Saving Harper

I didn't realize I was holding my breath. Xavier's phone seemed like it was ringing forever. Konti nalang ibabato ko na yan. Ay.

"You should answer that." I finally said, breathing. Di ko alam kung bakit hirap na hirap yung voice box ko to utter those words.

I tried getting myself out of Xavier's arms. He was still holding me in place by the waist and he wasn't letting me go.

"You should answer that Xavier." I repeated. Di ko alam if he wasn't answering it dahil nandito ako pero bakit ayaw nya kong paalisin if he wanted to talk to his ex privately. "Xavier..." I trailed. Ayoko ng ulitin for the third time. Naiirita na din kasi ako sa pag ring ng phone nya.

He finally got his phone and answered it. I could feel my arms grow cold. Ganito ako pag kinakabahan over some bad thing, and the feeling na gusto kong sumuka finally followed. I haven't felt like this since my thesis defense years ago. "Hello." His voice was was hard to discern. Harper, 'hello' palang yung nasasabi nya. I could hear his ex's voice on the other end of the line but I couldn't hear what she was saying. I looked up to Xavier. His face didn't show any emotion and was only observing me.

God, ako na nga yung nasa awkward na position, saakin pa sya naka titig.

"Wow good for you. No, I don't think so. Out of the country ako next week."

So mukhang nakikipag kita si Kylie. What if si Kylie yung kadinner bukas ni Xavier? Well, hindi ka girlfriend Harper. Di mo sya pwedeng pag bawalan. That would seem childish as well.

Ang lamig lamig ko parin and alam kong nararamdaman yun ni Xavier because he was still holding me and my arms were awkwardly dangling on my sides over his arms. Napasandal ako sa counter nakakapagod pala tong naghihintay lang. Di ko alam kung anong mas masakit, yung marble na tumatama sa lower back ko or yung sitwasyon ko. Kylie was still talking on the other line.

"Oo pero I don't think that's a good idea." I have no idea sa pinaguusapan nila kahit na gusto kong malaman. Or not? Di ko alam if Xavier was just walking around on eggshells, being careful dahil kaharap nya ko. Sa kawalan ng gagawin, I just stared at Xavier's chest which was in my direct line of vision. There weren't even stripes to count kasi plain black shirt lang yung suot nya.

I can feel him take a deep breath. "Tatay and ate did your house. Pwede ka namang tumawag sa office bukas to talk to them."

I think Kylie's answer was shorter this time. "Yeah nice to hear from you too. Bye." He ended the call.

Kala ko awkward na yung third party akong nakikinig sa pag uusap nila, mas awkward pala yung kaharap ko parin si Xavier and wala akong masabi.

"Harper, are you okay? Let me explain." I think I looked affected by the call too much kasi hindi parin ako makatingin sa kanya. How can I not be? This was exactly my nightmare. Having to deal with the ghost of his ex. Who happens to be plastered in front of a lot of magazines na buti nalang di ako mahilig bumili. May article lang kasi don sa magazine sa office ko (that I threw out) about one of our writers kaya ako bumili.

I remained quiet but I finally looked at him, my mouth forming a straight line. Nagtatalo yung kagustuhan kong malaman what the call was all about and yung wag magalit. Na bakit naman ako magagalit? I ws feeling a different thing. SELOS. There's no other word for it, unfortunately.

"Nakikipag kita si Kylie kasi nasa Manila sya. She took a break daw so matagal pa sya dito." So i was right, nakikipag kita nga sya. "Sabi ko out of the country ako next week." Yeah I already heard that. "Tapos, birthday kasi ni Tatay tomorrow and she wanted to come." I think I can die now. Shit. Tangina. Of course sya yung kilala ng pamilya ni Xavier. Five years ba naman sila.

"I told her it's not a good idea. Kasi di naman sya ganon kaclose sa pamilya ko to begin with. Actually yun din dapat yung sasabihin ko sayo. Yung pamilya ko yung kasama kong mag dinner bukas. And I was about to ask you if ok lang na sumama ka." He leaned down to my eye-level wanting to see my reaction.

"Ha?" It was the first thing that entered my mind. Ha?

He just talked to his ex tapos ngayon he wants me to meet his family? I wasn't built for this. Meeting the family and dealing with exes. This was all alien to me.

