Island Trap (Book 1 of Trap Trilogy)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Fall

"Come on, Eve, you need a break. This is just once in a lifetime!" Akio repeated for the nth time. I tried to reject him the first time he invited me, but he's too persistent!

Ano ba ang gagawin ko sa party na iyon? Some of them didn't even know me. Lalo na't puro mga hapon ang guests doon.

I waved my hand in dismissal before I held my straw and sipped my strawberry shake. Mabuti sana kung may malalandi akong sikat na lalaki roon na mas magpapabango ng pangalan ko sa industriya ng showbiz, pero nasisiguro kong puro matatandang businessman lang ang makikita ko.

Baka matipuhan pa nila ako. Like, duh?

"Sidra Everleigh, please? Kahit ngayon lang. I don't have someone with me."

Ang kulit talaga nitong si Akio.

My brows creased. "Bakit kailangan ba ay may muse ka? Hindi ba't business event naman iyon?"

"Please, Everleigh. Tell me how will I convince you."

Biglang natigil ang dapat kong paghigop nang marinig iyon.

He sighed in defeat. "Damn it. Hindi ka talaga makuha ng libre, no? Kahit pinsan, may bayad."

"Of course, Akio." Tinapik ko ang pisngi niya. "Bawasan naman natin iyang yaman mo."

"Look who's talking!"

At a very young age, he already made his name in the business world. He's one of the best assets of their company, that's why in every big event his presence is needed. I couldn't help but be proud of him. Parang dati ay sabay lang kaming pumasok noong highschool, madalas niya akong pakopyahin kapag may assignment sa Math at lagi naman siyang nagpapagawa sa akin ng essay. Give and take, ganoon talaga kaming magpinsan.

I am just wondering. Bakit kaya wala pa akong nababalitaang girlfriend nito? Hindi ko naman maamoy na bakla siya.

"Tell me what do you want."

"Just a designer bag. I'll send you the picture."

Umawang ang bibig niya sa sinabi ko. "Kahit kailan talaga, Everleigh!"

I shrugged. "Mahal ang talent fee ko."

Nang mag-send na ako sa kanya ng picture ng bag na gusto ko, napatitig siya ng ilang minuto roon na parang nag-aalinlangan pa siya kung isasama niya pa ba ako o hindi.

"Well?"

"I'll send this right after the party."

Ngumisi ako sa kanya. I leaned across the table and kissed his right cheek. "Best cousin ever."

He rolled his eyes. Ipinaliwanag na niya sa akin kung kailan ang party. Hindi na rin naman ako nagtaka kung bakit sa ilang palit ni Akio ng trabaho ay puro Japanese company ang napapasukan.

He told me that he preferred Japanese companies, dahil bukod sa kalahi niya, gusto niya rin ang magandang pamamalakad at sistema ng mga iyon. I just nodded at him. Wala rin naman ako masasabi.

"Pwede ba akong lumandi roon kapag may gwapo?"

"Kaya ka naba-bash ng mga tao, Eve! Stop that!"

I playfully laughed. "That will be so boring! Wala talagang ka-edad natin doon?"

Mas nanliit ang chinitong mata ng pinsan ko. "Eve, umayos ka."

"Alright. Pero kapag may nakita talaga akong gwapo roon . . ."