Thea
Luke: Yes, they are the ones who handle the BBBM's website like content creations, videos, and social media quotes.
Binasa niya muli ang mensahe ni Luke. Pusanggala, na-tanso ka gerl!
Palakad-lakad siya sa restroom ng doctor's lounge at nag-iisip. Nagpaalam muna siya kay Saint sandali bago pa siya mahimatay sa harapan nito. Sino ba naman ang hindi magugulat? Tunog pogi, mukhang potchi!
Tiningnan niya muli ang litrato at umasim ang mukha niya.
"Ano? Nakajackpot ka pa palang hayp ka ha!" Dinuro duro ni Thea ang litratong ipinadala ni Luke sa kanilang GC.
Shet! Hindi siya pupwedeng mabunyag na siya ay si Doctor Bombshell, kung hindi ay baka ipamblackmail sa kanya ang litrato ng kanyang pempem kung hindi siya mapapasunod ni Big Bad Boy sa sexual qualms nito.
'Kiss mo ko sabay hug kundi ipapakita ko tong pepe mo sa buong mundo.' Tengene, may pempem reveal...
Shet, hindi ko po kaya ang face to face with him, pigain niyo na lang ang ilong ko!!!
Sinubukan niya muling tingnan para maghanap ng something adorable sa mukha nito.
"Hayp ka, paano nagkasya ang ganon kalaking tite dito sa pantalon mong ito?! Mas matangkad pa yata ako sa iyo! Baka binti ng kakambal mo 'yan na hindi na nadevelop bilang tao!"
Napahilamos siya ng palad at kinalma ang sarili sa harap ng salamin.
"Calm down, Thea. Mabuti kang tao. Hindi ka mapanghusga.." Napapikit siya ng mariin at napalabi, "Talandi mo kasi!"
Her phone beeped with a message at halos mapatalon pa siya.
Bhie: Hi Baby. Maybe we could talk again before you head off to bed. Sorry na.
Halaaa! Ayaw niya na yata! Paano na ba ito. Hindi naman tamang bigla na lang niya i-brush off ang tao dahil lang nakita niya na ang itsura nito. That's unfair. Hindi siya ganoon pinalaki ni Sandro.
Huminga siya ng malalim at inilipat ang atensyon sa ibang direksyon. It is effective when you are having panic attacks, and she is right now.
"Thea, kalma ka, hindi niya kasalanang hindi siya kagwapuhan. Hindi ka niya niloko okay? Mutual understanding ang lahat ng naganap."
Ibinalik niya ang atensyon sa cellphone at nagtipa ng mensahe.
Baby Love: Okay, I forgive you but I think we should slow down on phone sex.
Bhie: Why?
Binalot siya muli ng galit sa puso. "Anong why?! Tado ka! Kaya ka pala naglalagi sa internet ay hindi ka yata makakadale ng jowa sa personal sa buhok mong mukhang bao! Naku, sorry, Lord! 🙏🏻 " Nadismaya lang naman siya, first boyfriend niya kaya ito!
Muli niyang sinubukan maging mabuting tao dahil sinusubok siya ni Lord kay Big Bad Boy.
Baby Love: Parang hindi ko priority ang pagboboyfriend pala, I think we should take it slow and talk more instead... You know, decent talking... Ganun.
Bhie: Okay, slow it is then.. I'll be sending you gifts to your PO Box, sana ay kuhain mo... I want you to feel my love even from a distance.
Kinilabutan siya imbes tumibok ang pempem.
Napahilot siya ng sentido. In psychology, physical attraction is important although it seems shallow to admit it. Even infants prefers attractive adults. At this point, libog relationship lang naman ang meron silang dalawa, hindi niya gugustuhin si Big Bad Boy because of something else. Wala naman sila masyadong interpersonal bonding. Sa imagination na nga lang siya kumakapit, nasira pa.
Baby Love: Sure, I'll get it when I am not busy.
Lumabas siya ng restroom nang mapansing nagtagal siya roon. Naabutan niyang matiyagang naghihintay si Saint na nakaupo sa kanyang couch sa clinic. Binuksan pa nito ang blinds para makita nito ang view sa ibaba. Maliwanag pa naman kaya hindi siya nagmadaling umalis.
She needs to get a hold of herself. Hindi siya dapat mukhang nag-aalala! Kailangan niyang mag-ingat. Being Doctor Bombshell is an identity she wants to be buried deep.
"Tara na?" Anyaya niya kay Saint nang makabalik siya sa clinic.
