Chapter 4

Boyfriend

Mabibilang sa tanang ng buhay ko kung ilang beses akong nagsisi ng sobra sa isang bagay. I always think before I decide to any matter. My father liked that about me. Hindi ako padalos-dalos magdesisyon. But now, I just wanted to disappear like a bubble.

"I'll meet you tomorrow at the cabin." Hindi ko makakalimutan ang sinabi niya bago umalis.

Alright, I'm kind of scared. Siya ba naman kasi ang maging... boyfriend ko. I don't know him very well, he acts as if it doesn't matter to him but for me it does. I never had any boyfriend. Maybe some flings but it's rare when I'd entered a serious relationship. The last time I did, it didn't end well.

I was on my bed, falling into a deep thinking, partly regretting my reckless decision, when I'd felt my phone vibrated. Kumunot pa ang noo nang makitang unregistered number iyon.

Unknown:

Still up?

Who the hell is this? Magrereply na sana ako kaso natauhan ako sunod nitong sinabi.

Unknown:

It's Thaddeus.

I took a deep breathe to calm myself down and prevent the irritation I was starting to feel. Wala naman siyang ginagawang masama sa'yo, Kelsey. Still, you hate him for the fact he almost raped you.

Agad akong nagtipa.

Me:

The hell you want?

I wonder where he'd got my number. Hindi ako nagbibigay ng number ko nang basta-basta lang!

Thaddeus:

Just checking on you. Remember our deal. Hindi ka na pwedeng umatras.

Sino naman kasi nagsabing aatras ako? What does he think of me, a coward? Saka isa pa, hindi ko naman 'to ginagawa para sa sarili. Kinabukasan ng pamilya ko ang nakasalalay dito!

Me:

Kumalma ka, wala akong balak umatras. Pinag-iisip ko pa lang.

Thaddeus:

What?

I could imagine his irritated face that somehow pleases me. Ikaw naman ang mabugnot ngayon!

Me:

Sabi ko, pinag-iisipan ko pa lang kaya pwede ka nang kabahan.

Thaddeus:

I'm not fucking joking, Sefira.

Natawa ako bigla. He's cute when annoyed, though.

Me:

Kwento mo sa pagong.

Thaddeus:

?

Humagalpak ako sa tawa habang iniisip ang iritado niyang mukha dahil sa pang-aasar ko. Oh my goodness! Why do I find it so satisfying?

Me:

Ang cold mo naman po. Nakakamatay sa lamig.

I didn't receive any reply after that. Tuloy ay malakas akong natawa habang iniisip ang pagkakaasar niya ngayon. Well, it's really satisfying. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala ang pakiramdam nang makabawi sa taong pinakaiinisan mo!

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata nang may ngiti sa mga labi, animong malaking tagumpay na sa akin ang mainis siya. Well, in the matter of fact, it is! Baka achievement 'to.

Kinabukasan, maaga pa lang gising na ako. Alas sais nang magsimula akong mag-asikaso. I prepared my breakfast, took a bath and wore a simple summer dress. Hinayaan ko ring nakalugay ang buhok kong may kaunting kulot sa pinakadulo. Tinitigan ko ang sarili sa salamin pagkatapos.

I resembled my mother so much. My blue eyes were soft and in an almond shaped paired with thick lashes and arched brows. My heart shaped face made me look more fierce as my nose were in a celestial shape complimenting very well my thin lips. Itim na itim rin ang buhok kaya mas lalo niyong nadepina ang pagkaasul ng aking mga mata.

I can't deny it. Hawig na hawig talaga kami ni Mommy, bagay na kahit ayoko ay wala akong magagawa. As I stare at the mirror reflecting my wholeness, I see the woman who hurt my father. Who caused him so much pain and didn't even felt sorry for that. Galit na galit ako sa kanya, sa nanay ko. Dahil hindi niya man lang pinahalagahan ang ama ko nung nabubuhay pa ito.

I wiped the tear fell on my cheeks and shook my head. Pinilit kong maging maayos saka napagpasyahang dumiretso sa mansion. Almost thirty minutes passed and I'm already there, a little confused as to why people are going in and out in our place.

"What's.. happening here?" Si Janine agad ang binalingan ko. "Bakit parang ang dami naman yatang tao? It's unusual."

