Chasing You

Prologue.

"Casino's are invading the liquor business and drunken us in their liquors." I spoke out as I read today's monthly August issue.

I stared at the cover picture of Metro Manila Lifestyle magazine. A coax smirk jerked in my face as I felt my own satisfaction to flattery as I saw what I've been eager to see in the cover picture.

Isinandal ko ang sarili ko sa itim na reclining office chair ko at idine-kwatro ang posisyon ko sa pag-upo. Nakapikit na sinapo ko ang sentido ko ng ilang segundo bago itapon ang magasin sa itim na black executive table ko.

"Bro, andiyan na siya." My youngest brother, Saint, announced as I nodded to him.

Clenching my jaw before standing up and turned around as I looked at myself clearly on the ceiling to floor window of our office that captures the night 360 view of Global City full of lights.

I brushed my hands to fix my slick side hairstyle of my brunette hair, my thick eyebrows defines the stern hazel brown eyes I inherited from my mother, my pointed nose and a thin pinkish lips that equals with my outfit of the night of white Ralph Lauren rolled up to my elbow sleeves that eminently tucked in to my black slim dress pants.

"Ikaw? Ano plano mo ngayong gabi?" Tanong ko sa kaniya na nakahiga lang sa L-shaped velvet couch ng office namin habang nakatingin pa rin ako sa madilim at mailaw na gusali sa labas ng bintana.

Narinig ko ang ungol niya sa pag-unat ng katawan niya kaya naman nag-lakad ako papunta sa harapan ng table ko at sinandal ang pwetan ko habang naka-halukipkip na nakangiti sa kanya.

"Hmm, you know. Stuff that only Saint Voltaire Salazar does in his free time." He winked at me with a silly smirk on his lips. I knew exactly what he meant by his... stuff.

Tumaas ang kanan kilay ko sa sinabi niya na may ismid sa labi ko. Umalis na ako sa pag-sandal ko sa table at tumungo sa pintuan.

Before completely leaving our office, I stopped at the middle of the open door. I looked back at him. Saint's eyes are closed while his two arms are positioned behind his head.

"You take care, Saint." I said and saw a smile appeared in his face. With that I closed the door of our office.

Halo-halong ingay ang naririnig ko. Ang hindi mapigilan na masasayang hiyawan ng tao, tuloy na pag-tugtog ng music mula sa DJ ang malakas na bumabalot sa kabuuan ng club, makulay na ilaw at malaking projector screen sa pinaka-harap ng entablado sa likuran ng DJ ang tanging nagbibigay liwanag sa madilim na loob, hamog dulot ng mga naninigarilyo at usok mula sa smoke machine ng club, at mga aligagang lalake at babae na nagsasayaw sa buong paligid ang nagbibigay buhay sa club.

After ordering a Dirty Martini in the bar, I scrunched my way in the middle of the dance floor as I bumped into someone. The bump was a little hard, making my drink spill a little in my hand that's holding it. Well, it was my intent to bump to her. It wasn't just an accident bump.

"Ano ba? Are you that blind not to see that you're about to hit someone?" Iritable niyang sigaw.

I chuckled lightly. "Ikaw nga natapon mo yung martini ko sa kamay ko." Kalmado kong pabiro sa kanya.

"What the fuck? Ayan lang pino-problema mo? What? Can't afford a drink kaya ingat na ingat ka sa cheap na alak na 'yan?" The girl scoffed. "Please, ang pulubi mo, ha."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay na may ismid sa bibig ko. My sources are accurate. She's really a typical spoiled brat maldita girl.

Mag-sasalita pa sana siya nang pigilan siya ng isa sa mga kasama niyang babae. "Girl, let him be. He's so gwapo pa naman. Don't fight with him na."

I mentally rolled my eyes heavenward. Girls. Basta makakita ng gwapo o hot na lalake sobrang aligaga na. Halos ibigay na nila ang sarili nila. Pero kung makapag-sabi na gusto nila ng matinong lalake, yung mamahalin sila at hindi lolokohin akala mo napaka-tino nila. Sila rin naman yung nagtatapon sa sarili nila at aligaga pag-nakakakita ng gwapo. Ang haharot.

Women... You really don't know a single thing about their mind.

"Wag ako, Stephanie, ah. E 'di sa kanya ka. Ang a-adik niyo sa lalake. Go. I don't care. Simpleng sorry na nga lang hindi pa magawa. Muntikan pa ako natapilok because of this pulubi." Walang gana niyang sinabi, lumayo siya sa kinatatayuan namin at sinimulan mag-sayaw ulit.

Humarap ulit sa akin yung Stephanie at ngumiti ng tipid sa akin. "Sorry about her."

Kumibit balikat lang ako at tuluyan na rin umalis palayo sa kanila. Baka mamaya hindi pa ako maka-alis sa mga kaibigan nun.

I walked my way to the VIP lounge that located in the second floor. It's a loft floor, makikita mo pa rin yung kabuuan ng loob ng club dahil open siya.

Hinawakan ko yung railing dito sa lounge. To be honest, I stalked her this afternoon and she's also the person Saint told me earlier in the office that's why I get to know where she'll be tonight. Here.

You're in my Empire Aphrodite Club, miss.

I took a sip of my martini, feeling the motivation rush inside of me. My stare never let go of her.

"Athena Althea Casino."

- -

A's note: Athena Althea Casino is Deseree's daughter. So she's Ed Casino's granddaughter. Haha. Everyone's enemy at Harlot's Curse.