Trieja: Jake And Josh [Under Revision]

Chapter 22

Malamig ang simoy ng Oktubre, malapit na mag-September. Padating na ang Christmas, I wonder if I'd spend Christmas Eve and New Year with a client. Masaya sana kung kasama ko sina Jake, just like the old times.

Pero hindi na pwede. Huminga ako ng malalim. Gripping Chloe's hand hard as the limousine of her client take us West to Jomalig Island, the uneasiness dwelling in me intensified. Napapalibutan ng kakahuyan ang daang tinatahak namin, a perfect place for someone who wants to escape the polluted city.

"Relax ka lang, Alessandra," she whispered.

Right. The fake names starts now.

"I am trying, Trixie."

Chloe giggled. "Madeline and Angel will be there, ipapakilala kita sa kanila."

Tumango ako, still, kinakabahan pa rin.

"Ang lamig na ng kamay mo, Alessandra."

"Hindi ko mapigilan eh."

She sighed. "Binasa mo ba ang profile mo?"

"Yes. Madeline and I are the Nievas sisters, she's the eldest and I am the youngest. We are the heiress of N Corporation, daughters of Adriano Nievas and Ciaran Nievas."

"You have to give our bosses a big thumbs up for making those set-ups believable," komento ni Chloe.

"So mag-asawa sila ni Sir Ciaran?"

We both giggled at my joke.

"Wag na wag mong im-mention yan kay Sir Adriano kung ayaw mong kaltasan ang sweldo mo."

Umiling ako. "Never. And speaking of sweldo, mababayaran ba ako tonight?"

"Ano ba ang nakalagay sa kontrata?"

Inalala ko ng mabuti ang kontrata. "Parang wala naman nabanggit tungkol sa sweldo."

Tumango-tango siya. "Understandable naman kung bakit hindi binanggit, newly hired ka pa lang eh. Part ng training mo 'yong time na nagkita kayo ni Sir Adriano. Your legit payment starts at the bidding."

"Speaking of bidding--"

"Wait lang, malapit na tayong bumaba. Hahanapin ako ng kliyente ko. I-text ko lang saglit."

Binitawan ko ang kamay niya at hinayaan siya. I still don't understand that part. I know the definition of the word bidding. Perhaps, this is one of those entertaining auctions about ancient heirlooms and historical belongings?

Maybe Sir Adriano wanted me to be his date for tonight's event. After all, I am his hired Escort. Nadagdagan lang ang kaba ko nang mapatitig sa laki at rangya ng manor ni Sir Darcio. May dalawang guwardya na nakasuot ng itim na uniporme ang pinagbubuksan ng pinto ang mga bisitang bumababa sa kani-kanilang magarang sasakyan.

Nang tuluyang tumigil ang limo ay kami naman ang pinagbuksan. Aside from the two masculine guards, two other men were standing behind them. Hindi ko masyadong kita ang mukha nila because of the beaming light behind them, darkening their stance.

Pero nung lapitan ni Chloe ang isa na nakatayo malapit sa customized garden beside this grand, stoned staircase, napagtanto kong kliyente niya ito. And the men not far from him must be...

"You're, yet again, late, Ms. Nievas."

His cold voice sent shivers down my spine. When he neared me, klarado kong nakita kung gaano siya kagandang lalake. The luxurious black tux suits him and his character well, plus the way his sharp stares bore into mine.

I felt his warm hand caressed my bare back as he guided me to the mahogany double-doors. Pagbaling ko sa kanan ay wala na si Chloe.

"You're my Escort, Ms. Nievas. Your attention should only be mine," he whispered huskily.