Chapter 2: Suitor
BAKIT ganoon? Masakit daw kapag first time pero... Sinilip niya ang kanyang katawan sa ilalim ng kumot. She was naked and she even saw the red mark on the bedsheet. I really did push my limit. She bit her lower lip. Trying to recall the event last night. She cringed when she remembered her unrecognized voice begged for him to not stop assaulting her pearl. Oh my god! Nakakahiya!
Piniga niya ang kumot matapos ay ngumiwi. Kailangan niyang makakalabas bago pa siya maabutan ng lalaki. Nilikom niya ang buong kumot at mabilis na tumayo. There's no hell she would save her face from the man. The fact that she initiated that creamy night.
She twisted the doorknob without a doubt and pulled it. But her heart pounded hard inside her ribcage when he is at the back door holding a tray of breakfast. He was under his not properly close robe, letting her to leisure from his hairy chest down to his well-cut stomach. Thanks to the presence of his boxer short she could snap back that this isn't time to enjoy his view.
"Good morning," he greeted casually. Sumulyap sa bagay na tumatakip sa kanyang katawan.
Sinubukan siya nitong lapitan ngunit agad siyang umatras. Afraid from his touch that suddenly alarmed her sensitivity.
Inignora nito ang kanyang reaksyon. Dumiretso sa side table upang ilagay ang hawak. "I prepared you the bath tub. I know you are—" Saglit itong tumingin sa kanyang pribadong parte ng katawan. "It will soothe you. But you have to eat first."
"Thanks. I will take a bath first." Tumakbo na siya ng hindi hinihintay ang sagot nito. She is freaking nervous. Kung puwede lang tumalon mula sa bintana ay ginawa niya para matakasan ito, pero hindi naman siya ang biktima rito. Siya pa nga ang kriminal at ang lalaki ang alipin niya. Siya pa ang nahihiya?
The water is warm. The fragrance is soothing as well. It somewhat releases her nervousness plus the beautiful view of Owl City from the glass panel. Ngumuso siya. Ganito ba lagi ang ginagawa niya sa mga babaeng dinadala niya rito? Nilingid niya ang kanyang paningin sa paligid. "Malaki pa ito sa unit ko." Napansin niya ang glass panel na naghihiwalay sa palikuran at shower place. Ang linis tingnan at halatang lalaki ang nakatira.
Her heart jumped out from her chest from the sudden thud from the door.
"I bet you would worry about your dress. I have inside my closet, feel free to take one."
"Alright. Thanks," she yelled back. Kabado siyang umahon at nag-shower. "Dahil ba sa caffeine ito? Nagiging nerbyosa na ako." She used the clean bathrobe and got out silently. She proceeded on his walk-in closet and open each pallet. Who could envy this house? Everything was properly arranged, clean, and tidy. His formal clothes tops and down were separate and folded neatly. Ties, wrist watch, boxer shorts, t-shirts piled according to color. But all of it was either with four shades; black, grey, white or blue.
Kukuha sana siya ng puting t-shirt kaso napansin niya ang pulang nakaipit sa isang drawer. Iniwan niya ang hawak at nilapitan iyon. Natulala siya dahil sa loob noon ay complete set ng ibat ibang undies at brassier. He had skirt, tops with different variety, dresses whether formal or casual.
"Palagi ba siyang may inuuwing babae rito?"
"Ikaw palang ang babaeng nakakapasok dito."
Halos mabitawan niya ang pulang blouse na hawak niya sa gulat. Paglingon niya rito ay nakasandal ito sa frame ng pinto habang nakahalukipkip. Paano siya magbibihis ngayon? O baka sinusubukan siya nito?
She composed herself and took one white maxi dress. "Parehas kami ng taste ng may-ari nito." Binuksan niya ang drawer para kumuha ng panty at bra. Magbibihis siya sa harap nito, tutal sanay siyang magbihis ng mabilis sa backstage. Walang kaibahan dito.
Wala itong sinabi. He just stayed there and watched her silently. When the lace of the bathrobe fell down on the floor he stood up. "Hihintayin kita sa labas. Sabay na tayo kumain," sabi nito bago siya iniwan doon.
Napabuga siya ng hangin. "What's his name?"
Pagkatapos niyang magbihis ay tinuyo niya ang buhok sa loob ng washroom. May blower siyang nakita roon kanina. Ayaw naman niyang magmukhang magulo sa harap nito. Samantalang ang lalaki ay ang bangu-bango at linis tingnan sa suot nitong puting t-shirt at maong short.
