Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Kabanata 2
Kabanata 2
"MAGLA-LIE LOW ka muna?" Ma'am Asunta asked when I came to meet her after my shift.
"Papasok pa rin ako, Ma'am," I answered with a smile. "Kapag naaprubahan na po ang scholarship ko sa university sa bayan saka pa lang ako magla-lie low."
She smiled and nodded. "No worries, Sera. Alam ko namang matagal mo nang gustong ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral mo."
"Opo. Sayang po kasi, isang taon na lang at matatapos na ako. Matagal nang gusto iyong ipagpatuloy, kaso may ibang priorities pa."
Tinapik niya ang likod ko. "Balitaan mo ako, ha? Gustong-gusto ko talaga ang pagiging positibo mo at responsable para sa pamilya mo."
I smiled happily. Miss Asunta Flores, the owner of the restaurant where I work, is truly a great woman.
"Sana po maging sekreto muna natin ang tungkol sa pag-aaral kong muli. Ayoko munang malaman ni Nanay."
"Oo naman." She smiled softly, then hugged me.
Nagulat ako, pero sa huli ay ngumiti rin at niyakap ko siya pabalik.
"You're like a daughter to me, Sera," she said tenderly.
"Salamat, Ma'am. Ang laki ng naitulong n'yo sa akin dahil pinapasok n'yo ako dito sa restaurant at binigyan ng trabaho."
"Walang anuman. It was an honor to help you. If only you'd allow me to help you more."
Umiling ako kaagad. "Hindi na, Ma'am. Ang dami na ng naitulong mo, sobra na ang mga iyon."
I hugged her tighter, feeling her motherly love. She is one of the kindest and sweetest people I know.
Humiwalay siya sa akin at may kinuha siyang sobre mula sa bag niya. Inilagay niya iyon sa kamay ko kaya nagitla ako.
I blinked, staring at the envelope, my lips parted. "M-Ma'am..."
"Please accept it, Sera," she said. "It will be a big help to you, sa pagpapagamot mo kay Miggy at sa tatay mo."
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I trembled as I stared at her concerned face.
"M-Ma'am... masyado nang malaki ang naitulong mo." I whispered, trying to hand the envelope back, but she shook her head.
"Tanggapin mo na, Sera. Magtatampo ako kung hindi mo 'yan tatanggapin."
My heart thumped. I gasped and quickly hugged her again to thank her.
"Study hard, Sera," she whispered. "She will be really proud of what you've become."
"P-Po?" I glanced at her, but she just shook her head and chuckled.
"N-Nothing, hija. Naalala ko lang ang kapatid ko." She smiled at me.
˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖
I FETCHED MY brother when it was time for him to go home from school. Dahil may natanggap akong pera ngayon, pinasyal ko siya sa mall.
A man appeared at our house earlier and informed me that he was my bodyguard. Ang laki ng katawan niya, kaya natakot ako. Itinaboy ko siya at sinabi ko sa kanya na ako na bahalang magsabi sa boss niya na ayaw ko pala ng bantay. 'Pag nagkataon, baka pati ang mga kapitbahay namin ay matakot! And that was when I remembered that I was supposed to meet the engineer at his office.
"Ate, gusto ko sanang makipaglaro kanina sa P.E., kaso hindi ko kaya kasi mabilis akong maubusan ng hininga," reklamo ni Miggy habang magkatabi kaming kumakain ng paborito niyang spaghetti at manok.
I sighed, smiled at my brother, and gently caressed his cheek.
"Huwag kang mag-alala, Miggy. Kapag nakapagtapos na ako ng pag-aaral, magkakatrabaho na ako, at mapapa-opera na kita."
I promise, Miggy—someday, you'll be like the other normal kids in school.
He smiled brightly. Nang yakapin niya ang baywang ko ay napangiti ako. Niyakap ko siya pabalik, hinahagkan ang kanyang ulo.
"Salamat, Ate. Mahal po kita," bulong niya.
Pinagpatuloy na niya ang pagkain.
"Ate, kaibigan mo, 'di ba, si Kuya Ephraim?" he asked suddenly.
"H-Huh? Bakit mo naman naitanong 'yan?" I blinked.