"Kasi I've already met your whole family kasama pa mga pinsan mo and your best friends, now I want you to meet mine."

My jaw moved contemplating what he said na I think was too overwhelming. Ganito ba yung relasyon (not yet) pag tumatanda na? Tangina kasi Harper bakit hindi ka man lang nag boyfriend before this? E di sana hindi mo first time sa ganito. The only parents I've ever met were Julian's and hindi ko pa sya ex and family friends kami so, natural.

"Please? Wag ka mag alala, hindi kita iiwan. Hahawakan ko yung kamay mo the whole time."

Tangina ang sakit na ng tyan ko and gusto ko ng sumuka. Nung last week lang iniisip kong I'll suck at dating tapos ngayon I'm meeting his family?

"Can I think about it?" I exhaled. I think hindi ko na matago yung stress sa mukha ko. Feeling ko nga namumutla nako.

He slowly nodded. "Tungkol ba to kay Kylie?" Do I lie?

"Partly. And partly kasi I don't really know how to do the meet the family thing. Masyado akong kinakabahan."

"Wag kang kabahan kasi mas madami ka pang nahandle na problemang mas malaki kesa sa makilala yung pamilya ko. Anong problema kay Kylie? Kasi I don't want you thinking about her." Believe me yan din yung gusto kong gawin. "Not when she just called you."

"Okay understandable. Pero Harper please, wala nakong nararamdaman for Kylie. Ni hindi ko nga alam why she even called me. Pag nasa Manila naman sya never syang tumawag para makipag kita." So wait was he still keeping tabs kung nandito ba yung ex nya?

Wala I don't know what to say anymore.

I think nasakin na yung problema. Xavier wasn't a liar pero ang dami kong naiisip that I couldn't even control. Ganito ba talaga when it comes to exes? Lalu na yung wala kayong label then the ex before you tumagal sila ng 5 years. Ako yung character na iniiwan for their true love.

I echoed my previous thoughts when I first found out about Kylie.

"When did you last see her?" I asked. Please don't say when they broke up pa.

"Nung nagbreak kami."

Yeah totoo na wala ng feelings si Xavier for Kylie ngayon, pero paano pag nagkita na ulit sila? Hindi pa pala sila nagkikita eversince. Shit. I know people na officemates ng college friend ko. They broke up 6 years ago then they ended up working at the same company where they saw each other ulit since they broke up, and nagkabalikan sila only after months of working together. Tapos may fiancé pa yung girl that she left to be with her ex. Fuck paano kung ganon to? I wasn't really worried yung sa ngayon. Pero yung sa point na magkikita sila ulit?

Xavier hugged me. "Hindi kita mapipilit na wag na syang isipin. But please try. It's not worth stressing over, Harper. And I hope makasama ka tomorrow. Gusto ko talaga makilala ka ng pamilya ko." He kissed the top of my head. Dating Rule number 3: Bawal ang change topic. So shut up nalang ako?

"I'll think about it. Kasi baka wala lang akong masabi sa sobrang kaba." I just replied to the other thing he raised.

"Don't worry okay? But only if you're ready." He gently gave me a reassuring kiss.

Nakakahiyang di ako ready sa lahat ng bagay when it comes to Xavier. Sex, ex, meet the family. Maybe I do suck at this. Kung deflated na masyado yung self-confidence ko, mas lalu ko pang tinatapakan with everything I'm thinking about. Xavier already said goodbye and mas lalu lang akong hindi mapakali dahil wala na sya. I tried na ibasura si Kylie sa isipan ko. Di lang ako makakatulog. I need to decide if wanted to meet Xavier's family. Or rather if kaya ko. "Do you think if I met your parents magugustuhan nila ko?"

"Hi din Harper. Thanks for springing weird questions ng dis oras ng gabi. Sana man lang ang una mong tinatanong, Hi Franco, natutulog ka na ba? Naistorbo ba kita?" Franco's sleepy voice answered my call. Yeah he's probably right na late na for this phone call.

"Okay let's pretend I asked those things first. So ano?" Kanina pa ko paikot-ikot sa kama. Trying to picture kung ako yung magulang ni Xavier, magugustuhan ba nila ako? It was pointless. It wasn't also the best idea to think about my first opinion sa mga naging boyfriends ni Hilda. Kasi I didn't bother to know them. Mas lalu akong nag panic. What if Xavier's family also won't even bother with me? The closest person I can really ask was Franco. We dated and sya lang yung guy friend ko.

