Waiting For Our Next Eclipse

Meeting

"What the-" my manager when he caught sight of me in his house, sitting comfortably on his sofa. He fixed his long silver hair when he abated and rolled his eyes at me. He walked towards where I am as I shifted my weight.

"You are giving me a hurt attack! Hindi mo man lang sinabi sa'kin na pupunta ka pala." Hindi ko siya sinagot at pinal lang na tinitigan.

Nawala sa isip ko ang pagtawag kanina sa kaniya dahil sa encounter ko with Raffael Miller. I was flabbergasted, I couldn't contain my logical thought. Basta nakita ko na lang ang sarili ko na nasa tapat na ng bahay ni Doris, ang manger ko. I was blank when I got here, thinking about that man I've encountered with but then I remembered kung ano talaga ang sadya ko sa baklang 'to, na may ipagpapaalam ako sa kaniya kaya pumasok na ako without knocking. He already knows me and he knew that I won't rob. I have money in my pocket, you know.

I coldly looked at him. "Take a sit." I said as I signal him to sit.

He glared at me but did it anyway. "Talagang uupo ako! Bahay ko 'to. Ingrata!"

I looked at him boredly. "I want a vacation."

He sneered at me. I raised my brow at his reaction. I clenched my jaw. "I want a vacation. I no longer have a gig because of what happened, right? I want to go somewhere else and relax."

Umirap siya at umismid ulit sa sinabi ko. Humalukipkip siya sa aking gilid at itinukod ang kamay sa armrest. "You know that you can do that whenever you like. This job is flexible. Ikaw lang naman itong gusto ng maraming gig."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Well totoo naman pero bigla pa rin akong nairita. I owned my time. It is my choice if I want to model something. Bakit ko nga ba nakalimutan iyon?

"But I guess this isn't a right time for that. May gustong kumuha sa'yo. Kapatid ng isang malaking company sa whole asia. They want you to model their skin care products and it's great. I think this is a chance for you to tell those company who backed you down that they are nothing." Patuloy niya.

May nilagay siyang kontrata sa lamesa at sinenyasan niya akong kunin ko iyon. Kinuha ko iyon pero hindi ko binasa dahil natatamaran ako. Nakinig lang ako sa bakla habang nakakunot ang noo habang ang aking baba ay nakatukod sa likod ng aking kamay . "You know Philippines pay less to the models even when they're among the greatest of all and this." Sabi niya sabay turo sa kontrata. " This company pay so big! I suggest you take it!"

Unti unti akong tumango. He's right. Philippines paid less compared to the US and in western countries so I guess he's right. I'll take it. In fact, I just have to model their products and that's it. I know makakahanap pa ako ng gig sa ibang bansa pero hindi naman kasi pera ang habol ko sa trabaho ko kundi dahil gusto ko lang talaga ang pagmo-modelo. I'm very committed with my job. This is what I want since I'm a child. Now that the opportunity has given to me, I took it without a doubt. Reason why I'm one of the popular and highest paid model in the whole world but going outside the country is not what I want for now. I will only missed the Philippines.

"Okay, I'll take it."

He nodded and smiled. "Hay, naku! Kahit andami mo ng issue may kumukuha pa rin talaga sa'yo! I am no longer surprised anymore. I guess they want you because your face is no other."

Inirapan ko siya at inismiran. "Wow, kanina nga pinagmumura mo 'ko e!"

Humalakhak siya. "Kasi naman kakagising ko lang at yon pa talaga ang tatambad sa umaga ko." Umirap siya ngunit nagseryoso ulit. "Pero kailangan mo pa rin magpakita bukas na bukas agad dahil minamadali yata nila itong ma-launch. Hinhintay lang ata nila na pumayag ka...And...you still have a formal meeting with the company. Don't worry, sasama ako and don't be late. They're very important. "

Tumango ako at huminga ng malalim. He smiled again. Kinuha ko ang bag sa aking gilid at sinabit sa sking balikat, umaamba ng aalis.

Nakita ko ang pag-alma ng manager ko na parang gusto niya akong pigilan.

"Aalis na ako. Iyon lang naman ang ipinunta ko." I smiled at him. "Thanks for the info."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, pinipigilan ako sa pag alis. "Wait lang! May tanong pa ako!"

