Lemon didn’t eat at the restaurant, at all, as she was still full after having lunch at the studio. When she came back, it was already past four in the afternoon.
They were already practicing when she got there so she sat on the couch to watch them. When Rawbin saw her, his forehead creased almost immediately but Lemon tried her best to maintain a poker face.
He looked so worried while singing. He even tried to smile at her awkwardly but she forced herself not to smile back.
After the last song, Homme asked for a break and Kip allowed them to. Rawbin then approached Lemon and sat next to her.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked, sounding super worried.
She narrowed her eyes at him, trying her best not to smile. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“What is it?” he asked, confusion written all over his face.
Because of his reaction, Lemon was unable to stop herself from laughing. He looked even more confused after she burst into laughter. Even their bandmates looked at her as if she’d gone crazy.
“You should have seen your reaction, that was epic!” Lemon continued to laugh as she tapped his arm. “It’s nothing big, calm yourself.”
“I thought I did something wrong,” he said while sighing in relief. “I thought you were mad at me!”
“Are you scared that I might get mad?” the next question was unintentional, she doesn’t even know where it came from.
“Of course!” he responded almost instantly. “I don’t care if everyone’s mad at me. Just not you,” then his eyes widened. It’s as if he didn’t mean to go that far.
Lemon let out a chuckle, “Silly! I wasn’t really mad but I was surprised,” then he creased his forehead. “Well, you didn’t tell me you sent flowers! I wouldn’t have known if mom and Aunt Dahlia didn’t tell me,” she pouted.
He bowed his head while scratching his head. Lemon swore she heard him mumbling something but she failed to catch it. “Sorry,” he whispered. “I thought it would get there before you leave.”
“It’s fine! Mom said they are safe at home,” she giggled.
“Wow! And you even sent flowers?” Kevz butted in as he sat on the armchair next to Lemon. “Aw, my partner’s a grown-up now, she got a suitor!” he teased.
“You leave them with their business. Don’t ruin their moment!” Roj scolded him but he just pouted.
“Exactly! Find someone you can send flowers to, then tease yourself,” Kip jested at him then he turned to Rawbin. “So there’ll be one less playboy at SMU?”
“Don’t slander me, Kip! I’m not a playboy!” he snapped at her cousin. She wanted to say something but she can’t butt in, they were all very talkative.
“And why will there be one less playboy?” Kellen asked as she went down the stairs. “Did someone have a change of heart?”
“Yes Kel, someone’s sending flowers now too!” Homme informed her.
Kellen blushed for a second. She probably didn’t expect that it would be Homme who would respond to her. Even the guy bowed his head down as if shocked that he answered her.
“Really?” she asked as soon as she recovered. “And who is this newborn guy?”
“Llamansares, of course!” Kevz answered while pointing at Rawbin.
Kale and Kellen squealed and jumped up and down in unison. It’s as if they’re the ones who received a bouquet.
“Rawbin’s so sweet,” Kale caressed Rawbin’s shoulder as he praised the young man. “What about me Roj? When are you sending flowers to me?”
Roj gave him a death glare to which he responded with a peace sign. “It’s enough that Rawbin retired being a playboy, for now, two is too much.”
“So! Only five playboys are left, I wonder who will retire next,” Kevz looked at the rest of the guys one by one. “I think it will take a while for Roj as Nico’s yet to give him a chance,” he laughed.
Lemon let out a chuckle. “So you guys admit that you’re indeed womanizers?” she asked while shaking her head.
Everyone laughed at what she said but she noticed Kellen’s momentary frown before joining in. Homme glanced at her too before bowing down.
It’s as if he wanted to defend himself but chose not to, he just played along. The teasing went on for at least an hour or so before the band resumed its practice.
After a good three hours of nonstop singing, they’ve decided to call it a night. Everyone was tired and longing for rest.
As usual, Lemon went home with Kale, Kip, and Kellen while the rest of the guys rode a taxi. Homme came with them too since they’re neighbors.
While in the van, Lemon’s phone vibrated. When she checked, it was a message from Rawbin, ‘Take care!’
‘You guys too! Text me when you’re home.’
Lemon wanted to withdraw her message but it was already sent. She doesn’t want to act like a bossy girlfriend, he’s just getting started.
Fortunately, he didn’t reply anymore. They traveled home quietly, obviously tired and without the energy to at least talk.
When she got home, Lemon went straight to her room after passing by her mother’s room to bid her goodnight. She also got the bouquet Rawbin sent.
She plopped on her bed, holding her phone. After several minutes, it beeped. and it was only a couple of seconds when it beeped.
Rawbin: I’m home!
