Mafia: Blood Lust

VII - Gunshots

"Ako pa talaga hinahamon mo, ah. Sige, date tayo bukas. Walang atrasan, ah?"

I noticed him nodding. Hala, seryoso ba talaga siya roon?! Akala ko biro lang!

Hindi pala joke time!

He stood up as I followed him through my eyes. "Tomorrow night."

He vanished on my vision, leaving me with no words to say. I would die! I can't believe I'm going to date with him!

I mean, a guy like him?! What the heck.

It's not that im complaining... he's just out of my league!

Dumiretso ako papuntang kwarto ko at nag halungkat ako ng mga damit ko sa cabinet.

"Pooota, wala akong damit na maayos na pwedeng suotin for date!" I murmured.

Paano na 'to?!

Wait.

Okay, I got an idea. Mag sho-shopping nalang ako mag-isa. May pera pa naman ako sa credit card ko.

Pagka gising ko, bumaba ako agad para i-check siya kung pumasok na ba siya sa work niya or not.

I don't see him...

Okay! I'm just gonna clean the house, feed Moon, go shower... and boom! Mag sho-shopping na ako. He will be home at 8 pm, because that's the time he goes off on his work.

I started cleaning the house by vaccuming the floor. Sinimulan ko sa first floor hanggang sa secoond floor. Nang matapos kong i-vaccum yong kwarto ko, I stood up infront of his door's room.

I don't know if I should vaccum his room, I don't want to go inside without his permission baka magalit siya or I might see some things he doesn't want anyone to see.

I took a sigh as I turned off the vaccum. I mopped the floor as well hanggang sa taas ulit. Nang matapos, I used the mop ceiling para matanggal yong mga alikabok sa kisame.

Geez, is he that busy? It seems he didn't have enough time to clean his house though.

"Aaah!" I said when I sat down on the sofa.

So relaxing!

Ang aliwalas na! Wala na masyadong alikabok sa kisame. And it's super clean now. Now, I have to feed Moon.

Linagyan ko ng dog food yong kainan ni Moon pati na rin yong inuman niya ng tubig. Okay, all set! Magpapa hinga lang ako saglit then I'm gonna take a shower.

I took a rest for 20 minutes while watching a series called Ginny & Georgia on netflix. I'm on episode 5 now.

Wala sa sarili akong humikab and I closed my eyes. Okay, ipipikit ko lang mata ko. Hindi naman ako makakatulog nito.

I heard some indistinct gun shots and some flashes. I slowly opened my eyes at biglang tumalon sakin si Moon.

"Hi, baby." I smiled while caressing Moon.

Wait...

I stopped caressing the her out of nowhere when I realized the time.

"s**t!"

Tumayo ako wala sa oras at chineck ko kung anong episode na ako.

Episode 7

What?!

Tangina, naka tulog ako nang ganoong kahaba?! f**k! I need to prepare fast!

Tumakbo ako papuntang shower at mabilis akong nag sabon at shampoo. Bahala na kung hindi mag skin care!

Nang matapos ako, sinuot ko yong damit na unang nakita ko sa cabinet na bumungad sakin pag bukas ko.

I brushed my hair as fast as I could and I grabbed my wallet. Before I leave, I gave Moon some kisses and a hug. "I will be back, okay?"

Nag abang ako agad ng tricycle, at hindi nag tagal, may dumating din na tricycle driver. "Kuya, sa mall po! Salamat." kilalang-kilala naman rito yong mall, kaya kahit iyon lang sabihin, alam na nila kung saan ako ibababa.

"Thank you po!" sabi ko nang maibigay ko ang pera. I went inside immediately at dumiretso ako sa BDO para mag withdraw.

5455

I wthdrawed the 5,000 para makabili ako nang maayos and classy. Nakakahiya naman kay Zach!

Pagkatapos kong makuha yong pera, I went straight to the different stores to look for a perfect dress.

"Yes, ma'am?" she said while smiling.

"Uh... do you know a dress that I can use for a date?"

She looked at me from head to toe and that made me feel uncomfortable. "Yes. This way, ma'am,"

I followed her at habang kami nag lalakad, I noticed that most dresses here are looking so expensive and classy! Kakasya ba 'to sa pera ko? Ugh. I hate being poor.

"This one, ma'am. A perfect fancy dress." she smiled.

Kinuha ko yong dress and I stared at it. I touched it... and the quality is good!

Ito nalang siguro.

I checked the price while smiling...

At biglang nag laho yong ngiti ko nang makita ko yong presyo ng damit na hawak-hawak ko ngayon.

9,000?! Pucha, wag nalang!

