The Business Rivalry

Chapter 11

Today is the Fundraising Event.

Gusto sana kaming sunduin ni Rayni kaso sabi ko may meeting ako with the new investors ng 17:30. They want us to meet in her friend's restaurant, which is 15-20 minutes away from our company. At syempre may mga journalists and paparazzi na naghihintay sa venue, since Remi invited several celebrity friends, directors, and business owners. Kaya hindi kami pwedeng pumunta doon together.

20:00 pa naman ang start ng auction at dahil sa tagal ni Hannah magprepare. I know we're gonna be late for 5 minutes or more.

*****

It was almost 19:00 when our meeting concluded. Nagmadali na kaming umuwi para makapagbihis na. Tinext ko si Remi na give me 10 minutes. I don't want to be late pero ang traffic sa Pilipinas, kakaloka.

.

I wore a Yuan-Tan Sequined Stretch Matte-Jersey Feather-Trim Asymmetric Dress, and all my jewelry is from The Greek Ransics.

"Hans! Come on, it's 19:40!" I shouted at her from the living area.

"Chill, baby Blaine. The venue is just nearby!" She shouted back.

Pinuntahan ko na siya sa kwarto niya. "Dami mo talagang seremonyas."

"Excited? Miss mo na?" Humarap siya sa 'kin habang sinusuot ang hikaw. "O baka natatakot ka baka may makauna sa'yo?"

"Let me remind you that our item will be the first to auction. Nakakahiya naman na late ang isang designer at owner, right?"

"Patapos naman na ako, iready mo na ang dadalhin mo and the stem of flower." Humarap na ulit siya sa vanity mirror niya. Umalis na din ako at nagpuntang kitchen nando'n kasi ang vase ng mga red roses na binili ko kahapon.

I want to give Rayni a single stem rose.

Oh, that reminds me. I surprised her by giving her a bouquet of daisies no'ng nagrelease kami ng products namin. She gave me another bouquet as well.

Daisy is her favorite flower, secret kung paano ko nalaman. ?

I'm not a stalker. Hindi talaga.

*****

We finally arrived at exactly 20:10. The auction has already started.

"Our first item for tonight is a special collaboration between Reign and Kicks & Heels. One pair of sneakers and a bag." I heard Lance's voice.

I roam my eyes all over the place. And there, I saw my future wife. The mother of my children. Sitting elegantly on the middle left side of the room.

"Designed by both owners. And wow, look at that logo." He added while holding the transparent box.

Silang dalawa lang ni Bless sa table at nilapitan na namin sila.

"P100,000!" The woman shouted.

"Hi." I greeted her. f**k! ang ganda niya. She's wearing a Deep V Neck Jersey Strapless High Low Evening Dress. I can see her cleavage, my goodness!

She looks so soft and smooth. It's nice to place a mark on her white skin.

Soon. I'll mark every part of her.

"Finally. Did you just arrive now?" She held my arm and gave each other an air kiss.

Shit! She smells great.

Nagbeso din kami ni Bless. We sat in our seats, Bless on my right side, Rayni on my left.

"Yes. I didn't know this place so we took a little detour." Isa pa 'yan nagpalate sa'min. It was also Waze's fault.

"You can just tell me, so the four of us came here together."

"Not gonna happen. There are a gazillion reporters out there."

"Can we listen to him? It's your stuff that's being auctioned." Bless said to us. We adjusted our seats na parang magkakatabi kaming apat kaya siguro narinig kami ni Bless na nag-uusap.

We smiled at each other before gazing at the stage.

Ngiti pa lang ulam na! I can see her face clearly even though the lights are dim.

"500,000!" Someone bid.

"I know that this is the best collaboration ever but, wow, they're really interested in your item." Sabi ni Hannah na hindi pa makapaniwala.

"Did you just mistrust us?" Rayni replied with her raised eyebrow.

"It's not.. like that... but, wow." Hannah was still surprised.

