02
"So, what happened at the party?"
Bumaling ako kay Jelly na nakatingin sa akin habang ang mga kamay ay inaayos naman ang mga papel na pinirmahan ko kani-kanina lang.
"Why... are you asking?"
Medyo kinabahan ako dahil baka mamaya ay may kumalat na pala na balita tungkol sa nangyari. Baka mamaya ay may nabalitaan si Jelly.
Natawa siya ng maliit.
"Usually kasi every after party na pinupuntahan mo, nagra-rant ka sa akin kasi ayaw mo naman talagang magpunta roon, e. You're releasing your stress. Napipilitan ka lang naman kasi dahil sa dad mo at sa uncle mo. Pero hindi mo gusto na nandoon ka," sagot niya at inilapag pa ng maayos na ang nakasalansan na papel bago muling tumingin sa akin.
Pinagmamasdan ko siya, kinakabahan pa rin dahil baka talaga may nabalitaan siya.
Lalo pa at hindi ko kinakausap si Cyrus.
"Itong huling party, the Senate President's party, ni wala kang sinasabi na kahit ano. So, ano ba ang nangyari? Nag-enjoy ka?"
I didn't answer right away. Tinitimbang ko pa rin ang reaksiyon niya dahil baka hinuhuli lang niya ako?
Pero hindi naman niya ugali ang ganoon.
Kung may nalaman man siya, sasabihin niya kaagad sa akin iyon at hindi niya ililihim.
Besides, hindi naman ako celebrity para ma-issue o maibalita. Mas si Nate pa nga ang naibabalita dahil anak siya ng dating presidente at ng ngayon ay bise presidente.
Pinsan niya lang naman ako. Walang may pakialam sa akin kung tutuusin.
"Ano na? Hindi ka na kumibo d'yan," untag niya.
Mukha namang wala nga siyang alam.
Kinagat ko ang labi habang humihinga ng malalim at iniisip ang nangyari sa party na iyon.
If she's asking whether I enjoyed the party—definitely not. How could I, when I ended up going home with my dress ruined because of that asshole, Cyrus? I had to wear that snobby stranger's coat just to cover myself while driving home.
And if she's asking what actually happened... Well, Cyrus happened. He tried to touch me. And then that guy came... and saved me.
"So? What happened?" tinapik pa ni Jelly ang lamesa para muling kunin ang atensiyon ko.
I heaved a sigh and shook my head.
Ayoko na lang din na sabihin sa kaniya ang nangyari sa gabing iyon.
Ayokong pag-usapan ang ginawa ng gagong Cyrus na iyon.
He kept calling me, asking if we could talk.
I didn't answer, but I hadn't blocked him either—mostly because I still didn't know how to handle this without the truth getting out.
I mean, he has no right to tell anyone what happened. He's the one who harassed me, the one who tried to touch me. But... he could twist the story, change the narrative, and make it seem like I seduced him.
Kapal ng mukha.
"Nothing happened..." sabi ko na lang at sumandal sa upuan ko habang nakatingin kay Jelly.
Mukhang hindi siya naniniwala base sa pagkakakunot ng noo niya.
"I just didn't say anything about it since it's just the same as the previous parties I attended. Almost everyone was flashing their designer bags, expensive gowns, jewelry, and they kept talking about politics, too."
Natawa na lang din si Jelly at tumango nang inartehan ko pa na para bang talagang walang kuwenta para sa akin ang party na iyon.
"Mukhang dahil doon ay maaga kang umuwi, ah?"
Ako naman ang tumango. Ni hindi ko na natapos ang party at hindi ko na rin muling nakausap sina Nate dahil sa pagmamadali na umalis sa party.
Dad even asked me why I didn't introduce my date to him that night.
Paano kong ipapakilala kung binastos ako ng lalaking iyon?
"Yeah..." sabi ko na kang bago pinuno ng hangin ang dibdib.
Bandang hapon nang umalis na rin ako ng opisina at nagpunta sa gym.
Wala sa plano ko ito pero naisipan ko lang na magpunta roon. Iniisip ko na baka makita ko ang lalaki.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang sasabihin ko sa kaniya kung sakaling nandoon siya, pero... hindi ko rin alam kung bakit parang gusto ko siyang makita.
Dalawang beses na kaming nagkita pero hindi ko pa rin alam ang pangalan niya.
Pagdating sa gym ay lumilinga-linga na kaagad ako. May mga tao na roon pero wala ang lalaki.
Inilagay ko na rin ang gamit ko sa may locker at dala ang tumbler ko at ang telepono, naglakad ako pabalik sa gym at luminga-linga.
He's not here?
Tumingin pa ako sa treadmill pero wala ang lalaki roon. May mga tumatakbo pero hindi siya. Unang tingin pa lang sa mga lalaking iyon, alam kong hindi siya isa sa mga iyon.
