Montepalma Series 2: Trapped by His Game

Kabanata 2

“I’ve got some cuervo and black label for you. We were just waiting for you,” Baby said, with a wicked smile on her lips. Pinaalis niya na iyong mga bucket ng beer para matatapang naman mga inumin namin. “Which one do you want?”

“Anything,” I responded.

“You suck, do you know what?”

Napangisi na lang ako sa kaniya. I’m not a heavy drinker. Palagi ko binababad ang sarili ko sa trabaho at sa pagm-manage rin ang drugstore namin. Nagsalit siya ng Cuervo sa shot glass ko at kinuha ko iyong lemon.

“Happy birthday, Baby!”

Nagpalakpakan kami nang ipasabog ni Craige ang confetti. Lahat kami nagsigawan at mas pinalakas ni DJ ang tugtog para sa amin. Pero hindi pa rin ako mapakali kasi nararamdaman ko na may nanonood sa akin. Pinanood ko lang si Craige na niyakap si Baby patalikod. They have been together for three years. Kaya ngayon engaged na sila.

I downed the tequila in one gulp. Napapikit ako sa sobrang pait kaya sinipsip ko iyong lemonade. Tumingin muli ako sa ground floor at nandoon pa rin siya sa kaniyang pwesto. But this time— there is a female trying to get his attention.

I averted my gaze to him. Why am I thinking about him all the time? Paulit-ulit ko iniisip kung nagkita ba talaga kami noon. Siguro nagkataon lang since siya may-ari ng Montepalma Hills Hospital.

I am wearing a white blouse with a nude coat paired with my trousers also. And of course a white pump. I really look like a business woman. Ganito kasi palagi ang attire ko kapag pupunta sa kumpanya namin at pabrika na rin ng mga gamot kung nasaan si Dad madalas.

“Stand up everybody! We will have a sexy game today!” Baby announced.

She was very excited and giddy at the same time. Kumabog ang dibdib ko nung napatingin sa akin si Baby. Mukhang may masamang plano sa akin si Baby ah. s**t.

“Come here, Sianna!” Baby urged. Pinapatayo na ako ng mga kaibigan niya kaya wala na akong choice. Tiningnan niya naman si Preston. “You too, Preston! Pair dapat kayo.”

Nagsimula na ang tuksuhan sa amin nang tumabi si Preston na sobrang laki ng ngisi. Ang gusto ko lang naman uminom sa gilid e. Binigay sa akin ni Baby iyong lemon at salt. Tapos pinapahiga naman si Preston sa table.

I slapped my hand on my forehead. Mukhang alam ko na ang gagawin namin. Nagsisimula na ako mailang dahil chini-cheer nila si Preston nang tanggalin niya ang pang-itaas na suot.

“Body shot! Body shot! Body shot!” they chanted.

Sweat trickled on my temple when I saw his body. Tinulak ako palapit ni Baby sa direksyon ni Preston na nakahiga. Baby started to pour the alcohol on his body down to his abdomen.

Shit. Do I really have to do this?

Kung nandito lang si Dad ay papauwiin niya na ka agad ako. Alam niya na masyadong wild ang lifestyle ni Baby. Pero maayos din naman na pinsan si Baby, minsan may kalokohan lamang.

“Come on! Lick his body!” si Baby na tinutulak ako palapit kay Preston. Halos isubsub niya na ako sa kaniya e. “Suck some lemonade first.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Last na ito, ah.”

“Just get it done, Sianna!”

Humalakhak siya at alam kong lasing na rin siya kaya ganito na siya. Sinipsip ko iyong lemon at yumuko na ako kay Preston. Napakurap ako nang makasalubong ko ang mata ni Preston. His eyes were burning for passion. I already know that look.

“Lick me now, Sianna,” Preston muttered.

I began licking his abdomen up to his torso. I could hear the scream behind me to cheer me up. Mukhang natutuwa si Preston sa ginagawa ko dahil nakapikit siya.

Nang mapadpad na ako sa leeg niya, tiningnan ko na si Preston. May alak din at asin sa labi niya kaya nilapitan ko na. I brush my lips against his. Nagtilian at palakpakan sa likod ko. Mas naririnig ko ang tili ni Baby.

Humiwalay na ka agad ako kay Preston. Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang makita ko si Mr. Montepalma na nasa floor namin at nasa hagdan siya banda. He was leaning on the railing while the storm was forming in his eyes. He was crossing his arms against his chest with his jaw clenching.

Damn it.