Sumakay sila sa Aston Martin ni Saint, a different car again. Inaamin niya, pansumandali ay naisip niya na ito nga si Big Bad Boy however, he's living in luxury and style, he won't have the time maintaining their company's website, right? With all those models he dated, why would he think about fcking on the phone like what Big Bad Boy is doing.
May itsura lang talagang binabagayan ang phone sex at kung bakit ba siya nalulong doon ay hindi niya maintindihan, kulang ba siya sa manliligaw? Wala bang nagsabing pupwede siyang magTinder at makipagmeet-up before engaging into sex?
Kalmadong nagmamaneho si Saint at parang wala namang iniisip na masama hindi kagaya niya. Hindi niya namalayan na nasampal na niya ang sarili, napalingon tuloy si Saint.
"Bakit, Thea? Is there something bothering you?"
"H-ha!? Hindi, wala, gutom na kasi ako."
"Yes, malapit na. Don't worry."
Ano ba yan! Napakasweet ni Saint, huwag lang talaga nitong malaman na numero unong basher siya ng pag-aari nito na magazine.
Umakyat na sila sa condo. As usual ay wala si Fox, malamang ay kasama pa si Luke. Una niyang pinuntahan si Tucker to check him.
"Maupo ka muna, Saint. Si Tucker..."
"I can heat the food while you still attend to Tucker."
"Sure." She immediately cleaned up Tucker's play space and washed him up. Pinunasan niya ang bibig at pwet pagkatapos ay binigyan muli ng food at nagrefill siya ng water. Mamaya na sila maglalaro kapag nakaalis na si Saint.
Nakaayos na ang lamesa nang daluhan niya si Saint sa kusina but she excused herself to change first dahil pinagpawisan siya sa pag-aasikaso kay Tucker. Naghalf bath siya at nagpalit sa pambahay na damit.
Sinalinan ni Saint ang kanyang plato ng pagkain nang umupo siya at daluhan ito sa lamesa. She smelled the familiar smell of her favorite ulam. Tinusok niya ang beef at isinubo agad iyon. Saint was looking at her, waiting for her reaction.
Her eyes welled up because of the very familiar place that is so close to her heart. Pangarap niya na lang matikman iyon ulit. It tastes like Sandro's specialty. Walang pinag-iba.
"Saint naman.." She hiccuped. "H-how did you know how to cook this?"
"Tito Sandro shared his recipe to me months before you left. Hindi ko pa makuha dati kaya hindi pa kita naipagluto."
She couldn't believe food will make her cry, Saint let her eat while silently crying. Panay ang punas niya ng luha. She misses her Daddy, so much, that her heart sinks remembering what she looked like when she was younger and having a spoonful of beef caldereta in her mouth. It is home to her, the peaceful days she had when she had no problems and she still had a parent, even one.
"I love Daddy so much, Saint."
"I know. And he loves you too."
"He prepared his passing. Baka mamaya ay makita ko na lang ang nanay ko sa pintuan at humihingi ng tawad. I wouldn't be surprised but I don't think I can forgive her for leaving Daddy and breaking his heart."
"You have a big heart, Thea, I will also not be surprised if you will forgive your mother. You even loved my mother more than I did."
Umatras ang luha niya. Oo nga pala at may secret pa siya kay Saint. But Mama Jane is getting better. Ayaw niyang magpanic ito kapag sinabi niya kay Saint kung nasaan ito ngayon. Definitely Saint will not allow her to take care of his mother because he thinks Jane is a burden.
"Marami lang problema iyon si Mama Jane."
"Until now?" Saint chuckled. "Cairo and I can give her a decent life but she keeps on pushing us away."
"Hindi ganon, Saint, mahal kayo ni Mama Jane. She's just insecure."
"Ayokong pag-usapan, Thea. It is her choice so she should live up to it."
Si Saint ang nagpumilit na maghugas ng plato. Habang nakaupo siya sa lamesa at kumakain ng ice cream. Napatingin siya sa cellphone ni Saint na nakapatong ilang dangkal ang layo sa kanya.
Nakaisip siya ng ideya, tutal ay pinagdudahan niya rin si Saint. Gusto niya lang mapanatag.
She pulled out her phone and tried to ring Big Bad Boy's Telegram while looking at Saint's phone. Dalawang ring at pinatay niya na ang tawag dahil baka marinig ni Saint na nakikipag-usap siya kay Big Bad Boy na empleyado nito.
Saint's phone did not light up but her phone beeped to a message after she put it down.
Bhie: Yes? Do you want to talk, Baby?
Napalingon siya kay Saint, abala ito sa pagbabanlaw ng plato ayon sa pagdaloy ng tubig sa faucet.
Baby Love: I hope you have eaten, Bhie.
Bhie: I did, thank you, Baby.
