Not Until You

Chapter 07

Juniper’s POV

Velvet & Vine always looked different from behind the bar. Guests only saw the polished tables, the warm golden lights, the effortless rhythm of jazz weaving through the air. But for me, it was work. It was home. Aside from the hospital, sa bahay, eto ang isa kong space na inaalagaan. The clink of glass, the citrus scent of fresh lime, the hum of conversations, the slow music— it somehow makes me calm.

I’d grown up in this place, and whenever I had the time, I slipped behind the counter to help.

Tonight felt ordinary. My hands moved by memory, pouring drinks, offering practiced smiles, laughing politely at small talk. Just another evening. Naramdaman ko ang pag vibrate ng phone ko sa bulsa ng pants ko, kanina pa nga ‘yon. Hindi ko pinapansin dahil tuloy tuloy ang pag-mimix ko.

Inalis ko ang tingin sa ginagawa at lumibot ang mata sa paligid. I didn’t even notice at first. But then a ripple of silence ran through the crowd, the kind that always followed someone important. I looked up — and there he was.

Mayor River.

Shit. My stomach tightened.

I’d seen him in the papers, on the news, standing in front of crowds with confidence etched into every line of his posture.

But in person? He carried more presence than any headline could capture. He wasn’t supposed to be here — not in this place, not in my space!

I wasn’t ready for this.

I ducked my head quickly, pretending to busy myself with polishing a glass that was already spotless. Huwag kang titingin, Juniper. Don’t make it obvious. But my nerves betrayed me, my pulse was loud in my ears, and the stem of the glass trembled faintly in my hand. Hindi naman siya nagpunta para sa akin dito ‘no?

And then — his eyes found me.

Naramdaman ko na naman ang pagvibrate ng phone ko. Hindi na ako nakatiis at kinuha ko iyon. I saw a lot of missed calls from Sielo, and then a new text message flashed on my screen.

“He’s at Velvet and Vine, Juniper.”

And even without a name, alam ko kung sino ang tinutukoy niya. Oh god, bakit ngayon ko lang ginalaw ang phone ko?!

Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan. My hands were shaking while holding my phone. Lakas loob kong pinindot ang reply area sa phone.

Relax, Juni. River didn’t know me, I reminded myself. To him, I was just another face behind the counter, another bartender in a place he’d wandered into. Still, the weight of his attention sent heat rushing to my cheeks. s**t, bakit ngayon pa?! Bakit dito pa?!

“Good evening,” I heard a voice, a smooth, carrying that natural authority I’d only ever heard through a screen. “What do you recommend here?”

His voice that night during his accident was different from what I am hearing right now.

My breath hitched. He was standing right across from me, close enough that I could smell his cologne mingling with the faint citrus and oak of the bottles behind me.

For a second, I couldn’t find words. My tongue felt heavy, my chest tight. He didn’t know me — and yet, it felt as though he could see right through me.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa phone at hindi na natuloy ang pagrereply na gagawin para kay Sielo. Unti-unti kong inangat ang tingin sa lalaking nasa harap ko.

River is smiling in front of me… like none of what happened months ago had left a scar… on him.

With that, I composed myself and gave him my usual look.

I reached for another empty glass, pakiramdam ko ay mababasag ko iyon sa higpit ng pagkakahawak ko. “Depends,” I answered with a low but soft voice. “Do you want something strong… classic, depends on your mood… Sir?” I managed to add.

“Something strong, then,” he said, watching me with interest. “It’s been a long day.”

I raised a brow, carefully measuring out a pour. “Long day for the mayor? That doesn’t sound unusual.”

Napahawak siya sa dibdib at napakurap. Halatang nagulat sa sinabi ko. May nakakagulat ba doon? “Oh! I thought walang makakakilala sa akin dito?”

Kumunot ang noo ko at nailing. Damn. Kung andito lang si Sielo ay baka nasapo na niya ang noo sa nabanggit ko. I was too obvious. Mayor. I just called him Mayor. But tama naman ako diba? Everyone calls him that.

“Anyways, fair point,” he admitted. “But tonight feels heavier than most. I thought a change of scenery might help.” His eyes flicked briefly around the bar before settling back on me. “I didn’t expect to find a place like this.”

I bit back a smile, sliding the glass toward him. “That’s because you’ve never been to this place. Everything looks different here.” I answered casually.

His gaze lingered on me like he’d caught the meaning underneath. Heat crept up my neck, and I busied myself with a second glass, though it wasn’t needed.

“So,” he said slowly, lifting the drink. “You’re not just a bartender, are you?”

I froze for a second. He said it like a statement, not a question. Like he already knew there was more.

I cleared my throat, keeping my tone light. “Depends who’s asking. Tonight? I’m just the bartender.”

His chuckle was low, warm. “Mysterious. I’ll take that.” He took a sip, his expression softening with approval. “Impressive. You know your craft.”

Something about the way he said it, like it wasn’t just about the drink — made my stomach flip.

Nahuli na ba ako?

Oh god. I think I need to talk to Sielo after this.