Savoring Pleasure

CHAPTER ONE

SUNDAY MORNING AT DREAM CYBER WEST MALL. I decided to resort in StarNight Coffee Shop to regale with Chazey after asking her if she can be with me today.

Chazey was my college classmate who took BS in Marketing Management same as mine, and my long-time best friend. She works as a freelance product endorser if chance she gets a call from a certain company or business. Most of the time, she has a contract—not even inking it to be an exclusive—and I can say that her life is prosperous. She appears on Philippine television and even worldwide if the product she endorses is globally distributed.

Without hesitation, she upheld from my request and told me she’s on her way after making a phone call to her.

It’s ten to seven in the morning when I set off the apartment so that I wouldn’t get caught in traffic. But the result turned out to be different as I witnessed how the vehicles passing through the EDSA road became trouble for all the motorists.

I took a public utility jeep to ride where I go since Thero wasn’t answering my calls, by chance he could escort me in the mall. I am actually proud of him for he’s working to their family’s business, Moonvelt Beauty Corp, as the president. See how he soars high to be the youngest president in the company around the Southeast Asia.

Past eight o’clock when I arrived at the mall. I am presently treading the ceramic and modern aesthetic custom tiled floor, then walking up the glass railing wood stairs to the second deck. I usually take the staircase with my favor, rather than mechanical means. I come into mind that using elevator or escalator is sluggishness in terms of unable to exert—at least—some efforts to do it.

After a moment, I observed that all boutiques I went pass just opened by now. This is the hour where the mall is open. There are only few people—not only the shoppers, but also some staffs here—passing by every shop while sightseeing the apparel and new arrival products. They will be surely increased in number by ten o’clock.

As I reached the second floor, I had a peek at the west part only to find out that my favorite coffee shop is already open. I walked towards there and my lips bended into a curve.

When I set foot onto the threshold of the shop, I held the rod handle and pushed it to get me in.

The thing I love about this place is that the enclosure is made from aesthetical European glass. If I’m inside the shop, it’s a bit blurry when I look outside. Additionally, the ambiance is designed with the gothic-themed, comprising of the architectural wood, exemplary standard style to give a life to the exterior design and such. So classic!

Moreover, it’s way too wide for all the customers to keep distance from one another. There are neo-classical elliptical tables and barstools in the east side occupying more or less six persons. There’s also a place for single, having silver C-style tables and a modern wingback chair.

“Good morning, Ma’am Mella!” greeted Marife, one of the crews assigned on the counter. She already knows me even Chazey since it becomes our hang-out place and sanctuary when I feel melancholy.

“Good morning, Marife! Is there anything new you can offer? I’ve been unceasingly ordering the same milk tea as before. I guess you have something to offer aside from my all-time favorite, salted caramel,” I greeted back and smiled a bit.

She picked up something under the countertop and handed it to me. A café menu.

I noticed that there’s a new board template placed on the customized border according to the theme itself.

I took it from her and glanced at it. “Pleasing to the eye. There’s something new, I guess, in the menu this quarter,” I complimented after seeing the new flavored milk tea and coffee printed on it.

“Thanks, Ma’am Mella. I recommend you the newest flavor—the European Oreo Avocado Milk Tea,” she said with a beam, putting hands behind her back.

Without further ado, I answered, “Sure. I’ll take two and one regular-size nachos.” I put the menu on the countertop and moved it towards her.

“Table for one? Or two? Are you with Chazey today?” she inquired while listing my order in the yellow small notepad.

“Two. I’m with Chazey later,” I just answered and took out five-hundred peso bill from my bag.

She grabbed it and handed me my change afterwards.

“Thank you, Ma’am Mella. Wait for your orders within twenty minutes,” she politely uttered before handing over the notepad to her co-crew.

I turned around and looked for a table. There are two couples occupying the middle part and an individual sitting in the single seat while doing something to her laptop.

I walked towards the corner near the glass wall as my usual spot, by chance it is not yet occupied.

After a few minutes, Marife came with my orders, simultaneous to the crackling sound of the glass door. I glimpsed it only to find out that Chazey has arrived. When our gaze met, she let go of her grip to the rod handle and marched towards me, smiling while holding her red fashionably-look bag on her right hand.

Not only concluding at the very first when known her, she’s not only an endorser, but can also do modelling. However, she never dreams to become like one since she’s not preferably into modeling career.

We have the same design of blouse that only differs in color as concerted; pink for her while red for me. We are wearing dusty pink square pants that we are fond of.

“Uh… have you been here for an hour already, Mella?” she asked and sat across me on the wingback soft mattress chair like mine. She put her bag on the table, still eyeing on me.

“Nope. Not that quite. Just fifteen minutes ago. Besides, it’s still quarter to nine,” I replied and moved the milk tea closely to her. “European Oreo Avocado,” I added and took a sip of my drink.

“Your treat?” she playfully asked, snuggled down against the backrest.

“Don’t you like?” I babbled and mocked her.

She laughed shortly and stretched her both arms. “Of course, I do. It only occurs once in a blue moon. Why refuse?” she rejoiced and got up to grab her milk tea. She pierced it using the straw and sipped a little.

“So good. Sapid. It still savors like avocado with chocolate syrup,” Chazey commented while nodding slowly.

“I told you,” I uttered.

“Okay, what’s the matter, Mella?” she asked after taking a sip again.

