Page 49 of Chasing Mr. Prefect

Cholo laughed, making little baby noises at it.

“She looks nothing like a Potato,” I said.

The cat meowed sleepily without opening its eyes.

“Thank you raw. Haha! I think she likes you.”

“What? She’s literally ignoring me.”

“A good sign. Usually, she fights people. Anyway, you want to tell me what happened?”

I avoided his eyes, wondering how to even start.

“Why did you bring me to your house?”

“Sorry, I didn’t know what to do so I just brought you home. Malls or McDo weren’t an option, since people were around and the last thing a sad person needs is judgy onlookers.”

I caught his eye as he said that and then fixed my gaze on the cat.

“Can I pet her?”

“Of course,” Cholo said.

I reached out and tried to mimic how Cholo did it and Potato purred happily. She opened her eyes, stood up, and walked over to my lap.

“See?” Cholo said, looking satisfied as Potato did the spinning thing again and laid herself on me, her head poking my hand as though asking for more pats. “She does like you.”

I smiled at Potato as she slept again.

“Liana asked me not to spoil her birthday this year.”

“Oof,” Cholo said, sitting closer to me and joining the Potato cuddle-fest.

“I had it coming, didn’t I?” I asked him, my eyes welling up again as I caught his eye.

“Hey, listen,” Cholo said and I noticed how close he was. I could feel his warmth, and having him in my space made me feelso safe. “Her anger is valid, but when this all cools down, it might be worth communicating your good intentions.”

“Squeeze it in with two decades’ worth of apologies I owe her?” I tried to joke, as the distance between us—or the lack thereof—was short-circuiting my nervous system.

“Yes. Or no. I can’t think straight, I’m hungry,” he said, standing up and looking flustered for some reason. “I’m cooking. Stay there with Potato.”

“I’ll help.”

“Fine. But try not to burn down my house.”

CHAPTER 20

“D’you mind if I put some music on?”

“Not at all,” I said as I diced some potatoes.

Cholo was making corned beef and eggs for us for dinner. The speakers then started playing a lesser-known song from Era of Maidens’ last mini-album as nine members. “Huh. Interesting choice.”

“Do you want me to change it?”

“No! It’s your house, ano ka ba. I just haven’t listened to this song for a while, is all.”

“Okay. I guess you’re one of those who don’t like this album as much? It’s not very popular.”