GUILTY PLEASURE

ONE TALA EUGENE “Why can’t you be like your sister kaysa magpaka-boang ka d’yan! Hindi kana bata‚ Eugene—act like your age for goodness’ sake! Puro sakit sa ulo lang binibigay mo samin. Look at your sister‚ Tally—” “I know‚ I know—sya na yung magaling sa lahat. She’s the only one who meets your standard‚ d’ba? So‚ make her your puppet. Kasi ayoko sa mga ideyang gusto mong gawin ko. And Mom‚ I’m not here to meet your standard” I said annoyed‚ cutting her off Humakbang ako paalis and left my enrage mother behind. Ate Tally approach me saka sumabay sakin sa paghakbang palabas ng bahay She chuckled “You’re crazy” “Same as you” “Just do what Mommy wants‚ it’s for your own good” She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyeballs. I let out fake laugh “ Wow that’s so crazy. I just don’t remember asking for your opinion” “Baliw ka talaga. I support you in all your kalandian no‚ but remember to be responsible and use these” She handed me a pack of c0ndoms. “I’m not the one who’ll use it‚ ako ang gagamitan siguro” malandi kong sabi na ikina-ngiwi niya pa We left the house and we split up and drove off I’m probably the favorite target of online bashers. People label me a spoiled brat from our family—tama naman sila‚ napapadalas ako sa bar‚ minsan may nakakaaway akong may mga pangalan din sa media. Pero all I want is attention from my parents. I was hoping they’d correct me‚ iyong mahinahon lang and make me feel loved na parang anak talaga nila ako. Pero guess what? The one who should be defending me‚ sya pang nakikibash din. She’s also hurting me with her words Wala din akong kaibigan. I’ve had some before‚ but none of them were genuine with me “2 shots of tequila please” sabi ko sa maskuladong bartender‚ pero hindi pinagpala sa mukha. I’m not being judgemental‚ but I just don’t like it na kung sino pa yung medyo tabangi sa itsura sila pa yung malakas mag act na parang they’re among the most handsome men alive “Coming right up beautiful” He replied with wink Ew. I was leaning on the island counter in the club‚ waiting for my tequila. When suddenly someone bumped into me and pressed tightly against my back. I felt something hard from behind‚ and if I’m not mistaken—it was his d “ What the fvck!” Inis kong untag. Umalis sya sa pagkakasubsub saking likoran saka ko sya nilingon. “You disgusting perv3rt assh0le!” Dagdag ko pa Nang dumapo sakanya ang aking mata ay sya ding ikinatigil ng aking mundo. Sino itong anghel na naligaw pa ata dito sa club? I look at him from head to toe. Para akong kakaposin ng hangin saking kinatatayuan ng makita ko ang kaniyang buong mukha. “Are you saying I did that on purpose?” Tila may kung anong pumukaw saking gawi ng magsalita sya. Iyong boses nyang kapag marinig mo lang ay panghihinaan ka na ng tuhod. I let out a fake laugh “Oh‚ so it’s my fault? Sorry ah‚ we should’ve made way for you—” He was staring at me dangerously. Pero hello‚ I’m Eugene De Roma. We locked eyes‚ his gaze piercing‚ yet his aura was different — his stunning face made my anger melt away “Exactly” Walang emosyon nyang respondi dahilan upang mas mag init pa ang aking dugo. My eyes widened “Wow” I shook my head as I clap my hands. “You're an assh0le, you know that?” I’m starting to look like a tiny tomato throwing a temper trantrums here where I stand Sorry lang ay di nya pa masabi. He rolled his eyes “Look I don't want to waste my time for this nonsense talk” Aniya saka akmang humakbang paalis. “Hey hey hey? Aalis ka without saying sorry?” Kunot noo kong tanong. “I wasn’t aware you needed it. Look‚ this conversation is going nowhere” He said firmly as he rolled his eyes. Bastard0! “This is an argument! Hindi lang basta conversation” I slightly raised my voice. “Now you're just being immature” “Ikaw hindi? Tsk” I crossed my arms and gave him and extra judgemental stare. ”Shut up!” Real anger in his eyes “Give me an example of shutting up then” I raised my brows at him. Disgastong umiiling pa siyang humakbang paalis I need to text someone in case na lapain niya ako sa labas alam nila siya ang suspek. Pero I forgot I’m friendless pala. Gwapo nga arogante naman. My attention was diverted when I felt my cellphone vibrating. Dali dali akong lumabas sa bar to answer my father’s call "Tala asan ka?" Tanong ni Dad sa kabilang linya. "At my condo" I replied boringly. “Don’t trick me‚ I just came from your unit. Your mom already told me what happened. Why can’t you just listen to her?” It made me sigh. “Dad‚ I don’t want to marry Devon. He’s not my type” Reklamo ko “I don't want to argue about this anymore Eugene. You have to marry Devon Venture” He said firmly. “Eugene‚ don’t be stubborn. Umuwi kana‚ I’ll wait for you here” He said before hanging up