"Ipapakilala ka na ni Arnaiz sa pamilya nya?" I can hear Franco struggling to sit up. Kawawa naman tong kaibigan kong nadamay pa.

"Naimbita ako sa birthday nya ng lolo nya bukas for dinner."

"At natataranta ka." Magaling sila ni Xavier sa pag tuloy ng mga naiisip ko. I didn't need to answer. "I think kung nakilala ka ng magulang ko, they'll like you."

"Weh seryoso?"

"Next time wag mo kong tatawagan ng ganitong oras para magtanong tapos di ka lang maniniwala." I could practically hear Franco frowning.

"Parang wala akong kagusto-gustong ugali." I finally voiced out what I was worried about.

Natawa si Franco.

"Gago thank you ha."

"Harper you're not as transparent as you want yourself to be. Maybe sa work. Pero with people you know? You're easy to be with. Ganito lang yan, show your real self."

"Ano susungitan ko sila?"

"Di lang naman yun yung side mo. Magrelax ka lang kasi. If you allow people to know you, magugustuhan ka nila. Saka eto yung advantage mo, di ka nila nakikita sa office so fresh ka sa kanila. Except nalang kung nakekwento ka ni Arnaiz." I groaned.

"Feeling ko magugustuhan ka ng parents ko kasi you don't try too hard. Yeah over-thinker ka, pero di ka mag eeffort masyado na magustuhan ka."

"Di ko alam kung compliment yan or what."

"Okay sige Harper to interpret it in your own language, di ka suck-up."

"E paano kung iba to? Kasi pamilya to ni Xavier?"

"Gusto mo ba magustuhan ka nila as your fake self? Alam ko na sagot mo don. No. So just be yourself. Saka di naman sila yung boyfriend mo." Natawa sya.

"Di ko pa din naman boyfriend yung anak nila."

"Same shit. Ano pang gusto mong sabihin kung bakit ka kabadong kabado dyan?" How can he possibly know? Well I guess si Franco sya. Do I attract a certain type? Someone who can easily read me? Wag mo na isipin yon. Focus. "Big time yung ex nya na kilala ng pamilya nya for the longest time. Nasabi na ba nya yun sayo?"

"Teka define big time? Nakwento lang nya na may ex sya na tumagal ng 5 years." Okay parang mas interesado na sya ngayon dahil chismis na.

"Seriously di nya pinagmayabang sayo? Si Kylie Guerrero lang naman yung ex nya. Sya si 5 years." The name sounded sour sa bibig ko. Gusto kong isuka tangina.

"Tangina yung model? Gago di nga?!" Tuloy-tuloy nyang sabi.

"Gusto ko mang sabihin na niloloko kita, pero hindi e. Sa tingin mo ba dapat pakong pumunta dun sa dinner kung yan yung ex nyang nakilala na nila?"

"Oo naman! Kelan ka pa naging insecure?"

"Nung nalaman kong model yung ex nya."

Natawa nanaman si Franco.

"Harper, di porket model yung ex nya, balewala ka na. Alalahanin mo, EX. Tapos na." Can I even say it to Franco? Na natatakot ako na baka magbago pa yung isip ni Xavier? That anything can happen lalu na pag nagkita na sila. Parang ayaw ko munang sabihin. Mas masakit pag sasabihin ko pa out loud.

"Gusto mo ligawan ko yung ex nya para mapalagay ka dyan?" Franco joked.

"E di mas lalung malapit sya kay Xavier." Ang bilis ko namang sumagot masyado. Insecure? Sobra.

"Harper, tigilan mo na to. Wag mong isipin ng isipin yung ex nya. Mas dun ka yata kinakabahan e. Actually wag ka masyadong mag isip. Just go there and meet them. Pag nagustuhan ka nila, e di good. Pag hindi ka nila gusto, well ikaw yung gusto ni Xavier e. They'll eventually warm up. Pero eto yung wag na wag mong gagawin, don't try too hard. Let them see you. So matulog ka na ngayon di maganda yung puyat ka pag nakilala mo na sila, you're extra snarky."

