Ugly thoughts filled me. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that I'm hurting because he's hurting, tol. It was all clear in my head now.
He didn't told me because he knew how I hated my father so much. Alam niyang masasaktan ako kapag sinabi niya sa akin. I opened up too much that he knew how will I feel.
But still, I don't want to buy that. If he's honest and serious about me, he would have told me that even if it will hurt me.
His face flashed in my mind the time that when I ran away from him. Puno ng takot ang mata niya habang pinapanood akong iwanan siya sa malamig na dalampasigan sa gitna ng gabi. I ran just like a coward woman. Takot na harapin ang totoo.
Maaga akong nagising dahil sa tawag ni Reign. I didn't had enough sleep and my eyes is puffy. I have an early appointment today. Tumakbo ako sa shower at minadali ang pagbihis dahil galit na ang manager ko sa akin.
I wore a white lingerie as a top, a black tight jeans, a leather jacket and a pump. Nakasampay sa balikat ko ang leather jacket at wala akong planong isuot iyon ng maayos dahil maiinitan ako. I combed my hair, wore a nude lipstick and I'm good to go.
Bumaba ako at kaagad napahinto nang makitang may ibang tao sa bahay. My eyes flew at Rashid who's standing and fixing the buttons of his polo shirt. A woman wearing a spaghetti dress with her back fully seen is sitting on my couch.
Tumaas ang kilay ko. Rashid surveyed my body and I saw annoyance for a while. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin.
"She's Ms. Ramos, my client." he said even if I didn't ask.
My eyes flew at the woman. She's like years younger than Rashid, kaedad ko siguro. Her breast is almost showing and the way she sit, I can easily peek at her butt. Humugot ako ng buntong hininga.
Client, huh? Bakit mukhang mga bigatin yata ang mga kliyente niya? To the point that she doesn't look client to me.
"You must be Gian Bryn." she stood up and smiled at me. "I hope you don't mind me visiting Atty. Añonuevo. I really have to rush an errand, hindi na ako nakapaghintay kaya dumiretso na ako dito."
I smiled a bit and nodded. Nilingon ko si Rashid at nanlisik ang mata sa kaniya. What errand is it, huh? Hindi makapaghintay? Client mo mukha mo, Añonuevo.
"I have to go." paalam ko sabay ngiti.
"Where?" Rashid asked, making me stop walking.
Nilingon ko siya. "Photoshoot."
"You didn't eat your breakfast?"
Bakit ba siya nagtatanong? The client will think something between us! Baka maudlot ang gagawin nila!
"I'll eat somewhere." matalim ko siyang tinignan.
"In your shooting venue?"
"Yes."
"Where exactly?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. The woman was pursing her lips and didn't want to meddle our conversation.
"I believe that's not your concerns anymore, Mr. Añonuevo." I smiled lightly. "I need to go."
After our talk, I don't know how to act whenever he's around. I'm still mad and not okay with him but somehow I understood him. At least.
I was surely drunk last night but his face near mine couldn't get away from my brain. His lips.. I stopped the car immediately. Muntik na akong mauntog sa wheel sa biglaang paghinto sa parking lot. Suminghap ako at kumunot ang noo ko.
This is stupid. I moved on. Kung may nararamdaman man ako para sa kaniya ngayon, galit nalang 'yon. Sigurado ako.
"Gianna!" Reign called me. Lumapit ako doon at nakipag-ngitian sa mga taong nasa paligid.
I'm doing a shoot for a local skin care brand. Reign already signed me up for this and I'm up for this, too.
"This is Miss Angel, the head of the glam team. And also the head of the marketing management."
I smiled at the lady beside her. "Good morning.."
"It's nice to meet you, Gian. I've watched all of your Victoria's secret fashion show! I can't believe you're even more stunning in person. Are you even on your make up?" suminghap siya. "Gosh, your skin looks fresh!"
"Thank you," I awkwardly laughed.
