The Playgirl's Game

Kabanata 37

The camera flashes in front of me. I forced myself to smile even though I just really wanted to go inside and burn this damn building.

"This way to the ballroom, madam."

The usher brought me inside. The place is big. The familiarity of the faces I see made my stomach sick.

Diniretso ako nito sa isang mesa at naupo na. There were champagne served all over the area. I wanted to drink. I need all the courage I could get- if the anger inside me isn't enough yet. Pero hindi pwede.

Wala sa isip kong hinawakan ang sinapupunan ko. Baby...hindi mo lang kapatid si Ate Chyler sa mommy. Kundi talagang kapatid mo siya.

Agad sumibol nanaman ang pamilyar na galit sa dibdib ko. My hearts want to cry but my brain won't let it to do so.

Ezekiel played with me. He toyed me. Niloko niya ko. Ang daming pagkakataon na aminin niya sakin kung sino siya. Mukha akong tangang kinwento sa kanya ang nakaraan ko, yung takot ko, tapos ganon pala? Siya pala iyon? Bakit nga ba hindi ko napansin noon ang pagkakahawaig nilang dalawa?

He knew Sophia, Nina, and Cross all along. Especially Cross! He fooled me. Napakagaling.

I was out of my train of thoughts when the host started to talk in front. I stood tall. I know Ezekiel is here. This is his company after all. Sabi sa akin ni Celya ay hindi napalitan kung kanino mapupunta itong kumpaya. The new owner they might be referring is Ezekiel. Not really a new owner huh? Just a new name.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor to be here in front of you and to celebrate this wonderful event. I know all of you are already eager to know who is the new owner and CEO of Clemente Pharmaceutical Company. Without further ado, to introduce our new CEO, may we call on Mr. Ezekiel Salazar!"

Nagpalakpakan ang nga tao. Slowly, Ezekiel materialize in front of us, walking up the stage. My heart suddenly raced. The familiar stance I came to love is standing in front of me. My eyes swelled. I can't recognize him as Zac anymore. Physically, he might have changed but after all these years, siya pa rin pala ang unang lalaking minahal ko. Hindi ako makapaniwalang hinayaan ko nanaman siyang saktan ako, for the second time.

Kaya pala, kaya pala ganun na lang ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa kanya. Kaya pala alam niyang marunong akong mag martial arts. After all these time, kilala niya ko. Fuck, kilala niya ko!

And finally it sink in, he is the one who invited me! Ano? Para ipamukha sa aking hinding hindi ko makukuha ang CPC?

Nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. It was like he knows where I am. Walang bakas ng pagkabigla. He looks so serious, his expression was near mad. Anong problema niya? Hindi ba't ako dapat ang galit dito?

"Good evening. Clemente Pharmaceutical Company is a company founded by my great grandfather. Thirteen years ago, my grandfather brought me and my family here to keep me away from the woman I love. Right after from the airport as we travelled, we had a car accident. My parents died, I nearly died, but I was saved by Gregory Salazar. I got my face severely burned. I underwent series of surgeries to fix my face." Maraming nagsinghapan sa kinekwento niya. All these time, he was just looking at me, waiting for a reaction but he found none. Kumunot ang noo niya. Siguro hindi niya akalain na alam ko.

Sumimsim ako sa iniinom kong tubig. Lumandas doon ang tingin niya. Napaligon ako sa waiter na nagapproach sakin.

"Wine, ma'am? Or champagne?" He asked. Umiling ako sa kanya.

"No thanks." I said.

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Ezekiel na kumot noong nakatingin sakin. Napairap ako.