Franco made a lot of sense. Buti nalang sya yung tinawagan ko. Hopefully, makakatulog nako dahil sa mga sinabi nya.

"Sabi mo be myself!" Medyo kalmado nako.

"Bakit araw-araw ka bang puyat?"

"Ang gusto mo lang sabihin patulugin na kita."

"Yun din. Saka Harper ano ba alas dos na. Matulog ka na! Sumbong kita kay Arnaiz dyan e. Good night."

"Thanks Franco. Good night."

The following morning medyo buo na yung loob ko that I'll go to that dinner. Babaunin ko nalang yung mga sinabi sakin ni Franco.

"Ang gwapo mo naman!" I said to Xavier when I entered his car. He was wearing a black leather jacket over a plain white shirt, black ripped jeans and naka shades sya. He grinned at what I said.

"Syempre para bagay tayo." He winked at me and leaned in to kiss me. He also studied what I was wearing. Black short fitted dress na almost formal and I just threw in a denim jacket and I decided to wear white sneakers para di naman ako mukhang formal masyado. May heels naman ako sa office and pwede kong tanggalin yung jacket if medyo formal pala yung dinner. But if ganito yung suot ni Xavier, pwede na yung suot ko.

"So, Ms. Javier date ba kita mamaya?" He turned to me as he started driving papunta sa office.

"Date mo naman ako palagi e." I bit my lower lip. He beamed at what I said.

"Yan ang mga sagutan! Pampakilig. Natututo ka na." He took my hand and never let it go until we arrived sa office.

The whole time I was working and nasa meeting, I kept thinking if his invitation to me last minute? Or panget lang yung timing ng ex nya? I didn't want a pity invitation sa totoo lang.

Medyo lutang ako sa mga meetings ko. At least gamit na gamit naman yung masungit and contemplating look ko. I barely said anything.

"Ready?" Xavier popped his head sa office ko when it was time to go.

"Will I ever be?" Napanguso ako.

Pumasok sya. "Saan ka ba kinakabahan babe?"

"They might not like me." Tumitig sya sakin na parang naghihintay pa. Maybe Franco was right. I wasn't as obscure as I imagined for those people who know the real me. Mas transparent ako pag dating sa kanila. "And they might compare me to... your exes."

"Okay first, na memention na kita sa kanila."

Nanlaki yung mata ko. "What? So may foreword ka na para saakin? What did you say about me?"

"Last year pa. Sabi ko nga sayo close ako sa pamilya ko. Sabi ko crush kita at hindi kita makila-kilala. Hopeless daw ako sabi nila sakin kung hindi man lang kita malapitan." Yikes. I sounded unapproachable. Well, sabi nga ni Franco, dun tayo sa totoo. And totoo yon. Partly. So I guess ok lang.

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"Anong second?"

"Second, isusurprise ko sila na finally we're dating. Para di naman ako naaalipusta." He chuckled. I can't imagine na maaalipusta sya ever. Sabi ko nga, masyado syang cool. He'll probably just shrug it off. Pero syempre pamilya nya to e. "So ipagmamayabang mo lang yon? May third pa ba?"

"Ipagsigawan pa kita sa buong mundo e." He was too sincere. Kilig level 1000. "Third, kung si Kylie yung iniisip mo, which I know sya talaga, my family ummm doesn't like her too much."

Well that made me feel loads better. "Next time can you lead with that? Muntik pa kong hindi makatulog." Inirapan ko sya. Tumayo nako so we can already leave.

"Wag ka mag alala. Mamaya at bukas sasamahan kita matulog." He took my bag and my hand pag labas namin sa office ko.

"Why?"

"Why why ka pa dyan e gusto mo naman talaga akong katabi." He laughed. I made a face parin sa kayabangan nya  kahit na gusto ko talaga yun. "Kasi po miss, mageempake ka na at syempre ako nanaman gagawa kasi baka sampung maleta dalhin mo sa Iceland kahit limang araw lang tayo don." Point to Xavier. Baka yung iempake ko pang sampung araw.

"Fine, Mr. No Chill sa pag eempake." I laughed. He didn't attempt to deny it dahil on-point yon.

Pag dating namin sa gitna ng office, ang daming nakatingin dahil magka holding hands kaming naglalakad. Nagulat ako dahil tinaas ni Xavier yung kamay namin and we stopped in the middle, for every person there to see.