"Kasi po siya 'yong una mong kaibigan na nakapunta sa bahay. Mabait po ba siya, Ate?"
"Uh... Oo." I nodded and smiled. "Hayaan mo, kapag hindi siya busy, iimbitahan ko siya uli sa bahay."
He smiled widely and nodded.
Pagkatapos niyang kumain ay lumabas na kami sa restaurant.
"I texted Sera about the party tomorrow, but I haven't received any replies from her."
A familiar voice stopped me. I shifted my gaze and instantly froze the moment I saw my friends.
"Maybe she's busy," Jesusa said. "'Di ba under renovation ang mansyon nila?"
"Oo, but we have to party. Huling linggo na ng semester na 'to at hindi pa siya nagpapakita uli sa 'tin!" reklamo ni Jenny.
"I'll try calling her again," ani Gino habang kinuha ang phone.
Lalo akong hindi nakagalaw nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko.
"Shit!" I cursed, quickly rejecting the call.
"She rejected it," I heard Gino say.
I cursed silently, my hands trembling as I tried to silence my phone. Another call from him came instantly.
Muling nag-ingay ang phone ko, dahilan para mapatingin sa akin ang mga tao sa paligid. I shifted my gaze at my friends and saw Gino's eyes widen the moment he recognized me.
"Sera," he murmured, pero walang pagdadalawang-isip akong umiwas ng tingin.
"Saan?" ani Jesusa.
"I saw her!" I heard the shock in Gino's voice.
Mabilis kong inabot ang kapatid. "Migs! Migs, bilis!"
"Po?"
"Tara! Bilis!" I said, panicking as I pulled my confused brother along.
Humalo kami ni Miggy sa mga tao, pero alam kong sinundan kami nina Gino dahil nakita niya ako.
Shit! Sa lahat ba ng araw na puwede kaming magkita, bakit ngayon pa?
Maraming nagreklamo dahil nabangga ko, but I couldn't care less. Mas mahalagang hindi nila ako mabuko!
I froze, my eyes widening when I saw a familiar man in a black polo shirt and khaki pants. He was smirking as he talked to a man with black eyes while they walked around the mall.
"Ate, si Kuya Ephraim!" Miggy exclaimed.
Napasinghap ako sa gulat nang bigla siyang kumawala mula sa hawak ko at tumakbo patungo kay Rai.
"Miggy! Don't—"
Hindi nakinig sa akin ang kapatid ko. Muntik ko nang masapo ang mukha ko nang bigla siyang huminto sa harapan ni Rai.
"Hi, Kuya!"
I groaned when Rai stopped. A smile formed on his lips the moment he saw my brother. "Migs," he greeted.
Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanila.
"Migs!" I called.
They all shifted their gaze at me, and I froze when mine and Rai'ss eyes met. His eyes flickered, his tongue brushing his lower lip as he stared at me.
"Ate! Si Kuya!" my brother exclaimed, itinuturo si Rai.
"Nandito siya! I swear, I saw her!"
Nanginig ako sa kaba nang marinig sa hindi kalayuan ang boses ni Gino, patuloy pa rin akong hinahanap.
I gasped when I saw that he and my friends were already near.
Muli akong napasulyap kay Rai. His gaze—now serious—turned to where I was looking earlier. In desperation, I walked toward him and grabbed his hand.
"Please...help me," I murmured.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Who are they?" he asked coldly, still looking at my friends.
"H-Hide me... please!" I begged.
Mukhang naguguluhan pa siya, kaya mas hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kanyang kamay, kinakabahan na.
"Para saan ba, Miss?"
Napasulyap ako sa lalaking kasama niya. Nakangiti itong tumingin sa akin, ang mga mata'y kuryoso, bago lumingon sa hawak kong engineer.
"I can help you. Mukhang walang balak 'tong si Viox—"
"Fuck you, Lucian," Rai cursed, at napasinghap ako dahil sa halip na nakaka-offend, sensual ito sa pandinig ko.
Lucian laughed.
Napasinghap ako muli nang dumausdos ang kamay ni Rai sa baywang ko, bago niya nilingon ang kapatid ko. "Migs, Lucian, my cousin. Can you go with him for a while?" aniya.
