"Something on your mind, muscles?" Aika noticed that Nat was deep in thought.

"I think I saw Marco at the mall..." Nat sighed.

"Marco? When?" Aika furrowed her eyebrows.

"3 days ago. I think I saw him when I was with Aly at the shop." Nat had contemplated for a while but he realised that if it was really Marco, it could spell danger for Aly.

"Oh no...did you tell Aly?" Aika was concerned.

"I'm not 100% sure so I didn't want to scare her. But he was literally staring at us and ran away when I called out to him." Nat sighed, unsure of what to do.

"If he's really Marco, he could be stalking Aly...Aly needs to know." Aika wanted to be safe than sorry.

"I'll tell her tomorrow and see if there's anything I can help with. After all, I'm partially responsible for this mess..." Nat knew it wasn't his fault that things had become this complicated but he did have a part to play.

"Do what you can to help, muscles. Within your own comfort zone of course. I trust you fully." Aika assured Nat.

"I love you, sunshine." Nat kissed Aika's forehead as he snuggled her close. His future was with Aika and no one else.

~

"Hey, are you free for dinner tonight?" Nat called Aly the next morning.

"Dinner? Sure!" Aly was pleasantly surprised that Nat asked her out for dinner.

"I'll pick you up from your office at 6pm?" Nat offered.

"Okay! See you at 6!" Aly's excitement was obvious through her voice.

"Sorry I made you wait!" Aly apologised as she entered Nat's car.

"No worries, it's only 5 minutes." Nat gave Aly a smile. He looked around before driving off, hoping that there was no one following them.

"What are we having?" Aly turned to Nat.

"Is Mexican okay with you? I have a friend that owns a small bar nearby." Nat wanted to pick a restaurant that was safe just in case.

"Sounds great already!" Aly nodded in approval.

"We're here..." Nat opened the door for Aly.

"Hey Nat!" The man at the counter greeted Nat as he and Aly walked in.

"Thanks for making space tonight, Justin. I owe you one!" Nat returned the fist bump to Justin, the owner.

"How's Aika doing? You guys haven't visited in a while!" Nat and Aika had been to the bar a few times.

"Aika's been busy lately but she did ask if you could make her your signature tacos...she and Jamie have been talking about it recently." Nat chuckled as he remembered how the two had bugged him to bring some food home.

"I'll have them ready by the time you're done. Let me just take you and your friend to the table first." Justin ushered Nat and Aly to a table nestled at the corner of the small restaurant.

"What would you like?" Nat asked as Aly looked through the menu. He placed a cup in front of Aly and filled it for her silently.

"What do you usually get?" Aly was lost in the number of options available.

"We usually share tacos, nachos and a pulled pork salad..." Nat pointed out on the menu.

"Let's get those too..." Aly smiled.

"So...I actually wanted to talk to you about something..." Nat rubbed his hands nervously.

"About what?" Aly was unaware of the news that Nat was about to drop.

"It's about Marco. When we were at the mall 3 days ago, I think I saw him watching us from a distance. I'm not 100% sure but the build was exactly like Marco's. " Nat confessed.

"You mean Marco was stalking us?" Aly was visibly unsettled.

"Have you noticed anything weird recently? Or felt like anyone was following you?" Nat probed.

"I did feel like someone was watching me these few days but I just thought I was overreacting..." Aly's voice was quivering.

"Is there anyone you trust who can check on you constantly and accompany you?" Nat had been looking up ways to deal with stalkers.

"I do have a few girlfriends...but I don't want to worry my parents..." Aly sighed.

"I know it's hard but if your parents know, at least they can be more alert. It's for their safety as well. You should monitor the situation and if it's really Marco, there's the option of mediation as well. I believe you don't want to take this to court..." Nat advised.

"Can I call you as well? You know I don't have much friends..." Aly bit her lip. She only had a few friends she could trust. But Nat was the one she trusted the most.

"I'll try my best. And I was thinking that I should accompany you and Jamie when you guys go out, just in case. If that's okay with you?" Nat was worried about Jamie's safety as well.

"Definitely. Thank you...you're still the same old Nat I fell in love with. The Nat who's always to self-sacrificing, thoughtful, respectful and loving..." Aly felt the memories from 6 years ago flood back.

