1 vs 1

ANGELLE

SERIOUSLY? Why did I agree to chat with Link while lying on his arm? It seems like I'm flirting if you look at it. I enjoyed it, I can't deny that, but there's a fear in my heart that someone might have seen us that day.

The day passed quickly and our happy days at Ion resort ended. Uncle Ion also left and is now in Macau, so we only thanked him through a video call for allowing us to stay at his resort. Isiah and I can only talk through video call because he can't just come here, especially since school starts on Monday and he's still managing their business.

"Ugh! SCHOOL STARTS ON MONDAY!" Lica screams, focused on her cell phone.

It seems she read a status of her friend on Facebook reminding students that school starts on Monday. I don't know why, but I'm excited to go to school now. Maybe, because it's the first time I've transferred and I want to make many friends in my new school.

"I'm not yet ready to go to school," Jr suddenly said, focused on the TV.

"I'm ready to go to school. I'll have an allowance again," Hero retorted, stopping from playing LEGO when Lica screamed.

"You just need to adjust to your new school, eventually you will also like it there," Mom said.

"Why do we need to move, Mom? Aren't we doing fine there?" Lica complained.

"We can't do anything about it, we can't just not leave there." Lica just kept quiet and focused on her cell phone.

I just watched TV, they were watching Harvey Beaks on Yey. I didn't like what they were watching but I didn't want to argue with my siblings about which channel we should watch.

"Sis!" I turned to look at Hero who came to me and sat on the mini couch while holding his Ninja LEGO.

"Why?" I asked.

"A guy approached me, he asked where you were?" I frowned at what he said, someone was looking for me?

"Which guy? Not your brother Isiah?" I asked curiously. My brother frowned as if I had said something wrong.

"It's like you're saying I'm stupid. If it was Brother Isiah, I would have said his name." I sighed to what he said.

"Watch your words!" I warned him, he scratched his head and spoke again, annoyed.

"You're the one asking obvious questions," I would pinch this kid, just because he's 9 years old doesn't mean he can be cheeky.

"Just answer my question; who's guy?"

"I don't know, he was just looking for you." Who could that be?

"I'm in love, in love with you..."

I was looking at my cell phone on the small table when it suddenly rang. I saw that it was my cousin Jove calling. Is she crazy? She only needs to walk four houses to get to us, why is she calling?

I picked it up and answered. "Hello, why?" I greeted her.

"Couzie, can you accompany me here at Kuya Jun's computer shop?"

"What are you doing there?"

"I'm on Facebook,"

"You can use your phone for Facebook, right?"

"Well, I prefer it here."

I just sighed at my cousin's statement.

"Alright, I'm coming. Reserve a PC for me, I'm going to play PB."

"Okey-dokey!"

After our conversation, I asked permission from my mom and went to Kuya Jun's computer shop. My cousin Jove and I often hang out here when we're bored, so we're not new to this place.

"Couz!" Jove called when she saw me enter the shop.

I approached her and sat in the chair next to her. "Why did you ask me to come here?" I asked curiously.

She was alone in the shop.

"Because I have no one to accompany me," she replied while scrolling.

I sighed again and asked Kuya Jun to open the PC next to Jove. I don't browse here anymore because I can do that on my phone, so I just play PB (Point Blank) here.

"Seriously, Couz? Every time you're here, you're always playing PB." Jove said.

"What else should I do? Play Plants versus Zombies or GTA?" I asked sarcastically.

"I didn't say that, some people here might think you're a tomboy." I just grinned.

"Well, that's good, at least no one will mistakenly court me."

"What if I court you?"

I almost jumped out of my seat in surprise when someone spoke near my ear. When I saw the jerk who did it, I immediately felt annoyed.

I gave him a dirty look and raised an eyebrow. But he just smiled, which annoyed me even more. Grr, from now on I hate his smile!

"Can you please take off your smile? It's disgusting!" I said snappishly and chose a server.

"Is it disgusting?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, and can you please shut up." I snapped at him.

I thought he would finally be quiet and just play, but when he also logged in, he started talking again and wanted to have a 1v1 with me.

"The last time we had a 1v1, you beat me." He said, and I grinned. I'm strong, after all.

