Love Me or Hate Me

SIDE STORY 02

WARNING: This episode contains explicit sexual acts. If you find such scenes offensive, disgusting, or utterly not to your liking, feel free to skip this episode or leave.

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Javi returned to the kitchen to help Harold with their dinner. Sinamantala naman ito ni Tommy para makausap nang mag-isa ang boss niya.

“You seem to have just had a rather touchy encounter with Javi,” bungad ni Tommy kay Asa. “The little dude finally looked like a real alpha when he was hugging you earlier. Pinag-usapan niyo ba ang tungkol sa interview?”

“None of your business,” Asa replied casually. “What’s the news?”

“As expected, they happily agreed to your demands. Kinausap ko na rin ang mga abogado sa law firm namin at sila ang maghahanda ng agreement sa pagitan mo at ng network,” sagot ni Tommy.

“You’re not going to do it yourself?” Asa asked him.

“I could’ve done it myself, but unfortunately, wala ni isa sa mga abogado namin ang marunong gumawa ng talk show questions o topics. Kailangan kong ayusin ang magiging laman ng interview mo para maging malinaw ang intensyon ng magiging usapan niyo ng host,” paliwanag ng abogado ni Asa.

“Thanks a lot, Tommy,” the omega replied. “I’ll pay you extra for all the trouble I’ve been giving you.”

“No need,” Tommy replied with a wave of his hand. “Consider this as my way of helping Javi. Besides, it’s not like my regular salary from you is small. I’m doing this out of our friendship and my willingness to help the people who are very dear to me.”

“For a seemingly cold and lifeless person, you surprisingly have a big heart,” Asa noted.

“Oh I could say the same thing about you,” Tommy replied. “Well, just like you, I think I also got infected by your alpha’s sickening positivity and joy. Kindness isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes, it feels nice that there are still pure people in the world without a hint of ulterior motives or wickedness. I want to protect those kind of people.”

Tommy looked back at the living area where Javi is currently playing with baby AJ.

“You’re old. I think you need children,” Asa told him.

The lawyer threw his boss a contemptuous stare. “Coming from someone who was so intent on growing old alone just a year ago. I may be the second oldest member of this squad of insanity, but I am not a dinosaur,” Tommy answered.

“Still, jokes aside, hindi ka ba lulugar sa tahimik? We’re not getting any younger. Ikakasal na next year sina Lino at Amanda. Sandamakmak na ang mga pamangkin ni Lino. I have Jarvey and AJ. Ikaw na lang ang walang plano para sa hinaharap,” sabi ni Asa.

“Are you implying that you want to grow old with Javi?” Tommy asked him with a malicious grin.

“Don’t you even dare to change the subject. Ikaw ang pinag-uusapan dito. I’m pretty sure hindi lang ako ang nagtataka kung kailan ka lalagay sa tahimik. You’ve been to several relationships before. Ilang beses na ring umasa ang mga magulang mo na may makakatuluyan ka na. Ayokong masisi ng parents mo kung sakaling tumanda kang binata. Don’t marry your work. Enjoy your life!” Asa told him.

A meaningful grin curved across Tommy’s face. “Who said I’m not enjoying my life?” he said in a low voice. “In fact, I think I am about to have lots of fun in the near future. . .”

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Sa oras na magsabi si Amanda na mag-iinuman sila, halos wala nang kawala ang kahit isa sa kanila. Habang abala kasi kanina sa paghahanda ng dinner nila sina Harold at Javi, lumabas naman ang magkasintahan para mamili ng mga iinumin nila.