"As I said, we're friends and friends look out for each other." Nat implicitly drew the line.

"Here are the tacos for Aika and your little princess...Hope to see them soon." Justin handed Nat the bag of takeaways as he paid for the meal.

"Thanks Justin, I'll make sure to visit with them soon." Nat took over the bags with a grin.

"Thank you for tonight. To be honest, I was getting a little scared and was thinking of talking to someone...and then you appeared." Aly confessed.

"Whenever your friends aren't free, call me and I'll see what I can do to help. Oh, I noticed that you enjoyed the nachos so I got Kev to pack one for you." Nat handed Aly one of the brown takeaway bags.

"Thanks..." Aly felt her heart skip a beat. How could her heart not waver when Nat had become an even better person she fell head over heels with 6 years ago.

"Guess who's back?" Nat held the bag of tacos up as he entered the apartment.

"TACOS!" Jamie ran and took the bag from Nat excitedly.

"You forgot something, sweetie..." Aika reminded Jamie.

"THANK YOU DADDY! I LOVE YOU!" Jamie ran back to give Nat a peck on the cheek.

"Do you love me or the tacos?" Nat chuckled.

"I love you because you brought me the tacos that I love." Jamie wasn't even looking at Nat.

"How's Aly?" Aika gave Nat a hug.

"She had her own suspicions. She does have a group of friends and I told her to reach out anytime she needs help." Nat updated Aika about the dinner.

"I can help too. I hope things get better soon..." Aika offered her assistance.

"Ninang! The tacos are getting cold!" Jamie waved for Aika to come have her tacos.

~

"Ms Tinapay and Ms Paborito are specialised snipers, I swear..." Nat chuckled as he and Aika looked at Tricia and Jill's witty comments.

"They are a whole new level of sass at times..." Aika shook her head.

"I missed our date nights..." Nat rubbed Aika's hand gently.

"Thanks for being so accommodative for the past few months..." Aika really appreciated Nat's patience and consideration.

"It's nothing...it was amazing to see you in action." Nat wouldn't exchange anything for the experience.

"Really?" Aika was amused.

"I'm part of the Aikalicious simp team...at least that's what Gabe told me." Nat whispered into Aika's ear.

"God, not that..." Aika smacked Nat, embarrassed by the term.

"Too bad though, I think everyone's ate aiks is taken..." Nat joked.

"By a squishy muscleman?" Aika squeezed Nat's cheeks.

"By a lovesick muscleman that melts at your touch..." Nat grinned.

"I don't think we need ice-cream anymore..." Aika was numb to Nat's cheesy lines.

"One second...It's Aly." Nat saw Aly's name on the caller ID.

"Where are you now? Give me 15 minutes..." Nat's smile disappeared as he spoke to Aly.

"What's wrong?" Aika was worried.

"Marco's following Aly. She's at the mall nearby...alone." Nat bit his lip.

"Let's get going then." Aika grabbed Nat's hand and they ran towards the carpark.

"Aly!" Nat called out to Aly. She was sitting in a crowded coffeeshop, just as Nat had asked her to.

"You're here..." Aly hugged Nat out of fear. Nat was taken aback but wasn't sure how to extricate himself.

"Where's Marco?" Aika appeared from behind Nat.

"Ate Aika?" Aly was surprised to see Aika. Nat took the chance to gently release Aly's grip on him.

"Is he somewhere near?" Nat got down to business.

"I saw him following me through my phone camera so I immediately called you. I was looking around while waiting for you but there's just too much people...." Aly trembled.

"Do you want to make a police report? At least they are aware that Marco is stalking you?" Aika checked with Aly.

"I don't know..." Aly wasn't sure if she wanted to get the police involved. Marco technically hadn't done anything.

"Let's get you home for now..." Nat suggested.

"Okay..." Aly held onto Nat's sweater, as if it was her lifeline.

"Aly!" Nat, Aika and Aly froze at the voice. It was the voice they dreaded.

"Marco..." Aly had been praying not to meet Marco face on.

"Wow, look who we have here...Your ex and his current girlfriend!" Marco sniggered.

"What do you want? We're already divorced!" Aly was trembling but she managed to sound firm.

