The War Between Us

CHAPTER 2 : LOOKING GOOD

"Maddison, why did you left nga kasi!" Napakaingay ng bunganga. Nanonood ako ginagambala ako ng hampaslupa.

Nasa sala kami at nanonood ng isang documentary about a Father and Husband who brutally killed his wife and kids. I cringed as I thought my life will became like them.

Nakaunan si Chloe sa hita ko. We usually did this everytime na nasa condo niya ako.

Three days since I left the company. Hindi pa rin ako sanay na hindi gumigising ng maaga para maghanda para pumasok. It quite nostalgic because I worked hard para lang makapasok sa company na 'yon.

"Huy, why are you so quiet? I am asking you why did you left? It was your dream 'diba?" She asked. Hindi ko siya pinapansin at patuloy na pinapanood ang documentary. Tumayo ako ng walang pasabi at rinig ko ang malakas na pag-aray niya.

I have no strength to tell her why did I quit my job. She's true on what she said. Crisford Company is my dream job to work to. I have reasons. And, I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Even on my friends.

Habang umiinom ako ng tubig sa kitchen, Chloe shouted.

"Someone's calling you. Your loverboy." Dali dali kong binitawan ang baso at pinatay ang gripo.

She's holding my cellphone at ngingising inabot ito sa'kin. Tinaasan ko lamang siya ng kilay at sinagot ang tawag.

"Hello?" I asked. Dumiretso ako sa guest room kung saan ako naninirahan for the mean time.

"How are you? Chloe said you left your job? Why? You don't even tell me before you made a decision." Nagtatampo nitong sabi. Ngumiti lamang ako dahil naiimagine ko ang mukha niyang lukot na ewan.

"Loren, 'wag mo 'kong pinagtitripan sasabunutan kita 'pag nakita kita. Don't worry okay lang ako. By the way, where are you? Nasa bar ka na naman ba?" I asked. Pilit kong iniiwasan ang tanong niya dahil I'm uncomfortable answering those questions.

"Is it because of your-"

"Where are you? I'm coming." Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at pinatay ko na ang tawag. After seconds, he texted me the address. As usual.

I picked a violet velvet dress that fit my to my well curved  body. I curled my shoulder length hair and put a lipstick on. I sprayed my favorite cologne that Chloe gave to me noong birthday ko.

"Where are you going in this late hour" Chloe asked. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil naka-dress din siya at ready na kung saan man ang balak kong puntahan.

"I asked you first. Girl, Loren texted me also para may kasabay kang umuwi mamaya. 'Wag mo 'kong panlakihan ng mata diyan. Nasaan yung purse mo, pahiram ako." Napakawalang-hiya talaga nitong babae na 'to. I smiled dahil akala ko papabayaan ako nitong babaeng 'to.

I glanced in the mirror and smile. I am ready to party all night. Hinatak ko na si Chloe dahil binubutingting na niya ang laman ng purse na bigay ni Loren sa akin. Loverboy my a*s. Me, Chloe and Loren are bestfriend since we first met. It was when we were in the beach doing some s**t. You know, I love doing s**t. I mean, I am dancing wild to the song that was the DJ playing. I have a bad tolerance on alcohol and wala akong kakilala that time, Chloe and Loren carried me in her room. As I wake up in the morning, they were looking at me as if I did something wrong against the law and against by the Bible. They didn't tell me what I did. They ignored me and let me sober for an hour. And, they told me what I did, we became friends. Ngayon kapag naalala ko, nahihiya pa rin ako. Imagine, inagaw ko ang microphone sa DJ at kinanta ang "Kabet" by Gagong Rapper.

"Chloe girl, you're so pretty." I said. She's really pretty. Loren teases her because she looks like Barbie Imperial but she called him 'Chanak Imperial'. I laughed as I thought how they tease each other like couple did.

Lol. They hate each other so much.

"You too. Sana makahanap ka na ng boylet mamaya. Ikaw kasi, napaka-taas ng standards mo." Asar nito sa akin. I have no high standards. I only afraid that men will be a guy who only cared and loved you from the start. But after they lost their interest to you they will dumped you just like a trash.

Napataas na lamang ito ng kilay at hinatak na ako palabas.

"Maddi, Girl you look so pretty!" Bati ng mga kaibigan ni Chloe na party goers din.  Hinatak nila ito at iniwan akong nag-iisa. Nag-peace sign na lang yung mga friends niya. Bruhilda, hindi man lang ako tiningnan. Dire-diretso ang lakad. Walang pakundangan.

