On The Edge (Girlfriends Series No.2)

Chapter 1

I've been trying to reach out to Kuya Iulian, but he has been busy lately, or I must say he's avoiding me from what happened in our house. I thought we were on good terms before he left.

"Hi babe. How was your day?" salubong sa'kin ni Benj nang makalabas ako ng office. Naabutan ko ito na nakasandal sa hood ng kotse niya.

Niyakap ko ito nang makalapit sa kanya. "I'm fine. Nagugutom lang," sambit ko habang naka-puppy eyes sa kanya.

"Tara kain tayo sa Domac." Pakiramdam ko kuminang ang mga mata ko sa pag-aaya niya. Kaya mabilis akong pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

Narinig ko ang pagtawa niya pagkasara ko ng pinto. Hindi ko pala siya nahintay na pagbuksan ako ng pinto ng kotse. Nag-peace sign ako sa kanya as a sign of apology.

Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi isipin si Kuya Iulian. I miss my Kuya Iulian already.

Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Benj ang kanang kamay ko. "Sorry talaga babe. Dapat pala sinabi ko agad kung sino nanakot sa'kin noong magpunta ako sa bahay n'yo," hingi niya ng tawad.

Ipinatong ko ang kaliwang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak niya sa kanang kamay ko. "It's okay. Kasalanan ng temper ko ang nangyari," nakangiti kong saad dito.

Si Kuya Borge pala ang nanakot sa kanya. Hindi ko na ito nakausap dahil nakaakyat na ulit siya sa barko. I don't know why he did that to Benj. I mean I know he is just being overprotective brother. Matagal pa naman bago kami magkaroon ng communication sa kanya dahil depende kung may signal sa area o wala.

Narating namin ang usual place na kinakainan namin ni Benj. Siya na ang umorder ng pagkain at nauna na ako sa usual spot na inuupuan namin. I really love sitting beside the windows. I like observing people outside the fast food and make a scenario inside my head based on the reaction of their faces.

"Here's the food!" Bahagya ako napakislot sa gulat nang marinig ko ang boses ni Benj. Masyado akong natutok doon sa babaeng nakaupo sa labas na tila hindi mapakali habang nakatingin sa cellphone niya.

"What are you looking for?" tanong ni Benj. Nakita kong um-order siya ng favorite food ko. Large sundae at fries.

"Nah. Just making scenario in my mind." Sinawsaw ko ang fries sa sundae at nakita ko ang disgusting face ni Benj.

"Your taste really odds sometimes. Habang maaga pa iwasan mo na 'yan." Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot sa sinabi niya. He really doesn't like this. I don't know why he can't just accept what I want.

"Okay, I'll try. Let's not argue for these small things. So what—" Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang mag-ring ang phone niya.

"Urgent call. I'll be right back." He quickly stood up and went outside.

Sinundan ko na lang ng tingin ito hanggang sa makalabas siya. Nakita ko ulit ang babaeng tinitingnan ko kanina bago kumain. May kasama na siyang lalaki na mukhang boyfriend niya dahil umiiyak na siya habang nagtatalo sila.

Hinatak na lang bigla ng lalaki ang babae para makaalis sa spot nila dahil pinagtitinginan na sila ng mga tao sa paligid. Nahagip naman ng mata ko si Benj habang may kausap pa ito sa phone. Nakangiti siya, ewan ko pero bigla akong kinutuban. Hindi naman niya nabanggit kung tungkol sa work ang tawag.

I shake off my head to get rid of my thoughts. "No. It's work okay, self? Work lang 'yon."

My other phone rang, and I saw a call from the client I had last month. I tapped the green button to answer the call, "Is this Anne?" a girl's voice at the other side.

"Yes? Who is this calling?"

"Hi, this is Terra, the secretary of Mr. James Cuevas, the CEO of JaCu Jewelry," pakilala ng babae sa kabilang linya.

"Mr. Cuevas was asking for your availability next week."

"Email me the details as soon as possible so that I can check right away."

"Copy that, Miss. Hope to hear from you soon."

Binaba ko na agad ang tawag nang makita kong pabalik na si Benj dito.

"Babe, I'm sorry, but I need to go. I have an emergency meeting with my client."

"Oh. Okay lang. I'll take a cab from here." I suddenly felt sad after he left. We barely have a date these days because of our hectic schedules.

After he left, I received an email from Terra. I confirmed going as soon as I'm done checking my schedules. I am going to be the date of Mr. Cuevas at the jewelry auction.

Three days before the event, the company sent me a dress to wear, a long black dress off-shoulder with silver linings on the slit part, the back part is exposed until it reaches the waist.

From: Terra – Secretary of JaCu Good day, Miss Anne. The driver will pick you up at 7 p.m. Please be ready.

From: My Engineer Are you free for dinner tonight?

Ngayon ko lang nabasa ang message ni Benj, hindi ko pala siya nasabihan na busy ako ngayon. Sinusundo niya kasi palagi sa office pagkatapos ng trabaho. Kapag busy ako hindi na ako nagpapasundo sa kanya dahil hindi ko alam kung anong oras ako natatapos sa trabaho ko.

To: My Engineer Busy ako later. Next time na lang please? Sorry!

×—————×

Privera Auction Hall

The party is hosted by JaCu Jewelry, the company of Mr. Cuevas, the one who asked me to escort him. Being a model is advantageous to have other sidelines such as promotional model, commercial, fitness, fashion, or escort to those business tycoons, bachelors, and celebrities who don't have a partner to bring to the party. Don't get me wrong; it doesn't mean I don't have money to support myself. I did this to have more connections to grow our family business.

Benj doesn't have an idea of what I am doing. We both decided to have a relationship where we don't need to seek permission for our work. He understands that being a model is not an easy job. We have to maintain our body figure, watch out for our diets, and always take care of our skin seriously.

Mr. Cuevas held my waist and introduced me to his partners. "You're still gorgeous as ever, Anne." I gave them a shy smile. I already met some of them from the past events I attended. Their partner is also an escort like me.

"I wish I can marry her in the future. I am not getting younger," James' side jokes. I almost rolled my eyes. He doesn't know I have a boyfriend. What is between us is purely an escort and a client, no strings attached.

"Don't be silly, James.. Baka umasa ako." I felt Jamesfreezee in seconds.

"I'm just joking," I whispered to him. He gave me a thin glare as if he was trying to figure out what to say.

Nilapitan ako ni Grace isa pang escort at hinatak mula kay James para makapag-usap kami.

“Girl, ang swerte mo kay Cuevas.”

“Ha? What do you mean, Grace?”

“Hindi mo ba alam? He is head-over-heels to you… Pansin nga ng karamihan.”

Natawa na lang ako, “Don’t start rumors… baka may maniwala.”

Lumapit ang secretary ni James para kunin ako. "Excuse me, Mistress... The auction will be starting in ten minutes."

“Catch up with you later, Grace,” paalam ko bago siya iwan at sumama kay Terra.

Magsusuot ako ng ilan sa jewelry ng JaCu para ipakita ng auctioneer ang itsura nito kapag sinuot ng bidder. Napunta sa akin ang set of peridot. Sinadya talaga nila ito para tugma sa birth month stone ko.

Mr. Cuevas is such a good man for taking good care of me ever since we first met. I don't know why he can't find a partner to match his age. I'm 21 years old, and he is ten years older than me. That’s why I ignored the rumors before.

"Are you ready, Miss Anne?" tanong sa'kin ng secretary ni James.

"Yes. I'm good to go."