"It's now in seven digits," Bless said. Pareho sila ni Hannah na may gulat sa mukha.

So wala silang tiwala sa 'min, gano'n?

"1.2!" Someone bid, again. Oh, that's Ms. Dalton a renowned actress.

"1.3!"- Mrs. Yuan. COO of YC Electronics Group.

"1.3M! To Mrs. Yuan, going oooonce..." Lance is good at hosting. Hindi nakakantok ang boses niya.

"1.5!" I can't see this woman.

"2M!" Ms. Dalton again.

Well, I'm not surprised by the bid prices. These are Reign and Kicks & Heels we're talking about. But I never expected this to be a hit!

"2.5!"- Mrs. Yuan. Does she really like these items?

"Wow..." I blurted out. They're willing to buy those for millions?! Seriously?

"Didn't expect it?" Narinig niya ako? I can see that she's proud. I smiled and nodded gently.

"5 Million!" Whatthefuck?! Who's that?

"5M to Ms. Wade! Going ooonce... going twi—" Lance said happily. Akala mo may share siya.

Ms. Wade, the eldest heiress of Elite Airport.

"7 Million." Mrs. Yuan bid again. Yeah, she likes the item.

"Okay. May I remind you, ladies? These are just our first items, we still have several left to go." Sabi ni Lance na parang pinapakalma ang mga bidders.

"8M!" Ms. Dalton.

Wait lang naman, kalma lang uy. Bag and sneakers lang 'yan.

Sabagay, this is an Auction for a Cause. Para sa mga low-income students, so sige lang. Bid higher pa.

Tiningnan ko si Rayni, she didn't even look surprised? Is she expecting these prices? Unfair, pati side profile ang ganda. I want to kiss her soft cheek.

"10!"

"10M to Mrs. Yuan! Going ooonce... going twi—"

"12!"

"12M to Ms. Gutierrez! Going ooonce... going twiiiice..." Parang nagmamadali na si Lance iclose 'to. Marami pa naman kasing items na ia-auction baka mawalan na sila ng budget for the next item, although mga richie rich ang mga guests.

"18!"

"18M to Ms. Wade! Going ooonce..." The other bidders shook their heads.

"Sold to Ms. Wade!" Natapos din, sa wakas.

"Great items, girls." Remi said while sitting next to Rayni.

"It's supposed to be at least three pairs but you wanted one, these two got jealous and wanted one as well." Four bags sana but these three wanted one, so isa na lang. 3 pairs of shoes kaso Bless and Remi wanted one. Kaya ang na auction lang namin ay isang bag ang 1 pair of sneakers.

"The design and the merged logo are exceptional. I despise not having one." Tumatawang sabi niya at hinampas pa si Rayni sa braso. Feeling close na close acquaintance. ?

"Of course, it's exceptional. Rayni made them." Colors lang yata na ambag ko sa designs, eh.

"You're welcome." Ngumiti siya kay Remi tapos kinindatan niya ako! Enebe nemen 'te!

"You two looked great tonight. Let's take a picture?" Remi gave me a meaningful look.

We stand on the corner side of the room, Remi is on my left side while Rayni is on my right, tapos si Bless and Hannah.

"Oh, wait. I'm the only one who doesn't have a partner, huh?" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata pagharap niya sa'kin. I'm sure Rayni saw that.

Ang hirap talaga kapag meron kang friends na mapang-asar. ?

Umusog si Remi sa harap naming apat, finding a perfect angle. "This is good. Be ready."

I felt Rayni placing her arm around my waist. Hannah places her hand on Bless' shoulder. Bless' hand on Hannah's waist.

Steady yourself, Blaine! Fuckshit, my body froze as well as my breathing! Isabay mo pa 'yung nagpapalpitate kong puso.

"Ready.. 1.. 2." I slightly lifted both corners of my lips. I hope hindi halata sa picture na nagba-blush ako. Kay Rayni kasi ako nakatingin. Her smile makes me wet— I mean, makes me feel a million-volt range and it made me ticklish.

