“THANK YOU,” I said sincerely.

I shook my head before I smiled. At that point, I seemed to have little hope for him. Honestly, I have had feelings for Calix since college. Imagine, I even applied to the bar he owned just to be with him every day.

Funny thing, because this is not the course I finished, I chose to apply here even though I have no experience as a waitress.

I do not know when I will stop this illusion, that he will like me one day. Maybe I will just stop when he married another woman. But while he had not yet found that woman, I know I still have a chance.

“Room service!” I knocked again on the closed door.

I looked up my bore eyes at the top of the door where our guest musician’s name was indicated.

“Logistic Band?” I read the paper clearly.

That’s when the door opened, and the tall man confronted me earlier.

For a few seconds, I felt like a rock magnet absorbed my being because of this handsome man in front of me. It just made me realized that he was really handsome.

His expressive eyes and his red lips made my heart jolt. He was wearing a black leather jacket with a piercing on the left side of his eyebrow.

He glanced at his wristwatch then at the ice bucket I was holding.

“Do you usually takes twenty minutes before you serve a bucket of ice here?” He has a deep voice that made my knees trembled.

I need to swallow hard before I realized what he just said. I shook my head and wore my sexy smile.

“I’m so sorry, Sir. There’s just a little problem outside.”

He smirked and folded his arms over his broad chest as he stood in front of me and leaned against the door frame.

“And the management allowing their employees to use their phone during work hours?” He smirked again.

I averted my gaze because of what he just said. I didn’t say anything because he’s right. How can I defend myself if he caught me already?

“Hi, Miss!” the man’s face who asked me for an ice bucket earlier greeted me.

I walked over to the man who has a big smile on his face.

“Dude, you are scaring the waitress.” He even tapped the shoulder of the man who scolded me.

“Come in.” I was surprised when he pulled one of my hands to get inside the room.

And the room fell into silence as they saw me with a man holding my hand.

“Hi, Miss,” a man holding a glass of wine waved at me.

“Guys, this is . . .” The man next to me bowed to me, waiting for me to speak.

“Cherry,” I answered weakly.

“Cherry!”

“I’m Zach,” said the man who greeted me earlier.

“Sky, at your service,” he introduced himself and saluted me.

“And I’m Jeff.” He turned to me and held out his hand to me as I reached for him. I was wondering why they introduced themselves to a waitress.

“And this man behind you is Rexon.” Then he just smiled widely at me.

I simply nodded, uninterested, and turned to face the tall guy emerging from the dressing room.

“And here is our manager, Dawzon Del’Torre.” He glanced at me and nodded slightly.

“You will be on air in minutes,” he said to the boys.

“Tsk. I haven’t had taste the alcohol in my throat yet,” Zach muttered.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Sir,” I immediately said.

“It’s okay, Cherry.” I felt Jeff’s palm on my shoulder.

I immediately put the ice bucket on the table, which was slightly soluble. I bow in shame because of my misfortune tonight.

“Anything you want, Sir? Another bucket of ice or anything?” I asked them as I saw their disappointment gleam on their faces because of the delay.

“Sure,” Zach answered immediately.

“No, we’re fine. You may leave now, Miss,” Rexon said. He took the bottle of beer and pour it into a glass. He used some leftover ice in his glass and sipped on it quietly.

I bow my head down and leave the room silently. But Jeff followed me outside.

“Are you here every night?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir,” I answered politely.

“Just call me Jeff,” he replied, and I nodded to him.

“I’m sorry about Rex,” he added.

“It’s okay, Sir.” I smiled at him sweetly. He seemed very friendly, unlike the man named Rexon. I frowned as I remembered his cold face.

“Thank you again. Would you like to watch our performance later?” he asked softly.

“Yes, sure!” I pressed my lips and nodded.

I went back to the counter with so much disappointment because of the trouble I made. I frowned as I sat in an empty chair and watched the people seem to be making a fuss and shouting.

I glanced at Calix, who was leaning on the table with a lighted cigarette in his right hand.

“Hey! Are you going to fantasize about Sir Calix again?” Jacky leaned over me while holding the tray.

“Ha? No!” I shook my head.

“What’s new?” She placed the empty tray on the table and looked down at me.

“Nothing,” I answered weakly.

