Chapter 3

"EEEK! You must be Matthew! It's me, your cousin—Amor!" she squealed, rushing towards him with enthusiasm that bordered on theatrical. Her energy filled the small conversation, leaving Matthew feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Matthew blinked, confused. "Mom?" he managed, instinctively taking a step back as she closed the distance.

Amor didn't seem to notice his hesitation. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you!" she said, her voice high-pitched with excitement. "Tita sent me so many pictures of you growing up. She told me all these stories—about how you were the quiet one, always with your nose in a book. I feel like I already know you!"

Matthew's brow furrowed. He glanced over at his mother, who stood a few feet away, watching the scene with an amused smile. "Really... you've been sending pictures?"

"Of course," she said casually, stepping closer. "She always asked about you, so I kept her updated."

Amor nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! And you're just like I imagined! Well, maybe taller, and a little more serious-looking." She tilted her head, studying him as if he were a life-sized exhibit.

Matthew rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, though there was some annoyance etched to it. "This is just great..."

Amor beamed at him, practically vibrating with excitement. "We're practically long lost siblings! Your mom told me all about the time you got stuck in that tree trying to rescue a kitten."

Matthew's cheeks flushed, and he shot his mother a betrayed look. "For heaven's sake..."

His mother chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "It's a funny story, Matt. Amor loves hearing about family."

Amor grinned wider. "See? We're going to get along great. I just know it!"

While the revelry was taking place, Felix leaned into the corner of the side-car avoiding any sort of attention, out of curiosity however, he took a small glance.

"He is... attractive, I'll give 'em that," he muttered, but the longer he looked the harder it was to look away.

Andi, and the tricycle driver bothered not to interrupt this small reunion which made Felix feel trapped, and out of place like a snowflake in the desert, or a bird perched on a wire.

Meanwhile, Amor was in full storyteller mode, animatedly recounting everything she could remember about Matthew's childhood mishaps—Matthew, disturbed, turned to look away and met Felix's deep gaze, making Felix flinch and retreat.

"Oh no..." He uttered shrinking his voice. He wanted to sit quietly in the tricycle, to be invisible and unnoticed. But his cover was about to be blown.

"Felix!" Amor called out, spinning around abruptly. Her eyes lit up as though she had just remembered he existed. "What are you still doing in there? Get out here and meet everyone!"

Before Felix could object, Amor dashed back to the tricycle and tugged at his arm, her excitement overpowering his reluctance.

"Amor, I—hey, okay, okay! I'm coming!" Felix protested, stumbling out of the side-car. He stood there, awkward and slightly flushed, as Amor dragged him towards her family.

"This," Amor declared proudly, practically bouncing on her feet, throwing her hands up in the air with a dramatic flourish. "Is Felix! My best friend. You two have got to get to know each other—he is a little shy but he's a riot once you get him talking!" She flashed an overly bright smile, glancing between Felix and Matthew as if weighing some unspoken, grand idea behind her enthusiasm.

Felix's eyes faltered slightly, his fingers curling awkwardly in his pockets. He gave a hesitant nod toward Matthew, his voice gentle and soft. "Uh, nice to meet you both Aunty, and uhh... Matthew," he mumbled, giving a half-hearted wave that seemed to deflate as soon as it left his hand.

Matthew, who had been standing with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. His gaze lingering on Felix—up and down as if curating a strange artifact.

Though he masked it well, there was a spark of curiosity in his expression. Maybe be was just surprised there was someone who could keep up with Amor's mental crack—or the curious thought that someone would be willing to.

"I've heard a lot of things from you," Said Matthew's mother, but she darted a look at the two drivers, letting out a breath that seemed longing for home.

"But let's head home first. It's getting a little bit late. And I don't want your mother to worry," she added, taking the rest of their belongings near to the side-car Felix came from.

"Sure tita! OMG! I can't believe you're here!" Offering to help—and feeling some of the giftwrapped pasalubongs or souvenirs—Amor seemed as if this day was the most inexplicably amazing day in the month.

"God she's annoying," he muttered, his anger making him forget that Felix was just a few feet away from him.

Felix, who had been standing silently in the background, couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Matthew's remark. It was a bit awkward, but there was no lace of malice in the air—unmistakably, it seemed borderline fun.

"Yeah, I mean... she's certainly got a... unique way of showing excitement," Felix said with a nervous smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"Come on you two! Let's go home! I'm starving!" Amor yelled, clapping demurely inside the side-car like a child celebrating her birthday party.

Matthew, as if on cue, walked forward thinking how to force himself between the plethora of bags already crowding inside the vehicle—he was about to climb in, when Andi stopped him. "Eh sir, it's better if the both of you young men should sit behind the driver,"

Too full of today's series of events, Matthew had little to no more frustration to burn. Raising his palms to his shoulder, he resigned in defeat.

"Tsk, You know what? Fine! I am not going to complain, just...for fuck's sake let's get this over with," he uttered as he lodged himself onto the driver's motorcycle seat.

Felix hesitated for a moment before sliding beside him. Felix's movements were stiff as trying to give Matthew as much space as possible. However, it was rather a small vehicle, a small seat for the both of them which made it impossible to avoid a slight brush of shoulders.

The contact sas enough to make Felix a little bit off...

"Alright Mang Andi! We'll be on our way!" Said the driver before the engine revved, waving goodbye. Andi's face shrank the further they went, and though it seemed strange, Felix felt as if this wasn't going to be the last time they'd see each other...

As the motorcycle hummed along, the sound of the engine seemed to drown out the ocean's waves, but Felix could still watch it, and fortunately, although it was a nostalgic, almost painful sight to see, the sunset that is, it still seemed comforting.

Gray used to take him cycling around these parts—unsolicited wishes he unconsciously gave to Felix.

"Haaa...sad," he whispered.

Felix only looked forward, avoiding looking at Matthew, because it was awkward but a few moments into the ride, he couldn't help but glance sideways. Matthew, it seemed, had noticed him and was already looking in his direction.

Their eyes met briefly, but Felix quickly turned his head, pretending to be absorbed in the passing scenery. Awkward it might be, it still somehow made Felix laugh.

"Hm... this'll be one interesting memory,"