Just One Night

Jey Lopez “YOU?!” I murmured to myself. Naningkit ang mga mata ko pagkakita sa lalaking kakapasok lang ng opisina ko. The man I was hiding. It's him— Gray Castillejo. I swallowed. What is he doing here? Ang kulit niya talaga! He grinned like a devil to me. “Baby—” “Huwag mo akong mababy-baby. Hindi kita kilala.” I said, pretending that I didn't know him. Donning his tie and dark blue coat, he approached my desk. He had properly styled his hair. It had a clean, manly look. Inikot niya rin ang paningin sa kabuuan ng opisina ko. I felt intimidated. “You have a nice office, but too small.” Chineck ko ang paligid. Too small para sa kanya 'tong office ko? “Nandito ka ba para laitin ang opisina ko?” “No.” “Then what are you doing here?!” Hindi ko napigilan na tanungin siya dahil naiinis ako sa presensiya niya. I even rolled my eyes and my voice sounded irritated. “Akala ko ba hindi mo kilala?” My lips hang open. “O-o nga. Hindi kita kilala.” I avoided his gaze. Binalik ko ang tingin sa laptop ko. “Tsk.” I looked up to him again. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng isang kilay. He smirked. “To answer your question, Miss Lopez, nandito ako sa loob ng opisina mo dahil pinapasok ako ng maganda at sexy mong secretary. It's my interview.” At talagang ,naalala pa na maganda at sexy si Kaye. Lalaki nga naman. Bakit naman ako naiinis kung napansin niya ang secretary ko? “Interview?” ulit ko. “Yup. At ikaw ang mag-iinterview. Nakalimutan mo na agad? Kakalabas lang ng unang applicant.” Tinuro pa niya ang pintuan. I scoffed. “I already hired someone. Thank you for coming.” Nginitian ko siya nang pilit. “Bye!” “Then why is the position still available for an interview if you already hired someone?” His lips turned into a playful smile as if he was annoying me. Annoyed! Unti-unting naglaho ang pilit kong ngiti sa labi. My lips twitch. Huminga ako nang malalim. “Well...” “I would like to think that you're excited to see me again but just in denial. Hmm?” Tumaas ang isang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. “Excuse me?” Ang kapal ng mukha para sabihin na excited akong makita siya “I tried calling you several times but you're not answering my calls. Are you avoiding me? Ayaw mo ba maulit ang–” “Shut up!” I shouted but with a controlled voice. “Shut up. Baka may makarinig sa iyo.” He chuckled. Hindi ba niya naintindihan iyon na iniiwasan ko talaga siya. “What's funny?” “Relax. Walang makakarinig. The door is closed.” “Kalimutan mo na ang nangyari noon. I was just drunk. For Pete's sake! That was one month ago.” “You don't want to remember what happened between us one month ago.” “Nang-iinis ka ba?” “Naiinis ka ba?” He seems to enjoy annoying me. Umakyat yata lahat ng dugo ko sa ulo ko dahil sa kanya. “Ano ba kailangan mo bakit ka nandito? Look, what happened between us should have nothing to do with us right now. It was just one night. One night mistake. Okay?” He shrugged his shoulders. “What do you want?” “You.” Napapikit ako ng mata sa sobrang inis. Nakakagigil. “Of all companies, why in my company are you applying? And I don't think you need this job. Maraming tao ang nangangailangan ng trabaho kaysa sa iyo. So just leave. Sinasayang mo ang oras ko.” His family owns a lot of businesses in Sta. Monica. His father is a Congressman. His mother is a great advocate for children and women. Walang hindi nakakakilala sa pamilya niya kaya nga iniwasan ko na siya nang nalaman ko ang totoo niyang pagkatao. “And if I don't?” “I'll call the security to drag you out of my office.” “Once you do that, I'll let anyone know what we did.” Tinaas niya ang phone niya. Napatakip ako ng bibig. Kinabahan. No, no. I know I've messed up that night. He's a good kisser and he's good in bed. Pero hindi ko ma-imagine ang ginawa ko. “What is that?” Kinakabahan kong tanong. Tinapat niya sa akin ang phone para mapanuod ko ang video. Napalunok ako. What did I do? Nanlambot ang tuhod ko. “Remember this? You are the one who insisted on taking a video while we're