Rumored
“Ma’am,” Viech held my hand as I get out of the van. Taas noo akong naglakad sa pinakahuling appointment ko ngayong araw habang so Viech nama’y nasa tabi ko’t tahimik na ginagawa ang trabaho.
Viech is a quite kind of bodyguard. He won't talk unless you ask him or order him around sometimes it's good to have him like this but there's this situation that he can be irritating. Tulad nalang ang kidnapping attempt noon ni hindi nito sinabi sa akin ang mga impormasyong kinasasangkutan ko bagkus ay kay Clasper didiretso lahat. I get it that Clasper doesn't want me to be anxious again however I don't want him to keep me in the dark all over.
My eyes twinkled when I saw Clasper figure from afar. Walang salita kong binilisan ang paglakad papunta sakanya, “oh..” He softly said when I hugged him from behind. “You’re early..” Anito, nakangiti. “I’ve already ordered your favorites they'll be here after a minutes.”
A unknown feeling bloomed inside me, a genuine smile was drawn both on our faces. Inalalayan ako nitong umupo sa silya roon ay napansin ko na may kasama pala ito.
“D-Dorothy?” Our eyes met, he changed. Kung hindi mo ito tititigan ng mabuti’y malabong makikilala ko siya dahil sobrang laki ng pinagbago nito. “L-Long time no see.. S..So totoo pala..” Sabi nito he gulped hardly, “a-ahm.. So you're together huh?” He asked once again.
I was too stuck up to think of an reply, on my peripheral vision I saw the others that was also present. It was no other than the famous bachelors––the Marquez Triplets, Ingrid and Ruther Marquez sons. Clasper and them was quite close maybe because they share the same interests..
Ven Marquez smirked playful, may niluluto na namang kalokohan. “Actually they're engage.” And pointed my diamond ring that was used on my pictorial awhile ago that I forgot to take off. “It was a secret though,” Xerxes choked on his wine. “You okay?” And started patted his back.
Xerxes who's on the middle of self deliberation wiped his mouth. “S..Seryoso?” I flatly stared at him for acting this strange, so what's the big deal if ever the engagement is true? Why shows a suspicious exaggerated expression? “A-Ah.. C.. Congrats...”
Hindi na ako nag-abalang itama pa ang kalokohang sinabi ni Ven dahil alam ko namang sa bandang huli’y hahaba lang ang usapan. Knowing this triplet jerks, “thanks.” I replied. “Why are you all gathered here by the way?” I asked.
Clasper held my hand that was place on my tight below the table. “Shermaneous asked me remember?” I nodded. “And we met here by pure coincidence. Xerxes is with the triplets–––” Xerxes cut him off.
He was waving his hands in a agressive manner. “–––Friends mga parents namin!” Xerxes defensively said. “D-Don’t think weird things!” He blurted. “I’m straight!” I gave him a blank stare.
Mukha bang may pake ako?
At saka hindi ganoon ka corrupted ang utak ko para isiping may gagawin silang karumaldumal. Yes, given the fact that Xerxes in the past was somehow attracted to men doesn't mean ‘til now I'll suspect his personal matters. His business are his, and mine are mine.
“The way you defend yourself is making you the weird one.” Van Marquez said.
Vin Marquez nodded. “Do I look like someone interested on dicks aside from mine?” He bluntly commented.
Clasper hurriedly covered my ears preventing from being contaminated. “Stop making our dinner disturbing.”
Magtatalo pa sana sila kung hindi lang dumating ang mga orders namin. I was eating and minding my own world while they were talking about Galatea's case. Well, I sincerely wish and hope that they'll bring the justice that was robbed from her. I clench my fist, justice my ass.
“Are you okay? Didn't the food fit your taste buds? Do you want to order or switch mine?” Clasper worried voice echoed on my ears, napansin siguro nito ang pagtigil ko sa pagkain. “Are you sick?” Anito at sinalat-salat pa ang aking noo.
“N-Namamalik mata ba ako? It wasn't a baseless rumors after all,” Xerxes sounded disappointed.
Van chuckled. “Dude,” and did a weird hand gestures.
Xerxes brows knitted. “Fuck off it’s not my problem.”
“But you'll help eventually.” Vin answered instead of Van.
“I won't, too busy to solve my problems.” Xerxes said.
“Oh, you mean your love life who's in bottom line. Uhoh, Xerxes dude it's okay if Architect Galatea won't love you back atleast you won't die virgin.” Ven teased him.
At mukhang epektado dahil mabilis na nagbago ang timpla ni Xerxes. He glared the triplets, ibang-iba sa Xerxes na laging maharot at mabasa sa mga tao. “Stop making fun of other's horrible past.” His cold voice was menacing enough to sent a shiver on my spine. “May I remind you that jokes are supposed to be funny. ”
I felt the awkward atmosphere, do I need to get out of here? Para akong sinasakal sa ganitong ambiance. Kinalabit ko si Clasper, umiling lang ito pahiwatig na kumain na lamang ako ng mabuti at hayaan ang apat na mag-away. Really?
“Sorry, my fault.” Ani Ven. “Let’s drink my treat as a sign of apology.” Walang sumagot pero kapansin-pansin ang mas magaan na aura sa hapag.
Wala naman akong ginawa kundi ang kumain at maupo sa tabi ni Clasper pero daig ko pa ang maghapong nagtrabaho sa construction site sa sobrang pagod. The dinner, thankfully ended normal I thought war will start or whatever. I stretched my hand as I waited for Viech and Clasper who picked our van on the parking lot.
Nasa harap ako ng restaurant habang naghihintay then I saw Xerxes who's facing forward and backward repeatedly I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose it just that I the distance was light that I can actually hear his conversation.
