Deanna's POV
To make it up to Jema, I brought her to the restaurant and had lunch with her. Habang kumakain kami, hindi ko maiwasang maisip kung sino ang puno't dulo ng nangyari kanina. I can't stop apologizing to Jema even though sorry can't do anything about this so I have to take an action regarding this.
"Sunduin kita bukas after your work?" I asked Jema when we finally arrived at their house.
"Hindi, wag na. I'll just bring my car."
"Uhm sige. Love you." Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa makalabas siya ng kotse at pumasok ng bahay.
I sighed.
I'm gonna kill that person who took the photo and posted it.
I made my way to Hyde Nights Ground. I need a place where I can think properly.
I can't stop thinking about that photo. Who the hell will take that photo? Bakit niya ginawa yun? Does he or she wants to ruin our relationship? Argh!!
I slammed the steering wheel and continued driving.
As usual, napakaraming tao ang bumungad sakin nang makapasok ako ng bar. Mas okay kung sa Underground Hyde ako iinom kasama ang aking best bud kaya pumunta ako sa secret room atsaka sumakay ng elevator pababa doon. A loud and wild crowd welcomed me. May naglalaban pa sa ring at mukhang bibigay na yung isa. Dumiretso naman ako kung saan ang office ni Payton.
"Deans!" Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap at ganun din ang ginawa ko. "Sup?"
"Nothing. I just wanna talk." I shortly replied and took a sit in front of him.
Kinuha ko ang tequila na nasa mesa nito at nilagyan ang baso. Dali-dali ko itong nilagok at binigyan na naman ng panibago tsaka ininom.
"Woah hang on there Deans. Hinay-hinay lang baka wala ka pang isang oras dito lasing ka na." Natatawa niyang saad pero hindi ko siya pinansin.
I just took a few shots bago ko sinabi sa kanya ang pinunta ko dito.
"What? Is this for real?" He can't believe what I just said.
"Yes and none of us knows what is their motive."
"I'll try to handle this one but I need someone to help me wi—"
"What is up party people!!" A guy entered the office and he looks drunk but I guess he's not that wasted.
"Hey Luigi! Can you please teach yourself how to knock?!" Payton irritatedly asked him and stood up to guide him.
Uminom na lang ulit ako at pinabayaan ng dalawa. Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong paghihirap nitong isa sa pakikipag-usap, umupo na sa harap ko yung Luigi at bumalik si Payton sa pwesto niya.
"Who is this?" Tukoy ko kay Luigi. Alam ko lang ang pangalan niya pero hindi ang pagkatao niya.
I have to be careful and observe each and every one around me. Hindi natin masasabi pero malay ko ba kung isa rin ito sa alagad ni Dad o ano.
"Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce him. So this is Luigi Luna, my friend overseas but he decided to fly back here in PH so he can handle their clothing business here. Malaki din ang mga branch nila at mayaman ang kumpanyang humahawak sa kanila so I think he can help us with your problem." Ngumiti siya at uminom pero napatingin ako kay Luigi na may sariling mundo.
Sigurado ba siyang makakatulong ito? Parang wala sa tamang pag-iisip e. Argh! Don't just the people by how they look like!
"How can I trust him?"
"Siguro makakausap natin siya ng maayos bukas. Ewan ko ba bakit yan nagpakalasing ng ganyan." Naiiling niyang sagot. Tinanguan ko na lang siya at nagpatuloy sa aking ginagawa.
Halos ilang oras na akong umiinom pero hindi pa rin ako tinatamaan. Niyaya pa ako ni Payton na makipaglaban pero hindi ako pumayag. I don't want to get another bruises especially I'll spend more time with my girl so I just sat in here and got drunk.
=====
I woke up because of the sunlight hitting my eyes. I was about to stand up when I felt so much pain on my head.
Shit! This hangover kills me!
Pinilit kong makaupo atsaka chineck yung phone ko at 7 am na ng umaga. Inikot ko ang aking paningin pero hindi pamilyar ang kwartong ito. Then I saw a note on the side table with food and medicine.
Hey Deans, I didn't let you drive yourself home since you got wasted last night so I just brought you to the guest room here at the UH. I know you'll have a hangover when you wake up so I left a medicine there. Eat that food before drinking the med. Just call me or go to the counter if you need something. Nasabihan ko na rin naman ang ibang staffs dyan so have a nice day! :)
- Your buddy
Napailing na lang ako nang mabasa ito. Minsan talaga nagiging chessy siya haha but don't get me wrong. He already have his wife and a son. Well, tuwing gabi lang naman laging nandito si Payton at nandun siya sa bahay nila kapag umaga.
Mabilisan kong kinain yung tinapay at ininom ang gamot. Kinuha ko yung jacket ko na nasa floor at sinuot ito. Good thing I'm still wearing a decent pair of clothes kaya hindi ako mukhang hindi pa naliligo haha. I picked my car keys and went out of the room. Sumalubong sakin ang isang babaeng mukhang bar girl. She offered me a drink but I refused to. Napakaaga naman para uminom.
