Star Princess

Ice Princess Chapter 4

Kinagabihan, kabadong naghihintay si Zaida sa lobby ng Grande Verde Hotel, na pagmamay-ari nila Doleer (Dominic See) at Alyx.

Nakaupo siya sa isang green na arm chair na may carved wooden frame. She was scanning her phone and checking on the social media account she left two years ago. Wala naman notification na importante. She doesn't even post a lot on her timeline.

Relax, it's just Luis. Why are you so fidgety?

Hindi niya mawari kung bakit ganito ang kabog ng kanyang dibdib. Matagal na niyang kilala si Luis, at di siya dapat makadama ng ganito.

I should have worn pants.

Bakit ba niya naisip isuot itong bodycon black dress na sleeveless?

Ah, hindi pa pala siya nakakapag-unpack, at itong damit na ito ang una niyang nakita, together with a pair of black leather ankle boots. It's not like magpapaganda
siya kay Luis.

Just stop it with those thoughts, Zaida, she scolded herself. We're in Macao, it's normal to see this kind of outfit here.

"Ate Z! Andito ka na pala!"

Zaida stood up and turned around to face Alyx. She smiled at her.

"Late na ba ako?" She gave Alyx a short hug.

"Ang aga mo nga eh. Kami ang late, almost seven pm na kasi!"

Alyx turned her head sidewards. Behind her, a man dressed in a plain blue polo shirt and slacks walked towards them.

"Hello Sir Luis!" Alyx went up to this man and gave him a hug.

Zaida took a deep breath upon seeing him, the cause of all her nervousness tonight.

"Good to see you again, Alyx! Halos two years na tayong hindi nagkikita!" Luis and his smile was priceless.

"Oo nga, and kasama ko si Ate Zaida."

The moment Alyx said her name, Zaida forced herself to approach him.

"Hi," was all she could say.

Pigil ang ngiti ni Luis habang pinasadahan siya nito ng tingin. Zaida wanted to hug him, pero pinigilan niya ang sarili.

"Whoa, Zaida, ikaw ba iyan?"

"Ako nga. Hindi pa ako multo, okay? Mission successful," she smirked .

She was referring to her mission back in Kerle. Luis knew her entire background.

"I..." Luis stuttered. "Whoa, natutuwa ako andito ka kasama namin."

Zaida playfully slapped his shoulder. "Oo nga eh, may maasar ka na naman ngayong gabi," ika niya.

"Let's go!" Pag-aaya ni Alyx.

Pumasok silang tatlo sa isang buffet restaurant sa loob ng hotel. They instantly grabbed a plate and filled it with whatever food they want. Naghiwalay muna sila habang iniikot ang iba't ibang stations sa loob ng resto.

Zaida instantly went for Japanese cuisine. Na-miss niya ang salmon sashimi, tempura, at mga maki rolls. She reminded herself not to eat so much. Japanese food will be good.

Hinanap niya sila Alyx, at nakita niya ito na nakaupo sa may window side, kung saan kita ang buong Cotai Strip at mga naggagandahang ilaw mula sa malalapit na casinos.

"Iyan lang kakainin mo?" ika ni Alyx.

"Babalik pa naman ako. Pero nag-uumapaw plato mo ah!"

Hindi mapigilan ni Zaida ang magbiro nang makita ang mga pagkain na kinuha ni Alyx, from a pizza slice, isang serving ng pasta, maki rolls, sashimi, at isang shotglass ng chocolate mousse.

"Kaya ko itong ubusin, Ate. At don't worry, I work out 3 times a week," pagmamalaki ni Alyx.

Dumating na rin si Luis at doon na silang nagsimulang kumain habang masaya na nagkukwentuhan. Wala masyadong ikinuwento si Zaida; instead, she let Alyx and Luis do the talking.

Isang beses lang siya tumayo para balikan ang Japanese food station. Pagbalik nito, tuloy pa rin ang usapan nila Alyx.

"Ma'am Zaida, do you want to explore Cotai Strip pagkatapos nito?"

Natigilan siya nang marinig ang tanong ni Luis. She felt her heart skip a beat at the idea of it.

"Kasama ba si Alyx?" tanong niya.

"Hindi eh, may tatapusin pa akong report pagkatapos nito. Gotta go back to my bedroom unit at the hotel."

Alyx smiled knowingly at her. Alam na ni Zaida ang binabalak nito.

"Can't that report wait?" Zaida sounded like she was trying to convince Alyx to come with them.

"Bukas na presentation eh. Don't worry, you're in good hands with Sir Luis. Ipasyal mo naman siya."

Malawak na ang ngiti ni Alyx sa kanya. Pinanlakihan siya ng mga mata ni Zaida, and Alyx let out a giggle.

"Payag na siya, Sir Luis! Pasyal kayong dalawa ni Ate Z ah! Sayang naman kasi bihis niya eh, pang-night out!"

Tumayo na si Alyx at yumakap kay Zaida, pagkatapos ay lumapit siya kay Luis para magpaalam. "Sige, see you tomorrow! Enjoy!"

Masayang umalis si Alyx habang iniwan niya ang dalawa sa kanilang table.

Alyx talaga, bakit mo ako iniwan with this guy?! Nanggagalaiti na si Zaida.

"So, shall we go?" tanong ni Luis sa kanya.

Zaida looked in front of her, at this man flashing a tiny smile at her.

Siyempre, alangan naman na tanggihan niya ito.

---

After going to the ladies' room, sumama na si Zaida kay Luis.

They walked out of the hotel and explored the other sights. Ngayon lang niya nakita ang Cotai Strip sa gabi, na punong-puno ng liwanag mula sa kumikinang na mga signages ng mga hotels at casinos.

They stopped in front of a fountain and sat around the edges.

"Kumusta ka na pala?"

Lumingon si Zaida kay Luis. She silently reminded herself not to let her nervousness show.

Bakit ba siya kinakabahan kay Luis, lalo na at sila lang ang magkasama? Alyx talaga, ang lakas ng trip.

Zaida smiled shyly and said, "Ito, buhay pa rin. We succeeded in our mission sa Kerle, kaya nakabalik kami ni Dominic. Or Doleer."

"That's good to hear," ika ni Luis.

"Doon ka pa ba nagtuturo?"

"Oo, buti nakapag-leave ako for one week just for this trip. Si Alyx kasi, gusto tayo na magkita," tawa nito.

"Alam ko di ka makakatanggi, lalo na sinabi niya na andito ako," ngisi ni Zaida.

Nag-iba ang kulay ng fountain sa likuran nila. Luis stood up and took a picture of it using his mobile phone.

"Gusto mo ng picture, Ma'am Zaida?"

"Hindi na. Di naman ako mahilig magpa-picture."

Naupo ulit si Luis sa kanyang tabi.

"Anong balak mong gawin, now that your mission is over? Bodyguard ka pa rin ba ng daddy ni Alyx?"

"Di ko nga alam," kibit-balikat ni Zaida. "Doleer wants me to resign and live a normal life. Kaya nga ako binigyan ng condo unit dito, para makapagsimula ulit. But I really don't know what to do."

"Siguro huwag ka muna masyadong mag-isip. By the way, gusto mong magpunta sa kabilang hotel?" alok ni Luis.

"Are we going to play at the casino?" Kumunot ang noo ni Zaida. "That's a big waste of money."

"No, I have something better in mind. Forget your problems for tonight, okay?"