"I heard from Reign that you're up for the Gala this year. Grabe! In the history, it's your first time to attend the Gala here, huh?"
Nilingon ko si Reign. I didn't say anything about that. She just smirked at me and shrugged.
"If I don't have anything to do then.. that's okay."
"Surely, wala!" Reign mocked.
"That's great! Then should I refer you to a designer? Do you know Paige Herman?"
Ngumuso ako. "I'm sure I've heard of her before.." hindi ako sigurado pero parang narinig ko na nga siya dati.
"Her works are fantastic and she's from ElVi, too! Naku, you should meet her. I'll give you her calling card. What's your email?" she smiled.
She's kinda talkative. Ilang minuto pa akong nakipagdaldalan sa kaniya. It was quite fun since she's not asking me things about my issues and whatsoever. Nang matapos akong makipag-daldalan ay dumiretso na ako sa trabaho.
"Where's Cass?" nakapikit kong tanong kay Reign habang inaayusan ako at nasa likod siya, nanonood lang.
"Partying. Kagabi pa wala!" she burst. "Ayos na 'yon. Magulo ang mundo kapag nasa condo siya."
"We should hang out sometimes. Libre ako pagkatapos nito."
"I'll rest after this. This will be a long day, Gi. We should rest." rinig ko ang buntong hininga niya. "How's your Dad, anyway? What happened to your promotion?"
I didn't talk for seconds. Hindi ko sana gustong pag-usapan pero dahil natanong niya, sasabihin ko na din. Dumilat ako para tignan ang itsura ko. Magaan lang ang make-up ko at halos mukhang natural lang dahil skin-care nga ang isho-shoot ngayon.
"I didn't get it."
"Ha? Bakit?" napatuwid siya ng tayo.
"The board was the one who decided, Reign. That's fine, I'm still part of the company anyway." sumandal ako habang inaanggulo ang mukha ko.
"Paano ang bahay mo?"
"I sent the documents at home. I'm sure they all saw it." ngumisi ako sa salamin.
I hope my father's freaking out because of the documents as if they're a death threats.
My shoot started. The camera is focused on my face and I'm wearing a nude tube top just to make me look naked. Panay ang anggulo ko ng mukha habang nakatitig sa camera.
The shoot was finished just after lunch. Kumakalam na ang sikmura ko dahil kape at waffle lang ang hinanda sa akin ni Reign kanina. Ilang minutong batian ang ginawa ko sa mga staff at directors. They were all nice. I still need to shoot some shot tomorrow in different venues.
"Sabay ka?" alok ko kay Reign nang sinusuot na ang itim na mask na binigay niya.
"No, I'm fine. I need to buy something somewhere." she said. "Diretso uwi, Gianna. I'll call you tomorrow early in the morning, don't you try sleeping late again."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, mother."
Nagtawanan kami at humiwalay ng daan. Bumuntong hininga ako at ayaw pang umuwi. I don't know if Rashid and his client is still there. Baka kung ano pa ang maabutan ko. Sumimangot ako at ngumiwi.
Damn that guy. Ang kapal ng mukha na babuyin ang bahay ko. Is this his hobby after I left? Sabagay, he can always pull girls on his bed without putting efforts. Kahit dati, tumayo lang 'yon sa gilid ay pipilahan pa din. Ano pa kaya ngayon? Girls will surely kneel in front of him and give him pleasure. Syempre, he's a successful man now. He can have all he wants. Richness, girls.. name it!
And that damn article is a lie, then. No relationship my ass. Surely! Kasi lahat puro flings gaya ng dati.
Tumigil ako sa pag-iisip nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I looked at it and saw that it was my father. Huminto ako sa paglalakad at nanatili sa tapat ng sasakyan ko.
"Dad," I answered.
"Hija, can we talk?"
Oh, he probably saw it.
Ngumiti ako. "We can talk about it on phone or you can grab an attorney to help you."
"Gianna, please.." I heard him sigh. "Let's talk about this clearly. Is this what New York taught you? Your fame?"
