“Andreau was smiling at me now differently. This smile was his genuine smile, walang sinabi ang Cortez smile dun.”
Chapter 5 The Education of Andreau Cortez
“Shit that smile again. Ba’t ba hindi na lang yung Cotez Charm Smile niya ang gamitin niya sa'kin? Kinikilabutan ako sa ngiti niyang ‘to eh!!!”
Chapter 9 72 Seconds With You
“Si Andreau lang naman ang may ngiting ganyan! And he’s not using his Cortez Charm Smile on me. Bakit kaya?”
Chapter 9 72 Seconds With You
“Thanks so much! I owe you one!” He flashed that mysterious smile again. Nagpopromote ba siya ng bagong brand ng toothpaste kaya ganyan ang ngiti niya? In fairness, effective!
Chapter 13 Another Day In Paradise
He flashed that mysterious smile again. Ilang beses ko nang nakikita yun yet di ko pa rin magets kung para saan ang ngiting yon.
Chapter 13 Another Day In Paradise
“That’s just a little thing. Wag na wag mong ibabalik sa'kin yan, okay? He flashed his mysterious smile again.
Chapter 14 Drinking Games
The mysterious smile appeared again and it made my stomach flutter. Ano bang meron dyan sa ngiting yan ha?
Chapter 14 Drinking Games
He rested his forehead on mine and flashed that mysterious smile. "Do you think I could forget?”
Chapter 15.1 Twenty Questions
He flashed that mysterious smile again. “Of course.”
Chapter 15.2 Twenty Questions
Damn, that mysterious smile again. In fairness, nagiging immune na ako sa ngiting yon.
Chapter 18 That Is Such A Cortez Move
“Last commitment ko na 'to then I’m free.” He flashed that mysterious smile again.
Chapter 18 That Is Such A Cortez Move
“And three..” huzzah that smile again! Wala na, alam ba niyang iba ang epekto sa'kin nung ngiting yon? Sana yung Cortez Charm Smile na lang para kaya kong pigilan. Pero eto? My god, I’m sold.
Chapter 19 Gift Giving For Dummies
One year and four months na kaming magkakilala ni Andreau. Ilang beses na niya akong nginitian ng ganun pero never nagbago ang effect sa'kin. But this time, it’s different. smiled back at him.
Chapter 22 Chismis Squad Item # 4025
“Okay then.” His solemn look at me warmed my insides. Ayan na naman yang mysterious smile niya! Ugh.
Chapter 22 Chismis Squad Item # 4025
I was expecting na tatawanan lang ni Andreau yung joke ko, kasi duh, joke lang yon. But.. he didn’t. Instead, he stared at me with that mysterious smile of his.
Chapter 26 She’s my girlfriend!
Agad akong tumingin kay Andreau.. and ugh. He’s using the smile again. “Zades, punta ka raw dito. Birthday boy’s order.”
Chapter 27 Cross My Heart, Hope to Die
Sa lahat ng moments na pwede siyang ngumiti ng ganun, ngayon pa ang napili niya. Alam na niya siguro na ibang epekto sa'kin ng smile niya ugh!
Akala ko quota na ako sa mga ngiti niya, hindi pa pala. I forgot this particular smile of his I love : mysterious and special smile. “I like you a lot. As a person.”
Chapter 29 I Bet You Say That To All Girls
For the first time tonight, his mysterious smile appeared. Ba’t ganun.. it never failed to make my heart thud faster? “Are you charming me, Zades?”
Chapter 29 I Bet You Say That To All Girls
Pero iba si Andreau. Hindi siya nakanganga nang makita niya ako pagkabukas ko ng pinto. He was smiling. That mysterious smile, again.
Chapter 30 Belle Of The Ball
“Ready?” He asked again, flashing that smile of his. Okay, wala na takot ko.
Chapter 30 Belle Of The Ball
“But seriously, I’m glad you didn’t. You’re my first date ever and.. I don’t want others to steal you away from me tonight,” he said, flashing that special smile of his.
Chapter 30 Belle Of The Ball
That special smile appeared again, making my insides churn in excitement. “I know na medyo nagsasawa ka na sa sasabihin ko but Zades.. thank you for being there with me.”
Chapter 32 Of Burger, Movies and Roadtrips
“We’re in this together, Zades. Don’t forget that,” he casually said, flashing that mysterious smile again.
