Chapter 3

Yassmin POV

Before going home, Yassmin went to SM Makati to buy groceries. After that, she went home because it's already getting dark and she was already feeling tired.

While driving her way home, she thought of playing her favorite Michael Jackson songs. When she was a child, her idol was MJ. Yassmin connected her cellphone to her car's Bluetooth and then started playing. She sadly listened to every lyric of the song.

Another day has gone

I'm still all alone

How could this be

You're not here with me

You never said goodbye

Someone tell me why

Did you have to go

And leave my world so cold

Every day I sit and ask myself

How did love slip away

Something whispers in my ear and says

That you are not alone

For I am here with you

Though you're far away

I am here to stay

But you are not alone

I am here with you

Though we're far apart

You're always in my heart

You are not alone

This was her daddy's favorite song when he was still alive. He also likes Michael Jackson, that's where she discovered and liked MJ. So, this song became her favorite as well because for her even without her father, she's still not alone. After all, she knows he's watching over her wherever he is.

Alone, alone

Why, alone

Just the other night

I thought I heard you cry

Asking me to come

And hold you in my arms

I can hear your prayers

Your burdens I will bear

But first I need your hand

Then forever can begin

Every day I sit and ask myself

How did love slip away

Something whispers in my ear and says

That you are not alone

For I am here with you

Though you're far away

I am here to stay

But you are not alone

And I am here with you

Though we're far apart

You're always in my heart

For you are not alone

Whisper three words and I'll come running '

And I and girl you know that I'll be there

I'll be there

You are not alone

I am here with you

Though you're far away

I am here to stay

For you are not alone

I am here with you

Though we're far apart

You're always in my heart

For you are not alone (you are not alone)

For I am here with you (I am here with you)

Though you're far away (though you're far away)

(You and me) I am here to stay

For you are not alone (you are always in my heart)

For I am here with you Though we're far apart

You're always in my heart

For you are not alone, oh

Yassmin was so overwhelmed listening to the song that she didn't realize that she was right in front of their house. She turned off the music and then took the paper bags in the passenger seat and finally got off. She opened the door and then entered.

"Ma, I'm home!" Yassmin called her Mom.

She watched her come down their stairs to greet her. As she approached Yassmin, they hugged and kissed each other on their cheeks.

"Oh Hija, how was the interview?" her mom asked her then escorted her to the kitchen to help her put the groceries in the cabinet.

Yassmin bought bread, cookies, can goods, cereals, milk, and eggs.

"It goes well, Mom. I am very confident that they will choose me," Yassmin exclaimed.

"Well then, Hija. I'm proud of you," her mom said and then hugged her so she also hugged her back.

That's how the two of them are, since Yassmin is their only child, she can't deny that she's close with her parents.

"Thank you, Mom," she said smiling hereafter parting in the hug.

"Did you eat already? Wait, I'll prepare you something to eat because I asked Manang to rest already," Yassmin's mom asked.

"No, it's okay Mom. I'm still full, I also ate a donut earlier. I'm going to rest Mom. Good night," she answered then went up the stairs to go to her room.

Harry's POV

After Harry called Yassmin he decided to sleep because he remembered that he's going to SM tomorrow. He needs to go shopping for groceries. Harry doesn’t let their food stocks run out so Manang doesn’t have to go out.

He woke up when his alarm clock rang. Harry looked up at it and then turned it off. It's only 5:00 a.m. and he's too early because the SM would open at 10:00 am. But, he's going to work out so I woke up early.

Harry stood up and then went to his bathroom to take a shower and then got dressed. He just wore a black t-shirt and black shorts; he loves the color black so everything he uses is black. After getting dressed, he went downstairs to brew coffee.

When he got down, he caught up with Manang who was having coffee. Harry approached her and then greeted her.

"Good morning, Manang,"

"Oh Hijo, you're awake. Good morning also. I'll make you your coffee in a minute," she volunteered and was about to stand up when he stopped her.

"It's okay, Manang. I'll just make my coffee. Just finish your coffee," he insisted and then took a cup to brew his coffee.

"Why are you so early, Hijo? It's Saturday today. Isn't it when you don't come to the office on this day?"

"Yes, Manang. But I will go to SM later. I just woke up early because I'm going to work out first before leaving,"

She did not answer and then resumed drinking her coffee. When Harry finished his coffee, he went to his gym to exercise. When he noticed that it was almost 8:00 am, he rested a little bit and then went to the kitchen to get a drink.

Before reaching the kitchen, he met Manang Lita. She said she was going to tell me that breakfast was ready. He just nodded and then followed her to the dining room. He immediately sat down and then spooned.

Manang cooked bacon, hotdog, and eggs.

