The Business Rivalry

Chapter 6

"What are you eating?" You? I mean... gusto kitang... argh! The f**k.

"Roast chicken and... lasagna." Don't be obvious, Blaine! Kalmahan mo lang, you're not affected. Chill.

She runs her thumb on my lower lip and tastes her thumb.

The heck do you expect me to calm down? My heart is beating fast it may jump out of my body! My knees are also trembling with her bone-piercing gaze.

Crush naman, ang bilis mo naman yata.

"Hmm... taste good."

"Do yo— do you want... to... eat?" I never stuttered in my whole existing life. Putek, this is embarrassing.

"Can I?" She said and held my face.

Wait lang, I'm not prepared!

"I... I... um." Hans, where the freaking heck are you?!

"Let's get another... plate?" I nervously chuckled.

"Let's just share." With her squinted eyes. "Are you okay? Your face is red as a tomato."

Of course, I'm not okay! If your forever crush did this to you, I don't think your heart will be calm.

"Blaine?" Raising my chin up. My gosh, her eyes are... shining... shimmering splendid. Wait, what?

Damn, hindi ako makapagisip ng maayos.

"Yes?"

"You look great... tonight." She said with a wink.

Is she hitting on me? She looks like an expert. Is she always like this to other girls? Malamang, playgirl nga hindi ba?

Akin ka na lang, Rayni. Masarap naman ako mag mahal eh.

"Can I kiss you, Blaine?"

Wait! Hold on! Sandali! I'm not ready for this... yet.

"I... don't think.. we.. should." I cleared my throat. "We just... met.. this morning."

She moved away from me. Her eyes travel from my body.

A slight tingle travels up my spine from the way her gaze lingers on me. But I don't see any... lust in her attractive eyes.

"Wow... hot. Shall we take a seat?" Thank goodness at naisipan mo 'yan. I nearly gave in to you.

Fuckshit! I just realized that I'm wearing a nightie.

And I'm not that... proud of my... body.

"I've been curious about you since we met. So, I searched for your name..." Hindi pa kami nakakaupo ng mag salita siya.

Is she serious?! Uupo talaga siya sa tabi ko? Pwede naman sa kabila, across the table.

"And? Do you want to ask me some questions?" I tried to sound unaffected.

"Do you have crushes? Celebrity crush or anything?" You. Ikaw 'yung crush ko.

"Next question, please." I avoided her eyes and tried to focus on the food.

"Too personal? Okay." She giggles. "What's your alias?"

I arched an eyebrow and glanced at her, "I'll tell you mine if you tell—"

"Rose Summers." She smiles and wiggles her brows.

"That easy? You shouldn't tell me that!"

"So, what's yours?" Parang wala lang sa kanya na sinabi niya sa'kin 'yon. Isn't she worried that I might use her alias or tell everyone about it?

Okay, since we're in our house, it's safe, thus.... "Uhh... Stephanie Santos." We shook hands and she got a surprise written on her face. "Why? What's wrong?"

"You're the one who always donates. And... your scholarship program." Why does she know that? Is she my stalker?

Assumera ka, Blaine.

"What about it?" I asked as I slightly moved away from her. Since we're so close that there is no space between us.

"Bless is one of your scholars."

"What? Small world, huh?" But I can't remember her. I have thousands of scholars and my sponsorships, ayoko naman tanungin 'yung full name ni Bless.

"She wants to finish her studies so I let her. I just found out that she got a scholarship from another company." She paused and stared directly into my eyes. "And you donate... like monthly?"

"I know exactly how it feels to have nothing. I don't want anyone to feel what it feels like, especially the kids. I don't want them to experience what I experienced as well. As much as possible, I'm willing to support them financially and physically."

Bwakanangshit! She's smiling while staring at me! Naiinlove ako lalo.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I lowered my head to hide my flushed face. Makangiti kasi akala mo... kinaganda mo 'yan.

Pero ang gwapo niya sa suot niyang suit. Tapos 'yung tingin niya pa parang... she can make me kneel right here and right now.

"Do you know why I donate?" She suddenly looked serious.

"Hmm, because you have... money?"

"No... I don't want to be seen by the public." Ngumiti siya pero ang lungkot ng maganda niyang mga mata. "I want to do charities like helping them with anything, but people misinterpret... they think I'm doing it because... I want to clean my reputation. So, I donate money instead."

"How did you... get interested in... donating? You have money and... family. Your life is... easier... it's perfect."

"Easier isn't always better." She smiled for a moment and lowered her head. "I may have a family.. physically. But... emotionally? They're not. I have a younger sister. She's the black sheep of the family. Total opposite of me. Since we were kids, she's been our parents' favorite. I don't understand it. It should be me because I'm smart, understanding, a giver, hard-working, resourceful, and reliable. I was thirteen when I started working with my dad. I was there... but they treated me like I was a disgrace to the family. My sister got pregnant at the age of fifteen. Do you know what my parents did?"

"Did they blame you?"

She's smiling again, pero ang lungkot pa din eh. "Yes. They said, what am I doing? Why did I not keep my eye on her? I was just seventeen at that time, a college freshman. When they said that, I was... awaken. I vowed to my grandmother that I would surpass my dad's company, his legacy. I started planning when I was just fifteen, behind my dad's back. I design my own bag and sell it on the internet. After seven months on my own and keep doing that... I almost gave up... I realized that this industry is merciless."

I don't have a family so I'm fantasizing about people who have one that they are happy, especially when they're complete... I didn't know that... yes, I know. But I want to believe that a complete family is a happy family. Because... I don't remember the last time that I was with my parents.

No, I don't want to remember.

"How did you... continue?" Ayoko na sanang mag tanong about sa past niya, I can see that she's still hurting.

"Honestly, it's really a bumpy road, it's so rough, it's dark... After a year. I saw the news... my dad appointed my sister to be the president of the company. I worked my butt off to the point that I was... begging people to buy my bags. I have no time to sleep, to eat. I just kept drawing and drawing. My first big opportunity was with an award-winning actress. She noticed my designs. She liked them and she offered me a three-month contract. I saved money and opened a booth. The rest is history."

"Did you... surpass.. your dad?"

"Yes. I bought his company after.... four years? I think. They didn't know that I was the one who wanted to buy it."

"Is that where you founded the... cosmetics?"

"Yes, in his company. How did you know?" Crush kasi kita kaya alam ko ang lahat sayo, ay hindi naman lahat, konti lang.

"You're my... role model." I shyly said.

She moved her body and faced me, "Mmm-huh. Since when?"

"Before... I founded my... company. Hmm... I think it's your second year in the industry."

Ayan, ayan na naman ang titig niyang makalaglag panty.

"Why are... you keep... looking at me.. like that...?" At parang ang init yata dito sa kwarto.

"I don't know what's with you that I told you my life story."

She leans closer but I keep moving backwards, my back is at 130 degrees. Faces are inches away.

Hannah! Please, nasaan ka na ba?! Hindi ko na mapipigilan sarili ko, baka mahalikan ko na 'tong crush ko!

"Uh... Rayni, wait." I need to breathe. I need my heart to slow down. I need to calm my f*****g heart!

"Foods are here!" Yes, finally! Hannah's here.

"Wow..." Blessie said with an amusing gaze.

"What are you doing with my baby Blaine?!"