Loving Ria

Chapter Twenty Two

Ria

I really wonder what's going on with Camille and Atty Red. The way they looked at each other, it looks like something is really going on with them. I wanted to ask Camille but I will let her to open up with me when she feels comfortable. I believe she has her reasons of the situation. And I respect her.

I also tried to ask Zach but he refused to tell me any details. It's not his story to tell daw. Naintindihan ko naman sya dun, kahit ako ganon din ang gagawin ko. Pero sana ok lang si Camille. She seemed strong pero hindi ko din alam ang pinagdadaanan nya ngayon.

"Let's go Love. Matthew will be pissed if we'll be late."

Papunta kami sa Legend Bar, they will have their rehearsals and the audition for their next singer.

"I'm ready." I answered.

Tiningnan ako ni Zach mula ulo hanggang paa. His brows are furrowed. I'm waiting for his disapproval with the clothes I'm wearing. Nagdress nalang ako na mustard in color saka nude sandals.

"On a second thought, it's kinda early."

He grab my waist and pinned me on the wall. I was halted a bit by his sudden action knowing that we need to go.

"Zach!"

"Love you're turning me on." And he kissed my neck. "I love your smell."

Mahina ko syang tinulak para maghiwalay ang mga katawan namin. Tinitigan nya lang ako. I can see the glint of desire flashes in his dark eyes. He is really turned on.

"We need to go Love. You don't want to face the wrath of your friend if we'll be late."

He heaved a deep sigh and gave me one swift kiss. I am also turned on but we need to kill the fire that lit between us because we have prior engagement and we really need to go. And knowing Zach, his friends are very important to him. Hinawakan ko sya sa braso at hinila na palabas, kitang kita ko ang pagnguso nya.

"My husband is adorable."

Nakarating kami sa Bar ng mas maaga pa hindi kasi traffic kaya hindi mawala wala sa mukha ni Zach ang dismaya. Natatawa nalang ako kapag tumitingin sya sakin ng nakanguso. Still a glint of desire shows in his dark eyes. I mentally grinned.

Tiningnan ko ang itsura ng Bar. Ang ganda ng interior mukhang pang mayaman at mukhang mamahalin. Napakahigh end ng itsura nya. Bagay na bagay sa pwesto nito. Mukhang pinagisipan nila ang structure ng Bar nila.

"Love, ang ganda ng structure ng Bar nyo. Sino nagdesign nyan?" I asked Zach. Gusto ko kasi talaga malaman.

"Our friend Engr. Arkin Silvestre is the Engineer and Hunter Villanueva is the Architect. They are also our college friends but belongs to a different circle."

"I see."

"Let's go Love."

Kung namangha ako sa labas mas namangha pa ako sa interior ng loob. Ang classy ng dating. Mas napatingin ako sa platform na nasa elevated. Parang yun ang stage nila.

Dumiretso kami sa isang VIP room kung hindi ako nagkakamali. At prenteng nakaupo si Luke at Matthew habang kumakain ng fried chicken.

"Aga nyo ah." Bati ni Zach.

"Yeah it's too early and we are hungry." Luke answered. "Hi Ria! Nice to see you."

"Hello guys! Nice seeing you again." Bati ko naman.

I saw how Zach glared at him. Nginisian lang sya ni Luke.

"Hi Ria. Want some fried chicken?" Matthew offered the whole fried chicken.

"We're full. Is Keith coming?" Zach asked. "I messaged him but he didnt replied."

Both of them just shrugged their shoulders.

"Chivas is on the way na daw. We both know that his on the way is naliligo pa lang. Still an asshole." Matthew exclaimed.

We stayed in the VIP and just waited for Chivas to arrived. He came before 5 minutes of their call time. He just smirked when his friend throw punches at him.

"Sabi ko sa inyo hindi ako malelate eh. Hello Ria!"

"Hello Chivas."

