Simula
"Coffee, please."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, leaning back against my seat as I closed my eyes. A dull, relentless throb pounded in my temples, the aftermath of last night's drinks catching up to me. My body felt heavy, sluggish, as if I had been drained of all energy, and the mere thought of moving made me groan internally.
All I wanted was to bury myself under the covers and sleep the entire day away.
But I couldn't.
Kahit na ramdam ko pa rin ang epekto ng alak, kailangan kong bumangon, mag-almusal, at harapin ang araw na ito—kahit pa parang umiikot ang buong mundo sa paningin ko. My stomach churned, my throat dry, and the faint aroma of coffee in the air was the only thing keeping me from surrendering to exhaustion.
"Where were you last night?"
Dadagdag pa talaga siya.
I removed my hand from my face and smiled at my father. Alam ko na agad na kung sisimangutan ko siya dahil masama ang pakiramdam ko, ibabalik lang niya sa akin ang sisi kaya mas pinili ko na lang na huwag na ring gumawa ng gulo.
Besides, it's morning–ish.
Ayoko rin na simulan ang araw na nakikipagbangayan kay Daddy.
"Bar, Dad. We celebrated Anika's birthday," sagot ko rito at buti na lang ay dumating na ang kasambahay namin na may dalang kape.
The aroma of the coffee magically helped me calm down.
"Until six in the morning?"
I wanted to groan.
Siyempre ay hindi naman na talaga maaga.
It's actually one o'clock in the afternoon. Kagigising ko lang at nagising lang din ako sa tawag sa akin ng marketing manager ko kaya nagising ako dahil kailangan nito ng approval ko para sa mga bagong ilalabas namin na makeup sa market.
"The guard told me you went home at six o'clock, Sue. And you're drunk! Nagmaneho ka ng nakainom."
Naupo na rin si Daddy habang nakatingin sa akin, kunot ang noo nito na para bang nangungunsumi sa akin.
Gusto ko na magtanong sa kaniya kung ano ba ang ginagawa niya at narito pa siya pero pinigilan ko na lang ang sarili ko, sa halip ay sumagot na lang ako base sa sinabi niya.
"Yeah, but I am fine, I am not that drunk. Besides, I had coffee before I went home," I shrugged and put food on my plate.
Magkahalo na ang almusal at tanghalian na nakahain sa mesa dahil hindi raw sigurado ang kasambahay namin kung gusto ko bang mag-almusal o magtanghalian.
"You know that you can't keep on doing that. You can't be reckless!"
I breathed heavily and looked at him, I held the utensils tight.
Hindi lang naman ito ang unang beses na sinisimulan ni Daddy ng sermon ang araw ko.
This is exactly why I want to move out and live on my own, but I'm not sure if I can handle it.
I have no idea how to cook or do household chores.
If I move out now, I'd be relying on takeout, laundromats, and weekly cleaning services.
Bringing a maid isn't an option either—she could report everything to my father.
That wouldn't feel like freedom at all.
"I didn't do anything wrong, Dad," I replied. "It was Anika's birthday. What do you want us to do? Celebrate at home and have some hotdogs and marshmallows on sticks?"
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
"Of course we will drink, celebrate and have fun," I added and started eating.
He let out a resigned sigh.
"You can celebrate and have fun without being reckless."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," sabi ko na lang para tigilan na niya ako ag nagsimulang kumain.
"If your mom is here—"
"Don't even go there..." nag-angat akong muli ng tingin kay Daddy. "Don't even try to talk about her."
My voice became firm and sharper.
Dad looked at me, his jaw tightened.
"Sue—"
I sighed and pushed my plate a little. "I lost my appetite. I'll go back to my room now," diretso na akong tumayo at iniwan si Daddy sa may dining room.
I hate it when he starts talking about my mother.
Wala akong pakialam kung sinesermunan niya ako sa mga ginagawa ko o palagi niyang ipapaalala sa akin na kailangan kong kumilos ng tama, pero kapag binabanggit niya ang tungkol kay Mommy, hindi ko mapigilan na mainis.
