The Greatest Pretender

Chapter 8

Focus!

Nasa sasakyan kami ngayon ni Max papunta sa isang hotel para sa venue ng party nung ex nya. Sosyalin! Hotel ang venue! Parang debut lang!

Napatingin ako kay Max.

“Hey monks!” tawag ko sakanya. Monks short for monkey! Oha! Mas sosyal ngayon kaysa sa unggoy. Simula ngayon yan na ang tawag ko sa kanya. Napagtanto ko kasing ang pangit nung Maxi masyadong pang normal, di bagay sa kanya! Gagamitin ko pa din naman yun sa harap ng ibang tao lalo nung ex nya pero monks naman pag kaming dalawa nalang.

Napatingin sya sa akin ng nagtatanong ang mata. “What? Stop calling me monks, beks!”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Will you please calm your balls?!” He gaped at me. “Oh please! I know I look extra beautiful tonight but can you stop staring and focus your eyes on the road? It’s bad enough that you’re driving speedily but then your mind just have to be somewhere in outerspace and your eyes staring at my beauty!” I told him. He seems really nervous yet I can feel he is excited too.

He laughed. “Do you eat yourself? Because you are just so full of your self, really!” He said mockingly but I noticed that we are slowing down. Thank heavens! I thought I’d be seeing angels on our destination if he kept that speed!

I laughed sarcastically. “HA-HA-HA! Very corny, monks! But seriously, don’t be so obvious that you’re nervous! Baka dahil sa kaba mo ay mabuking pa tayo. So, relax okay? Think happy thoughts then inhale---exhale.” I said to him trying to help him relax his nerves.

I can hear him sigh from time to time. He’s probably really really nervous especially now that we just parked in front of the hotel. Gusto kong matawa sa nakikita ko sa kanya. Para lang kasi syang teenager kung umasta at isang Max Montelibano kinakabahan? Wow na wow talaga! Sarap picturan for it lasts longer.

As I got out of the car, our hands automatically entwined. Holy guacamole! What was that? I thought I literally saw sparks between our hands! Ugh! Bianca, focus! Forget what you saw. Forget how you felt. It must have been part of the pretense, you know, props?! I sighed. Think happy thoughts, Biancs! We are holding hands. Focus! There were sparks! Oh damn it! I retrieved my hand from his grasp. He stopped walking and looked at me puzzled. Oh double damn! He looks so gorg with that face on! Bianca Sollen, I said focus! So, I looked away and linked my arms with his instead. I sighed in relief. Much better!

I looked at him again and found him eyeing me. I raised a brow and smirked. “Good thing you are not driving anymore or else we might get into accident from the way you are staring at me.” I said mockingly.

He chuckled while shaking his head. “Nah. I’m just wondering, you don’t seem affected about all this at all. Are you always that confident? I mean, I don’t see you fretting. Kung ibang babae ata siguro di na din mapakali knowing na they will be pretending during the whole duration of the party.”

I chuckled. Lumabas na naman kasi ang pagka Mr. Curious nito. “I don’t see why I should let it get to me. And besides, I’m used to this.”

“Pretending as someone’s girlfriend?” he asked.

I laughed! “Silly! Of course not! This is my first time JUST pretending. Anyway, how are you feeling? Still feeling nervous?” Tanong ko sakanya.

He just shook his head. “Come on! Let’s get inside. They are all probably there.” Then we continued walking.

When we entered the hall, I stiffened. I saw familiar faces, not because I know them personally but because they are big names in the business industry, show business and even politics. I can also see reporters taking pictures everywhere! Hindi ko ito inaasahan! But I should have known, magpawelcome party ba naman? Who still does that today? Only rich people! Duh!

Mayaman ang ex nya. Yet again, something that I’m not. I shouldn’t feel this way but I really feel inadequate. Na para bang ako iyong girlfriend na naiinseure sa ex. Gosh! It should be the other way around! And besides, I shouldn’t be affected hindi dapat ako mainsecure dahil lang sa mas nakahihigit yung ex nya sa akin sa lahat ng aspeto. At higit sa lahat ay kumbaga trabaho lang ito, nagpapanggap lamang ako. I must turn the table over! Siya dapat ang makadama ng ganito. Now, I am more determined than ever.

Someone spoke. A reporter. “Max and your date, smile at the camera!” Sabay tutok ng camera sa amin. Oh yeah! It’s show time, baby then I smiled oh so sweetly for the camera.

Marami ang nakakakilala kay Max dito kaya naman ay every step ata namin tumitigil kami dahil may bumabati at kumakausap sa kanya. They were talking in a business language kaya naman nagmukha akong butiki sa tabi nya na nakakapit sa braso nya. But yes all of them asked him about me, wherein Max always introduced me as his girlfriend kaya naman ay marami pang reporters ang nagtake ng picture namin together with different big people. Broadcasted talaga ang relationship namin, as in literally! I wouldn’t be surprised if tomorrow my face would be in the newspaper because this party is certainly going to be in it.

We decided to look for the others. Sabi kasi nila ay nasa may sulok silang part trying to find some peace from all the reporters. Obviously, hindi sila fan ng mga ito. I saw Kath waved at us kaya naman ay nagpunta na kami doon. I can tell na wala pa si Krizzy. I’ll call him/her nalang when we reach the table anyway hindi pa naman nagsisimula talaga yung party.

Nung nakalapit na kami sa table ay may nakabangga akong lalaki. Akmang aatras kasi sya, ako naman ay dadaan.

“Sorry!” sabay naming sabi.

Nanigas ako. I know that voice even with my eyes closed. I slowly looked at the guy and there I saw who it is.

“Sollen!” sabi nya na tila nagulat ng makita ako.