"That's because you're not good," I said, and he laughed softly.

"I'm not good? I just let you win because you're a girl."

"Excuse me? Are you belittling my abilities as a woman?"

"No, because you're really small." He teased, and I hit his arm in annoyance, which only made him grin.

"I hate you!" I retorted and ignored him. I just agreed to what he wanted to happen.

We had a 1v1 in the mission. And when I beat him, he suddenly turned to me and seemed to have a plan because he was smiling. A smile that you couldn't figure out what it meant.

"What?" I asked him snappishly.

"Let's have a 1v1 again but before we start, let's make a deal. Is that okay?" A deal?

"What's the deal?" I asked.

"If you win, what do you want?"

I think carefully about his question, what do I want? That's a good deal hehe.

"Um, if I win, you'll treat me a Caramel Macchiato." I said with a smile.

"Sure, but if I win..." Tch! He's trying to create suspense.

"What? You're trying to create suspense?" I glared at him, and he laughed softly.

He kept laughing, doesn't he know that it adds to his charm? Kidding, what did I say again?

"If I win, I'll kiss you."

I couldn't react to what he just said. Even my cousin Jove, who was busy chatting, stopped at Link's words. As I looked at him, I tried to read his expression but I couldn't. What did he eat that he's messing with me again?

These past few days, he's been playing tricks on me. Like he would say he's going to date me but then take it back saying, "Oh, you have Isiah," I don't know if he's insulting me.

He suddenly grinned. "Just kidding, you have Isiah." He said and then turned to the monitor.

I sighed exasperatedly. "Behave, Link. What's our deal?" I said, annoyed.

"If you win, I'll treat you to whatever you want but if I win... I'll decide how to collect it from you," he said, not looking at me.

We started playing. And until the score was 3-3, it means we were tied.

We were both serious and had no intention of losing. When I was at A to plant the bomb, I didn't notice that Link was hiding in the hole so he shot me, which resulted in him getting the score. Shit! I can't lose, my Caramel Macchiato is at stake~

When we tied again, Link became even more serious. He hardly smiled even when the spectators were praising him. A group of kids entered the shop and watched us. Even my cousin Jove watched to see who would win.

"For my Caramel Macchiato." I whispered and threw a bomb but it wasn't a bomb shot, he must have known that I was going to throw a bomb. I laughed at the thought and focused on the game. When we tied again 4-4, I focused even more so that Link wouldn't get ahead of me.

When I got to A, he wasn't there yet so I immediately planted the bomb which I managed to do. I guarded the bomb and that's when Link showed up and I immediately showered him with bullets but didn't hit him. I was about to reload when I suddenly heard the voice from the speaker "Blue Team Win", I swallowed and pouted.

OMG! My Caramel Macchiato!

Link logged out and stood up, giving me a triumphant glance, which caught me off guard.

"I won't collect the debt from you yet, maybe next time," he said and winked before leaving the computer shop.

Oh, damn it! WHY IS HE SO HANDSOME WHEN HE WINKS?!

WHAT THE F, ANGELLE? What's happening to you? What are you saying?

"Couz!" Jove called me, bringing me back to reality.

"Oh?" I said and logged out, standing up as well.

"Too bad, your Caramel Macchiato." She said, laughing.

"It's okay, I'll buy one with my own money." I said and invited her to go home.

As we stepped out of the computer shop, I was startled when someone suddenly hugged my waist. I looked at the child hugging me and squinted my eyes. What's this kid's problem?

"Excuse me?"

"Hey! Don't hug her, she's my cousin!" Jove said and pulled me towards her.

The child smiled. He was fair-skinned and about the same size and height as Hero. But he'll be more handsome when he grows up than Hero, hehe. But why did he hug me? Does he think I'm his mom? Ews, do I look like a mother?

"I like her," he said, pointing at me while I coughed, shit. What did he say?

"W-wait, Key? You like my cousin?" Jove raised an eyebrow and he nodded. My god.

Jove faced me and gave me a mischievous smile, that girl is really something.

"Couz, looks like Isiah will have competition." I rolled my eyes.