I'm not even shocked he said that. I gritted my teeth and tried my best to calm down. As long as I want to be nice because he's my father, I can't because he is crossing the line all the time.
"Isn't this clear to you, Dad? I'm not being selfish. I'm not the selfish one between us, its you. All I want is to give my mom some respect because obviously, you can't." pinili kong kalmahin ang boses dahil nasa parking lot ako.
"Is this what you want?"
"Yes, Dad. At least for Mommy."
He stayed silence for a while. Malalim na buntong hininga muli ang pinakawalan niya. "Give us time. Aalis din kami. Just give us time, Gianna."
Natahimik ako. I don't know what to feel. I mean, I'm happy that he finally realized what's right. But why is he making me feel like I'm shooing them away? I gave him a choice. It's our house. Hindi ko pinagkakait sa kaniya pero irespeto niya naman ang Mommy ko at h'wag niyang ibahay doon ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito.
Pinili kong kumalma sa isang katabing cafe ng studio na pinaggalingan ko. Pumasok ako at kaagad nauna sa counter. I don't think I can eat my lunch here, puro naman kasi bread ang nasa menu. I want a heavy meal right now.
"I'll have a pumpkin frap. That's on 2 pumps of white mocha, extra caramel drizzle and cinnamon dolce toppings."
The lady nodded. I didn't smile since I'm wearing a mask. Tumalikod ako para maupo.
"Gianna?"
I stopped when I heard that. Lumingon ako sa gilid at nakita ang grupo ng magkakaibigan. On a wide table, there's Issa, Zhianela, a familiar woman, Rashid and the band Alpha. Namilog ng kaunti ang mata ko nang makita sila.
Issa smiled at me and excitedly waved her hand. "Oh my god. I can't believe I bumped into you! Seat here!"
My eyes flew to Rashid. He was in the middle of Hunter and Dylan. Nakangiti ng malaki sa akin ang mga dating kaibigan. I suddenly felt nostalgic. I missed them. Lerwick and his shop.. Nangunguna ang kalungkutan habang nakikita ang dating mga kaibigan.
I sat beside Issa. Rashid clenched his jaw and rested on his chair while still staring at me. I wonder if his business with his client is done. Did he had a great time with her?
"Amber, she's is my cousin, Gianna. She's a supermodel, by the way."
Amber smiled at me. Her hair is short, just below his shoulder. Maganda at payat. She can do modeling.
I saw Hunter's hand on the back of her chair and I knew it already. She's the girl on Hunter's Instagram icon, I knew it. That's why she is darn familiar. I smirked.
"Oh, right! Gian Bryn.." she smiled at me. "Nice to meet you. I'm a fan."
Zhianela was stunning. Gosh, she didn't age at all! Nasa gilid at tahimik na nakamasid sa lahat. She's even more beautiful than ever. And she's a Mom of two, by the way. Even Issa! Hindi ko maipagkakaila na mayroon kaming pagkakapareho at mas maganda siya sa akin. I admit that.
"Thank you." I removed my mask.
Hunter smirked at me. "Nice to see you, Gianna. How's New York?"
Hunter is still looking great, as he should. They all do look great, to be honest. And of course, they're doing great with their band too. Minsan na akong inalukan ng photoshoot kasama sila pero tumanggi ako. I didn't want to have connections with them before.
"Great.." I said and dropped on Amber's finger. Umangat ang kilay ko. "Congrats, Hunt. Hindi ko akalain aabot ng ganito katagal."
Ruther burst out laughing. "H'wag mong batiin, Gianna. Baka umatras."
"Baka mausog."
Hunter showed a middle finger to them. Ngumiwi ako.
"We were just talking about the invitations, Gi. Ano? Libre ka ba?" Issa smirked at me.
"Sure! I'll come." excited kong sabi sabay ngiti kay Amber. "Think about it properly, Amber. Baka minamadali ka lang n'yan.."
"Shut up." Hunter glared at me.
