ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Five

LILY'S LIPS STRETCHED HER SIGNATURE WICKED SMILE. Although wicked, instead of fear, it stirs excitement within any man's chest... and pulsing arousal. That particular smile spelled danger, the kind of danger that happens in the bedroom. The kind that men like Stuart enjoy.

Gabi na. Medyo stressful and bungad ng Lunes kay Lily sa trabaho, kaya pagkaalis ng office diretso club siya para mag-unwind. Other people find quiet, aesthetic cafés relaxing, but for her, it's more relaxing in places like this club. Maraming tao. Halos lahat ay masaya- nagtatawanan, naghaharutan, at nagsasayawan. Samantala sa mga café, mas nako-conscious siya. Natatakot na kaunting ingay lang na gawin niya ay sa kanya na ang punta ng tingin ng mga tao roon. Kumpara sa club kung saan halos hindi siya pinapansin ng mga tao. Everyone mind their own business there, get drunk and party. And that's it.

People stereotype clubs as chaotic places, when for Lily, every corner of it is just like the real world. Be smart and careful about the people you talk to and the drinks you take. If you played your cards right, the payoff will be enjoyment and a memorable experience.

"Come on," Stuart drew himself closer. "Your name, sweetie."

His fingers tickled her beneath the chin. Napapangiting inihilig niya ang ulo, dahilan para sa pisngi niya lumapit ang mukha ni Stuart. Sumilip ito sa kanyang mukha.

"You already called me sweetie, Stuart. What would you need my name for?" ngisi niya habang nakatitig sa hawak na martini glass.

Hangga't ganito kalapit si Stuart, hinding-hindi aalisin ni Lily ang mga mata sa kanyang inumin. Mabuti na ang maingat.

The music kept on booming. The lights were sharp, colorful and playful on the dance floor while it remained a mellow and soothing purple and red within the bar area.

Ngumiti ang lalaki, pero sa loob-loob nito ay sobrang nafu-frustrate na sa kanya.

Paanong hindi? He had been flirting with her for almost half an hour. At parang wala pa rin silang patutunguhan. Lily played along with his shallow compliments and inquiries how she was enjoying the club, the music or her drink.

And yet, she seemed uninterested.

"I don't think you came here just to leave alone, don't you?"

Tinitigan niya na ito sa mga mata. "Stuart, baby, listen," binagalan niya ang pananalita para tumimo sa isip nito ang mga sasabihin niya. "Hindi por que nagpunta ang isang babae sa club ay dahil gusto niyang may kasama siyang lalaki paglabas. Okay?" She gently pushed him with a point finger by the chest to create a distance between them. "I just want to be alone. I just entertained you because I don't want to be rude. Not sure if you're too stupid to get a hint, o abusado lang talaga kayong mga lalaki."

His face distorted in a blend of upset and disappointment.

"Just say it. You're just playing hard to get."

"Reasoning ng mga lalaking hindi makatanggap ng rejection," she scoffed with her head held high. Nilapag na niya sa bar counter ang martini glass at inalis ang clutch bag na pink mula sa pagkakaipit sa ilalim ng braso.

Bago pa nakasagot si Stuart, naglabas na siya ng cellphone. Sinadya niyang bukas ang flash niyon nang itapat sa lalaki. Galit na tinabig nito ang kamay niya. But too late, she already snapped a photo.

"What the hell!"

"Try to do something I don't like, and this photo will go somewhere you don't like," banta niya bago ito tinalikuran.

Lily just got to do that. May mga lalaki kasi sa club na makulit. Na kung anu-anong kabastusan ang nagagawa lalo na't lango na sa alak. She encountered way a lot of those kind of men, sometimes women too, that fending for herself has already become a routine.