“I heard you broke a glass again. How many more will you break this week?” She giggled.

Honestly, every time I serve, there was always a broken glass, and I was always the one to blame by the customers even though sometimes they were really the ones to blame.

“Not funny,” I still forced to answer.

“It’s really not funny once you receive your paycheck.” She grinned again.

I just sighed at what she said. I sat down at the chair and looked at Jeff’s group went up the stage.

“Oh my God!” Jacky screamed.

I was surprised when people shouted, and even Jacky next to me pulled my T-shirt to stand up immediately.

“Rex! Rex!” the crowd and Jacky shouted.

“Tss.” I stared at them and stood up because I was already covered by the people who rushed in front of the stage.

“Go, Logistic! Go, Logistic! I love you, Rexon!” the crowd chanted.

“They’re really handsome,” Jacky said as her cheeks seemed to be reddened by the tremor.

Rexon was already testing the mic, then my eyebrows arched at them.

“Where is the handsome there?” They were just dazzled by the light.

“Gosh, are you blind?! Or maybe because the only handsome in your eyes is Sir Calix!” she exclaimed, and I just ignored her remarks.

“I mean, they didn’t even catch my attention.” I folded my arms annoyingly.

“How could you say that?! They are the sensational band in history today! They are great, and have a look!”

I laughed and twitched my brows.

“I met them earlier at room five where I served,” I said without hesitation.

“Oh, shit! Really?! If I only knew, I would have served them!” she grumbled with regrets.

I just smiled then shook my head.

“Hello? Mic test.” I quickly glanced at the stage when I heard Rexon’s voice.

The crowd immediately shouted.

“Good evening, everyone! Are you having fun?!” he shouted loudly.

“Yes!” Jacky also shouted with the crowd.

I, on the other hand, seemed to be stunned by the softness of his voice. He bent down to adjust the guitar to his shoulder and slightly tapped the string.

“Are you ready, guys?!” He even raised one hand in the air then smiled at the crowd.

I swallowed hard when he smiled, especially when he bit his lower lip slightly after kissing the mic.

I quickly took a deep breath and held my chest, then I turned to Calix, who was also busy watching them. I turned to Rexon again, who now backed away while pulling the mic stand.

“Would you dance, if I ask you to dance? Would you run and never look back? Would you cry, if you saw me crying? Would save my soul tonight?”

My heart sank down to my feet when his eyes hit mine. I swallowed hard ’cause he stared at me as if I was the only girl here.

I also did not think that his voice was so cold. As well as his singing gestures, especially how he held the mic.

He literally took me somewhere I could ever imagine. He started to smile a bit while he was singing. I sighed at the strength of my heartbeat because of the effect of what he did. The butterflies on my stomach were getting wild. It seemed like I didn’t want to break that look, but I was disappointed when he closed his eyes and hit the chorus. I was eager to see his dark orbs again, but his gaze turned to the other side and focused on the crowd.

“Cherry, at table eight!” Calix called to me.

“Hah, yes.”

Calix stared into my eyes before he handed me the glass of cape cod vodka.

I walked slowly because Rexon’s voice still swayed me, and my heart relaxes and tamed.

“Miss, here!” I felt someone held my arm, so I turned around to stop.

I immediately placed their order on their table and tried to leave, but he grabbed my arm again.

“Miss, can you stay for a while?” he added. I was pulled by force, which made me sit on his lap.

“WHAT THE HECK?!” I shouted loudly, trying to stand up, but he quickly grabbed my waist.

“How much do you want just to be with me for tonight?” he whispered to me that pierced my ear.

“You’re rude, man!” I said out loud and slapped his face hard. I did not care when the music stopped, and the room fell quiet because of what I did.

I stood up and walked away from him.

“How could you do that, bitch?!” The man raised his hand and tried to hurt me when someone suddenly intervened between the two of us.

My lips parted when I recognized who the man was.

“Take off your dirty finger on her or else, I will gonna punch you to death,” he said in a low rumble voice.

“Rexon?” I said as my lips trembled.

***

“Cherry Mae!!!” The loud voice of Jacky made my heart flinched. “Cherry!” She knocked on the door repeatedly.

“Oh, Jacky?!” I opened the door with furrowed brows.

“Cherry, look at this carefully!” She handed me the phone she was holding.

