Aika and Nat had gotten into a comfortable routine of seeing each other 2-3 times a week for runs and gym sessions. The owners of their usual coffee run often had their drinks ready before Nat and Aika even entered.

"We've never seen a couple so sweet like you two before!" The wife of the elderly couple-run shop would always swoon over Nat and Aika, no matter how many times her husband reminded that Nat and Aika had told them they weren't a couple.

"But seriously, young man...what are you waiting for? It's obvious that you two don't see each other as just friends. Don't wait until it's too late." The older man whispered to Nat as he passed him their coffee. Aika was with the lady owner, picking out bread.

"I know, tito. Thank you for the advice." Nat gave the older man a wistful smile. He looked at Aika and his heart told him that the owner was right.

"Your best friend has been asking when she can meet you again..." Aika smiled at Nat's words.

"I miss my best friend too...Hmm, I have nothing on tomorrow night so why don't we have dinner together?" Aika suggested, to Nat's delight.

"Sounds good! Where do you want to go?" Nat knew Jamie would be overjoyed.

"Actually, how about you come over? My mama and Tricia have been curious about you and Jamie...Only if you're fine, of course!" VP Leni and Patty had been bugging Aika to invite Nat and Jamie for dinner for a while.

"You mean me, meeting the Vice President of the Philippines?" Nat lowered his volume in case.

"Relax, you're meeting my mama. After 7pm, she's not the VP. I think Patty is scarier..." Aika teased.

"I mean, it'd be an honour to meet your family. Are you working at the office tomorrow? I can pick you up before we pick Jamie up from kindergarten and head to your house." Aika nodded.

"Don't get too uptight. My family won't bite..." Nat let out a nervous laugh.

~

I'm downstairs waiting. Take your time.

5 minutes!

"Jamie's been hyper the entire day. I hope your house doesn't have fragile items for her to break..." Nat held his temple as he remembered how Jamie was jumping up and down when he sent her to school this morning.

"I'm equally excited to see my best friend too, can't blame her for that..." Aika casually opened the glove compartment of the passenger seat and stole a candy from inside. She handed one to Nat as well.

"You sure you can be seen picking Jamie up? I mean..." They were heading up to the kindergarten when Nat asked.

" Aren't you the one that said we shouldn't think too much? Anyways, I'm not that recognisable under a mask." Aika stepped off the escalator with a slightly worried Nat behind. Nat couldn't help but worry.

"DADDY!" Jamie ran out of the gates of the kindergarten as soon as she spotted Nat outside. But the moment she spotted Aika's figure behind Nat, Jamie made a beeline for her.

"Hey, I missed you..." Aika knelt and pulled Jamie into a hug.

"I missed you more!" Jamie threw her hands over Aika's neck as Aika lifted her up.

"Erm ladies? Am I invisible?" Nat faked a cough as he watched Jamie and Aika.

"Jamie, your dad's being jealous again..." Aika and Jamie giggled as they headed to the carpark together, Nat following with Jamie's backpack in hand.

"My mama and Patty can't wait to meet you!" Aika was in the backseat of the cat with Jamie, leaving Nat alone in the front with Aika and Jamie's bags.

"Jamie, you remember what we practiced right?" Nat reminded Jamie from the front.

"Yep! Bow when I meet the elders and greet them!" Jamie nodded. She and Nat had practiced how to address VP Leni.

"Mind helping me hold onto Jamie? I have to grab things from the boot..." Nat opened the boot and two huge bags appeared.

"What is all these?" Aika gasped at the bags that Nat had in his hands. She had specifically told him not to buy anything.

"It's nothing big, I promise!" It didn't feel right for him to visit empty handed.

"Mama, Patty! Nat and Jamie are here!" Aika opened the door and called out.

"We're in the kitchen!" Tricia came out of the kitchen with a spatula in hand.

"Mama, Patty, this is Nat and this cutie over here is Jamie!" Aika introduced the shy duo to an excited VP Leni and Tricia.

"Mano po...Madam Vice President?" Jamie greeted VP Leni the way that her nanny had taught her. Nat followed suit.

"Call me lola, young one...No need for the formalities." VP Leni bent down and took a close look at Jamie, the girl's huge eyes, adorable cheeks and sweet smile captured her heart.

"You must be Nat? Welcome, we've heard lots from Aika." VP Leni extended her hand to Nat, who shook it with both hands.

"Jamie, we have presents, don't we?" At Nat's words, Jamie ran to the bags that Nat had placed at the doorway. With Nat's help, Jamie held two bouquets of flowers and headed to VP Leni and Tricia.

