Life Series #1: Onto Better Things

Chapter 2

"So, Tin, what's your plan now?"

Tita Elise and I were now dining together in one of the most fancy restaurants in the city. We rarely go out like this kasi busy siya sa Law Firm niya but since it's my graduation dinner, she made sure to get us a reservation at Gabby's.

"I'm taking up the offer of Yien Corp, Tita," I said proudly.

Yien Corp, the biggest marketing company in the Philippines. Their clients are the biggest brands in the entire world. Adidas, Cartier, BMW, Rayban, name it. For me, Yien Corp was the destination. Any Marketing degree holder would agree. And I was beyond ecstatic nung na-receive ko ang letter of invitation from them. All the sleepness nights studying was finally paid off once I opened that letter and saw that they want me in their company.

"You know, I'm so proud of you, right?" Tita Elise asked. I nodded while a warm feeling was spreading through my chest. "You've always pushed yourself so you could achieve the best. But, Tin, keep in mind that the professional world is different from what you were used to at school."

Tita Elise is now giving me the mature talk. I wanted to roll my eyes because this is probably the third time she's telling me this. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the concern but I'm so ready to face adulthood. Among my peers, I was the one who is most excited to work. To earn on my own. To finally be called a professional. So I made myself ready for this.

"Tita, I know. 'Wag kang mag-alala. I got this. And if ever mahirapan ako, magpapa-alaga nalang ako sa'yo. Palamunin mo," I said trying to keep the conversation light. After this dinner, me and my friends will go out and have fun. Ayoko maging seryoso muna.

Tita Elise laughed. "Okay, fine. Basta magsabi ka."

The dinner went on like that and before I knew it we were done eating. While Tita Elise was waiting for the bill, I excused myself to go to the restroom. I wanted to retouch before I go to my friends.

Me and my friends agreed to dress up for tonight's party. It would be special, they said, since graduation party ng batch namin at Ziggy's, the most high-end club here. At hindi lang naman kaklase namin ang pupunta because everyone who graduated this 2020 was invited no matter what school you're from. And as my friend Anna said, madaming pwedeng landiin. I even straightened my wavy hair for tonight and bought a new dress.

When I entered the restroom, I looked at myself at the full-body mirror. I was dressed to impress. Red fitting dress that ended just above my knee and black stilletos. I chose this outfit because it exuded feminity just good enough for this resto and the dress was hugging my body so it was a little sexy good enough to party. I knew I looked sexy. Sa mga mata ba naman na tumitingin sakin habang naglalakad papuntang CR. Kung alam lang nila gaano ako nahihirapan sa heels ko. I even have a Converse in my car para pamalit.

A final swipe of lip tint on my lips and I'm out of the restroom when....

BANG!

Something very hard bumped me in the back. I almost doubled over because of the impact. Parang naalog utak ko. Then I felt something wet trickled at my back so I panicked thinking I was bleeding. Kinapa ko likod ko at mukhang wala namang sugat but it was still wet.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there."

I looked at the guy who was at my back. He was holding a glass of wine in his hand and his other hand was at the door that bumped me. Apparently, palabas siya ng CR ng boys when the door he was opening hit me.

"Shit, is that wine?!" I shrieked. My new dress will have a stain!

"Uh, yeah. Sorry," the guy said again. He sounded bored. Here I am freaking out because of my dress and he was bored. I tried to calm myself down.

Mature ka, Tin. I told myself.

"May mantsa ba?" I asked him trying to look at the back of my dress.

He didn't say anything so I stared at him. And infairness, he looked good. He was tall and lean. Tousled brown hair. And his face... wow, how could someone look that good? Deep dark eyes. Sharp nose. Under lip so full. Mukha siyang artista. Even the way he's dressed screams masculinity. Black button down polo that embraced his biceps, faded jeans that fits perfectly, black converse that may not fit in this resto but with him it just looks so right.

He still didn't say anything and was just looking at me so I asked again, "Hello? May mantsa ba sa dress ko?" I turned around for him to see.

I heard him scoff so I looked at him. He was looking at me straight in the eyes.

"Please don't shove your ass in my face," he said while smirking.

Nanlaki mata ko. Yes, this guy is handsome but his attitude is below the belt, literally!

"Eh gago ka pala-" I lost my cool pero hindi pa natapos sinasabi ko ay umalis na siya. The nerve of this guy! Ako na nga ang nasaktan, ako na ang natapunan, tapos ako pa ang pinagmukhang tanga.

I was about to follow him to make him hear my side when he suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked at me. Napahinto din ako kasi gaano man siya kabastos, hindi ko maipagkakaila na gwapo siya. And being looked by a handsome guy like him can definitely make you stop for a few seconds.

"What?!" Mataray kong tanong pambawi sa paghinto ko. I wanted him to know that his physical features won't win against me.

He didn't say anything. He just grabbed a jacket from the chair beside him where he stopped his tracks. Seems like he stopped because he already reached his table. He handed me the jacket and once again, turned his back on me. He was now sitted at the chair where he took the jacket from.

"Hi, pretty," a guy who from his table said when they saw me.

I was taken aback. Hindi ko namalayan na there were other people at his table. At least four pairs of eyes were staring at me now.

Damn. Required ba na dapat magkakabarkada ang mga gwapo?

The other four guys were gorgeous as well. They looked like models straight out from a fashion magazine. One looked serious with his glasses on. Another one looked amused. The other one looked bored. The last guy however was smiling, he was the one who called me pretty.

"Do you need anything else?" The guy who bumped into me asked looking at me sideways since he was sitting with his back on me.

Gusto kong mag-amok. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya kung ano ang mali. But I thought twice. Do I really want to ruin my night? Sira na nga dress ko pati ba naman gabi ko? And do I really want to have this conversation with five handsome guys? Kahit wala pa ngang commotion ay halos nakatingin na ang mga tao sa loob ng resto sa kanila. No, I don't want that kind of attention.

"No, but next time please look where you're going," I finally said and went back to Tita Elise.

But as I was walking back I heard one them say something to the guy who bumped into me.

"Favorite jacket mo yun, dba, Mark?"