Taste of Poison

Kabanata 34

Friday

The next day was back to normal again. I forced myself to go to work and personally interviewed those applicants who desired to be my secretary after the former died. It's just too ironic how people adjust to this new normal.

I mean, some were scared. Of course, it's between life and death but, after hearing what happened last night, the news was nothing to be shocked anymore.

They just shrugged after I announced the tragedy.

"Everyone get used to our situation now," napatingin ako sa harap. "This is our new normal, a new life which we encounter a vampire in our daily lives. A world with vampires on it."

I stared at the woman who was smiling lightly as she answered my question.

I'm currently interviewing applicants inside this small room. Hindi ko alam kung ilang aplikante na ang nakausap ko pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapili.

"Well, what would you do if a vampire attack you here in our premises?" I stopped flipping her resume.

"I heard your family was a vampire hunters," her lips rose up.

"Where did you get that from?"

She shrugged. "From a family of vampires."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "From what?"

"From a family of vampires," she answered.

I stared at her eyes directly. "Does that mean the you have a connection with vampires?"

"Sort of," aniya.

Muli kong tiningnan ang kaniyang resume. Her application was cleaned and precise. And her credentials are something that some applicants don't have.

"You studied in England, huh?" I tapped her resume with my pen.

"Yup," her voice was confident. "In Birmingham."

Napatango-tango ako. One last glanced at her application, I stood up and grabbed my bag sitting on the vacant chair beside me.

"You're hired, Amirah..." I was about to take a leave when I remembered something.

"Thank you!" Tumayo siya't ilang beses na yumuko.

Muli ko siyang binalingan. "Just make sure that you're not familiar with Leo Madrigal and any of his underlings," ngumiti ako.

Her forehead knotted. "Who's he?"

Tumango ako. "Good," sabi ko at tinuro ang mga papel na nasa ibabaw ng mesa. "Your work starts now. Pile those papers and go to your post after."

"Thank you!" ulit niya.

The whole day was tiring. As usual, I reviewed then signed those important files, and attended some meetings. I haven't received a text from Azar which is unusual but, I didn't bother to send him one.

Kagabi matapos akong makatulog ay umuwi siya base sa sinabi ni Mama Astrid. I don't know where he'd go, or what's he is up to but, okay. I will just give him time and space he needed.

Ayaw ko rin naman siyang makasama sa sitwasyon namin ngayon. I would just get irritated and angry. Hindi ko alam ang ikikilos gayong alam kong may tinatago siya.

Nang makababa ako sa basement ay nagulat ako nang makita si Sieji. Napatigil ako sa pagpasok sa sasakyan.

"Hey," kumunot ang noo ko. "Who's waiting for who?"

"I'm waiting for someone," sagot niya.

Nakasandal siya sa gilid ng kaniyang sasakyan at panaka-nakang sumusulyap sa kaniyang pambisig na orasan.

"Who?"

Nagkasalubong ang kilay niya. "Waiting for Amirah."

"Amirah?" I tilted my head. "Is she my secretary?"

"Oh, she's hired?"

I nodded, feeling confused. "Yes."

"Cool," komento niya.

Napailing ako. Akma na akong papasok sa sasakyan ko nang muli siyang magsalita.

"I will visit Lia later," bumaling siya sa akin. "Am I allowed to visit her though?"

Dahan-dahan akong tumango. "You can but, don't expect. There's still no progress."

Tipid lang siyang ngumiti at hindi na nagsalita pa. While I just shrugged and went inside my car then drove off.

Today's Friday. I miss those days where we go out to have fun.

Ilang buwan ko na iyon hindi nagagawa dahil sa kawalan ng oras. But anyone don't seem to remember the things we do every Friday.

Not even Mallory.

I sighed deeply and stopped the car when the light goes red. Wala rin akong balita sa bar ni Azar. Is it still open or what? I want to ask him but my pride is just too high.

Instead of going home, I went straight to my condo and rest. Nang gumabi na ay saka ako nagbihis upang pumunta sa bar ni Azar. I wore a sexy backless lace up body-con dress and put light make up then off to go to party.

"Oh, hell..." I heard the man whispered as I passed by him.

I glanced at him over my shoulder then smiled before going inside.

I stilled on my spot when I entered the bar. s**t? Kahit ganito ang sitwasyon ng buong bansa ay marami pa ring tao! I thought Brandon was just playing the music loud but, damn wild.

A smile made its way to my lips. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling widely.

Everyone was dancing wildly with their hands in the air, holding a glass and a bottle of drink. Neon lights were all over the place, loud music and I could smell different brands of cigarettes.

