Jillian's POV
"Jillian! Come on, let's set up the coffee station!" Janella called, holding a tray of coffee cups.
I walked over to help her right away. Janella's one of the people I've gotten close to here at the hotel. She wasn't with us last time—they said she fought with her husband.
Husband, really? Sometimes even I'm not sure.
Rumor has it she's the mistress of the head engineer, which is how she got hired despite having no hospitality background. But what I actually know is that she's not exactly loyal to her husband.
I remembered that one time she dragged me, Myrtle, and Xyriel to some condo in Makati to meet a foreign guy she met online.
God, I thought we were gonna end up in trouble that night. The three foreigners even offered fifteen thousand each—for a week with them in that condo. Good thing they still let us leave.
We ended up going to a bar instead. There were four of us. It was my first time clubbing, so at least that part was memorable.
"Can I ask you something, Janella?" I said while fixing the cups.
She looked at me. "What is it?"
"Why are you still looking for foreigners online? I mean, your husband seems fine. Didn't he just buy you a car? And you even treat us sometimes when we go out for drinks."
Kelvin's always telling me to bring Janella and Myrtle when we drink so we'd get free booze. Those two have money and just treat work like a hobby. Lucky them. I actually need the money since I help my family. I don't even know if Kelvin's joking, but of course I still pitch in—it'd feel wrong not to.
"I'm just not happy anymore," she said plainly. "I can't leave him though. We already have three kids. I just work here to have something to do. He's caught me a few times, but he still won't leave me." She even laughed.
"That's… complicated," was all I could say.
I've been through a lot of relationships, but I've never cheated. When it's over, I just leave. Isn't that how it should be?
"What about that guy you met when we went out last time?" she asked suddenly.
"That? Nothing. We didn't talk again. I'm not really into chatting with foreigners," I said. Then I left her to grab some stock from the storage room.
Yeah, I did meet a foreigner that night. We were dancing, and he asked me to step outside because I was dizzy from the tequila. We talked a bit, then he gave me a thousand pesos for a Grab ride. It was embarrassing. Janella thought something happened between us. Like, seriously? A quickie? I'm not that kind of girl.
I don't even know why I gave in to Kelvin. That's not me. I never sleep with someone who's not my boyfriend. But with him... I did.
Maybe it's because I was already attracted to him even before I became a banquet admin. My first day at work, he was the first person I worked with. He's charming, funny, and honestly good-looking. There's just something magnetic about him—you feel his presence even when he's not trying.
But since that night, he hasn't shown up for work. He told Ma'am Jennica not to include him in the schedule because he had to go to La Union.
Must be nice. Meanwhile, I got scolded at work and now I'm confused about my feelings.
Because since that night, I think I've started to fall for Kelvin.
How do I stop this? It was just one night, but I got attached so fast. I can't get him out of my head.
He still messages me, but his tone feels the same—like we're just friends. Always about work stuff, like whether Sir Janno's still mad or if he can stay off the roster.
So I decided to stop replying. I need to let this go while I still can.
Then my phone vibrated. I thought it was the manager again. But when I checked—
Kelvin: Are you okay? Why are you avoiding me?
Kelvin: Please reply, Jill.
My heart always jumps whenever I see his name pop up.
And I get scared.
What if that night meant nothing to him?
What if it was just lust?
I put my phone back in my pocket, fighting the ache in my chest. I can't do this. Not if I'm the only one feeling something.
Then it buzzed again.
Kelvin: When I get back to Manila, I'll see you after your shift. Let's meet.
My stomach flipped.
Was that excitement—or fear?
He said we should meet outside the same motel where it all started. And me, being stupid, said yes.
After the event, I went straight there. When I saw him, I realized how much I missed him. I tried to act normal though.
"Hey. How are you?" That's all I managed. So awkward.
"I'm fine. Sorry, I have nothing to bring from La Union. My childhood friend just dragged me there," he said, looping his arm through mine. "I'm tired. Can we rest?"
There it was again—"rest."
He led me toward the motel, and I, the idiot that I am, went along.
Inside, I stayed quiet. I wasn't drunk this time, so I felt everything. The cold aircon, the pounding of my heart.
And honestly… I was happy just being beside him.
"Why haven't you been replying?" he asked, wrapping his arms around me, pressing his face into my neck. His breath tickled my skin.
"I've just been busy with events," I lied. The truth was I'd been avoiding him.
"I'm coming back to work next week, but please don't put me under Sir Janno's shift. He'll kill me," he said with a laugh.
"You're crazy. Myrtle and Xyriel are already back, Sir Janno's fine—"
Before I could finish, he turned my face toward him and kissed me.
I kissed him back. I missed him—his scent, his touch. God, I was really falling for him.
I stopped thinking. I just let myself feel, as he took me again.
"Kelvin… what are we?" I finally asked. "Because I don't do this with someone who's not my boyfriend."
He was still holding me, his face buried against my neck, silent.
"Kelvin…" I whispered. His silence stung.
He pulled away, sat at the edge of the bed, and lit a cigarette.
"This is my first time doing this too," he said, exhaling smoke. "We're happy, right? Do we really need a label?"
I didn't know what to say. I was happy to be with him again, but regret was already crawling up my throat. What did I even expect him to say?
