(Gabe, Parker's past)
The corporate party has started and the speeches are actually boring me. Masyado silang maligaya para sa mga numbers, percentage at bar graphs, samantalang hindi naman sila mabibigyan ng contentment ng mga 'yon. I excused myself to go to the balcony holding a glass of champagne and a stick of cigarette. Kesa naman matigang ang matres ko kakapakinig sa mga speech na 'yon.
"You smoke?", he asked and I look at him as he stepped on his consumed cigarette.
"Mukha bang dust pan 'tong hinihithit ko?", I said without looking at him. He stifled his laugh than cleared his throat.
"Bakit ka nasa labas?", tanong niya habang papalapit sa akin.
"Required bang pumasok at pumirma ng attendance sa loob? May graded recitation o quiz ba after ng speech?"
He raised his hands in defeat. "Whoah! Chill! I'm just asking. Malamig kase dito at exposed 'yung isang balikat mo." Sanay naman akong manlamig eh.
"Balikat lang 'yan. Mas exposed pa nga ako kapag tayong dalawa lang eh. Feeling ko nga kapag kasama kita, hindi na natin kailangan magdamit.", I chuckled.
"Any plans for tonight?", he leaned than whispered in my ear.
"Ako pa ba ang hihinde?", I said.
"Sexy. Your tattoo makes you sexier.", he said making sure that lust lingers in his voice.
"I make the tattoo sexier.", I said walking back to the ballroom when I heard my brother finished his closing remarks for the program.
I look around greeting the guests. Of course, aware sila na ako ang dyosa ng publishing house. They all look at me with awe, admiration and wonder. I reached my Kuya and hugged him.
"Anong trip mo't para kang si Maria Makiling?", he chuckled after scanning me. Mariang Sinukuan 'to Kuya. Sinukuan ng bandila ni Harper Allegre.
"Mas maganda 'yung may nakikitang bago, kesa pagsawaan.", I said. "Nung una para akong si Juliet sa ball gown ko. Then last year naman, lacey na, see-through pa ang gown ko. Now, I am a goddess.", I said sabay ikot sa harap ni Kuya. He laughed.
"Let's see how much it will cost them to dance with a goddess." , he challenged and I arched my well-trimmed brow with a smug smirk.
"I bet I'm gonna break my own record.", I replied raising my glass.
"Cheers.", he chuckled as we bump glass.
Nagsimula ng umakyat ang mga empleyado ng publishing house sa stage. Nagsimula na rin ang auction. Si Liz na syang receptionist ng company ay naisayaw ng isang Briton sa halagang 150,000 Php. Si Louie naman na head ng Human Resource ay naisayaw sa halagang 300,000 Php dahil sa good boy look nito. All the other employees had their dance except me, Kuya and Harper.
"I'll go for CEO Paris Salazar for 300,000 Php." someone from the crowd screamed and my eyes widen as the woman shows herself.
"Mama!", I giggled and immediately run to my mother to give her the most soothing hug I can give.
"Parker, you're so beautiful. Look at you. A goddess, so sexy and georgous!", she giggled as she scan me.
"That's how heredity works, Mama.", I said hugging her again.
"Paris. Congratulations for your company's 5 years of success. You're handsome, my son.", she praised Kuya.
"Thanks Mama. By the way, I guess we have someone to meet tonight. Am I right?", Kuya said knowingly. American ang nanay namin. We got our dirty blonde hair from her. Kuya's green eyes and my plump lips. Divorced sila ni Papa. Bakit? Kase nakiuso si Papa sa mga lumalaganap na koreanovela ngayon, 'yung tungkol sa pangangaliwa. Minsan lang umuwi si Mama ng Pilipinas dahil talagang naghahanap siya ng true love. Napuntahan na nga ata niya lahat ng states sa US eh. Ultimo 'yung mga bansang may '-land' sa dulo, pati ata Neverland at Wonderland ay nasuyod na niya kakahanap ng pag-ibig. Last week ay kilig na kilig na naman siyang tumawag sa Skype para ibalitang may bago siyang jowa from Italy. Taray ni mother, hindi pa gumagraduate si matres. Hindi pa sumasara ang lagusan sa mundo ng kaligayahan.