I took my phone out and dialed Loren's number. Minutes had passed but still no answer from him. Inis akong naglakad papasok dahil nilalamig na ako. Ewan ko kung saang lupalop ng mundo nakapunta ang bruha na 'yon. Hindi pa nga kami nakakapasok sa loob eh.

"Hi, Miss. You looked so good on violet." The man said. He looks like a celebrity. Ah, he's Andrews Carter. The best-selling author. I do like his books. I smiled at him and entered the Bar as if this is my first time entering but it wasn't. Loren owns this famous Bar. Mga kilalang personalidad ang mga suki nito, celebrities and politicians are using this Bar for events that's why it became famous and it also appeared on the famous magazine named 'The Wine Bar'.

Pagpasok ko pa lang ay rinig na ang ingay na galing sa DJ. They're now looking so wild. I glance at the stage and the famous band was performing. Umupo ako sa stool dahil lahat ng couch ay okupado na. Iniikot ko ang aking mata upang hanapin si Loren but I didn't saw him.

"Hello, you are Maddison right? We are officemates by the way. I saw you everyday and I don't think you saw me too. I guess. Based on your expression." A man in a casual wear asked me. I don't know him but I can't igonore him because I have no one to accompany me tonight and also he said that we are officemates. I smiled and nodded. He looked away. Wait, he just blush. Ano kaya 'yon.

"One Margarita, please." I said to the bartender. I shrugged my shoulders as he left. Bakit umalis? Ano ba 'yan.

The bartender gave me the shot. As I felt the alcohol on my throat, I saw someone wearing a Tuxedo with three buttons opened. Napalagok ako ulit dahil sa nakita ko. He really looks good wearing his coat. This time, it's black. And he's dancing with a Latina who is a brand ambassadress of a famous perfume line. He touched the woman's booty and looked at me intensely. Lumingon ako kaagad. Nakakahiya. Kumakabog ang dibdib ko dahil parang isa akong stalker na nahuli ng sinusundan ko. After kong lumagok ulit ng isang shot, tumingin ako ulit sa dancefloor where they exactly dancing sexily but I saw him looking directly on me in the couch with his peircing eyes. Like he did on our first meet. Naka-cross ang mga hita itong nakatitig sa'kin. He looked at me down to my boobs and looked at my face again. My velvet dress is a bit showy. My cleavage are revealing but not like the other girls here. Yung iba walang b*a sa suot na dress. Bakat na bakat. Too much show off but if this is the way they express theirselves, then I don't care. And, I hope people too. There's no wrong wearing revealing clothes. Nasa sa'yo na 'yun kung ano at paano mo sila titingnan.

Tumalikod na ako dahil hindi ko kayang makikipagtitigan sa kanya. I ordered again a shot at pang-lima na 'to pero wala pa rin si Chloe at Loren.

I felt somebody just sit beside me. And, f**k. Mr. Carson is sitting beside me. He motioned his hand at umalis ang bartender upang kumuha ng order niya. I feel uncomfortable kaya lumayo ako ng kaunti kahit malalaglag na ako sa kinauupuan ko. I heared him chuckled. Ba't ang hilig niyang bumungisngis. Nakakainis.

"You looked good." He said while sipping his shot. Inabot sa akin ng bartender ang order ko at umalis na. I didn't what to react. I often heard some guys saying I look pretty or my dress is nice. But hearing his statement makes me think twice.

Kami na lamang ang nasa stool dahil nasa dancefloor na ang iba at nagkakasiyahan na.

"Uh, yeah not that much." I laughed awkwardly. I didn't know what to react. He just nodded at tumahimik na.

"Y-you too, Mr. Carson." I said because  the ambiance became low. He looked at me with his puffy eyes. He seemed shock because of what I said. He really is. He looks good wearing a Tuxedo, maybe because when I first met him he was also wearing a formal wear. I can't deny that thing. His hair, nakababa na ito hindi katulad noon na sumisigaw talaga ng 'I Am The Boss'. Napangiti ako sa aking naisip. Lumunok ako dahil hindi ko na makayanan ang titig niya.

"Baby, why are you here alone? Where's Chloe?" Loren suddenly appered out of nowhere. I pinch his cheeks because he looks cute. He's wearing the Hoodie that I gave him yesterday.

May be the alcohol's already at my sytem. I have a bad tolerance on alcohol and I don't wanna end up looking like s**t like I was before.

"Why you so late? I'm waiting for over two hours. Chloe dumped me!" I said. Pinagpapalo ko ang kanyang braso at todo ilag naman siya. Loren's held my waist at inalalayang tumayo. I heared somebody said "Tsk." And after that I passed out.

And, all I was remembered is a sound of a glass na nabasag.