"For you, lola Leni and tita Tricia! Daddy and I picked them out!" Jamie handed a bouquet of pink carnations to VP Leni and for Tricia, white daisies.

"Thank you my dear, that's so sweet of you and your daddy." The two ladies beamed at the surprise present.

"Ma'am, here's a little something from us. Thank you for the invitation." Nat had prepared a glass set, specifically five of them. Through the transparent cover, the initials of every family member were embossed in gold.

"It's beautiful. Thank you, Nat." VP Leni had a feeling that she was going to like Nat more than she expected.

"Ate, why don't you bring kuya Nat around? Mama and I can have some fun with Jamie in the kitchen." Jamie took Tricia's hand and followed the older two women into the kitchen, leaving Nat and Aika alone.

"Before I forget, for you." Nat pulled out a bouquet behind his back. Aika didn't expect to get one too.

"Pink roses?" Aika accepted the bouquet, the faint scent adding to its beauty.

"I picked them myself." Nat felt himself turning red when Aika gave him a small smile.

"House tour?" Nat nodded as he followed Aika up the stairs.

"Here's my room..." Aika opened the door to her room after a quick introduction of the other rooms.

"You can come in, you know?" Aika was amused when Nat stood awkwardly outside her room.

"It actually screams Aika Robredo..." Nat looked around the room and chuckled. Aika raised an eyebrow at Nat's statement.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aika was curious what an Aika Robredo room was supposed to look like.

"It's neat, warm, comfy, full of love...just like you." Nat pointed to the board on Aika's table, which was filled with pictures of family and friends.

"Warm and comfy? Am I a toaster?" Aika never heard someone call her that.

"I mean, I just said what I felt..." Nat noticed a familiar cardigan on Aika's chair.

"Oh...your cardigan happens to be perfect for rainy days." Aika was a little shy. She had once wore it on a chilly evening and it kept her so warm, the cardigan became her favourite weapon against the cold.

"Glad I could be your virtual toaster." Aika burst out laughing at Nat's lame pun.

"Uh...sorry to ruin the mood but mama asked me to get you guys for dinner..." Tricia knocked on Aika's door awkwardly, feeling bad for spoiling the happy atmosphere.

"Right...let's go." Nat let the sisters go first and followed behind. Jamie was already on the seat next to her new found best friend, lola Leni.

"Daddy! Lola Leni and tita Tricia are so cool! When I grow up, I want to be the Vice President and a doctor too! Just like them!" Tricia and VP Leni melted at Jamie's words.

"Jamie, do you want to say grace for us?" Jamie nodded at Nat's words and put her hands together in a praying position.

"Dear God, thank you for the nice food that lola Leni, tita Aika and tita Tricia have prepared. Please bless the food, Amen!" Jamie opened her eyes excitedly and clapped.

"Here sweetie, try this..." VP Leni placed a scoop of chicken adobo on Jamie's plate. Jamie took a bite and gave her lola a big thumbs up, making VP Leni beam.

"This is so good...Ma'am is such an amazing cook!" Nat whispered to Aika as he scooped more of the Bicol Express onto his plate.

"Thanks, I made 50% of the food you see here." Aika gave Nat a smug shrug.

"How are you enjoying the food, Nat?" Nat almost choked on his water when VP Leni asked.

"It's one of the best I've had since coming here! Thank you so much for this, Ma'am!" Nat gave VP Leni a tiny bow.

"Ma'am, let me do the dishes...it's the least that I can do for the amazing dinner..." Nat offered as dinner came to an end.

"Oh no, it's okay! We'll settle these later!" VP Leni waved her hands in refusal.

"It's my way of saying thank you, Ma'am...of course if it's okay for you?" Nat didn't want to insist and put VP Leni on the spot.

"Mama, I'll help him so how about you and Patty have some fun with Jamie?" Aika joined it the plea. Tricia's eyes lit up and she whispered something into her mama's ears.

"I'll be grateful if you do, Nat. Thank you." Leni smiled. She appreciated Nat's consideration.

Throughout dinner, VP Leni had noticed that Nat was mostly occupied with helping Jamie cut up her food and putting food on Aika's plate. She was liking this boy more and more...

"Thanks for volunteering to help." Nat and Aika were in the kitchen.

"You sound like I'm the guest instead..." Aika teased as she turned on the tap.

"Oops my bad...let me do the washing, the soap isn't good for your skin." Nat made space and waited for Aika to take his place.

"It's been a long time since I've sat down for a family dinner after coming here...most of the time, it's just me and Jamie since her nanny is gone by then." Nat felt grateful for the warmth that the Robredos extended tonight.

