Dangerous Kiss (Troublemakers 1)

CHAPTER TWO

LIAM CHECKED his wristwatch. It's almost nine in the evening. Iniisip niya kung ayos lang na magpaalam na siya sa host ng party. He had been to too many meetings today at ang gusto na lang niyang gawin sa ngayon ay humiga sa kanyang kama at magpahinga. Pagkagaling niya sa trabaho ay dito na siya dumiretso sa party ng mga Ramirez. Kung pwede lang siguro niyang tanggihan ang imbitasyon ng mga ito ay ginawa niya.

 His family owned De Alva Food Corporation. Isang kumpanya na nagpo-produced ng mga processed meat, like beef, chicken, and pork, pati na rin ng iba't-ibang canned goods. Ang farm ng mga Ramirez ang isa sa mga pangunahin nilang supplier. Ang mga ito mismo ang personal na nag-imbita sa kanya at bilang CEO ng kumpanya, he just can't ignore it. Especially since he just got the position two months ago. It won't do if he will immediately fall out of one of their major supplier's good grace.

 Sumimsim siya sa kopita ng champagne na iniinom. And once again, he found himself staring at one particular woman. Isang babae na nakakuha kaagad ng atensiyon niya pagkadating na pagkadating pa lang nito. She was wearing a cocktail dress that barely covered her back, showing off her porcelain white skin. She was very petite, sa tantiya niya ay nasa limang talampakas lamang ito. But all her curves were definitely on the right places. Her black hair was tied in some complicated knot, hindi siya sigurado sa kulay ng mga mata nito. But even at this distance, he knew she was beautiful. 

Kausap nito ngayon ang anak na lalaki ng mag-asawang Ramirez. She came to the party with him, no doubt she was his date. Lucky guy. Sigurado siya na gano'n din ang iniisip ng halos kalahati ng mga lalaki sa party na 'yon. Because he was sure that he's not the only one gawking at her. The way she tilts her head, the way she smiles and laughs, it was all very alluring. And he's not even sure if she's aware of it. 

 Dagli na niyang ibinaling ang tingin sa ibang direksyon bago pa niya simulang pagpantasyan ang babae. She's not even his usual type, for Pete's sake. Naisip niya na dala lang siguro ito ng pagod kaya kung anu-ano na lang na naiisip niya. Nagdesisyon siya na magpaalam na sa mag-asawang Ramirez para makauwi na siya at makapagpahinga. Ibinigay niya ang champagne flute sa dumadaang waiter at nagsimula nang maglakad. Pero nakakailang hakbang pa lang siya ay isang babae ang bigla na lang lumapit sa kanya. 

 Now this one was more of his type, tall and willowy. Pero wala siyang maramdaman na kahit na ano habang nakatingin dito. Unlike the tightening of gut he felt while he was string at that particular girl. 

 "Hi, I've been meaning to talk to you since earlier. Pero hindi naman ako makatiyempo," wika ng babae. "We've met before actually. Your mother introduced us. I hope you still remember."

 Sa pagbanggit nito sa nanay niya ay agad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. Kung ipinakilala ito sa kanya ng ina, then that meant that his mother approved of her. That would make this woman cold and manipulative, just like his mother. Mga babaeng kaugali lang naman ng ina ang nagugustuhan nito. Which would put this girl in his immediate black list. No wonder hindi niya ito maalala. 

 "I don't remember you. Sorry." 

 Nakita niya ang pagsimangot nito pero agad din naman itong nahamig ang sarili at dagli ring ngumiti. "That's okay. It was a long time ago anyway. We can always start to get to know each other now." 

 "I'm not interested," simpleng wika niya. Kung hindi kasi siya magiging prangka ay tiyak na hindi siya nito tatantanan. 

 Sa puntong 'yon ay hindi na ito nag-abala na itago ang pagkadisgusto nito. Hindi na ito nagsalita pa at agaran na siyang iniwan.

 "Now that was rude," wika ng panibagong tinig sa may likudan niya. 

 Lumingon siya at halos mapigil niya ang hininga nang makita niya ang nagsalita. It was the woman he's been gawking at. Hindi niya alam na posible, but she was even more beautiful up close. Heart-shaped face, matangos na ilong, luscious lips. And her eyes, it was big and brown. A deep brown like a dark whiskey. You can almost drown in it. 

 "You're not a gentleman, are you?" muli nitong wika, mischief twinkling in her eyes. 

 It took him another second just to calm his nerves. "May kailangan ka ba?" 

 "How about a dance? And I won't take no for an answer." Bago pa siya nakasagot ay nahigit na siya nito patungo sa dance floor. 

 "SO, WHO'S the lone wolf?" tanong ni Dan kay Ryan na ang tinutukoy ay ang lalaki na nasa isang tabi at umiinom ng champagne. 

 Kanina pa niya ito napapansin. Well, it would be almost impossible not to notice him. The man was the type to demand attention. He was tall, has a very nice built, and she would bet that there's a whole lot of hard muscles beneath the business suit he's wearing. He was just so... male. Kanina pa niya ito gustong lapitan para lang makita ang mukha nito nang malapitan. But the little self-preservation she has kept her from doing that. 