"Hi, Sue! Long time no see!"
I looked at Evan who walked towards me. Isa ito sa mga coach doon.
"Hi..." I greeted him back. "Yeah, I got busy with work."
"Oh, that explains your absence," he chuckled.
I nodded and looked around again.
Wala ba talaga siya rito?
"You're looking for something? May mga bakanteng equipment doon. Gusto mong i-reserve ko na sa'yo?" alok niya.
Mabilis akong umiling.
"No, no. I am fine. I am good..." sagot ko.
I wondered if I should ask Evan about that guy. But if I did, how would I even phrase it?
Should I ask if he's seen a man who looks like a total snob—someone with black, oddly expressive eyes, a sharp nose, a defined jawline, and thick brows that framed his gaze just right? And, of course, biceps that were way too damn good to forget?
I am pretty sure he will be able to help me if I know that guy's name.
The problem is... I don't know his name.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I will just go and stretch."
Naglakad na ako papunta sa may bakanteng space para makapag-stretching habang hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na luminga-linga.
Maybe he's no longer coming here?
Baka nagpunta lang siya rito noon kasi kailangan niyang mag-gym pero hindi naman talaga siya rito nag-gi-gym.
What the hell am I doing?
Napailing ako bago pinuno ng hangin ang dibdib at pinili na lang na mag-focus sa pagwo-work out kaysa naman isipin ko ang lalaking iyon.
Hindi naman na siguro magtatama ang landas naming dalawa.
Pagkatapos ko sa gym ay umuwi na rin ako at naligo na rin. Habang nakasuot ng roba at naghahanap ng maisusuot, nakita ko ang coat na nakasabit doon.
Napalaba ko na iyon kaya naroon ito sa may closet ko. Hindi ko naman alam kung saan ko ba ito ibabalik... o kung maibabalik ko pa ba ito sa lakaking iyon.
Tunog ng telepono ko ang muling pumukaw sa atensiyon ko. Naglakad ako papunta sa mesa kung nasaan ang telepono ko at dinampot iyon.
Pangalan ni Cyrus ang nasa screen.
I groaned.
I filled my lungs with air before I answered his call.
"Finally," a relief was palpable in his voice when I accepted the call.
"What is it that you want?" I asked, coldly.
"Babe, look. I am sorry..." aniya.
I rolled my eyes as I sat on the bed.
"You just happened to be so desirable that night. I couldn't stop myself from wanting you right there and then."
I scoffed.
Parang ako pa pala ang may kasalanan ngayon?
"I—"
"And that asshole," tuloy na sabi ni Cyrus. "My arm is casted now because of him! Dapat ay sinaway mo rin iyon, e."
Napailing ako, hindi makapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ng lalaking ito.
"Tumawag ka lang ba para sisihin ako sa mga nangyari noong gabing iyon?" hindi ko itinago ang iritasyon sa tinig.
"No, babe. It's just—"
"First of all, it's not my fault that you couldn't keep your dick calm. Second, why would I stop him if you deserved what happened? Kulang pa nga, e. Dapat pinilayan ka na lang niya ng tuluyan," putol ko sa gusto niyang sabihin.
"What are you—"
"And stop fucking calling me okay? I am breaking up with you, and don't even try to spread any malicious rumors about me or my family. Or I will ask Nate to deal with you."
Binaba ko na ang tawag at inilapag ang telepono sa may kama ko at huminga ng malalim.
Ang kapal ng mukha niya na sisihin ako sa bagay na siya ang may kasalanan.
I just shook my head before getting up to find something to wear.
I was single again—I could do whatever I wanted.
I picked a mini black dress that hugged my body just right. It was a handspan above the knee, showing off just the right amount of leg. The tube-style cut left my shoulders bare, dipping low enough to tease the curve of my chest.
Ikinulot ko lang ng bahagya ang dulo ng buhok at naglagay ng makeup bago naglagay ng alahas at nagpabango na.
"Where are you going?"
Nakasalubong ko pa si Daddy sa may hagdan nang pababa ako. Good thing was I wore a denim jacket that covered my bare shoulders at the moment.
"Out."
Nagsalubong ang kilay niya habang nakatingin sa akin.
"Relax, Dad. Sa bar lang ako. Wala namang birthday party kaya hindi ako iinom ng sobra. I will be home later, and you don't have to wait for me. Malalaman mo naman sa guards kung ano'ng oras na akong makakauwi, e."
Nagtuloy na ako sa pagbaba ng hagdan.
"Make sure that you will be careful, Sue. You don't know what they can do to use against your uncle."