‘Good! Now go get some rest!’
She was about to put her phone down when it beeped again. Her forehead creased automatically when she read the message.
IGNORE: It was nice seeing you smile. Keep wearing that beautiful smile.
‘Will do, ty.’
‘Seeing me smile? Who could it be? Is it someone from the band?’
But that’s impossible. Kellen’s not familiar with the number so she doesn’t know who this is. Although it sort of freaked her out, Lemon decided to reply as the message isn’t harmful anyway.
Rawbin: You too. I hope you liked the flowers.
‘I did. Roses & lilacs. Very lovely.’
Rawbin: Not as lovely as you. Goodnight!
‘Goodnight!’
She waited for five minutes more to make sure she won’t get any notification before pushing herself off of the bed and heading to the bathroom. She had to wash up immediately and get some sleep.
As soon as she was done, Lemon climbed her bed and laid down on it, covering herself with my blanket from head to toe. She was in that position when her phone started ringing.
“Hi! I thought you already went to bed?” she asked the caller.
“I’m about to,” Rawbin replied.
“Why did you call?”
“Just wanted to make sure you’re okay attending mass tomorrow.”
“Of course! But where are we meeting up? At the church?”
“Will it be okay if I pick you up?”
“Sure, no problem!”
“Good, then I’ll be there around ten then let’s grab lunch after the mass. That is if it’s okay with you.”
“Sure! You go ahead and sleep. I’ll do the same.”
“Ok then, good night Lemon!”
“Good night Llamansares!”
Meanwhile, when Drew reached home, he still couldn’t take his mind off everything he heard at the studio earlier. Llamansares is courting Lemon. He even sent flowers. He moves rather quickly.
He doesn’t understand why he’s pissed off. More so unsure why he’s still thinking about it now. It doesn’t have anything to do with him anyway.
‘But what if I like Leslie too? That’s impossible though, she’s not even my type. But what if I’m in denial? No, there’s no reason for that either.’
He dismissed the thoughts that have been bugging him and headed to the bathroom for a shower. While doing so, the scene when Lemon and Rawbin were talking entered his mind again.
Earlier, her eyes were twinkling while talking to the man. ‘Is she that happy that he’s courting her? Does he like her too?’
‘What if I was the one courting her? Will her eyes twinkle just like that? Maybe even more? Or maybe not at all.’
With all the thoughts going through his head, he had to remind himself that he don’t like her. She’s not his type so there’s no reason for him to overthink. It’s none of his business, not at all.
If he remembered correctly, all he wanted was to protect her from his cousins. Rawbin has nothing to do with it so he doesn’t need to stalk them.
There’s no need to protect her from her suitor. Drew felt like he was being paranoid. He decided to just get some rest.
When he lay down on his bed, Drew quickly grabbed the phone to search for Homme’s number and called him. “Drew! What’s up?” he asked as soon as he answered, sounding sleepy.
“Let’s attend mass tomorrow,” he said out of nowhere. Literally out of nowhere!
“Are you serious? Did you happen to eat something bad?” Homme teased.
“I was just kidding, man,” then he ended the call. He’s not even sure why he did that.
He was about to sleep when his phone started ringing again. When he saw the caller, he was hesitant to answer it but he still did. “Yes, bro?” It was Ysmael.
“How’s my favorite cousin?”
“I’m good, but are you really asking about me?”
He let out a crisp laugh, “You got sense! How’s Leslie Monica?” he finally asked.
“She’s okay! She’s now part of our band,” Drew answered casually.
“That’s nice, very nice actually. Keep her closer and make things easier for us and our plan,” then he ended the call.
His body stiffened after hearing his last words. ‘To make plans easier? What exactly is he planning? Do they really plan to hurt her?’
Drew clenched his fist at the thought. He can’t let them do that. Heck, he can’t even let them touch the tip of her finger. He’ll have to stop them no matter what.
He jumped off his bed and went out of the room, and headed to his father’s home office. He slowly opened the door, trying not to wake him in case he fell asleep on his desk again.
“Dad!” Drew called when he saw him going through some documents on his table.
“Yes, son? Do you need anything?” he asked as he took his reading glasses off.
“Just want to ask something,” then he raised his brows at me. “Is Ysmael back?”
“Last I checked he’s still in Davao. Next week he’ll be flying to L. A,” he stated. “Why are you asking?”
Drew shook his head and smiled, “Just curious, it’s because I’m starting to miss him,” then he nodded at me. “I’ll go to bed dad, you too,” then he closed the door behind him and rushed upstairs.
‘I need to know what my cousin’s planning against Leslie. Otherwise, how will I be able to protect her?’