Amidst her busy schedule, she could manage to meet me. Salute to all friends like her. She could free her time to be with me, rather than hanging out with me on her time. I know she has something to work on—shooting, I guess.

“Thero and I had—”

She cut me off and raised her index finger, signaling me to stop. “Broken up?” she guessed.

A perplexed frown creased my forehead. I crossed my arms against my chest and spoke, “Of course, not. We are staying strong. And we had ‘lovemaking’ two nights ago.

She frowned and put down her hands. “What’s new? And then, refrain from telling me you had lovemaking with him. Lovemaking, really?” she remarked and picked two nachos then ate those.

One thing I love about her is being true to herself. What she hates about me is what she tells me. Furthermore, we both share likes and dislikes except for one thing…

I moderately laughed and ran my hands through my hair. “How many times do I have to tell you, Chazey, that I am comfortable with you? If you like, I am going to tell you what positions I and Thero prefer to do in times of lovemaking.”

“No, thanks,” she murmured and rolled her eyes, acting peevish.

I snickered and clasped my hands, levelling my upper chest then leaned against my chin. “Kidding aside, Chazey, don’t you still like Thero for me? I mean—”

She mimicked body language by moving her hands forward and spoke crossly, “I am just saving you from heartaches, Mella. That Thero’s face should not be trusted.”

We both took a glimpse of the door when it opened and returned each other’s sight then sipped our own milk teas.

“But I love him… damn much. No matter how much I tell myself that we’re just a lover—somehow close to being married couple—I can’t help but… trust him so much,” I stated.

She heaved a deep sigh before barely shaking her head. “Don’t give your whole trust to a person without having a guarantee that your relationship with him will last a lifetime, Mella,” she advised seriously.

“I get your point. In contrary, Chazey, if we really are loving someone, we must invest trust, loyalty and love itself.”

I roamed my eyes around only to discover that the tables near us are already occupied. Some are couples; few are single who remain silent while doing something on their laptops, papers, and work stuffs—though today is Sunday. They presumably passed by here to have a coffee.

“Yes, you must have the capitals—love, trust, and loyalty. What I meant earlier is do not give your whole trust to someone you can’t just have the assurance from him to make your relationship stay longer. Undoubtedly, Thero is not worth the trust. As you’ve told me last time, he hasn’t mentioned yet how much he devotes you,” she explained well her side while fixedly eyeing on me, hands resting on the table.

Thero and I had started our relationship for a year. Through those days, he never spoke the phrase ‘I love you’. But the way I see him, I can feel his love towards me—not to be spoken but showed.

“Thero shows me, Chazey, how much he loves me, either,” I responded, sounded serious but confused deep inside. “Showing love towards a person is the thing that matters. Even a million times that you tell you cherish a person if you really don’t mean it, it is fiddle-faddle,” I added to get myself soothed.

“Exactly,” she affirmed and extended her index finger. “But the question is: Does Thero really mean his actions? Is it love what he’s showing?” She crossed her arms and let out a sigh.

I caught off guard and bended head down then blinked back tears. I am not a promiscuous woman who always asks for s*x. I just give Thero the pleasure he wants to fulfill his lust. Doing this is a glee, believing that he won’t look for another woman he can trip.

Just me. I claim it.

I am able to regain my sanity and smiled afterwards. “Yes, of course. Besides, Chazey, we can have each other’s night if he feels horny,” I answered straightforwardly that made her hit her own forehead in disbelief.

“He could find a woman to satisfy his libidinous. Why does he still come back to me?” I responded and heaved a sigh.

“Never mind! At least I warned you—not only today, but at the very time you and Thero had met each other,” she stated and sipped her drink.

I slightly nodded.

She adjusted her position and grabbed her bag. “By the way, I have something to show you, Mella,” she changed the topic and brought out a brochure.

To bury temporarily our talk just a moment ago, I smiled and displayed my certainty. Thero loves me. I claim it.

“Oh… progressive. I know just by now that you already started your modelling ca—”

She snapped, “It’s not what you think, Mella.” She gave a half-suppressed laugh and handed me the light teal brochure.

“Of course not. I’m just an endorser and haven’t come into mind to modelling, Mella. Exhibiting my skin is not my forte,” she commented with conviction.

“You say so, Chazey.” I leaned my back against the backrest and took the gloss coated brochure.

“I’ll let you pick and what you prefer is my treat,” she said, beaming a little.

“What I prefer? Gosh, Chazey! As if we’ve not been together for a long time,” I emphasized. “I don’t like dresses, okay?”

I placed the brochure at the corner of the table, arching my eyebrows.

“Look, I know you that you’re not wearing any kind of dresses, Mella, but give it a try. Your skin is a pastel hue. So graceful. T—thero might like it,” she bitterly uttered by the name of my boyfriend.

I’ve never tried yet wearing a dress back then. When we had our prom, I didn’t settle myself for consideration just to join the event, finding out that dress code is required.

“I am conservative,” I mumbled.

She furrowed in skepticism and laughed shortly at last. “Conservative? Are you still virgin, girl?” she joked and twisted her lips.

I never got mad at her due to being straightforward. I just liked it.

“Silly. Whatever I do to repudiate you, Chazey, I can do anything, neither. Though, I love the idea of yours saying that I have a graceful skin.” I had a peek at the brochure and rubbed my nape.

Will I look better if I wear some dresses? If only I could manage to wear one back then, I would get used to it. Wit h my age of twenty-five, I can hardly cope up with what trends now.