He looked back at me. "Don't get me wrong, Jillian. I'm not gonna touch any other woman. Out of respect for you. But if you like someone else, just tell me."
I sat up, shocked. "Do you think I'm easy? I've never had a friends-with-benefits setup in my life."
"I never said that," he said, stubbing out the cigarette. "I just want us to take it easy. I'm not ready to commit yet."
Is that what relationships are now? No commitment, no strings attached?
I didn't say anything. He came closer, eyes soft and sincere. Those eyes made it so hard to stay mad at him.
He kissed my forehead. I swear, that kiss messed me up more than anything. So gentle, so real. It made me feel safe—and stupidly emotional.
"Let's sleep, Jill. I'm exhausted," he murmured, pulling me close.
Aren't cuddles off-limits in FWB setups? Because when he holds me like this, it just pulls me deeper.
I fell asleep without realizing, my head full of questions.
The phone rang. I answered—it was the front desk, saying we had thirty minutes left before checkout.
I looked at Kelvin sleeping beside me. His breathing was calm, his face soft, peaceful. His hair messy against the pillow, a few strands falling over his forehead. I brushed them away gently.
His eyelashes were long. His nose perfectly shaped.
But his lips… God, his lips. Slightly pouting, like he was complaining in his sleep. Adorable.
I watched him quietly, smiling.
He looked so kind, so calm.
I was just happy to be there beside him.
"Kelvin, wake up. We have to go," I said softly. I started getting dressed.
He pulled me back into his arms.
"Kelvin, stop!" I laughed as he nuzzled into my neck. Even half-asleep, he smelled so good.
"Still sleepy," he mumbled.
"Then rest when you get home. We have work later—don't be late or Sir Janno will kill you," I reminded him.
"Yes, Ma'am Jillian!" he said, kissing me quickly on the lips. His forehead pressed against mine, eyes locked on my mouth. "Too bad I didn't wake up earlier… we could've gone for another round."
"Shut up, Kelvin!" I pushed him off, and he just laughed.
I almost forgot I was mad at him before we fell asleep.
—
Later, we were called to the staff briefing. I was standing beside Sir Janno, while Kelvin was trying to hide in the back like a guilty kid.
When the meeting ended, Sir Janno started assigning tables.
"Miranda!" he shouted.
"S-Sir!" Kelvin stepped forward like a kid caught sneaking out.
We all tried not to laugh, but then—
"Next time you skip work without notice, don't come back!" Sir Janno barked.
Kelvin scratched his head. "Sorry, Sir. Won't happen again."
I closed my eyes, holding back my laughter.
When the briefing ended, his friends Elijah and Joao came up to him.
"That's what you get for drinking too much, idiot," Elijah said, smacking him with a napkin.
"Ow!" Kelvin rubbed his arm. "Let's get to work, lazyasses." He grabbed his tray cart, glancing at me with a grin.
"Sure, sure. Pretend you're hardworking now," Joao teased, pulling him toward the tables.
"Wait, I'm supposed to help Ma'am Jillian!" Kelvin protested.
"You just want the easy jobs again!" Elijah said, dragging him away.
I laughed quietly as I checked the setup. It felt nice seeing him back.
Good thing Ma'am Jennica asked me to help with service today, so our table clusters were close.
Except my partner, Gab, was being slow. I was supposed to oversee the guests, but he kept delaying the food.
"Gab, can you move faster?" I muttered.
"Sorry, the waiters are fighting over trays again," he said, walking off.
I sighed. I already prepped everything before the event, and he kept misplacing the trays.
Across the room, Kelvin's side was running smooth as ever. Even if he skipped shifts, he worked fast and smart.
Then he caught me staring. He smirked, walked over with a tray of drinks. "Need help, Miss Jillian?" he teased.
"No. I got this."
"Sure? Because it looks like you're struggling… not to stare at me." He winked.
I rolled my eyes, fighting a smile. "Kelvin, seriously. We're working."
"Exactly," he whispered as he passed behind me. "So focus—and stop drooling over me."
I glared at him, but he was already laughing on his way back.
After the event, everyone gathered at the back area to pack up. We were sweaty, tired, but happy. Sir Janno handed out envelopes.
"Good job, team! The client asked how many staff we had, so they gave us all a tip—2,000 each. Early Christmas bonus!" he said. The crowd cheered.
"Two thousand! Coffee money for a week!" Xyriel shouted, and Gab nearly jumped in excitement.
I smiled quietly. Kelvin, though, had that look.
"Jillian," he called, waving his envelope. "I know where we can spend this."
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't tell me—"
"Come on," he cut me off with a grin that screamed trouble. "You've been working hard. My treat. Same place."
I put my hands on my hips. "Kelvin, we just went there last night—"
"But we didn't regret it, right?" he murmured, leaning in too close.
I bit my lip. Here we go again.
I wanted to say no. I really did.
But I couldn't lie anymore. I wanted to see him again.
After what happened last night, I thought he'd pull away. But he didn't. If anything, he came closer. I'm the one pretending not to care, while he acts like nothing's wrong.
So maybe… I'll just let myself be happy for now. Even if it's uncertain. Even if there's no label.
At least for tonight.