"Huh?" Kunot noo kong saad. Inayos ko ang sling bag ko at pinag-krus ang braso sa dibdib.

His expression changed. He mocked a mischievous grin that confused me. "Iyong kagabi, totoo 'yon o gawa gawa lang ng media?"

My face heated profusely when a picture of a man kissing me flashed in my head. I glared at him, masking my awkwardness. "Tsk, will you stop it?! I was dru-"

"Sus, ang gwapo noon ha! Mayaman pa!" Nag ngising aso siya dahilan ng mas lalong pag alab sa nararamdaman ko. I remember what happened before I arrived here. I bumped into him in an unfortunate way. He may have no clue that it was me, I am still not comfortable with it. Especially dahil ang ka- clumsiness ko ang dahilan ng nangyari kanina.

What happened might be fatal kung hindi ko lang talaga namalayan na nasa ibang lane na ang sasakyan ko ay siguradong nasa bingit na kami ng kamatayan ngayon!

"Do you know that he's one of the bachelors na gustong masungkit ng mga alta? I bet they can bend their knees just so that man will choose them! He's not just very very handsome and very very hot but... boy! He's also a ruthless business man and..." He grinned mischievously again. " A ruthless playboy. Kaya mag ingat ka. Men like him..." He shook his head dramatically with a smirk plastered on his face.

I glared at him. " Enough with that! What happened was a mistake that we shouldn't talk about." Mas lalo akong nairita sa itsura niya habang nagsasalita ako. I shifted my foot on the other. "I was drunk and I-"

He cut me off again. "Oh, enough with that reason. We all know that even when you're drunk, you won't give yourself up for men!"

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Somehow it got me. He's right. Even when I'm so drunk and totally wasted, I never give myself up to men. I gritted my teeth. Dark amber eyes flashed in my head out of the blue. Dark ferocious face of Raffael Miller that I met...

I sighed. what's so special about him anyway? Why did I gave in to him that easily? Maybe because of his appealing and domineering aura. But no? Hindi naman siguro. Ilang beses na akong naalok ng mga gwapong lalaki pero ...

"Napapaisip kana no? Baka dahil tuyong tuyo yang bulaklak mo nangangailangan na yang padiligan!"

I snapped back. Masama ko siyang tiningnan dahil sa bulgar na saad niya. Uminit ang pisngi ko at nakaramdam ng kakaibang sensasyon dahil sa sinabi niya. Lalo ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin. "Stop it."

Inirapan niya ako kahit na ang lamig lamig na ng boses ko, pinapahiwatig sa kaniya na hindi na ako natutuwa. Hinigit niya ako at biglang pinaupo sa tabi niya. "Umupo ka nga. O siya.." humalukipkip siya at hinarap ang katawan sa akin habang hinahawakan pa rin niya ang kamay ko. "Paano iyong boyfriend mong si Tristan? May boyfriend kana?"

Iritado ko siyang tiningnan. "Ano ba!? That man I'm with last night isn't my f*****g boyfriend. Damn it!"

"Oh, sige hindi..."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Hindi siya naniniwala sa akin. Ang baklang ito. Ang ekspresyon ko ay kasing lamig na ng yelo. Hindi na ako natutuwa sa topic niya. And, how did our topic stray to this, anyway?

"Hindi nga sabi e!"

"Hindi na nga!" Inirapan niya ako. "Ang sa'kin lang naman paano iyong Tristan na'yon?"

Humalukipkip ako at mataman ko lang siyang tiningna. "We're over. Naghiwalay na kami kaya nasa bar ako kahapon .." natahimik ako at napa isip saglit sa lalaking iyon.

I sighed heavily then lifted my gaze up to my manager. Nagkatinginan kami.

"Uhuh..."

Ilang sandali akong tumingin sa kawalan at napahalukipkip. Tristan. That f*****g man who offended me. I gritted my teeth when I realised how disrespectful his action was when I caught him f*****g with his other girl. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga taong nakapaligid at malapit sa akin? Na madali lang akong palitan? Na hindi naman talaga ako ganoon kaganda dahil kinaliwa? Gago.

