My Playboy

Nine

Chapter 9

Exception

Loise

Maagang natapos ang trabaho naming sa studio. Hindi pa naman kasi kami nag-sshoot dahil kanina lang samin nadiscuss ni Chip kung pano nga yung mangyayari. So far, so good. Balak kong bumalik ng office para kunin yung sketch pad ko, naiwan kasi dun.

“Loise, pa-drop by na lang ako sa Glorietta oh. Bibili lang ako ng lens.” Sabi sakin ni Mariel na ready na sa pag-alis. Siya naman ang in-charge sa pag-sshoot kasi nag-take siya ng Photography. “Sure.” Sabi ko sabay sukbit ng bag sa balikat. Nagpaalam na kami sa ibang staffs at sa mga kids.

She’s my girlfriend, so you can’t have her.

She’s my girlfriend, so you can’t have her.

Oh god! Naalala ko nanaman. That Chip is really something. I dropped Mariel sa G3 tapos dumiretso na sa EEnt. I entered the lift and the door’s about to close nang may nagharang ng kamay niya. Pumasok siya and it’s the great Chip! Narinig ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I made sure that I’m standing 3 rulers away from him.

“What are you still doing here?” he asked, as if trying to start a conversation. I composed myself and answered, “Kunin ko lang sketch pad ko.” Facing the door. Huminto ang lift sa 18th floor at nagulat ako kasi ang daming empleyado ang pumasok. Bali siksikan, pero may enough space naman.

Matagal pa ‘to kaya sumandal muna ako, again, I was shocked nang magsalita yung elevator wall, “Enjoying your position, huh?” I turned and oh God! Si Chip yung sinasandalan ko. Natanga ako! He’s smirking, an irritating smirk.

“Not really, ang— umph!” goodness gracious! Nasubsob ako sa chest nya, since mas matangkad sya, nasa 6”1’ ata ito. I smelled that CK One scent of him at bago pa ko mawala sa ulirat ko dahil sa bango nya, I pushed him. But it’s not a smart move, nahawakan ko yung abs niya! Fuck! And his smirk even grew bigger that it turned to a grin. Namula ako sa hiya.

“You’re cute.” He said, grinning. Agad kong inalis ang kamay ko at binigyan siya ng deadly glare. “Pwede mo naman akong hawakan, di mo na kailangangang tsansingan ako.” He stated the wink at me. Napatingin ako sa paligid only to find out na lahat ng employees dun ay nakangiting aso samin. “What!?” I exclaimed then lahat sila umiwas ng tingin. Tinignan ko si Chip and he is chuckling! Damn, ang cute niya! Not fair! Nang marating ang 35th floor, agad akong bumaba iniwan ang iilang employees na andun at si Chip na ngiting-ngiti pa din.

Kinuha ko yung sketch pad ko and started drawing gowns. Ito ang past time ko at the same time, favourite thing to do. I am fond of gowns kasi kaya yun ang madalas kong i-design.

Nang nasimulan ko yung top ay biglang pumasok si Chip sa opisina ko. Kasunod niya si kuya at ang dalawa niya pang kaibigan. I stared at them, “Bakit andito ka pa, Loise?” tanong ni Kuya. Umupo silang tatlo sa couch at si Chip sa swivel ni Mariel. Itinaas ko lang yung sketch pad ko bilang sagot. Maya maya’y umupo sa chairs sa harap ng table ko yung dalawang kaibigan ni Kuya. “Hello, Loise! I’m Brix, etong singkit naman, si Heath.” Pagpapakilala nung nasa left. Ngumiti sila and I smiled back.

“Hi,” I answered. Sa gilid ng mata ko, nakikita kong titig na titig si Chip sakin. Dammit! “Di kami nakapag-introduce sayo last time, eh.” Heath said, eyesmiling. “Oo nga, by the way, we’ve heard about your project? Good luck with that. Lalo pa’t katrabaho mo yung ungas nay un.” Brix said habang tinuturo si Chip. Madaldal pala to? Haha.

“Okay, enough with that. May kanya-kanya pa kayong meeting di ba?” kuya Von said. He’s texting on his phone, probably Ate Cerine. “Yes, and you’re too talkative Brix. Kalalaki mong tao” Heath said to Brix before turning to me, “See you around, Loise!” sabi niya as he waved goodbye, hila-hila si Brix. “SEE YOU AGAIN LOISE!” pahabol ni Brix. Sumunod na si kuya sa kanila. Napailing ako na natatawa. Ang cool naman pala nila.

“You enjoyed their company?” nagulat ako sa nagsalita. I forgot na andun pa pala si Chip! I looked at him and, “So? Mas okay pa nga silang kasama.” Pang-aalaska ko. Nagtiim-bagang siya na parang napikon. “Tch. Okay lang, mas gwapo naman ako sa kanila” he said, staring at me. Ayan nanaman ang heartbeat ko!

Hinarap ko sa kanya ang swivel ko para mapantayan ko ang titig niya, “You’re so full of yourself. Mas gugustuhin ko pang maging crush si Heath o kaya si Brix kesa sa’yo, ‘no.” I joked. Hindi na siya nakapagtimpi at lumapit na sakin. He cornered me on my chair by putting his two arms at my side. “Listen, woman. No one ever dared to piss me off, step on my ego and compare me to them. You’re the only one who did this to me.”

I was speechless. I can only hear my heartbeat, hoping that he won’t hear it. He moved his face closer to mine until there is only 3 inches between us. “You think you’re not an exception? Better think again, Sera” he said before leaving me dumbfounded.