I pushed her aside and faced the child, smiling. I bent down to be at his height.

"Baby, how old are you?" I asked, and he raised his hand and started counting on his fingers. "Seven?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Oh, you're still young. Don't have a crush on me yet, okay? Wait until you're older to court me."

But that's just a joke, I wonder how the child would react if I said that?

"You're still a kid, baby. Don't have a crush yet, you're not ready." I said, which made the child frown.

"But my tito told me I should have many girls." I couldn't help but burst into laughter at what he said. Many?

"Couz, that kid's uncle is really something." Jove whispered, I nudge her, in case the child hears and reports it to his uncle.

"Your uncle is wrong, having— ah, when you have many girls in your life, it will become chaotic. You can't call yourself a man because you're already hurting their feelings." I said.

"Okay, so. You can be my girlfriend," I couldn't help but squint and straighten up.

Who is this kid's uncle? I want to slap him.

"Key!" we both looked at the person calling the child, and my eyebrows almost shot up when I saw the man.

"Link?" I pronounced his name. Is he the child's uncle?

Link looked at me and then at the child. The child smiled and approached him, asking to be carried.

"Did he bother you?" Link asked us.

"Do you even need to ask? Your nephew is being taught the wrong things in life." Jove furrowed her brows at what Link said.

I looked at Ate Jove. So she knows that the kid's Uncle is Link? And she didn't even bother to tell me.

"Wrong things in life?" Link asked, confused.

"Tch! You just told Key that he should have one or more girls in his life." Link chuckled softly.

"I didn't teach him that, blame it on Kuya Ego."

"Yeah, whatever!" Jove rolled her eyes.

The child looked at me and whispered something to Link. Then Link looked at me.

"Do you want to come with us?" he asked.

"No, thanks. We still have things to do," I declined, I'm about to pulled Ate Jove, but Link stopped me and blocked my way.

"This will be your payment for your debt, come with us to our house." Seriously?

"Are you serious?" he nodded.

"I'll introduce you to my sister." He has a sister? I-i thought he's only child?

"Couz, let's go. I want to chat with Ate Lira again." Jove said.

"I don't want to!" I sighed, this girl is attacked by her own craziness again.

"Angelle, I'll introduce you to my sister as a friend only." What now? Did I say anything about him introducing me as his girlfriend, so I declined? Grr.

I looked at Link and then glanced at Jove, who was pouting and giving me a cute look.

"Fine." I reluctantly agreed.

They both smiled, and then Link pulled me to go to his house. As we entered, a beautiful woman and a handsome man greeted us in the living room. Shit, is this Link's siblings? It seems that being beautiful and handsome runs in their family.

They smiled when they saw us, and Link put down the child who ran towards the woman.

"Mommy, she's the girl I like." The child pointed at me, and I forced a smile as the mom looked at me.

"Son, you're too young to fall in love. She's probably your Uncle Link's girlfriend," Key's dad said. Link felt embarrassed and scratched his head before seating us on the couch.

"Jovelyn, did you lose weight?" Key's mom, Ate Lira, asked.

"Yes, I'm on a diet too. I'm afraid Dre might leave me." Ate Lira laughed.

"Dre loves you, he won't leave you." Ate Jove blushed as she said that.

"Ate Lira," Link called his sister's attention, and she looked at him.

"What is it, little brother?" Little brother? Nice.

"Um, this is Angelle. Jovelyn's cousin, our friend." Link introduced me, and Ate Lira looked at me and smiled.

"It's nice meeting you. I was just waiting for Link to introduce you to me, that's why I ignored you earlier, but I'm disappointed that you two we're just 'friends'." I shyly smiled. "Anyway, are you new here?" she asked.

"Yes, we've only been here for a month." I politely answered, and she nodded.

Ate Lira asked Link to get some juice and snacks that we could enjoy while chatting. I learned that Ate Lira is the eldest among the two of them. And it was obvious. Ate Lira opened up to me that their mom had a first husband and went back to him after their dad passed away. They rarely see her, and their meetings have to be kept secret because the first husband doesn't want any contact with the children from the second partner. I suddenly felt sorry for Link because I've been so mean to him, and he has this kind of problem.