“Tangina hindi bakit ba kasi hindi ka nalang magpakita,” inis nitong sabi sa kausap sa cellphone. “Malay ko ba kung totoo o hindi. Abogado ako ‘di reporter o ano kung gusto mong malaman ikaw mismo magtanong.” Anito. Pinanood ko ang mga reaksyon nito habang naghihintay kina Clasper.
“Malay ko ba?! My brother and that man are connected to each other. Alam mo naman kung anong trabaho ang ginagalawan nila, you know that they can hide even someone's deepest secret so it's not really suprising if the rumors are true besides there is a ring, you hear me? A ring! A diamond one!”
What? Is he talking about me––––
A honk startled me. “Dorothy.” Clasper walked towards me as he lend me his coat. “You’ll get sick, let's go home.” He said and held my hands tightly.
I smiled. “Yeah, let's go home.”
Can I really call it a home? A place that I can return?
______________
The next day... “Fuck, I wanna die.” I murmured, “do I have to attend this event? I'm hiatus for drama projects so I hope I'll get a vacation.” I complained at Viech who's completely clueless. “Viech!” I called his name. Hindi ito umimik nanatili lamang nakatayo sa gilid ng tent, nagbabantay. “Why would Clasper thinking hiring a robot for a guard.” I said to myself.
A stiff man like him will have a trouble finding a woman someday. Of course I don't have the heart to step on a situation that will only cause as both pain and hatred that's why I don't have the plans to interfere on someone's life.
Viech frowned like he saw something suspicious, “ma'am.” His voice was cold as ice.
I turned my attention on him and went to the tents door, “what?” I asked.
Viech faked a cough. “Stay dehydrated po.” And with that he looked away.
It sent me goosebumps, did he ate something wrong? Or Clasper bribe him to be talkative for a second? I cannot believe this. Is this a miracle?
“Miss Smile ready na po ba?” A staff asked me, I smiled. “Photoshoot po ito ng isang brand.”
“Yes. I'll be on my way now.”
Pagkarating doon ay agad akong sumabak sa sandamakmak na pose I was changing my clothes all over this appointment, Rossweisse Seth Victoria––yes that idiot––the boyfriend of my unfortunate bestfriend offered me a contract to be his company's brand model and because the contract wasn't unfair plus the amount of price I'll receive and with Deiry's personal request I agreed.
“Nice! Be fierce!”
“Ang ganda kahit hindi ngumiti.”
“Bilis talaga ng trabaho kapag si Miss Smile ang model!”
Those are some compliments I always hear. Well thanks but it won't flatter me anyway.. Compliments are just words covered with sugar that came from a foul mouth. I side stepped when a familiar figure caught my eyes causing them to ache.
Crossing my arms we stood face to face her makes up wasn't able to cover her terrified look. Ah, my friend. “Long time no see,” I stared at her nearly holding back. She didn't answer trying to avoid any interaction with me.
Humiliation, betrayal, hatred, exhaustion, distrust, and deception.
For a long second I see nothing except that she was still the Liza I've known. A cowardly selfish dog biting it's owner or rather a snake sneaking behind it's master's back. Did she really think I'm done with her? No, foolish.
“Ma’am,” a staff called me again. “Sir Rossweisse is calling for your presence po.” He informed me.
If I were the same I'll foolishly think that everyone would change, that after this everything will be okay. I was a marionette way back, senselessly repeating a nonsense battle all over for those person who did nothing but to torment me. Ah, if I could just slap my past self right now.
I began to walk, passing through her. “You know Liza,” I whispered enough for her to hear. “You've seen me cry, laugh, angry and lost but aren't you curious what will I show you next?” I cam feel her trembling. “So a advise from a friend always be careful and practice to crawl... Because I opt to enjoy people crawling in front of me while begging and crying for help.”
I made a motion through my hand, Rossweisse was sitting on his swivel chair slightly massaging his nape. “Oh!” He exclaimed. “Bakit ka nandito? May trauma ako sa mga basta-basta pumapasok sa office, kumatok ka naman.” Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, hindi alam kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin.
“You called me here.” I straight forwardly said.
Kumunot ang noo nito, tinuro ang sarili. “Tinawag kita?” Nanlaki ang mga mata bahagyang napanga-nga. “Talaga?”
I rolled my eyes. “Quit this Rossweisse I want my vacation so what is your agenda for calling me? Can't you see isang shoot nalang at sa wakas makakauwi na ako. Clasper and I have a date later!”
Rossweisse gave me a shocked expression. “Hindi pwede!”
“What?”
“A-Ah,” he avoided my gaze. “H-Hindi ba nasabi sa iyo ni Xerxes na may kailangan kaming pag-usapan para sa kaso? At saka ano..”
“Kapag hindi ka tumigil.” Pagbabanta ko may ideya na kung ano ang gusto nito.
“U-Uh..”
“Give me your pen.” I extended my hand, Rossweisse handed me his pen on confusion. “Why hesitate? Kung gusto mo ng autograph ko sabihin mo lang. Nakakaawa ka naman.” Aniko at
walang sabi-sabing pinirmahan ang palad nito. “Done, no need to thank me.” I smugly said.
Rossweisse on the other hand was near at fainting. “B-Bakit ba lagi nalang akong nadadamay..” Bulong nito, may inilapag sa mesa. Isang envelope. “Actually since you came here claiming I asked for you. Though this didn't came to me someone said I should deliver this letter. ” Kinuha ko ang envelope, walang imik na binuksan sa harapan niya. I took the small paper inside.
What happened in those four years?
What have you gone through?
Why are you letting them used your name?
Why? What is the reason?
Why Dorothy Smile Felipe is dead and a new Smile Dehil is alive?
Why?
My hand froze.
______________
#Rumored