Strawberries and Cigarettes

PROLOGUE

Tahimik na tumitig si Hugo kay Catalina. He wasn't expecting this one. Hindi niya inaasahan na ang babaeng nagpapainit sa kama niya gabi-gabi at ang babaeng pakakasalan niya ay iisa. He felt a pressure building up against his chest and shoulders. Hugo folded the menu and stood up.

"Sebastian Hugo Ruiz," he said, reaching out his hand.

Inabot ni Catalina ang mainit na palad ng binata. "Catalina Garcia."

Catalina saw a glint of anger and hunger in his eyes. It has been a month since they last saw each other. He still sounds as sexy as he was. She still wonders if Hugo has forgotten about her.

"Great!" wika ng abogadong kasama nila. "Let's order food, I'm famished. We could talk about your marriage while we eat.”

Mabilis na binawi ni Catalina ang kamay niya mula kay Hugo at ngumiti kay Atty. Hidalgo. Gulat pa rin si Hugo kahit hindi na nakalapat ang mga kamay ni Catalina sa kanya. Muling siyang naupo habang malalim na nakatitig sa kaharap.

"How's your wife, Attorney?" Catalina asked.

Napangiti ang abogado. "She gradually healed because of your help, Miss Garcia. I'm really glad to have you. Your father must be very proud..."

Tumikhim si Hugo ngunit hindi siya pinansin ng dalawa. He ended up staring at Catalina who had a small smile on her face. He couldn't tell if it was fake or genuine. After all, she lied about her whole identity.

Tumango ang dalaga sa sinabi ng abogado. "How about your daughter? Rica right?"

Atty. Hidalgo nodded. "She excelled in her class and became the valedictorian. Natutuwa ako sa batang iyon. Mahilig mag-aral."

Mahinang tumawa si Catalina. "Nasaan na pala siya? I like her wittiness."

​Hugo was observing Catalina every time she moved. From the way, she stares at Atty. Hidalgo, from the way she avoids Hugo's eyes, from the way she gracefully flips her hair. She had a light aura and she looked so approachable. But honestly, it was hard getting her attention, speaking from Hugo's experience.

"She's with her grandma during summer. Umuuwi dito na may sandamakmak na notebook tapos nililista lahat ng mga nalaman niya."

Catalina laughed in a proper way. Natigilan si Hugo. It wasn't her usual loud laugh, it wasn't her fake laugh either. Isang buwan lang ang lumipas pero para bang ibang tao na si Catalina. Nothing's genuine... Or is it because Hugo knew Sienna and not Catalina.

The two continued talking na para bang wala si Hugo sa harap nila. Their order came which made them stop talking. Catalina started taking the napkin on her plate and placed it on her lap. Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Hugo. Sienna normally eats with her hands, but Catalina was prim and proper. Sienna loves laughing like there's no tomorrow, but Catalina was reserved. Sienna always loves strawberries, does Catalina do?

"Have you ordered drinks?" Attorney asked.

"Let me," Hugo insisted and raised his hand to call the waiter.

The waiter immediately came up to them. Pasulyap-sulyap ito kay Catalina.

Sumama ang mukha ni Hugo and Catalina noticed it. "Staring is rude," Hugo said in a deep voice.

Halatang natigilan ang waiter at nanginig. "S-Sorry, sir. Order p-please?"

"Strawberry milkshake, a glass of water," nilingon ni Hugo ang abogado at nilingon ang abogado upang itanong kung ano ang gusto nito.

Natutop ang labi ni Catalina pero hindi niya pinapahalata ang kaba. He still knows about her favorite drink. What about her food? Her favorite color? Her ideas?

Catalina wasn't expecting Hugo to be here also. She's scared that he might think of her as a whore. Those times they shared.... Natatakot siyang mapunta 'yon sa wala.

