"Majesty!"
Her eyes flew on the woman who entered the moving door. She smiled as she stood up to meet Charlie half-way through the stairwells. Her eyes were telling her an incoming bad news.
"You look pale," puna niya rito.
"My dad is in a serious condition. I need to go with him in America for his extensive treatment. I'm sorry, Sky. I'm just scared to lose him without staying on his side. You understand me, right?"
Ang takot na nakikita niya sa mata ng kanyang kaibigan ay pamilyar sa kanya. Paano ba siya tatanggi. Walang dahilan para ipagkait niya rito ang karapatan nitong makasama ang mapagmahal nitong ama.
"Of course, Charlie. Ano ka ba? Daddy mo iyan. Go!"
Mariin siyang tinitigan nito. Pinagkubli niya ang mga braso at tinaasan ito ng kilay. "Go!"
"While I'm away, I'll keep you posted about Brandon. For now, I got an information that he and his younger brother together with their architect named, Dorothy will join a party next month. They are currently reigning on the construction field all over the Gulf Country. I saw your invitation too. It is a closed party for all under construction field, held by BnG Company. They saw your ideas and I think because of your name they needed you... and it will be tough because that's not your forte. Mrs. Swizz hasn't read it yet but I put it on her high important documents. From Hawaii, he will stay here 'til the party for sure, but I'm not exactly sure if his wife will come or not." Hinawakan siya nito sa mga kamay. "Kung ano man ang binabalak mo. Mag-iingat ka. Pag-isipan mo rin ang sinabi ni Maggy. Denver is a nice guy. He is courting you for how many years. He is definitely in love with you."
"Oo naman. Hindi ba't napag-usapan na natin ito. Gusto ko si Denver. Ganito bago ko katagpuin si Brandon. Isusuko ko na ang sarili ko. Satisfy?"
"Seryoso ako, Sky."
"Seryoso rin ako." Malungkot kayang mahiga sa malaking kama ng mag-isa. Kailangan ko nang pampainit.
The same day, the new secretary gave to her the invitation. Hindi nga nagbibiro si Charlie tungkol doon. Naging parte siya sa designing team ng mansion ng isang sikat na news anchor. Hindi niya inaakalang dahil doon ay mahahatak siya sa mundo ng construction world. Kasalanan ito ni Mr. Swizz.
Buong gabi niyang pinagplanuhan ang mga gagawin. Lalo ang night out nila ni Denver. Aminin man niya o hindi, totoo ang lalaki sa kanya. Walang tawag niya ang pumalya rito. At alam nito ang ilan sa kanyang nakaraan, pighati at pinagdaang pagsubok. Palaging nariyan ang lalaki para tumayong ikatlo niyang paa sa tuwing napipilayan siya.
"Are you free tomorrow night? Nightingale Palace... room fourteen around six. See you, Denvy." She texted him.
Si Denver na ba talaga ang solusyon para lumigaya siya? But her last interaction with Zedrick made her a second thought. She still had a feeling for him but the thought of his brother killed her sister doubted her options. She can't love him. They'll just hurt each other.
Buo na ang desisyon niyang para mamaya. Matututunan niya ring mahalin ang lalaki.
Her morning passed by so quickly. Sa sobrang kaba niya sa gagawin mamaya, nagpahatid nalang siya sa driver. Wearing an apple green bandage skirt, black crop top, and eye-catching stilettos, she elegantly strutted on the Lobby of Nightingale Palace. Her eyes found the extension bar and restaurant on the west wing. Gusto niyang uminom sa gayon ay magkaroon siya ng lakas ng loob. Nagkumpirma muna siya sa Reception bago dumiretso roon.
"One Negroni, please," she asked the flair man.
"Right away, Ma'am."
Her body is tensed, it afflicts on how her fingers tapped the table while looking around. She arrived at exactly six in the evening. Denver is surely in the room by now. Her drink served in less minute. Inisang lagok niya iyon bago umisa pa.
A group of men caught her attention. The bar side is quite darker, she can't see their faces when she followed where they sat. She ignored them and took the newly served glass for a bottoms up.
Pass seven when she finally got up and proceeded to the second reserved room. Naghubad siya ng damit at iniwan ang thong sa loob ng kanyang suot na roba. Lumabas siya sa kuwarto sa ganoong kasuotan. She swiped her duplicate key card on the sensor and entered the room fourteen like a thief.
Bukas ang pinto ng kuwarto. Ang dim na liwanag ang nagpadali sa kanyang mahanap iyon dahil nakapatay ang ilaw. Kinagat niya ang kanyang ibabang labi. She found the whole scene as wild and hot move. Hindi niya aakalaing ganito pala ang gusto ng lalaki.
She saw him standing behind the swaying thin curtains. His naked back was facing her, showing his tight and flexed shoulder that was resting on the railing. Oh my god! Usal niya sa isip nang hawiin ang kurtina. His lower body was only covered by a white towel. Obviously, naked and ready for her. Her eyes lingered on his tempting massive back frame. Hindi niya aakalaing ganito pala ang katawan ni Denver sa likod ng three piece suit.
Her footstep made his body straightened and glanced at her.
"Denvy-" Natigalgal siya nang masino ang lalaking nasa harapan niya. "What are you doing here?"