"Let me see." Chineck ko 'yung photo if Rayni's hand was visible on my waist.

Good thing hindi naman halata, puwedeng ipost sa IG or sss.

"Looking great! Bagay na bagay! Manhid lang 'yung isa." Ayan na naman si Remi, bulong lang 'yung last sentence pero nako, gigil me. Buti na lang busy si Hannah kay Bless kung hindi, baka pinagkakaisahan na naman nila ako.

Hindi naman sila manhid. Talagang ayaw lang nila sa atin. Simple as that.

Rayni whispered in my ear. Her lips lightly touched it. A slight tingle travels up my spine.

"Sorry. I can't help it. You're too hot not to get noticed." f**k! What the— s**t! Her breath is so hot. Come on, heart. Calm down! And she smells so damn good! I also felt her soft lips on my ear!

Sana naging tenga na lang ako.

"It's okay. It's not visible in the photo." My cheeks are hot, sana hindi niya napansin.

"Do you want a drink? I'll get you one." She asked as we walked back to our table.

"No, I'm good. Thank you." I can't drink alcoholic drinks. I'll tell you that next time.

"Lilipat kami ng ibang table. Please, Ms. Fuentes, take care of Blaine." Hannah squeezes my shoulder.

"Of course, I will. Go on, enjoy yourselves." Tumingin siya sa'kin pag-alis ni Hannah. "Do you want to go to my place?" Not now, babe.

"I'm not sure. Raincheck?" Huwag isusuko ang Bataan, basta basta. Yes! I'm taking notes!

"The next item is Ms. Rayni Fuentes' first-ever handbag design." I swirl my head on the stage. "I believed she kept it because this is one of her limited handbags from her rookie years." I can't see it, ugh!

Her rookie years? "Wow, really?" Tiningnan ko siya and she smiled at me.

"Yes, I sold the other three. I want to keep that one to think about my hardships. But, the students are more important than that bag so, I'm letting that go." Her eyes have this... sadness?

I want it. It has sentimental value.

"2M to Ms. Barrosa! Going—"

I immediately grabbed the bid board sign on the table and raised it. "5!"

"Another bid for Ms. Kingsley." I already bought an item a while ago which is the weekend hotel package for only 8 million.

"7!" This Barrosa. Tch.

"10." I calmly said.

"Blaine?" She holds my arm. "What are you doing?" Her confused brows are on point.

I can sense that all eyes are on us, watching, since there's no gap between our arms.

"I want it. It's your first handbag design." I gave her soothing eyes. Please, let me.

"12!"

Ugh. These people don't know when to back out! "20." Let's see if you can keep up.

"Oh-ho. 20 million to Ms. Kingsley! Going ooonc—"

"22."

"23."

"25!"

Hay nako. They're getting on my nerves! You want to fight, huh? Let's see.

"50." I'm smirking triumphantly in my mind and dancing excitedly. Don't mess with Blaine Kingsley.

"Uhh, Blaine?" Hinawakan niya ako sa wrist ko.

"Why? I'm bidding and it's your item." I smiled at her and I noticed how she bit her lower lip. Hot!

"51!" Tanginanggago! Who's that?!

"70!" Bid again or I'm going to destroy everything you've worked for.

"Wow, 70 million! Going ooonce... going twice..... Sold to Ms. Kingsley!"

Don't you dare fight me if Rayni's involved. Matatalo ka lang. ?

"You're crazy." Natatawang sabi niya. Yes, crazy for you.

"It has sentimental value. So, I want to have it." I said while my gaze was fixed on the stage. Ayoko siyang tingnan eh.

"To anyone who bought the items, please go to the side so we can settle your payment. Thank you." Sabi ni Lance at bumaba na siya ng stage.

Tumayo na kami ni Rayni nang may humarang sa amin. "Hi, Ms. Fuentes and Ms. Kingsley." Eww, may hotdog. ?