"I'm glad we were able to do so, really. " Aika took over the plate that Nat handed her.

"I think you noticed too but Jamie really enjoyed having Ma'am and Tricia around. She used to be really close to her grandmother and Karine..." Nat let out a sigh.

"I'm sure mama would be glad to have you and Jamie visit more often...if you don't mind the security of course." Aika joked, knowing that security protocol was frustrating at times.

"Checks in exchange for great food and people? You bet. Anyways, do you have a personal guard too? I feel guilty about it but I've never noticed..." Nat gave the last plate to Aika.

"I do...it's complicated but we do get some freedom. Why are you feeling guilty anyway?" Aika was baffled.

"I mean, there were people following you and I've yet to notice even once! How can I convince your security detail and Ma'am that I am safe for you to be with?" Aika was surprised at Nat's sudden confession.

"They are security detail for a reason, Nat. Plus, my personal detail has only been around once or twice, when we were out together at the more crowded areas. They are really here just in case, nothing much has happened in the last 5 years..." Aika set the plate she was drying onto the rack and placed her hand on Nat's arm.

"That's good but still..." Nat realised that he would have to be more careful whenever he asked Aika out.

"Anyways, why are you so uptight? It's not like you're the one protecting me?" Aika was teasing Nat but he looked serious.

"It's because I care. About your safety and about you. I don't want you to get hurt." Nat didn't know what overcame him when he blurted out his words. Aika didn't know how to reply.

"Sorry...I shouldn't have gotten carried away. It's just that...nevermind...I'm sorry." Nat wiped his hands anxiously with a paper towel.

"Hey, it's okay. I appreciate the concern, I really do." Aika assured him. Aika usually felt uncomfortable when people made a fuss over the fact that she had security detail but with Nat, there sense of protectiveness that made her feel safe.

~

"Jamie, say goodbye to lola Leni, tita Aika and tita Tricia!" Jamie wanted to stay longer but it was already way past her usual bed time.

"Bye bye lola Leni, tita Tricia and tita Aika...thank you for tonight..." Jamie pouted as she gave VP Leni a tiny bow.

"You're always welcomed back so anytime you miss us, tell your daddy and we'll make plans. See you soon, sweetheart." VP Leni gave Jamie a tight hug as she comforted her.

"The next time, I'll introduce Natalia and Alonso to you! I'm sure you'll love them!" Trica gave Jamie a farewell hug as well.

"Thank you again for tonight..." Nat greeted VP Leni for the umpteenth time.

"It's our pleasure. As I said, anytime Jamie wants to visit, just tell Aiks and we'll grab a time. We love your company too!" The older lady gave Nat a hug as well.

"I'll walk you guys down." Aika grabbed her keys and headed out with Nat and Jamie.

"How do children fall asleep this quickly?" On the way down to the carpark, Jamie had went to dreamland in that few minutes.

"She must have played hard with Ma'am and Tricia earlier..." Nat shifted Jamie gently in his embrace so she didn't wake up.

"Mama and Tricia really enjoyed playing with her too...she's too adorable to resist." Jamie was holding onto Aika's hand as she slept, which meant that Aika's hand was resting on Nat's upper arm too.

"Goodnight sweetie. Sweet dreams." Aika helped Nat buckle Jamie into her car seat. She gave Jamie a forehead kiss before closing the door gently.

"No more thank you for tonight...you've said enough to last for a lifetime." Aika stopped Nat before he spoke.

"Ok, ok...good night and see you soon." Nat and Aika had an awkward pause before Aika went in for a quick hug.

"See you soon too...Good night, " Aika tip-toed and gave Nat a peck on the cheek. Nat's eyes widened as he processed what just happened.

"Bye..." Aika muttered shyly before running off to the lift.

"Aika, wait!" Nat called out but Aika had already entered the lift. He smiled as he entered the car and drove off.

The entire drive back, Nat's head replayed the entire scenario in his head. It felt as if there were fireworks bursting in his heart and sirens ringing in his head.

As he lay Jamie down on the bed, Nat sat next to her and held her tiny hand. Thoughts were running through his head...it had been 4 years since he found someone that made his heart race. Yet, this someone felt as if she was out of reach, too good for him.

"Princess, will you forgive Daddy for being selfish?" Nat pressed a kiss on Jamie's forehead, the exact position that Aika did earlier.

Nathaniel Lee, maybe it's time to let go and chase what your heart desires...

A/N:

Sorry it took so long for this update...comments are always appreciated!