Naiintindihan ni Deborah ang logic doon. It was reasonable. A trial period. A test if they were good enough for each other. But their situation was a mistake in the first place. He’s a family friend and her grandparents’ business partner.
     “No, Nico. Please respect it.”
     He didn’t speak for a couple of seconds, his body tight with tension. “I understand. Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng pinipilit ka ng ibang tao na gawin ang isang bagay. Hindi ko gagawin ’yon sa ’yo.”
     Hindi niya pinansin ang paninikip ng sikmura. She supposed ito na ang ending ng first foray niya sa isang romantic relationship. “Friends then.” Inilahad niya ang kamay.
     Tinanggap iyon ni Nico, at bumugso ang mumunting boltahe ng kuryente sa kanyang mga ugat. “Friends, Deborah,” he murmured. But his hot gaze heated her body in a not-so-friendly way.