doing it. You are so drunk.” Ang ngiti niya ay naging isang demonyong ngisi para sa akin. Dinampot ko ang folder at hinagis sa kanya. “How dare you! At pinagsamantalahan mo naman! Give me that!” Tumayo ako't kukunin sana sa kanya ang phone pero tinaas niya ang kamay. “Am I hired?” “Don't do this to me, Gray.” “You remember my name now.” He sounds amazed. Of course, I remember him. How can I forget Gray Castillejo? The man I just gave my v-card to one month ago. “Gray, akin na iyan.” “Just say the magic word, baby. You're hired.” “No!” Matigas kong sagot. “Okay. Hintayin mo na lang na pagpiyestahan ka sa social media.” Binalik niya sa bulsa ng pantalon niya ang phone. “I hate you.” Hinawakan niya ang baba ko at tinaas. “Mas maganda ka pala kapag nagagalit.” At ngumisi pa siya nang mukhang nakakainis lalo sa paningin ko. “I can sue you for blackmailing me.” “Of course you can.” “How can you be so irritating?” “Let's make a deal, Miss Lopez. I'll delete this video if you date me or hire me.” He playfully wiggles his eyebrows. Tinabig ko ang kamay niya. “Seriously? Sa iyo pabor ang options mo. How can you call it a deal?” “Because I don't take no for an answer, baby.” Nangilabot ako sa sinabi niya. “Stay away from me.” “Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mommy mo kapag nalaman niya ang pinaggagawa ng unica hija niya? I'm wondering.” My heart is pounding fast. “This is blackmailing.” “Yes.” “Bwisit ka!” “You're cute.” “Get out.” “Decide now. Maikli ang pasensiya ko. I might just send this to your mother and wait for her reaction.” “No! You can't do that. Wala ka namang number ni Mommy.” Wala nga ba? Sa estado ng buhay niya, imposibleng wala siyang gawin na paraan para malaman ang number ni mommy. Nalaman nga niya kung saan ako nagtatrabaho. “I have my ways.” Kinuha niya ang phone niya. “Tita Slyvia will surely have a panic attack once she sees this video. “You're an asshole.” “I am, baby.” He winked at me. Nakakaubos ng pasensiya. My lips are pursed. I can't take a risk. May sakit sa puso si Mommy. The way I looked at Gray, he seemed serious about sending it to my mother. “Why are you doing this?” “I already answered that.” “I don't believe you. One night stand is just normal to you. You hang out with a lot of women, and you expect me to believe you.” He observed me. Nakakatakot ang pananahimik niya dahil mukhan nauubusan na siya ng pasensiya. Sabi ko nga, no more questions. “Okay. I'll choose the date. And after our date, you delete all videos and my number. And don't ever come near me again.” He shrugged his shoulders again. “Deal?” I offered him a shake hand. Nag-isip pa siya kung makikipagkamay sa akin. “Sign this.” Binuksan niya ang folder na kanina pa niyang hawak. He offered his pen too. “Ha? So, ready ka pala. And this was all planned. Parang ikaw pa ang dehado sa ating dalawa kaya may paganito ka pa.” “My dad just taught me to come prepared. Always.” And there was his playful smile again. Napalunok ko. Iyong ngiti niyang 'to ang dumali sa akin kaya bumigay ako. Kinuha ko ang folder sa kanya at pinirmahan ang may nakasulat na signature. I didn't bother to read dahil kumatok si Kaye. “I'll tell you when and where we are going to meet. Kung wala ka ng ibang gagawin nakakabwisit sa akin, makakaalis ka na.” “I'll fetch you at 7 a.m. tomorrow. We're heading to Sta. Monica.” “What?” “Do I need to repeat it?” “Ano'ng gagawin natin sa Sta. Monica? May trabaho ako bukas.” “There you go. Narinig mo pala. You won't be needing your job anymore. I'll provide all your needs.” “What?” “Isa pang what, I'll f**k you right here, right now.” And that's a statement. Napalunok ako. Why does he sound like he owns me? “Kakasabi ko lang 'di ba na tatawagan na lang kita kung kailan tayo magkikita ulit.” Winagayway niya ang folder. “That's not what we agreed. My eyes widened. Bakit nakaramdam ako nang takot sa pinirmahan ko? “I'll see you tomorrow.” And he left me unprepared for a kiss on my lips. • • • Gray Castillejo “Kumusta ang lakad mo?” Kuya Duncan asked me as he