I just really hate it!
Pagpasok sa kuwarto ko ay dumiretso na ako sa banyo para maligo.
Bibili na lang ako ng pagkain sa labas bago ako magpunta sa opisina para tignan ang mga bagong labas na products namin at magpunta sa gym sa gabi.
Ang pang-gym na damit ko na ang isinuot ko. Pinatungan ko na lang ng hoodie ang sports bra ko at ang itim na leggings na ang ginamit ko pang-ibaba.
Nagbaon na lang ako ng extra na damit para kung maisipan ko na mag-shower pa muna sa gym mamaya kung sakaling may kailangan pa akong puntahan.
"Ma'am Sue, umalis na po ang daddy niyo."
Tumango lang ako sa kasambahay namin nang utusan ko ito na ilagay sa sasakyan ang gamit ko.
"Pinapatanong po rin ng daddy niyo kung may gusto raw po ba kayong kainin mamayang gabi. Maaga raw kasi siyang makakauwi at magdi-dinner daw po kayo rito."
Sinulyapan ko ang kasambahay namin na agad yumuko.
"Just cook whatever's available," I answered before walking out of our house.
Sinuot ko na rin ang shades ko bago ako sumakay sa sasakyan ko at nagsuot na rin ng seatbelt at nagmaneho papunta sa opisina.
I own a skincare brand—Suesmetics.
We wanted to keep it simple and with a personal touch since it was derived from my name.
Nakikilala na rin naman sa market ngayon ang mga produkto namin at ako pa lang din ang endorser namin.
Alam ko na marami pa akong kailangan na gawin para lumebel sa mga kilalang brands pero masaya na rin ako na may mga tumatangkilik sa produkto ng Suesmetics.
I heard my phone ringing and I saw Nate's name on the screen.
I scoffed and answered the call, putting it on speaker—I had no intention of getting arrested for using my phone while driving.
I wanted to laugh.
Ayokong parahin ako ng pulis dahil gumagamit ako ng telepono habang nagmamaneho pero umuwi ako ng nakainom kaninang umaga.
"What is it? Dad called you and asked you to talk to me?"
"They didn't teach you to greet first when answering a call?"
I smirked.
"Oh, hello, Nate. What is it that you need? Did my father call you and asked you to talk to me again?" I didn't bother to hide the sarcasm in my voice.
"No. I was checking on you."
"Since when did I need checking?" nagsalubong pa ang mga kilay ko. "Don't lie. I know I am right."
"Alright, your dad called me," pag-amin nito.
Napaismid ako.
"He said you got into an argument and he's worried, and he knows that you won't answer his call, so he asked me to check on you."
"And because you're such a nice person, you did what he asked you to do."
"Sue, you're my cousin. Of course, I worry about you, too."
"I am fine, Nate. Don't worry about me, okay? And don't mind what my dad said," sabi ko at nagpaalam na rito at ibinaba ang tawag.
Alam ko naman kung bakit nag-aalala si Daddy. Nate's father—my uncle—is the Vice President. He won the election after running as a Vice President. He finished his term as a President but he ran again and won as VP.
And of course, since he's still in the position, that means the family needs to act accordingly.
We should not make any mistake or anything that would tarnish our names.
Hindi ko naman gamit ang Araneta dahil apelyido ng nanay ko iyon.
Ni hindi nga ako nag-aalala na maki-kidnap ako gaya sa nangyari noon kina Nate dahil wala namang magkakaroon ng motibo na gawin sa akin iyon.
I parked my car at our warehouse and headed straight to the office.
Sunday pero may mga tao roon dahil na rin sa pagdating ng products ngayon.
"Bakit nagpunta ka pa? Puwede naman bukas na lang," sabi ni Jelly sa akin nang makita niya ako.
"I'd rather be here," naupo ako at tinignan ang laman ng box ng mga dumating na products at tignan kung tama lang ang mga iyon.
"Nag-away na naman kayo ng daddy mo?"