Shit 'yung rose! Bakit ngayon ko lang naalala? Ano ba 'yan.

"Let's go, Blaine." Hinawakan na naman niya ako sa bewang. "Excuse us."

"Can you wait here? I forgot something in the car."

"Samahan na kita." She was about to walk along with me when I stopped her.

"No need. Baka isipin ni Lance nagbid lang tayo tapos hindi nagbayad." I said laughing at natawa naman din siya.

"Okay, I... uh... Get it quick?" Tumango lang ako at tumakbo na palabas.

Kinuha ko naman agad ang rose at tumakbo ulit sa loob.

I didn't see any Hannah and Bless, saan kaya sila nagpunta? Wala din sila dito loob, wala din sa parking lot.

"Hey, crush ba't 'di ka maharap

Pinangungunahan ng kaba at ng red flush"

Shet, patama naman 'yung song.

Lumapit ako kay Rayni, this song is making my heart go wild.

"Hey, crush 'wag ka sanang ma-harass

Kung patagong kang mahalin ng waga-a-as

Isang araw ay naglakas ng loob

Dalang rosas sa'yo'y inabot"

"Hey, f-for you." Nakatingin lang ako sa rose habang inaabot kay Rayni babe. I'm f*****g nervous! I can't lift my face to see her reaction. Kainis.

"Kamay nagdaplis puso'y kay bilis

Parang ayaw nang umalis sa tabi mo magandang miss

Oh, please, 'di ko matiis

Na sabihin sa'yong akin ka sa'yo ako"

This song is exactly what I'm feeling right now! Putcha, Joshua! Hanggang dito ba naman?

"Sweet, thank you, Blaine." Ayoko siyang tingnan, namumula pa ang mukha ko, sheet!

"Hey, crush, may pag-asa ba tayo

Ngayong alam mong sino ako pwede bang

"Hey, loves" ang itawag sa'yo pwede namang Cheer kita Var mo 'ko, oh, oh"

I can't f*****g say anything! And my mind is blank! This background song is distracting me!

"Blaine?"

"Isang araw ay naglakas ng loob

Dalang rosas sayo'y inabot"

She cupped my face and lifted it. Her eyes were filled with concern.

Rayni naman, can't you feel that... I like you? Torpe na manhid pa! Ano ba 'yan.

"Kamay nagdaplis puso'y kay bilis

Parang ayaw nang umalis sa tabi mo magandang miss

Oh, please, 'di ko matiis

Na sabihin sa'yong akin ka sa'yo ako"

"Hey, crush."

"Crush?" Wait... what?! "Blaine? What did you say?" Nilapit niya lalo 'yung mukha ko sakanya while looking at me keenly.

"I... uh... I mean... uh... the... song title?" I laughed awkwardly. This. is. f*****g. humiliating!

"You're cute. Do you know that?" She pinched my nose! Oh my goodness.

"Hi, Ms. Kingsley." Another hotdog said.

"What do you want?" Mataray na tanong ni Rayni ko.

"I... just want to—"

"Can't you see we're talking? Leave or else." Para siyang nagsuper saiyan pero black aura instead of gold. Tumingin muna 'yung guy sa 'min bago umalis.

Yieee! Jelly si Rayni babe! Cutie naman!

"Where did the two go?" I roamed my eyes around the whole place. Avoiding her eyes as well. Hindi naman niya siguro nakikita 'yung red cheeks ko, madilim naman eh.

"Do you want me to find them?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, stay here. Wait for me." She smiled and squeezed my arm before she left.

Where's Remi? Where did they all go? Medyo kinakabahan ako.

A waiter gave me a glass of water, kinuha ko naman, and drank almost half of it.

Fuckshit! "It's not water!" I said while coughing.

Mr. Barker was the one you gave me this! This is bad.

No, no, no, no!

I saw him smirk and everything went black.