Second Chances (Kathneil FF)

Second Chances - 20

Second Chances - 20

Sunday passed with a similar outing.

After the slight melancholy Kevin experienced the night before, he spent half the day happily explaining to both Anita and Gene the Inessa he remembered.

"We started off badly, I have to say," he laughed. "We were 12 and 13 then. Nessie was already an established child star, while I was hosting a children's programme. It was Tita Michelle who actually recommended me to partner Nessie in her new drama."

"We acted as neighbours in a family drama. The audience loved us, for whatever reason. So, both Ma and Tita decided we should act together in another drama, and then another, and another."

"I never really did tell her that I had a huge crush on her even before we worked together."

"She was so aloof and condescending at that early stage that I got defensive too, I guess," he shrugged and grinned, slashing his handsome dimple at Anita again.

"But as we grew up, we kind of got used to each other, and became good friends."

(Flashback)

"I'm kinda good with maths," Kevin said hesitantly. "So, if you want me to help you with that, I can."

She looked up at him in surprise from her sitting position at the set table.

"Ok, thank you."

Inessa was working on her tuition materials when Kevin ambled by.

While Inessa was home schooled, Kevin went to a private school in the heart of Manila. As such, his mother worked his acting schedule around his school hours and extra-curricular activities.

Mathematics and computer graphics happened to be his favourite subjects.

At times, Inessa wished she could go to school too and make regular friends like Kevin.

Alas, it was decided that she would be tutored privately, and as fillers to her acting stints with Kevin, Inessa would take up other jobs or activities like modelling, emceeing or perform at variety shows.

So, secretly, she was glad with the Kanessa tandem. It gave her a regular partner and friend in Kevin.

Inessa looked over at Kevin's bended head, busy trying to solve her maths problem for her.

"You're quite intelligent, huh?"

"Why is that a surprise?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Just because..."

"Because you think cute guys are naturally dumb," he lifted his eyebrows and grinned.

"Not all cute guys... just you," she snorted over her book.

Yet a fraction of a second later, she looked up and flashed him a brilliant smile, softening her blow, resulting in him grinning even wider.

(End of flashback)

"She sounds cute," Anita smiled. "But so serious. And somewhat lonely. What does she do for fun?"

He thought long and hard. What did she do for fun? Read? Watch dramas? Listen to music?

After a long while, he answered softly, "she danced."

(Flashback)

He observed her from doorway, hidden behind one closed panel.

Inessa was doing the last leg of a fast dance number.