"Dad, you don't have to worry about me, okay? Unless you're also planning to run for any position in politics? Kaya ayaw mong madungisan ko ang pangalan natin."
He shook his head.
"Good. Then, don't worry. Wala naman akong gagawin na kung ano. I will just go out and have fun."
Tumuloy na ako sa paglabas papunta sa sasakyan ko at nagmaneho papunta sa may Blue's Haven.
Minsan na akong dinala roon ni Nate at sinabi niya na pagmamay-ari iyon ng kaibigan nila Alec.
Maganda naman ang lugar at gusto ko lang naman din na uminom, and maybe have a little fun tonight.
After I parked the car, I headed straight inside.
The loud music welcomed me inside the bar. Hindi naman nakakairita ang lakas nito, sapat lang para mabuhay ang loob ng bar habang may mga nakaupo, kumakain, umiinom at may mga nagsasayawan sa malaking espasyo na naroon.
Kanina ko pa iniisip kung tatawagan ko ba sina Anika para ayain pero hindi ko na lang ginawa. She's probably busy right now so I have decided not to call her.
I headed straight to the first vacant table I spotted, ordered some finger food and drinks, and leaned back, watching as people moved to the rhythm of the music pulsing through the bar.
Inalis ko na rin ang jacket na kanina ay suot ko at inilapag iyon sa may gilid.
"Sue?"
Napalingon ako nang may tumawag sa akin. Isa sa mga kaibigan ni Anika na nakilala ko na lang din dahil sa babae.
"Oh, my gosh! Sue Dajero!" She smiled widely at me.
Napangiti na lang din ako sa babae. Wala namang dahilan para hindi ko ito pansinin o ngitian pabalik.
"Hi, Ivy!"
"Are you with someone?" sinulyapan pa nito ang lamesa ko bago sumulyap sa akin.
"Uh, no. I am actually alone," sabi ko sa kaniya.
"Really? Cyrus let you go here looking like that?" pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin, bakas ang paghanga sa mga mata niya.
I chuckled. "He doesn't know that I am here. I broke up with him," I shrugged.
"Oh. I am so sorry to hear that, Sue."
I stopped myself from chuckling. Alam ko naman na pinag-uusapan ako ng mga ito sa likod ko kung paanong mabilis akong magpalit ng boyfriend kaya alam ko na hindi naman talaga siya nalungkot sa sinabi ko.
"Don't be, dear," I smiled sweetly. "Kaya nga ako nandito, e. To have some fun and meet new guys."
Ivy laughed and nodded. "Well, yeah. Of course! Sa gandang mong iyan, sigurado akong may mahahanap ka agad."
Yes, I dated men, and I am also the first to break up with them and dump them like a hot potato.
Pinagtatakhan nga ni Jelly na mabuti raw ay hindi naman ako masiyadong nababalita dahil siguradong kasiraan iyon sa akin.
Well, I just need to be present during campaign periods and things that need our presence.
I don't think some press will waste their time spying on me.
Isa pa, hindi ko naman inilalabas sa publiko ang personal na relasyon ko. I don't think I should share everything with people I don't even know in the first place.
Marami naman din ang mga anak o kamag-anak ng mga dating presidente na namuhay ng hindi sila pinakikialaman ng press.
I knew Dad was just worried. Of course, he wanted to stay on the VP's good side. Mom was Uncle's sister, and if he wanted to, he could easily cut us off.
Daddy wouldn't have the bragging rights of being the vice president's brother-in-law anymore.
Ivy hooked her arm around mine and led me toward her group. A while ago, I was alone—now, I was suddenly part of a crowd.
We started to drink, talk and dance.
Ilan sa mga ito ay nagmomodelo rito sa Pilipinas.
"Let's dance," aya sa akin ni Harris—isa sa mga kasama ni Ivy.
I laughed softly and nodded my head.
Inisip ko na lang na naroon naman ako para magsaya, bakit naman ako tatanggi sa kaniya.
He held my hand and dragged me towards the dance floor.
We started dancing, I was swaying my hips as our bodies were getting closer.
His hands were on my waist, guiding my movements.
I smiled and faced him, and then I wrapped my arms around his neck and started dancing with him.
I turned my head the moment I felt it—that unmistakable sensation of being watched.
It was intense, lingering, as if someone's gaze had been fixed on me for a while. I could feel it even from inside the bar, piercing through the crowd, searching... or maybe waiting.
"Is everything okay?" Harris asked me.
I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, I will just go to the restroom," I told him before excusing myself.
Dumiretso ako sa banyo at naghugas ng kamay habang iniisip ang naramdaman kong iyon.
I could be wrong, though.
Umiling ako at inayos na lang ang buhok bago naglakad papalabas. Imbes na magpunta sa mga kasama ko, dumiretso na lang ako sa counter para mag-order na lang ng juice.
