CHAPTER 3

Naiinis kong pinatay ang tawag at binaba ang cellphone ko. I went out of my car and walked straight to the entrance of this hotel.

I was about to take my walk straight to the grand entrance when I was spotted by Ellie and her entourage. She's currently on her interview about her latest post on social media. I am not one of her stalker, I was just using mine to keep myself updated for my next moves.

I am not Attorney Audra Graciano for nothing.

"Minsan, kailangan din nating uminom para ipakita ang tunay nating anyo. Malay natin, may mga ahas at malandi sa gilid."

Honestly, I don't care about her statement. Hindi ko nga alam kung sarili niya ang tinutukoy niya o ako. Hindi na sana ako mapapansin ng mga paparazzi nang lingunin niya ako. Unti-unti kong inangat ang aking tingin sa kanila habang hinahalughog ko ang cellphone ko sa clutch bag ko.

"Miss Audra, nasa live television po tayo, we would like to ask for a confirmation about the issues between you and Alex Sandoval."

"Gusto na lang din po naming malaman kung may relasyon pa rin po ba kayo ni Alex ngayong napapabalita na nag-file na po ng annulment si Miss Ellie?"

Ngumiti ako at napatingin sa camera at reporters na pinagkakaguluhan ako. "I have the fifth amendment right against compelled self incrimination," sabi ko kaya lalo pang tumindi ang galit sa akin ni Ellie.

Sayaw lang ang ginawa namin. Kung tutuusin, si Alex lang ang parang rebelde sa sayaw niya tapos kasalanan ko pa?

"Are you for real, Attorney? Abogado ka! For sure you are so smart to think that wrecking a happy family is punishable by law," nanggagalaiti niyanf sumbat sa akin.

"I'm aware of that," tanging sabi ko.

"Exactly! Wala kang etiquette bilang isang abogado na ipinaglalaban ang batas."

I was booed by her entourage.

Nanatili pa rin akong ngumiti. "Wala namang pera si Alex. Mas mayaman ako kaysa sa inyo. So, why would I settle myself to a married man, Ellie? Hindi ako matutulungan ng pangangalantari ko sa isang mahirap."

Her face turned red. It wasn't my intention to embarrass her but she deserves it. Lumapit siya sa akin kaya wala akong naging ibang reaksyon kun'di ang panoorin siyang tignan ako.

"Tignan natin kung sino ang mawawalan ng pinaghirapan. Matitikman mo ang isang bagsik ng isang asawa na niloko at inahas," aniya. 

Hindi na ako pumatol o nagsalita dahil nakita ko na ang mga tauhan ni Gustavo. Ngumiti nga ako kay Ellie bago buksan ng tauhan ang daanan palabas. Before everyone could see his ruthless and dark expression, I finally took the chance to break my heels using my feet.

Gustavo finally went out and I was finally on the floor. He immediately looked at those people accusingly.

"Ah! My ankle is sprained!" I moaned.

If Ellie could be a good actress in front of camera, I can be also good at its finest.

Gustavo knelt down and looked at my foot. He looks so good on his blue slacks and white long-sleeve. Dahil nakaluhod siya nang bahagya, I intended to let Ellie see me looking at Gustavo's face.

"Saan ang masakit?" He's still holding my ankle.

"Ah!" maarte kong sigaw.

That's enough for him to trigger his good side. Ganyan naman siya lagi, noon pa. Just a closer look to him really makes me realize that he's more good looking than before.

"Let me take my car and I will bring you to the hospital," deklara niya.

Nagkatinginan kami at akala niya bibigay ako roon at matatakot.

"Let me take my car, then." He stood up.

"Nagtawag na rin ako ng medic, Kuya." Gustavo's brother, Dennis put down his phone.

"Better. I'll go get my car and I will bring her to her condo. Doon na lang kami mag-uusap," he said.

I smirked at Ellie. Lalo ko pang nakita ang kanyang ngiti dahil masyado siyang tutok kung paano mag-alala sa akin si Gustavo. He helped me first to settle on a chair. Ang kanyang braso ay nakapulupot sa aking baywang. Paika-ika akong kumapit sa kanyang balikat at nakuha ko pang ilingon ang aking mukha kay Ellie at ngumiti. Gustavo's jaw was clenching when he left me. Nakalayo na nang ilang metro si Gustavo sa kinaroroonan namin at dumating na rin ang medic. I stood up properly like nothing happened. I cleansed myself with the invisible dirt. Everyone's so stunned when I smiled evilly in front of Ellie.

I walked like a beauty queen and left the place. Malalaki ang aking hakbang pasunod kay Gustavo patungo sa sasakyan niya.

His car stopped at the direction I was walking. Dahil may ilaw, at para makita niyang mas artista ako sa babae niya, ngumiti ako at demanding na nanatili hanggang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan.

"Is this for real, Audra?" asik niya.

"Masama ba ang loob mong mag-uusap tayo na wala ang babae mo?"

"Are you jealous, Audra?" he asked with conviction.

"Why would I fucking jealous, Gustavo?" Pikon kong ibinaling ang aking masamang tingin.

"Where do you want to go, then?" He pressed his lips by twisting it.

"Kahit saan. Basta mag-usap tayo."

"What is it all about?" He drove heading to the familiar road.

Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas. Ang buong akala ko ay hindi na niya gustong balikan ang lugar na 'yon. But here we are, trying to go back to the place that's once become our safe haven.

Binaba ko ang salamin ng sasakyan dahil gusto kong langhapin ang lamig ng Baguio. "Kinausap ka na ba ng ama mo tungkol dito?" tanong ko.

"Is it urgent?" he asked me back like he's aware of something.

"Hindi rin naman. But if it's possible, it would be more better." I glanced at him.

"May I know your plans, then? You know... I am a bit concern with your work. It might be affected... "

Parang pinag-iisipan niya ang bawat salita niyang binibitiwan. Hindi halatang natuto na siya. 

I mocked. "Are you ready?"

"Always ready, Audra. Just take it slow..."

He's so sexy with every words he's saying. Hindi bagay na napakaayos niyang makipag-usap sa akin gayong matagal ko nang naririnig na nakakapanindig balahibo siya at nakakapinsala.

I nodded my head. "Let's settle the unfinished business first. Don't rush things, Gustavo."