Sought After (Manila Nights Series #1)

Chapter 18

"Sina Papa. Magpapakita lang ako sandali," sabi ni Jake sa amin ni Ko-en. Behind Jaime Gozon was his oldest, fathered to a mistress who was soon acknowleged by the society as his second wife, even when he's still with his first wife which is Jacques mother. Palibhasa galing din sa prominenteng pamilya iyong kabit, hinayaan na lang ng totoong asawa niya ang ganoong set-up.

"We still have space on our table. You could stay with us habang pinaparada pa si Levi na parang santo ng Angkong niya," Ko-en offered.

Nagnakaw ako ng tingin sa table na inu-occupied ng pamilya nito. Hearing his family communicate through their mother tongue made me decline his offer.

"Okay na ako rito. Thanks though," I said.

I expected Ko-en to walk to his family, but instead he comfortably leans his body on the pillar behind us. Sinundan ko ang mga mata niyang tahimik na nagmamasid.

"Okay lang ako rito."

"I know." Sandaling lumapat sa akin ang mga mata niya bago iyon bumalik sa panunuod ng mga bisita sa garden.

Seeing his father looks around and flashes a certain look after he has found his art prodigy son. Ko-en strutted in their direction like a model.

Umayos ako nang tayo at hinanda ang sarili na kunin ang nag-iisa na lang na wine sa tray ng papadaang waiter. Sakto sa paglapat ng daliri ko sa stem non ay ang paghawak ng isa pang kamay. He withdraw his hand and urged me to get the last glass. May dumaan ulit na waiter. Doon  na lang ito kumuha ng inumin niya.

The man glanced on my feet. I heard him scoffs as he seductively sips his wine. Hindi naman ako naakit, mas lamang sa akin na hilinging mabulunan siya.

"So, whose whore are you?" He asked, glancing at my feet again. Nilayo ko ang sarili at pinatong sa cocktail table ang inumin na hawak.

"Excuse me?"

"You're wearing a Blahnik, and you're with that circle of friend. New face which is why I know na isa ka sa bagong parausan ng isa sa mga magkakaibigan na iyon," anito. Tiim bagang ko itong tiningnan at plano na iwan na lang sana nang hawakan niya ako sa pala-pulsuhan at pinigilan na umalis.

"Wait, you didn't know the story behind those shoes?"

"Ayaw kong malaman."

"Take that shoes off, woman. Do you want to know why people are giving you that look as if you're some kind of dirty whore?" Humigpit na ang hawak ko sa clutch bag. Isang pangit na salita na lang at babasagin ko na ang ulo nito gamit ang parehas na bag.

"It's because they know that you are, thanks to those shoes given to you, by who? Si Jake ba?"

Gritting my teeth in anger disguised as a smile. Nilabas ko ang maliit na box at sinuot ang diamond ring na galing doon.

"Hindi naman na siguro mapapansin ng mga taong yan ang heels na suot ko dahil dito hindi ba?" tanong ko sa lalaki.

He was speechless, a sarcastic smile contorted on my lips, "It's nice to meet you, and I hope to never see you again."

"And oh, what's wrong with being one of that circle of friend's whore? I can't believe that you people are using it as a derogatory remark when we knew that any woman would kill to be that circle of friend's whore."

The man nearly loses his cool facade, "Guwapo ka naman. Mayaman din, for sure. Keep that mouth of yours shut and women might start lining up to whore out on you, too. Huwag ka na masiyadong mainggit sa mga babae nina Jake, ha?" I asked, patting his shoulder like a dog before I left him.

"Putangina. Hindi lang pala mga babae ang mahadera rito, pati rin mga lalaki," I whispered to myself. Sinarado ko yung gripo at sunod-sunod na humablot ng tissue para pang tuyo sa kamay ko.