My brother looked confused but nodded when he noticed how desperate I was.
"Sige po, Kuya. Bantayan mo po si Ate, ha?" He smiled.
"I will." Rai nodded, then stared at his cousin, who was looking at us playfully. "Take care of him. Let's meet in the parking."
"Alright." Lucian chuckled, glancing at me again before shifting his gaze back to his cousin.
I caught Lucian smirking. Hindi ko alam kung nang-aasar o natutuwa nang sumulyap siya sa kamay ni Rai na nasa baywang ko.
I slowly, shyly removed Rai's hand from my waist—but he noticed it instantly. Nakita ko ang iritasyon sa mukha niya nang tumingin siya sa akin.
"What?" he asked coldly.
"Uh...'yong kamay mo," I whispered.
"So?" he fired back.
Lucian laughed and took my brother with him.
"Baka namamalik-mata ka lang, Gino!"
"No! I swear, I saw Sera!"
Shit! Shit! Nagrigudon ang puso ko sa kaba!
Rai cursed, tightened his grip on my waist, and slowly led me away from them.
"I am positive, Jen."
"Impossible 'yon at busy si Sera. I remembered her saying nagpa-process siya ng visa dahil may Europe tour siya!"
Kumunot ang noo ni Rai at nagsalubong ang mga mata namin. I bit my lip, shook my head, and clutched his shirt.
"A-Alis na tayo," I whispered.
Hindi siya umimik, mas pumirmi ang kamay niya sa aking baywang, at naglakad na kami paalis. Pero natulos ako sa kinatatayuan nang marinig ang isang boses.
"Engineer Miranda?"
Rai stopped too.
Nang mapansin kong papalapit sa amin ang mga kaibigan ko ay muntik na akong magpalamon sa lupa.
Rai immediately covered me, shifting me so I could hide my face against his chest.
"Oh, it's really you!" Jenny's voice rang out.
I felt Rai's steady breath and thumping heart against his chest, and somehow, he made me feel protected.
Shit! Mabubuko ako nito!
"Engineer..."
Gino's voice made me so nervous.
"Engineer Rosales," Rai acknowledged him.
"Nandito ka pala?" Jesusa asked.
Ramdam na ramdam ko ang titig ng mga kaibigan ko habang nagtatago ako sa dibdib ni Rai. Shit!
"Oh, you have company!" Jenny chimed in.
"Yeah, I'm with my girlfriend," Rai said. Napasinghap ako.
"R-Really?" Jesusa sounded surprised.
"What's her name?" Gino asked. "Uh, sorry, but she looks kinda familiar."
"Veronica," Rai answered, and I closed my eyes tightly.
That's my second name!
"Oh..." Jenny murmured.
"Nice meeting you, guys, but excuse us—my girlfriend's not feeling well."
"Oh, okay!" Jesusa said.
Slowly, Rai shifted his position, never letting them see me. Walang pasubali niya akong inakbayan ako at pasimpleng inilayo.
Pagkarating namin sa parking lot ay saka lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag. I shook my head and saw my brother talking with Lucian. Nagtatawanan sila at nag-aapir pa.
Tahimik kaming lumapit sa kanila ni Rai. I noticed how annoyed he looked, at na-guilty ako dahil nadamay ko pa siya sa gulo ko.
"Ihahatid na namin kayo," Lucian said.
I felt Rai staring at me. Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin ay agad siyang umiwas at sinuklay niya ang buhok niya gamit ang kanyang mga daliri.
"Hindi na. Uh, maraming salamat sa tulong," I said, staring at Lucian, who looked amused and curious.
"Get in the car, ihahatid namin kayo," Rai suddenly said.
I was about to protest, but when I saw how serious he was, I stopped. Pasimple akong sumulyap sa kapatid ko nang lumapit ito sa kanya .
"Kuya, salamat po sa pagbantay sa ate ko!" Miggy said, smiling.
Ngumiti si Rai, tumango, bago guluhin ang buhok niya.
"No worries, pasok ka na sa loob, Migs. Ihahatid namin kayo."
My brother happily entered the car. Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin ni Rai, awkward akong ngumiti. He didn't smile back. Suplado!
