A Million Dollar Body

Chapter 2

"Alright! Alright!" Aniya ng kaibigan at binaba ang hawak na baso.

Nakangisi ng malapad si Marga at katulad ng kaibigan ay binaba din niya ang hawak na cocktail glass at interesadong lumingon rito.

"We just had a one-night stand." Parang wala lang na sabi ni Chloe.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Marga sa narinig. Palagi na niya itong naririnig but it always surprise her. Napatakip ang dalawang kamay sa bibig niya.

"Oh my god!" Agad na tinungga ni Marga ang kanyang cocktail. "So how was it? Is he a good one?"

Kagat labing tumanggo si Chloe habang nakangisi.

"It was last week ago but it still fresh in my mind. Seriously honey, it was mind blowing!"

"Oh my! Where'd you met 'em?"

"Here! I was with my other friends then, and yah! He's oh, so, good baby! Like, damn!"

Natawa si Marga sa sinabi nito. 

"Done?"

Tanong ng isang lalaki malapit sa bar counter. Tumango naman ang bartender at inabot sa kasama nito ang isang tray ng mga cocktail drinks pero iba't-iba ang flavours.

"Architect Steffens is waiting for that." Nakangising anang bartender.

Nang marinig 'yon nila Marga ay dali-dali siyang hinila ni Chloe; they followed the waiter. As soon as they arrived at the second floor, Chloe called the guy.

"Hey there handsome! Wait!" Hindi lumingon ang waiter at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Marami-rami din ang taong dumadaan at maingay ang paligid dahil sa tunog sa dance floor sa ibaba kaya walang ibang nagawa si Chloe kundi batuhin ang likod nito ng kanyang pouch.

The man stopped at mabilis na lumingon sa likod.

Hinarap ni Chloe si Marga and slap her.

"You bitch! We've been in a relationship for four years now, but what you did?! You just tear us apart!"

Agad na nanlaki ang mata ni Marga sa inakto ng kaibigan. Hindi niya ito maintindihan.

Did she just... slap me? Anong ginagawa nito? Magsasalita na sana siya nang yakapin siya ni Chloe habang pekeng umiiyak.

Bumulong ito sa kanya.

"Marga, act. Do what I did."

"What? Why? Are you out of your mind? Chloe you make me look like a usurper!" Mahina ding bulong niya sa kaibigan.

"You talk to him and I'll do the rest. Please, don't be too obvious sweetheart."

"What? Hey Chloe—"

"Just do what I say!"

Hinarap siyang muli ng kaibigan at hinawakan ang mukha.

"It's okay, it's okay. You can have him. I'll let him go for you."

So, she's acting. Pinigilan niyang ngumisi. Hmm might as well play with her too.

Chloe then wiped her tears away, naglakad ito patungo sa waiter na ngayon ay nakatingin sa kanila. Mabuti nalang ang mga taong dumadaan ay walang pakialam.

"Oh, I'm so sorry mister. It wasn't my intention. It was an accident actually I just had fight with my ex-boyfriend's girl as what you've seen. I'm sorry again."

Nakangiti namang tumango ang waiter.

"It's fine, ma'am. I understand."

Kaagad na lumapit si Marga at pinulot ang pouch ng kaibigan. She handed it back to her.