PREDICTABLE | Mikhaloi [18+]

Look for the plot

The morning light filtered through the blinds, painting the room in soft hues. I stirred, my mind foggy with sleep, and blinked open my eyes. I was in someone's bed, the sheets tangled around me. A wave of anxiety washed over me, followed by a heavy sense of confusion. I didn't remember how I got here.

Then I saw her. Avery, standing in the doorway, her hair still damp from the shower, a bathrobe loosely draped around her.

"You're awake," she said, her voice a soft melody.

My heart pounded in my chest. My mind raced, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. The hazy memories of a hectic evening, the laughter, the drinks, the blur of faces and conversations… It all seemed like a distant dream. How had I ended up here?

_____________________________________________

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air as Avery moved around the kitchen, expertly preparing breakfast for Maxwell.  They both seemed relaxed, their conversation punctuated by easy laughter as they recounted the events of the previous night.

"Naalala mo ba nung nag-karaoke tayo?" Avery chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Grabe ka kumanta, parang si Freddie Mercury!"

Maxwell grinned, "Oo nga, e! Ikaw naman, ang galing mo sumayaw! Parang nag-practice ka na sa isang concert."

They both laughed, the memory of their shared karaoke session bringing a warmth to their faces.  As they ate, Avery's gaze drifted towards the bed, where a small, crumpled object lay forgotten.  She picked it up, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Remember this?" she asked, holding up a feather boa, the same one they had playfully used during a silly dance-off the night before.

Maxwell's eyes widened, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Oh, no! Don't remind me!" she exclaimed, playfully trying to snatch the boa from her.

The playful banter continued, their shared memories of the night before adding a layer of intimacy to their morning routine

Tanong saglit. may nangyari ba talaga sakanila?

As Avery and Maxwell arrived at La Salle to meet Mr. Villanueva, the renowned architect, they felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. They knew that building a firm with him would be a significant step in their careers.

Mr. Villanueva welcomed them warmly, his eyes shining with a mix of wisdom and passion for architecture. As they sat down to discuss the project, Maxwell and Avery listened intently, eager to learn from his expertise.

"Building this firm for my daughter is a dream come true," Mr. Villanueva shared, his voice filled with pride. "I want it to be a place where creativity flourishes, where young architects can come together to create something enduring."

Avery and Maxwell nodded in agreement, inspired by his vision. They exchanged ideas with Mr. Villanueva, discussing the design concepts, the use of sustainable materials, and the importance of creating a space that fosters collaboration and innovation.

As the conversation flowed, they found themselves immersed in the world of architecture, sharing stories of their own experiences and learning from Mr. Villanueva's vast knowledge. The meeting stretched into the afternoon, but none of them minded, lost in the excitement of creating something meaningful and lasting.

By the end of their meeting, a sense of camaraderie had formed between them. Mr. Villanueva expressed his confidence in Avery and Maxwell, believing that together, they could bring his vision to life. As they parted ways, they knew that this collaboration would not only build a firm but also forge a lasting bond between them.

After the meeting with Mr. Villanueva at La Salle, Maxwell, being a girl, couldn't contain her curiosity and eagerness to meet Mr. Villanueva's daughter. As they walked out of the architect's office, she turned to Avery with a hopeful expression.

"When can we meet Mr. Villanueva's daughter?" Maxwell asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Avery smiled, understanding Maxwell's excitement. "I'll reach out to Mr. Villanueva and see if we can arrange a meeting with his daughter," she replied. "I'm sure she plays a significant role in the vision for the firm, and it would be great to get to know her and understand her perspective."

Maxwell nodded, a sense of determination in her eyes. Meeting Mr. Villanueva's daughter would not only strengthen their relationship with the architect but also provide valuable insights into the project they were about to embark on.

Maxwell, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation after the meeting with Mr. Villanueva, decided to drive to Starbucks to order her usual drink. As she pulled into the parking lot, the familiar green and white logo of the coffee shop came into view, signaling a moment of relaxation and comfort amidst the day's events.

Stepping inside, the rich aroma of coffee enveloped Maxwell, instantly soothing her senses. She made her way to the counter, where the friendly barista greeted her with a smile.

"Hi, Maxwell! The usual today?" the barista asked, already knowing her order by heart.

Maxwell nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, please. My usual."

As she waited for her drink, Maxwell took a moment to reflect on the day's events. Meeting Mr. Villanueva and discussing the upcoming project had filled her with a sense of purpose and inspiration. The prospect of collaborating with such esteemed individuals fueled her passion for architecture even more.

Soon, her drink was ready, and Maxwell took a sip, savoring the familiar taste that never failed to bring her comfort. With a contented sigh, she settled into a cozy corner of the coffee shop, letting the warmth of her drink and the buzz of conversation around her lull her into a moment of relaxation and reflection.

As Maxwell sat down at Starbucks with her usual drink, lost in her thoughts and the buzz of the busy coffee shop, she found herself seated next to a girl who was meticulously working on a project or plates. Maxwell, absorbed in her own world, paid little attention to the girl's work, lost in her own reflections.

However, as Maxwell stood up to leave, a sudden jolt caused her to accidentally bump into the table, sending her coffee tumbling onto the girl's carefully arranged plates. The girl's frustration was palpable, her hard work now ruined by the unexpected spill.

"I can't believe you just did that! These were last-minute plates for my project!" the girl exclaimed, her voice tinged with anger and disappointment.

Maxwell, caught off guard by the girl's reaction, tried to apologize and offer to help clean up the mess, but the girl's frustration only escalated into a heated argument. Words were exchanged, emotions running high as both struggled to find common ground in the midst of the chaos.

Feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood, Maxwell decided to walk out, the tension in the air weighing heavily on her. The incident had left a sour taste in her mouth, a mix of regret and frustration clouding her thoughts as she stepped out of the coffee shop, the argument still echoing in her

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."  My voice trailed off, a wave of guilt washing over me.

The girl cut me off, her voice sharp with frustration. "konti, nalang oh. ! Alam mo bang mahalaga sakin 'to?"

I felt a pang of shame.  "I'm really sorry," I said, my voice sincere. "I'll do anything to make it up to you."

She rolled her eyes, her anger still simmering.  "Whatever," she muttered, grabbing a napkin and starting to clean up the mess.

I felt a surge of helplessness. I knew there was nothing I could do to undo the damage, but I wanted to show her how truly sorry I was. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a white envelope, carefully placing 30 crisp blue bills inside.

"I'm sorry," I said, placing the envelope on the table as I walked out, hoping that the gesture, however small, could convey the depth of my remorse.

Matutulog.