"Asan ang tang nang Keith na yun. Hindi nagparamdam eh. Hindi na naman magpapakita ang gago. Tss!" Chivas exclaimed.

"Hayaan nyo na, may pinagdadaanan eh." Luke answered.

"Ilang buwan na nyang pinagdadaanan yun. Mga babae kasi ang gugulo." Chivas retorted. Nakita ko pa ang pagsulyap nya sakin dahil sa sinabi nya. "Hindi ka kasali dun Ria, don't cha worry. Diba Zach?"

"f**k you." Zach answered.

And when the time comes na dumating ang time para sa audtion. Nagulat ako dahil madaming tao, I even saw some famous singers and performers. Ganon ba kasikat ang Bar na to at mga magkakaibigan na to. Halatang mahahalaga silang mga tao.

Nilagyan lang nila ng isang stool saka mic stand ang stage. At umupo lang silang tatlo sa may harapan. I seated beside Zach because he told me so. Ikinawit nya ang kanyang braso sa bewang ko. I don't understand his sudden actions but I came to realize when some of the male auditionees are staring at me.

Hindi din naman makakalagpas sa mga mata ko ang mga tingin ng mga babaeng magaaudition para maging singer nila.

"Kelangan nyo ba talaga maghanap ng singer? Kaya nyo naman apat na magperform ah." Mahina kong sabi kay Zach.

"We need performers during weekdays Love. And we are performing during weekends only." He answered. Napatango naman ako.

As the auditionees performed their masterpiece, some of them have potentials and have great voices. Most of them are great performers themselves and I don't understand why they need to perform in a Bar like this. Too much exposure for them, I believe.

Pero kahit na talented ang mga nagpeperform, nakikita ko sa mukha nila Matthew, Chivas and Zach ang boredom. They make great comments and harsh verdict sometimes whenever they feel that the performer is too confident or they just don't like the performance.

Natatawa pa ako minsan sa mga comments ni Chivas, akala mo naman sa mga to talent manager at judges kung makapagcomment. Yung iba din kasi nagpapacute lang sa kanilang tatlo. Eh napakasuplado ng mga ito sa personal lalo na sa mga hindi nila kaclose. Natatawa nalang din ako sa mga comments nila minsan.

"You have an album in the market, right?" Matthew asked the next male performer.

Kilala sya ngayong singer ah. Bakit nandito sya ngayon?

"Yes and I sold more than 500,000 copies in a month." The guy answered.

"Then why are you here? This is a Bar dude. Do you intend to sell your album here?"

"Ahmm. I want to use this kind of platform to showcase my talent. I want to expand my horizon and my capabilities as a singer. I believe that the market where I am famous now is not just my end game, I want to show the world the talent that I was blessed. And I believe I can showcase that here in The Legend Bar."

"Wow! Pang Miss Universe ang sagot. I want to show the world, the universe rather." Chivas commented. Natawa ako dun pero pinigilan ko nalang.

"Thank you Mr. Vergara. Can you sing another song for us?" Zach asked.

"Of course." The guy answered.

"This is my first ever released song."

Sinuot nya ang dala nyang bass guitar, nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Chivas at ang pagsandal naman ni Matthew sa kanyang upuan.

Tell your goodnight to the light and close your eyes

There's a better place for you than to stay awake

You'll get closer to a paradise of dreamers in love

You'll get better like heaven has done something

So lay now

Hear me all through the night

There's no teardrop

You can count on me tonight

Or I'll stay up with you

Baby it's alright

I'll be right by your side

No need to cry out loud

Nothing to cry about

Baby it's alright

I'll be just by your side

I'll keep you on my sight

I'll never leave 'til you sleep tonight...

And he played the bass guitar smoothly.

I clapped my hands because I am amazed with his performance. Tiningnan ako ni Zach na nakakunot ang noo.

"Bakit? Naappreciate ko ang performance nya kasi he is really great."

"Yeah, I agree. Thank you for that performance Mr. Vergara, my wife appreciate and wowed your performance." Zach commented.