After finishing his breakfast, he went straight to his bedroom to take a shower. Then he chose clothes to wear. Harry wears a black polo shirt which he intentionally left unbutton three of its buttons. He also wore black plants and then black rubber shoes. He put on some perfume and combed. Took the wallet and went downstairs.

When he got down, he saw Manang reading the newspaper.

"I'm leaving, Manang," he waved goodbye. Then reached out her hand and put it on his forehead.

"All right Hijo, don't drive too fast," she told him.

Harry just nodded and then left the house. He opened his car and then started its engine. Their gate is automatic so there is no need to call someone to open the gate.

A few minutes drive, he reached SM Makati. He went straight to the parking lot and then parked his car next to the black car that was also parked at the side. After parking, he got off and then walked into the Mall.

He went straight to the supermarket to buy food. Harry bought two sacks of rice, can goods, frozen goods like bacon, hotdogs, and ham plus soap, detergent, and whatever else was needed at home. He also bought pasta and vegetables. After buying all their essential needs, he lined up to pay at the counter.

Harry put everything he bought in the car first because he was going to walk around the Mall. Looking for a new coat and necktie. When he put everything he bought in his car he went inside again. While walking it was as if he saw Yassmin come out of a boutique. She's still far away from his direction so he can't figure out if his prediction is correct. But when she looked at her back facing Harry's direction, he confirmed that it was Yassmin.

He rushed to get close to her when she started to stroll again.

He also called her last name a few times but she didn't hear him right away because he was still a bit far away. As he got a little closer to her back he shouted her last name again. Harry saw her stopped and looked around with confusion. Looking for the person who called her. He saw it startled when she noticed that he's walking in her direction. She also looked at his clothing, as if, she's studying him.

"Hi," he greeted her with a smile.

"Hi," she greeted him back. Then continued to walk.

"Did you bought clothes?" he asked her while looking at the paper bags she was carrying.

"Yes," she replied.

"I see. Do you want to have lunch with me?" Harry asked unconsciously. He was also surprised at what he sought. It just came out of his mouth.

"Maybe I just want to know her more since we're going to work together," he thought.

Right!

Yassmin looked at him and wondering if he was serious about what he said. One of her eyebrows also rose in astonishment.

"It's okay if you don't want to. I understand. Maybe you're busy," he said as she still didn't say a word.

It's really surprising that your boss suddenly invites you to eat.

"No, it's okay. I don't have anything to do anymore," she told him.

A smile had formed on his lips.

"That's good. Let's go? I know something to eat here. And they served really good food," he exclaimed.

They passed a few more stalls before reaching the restaurant he was talking about. Yassmin seems like she has not been to this part of the Mall yet because she doesn't seem to be familiar with this restaurant he's talking about though there are so many people eating there.

Harry opened the door and Yassmin immediately entered. He followed her and then talked to the waitress who greeted them.

"Table for two. Thanks," he kindly informed the waitress.

The waitress nodded and then led them to their table. Before sitting down, Harry went to a chair opposite his chair and pulled it out for Yassmin. When they sat down, the waitress handed them the menu.

Harry missed eating here. He often eats here because their dishes are delicious. Besides, he doesn't like to eat at famous restaurants, especially when he's alone.

Later, Yassmin looked up at him.

"Can you choose the foods for us, Mr. Lee? I'm not familiar with their foods here," Yassmin shyly said to him.

He looked at her and then smiled.

"Okay, We'll take two bagnet meals, 2 bagnet Ilocos Spicy, two pinakbet w/bagnet, and two bagnet sisig. And a bottle of red wine, please. Thanks," he ordered while holding his lips and then looked at Yassmin.

She averted her gaze and then surveyed the entire restaurant. He couldn't help but look at her face. Harry couldn’t understand why he wants to see her face all the time. Her face is so beautiful. He can't help but stare at her.

Harry immediately averted his sight when he saw that she's about to look at him. He pretended to be tapping on his phone then he opened his Book Reads app.

Yes, Harry is a reader. He loves that app since he loves to read books, and he tried to used it because he can read anywhere without difficulty.

He also noticed that she stared at the group of women just across the table.

Earlier, he heard them giggling but he just didn’t pay much attention. He also saw her avoid looking at the group and then fiddling with her phone. Harry noticed that she opened the Book Reads app.

"Do you also use Book Reads?" he asked her.

She looked at him.

"Of course. Just a pastime," she replied.

"I'm also using that," Harry confessed and then laughed.

She did not respond because their order had already arrived. They started eating and in just a few minutes they had finished their food.

Burp!

Harry burst into laughter when he heard her burp. She was embarrassed so she covers her mouth with her hand.

"Sorry Mr. Lee," she added shyly.

"It's okay- he said. 'I told you the food here is delicious and please when we are together don't call me Mr. Lee. Just call me Harry, okay?" he demanded.

"Why? Will it happen again?" she questioned me.

Eating together is what Yassmin's referring to.