“WHEN ARE you going back to writing?”

“I am writing,” Plume replied matter-of-factly.

Rebeka called her the next morning. Plume woke up late. She slept at almost three in the morning because of some revisions she made at her current project.

She opened her small cupboard and frowned at the sight of instant noodles and canned goods. Maybe she should just go to the nearest convenience store or use her favorite food delivery app.

“I mean, a novel this time and not just short erotic stories.”

“My erotic stories sell more.” Plume cackled.

“But I know you’re happier writing light romance stories.”

“It’s not that I’m prioritizing my day job more. I just could not find my muse. Writers go through that. Whether they believe in writer’s block or not. Mine has been a year.” She sighed.

“Maybe you’ll find your muse once you meet a man who will make your heart flutter.” Rebeka giggled.

“Beka, once I met a man who will make my heart beat faster, I will run away. Remember that.”

“I know you’re just saying that. Your novels say otherwise.”

“Whatever.” Plume rolled her eyeballs ceilingward.

Her phone vibrated. There’s an incoming call from Raiko. It must be something important.

“Hey, Raiko’s calling. Can I just call you back later?”

“Oh, sure. No problem. I’m about to prepare for my class, anyway. I miss you both, Plume.”

“We miss you, too.” Plume smiled as she ended the call. She swiped the screen to answer Raiko’s call. “What’s up, Rai?” she said.

“Plume, I have some good news for you. My workmate here is looking for a new place.” Raiko sounded ecstatic.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”

“He was actually looking for an apartment or a house to rent. I told him Rebeka’s house is for sale, and he said he could think about buying the house if he likes it. I wish I could accompany him there, but you know, I’m very busy lately. So, I just gave him your address, and you know what to do. Give him your sweetest smile, okay?”

“What?” Plume could not help but frown. “Is that even necessary?”

“His name is Sheen Wu. He was the guy I was talking about yesterday.”

“Oh. That guy you’d want to introduce to me if he wasn’t already dating another girl.” Plume smirked. “Really, Rai, I’m not interested.”

“He’s coming later. You’ll know it’s him if you see a tall guy with small eyes. He has a nice smile, and he looks kind.”

“You describe people better than I do. I’m just relieved you’re married and a father of two.”

“Shut up,” Raiko said in a bland tone.

Plume cackled. “I owe you, Rai. Thank you. I’ll try not to intimidate him.”

“I’m counting on you.”

PLUME took a shower right away and cleaned her office. The small separate room facing the balcony used to be a storage place, but she converted it into a workroom. She slept in there, too.

Plume could use Rebeka’s room in the meantime, but the house was too big for her sometimes. There were times when she could not help feeling lonely, and not to mention her occasional anxiety attacks, too. Unless it’s raining hard. The ceiling of her shed leaked, and she did not know who to ask to get it fixed.

She started sweeping a few dried leaves under the huge blackberry tree while waiting for her order. It was a good thing she cleaned the house the other day. At least, it will look presentable.

She reached for a couple of ripe berries and popped them inside her mouth. She noticed that there were plenty of them already. The kids from her neighborhood would probably be happy about it.

“Right. Raiko said the guy would come later, but he did not tell me what time,” Plume murmured as she picked up the garden hose.

She had to water Rebeka’s roses and other plants. Her best friend loved them as much as she loved succulents and her husband, Evan. Rebeka even made her promise to send her photos once they started blooming. She also watered Grandma Rio’s tall and thick bougainvillea. It gave the yard enough shade during the humid day.

“Plume, will you marry me?”

Plume’s expression darkened at the question. Her eyebrows formed into a knot as she saw Derrick standing outside the gate.

“Don’t start, Derrick. I haven’t had breakfast yet,” she said unenthusiastically.

“You still hate me even if you had complete meals in a day.”

“Oh, you’re not as ignorant as I thought you are,” she retorted.

Derrick is Rebeka’s childhood friend. He worked as a manager in a famous fast-food chain. It had been his habit to ask her to marry him whenever they crossed paths despite turning him down multiple times. Plume never took him seriously. He wasn’t a bad guy, really. She simply did not want anyone hitting on her for fun.

“So, what’s your type of guy? Tell me so I can be that guy,” Derrick said cockily and put his hands on his waist.

Plume focused on the plants to avoid his sight.

“Don’t even try,” she said and smirked.

“Plume, you’re not getting any younger.”

“We all are. So, leave me alone.”

If there’s another thing Plume hated the most in the world aside from delayed payments, it would be people testing her patience.

“Plume, please go out with me.”

“I’m going to splash you with water if you don’t leave, believe me.”

“Plume, just one date,” Derrick implored, his cockiness gone without a trace.

“Go away!”

Plume pointed the hose at him. Derrick was startled and fled away. It was supposed to be satisfying seeing Derrick get soaked. But to her horror, another man was standing outside the gate. Her jaw dropped as she let go of the hose as if it was a hot potato.

What the—

The man looked dumbfounded as he stared at his wet shirt. Plume wondered if she had seen him before.