I know it was me who said yes to him. I used him first but damn it! I can't believe someone will also do this to me. A Shanaiah Jane Galvez, a famous supermodel, known to entice men was fooled by someone.

"Saan kana?" Saad ko sa manager ko na katawagan ko ngayon habang isinisirado ang pintuan ng van na dala ko. My car was broken so I have to take the van instead kaysa mag commute. Now I'm here standing on this tall building's parking lot alone. Inayos ko ang sout kong kulay white na coat. Naka high ponytail ako ngayon at straight na straight ang wavy kong buhok. Simple lang din ang makeup na sout ko. While I'm wearing a black tube top and a white skinny high-waist jeans para evident ang vital statistic ko, kung kinakailangan.

I played my keys while I listened to my manager.

"I'll bring you your scout with you. She's in the lobby na raw. Puntahan mo na lang siya. " Saad nito dahilan ng pagbuntong hininga ko as I walked towards the elevator.

When it opened, I instantly walked inside and pressed the exact floor for our meeting.

"So wala ka nga?"

"Wala nga. Masakit ang tiyan ko, ano ba!"

I rolled my eyes and sighed again then I ended the call. Ipinasok ko ang cellphone ko sa loob ng aking bag sabay ng pagbukas ng elevator.

Pagkalabas ko ay nakita ko kaagad ang payat at maliit na babae na aking scout na nakaupo sa lobby. When she caught sight of me, she instantly waved her hands as she smiled shyly.

Naglakad ako kung saan ito nakatayo habang papalapit siya sa akin.

"U-uh, miss? Nandoon na po sila sa conference room together with the glam team and the creative director po." Saad nito nang nakalapit. Tumango ako sa kaniya habang hinuhubad ang coat na sout. Malamig naman pero gusto ko lang magpa-impress sa kanila. When I finally took off my coat kinuha iyon ng scout at nauna ng maglakad patungo sa karuruonan namin.

When we got into our destination, the scout opened the door for me as I walked proudly towards the door. Taas noo akong pumasok at inilibot ang paningin sa mga importanteng tao sa loob. Nang pumasok ako ay nagsitayuan kaagad sila para batiin ako. I smiled at their lovely greetings. I was still shaking the hand of a mid-thirty man, who he introduced himself as the creative director, when a cold baritone interrupted us.

"Enough with the greetings. Gentlemen..."

Hinanap ng aking mata ang taong nagsalita sa paligid, nang may ngisi pa sa labi. When my eyes flew to the person sitting in the middle, looking dark and playful at the same time, made me want to run out of the building as my heart jumped in surprise. His gaze then travelled on my body that sent an icy chills down my spine. He then lifted his eyes on me. I looked away while the remnant smile on my lips is slowly fading away when I realised something.

"He's the director of this company, miss." My scout whispered at me. "He's not really part of this but he's the brother of the company's CEO so..."

Cold liquid spilled within me while my heart won't stop beating so hard and fast. Why did my manager not informed me about this? Is he f*****g playing? Damn it!

"Here, miss!" Saad ng aking scout habang pinapakita sa akin ang upuan ko. Nagsi-upuan na ang lahat at ako lang yata ang nakatayo pa dahil sa gulat. Kung hindi ako tinawag ay baka kanina pa ako gulat na nakatayo dito.

When the meeting started, my head is clouded for whatever reason. It was very uncomfortable as the man sitting in the middle keep on watching at me with his hawklike eyes. It was awkward that instead of listening to who's talking in front, my head won't stop thinking of other things.

"W-what do you think Mr. Miller?" The presentor said after her long presentation. She blushed profusely as she couldn't mantain her eye contact to Raffael.

Kahit na nasa harap ako at sa presentor nakatingin ay alam na alam ko na kanina pa siya nakatitig sa akin dahil nakikita ko gamit ang peripheral vision ko.

"Hhhmm..." He shifted his weight like an apex predator with his silent but powerful manner. He rested his mouth on his fingers while staring darkly at the girl in front.

Napakunot ang noo ko at biglang nairita dahil sa pagkakatitig niya sa babae.

