When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 3

The Caffeine House

"Wow..."

"Sosyalin naman pala ni Mr. Ramon!"

"Maganda mag-picture riyan! Tara na!"

Nagbabaan na sila sa sasakyan ko saka ko naman ipinaandar ang kotse para i-park sa parking lot sa likod ng malaking café ni sir.

I then park my car beside a white Corvette Chevrolet. The boys come in here earlier than us. We stop by the nearest mall earlier to buy some clothes and make-up that they want. I didn't buy anything though.

Agad na akong bumaba ng sasakyan saka iniwanan nalang ang uniform coat ko sa sasakyan at naglakad na papasok sa café.

"Khatalina!"

Napatingin naman ako kay Hannah na tumawag sa akin at naroon na sila sa dulo kasama iyong mga lalaki. Agad naman akong lumapit sa kanila at naupo sa tabi ni Pauline at Tristan sa tapat ni Jaxen.

"Should we order na ba?" tanong naman ni Andrew na sinang-ayunan ng lahat.

"I'll have a lemon meringue pie and an iced americano," I said as soon as the girls finished taking their orders.

"THANK YOU, KHATALINAAA!"

I flinched as I heard them say that. I then smiled at them and hand the menu board next to him.

"What?" He asked.

"Hindi ka ba kakain?" I asked.

He then looked at the waitress and smiled. I then noticed that the waitress blushed as she put some strands of her hair behind her ear.

I then looked back at him as he leans closer to the table still smiling.

"I'll get whatever she gets," he said then pointed his index finger at me.

"Wow..." I heard Pauline uttered between her breath causing me to bit my tongue.

"I revoke everything that I ordered and change it to a salad then," I said looking straight back at him.

I then heard Tristan whistle.

"Problema niyong dalawa?" Hannah asked.

"NOTHING," sabay pa nga naming sabi ni Jaxen.

"I don't want a salad. I'll get a cheesecake nalang," sabi niya saka kinindatan iyong waitress na kinikilig umalis at tila nalimutan ng banggitin muli iyong mga order namin kaya naman napailing nalang ako.

I let my eyes roam the café. I slowly nod my head as I appreciate the interior design of Mr. Ramon's café. The ambiance is built really well as it gives an aromatic caffeine scent, not too strong and not too sweet. Mixed with a color palette of caramel white and burnt amber brown. A huge chandelier hanging in the middle supported by small pendant lamps scattered around it giving a bright luminance in the whole room.

Waiters and waitresses are wearing a brown long sleeve polo and navy-blue aprons. They all move so carefully and respectfully. What a well-established environment. I can't help but admire it as I also want to see this kind of ambiance in my office, relaxing.

My smile faded as I notice that my classmates were a bit noisy. Good thing, there are not many customers at this time here...

"Should we play games?"

One of our classmates asks as he is carrying a lot of card games to our table.

"Oh, kanino galing 'yan?" Sheila asked as she helped the waitress who's carrying some of our orders.

"Kay Sir John," sagot niya naman kaya naman napatawa kami.

"Should we have a competition?"

Napatingin naman ako kay Pauline nang nanlalaki ang mata.

I saw her smirking as I grab her hand as I already felt what she was planning. I then heard some of the girls giggling as they agree with her.

"Khatalina"

"Hmm?" I asked as I played music on the radio.

Nagsimula naman na silang magsuot ng seatbelt nang ma-start ko na iyong sasakyan ko. Iyong ibang babae ay sumakay sa kani-kanilang sasakyan at nakisakay doon sa mga lalaki.

"What do you think of the new guy? Ano nga ulit pangalan n'on?" Tanong ni Hannah na napakamot pa sa noo.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko at ini-focus ang tingin sa kalsada.

"Oh, Jaxen?" sagot naman ni Pauline na nasa shotgun seat.

"Oh, yeah. He's good-looking, right?" Kinikilig na kumento naman ni Jasmine.

Napalingon naman sa kanila si Pauline na tumatawa.

"Pustahan tayo bukas na bukas maraming matatanggap iyong regalo galing sa mga bago niyang admirer!" anas ni Pauline.

"Hay nako, huwag na. Sure naman na ganoon iyong mangyayari, ano!" Pagsang-ayon ni Jasmine.

"But I notice that he was staring at Khatalina the whole time," Hannah said as I feel like she was pouting when she said that.

