Chapter 6
1426 Words
People entering the hotel are all dressed up. The Gentlemen were wearing suits and the Ladies were all dolled up.
I looked at my reflection on the mirror of my car. I just wore a simple black sleeveless dress that shows a little of my midriff, it's modestly sexy. My make-up is on point with orangey lipstick making me look mature and tied my hair into a ponytail.
Sinabayan ko sa pagpasok sa hotel ang mga tao hanggang sa makaakyat sa rooftop where the bar lounge is.
A woman with red lipstick greeted us all when we walked out from the elevator and politely asked for our passes.
I showed my pass to her and she ushers me in.
Huminga ako ng malalim at naglakad papasok ng bar. It has a dim yellow lighting that is very relaxing, ang ganda ng ambiance.
There is a long bar island at the center and couches are spread on both sides. Meron din mga nakakalat na high round table around the area for those people who want to stand and chat while drinking.
Inikot ko ang aking paningin looking for George or Jane. Napansin ko na on full swing na ang lounge, madami ang nakadalo at puro eleganteng tao ang nakikita ko.
May iba kaya akong kakilala?
I saw a vacant space sa gilid and walk my way over there. Nagtipa agad ako ng mensahe pagkaupo ko para sa mga kasama ko, saying that I'm already here at the lounge.
"Ma'am!!!" Yakap ni Jane sa akin na ikinagulat ko.
She's very touchy pero hindi naman siya feeling close. Hindi ko rin nakikitaan ng ka-plastikan ang kanyang ugali. We can actually be bestfriend. I declared.
"Success, Ma'am. See? Ang ganda ng response ng tao." She beamed.
I laughed lightly at tinapik ko ang katabi kong upuan para doon siya maupo.
"Where's George? And please, just call me Hope. Wala na tayo sa trabaho."
"Yihhhhh..." Akap-akap niya na ang aking braso ngayon.
"Rum and Coke." Inilagay ni George sa lamesa ang alak. "We should celebrate. This is a success." Sumandal siya sa upuan at nagdikuwatro.
Wala akong masabi sa sobrang proud. We did it. I did it. Sobrang saya ko na makita ang pinaghirapan namin ay success.
"Iba aura mo today, Ma'am, este Hope pala." Natatawang sabi ni Jane.
"Huh?" I asked, confused.
"You're pretty pero iba lang ngayon. Level up ang ganda. Di ba, George?" baling niya kay George.
"Maganda ka rin naman." Seryosong sagot ni George kay Jane.
Okaayyyyy. I can see some glitters and stars in between them. May dapat ba akong malaman sa dalawang ito?
"I'll order from the bar. What else do you want?" I looked at them and offered na ko na ang bibili. Pero sa totoo lang, gusto ko lang sila bigyan ng alone time.
They said that they'll just order later dahil nakainom na sila ng iilan nang maagang nakarating sila dito.
Well, I deserve a drink.
"Be back later." Masaya kong sabi at saka tumayo.
I walk goint to the bar area and slid onto one of the available stools.
Lumapit ang lalaking bartender sa akin at tinanong ang aking order. I was contemplating on what to order since I am not familiar with drinks. Hindi rin ako madalas sa mga ganitong lugar. Naisip ko tuloy that I should have asked Serene before going here tonight.
"Sangria, red." A deep baritone voice echoed in my ears.
Napalingon ako sa may nag mamay-ari ng boses. I'm sure I've heard that voice from before.
Umupo siya sa katabing stool and placed his arms on the bar island. "Fancy finding you here." He smirked dangerously sexy.
I was so shocked at hindi ako kaagad nakapag-salita. It's him. He's Here.
"Sir." Bati ng bartender sa kanya at inilapag sa aking harapan ang alak.
He gave a slight nod at the bartender and looked at me again.
Hindi naaalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. Hindi ako makapaniwala na pagkatapos ng ilang buwan makikita ko siyang muli. At sa dinamirami ng lugar, dito pa talaga sa lounge.
"It's a red wine with fruits and brandy. Try it."
"You're here." I said absent-mindedly.