"Afford mo po ba ma'am? I heard that is very-"

"Yes, I can afford it. But, it's not my type." I faked my smile.

I felt a bit irritated when she asked me that type of question. May pera naman ako, kaso ayokong gumastos nang gumastos. Kailangan kong mag tipid din.

Also... why does she have to ask me that? Is it because I'm not wearing something... expensive? Well, yeah, I'm only wearing a simple white t-shirt and high waist jeans.

But that doesn't matter!

I take a look some more dresses, and something caught my attention.

"Yes, ma'am? Do you like this one?" this time, it's a different sales lady.

I pursed my lips. "Uh... hold on. Let me just... you know," I gestured my hands.

It's a black fitted evening gown with a V shape infront of it. I touched the cloth and it's soft! Okay, I like this one. I will buy this one!

Pero syempre, price check muna, pota.

I checked the price and I felt a huge relief.

It's worth 3,000, this is better rather than the first dress I saw while ago.

"I'm going to buy this one. Yong medium sana?" mahinahon kong sabi.

Tumango siya and she said she's going to take a look a medium size.

Habang ako nag a-antay, pinalibot ko yong tingin ko. I realized that this store looks expensive. The vibe, it reminds me of Louis Vuitton! No wonder why their products here are so good!

"Faizah?!"

I immediately turned around at nanlaki yong mata ko nang makilala ko kung sino yong tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Sebastian?! Uy!" I smiled widely.

"Ayeee! Kumusta?! Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"Wala naman... nag sho-shopping lang. Ikaw, ano ginagawa mo rito?! May ka-date ka 'no? Yieee!" siniko-siko ko siya.

Umiling siya. "Hindi. Sinasamahan ko lang si pareng Axel, may bibilhin daw siya, e."

"Bi-bibili? Ng ano?" I forced my smile. Okay, I'm so naguguluhan right now! Nandito siya?! Eh, anong oras palang, ah.

"Bibili ng-"

"Ma'am? Sorry for interrupting. Here's the dress!" she handed me the dress kaya nagpaalam muna ako kay Sebastian.

Nang mailagay sa paper bag yong dress, I gave them the money. Linapitan ko ulit si Sebastian at sinabi ko na aalis na ako to get ready.

"Okay! Inga-"

I was about to leave after telling Sebastian but it made me stopped from walking when someone called my name. This time, I know it's not Sebastian anymore!

"What are you- What's that?"

Halos manuyo yong lalamunan ko nang makaharap ko si Zach.

"D-dress..."

Why does he look mad?!

"What for?" his eyesbrows were frowning.

Napansin ko rin na may bitbit siyang paper bags... and my eyes widened when I saw Louis Vuitton and Dior! What the hell, is he that rich?!

"Uh..." I looked at around at naalala ko bigla yong sinabi ko kay Sebastian kanina.

"Para sa jowa ni Sebastian!"

"Ano?!" dinig kong reklamo niya.

"Are you insane? How come are you friends with- Sebastian has no girlfriend, Vera. What the hell are you not telling me?" inis na inis niyang sabi.

Ugh, I'm doomed! Wala na, nahuli na. Katapusan ko na.

"Fine... nag shopping ako, okay? 'E, ikaw, what's with those paper bags?"

Bago siya makapag salita, ilang segundo muna siya bago niya ako sagitin. "Gift..." sabi niya habang naka tingin sa direksyon.

Wow, gift for whom?

I took a glance on Sebastian at napansin ko naiirita na siya, he also scratched his head.

"Guys... tama na, oh. Grabe na 'to. Buong araw na akong thirdhwheel! Kanina yong isang kaibigan namin ni Axel kasama ko rin sa office, nag la-landian sila ng girlfriend niya... tapos ngayon I'm witnessing away mag jowa?! Sakit niyo!" he held his chest.

"Shut up, Sebastian. She's not f*****g girlfriend!" he looked at me. "Let's go, Vera."

Maglalakad na dapat kami paalis kaso biglang nag salita si Sebastian. "Teka lang! Wala bang prize riyan?! Halos 7 hours tayong nag lilibot, pre! Hindi ka ba naawa sa mga binti ko?!"

7 hours?!

So all these time, nasa mall sila buong araw?!

What the hell?!

Zach took a deep sigh and it made me laughed because of his facial expression. He looks super mad!

"s*x toy gusto mo?" bulong niya kay Sebastian.

"Gago! Wag nalang! Marami ako niyan sa bahay... I don't need it,"

Sebastian and I laughed. I noticed Zach rolled his eyes and he pointed a middle finger at him. Nagpaalam na ako kay Sebastian para makaalis na kami.