 Sinundan ni Ryan ang tingin niya. "That's Liam De Alva."

 Napataas naman ang kilay niya nang marinig ang pangalan na binanggit nito. "De Alva as in De Alva Food Corp?"

 "Yup, that's the one. He's the young CEO." 

 "Anong ginagawa niya dito?" 

 "Our farm is one of their major suppliers so my parents invited him." 

 Muli niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa lalaki who now has a name. Liam De Alva. Mas lalo lang nadagdagan ang interes niya sa lalaki dahil sa nalaman.

 "You know, it's was mighty rude to look so interested in a man who's not your date," wika ni Ryan. 

 "I can't help it. He's just so dashing," pagbibiro niya. 

 "If I'm not over you, baka namatay na ko sa selos."

 "Oh come on. We both know you've never been that into me."

 Umakto naman ito na waring nasaktan sa sinabi niya. "You wound me."

Nginitian niya ito. Isang bagay na pinagpapasalamat niya was that she still managed to be friends with most of her exes. Well, at least those who she really wanted to be friends with. 

 "Do you want an introduction? As much as it pains me, pwede kitang ipakilala sa kanya kung interesado ka talaga." 

 Muli niyang ibinalik ang tingin kay Liam De Alva. A slow smile formed in her lips. "Nah. I think I can handle that myself." 

 Nagsimula na siyang maglakad patungo dito. She was just a few steps away from him nang isang matangkad na babae ang bigla na lang lumapit dito. 

 "Hi, I've been meaning to talk to you since earlier. Pero hindi naman ako makatiyempo," narinig niyang wika ng babae. "We've met before actually. Your mother introduced us. I hope you still remember."

 Halata sa itsura nito na interesado ito kay Liam. Not sure if the guy feels the same way. Nakatalikod kasi ito sa direksyon niya kaya hindi niya makita ang mukha nito. 

 "I don't remember you. Sorry," sagot ni Liam in a low baritone that seemed to be oh so very sexy.

 "That's okay. It was a long time ago anyway. We can always start to get to know each other now." And now she's flirting. 

 Mukhang walang epekto dito ang sinabi ng binata. "I'm not interested." 

 Hindi niya napigilang mapangiti nang marinig 'yon. He sounded so cold and disinterested that anyone would feel the chills. Pero nakadagdag lamang 'yon sa interes niya dito. Mukhang nakuha naman na ng babae na hindi nga interesado ang binata dahil sa bilis ng ginawa nitong pag-alis. 

 "Now that was rude," hindi na niya napigilang wika.

 Oh my. That was all she could think of nang lumingon ito. Because when she saw his face, she believed she just turned into a puddle. He was gorgeous. With all that dark mass of hair waving around a sharp-angled face. His mouth was full, and appeared to be the only soft thing about him. His nose was long and straight, his chin, well, chiseled. And his eyes, it was too light to be brown. Yes, it was molten gold. It took all of her willpower para lang hindi ito patuloy na titigan. 

 "You're not a gentleman, are you?" 

 "May kailangan ka ba?" 

 Kung siya lang yung tipo ng tao na ma-pride ay baka napahiya na siya sa sinabi nito. "How about a dance? And I won't take no for an answer."

Hinigit niya ito patungo sa dance floor. Ipinulupot niya ang mga braso sa leeg nito pero nanatili lang itong nakatayo at hindi kumikilos. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito at nakasimangot habang nakatingin sa kanya. 

 "You know, we'll both look pretty stupid if we don't start dancing now. So, won't you hold me?"

 She heard him grunt before she felt his hands on her bare back. She felt a sudden jolt at the contact. Isang bagay na kahit minsan ay hindi pa niya naramdaman. Then he pulled her to him hanggang sa halos magdikit na ang mga katawan nila. Parang biglang tumalon ang puso niya sa kanyang lalamunan. It was beating so loud and so fast she could almost hear it. Then he started to sway them to the tune of the music. 

 "Cat got your tongue?" wika nito dahil marahil sa panandalian niyang pananahimik. 

 Pilit naman niyang kinalma ang sarili bago nagwika, "No, I think you just gave me shivers. The good kind." 

 Ito naman ang hindi agad nakapagsalita.  "Are you flirting with me?" 

 Ngumiti siya dito. "Do you want me to?" 

 Tinitigan siya nito bago nagpakawala ng isang malalim na hininga. "No, I don't think I do. And I also don't think na hinigit mo ako dito so that you can flirt with me. What do you really want, Miss?" 

 You, halos muntikan na niyang isagot dito. Pero napigil naman niya agad ang sarili bago pa niya 'yon masabi. "Actually I'm a tad bit curious when I heard that you're a De Alva. Not because of the big company you're family owns kundi dahil sa football team na itinayo ng Lolo mo."

