Tease Me, Bella Beatrice

24:

Nanahimik sandali ang lahat sa loob nang dumating siya. I understand the little bit of sudden change of atmosphere. Bella Beatrice is a mess and she makes people uncomfortable kahit na nga dapat ay siya ang mahiya. I don't know how she is doing that dahil sa totoo lang, it is a skill. Siguro sa acting ability niya kaya komportable siya. Siguro iyon ang nasa isip ng iba pero para sa akin ay hindi. She is just straight up rude.

"Ah. I'm sorry. Late kasi akong nagising eh tapos wala palang dumadaang taxi sa street namin." she said as she continue sipping on her coffee. Isa-isa niya rin kaming tiningnan at binati maya-maya. "Good morning nga pala, everyone. I am Bella Beatrice."

"Hi, Ate Bella!"

"Jackson Aries."

Pinanood namin silang magbatian ng good morning and shake their hands. This is the first time Bella and Jackson will meet and it's going good naman. Mukhang magkakasundo ang dalawa. Nagkangitian na ang mga ito at parehas na mukhang magaan ang loob sa isa't isa. That is a good sign.

"Good morning, direk." pagtapos nilang magpakilala ni Jackson sa isa't isa ay si Gigi naman ang binalingan ni Bella. "Sorry, I'm late. Hindi ko na rin kasi kabisado ang mga streets dito eh. So much have changed in this city since I left and I cannot freely walk by myself. You know the struggle. I know you'll understand me, right?"

"No." Gigi seriously said. "This is your first warning. I can hold another leading lady role audition if I have to."

"Oh." iyon lang ang nasabi ni Bella.

Pinisil ko naman ang kamay ni Gigi just to remind her to take it a little bit easy. Masyado pa kasing maaga para mahighblood siya. Not that I am telling her na puwede mamaya but I don't want her day to be ruined. Isa pa, the truth is, madadamay lang talaga ako sa inis niya kapag nagkataon so I really need to have a closer look at her. Kailangan kong siguraduhing kalmado lang siya dahil alam na alam ko ang nangyayari kapag galit ang isang ito.

"Are you drunk?" I asked Bella. Iyon kasi ang unang napansin ko sa pagtingin ko sa kaniya at dahil doon ay napatingin ang lahat sa kaniya ngayon. "So professional, Bella."

"Oh. Hindi ah. Napakajudgemental mo. I only had a little bit of drink last night. Hindi naman ako papasok ng lasing dito."

"As you should." I said.

Natahimik na lang ang lahat. I saw Gigi giving me a some sort of look and you know what it means. Trouble. I am in trouble now that she pulled her hand out of my hand. Umayos na rin ito sa pagkakaupo. Nakasandal siya kanina sa akin at dikit na dikit pero ngayon eh medyo inayos pa niya iyong upuan para medyo magkalayo kami. I did not comment on it at hinila na lang pabalik ang upuan para mapalapit ulit siya sa akin. I immediately held her waist from the back so she cannot do movements that will make me mad.

"Don't tempt me," I whispered on her. "I will punish you so hard if you keep on doing that."

She gave me another look. Hindi galit, hindi rin naiinis ngunit nakanguso. Nagtatampo ang baby ko. It's kinda cute but we're in business right now. Baka saan pa ito mapunta so I really need to ease her mind. Isa pa, kahit hindi niya sabihin, her pregnancy brain is attacking her rationality.