China Doll [DaraGon/NyongDal]

{ 02 }

{ 02 }

"None of your business." Malamig kong sagot bago nagpalinga-linga. I'd gladly take the company of that drunk guy over Jiyong's in any day.

The side of his lip upturned into a half-smirk before responding. "Feisty, Dara-ssi," he commented with a teasing smile.

Hindi na ako sumagot pa. What else was there to say, anyway? I just don't see the need to socialize with him. Okay, maybe I sound too bitter but so what?

"What do you think is your chance of getting the role?" Biglang tanong niya uli nang hindi na ako nagsalita. I was still sitting down and he was standing in front of me, so I had to crane my neck upwards to look at him. At this angle, he looks so domineering. There was pure curiosity on his voice, but somehow I feel as if he's belittling me and my choice of career. Or maybe I just don't like him which is why I'm able to give colors to his actions.

"Very, very slim," I honestly answered for the sake of being polite. Maybe if I tell him what he wanted to hear, he'll finally leave.

To my surprise though, he laughed. "Bakit mo naman nasabi 'yan? You were pretty good back there."

Naitaas ko ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Who would have thought that Kwon Jiyong- the most sought-after bachelor, model, actor, and my jackass of an ex-boyfriend who treated me like his own china doll- will compliment me? Hindi ko napigilan ang pagak na tawa. "Let's spare the pleasantries, Kwon," naiiling kong sabi sa kanya bago uminom mula sa baso ko.

It took him a few seconds before answering. "You've changed... quite a lot."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious." I rolled my eyes. What's up with him today? Kanina lang, kung makatingin siya sa'kin sa audition ay parang hindi niya pa naririnig ang pangalan ko sa buong buhay niya pero ngayon feeling close naman siya? Just what exactly is wrong with this guy?

Humalakhak siya na lalo lang nagpainis sa akin. "I'll see you around, Dara." He stated, his voice sending shivers to my spine.

Napalunok ako. "I hope not!" I whispered under my breath before finally having the courage to stare at his retreating figure.

Another twenty minutes passed before a sweaty Chaerin came back from dancing. She looked exhilarated from the dance floor. "Bakit ang putla mo yata?" Tanong niya bago nag-order ng bagong round ng drinks. Jack with Coke, this time. I shook my head internally. Sometimes I wonder how my best friends' livers react when they're out partying.

"Dara? Yoohoooo?" Chaerin snapped in front of me.

Pinilit kong ngumisi para hindi na sila mag-alala. "I'm good. Just a little tired." Pagdadahilan ko. I don't want them to know that I saw Jiyong tonight. For sure, bobombahin na naman nila ng kung ano-anong salita ang taong 'yun and I'm just not in the mood tonight. I met the three of them in my college days, pero kung makisimpatya sila sa'kin ay para bang personal nilang nakita kung paano ako sinaktan ni Jiyong.

I'm very grateful for their presence in my life, though. I was one of the famous girls at school when I was in high school. Not to brag, but a lot of guys adored me. However, that was also the reason why I never seem to have honest friends. Halos kinaibigan lang ako ng mga babae noon sa school dahil gusto rin nilang sumikat o kaya naman ay gusto nila akong i-backstab.

Things got especially worse when Jiyong courted me and he became my boyfriend. He was also one of the famous ones in school back then, lalo na dahil nagsisimula na rin siyang mag-model noon pa man. I was really ecstatic when he began courting me. Sinagot ko siya dahil gusto ko siya. I was sincere with my feelings. I never thought that he only courted me just because he wanted a trophy girlfriend.