Love and Cigarettes

Chapter Fifteen

I couldn't contain my anger when I saw him.

It was the last day of the photoshoot, so I wasn't expecting Genesis to appear before me. I thought all night what I'd do if I meet him today, but my mind just went blank when our paths crossed.

My hand landed on his cheek. That's all I know.

"You're unfair, Aria." Genesis commented with a small smile on his face. His cheek was swollen. "You know I wouldn't lay my hand on a lady."

Namanhid ang kamay ko matapos ko siyang sampalin. Si Genesis naman, taas-noong tumitig sa akin habang hawak parin ang kanyang pisngi.

"Genesis, I'm only taking advantage of the gender difference." I retorted without batting an eyelash. Huminga ako nang malalim. "Magaling ka rin doon, 'di ba? Taking advantage of other people."

"What did I do?" patay-malisya niyang tanong.

"You really know how to make Sir Lars dance in your palm..." I said through gritted teeth. "Playing the victim card to make him feel guilty... You're quite talented in gaslighting, huh? Ang galing mo."

He chuckled dryly, as if he were mocking me.

"Why didn't you stop me, then?"

My chest heaved at his question.

"Isn't it because you had no confidence that Lars truly loves you?" mariin niyang sabi at nawala na ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. "Don't be deluded. We both know Lars has been with me for the longest time before you even came. You think when his memories return, he'll stay the same?"

Mabilis ko siyang tinalikuran dahil ayoko na sanang marinig ang mga sasabihin niya ngunit mahigpit akong hinawakan ni Genesis sa braso.

"You stayed still like an idiot and watched me give him a blowjob last night." A knowing smile formed on his lips. Genesis pulled me closer to him to whisper on my ear. "I'm telling you, Aria. You're going to regret not coming out to stop me that time. It will come back to bite you someday."

Binawi ko ang aking braso kay Genesis.

"Even if we don't stay together, that's between the two of us." malumanay kong sagot kay Genesis.

Tinalikuran ko na siya at bumalik na ako sa opisina namin. Umupo ako sa cubicle ko at natulala ako. Ang bigat. Hindi ako makahinga.

I should have stopped him last night.

I'm the girlfriend. How could I sit there and watch that scene unfold without doing anything at all? Ang tanga ko. Lahat ng sinabi ni Genesis ay totoo.

"Aria?" Nami, whose cubicle was beside mine, noticed that I was a bit down. "Are you okay?"

I faked a smile. "Yes. Thanks, Nami."

Napadaan naman si Miss Kyla na noo'y mukhang kagagaling lamang mula sa taas. "Lars is asking for you on the third floor, Aria. Dala ka na rin ng food for the models. Tapos na sila mag-shoot."

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras at kinuha ko na ang mga pagkaing inihanda namin para sa mga staff at models. Dalawang box dapat ang dadalhin ko sa taas, pero masyadong mabigat kaya sinamahan ako ni Tobi.

"Sir Lars appears to be in a foul mood. He seems particularly annoyed towards one of our male models, Mr. Genesis." tsismis ni Tobi habang naglalakad kami patungo sa elevator.

"Is that so?" walang gana kong tanong.

He gave me a curious stare. "You okay, Aria? Parang medyo hirap ka maglakad ngayon."

My cheeks flushed at his comment. There's no way I'd tell him that I lost my virginity last night so I feel sore down there and I can't walk straight.

When we arrived at the third floor, the team was busy packing up the equipment and props while the models were tended by their managers. I saw Sir Lars in the computer with the photographer, and he didn't seem to notice my arrival.