Chapter 2

I glanced back to the balcony part of the club where Femella was standing earlier. I still caught the sight of her sexy back before she completely disappeared into the darkness. I bet she's getting ready for the bidding later. 

I drank the liquor in my glass in one gulp. Heto na naman ang pakiramdam na hindi ko pa nararamdaman sa tanang buhay ko tuwing nakikita ko ang babae. It's precisely why I bidded for her that night. Nakuha niya agad ang atensiyon ko sa paraang hindi pa nagagawa ng kahit na sinong mga babaeng nagugustuhan ko. The feeling of longing, sadness and nostalgia hovered around me when I caught a glimpse of her face.

And why does she make me feel so warm inside? Na para bang sa kaniya ko lang ito naramdaman? If only she accepted my offer then I don't have to keep on guessing. My curiosity and desire for her will be answered the moment I'm done with her. Nakakapanghinayang lang na hindi niya tinanggap ang alok ko. 

Nakapagtataka ring parang walang magawa ang boss ng club noong harap-harapan akong tinanggihan ni Femella. She just shook her head and closed the glass door.

Damn that woman for rejecting my offer. 

"Pare, ang sama ng tingin mo. May kaaway ka ba?" basag ni Cholo sa pananahimik ko. Pinatay nito ang hawak na sigarilyo, sumandal sa upuan at bahagya akong tiningnan. 

"Bad trip lang iyan dahil hindi nakapasa kay Femella. That girl even had the gall to slap him right infront of everybody during last month's bidding. Kung nakita mo lang pare ang mukha nitong si Maverick. The best! The first I saw in ages that a girl rejected him," buska ni Luther sa akin. 

"Whoa, man! That was unexpected! Sayang at wala ako dito last month. I could have seen that explosive spectacle!" 

"Oh shut up, you two! Nagpapakipot lang ang babaeng iyon. Naliitan siguro sa bid ko kaya ganun ang reaksiyon. She must be thinking I would pour more money on her but I'm not buying it. She's not even special. Ano ba ang kaibahan niya sa iba pang babae dito. There are far prettier and sexier girls here," I sneered. Baon ko pa rin ang pagkapahiya dulot ng ginawa ng babae noong nakaraang buwan. The feel of her smooth hand on my face still lingers in my memory. The way it leaves soft tingly emotion in my being up until now just added to my annoyance.

"But damn, man. That girl is really a bomb. Kung hindi lang ako mahilig sa virgins, I could have bidded for her, too. Ayoko lang talaga sa mga birhen. They are far more emotional in the morning. Ayoko ng drama," sabi ni Luther. Kinuha ang baso ng alak at uminom. 

"Come to think of it, Maverick never liked virgins even we were in college. What happened now?" Cholo asked me curiously. 

I grimaced at his question. "Are we really talking about my preference of women here? Did I ask why you prefer exhibitionist?" balik-tanong ko dito. 

"I like adventurous women in my bed, pare. I liked to be dominated sometimes. I want my lady to be giving me the same pleasure as what I'm giving her. Everything is fair in love and in bed." Tumawa ito ng nakakaloko. 

"I see you still have hang-ups for Karina." Napangiti ako ng lihim nang makuha ang gusto kong reaksiyon mula kay Cholo. Dumilim ang mukha nito at inabot ang bote ng alak at doon uminom. 

"You hit a sensitive nerve, Maverick," paalala sa akin ni Luther.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "So does he."

Tumikhim si Cholo. "Karina was never a sensitive spot for me. At least, hindi niya ako ni-reject just like how Femella did to you." It's his turn to flash those annoying smile. 

I gritted my teeth. 

"Woah, man. We're not here to fight. We're here to enjoy the night. Chill lang kayo," awat ni Luther sa amin. 

I heaved out a sigh to control my temper. I know how bad would it go if I didn't rein my emotions. "No, I'm good man."

"I'm alright," wika naman ni Cholo. 

Tumungga ako sa hawak na baso. I glanced impatiently at the small elevated stage in the center of the club. Naiinip na ako sa kahihintay kung kailan magsisimula ang bidding. I want someone novice tonight who could quench my lust and so much more. I can't wait to get my hands into someone who is deliciously beautiful, inexperienced, and timid. An image of the girl floated in my mind. No, not her. She is definitely beautiful, inexperienced but she is no timid. The woman in my head is feisty in a very strong way. I don't like her types. I prefer submissive women in my bed. 

Ilang sandali pa ay natutok na ang atensiyon ng lahat sa stage ng La Vida club. Naging malamlam ang ilaw at pumalit ang maharot na tugtog. 

Nabuhay agad ang dugo ko. The thought of another pure woman to warm my bed tonight turns me on instantly. 

"The show's about to start. May the best bidder win, mga pare." Naunang tumayo si Cholo na sinundan naman ni Luther.

Nanatili ako sa upuan at nagsalin uli ng alak sa baso. Itinaas ko ito sa kanilang direksiyon.

"Enjoy your turn. Sa huli pa ang sa akin. The best part of this show is indeed in the last part," pahabol ko sa kanila. 

Tumawa lang ang dalawa bago ako tuluyang iniwan. Ginalaw-galaw ko ang baso bago nilagok ito ng diretso. Gumuhit ang pait at init ng alak sa aking lalamunan. Pagkuway tinitigan ko ang likido sa baso. 

"You're so clear yet you make one's mind cloudy."

Hawak pa rin ang baso na sumulyap ako sa itaas na bahagi ng club, umaasang makikita uli ang babaeng ilang linggo nang nagpapagulo sa sistema ko. Pero bigo ako. The balcony's empty. The woman is also not in sight.

Ilang beses ko mang itanggi sa sarili at sa iba na hindi ako apektado sa ginawa ni Femella pero naghuhumiyaw ang katotohanang may nasaling sa loob ko ang babae. It's not just pride or my macho bravado. I don't know what do I call this strange feeling because it's the first time I'm feeling this. And it's not love at first sight and all that cheesy things woman believes. I know it's deeper than that.

"Just what the heck are you doing with me, woman."