"The Trimarcos are taking over the land. Maraming nagrereklamo, lalo na ang mga trabahador, dahil mawawalan na sila ng trabaho.. they want to talk to Lolo and Lola but.. kahit sila hindi rin alam ang gagawin."

"What?! How is that even possible?! Akala ko ba may one month pa?"

"So we thought. We didn't know the Trimarcos would do this.." para siyang maiiyak. "Oh my gosh, Kelsey! Our family's in the verge of collapse!"

Hindi na ako nagtagal pa roon. Mabibigat ang hakbang na nagtungo ako sa sasakyan para puntahan ang ungas na lalaking iyon! How dare he break our agreement?! Napagkasunduan namin na bibigyan ng palugit ang pamilya ko! Nakakagago naman yata siya masyado.

I was on my way to my car when my phone vibrated in all of sudden. Halos durugin ko na iyon nang makita ang pangalan ni Thaddeus.

"You fucking bastard! How dare-" pinutol niya agad ang sasabihin ko.

"Ah... you already know.." he calmly uttered despite of my rants. Rinig ko ang pagkalabog ng kung ano sa kabilang linya. Pati ang mga daing na tila pilit tinatakpan. "I told you. Don't mess with me."

Di makapaniwalang suminghap ako. "B-But we have a deal! Tutupad ako sa pangako natin! Hindi ba pwedeng gano'n ka rin?"

"I want your apology first. I want to hear you say sorry." Sabi niya sa seryosong boses.

My eyes widened and exaggeratedly gasped. Seryoso ba siya?

"Para namang ang laking big deal no'n! Inasar ka lang, e. Naghihimutok ka na agad d'yan. It's a friggin' joke, Thaddeus!"

"Does this seem a joke to you?" Rinig ko ang kanyang iritasyon sa boses. I rolled my eyes and pouting. "You know I can just withdraw and find another girl to take your position. Tutal madali ka lang naman palitan."

Natigilan ako sa huli niyang turan. I felt my ego got crashed for a moment. I need this more than anyone, let's say that, but I didn't sign up for this drama to receive harsh words from him. To be insulted by such a man whom bitterness is dripping just because I made fun of him.

Tiim ang bagang, bumuntong-hininga ako. "Sorry." I swallowed the tiny pride I'd left for myself. "Akala ko kasi biro lang. I didn't know you'll take it seriously."

Napakaseryoso niya naman kasi. To the point he can't take a joke lightly. Maliit na bagay, lumalaki. His life probably revolves around him only, without even some fragment of humor in it.

"I'll see you tomorrow for my mother's birthday." Malalim ang kanyang boses. Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay naibaba niya na ang telepono.

I looked at it and sneered. That bastard almost ruin our family just because he can't take a joke! Masyadong seryoso. Ayoko ng ganoon. Kung sakaling magkakaboyfriend man ako na talagang gusto ko at hindi napilitan, I will choose someone with a sense of humor.

'Yung kaya akong patawanin. Kapag tinanong ko siya ng mga bagay-bagay, tatawa lang siya at bibiruin ako. Mukhang tanga pero ayos lang.

I took a deep breathe. Great, now I'm thinking about having a boyfriend. Last time I'd checked, I have no plans to even date a man. Nor to commit to any relationship. It should stay that way. Whatever I'm doing with Thaddeus, I should remind myself that it's pure bussiness. No strings attached.

I'm certain, one hundred percent sure, he's just using me. Well, I'm using him too. We use each other for our own advantages and benefits. I might be new to relationships but I know how this thing works. How a man like him uses a woman like me for his own agenda.

Nang maghapon, tumambay muna ako sa coffee shop para magpahangin. Everything is just so suffocating. First, my father died. Second, my family's in the brink of collapse and lastly, the deal to save my family just by agreeing to be girlfriend of Thaddeus. Wala pa mang nangyayari, nagsisisi na ako. I'm doing this for them but thinking I'll be with the man who tried to raped me once, who harassed me abd almost violated me, I can't bear with him. I never told anyone about it.

Wala kahit sino, kaming dalawa lang ang nakakaalam. It's the fear no one will believe me that stopped me from doing it. Sa tanyag ng pangalan niya sa lugar at sa bansa, madaling-madali niyang mamamanipula ang mga nangyari at baka sa huli'y ako pa ang madiing nagsisinungaling.