I covered my mouth with my hand when I saw that what happened at the bar last night was social media.

“Vocalist of Logistic Band defended her girlfriend in front of their fans!” she read the caption aloud.

“Here is another one! Is she the new girlfriend of our very own Rexon Del’Torre?”

I seemed to be enveloped in coldness because of the captions I read and the posted photos.

She read the comments aloud again.

“Is that really his girlfriend? OMG! Not so beautiful.”

“They are not compatible.”

“Is she the rumored girlfriend of Rexon? Please, say no!”

“Waitress? My God! I thought that Rexon’s standard was high?!”

“It’s a waste of time. It’s definitely a hoax! Hahaha!”

“Rexon is mine! Please, say no!”

“They seemed angry as if they know what really happened,” she said bluntly.

“That news is not true, and it’s embarrassing for that person who just helped me,” I answered.

“But you can’t fool the netizens. They thought there was something about you and Rexon.” She sat down on the sofa and scrolled down her cellphone to get more news.

“He just really wanted to help. I can’t even thank him for what he did last night,” I insist.

“E, how about you? Why did you escape when Rexon was attacked by his fans?” She rolled her eyes.

I bit my lip at what she said. And the incident last night came back to me.

I didn’t hear the crowd anymore because of my heartbeat. I was behind him while he was facing the men who tried to insult me.

“That girl is mine!” he urgently response to Rexon.

“Why don’t you just look for another woman, huh?”

“She’s the girl we want. Just give her to us if you don’t want to get in trouble.” He lifted his chin while grinning.

Rexon glanced down at me. It was as if he wanted to confirm what they said. I quickly averted my gaze because his stares seemed to be scorching.

“See? She doesn’t want to,” he said, then he smirked.

“You b*stard!” the man said. He was towering Rexon with his height and build, but Rexon didn’t seem scared. Instead, he grabbed the man’s shirt without warning and spoke.

“Don’t you dare try to touch her,” he grumbled.

The man seemed too frightened up because of his remarks.

“I will not hesitate to knock you down right where you stand,” Rexon said firmly.

“I’m not scared of you, spoiled brat little boy!” he confidently said.

I was shocked when Rexon threw a vital blow at the man. He fell to the floor and was unable to stand due to intoxication.

He looked at the man’s colleagues, who looked scared as well, especially since Jeff had already come down the stage and approached Rexon.

Suddenly there was a commotion among the fans, so I slowly stepped back and bowed when someone held my palm and pulled me away from that place.

I even glanced at the fans, who seemed confused.

I was breathless when we reached his office, and Calix’s concerned eyes darted on me.

“Are you alright?” he asked. I swallowed hard as I simply nodded.

“Yes, I’m okay.” I still can’t believe what happened. And seeing Calix concerned eyes made my heart melted and blushed. It’s kind of heartwarming to know that I’m probably important to him. I’d been waiting for this moment, and it’s finally here, so I will not miss it.

“Ouch!” I blinked my eyes so he could loosen the grip on my shoulder and act hurt.

“Where does it hurt?!” He seemed confused and gently guided me to sit in the chair before sitting down with me.

“I wasn’t so sure, but I think there . . .” I slowly caressed my shoulder up to my neck.

He looked down, his eyes on my neck, so I bit my lower lip to meet his gaze.

He cleared his throat before bowing to me.

I sighed when his palm touched my shoulder again, and the distance between us was now an inch, so I slowly shut my eyes.

I remained still as I was anticipating his next move, but nothing happened!

I suddenly felt a flick on my forehead, so I opened my eyes again.

“Ouch!” I felt my chicks turned red when he started to laugh.

“Silly girl,” he said between laughter.

Damn, why you’re so incredibly sexy, Calixto? My jaw dropped. He was still smiling and showing off his pearly teeth to me.

“Get back to work.”

I nodded and pouted my lips, disappointed with what he said.

“I’ll talk to the band. I’ll see what I can do with what happened,” he said before turning his back on me. I just followed him while looking out of his office.

I sighed heavily. Why did he ignore me? Am I not beautiful? I have curves, sexy lips, and a good look. What else am I missing?

I just stood up and carried the frustration with the failed kiss. Yes, I was fantasizing about his soft and tender lips, but I just frowned because it looks like it will be a long time before I taste that.