I pouted. He raised his brow when he noticed what I did, and Lucian laughed again, leaning on the side of the car as he watched us.
"Just make up already," Lucian suddenly said.
"H-Huh?" Nalito ako sa sinabi niya.
"Fuck you, Lucian," Rai hissed, glaring at his cousin, who only laughed.
"Pumasok ka na," he told me.
I just blinked and stared at him. Tumitig lang rin siya sa akin. If Lucian hadn't pushed his cousin closer to me, we wouldn't have snapped out of it.
"Stop pushing me!" Rai hissed.
"Just kiss! Para kayong tangang nag-iirapan d'yan," Lucian teased.
"Hindi kami. We just met! Why would we..."
"O? Kuwento n'yo sa pagong." Lucian laughed loudly.
"Hindi nga!" I insisted.
"Ah, fling?" he asked blatantly.
Really...
"Tangina mo! Mamaya ka sa 'kin, hayop ka!" Rai gritted his teeth, then slowly took my wrist and opened the car door.
He helped me inside, and when he closed it, I saw him smack his cousin's head while Lucian continued laughing.
We reached home safely. Mula sa backseat, nakita ko kung paano tinginan at silipin ng mga kapitbahay namin sa sasakyan kung nasaan kami.
Lumabas si Lucian at sumunod ang kapatid kong mukhang napalapit ang loob sa kanya. It's a proof that he and Rai are good people. Madalas kasi'y tahimik lang si Miggy at hindi mabilis magtiwala pero kapag sila...
Rai stepped out of the car. I was about to follow when I heard the door open. Gulat akong napatingin do'n at nakita ko si Rai. He was holding the door open for me.
I didn't say anything. Lumabas lang ako sa sasakyan at pinagmasdan ko si Miggy na hinihila at inaaya ang dalawang lalaki papasok sa bahay namin.
Rai and Lucian smiled and listened to what Miggy was saying. I glanced at my phone and saw missed calls and texts from Gino.
From: Gino
Sera, where are you?
Answer my calls, Sera.
Do you know Engr. Miranda? I think I saw you with him at the mall.
I sighed and replied.
To: Gino
Hi, Gino! Sorry for the late reply. Pauwi pa lang ako ngayong gabi galing Manila. Sinong Engr. Miranda? Hindi ko siya kilala. Let's party tomorrow night? I miss you all.
I'll probably rot in hell because of my lies.
I looked up and caught Rai staring intently at my phone. Ngayon ko lang napansin na mauna na pala sila Lucian at Miggy sa harapan ng bahay.
Rai tilted his head, a questioning look written in his face.
I walked toward him. "Thank you for earlier."
Hindi siya umimik, tahimik lang niya akong pinagmasdan.
"I was panicking. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin, mabuti na lang at nakita kita."
"How do you know that boy?" he asked coldly. Sigurado akong ang tinutukoy ay si Gino.
"Uh, he's a friend?" I replied.
"He doesn't look like just a friend to me. He was staring at you as if he knew you really well."
"S'yempre, kilala niya nga ako kasi kaibigian ko siya."
He licked his lower lip. His jaw clenched, and he sighed hard.
"Hindi ka pumunta sa opisina ko," he said, stopping me.
"Hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung bakit ako nagpatulong sa 'yo kanina?"
Hindi niya pinansin ang tanong ko, nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagrereklamo.
"I waited for you. I cancelled my damn meetings, thinking you'd go as we agreed—but you didn't."
Seryoso ang mukha niya. My heart thumped rapidly against my ribcage for an unknown reason!
We just met! We just met!
"Na-busy kasi ako," pagdadahilan ko. "Hindi mo ba talaga tatanungin kung bakit ako nagpatulong—"
"Tinaboy mo ang bodyguard na pinadala ko, and you didn't even answer my emails!" he hissed.
"Masyadong pansinin ang bodyguard na pinadala mo—sobrang laki ng katawan! Paano siya magbe-blend in sa mga normal na tayo? Akala mo kapre! Nakakatakot!" I pouted. "Saka hindi ako nagbukas ng email!"
