Love To The Max ( An Action-Romance Story)

Chapter 9

Napapitlag si Bemery at napalingon mula sa pinanggalingan ng baritonong tinig na narinig niya. Nakita niyang kinikilig ang dalawang baklang parang naestatwa sa isang sulok doon.

"Oh, hi!" Lumapit sa kaniya ang lalaki. He was wearing a black tuxedo with plane red underneath. He looked so smart and attractive in a very simple way. Nalanghap ni Bemery ang men's cologne na gamit nito at lihim siyang humanga sa bango nito. That scent was so familiar to her. Napapikit siya saglit para alalahanin 'yun kung saan niya iyon nalanghap.

"Oh my, pareho sila ng pabango ni Maximus."

"I'm Urthur, Flora's son. I will be your escort tonight." Bago pa nakatanggi si Bemery ay hawak na nito ang kaniyang braso at isinukbit iyon sa braso nito. He's handsome too but not as manly as Maximus. His arms are not firm as his. She cannot feel some warmth in his palm. Unlike his, that even the tip of his finger sent an awakening heat to her body.

Iginiya siya nito papasok sa sasakyan at nginitian muna siya bago pinatakbo iyon. Ilang sandali ang dumaan ay narating na nila ang gymnasium na pinagdausan ng pageant. Napakaraming taong naroon at naghihiyawan tuwing may mapadaan na contestant papasok sa back-stage. Hinagip ni Urthur ang kaniyang palad at kumapit naman siya rito hanggang sa marating nila ang mesa para sa mga hurado. Nang makaupo siya ay umupo rin ito sa isa sa mga VIP seats doon ilang metro ang layo mula sa kaniya.

"Tonight, witness, as the fifteen georgeous men and fifteen dazzling young ladies vying for the most covetous crown, Mr and Miss SCUP 2015. Live here at V.R. Sacramento gymnasium, here's your host for tonight's event, Mr. Francis Dela Cruz and Ms. Jewel Gonzales."

Masayang naghihiyawan ang madla nang iniluwa ng stage ang guwapo at magandang host sa pageant nang gabing iyon. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay dumagundong ang buong gymnasium nang iniluwa naman niyon ang mga candidates wearing their festival attire. It was their production number. Aliw na aliw si Bemery sa panonood ng mga ito at pansamantala niyang nakalimutan si Maximus.

"In helping us to decide who deserves to win the crown, of course, we have here tonight the set of brilliant and exquisite judges." Tinawag ng babaeng host ang isang lalaking staff at ipinakilala isa-isa ang limang hurado na naroon.

"The last but never be the less judge, was a College Instructor, a Biology enthusiast and a researcher. She was a paradigm of beauty and intellect. A human goddess. Help me welcome, the Chairman of the Board of Judges, Miss Bemery G. Dela Riva."

Tumayo siya at kumaway sa manonood. She stole the spotlight and her beauty revealed in the crowd. Her eyes glimmered as she gave her sweet smile drawn in her pink-hued moist lips. The moment marked as history to one's eagle eye in the midst of the crowd.

Pagkatapos niyon ay sunod-sunod na ang pagdaloy ng programa hanggang sumapit ang question and answer portion. Since it was a battle of beauty and brains, the questions came directly from the board of judges.

"Contestant number 8, you got the judge number 3. This means that your question will be coming from Miss. Dela Riva." ani ng dalagang host. Tumango naman ang binatang kontestant.

"Hello, Mister." nakangiting wika ni Bemery nang bigyan siya ng microphone.

"Hi po."

"You looked handsome tonight and just stay calm. My question for you is, if you are a policeman, how will you change the image of your company when some of your comrades involved in crime, sexual assault and drugs?"

Ngumiti siya bago umupo at hinintay ang sagot ng binata. It's her personal question but still relevant to the society. She's hoping for a convincing answer.

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Pasado ala-una ng madaling araw na natapos ang pageant. Pagkatapos ng picture taking ay pumanaog na si Bemery sa stage at dumiretso na palabas ng gym nang hinabol siya ni Urthur at sinabihang ihahatid siya nito. Actually, she wanted to rest eagerly. Pagod na pagod na ang kaniyang mga binti dahil sa mataas na heel ng kaniyang suot na stiletto. Dahil doon pumayag na lang siya sa alok nito. Nasa lobby na sila ng gymnasium nang may biglang humablot sa kaniya. Muntik na siyang matapilok dahil doon ngunit maagap ang braso ng lalaki at nasalo siya.