"This is a commercial ad that will be published in the, Asia, Western, and America. The main point of this is to persuade people to buy this beauty products..." Then his eyes lingered to me. "But it's not bad if we shoot this on a beach or whatever tourist attraction there is. In fact, mas maganda nga na nasa beach tayo dahil bumabagay naman iyon sa product that we will advertised. " Mahabang saad niya. Yes, he isn't part of this but he is also a director of this company, more so a brother of the owner so it's understandable why the girl asked his opinion.

Tumango ang mga tao at nagpatuloy muli sa pagbe-brainstorming na umabot ng isang oras.

"The meeting is adjourned!" Raffael announced after an hour. Suminghap ako at parang nabunutan ng tinik. This whole meeting is a pain in my ass. I cannot even formulate words properly everytime they asked me something during the meeting. I just can't...Ugh!

Nagsitayuan ang mga tao kaya tumayo na rin ako. The creative director approached me again as he bid his goodbye to me. The other personel went to greet me dahil sa successful na meeting daw.

My eyes then lingered to my scout who is now talking with Raffael. She's flushing while nodding thrice like a good kid. Nagsilabasan na ang mga tao habang nakatingin ako ng madilim sa scout na papalapit na ngayon sa akin. Humalukipkip ako nang makalapit siya.

"Dito ka muna, miss. Kakausapin ka muna ni sir..." Saad nito na nagpaggulat sa akin. Napakunot ang noo ko. I lifted my eyes on Raffael who is now looking at me in a playful but dangerous stans. Lumunok ako dahil sa kaba na bumalatay sa kaloob-looban ko.

The scout was reluctant and confused as she started walking outside. Sinarado niya kaagad iyon dahilan upang maiwan ako kasama si Raffael Miller na parang may binabalak na masama. Malaki ang conference room pero parang kay sikip at liit noon para sa akin kahit na kaming dalawa lang naman na dito sa loob. Ang kaba ng puso ko ay umabot na hanggang sa aking lalamunan. My inside is trembling and I don't even know kung kailan ako naging ganito ka kabado. I was once a Victoria's secret model with myriads of people watching but never once in my life I feel so nervous, like what this man makes me feel.

Nang magsimula siyang maglakad papalapit sa akin ng dahan dahan ay parang gusto ko nang tumakbo papaalis at magtago, maiwasan lang ang lalaking ito.

A ghost of a smile played on his lips as he travelled his gaze on my body again. Tinitigan ko rin ang sout niya. Naka business attire siya at bagay na bagay sa kaniya iyon. Mas nagmumukha siyang malupit na boss dahil sa sout niya kaya't ganoon lamang ang paginhawa ko nang tumigil ito, dalawang metro ang layo sa akin pagkatapos i-lock ang pinto at isara ang blinds.

Sumandal siya sa lamesa na gawa sa hardwood habang naka-krus ang braso sa dibdib at mapaglaro akong tiningnan na nakatayo malapit sa puting wall.

Humalukipkip siya habang nanginginig naman akong nakatayo. Bumuntong hininga ako para pigilan ang pag uumalpas sa aking dibdib. Calm down, Shan. Don't let this man get you.

Tahimik sa loob at aircon lang yata ang naririnig namin habang tinititigan niya ako ng tahimik na para bang may hinahanap siya.

Dahan dahan akong lumapit sa kaniya. Tumigil lang nang kalahating metro na lang ang layo sa kaniya. I may look confident and unaffected outside but, boy! My inside is trembling so hard that I feel like dying! I crossed my arms on my chest as I shifted my foot to the other. Tumayo siya ng maayos at nakita ko ang paggalaw ng kaniyang panga nang tumanday ang mata niya sa aking dibdib. My cleavage is seen and it's more evident now that I crossed my arms like this that I instantly regretted doing it, especially when I saw the fire on his eyes that he swiftly threw at bay as he blink once.

Napatingala ako nang makalapit ako sa kaniya. Matangkad ako pero ang tangkad din at ang laki ng isang ito, na animo'y parang isang bata ako kapag nasa malapit sa kaniya.

I swallowed hard. "What do you want?"

He sighed heavily and lean his arms on the table. Tumagilid ang ulo niya that made his chiselled jaw more evident. "I want us to talk."

"We're talking."

