Dress Me Up Or Dress Me Down

IV

"Oh my god!" were the only words that I was able to muster when I saw the photos of the members of MX through their official Twitter account. I literally felt my heart stopped for a brief moment when I saw familiar faces, especially the tall guy with the golden tan and broad shoulders.

I immediately recalled the last words I heard from him way back from the parking lot.

"But I'm done talking to you. Clean the car or just fuck off. Do whatever the hell you want."

Sobrang vivid pa rin sa utak ko ang gabing iyon. How he said those insulting words with his deep, manly voice; and how his face conveyed no emotion.

"I don't think I can do it." Sagot ko sa kanila.

"Bakit?! Bes, MX na 'yan oh! Magandang ilagay sa credentials 'to!" Dianne cried.

I threw her a sharp look. "Remember the asshole I argued with when you were batshit drunk?"

It took a couple of seconds for Dianne to comprehend the situation. "No way!" she gasped, shock was written all over her face, "Isa sa mga members ang nakaaway mo?! Tangina sino sa kanila?!"

"Iba ka talaga, Tori. You and your anger issues," napa-iling na sabi ni Cass.

Kinuha ko ang phone ni Dianne at naghanap ng photo nung Kal.

"Siya, I think his name is Kal?" sabi ko sabay pakita sa kanila.

Mabilis na inagaw pabalik ni Dianne ang phone niya mula sa kamay ko. "Girl, you are so doomed! Siya ang leader ng MX!"

I felt my insides jerked when I heard what Dianne said. Shit.

Bakit ba kasi ang kupal mo, Tori? Hindi ka na dapat nag-inarte nun! I mentally scolded myself.

"Pero, Axel's there din naman 'di ba? And you met Xanthus na rin, you said that they're nice." Gus mentioned.

"Sa bagay, pero still. Wouldn't it be awkward kapag nakatrabaho ko na 'yung Kal?"

"It's just for a day lang naman, Tori. Just bear with it. Isipin mo na lang 'yung kikitain mo for that work. Dianne was also right when she said that it'll make your CV look great." Mahinahong payo sa akin ni Cass.

I looked down on my phone to re-read Cris' message; I suddenly remembered how bad I needed this job. Now that I have no more students to teach for several months and how finals period is just right around the corner, I knew that I have to grab this opportunity. The only thing that was stopping me was Kal.

However, my pride wouldn't pay for my tuition.

"I don't know. Bahala na."

- - - - - - - -

Maaga akong nakarating sa coffee shop na napagkasunduan namin ni Samuel, manager ng MX, na pagkikitaan. Makalipas lang ng ilang minuto ay dumating na si Cris. Nagpasama ako sa kaniya dahil kakilala niya si Samuel.

"Hola, puta! Kamusta ka naman?" bungad niya sa akin nang makaupo na siya. Hinubad niya ang suot niyang glasses at isinuot naman niya ang kaniyang prescriptive glasses.

"Mamshie kinakabahan ako. Dapat talaga hindi ako nagpakagaga nun."

"Ayan kasi masyado kang war freak. Lahat na lang inaaway mo," Cris scolded, "but I don't think alam ni Sam 'yung issue na 'yun. Don't worry mamsh, I got you. Malakas ako kay Sam."

I felt a sense of relief because of Cris' words. Isa si Cris sa mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan ko ever since college. Kahit na gaano siya ka-sassy at pintasero ay hindi niya ako kailanman dinismaya.