I then bit my lips as I silently agree. I wonder what's his deal with me. Does he know me or something?

"Eh si Khatalina habulin naman talaga ng lalaki so no surprise na if ever pati iyong transferee ay magustuhan siya--"

"T-teka, let's not jump into something like that. I guess he was just trying to compete with me. Isa pa, I don't even feel that he likes me. The way he looks at me is just... weird," I explained cutting Jasmine off.

"Weird?" Tanong ni Pauline.

"Yeah, I feel like he's trying to intimidate me but-- I am not sure! Maybe it is just my imagination but why would he do that, right?" Ngayon ay naguguluhan kong saad.

Napatawa naman si Hannah dahilan para mapatingin ako saglit sa reflection niya sa rear-view mirror.

"Yeah, baka naman kilala ka niya which is hindi katakataka dahil kilala ka naman talaga especially dahil sa Ethereal," pagsang-ayon naman ni Hannah.

"It would be fun if he wants to compete with Khatalina, right?" Pauline asked.

That seems to be what he’s planning to do. What would he get from competing with me though?

"The person in front of you will be your opponent," sabi ni Pauline saka hinawakan iyong pisngi ko saka inayos paharap kay Jaxen.

I then smiled bitterly as I just relaxed and looks at my opponent.

"Anong lalaruin natin?" Tanong naman ni Jaxen.

Napatitig naman ako kay Jaxen. I didn't notice that he has an earring in his left ear.

He definitely looks good but there is something in him that doesn't speak to me. I usually appreciate a man's beauty but I don't know about this guy.

Probably because of the way he looks at me? I'm already starting to not like this guy.

"Okay! Start na!"

Nagulat naman ako sa kanila at napansing nasa harap ko na iyong salad na ni-order ko.

Kinagat ko naman ang labi ko dahil wala ako sa mood kumain ng salad. Tsk, kasalan 'to ng Caztillano na iyon.

Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya at nakatingin lang siya sa kapeng iniinom niya but I can't help but notice a slight smirk on his lips. Really, what's with this guy.

"Jaxen, ikaw naman!"

Napatingin naman ako kay Tristan na mukhang nae-excite na siyang katabi ni Jaxen.

Jaxen then put his coffee down and looks carefully at every single girl in our class. I then moved closer to Pauline and lean to her ear.

"Pano nga ulit iyong laro?" tanong ko kay Pauline and can't help but feel a little warm around my cheeks because I wasn't paying attention to them.

Pauline then pointed to Jaxen and mouthed "listen" causing me to look at him.

"Hmm..." he pronounces while slightly nodding his head still prowling his eyes.

I then focused on my salad as I just tried to listen on what they are doing.

"It is definitely not this girl," he said and pointed at me as I saw it in my peripheral vision.

Agad naman akong nag-angat at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

Natahimik naman ang lahat habang iyong mga lalaki ay napa-whistle.

Tumingin naman ako kay Pauline nang nagtataka dahil hindi ko alam ang nangyayari.

"I think... the most beautiful person in our class is me," he said making some of our classmates laughs.

"Too full, huh?" I whispered. Smells like an asshole. Sorry, but I am starting to really hate him.

"Ikaw naman, Kathalina," sabi ni Pauline.

"Who do you think is the most attractive person in our class?" Jaxen asked staring straight at me.

"Uy! May nakita ako!" Sigaw ni Kevin na tunatakbo palapit sa table namin na may dalang lie detecter toy.

"Oh my... this changes the game! Dapat may parusa na!" Na-excite na sabi ni Rowena.

"Oh sige, sayo nalang mag-start Khatalina tas balikan nalang iyong mga nauna kanina," sabi naman ni Tristan.

Tumango naman ako saka nag-isip ng isasagot ko.

"Do I have to choose a guy or it's fine for me to choose a girl?" I asked. Mahirap na, ano? Baka mamaya gamitin pa nila sa akin iyong isasagot ko.

"Depende, what s*x does attract you ba?" Sagot naman ni Tristan na nangalumbaba at tinignan ako nang maigi.

"My opposite s*x. Straight ako, ano!" Depensa ko sa mapanghusga nilang tingin sa akin.

Nagsitawanan naman sila at pinilit ilagay ang kamay ko doon sa lie detector thingy.

