RED (Aragonza #1)

RED 9

After the long day, Red was relaxing at the pool with Vico. He made a makeshift bar at the poolside. Bourbon is the drink of the night.

"Red, bakit naka-sunglasses ka? Wala namang araw," puna nito.

"Walang araw pero may ilaw. My eyes will hurt," sagot niya.

"E di patayin."

"Patayin mo," utos niya sa pinsan.

Vico grimaced. Hindi yata nito malaman kung nagbibiro siya o ano. May nakabukas kasing poste sa likod bahay. Awtomatiko itong nagbubukas kapag alas sais na ng gabi at namamatay kapag alas sais na ng umaga.

"Red, can we invite the two hot guys over?" pag-iiba nito ng topic. "Napansin ko kasi na you don't spend time with them e. Pa'no ka makakapili sa kanila kung hindi mo sila kinikilalang mabuti?"

"Tigilan mo 'ko, Vico. Gusto mo lang silang makitang nakahubad e."

Ngumisi ito. "Hindi naman ako tatanggi. Pero valid din naman yung sinabi ko sa 'yo, di ba?"

She blew some air off. "I don't need to know them. I just agreed to this setup so I could buy myself more time."

"Para namang wala kang ginagawa e."

"Natural. Hindi ko naman trabaho ang magpakapagod. That's your job."

"I only do what you ask me to do, Red. Since you have me on the leash, you have to give me instructions bago ako kumilos, di ba?"

She simple replied with a grunt.

"Red, invite na natin sila, please. Ang boring kasi kung tayong dalawa lang e."

Tinanggal niya ang sunglasses at pinagtaasan ng kilay ang pinsan. "Inuutusan mo 'ko?"

"No. I'm begging," he replied sardonically. "Didn't you hear me say please?"

Red rolled her eyes. "Fine. But if they get out of hand, I'll drown you."

Ngumisi si Vico sa kanya. "No need. I'll drown myself."

Naiiling na lamang niyang ibinalik ang sunglasses habang si Vico naman ay umahon sa pool. It's a good thing na hindi ni Vico pansin ang pagtingin niya sa katawan nito. He might feel like he's being harassed with her blatant stare. But she can't help it. Until today, nanghihinayang pa rin siya kay Vico.

Vico could have been every girl's ideal guy, kung hindi lang ito bakla. It's probably the reason why his parents gave him to her family as payment for their debts. Tingin kasi ng mga ito ay walang pakinabang si Vico dahil sa pagiging bakla nito, which is not true.

He had proven himself useful countless of times. And even though nakakapanghinayang na bakla ito, it worked on her favor. Having no siblings, she treats Vico as her... well... a combination of both a sister and a brother.

Ayaw nga lang niyang sabihin dito. Baka matuwa pa ito.

When Vico came back, lampas tenga ang ngiti nito. He was followed by Vince and Troy, who are both already naked from the waist up. Hindi niya napigilang mapataas ang isang kilay.

"And why are you half-naked?" tanong niya sa dalawa.

"Mag-si-swimming kami. Why else?" nakangising tanong ni Troy.

"Pool ko 'to. Ako lang ang may karapatang mag-swimming dito."

"Then why the hell did you invite us here?" asked Vince, irate.

"I didn't. Si Vico ang nag-imbita sa inyo."

"It's just the same, Red. Vico won't do it without your permission."