"LENA AND CELSO"

Lena’s brows furrowed quickly when she recognized the man standing at a distance, looking at her. She was on her way home from her shift. The sun had just risen. Because her company was based in another country, the time zone was different from the Philippines.

“How have you been, Lena?”

When Celso got closer to her, that was his immediate greeting, accompanied by a sweet smile.

Lena stared intently at his face. “I’m fine. How about you? How are you? Why are you here? How did you know I work here?” she asked in rapid succession.

“Your aunt told me,” he answered briefly.

Lena’s brows knitted together again, and she felt a surge of deep concern in her heart.

“Did something happen to my Aunt Lourdes?” she asked, unable to hide the mix of nerves and fear in her voice.

Celso grinned. “No, nothing happened to her. But from what you just said, it looks like I now have an idea of how to lure you out of your hiding place,” he said to her.

“What are you talking about?” Lena asked irritab