I also decided to leave his office. Everything was back to normal when I arrived. I think the men who abused me earlier have been thrown out from the bar.

“OMG!” I almost jump to my feet and my mind back to reality when Jacky suddenly shouted while looking at her cellphone.

“Cherry, look quickly!” She even motioned for me to come closer.

“What is that again?” I sat beside her and stared down at her phone.

“Netizens took a video of the fight last night.” She covered her mouth with one hand and watched the video.

My eyes widened because it was evident in the video that Rexon was holding my hand, and I didn’t even notice it.

I swallowed before speaking. “There is nothing wrong with that. Maybe he just thought of doing that because . . .” I sighed and thought of something to say.

“Because he just wants to? Or he likes you! You’re a beautiful girl!” She tapped her chin and twitched her lips.

I just rolled my eyes at her and tried to stand up, but she stopped me, so I sat down again.

“What about you and Calix?” she asked in a tone of persecution.

“It’s none of your business,” I whispered.

“Ah, so, when you move to the other shift, I might not even know your business?!” she grinned.

“We’ve just talked.” I shrugged.

“Then?” She seemed to want me to tell something else.

“Nothing. It just plain nothing!” I smirk.

“Aww. Turtle move. It kills you, you know.” She hissed.

Although it was painful to accept, I agreed with what she said. Maybe Calix didn’t like me that much.

***

I almost jumped when my alarm clock rang. I immediately hit it and went back to bed.

“Cherry, get up. You will be late for your work,” Tatay Gorio called me.

“I’m coming!” I rolled over to my bed, stood up, and went straight to my closet. I searched one by one for clothes before I went to the bathroom to take a shower.

“DAD, take your medicine after we eat,” I said while chewing the food in my mouth.

“Don’t worry, I always take my medications on time.”

I nodded and then continued eating.

“How is your work?” He started a conversation quietly.

“It’s fine, Dad. We have a lot of customers this weekend. It’s as close as vacation,” I said between bites.

“Well, that’s good. Just be careful because there are a lot of men in the bar,” he warned.

I swallowed in no time at what he said, so I immediately drank water. Fortunately, he did not ask again, so I finished the meal.

“Be careful going home!” I waved as I went down to the resto-bar to enter. He just nodded at me then sailed away.

When I turned around, the fancy flashes of cameras welcomed me. I did not expect their series of questions.

“Miss, is it true that your rumored boyfriend is the vocalist of the Logistic Band?” the reporters asked.

I was shocked by the number of them and their series of questions. I also did not know the answer, so I chose to walk away.

“Miss Cherry, right? How true is it that Rexon Del’Torre defended you when someone insulted you last time?”

“How about the rumor that your connection involves a third person, namely the manager of the resto-bar where you work?”

I was stunned by that question.

“Is it also true that you had a relationship with your manager while you and Rexon were together?” she asked again, and the smile on her face turned wide.

“No, that’s not true!” My eyes flashed with anger.

“In that case, which of the two is your boyfriend?” she asked again with twitched lips.

The cameras’ frequent flashes annoyed me, so I was unable to answer. Why do I need to answer those false questions, anyway?

“Please just answer, Miss,” she insisted.

“You bitch! You’re not Rexon’s girlfriend! Illusionist!” I heard young people shouting in the distance.

“Miss Cherry, please answer!” They are struggling.

It was there that I felt anxious because of the influx of the people around. They shouted at me. But the anger and the eagerness to hurt me was what really bothered me.

Then suddenly, someone caught my attention and, without saying a word, left the people. He looked straight into my eyes. And right now, at this very moment, I felt secure. I’m now out of danger.

The murmur began and left them speechless. We dodged through the crowds as we hurried inside his car.

Again, I was nervous as I sat in the front seat and closed my eyes tightly.

“Wear your seatbelt,” he said in a cold tone.

I slowly obeyed what he said and glanced at the reporters outside his car.

Until his car pulled away. I firmly held the strap and closed my eyes. The nervousness in my chest seemed to have no place in the pace of events.

We traveled a few minutes. I do not know where we were going. When I noticed that the paparazzi were not there, my heart calmed.

He slowed down his car and glanced at me repeatedly. The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable. In fact, I have this fear of awkwardness to open a conversation because I do not know him. But in the end, I chose to speak.