sat beside me. We're here at our favorite part of the house, our bar area. This is where we bond with Dad. We can drink freely here when we are still in our teen years. Dad made this place for us na uminom kami dito dahil kay Kuya West. Kuya Duncan looked messed up. Who wouldn't? After Ate Portia went missing, kuya was always drunk. Nagsalin siya ng alak sa baso at mabilis na nilagok ang alak. Napailing ako. That's why I don't believe in love, especially in marriage. Sina Daddy and Mommy lang naman ang masaya. Perhaps Dad loves Mom more than his life because she is so sweet and so kind. She's helping everyone around her. Inurong ko sa tapat ni Kuya ang folder. “What's this?” “Open it.” “Woah.” Hindi makapaniwalang reaksyon ni Kuya when he read the agreement that Jeiah just signed. “You made her sign this agreement?” “Yep. I am a Castillejo, Kuya.” I grinned and was proud. “How?” “I blackmailed her with this.” Pinakita ko sa kanya ang isang video na nagstraddle ang isang babae sa lalaki. “I told her I'd send that to her mom if she would not date me or hire me.” “f**k you, Gray. Is this Jeiah?” “No! I asked Uncle Dev to help me have this. Am not gonna film myself while doing that.” Humalakhak si Kuya nang malakas. I was amazed at how he laughed so hard. Ang tagal kong hindi narinig ang tawa niya. “Crazy.” “You know that I don't like getting married. But Mom was so insistent. Gusto niyang magpari ako. C’mon, baka iluwa ako ng simbahan.” Napahalakhak kaming sabay ni Kuya. “So siya na ang ipapakilala mo kina Mommy. Good idea.” “Thanks to Dad. It's his idea anyway.” Napailing ulit si Kuya. “Like father, like son.” Uncle Dev's voice spoke from behind us. “Uncle.” Tumayo si Kuya at niyakap si Uncle, and I did the same. “Where have you been?” “Hinatid ko si Athena sa Sta. Monica.” Athena is our cousin. Ang unica hija ni Uncle. “You didn't stay?” I asked. It's Tita Lyn's birthday tomorrow. Naiwan na namang mag-isa si Athena sa Sta. Monica. Uncle shrugged his shoulders. Umupo siya sa kanan ko at nagsalin ng alak sa baso. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Kuya. “Nandito lang pala kayong tatlo.” It's Dad's voice. Napalingon kaming tatlo sa kanya na lumapit sa amin. “Where's Mom?” Kunot ang noo ko. “Are you supposed to be in her charity activity today?” Dad shrugged his shoulders. “I got bored. Those charitable works didn't work for me.” “Kamo, nasusunog ka sa kabaitan ng asawa mo. Buti buhay ka pa hanggang ngayon tuwing nagsisimba kayo.” Uncle Dev cracked his jokes to Dad. Palagi silang nag-aasaran na dalawa. “Hindi naman ako nasusunog tuwing lumuluhod ang asawa ko sa akin.” Dad replied to Uncle’s joke. “We’re here, Dad,” Kuya reminded him. Ang KJ talaga nitong si Kuya. Palibhasa madalas kasama ni Mommy kaya ganyan. Bakit hindi na lang kaya siya ang mag-pari? “Because she’s praying for me, Duncan. What are you thinking?” natatawang sabi ni Dad kay Kuya. But of course, we all know the meaning of what he said. Silang dalawa pa ang nagsama ni Uncle. “Tang ina ka talaga, Logan.” “You started it.” “Anyway Dad, may ipapakilala ako sa inyo ni Mommy.” “Tang ina Gray, babae na naman ba ‘yan?” “Jeez, Dad. It’s your idea. I’ll introduce her to Mommy tomorrow.” “f**k you. At sineryoso mo naman? Kapag umiyak ang mommy mo Gray, I swear, hindi ka na makakalabas ng bahay. ” “What? That's a ridiculous punishment, Dad.” “You know how much your Mom loves you. At kung hindi ka magseseryoso sa babae, huwag ka na talagang mag-asawa.” “Tsk... Dad naman! Ang dami mo ngang babae noon sabi ni Uncle.” Sinamaan ng tingin ni Daddy si Uncle. Babatuhin sana niya ng baso. “f**k you, Dev. Sinisiraan mo pa ako sa mga anak ko.” Napailing lang si Uncle. “Kanino pa ba magmamana ang mga 'yan? Wala kang maitatago na baho sa mga anak mo pagdating sa mga babae mo noon. Pasalamat ka na lang dumating si Calli sa buhay mo.” “Because she's my angel. Oh f**k, I missed her right now. Balik na nga ako do'n.” Biglang tumayo si Dad at iniwan kami. Parang teenager pa rin talaga si daddy pagdating kay Mommy.