Love Me or Hate Me

EPISODE 02

"Thank you for dining with us, sirs. Please come again."

Javi smiled warmly at the customers as they left their table. Naibulsa na rin niya ang tip na ibinigay nila sa kanya kanina. It's already late in the afternoon and his shift is about to end. Dahil na rin sa pagbabanta sa kanya ni Sir Rex kahapon, maagang uuwi ngayon si Javi.

"Looks like I won't be seeing you tonight," Lemuel told Javi as the latter joined the former in the counter. "Balak ko pa naman sana kitang yayain na mag-inuman after our work. Well, looks like I'll just have to invite you next time."

"Buti na lang talaga at maaga akong lalabas ngayon," sabad naman ni Javi. "Alam na alam ko na ang patutunguhan ng pag-imbita mo sa 'kin. Nice try, dude."

The door opened and in came a customer na agad namang binati ng receptionist nila. As Javi and Lemuel turned around, the latter was suddenly glued on his spot, apparently shocked with the arrival of the newcomer.

"But. . . Isn't that. . ."

Javi ignored his friend and walked towards the customer, bowing at him lightly and smiling.

"Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to our restaurant. Here's the menu. Just please call me once you already have an order," Javi said. To his surprise, nakilala niya ang lalaki mula kagabi.

"Hi!" the guy replied, apparently recognizing Javi as well. "Thank you. Tawagin na lang kita when I have an order."

Javi bowed at the guy before heading back to the counter where Lemuel was still standing in shock.

"Problema mo?" tanong sa kanya ni Javi.

Lemuel blinked several times. "Problema ko? Ako dapat ang nagtatanong niyan sa 'yo. Hindi mo ba nakikilala kung sino lang ang kinausap mo?" bulong sa kanya ni Lemuel.

Javi raised an eyebrow.

"I forgot. Wala ka nga palang panahon sa showbiz. For your information, that guy is Rei Cuerva. He's just one of the biggest celebrities here in the country," Lemuel said.

"Oh, okay," Javi replied nonchalantly. "Cool. Who cares?"

"He's working at the same television network where Asa used to work. In fact, he's generally considered to be secondary only to Asa when it comes to talent and appeal. He's been getting a lot of projects recently, most probably because the network's former number one sweetheart suddenly decided to cut off ties with them and disappear without a trace," Lemuel said.

Javi looked at the guy. Ngayong tinititigan na niya ito nang mas maigi, saka lang niya na-realize na hindi nga imposibleng maging artista ito. Topped by his wavy hair with a faint shade of blue, the guy's facial features looked striking and powerful. His dark eyes were piercing yet soft, and despite his small stature and seemingly gentle demeanor, he emanated a strong aura of confidence. He definitely looks like someone who knows how to carry himself.

Hindi na lang umimik pa si Javi sa sinabi ng kaibigan niya. Buti na lang at tinawag na siya ulit ng customer kaya nagkaroon siya ng rason para hindi na sagutin pa ang sinabi ni Lemuel.

"I'm leaving," Javi said upon returning to the counter and relaying the order to the kitchen. "It's already five. Nangako rin ako kay mama na uuwi ako nang maaga ngayon. Ikaw na ang bahala sa customer," sabi pa niya kay Lemuel.

His friend only looked too happy to take his place.

Javi couldn't even dare to work overtime. Pinag-iinitan na siya ni Sir Rex at ayaw naman niyang kaladkarin palabas ng restaurant. Moreover, napapansin din niyang madalas na siyang kumustahin ng nanay niya. Javi knows that a lot of people are worried for him, kaya naman matapos niyang pag-isipan ang gagawin niya ay napagdesisyunan niyang bawasan na muna ang pagtatrabaho niya. He's even considering taking a leave from his work.

It was half-past five when Javi finally stepped out of the restaurant. Naisipan din niyang mag-take out ng pagkain para sa pamilya niya kaya may daraanan muna siya bago umuwi sa kanila.

He's already waiting for a taxi beside the street outside their restaurant when an unfamiliar voice suddenly called him from behind.

"Hello."

Javi turned around and, to his surprise, saw the customer from earlier smiling at him widely. He immediately bowed at the guy.

"Ay, hello po. May kailangan po ba kayo?" tanong naman niya agad dito.

"Nothing, really," the guy replied. "You're Jarvey, right? I remember your name from last night."

He nodded awkwardly. "Javi for short po."

The guy suddenly held out his hand. "I'm Reinan Cuerva. Just call me Rei," he said.

Javi took Rei's hand and shook it. "It's nice to meet you po. I hope you enjoyed your stay in our restaurant," he answered, unsure of what to say.

"Don't 'po' me, okay? You make it sound like I'm old. I'm only 25," Rei replied.

"I'm 22 po," sagot ni Javi.

"Really?" Rei said in disbelief. "Mas matanda pa pala ako sa 'yo. Still, ayoko pa ring i-address mo ako with 'po.' Hindi naman nagkakalayo ang edad natin."

"Uh, may kailangan po ba kayo?" tanong sa kanya ni Javi. Some people in the area were already looking at them, with some even taking out their phones to take photos of Rei. Javi suddenly remembered that he's currently talking to a celebrity. This is also the last thing that Javi wanted to happen to himself: to be at the center of unwanted attention.

Rei stepped back. "Actually, may lakad ka ba?" tanong naman nito.

"Not really. May daraanan lang po ako bago ako umuwi," sagot ni Javi.

"I see. Looks like you're busy. Well, if you don't mind, pwede ko bang makuha ang number mo?" tanong ni Rei.

The words took several seconds to register in Javi's mind.

"What?"

"Well, I would like to know more about you, Javi," Rei replied. "This might sound so sudden, but I'm actually interested in you. I can understand your discomfort lalo't artista ako. Still, here's my calling card. I also can't stay for long anyway; but I'm free in the coming days, so you can call me any time."

Javi's brain couldn't even keep up with Rei's words.

"I'd love to go out with you for coffee or dinner, so I'll be waiting for your call, cutie," Rei said, pinching Javi's cheek and winking at him before walking away.

Matagal nang nakaalis si Rei pero nakatulala pa rin si Javi sa kawalan habang hawak-hawak ang calling card na ibinigay sa kanya.

Uh. . . What the hell?