Professor Zyon (SPG)

2

 Sakura felt like the four walls began closing in on her as soon as she got inside the infamous VIP room. The man who just saved her from the group of men simply sat at the edge of the big couch, pouring himself a drink.

Etched at every corner of the colorfully lit room was the stench of alcohol and smoke. There's no way she'd enter a place like this on a regular weekend. But of course she'd follow him like a fool.

She instinctively smiled when he caught her looking at him, but that's it. She's unable to say another word. To be honest, she never thought that she'd end up in this situation. Right, she wanted to flirt with him, she planned it with Jaizen, but she's totally unprepared.

"Do you drink?" he asked.

He's certainly not doing it on purpose, but she felt a little weak with the way he speaks. With his deep voice so calm and low, she can't help but feel giddy.

Instead of answering, Sakura sat beside him. She was about to grab herself a glass, but the man beat her to it.

Binitawan ni Sakura ang pouch niya sa lamesa na nasa harapan nila.

"Sorry to bother you," she finally spoke. "Sana hindi ako makagulo sa in'yo ng friends mo. Aalis na rin ako maya-maya."

"Sure," he responded. "Don't worry, I'm alone."

"Huh?" Sakura raised a brow. Alam niyang halos lampas sa sampung libo ang kailangan gastusin para lang makakuha ng VIP room para sa isang gabi. Sa gulat, uminom nalang siya. Pero halos magdilim ang paningin niya sa hiya nang maibuga niya ang inumin.

"What's wrong?" tanong ng lalaki.

"Ah, ano," Sakura wanted to vanish, but instead, she was stuck there, unable to piece together a coherent explanation.

Shyly, she wiped her lips before looking up to exhale. She wanted to showcase how graceful and elegant she is, pero lumabas ang kilos kanal niya nang matikman ang mapait na alak.

Hindi naman kasi talaga siya sanay sa inuman. Paminsan-minsan, kapag sumasama siya sa apartment nila Jaizen at Kenji, iinom lang siya ng flavored soju na may halong yogurt drink, habang sila ay tinutungga ito nang diretso. Pero heto na nga siya, walang lulusutan.

"Is whiskey too strong for you?"

"Whiskey," she repeated. "Kaya pala nananapak," bulong niya na nakapagpangiti sa lalaki.

"What do you want to drink?"

Mabilis na umiling si Sakura, "Okay na 'to!" pagkukumbinsi niya sa lalaki.

With her eyes closed, she sipped the amber liquid. Scrunching her nose, she wiped her mouth once again.

"You don't have to force yourself," dahan-dahan na umusog ang lalaki papalapit sa kan'ya.

Halos sumabog ang utak ni Sakura nang mapansin kung gaano kalapad ang mga balikat niya. Hindi rin nakatakas ang amoy niya.

She's familiar with it. A hint of citrus, rounded by a cedar scent, with a slight touch of coffee. It was a masculine scent that she once loved when she went shopping with her best friends.

Nang makabalik siya sa realidad, halos malunod na siya sa mga mata ng lalaki na halos isang dangkal na lang ang layo mula sa kan'ya.

"Is there something on my face?" That was cliche, she hated herself.

Nakita niya kung paano nag taas baba ang adam's apple nito bago dahan-dahang tumaas ang kamay niya para hawakan ang kan'yang pisngi.

He's going to kiss me.