Aki's POV
"Friend-zoned, guys," I said, my voice exasperated. "This is the first time this has happened to me.""Friendzone is real," Henry said, the guy with the long face, shaking his head.
"I told you. Nothing beats my stepsis," Drin chimed in, grinning. "She's a tease."
"Who's a tease?" Tinnie suddenly asked, surprising us all.What was this demon up to now? I was already feeling beast-mode levels of frustration. But I decided not to react. Calm down, Aki. Don't let it get to you. Focus on something else.
You got friend-zoned. Just focus on something productive instead—journal entries, general ledger, trial balance, cash flows, financial position, income statements.
Then Ken plopped down beside me, breaking my train of thought.
"Ken, move over," I muttered.
Why? I'm comfortable here and now you're telling me to leave?" he said nonchalantly.
"Just move okay? I want Aki to sit beside me." Tinnie's voice was casual but her words hit me differently.
Relax Aki. Breathe. Don't let this get to your head.
"Just sit with Badjao over there," someone teased.
"No way. Raphael isn't Aki." I heard Francel and Drin snicker.
"Alright alright," I said as Tinnie sat beside me. I tried to play it cool. I'm usually bold and unbothered but with Tinnie… all my bravado just disappears.
"Hey!" she tapped my side and I jumped. Goodness! Tinnie if you're not careful your hand might just slide to my abs next!
"Tinnie, maybe you're hungry. What do you want to eat?" Raphael asked, his voice polite and really curious.
"Hotdog," Tinnie answered.
Wait… what?
I couldn't help myself. "You want a hotdog? I have one here if you want. I probably won't finish it." I blurted, barely containing a grin. We all looked at each other, a mix of amusement and surprise. It slowly dawned on Tinnie what she'd said, and her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, an adorable mix of embarrassment and laughter escaping her lips.
Just like that, the tension dissolved, and I felt my heart race a little faster just being close to her.
"Geez! Look at you, acting all tough. Hmph!" Tinnie shot us a glare, clearly annoyed.
"Tinnie, for a girl, you sure do like to curse a lot," Drin scolded her, trying to keep a straight face.
I smirked, barely holding back a laugh. Oh, Aki, looks like you've got an opportunity here to charm her."And you, for a guy, sometimes you act like a total diva. Honestly, you're prettier than most girls!" she shot back, making everyone burst into laughter. Tinnie quickly changed the subject, noticing my smirk. "Is that accounting work you're doing? I'm good at that stuff. Want some help?"
"No," I replied, trying my best to act indifferent, though I was amused.
"Come on, please?" she pressed, a hint of pleading in her voice.
"I said no," I insisted, maintaining my act.
"Aki, come on! I'll do all the work. Pretty please… with a cherry on top?" she added, her voice sweet and playful, trying to break my resolve.
A smile crept onto my face despite my attempts to play it cool. She really knew how to get to me without even trying."Do you like basic accounting?" he asked, nodding slightly. This was my chance.
"Will you do everything?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," she replied, grinning broadly, unable to hide my amusement.
"Then, I'll introduce you as my girlfriend to my parents." My bold statement left everyone around us with their jaws dropped, eyes wide in disbelief.
She burst out laughing. "Maybe not," she said, shaking her head.
"Fine, don't then," I said, feigning disappointment. "But it's a waste, you know? I was really hoping you'd teach me accounting." I said it with just the right hint of guilt-tripping, trying to sway me. "Come on, Tinnie, I know you'll say yes. It's accounting, after all."
She sighed, rolling my eyes playfully. "Alright, alright, in the name of Accounting. But don't fall for me, okay?" she teased, snatching my general journal back from his hands before he could grab it.
"Fine," I replied with a smirk, pretending to be hurt. But then, in a soft whisper, I said, leaning close, "But if you ever do fall… just let me know, because I'll be right here to catch you."
She froze for a moment, my words hanging between us, our eyes locked. Her confident smirk faltered just slightly, and I could see a spark of something deeper flicker in her gaze. And I could sense someone's resolve going to waver.
But I'll have her and she'll fall.