Naabutan niya itong nililinis ang skateboard habang nakasalampak sa carpet. Ang likod ay nakaharap sa kanya. His broad shoulder sketch on his white shirt when he lifted the board and blew the dirt. He may be felt her presence, he looked at her from his shoulder.
"You're done?"
"Oo. Pasensiya na sa paghihintay. Sana nauna ka na." Nilagpasan niya ito upang dumiretso sa hinanda nito. Sa kanyang pag-upo ay saka ito tumayo.
"Saan ka after nito?" tanong nito, dumampot ng loaf bread at inipit sa bibig.
"I have flight later. Pupunta ako sa Purungaya Island." She cleared her throat. Bakit ba siya ngapapaliwanag? Taas noo niyang hinalo ang tinimplang kape. Patay malisya sa totoong nararamdamang kahihiyan para sa sarili.
"What time?"
Nabitin ang paghigop niya. "Ha?" She watched him took one more bread and ate it whole. Ang laki nang pagnguya nito.
"Sasama ako. Anong oras?" He looked at her innocently.
"One in the afternoon."
He nodded, extending his arms to take his phone. He swiped the screen and dialed someone. It's in loudspeaker while waiting he picked up his protein shake.
"Good morning, Mr. Cristobal," a woman on the other line answered.
"Good morning, Ms. Arroyo. Can you arrange for me a private jet later one in the afternoon? I'm here in the Twin Tower."
She frowned. She was about to cut him off but he raised his pointing finger to stop her.
"Right away, Sir."
"Thanks."
The call ended. He drank the whole juice while his eyes drifted on her dress. A glint of satisfaction drew on his eyes.
"It's a private Island. I am not even sure if you are allowed there."
"Mahilig ka ba sa mga ganyang damit?"
Kumunot lalo ang noo niya. Naiinis na siya dahil sa padalos-dalos na desisyon nito na para bang pag-aari siya nito. Hindi siya nito kilala. Hindi sila magkakilala, tanging ang ideyang kaibigan silang parehas ni Malik.
Tumayo siya. "Gusto ko lang ipaalala sa'yo na hindi tayo magkakilala, kaya sana alam mo ang hangganan mo."
He looked up at her with undefeated guts. "Who wouldn't recognize the reigning queen of modeling industry? Jessica Smith." He stood up and looked at the view as if everything that his eyes could see is his property. An arrogant billionaire who can buy anything and no one can turn him down. "I like you," he mumbled before he glanced at her.
A deafening silence stretched between them. The scorching sunshine battered down on his frame, his tan complexion glistened and it irritated her eyes. She blinked many times, not sure if she heard it correctly.
This man likes me? That's normal, everyone likes Jessica Smith because he is a famous model.
"Gusto kitang ligawan, Jessica. Papayagan mo ba ako?"
Gusto niyang matawa, pero nanatili siyang seryoso at hindi papaapekto sa birong pinawalan nito. They just had sultry moments, then wants to court her? Why just now if he likes her? He should do it before last night.
She looked away, unable to respond.
"Silence means yes." Sumilip ito sa suot na relo sa bisig. "It's ten in the morning sweet heart. You still had two hours to prepare."
She was caught on guard. Instead of opening an argument with him she stood up and walked through his picture gallery. She knew that he is following her, and thank goodness that she could remember where his elevator VIP landing is.
She barely spoke with him, only if he would ask the way. When they reach the foot of the building, she asked him to wait there. Jyra offered to her the unit on the Nightingale Palace but she refused. Mag-isa lang naman siya at maayos ang tinutuluyan niya. Actually, it's a five-star hotel too but not as finest as NP and Twin Tower. As soon as she stepped into her crib, she rummaged her luggage with few clothes. Multitasking, while doing that she dialed her coordinator to inform that she's with a friend later.
"Just be safe, Jessica."
"I will, thank you."
Naantala ang pagsara niya ng maleta ng tumawag si Jyra.
"Aqui is enjoying the beach. She had lots of selfies on her leopard bikini."
Tumawa siya. Naiisip kasi niya ang itsura ng bata. Kung kasama siguro siya ay baka puno na naman ang Instagram niya ng selfie nila nito. Napag-akalaan tuloy ng ibang followers niya na may anak na siya.
"Hello, Ninang Ganda. Did you see me? I'm like, mommy." Aquishia gave the phone with her mother and modeled her new pair of swimsuit. Malik fixed the top of his daughter as if Aquishia had boobs that boys would swoon.
