Part 23

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“I didn’t know may kapatid ka pala—twin mo pa,” Addison said as Mackenzie walked her to the door. “Yeah, well, she lives with my dad sa US. Hindi ko din siya nababanggit on stream or anywhere, kaya sila Gab lang talaga ang may alam,” Mackenzie, her tone casual but with a hint of awkwardness. “Ah, I see. Makes sense,” Addison replied, nodding as they reached the hallway. Mackenzie hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “About that picture… she doesn’t know na I’m kind of known here. I never told my dad na nag-gaming ulit ako,” she admitted, glancing at Addison nervously. Addison tilted her head in curiosity but stayed quiet, letting her continue. “I didn’t want to leave you that night, but my sister needed me,” Mackenzie said softly, stopping in her tracks. She reached out and gently held Addison’s arm. “Can I make bawi today?” 

“Mackie…” Addison said softly, taking a step back, her voice gentle but firm. “We’ve talked about this, diba?” 
Mackenzie nodded, her expression serious yet hopeful. “Yeah, and you said to take a step back. Well, this is me stepping back. I’m not here to force you to love me back, Addi. I just want the chance to know you better and show you that I meant every word when I said I love you.” Her lips curled into a small, almost childlike smile, the kind that made her eyes shine with sincerity. 
Addison felt herself soften despite the walls she’d built, her resolve wavering at the sight of Mackenzie like this. “Fine,” she relented with a sigh, crossing her arms. “Pero ha, I’ll call you out if you overstep. No funny business.” 
“Promise!” Mackenzie grinned, holding up an imaginary scout’s honor. 
Addison rolled her eyes, unable to stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "You’re impossible.”

"Uy," Clover said, bumping into Mandy in the hallway. "Aray naman, lutang lang," Mandy muttered, rubbing the top of her head. Clover chuckled at the sight. "Ikaw tong bigla-biglang nambubunggo," she teased, gently tapping Mandy’s head. "Kanina pa ako andyan, hindi mo lang ako makita," Mandy shot back, rolling her eyes. "Nauntog na nga ako" Clover replied with a playful smirk, her tone flirtatious. Caught off guard by Clover's boldness, Mandy’s face turned pink as she tried to hide her flustered expression. "Bakit ba andito ka pa?" she mumbled, quickly walking away. "Wala naman akong pasok," Clover said casually, trailing behind. "Akala ko sabi mo kay Ate Addison, meron?" Mandy countered, glancing over her shoulder. "Ayoko lang kasi pag-usapan nila yung kagabi," Clover admitted, a sly smile creeping across her face. "Ikaw ba?" "Wala namang nangyari, ah!" Mandy blurted, her voice defensive as she avoided eye contact. Clover grinned, stepping closer until Mandy's back hit the wall. She leaned in, her hands resting lightly on Mandy’s waist. "Gusto mo maalala?" she whispered with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Before Mandy could respond, Shan’s door creaked open, and her startled voice broke the tension. "Ano ba yan?!" she exclaimed, wide-eyed at the scene in front of her. Clover casually stepped back, unbothered, while Mandy buried her face in her hands, wishing the floor would swallow her whole. 

The soft hum of the café surrounded them, a cozy warmth settling in as Mackenzie pulled out a chair for Addison. “Such a gentlewoman,” Addison teased, sitting down with a raised brow. “Well, I figured you deserve nothing less,” Mackenzie replied with a playful grin, sliding into her own seat. 
The waiter arrived, and Mackenzie immediately asked, “Addi, anong favorite mo dito?” Addison blinked at her, surprised. “You’re letting me decide?” 
“Of course,” Mackenzie said without hesitation. “I want you to have exactly what you want.” Addison glanced at the menu before ordering a cappuccino and a slice of mango cheesecake. Mackenzie smiled as she ordered the same. “Copycat,” Addison said, narrowing her eyes. Mackenzie shrugged, grinning. “Maybe I just trust your taste. Or maybe I just want to see what makes you happy.” The conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter as Mackenzie listened intently to Addison’s stories. She didn’t just nod along—she asked questions, remembered details, and brought up connections to things Addison had mentioned before. At one point, Mackenzie noticed Addison rubbing her hands together. “Cold?” she asked, already shrugging off her jacket. 
“I’m fine—” Addison started, but Mackenzie draped the jacket over her shoulders without a word. Addison felt herself soften again, her earlier reservations slipping away. “You really don’t have to—” “I want to,” Mackenzie said simply, her gaze steady but warm. 