His lips suddenly stretch for a smile but he hide it through biting his lower lip. Iniwas ko kaagad ang mga mata ko doon.

"Uhuh?" He smirked playfully as I shifted my foot. Mapupungay ang kaniyang mata habang nakatitig sa akin na para bang natutuwa siya sa mga pangyayari na hindi ko alam.

Suddenly his hand crawled on my waist as he pushed myself towards him. I gasped. He crouched a bit to level my gaze on his. He craned his neck, hot and minty breath touching my cheeck.

I felt like melting while I am perfectly in his arms. I want to pushed him away but the blazing hot of fire suddenly ran in every corner of my body like a wildfire.

"Let's talk about what happened last, last night." He whispered huskily, lips an inch closer to mine.

Pilit kong inilalayo ang aking mukha sa kaniya dahil kong hindi ay mahahalikan niya na ako. Tinulak niya ulit ang katawan ko lalo palapit sa kaniya at mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin, tinatakpan ng kaniyang braso ang balat na nagpapakita sa aking tiyan. Gusto kong suntokin ang sarili ko dahil hindi ko siya magawang itulak. Nahihilo na ako sa ibang sensyasyon na pinaparamdam niya pero tinatagan ko pa rin ang sarili ko.

Hinawakan ko siya sa braso para itulak ngunit wala ata akong lakas dahil hindi ko man lang siya nagalaw kahit kaunti man lamang. Napasinghap ako.

He sighed heavily. Hinawakan niya ang panga ko at pilit na ipinapaharap sa kaniya. I glared at him when he successfully did it but he only reciprocated it with his sleepy eyes.

His mouth twitched. "Aren't you hung up?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin. I suddenly licked my lips unconsciously and I saw his eyes drifted on my lips for a while before he turned his gaze back in my eyes. Out of the blue, he kissed me aggressively.

I gasped as he sucked his tongue in mine. Hinapit niya ang baywang ko at nanggigigil na hinalikan na parang uhaw na uhaw.

I felt intoxicated with his aggressive and hungry kissess. He can't even give me a time to breathe just so he can kiss me more and thoroughly, like my lips is his favourite dessert.

Ilang segundo siyang tumigil para suminghap bago ako hinalikan muli. Pilit niya akong pinapasukli sa halik niyang mapangahas pero hindi ko ginawa. I swear! I don't know what's happening to me but I want to reciprocate his kissess as fire is building inside of me.

I'm intoxicated. I don't even know what to do when I suddenly whispered a moan. Tumigil siya at ngumisi dahil sa binitawan kong halinghing. Mapupungay na mata ko siyang tiningnan. He smirked playfully and was about to kissed me again when I pushed him out of embarrassment.

Ang kaunting tino ko ang nagtulak sa kaniya palayo sa akin. Tinulak ko siya at pilit na tinatanggal ang braso na parang bakal na nakapulupot sa akin. He chuckled sexily.

"Bitiwan mo nga ako!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya at sinamaan ng tingin, pilit na inaalis ang makamundong pagnanasa na kanina ko pa nararamdaman sa kaniya.

He smirked. Mapupungay niya akong tiningnan. He then caress my cheeck with his warm and big hand. Pinalandas niya ang daliri niya sa labi ko. Kinagat niya ang labi niya habang parang lasing kung makatitig doon. Hinawi ko ang kamay niya at tinampal sa braso dahil hindi ko nagustuhan ang nararamdamn ko sa ginagawa niya sa akin.

"Please get you hands off me." I pleaded.

He sneered at me. Kahit na mahigpit na ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin ay mas lalo niyang hinigpitan. My breast squished on his chest. He bit his tongue, hiding the ghost of a smile played on his thin, wet and red lips. Slowly, his hand on my waist went down slowly on my bossom. Napasinghap ako at napapikit dahil sa init na naramdaman.

Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin ng patagilid. Akala ko hahalikan niya ako but he just rested his lips on my ear as he massaged my two bossom "You act like you didn't like it when in fact...you do." He chuckled again.

I bite my lips forcing myself not to moan as I felt the hypersensitivity and the strong urge to have s*x with this man in this room.

Pero hindi ko na makayanan, tumingala ako para tingnan siya at uhaw na hinalikan.