"Oo guys, I'm dating Harper Javier! Shout out kay Brian Perez dyan sa creatives." He said in a VERY loud voice and natawa ng malakas si Franco na saktong nandon. Namula ako kasi pumalakpak pa yung mga ibang artists. Nagtinginan din yung mga nagmemeeting sa boardroom. Hinila ko na yung kamay ni Xavier kasi parang gusto pa nyang mag bow.

"You just couldn't resist to do that no?" I shook my head as we started walking again.

"Patay ka sakin pag dating sa lobby." He sniggered. Gago.

He repeated what he did a while ago, as he promised. Nagtinginan lang yung mga naghihintay don na hindi naman kami kilala. Yung Yanna sa reception parang mahihimatay na sa kilig. Yeah same, girl. Kung kaya ko lang sumigaw, nanguna na ko.

"Okay, showtime." I whispered when Xavier took my hand as we approached the restaurant where we'll be having dinner with his family. "It's not a show kung totoo to Harper. Ang lamig masyado ng kamay mo." Xavier chuckled beside me. Then bigla akong mas nataranta nung nakita ko kung ano yung kinuha ni Xavier kanina sa passenger seat sa likod which he was holding on his other hand. "Ohmygod! I didn't even buy a gift!" I groaned. I looked around kasi nasa BGC naman kami, baka may mabibilhan kami somewhere. Kahit man lang wine or something. Kahit hindi ko alam if umiinom yung lolo nya. Ganon nako ka sabog kanina pa sa office. "Relax. I got you." He handed me the paperbag para sa mamahaling relo. I read the card, it was signed from Xavier and Harper. The wine would be pathetic next to his gift.

"Teka wag ka maoffend but I'm just really worried, bakit ang dami mong pera? Kala ko nagiipon ka for Seattle? And the Iceland tickets you paid for??? At least let me split that." I pulled his hand. I don't want him buying anything else expensive lalu na for me. Actually pati yung LU trip namin sya yung sumagot. And the sculpture sitting on my desk!

He chucked and pulled me nasa tapat na kami ng restaurant. "Don't worry about it Harper."

"Anong don't worry about it? Mamaya di ka na makaaral!" I frowned. Ayoko ding isipin na pabor sakin yung hindi na sya aalis kasi I would only be the asshole who would wish for that.

"Babe, I told you don't worry about it. I have enough." He found it funny na natataranta ako over those things. Enough??? For Iceland tickets, trips, and a Tag Heuer watch and para pa sa tuition nya?? "Okay eto, papasok lang ako dyan if you promise me one thing." I pulled him again.

"Anything." Boyish pa-cure smile.

"Hindi yan 'promise""

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, I promise."

"Ako sasagot ng tour and everything else sa Iceland."

Yon mukha na syang badtrip bigla. "Di mo ko madadala sa ganyan Arnaiz. Magalit ka sakin kung gusto mo, pero yan yung condition ko." I let his hand go and I crossed my arms over my chest. "You do realize I can just easily carry you inside?" His face was serious.

"But we both know you're not going to do that." If he doesn't lie, he also doesn't break his promises. He's going to say yes to me.

But he suddenly smiled. "I already paid for the tour." Umirap ako.

"Duh, I'll pay you. Because you promised ako sasagot for the tour and everything else. we never qualified kung nabayaran mo na ba or hindi." I'm not moving an inch here hangga't di sya pumapayag.

He groaned in frustration. "It's my birthday gift to you!"

"The tickets were. That's the only thing you showed me Xavier."

"Kasama yon don!" Naka pamewang na sya facing me at nakakunot yung noo. Kahit nagtatalo kami, medyo natutuwa ako kasi this is such a couple-y thing to do.

"Okay, then forget about me entering the restaurant." I said seriously. I can't let him pay for everything we'll be doing. Siguro next time ako na magpaplano kung ano mang gagawin namin. I wanted him to have everything he needed sa pag aaral nya don. Hindi yung kailangan pa nyang kumuha ng trabaho don, mas lalu pa syang hindi makaka focus sa pag aaral nya.

Tinitigan nya ko and shook his head. "Fine. Ano pang gusto ng pinsesa?"

"Kiss." I smiled. Kasi alam ko if he kisses me, di na sya maiinis sakin.

