DM #3: Sage Madriaga

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

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I woke up early to attend the conference meeting and to get the key of the car. I borrowed it from Kuya Dean. Tumawag ako kagabi para manghiram at hinatid sa parking lot kaninang madaling araw.

Nang matapos ang paghahanda, diretso na akong lumabas ng condo. I'm wearing a black v neck romper, paired with a black watch and stiletto pump heels. I wore aviators and use a Versace handbag.

I arrived at 8:30 a.m. at the venue and after thirty minutes of waiting, the conference officially started. The main purpose of the meeting was to get my comments on being an ambassador of a luxury brand. Hindi lang iyon natapos sa usaping iyon, pero lumagpas din sa latest na pageant na sinalihan ko.

The conference lasted for one hour. Madali lang iyon kung ikukumpara sa mga huling conference na nadaluhan ko.

Nanatili muna ako sa room dahil sa iilang gustong kumausap sa akin. Hindi rin iyon nagtagal at hinatid na ako ng dalawang bodyguards patungo sa parking lot.

I don't need bodyguards anymore, since the media already asked their questions inside the conference. Hindi na nila ako lalapitan pa.

But then, one of the owners of the brand I endorsed suggested it for my safety. Hindi na ako nagpumilit sa kagustuhan na mag-isang bababa.

I thanked the bodyguards before going inside my car. Nilabas ko na ang sasakyan sa parking lot ng building.

I'm in the middle of driving when Venus called me. Mabilis ko iyong sinagot.

"Hello, Venus."

"Your car will be there in the afternoon. Good thing, someone helped me."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Who helped you?"

"Sage Madriaga called me that he's the one who brought you home. He volunteered to call for someone who will repair and tow your car early in the morning. Pumayag na rin ako."

Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ko habang nakikinig sa kanyang sinasabi.

"I called you last night. Bakit hindi mo sinabing tumawag sayo?"

"What's the big deal ba? He called me after you dropped the call,"

"You should call me back," inis ko nang sabi, hindi para kay Venus kung hindi kay Sage.

"Ano bang problema?" he's now curious with my sudden annoyance.

I gritted my teeth and started to calm myself instead.

I don't want to think our interactions as a big deal. Pero hindi ko na napipigilan ang sarili dahil palagi na lang siyang nangingialam.

I don't want him around me. Sigurado akong alam niya iyon. Sinusubukan kong iiwas ang sarili pero bigla-bigla na lang siyang sumusulpot.

I don't want to assume or anything, but I felt like he's following me. Mas napapatunayan ko na baka nga sinusundan niya ako dahil hindi naman ganito noon.

He never talked to me and we never had an interaction. Iniiwasan ko siya at mukhang ganoon din ang ginagawa niya. Kaya bakit biglang ngayon ganito na?

Sa huli, inisip ko na lang na baka nagkataon lang na nasa isa kaming lugar.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili na hingin ang number niya kay Venus para makausap. I felt so mad and irritated, but I was able to stop myself in doing the things that I might regret later.

The only schedule I have today was the conference, but I felt drained. Kaya nang nakauwi na ako sa condo, agad akong dinalaw ng antok.

I fell asleep and just woke up at 4 pm. Nakatulog ako na hindi kumakain ng tanghalian. Kaya nang makabangon, diretso akong naglakad patungo sa kusina. I cooked pasta for myself.