"Thank you Mrs. Villafuerte." And he flashed a smile.

"Don't smile at my wife like that, I might not consider your talent and reject your performance."

Kita ko ang pagkabahala sa mukha ng singer. Parang nawalan ng kulay ang buo nyang mukha dahil sa sinabi ni Zach. Nagtawanan naman ang mga kaibigan nya. Kinurot ko si Zach sa tagiliran ng bahagya. Tiningnan lang nya ako na nakataas ang kilay.

And the next performer came to the stage. I simply looked at her and confussion are registered to all of us. That's when the lady speak.

"I-i'm sorry if my outfit does'nt fit where I am now. I should'nt be here in the first place. I was just dragged by your staff. I was supposed to apply for just a waitress." She explained.

Looking at her, she is pretty. She has an angelic face and I know she is half foreigner by the color of her skin and her natural brown, long and wavy hair. She also looks gorgeous even though she is just wearing a maong pants, white sneakers and a plain white tshirt.

"Can you sing?"

Napalingon kami sa pinanggalingan ng boses at nakita namin si Keith na nakasandal sa may pader.

"I-i can sing." The lady answered.

"Akala namin dude hindi ka darating. Ang aga mo para bukas." Pahayag ni Chivas. Pinakitaan lang sya ni Keith ng middle finger and he just dragged a chair and seated on it.

"Then sing for us." Keith commanded. The lady nodded in response.

Picture perfect memories

Scattered all around the floor

Reaching for the phone cause

I can't fight it anymore.

And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.

For me it happens all the time.

It's a quarter after one.

I'm all alone and I need you now.

Said I wouldn't call, but I lost all control

And I need you now.

And I don't know how I can do without

I just need you now.

Another shot of whiskey

Can't stop looking at the door.

Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before.

And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.

For me it happens all the time.

It's a quarter after one.

I'm a little drunk and I need you now.

Said I wouldn't call, but I lost all control

And I need you now.

And I don't know how I can do without

I just need you now.

Yes I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all.

It's a quarter after one.

I'm all alone and I need you now.

And I said I wouldn't call

But I'm a little drunk and I need you now.

And I don't know how I can do without

I just need you now.

I just need you now.

Oh baby I need you now.....

Pumalakpak ako dahil bukod sa magandang mukha na meron sya, napakaganda din ng boses nya. Tiningnan ko ang mga reaction nila pero lahat sila tahimik lang at seryoso ang mga mukha.

"Parang bagay yung boses ni Matthew saka nya kapag duet." Luke comment.

"Can you sing another song for us. Can you play any instruments?" Zach asked. Agad tumango ang babae. "What's your name by the way?"

"I'm Charlotte Rein McBride. And I know how to play the guitar."

"Sing another song for us." Matthew commanded.

And the lady obliged. She grabbed the guitar and played with it.

After 1 hour they wrapped up the audition and proceed with their band rehearsals. They all looked exhausted aside from Keith. He grabbed a drink and drunk it until its last drop. And then he grabbed a whole bottle and brought it with him in the VIP room.

I looked at Zach and he looked tired too. Pinagusapan nila ang mga nagperform sa audition and I think they came up with a decision of the people that they will choose to be part of The Legend Bar. And I think it's obvious who are the lucky and chosen one's.

"Pagod na ako pero performance night ngayon kaya walang choice." Reklamo ni Chivas.

"Yeah me too. Nakakapagod din pala kahit nakaupo lang." Sagot naman ni Matthew.

"Are you gonna perform?" Luke asked Keith. Hindi sumagot si Keith, nilaklak nya ang hawak nyang alak.

"Pano yan magpeperform kung lango na naman sa alak. Tss." Pahayag ni Chivas.

"Keith." Tawag ni Zach kay Keith. Tumigil naman sa paginom si Keith saka tumingin kay Zach.

"I can play but I won't sing." Keith answered.

