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Chapter 14: Aubrey

BINUKSAN NI BREE ANG PINTO. Alanganing oras na ng gabi, kaya nagtataka siya sa pagbisita ni Virgo. Oo, alam niya na sex lang naman ang involvement nilang dalawa, pero dahil sa pagsulpot nito sa movie premiere ng The Rightful One nung isang gabi, nagdadalawang-isip si Bree kung sex o may iba pa itong intensyon.

She decided to let him get inside her bungalow. Mas mabuti na rin iyon kaysa magdiskusyon sila ng binata sa tapat ng bahay niya. Mahirap nang may makakita at maging laman pa sila ng mga blind item sa diyaryo.

"Now what?" malalaki ang mga hakbang ni Bree patungo sa kitchen counter.

Nasa kalagitnaan kasi siya ng pagsasalin ng gatas sa tall glass nung mag-doorbell ito.

"Having milk, I see," ngiti ng lalaki na nakasuot lang ng jeans at tucked in polo shirt.

"To get a good sleep, kailangan kong magbawi ng tulog," buntong-hininga niya habang tinatabi sa ref ang milk carton. "Manager Ken is expecting us to get invites for interviews soon... regarding sa magiging success ng pelikula namin." Bumalik na siya sa counter. "It's showing tomorrow night, by the way."

"This Friday?" lapit ni Virgo sa counter at pinatong doon ang dala nitong bote ng alak.

The pink bottle of Desert Rose Champagne caught her eye. Napataas tuloy si Bree ng kilay habang umiinom ng gatas.

"Time goes by so fast, isn't it?" karugtong iyon ng sasabihin ni Virgo habang pinapanood siya.

Binaba na ni Bree ang nakalahating baso. Her delicate fingers stroked the sides of her lips to wipe off some milk. She licked her fingers clean, a view that Virgo enjoyed. A sexy smiile played on his lips before she caught his eyes.

"So, if you're here to get laid, this is quite an inconvenient time."

"Oh, really? What happened to the Bree who's always game?" walang tinag nitong saad, nakangiti pa rin sa kanya.

"She's pissed," pagtataray niya kay Virgo. Bago uminom ulit.

"Now that's interesting."

"Interesting?" irap niya. She was quite insulted with how Virgo finds their situation.

"I want to know how to make it up to you," ikot nito sa counter para matabihan siya.

He lifted a hand to caress her cheek. Tinabig iyon ni Bree. Uminom siya ulit ng gatas.

"Don't tell me, my appearance in your movie premiere is a BFD."

BFD meant Big, Fucking Deal.

"Bakit, hindi ba?" lisik ng mata niya sa lalaki nang harapin ito. "My God, Virgo! At ang lakas pa ng loob mong yumakap sa akin! May mga tao pa roon!"

"They won't put malice to it—" he leaned his backside against the counter, placed his elbows over it and turned his head to face her.

"Talaga?" paghahamon niya.

"Come on, sa isip ng ibang tao, bakit ako papatol sa iyo?"

She felt quite insulted. Alam niyang hindi dapat. Matagal nang tanggap ni Bree ang reputasyon niya, 'di ba? Na mababang klase siya ng babae sa tingin ng karamihan, lalo na sa mga tao na makaluma ang pananaw sa kung ano ang dapat na imahe ng isang dalagang Pilipina. Virgo has a point. He had established his own image of a well and dignified man, a politician whose heart is reserved for serving the Filipinos.

Siya rin naman, may imaheng ganoon. If Virgo has the heart, other people on the other hand, think that Bree has a body that served Filipinos.

She should not give a fuck. Why was she feeling this affected?