Goddess of Bitches

III

I still. Parang biglang umurong ang dila ko at hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko. Sa dami na ng naging kliyente ko e confident ako na masa-satisfied ko sila sa performance ko para masulit naman ang binabayad nila sa akin. Pero ngayon, bigla akong nag-doubt sa sarili ko. Is he challenging me?

"Are you challenging me, Mr.."

"Apollo, Apollo Rogales," he introduced himself and offered me his left hand for a hand shake.

I just gazed his hand for a moment, and took it with pride and forcedly smiled at him.

"Mr. Rogales," I said as I spoke his name sweetly.

Ano, masaya ka na ba at alam ko na pangalan mo? Sa isip-isip ko.

"Yours truly," he answered and nodded at me.

"Back to your question Miss Evangelista, what if I challenge you?" he asked.

Napataas ako ng kilay. Ano naman pakana nitong isang ito? Mukhang sinusubukan ako ah. I murmured to myself. Tingin niya sa akin, papatalo?

"Hmm. Sounds interesting. Tell me about your game, Mr. Rogales," I answered with pride.

He smiled wickedly. I shivered seeing him smile and my heart beat raised unintendedly.

"Very well. Let's discuss that after we finally head at my place," he snapped and offered his left hand to guide me to his car.

"What about my car?" I asked.

Ayoko namang iwan 'tong kotse ko dito.

"Let my driver drives your car to follow us. Keys please," sagot niya na may kasamang ngiti sabay sahod ng kabila niya pang kamay.

Ayaw na ayaw kong ipinapagamit ang kotse ko sa iba pero sa hindi ko maintindihang kadahilanan ay binigay ko naman agad-agad ang susi ng kotse ko sa kanya. Shit! Why am I so carried away by this guy? I asked myself with confusion.

"Thanks, Miss Evangelista," he said and turned his head from behind.

"Ricky," he called and a middle-aged man came up.

"Drive Ms. Evangelista's car to my place and please handle it with care. I don't want to disappoint her for not taking care of her beloved car," he commanded his driver but his gazed was locked at mine.

Paano nya nalaman? Shit Jewels, ikaw na talaga. Kahit pala pokpok, may stalker? At take note, gwapong mayaman pa! I happily thought to myself.

Kinuha n'ung Ricky 'yung susi ko at nagpaalam na rin agad. Umusog kami ni Mr. Rogales ng kaunti sa gilid para makaakyat si Manong Ricky sa driver's seat ng kotse ko at tsaka niya ito pinaandar. Tahimik ko lang tinitigan ang kotse kong papalayo sa akin na hindi ako ang nagpapatakbo.

"Don't worry, Ricky was a responsible driver," he assured me.

I just gave him a nod. He then smiled and offered me once more his hand for us to go.

"Shall we, Miss Evangelista? I was very excited to discuss our next agreement and I really don't want you to keep waiting again," he said while grinning.