"Thanks, Auntie,” Red said, smiling at her mother.

“You should also try this, Red.” Ashley smiled widely, handing Red a plate of pork spring rolls. “This one’s my favorite.”

Irani couldn't help but roll her eyes as she watched how her cousin acted cutely in front of Red. She was annoyed that Red seemed to enjoy it. He was even returning Ashley's smiles.

'Tsk. I hope you suffer from another stomachache again,' she whispered silently.

"Irani."

Irani stiffened. Then she turned to Red who she didn't realize was already looking at her.

She realized she didn't call her shortcake in front of her family.

"You want this?" he asked her, holding the bowl of beer Kare-Kare. It was her favorite so she knew that her parents would find it odd if she said no.

"Sure," she answered with a small voice. She was about to take the bowl from Red when he insisted on putting some on her plate. “Uh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled at her.

Irani blinked as she watched Red smile at her. She suddenly couldn't deny that he looked more handsome when he was smiling like that.

“What are you going to play for me tonight, Irani?” her grandmother asked her while they were eating dessert.

Irani turned to the piano near the poolside. Every time that her grandmother visited their home here in Manila, she would always play piano for her.

“You play the piano?” Red turned to her. His voice seemed surprised.

“She’s good at it, hijo,” it was her grandmother who answered for her.

Irani's cheeks heated up with her grandmother's compliment. Instead of looking at Red's reaction, she stood up from her seat and went to the piano.

She suddenly felt nervous. This was the first time she felt that way. She was used to playing the piano, but she didn't understand why she was feeling nervous at that moment. Was it because Red would be watching her?

Tsk, so what if Red was here? she asked herself. There was nothing special about it. He's not Andrei!

Irani took a deep breath before her hand went to the piano keys. She played her late grandfather’s favorite song, Hey Jude by the Beatles.

It was her grandmother's favorite piece. She remembered that piece very well. Even if her eyes were closed, she could perfectly play that song.

In the middle of her play, she looked to her left. There, her eyes met Red's dark orbs. Gone was the usual grin on his lips. He was intently watching her with that serious look on his face.

Irani couldn't understand why she felt like something tickled her stomach. She looked away and never looked in Red's direction again until she finished the piece.

“That was beautiful, Irani,” her grandmother told her after. She was clapping her hand in delight. Even her parents looked very impressed.

She smiled sweetly at the old woman. “Thank you, granny.”

Red was not clapping, but his eyes were still on her.

Irani wasn't used to those serious eyes of his. She didn't know how long he was looking at her that way before he turned to her parents.

“I'm sorry but I have to go,” Red told them, glancing at us. “Thank you again for inviting me to your family dinner.”

“You’re welcome, hijo.” Her mother said, glancing at her. "Come on, Irani. Walked Red outside."

Irani nodded. But then her cousin Ashley also stood up from her seat.

“I’ll go with them, Auntie,” she declared.

Irani wanted to roll her eyes as she walked faster. She didn't want to hear how Ashley bombarded Red with nonsense questions.

She even held Red in the arm. “You’re an engineering student? Hmm, so you wanted to become an engineer?”

Of course, if that isn't obvious, Irani wanted to interject.

Irani continued to roll her eyes as they finally reached Red's car outside.

Red turned to her as he played with his car keys on his finger. “Good night, Irani.”

Irani only nodded at him. While her cousin Ashley even waved her hand at Red. She even asked him to take care.
“Irani, do you have Red's number?" Ashley asked her when Red left.

“I don't have his number," she said. "Besides, that man already has a girlfriend." After that, she went inside the house and walked upstairs to her room.

After changing her clothes, she lay on her bed. A moment later, her phone beeped. It was a text message from Red.

I didn't know you have a talent, shortcake ;) You can be the 5th member of our band.

That was his text message to her.

Irani couldn't help but text him back.

So, should I be happy that you complimented me?

Tsk. You're really harsh on me, shortcake :)

Shut up, Mr. Stomachache.

The corner of her lips curled up in a smirk after sending that text.

Irani was alone in the library that day. They have a vacant class right now. Usually, she was always with Cashmere. But her best friend was absent that day.

She was in the middle of reading Hamlet by Shakespeare when she felt someone go to her table. She tore off her gaze on the book and looked at the person beside her. Her lips parted when she saw Drei.

"Hi, Irani," he said, smiling at her.

Irani finally put down the book on the table. “Uh, hi, Drei. You're here."

"Is it okay if I sit here beside you?" he asked in a polite voice.

Irani immediately nodded at him. "Of course," she said, smiling at him.

Drei put down his things on the table and pulled out a chair for himself.

Irani looked around the library. There were a lot of vacant tables so why would Drei decide to sit beside her?

She bit her lower lip to stifle herself from smiling. Instead of going back to her reading, she couldn't help but look at Drei. There was a Math notebook in front of him.

"Is that Trigo, Drei?" she asked him.