I moved my hand back and forth in front my face, hoping that the smoke would vanished. Pumunta ako sa bar counter at doon umupo.

"Emory?"

I almost rolled my eyes when I saw Brandon, the one with blonde and curly hair.

"Hey, give me a drink."

"No," aniya't napangiwi. "Bilin ng jowa mo na huwag kang i-entertain," halos sumigaw siya roon dahil sa lakas ng tugtugan.

"What?!"

"Ay, ewan!" he scratched his brow. "Si boss Azar nasa taas! Aniya'y pumunta ka raw doon."

My forehead knotted. I looked up to the second floor where I could see his office door. It was close and since the surroundings were dark, I couldn't determine if his windows are open but, I guess not. Knowing him...

Muli kong binalingan si Brandon. "He's up there?" turo ko sa taas. 

He nodded while mixing a drink. "Yes," he flipped the glass there. "Binilin niya kung makita man kita rito ngayong gabi ay sabihin na umakyat ka sa taas."

I sat straight and keep my serious face. How did he know? I never told him or anyone. Unless he kept his eyes on me or ordered someone to look after me. 

I shook my head and grabbed the drink he prepared not for me, but for this woman beside me. 

"Hey!" ungot ng babae.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. I drank it all once and harshly put back the glass on the countertop. Mabuti nga at hindi nabasag. Then, I gathered my hair I spent an hour curling on my right shoulder, letting those men feast on my skin. 

"I will make you another one, Ms! Then a free drink, just choose," matigas ang Ingles na saad ni Brandon upang pakalmahin ang babae. 

I looked up to feel the stretch on my neck. I ran my hands over it down to my exposed cleavage and caressed it with my fingers while my eyes closed. It feels so relaxing being surrounded by these people again. 

Good old days. 

Drunkard people, these loud and wild music, added those lights and the smell! God, I have never miss partying this much! Pakiramdam ko ay ngayon lang ako nagka-me time ulit. That this is my way of forgetting those stressful days! And overthinking. 

I swear to have the best night's sleep after this! And Azar? He's here! He would take care of me if I get drunk so, I have nothing to worry about. Maliban kung hahayaan niya lang ako rito na malasing mag-isa sa teritoryo niya. 

Lasing akong ngumiti. I let out a smile as I opened my eyes. Mabilis akong tumayo upang tumungo sa dance floor at makisayaw sa mga tao roon. 

With my hands in the air, I moved my hips from side to side. I was smiling widely as I grind my back against my partner's body, and let the music take the last drop of my senses. Pagod akong huminto kakasayaw sa gitna ng dance floor at nanatiling nakatayo roon, nahihilo. 

"Oh, dang..." I whispered to myself as I cupped my face to slap my cheeks. 

I haven't even drink anything aside of the thing I grabbed from Brandon's grip. Pero pakiramdam ko ay lasing ako't nahihilo. Is it impossible to get drunk by just dancing? Iiling-iling akong ngumiti na parang wala sa sarili. 

I was about to step forward when I heard a loud shout not far from my position. Subalit parang walang narinig ang mga tao sa paligid ko. I stopped on my spot and waited to hear it again but nothing. 

Maybe I'm just tired that I keep hearing things now. Patuloy pa rin sa pagsayaw ang lahat samantalang umalis na ako roon upang magpunta sa banyo. I peed and was about to get out of the cubicle when I heard a voice outside. 

"When are you all gonna tell her?" 

My brows furrowed when I heard a female voice. I'm don't know but it sounds familiar. I just don't remember how.

"I'm not telling her anything."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na bosses. It was the b***h! Relani!

"Poor human," the woman chuckled. "I wonder what would she feel once she learned the truth."

Oh, wait... Was that voice from my newly hired secretary?! Amirah?

"The truth? Who killed who? That's something she needs to find out," ani Relani.

Who was she talking about? At si Relani, was she the one who informed Azar? Or he sent her to look after me? Hindi naman ako magtataka kung siya nga. They are cousins and I always get to see her coincidence or not.

Kung gayon, hindi ko gusto na pinasundan ako. I should really talk to Azar. Ilang araw na ang dumaan pero wala pa rin akong naririnig na sagot mula sa kaniya. 

Just f**k the time and space! My peace of mind is damn too important and precious to destroy.

Kaya naman nang mawala na sila sa loob ay mabilis akong lumabas at umakyat sa opisina ni Azar. Good thing it wasn't locked so, I didn't bother to knock on his door which I immediately regret.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. I felt my heart break into pieces when I saw a woman sitting just above his desk, while he was in between her, sucking and enjoying her neck. Nakatalikod siya mula sa akin at tila hindi naramdaman ang presensiya ko. 

