She knows

* Barbie *

The three of us were silent as we took the elevator toward the rooms on the sixth floor where my room and Erich's are. I am unsure if Tom has booked the same hotel as us or if he had his place to sleep here in Manila. He is not very open about his life and his finances although I knew that he is well off being a Dela Vega alone is rich enough. Erich is the same, she could be not working or doing whatever she wants.

"Get inside Erich, and stop with that sour face of yours. I know that boy's family better than you do that is why I don't want you to get involved with him."

Tom sounded calm although I could still feel the anger deep inside of his baritone voice. Erich snap.

"Enough! Don't tell me what to do anymore Tom, I'm done being told who's who and what to do with my life. It's over, stop doing this anymore!"

My eyes widened, she was just acting too much all of a sudden. Maybe it was the tequila or Erich is feeling a little hot-headed tonight.

"Wow! That's being disrespectful Erich? If you don't believe me, fine but wait until Father hears about this alright? If you are old enough to take care of yourself then go ahead. I will only do this as the last time but don't come asking for me when you need help with anything. I'm done too!"

He raised both hands and walked away, to my dismay he didn't even look at me. I was watching his back when he pressed the elevator button. I wonder where he would sleep and who is going to be with him if there is somebody. Erich was silent as she opened the door of her room, I began to walk towards my room when I felt his hand grab my arm slowly.

I did not notice that he came back. My body froze. "Tom?"

"I have to apologize about the outburst Barb, you know Erich has become a nuisance since she started studying here in Manila. I hope you still enjoy the rest of the night and get some rest alright?"

The warmth of his hand on my arm made me feel a bit nostalgic. I turned around to face him, noticing in the corner of my eye that Erich had already closed the door of her room.

"It's alright, you only care about your sister. I get that because Rafael would act the same way too if it was me and him in the same situation as you and Erich. But maybe it's bad to judge Jimmy and his family because he showed interest in her."

I voiced my own opinion on the matter because I think Jimmy is not a bad man. He exhaled.

"You two have a lot to learn, I don't want to bad mouth Jimmy like that or tell a lie just to disappoint my sister. Anyway, that's enough. The night is getting late and I have an early appointment tomorrow. See you soon ok?"

How I wish he would stay longer, I would have loved to hear him talking to me. Unlike Erich who couldn't wait to get out of his sight every time, what I wanted was for him to notice me and give me more of his attention. Even when they are just as a sibling affectionate. His hand who is still holding my arm moves away and then he bends down to kiss me on the forehead.

Bolts of lightning hit me from the moment his warm lips made contact with my skin, I opened my lips to see something but no words came out. He looked at me and registered the shock in his eyes, I believed he knew what I was feeling, and that just made my cheeks flush.

"Get inside now Barb, and damn! I have to leave too."

The annoyed tone in his voice woke me up from a daydream and forced myself to nod. "Goodnight Tom."

It was even harder to pronounce his name after the brief kiss but I had to stay still. He turned around fast as if in such a hurry to leave me. I close my eyes tightly and calm myself down before turning around to face my door and grab the card in my purse to open it.

I closed the door behind me and then put my hands on my chest, it felt like I was about to get a heart attack. Oh God, how I like him so much! Or perhaps it isn't like anymore. I think it's more than that, why does he have to act like a brother to me when all I ever wanted is for him to love me? As I daydreamed about the kiss he bestowed on my forehead, I was suddenly startled by the knock on my door.

Oh my God! Did he come back?

I hurriedly open it only to see Erich's pouting lips and sour face looking at me.

"I couldn't sleep after what happened can I stay for a while and let's talk?"

"Oh! Sure! Of course, come inside."

I figured that I wouldn't be able to sleep either but I had to take care not to tell her that it was because of the kiss on my forehead coming from Tom. The two just argued and Erich would not like hearing it.

"Don't you think Tom is a bit rough and hot-headed lately?"

I watched her walk towards the couch near my bed and sat down lazily. "Hmmm, I think that it's not only him who's having a temper tonight."

Erich laughed as she sat comfortably on the couch wearing her pajamas. I still have the clothes I wore from the bar and couldn't change yet because I wanted to take a warm shower before hitting the bed and she's still here.

"I'm sorry Barb, it's just difficult to get along with Tom anymore. He's been a real brute when he acts like a big brother to us. Not only to me, you know what I mean."

Erich looks at me deeply. "I don't mind Erich, but I could never talk back to Rafael the way you speak with Tom."

She arched one brow and watched me, there was something in her eyes that made me uncomfortable. "Do you have a crush on Tom Barb?"

I know that my face turned pale but I shake my head. "What are you talking about?"

Erich giggles. "You know you're not a good liar Barb, and I could feel the way you look at Tom. He does not annoy you one bit even when he is overprotective and domineering. I was wondering why until I saw you two dance at the bar. It didn't feel like siblings dancing on the floor. It looked more like lovers!"

I bit my lip and closed my eyes for a few seconds then nodded my head. "Please don't tell anyone about this Erich. Rafael would kill me if he knew I am crushing on Tom, he believes that I am a part of your family."

"Oh! But you are a part of the family Barb but it does not mean you can't have feelings for Tom. A lot of young women your age adore him, and he is now dating a supermodel. But I doubt he would want to marry her, I know Tom only dates around but is not serious with women yet until he finds someone to bring to the family dinner and introduce to Dad."

I inhaled softly and looked at her she treated the matter as a casual thing to talk about but I was on the edge of my seat now that she knew what I was feeling about him.