"That's fine." Sagot nalang ni Zach. "Next time make sure it's not the performance night you drunktard."

Nanahimik nalang si Keith sa sinabi ni Zach.

And then when they about to perform, they change outfits. They are just wearing plain shirts and maong pants, sneakers and a silver dog tag.

I looked at Zach and he look so fresh and hot. Pero gusto ko ng matapos ang mga performance nila, nakikita ko din kasi ang pagod sa kanyang mukha.

"I'll just watch from here. Ok lang ba?" Tanong ko sa kanya bago sya bumaba sa stage.

"Yeah, you got a nice view from here Love."

"First time kitang mapapanuod na nagpeperform talaga."

Hinapit nya ang bewang ko at isinandal ako sa pinto. Nagtitigan kaming dalawa, napahawak ako sa kanyang dibdib.

"Goodluck kiss Love." He flashed a grin and attacked my lips with hungry kisses. I kissed him back. He stopped when we felt the fire consumed us.

"I should be there." He whispered.

I nodded. And he gave me a peck kiss before storming out of the room.

At kitang kita ko ang pagkagulo ng mga tao ng matapat ang spot light sa limang kalalakihan.

And Keith started to play his drums. Zach and Chivas played their bass guitar. While Matthew is standing infront of the mic stand and Luke is playing a bass guitar too.

Matthew:

Desperate for changing

Starving for truth

I'm closer to where I started

I'm chasing after you

Zach:

I'm falling even more in love with you

Letting go of all I've held on to

I'm standing here until you make me move

I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Matthew:

Forgetting all I'm lacking

Completely incomplete

I'll take your invitation

You take all of me now

Chivas:

I'm falling even more in love with you

Letting go of all I've held on to

I'm standing here until you make me move

I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Luke:

I'm living for the only thing I know

I'm running and not quite sure where to go

And I don't know what I'm diving into

Just hanging by a moment here with you

Matthew:

There's nothing else to lose

There's nothing else to find

There's nothing in the world

That can change my mind

There is nothing else

There is nothing else

There is nothing else

Zach:

Desperate for changing

Starving for truth

I'm closer to where I started

I'm chasing after you

Matthew, Chivas:

I'm falling even more in love with you

Letting go of all I've held on to

I'm standing here until you make me move

I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Luke, Zach:

I'm living for the only thing I know

I'm running and not quite sure where to go

And I don't know what I'm diving into

Just hanging by a moment here with you

Matthew:

Just hanging by a moment

Hanging by a moment

Hanging by a moment

Hanging by a moment here with you...

I am speechless throughout the entire performance. They performed like they own the stage. Lahat sila may kanya kanyang dating sa stage. Lahat sila magaganda talaga ang boses, kahit hindi kasama sa kumanta si Keith, kitang kita naman ang galing nya sa pagdadrums.

I looked at Zach and saw him how he run his fingers on his wet hair. He is sweating but he managed to look smokin hot and sexy. I felt thirsty all of a sudden just by looking at him. I want to grab him from the stage and kiss him senselessly. I never felt this hunger and desire towards my husband before.

And I patiently waited until their last performance.

"I'm sorry Love, you waited for long."

"Ok lang naman ako. Nagenjoy naman ako sa mga performances nyo."

"Galing ko diba?" Tumaas taas pa ang kilay nya.

"Super galing ng asawa ko kanina."

Nakikita ko ang pagningning ng mga mata ni Zach. Nginisian na lang nya ako.

"Are you hungry?" He asked. Umiling ako. May mga pagkain kasi na sineserve sa VIP room kaya busog ako.

"I want to go home." Tiningnan nya ako at tumango. "Alam kong pagod ka nadin Love. Umuwi na tayo para makapagpahinga ka na."

"Alright. Let's go home."

He offered his hand which I willingly hold.

"HHWW."

***

Songs Used:

Sleep Tonight- December Avenue

Need you Now- Lady A

Hanging by Moment- Lifehouse