Revanche

Chapter 4: Photoshoot

Chapter 4: Photoshoot

Iris Rivera

Nakakainis. Nakakabwisit. Nakakapikon!

Bakit ba kasi kailangan pang umuwi ng Riadne Laurel na 'yan? Bakit ba hindi na lang sya manahimik do'n sa France nya? God! She frustrates me to no end! Hindi ko pa sya masyadong nakakasama pero alam kong hindi ko gusto ang ugali nya! She's artificial. Plastic. A fckin' fake!

At hindi ako tanga para hindi mapansin ang lahat ng pang-aasar nya. She was obviously taunting me, challenging me. It's as if sinadya nyang kalabanin lahat ng meron ako dito. From my career down to my business.

Bwisit talaga!

There's something about her. I just can't figure out what. At least, not yet.

Padabog akong pumasok sa condo ni Caleb at agad ibinato ang bag ko sa sofa nya.

"Bwisit talaga 'yung babaeng 'yun!"

"Babe, relax. Ano ba ginawa sayo ng Riadne na 'yun at ganyan na lang ang galit mo?" sagot ni Caleb, sabay yakap sakin mula sa likod. Hinalikan nya ang pisngi ko at bumulong, "Can't we just forget her? I didn't see you for a week and I missed you. So much."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. I leaned against his body and placed my arms above his, seething. I was still pissed at that darn woman.

"Babe, maganda ba ako?"

"That goes without saying, babe. Ikaw ang pinakamaganda para sa'kin," Caleb answered instantly, facing me toward him. "Don't even think otherwise."

"You're lying," bulong ko. "Sinabi mo rin yan kay Aleah."

Napasimangot sya at sabay huminga ng malalim. He looked at me in the eye, touching my cheek. "She's long dead. Let's give her some peace, okay?"

Dali dali akong pumiglas sa hawak nya. I stared him down accusingly. "You still love her? That bitch?" Tinaas ko ang kilay ko.

Dammit!

Ilang taon nang patay ang babaeng 'yon pero hanggang ngayon ayaw nya pa rin akong tigilan. Balakid pa rin sya sa'min ni Caleb. Damn.

Nakakainis kapag naaalala ko sya, that Aleah Elizalde na brat. She was Caleb's ex girl friend and my greatest rival in everything. Mabuti na lang at patay na sya.

I know it's pathetic.

Naiinsecure ako sa isang napakawalang kwentang babae. I know for a fact na mas maganda ko. Hell, I'm way better than her in all aspects but a woman can't be so sure. Madaling magsawa ang mga lalaki, madaling maagaw, madaling maakit. Kung hindi mo hahawakan sa leeg, baka kumawala pa.

I trust Caleb. Alam ko kung gaano sya kabaliw sa'kin.

Pero hanggang kailan?

Madali lang naman ang solusyon dito e. Settle down with him but that would mean sacrificing my career and I can't handle that.

So I resorted to the second option. Keep him wanting for more. Love him while keeping him at arm's length. That's the only way I could think of to make sure he won't leave. I'm his but not fully.

Guys like challenges. 'Yan ang alas ko.

"Iris, please understand. Alam mong nakaraan ko sya. Kahit naman noong buhay pa sya, I chose you. Hindi pa ba sapat 'yun? I don't know why you feel so insecure. Dahil ba d'yan sa Riadne na 'yan?" Lumapit sya para yakapin ulit ako.

I stopped him with a hand. "So inaamin mo nga? You find her prettier than me, ga'non ba?"

Caleb sighed deeply, an indication I already reached past his limits. Again. "Isang linggo tayong hindi nagkita tapos ganito lang?"