1 Pilot Episode

"If you date someone without the intention of marriage, you are acting like a child who plays with a new toy and then discards it." Single said without looking at the person in front of her as she was busy arranging the kitchen utensils and preparing the ingredients for today's work.

"C'mon Sin, ang dating stage ay parang sa buffet restaurant yan, kailangan mong subukan lahat nang mga nakahain na pagkain para malaman mo kung ano ang magiging paborito mo at tiyak na babalik-balikan mo."

"Hank, hindi ko na kailangan pang subukan lahat dahil kung ano'ng gusto ng tiyan ko, kaya kong lutuin."

"Tsk tsk tsk, eto na naman tayo, lumiliko ng topic. So wala ka talagang balak? Tatanda kang dalaga niyan."

"None, Nein, Nope, Nada." Single said with all seriousness. "Tsaka ko na siguro aasikasuhin yan kapag sure na akong may return of investment akong makukuha."

"Tch! Ang hirap talaga kapag matalino ang kausap." Hank said defeatedly.

Nang tumahimik na ang paligid, atsaka pa lamang napansin ni Single na wala na sa kanyang harapan ang kausap. Ito ay nasa customers' area at tumutulong sa mga staff sa pag-aayos ng mga mesa at upuan. Puno ng tawanan ang bawat interaction ni Hank sa mga staff niya. Sa lugar na ito, walang bakas ng pagiging celebrity ang katauhan ni Hank, dito isa siyang ordinaryong tao kung ituring. Isa iyon sa mga patakaran ni Single. Noong una ay hinahayaan niya ang mga ito sa pag-kre-crazy fan nila, dinadayo rin sila ng mga tagahanga nito, ang hindi nga lang niya nagustuhan ay nakokompromiso ang ilan sa mga customers niya dahil sa walang tigil nilang pag-sigaw. At higit sa lahat, walang inoorder ang mga ito sa restaurant niya! Hindi na nga siya kumikita, nakokonsumi pa siya! Ilan sa mga diners nila ang nagreklamo na kayat kamuntikan na niyang bigyan ng ban si Hank sa restaurant. Mabuti nalang at may mga matitino pang naiwan sa mga grupo ng fans at naisipan nilang i-tone down ang kanilang pagiging fan kapag nasa loob ng restaurant. Natuto na rin silang mag-order ng pagkain at hindi lang ang titigan magdamang si Hank ang alam nila.

Hank was a natural charmer. He is her friend since grade school kaya kilala na nila ang isa't-isa. Kilala rin siya ng ilan sa mga fan nito ngunit ni minsan ay hindi nila ito nilapitan para mas mapalapit kay Hank. The reason? Her menacing looks drives away the weak-hearted people trying to gain her favor. There was no problem with her outer looks. Despite her icy demeanor, she had an air of security kaya marami ang malalapit sa kanya, ilan na roon ang mga staff niya at mga regular customers nila.

Few moments later, business hours started. Naging busy ang lahat at maging si Hank na palaging namemeste sa kanya sa tuwing peak hours ay hindi mahagilap.

As she was looking for him, she heard a soft melody from the grand piano. She found him playing together with a 5-year-old child with sophisticated features.

"Kid, this melody is what a lot of girls really love to hear from a guy, so listen carefully 'kay? Let me play it as romantic as possible." Hank said airily to the child.

The music was mellow, "Look into their eyes," and Hank looks at her, "Stare at them for 10 seconds and put some lyrics," he told the child without breaking his gaze from her and he sang slowly.

"You're just too good to be true," he started and keyed the next notes.

"I can't take my eyes off you~" he continued while staring at her from time to time.

"You'd be like heaven to touch," and he smilingly averted his gaze from her and turn to the child as if indicating to take notes of his gestures.

"I wanna hold you so much.

At long last love has arrived~

And I thank God I'm alive~" and Hank returned his gaze to Sin.

"You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you~" and he played on solo piano mode to end the song.

The whole place cheered for his play. He conquered their hearts, be it young or old, everyone was mesmerized on his performance. As a curtsy, he bowed to them like a noble gentleman.

'He's good and a well-mannered performer. Bah! Can't compliment that dude or else, his narcissistic thermometer will swell up high.' Her last thoughts before going back to the kitchen.

Nakita ni Hank na bumalik na sa kusina si Sin without any crack on her icy face. 'Hindi manlang ba nakaramdam ng kilig ang babaeng yon, ang tindi ah! Not even a clap of appreciation? Parang coke, zero!' Hank said internally. 'Sa dinami-rami ba naman kase ng babaeng magugustuhan ko sa isang devoid of any romantic cells pa ako nagkagusto.' Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Hank sa kanyang internal battle.

Without him knowing, the kid beside him was observing him for the entire duration of his performance.

"You like that lady." Hank was startled.

"Hey kiddo, what part of my handsomeness indicates that I like that stony-faced hag?"

"None, because you are not as handsome as my eldest brother."

"You-"

"But insults are the best foundation for a lifetime friendship," the child immediately cut off. "-and you just called her names which depicts an insult because she is beautiful, a total contrast to your description of her. Let's just take the insult part, you insulted her so you obviously want to share a lifetime bond with her. Am I right or am I right?" the child said nonstop as if she doesn't want to be interrupted in her train of words.

"HAHAHA! Oh boy, you are too intelligent and far-sighted for your age, who taught you that?" Hank responded amicably but his hands were already sweating in nervousness. 'What a scary child.'

"Thank you. I get that a lot."

"Hey young boy, can you please act on your age, you're scaring me."

"Oh? Aren't you just afraid that she might heard what we're talking about?"

"Of course not!" Hank replied with a great conviction. "It's just too weird for us to talk about a grown up's issue considering your age."

"Don't mind my age, Piano-san. Intelligence runs in my blood." Napa-facepalm nalang si Hank sa kanyang sarili.

'Really, what kind of aberrant kid did I just encounter?'

"And please, I'm a girl, in case you haven't realized yet."

"Eh?! But you look...."

"Harl-chan~ Let's go. Say goodbye to this big brother already."

"Hai~ Wakarimasu Hahaoya," sabi niya sa babaeng lumapit sa kanila, "Ja matta, Piano-san. Gambatte!" the kid said seriously with a tinge of playfulness as she looks towards the kitchen.

"Hey hey! stop it young lady, don't look!" Hank said warily. The kid just waved at him comically.

'And please if you want to act seriously, at least stop giving me that teasing smile!' Hank cried internally.

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