Rashid cleared his throat. Umahon sa upo at maingay na sumimsim sa kapeng nakalatag sa lamesa. He made an eye contact to his friend. Umiiling na tumatawa si Dylan habang may binubulong kay Zhianela.
Siniko ako ni Issa. "Zhian's a bit upset at you, Gi. Hindi ka raw umattend sa kasal niya." biro niya.
"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. I had a hectic schedule that time. I didn't make it."
"It's okay. Issa, ano ka ba.." nahihiyang tumawa si Zhianela. "I know you're a busy person. I hope you don't mind if we still put your name as my daughter's ninang."
"Oh, really? That's great!"
It somehow feels good. Finally, I've felt that I had friends who knew me before. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na kahit papaano, may mga kaibigan pa din pala ako. Issa sometimes visits my shows. She's supportive and she's one of my trusted person since then.
"Ikaw ba, Gianna? When's the wedding?" Clyvan jokingly asked me.
Out of nowhere, nagkatinginan kami ni Rashid. Without any reason, my eyes still searched for him. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa reyalidad. I removed my eyes off him and looked at Cly instead.
"I don't have plans for that."
"Oh? Wala kang boyfriend?" Ruther asked me.
"Wala pa?" si Issa naman ang nagulat ngayon. "Hay naku, you should start having one. Nasa parenting stage na kami, ikaw nasa blind dating pa din. That's hard. 'Diba, Rashid?"
I saw how clenched Rashid's jaw are. Umiwas ako ng tingin nang tignan niya ako. He kept on glancing at me to check if everything was fine for me. Obviously, not.
"She still have time for that." Amber smiled. "Besides, she's gorgeous. She can find a guy even in her 50's."
Yeah, right? I like her.
"The struggles.." tinapik ni Dylan si Rashid na blangkong nakatitig sa lamesa.
"I know someone, Gianna. Gusto mo ba? He's a pilot." Ruther smirked at me.
I smiled shyly. "I don't have time for that yet.."
Siniko ako ni Issa. "Bakit? Sakto! Make him buy you a chopper para hindi hassle. Hindi ba palipat-lipat ka ng bansa?"
"Oo! Kung gusto mo, bigay ko na lang number mo sa kaniya. Ano?"
"The lady said she doesn't want to, Ruther." Rashid spoke.
Humugot ako ng buntong hininga at sumandal. Kulang na lang ay ilubog ko ang sarili ko sa upuan.
They we're interrupted when both of our orders came. Maingay muli ang lamesa dahil sa kwelang kwento ni Issa. I was quiet as I sipped on my drink. Paminsan minsan ay sumasali ako sa kantyawan nila pero natatahimik tuwing nasasalubong ko ang mapanuring tingin ni Rashid.
"No cameras, please!" Issa shouted to the other group of friends who was obviously taking pictures.
Ngumiwi ako. Reign will go mad, for sure. Hindi ko na inisip iyon at piniling ubusin ang inumin para umalis na.
"Mauna na ako. I have to run some errands." ngiti ko sabay tayo.
"Thank you, Gi. I hope we hang out sometimes. I missed hanging out with you.." Issa held my hand.
"Sure, Issa. Ite-text kita."
Hunter grinned devilishly at me. "We'll send the invitation. Saan ka na uli nakatira ngayon?"
Napawi ang ngiti ko sa paraan ng pagtanong niya. This jerk. Anong alam nito?
"Ako na ang kukuha."
Tumayo si Rashid. "Send it to my house. Pati na rin ang sa akin."
"Oh? Bakit sa bahay mo?" Issa raised her eyebrow. "Bakit ka nakatayo?"
"I have a meeting. I need to go." he glanced at his clock and combed his hair backwards.
Humalakhak si Clyvan. "Ayos! Iba talaga, Attorney!"
"Ganda naman ng timing ng meeting mo. Halatang may tine-tyempuhan."
