Karera | [ Stacey x OC (F) ]

C37 - Helmet

Stacey's POV

It's been five days since nung nagsimula kaming magtrabaho ng magkasama sa project. We've been coordinating daily, and today, we're at the construction site. Workers from Louise's team are already busy, and everything is finally taking shape.

I arrived early and decided to head straight to our temporary on-site office. Sitting down, I opened my laptop to check emails and finalize some files for later discussions.

Nang biglang bumukas yung pinto, pulling me from my thoughts. Pumasok si Louise na may hawak na mga paper bags. She looked calm and collected, as always, but there was an air of busyness about her. 

I instinctively stood up to help her, but she raised a hand to stop me. "It's fine." she said as she walked to her table. Setting the bags down, she began unpacking them. 

It was food—containers of food, neatly packed. She glanced at me and asked casually, "Kumain kana ba?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa."

Without hesitation, she pulled out one of the containers at inabot sa'kin. "Here. It's for you. Don't worry, walang lason 'yan."

Her quip made me laugh. "Wala naman akong sinabi na may lason 'yan." I replied with a grin, taking the container from her. 

She shrugged, her expression unreadable. I sat back at my table, watching her pull out more containers. There were so many of them. Curiosity hit me. 

"Dami ah, para kanino yung mga 'yan?" I asked. 

She didn't look up. "For the workers and guards." she answered simply, continuing to unpack. 

"Ang tipid beh hahaha sakit."

Her focus shifted to me again. "Why aren't you eating yet?"

"I'm waiting for you." I said honestly, totoo naman kasi.

She glanced at me, and for a fleeting moment, I saw her lips curve into a small smile. She quickly looked away, though, hiding it.

"Uy kinilig, kita ko 'yon."

The quiet moment didn't last long because the door suddenly swung open, and Javi walked in— with Sheena and Jhoanna trailing behind him. 

"Aba! Anong ginagawa n'yo dito?" I asked, startled, raising an eyebrow at them. 

Sheena and Jhoanna exchanged cheeky grins. "Kinakamusta ka lang." Sheena said, though I knew better. Nandito lang sila para mang asar. 

Their playful energy shifted when they noticed Louise. They became shy in an instant, offering polite greetings. Louise responded with a small nod, her usual calm demeanor unwavering. 

Sheena, however, was quick to notice the food containers on Louise's table. "Uy! Pagkain 'yan?" Tanong n'ya habang tinuturo yung hawak ni Louise.

"Kakahiya talaga 'tong batang 'to "

Louise nodded. "Gusto mo?" she offered. 

Sheena hesitated for a second, pretending to be shy. "Ay! Hindi na, kakahiya." she said, but I could see through her act. 

"Baliw talaga." I muttered under my breath.