 Because just six months ago, her baby brother was recruited to this football team that was being sponsored by the patriarch of the De Alvas. She, Mal, and Sin were opposed to it at first. Pero di kalaunan ay wala na din silang nagawa kundi pumayag. Minsan lang sila suwayin ni Rune, their little brother. But whenever he did, it only meant na desidido na ito sa gagawin. Kaya nagdesisyon silang tatlo na kung pagkatapos ng isang buwan at nakita nila na hindi nakabuti dito ang ginawang pagsali sa football team, then they will immediately put a stop to it. But it never really came to that. Dahil positibo naman ang nakita nilang pagbabago kay Rune.

 "What about it?"

 "My younger brother is one of its new recruit. Are you involved with that football team? I was just wondering kung ano ang pinaplano ng mga De Alva sa isang football team dito sa Pilipinas gayong hindi naman gano'n kasikat ang larong 'yon dito sa bansa natin." 

 "I honestly don't have any idea. It's my grandfather's personal business. And as long as it makes him happy, I make it to a point to not bother him." 

 "Sounds like your Lolo is quite the eccentric." Or probably just a bored old rich man. Hindi niya maisip kung ano ang pinaplano nito sa pagtatayo ng isang football team when there isn't even an official football league here in the country. 

 "And a damn good businessman. Hindi mo kailangang mag-alala sa kapatid mo. Because my grandfather won't waste money on an investment that wouldn't pay out." 

 There was enough pride and affection in his voice na hindi na napigilan ni Dan ang pagngiti. "Then I guess I should just trust your word for it."

 Bago pa ito makasagot ay tumigil na ang musika. It changed to a more upbeat tune, definitely not a music for a slow dance. So they just stood there, staring at each other. "I think our dance just ended," wika niya dito. 

 "Yes," wika nito but he did not make a move to let go of her.

 "You're still holding me though."

 "I can't seem to let go."

 There was a flicker of surprise in his golden eyes na para bang maski ito ay hindi inaasahan ang sinabi. But that still didn't stop her heart from beating wildly inside her chest or the uncontrolable urge to just mold her body with his. Mukha namang napagtanto nito kaagad na may mali sa sinabi nito dahil bigla na lang siya nitong binitawan at lumayo sa kanya.

 "I should go," wika nito pero bago pa ito makaalis ay mabilis na niyang nahawakan ang braso nito. 

 "I know you're not a gentleman but would you really leave a lady in the middle of the dancefloor and embarass her?" 

 Wari namang napahiya ito sa sinabi niya because he put his hand on the small of her back at tahimik siya nitong iginiya paalis sa dance floor. "There, I don't think may mairereklamo ka pa."

 Pero bago pa man siya nito maiwan ay bigla na lang lumapit sa kanila ang mga magulang ni Ryan.

 "Liam, I see you've met our favorite girl, Dan," wika ni Mrs. Ramirez.

 "Yes, we did," sagot ni Liam na pilit na ngumiti sa mag-asawa. 

 "Well son, I hope your not planning to take her away because I'm still hoping to make this one my daughter-in-law," wika naman ni Mr. Ramirez na sinabayan pa ng pag-akbay sa kanya.

 "Tito, kahit naman hindi kami magkatuluyan ni Ryan, I always be your honorary daughter," nakangiti niyang wika sa matanda. "Dan, you know I have other sons, right?" 

 Napatawa naman siya sa sinabi nito. "Tito naman." 

 Tumikhim si Liam, catching their attention. "This is a very pleasant party," wika nito sa mag-asawa, again with that force smile. "I love to stay for awhile but I really need to go back now. I hope you don't mind."

 "Of course, of course. We know you're a busy man, kaya sobrang na-a-apreciate namin na pinaunlakan mo ang imbitasyon namin," wika ni Mrs. Ramirez.

 Nagpaalamanan na ang mga ito. Then Liam left without even giving her a glance. Hindi niya maintindihan, but the sight of him leaving gave her some kind of dull ache. There was something there, some kind of connection she can't give a name. But it was there. At sigurado siya na naramdaman din 'yon ni Liam. Dahil kung hindi, he wouldn't be walking as if the devil itself was hot on his heels. And that's why she just couldn't let it end like this. 

 Nag-excuse siya sa mag-asawang Ramirez at hinanap si Ryan. Nang makita ito ay kinuha niya dito ang purse niya na iniwan niya dito kanina nang lapitan niya si Liam. Dali-dali siyang lumabas ng malaking bahay at dumiretso sa may driveway. Agad naman niyang nakita ang hinahanap. 

 "Liam!" tawag niya dito. 

 Huminto ito sa pagbukas ng sasakyan nito at lumingon sa direksyon niya. Binilisan niya ang paglalakad at lumapit dito. 

 "Good thing I caught up with you." Muntikan na siyang mapatawa nang simangutan lamang siya nito. "Now don't scowl. I believe you forgot something."

 "I don't think so." 

 Kinuha niya ang calling card mula sa purse at inilagay 'yon sa breast pocket ng suit nito. "My number is there. Now it's up to you if you want to do something about it."

 And then she gave him her sweetest smile.