Love and Pretensions (Published Under PIP)

03.

"I'm currently painting another piece and it will be part of an auction. As always, 'yung kikitain ay ido-donate natin sa mga bata sa ampunan." I smiled and adjusted my phone to show my painting. I'm doing an IG live here in my art room.

"This is my personal favorite. I'm really hoping this gets a lot of bids." I laughed lightly and showed them the painting that I'm talking about. Napangiti naman ako nang makita ang madaming comments na nagsasabing magbi-bid daw sila para doon.

I showed my other artworks and also did a Q&A portion because they requested it. Some asked about the issue about me and the 'mystery CEO' but I just chose to ignore them.

I was in the middle of answering a question about how much I sell my paintings when I noticed a verified account leaving a comment on my live. Tinapos ko ang pagsagot sa tanong bago ulit nagbasa ng comments. I also looked for the verified account that I noticed earlier.

xavierkai: how much for the artist? i'm interested :)

Muntik akong nabuwal sa kinauupuan ko but I still somehow managed to keep my poise. I swallowed the lump on my throat and continued scrolling, ignoring Kai's question.

"Will you go back to acting again?" I read a question out loud. "Hmm, as of now, I don't think so. I've been very busy with my personal life lately. But soon, maybe I will." I chuckled. Lies. I badly want to go back to acting again but I don't get any new projects!

"Okay, I think that's as much as I can answer for today." kunwari akong tumingin sa oras. "I still have some things to do pa eh. Thank you so much for being here with me! See you sa auction!" I waved and ended the live.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang maalala ang tungkol sa comment ni Kai. Was that really him? O baka naman kapangalan lang? Hindi naman na bago sa'kin ang may mga verified account na napapadpad sa live ko dahil may mga kaibigan akong sikat at ako nga mismo ay verified din. Pero hindi talaga pamilyar sa'kin ang account kanina.

A knock on my door knocked me out of my reverie. Huminga ako nang malalim at tumayo para pagbuksan ang kung sino 'man 'yun. I was too preoccupied by my thoughts that I didn't bother checking the peephole kaya naman ay halos malaglag na ang eyeballs ko sa gulat nang makita kung sino ang nasa harapan ko ngayon.

"Hello, Autumn!" Kai greeted while smiling widely.

"What the hell are you doing here? And how did you know that I'm here? Are you stalking me?!" paratang ko. He raised both his hands as if surrendering and chuckled.

"Woah, calm down. I'm not stalking you. I just stopped by to ask a question since you didn't answer it on your live earlier." he smiled mischievously. As if my eyes weren't wide enough, they widened more.

"That was you?!" naituro ko siya sa gulat. Hindi pa ba obvious, Avery?

"The one and only. So, how much would it be to take you out on a date?" he asked smoothly.

"No. And how the fuck did you even find me here? I don't share my condo's address to anyone." nangunot ang noo ko. Wala kasi ako sa bahay ngayon, kun'di sa sariling condo unit. Madalas ako dito dahil nawawalan na ako ng ganang umuwi sa bahay.

"Hmm, I have my own ways. So, come with me tonight?"

"No." sumimangot ako at akmang isasara ang pinto pero napigilan niya.

"Oh, come on. Isn't that what couples do?" he pouted.

"Yes. But we're not a couple. I don't even know you." I rolled my eyes. Natawa siya sa sinabi ko at pinagkrus ang mga braso. I took that as an opportunity to close the door but he was too quick, he stopped it with his foot.

"I thought you said I was your boyfriend? Oh, and I saw your post. Date day pala natin kahapon eh." ngumiti siya ng nakakaloko. "And you know the best part? The whole country thinks we're a thing! Trending tayo, alam mo ba?" his smile grew wider and my face frowned even more.

"It's just an issue, it'll die down soon. Now if you excuse me, I would like to have some privacy." I attempted to close my door again pero ang walang hiya, tuluyan nang pumasok!

He started looking around my place as if he was at a museum of some sort. Nakasimangot naman akong pinapanood siya. "You painted all of these?" he asked, looking so amazed. What can I say? I really am a great artist.

I boredly nodded. "Obviously." Akala ko ba ay nanood siya ng live ko kanina, bakit 'di niya alam?

"You're an amazing artist. These all look so realistic! Parang printed!" he said, still amazed with my talent.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." I shrugged casually. Almost everyone who sees my paintings say that, which is true naman. I've been painting since I was young and it grew in me. Now I can't stop.

"Bakit ang sungit mo? Mabait ka naman sa'kin kahapon ah?" he asked and looked at me, tilting his head.

Napairap ako. "Because you helped me. Helped. Past tense. Nangyari na, tapos na. Kaya tapos na din ang pagiging mabait ko sa'yo." I honestly said. That's just how I am. I would say that I'm kind but I still have an attitude. I have this urge na sungitan lahat ng tao sa paligid ko and that's exactly what I do.

"Then I should help you again, para maging mabait ka ulit sa'kin." He said and looked up, acting like he was thinking. "What do you need help with?"

"Hmm, what if you help me get some peace and quiet by leaving me alone?" I smiled sarcastically.

Napahawak siya sa baba niya at pinitik ang dila. "That, I can not do." he smiled. I groaned in frustration because he just won't leave.

"I'll call the guards if you don't leave." banta ko na talagang tototohanin ko. Kai seems to be a really nice guy but I badly just want to rest.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave. But let me introduce myself formally first." He chuckled. It wasn't really necessary though. I don't really care.

"I'm Kai Xavier Gonzales. CEO and Owner of Gonzales Hotels and Condos."

My mouth gaped open and that's when I realized... that means he owns this whole building.