The Paid Boyfriend • Vicerylle

Chapter Two

Sinalubong naman siya ng tili ni Mamang Teddy nang makapasok siya sa parlor, as usual.

"You're here again." Bati ni Mamang Teddy full smile at nakipagbeso kay Karylle

"Oo eh." She smiled. Her eyes look for a mirror then fix her wet curly hair at humarap ulit kay Mamang. "Because I have a favor to ask."

"What is it, my dear?"

"Where is him?" She asked and roam her eyes around. Some gays waved and smiled at her, she just response at them with a nod because she's busy looking for his figure.

"You mean, Vice?" Natatawang sambit ni Mamang Teddy at hinanap din ang pigura ng empleyado niya

"Oh, so his name is Vice." Wide smile automatically formed on her lips when she finally found him

"What about Vice, K?"

"Can I borrow him for a coffee? Don't worry, it will not take long. Just gave me one hour with him. There's just an important offer that I want to discuss with him." Mas lalo namang lumaki ang ngiti ni Karylle nang lumingon si Vice sa gawi niya at nagtama ang kanilang mga mata

"Sure. Basta ibalik mo siya in one piece at bakla parin?" Biro ni Mamang kaya napabalik sakanya ang tingin ni Karylle at tumawa. "Maiwan na muna kita dito at kakausapin ko si Vice. Okay?" Tumango naman ito na parang batang pinagbigyang gumala tuwing hapon.

Sa kabilang banda, nagkumpulan na naman ang mga bakla dahil sa babalik ni Karylle. Ay iba kinilig dahil sa ngiting ikinubli nito sakanila, ang iba naman ay naguguluhan at na-curious dahil parang may laman ang mga ngiti nito.

Sinundan naman nila si Mamang Teddy na naturang nakalapit na kay Vice at dumiretso sa likuran ng parlor, kung saan ang kanilang mini dining area.

Subalit naguguluhan ay tumango si Vice with a small smile on his lips.

"Vice, my friend who just arrived asked an favor." Panimula ni Mamang.

"O tapos? Anong maiitulong ko, Mamang?" Confusion written all over his face

"She's Karylle, a good friend of mine from way back. She asked me if she can take you out for a coffee. O teka, bago ka magreact--" Natawa naman si Mamang sa naging reaksyon ni Vice, gusot na gusot kasi ang pagmumukha nito. "Kakausapin ka lang daw niya about I don't know-- a proposal o something? Baka new work? I am not sure pero kung papayag ka, malalaman mo ang full details. Eh kung okay lang sayo?"

"Hmm... coffee at isang oras lang naman diba?" He caressed his chin while biting his lower lip "Kung new work o pandagdag kita... edi go! For Nanay!" He punched his fist up the air with a full smile.

"Buti naman. Don't worry, Vice. Harmless 'yang si Karylle." Mamang Teddy chuckled and give Vice a light pat on the shoulder

KARYLLE

While waiting for Vice, I sat on the couch while biting the back of my cheeks when two of the parlor gays approached me.

"Hi, gurl! Gusto mo bang maiinom? Juice? Coffee?" Buern, one of the 'senior' gays here in the parlor which means matagal na dito.

"Oh, that's so nice of you but I'll have one after this. Thanks!" I decline with a soft tone naman para hindi siya ma-offend

"Ay ganern? Okwaaay!" Nagthumbs up naman siya in response while the other gay sat right next to me... he's Archie.