“Ah, thank you for helping me.” I held my breath for a while and waited for him to answer.

But he suddenly stopped the car, so I faced him. “You can go down now,” he said.

I quickly looked around. I don’t know where we were. I was not familiar with the place. I also seemed overwhelmed with nervousness at the thought of being left in such a dark place.

“Are you serious?!” I surprisedly said.

“Yes. Get out of my car!” he scolded. I saw his facial expression and the way he clenched his jaw at me.

I immediately bit my tongue at what he said before glancing around again.

“I already saved you twice. If I save you again, I might charge you.” His voice was full of sarcasm.

So he was showing me his salvation, is that so? Blood rushed to my head, and I looked at him badly.

“Thank you, huh?” I said and chose to open the door of his car, but it was locked.

I turned around and glared at him. “Can you please open this door?” I said.

But he just faced me with a big smirk on his face. Admit it, Cherry, he’s goddamn hot.

“Is that how you thank me?” He crossed his arms on his chest and lifted his brows on me. Oh, deym. Why does he look hot? I wanted to pull off from his hypnotism, but I suddenly shook my head and sat up.

I frowned and acted normally. “Then what do you need?” I leaned back to the chair and faced the window.

“Can you say it nicely?” I glanced at him, and he just smiled at me.

I suddenly felt ashamed of what I did earlier. How could I sound unfriendly even though he was the one who saved me when the reporters rushed to me?

“Okay, thank you for saving me,” I said sincerely. I bit my lower lip when he didn’t bother to say anything.

He just raised an eyebrow at me before restarting the engine.

I feel relieved to think I will not walk home alone.

But I immediately raised my back to my seat when I realized he was going in the other direction.

“Where are we going?” I asked, but he didn’t even answer.

Oh hell, Cherry. If you came down earlier, he wouldn’t have a reason to take you anywhere.

I calmed myself down and faced him again, and smiled broadly.

“You can take me down there,” I ordered.

“I have a gig to attend to,” he said and glanced at his wristwatch.

“And?”

“Join me at my gig tonight,” he answered coolly.

My eyes widened at what he said. “What? No way! I still have a job,” I said hysterically.

“I’m afraid that the reporter is still there. If you come back there, they will definitely attack you again. You don’t want that to happen again, right?” he countered.

“But my job will be compromised. And speaking of reporters, why are they asking me those questions? Shouldn’t that be you?!”

He shrugged and didn’t bother to look at me. I heavily sighed and tried to control my temper.

I snatched my cellphone from my bag and called Calix. “Cherry, where are you? Someone saw you with the press earlier.” His voice has full of authority.

I bit my lower lip and gasped heavily. “I’m sorry. I can’t go to work today.” I uttered a sound of frustration.

“Alright. It’s better if you don’t come back here today,” he replied.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” I said in a low tone.

“Okay. Please keep safe,” he said on the other line. I smiled at the last thing he said.

“Yes, Sir, thank you. Be careful, too.” I could not stop myself from answering. I feel like everything was red in me. There seemed to be a stir in my heart because of his concern.

He laughed at what I’d said. Oh deym. I can already see what he looks like while holding his cellphone—a broad smile and arched eyebrows.

“Ehem.” I glanced at the owner of that voice. He continued doing that thing while he was driving.

I immediately bid goodbye to Calix and pressed the cancel button before facing Rexon.

“So the news that the reporters are posting about you is true? Your boss has something for you.” He started the conversation.

“How can you be so sure?” I glared at him.

“That’s why you dare to do phetics at work because your manager is your boyfriend.” He chuckled lightly.

I hope what he said is true. But since Calix and I were not a thing, I frowned at what he said.

I prefer not to answer it. I don’t need to explain myself to him in the first place.

“Silence means yes.” He concluded and turned his face on me. I swallowed when I met his stares.

Jacky will definitely tweak me when she finds out that Rexon was with me right now, and I was free to observe him this close.

I don’t want to deny it, but he better know that I already have a boyfriend so that he can be calm.

He looked at me for a moment before shrugging. He played his new piercing at the left side of his lip. The last time I saw it, he only had it on his eyebrow. I didn’t even pay attention to it anymore because I was already folding at my seat.

He also did not speak because, after a while, we reached a well-known resto-bar in San Gabriel.