Fifty-something Socialite

Zhai was feeling triumphant. He liked everything about this date. Hindi lang para makabayad ng utang. As soon as Dough mentioned socialite, Zhai knew he would take the job.

Fifty-something socialite, sino ang tatanggi?

Well, probably most men his age.

But not him. He had dated a handful of those before. TRLs ang tawag niya. Truly Rich Ladies. Hindi naman magiging 'truly rich' ang isang babae kung nasa twenties pa lang, even those in their early thirties. Nagsisimula pa lang ang mga iyon sa kanya-kanyang career, and the worst thing was, they wanted to have it all. Career, husband, kids.

When he was that age, he was just starting also. He was having a great time, enjoying his fame, financial security and freedom. Women his age wanted to end all that. That had been a problem. He was a man. He liked to sleep with women but he wanted to be able to do that without fear--- fear of conception and emotional complications.

Then he discovered older women.

Awesome.

Sa mga babaeng iyon, a one-night stand was a one, night stand. Hindi tatawag nang tatawag pagkatapos. Siya pa ang maghahabol. They were busy. They could finance themselves, puwede niyang yayain kahit saan na hindi siya natatakot na siya lahat ang gagastos.

Most of them had been married before so the yunderstood perfectly his need for space and freedom. Most of them had kids already and so, no, they were not keen on having more babies. They were more careful than he was.

They were more experienced thus more reliable and

emotionally balanced. Smart, those ladies are. They didn't crave much attention. May tiwala na sa sarili, hindi kailangan ang approval ng publiko.

Higit sa lahat, malawak na ang koneksiyon. It always

pays to be in those ladies good graces. Truly rich. In manner of substance. Pero alam din ni Zhai na hindi madaling ma-impress ang mga ganoong babae. 

Experience taught him that the way to those ladies' hearts was honesty. He just have to be himself.

Still, he made sure he was dressed impeccably. Smart casual. Dark jeans. Brown Chelsea boots, tan blazer and plain black T-shirt underneath. He perfected his tousled hair by making sure it didn't look unnaturally tousled. Iyon ang katumbas ng no-makeup makeup sa kanilang mga lalaki. May anim na buwan na siyang hindi nagpapagupit, lampas tainga na ang kanyang naturally wavy na buhok, pero masyado pang maiksi para sa man-bun, unless he wanted to look like a trash bag.

At dahil dinner date iyon, he got to have the right, scent. And his go-to cologne was something by Viktor & Rolf. It has bergamot---a citrusy scent every man should have in his arsenal---also saffron and some other spices. He imagined it was something James Bond would wear. But it also had a hint of tobacco. So, he was 007 and the Godfather in one.

If that didn't spoke alpha male, he didn't know what else would.

And the alpha male arrived at the Piccadilly exactly on time kahit sa Quezon City pa siya nanggaling at nasa Alabang ang restaurant. Tagaroon ang kanyang date at ang babae ang pumili ng lugar. Zhai took that as a good sign. Hindi takot ang babae na may makakita sa kanila na kakilala nito.

Sinabi niya ang pangalan sa maitre d'. Sinamahan siya sa nakareserbang mesa. Table for two, nasa bandang kaliwa ng bar, private and cozy. Wide enough table and arm chairs cushioned in old rose velvet. May mga bakante pang mesa sa loob dahil mas pinili ng ibang patrons na sa extension sa balkonahe pumuwesto. The smokers.

He asked for a glass of wine to sip while waiting, Hard liquor was a no-no, maliban na lang kung gusto niyang mapagkamalang lasenggo. Inilabas na rin muna niya ang cell phone at muling tsinek ang social media pages ng kanyang date, bagay na ipinagbabawal ni Dough sa iba. Pero dati siyang business partner, magpinsan pa sila, Zhai could do as he pleased.

Lily Ongpauco. Lil.

Obvious na hindi ito ang personal na nagpo-post ng mga larawan at inspirational quotes. May social media manager. Most TRLs did. Miss Lil was a widow, was right there at her profile. If she had kids, the face wasn't anywhere on her Facegroom. Miss Lil appeared slim and petite. One-length bob ang buhok, dyed reddish brown. Walang linya ang mukha. Botox. Makikit ang totoong estado ng balat sa leeg at mga kamay. Nevertheless, she looked great for a fifty-nine years old.

And she liked... men. Young and old. Panay lalaki ang kaibigan, followers at following. Men from all ove the world. And yet, walang picture si Miss Lil na may kasamang lalaki. The photos were of her and friend taken at home, parties. No selfies.

At bakit wala pa ito?

Tumingin sa relo si Zhai. Ten minutes na ang lumilipas. He sipped his wine, checked his own e-mail and messages, pretended to be busy.  Pagkalipas ng lima pang minuto, tinawagan niya ang pinsang si Dough.

"I know, I know." sagot nito.

"She just texted. She's coming. Nasabit lang daw."

"Paano'ng nasabit?"

"Ang kotse. Tatawagan na sana kita, naunahan mo lang ako."

"Is she all right?"

"Yeah. Konting gasgas lang daw."

"I see." Napaangat si Zhai ng tingin. May palapit sa kanyang mesa. Babae? Transgender woman?

Matangkad. Maiksi ang pulang bestida. Mataas ang takong ng sandals. Nakalugay ang buhok na hanggang balikat, straight, humahaba na ang bangs kaya kahit itaboy sa mata, tumatakip pa rin doon. Heavy makeup.

Huminto sa mesa mismo ang babae. "Uh, talk to you later, Dough." sabi niya sa pinsan. He ended the call.

"Excuse me?" sabi niya sa bakla… babae... whatever. Parang kasingtangkad na niya ito. Take the three inches off, she would be around five-nine or ten. Slim. Broad-shouldered. Wala namang Adam's apple.

Babae nga siguro. An angular woman. And that makeup was just... too much. 

Biglang inilahad ng babae ang kamay. "Amber."

"Uh, hi." Atubiling tumayo at nakipagkamay si Zhai. "Z-Zhai."

"Interesting," komento ng babae.

"Sorry, I'm late. Nasabit ang kotse ko, eh." Sabay naupo na ito.