He lightly laughed. "Where else should I be?" Sabi niya at hinawakan ang aking kanang kamay na nakapatong sa aking kandungan at inilagay doon ang alak.
His touch send shivers down my spine. Nanginginig ang aking kamay habang hawak ang kopita.
I blinked like five times before finding my voice. "Um.. Uh.. H-hi?"
Seriously Hope? I never stutter this way before. No one can intimidate a Lopèz. But, why am I feeling so... so.... I don't know.
He motioned his hand for me to drink the wine at inilapit niya pa sa aking labi ang kopita nang hindi ako gumalaw.
I sipped from it and I find it refreshing. "Hmmm... This is good." Tumango-tango ako sa kanya.
His lips were parted at nakititig siya sa aking labi nang tignan ko siya ulit.
My cheeks heated up. I feel like I'm blushing too much. He's affecting me so... so.... Ugh!
Inilapag ko sa island bar ang kopita and face him fully. I clapped my hands once in front of his face and laughed.
I just felt like doing it dahil feeling ko hindi ito totoo. Na wala naman talaga siya harapan ko at iba ang lalaking aking kausap.
Kumunot ang kanyang noo. At tinaasan ako ng kilay.
"Where have you been this entire time, Mister?" I was wondering kung taga Maynila ba talaga siya o nagtatrabaho ba siya sa ibang lugar at nadayo lang dito or what.
"I was looking for you." Sagot niya.
Bumilis ang t***k ng aking puso. Did he really said that? And why would he be looking for me?
"You are?" I said surprisingly. Kunwari hindi ako affected.
He smirked and there is an amusement in his eyes.
I drank the wine and finished it. "You look dapper in your three piece suit, Mister." I smiled.
I really meant what I said. I really did. But, I didn't mean to voice it out.
Real smooth Hope.
"Well, you look really different tonight." He lift his arm and calls a bartender.
"Good different or bad different?"
"Both." He said sternly.
Nakita kong lumapit ang bartender para tanungin ang kailangan niya.
"Glass full of water, no ice." He said to the bartender na may boses na pag-uutos.
I was about to ask him kung ano ang ibig sabihin niya sa both but I heard someone calling me.
"Hope! Hey, emergency. I need to go." Jane said na medyo nagpapanic.
"What happened? What's wrong?" hinawakan ko ang kanyang braso at akma ng tatayo.
"No, no. It's fine." Pigil niya. "Si George nasa labas na hinihintay ako. Magpapaalam lang ako sayo baka kasi hanapin mo kami."
"Are you sure? Pwede ko kayong samahan. Wala na rin naman akong kasama rito kung aalis na kayo." Tumayo na ako ng tuluyan.
"You're going?" I heard that deep sexy baritone voice from behind me.
Napalingon ako sa kanya and I saw worry in his eyes.
"Um, sorry. We need to go." I said.
He held my wrist and I froze.
"Stay." Boses na pagsusumamo.
"Sige na, Hope. It's okay. I have George with me. Tatawagan nalang kita." Si Jane.
Tinignan ko siya ng mapagtanong kong mata. Tinatanong kung okay lang ba talaga na hindi ako sumama. Puwede naman na kaming umalis. Nakita na namin ang success ng ad namin.
She nodded her head. Tinignan niya ng sandali ang aking katabi at bumulong. "Kapag may ginawang kababalaghan yang guwapong lalaki na yan sayo tawagan mo agad ako or better yet kick him where it hurts then run for your life."
Wala naman siguro. He looks scary and intimidating pero I can see the good in him.
I hugged Jane and let her go. "Be careful. Call me if you need anything. I'll see you at work. okay?"
She nodded again and left. I hope it's nothing serious.
Now I'm alone with Mister Scary and intimidating.
I sighed deeply.
"Lets go to the deck and breathe some fresh air." He grabbed my arm and lead me outside.
Now this is a nice view. You can see the city lights from here and the late evening is beautiful with its borderless flow of clarity. It is mesmerizing.
"Quite wonderful isn't it? He interrupts my thoughts and handed me the glass full of water.
I faced him and looked at him in the eyes.
His eyes telling me many things that I can't seem to understand.
Oh what are you doing to me, Mister?
- Writer