"What do I want? You know what I want, babe." Marco chuckled.

"I told you that we are over. You said that you'd reflect but you're still the same old Marco. The one that I now despise." Aly spat. All of Marco's words were lies.

"Despise? After all that I've done for you and your family, you're leaving me? For this bastard?" Marco pointed his finger angrily at Nat.

"This has nothing to do with Nat! I've told you multiple times! The problem is you!" Aly was tired.

"I haven't signed the papers. You're still my wife legally." Marco stormed up to Aly.

"Aly said no." Nat stepped in front of Aly as Aika gently pulled Aly behind her.

"It's okay, we're here." Aika assured Aly.

"Who are you to stand between me and my wife?" Marco scoffed.

"I'm standing up to a stalker who refuses to respect boundaries. I'm asking you nicely to leave." Nat was no pushover.

"And if I don't? What can you do? Aly's still my wife." Marco crossed his arms.

"The police will come and let's see how you can get away with stalking. We have all the evidence we need. Are you sure you want to play this game?" Nat towered over Marco with his 1.85m stature and muscular body.

"Don't try to scare me with the police...Aly, come here." Marco tried to push his way.

"The police are coming soon. I'm sure they'll be happy to converse with you." Aika shifted her body to shield Aly.

"Don't make me get a restraining order against you, Marco. I mean it." Aly was too afraid to meet Marco's eyes but managed to get her statement across.

"I dare you!" Marco raised his hand to hit the ladies.

"The second you lay a hand on any of them. You're going to court. I'll make sure it happens." Nat quickly pulled Aika and Aly away before Marco could hit them. Marco made a missed swing, tripped over his own feet and ended up falling flat on the ground.

"Now who's the one that laid a hand on me?" Marco regained his balance and threatened Nat.

"No one touched you, Marco. You know what? How about you stay and wait for the police to come. If you manage to convince them that I hit you, I'll gladly comply." Nat was certain that Marco wouldn't be able to accuse him of anything.

~

"He was the one that hit me! Look!" Marco pointed to the bruise he'd got from falling by himself.

"Sir, there was a passerby who filmed the entire situation. It was obvious that you were the one threatening Ms Carlos and Mr Lee was trying to help." The officer showed Marco the clip. It was clear that Marco didn't touch Marco at all.

"I'm sueing him for defamation and kidnapping of my wife." Marco argued.

"None of what he said is true. In fact, I want to apply for a restraining order against him. He's been stalking me for 2 weeks and I have all the evidence of him following me." Aly refuted Marco's nonsensical claims.

"Mr Lee, Ms Robredo, I would need your cooperation to record your statements." The officer turned to Nat and Aika.

"Ate, Nat...I'm sorry for dragging you into this." Aly knew that if news about Aika being involved in this had spread, it would be a headache. Not to mention her relationship with Nat.

"It's okay, Aly. It's not your fault and we didn't do anything wrong. Don't worry about us, focus on your safety." Aika assured Aly.

"Let's send you home. You must be tired." Nat opened the back door for Aly.

"Thank you for tonight...You guys abandoned your date for me..." Aly felt guilty.

"It's all good. Dates aren't urgent, but your safety was." Aika turned to smile at Aly.

"Aika's right, your safety is important. If you need any legal assistance, just reach out. Our legal team is filled with highly capable individuals." Nat agreed.

"You're allowed to use your company's legal team like this? Won't you get in trouble?" Aly wondered.

"Don't worry about it at all. Focus on your safety." Nat assured Aly.

"Do you guys want to come in? My parents would love to meet you guys!" Aly invited Nat and Aika in.

"Would we be disturbing your parents? It's late at night..." Nat was hesitant. It was 10pm at night.

"They don't go to bed that early. Besides, they'll be glad to see you and ate!" Aly smiled.

"Mama, Papa! Nat and Ate Aika are here!" Aly called for her parents. Nat had never met Aly's parents before but he knew that he owed them an explanation. He never got the chance to apologise for what had happened to Aly 6 years ago. It was his responsibility and he had failed to shoulder it when Aly needed him the most.

"Pasensya na, Mr and Mrs Carlos. I'm sorry for what I did to Aly 6 years ago. I'm aware that my apology will not undo any harm I've inflicted but I promise to do what I can to make amendments." Nat didn't expect himself to be kneeling on the floor in front of Aly's parents. But he knew it had to be done.

