Karera | [ Stacey x OC (F) ]

C40 - Yes

Louise's POV

We're here at the site, sitting in the office after finishing a brief meeting with Ms. Ocampo. She had come by to check on the progress, requested a few minor changes, and— much to everyone's delight— brought food for the workers and us. After thanking her and bidding her goodbye, we returned to the office to wrap up our tasks. Javi wasn't with us since he had errands to run at the company, so it was just Stacey and me left here.

Before settling back at my desk, I grabbed one of the bento boxes Ms. Ocampo brought and walked over to Stacey. She looked up from her phone, surprised, as I placed the box in front of her. Without a word, binuksan ko 'yon and carefully wiped the utensils clean, making sure everything was ready bago ilagay sa harapan n'ya.

"Eat first." Sabi ko at ngumiti bago bumalik ulit sa desk ko.

I could feel her confused gaze following me. "Hindi ka kakain?" Tanong n'ya habang naka tingin sa bento box sa harapan ko.

"Later, love." I replied, already focused on the documents on my laptop. "I still need to check some files and update the reports."

I heard her chair move and assumed na kukuha lang s'ya ng tubig or tidying up. I didn't pay much attention until I felt her presence beside me. Glancing up, I found her pulling up a chair para tumabi sa'kin.

"Ano ginagawa mo?" I asked, bemused.

Without saying a word, binuksan n'ya yung bento box ko at kinuha yung utensils at nilinisan din 'yon, kagaya lang ng ginawa ko kanina. The concentration on her face was adorable, and I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Staks, what—"

"Kung hindi ka titigil d'yan, susubuan nalang kita habang ginagawa mo 'yan." She said matter-of-factly, scooping a bite of food and holding it in front of my mouth.

I gave her a look but leaned forward to take the bite. "Grabe ka na talaga." I muttered, shaking my head as I chewed.

She smirked. "Well, someone has to take care of you when you're being stubborn."

As she continued to feed me, alternating between bites for herself, I asked her casually, "Ginagamit mo pa rin ba yung kotseng niregalo ko sa'yo?"

Her hand paused mid-air, tumingin s'ya sa'kin at umiling. "After we broke up, I stopped using it. I couldn't bring myself to drive it anymore. Yun din yung time na nag quit ako. Nalaman ko nag quit ka, so nag quit na rin ako."

I nodded slowly, processing her words. "Nasaan na yung kotse ngayon?"

"Nasa bahay. Okay pa rin." She said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I made sure to tell them to wash it and start it every day so it stays in good condition."

I chuckled, amused by her dedication. "How very demure." I teased.

She slapped my shoulder lightly, rolling her eyes. "Gusto ko kasi na maganda pa rin simula nung unang araw na binigay mo 'yon."

Her words made me pause, and I found myself smiling at her. An idea suddenly popped into my head, and I couldn't help but blurt it out.

"Let's race." I said.

Her eyes widened in shock, and she blinked at me na parang hindi tama yung narinig n'ya. "Ano?"

"You heard me." I said, smirking. "Mag race tayo. No buts."