“ATE LOVE! Ate Love, wake up!”
She stood up immediately from her cousin Kulas’ shaking her up. “Why? What's up? Were Epong and his men outside? Were they burning down our house?” she asked and was a little taken aback when she felt the soft bed beneath her. She was also dazzled by the sunlight all around her, with the beautiful view of the towering buildings in front of her.
She rubbed her eyes. It was like everything was just a dream. But no matter how many times she rubbed his eyes, she was still not back in her tiny little shack. Only then did she remember that last night they were already at "Mitos’" condo. He saved her from the syndicate her father owed money to. And then they spent their night at his condo after the ordeal at the club.
She dropped herself on the bed again. It wasn’t a dream. How she wished she could just stay there and not go back to her ugly reality. "I still want to sleep."
She felt she could relax at that house even if she was just with her cousin and “Mitos”. Bham had left early because she still had to prepare her kid to go to school.
“Ate, get up. Kuya Mitos said that breakfast is ready.”
"Breakfast?" she asked.
“Yes. He’s waiting outside for us. He even went here earlier to check if you’re still sleeping. You had your mouth open and snoring. Such a pity! He’s very, very, handsome this morning.”
She strangled her cousin. "You let Mitos see me like that while I’m sleeping." If it was the real Mitos, she wouldn’t care. She was not shy to reveal her true self to her ex-boyfriend. But she doesn’t want that with this Mitos impersonator. Her good image was getting ruined.
Kulas faked a cough and made a peace sign. “I was just kidding, Ate. But he was really handsome when he knocked on our door earlier.”
She let go of her cousin and quickly grabbed the towel. "I'll take a bath first." Her cousin had seen
“Mitos” before her. She needed to step up. She should be prettier when she faces him later. 
Kulas' face was scrunched up by the time she finished taking bath and changed. “You really prioritized putting on your make-up before me. I’m about to starve to death here, Ate.”
"I can’t show up to him looking like a mess while he’s being gorgeous and all."
It's been a long time since she made herself beautiful for a man. Her cousin let her slide. 
Kulas was supporting her until they got to the outdoor garden. ‘Mitos'  was still at the rock garden table while reading the newspaper. He folded the newspaper he was reading and went up to her when he saw her. 
"Good morning, Love," he greeted her in a smooth voice and held her hand. "Did you sleep well?"
She nodded slowly. He was really handsome in his simple Giordano shirt and jeans. His scent was knee-jerking. And she was sure it was not because of hunger. It was fine losing strength due to his gorgeousness, as long as he was the first thing she would see every day.  
“Wow! The food looks good. Seemed high-class dishes,” Kulas said, his eyes widening and he sat down immediately.
"Mitos" helped her to her seat. And put food on her plate immediately. "Eat a lot. Kulas said you barely ate yesterday with all the things the syndicate boss asked you to do.” He raised the spoon with ham and fried rice near her lips. “You can open your mouth now.”
Love was forced to accept the food. She couldn't chew properly because he was staring at her. She refused him when he tried to spoonfed her again. “I can feed myself. You don’t have to do this.”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed by me, you know? I just want to take care of you,” he said softly.
"That’s so sweet of you, Kuya Mitos," Kulas teased.
"The truth is, you never fed me when we’re still together," she said casually and started eating by herself.
His smile disappeared. “I never did that before?”
She nodded slowly. “I can take care of myself, remember? But it's okay. You were a good boyfriend then. When I needed your help, you were always there to help me out.”
But those occasions were rare. It was actually her who always took care of Mitos. This "Mitos" really doesn't know what her relationship with her boyfriend was like before. 
“Kuya Mitos, I hope I can take a dip in the swimming pool here. I wish we could just live here!” Kulas. uttered excitedly
"Kulas!" she scolded the cousin. She has no plans of being a burden to “Mitos”. She didn’t even know how to make it up to him. 
 “You can stay here as long as you want. But my resthouse in Batangas is better.”