"Ilang beses na 'kong kumatok, bingi kaba?" In her usual greetings. Her stepmom handed her paper bags.
"Suotin mo 'yan, mamaya nandyan na sundo mo." She understood pero mas gusto pa nitong makausap ang kanyang stepmom so she stop her ng akmang aalis na ito.
"Tita kumusta po si......." She cut her out again.
"Kung gusto mo ng matinong sagot, impress me first. Get dress and leave." And then she left.
She sat on her bed. Walang gabing hindi siya nanghihina. She check the dress, shoes, necklace and earrings inside the bags. Lastly, the red lipstick with his note saying "Put a little."
Time is precious for him, any minute nandito na siya so she dressed up and put the jewelries as he ordered. Put a little red lipstick and done. Hindi nga siya nagkakamali at pagsilip nito sa kanyang bintana, agad niyang nakita ang kotse nito.
She hurriedly went outside. Feeling the cold air on her naked shoulder as he come closer and kiss her.
"D*mn!" He act like a gentleman, pinagbuksan niya ito ng kotse and secured her seatbelt habang nagnanakaw ng pagkakataong hubaran ito ng kanyang mata.
They arrived at the right place with a lot of guests. She still doesn't have a clue kung anong party ang kinaroroonan nila hanggang sa nagsilapitan na ang mga kaibigan nito, that's when she know na surprise birthday party ito ng mga elite parents para sa kaibigan niya. From their conversation, go with the flow lang silang magkakaibigan kagaya ng nangyayari kada taon. They have money so casual party like this is like a ritual.
No party lights, hot girls, more alcohol kaya't bukambibig nila kung gaano sila ka-bore.
Para siyang asong nakabuntot dito, where else can she go. Hindi niya alam kung san siya lulugar at siguradong magagalit ito kung mawala man siya sa kanyang paningin. She's at his back watching them interacting with everyone, elites and brats.
"How are you? You look good." One of his friends approach her, his smile is different hanggang sa pagsasalita nito. She ignored her, he's wearing a mask and they are all the same. She's distant.
She can smell the sharp scent of alcohol. He's drunk. Ayaw niyang makipag-usap dito o kahit kanino man.
Also one of his friend save the situation.
"You miss me?" Nagulat ito sa biglaang pagkapit nito sa kanyang baywang. They are all drunk.
"Hes supposed to have a gift but since I'm his favorite mate he prepared something for us." He whispered and after that he dragged her out of the people while his friend leading the way inside their mansion.
She just wants to go home. She's tired.
They stop in front of a room. His friend opened it.
"All yours." He gave him a playful smile before leaving.
Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng oras at agad siyang ipinasok sa kwarto. He locked the door.
"A place and time." He uttered and pushed her to the bed.
--------
She got up with her hair in a bun, hands with a few paints. She open the door to see who's knocking and surprised to see Zach.
"Yes?" Careful to ask and unsure how to greet him.
"I bought you coffee." She's more suprised. What is he up to?
"O-h! Thank you." Odd. Okay na sila but she can't stop thinking about how quick Zach shift his way from being sobrang taas ng ego to this. It's getting awkward next time she knew pinasilip na niya ito sa kanyang studio. She can't think a better way to escape the awkwardness.
"Buong araw ka nandito?" He asked checking every pieces while she continue her work. He's amazed, she's brilliant.
"Yes." Then here's the silence again. She can't focus, sa totoo lang.
"How's your work pala?" Reviving the surroundings.
"The usual, pagod pero pagdating dito sa bahay nawawala agad." She stops.
"Oh! wow!" Zach divert his attention to one of Anna's paintings and she's frightened to see the fabric that removed by Zach which covers her few paintings. She breathed so deep, calm herself.
"That's not technically my art, I just copied that." Said with her calm voice. She place the fabric back to where it is.
"I know. "She saw his smile, the playful one.
"You know what, I had this dream of having a painting of myself like Greek Gods, like what I saw... Hindi ko sinasabing maganda katawan ko.... I just, you know, dream." A flirtatious act. She kept herself busy but deep inside she's annoyed.
"Can you paint me?" And that's a que. Para siyang binuhusan ng maininit na tubig sa buong katawan. Nagsimula siyang labanan ang kanyang sarili kung anong dapat niyang mararamdaman at gawin sa kung anong magandang paraan para makatakas sa sitwasyong ito. Alam niya na ito, napaka-pamilyar. It's never a wise act to say something impulsively. She breathe, think.
She stood up and faced him. Looked him in the eye.
"Right now?" He's strong so is she.
"I guess it's better if you finish that first so you can just focus on one work." He grinned.
Her disappointment rises. Kahit kaunti, umasa siya na iba si Zach. Those looks, smile everything he does---familiar.
"Okay."She force to smile.
"Allright. Iwan na kita dito para matapos kana... You should rest too, gabi na." He left. Agad siyang nakahinga ng maluwag. Fake smile vanish. She locked the door, get the coffee he bought and throw it in a bin.
BINABASA MO ANG
ANNA (R18+)
Mystery / Thriller"Some secrets refuse to stay buried." Anna, who is residing in the US, was finally convinced by her art agency to fly back to the Philippines to receive the proper recognition and a bigger opportunity as an artist. This was also the best way to prov...