Pagkarating namin sa bahay, I immediately went upstairs because he told me to try the dresses he bought for me.

He explained while we were on a road regarding the shopping bags. He told me it was for me para sa date namin. Since the restaurant requires sa formal attire.

I did some makeup while still wearing my bathrobe. It's a simple make up but elegant. I tried the dress he bought for me, it was from Dior; Maxi dress in Red Silk.

"Zach, look!" sabi ko habang pababa ako.

He stopped from playing with Moon, he stared at me for a second. I was staring at him as well while waving the dress.

"Oh, cool. Try the dress you bought."

My smile faded from his response. "Cool"?! Really?! Grabe, ah.

Sinuot ko yong damit na binili ko and I took a few steps from the stairs para ipakita sakaniya. "How about this?"

He was stunned for a second again just like while ago. "Both of them looks good. Wear whatever you want, it's still your choice."

I scratched my head because of annoyance. Nakakagago naman sagot nito! Siguro napipilitan lang 'tong kausapin ako.

Ugh! I couldn't pick the dress! Ang ganda nila pareho.

But...

Hm... maybe I'm just gonna choose the dress he bought for me, and the earrings he also bought for me on Louis Vuitton.

I wore the red dress again as well as the earrings. I grabbed my white hand bag at lumabas na ng kwarto.

"Tara na." walang gana kong sabi.

I gave Moon a kiss while he was wearing his tuxedo. Nauna akong lumabas sakaniya at dumiretso kami sa garahe niya.

Nang makalabas siya, we both went inside the car and he started the engine. Pinaikot-ikot niya yong manibela habang siya naka tingin sa likod dahil paatras kami.

I was just watching him, I didn't talk to him pati rin siya. Nakakawalang gana! Hindi na sana kami nag date! Super excited pa naman ako kanina. Sabi na nga ba, e. Napipilitan lang siya na kausapin ako.. .

"Did you like the dress?"

I didn't respond on his question. I was just looking at the window.

He took a sigh. "Are you mad?"

Ano ba 'tong langaw na 'to, panay daldal!

"He-"

"Hindi ako galit!" mariin kong sabi.

"Then why are you acting like that?" mahinahon niyang sabi.

Ano baaa! His voice is so soothing! His voice is comforting, narurupok ako!

"Napipilitan ka bang kausap ako, Zach?! Ha?!" inis ko siyang hinarap.

He tried to look at me many times kaso panay tingin din siya sa harapan niya dahil nag d-drive siya. "What? No. How can you say that?"

"Anong 'no'?! 'Yon kaya yong pinaparamdam mo sakin!" I started sniffing.

Why am I even crying?!

"I-i'm not, okay?! This is just how I talk, damn it."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin buong biyahe. We arrived at our destination after 20 minutes. After parking the car, mas pinauna ko siyang maglakad bago ako.

When we got inside, I noticed this is literally a luxurious restaurant. Gosh.

Out of league talaga grabe.

We both sat down, at pinalibot ko yong tingin ko. There's even a chandelier in the ceiling, rich people, expensive foods, the waiters and waitress are in other level, and... there was a candle between Zach and I in our table. This is my first time!

"Wine?" the waiter smiled.

We both nodded. He poured some wine on our glass and he asked us what food we are going to order.

Sabay kaming nag check sa menu. I almost gulped when I noticed the prices.

Puchang ina! Ang mahal!

"Fi-filet Mignon... Co-cottage fries, and Espresso Martini." nauutal-utal kong sabi.

"And mine is Rib Eye Steak, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and for the drinks Del Professore Gin Madame."

"Alright! Coming right up!"

Halos hindi ako makahinga sa mga prices! Sobrang mahal! Yong Rib Eye Steak palang na in-order niya, it was already 7k+ oh god! Ganito ba ang buhay mayaman?!

Halata ngang hindi niya tinignan yong mga prices, e! Samantalang ako... hayyy! Bakit ba kasi ako, Zach?! Hindi niya ba nakita yong bahay namin kung gaano kaliit 'yon?!

"Faizah." he called me.

I was busy looking at the restaurant. Tumingin ako sakaniya. "Yeah?"

"Did... you liked the dress?"

"Oo 'no!" Walang pag da-dalawang isip kong sagot. "Why?"

"I-"

Naputol yong usapan namin nang dumating na yong inorder namin. "Enjoy! May you both last long."

I took a one bite on my steak... and it's so good! It's expensive but worth it!

"Ang sarap! Tikman mo!" I sliced a piece of steak of mine and I pointed the fork at him while smiling.

He hesitated for a second but he still ate it. "Damn. Yeah, it tastes good... Uh, do you want to try mine?" he said in a low tone.

