22

"So she's the girl?" Katarzyna asked as she stepped into Miguel's car.

"Yeah."

"Maganda siya. Elegant. I like her." She responded. Miguel let out a smile. "Yung boyfriend niya problema mo no?"

"Oo."

"Huwag kang mag-alala, nakikita ko sa mata ni Laarni, ikaw din mahal niya." Katarzyna said reassuringly. Miguel smiled as he started the ignition.

"Kat, salamat he. Sorry kung sumabit ka dito." Miguel said. "I know I promised a quiet, friendly date, pero..."

"Ok lang yun. Basta, you owe me one."

* * *
In another car, a few kilometers away, Laarni sat quietly as Adrian's car drove down the Santa Rosa Highway.

"Miguel's cool." Adrian said, breaking the silence. "and his date's hot." Laarni seemed to be entranced in a world her own. The impact of Miguel's words hit her like a brick now, she was feeling utterly uncomfortable around Adrian.

"Laarni?" Adrian asked. Instantly, she snapped out of her trance, and looked at him. "I'm taking you to Rarotonga next week."

"Rarotonga?" she repeated. She knew that Adrian's son was in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

"Ipakikilala na kita sa anak ko." he said.