Sumakay na ako sa kotse at nagmaneho pauwi ng condo. Kaya ko namang magdrive kahit medyo nahihilo ako. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam kung kailan kami magkakaayos ni Ate Bea. It's been a while since we have a decent talk. I don't think she wants to talk to me. Susubukan ko na lang sigurong kausapin si Pongs.
While driving, I tried to call Jema but she's not answering. I called again but 'The number you have dialed is chuchu' daw, ay ewan ko ba. Maybe she's preparing herself for work. Tinawagan ko naman si Payton ngayon at buti nanlang sinagot niya.
OTP
"Hey Deans! Did you drink the medicine that I left for you?"
"Yeah thanks."
"Wait—are you driving?!"
"Wag ka ngang sumigaw! Kaya ko naman e kaya wag kang mag-aalala dyan masyado."
"Oo na. So anong meron? Bakit ka napatawag?"
"You told me last night that we can talk to Luigi today. Have you talked to him?"
"Oh yes! I already set an appointment to him this lunch so remember the time and don't miss this one. Importante ito hindi lang sakin pati na rin sayo."
"I know I know. Sige just send me the location and I'll message you if I'm on my way. Bye." End of the call.
=====
Umuwi muna ako ng bahay kasi wala naman akong gagawin sa condo at mabobored lang ako dun kaya dito na ako dumiretso. I pressed the doorbell first and waited for someone to open the gate. Ayaw kong maulit ang nangyari dati na pinagpapalo ako ng baseball bat ni Ate Bei. Sobrang sakit kaya nun.
Naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto dito sa labas pero walang nagbubukas ng gate kaya ginamit ko yung spare keys ko atsaka pumasok sa loob.
Nothing's changed.
Ganun pa rin ang pwesto ng mga furnitures but they maintained the cleanliness of our house.
Umupo ako sa couch atsaka sinandal ang ulo. It's been months since Pongs, Ate Bea and I did a movie marathon here, playing games or even talking about our future kids. Wala man nga kaming jowa that time pero napag-uusapan na namin yun. Funny right? Haha.
"Why are you here?" I looked at my back and I saw Ate Bei who's still wearing her pajamas.
Kitang-kita sa mukha niya na hindi siya masayang makita ako. Hays.
I stood up and shyly waved at her.
"H-hey."
——————————
Ponggay's POV
Ouch! Bibiyak na yata ang ulo ko sa sobrang sakit.
Akmang tatayo ako pero naramdaman kong may nakayakap sakin at nakita ko si Kobe. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko siyang walang suot. Then I checked myself.
What the fuck! We're both naked.
Shit shit shit!
Where am I?! Anong nangyari kagabi?!
—— Flashback ——
Everyone is having fun when Kobe sat beside me and offered me a drink.
"Thanks." Ngumiti ako sa kanya atsaka ininom ito.
Nandito kami ngayon sa bahay ni Kobe dahil birthday ng pinsan niya at dito nila naisipang icelebrate ang birthday nito.
We took a few shots when his cousin invited us to swim. Eh sino ba naman ako para tumanggi dba? We're here to have fun!
12 midnight na kaming natapos magparty sa may pool dahil nagyaya na silang magpahinga at halos lahat samin ay lasing na.
Kobe brought me in a bridal style way that made me giggle. Pumunta kami sa kwarto niya atsaka niya ako hiniga sa kama. May kinuha siya sa cabinet at nakita kong bote ng whiskey yun. Inalukan niya ako ng panibagong inumin hanggang sa magkatuwaan kaming dalawa.
When we are both tired, we looked at each other's eyes and he closed the gap between our lips.
—— End of Flashback ——
Hutanes! We had sex?! Tangina hindi pwede to!
Nagmadali akong pulutin yung suot ko kaya nagising si Kobe na takang tumingin sakin. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagsuot ng damit ko.
"Is there something wrong?" Tanong niya habang pinipilit na buksan ang mga mata atsaka umupo.
"Yes! And I'm going home." Sagot ko at hinagis yung brief niya sa kanyang mukha.
Mapapatay ako ni Ate Bei kapag nalaman niyang may nangyari samin.
Pero hindi pa naman ako sure dba? Cuz I'm really drunk last night.
Umiling na lang ako atsaka lumabas ng kwarto pero hinablot niya ang kamay ko kaya napaharap ako sa kanya.
"What do you want?!" I irritatedly asked and removed his hand.
"You." He smirk but I pinched his stomach. "Aww!"
"May nangyari ba?"
"Hindi ba halata? You actually moaned very loud last night, it's obvious that you liked it and begged for more—"
*Pak!*
Natigilan siya kaya kinuha ko na yung chance na yun para makaalis ng bahay nila. Narinig ko pang tinawag ako ng pinsan at kapatid niya pero hindi ko yun pinansin at mabilis na nagmaneho pauwi ng bahay.
