T O R N

46

"Why do you suddenly want to go on trip, love?" nakangiting tanong ni Irene sa akin.

We were holding hands while I was driving.

"Gusto ko lang. Bakit bawal ko na bang ayain ang girlfriend ko na magbakasyon? I miss spending time with you, love. Yung tayong dalawa lang, sa malayo at magandang lugar like what we always used to do" I lift her left hand and kiss the back of it.

"Hindi naman sa ganon, love. It's just so spontaneous. Andami kong maiiwang trabaho"

I heave a deep sigh. Trabaho pa rin ang nasa isip niya.

"Pinagpaalam naman kita kay Tito Calix and he agreed. He permitted this trip kaya pwede ba Irene, can we forget about work while we're on this vacation and can you please just focus on me? Relax lang, Babe. You deserve a break from every chaos in the office. Just give me this time, will you? Please?" I pleaded pouting my lips.

Huminga siya ng malalim at sinabing "Fine. I'm sorry. I promise during this trip I'm just yours" nakangiting sabi niya habang pinipisil ang kamay ko.

Ngumiti ako at lumapit para halikan siya.

"Thank you" sagot ko.

"Welcome to Casa Celestina Zambales, Ms. Lisa and Ms. Irene!" nakangiti at buhay na buhay na pagbati sa amin ng isang staff na naiiba ang uniform. Siya na marahil ang manager na kausap ko sa telepono.

Samantala, lumapit naman sa amin ang isa pang kasamahan niya at inihain sa amin ang complimentary drinks na agad naming tinikman ni Irene.

"This is nice" Irene said while looking at the glass of the pomegranate juice.

"Very refreshing" sagot ko and she nodded.

"Ms. Lisa, I am Yumi the manager, the one you are talking on the phone." Nakangiting pagpapakilala niya. I knew it. She throw her hand for a handshake which I gladly accepted.

"Nice meeting you" nakangiting sagot ko rin naman habang si  Irene ay pinapanood lang kami while wearing her poker face on.

"These are the keys of the whole villa, ikaw nang  bahala. If you need anything just call or text me, alam mo naman ang number ko. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy your stay here in Casa Celestina" nakangiting sabi ni Yumi habang iniaabot ang mga susi sa akin.

"Thank you, Yumi. We can manage it from here na. Lisa doesn't need to contact you. I can take care of her" Irene butted in and took the keys herself.

"You can go now so we can settle na rin" she commanded as if she's their boss smirking at Yumi.

Yumi seemed surprised on Irene's sudden change of aura kaya nagpaalam na rin siya at ang buong team niya. Nang makaalis na ang lahat at kami na lang ni Irene ang naiwan ay muli siyang nagsalita.

"I don't like that Yumi. She's obviously flirting with you" she muttered rolling her eyes in full annoyance.

"Irene, she was just being nice" saway ko sa kanya.

Bumitaw siya sa pagkakayapos sa braso ko at lumapit para abutin ang magkabilang pisngi ko.

"She obviously likes you, Lisa. Can you please be a snob to other girls and not smile at them? Pahamak yang ngiti mo e. Everybody will fall in love with that. Sa'kin ka lang dapat ngumingiti" she complained first before she snake her hands on the back of my neck and pulled me down for a kiss.

She kissed me passionately, possessively.

"Naiintindihan mo?" she asked me seriously after that heated kiss.