She sighed. Saint is not Big Bad Boy.
Saint received a call a little bit after and he said is for work. Nagpasalamat siya at nagpaalam dito. She did not bother asking him about Big Bad Boys Magazine. Hindi naman siguro sa itinitago nito, dahil malalaman niya rin sa dami ng common friends nilang dalawa, Karev is one, Lucifer and Tash are his siblings that she can talk to. Imposibleng hindi mabanggit sa kanya na ito ang mayari ng BBBM.
She decided to go to her parking lot and get her car instead of resting. Kahit nakapambahay ay tinungo niya ang private postal provider kung nasaan ang kanyang PO box. She showed her access to the lobby guard, even the attendant doesn't know who she is and what is her PO box number, ganoon iyon kasikreto. Walang tao roon, makintab ang sahig na nilalakaran, warm lighting ang nagsisilbing liwanag. It looks like an huge, old, well-maintained library.
She went to her personal box, which is inside a secured vault where more discreet lockers are being kept. Para iyong personal storage na binabayaran niya buwan buwan to store her mails and gifts.
Napangiti siya sa ilang box ng regalo roon. A large box wrapped in black with a gold ribbon caught her attention because of its elegant wrapping. Kinuha niya agad at binasa ang card.
For my Love...
- Big Bad Boy
She stood up and gather all her mails and gifts. A small black envelope slipped on the floor. Agaran niyang kinuha iyon at napansin niyang mayroong gintong letra sa likuran.
You are Invited.
+ Monasterio
Nagmamadali siyang bumalik sa kanyang condo. Kyuryoso siya sa mga natanggap na regalo. She opened the box first. It has another midsize box inside, iyon ang una niyang binuksan.
Napangisi siya sa natanggap mula kay Big Bad Boy.
It is a huge vibrator, a size of a penis, and looked like one. May kasama pa itong latest model ng Iphone na selyado pa.
'It is molded from my size and I can control it from where I am at...'
"Hayp ka! Ang landi mong pangit ka! Baka binti talaga ng kapatid mo itong akala mo ay tite!" Imbes na mainis ay natawa siya, ang laki kasi ng vibrator na iyon.
Ang iphone ay mayroong instructions how they can maximize the vibrator on a long distance virtual sex. Magandang ideya sana kaso ay kakasabi niya lang na they should take it slow.
Napangiti siya sa laman ng box pa. There are imported gourmet chocolates, an expensive one ~ named Grand Cru by Pierre Marcolini from Belgium, Dior J'adore perfume, and a cute little white teddy bear.
Niyakap niya ang teddy bear at ang bango! Amoy pogi. Sana yung nagbigay din pogi.. perfect na sana.
She felt honestly grateful and the gifts made her smile. Binuksan niya pa nga ang chocolate at kinain iyon while she's typing a message of thanks.
Baby Love: Thanks for the gifts. I appreciate it :)
She instantly received a reply.
Bhie: Welcome, Baby. You deserve everything.
Hayup, bakit ang galing magpakilig?! BBB should organize a cult and teach guys how to swoon their women.
Nagreply muli siya kay Big Bad Boy para kumustahin ang araw nito. Napapangiti siya sa mga sagot nito sa kanya habang nakahiga siya sa couch at yakap yakap ang stuffed toy na bigay nito sa kanya.
Bhie: A very ordinary day at work. Looking forward sana to have phone sex with you kaya lang kailangan ko na palang maghintay...
Napahalakhak siya. "Pempem, may naghihintay sayo hanggang ikaw ay bumigay! Ganda yorn?"
Napakunot ang noo niya, pakiramdam niya ay sumagot si Pempem. "Ano? Wala ka namang mata kaya okay lang? Gaga, ikaw wala, pero ako meron."
Napatigil siya sa pagkausap sa sarili nang bumukas ang pinto ng condo nila.
"Bakit ang ganda ng ngiti mo riyan? Akala ko ay sa ospital ka mag-oovernight dahil hindi ka na nakapagreply!" Bungad sa kanya ni Fox na kasunod si Luke.
"Hello, Luke!!" She greeted smiling.
"Babe, nababaliw na ata itong kaibigan mo." Napangiwi si Luke. "Tipo mo ba yung mga ganon?"
"Well, nashock lang naman ako noong una pero he's not bad actually. Mabait siya and he respects my choices. Hindi naman niya kasalanan kung ganon ang itsura niya..." Pagsasabi niya ng totoong nararamdaman. Conversation wise, they clicked.
Napaawang ang labi ni Luke sa kanyang sagot.