He pushed his tongue to the side of his cheek. "Hindi ba pwedeng yan lang ang hinihingi mo palagi saakin?" He hugged me and kissed me gently.

"Okay, Xavier and Harper Dating Rule Number 4: Hindi lang si Xavier ang magbabayad for everything."

"Magtatalo tayo buong gabi dito, Harper." His serious look returned paired with an exasperated tone.

"So sa pag eempake and sa kagustuhan mong gumastos ka no chill?" I said thoughtfully at him, nangaasar. I know he's not liking this conversation. Well sorry nalang sya. He hugged me again. Too tightly this time na parang nang gigil na sya sakin, but he kissed the top of my head.

"Kakasabi ko lang na kiss lang dapat hinihingi mo sakin e." He was still not letting me go.

"Then make up another rule if feeling mo lugi ka sa rule na kakasabi ko lang."

He looked at me mischievously. "Sige pag iisipan ko yan. I'll make the next one good. But can we please go inside already? Baka naghihintay na sila saatin." He took my hand again and pumasok na kami sa restaurant. Nung nakita kong yung table kung nasan pamilya nya, gusto kong tumakbo. They had a direct view kung saan kami nagtatalo ni Xavier and I think they saw everything.

"Pasmado ah." Xavier whispered joking then humarap na kami sa table nila. Obviously, they were already looking at us. A lot of them were already looking amused at us. They all saw it.

"Family, this is Harper Javier." Then nagsitaasan na yung mga kilay nilang halos lahat medyo gulat. Yeah, nakwento na nga ako sa kanila ni Xavier.

Hinila ako ni Xavier para ipakilala sa kanilang lahat starting with his father. "Daddy ko." Oh shit di ko man lang alam mga pangalan nila!!!! Okay I'm starting to panic. "Good evening, Architect Arnaiz." I smiled at the man sitting sa isang kabisera. Tangina Harper lahat sila Architect Arnaiz dito!

I'm so fucking stupid!!! I'm not only the worst fake girlfriend, but the worst date as well. I offered my hand for a handshake and his father gave me one. He also shook Xavier's hand. Okay at least tama yung ginawa kong pag offer ng kamay for a handshake. "Please call me tito Romy." He smiled at me. Kamukha nya si Xavier. He also had an easiness and teasing in his eyes. Mukhang sila yung magkaugali. His teasing smile confirmed na nakita nila kami ni Xavier sa labas. "This is my mom." Bumeso si Xavier sa kanya. Omg do I also beso?? Feeling close naman ako non masyado. "Good evening... ummm Architect..." Before I can finish my stupid second 'Architect Arnaiz', his mom already offered her hand for me to shake. "Tita Tanya nalang Harper." She also smiled at me. She's also very pretty. And Xavier had her eyes.

"Tita, good evening." Ohmygod. Pasmado ko syang kinamayan. Gross ng kamay ko. "My sister, ate Tiff." Xavier pointed at the pretty girl sitting beside his mom. She looked more like their mother. "Nice to meet you Harper." She also offered her hand. Okay handshakes for everyone. Noted. "Ivan, boyfriend ni ate Tiff." Xavier and him high-fived. Just shake his hand!

Xavier also introduced his tito Ralph, the brother of his dad, his cousin Peter and Eliza the wife of Peter. Then syempre lumapit na kami sa lolo nya na nakaupo sa opposite na kabisera. "Kala ko di mo ko ipapakilala e." He joked and tumayo sya para yakapin si Xavier.

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"Pwede ba yon e ikaw yung birthday boy? At ang pinaka importanteng tao dito sa mesa na to kasi hindi pa kami nakakaupo. Happy birthday Tay." Biniro sya ni Xavier. "Tatay, this is Harper." Inakbayan ako ni Xavier who was beaming at me. "Happy birthday po. Nice to meet you." I smiled and offered my hand. But to my surprise, niyakap nya ko. Kumakabog yung puso ko kanina pa so nakakahiyang naramdaman nya yon.

"Finally, ikaw pala si Harper. Kala namin wala ng pag asa tong si Xavier sayo e." Nagbiro na ulit sya and umupo. Napangiti lang ako. Harper relax! Remember everything Franco told you. Xavier and I sat down, katabi ko si Eliza and katabi naman nya lolo nya. He took my hand again sa ilalim ng mesa.