After finishing their desserts, Mackenzie suggested a walk along the park nearby. As they strolled, Mackenzie stayed close enough for Addison to feel her presence but never overstepped, giving her space. When they reached a bench overlooking the water, Mackenzie stopped and gestured. “Rest for a bit?” she asked. 
Addison nodded, sitting down.

“You know it's my first time walking out since a long time, ngayon lang ulit ako naka langhap ng fresh air” Mackenzie says telling her story. “You don't like walks?” Addison asks. “It wasn't relieving my stress” Mackenzie says casually. “Oh eh what are we doing here? Let's go someplace else” Addison says about to stand up. Mackenzie stops her by gently pulling her closer, “It's different now… it's not the place… it's you… I feel comfort and safety with you” Mackenzie says sincerely looking at Addison with love. “Mackie…” Addison says also looking deep in Mackie's eyes. She looks down to her lips and says, “Warning…” as she looks back up at Mackie who was also looking at her lips.

Rain started to pour, drenching the streets in seconds. "May bagyo ba?" Mackenzie asked, her voice urgent as she quickly moved to shield Addison from the downpour, rushing them both back to her car. "Nabasa ka!" Mackenzie exclaimed, frantically wiping raindrops off Addison's face and shoulders. "Malamang, mababasa ako—umuulan eh," Addison laughed, teasing her with a raised brow. Without missing a beat, Mackenzie pulled her shirt over her head. "Addi, take my shirt." Addison blinked in surprise as Mackenzie stood there in just her sweater, the rain soaking her shirt. "Huy!" Addison protested, quickly covering Mackie's chest with the sweater. "Eh, basa din 'yan eh," Mackenzie shrugged nonchalantly, tugging the sweater off. "I'll just stay like this." "Wait, Mackie, ano ba?!" Addison quickly covered her eyes, her face flushing. "Why? Ikaw lang naman andito, ah," Mackenzie smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "Warning ka na talaga sakin!" Addison snapped, her hands still covering her face, but her heart racing a little faster than before.

“Hindi ba kotse 'to ni Mackie? From Alas,” a girl outside the car remarked, her eyes scanning the vehicle. “Oo nga, parang ‘eto nga… ampogi din eh,” her friend added, clearly impressed. “Silipin mo, baka nasa loob siya,” another suggested, leaning in for a better look. 
Before they could get any closer, Addison, in a sudden flurry of nerves, jumped into Mackie’s lap, throwing her arms around her in an instinctive hug. 
“Tanga, wala ka makikita d’yan, blackout tinted eh,” one of the girls called out, laughing at the scene. Addison’s face flushed crimson as she buried her face against Mackie’s shoulder, mortified. She hadn’t thought this through—now they were so close, and it was making her heart race. Mackenzie, completely unfazed, tucked a strand of Addison’s hair behind her ear. “You know, if you wanted to hug me, you could’ve just said so.” Addison, trying to play it off, teasingly punched Mackie’s arm, about to pull away. “Baka bumalik pa sila... ganito muna tayo,” Mackenzie said, her voice soft and sincere as she wrapped her arms around Addison’s waist, pulling her close again. She looked at Addison, her gaze full of warmth and understanding. Addison’s breath caught for a moment. She could feel her heart pounding, but this time, she didn’t mind so much.

Addison hesitated, her palm resting against Mackenzie’s cheek as her fingers gently traced the line of her jaw. Mackenzie’s eyes softened, the playful smirk she always wore fading into something more vulnerable. “Addi…” Mackenzie whispered, her voice barely audible, her breath warm against Addison’s skin.  Without thinking, Addison leaned in, her forehead resting lightly against Mackie’s as the world outside the car seemed to fade away. The tension between them thickened, a magnetic pull neither could ignore. 
Mackenzie’s hands found Addison’s waist, her grip firm but not forceful, as if silently asking permission. Addison’s thumb brushed over Mackie’s cheekbone, and before she could second-guess herself, she closed the distance.  Their lips met, slow at first, testing the waters. But the kiss deepened, an unspoken flood of emotions pouring out—longing, hesitation, and a spark that felt electric. Mackenzie’s hand slid up Addison’s back, holding her closer, while Addison’s fingers curled into Mackie’s hair. 
The intimacy grew, their breaths quickening as the space between them disappeared entirely. Addison felt her body responding to every touch, every whisper of Mackie’s name.

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