"Pagpasensyahan mo na Babe, Santa kasi iyang si Thekla, doon nakasunod ang pangalan niyan kaya mapagmahal yan sa lahat, walang sini-sino yan." Susog ni Fox kay Luke. Inirapan niya ito.
"There's food, ipinagluto ako ni Saint." Alok niya sa dalawa.
"Saint Monasterio?" Bakas ang gulat kay Luke. Tumango siya.
"Told you, they are close.." Fox shrugged.
Tumayo siya mula sa couch at kinuha ang kanyang Macbook para bigyan na rin ng privacy si Luke at Fox.
"Goodnight mga pokpok!" She chided. She said goodnight but she will just investigate the other blank envelope that she received. Temptation Island.
Umupo siya sa kanyang kama at binuksan ang Macbook. Kinuha niya ang maliit na sobre at inilabas roon ang pulang card. Kagaya nang natanggap niya sa kanyang website. Now, it is a physical card.
She google'd Temptation Island, ang unang search results ay isang website na agad niyang ni-click.
It was black, red, and gold all over. Mayroong username na hinihingi at password. She typed what is written on the back of the card and it popped another window with Doctor Bombshell's profile. Parang pre-filled out na iyon para sa kanya.
Agad na may nagblink na notification:
'You are entitled to a one-week stay on Temptation Island for free. Claim here.'
Once she clicked it, it leads her to a calendar where she can choose dates, then cabin types. Nakakatuksong pumili. Ang ganda ng mga litrato sa website. It is tempting to go there but what does she know?
Baka poser ang nag-imbita sa kanya at naghahanap ng bagong biktima. Baka hindi na siya makauwi at ipakain siya sa buwaya.
Imbes na magbook ng schedule sa isla ay nagbukas muli siya ng window sa google at nagtype ng tanong.
'How much is it to go to Temptation Island?'
May mga reddit results na lumabas. Iba't ibang sagot ang ibinibigay. However one answer stood out kaya iyon ang binasa niya.
'As of 2022, it is P10,000,000 for a one-year membership with basic amenities access. Free one-week stay at Allure Hotel (their very basic but not really..) located inside the island too. The food is exclusive, cabin stays are far more expensive, but their villas which are newly built are only for the crazy rich! Membership can be filed online, approval is after 24 hours. They are choosing their members, have to be healthy, no crime or drug records, to keep the island secured, and as always, sex is overflowing, safe, and PRIVATE.'
Sampung milyon?! Is that even reasonable?! Sure, she has that amount but that is her life savings.
'Kanino mo ba itinatabi ang ipon mo 'e wala ka namang pamilya, Thea?' Her inner thoughts questioned her.
"Hindi praktikal!" Bulalas niya.
'At least hindi na virtual kangkz! Less risk at makakapamili ka pa! At kailan ka pa magdedecide? Kapag hindi ka na automatically lubricated kasi tuyot na? Marami ka ngang pera, tuyot naman.' Tudyo pa ng kanyang isip.
Next thing she knew, she filed an application and made a bank transfer online. Ang sabi naman ay ibabalik ang kanyang pera kapag hindi siya tatanggapin bilang miyembro.
In just a minute, she received an email that her application was approved.
Bigla siyang kinabahan. Ito na ba 'yon? Face to face na ba ang sex na malalasap?
Pinapayan niya ang sarili. It is okay. At least hindi niya kinuha ang imbitasyon sa kanya ng kung sino mang Monasterio iyon.
Pinili niyang huwag nang maging interesado na malaman ang nag-iimbita sa kanya, she couldn't risk her privacy, also, it is uncomfortable for her that man paying for something she could afford. Ayaw niyang magkaroon ng utang na loob sa isang estranghero.
"Tapos na iyon, Thea.. The next thing you should do is to block your schedule next week and have fun!"
She opened her Doctor Bombshell website to divert her attention. She noticed another message from the one who invited her the other night.
+ Monasterio: You could have accepted my invitation, Doc Thea. I am true to my words that I will not force you to do anything that you don't want to do.
Naitulak niya ang kanyang Macbook nang nahihindik pero agad niya ring kinuha iyon.
Doctor Bombshell: Who the hell are you?
+ Monasterio: See you on the island, Doc Thea.
Hindi siya matigil, walangya 'to. Papatayin siya sa nerbyos.
Doctor Bombshell: Who are you? What does '+' stand for?
+ Monasterio: It is literally my name, Doc Thea.
Doctor Bombshell: Ano yan? Plus Monasterio? Addition Monasterio? Sum Monasterio? Hindi marunong magspell ang Nanay mong tado ka?!
+ Monasterio: You remind me so much of her. It is Cross. Cross Monasterio.