Obviously the questions started. But not in the usual way. "So Harper totoo bang boss ka ni Xavier?" Peter joked. Shit. Hinga.

"Not directly? Sideline boss nya lang ako. Napagkamalan ko syang bago kong assistant kasi nandun sya sa pwesto nung dati kong assistant and he just went with it." I answered truthfully. Don't ever lie Harper.

"Para magpa cute lang sigurado yon." Inirapan ni Tiff yung kapatid nya who laughed beside me.

"Opportunity tawag don." Xavier looked at me and winked. "Saka lahat boss na sya. Operations Director na to e." He looked at me proudly and medyo nahiya ako dun. I squeezed his hand. I hope it was sign enough na wag na nya kong ipagmayabang.

"So kamustang assistant si Xavier?" His dad smiled curious na saakin manggaling yung sagot. Di ko alam kung nakekwento ni Xavier what he does for me. "Okay naman. Masipag. Kaso tinawag nya kong bitch nung second day nya." I laughed lightly.

Namilog yung mata ng nanay nya. "Xavier!"

"Okay lang tita. Nakabawi naman na sya. Saka sinabi ko the next time he does it, di sya magtatagal sa kumpanya." His father laughed at what I said.

"Sorry feeling close yang kapatid ko e." Tiff looked like nahihiya sya para kay Xavier.

"So kelan nagka lakas ng loob si Xavier na idate ka?" His lolo asked me.

"Around two weeks ago?" I looked at Xavier and he nodded.

"Bagal mo naman pre. Isang taon mong crush yan tapos two weeks ago lang?" Humirit si Ivan. I think mahirit silang lahat. Except his mom. She's hard to read.

"Nakakatakot to e." Siniko ko si Xavier ng mahina.

"So teka, dating palang kayo pero puro kayo PDA sa labas?" His father teased. My god, trademark na nga namin ni Xavier yon.

"Thing namin yon, dad. Pambawi dun sa taong hindi ko sya malapitan." I stiffened next to Xavier so umakbay sya sakin and kissed the side of my head. I can't believe ganito din sya kahit sa harap ng pamilya nya. Parang namula nanaman ako. "Namumula si Harper, parang wala syang choice." Natawa yung tito nya who glanced to see my reaction.

"Tito kung alam mo lang kung gaano to kapatay na patay sakin." I looked at Xavier sa sinabi nya. Medyo mayabang, pero sobrang tama.

So the night was like that and medyo naka relax nako eventually lalu na nung kumakain na. They asked me things and I answered truthfully. Even yung tungkol sa parents ko na sinabi kong I'm not close with them anymore and the reason why. It was bonus for me kasi hindi nga mukhang judgmental yung family nya.

"Xavier, bakit pala tumatawag sakin kanina si Kylie?" His ate suddenly spoke up. I think I was able to control my face at the mention of his ex's name.

"May gustong ipagawang extension sa bahay nila yung tatay nya. Hindi ba sya sa office tumawag? Sabi ko dun tumawag e."

"No sa cellphone ko tumawag. Pero di ko sinagot." Tumaas yung kilay ng ate nya. So this is what Xavier said. Na hindi masyadong gusto ng family nya si Kylie.

"Teka bakit sya yung tumatawag kung yung tatay nya yung magpapagawa?" Peter asked.

"Papansin. What is she doing here anyway? Wala ba syang shoot sa Timbuktu or somewhere?" Yung boses ng ate nya nakakatakot pero gusto kong tumawa. Buti nalang di pumunta dito si Kylie with the way Tiff talked about her. "Bakasyon daw sya." Xavier shrugged next to me.

"Speaking of bakasyon, Xavier make sure makikita nyo yung northern lights pag nandon na kayo ha. Harper has to see that." His mom said and muntik nakong maubo. OMG pati yun alam nila. He was THAT transparent. Enough to tell them that his birthday gift to me was a ticket to Iceland.

"Are you taking the tour?" Tanong nung lolo nya saamin. "Yes Tay. Kaso ang kulit nitong si Harper. Sya daw sasagot ng lahat pag dating namin don." Okay pati ako nagulat na sasabihin pa ni Xavier yon sa kanila.