Chapter 33 Everything Is Better In Your Arms
Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko.. and that msyterious smile appeared again. “Why’s that?”
“Wala lang.. it’s just that.. I’m extremely glad that my meddling somehow made a little difference. Napasaya kita kahit paano.. ganun.”
That mysterious smile grew even wider.. and made him look years younger. Bakit.. ang saya niya ata? May nasabi ba akong mali?
“Zades, believe me,” he said, shaking his head lightly. “It made all the difference in the world.”
Chapter 35 The Impossible Girl
Again, he was silent, until eventually he straightened himself up and smiled that smile at me. “I want to say thank you.”
Chapter 35 The Impossible Girl
He took a step back and there it was again. That damned smile.
Chapter 38 Possesive Pronouns 101
And for the first time in weeks, he graced me with that mysterious smile of his. Ilang beses ko nang nakikita 'yon pero ganun pa rin ang epekto sa'kin. “I never said that you’re mine, Zades. I only said that I’m yours. You just confirmed it earlier, in case you forgot.”
Chapter 40 Fight. Flirt. Talk. Protect
His reply was just that smile again. Wish I could decipher what that smile means.
Chapter 40 Fight. Flirt. Talk. Protect
As if on cue, his mysterious smile appeared, melting away the last strains of frustration inside me. “You’re Scheherazade Pascual, the brightest and smartest woman I know. Napaganda mo nga script ko, tapos sa isang RRL ng favorite author mo susuko ka? Please, woman up. You can do it, Zades.”
Chapter 43 Everytime The Bell Rings (And Other Christmas Stories)
And this idiork’s face suddenly lit up like Christmas lights. Parang kanina hurt tapos.. and yeah, he smiled that almost-annoying mysterious smile niya.
Chapter 43 Everytime The Bell Rings (And Other Christmas Stories)
He slowly sat up and helped Tristan to get up before facing me. “Thanks, Zades,” he said, smiling. “I owe you one mug cake for this one.”
Shi-it. Okay.. hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na akong nginitian ni Andreau Cortez. Halos himatayin na rin ako sa ilang atomic bomb mysterious smiles na shinow-off niya sa'kin without warning. Pero eto, as in a normal Thank Zades you’re a gift from God and the heavens how am I gonna survive this world without you smile, na pinakasimpleng ngiti niya ever.
Chapter 43 Everytime The Bell Rings (And Other Christmas Stories)
Andreau didn’t say anything. He just watched me acting like a crazed fangirl with his mysterious smile plastered on his face.
Chapter 44 Of Hospitals and Traditions
Natawa na lang siya sa sinabi ko, a sign of defeat. “Happy New Year, Zades.” He said solemnly, flashing that smile again.
Chapter 45 My Favorite Book
“Oh come on. We both know you don’t really hate me because of that coffee,” he said playfully before flashing that mysterious smile of his.
Chapter 46 Of Realizations and Date Invitations
“Inunahan mo na naman ako hay,” he muttered with a sigh. Then, the smile formed on his lips and he said, “I missed you, too, Zades.”
Chapter 46 Of Realizations and Date Invitations
Tawang-tawa na naman siya sa'kin. Stop it, you idiork. “Off you go! Goodluck, Zades.” Before leaving, he flashed that smile of his. For goodluck nga naman daw.
Chapter 47 Of V-day Madness and Second Dates.
And the amazing thing happened: I saw how the mysterious smile formed on his face up close.
Chapter 48 Like Real People Do
There’s his mysterious smile again, that never failed to warm my heart. “You’re welcome, Zades. And thank you, too.”
I could see the way posture changed, became more relaxed, and his face broke out the brightest mysterious smile that made my heart melt.
Chapter 53 Many The Miles
Then he flashed me his mysterious smile, of all things. Isa pa yan sa itatanong ko sa kanya pagbalik ko.
Chapter 54 The Right Partner
Ang Mysterious Smile na naman ang bumungad sa'kin, as if saying Welcome home, Zades.
Chapter 55 The One With Andreau’s Speech
“Sa start ng interview… hindi,” he paused then suddenly he flashed his mysterious smile (okay, I have to think of a new name for this. Hindi na siya mysterious okay?). “Pero nung 3:25 minutes, oo.”
I started with counting how many times did Andreau said 'Scheherazade’ and now we’re here. This is not accurate count, of course. I just did this because I really miss A+Z. This excludes the Epilogue by the way. 😉