When Playboy Falls (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 39: I can't

Chapter 39: I can't

I breathe out when I saw that we’re almost near on the event’s venue. Heck, why am I so nervous?

Nathan noticed my nervousness. He might have noticed that I’m trembling. That’s why he gets my left hand and kissed it, the same spot where my ring is.

“I’m here.” He gave me a reassuring smile, the reason why I smiled too. And I think, my uneasiness has lessened. Thanks to him.

When we went out of the car, the media immediately went to our place.

Honestly, I’m not that comfortable when the media is all around. In fact, I’m not fond of press con, etc. But heck, I won’t let them see my uneasiness when they’re around.

I walked with confidence. Having Nathan at my side, makes my whole being calm. I don’t know how but Nate has this effect on me… comfort, peace and calmness. Whenever he’s around, I could feel all of those. I could conquer my fear and my doubts.

“Mr. Nathan Recandego, is it true that your engagement with Ms. Chloe Santa Rosario was already off?” I was about to give Nathan a distance since the question seems personal. Like hello, he was asked about his off engagement, with me by his side?

But before I could do that, Nathan already tightened his grip on my waist. He pulled me tighter this time. Doon ako napansin ng mga media.

Hindi siguro ako pamilyar sa kanila since hindi naman ako lumalabas sa mga coverage ng media. Usually, si Papa lang ang humaharap sa mga media noon. Isang beses lang ata akong humarap sa kanila. Noong na-hospital si Papa.

“Who is she, Mr. Recandego?” one of the reporters asked.

“Good evening everyone. The woman beside me is Jezreel Ross Santar-Cruz, my fiancé. And yes, my engagement with Ms. Chloe was already off, last year pa actually. And besides, we all know that what we have is all about business. She’s not really my choice. We’re not really in love with each other. Excuse us.”

Matapos nun ay agad na akong iginiya ni Nathan paalis sa mga reporters na iyon na nagbabalak pa sanang magpahabol ng tanong subalit hindi na pinaunlakan ni Nathan.

Magarbo at halatang pinagkagastusan talaga ang event. Ang lahat ng taong naroroon ay mababakasan ng karangyaan. Lahat ay halatang nagpapabonggahan at nagpapayabangan tungkol sa mga kaya nilang gawin. At kung gaano sila kayaman.

Marami ang bumabati sa kanya habang naglalakad kami. Karamihan sa mga iyon ay mga kakilala at kasosyo nya sa negosyo. Samantalang ang ilan naman ay purong kababaihan na sa hindi malamang dahilan ay tila isa lang akong invinsible.

Alam na alam ni Nathan na ayaw ko sa lahat ay iyong nakikipag-plastikan ako kaya alam din nya siguro na ayaw kong kausapin ang mga kausap nya.

Kaya naman, tinanguan lang nya ang mga iyon at sinabing mamaya na lang dahil ihahatid nya muna ako sa aming mesa.

Iginiya ako ni Nathan sa isang mesa na medyo malayo mula sa mga media. At matapos niyon ay agad na siyang tumayo upang batiin ang mga kasosyo nya sa negosyo.

“I’ll go back later. Just stay here, or you can roam around but make sure that you’ll let me know where are you going, okay?” He kissed my forehead at pagkatapos ay umalis na.

Ayaw ko sanang umalis si Nathan dahil hindi talaga ako kumportable ng wala sya. Pero… hindi ko naman sya pwedeng pigilan, lalo na at ang pinakapinunta nya talaga sa event na ito ay ang makipagkilala sa ilan pang kilalang negosyante.

Nang umalis si Nathan ay may ilang lalaking nagtangkang kausapin ako. I know they’re hitting on me but nope, I won’t entertain them. Maghanap na lang sila ng iba kasi hindi na ako available.