"You choose, Serafine—ang bodyguard ang magbabantay sa 'yo o ako?" he said firmly.
My jaw dropped because of what he said.
"Rai... p'wede namang huwag na."
He tilted his head and clenched his jaw.
"The investigation has already started, with you as a witness. I can't let you go alone without a bodyguard—it's necessary for your safety."
Lalo akong napanguso. Mas lumapit ako sa kanya at inabot ko ang braso niya.
"Rai, sige na..."
"No," he snapped, though he allowed my hand to rest on his arm.
"Sige na, Engineer..."
Marahas siyang tumingin sa akin, mas iritado na.
"Why are you calling me Rai?" he asked, staring at me seriously.
Nangiti ako. "Your name, Ephraim, is a bit mouthy, so I made that up. Cute ba? Okay lang sa 'yo? Ang informal, 'no? Mas okay siguro ang engineer—"
"Call me Rai, or else ako na mismo ang magbabantay sa 'yo," he threatened, making me grin.
"Engineer—" I laughed when he almost pinched me, wincing as he caught my waist when I tried to move away, then squeezed my cheek.
"Rai!" I exclaimed loudly.
"Hindi ako natutuwa sa 'yo, Serafine," he hissed.
"Naks naman!"
Sabay kaming napatigil nang lumitaw si Lucian, humihithit ng Mik-Mik kasama si Miggy. Naubo ang kapatid ko na kaya nag-panic ako at bumitaw kay Rai.
"Okay lang ako, Ate." Pinigilan ako ng kapatid ko na may ngiti at mukhang ayos naman siya kaya nakalma ako.
Lucian grinned at me and offered me Mik-Mik, but I just smiled at him, shook my head, and murmured a thank you.
"Let's go, Lucian," Rai groaned, almost punching his cousin in the face.
"Sosyal naman ng tawag—Rai." Lucian giggled. "Sure ba kayong kakakilala n'yo pa lang? Bakit kong makapag-usap kayo parang nakikain ka na sa bahay nila?"
Kasi nakakain nga siya sa bahay namin. Nagpa-refill pa nga!
Nahuli ni Rai ang ngisi ko. He shot me a warning look, kaya kinagat ko ang dila ko.
"Manahimik ka nga," sita niya sa pinsan niya.
"Alam mo ba, Sera, ayaw na ayaw niya sa Ephraim sa pangalan niya, pero kapag ikaw—Aray! Tangina nitong si Miranda!"
I burst out laughing when Ephraim kicked his cousin and suddenly grabbed him by the neck.
"What's your mouth! There's a kid," sita ni Rai, pero 'di naman ako naalarma na nakaririnig ng mura ang kapatid ko. Ganito 'ata siguro kung lumaki ka sa mga magulang na nagmumurahan at nagtatalo araw-araw.
Miggy chuckled, too, as if he were just watching action figurines fight.
"We gotta go," Rai said, then pushed his cousin toward the driver's seat.
"Goodbye, Migs," he called to my brother.
"Bye, Kuya Ephraim! Bye din po, Kuya Lucian!"
"Bye, Sera! Migs!" Lucian laughed and waved.
I said my goodbyes, and when my eyes met Rai's, I smiled. "Bye, Engineer..." I waved cutely at him.
I laughed when his face crumpled, and he rolled his eyes at me.
Suplado! Akala mo 'di nakikain ng cake at nagpa-refill ng juice!
"Email, Serafine," huling sinabi niya bago pumasok sa sasakyan.
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HINDI AKO MAKATULOG ng maayos sa gabing ito. 'Di na kasi mawala sa isip si Rai, lalo na at nag-follow up email siya at nag-text pa.
From: Engineer
To: Engineer
Sino po 'to?
From: Engineer
Funny.
To: Engineer
Ay, suplado? Sino ka ba 'to nang ma-block kita?
Natatawa pa ako pagka-send ng huling message.
From: Engineer
Rai
Rai...
I giggled.
Damn, Sera! Why are you giggling? You just met him! 'Di porket guwapo—Paano 'yon? Kahinaan ko ang guwapo, pangalawa 'yon sa Hierarchy of Needs ko?
From: Engineer
I found you a new bodyguard. Don't worry, he can blend with the crowd.
