Hernando was warmly welcomed by the family. They had a little bit of chit chat and it continued at the dining table.

After lunch, Claridad went directly to her room. Hernando followed her and knock to her door.

"Puedo entrar?" [Can I come in?] he asked nicely.

"Si, of course"

He sat down on her bed and asked "How are you? I mean, you and your father. He is such a hard man" then he chuckled.

Feeling that she had an ally, Claridad smirked and responded "Está bien [It's okay], I'm used to it."

"That's good to hear."

He stood up, thinking and sat again on Clari's vanity table. "I heard, you have a new amigo"

Clari was a bit disturbed by his question. "Actually I have a lot of friends Hernando. How about you?

"Well.. Just a few, who can really be trusted."

Clari was still puzzled. "If you mind, where did you actually got that news?"

"Just some rumors. I'm not really sure so I came to asked you."

JUST a rumor? So like, it's all around town already? But I haven't told anyone about him. Now that would be odd.

Clari raised her eyebrow with narrowed eyes. With that look Hernando thinks that she might asked more questions, so he left.

---

Seikatsu was a bit worried that Clari never came to see him.

Should I go see her? No! I think I'm too fast forward. Can't seem to know what to do, he just circle around the tree, throwing pebbles, writing her name on the ground, hunting a wild boar and vice versa.

Claridad stayed at home for the rest of the day. The dinner party started at 6pm. A lot of people came including the business partners of her dad which was introduced to Hernando, and not her. American and Filipino soldiers are lurking outside their house to guard. Also, Smith came and is looking for her.

The sad Clari was just drinking tuba or coconut wine at the balcony, looking at the stars, trying her best to count them and thinking about Seikatsu.

"I thought your Dad doesn't allow you to drink" Smith suddenly pop-up behind her.

Him again?!

"I don't care. And remember? I've told you not to come near me, anymore!"

Clari's warning wasn't enough.

"Did you? Haha. Your dad asked me to be with you tonight. As your escort of course."

Irritated, Clari literally rejected him, "Go find someone! Tell him that I'm not interested!" then she walked away to her room.

On her window, still drinking tuba, she keeps on wondering about how he's been today. "How I wanted to see him"

Actually, he's been thinking about her too. "Maybe I should go see her... I wanted to..." Can't help his feeling, he rushed to see her.