The waiter arrived but Catalina was about to stand. Nabangga ng waiter ang balikat ng dalaga na siyang naging dahilan ng pagkatapilok nito at pagkatapon ng mga inumin nila. Hugo was quick to catch Catalina in his arms. And as if everything went slow. She landed softly on Hugo's chest. Catalina gripped Hugo's arms for support, they were hard and she even felt them flexing. Libo-libong boltahe ang dumaloy sa katawan ng dalaga. Hugo held her back and waist tightly, scared of letting go. Maingat at pasimpleng pinaupo ni Hugo si Catalina sa hita nito. Umangat ang tingin ng dalaga sa binata.

"Who are you?" he whispered.

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ni Catalina nang marinig niya ang mga salitang 'yon. Just like how her heart beats when he smiles and laughs at her. She knew she was always fascinated by Hugo's small gestures, but today felt different. She felt like she wasn't herself.

Agad na umayos ng tayo si Catalina. When she looked around everything was a mess, and some media was trying to get a clear view of their private room. Nagmamadaling napatayo si Catalina, mabilis rin siyang naglakad papunta sa banyo.

Hugo immediately excused himself from Attorney Hidalgo and followed Catalina to the restroom. Kahit sinusundan sila ng mga media ay hinaharang naman sila ng mga security. The restaurant's security is tight and only invited people of loyal members of the restaurant are allowed. Hindi rin madaling makapasok dito, of course it was owned by Hugo.

"Sienna... Sienna, wait!" Hugo kept calling.

Catalina refused to look at Hugo. Mabilis siyang pumasok sa banyo at akmang isasara na nang dalaga ang pinto nang harangin 'yon ni Hugo at pumasok sa loob.

Luckily no one saw them.

Ni-lock ni Hugo ang pinto bago walang emosyon siyang nilingon. "Tell me..."

"I don't have to explain myself.”

Hugo ran his fingers through his hair. "So, what was that in New York? A one-time two-time kind of thing?!"

"I had my responsibilities," kalmado niyang sagot.

"And I had my priorities but I threw them away for you!"

"Then it's not my fault anymore."

Natigilan si Hugo. She changed a lot in a month. Hindi makapaniwala ang bata sa naririnig niya kay Catalina. He couldn't help but feel pity for himself. She became cold, distant... different. Was it all just for show?

"Now, can you please get out? I have to clean myself," Catalina said in a very calm voice.

Bumuntong-hininga si Hugo bago sumagot sa mahinang boses. “Yeah…. sure.”

Sa pag-aakalang aalis na ito, tumalikod na si Catalina. Ngunit sa kanyang pagkagulat, pumulupot ang mainit na kamay ni Hugo sa kanyang baywang at pilit siyang pinaharap dito. Malakas siyang napasinghap nang mapatingin sa mukha ng lalaki. He’s mad!

"Are you going to pretend like this until we get married?" Hugo asked, with a hint of anger.

Hinabol ng dalaga ang mga tingin ng binata. "If I say yes, does that make you even mad?"

"Hell, yeah!”

"Then yes, Sebastian Hugo. I will."

Walang sabi-sabing sinunggaban ni Hugo ang labi ng dalaga. Catalina who was already gasping for air, gasped even more. His kisses were hungry, torrid, and deep. Wala sa sariling napapikit si Catalina at napasampay ang mga kamay sa balikat ng binata. It wasn't Catalina's intention to anger Hugo, but she was already in a bad mood when he asked her.

Hugo's hands were on her waist, gripping her firmly. His anger melted away when he felt her caressing the back of his head. Bumagal ang mga halik niya, bumaba sa pangupo ng dalaga ang mga kamay niya. Catalina pulled back when Hugo gently squeezed her butt.

"Sebastian..."

"There you go, baby..." He was gasping for air. "My name sounds good when you say it."

Napapikit ng mariin si Catalina, hindi makapaniwala na h*****k siya pabalik. Hugo stole one last kiss from her before leaving the restroom. Nanghihinang napasandal si Catalina sa lababo. She sucked her breath and touched her lips. Nilingon niya ang sarili sa salamin.

"As*hole..."