I don't like what's happening so I grabbed my back and wore my mask back. Tinapik ko si Issa at tinanguan ang ibang kaibigan. I waved at Zhianela and she smiled at me. Tumalikod na ako at hinayaan silang magkagulo doon.
I feel light now since I meet my friends. Lalo na si Issa. She knew what I was going though but she didn't bring that out because maybe she knew that I'm not comfortable. I missed her. I'll probably go out with her sometimes.
He's having a meeting. That means, I'll be alone in the house. So I have time to cook. Hindi naman ako ganoon kagalingan kaya kailangan kong mapag-isa. I cook foods sometimes but that's all basics. Naalala ko dati, sinusubukan kong magluto ng ulam kaya gusto ko ding subukan ito ngayon.
Hininto ko ang sasakyan ko sa isang shopping mall. As long as I want to shop for my wants, I can't because I need to cook.
I pushed the cart and went to the fresh meat corner. I picked a chicken. Ilang minuto kong hinanap ang iba pang ingredients. Pabalik balik ako sa vegetables corner para lang maalala kung ano ang kulang. In the end I picked the chayote.
"What's that?"
I jumped when I saw Rashid as I turned my back. Nanlaki ang mata ko at naiatras ko ang tinutulak na cart. He's holding a basket, too. Full of tissues.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Anong ginagawa mo dito? Akala ko ba may meeting ka?"
He raised the basket. "We ran out of tissues. My meeting is postponed."
Matalim ko siyang tinignan at humalukipkip. "Should I believe that, Añonuevo? Talagang dito ka pa bumili?"
"This is the nearest grocery from where I was. I told you, my meeting was postponed."
"And we suddenly ran out of tissues?"
"Yes."
Talaga lang, Rashid? How can you be an attorney when you are so lame in thinking an alibi. But in any way, he's indeed a lawyer. Sinungaling, e.
Umirap ako. "Whatever."
I pushed the cart away from that place. Pinanood niya ang pagtulak ko sa cart at kalaunan binigyang pansin ang laman ng cart ko. He, then, suddenly held it making me stop.
I creased my eyebrow. "What are you doing? Aalis na ako!"
"Are you cooking tinola?" he looked at me with full of amusement on his eyes.
"Anong tinola? This is adobo!"
His eyebrows both went up. He licked his lips and scratched his eyebrow with his thumb.
"Sayote sa adobo, Gianna?"
"What? I cooked adobo before. Anong tingin mo sa akin?"
He bit his lips, trying not to laugh. "But it's wrong. It's supposed to be—"
"Fine!" sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at inalis ang sayote sa cart ko. I picked up a carrot and showed it to him. "I know it now. H'wag kang magmagaling d'yan, Añonuevo. Nakalimutan ko lang."
Hinilamos niya ang palad sa bibig at kita ko ang paglitaw ng maputing ngiti doon.
Namungay ang mata niya sa akin. "Patatas. Not carrots, okay?"
This is stupid!
Is he playing around with me? Kumunot ang noo ko at kulang na lang buhusan ng malamig na tubig. How stupid you are, Gianna!
Pulang pula na yata ang pisngi ko habang inaalis ang carrots sa cart. I picked up the tomato and placed it on my cart. Matalim ko siyang tinignan na para bang siya pa ang mali sa pagtama sa akin.
He sighed and went to me. Pinulot niya ang tomato galing sa cart ko at binalik. Instead, he grabbed a potato and placed it on my hand.
"What? This is potato! Are you kidding me?"
He licked his lips. "Patatas, Gianna.."
My eyes went round. Oh my god! How can I be stupid! How can I forgot that?
Iritado kong kinuha ang patatas sa kamay niya. Masama ang loob ko. I didn't know I was stupid not until today.
Mabuti na lang, maganda ako kahit papaano.
"H'wag kang magmagaling d'yan! I just got confused, Añonuevo!"
"Okay, Añonuevo.." he whispered lightly.
"Ano?!" I aggressively asked because I heard it.
He shook his head and played a smile on his lips. "Nothing."
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net