Bedroom Negotiations Classic (Published)

Chapter 1

These corporate parties bore me. But I had to attend or else magwawala si St. Alexa Lianna Carbonel-Sandoval. Although, I admit that I like it when she nags me, ramdam na ramdam ko kasi na meron akong pamilya at di ako nag-iisa. My sisters are both sweet, ako lang ang sour. Alexa loves to order food delivery for me because she knew, that just like her, I hate cooking and my baby sister Lee Ann would send flowers and chocolates to my condominium unit regularly. At kaya yata hindi ako nagkaka-lalaki ay dahil akala ng mga tao ay may jowa na ako dahil sa ka-sweet-an ng dalawa kong kapatid.

I saw Alexa head towards me and I turned before I hastily throw the cigarette I was holding.

"Ate!" She called and I pasted a smile on my face as I waved happily at her. Nasa terrace ako ng hotel, just outside the ballroom where the party was being held and I was still surprised at Alexa's knack for finding me. Kahit saan ako magpunta ay nahahanap ako nitong kapatid kong to at kadalasan kapag nalulungkot ako ay bigla na lang syang tumatawag. "Naninigarilyo ka na naman ba?" She asked. Namewang sya sa harap ko and I gave her one of my rare sweet smiles.

"Hindi. Bakit ko gagawin eh di ba ayaw mo nga kasi sabi mo nakakasama sa akin?" I tried sweet-talking but it didn't work. Mahirap talagang utuin ang mga abogado. I murmured to myself as she arched her well-trimmed brow at me. "Isang puff lang naman."

"Ate naman, alam mo namang nakakasama sayo yan."

"Alexa, ilang buwan na akong hindi nagyo-yosi pero nakakabato itong party na to. Parang gusto ko na ngang tumalon dito sa balkonahe dahil sa sobrang bored ako. Jusko, ano ba to? Meeting ng mga senior citizens? Nakakaloka! At dapat sa susunod ay may timer yang mga speech na yan! Alam ba ng matandang panot na yun na halos isang oras syang nagbigay ng thank you speech? Pati yata garapata ng aso ng kapitbahay nila napasalamatan na nya. Aba, eh nakatulog na lahat ng ugat ko sa katawan nagsasalita pa rin sya! Muntik na nga akong pumunta sa stage para tumanggap ng ostia dahil akala ko nagho-homily sya!" I complained and my sister laughed.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na, Ate. It's not everyday that he gets a Leandro Carbonel Loyalty Award for his exemplary service to the company for twenty-five years."

"Jusko. At isa pa, sino ba ang nag-isip ng ganun kalaking trophy? Eh hirap na hirap yung matanda at kamuntikan pang mahulog sa stage. Baka imbes na thank you speech ang gawin nya eh mapadeliver tayo ng eulogy ng walang sa oras."

"Ano ka ba, Ate puro ka kalokohan!" Alexa laughed again. She looked truly happy kahit walang humpay ang pangingitlog nya. Ulirang Ina Awardee kasi ang kapatid ko kaya ginawa na niyang hobby ang manganak. I touched her flat belly. They gave us the news last week and although I felt happy for her and Alex, hindi ko pa rin sya naiiwasang tuksuhin.

"Another Sandoval." I said. "Anong sinabi ko sayo? Walang silbi yang family planning nyo kasi iisa lang ang plinaplano nyang asawa mo, ang ikama ka gabi-gabi."

"Ate, ano ba." She murmured as some of the employees passed by us.

"Good evening po." They greeted and we greeted them back.

"Yang bibig mo grabe." She admonished laughing. " Okay ka lang ba dito?" She inquired and I nodded my head. "Sige balik muna ako sa presidential table. "Nauna nang umuwi si Lee Ann at may school activity daw bukas."

"Oo nagpaalam sa akin kanina. Uuwi na rin ako at sobrang nakakabagot."

"Wag ka nang mainip at malapit nang matapos itong party. Pag nakita mo akong umakyat sa stage nagko-closing speech na ako nyan at ballroom dancing na ang kasunod."

"Ano?! May ballroom dancing pa? Jusko! Buti hindi ka nag-hire ng caregivers at puro gurang ang nandito."

"Si Ate talaga." She was laughing hard. "O balik na ako sa party. Give me a kiss at alam kong mauuna ka nang umuwi." She added and we kissed each other's cheeks. "I love you at mag-ingat ka sa pagda-drive."