"Ito na order mo, Kelsey, o." Si Cayla sabay lapag ng isang cupcake at Macchiato sa aking lamesa. I smiled at her before scrolling to my laptop.

"Thank you, Cayla."

"Nice naman ngumiti na siya. Kanina ka pa mukhang malungkot d'yan, Kelsey."

"May inaasikaso lang."

"Ano ba 'yan at mukhang problemado ka? Gusto mo bang tulungan kita?"

"Uh, it's fine but thank you. I appreciate your help, Cayla."

Ngumuso lang siya at hindi na umapila pa. Bumalik siya sa counter para iprocess ang order ng iba samantalang ako'y naiwang malalim ang iniisip. Everything's just so fast that I didn't have time to sink it in. It's a lot. My father's debt remained unpaid from a mysterious man I have no idea who it is. O bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa ring sumisingil sa amin. Plus, I'm letting myself to be used by Thaddeus in order to save my family. Problemado pa ako dahil konting biro lang ay nagagalit na siya.

Nang maghapon, pinili kong itreat ang sarili sa paglilibang. A co-worker suggested to me to have some me time with myself which I find so helpful in my case. Pumunta ako sa plaza at nagtingin-tingin ng mga damit na pwedeng masuot.

"How much is this?" Tukoy ko sa isang summer dress na napusuan.

"300 na lang, Maam. Mura na po 'yan at bagsak presyo na." Ani ng tindera.

"Okay. Kunin ko na po." I gave her five hundred peso bill and told her to keep the change. Malaki ang ngiti niya nang umalis ako roon para pumunta sa ibang tindahan ng damit.

I was on my way to my car when my phone beeped. Dismayado akong bumuntong-hininga nang makita ang pangalan ni Mommy roon.

"Kelsey! I have a project for you! I contacted the famous and rising photographer and guess what? Gusto ka niyang makatrabaho!" Bungad niya sa akin.

"Mommy, I told you, I don't want to work. Atleast not yet. Iniwan ko nga ang buhay ko sa Manila at ngayon naman gusto mo akong magmodelo ulit para sa isang photoshoot?" I scoffed. "Just stop."

"And what? You will be just contented at your job in that cheap coffee shop?! Don't tell me that's your plan to earn and pay your Dad's debts? Hindi kita pinalaking gan'yan, Kelsey!"

"Hindi naman kasi ikaw ang nagpalaki sa akin." I hissed when I can't help it.

Natigilan siya.

"K-Kahit na. There are much more opportunities waiting for you! The spotlight's just inches away and you'll gonna let it go? Konti na lang mapapabilang ka na sa hilero ng mga tanyag at sikat na supermodel! Think about it, anak."

I don't like fame. I went the path to modelling because I want to, it's my passion. But fame is another story. When I was a kid, I have told myself not to get involved in showbiz everytime I see celebrities having hard time keeping the paparazzi away. Ayoko ng ganoon. I want some peace in my life and I supposed I will find that without the popularity.

"Pag-iisipan ko, Mom." Nasabi ko na lang.

I drove my car at the nearest grocery store. Paliko na sana ako nang bigla akong mapapreno dahil muntikan na akong mabangga sa isang kotse! Nag-init ang ulo ko, bumaba ng sasakyan at galit na pinagkakatok ang sports car sa harap.

"Asshole! Bumaba ka d'yan! Do you know I almost die because of you!"

Halos masira ko na ang sasakyan dahil sa matindi kong pagkalampag. Everyone's looking at me. I just made a scene. Akala ko wala nang imamalas ang araw ko ngunit napagtanto kong mero'n pa pala. I saw Thaddeus slid out of the sports car, wearing his signature stoic face, tucked in long sleeves with three buttons open.

Umigting ang panga niya at galit na tumingin sa akin.

"What the fuck was your problem?" He said in the most coldest yet shivering way I could ever heard. Napaatras ako sa gulat, nanatiling awang ang mga labi. "You're the one you didn't give signal you're going left. It's your fucking fault."

Slowly, he stepped foward. Umatras ako ng umatras hanggang sa tumama ang likod ko sa aking sasakyan. I looked down, my heart was pounding inside my chest. But then he gripped my chin just so I would have to see the ruthlessness and anger in his soulful eyes. Damang-dama ko ang galit niya sa kabila ng kanyang kalmadonh ekspresyon.