"Suuure!"

He sliced a piece of steak on his meal and he gave me his fork. "Oo nga 'no! Oh my... kung mayaman lang ako, I would go here everyday!" I said joyfully.

We talked while eating, it was fun. It felt romantic too. I've never experienced these before. Because of him, I experienced a lot of things outside.

I couldn't explore things outside before dahil nakakulong palagi ako sa bahay dahil ako ang taga bantay lagi kay Mama.

I kinda missed them too.

Nang matapos kaming kumain, we are now drinking while talking. Gosh, I feel happy talking to him. I don't know why.

"Alam mo, ang saya-saya ko kapag nagkakausap tayo ng ganito." wala sa sarili kong sabi.

Shit, am I tipsy?!

I giggled. "Ikaw kasi... ang tipid mong mag salita, kaya isip ko tuloy ayaw mo akong kausap."

"My apologies-"

"Bakit ako, Zach?"

His eyebrows frowned. "Huh?"

"Bakit... ako? Bakit ako yong pinili mo i-sama sa mansion mo? Nakita mo naman ata bahay ko diba? It's small... and para ngang barong-barong yong dating, e. Hindi ka ba naiilang sakin pag kasama mo ako?"

Hindi ko na ma-control yong mga pinagsasabi ko! Nakakainis at nakakahiya! Na we-weirdu-han na yata siya!

"Faizah, you're tipsy now. I will pay the bill first then we will go home."

Sakto, dumating na yong waiter. He gave the card from him at nag antay kami saglit. After a few minutes, the waiter came back to return Zach's credit card. "Thank you! I hope you enjoyed the night."

"Hey, don't go anywhere, okay? I'm just gonna go take a damn piss."

I nodded. Medyo nahihilo na ako at umiikot na paningin ko. Pinalibot ko yong tingin ko at tuwing ginagalaw ko ulo ko, I get dizzy! Is this what being tipsy feels like?! Darn.

"Zach-"

I was about to stand up to look for him, but the power suddenly went out at narinig kong bigla nag sigawan yong mga tao. s**t! What's happening?!

Ang tipong ilaw lang ay yong mga candila sa kada table. s**t! s**t! s**t!

Pinilit kong tumayo kaso hindi ako makapag lakad nang maayos, I'm wearing heels and I'm f*****g tipsy! Bullshit!

"Zach?!" I screamed.

I was about to have a few inches walk but my heart beats fast and I'm now sweating a lot when I heard someone.

"You move, or you're going to f*****g die!" rinig ko. It was quite far from me.

Gunshots...

I heard two gunshots! s**t!

Lahat ng mga tao nagsisigawan na at pilit nilang lumalabas sa entrance ngunit ayaw mabuksan. What the hell! What the hell!

I heard a gunshot again but I saw it was fired from the ceiling sumakto sa chandelier. Bumagsak nang malakas na malakas yong chandelier at nagkalat yong mga bubog.

"f**k, I have no choice!" I removed my heels and I grabbed my hand bag.

Lahat ng mga tao nag kukumpulan na kaya medyo nahihirapan ako mag lakad. I had to find the f*****g restroom here!

When I saw the restroom sign, may biglang humatak sa braso ko and that almost lose my balance.

"s**t! Are you okay?!"

I bumped into someone's chest and I raised my head.

"Z-zach! Anong nangyayari?!"

"There's no f*****g time to explain, let's go!" he walked fast towards the restroom at halos makaladkad ako sa bilis.

"Anong ginagawa natin rito?!"

He tried to calm me down when he noticed I was also panicking. Namumuo na rin yong mga luha ko sa mata ko.

"There," he pointed the window. "Diyan ka dumaan para makalabas ka. There are some armored men outside, it's not safe."

I slowly nodded. I walked towards to the cubicle while my legs are shaking. Tumuntong ako sa toilet; ngunit bago ako lumabas, I looked at him.

"Sure ka bang... kakasya ka rito?" tanong ko nang mapansin ko kung gaano kalaki yong butas.

"No... roon ako dadaan sa entrance. The fire exit is also locked, I have no choice."

Mas lalong kumabog nang mabilis yong dibdib ko, pakiramdam ko mababaliw ako. Paano kung mabaril siya?! Gago ba siya?!

"It's not safe, Zach! Siraulo ka ba?!"

"Then, where the hell am I suppose to go?!"

My tears started to fall and I flinched when I heard the armored men were close to the restroom.

"Just go, damn it!"

Before I could escape, I leaned close to him.

I don't why I'm doing this.

As I leaned close to him, I wrapped my arms around him. Bago ako makaalis, I said something.

"Don't get shot."