Hide And Seek With Mr. Devil

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Artiona Novaliege.

[MONDAY MIDNIGHT]

The party will be on Tuesday night. I just arrived from my private plane and it’s now Midnight. Hinanda na lahat ng agency ang mga kailangan ko for easy access sa mga nangyayari. Pagpasok ko sa Underwater Suite na nakalagay sa card ko ay hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapahanga. It’s a room that has a full view of underwater creatures. Para bang ang bintana ko ay isang malaking aquarium.

I’m at Atlantis, The Palm. This is one of the most famoust and luxurious resort hotel in the world. It’s kind of reasonable since if they could afford it, they are in. Kung may magaganap na Party dito bukas ay paniguradong kahit ang mga pulis ay mahihirapan pumasok. Masyadong malaki ang man-made island na ‘to para hayaan na masira lang ng iilang tao.

It’s actually a full-packaged resort. Maraming boutiques and pools na pagpipilian. I also notice the classical Arabian Architecture of every establishments even the huge castle-like hotel. Sa tapat no’n ay ang malaking pool na mukang gaganapan ng party na mangyayari bukas ng gabi. I decided to get some sleep bago maglibot at alamin ang bawat pasikot-sikot ng napakalaking hotel.

“Good Morning, ma’am. How can we help you?”, a woman asked pagpasok ko sa isang Wellness boutique. I read the guide book earlier and it says that they are offering 27 services.

Pagpasok ko ay agad akong pumili ng mga kailangan ko. Since it would be a lovely night, nagpa-skin treatment na ako from head to toe, I even dye my hair brown and nagpa-shave na rin ako. I need to look perfect for tonight to get that Italian’s attention. Ayoko rin naman na mahuli ako sa sarili kong bibig kaya naman kailangan kong baguhin ang buong style ko. I also decided to get a tan and get some short nails.

I spend 7 hours for the whole treatment. Paglabas ko sa boutique ay kahit ako ay ‘di nakilala ang sarili ko. I looked like a brand new doll. A total transformation. Napangiti naman ako sa mga naisip na gawin. I looked at my watch and it’s past lunch so I decided to eat something before buying some other stuff. Pagpasok ko sa isang restaurant ay napansin ko ang dami ng tao na naroon. Look like some of them are also here for tonight’s party since some of them are familiar to me.

I took some empty table for two and put my bag on the other para walang unupo. I do love company so I can ask for information but I don’t have any interest to do that now.

“Hi.”, a man greeted me before I even fixed my sit. Napatingala naman ako kanya at nakita ko ang ngiti n’yang mas maliwanag pa sa chandelier na nasa ceiling ng restaurant. “Can I sit with you?”, he asked and pareho kaming napatingin sa kabing upuan na kinalalagyan ng bag ko.

I observed the guy and somehow he’s familiar. Alam kong nakita ko na s’ya kung saan pero hindi ko maalala kung kailan. Maybe he’s not that important to be remembered but still, something about him is bothering me. Maayos naman ang porma n’ya at lahat ng alahas ay mamahalan. Kung titignan ang pustura, muka s’yang Asyano. Sa tingin ko ay Japanese ang isang ‘to.

Nginitian ko naman s’ya. “Can I refuse?”, nakangiti at magalang kong tanong. Kumagat labi naman s’ya at tumingin sa paligid. Sinabayan ko naman s’ya at napansing wala nang ibang pwesto. Hindi naman ako naghanap ng pwesto pero agad ko rin s’yang tinitigan. Mukang napansin naman n’ya ‘yon kaya napatingin s’ya sa’kin.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, lady.”, he politely said.

[TUESDAY AFTERNOON|]

Ngumiti naman ako. “And I’m sorry for refusing you.”

“No. No. I just do not want to find any other restaurant so I just tried to.. ask someone.”, nahihiya n’yang paliwanag Napansin ko rin na pamilyar ang boses n’ya. I think I met this man before pero he also feels like a stranger.

I looked around and pretended that I am not thinking anything suspicious. “But there’s a lot of table you can ask to sit with.”, biro ko na ikinakamot n’ya sa tenga. Nakangiti ko naman s’yang tinignan.

“Sorry. You immediately caught my attention because.. you’re so beautiful.”, he said na ikinatawa ko ng mahina. I need to act like a lady-like.

“Thank you. I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“It really is. Thank you, anyway. Let me excuse myself.”, magalang n’yang sabi habang nakangiti pa rin. Tumango naman ako at sinundan s’ya ng tingin pero ‘di pa man s’ya nakakalayo ay bumalik s’ya— asking for something. “Uhmm… May I know your name?”, he asked shyly.

Nilagay ko naman ang hintuturo sa labi bago s’ya nginitian at sinabing. “Call me Novaliege.”

“Lovely. My name is Alson. Alson Gray.”, he said before offering his hand. Bigla namang nag-ring ang pangalan n’ya sa’kin at halos ipakita ko sa kanya ang gulat sa muka ko pero agad ko rin namang nakontrol. Naramdaman ko rin ang higpit ng hawak n’ya sa kamay ko na muntikan ko nang ikagalaw.

I smiled. “Nice to meet you.”, nakangiti ko pa ring sambit.

Tumango naman s’ya. “Me too. Nice to finally meet you, Ma’am Art, or should I say, Nightshade the agent?”, ang maamo n’yang ngiti ay nananatili pero ang lalim ng boses at kaibihan ng ibig n’yang mga sabihin ay namumutawi sa tensyon naming dalawa.

Binitawan n’ya ang kamay ko na agad ko ring binawi. Nanatili s’yang nakatayo roon sa harap ko at kung titignan kaming dalawa. Kung may manonood sa nangyayari sa’ming dalawa ay walang makakapagsabi na pwede na naming patayin ang isa’t isa. Isa s’ya sa mga dahilan kung bakit kailan ma’y hindi ako nagtiwala sa mga pulis.

“Looks like your little friend invited you.”, I said and he just smirked.

“You think so?”, parang naghahamon n’yang tanong. “Well, maybe? He’s still the reason why I am here.”, mahina n’yang sambit na parang kinakausap ang sarili.

“See you then.”,  nakangisi kong sabi.

“Yeah.. You should see the biggest event of the year.”