"Next time... be careful. You don't know who you will bump into. You're lucky you are my girlfriend that's why I am not suing you... babe." He mocked me.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at namula ng husto. I cursed silently to remove my worldly thought of him. Nang-uuyam siyang ngumisi sa akin bago ako hinila pasakay sa kanyang sasakyan.

Agad akong nagkumawala sa kanyang hawak. "W-Where are you taking me?! Let me go!H-Hindi ako sasama sa iyo!"

"Just shut your mouth." I don't have time to process when he put me inside and locked the doors when he was in, turned on the engine before swiftly maneuvering it.

Tinanaw ko ang sasakyan ko na paunti-unting naglalaho sa aking paningin.

"What about my car?! Hindi mo pwedeng iwan lang iyon doon!"

He massaged the bridge of his nose. "I already ordered someone to take care of that."

Padabog kong isinandal ang likod sa upuan. I glared at him with so much hate written on my eyes. Kung hindi lang talaga siya ang makakatulong sa akin, matagal ko na itong binigwasan.

And what did he call me? B-Babe? Girlfriend? He gotta be kidding me! I just agreed at his offer last night! Now he's acting as if our relationship isn't just because of the deal. What a great boyfriend you are, Thaddeus Trimarco!

Hindi ko alam kung saan niya ako dadahil. O kung may balak pa ba siyang pababain ako. Staring at him for almost minutes now as he drives his car with a dark expression, I finally realized the consequences of my actions.

Pero wala na rin naman akong magagawa. I already agreed at him. Bukas na rin ang birthday party ng kanyang ina. Backing out will just complicate everything.

"I told you last night to meet me in the cabin." Pagbasag niya sa katahimikan. "You left early..."

Naningkit bigla ang mga mata niya. I unbelievably gulped as he stared at me as if what I did was something unacceptable! Grabe naman itong lalaking ito.

"Mas ayos na iyon kaysa maabutan kita. My father taught me ways how to ignore men."

"That's why we ate together the other day, huh?" Nang-aasar niyang turan.

I scoffed, a little embarrassed now. Iba naman kasi iyon. I didn't know he's there so it's not counted. Hell, I didn't even know he knew that place.

"We should dine somewhere. I'm hungry." Sabay kanan niya nang hindi ako umimik. "I know a place. It's exclusive so no media will be there."

This is awkward. For real.

"Ikaw na lang. Busog ako." Pagdadahilan ko. His brow shot up.

"Really?" He was mocking. Umirap ako dahil sa loob-loob ko, ayoko lang gumastos dahil nagtitipid ako. "Don't worry. It's my treat."

My eyes widened a little. Dating sakin niyon ay alam niyang nagtitipid ako. I'm broke, alright. I have my father's debt to pay since what he had left in his bank accounts isn't enough. Kaya ngayon hindi ko mapilit ang sariling gumastos lalo na't sa isang mamahaling restaurant iyon.

"Is that... Is that for real? Mamaya niloloko mo lang pala ako." I scoffed.

Inirapan niya ako. "I keep my promises. Not to mention you're my girlfriend now so why won't I treat you, babe?"

Inis akong suminghap, matatalim na tingin ang ipinukol sa kanya. He really is testing my patience. Kung sa bagay, sa pagmumukha niya pa lang, alam mo nang mahilig itong mang-asar. He's the type of a man who likes teasing people but when he got teased, todo kung magalit.

Tsk. Pikunin.

"Stop calling me babe. Ang pangit pakinggan."

"Bakit? You want baby instead?" He then asked darkly that made me caught off guard. Namula ako ng husto.

"Hala ka, hindi, a! I just hate endearments, that's all!" I became so defensive. Umiling ako ng makailang ulit sa sarili at tinitigan na lang ang harapan.

He shook his head. Madilim pa rin ang tingin sa akin. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Napatitig ako sa kanya bago umiling. "Uh, wala. H-Hindi ko sinasagot."

Slowly, he nodded with a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Good. No commitment to someone else. This will be easy than I thought."

"How about you? Wala ka bang girlfriend o kahit fling? Mamaya tinatawag na pala akong kerida nang hindi ko alam."

"I don't do girlfriends."

Napamaang ako sa seryoso niyang sagot. He tilted his head, tinatantya ang aking ekspresyon. I just shrugged to lighten the atmosphere between us, acting as if his words didn't matter.

"Sa bagay... ang mga katulad mo nga namang bachelor, malabong magseryoso." Matabang kong sagot.

