This is a literal continuation of the last chapter. Enjoy~

“And who do we have here?” Catherine Yu’s voice was laced with malice when she finally spotted her sister. Natapos niya na ang 5km run ngunit dahil parang nabitin siya ay nagdesisyon siyang tahakin ang daan pabalik upang sabayan si Karina to go to the finish line. She is aware that her sister is a shy person kaya naman laking gulat niya ng makita niya ang kapatid na may kasamang maangas na gingerhead with lip piercing.

Halatang may pagkabad girl vibes. 

Swak na swak sa taste ng kapatid niyang marupok. 

From the start, when Karina introduced her ex, Yeonjun, to her, alam na ni Catherine na gago ang lalaki. Sadyang bulag lang ang kapatid niya noong mga panahon na iyon kaya kahit anong sabi niya ay parang walang nadinig ang kapatid. Yung kasama ni Karina ngayon, same vibes ng pormahan ng ex niya. Though there was that tinge of gentleness sa mata ni gingerhead today. Catherine looked at Winter with interest as she observed more.

“Ate!” Gulat na gulat na sabi ng nakababata at mabilis na bumitaw sa kasama na inaalalayan siya kahit na she insisted na di naman kailangan. Kaso matigas ang bungo ni Winter at kala mo naman super injured siya kung umasta.

“Oh, anong nangyari sayo?” turo nito sa naka band aid niyang tuhod at braso. “And this cutie, di mo pa pinapakilala. Where are your manners, bunso?” 

“Natulak ako kanina.” pagsusumbong ni Karina like a kid. It was her usual pa-baby lambing to her ate. “And this is Winter…she works dun sa cafe na tinatambayan ko lagi when I write and we happened to bump into each other here. Winter, this is my older sister, Ate Cath.”

“I see that good genes run in the blood. Nice to meet you po.” magalang na sabi ni Winter as she held out her hand for a handshake. Tinanggap naman iyon ng nakakatanda with obvious curiousity in her eyes.

“Same here. And salamat na din sa pag-asikaso sa kapatid ko. She tends to get so clumsy.”

“Ate!!!” pagsigaw naman ni Karin kasi nakakahiya na nilaglag siya ng ate niya. Sabay na nagtawanan ang dalawang kasama niya.

“I can see that.” Winter answered with a knowing smile, referencing the pagkadapa incident sa Star Cafe. “Pero akong bahala sa kanya. I shall make sure no harm will come her way.” confident na claim ni Winter.

“Crush mo ba ang kapatid ko?” Cath asked in a curious manner.

“Karina is very pretty…” pasegway na sagot ni Winter kaya naman nagroll ng eyes si Karina.

Pang boy ang linyahan kasi.

Before Cath could intrigue them further, her phone rang again. 

It was her secretary telling her that there was an emergency meeting dahil biglang na nagsurprise visit ang anak ng CEO to have a check with some items with her. Catherine looked at her sister with an apology.

“What? Okay…I’ll be there.” sabi niya sa secretary niya then turned to her sister. “Sis, I know I said I’ll drop you off but…I have to go back and baka gabihin na ako...” the older sister's voice trailed off.

“That’s okay,ate.” maagap na sagot ni Karina.

“I can drive her home.” pagprisinta agad ni Winter.

“I don’t wanna impose.” Karina quickly denied her offer.

“Besides, I don’t think I’ll let a stranger take my sister home.” protective na sagot agad ni Catherine. She might be fine interacting with her around pero ibang usapan na pag magsosolo sila sa sasakyan. 

What if stalker pala si Winter?

Or makidnap ang bunsong kapatid niya? 

“I wouldn’t have suggested if you’re imposing.” magaan na rebut ni Winter then gently turned to the older sister. “I understand na I’m a stranger to you so you can hold on to my ID then. If your sister is not home by today, you can call the cops on me.” 

Catherine weighed her options. 

Having someone take her sister home is a lot better than letting her commute. It's a weekend and for sure matatraffic pa ang kapatid niya if she takes the bus back to the city.

Mukha mang badass si Winter, her brown onyx eyes seem genuine enough. Besides, she offered a good compromise. She doubts that Karina would talk to her if she’s of questionable character naman.

“Fine…” sabay na pagpayag ng magkapatid dahil pareho nilang naisip na hassle magcommute considering na andaming uuwi na din after ng event. As promised, Catherine got a copy of Winter’s ID and the two went to the carpark.

After giving Winter her address na malapit lang sa Star Cafe, nakatulog na din agad si Karina sa pagod. She might have overestimated herself nung inakala niya na kaya ng stamina niya ang ganung klase ng event.

Winter quietly drove and used her classical music playlist. Medyo nilaksan niya din ang aircon and fix Karina’s posture whenever there’s a red light or traffic jam para di siya mangalay. An amused smile escaped the driver’s lips as she hummed contentedly. 

“Hey, we’re here.” paggising ni Winter sa passenger princess niya habang niyuyogyog ang katawan nito ng marahan. Gentle lang naman ang hawak ni Winter, if anything she was afraid to touch her without any permission kaya sa may shirt lang.

Winter saw how Karina’s eyelid fluttered close and open. As if di pa ata nagsisink in dito na magkasama sila sa sasakyan kaya nakatitig lang ito sa kanya na parang processing pa. Winter was enchanted with her beautiful eyes kahit pa blanko ang expression nito sa mukha.

“Hmmm….” pagyawn ni Karina when she finally gathered her senses. 

“Oh…andito na pala tayo.” umayos siya ng upo and unbuckled her seatbelt. Namula naman ang writer ng marealize na pinapanuod siya ng driver with an amused smile. “Uhm…thank you pala sa hatid.”

“It’s a pleasure. Malapit ka lang pala sa Star Cafe talaga.” Winter noted with a smile and her dimples. Nag unbuckle din to ng seatbelt niya and stepped out of the vehicle to open the car door for her. “Okay ka na dito?” 

“Of course.” Karina gathered her drawstring bag at awkward na nakatayo lang sila sa harap ng isa’t isa. “So, uh…bye? And thank you ulit.” 

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you sa Star Cafe.” with that, Winter went back inside the car habang nakatayo lang si Karina sa may entrance and waited for her car to go. Nagbukas pa ng salamin si Winter sa passenger seat, winked at her once more tapos nagdrive na.

Karina found it cute.

But then she was puzzled.

‘How can a barista have a car?’

But oh well, not her business.

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