Who Are You?

Prologue

Ex

Abala ako sa pagbabasa nang mga paperworks and manuscripts nang mga writers and editors sa pinagtratrabahuan kong publishing company. It's Saturday, pero ito ang ginagawa ko para maibsan ang tambak na mga babasahin at eedit na manuscripts.

I am sitting on my study table inside my room here in my condo unit sa Makati. My desk is nearby my glass wall in my window at kitang kita ang mga nagtatayuang skyscrapers. Probably, this is my favorite part of my room next to it is my veranda in between my bedroom and the living room. Ang mga sasakyan sa ibaba ay nagmimistulang langgam sa aking paningin.

I can't finish my work without caffeine in my system. I am sipping a cup of espresso and a slice of tripple bavarian cake on the side.

I need more sweetness in me! Lalo na at romance ang binabasa ko ngayon.

I was so concentrated of what I was reading when my phone suddenly rang.

Izza calling...

"Hello?"

"Bessy! I missed you. Where are you?" ang matinis na boses naman niya ang nagpairap sa akin sa hangin. She never changed.

"Condo."

"Ang ikli  mong sumagot! It's Saturday so its walwal day! Oh my gosh! Sama ka later may paparty kami ni Heiriah later." She is pertaining to her cousin na anak ng kapatid ng mom niya. At best friend namin.

"I have deadlines, Izza." I said.

"Deadlines my ass! I knew you better. Next month pa naman ang deadline niyan eh. You have time. Don't fool and load yourself  with work. Socialize girl." I rolled my eyes once again. She and her parties.

"Uh. I'm not in the mood." Her invitation is tempting but ...

"Ano ba! Di mo man lang ba ako na miss? Sige na please? Let's go na. We should catch up more later." himig ang pagpapacute sa boses nito.

Hay! Mukhang wala naman akong kawala nito. "Okay. I'll be there. Just text me the address."

"Okay! See you! Love you!" And she ended the call.

Suddenly, I hovered my gaze on my laptop on my desk and stared at the story I am reading right now. Mukhang sa Monday ko na ulit to matatapos ireview and revise.

I closed it. I took my mug of coffee and my plate of sliced cake and went to the living room. I turned my TV on and watch Netflix. I am not in the mood to watch Holywood movies or series right now so I scanned for some Kdramas.

I need to be kilig para naman mas maigi kong maisulat ang sarili kong manuscript para sa sinusulat kong teen fiction story.

I am an editor-in-chief sa isang kilalang publishing house dito sa Pilipinas. I am a graduate of Bachelor in Science of Business Administration but writing was really been my passion since junior high school. I used to write for the school publication and as an editor-in-chief as well. Back then, I was once an amateur writer.

Nabubusog ang mata ko sa pinapanood ko at hindi ko na pala namalayan at ubos na ang kinakain ko. I went to the sink para hugasan ito. Not bothering to turned the television off.

Bumalik rin ako sa sofa para tapusin ang pinapanood. I finished halfway of the drama. Hindi ko mabigilan nag pagbigat ng aking talukap ang aking mga mata. I found mysf dozed off to sleep.

I wake up from a call. I look for my phone and found it on my desk inside my room.

Izza calling...

"Where are you?" bungad nito sa akin. Naririnig ko sa background ang maingay na party music.

"Still in my condo." My voice was still sleepy.

"God! You're late na! The party has started an hour ago." I bet she is shouting her lungs out.

"Don't worry, I'll be there. Give me thirty minutes and I'll be there." I yawned and ended the call.

I went to my bathroom inside my room. I had a quick shower and and brushed my teeth. Changed into a maroon silk robe and put a towel in my heard to cover up my hair. I went out and found myself sitting next to my vanity mirror while putting some make up on. I chose a peach golden eyeshadow and a crimson red lipstick and some blush on. I have no time for contour. Good thing my jaws are well-defined. Mascara and eyeliner and I'm done. Next, I blow dried my hair. I didn't bother to curl it more dahil it has natural curls. I only damped my fingers on para ma settle in place ang buhok ko.

I was eyeing for a black dress with a crossed strings at the back that somehow appears backless and grabbed my silver heels. I also grabbed my silver purse and put my phone, wallet, and my lipstick inside. I went out of my unit while my other hand is holding the purse while my finger from the other is playing my car keys.

Pushed the elevator's button down to the basement parking. Walked a little bit and clicked my car's semi-like remote control thing. My black BMW lighted up. I drove off to the bar where Izza is having a party at.

The bar was high end. There was a signboard that has LED lights that says "UKNOWN". Maybe that's the name.

As expecting it was be filled with a lot of people. There were some familiar with me, some aren't. I saw girls were dancing sexily at the dance floors with some lads. There were sofas too that were already occupied by people making out. I didn't bother to care at all.

Still roaming, I heard Izza, "Hey! Here Alethea!" She is waving her hands. Gesturing me to come over.

"Sorry, I overslept." She handed me a glass of vodka.

"That's okay." And she kissed my cheeks.

"Guys! Here's Alethea Gwiyea Funtales. She is my high school best friend until now." Based on my estimation, there are ten to fifteen people in there sitting on the sofa.Everyone was smiling at me. Some waved their hands at me and some shake their hands with mine.

"Hi! I am Paulo."

"Diego Fontes, but you can call me babe. Here's my number." He handed me a calling card and I secretly cramble it at the back with my hand. I gave him a small smile.

Everyone said their "oohs".

"Izza, Rick is here!" Heirah cheerfully said. When she looked at me, she gave an awkward smile. I smiled back.

Lumampas ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Nakatitig ako sa lalaking nakatayo sa kaniyang likod. He bore his gaze at me. I stared at his eyes, they were full of hatred, pain, loneliness and..... love?

"Rick, my man!" Paul went to him and tapped his back but his stare is still on me. Ako na lang tuloy ang umiwas nang tingin.

Napansin ni Paul na nasa akin pa ang tingin ni Rick kaya sinundan niya ang tingin nito. "Ah, si Alethea pare. Kaibigan ni Izza." He introduced me.

"I know. I know her. She is my ex."

Hindi ako nakaimik.

"O-okay." Paul felt the tension from Rick's eyes towards mine. Napalunok ako. Hindi pa man ako lasing pero randam kong nahihilo ako sa mga titig niya sa akin.

"She is my ex so I no longer know her." Seryosong sambit nito.

"Who are you?" Was all he muttered as grief was showing in his eyes.
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I am sorry. I just reread this dahil nawala sa isip ko kung ano nga ba ang previous update ko dito and to find out na maraming errors ang typos.