Ruthless Beauty

Chapter 4

Even though I don't plan to stay long here in Manila, I still got their membership card. Pinlano ko kasing araw-araw na magpunta dito hanggang sa maibalik ko ang dating vital statistics ko.

When I got their silver membership card, I thanked the lady behind the counter and then proceeded with my warm up exercises. Nilapitan ako ng lalaking trainer at nagtanong kung kailangan ko ba ng assistance. He smiled at me while I am doing jumping jacks in front of him.

"No..." I said between huffing breaths. "I can handle."

"OK." He said rather enthusiastically. Huminto ako na hinihingal at pinagmasdan siya. He has an athletic build and lean body, as he should have. Matangkad din at may dimples. His skin is a bit darker and reminded me of the Comanche people I met three years ago in Moscow. He's cute, huh.

"Basta, sabihin mo lang kung may kailangan ka. I'll be there." he winked in a friendly manner before sauntering away. Napailing ako at ipinagpatuloy ang exercise na ginagawa.

Nang matapos ako ay nagdesisyon akong magsimula sa treadmill. I changed my playlist and placed my phone inside my duffel bag before I stepped into the equipment. Habang sini-set ko ang machine ay napansin ko ang papalapit na anino sa akin.

"Anna?"

I turned to see an unfamiliar woman. She's glowing and really beautiful with her short yet soft curls, white sports bra and dolphin shorts and black sneakers. Malapad ang ngiti niya sa akin. Kumunot naman ang noo ko.

"Hindi mo na ba ako natatandaan?" she chuckled softly. "I'm Cerise. Asawa ni Reuben!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang tuluyan nang mag-sink in sa isipan ko kung saan ko nga ba unang nakita ang babaeng ito. I stepped down from the mill to apologize to her.

"I'm so sorry..." I muttered. "I easily forget faces,"

She laughed again and then pulled me into a hug. "Wala yun! Oh my God! How long has it been? Five years?" when she pulled back, tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "You look really great!"

"Thank you. So do you." I said sincerely.

She giggled and stepped back, then pointed to the treadmill next to me. I nodded in understanding at sabay na kaming nag-jog.

"So, how are you?" she asked while running slowly at first.

"I'm good. And you?"

"Kapapanganak ko pa lang sa pangatlong anak namin ni Reuben," she smiled and then glanced down at her flat stomach. Medyo nagulat ako sa sinabi niya! She doesn't look like a mother of three sons! In fact, she's like a supermodel or something dahil sa hitsura at pangangatawan niya. Tinamaan kaagad ako ng insecurity. Cerise can maintain her body while being a mother. I, on the other hand, just gained weight just by staying here for a few weeks!

"Lumipat ba kayo ng tirahan ni Reuben? What are you doing here in Manila?" curious kong tanong sa kaniya habang patuloy ako sa pagtakbo.

She shook her head and smiled gently. "May showing ako ngayon dito sa Manila. And Reuben accompanied me for business. Binisita niya din ata si Blake. Teka, nagkita na ba kayo ni Blake—"

"Great. So, you paint?" I cut her off immediately, not wanting to answer her question.

Naintindihan niya din naman kaagad dahil tumango siya. "Yes. I'm a painter, Anna." She laughed softly. "You probably didn't know that. Isang beses lang tayong nagkita."

"Well, I'd be glad to attend your exhibit." huminto na ako at hinayaan ang sariling habulin ang hininga. I eyed the dumbbells nearby and decided to do it next. "Anong date ng showing mo?"