I wanted to swallow my pride and be the one to apologize for our constant arguments, but I felt embarrassed.

"Are you okay?" Link asked, sitting next to me after Jove and Lira went upstairs.

Jove mentioned that there are some clothes that Ate Lira no longer wears and she wants to give them to Jove.

"Um, yeah." I smiled in response.

He probably thinks that my personality is 'weird' because I suddenly became nice, and to note, I even smiled at him.

"Don't feel sorry for me," he said, looking down. I looked at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he grinned at my question.

"You're always being mean to me, so why would I tell you?" I sighed, he's right.

"Um... Link?" he looked at me and we made eye contact.

You need to do this, Angelle. You need to make things okay between you two, there's nothing wrong with being friends with him. No harm!

"I'm so sorry for being rude, and... well, sorry for everything." I said, avoiding eye contact.

It's embarrassing for my pride to be the one apologizing, really!

"That's okay, I'm sorry too." He said.

I was surprised when he held my shoulders and faced me, and I couldn't help but focus my gaze on his face that I always admire when I see it.

"So, now. We're okay, are you ready?" I furrowed my brows and shrugged off his hand from my shoulder.

What does he mean by "ready"?

"Ready for what?" I said, giving him a defiant look.

He smiled and leaned closer. "Excuse me? Keep your face away from me." I retorted.

"It's better to be close for it to be intense," he said, winking and causing my face to flush.

I can't deny that I feel giddy when he winks, like duh! I'm a girl and I'm attracted to those kinds of gestures, right?

"Back off!" I retorted, giving him a glare as I moved away.

I'm such a fool, I told him to back off, but I'm the one who moved away.

"Tch! You're just getting giddy," he teased.

"I'm not getting giddy, maybe you're just getting a fever!" I said.

"You can't fool me, I know the traits of girls like you." He said with a grin, should I strangle him? Instead of being nice to him, I'm getting annoyed because of his behavior.

"Just say what you want to say, because I'm getting annoyed." I said, rolling my eyes, and he responded with a smirk.

He's so overly happy that it's not making me happy. Was he this happy when Gipsy broke up with him? Tch! That Gipsy girl, I'm still annoyed with her.

"Okay, sorry. I just wanted you to know that I'm taking back my debt now." I furrowed my brows, as far as I know, he already took it earlier, right?

"Excuse me? As far as I know, you already took my debt earlier?" His eyebrows met in confusion.

"When?" I touched my forehead, he must have forgotten.

"Just earlier, didn't you say that I could consider it as payment for my debt?" I said.

He pondered for a moment to confirm if what I said was true before facing me with a frown. "I remember now," he said sadly, slumping back on the couch.

"Why, what should be the payment for my debt?" I asked, curious about it too.

He leaned his head to see me. "A kiss," he said with a grin, and I glared at him.

"Get yourself together!" I snapped at him.

But maybe it took forever for him to respond, and he still didn't say anything. Annoyed, I stood up from the seat and was about to walk away when he grabbed my hand, causing me to fall onto him. My eyes widened as I looked at him, unable to move. Shit! What is he doing?

"L-Link?"

He just smiled and slowly leaned closer to me. Is he really going to kiss me? What should I do?

A. Stop him

B. Run away

C. Slap him

D. None of the above

KISS!

I thought he was going to kiss me on the lips, so I closed my eyes. But he just kissed my forehead. I opened my eyes in surprise and looked into his eyes, almost wanting to punch Link as I remembered our position.

"Shit! What did you do?!" I asked angrily, fixing my disheveled clothes.

He sat back and smiled at me, which annoyed me even more. Did he find what he did funny?

"You're really crazy!" I snapped at him, adjusting my clothes and heading straight to the door, leaving his house.

I bumped into Kuya Grain, Ate Lira's husband.

"Oh, you're going home. Angel

le?" he asked, and I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I think my mom might be looking for me. Please tell Ate Lira and Ate Jove that I've left," I replied.

"Alright, take care."

I nodded and started walking again.

I stopped in my tracks, held my forehead, and placed my hand on my chest. Shit. Why does Link always make me feel this way?

Does he have feelings for me?