Aaaaaa!! Hindi pa rin ako mapakali!
Did he used protection? Pero wala akong nakitang gamit na condom sa kwarto niya. Ano nang sasabihin sakin ni Ate Bei at ng mga relatives namin kapag nalaman nilang nakikisama at nakipagsex pa ako sa ex ko? Fuck this shit!
Balak ko sanang ipark na lang muna yung kotse ko sa harap ng bahay dahil baka natutulog pa si Ate Bea at ayaw ko naman siyang istorbohin pero may pamilyar na kotseng nakapark dito.
Is this Deanna's car?
Pero bakit siya pupunta dito ng ganitong oras? Sobrang aga pa at alam din ba ni Ate Bei na nandito siya?
Para malaman kung nandito nga siya, dali-dali akong pumasok ng bahay at tama nga ako. Sumalubong sakin ang dalawang babaeng sabay na tumingin sakin.
Uh oh.
——————————
Bea's POV
I wok up because I heard someone opened the door. Maybe it's Ponggay since she went to Kobe's house last night. Pinayagan ko siya para hindi naman nakakahiya sa pamilya nung tao and I know Pongs can handle herself and she knows her limitations even if they had a party over there. Gusto ko pa sanang matulog pero hindi marunong makisabay yung katawan ko kaya tumayo na ako at nagtoothbrush. Mamaya na lang ako magpapalit ng damit kasi maaga pa naman e.
So I walked downstairs and surprisingly, it's Deanna who's sitting on the couch and looks like she didn't notice me. Mas lumapit pa ako sa pwesto niya atsaka nagsalita.
"Why are you here?" I asked and tried to hide all of my emotions.
She slowly looked behind her, stood up and shyly waved at me.
"H-hey." I can't believe what I am seeing right now.
Hindi ko maimagine na ang kinatatakutan at boss ng nakararami ay may ganitong pagkatao rin.
I don't know what to ask so I stayed silent for a while not until someone opened the door and both us looked at it.
Ponggay.
Ang gulo ng itsura niya. I wonder what happened to her last night.
"Buti nandito ka. I thought you're not coming home anymore." Sabi niya kay Deanna atsaka umupo sa couch. "What brings you here?"
Pasimpleng tumingin sakin si Deanna at umupo sa bar counter.
"I don't know where to go. I feel so lonely at the condo and I don't have someone to talk with." You can feel the sadness on her voice but I shook my head.
"Why don't you call your girlfriend? Atsaka problema ba namin yun?" Tanong ko tapos tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"No, but this is also my home. I miss this place." She roamed her eyes around the house then looked at me. "I also miss you guys."
I also miss the old us Deans. I wanna go back to the days were the three of us are just having fun and talking about business. I never expected that we'll go through this where I have to choose over my safety and you.
"I don't care. Get out." I told her with an authority on my voice and pointed the door.
I heard her let out a sigh and nodded. "Okay." Dahan-dahan siyang lumabas ng bahay at ako naman ang nagsara ng pinto. Nakita ko si Ponggay na nakatingin lang sakin at mukhang may gustong itanong.
"What?"
"Why did you do that?"
"The what?" Painosente kong tanong sabay salin ng tubig sa baso atsaka ito ininom.
"Bakit mo siya pinaalis ng bahay? Have you forgotten that she also owns this house?" Hindi ko namalayang sumunod din pala siya dito.
I handed her a glass of water but she refused it.
"I know." Binaba ko ito at tinignan siya ulit. "Kamusta ang party?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan. I don't wanna talk about that.
"Uhm..." She scratched her nape and forced to smile. "It's fun! Haha we really had fun. Thanks to Kobe's cousin. He brought me to their guess room at doon ako natulog."
"Good to hear that. If you want to eat something, iinit mo na lang yung pasta dyan sa ref. Hindi pa ako nakakapagluto dahil kagigising ko lang din. I'll just take a bath." Sabi ko sa kanya.
Umakyat na ako ng kwarto at pumasok sa walk in closet. I just chose my ordinary shirt and short since I'm not in the mood to go to the company and I'll be staying in the house. Papasok na sana ako ng cr nang makita kong naka-open yung phone ko at parang may tumatawag.
I immediately answered it when I saw Tito Dean's name.
OTP
"Hello Tito?"
"Bea, where are you?"
"I'm at work po. Bakit po?" I lied.
"Okay good. I want you to meet someone. Sinabihan ko na siya tungkol dito at magkikita kayo sa WDLG's Royale Restaurant near the main building."
"But Tito—"
"No buts Bea. Sobrang importante nito at siya ang makakatulong sayo."
"Okay po." End of the call.
Padabog akong umupo sa kama at hinagis sa tabi ko yung phone. Badtrip naman oh imbes na magpahinga na lang ako dito sa bahay, nagkameeting pa ako di oras. I should've told him the truth 🤦♀️
Pero bakit sobrang seryoso niya at gusto niyang makilala ko agad yun?
Who is that person? What are you planning this time Mr. Wong?