Hindi na nakakapagtaka na alam ni Jelly iyon. After all, she's my best friend.
"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it," I replied, dismissing her attempt to make it our topic while checking the products.
"Release mo na ito bukas, sabihan mo ang mga distributors natin na puwede na nilang kunin ang mga ito starting tomorrow," bilin ko kay Jelly.
Inabala ko na lang ang sarili ko hanggang sa mag-alas sais na ng gabi na ng gabi at mag-ring ang telepono ko.
"Hi, babe," bati ni Cyrus sa akin sa kabilang linya.
"Hey," I greeted him back. "You're busy the whole day?" I leaned on my seat while talking to him.
Cyrus and I have been going out, dating, for almost a month now.
"Well, yeah. But I am free now. Do you want to have dinner?"
Sinulyapan kong muli ang relo.
"Yeah, dinner's fine, but I need to hit the gym first."
Ayoko naman na i-skip ang pag-gym ko dahil sa hangover ko kanina at sa dinner date kasama si Cyrus.
"Sounds great. I'll just join you. Hindi pa rin naman ako nakapag-workout ngayon."
I smirked. "Really?"
"Yes, babe. What time will you be there?" he responded.
"I will be there in 30 minutes."
"Alright, I'll see you there, babe," paalam nito at ibinaba na rin ang tawag.
Nag-ayos na rin ako ng gamit para sa pagpunta ko sa gym. Nakasalubong ko pa nga si Jelly na hindi pa rin umuuwi pala.
"Hey, you should go home. Sunday na nga ngayon tapos ginagabi ka pa."
"I am okay," she shook her head. "Ikaw, aalis ka na?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, gym. Magkikita kami ni Cyrus doon."
She scowled. "Iba na naman pala."
I looked at her and chuckled. "I have been dating him for a month now, Jelly. Ano'ng iba na naman pala?"
Pinagkrus pa niya ang kamay sa dibdib na para bang inihahanda ang sarili sa diskusyon.
"Before him, there's Luis, Bradey, Paul, and Ryan. And I am just talking about the past four months, Sue."
"And your point is?"
She groaned. "When are you going to stop breaking up with them just because you're bored and give them a chance to be with you longer than a month?"
I shrugged. "I don't know?"
Napailing na lang ito at mukhang sumuko na sa pinag-uusapan namin at sinabihan na lang ako na mag-ingat.
That talk isn't new.
Hindi lang naman din si Jelly ang nagsabi sa akin ng bagay na iyon. Sinabi pa nga niya na kung sa lalaki ay playboy, ako raw ay ang playgirl dahil na rin sa papalit-palit ng boyfriend.
Kaya wala rin akong maipakilala kay Daddy dahil alam ko na sunod kakailanganin ko ng escort, ibang lalaki na naman ang dala ko.
Dumiretso na ako sa gym para makapag-workout na muna bago mag-dinner.
"Hi, good evening," I greeted the staff and she gave me the key to the locker that I will use.
And since I am the VP's niece, everyone's nice to me. Mas lalo pa nga noong Presidente ang tito ko, e.
Inilagay ko na muna ang bag ko roon bago inalis na rin ang suot na hoodie bago ako lumabas muli.
"Sa treadmill na muna ako," paalam ko at naglakad papunta sa mga hilera ng treadmill na naroon.
Napansin ko ang lalaki na naroon habang tumatakbo sa treadmill.
Pawis na ito, may suot na headphones at mukhang walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa mundo.
He's wearing a dark grey sando, and his muscles are popping—especially those biceps. Damn those cuts.
He's not bulky like a bodybuilder, but he's fit, and every muscle is in the right place.
I can already tell he has abs.
I got on to the machine and started walking, adding pace to it.
Muli akong napasulyap sa lalaki.
Matangos din ang ilong niya na bagay lang din sa mukha niya. I can't get a full view of his face but his side profile looks good. Really good.
I've seen lots of good looking men. I met and dated some, and this man right here, he's mysteriously good looking.
