In between Sunsets and Rain.

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Sebastian stood there, towel slung low around his hips, his wet hair messy but still somehow perfect, dripping water down his neck.

His chest was sculpted, each muscle defined and sharp, leading down to his abs—the abs—each line a testament to the hours spent working out.

His arms were solid, biceps flexing as he moved, muscles shifting with every little movement. The towel barely managed to stay in place.

His abs. He had abs. And not just any abs—seriously, I could practically see the chiseled lines. Then there were his arms—his biceps, looking like they could tear through his towel if he flexed too hard.

Sebastian blinked twice when he saw me frozen in the doorway, then clutched at his towel with both hands like he was in some telenovela. "Ay putek! Ate—ay hindi pala, ikaw pala 'yan. Pero bakit parang nanlilisik mata mo? May nakita kang multo o abs?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My brain was still trying to reboot. I just stood there, still reeling from the image seared into my brain. My jaw? Still somewhere on the floor.

He took a dramatic step back, eyes wide. "Grabe, Rheagan, 'wag mo akong tingnan na parang gusto mo kong i-defrost! Hindi ako pagkain! May feelings ako!"

I snapped out of it just enough to glare. "You're the one walking around like some calendar boy from a cheap gym promo."

"Oyy! Respect my effort. 'Di madaling ma achieve 'tong katawan na 'to, okay? Blood, sweat, at lugaw ang puhunan dito."

He flicked his wet hair back again with that unnecessary flair, clearly enjoying himself. "Tsaka bakit parang galit ka? Ako na nga 'tong naambush habang fresh out of the shower tapos ako pa 'yung parang may atraso?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Because you're in our bathroom. Half-naked. Unannounced."

"Correction—one-fourth naked," he said, looking proudly down at the towel. "Modesty pa rin 'to. May natira pa akong dignity noh."

I groaned, rubbing my temple. "I swear to God! you're unbelievable."

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"I swear, Dani," I muttered, throwing myself face-first into a pillow. "I've been violated. Emotionally. Spiritually. Visually."

Danielle didn't even look up. "What happened now? Did Solar steal your bag again?"

"No. Worse." I peeked at her through my hair. "I walked in on Sebastian. In the bathroom. Fresh out of the shower."

That made her sit up real fast. "WAIT. Like... naked naked?"

I groaned into the pillow. "No. Towel. Very low towel. Like it had no business hanging on."

Dani gasped. "Oh my God. Did you see—?"

"DANIELLE!"
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I stomped down the stairs like I was about to sue someone.

And there he was.

Kuya Issaiah, in all his calm, smug glory, sitting on the couch with a bowl of chips like he wasn't an accomplice to the emotional trauma I just endured.

"You—you knew he was in the bathroom kanina, di ba?!"

He glanced at me, raised an eyebrow, and shoved another chip into his mouth. "I mean... yeah."

I gaped at him. "And you didn't think to maybe warn me?! Like, 'Hey Rheagan, don't go into the bathroom unless you wanna see something you can't unsee?' Nothing?!"