Nang matapos kami sa pagsayaw ay ibinalik niya ako sa aking upuan. Mommy was busy attending the guests. Si Daddy naman ay ganoon din ang ginagawa habang ang Kuya Carson ko naman ay hayon at nasa mga kaibigan niya. Natitiyak kong nag-iinuman sila. Mom and Dad allowed light liquors. Basta raw ay maging responsable lang as always.
Gunner came to me with a plate of slice of cake sa kanang kamay niya. He helped me eat that. Inalok ko siya ngunit tumanggi lamang siya.
“Are you happy?” he asked me while wiping my lips with a hankie.
I flashed a smile. “It's heaven, Gunner.”
He smiled at me. Siyempre, nakita 'yong mapuputi at pantay-pantay niyang ngipin. Swear, ang lakas ng dating niya. He looked utterly delighted upon hearing my response.
“Siguro naman, Mommy, puwede na po akong uminom ng hard drinks?” I asked Mommy when she stood beside me.
Mommy frowned at me. “Lady drinks, Claire. Not hard ones.”
I chuckled. “Lady drink it is.”
Mom was wearing her cream long gown. Dad who's in his gray suit attended his close business partners. Nakikipagkuwentuhan siya sa mga ito. Everyone is busy with their foods na s-in-erve ng mga kasambahay namin at ng mga waiter.
Lumalalim na ang gabi and I was already wearing a comfortable red knee-length off-shoulder dress. I changed my gown dahil hindi ako makalakad nang maayos at medyo naging sagabal na siya sa paglalakad ko. I want to dance on the dancefloor kaya! And ayaw kong sumayaw sa rock music nang naka-gown pa rin, 'no!
Sinamahan ako ni Gunner na pumunta sa area kung saan naka-place ang mga drinks. May iilang nakatambay roon: may it lalaki o babae na medyo familiar sa akin ang iilan. Siguro ay schoolmates ko sila or hindi kaya'y nakasama ko sila sa isang business gathering.
“Happy birthday, Claire!” bati ng ibang guests na kaedad ko lang.
I smiled at them. “Thank you!”
I took the stool and Gunner did the same. Para siyang bodyguard ko sa gabing ito. I don't mind naman dahil gustong-gusto ko ring nandito lang siya sa tabi ko.
“Refrain yourself from drinking hard ones, Claire,” Gunner noted. Ngumisi muna ako sa kaniya bago ako tumango.
I looked at my front. The good-looking bartender Mommy hired for this night smiled at me when our eyes met. He looked like he's around twenty-six or twenty-seven. May kumikinang pa na stud sa corner ng lips niya tapos may hikaw din siya sa kanang tainga.
Handsome, really.
When I glanced at his left veiny arm, I spotted his tattoo. His white sleeves was rolled up to his elbow kaya nakita ko ang tattoo niya. I hunched na it was a full-sleeve tattoo dahil ukupado niyon ang buong kaliwang siko niya pababa sa pulsuhan.
Gunner raised his right hand. “Martini for the birthday celebrant.”
“Right away, sir!” the kind bartender responded and did his thing.
Lumingon ako kay Gunner. “Uminom ka rin, Gunner.”
He shook his head. “I still have a flight to catch so I can't drink.”
Ah, oo nga pala. After this ay aalis na siya para sundan si Shan. Napabuntong hininga ako. Parang gusto ko yatang pabagalin ang pagtakbo ng oras para mas hahaba pa ang gabi.
Why does time flies so fast whenever you're having a good time with someone you love?
I frowned at Gunner. “Go and drink at least two glasses.”
BINABASA MO ANG
Tears of Trapped ✓
RomantikShe got him in the most evil way. She trapped him with a made up story. He begged yet she didn't listen. Now, she's dealing with the consequences of her wicked action. They got married, lived together, but she's not the wife he longed to have. Would...
