Sylvester is the Perfect Candidate

"Giovan," he greeted.

"Sylvester--"

Before Giovan could finish, another voice interrupted.

"Yow, dude! I was going to look for you, but it's good that we coincidentally saw you here." Jacob pleasantly greeted, comfortably wrapping his hand over Giovan's shoulder. "Oh, so you're actually dating someone, huh. Must be why you frequent here in City B. Dude, you've got good taste." Jacob unabashedly roasted, eyeing the hot lady in front of them.

Because Amara pretended to be looking for something in her purse, her silky black hair cascaded beautifully, effectively hiding her face for the meantime while she took the time to calm herself down.

Unfortunately, the burning stare and presence behind her made it almost impossible. Fvck, she might as well face it now. Smirking, Amara slowly raised her head and met the playful gaze of Jacob head-on. She watches as his eyes and mouth widen in surprise.

"Woah, am I seeing things, or did I really see Amara Mondragon in front of me?" Jacob was dumbfounded. Amara scoff and roll her eyes at Jacob's comical behavior.

"No, it's an apparition." Gio rebutted sarcastically.

Gio throws Jacob's hand on his shoulder and signals the staff to bring them another pair of chairs to their table. He took his previous chair and placed it next to Amara before sitting down.

If not for the staff approaching and bringing the chairs, Jacob might still be gaping like a fish in front of them. Then, like a slow-motion in Amara's perception, Xavier moves from behind her like a goddamn unbothered and aloof boss that he is and stands next to Jacob.

Amara picks her phone and pretended to text someone important to escape his gaze. But it's actually just Gio's cell number.

'B*tch, what the hell are they doing here?!'

'You better prepare a full letter of explanation!!!!'

'Or I might accidentally send your photos to your Dad!'

Amara didn't realize she was actually holding her breath until Jacob took the seat across her while Xavier sat across Gio. She hated the fact that although she's now staring at Jacob's expression, her peripheral vision is fully bewitched to the man next to him. She didn't dare glance in his direction nor acknowledge his presence.

"So, after leaving a storm in City A, you're just actually here?" Jacob asked, still in disbelief.

"Isn't it more effective?" Amara countered, raising her left eyebrow. A glint of pride shining in her eyes.

"Indeed. Well, the Amara I knew will somehow sweep the news wherever she goes, but now, I didn't deem you as someone who knows how to appear.." Jacob paused and, once again, scanned her get up, which was far from her previous style "..lowkey."

"People change," Amara stated.

In her peripheral vision, she saw a little movement of Xavier raising his eyebrow while slowly drumming his fingers in the table. He's looking at the other customers at the restaurant. Still, his attention is apparently in listening to their conversation by the way he subtly clicked his tongue as if disagreeing with what she said.

Amara frowned. She can feel herself getting riled up, but she calms herself down. If it were before, she would definitely jump any opportunity to explain her reasoning to this man just to get his attention, but now, she doesn't feel like there's a need to.

"Anyway, what brought you here?" Gio interrupted, easing the building tension between them.

"To look for a suitable apartment for Xavier, of course, didn't I tell you I was looking for one? So, since you're here, do you know some?" Jacob placed his hand on Xavier's shoulder and answered enthusiastically.

"If you're looking for convenient apartments near La Salle University, you can choose from either MiraVilla, The Oak Ridge Apartments, or Xavier Heights," Gio suggested.

"What do you think, bro?" Jacob asked Xavier.

"No. Too costly." Xavier replied without hesitation. He removed Jacob's hand on his shoulder and straightened the nonexistent crumpled on his casual white button-down shirt. Jacob's lips twitched, not surprised at his friend's behavior anymore.

"Well, I have a better suggestion." Gio continued, glancing at Amara; he smirked. Amara's eyes widened, and she glared openly at Gio. She nudged Gio's knee below the table. She was warning him not to even think about it.

From across the table, Jacob and Xavier watch their nonverbal communication. Xavier frowned while Jacob raised his eyebrows, sensing an exciting show coming up. He can't help propping up his chin in his palm while waiting. A playful smile escapes from his lips as he looks at his friend Xavier and the infamous Amara, who's pretending not to see each other's presence in this gathering.

"Amara needs a roommate ---oww ouch! Amara, you--" Gio quickly announced and consequently moaned in pain.

"Oh, sorry. I thought I saw a cockroach creep in your shoe. Didn't you say I should step on it when I saw one, right?" Amara smiled sweetly while glaring at the traitorous b*tch. Gio was speechless. He forgot his best friend wouldn't be Amara if not for her savage mouth.

"Amara, you haven't changed. You're still as savage as before." Jacob guffawed while Xavier's lips twitched. Coincidentally, Amara and Xavier's eyes met. Amara quickly averted her gaze, but her ear's slight redness gave her feelings away. Xavier's lips couldn't help tilting upward, but it was gone as quickly it happened.

"So what about this roommate thingy? Tell us about it!" Jacob eagerly asked, even moving his eyebrows up and down with a stupid grin plastered on his face.

"There's no such thing!" Amara quickly countered.

"She needs a roommate, and I think Sylvester is the perfect candidate." Gio continued.

Amara's head snaps back to Gio, glaring daggers. If looks could kill, Gio might as well drop dead now.

"What? You're staying in Xavier Heights, and you needed a roommate to split the costs; Sylvester needs an apartment that is not too costly and near your university. Isn't this suggestion plausible?" Gio defended.

"But have you considered the fact that she might annoy my bro here to death?" Jacob interjected.

"Yes, not only that, I'm very untidy, I take too long in the bathroom---" Amara started listing.

Gio rolled his eyes. Xavier raised both his eyebrows, a glint of amusement flashing in his brooding eyes. Jacob was dumbfounded. He thought Amara would jump down to defend herself and definitely grab any opportunity to be in one room with his bro, but she did the opposite instead. Jacob was just about to close his mouth from the shock, but his jaw dropped again when his bro dropped a bomb.

"I agree." Xavier suddenly stated.

"See? He agreed with me. We're definitely not compatible to be in one room and--" Amara continued.

"I agree to be your roommate," Xavier interjected, looking straight into Amara's eyes.

All three heads snap in his direction.

Jacob took a sharp breath. Gio smirked and immediately looked at Amara's reaction.

Amara's eyes widen. Her jaw dropped, and her face paled, but a touch of redness started to spread in her delicate ears. She looks so adorable.