Housemates With Benefits [COMPLETE|PUBLISHED]

Oliver (63)

"Sabrina," mahinang tawag ni Rachel sa kasayaw ko.  The band is playing an instrumental ballad and we are slow dancing to it. Nakalapat sa akin ang malambot niyang katawan. 

There is a plea in the other woman's voice that we can't ignore.  We stopped to look at her.  Seryosong nabaling ang buong atensyon ni Sabrina sa nakatatandang kapatid.  No words had been exchanged between the two of them but I knew Rachel will be taking Sabrina away from me and I did not want to let her go.  While she is in my arms, I know I can protect her.  My bullshit meter has been screaming at me nonstop that this party is a bad idea for my girlfriend.  That she is being battered here.  

I kept an eye out for Sra. Adina.  I knew that if something bad happens at this party it will surely come from her.  But, she is on her best behavior.  During dinner, she just talked animatedly with my mother and Paige's mother.  

When the girl Irene, which turned out to be one of the Trinidad cousins, got up from our table after dinner, Sra. Adina started including Rachel and Sabrina to the conversations.  Tension wrapped around me when she softly called out Sabrina's name to ask my girlfriend's opinion about something.  Mabining hinaplos ni Sabrina ang hita ko under the table, tapping it softly in comfort, bago magalang na tumugon sa asawa ng tatay niya.  The exchange was done smoothly that I knew, the two of them has done this a thousand times before.  Set aside any animosity between them and talk business with the rest of the world.  It felt like it is the most normal thing in the world for Sra. Adina to ask Sabrina about something.  Too natural na hindi na napansin ng mga magulang ko at nina Paige na hindi ko ipinakilala ang nobya ko sa host pero kilala nito ang katabi ko.  

The relaxed conversation continued after dinner and it would have continued if not only for other business associates asking for Sra.  Adina's time and attention. 

"I prefer to stay and enjoy this time with you," nakangiti niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa ina ko at sa ina ni Paige, "but responsibility is calling.  You know how it is.  Let's set a date for a visit after all these."  Binalingan niya kami nina Sabrina at Paige.  "Enjoy yourselves children."

With Rachel by her side, she went off to attend to her other guests.

The remaining set of parents started to drift away, too, doing their own mingling.  Usually, like Rachel and Paige, I would be at my mother's side listening to her talk with the other businessmen, giving me time to get impressions about them, analyze them, for the time when it is my turn to handle the company.  Ngayong gabi, I just want to hold Sabrina, patiently waiting for the time when I can bring her back to my rooms and love her all night long.

Pero heto nga si Rachel at may pakiusap sa mga mata.  Tinitigan ako ni Sabrina.  Involuntarily, I gave her a small shake of my head.  She smiled at me softly and reached a palm to my cheek.  I nuzzled at that palm and stared at her, a plea in my own eyes.

"She needs me now," mahina niyang bulong, just loud enough for only the two of us.

"I know."  Napabuntong-hininga ako.  I'm going to have to let her go.  "Get back to me soon."

Her smile brightened.  "I will."  Ginawaran niya ako ng mabining halik sa pisnging sinapo niya.

"Be with your parents, love.  This is not just a Christmas ball.  This is a business affair.  You have to be seen with them and be the emperor your parents are grooming you to be."  At tuluyan na nga siyang lumapit sa matangkad na kapatid na kanina pa matiyagang naghihintay.  

Rachel does not look good and she really seems to need my Sabrina more than I do tonight.  I watched them briefly.  For the first time, I am seeing the confident party girl Rachel del Valle lose her cool and Sabrina Rodriguez holding her up.  Rachel is already getting herself halfway drunk when the party just barely started.