I think this is the first time I saw him here.
I noticed he's slowing down and relaxing his breathing.
"You're new here?" I asked as soon as he removed his earphone.
He faced me and hell... he looks hot.
Sweat rolling over from his forehead to his side, his chest rising and falling...
And his eyes... They were brown. I think he's wearing contact lense right now, but I feel like they're clear, so his eyes are really brown.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice deep.
"I knew it, I am always here and I kind of know all the people here. It's the first time I saw you here," I smiled.
Pinatay ko na rin muna ang treadmill para makausap siya.
"I am Sue, by the way. And you are?" I even offered my hand.
"I am not interested," he replied before getting off the treadmill and walking away.
"What the?" sinundan ko siya ng tingin.
That ass. Por que guwapo ay magsusungit.
Ako na nga ang nagpakilala sa kaniya, e!
Inis na nagsimula na lang akong mag-workout at kalahating oras na ako halos na naroon nang dumating si Cyrus.
"Babe, sorry, I was late..."
I looked at him and just gave him a nod.
Nagpatuloy ako sa pagwo-workout at hindi ko rin mapigilan na masulyapan ang lalaki na nagbubuhat ngayon.
I am stopping myself from asking a staff member of his name to know who he is.
Pero, bakit ko naman kasi gagawin iyon hindi ba?
Maybe because he's rude? Nagpakilala ako, e.
Sabihin ko kaya na pamangkin ako ng Vice President? Baka bigla siyang bumait sa akin.
Baka nga siya pa ang lumapit ng kusa kapag nalaman niya iyon, e.
"Babe, are you going to use that?"
Lumapit sa akin si Cyrus dahil nakaupo ako sa may chest press machine.
"Uh, no, I was just resting," sagot ko naman.
Pero sa halip na sumagot ay lumapit sa akin si Cyrus habang nakangiti.
"You look so hot in your workout clothes, babe," he uttered and his gaze roamed down my body.
His gaze sent chills to me that made me want to cover my body. But of course, I didn't react.
"I am always hot," I replied instead.
He nodded. "Yes, you do, babe."
I looked away and planned to start my workout again.
"Are you still upset that I wasn't able to drive you home? I am sorry. I was also drunk, babe."
Nilingon ko siya at mabilis akong umiling.
"No, it's all good. I was able to go home in one piece."
Yes, it was disappointing, but it's fine. I don't need to make a big deal out of it.
Cyrus smiled as he cocked his head.
"I'll just make it up to you," he said, still smiling.
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko at bago pa man ako makakilos ay lumapit na sa akin si Cyrus at hinalikan ang labi ko.
Para akong nanigas sa kinauupuan at gustong itulak siya pero nakita ko ang lalaking masungit na nakatingin sa gawi ko kaya naman imbes itulak at ikinawit ko pa ang kamay sa leeg ni Cyrus at gumanti ng halik sa lalaki.
His hand was now on my waist, kneading it while he's trying to kiss me deeper.
Ew. He's trying to lick my tongue.
But that snobbish asshole was staring at us and I wanted to make him see who he snubbed earlier!
"If you're gonna fuck, do it somewhere else. This is a gym, not a damn hotel. Some of us are here to workout—not to watch a live porno."
Natulak ko si Cyrus dahil sa tinig na iyon at napatingin ako sa lalaking masungit na nasa gilid na namin.
Heat rushed through my cheeks as I glanced at his way.
Napangisi naman si Cyrus sa lalaki.
"Sorry, bro. My girlfriend is just too hot, I couldn't help it," he told him.
And I wanted to tell him to shut his mouth. Bigla akong nainis sa mga sinasabi ni Cyrus.
Hindi naman nagsalita ang lalaki pero bumaling siya sa akin.
Napatayo na lang din ako mula sa pagkakaupo at sinulyapan ang lalaki na naupo roon.
"I don't care how hot she is. This isn't the place to fuck—keep that in mind," he said and started with his workout.
I creased my forehead while looking at him.
Who the hell is he?
***
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