I wanted to run away and hide from it. He looks so angry in my direction. Tinalikuran ko si Mr. Montepalma at dumiretsyo ako sa restroom. Mukhang nagtataka si Baby sa reaksyon ko na halos takbuhin ko na patungo sa restroom. Nang maharap ako sa salamin ay namumula ang mukha ko.

Mabilis ko hinugasan ang labi ko. I don’t want to lick Preston’s body. It is against my principles. Kahit alam ko na bar itong pinuntahan namin. Bumuga ako ng hangin at napapikit.

I don’t want to give Preston another meaning. It is very obvious to his eyes and to his facade. I don’t like him. He is very arrogant and sometimes… annoying?

Gusto ko mainis kung paano ako nasundan ni Mr. Montepalma. He shouldn’t be following me. Lalo na’t may new project kami para sa kaniyang ospital. We should be professional to each other.

Nang mahimasmasan ako ay bumalik na ulit ako sa table. Nakabihis na rin si Preston at umupo ako sa tabi ni Baby. Ayaw ko siya maharap kasi nahihiya ako sa ginagawa ko. Never ako naging wild.

“Hey, are you okay?” Baby inquired.

I nodded my head. “Yeah. I’m totally fine.”

“Sorry. Are you uncomfortable?”

“A bit,” I snickered. Para naman hindi siya ma-guilty kasi party niya naman ito. “But it is fine. It’s your birthday, Baby.”

“That is why you are my favorite cousin ever!”

Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. Tumingin ulit ako sa pwesto kanina ni Mr. Montepalma pero hindi ko na siya makita. Nakahinga naman na ako ng maayos. Mabuti na lang. Pakiramdam ko paunti-unti ako matutunaw kapag nandiyan siya.

“This is the most interesting party ever!” Baby shouted. Tiningnan niya at pinatayo para sumayaw sa bagong tugtog ng DJ.

Humalakhak ako. Paano ba naman pinatugtog ng DJ ang WAP ni Cardi B. Wala ako nagawa kundi magsaya na rin kasi baka nakauwi na si Mr. Montepalma. Tumungga ulit ako ng cuervo para hindi ko na siya maisip.

I was just dancing as if the world was gonna end. The light strobe hit my eyes when I opened it. But I thought I could wash him off my mind when I kept drinking— but I was wrong.

Naramdaman ko na may humawak sa bewang ko. Preston was holding my waist sensually with his eyes burning for me. Napalunok ako at iniwas ko ang sarili sa kaniya. I am not really comfortable whenever he is close to me.

“Are you having fun today?” Preston asked. Nilagay niya sa likod ang buhok ko kaya nakikita ang leeg ko. “Your lips taste good. Can I kiss you again?”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. Find someone who will satisfy your needs.”

“Pero ikaw lang ang gusto ko, Sianna.”

“The feeling is not mutual.” I gave him a cold expression on my face. Para alam niya na hindi ko gusto ang ginagawa niya. “Get out of my sight, Mr. Agoncillo.”

Naglakad na ako palayo sa kaniya at tumama ang mukha ko sa matigas na dibdib ng lalaki. Umangat ang tingin ko at halos lumambot ang tuhod ko na makita ko ang reaksyon niya. I am trying to let out some words but I couldn't.

“Are you okay, mademoiselle?” he whispered. His hand gently crawled on my back. “Do you want me to punch that asshole for you?”

I gulped. “M-Mr. Montepalma…”

“Say something, please.” His slender finger is lifting up my chin to meet his dark eyes again. My heart was racing when our eyes met. “Tell me and I will gladly do it.”

“Sianna!” Preston called. Alam kong nasa likuran ko na siya. “Hey asshole, she is m—”

Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari pero ang sama ng titig ni Mr. Montepalma kay Preston. But Preston got pale when Mr. Montepalma is giving him daggers through his eyes. I could feel the tension between us.

“What did you say?” he barked.

Preston chuckled nervously. “S-Sorry, Mr. Montepalma. I didn’t recognize you. I am drunk.”

“Really?”

“Y-Yes, Mr. Montepalma. I’m sorry if I called you an asshole. I didn’t mean it, I swear!”

“But I have something to say to you…” he trailed off. I felt his hand kneading my skin to gain some support. “You are f*****g fired, Mr. Agoncillo. I mean my words.”

“You can’t possibly do that, Sir!” Preston snapped.

Mr. Montepalma gave him a taunting smirk. “Yes, I can. I am Montepalma, remember?”

Walang nagawa si Preston kundi bumalik siya sa kaniyang table na nakasimangot. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag at napapikit. Hindi ko alam na nagt-trabaho siya kay Mr. Montepalma. But I am very glad that he is out now.

“Connard,” he mumbled.

