The Secrets We Keep (Completed)

Chapter Eight

"I just want to make sure we won't be having any problems, JC. Paul is turning out to be quite an asset in my family's empire.He has a lot going for him and we wanted to make sure he stays focused."

Sinalubong ni Jendra ang mapanuring tingin ni Giovanna. Nawala na ang kabang naramdaman niya kanina nang mapagtantong ang meeting sa conference room ay sa pagitan lang pala nila ni Giovanna.

Her immediate superior alerted her of a meeting at eleven that morning soon as she sat on her table. She expected the usual Pan Pharma faces, definitely not a Melloni.

"We are friends, Miss Melloni. We just easily bonded because we're both Filipinos but there's nothing more to it." matatag na pahayag niya.

"You better make sure of that." Naningkit ang mga mata ng kaharap niya.

"I'm sure. I have a family to support. I can't be distracted, too. I am eyeing a promotion here so I can quit the job at King's Lair. That's ny top and only priority, Miss Melloni."

Matamang minasdan siya ni Giovanna. "I'm not blind, nor are my people, JC. Paul is definitely smitten."

She felt a tightening in her stomach. Her people?  "Maybe he is, but I don't think I am, Miss " pagdidiin niya. She hoped her nostrils weren't flaring. This woman shouldn't know she's lying.

Ang pag-uusap nila ni Giovanna Melloni ang kanina pa nagre-replay at gumugulo sa utak ni Jendra kaya hindi niya ma-enjoy ang paglabas nilang iyon ni Arianna at apat pang UIN agents mula sa mga kalapit na state.

May apat pa silang kasamang lalaki na nagkalat sa Sizzle, all posing either as a gay man or the other girls' boyfriends bullied into accompanying them to their take bridal shower night out.

"Whoa, that's our target?" napasipol ang kasama nila from UIN Texas na si Cora. "His photos don't do him justice.

Napatingin siya sa stage, kung saan isa-isa nang naglalabasan ang mga participants sa Amateur Night. Stefan was among the last ones, in blue jeans that hugged his strong legs and an unbuttoned, crisp white shirt with rolled up sleeves. He was barefoot and held a whip, with a silly cowboy partially covering his face.

Suot pa nito ang salamin sa mata, tuloy ang ensemble nito ay tila pangkaraniwan lang kumpara sa ibang nasa stage.

He easily stood out, though, as he was clearly the best looking, and the hottest guy in the room. Nakadagdag din marahil sa appeal nito ang pagiging awkward. Parang hindi alam ni Stefan ang gagawin.

"Oh, he looks scared." sympathetic na pahayag ni Arianna. Gaya ng ibang naroon ay tila na kay Stefan lang din ang atensyon nito.

But unlike the rest of the Sizzle crowd, her group was part enjoying the show, and part watching the whole place. Giovanna's traitor employee could just be a,set-up, and Stefan's life could be in danger.

"I don't think he can really see us." sabi ng isa pa nilang kasama na si Ava. True enough, their target seem to be trying to look at them, but couldn't see much because of the harsh stage lights.

Tila iyon ang nagbigay ng kumpiyansa kay Stefan, kaya nang tawagin ito ay mas confident nang pumunta sa harap, mabilis na tila itinago sa likod ang hawak na latigo kasabay ang isang mapanuksong ngiti.

And that smile was enough to drive the crowd into near hysterics, before he took off his hat amidst cheers, bent forward for a second, before he turned to exit the stage.

~~❤~~

Pakiramdam ni Stefan sy hihimatayin na siya sa magkahalong tensyon at pagkalito. Bahagya na lang siyang nakikinig sa pep talk nina Carter. Bakit narito si JC? Did she know he's about to do something like this tonight? Pero ni hindi niya iyon nabanggit dito!

He was so lost in his thoughts when someone pounded on his back. "Your turn! Goodluck!"

What the? Talk about lost time! Plano pa sana niyang panoorin ang ilang nauna sa kanya pero huli na. He was already on deck to perform and as he stepped on stage, the lights dimmed, along with the sensual, bass-filled pounding intro of some quirky punk rock tune the other dudes chose for him.

Ilang sandaling mabagal na naglakad siya, pilit inaalala ang steps at kinakalma ang sarili hanggang sa tumapat sa kanya ang spotlight at lumakas ang sigawan.

He felt his neck and cheeks burn, as he remembered what to do. He now stood front and center, and unlike earlier, he can see the faces before him now.

His heart thumped when his eyes fell on the woman in a strappy maroon top. He couldn't see the rest of her outfit but it revealed more than he was used to, and he doesn't know why JC's presence seem to slowly strip him of his nerves and shyness.

Nakapako sa kanya ang tingin ni JC, at napakurap siya nang tila sadyain nitong paglandasin sa kabuuan niya ang mga mata, bago iyon bumalik sa kanyang mukha. She then bit her lower lip before flashing a teasing smile.

Holy hell! Lasing ba si JC?

But God, the way she looked at him now. Parang hindi na nito inalis ang tingin sa kanya. Kahit habang umiinom ng kung anong cocktail drink na hawak ay hindi siya nilulubayan ng tingin ng babae.

But then, as he finally recalled what to do, he saw two people from different tables pull out a gun. Hindi na siya nag-isip. Sa isang iglap ay nakatalon siya mula sa stage, nakataas ang isang kamay bilang signal kina Troy.

First, he had to make sure JC was safe.

But she's gone, and in seconds, the place was in chaos, with screams, curses and a couple of gunshots, mixed with the police siren wailing in the background.