Sweet Seduction

CHAPTER 03: THE GAME

Kisses

My shooting for now is done! It's been two weeks since I last saw Colden. I've been very busy these past weeks. I made a promise to Acki to not cut my hair. Bruh, that time she was really serious and dangerous. Muntik niya na akong kalbuhin. Buti nalang at napaki usapan pa.

"Acki! Darling? Where are you? Tapos na ang usapan naten sweetheart." Kahit nasa tabi ko lang naman siya. Pinalambing ko talaga ng todo ang boses ko para sa sweetheart sugar baby ko.

Nilingon ko siya at umaktong gulat na gulat sa pinaka OA na asal. Naka busangot nanaman siya. Masama nanaman ang timpla.

"Last one Seri, behave." Seryosong sabi niya. Hindi nako umangal pa. Kaya siguro ikaw ang binigay na manager saken. Sungit sungit mo samantalang ako good girl na maganda na lovely na mabait na cute na maganda na maganda ulit.

"Anong last sched ko sweetheart?" Niyakap ko siya at tinignan siya saka gumawa ng beautiful eyes.

Kung maka tingin siya saken ay parang nandidiri siya na totoo naman. Ewan ko ba sakanya, pinag lihi yata sa sama ng loob. Baka nag iipon rin ng galit araw araw.

"A dinner with the CEO." Napa tahimik ako. Not again.

Tahimik ako buong biyahe. Kung ano ano na naiisip ko. Bumaba kami sa entrance ng isang hotel. Walang media na nag aantay. Buti naman. Sinuot ko na ang sunglass ko at hinablot ang purse ko. Acki can't accompany me. She has her own schedule. Nagtanong tanong ako kung san matatagpuan ang VIP room sa hotel. I dislike Hotels. Pinakita ko sa isang receptionist ang black-gold card na binigay saken ni Acki. Nag tawag agad siya ng isang staff para alalayan ako.

Nasa 14th floor yun. Elevator palang ay nahihilo nako. Mukhang mahaba haba ang gabing to. Umalis na ang staff nang nasa harap nako ng pinto. Kabado sobra.

I knocked twice then push the door open. The cold room and atmosphere welcomed me. I saw the CEO of our company and the CEO of UP HOMES. Then Colden and an unknown girl?

"Ija, come here na. Sit down." Mrs. Tan said.

Kinakabahan ako. Anong meron? Bat nandito si Colden? Mr. Tan pulled the chair for me.

"Why? I mean, why do we have an unknown guest?" That's right. Seri act like you don't know him. It's troublesome.

I saw in my peripheral vision that Colden stared at me. Deeply. Oh God, what's happening? Hindi niya naman siguro ako sinumbong diba? Hinawakan ni Mr. Tan ang kamay ko na nasa lamesa.

"Relax, it's ok." I nodded.

The food they ordered arrived. Tahimik kaming kumakain. Ni isa walang nag salita.

"How's your day? Trish?" Nagulat ako sa ginamit na pangalan ni Mrs. Tan.

"It's fine. Nothing special." Napa ubo si Mr. Tan kaya dali daling inasikaso ni Mrs. Tan.

Nagpaalam namang restroom lang daw yung babaeng hindi ko kilala.

"Trish. Darling, Here's your gift. Happy Birthday!" Napatingin ako sa iba't ibang brand ng paper bags na nilabas ni Mrs. Tan.

"It's my birthday? Today?" Lutang na pagkakasabi ko. It's my birthday?

Tinignan ko silang dalawa. I feel more lonely kahit tatlo na silang nasa harapan ko. Paiyak na rin si Mrs. Tan.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was your birthday. I'm not prepared." Narinig kong sabi ni Colden.

"Me either. So it's my birthday." Mahina kong sabi. Again, I became numb.

"I'm sorry." Umiiyak na sabi ni Mrs. Tan.

Tumayo ako para hanapin ang restroom. Even my birthday feels normal. Pumasok ako sa isang cubicle para hintayin kung maiiyak ba ako o hindi. Pero ni isang luha walang lumabas kaya lumabas na ako at naghugas ng kamay.

"Oh. So it's Ms. Serizeth Paloma. Nice meeting you here." Nakita ko sa salamin ang reflection ng babae na kasama namin kanina. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpa tuloy lang sa paghugas.

