IF THERE was someone Allie trusted with her life aside from her mother, it was this person.

Lawrenzo Guttierez. Or she prefers to be called Renz even though most people call him Enzo. Son of her mommy's friend. Son of the people who help them now.

Allie has known Enzo since they were little. She grew up being like a tail to him. Where he is, she must be there too. The joke of their parents was that she was Enzo's shadow.

Enzo is not talkative or eloquent. But when it comes to Allie, it’s not that serious. Even without speaking, he knew it was listening to him because sometimes it would answer when he asked. Allie knew he liked her company because he was allowing her to be near him; to be his shadow. She could even say he spoiled her.

That only changed when Enzo stepped into high school. It turned out to be cold dealing with him. It makes him moan when he complies with it. He was also confused and did not answer when asked.

Not that he was the warmest person before but he wasn't that cold. Something changed, she knew it but she didn't know what. Despite the cold, Allie did not stop being his friend. Even if it doesn’t want to, he won’t get lost next to it.

"Allie," he said coldly. He went straight to the side of the bed and stared at his mommy. "How's Tita Nella?"

Allie's appropriate smile dropped when she heard his question. “Right now, he is fine. He was just sleeping, ”he said weakly.

Enzo stared at him intently and then silently approached an empty chair. He picked it up and laid it near where he was sitting.

"Stay here?" he asked in shock.

It nodded.

“Where are Tita Lily and Tito Miguel? Will they come now too? ” Allie is referring to Enzo's parents. Her mommy and Tita Lily are best friends.

“At work. They can't come today but they will come tomorrow. ”

Allie was on her way. He tightened his grip on the reading materials he was carrying. Sometimes, he was ashamed of Aunt Lily. He knew it was no joke that they spent to help his mommy.

He thought of quitting school and working to help with his mommy's treatment but she refused. Even Tito Miguel refused. He said it is important for him to finish because he can help his mommy better in that situation.

"It's creasing," Enzo's voice stirred Allie's thoughts. He felt his palm on top of his clenched palm. It opened that and picked up the papers. “Assignments? You better do it fast if you want to finish it early, ”he said.

“Renz, thank you, ah. Thanks for your help. H-I don't know if… ”Allie bit her lower lip to prevent the sob from escaping. Disgusted he wiped his eyes as they blurred. She was annoyed because she didn't want Enzo to see her cry, that she was weak.

There was a cloth covering his head causing his vision to darken. He was about to remove it when a heavy object landed on his head.

"I'm not doing anything," he said without emotion.

"Being here is enough for me," he replied.

He heard no response from Enzo. With someone covering her head, Allie let her tears fall. Now she realizes why Enzo covered his head — so he wouldn't see her crying.

Despite everything, for Allie, Enzo was still her Renz. Despite the coldness, despite the aloofness, she knew if she needed him, he would be there.

"WHERE is Manang Melba?"

Allie dropped the bag on the one-seater sofa then turned to Enzo. “Go home to the province first. Emergency raw, eh. He was probably there for about a week, ”he replied.

From the hospital, he took her home because it was already night. He thought it would go home right away so he was surprised without a word it sat on the long sofa. He took off his eyeglasses and lay down on the sofa. It placed its arm over the eyes.

"Renz?"

“I’ll be here until you sleep. Finish your homework then go to bed, ”he replied.

"You're going to spend the night."

"Don't mind me and just fucking do your work, Allie."

She rolled her eyes at him. He pulled out the laptop. It's just that he hasn't finished his homework yet. It was only a research thing so he could do it easily.

While researching he looked around at Enzo. It has been silent since before. Maybe it was already asleep. He knew it was just as busy because apart from studying, he was also playing tennis. He is also the captain of the tennis club at the university he attends.

So even though he knew he preferred to go home and sleep in his house, he chose to take him and wait because he had no one at home.

It just showed he still cared. She liked it.

Even without seeing Enzo's face right now, Allie knew he was perfect. From his cold gray eyes to his aristocratic nose to his strong chin down to his full lips — he was perfect. He played tennis real damn well and could match Martin to the boot.

She never thought guys wearing eyeglasses could be this… handsome.

Enzo is studying at Saint Vincent University. He wanted to enroll there at first but Saint Louis is closer to their house compared to SVU so he enrolled in SLU. Even though he was not studying at SVU, he still knew something about Enzo.

Despite its serious, cold, distant, and seemingly robotic behavior, many women like it. All of that made Enzo cry. Just a cold stare from here, they are softening.

But not Allie. Maybe he's immune to it.

Allie just shook her head and focused her attention on the laptop. When he finished the research he closed it. He stood up and took a comforter to the storage room. He slowly laid it on Enzo.

He sat on the floor in front of Enzo's bed and looked at it fondly.

Allie lightly stroked Enzo's cheek. When it moved slightly his hands stiffened. It did not remove the arm over the eyes. Nor did it speak. It was even asleep.

He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He did not realize that he was asleep.