Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 29 - Meet the Suitmen

I glanced at my compact mirror once more to make sure no one was going to recognize me. I drew a large mole on the top left corner of my mouth. I'm a genius! Everyone only knew the famous Charm with a flawless face. Dapat lang... I have all the resources available to me—well, that was before I was in the mansion.

Sumagi sa peripheral vision ko ang pag-upo ng isang nakaitim na lalaki sa katapat kong upuan. Nakasuot ito ng black leather bomber jacket that cost a little over a hundred thousand pesos, I could tell it just by a glance, and a cap from the Meilleur, a luxury brand I used to endorse. Agad kong ipinasok ang mirror sa shoulder bag ko pagkaraa'y hinarap siya.

“Where’s the key?” ani nito. Inirapan ko siya at hinugot mula sa bulsa ko ang susi ng kotse. Inilapag ko iyon sa lamesa. Nang akma na niyang kukunin iyon ay mabilis pa sa alas kuwatrong inilayo ko iyon mula sa kanya.

“The check first?” tanong ko. Mas ibinaba pa lalo nito ang suot na itim na sumbrero at pasimpleng nagpalinga-linga sa paligid.

“I’m in a hurry, Charm! I can't be seen here with you!” pabulong na singhal niya na sinagot ko naman ng isang pag-irap.

“If you're really in a hurry, Yttruim! You should have given me the check!” sagot ko rito. Ginaya ko pa ang tono at hina ng pananalita niya. He gave me a fake smile that faded away the moment his forehead furrowed. Pero hindi ako natinag at nakipagtitigan lang sa kanya habang nakataas ang kanang kilay ko. Sa huli ay wala siyang nagawa at nagsimula nang maghahilap sa mga bulsa niya.

Yttrium Tuviera, singer turned movie star. I've known him since the party, a couple of years back, organized by Mom. It just so happens that we were photographed looking at each other, which I don't even remember doing, yet the media managed to sew a story that we both were in a relationship. He was a rookie in the entertainment industry, and at that time, being linked to me was his biggest breakthrough. He gained the most from being my rumored lover because a lot of producers and endorsements approached him thinking he would soon join the Ishioka family. I know it because his manager managed to call me and beg me to stay silent. I never really bothered clearing my name et cetera. The hate and threat from fans also subsided as the years passed until everyone seemed to forget about it.

“Why are you renting your car?” tanong niya. Napakunot ako ng noo. Masayado na kasi siyang natatagalan sa paghahanap ng tseke niya.

“Why are you willing to rent my car and pay five hundred thousand?” pang-uusisa ko rito na ikina-ngiti niya.

“Just think of it as my payback to you. After all, I benefited a lot from our fake relationship while you suffered greatly from my fans and reporters.” Natatawang napakamot siya sa batok niya. I facepalm.

“Then think of this as another help from me,” ani ko. Inangat niya ang tingin sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. “Where are you going this time?”

Nawalan ng kulay ang mukha niya. BINGO! I knew he was going to run away. Maybe for a vacation to breathe, like last time.

Hindi na siya sumagot at inilabas na ang tseke. Inurong ko palapit sa kanya ang susi at inabot naman niya sa akin ang bayad.

“Anyway, that's a good disguise. I almost didn't recognize you,” puri nito. I smiled widely at him and mouthed ‘thank you.’

“Level up your game,” I told him insultingly while pointing out his whole disguise look. He chuckled. We shook hands like business partners before he left the restaurant.

I waited for another couple of minutes before a woman arrived and sat where Yttrium was before. She's wearing an orange knitted sweater, a good imitation of Bella Beauty, a clothing brand of one of my Mom's Amigas. Her glasses remind me of Bessie.