To: Engineer
Ay, hindi na ikaw?
Para akong kinikiliti habang naghihintay ng sagot.
From: Engineer
Gusto mo ba?
Engineer Calling...
Shit!
I declined the call.
To: Engineer
Joke! Masyadong serious!
From: Engineer
Sleep.
To: Engineer
Wow, daddy 'yan? Hahaha! Ikaw, ha? Kaka-meet pa lang natin strict ka na! Ayaw ko pa naman sa mga nakakasakal.
From: Engineer
?
I made a face.
To: Engineer
Good night na nga. Ang slow!
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IN THE MORNING, my friends bombarded me with texts, kaya hindi ako nakaliban sa bar hopping. When night fell, I wore a red dress and pumps and made my way to the bar. Kaagad akong sinalubong ng mga kaibigan kong tuwang-tuwa nang makita ako.
"Nag-hallucinate 'ata si Gino. Nakita ka daw niya sa mall kahapon, kahit na nasa Manila ka!" Jesusa laughed, teasing Gino, who just shook his head and laughed too.
Bumaling ako kay Gino na nakapatong ang braso sa likuran ng upuan ko.Tumawa ako at ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok.
"Bakit naman ako mapupunta ro'n? Baka kamukha ko lang 'yong nakita mo."
Gino shifted his gaze at me, his eyes lingering on my face. He licked his lip before nodding.
"Baka nga," he said. "Imposibleng maging kasama ka ni Miranda."
"Sino 'yon?" I asked, pretending not to know.
"Si Engineer! Siya 'yong sinasabi namin sa 'yong guwapo! He's really that hot, you!" Jenny answered.
Oh? Is that so?
"Hindi lang siya, pati 'yong mga pinsan niya!" sabi ni Jesusa.
I just nodded silently. Wala akong ideya kung sino ba talaga si Engineer Ephraim Miranda. The only thing I know is that he's an engineer, he's rich, and he's handsome. Medyo masiba siya, matulungin, mahilig sa Mik-Mik, at binayaran niya ang utang ko kay Aling Kipay. He is currently investigating a crime involving his fiancée, who, according to him, was only a family friend.
"But you know he already has a girlfriend," Jenny said, making me shift my gaze toward her.
"Isn't that strange?" Gino suddenly asked. "Paanong may girlfriend siya kung kakamatay pa lang ng fiancée niya? The investigation is still ongoing, right?"
"I bet that was an arranged marriage. Donya Angelita is a cunning woman, always determined to secure her son's future!" Jesusa said. "Baka kaya nakayakap sa kanya ang girlfriend niya kahapon ay para maitago sa atin?"
Tahimik lang ako, nakikinig habang nagmamasid sa kanila.
"P'wede," Jenny agreed.
No! It was me you saw yesterday, and he's just hiding me from the three of you!
"Excuse me, Ma'am Sera..."
Gulat kaming napatingin sa lalaking lumapit sa amin. He was wearing a white shirt and black slacks, with an earpiece in his ear.
"H-Huh? Yes?"
"Sino 'yan?" Jenny asked.
Gulat akong napatayo. Sa ayos ng lalaki, mukhang siya ang bagong bodyguard na ipinadala ni Rai!
"Bakit ka nandito?" I whispered to the man.
"Uh, pinadala po ako ni Engineer, Ma'am. Nagbabantay po ako sa bahay n'yo kanina, pero umalis ka, kaya sinundan kita. Huwag ka pong mag-aalala at may nakamasid ding tauhan sa kapatid mo."
I closed my eyes tightly for a few seconds. "Umuwi ka muna, pakisabi sa kanya—"
"Huwag daw po akong aalis kahit anong mangyari. Kung hindi ka raw po papayag, siya na mismo ang magbabantay sa 'yo."
I groaned, stomping my feet.
"That man!" I hissed.
"Sino 'yan?" I heard Gino asked.
I froze. Napaayos ako ng tayo at napasulyap sandali sa bodyguard sa tabi ko. "Uh..."
"Lando, Ma'am," he said in a low voice.
"Uh, guys, si Lando... bodyguard ko," I said awkwardly.