"Don't think na porke sugar baby ka ni Mr. Tan at payag dun si Mrs. Tan eh akala mo kung sino kana. Pumayag lang sila dun kase hindi sila magkaka anak Seri. Isa kang bayaran. Katawan kapalit ng kasikatan." Nasampal ko siya ng malakas at natumba siya.

Gumawa yun ng malakas na ingay kaya pumasok sila Mr. at Mrs. Tan pati narin si Colden.

Tinulungan nila siyang makatayo. Nakita kong concern na concern sila sakanya. Samantala saken, ni isa walang lumapit.

"What is happening Seri?! Oh my God! Are you ok?" See? Even my mom is concerned about her. My dad looks at me disappointed. Colden looks at me in disgust.

"Nakita niyo lang siyang kawawa ako na agad ang masama." Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. "Kaawa awa nga naman. Sa susunod na makikita kita ulit, hinding hindi ko pipigilan ang sarili kong sampalin ka. Thank you for the dinner." Pagkatapos nun ay kinuha ko na ang purse ko at umalis.

Pasara na ang elevator nang makita ko si Colden na sinundan ako. Dali dali kong pinindot ang close button. Buti nalang at hindi siya naka abot. Habang pababa ang elevator papuntang underground parking lot ay panay ang text ko kay Acki kung anong sasakyan ko ang pinadala niya. Nang bumukas ang elevator ay ganun nalang ang gulat ko ng makita ko si Colden. Hingal na hingal. Lumabas ako at tinapik siya.

"Don't tell me. Bumaba ka sa hagdan? Maraming elevator ang available. Hindi ko alam kung bobo kaba o tanga." Akala mo makakalimutan ko ang ginawa mo saken? Hindi siraulo.Paalis nako nang hawakan niya ako sa kamay. Hinihingal parin siya. Nakita kong dumating na yung sundo ko. It's my Van.

"Stop." Umayos siya ng tayo at tinignan ako. Mata sa mata.

"What have you done?! Do you know that what you did could put you in danger?!" Kakabawi mo palang ng hangin sumigaw kana agad.

"If you're that concerned, then shut the media up. As I know Mr. Corpuz. You're the CEO of SafeLand Airline, right? What's your business with Mr. Tan? A CEO of building houses and Mrs. Tan a CEO of an entertainment company? Are you here to report my behavior? Do you want me to get kicked out?" I'm angry and confused! Why is he doing this?

"It's just a coincidence!" Pwede ka namang mag salita nang hindi sumisigaw. Hinila ko siya at tinulak sa pader. Hinalikan ko agad. I'm mad. Sana ma gets niya yon sa paraan ng paghalik ko.

"Everytime I see you. I'll kiss you on the spot. Think of it as a coincidence too." I left him. Again. You started this game. Don't blame me for doing this.

Saka na bumuhos ang mga luha ko ng malapit na kami sa bahay ko. I wish Acki was here. I entered the door. Lifeless. I cry silently. So silent that I could only hear the grasshopper chirping.

"Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday~ Happy Birthday dear Trishzeth."

There I saw candlelight. Glowing on top of the birthday cake. Acki was holding it with a smile. For the first time, I feel appreciated. Acki turned the lights on, then put the cake on the table.

"Come here. My hug is free today. Do you think I forgot? Hell no." I ran to her and feel her warm hug. Acki is the only one I treasure the most. The most beautiful blessing I ever had. I cried again. I feel so thankful.

"Hush now. Mind sharing the tea?" I laughed. This girl is such a chismossa talaga.

"I'll blow the candle first. May I?" She nodded and held the cake again. I close my eyes and wish then I blew the candle.

"What's your wish? I'm curious." Ayan nanaman siya. Pag good mood talaga tong isang to mas madaldal pa saken. Mas hyper pa sa aswang pag gabi.

"I hope you find your own source of happiness, Acki. I wish you the best of the best." A tear fell from her face.

"You're enough, Trish Serizeth Tan."

After that, we ate the cake as I shared how crazy and depressing the situation was a while ago while having dinner with them. We laugh, both get confused and angry. I hope this moment never ends. Having a buddy like her is indeed the best.