"Paano kapag lumaki si Aquishia? Hindi naman puwedeng laging binabantayan ni Malik," she commented.
Naiiling si Jyra. "I don't know, Jess. You know him. He is our strict bodyguard." Malik appeared on the screen, he kissed her wife on the head. "Are you preparing now for your travel later?"
"Yes, sis." Gusto niya sanang ikuwento ang nangyari sa kanya kagabi, pero tinikom niya nalang ang bibig. "Tinanghali ako ng gising. Sige na, enjoy nalang kayo riyan. Call you back later."
Aquishia sat on her mother's lap. "Bye, Ninang Ganda. I love you!"
She smiled. "I love you too, Little Munchkin. Huwag mong kalimutan ang pasalubong ko."
Nang mamatay ang tawag ay nagmadali siya sa pag-aayos. She added make-up with her bare face. She even curled the end of her long blonde hair. And when she was set and riding the elevator, she suddenly realized what she is doing. Hindi ako nagpapaganda sa kanya, ano!
Pagkabukas ng pinto ay hinila agad niya ang kanyang maliit na bagahe. Liliko sana siya dahil sa gawin doon ang natatandaan niyang nakaparada ang sasakyan ng lalaki. But a bright light hit her that she needed to cover her eyes from the intense. She heard a door slammed closed and the moment she watched through her fingers who could that be, she was taken aback with her suitor's unspoken description. From his sleek and arrogant luxury car, he walked haughtily as if he owned the road, a GQ model surely ashamed with his cockiness and appeal. She can dropped all the amazing words to describe him but there's no way she would say it. Until now she only knew his name as Cristobal. That's all.
An amused grin plastered on his face when he took the suitcase in her hand. Hindi na siya nagreklamo dahil mukhang nagpapa-impress din ang isang ito sa kanya.
What about his things? She shrugged her shoulder and began to scroll her Instagram. Lately, she refrain on updating it. Mula ng i-follow siya ng isa sa hunky Hollywood actor ay naging kabado siya. Pinagsabihan din siya ng coordinator at ng kanyang Auntie tungkol sa comment ng kanyang kapatid sa isang picture niya.
BlaireSmith: Your butt is all over your profile.
It's simple but there is a major impact on her side. She felt humiliated. She has been in the modeling industry for almost four years, for any common model eye she's very high and adoring but in her sister's eye, she's a totally disgusting and low-quality woman. Hindi niya masisisi ito. Kumpara sa narating ng kapatid niya na sumusunod sa yapak ng kanyang ina, walang-wala siya.
She heaved a sigh.
Lumingon sa kanya ang lalaki. "You forgot something?"
"Wala. Pumayag nap ala ang coordinator ko sa outsider."
Hindi siya nag-react. Pero ang kamay nito ay humigpit ang hawak sa manibela. They parked inside the basement and headed through the other way and ride the normal elevator.
Nakilala siya ng isa sa naka-black suit na lalaki. Kahit hindi siya kinausap ay aware siyang kinukuhaan ng picture nito. Sakto namang umabante ang kasama niya upang harangin ang lalaki. Nang mapag-isa sila ay saka siya hinarap nito. He put some of her hair in front then his serious face focus on the door of the elevator.
What was that? They reached the top floor. Inakyat nila ang hagdan at nakalabas sa helipad deck. Naabutan nila roon ang private jet at tatlong lalaking naka-suit at isang babae.
The woman immediately walked closer and greeted them. One of the men took her luggage while they entered the cabin. It's private so she couldn't expect more. One thing she would confirm was that her suitor is not a normal person. Walang duda rin dahil si Malik ay sikat na Engineer. She knew him as one of the top bachelors as Bausch Men's Magazine compiled and this man...
Lumapit ang babae upang mag-serve ng wine rito. They're talking French, she may not understand their topic but a naughty smile on the lips of the woman kind of irritates her. Her eyes found linger on the woman's uniform. Bakit hindi nalang siya mag-panty? Ang ikli!
"Drinks, ma'am?" baling sa kanya ng Cabin Crew.
"Orange juice," sagot niya.
Ngumiti sa kanya ito bago tumalikod at umalis.
"Ilang araw tayo sa Purungaya?"
Tayo? "I think two days," she said, hesitant to spill that she will extend because she heard that Purungaya had huge waves. She missed surfing so. She looked away to glance at the woman to receive her orange juice. "Thanks."