Their eyes widened.
"Really?! Wow!" Jenny exclaimed.
Natulala ako sa sandali. Nanatili namang seryoso lang na nakatayo sa tabi ko ang bodyguard.
"P-Protective masyado si Daddy," pagdadahilan ko.
Daddy?!
Habang nasa dancefloor kami, hindi mawala sa isip ko ang bodyguard na pinadala ni Rai. Paano ko 'yon ipaliliwanag kina Tatay?
"Guys, nandito si Engineer!" Jenny suddenly exclaimed, making my heart pound.
I shifted my gaze to her. Napatigil ako sa pagsayaw, at naramdaman ko ang pagpirmi ng kamay ni Gino sa aking baywang.
"S-Sinong Engineer?" I asked.
"Si Vioxx!" Jenny exclaimed.
I froze again, then tilted my head and smiled a little.
Akala ko si Rai ang tinutukoy niya! My God! Hindi ko pa naman 'yon napuntahan sa opisina niya dahil nag-review kami ni Miggy!
"Let's dance more," ani Gino nang mapansing natuod na ako.
I nodded and placed my arm on his shoulder, but we didn't get to dance again because Jesusa suddenly giggled, grabbed my arm, and pulled me away.
"Sera, tara, pakikilala namin sa 'yo si Vioxx!"
I let go of the confused Gino and allowed Jesusa to drag me.
"Jes, I was still dancing with her!" Gino complained.
"Stop obsessing over Sera! Ipapakita lang namin siya kay Vioxx!" Jenny laughed.
I was confused, but I couldn't refuse when my friends pulled me toward the second floor of the bar. My bodyguard tensed up when he saw my friends dragging me. Tahimik siyang sumunod sa amin.
Pagkarating namin sa taas, my friends giggled happily.
"Babati lang tayo, Sera! Vioxx is with his cousins!" Jesusa said.
I nodded slightly and smiled faintly, glancing at the socialites around us.
I've flirted with rich men before. We'd dine out and talk—just another one of my attempts to pretend to be part of high society. Walang serious attraction, superficial lang. Hindi rin naman kasi ako papasok sa serious relationship at kailangan pa ako ng pamilya ko. I don't think I can handle both.
A hand suddenly gripped my waist, and I was startled to see Gino appear behind me. Sinundan pala niya kami.
He sighed and took my arm.
"Hayaan mo na 'yang dalawang 'yan. They just want to flirt with the cousins again. Magsayaw na lang tayo sa baba uli."
"Ipapakilala nga namin siya kay Vioxx at sa iba, Gino. Mamaya na 'yan!" Jesusa insisted, pulling me away from him.
"Sino ba 'yong Vioxx na 'yon?" takang tanong ko.
"'Yong kinukuwento naming guwapo! Si Engineer!" Jesusa replied.
I got confused. Si Rai lang naman kasi ang kinukuwento nilang engineer sa akin.
"Uh, mayaman?" I asked.
"Sobra!"
Jenny's answer made me smile. I gathered my confidence, brushed my hair back with my hand, and straightened my posture.
Maybe... I should try flirting para hindi puro si Rai ang naiisip ko? My gosh, I've only met him twice—with very unique circumstances, actually, kaya siguro hindi siya maalis sa isipan ko. At saka guwapo rin kasi siya!
Jenny and Jesusa started talking to someone. I didn't see who it was until Gino appeared beside me again, pulling me closer by the waist.
"Kami 'yong nakasalubong mo sa mall kahapon!" Jesusa said.
I froze and turned toward them slowly. My eyes widened when they met Rai's cold stare.
"Vioxx, ito pala 'yong kaibigan namin, si Sera—mag-MU 'ata sila nitong si Gino," Jenny said teased.
My eyes widened in shock. MU?! Shit...
Gino chuckled. "Liligawan ko na ba, Jen?" Gino teased.
Double shit...
My body froze when Rai's piercing brown eyes locked on me. His jaw clenched slightly, his tongue brushing his lower lip.
"R-Rai..." I whispered, stunned.
He smirked, tilting his head before glaring coldly at Gino.
"I believe that's my girlfriend," he said icily, his gaze flicking irritably to me.
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