Ayoko naman din na uminom nang uminom dahil magmamaneho pa ako.
Sesermunan na naman ako ni Dad kinabukasan kapag nalasing ako.
I sat on a vacant stool as I asked the bartender for a juice.
May nakaupo roon sa kanan ko na lalaking nakasuot ng T-shirt na itim at hindi ko napigilan na pagmasdan ito at ganoon na lang ang pagsinghap ko nang makilala ito.
It's him!
"You're here..." usal ko at nilingon niya ako.
Bahagyang nangunot ang noo niya na parang inaalala kung sino ako.
Gusto kong taasan ng kilay ang lalaki.
"Yeah, I am here," he nodded before sipping on his glass.
Kanina ay naramdaman kong may nakatingin sa akin. Was it because of him?
Tumingin pa ako sa gawi ng dance floor at kitang-kita iyon mula rito sa puwesto ng lalaki.
"That's a new guy. Did you dump the lame one?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I looked at him and smirked.
"You followed me here, didn't you?" I asked instead of answering him.
Muli siyang napalingon sa akin.
"What?" Nagsalubong ang makapal na kilay niya habang nakatingin sa akin.
"Don't even try to deny it. You followed me here. Ano, inutusan ka ba ng dad ko?" I even leaned closer to him.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really?" hindi ako naniniwala. "You broke my boyfriend's arm, you were there when no one else was. I think you're following me."
He chuckled.
And damn. Even the way he chuckled sounded so... good.
It was low, rich, and effortlessly smooth—sexy in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
"You should be thankful. I saved you from him, remember?"
"I didn't ask for your help," hindi nagpapatalo na sagot ko kahit alam ko na tama naman siya.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit ba hindi ko na lang siya iwan dito at bumalik sa mga kasama ko. Parang may puwersa na nagsasabi sa akin na manatili at makipagtalo rito sa mga walang kuwentang bagay.
"You didn't. But you're pushing him away. Nakalimutan mo na?"
"What if he's telling the truth that I just wanted it rough that's why I was playing hard to get?" I tilted my head and watched his eyes flickered with something dark.
My heart was beating erratically right now.
I could feel my blood pumping in my veins, heat starting to spread through my body.
I swallowed as I felt myself getting... wet.
What the hell?
His gaze turns me on?
He looked at me for a moment before letting out a quiet chuckle. "Then I should apologize. You weren't able to do what you wanted because of my intrusion."
"Yeah? So what are you going to do about that?" I challenged, tilting my head slightly. "Magso-sorry ka lang?"
And damn it—I wanted to slap a hand over my mouth. Why did I keep talking like I was daring him? Like I actually wanted to see how far he'd take this?
"What do you want me to do? Touch you?" may himig na pagtawa ang tinig nito na para bang kalokohan ang bagay na iyon.
"Why not? Again, it was your fault..." matapang na saad ko na para bang talagang hinahamon ko siya.
What the fuck! I should stop talking, seriously!
Napasulyap siya sa akin, pinagmasdan ang mga mata ko na para bang inaalam kung seryoso ako.
I gritted my teeth as I summoned the courage I have left right now.
"But if you don't want to, it's okay. I will just look for someone who will touch me and—"
He smirked a little before finishing the brandy on his glass. Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa paglingon niya sa akin.
Pakiramdam ko ay nag-init ang magkabilang pisngi ko sa paraan ng pagtingin niya.
I watched his chest rise and fall, and I almost gasped when he moved and felt his hand on my thigh.
Oh, shit.
I tried to steady my breathing.
"You want me to do something about it? Dahil nabitin ka?" he asked, his hand casually squeezing my thigh.
My fingers curled into a fist as I felt the heat of his palm seeping through my skin, steady and deliberate.
"It was... your fault," I murmured, my breath hitching slightly. "So it's only right that you... do something about it."
Ngumisi siya ng maliit at umusog palapit sa akin habang ang kamay ay unti-unting gumagapang paakyat... papunta sa may pagitan ng mga hita ko.
He leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming, and that scent—God, that scent—wrapped around me like a temptation I couldn't escape.
It was rich, masculine... undeniably sexy. Intoxicating in a way that made my head spin.
I sucked in a breath as his fingers traced over the silk of my underwear, the slightest touch sending a shiver up my spine.
A soft, unbidden sound escaped my lips, betraying the way my body reacted to him—his touch, his presence, the slow, deliberate way he moved.
He looked at me and cocked his head slightly, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips—teasing, almost challenging.
"Fuck, you're already wet," he groaned, and then he smirked.
***
This story is complete and available on Patreon, VIP Group and Spaces.
Send a message to my FB page: Vampiremims to join.
Thank you!
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: ZingTruyen.Xyz