh.

I smiled while I fix my outfit in the mirror.

I was wearing the most casual clothes right now. A white button-up shirt and some soft french terry cargo pants, pairing it with black chucks. Once I'm contented with my high ponytail, I put on the silver watch and then reached for the sling bag which houses my essentials: phone, wallet, hair ties, powder, a cologne spray, and hand towels. I brought at least three for good measure.

"Where are you going?"

Napalingon ako kay Conrad, who was looking up at me, still dressed in his Lightning McQueen Jammies. I smiled at him, walking over the chaise lounge to tie my shoelaces.

"Work, Baby," I tell her.

He jumps into my bed. "You have work?"

"Yeah, I don't think I'll be back until later in the afternoon." Sabi ko sa kanya as I stood up. "How about you? What's on your schedule?"

"Soccer." He replies. "We have training today."

"Okay. Try not to get your teeth knocked out this time okay?" I patted his head as I rose, smiling as he frowned, probably remembering that incident when he was about six years old.

Bumaba kaming dalawa, going straight into the dining hall. Nginitian ako ni Yaya Rosario habang umupo ako sa dining table. She served me with a bowl of oatmeal and Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries. Conrad meanwhile was given his pancakes. I thanked Yaya and then dug in.

"Ihahatid ka rin b ani Andrei pauwi?" tanong ni Yaya Rosario sa akin.

I gave her a shrug. "I don't know."

"How about Kuya Andrew?"

Napalingon ako sa kanya. "What?"

"Nothing." He says. "I miss Kuya Andrew."

I couldn't say anything. Tinignan lang ako ni Yaya sandal before she went on her way. Tinapos ko na yung pagkain ko, and the glass of milk that was served at me. I bade them goodbye saka naman lumabas na ng bahay, intent on waiting on Andrei since napagusapan na susunduin naman daw ako ngayon para may kasabay akong papuntang site.

Truth is, Andrei didn't really offer me work, just so much as a distraction. I didn't have a salary on it for one thing, and they can easily replace him with another architect (they don't have to be there always anyways, I researched that). But I thought about all of it, and I had nothing better to do anyway.

Mabuburo lang naman ako sa bahay ng walang ginagawa, so I thought that it wouldn't be that bad to spend my time on a project that I was behind in the first place.

"Good morning..." I trailed as I saw who was there to fetch me. "Andrew."

Nakasandal si Keith sa may sasakyan niya. It wasn't his usual car. Today, it was a pick-up truck, a Blue Toyota Tundra to be exact. I know because Andrei had driven this once last January, telling me things about the car that I cannot even remember now.

Andrei once said that the ride was probably one of the biggest he's driven, but it wasn't his. He just borrowed it from someone, who now I know was his brother.

Now that made sense.

"Good morning, Ms. Singson." He says pleasantly. "Pinapasundo ka ng Kuya ko."

I walked towards the car. "Oh... Oh-kaay."

He opens the passenger side for me, and I gave a small smile before getting inside. He walks around the car and then gets into the driver's seat, closing the door as he climbed in. He startled me when he reached to my side, leaning in.