"Dali na, Khatalina!" parang mga batang pagmamadali sa akin nila Pauline.

Napakamot naman ako ng pisngi saka tinignan ko iyong mga lalaki kong kaklase. I never actually thought about that idea.

I am never interested naman kasi in this kind of thing. What keeps me entertain is just my work and my studies. Nothing else.

Lahat sila nakangiti sa akin at nag-posing pa nga kaya naman hindi ko mapigilang mapatawa. Pumikit nalang ako saka iginalaw iyong daliri ko mula kaliwa papunta sa kanan at pabalik hanggang sa kung sino ang matamaan, iyon nalang ang pipiliin ko.

Sinadya ko namang 'wag itapat ang daliri ko sa harap dahil medyo naiirita na ako sa ugali ni Jaxen. First day pa lang niya pero kung makaasta ay kilalang-kilala niya ako.

 Agad na akong dumilat saka tinignan kung kanino tumama iyong daliri ko.

"Ang duga mo, Khatalina," nag-iinarteng sabi ni Andrew.

Napangiti naman ako nang si Tristan iyong natapatan ng kamay ko na siya rin namang ikinangiti niya at ikinataas pa ng kilay.

Tristan has tanned skin, a prominent jaw, and hooded eyes. His body is a little toned down but he really is okay. But again, I am not attracted to any of them.

"I guess it is Tristan then," I answered.

Jaxen then pressed the start button of the lie detector followed by an intense sound coming from it. I then remained calm as I know that it is easy to manipulate this thing as long as I am calm.

"Lies," protesta ni Andrew nang mag-color green iyong laruan tanda na tama lang iyong sinabi ko.

Nag-fist bump naman kami ni Tristan saka pinanood na iyong iba.

"Have you guys tried to play an escape room before?" Jaxen suddenly asks.

Medyo na-excite naman ako sa tanong niya but then I remained calm as I observe some of our classmate's reactions. Some didn't care while some gets excited as well.

"Punta tayo sa weekend!" aya ni Pauline.

Nag-agree naman sila at nagpatuloy na kaming muli sa paglalaro.

I do want to go on the weekend but I think I won't be able to have much time to spend my weekend playing. Especially that I have been planning to propose a project with the CLAW.

"Oo nga pala, Khatalina. Buti free ka today?" Baling naman sakin ni Tristan.

I then smiled at him.

"Yeah, day off," I answered.

"Hindi ka ba napapagod?" tanong naman ni Andrew.

"Nasanay na iyong katawan ko na kumikilos maghapon," I explained and lean on my chair.

"Why, what's your job?" Jaxen asked.

"Huh? Hindi mo alam? Khatalina is the owner of the Ethereal," Pauline answered shocked.

"Really? Interesting..." He said as he leans as well on his chair and leans both of his arms against his chest looking surprised but not really.

"How about you, Jaxen? Tell us more about yourself," I said trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, since it's your first day. I-impress us," natatawang sang-ayon ni Timothy.

"Oh, I am just an ordinary person," Jaxen said smiling.

"Jaxen, we bet that you'll be receiving a lot of admirer gifts tomorrow," Jasmine said.

He then laughed as he sits straight.

"What? Why?" He asked still laughing together with the other boys.

My eyebrows were about to furrow as I refrain and try to control myself and remain a deadpanned face.

"You're good-looking! Kunyari ka pa gusto mo lang sabihan nila na pogi ka eh!" Singhal ni Tristan sa katabi niyang si Jaxen na mas lalong natawa.

It is nice that my classmates welcomed him as if we knew him for years. He won't have a hard time getting to know everyone. Mukha namang hindi siya nahihiyang makisalamuha.

Mag gagabi na nang matapos kami maglaro at mag-usap nang mapagpasyahan namin magsiuwian na.

"Khatalina, hatid mo na iyong mga kasama mo kanina," sabi naman ni Andrew.

"Yeah," I answered saka inaya na sila.

We then go to the parking lot and opened my car. It was a black Porsche Cayman S which is way different compared to my first car before I started to encase my weaknesses with an indecipherable look on my face.

"Oh, black and white kayo ah?"

Napalingon naman ako kay Andrew na tinuturo iyong sasakyan ko at iyong katabing sasakyan na puting Chevrolet.

"I see," Jaxen mumbled as he opens his car and sit on the driver's seat.