"Xavier, don't let any girl you're dating pay." Sabi ng dad nya. I think my jaw dropped. Gaano sila ka galante???

"Sabi sayo e." Inakbayan ako ni Xavier with a smirk on his face. Well hindi parin sya mananalo sakin.

"Okay lang tito, birthday ko naman yon. Saka he already promised outside." Siningkitan ko ng mata si Xavier who was still smiling amusedly.

"Yun ba yung pinagtatalunan nyo sa labas?" Eliza turned to me.

"Anak sorry, pero sa labas palang mukha ka ng talo kay Harper. Halos magpustahan na sila dito, kahit di namin alam yung pinagtatalunan nyo, pero walang pumusta sayo e." Finally humirit na yung nanay nya in a teasing tone. "Thanks ah. Ako yung kamag anak nyo, reminder lang." Xavier pretended to sulk. Nagdaldalan ulit lahat nung dumating na yung dessert and coffee.

"Okay ka lang?" Xavier whispered to me. ;"Yeah. Surprisingly nawala na yung kaba ko." I smiled and he matched it. Hinalikan nya ko ulit sa noo.

The night ended na nagbukas na yung lolo nya ng mga regalo nila sakanya. I couldn't help but wish that my family was like this. Yung normal. Masaya. That was only the sad thought I had for the night. When it was time to say our goodbyes and good nights, naupgrade nako sa beso ay yakap. I think naman na sign na yon na baka gusto nila ako. But then again, this is only the first time.

For a while nag kumpulan sandali sila Xavier, Tiff, mom and dad nila, si tito Ralph and si Peter. Di ko alam baka something about sa firm nila or something else kasi yung lolo nya hindi sumama e. Xavier's lolo took me aside. "Harper, can I ask you something? Pero wag mo sanang mamasamain."

"Sure po." Okay parang mahihimatay ako sa takot. Wag mamasamain??? I felt like a small kid.

"Aalis kasi si Xavier, and I think alam mo naman yon. Napag usapan nyo na ba kung anong gagawin nyo sa relasyon nyo?" Tinuloy nya. Oh god. Eto na yung pinaka mahirap na natanong saakin buong gabi. Be truthful!

"Hindi pa po kasi we decided to take things easy kahit malapit na syang umalis. Ayaw ko po din kasing magkaron sya ng rason para hindi nya ituloy yung mga plano nya para sa sarili nya definitely hinding-hindi ko sya pipigilan." I said. He nodded. Eto din yung first feeling ko tonight na parang binabasa ako. Not like how Xavier does it. Mas matindi pa.

"Kamusta yung sculpture?" So he knows na saakin binigay ni Xavier yung Daniel Dela Cruz piece.

"I really loved it po. Dalawang linggo ko yatang tinititigan lang." I smiled pero deep inside sobrang kabado nanaman ako with the building anticipation.

"Alam mo, yang si Xavier parang ako. Pag nag mahal, lahat binibigay. Nung nangyari yung sa ex nya, we all wanted to make sure that hindi na ulit sya masasaktan ng ganon." Tangina, papalayuin na ba ako sakanya?

"But seeing and meeting you now, alam kong hindi mo yun magagawa sa kanya. Actually hija, mukhang ikaw pa yung hindi dapat masaktan." I swallowed.

It felt like his lolo just saw through my soul.

"I saw how sad your eyes turned nung sandali mong sinasagot yung mga tanong nila about your family." He did saw through my soul.

"It's not easy growing up like I did and until now." Yun nalang muna yung nasabi ko. Baka bigla akong maiyak e.

"Yes yun din yung nakita ko. Let's reserve that story next time pag tayo-tayo nalang." Nagulat ako. So there's going to be a next time? I should feel nervous again, but I didn't. I could only slowly nod.

"And hija, if you lost your family, it doesn't mean you can't have a new one. We can be that for you." I was surprised kasi I didn't even expect na yun yung sasabihin nya.

Okay medyo maluluha na yata ako. Hindi ko na naabutan any of my grandparents on both sides and if all grandparents are like this, e di sana may kahit konti akong comfort while my relationship with my parents turned sour. I felt orphaned. "Thank you, Tay. This means a lot. And happy birthday." I smiled like I was ready to cry and he hugged me tight.

Now I understand where Xavier got it. Offering to be whatever I needed. It was from his family.