I squinted my eyes. “What did you say?”

“It’s asshole in french,” he explained. Ngayon bumalik na ang ngiti niya sa labi. “I’m a french, mademoiselle.”

“I thought you were speaking some alien words to me.” I crossed my arms over my chest. Lumayo na ako sa kaniya at hinayaan niya naman ako.

He put his hand on his chest acting like he got hurt.

“You wounded my French pride.”

But I can’t help but to smile at him too. It was too late when I smiled at him like a stupid person. Why am I smiling at him?! Heaven sake, Sianna! Kailangan ko maging maayos sa harapan niya.

I am known as the cold and ferocious woman.

“I have to go…” I announced. Iniwas ko iyong tingin ko sa kaniya. Hindi ako pwede maglasing kasi ako lang mag-isa uuwi mamaya. “I still have work tomorrow.”

“I could offer you a ride,” he offered.

Umiling ako. “No need. I brought my car with me.”

“I know…” He slid his hand into his pockets. He is very tall and has broad shoulders. “But I could follow your car to make sure you are safe.”

“Kaya ko na, promise. I’m a big girl.”

A playful smile stretches his lips. “I know, mon amour.”

Maiitindihan naman siguro ni Baby na umuwi ako bigla. Ang mahalaga naka punta ako sa kaarawan niya. Gustong-gusto ko lang talaga umuwi na ngayon. Bumaba na ako sa second floor ng club at dumiretsyo na ako palabas. I don’t want to turn back to see his face.

When I am finally inside of my car, matagal ako napatitig sa mukha ko sa rearview mirror. My cheeks are in shade with crimson red. Siguro dahil uminom o sa mga pinaramdam kanina ni Mr. Montepalma. Hindi ko na alam!

Kailangan ko na umuwi. I badly need to take a nap.

I was staring too much at the boxes of medicine in front of me. Grabe ang sakit pa rin ng ulo ko. Lalo na tatlong beses ako nag toothbrush kaninang umaga para matanggal ang germs na nakuha ko kay Preston kahapon.

Good thing my Dad isn’t here. Nandoon siya sa kumpanya namin kung saan nagp-produce ng products sa drugstore namin. And I am still thinking about Mr. Montepalma. On how he held me yesterday, how his eyes flickered with concern. Damn it.

I have to stop thinking about that man!

I am very good at Chemistry but I couldn’t even explain what molecule in my body is happening. Even a single atom in my body is going crazy whenever he’s near. A simple computation of a chemistry problem.

“Miss Rodriguez,” someone called.

Nagulantang ako na may biglang lumitaw sa harapan ko. Am I that preoccupied? s**t. Nakakahiya naman. Tumikhim ako para macompose ko iyong poise ko pati na rin ang kahihiyan.

“Yes? Do you need something?”

“Your father is on the phone. He wants to talk with you.”

I huffed. “Thank you, Ashley.”

Ngumiti lang siya sa akin at tumango bago ako iwanan. I am wearing a white uniform because I am managing in our main drugstore. Nagfranchise kasi si Mom ng Ol & Sianna Drugstore sa buong Pilipinas para magkaroon ng source ng supply ng medical needs.

Pumunta na ako sa desk ko at nilagay ko sa tenga ang telepono. Medyo kinakabahan ako kung ano ang binalita sa kaniya ni Mr. Montepalma.

“Hello, Sianna?” si Dad na mukhang naghihintay sa akin.

“Hi, Dad. I’m on the line. What’s up?”

Seriously? What’s up, Sianna? Hilarious.

“How’s the meeting with Montepalma?” he probed.

I felt my throat was drying due to his questions. Kanina ko pa nga iniisip si Mr. Montepalma tapos ang topic namin ngayon ni Dad ay siya?

“I guess it’s fine,” I answered. Bigla ko nasapo ang noo ko kasi parang hindi ako sure.

“Really?”

Maniwala ka na agad Dad! Ayaw ko siya pag-usapan kasi kanina ko pa siya iniisip. Umabot na rin siya sa panaginip ko. Hangga’t maari itigil na ang topic tungkol sa kaniya.

I scrunch my nose. “Really…”

“Okay, I just called you because you will have a meeting with him in the Del Fierro Hotel. Ikaw na ang bahala sa kaniya, hija. Close the deal with him and get done with it. Our bank account will surely be filled with their money.”

“Right…” I chuckled awkwardly. “Just send me the details, Dad. I’m working.”

That’s when I disconnected the phone call. Kailangan ko huminga ng malalim. Maybe a few appointments with him and I’m done. Hindi ako ganito e. Pero ginulo niya iyong sistema ko. Darn.