His forehead creased. Masama ang tingin niya sa akin dahil tingin niya'y nayurakan ko na naman ang pagkatao niya. Napaigtad ako nang mabilis niyang minaneho ang sasakyan, umiingting ang panga, hanggang sa huminto iyon sa isang restaurant.

It's The Eclipse. A restaurant near the beach. Agad kaming inassist ng mga staff at kinuha agad ang order namin. I ordered a N'aulin Shrimp and Grits for myself plus a cocktail and when I looked at him, he was looking at the menu intently. Nakapangalumbaba at malalim ang hininga.

"Grilled Jerk Wings. I want that one." He said which made me crave for its taste.

Masarap iyon!

Ngumuso ako at hindi na umapila pa. I waited for the waiter to leave before I gazed him. Ganoon na lang ang kaba ko nang maabutan siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"What?" He asked, raising a brow.

"Nothing. Nevermind." Saka ko kinuha ang telepono para roon ituon ang atensyon.

Julius has been calling me for how many times. I didn't even notice. Nakapower off ang phone ko kaya hindi ko man lang na tumawag pala siya.

Julius:

Kelsey, come back here now, please. The press are asking about you.

Napaingos ako saka pinatay ang telepono. I looked up just to be welcomed by his intimidating eyes, startling me. Tumaas ang kilay niya.

"Who's that?"

"Katrabaho lang. Just asking about work." I bit my lip.

Bahagya siyang tumango. "Tomorrow's my mother's birthday. I want to formally present you as my girlfriend. You agree with this deal so I supposed there's nothing about that."

Alam ko naman iyon. Hindi ko lang talaga di maiwasang kabahan sa isiping si Cliona at Sage Trimarco ang kakaharapin ko!

Nagkandalunok-lunok ako. "I-Ipapakilala mo ako sa parents mo bilang g-girlfriend?"

The side of his lips rose. "Of course. That's the part of the deal, isn't it?" He's mocking me. "Also, expect the crowd and the media. My Mama loves attention."

"What if they ask me about us? Ibig kong sabihin, anong sasabihin ko? That... we met at a club, you tried to rape me and now offered me a deal to save my family's land?"

Umigting ang panga niya ako bago naging masama ang tingin sa kanya. "You don't need to tell them anything. Hindi sila makakalapit sa iyo. I'll protect you from them."

Bahagya akong kumalma roon. Kaya lang, mayroon pa rin akong tanong na di masagot-sagot.

"Okay." I shook my head.

Nang dumating ang pagkain, ako na agad ang nagsimulang kainin iyon para lang hindi kami magkakaroon ng pag-uusap. I noticed his furrowed eyebrow the moment we started. Pansin rin ang kanyang iritasyon base sa kilos at mukha pero wala naman akong pakialam sa kanya kaya hinayaan ko lang.

Kaya lang, nang palabas na kami sa restaurant, nagulat ako nang makita ang sandamakmak na paparazzi sa labas na naghihintay sa amin. My eyes widened as I heard flocks of cameras everywhere. Thaddeus immediately covered me with his arms.

"Kayo na bang dalawa, Mr. Trimarco?"

"We need a confirmation about this!"

"Thaddeus Trimarco, totoo bang si Kelsey Lafuente na ang bago mong kasintahan?"

"How long are you two been together?"

Those spicy questions made me wonder how these people knew we are here. Kinakabahan na ako sa sasabihin sa akin ng aking mga kamag-anak!

"Fuck." Rinig kong mahinang mura niya habang pinoprotektahan ako sa media papunta sa sasakyan.

He gazed me. Kailangan ko pang tumingala sa tangkad niya. I pouted when I saw his creasing forehead, angry pouty lips and dark eyes as he was wrapping his arms in the small of my back in a possessive manner.

Kahit na nakasakay na kami sa sasakyan, kumakalabog pa rin ang dibdib ko.

"How did they know we're here?!" Galit niyang tanong pero mukhang sarili niya naman ang kausap.

I remained on my seat, a little scared. Madiin ang hawak niya sa manibela bago iyon pinaandar, umiigting ang panga.

Hanggang sa maiuwi niya ako sa cabin at gumabi na, iyon pa rin ang naiisip ko. And I wasn't wrong because when I opened my social media accounts, I was all over the news. We are.

Fuck.

Shandreev