"Hindi mo kasalanan, Nat. It wasn't just your fault. Aly was at fault as well. I've heard from Aly about what you've been doing for her. Not just with Jamie but also with Marco. And we can't be more grateful that you've raised such a beautiful girl like Jamie." Mrs Carlos helped Nat up from the ground.

"Let bygones be bygones. Thank you for allowing us to see Jamie. Having her in the house at times really brightened up the atmosphere." Mr Carlos smiled at Nat. Aly had brought Jamie here a few times after their first meeting in April. The Carlos were in love with their granddaughter.

"Ms Robredo, thank you too. I know it must not be easy but I've heard nothing but good things from Aly and Jamie." Mrs Carlos turned to Aika and held her hands.

"I didn't do anything, Mrs Carlos. Thank you for supporting my mama during the elections...Please, call me Aika." Aika nodded at the collection of pink items from VP Leni's campaign displayed at a corner.

"Your mother is an amazing leader, Ms Aika." Mr Carlos affirmed.

"Anytime you miss Jamie, let Aly or me know and I'll bring her here for dinner or over the weekends." Nat handed Mrs Carlos his name card.

"You work at Lee Holdings? General Manager at the age of 33? You must be capable, young man. Lee Holdings is a huge corporation." Mr Carlos was surprised.

"Nat started off as an intern and worked his way up, Papa!" Aly chimed in.

"Impressive work, young man. It must not have been easy to climb so high while being a single parent." Mr Carlos nodded in approval.

"Thank you, sir. You flatter me. I've heard about your work in construction as well. I hope we have the chance to work together some day, sir." Nat humbly shook his head as he remembered what he'd read about the business the Carlos' were running.

"It'd be our honour to work with Lee Holdings, young man. Do let me know if you guys are looking for new subcontractors, I'll be sure to bid." Mr Carlos patted Nat on the shoulder.

"It's our honour, sir. I'll be sure to contact you." Nat bowed.

"We shouldn't keep you any longer, it's late. Thank you again for everything, Nat and Aika. Do drop in for lunch one time with Jamie, we'd love to have you over again." Mrs Carlos gave Nat and Aika hugs.

"We will, Mrs Carlos. Thank you." Nat and Aika smiled at the Carlos'.

"Anak, I see why you were head over heels for Nat. He's indeed a great guy." Mrs Carlos liked Nat.

"Sadly it wasn't in fate's plan for him to become our son-in-law. He and Ms Robredo look good together." Mr Carlos had a favourable impression too.

"Indeed. Nat and Aika do look great together. Jamie loves Aika as well, I'm sure she'll love Jamie as her own when they get married." Mrs Carlos smiled.

"Mama, what if I told you that I still have feelings for him?" Aly confessed.

"Anak..." Mrs Carlos was surprised to hear Aly's feelings.

"I know I shouldn't but I can't stop myself! Nat and Ate have been nothing but nice to me this whole time but my heart says otherwise..." Aly hugged her mama.

"Anak, hindi kaya mo...letting yourself sink deeper is only going to hurt yourself..." Mrs Carlos knew it was better to cut off her feelings as early as possible.

"Alam ko, mama...pero mahirap na. I can't control my heart..." Aly let her tears roll.

"Alam kong mahirap pero you have to try. It'll take time but it's better than getting hurt, anak." Mrs Carlos stroked Aly's head.

~

"I'm glad Aly decided to take legal action." Aika and Nat were back home after their eventful 'date'.

"Me too, hope Marco doesn't try to hurt Aly anymore. She deserves to move on." Nat sighed as he hugged Aika.

"Still thinking about that apology you made? Like you said, the only thing moving forward is to create the best environment for Jamie to grow up with everyone who loves her. You're doing well and I know you'll continue to do well." Aika caressed Nat's cheeks.

"I'm just so blessed to have you beside me. I've regretted lots of things in my life but you are the present from God that I'll always be grateful for. I love you, my sunshine." Nat matched his lips to Aika's.

"I'm grateful for you and Jamie too." Aika smiled as she leaned in for a second round.

Aika & Nat best couple!