Wicked Games (An Epistolary Novel)

013

"Hi," I smiled seductively when I got near the table to where my target was located. They were a bunch of guys and they perked up when they saw me approached.

I greeted them enthusiastically before I glanced at Mr. Nerd Guy. Or should I call him Mr. Hot Nerd Guy? Because he seriously looked hot as hell now that he's only a few feet away from me. I totally underestimated him from afar. I mean, I really couldn't see his face fully since he's still sporting that bored, kunsimido look and his face was covered by half of his hand but based on his physique that my eyes could see at the blinding club lights, the man was muscular but not in a buff way.

And that said man didn't even bother a glance at me.

Oh, okay.

I like a good challenge.

I was told a lot of times I was persistent.

"Do you guys mind?" sabi ko habang iminomostra na uupo doon sa pinakamalapit sa kinatatayuan ko. . . roon sa katabi ni Mr. Hot Nerd Guy.

Gosh, I couldn't wait to get his name. Mr. Hot Nerd Guy is a mouthful.

"Sure, sure. I'm Xylene, by the way," pakilala noong lalaking mukhang masiyahin. Tinanggap ko ang pakikipagkamay niya. He then introduced me to his friends. They looked fun to be with, but he stood out because he's cheeky and friendly. At least he's not so bad to look at. I mean, wala namang tapon sa kanila. They all looked good.

Hindi ko masyadong inintindi ang mga pangalang binaggit niya kasi sa isa lang naman ako interesado. I knew this was just Rachel's dare and I should not be taking this seriously—I don't actually hook-up casually and frequently because I have strict rules that I obey—but I'm starting to enjoy this game because the man beside me still wouldn't budge. It was as if I didn't exist for him.

He sure wasn't friendly.

"Hi, I'm Noah," I turned my body to face him and offered my hand. "What's your name?" I smiled.

Hindi umimik ang lalaking katabi ko at tumingin lang sakin habang nakalagay ang mga daliri sa gitna ng tungki ng ilong niya. He actually looked unnerving by the way he was staring directly at me with his cold, emotionless eyes. . . except I don't get intimidated that easily.

I kept on smiling, not faltered by his look.

"He's Julian Augustus Jiménez." Pagkasabi ni Xylene noon ay sinamaan siya ng tingin ng kaibigan niya. I mentally smiled. That finally got his attention.

Huh.

Julian Augustus.

I liked his name.

It suited him well.

I took the glass that they offered me and took a sip. "So, what do you do for a living?" I asked.

I don't normally ask questions like this—that's not usually how it goes with flirting and people thought it's boring—but I don't know what will make the man talk. I presumed he's not one to entertain casual flirting, so I needed to change my game strategy.

Para naman akong nakikipag-usap sa hangin!

I seriously hope he would answer kasi ayoko naman na sa kaibigan ko pa malalaman ang trabaho niya o ang ibang detalye sa buhay niya.

"I work at the lab," I said just to start the conversation. I didn't want to say I'm a chemist at a pharmaceutical company. People need not know that—certainly my flings. Or if he could even be called that, given that he doesn't cooperate.

Hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang bahagyang pagtaas ng kilay niya sa sinabi ko. I hid my smirk because I knew that got his attention. People always get curious and surprised whenever I say that because I was told I do not look the part.