Agad itinulak ng babae si Azar nang makasalubog nito ang ang mata ko. 

"Az..." she called with her soft voice. 

Marahas akong bumuga ng hangin at nag-iwas ng tingin mula sa kanila. Was it the reason why he asked Brandon to tell me to come here? To show me how unfaithful he is? Para ipakita sa akin ang pagkukulang ko bilang nobya niya? 

This is how heartless he is. 

"Oh, what a lovely sight..." nakangiti kong sabi.

Mabilis na kumilos si Azar doon at naitulak pa ang babae dahilan para mahulog ito sa mesa at masubsob sa sahig. He looked at me with his eyes wide, and should I believe the emotions I saw in his eyes?

No. Scared? Regret or what? 

"Emory," tawag niya. 

"Hi," I walked towards his couch and sat there with legs crossed. "I am here to negotiate." 

Bumaling siya sa babae. "Get out."

"What?"

"Get out, now..."

Sumulyap sa akin ang babae bago walang salita na lumabas. Azar wiped the blood on the side of his lips using the back of his hand. Then, he turned his back on me, let out a deep sigh as he cursed under his breath. 

Hinintay ko siyang matapos roon hanggang sa humarap siya sa akin. 

"I am sorry. I wasn't in myself and I..." I cut him off. 

"Are you still thirsty?" I asked, my eyes never left his. 

Mabilis siyang umiling. "No, I am not anymore."

I nodded slowly. "Good, that means she satisfied you."

"That's not what I meant," aniya. 

"No, that's how I see it and I can tell the way you position your legs in between her."

Ginala ko ang tingin sa buong opisina niya. There's another door and I know it was the bedroom we shared on our first and second night. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

I let out a heavy breath. Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili pero walang nagbago sa emosyon na nararamdaman ko. Parang ulan lang na dumaan ang sakit na naramdaman ko kanina. I felt like I am immune to the pain they have caused me. 

"Well," I stood up and ran my hands to my dress. "Since nakita ko na naman ang dahilan kung bakit mo ako pinapunta rito, puwede na naman siguro akong umuwi para magpahinga, 'di ba? Or maybe you have something to show me pa about how heartless and unfaithful you are to me, Az." 

"Listen to me," malambot niyang sinabi.

"I don't know anymore, Azar. Paano ako makikinig sa 'yo kung puro na lang hindi maganda ang pinapakita mo sa akin? I trusted you! But this is what I get in return? To be betrayed?"

"I wasn't in myself, Emory. Please, listen to me." He walked near me and attempted to touch my hand but I just backed away. 

"Don't touch me with your filthy hands," ngumisi ako. "Hindi pa nga natin naaayos ang mga nauna nating problems pero dinagdagan mo na naman, Az." 

"We will fix this."

"What's there to fix?" I massaged my nape. "Fix and let you damage it again, ganoon ba 'yon? And please, don't give me a lame excuse. You just simply want to taste different courses maybe because you are tired of me. Ano? Sawa ka na?" 

Umiling siya. "I will never get tired of you."

"Right," I tucked the hair behind my ear. "You are not but I am..." humina ang boses ko. 

Napapikit siya at sinubukan muli akong hawakan pero patuloy pa rin akong umiwas. I averted my gaze and it went to his table. Magulo ang mga papel doon at nahulog pa sa sahig ang iba. 

I smiled bitterly. Yup, that was how excited they were. Kung hindi kaya ako dumating, saan na kaya sila ngayon? Siguro roon sa silid na minsan naming pinagsaluhan, o kaya sa sahig, o dito sa sofa na inupuan ko. 

Kumirot ang puso ko sa naisip. I wanted to massage and grip my chest tight to ease the pain but, I don't want him to see me in pain. Ayokong bigyan siya ng dahilan upang kaawaan ako. 

So, this is how it feels to love a heartless man. I risked it. I never expect him to do this but, I really should expect the unexpected. 

"I want to end things between us," bulong ko. I tried to force a smile.

"No!" tutol niya. "I will tell you everything now just please, don't do this..." 

"You always say that but once we're okay, you suddenly forgot what you've promised."

"I will tell you everything now," I could sense the tiredness of his voice. 

Umiling ako sa kaniyang tinuran. "I have given you enough chance but, you wasted it all. And now that I got tired, it is hard for me to believe in you again."

Tumalikod ako sa kaniya para sana umalis na nang magsalita siya na mas lalo pang kinadurog ng puso ko. 

"I killed Charles..."