My eyebrows then met in between.

Hmm...

Nagsisakayan na sila sa mga sasakyan nila at ganoon din naman kami. Agad ko na pinaghahatid sa kani-kanilang bahay sila Pauline at nagpasalamat naman sila.

I then went straight to my house and stop in front of it as I grabbed my remote for my gate to open it then drive in.

I hurriedly jumped out of my car and walks directly into my house.

"Good evening, Khatalina. Kamusta ka, Hija? Pagod ka ba? Kumain kana?"

Nagmano naman ako kay Nanay Nita saka tumango bilang sagot na nakakain na ako. She's been with me since I bought this house for me.

I pretty much treat her as my lola since my parents didn't want to move here to Manila to stay with me even though I already have my own house and am not in an apartment anymore. No matter how big my house can be, I think they wouldn't still want to live here. 

I then went straight to my bathroom and prepare a nice warm bath. I then laid in the bath as I am trying to relax my muscles.

I reached out to my phone that I just put on top of the table next to my bathtub and dialed Kimberly's number.

"Kamusta?" I asked as soon as she answered the call.

"Everything's fine. Someone visited though..." Kimberly responded.

I then played with the green-colored bubbles in my bath as my eyebrow raised.

"Who?" I asked.

"Kian Gregory," she said as I heard her son in the background crying.

"Your son's crying," saad ko at hindi inintindi iyong sinabi niya.

"Miss na raw niya ate niya," Kimberly said referring to me.

Napangiti naman ako saka ibinalik ang topic kay Mr. Gregory.

"Why is he there?" Tanong ko.

"Ayaw niya sabihin sa akin but I think he's probably proposing?-- Do you still remember him though?"

"Yeah, of course," I answered.

"Do you want me to contact him or make an appointment?" Kimberly asked.

"No," I answered and ended the call.

"F*ck you," whispered as I closed my eyes.

Mr. Gregory is one of the people who rejected me back when my company was on its edge. They always say that they won't get anything from my company as back then I ranked lower than them.

People like Mr. Gregory and Mr. Trinidad were the ones who made me million times determined into being successful. They think that I am too young to help them. Back then, I was really optimistic and naïve for thinking that everything will be alright as long as I put my mind to it but learning from what I have experience, where pretty much everyone judges my capability, a rainbow will never exist if there will be no rain before it.

Memories of me, Kimberly, and my employees pop up in my head as I felt my heart beat faster and a smile escapes from my lips.

Whenever I am growing despondent of my capability, Kimberly would do everything just to make my mood go up such as making a surprise party for me even though there is no occasion. Kimberly has become my mother, sister, and best friend as I have no other people to talk to here in Manila.

Also, I wouldn't be this successful if it weren't for my dearest employees who continued to motivate me and stayed with me through difficulties.

I will always be grateful for my company...

"Give me more than that, Christoff"

Christoff then slowly run his hands starting with his index finger in his lips, down to his neck and collar bone.

His eyes gaze at me as if it was intoxicated with pure alcohol playing with the ambiance of the room. Dim and hot.

My eyes darted on his beautiful blushing lips as he bits it with pure tease still looking at me.

He completely runs his hand down to his chest until to his torso stopping at the band of his undergarment peeking through his black leather pants fitted perfectly in his thighs.

"Khatalina... is this good enough?"

A slight smile appeared on my lips as I run my fingers through my hair and focuses on his amusing stature and image.

He is laying comfortably in a velvet red cushion of the chaise lounge with his right leg leaning against it. His eyebrow that has a cut and piercing in the middle is raised paired with the side of his lips. His skin is as white as sugar fully making a good contrast with his tattoos and black accessories. His deep black curly hair is brushed upwards with it still wet and some strands of his hair in front are hanging making it look barely messy. Everything is just perfect with the room's dire atmosphere that gives an ominous image to him.

"Yeah... but I want more of you, Christoff..."

He then focuses on his half-naked body as his torso was covered with butterflies and veins tinted to his body. My eyes roam through the black lines of his torso giving me a rousing feeling.

"Beautiful... Now, take it off..."

He hurriedly pushes his pants with his boxers in the excitement that also lit up the warm small light in me as it becomes a fire completely swarming me with arousal.

He then looks at me with a playful smile and a dark look on his face.

"Are you now turned on?"