It's just forty minutes ride. Malayo palang ay nakikita niya na ang tila tuldok na isla. Para siyang batang nakakita ng lobo nang tumayo upang kuhaan ng picture iyon. The white sand is swirling around. The water even vibrated from the sound and impact of wind. She had that excited smile on her face as they landed on a landscape area.
Her coordinator, the Project Manager, and another man welcomed them.
"Ang cool ng entrance mo, Jess," her coordinator said.
Hindi siya nag-react, nakita niya kasi sa may kalayuan ang makakasama sa shoot na halos puro foreigner at tatlong hindi kilalang modelo.
"Paulite, what makes you visit my Island?"
Napaikot siya sa lalaking tumawag sa kasama niya. His name is Paulite? Paulite Cristobal?
Paulite took the hand of the man and shook it. Wala itong sinabi, pero noong tumingin sa kanya ay tumango lamang ang lalaki at tumawa. May sinabi itong hindi niya na narinig dahil hinila na siya palayo rito. Sumusunod naman sa kanila ang isa sa mga naka-black suit habang bitbit ang kanyang suitcase.
Hinatid siya sa kanyang pribadong kuwarto sa malapit na Hotel. Ang daming sinabi ng coordinator niya pero wala siyang naintindihan. Mula kasi sa bintana ay tanaw niya si Paulite na naroon pa rin sa landing area at kausap ang may-ari ng Isla.
I think I heard his name somewhere but I don't remember when.
Tumaas ang kilay niya ng isa sa tatlong Filipina na makakasama niya sa shoot bukas ay sumali sa dalawang lalaki. At ang nakakainis pa ay mas dumidikit ang babae kay Paulite, samantalang guwapo rin 'yung may-ari.
"Nakuha mo ba, Jess?"
"Miya, sino 'yung tatlong babaeng makakasama ko bukas?"
Lumapit ito upang sumilip sa bintana. "Suzanne. Iyong dalawa ay hindi ko kilala. Hindi ba't gusto mong mag-surfing sa third day? Good news, may competition daw."
Hinawakan noong Suzanne ang braso ni Paulite matapos ay tumawa. Kahit hindi tumawa si Paulite ay hindi niya maiwasang mairita sa lalaki. "Sasali ako," sagot niya.
"Sige. Sa'yo ako pupusta. Napanood na kita one time sa North Gate. Ang galing mo."
Umiwas na siya ng tingin ng umalis si Paulite pero sinusundan ito noong Suzanne.
"Tara sa labas. I-tour mo ako."
"Tara. Teka... ganyan ang suot mo?"
She frowned. "Bakit bawal ba ang dress sa labas?"
"Hindi naman." Hinampas siya nito sa balikat habang tumatawa. "Maganda kasi ang alon sa labas. Baka gusto mo lang mag-ensayo."
Napapitik siya sa kawalan. "Gusto ko 'yang ideya mo."
Nagsuot siya ng one piece na pinatungan niya lang ng dress na kaninang suot niya. Si Miya naman ay nagsabing naka-one piece rin sa loob ng suot nitong t-shirt at pantalon. They were talking about the theme tomorrow, until they reached the shore. Kinausap siya saglit ng Branded Coordinator, Project Manager, at head Cameraman bago nakadiretso sa beach front.
"Ang ganda nga ng alon dito," turan niya habang minamasdan ang kahabaan ng dalampasigan at asul na karagatan.
"Shit! Gusto ko rin mag-swimming kaso kailangan ako sa loob."
"Stay half an hour, Miya. Five pa naman ang call time raw." She knew that Miya is hungry for the beach too, but they aren't here to leisure especially with Miya.
"Papanoorin nalang kita at kukuhanan ng picture."
"Sure!" She's about to lift her dress until someone faked a cough from behind. Sabay nilang binalingan iyon. She remained straight face while Miya slightly jumped from this striking God of temptation's appearance.
"I guessed you needed this surfing board," sabi ni Paulite. Mayabang na iniwan ang isa sa bitbit na surfing board sa gilid niya, kumindat muna kay Miya bago sila nilagpasan.
"Shit! Ang guwapo niya. Tingnan mo ang katawan, Jess."
Nakikita ko nga Miya. From the side of her eyes, she saw Suzanne together with her minions run on the shore with a surfing board on their arms. Mukhang hindi matatahimik ang pag-eensayo ko.
*** Your votes are highly appreciated. Thanks for reading. To be continued.
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