"Bakit ayaw mo pa din sumama sa'kin sa mga club? I thought you got Zach a nanny?" Laurent asked. Kasalukuyan siyang nasa opisina ko para dumalaw.
"I already have my girlfriend." I answered. Katahimikan ang bumalot sa'ming dalawa. Napatitig ito sa'kin kaya ngumisi ako.
"I-I think I'm drunk. What is that again?" He answered with his eyes wide open. I chuckled and shook my head before turning my eyes back to the papers I'm reading, "Woah, man! You're kidding, right?!"
"I'm not." Sagot ko.
"I knew it! Alam ko nang in love ka. Sino ba? ''yung babaeng na-kwento mo sa'kin?" Tanong niya. Tumango naman ako at napa-ngiti nang maalala si Bela.
"You should find your girl too, Laurent." Sagot ko, "I had many realizations when Bela came to my life. I was afraid of commitments but she turned everything right. Now all I want is to have family with her in the near future."
"What happened to the pussy before commitments, bro? And nah, that would be too much for me. Ako? May girlfriend? I would rather die because of liver cancer than pounding one pussy for the rest of my life."
"Ewan ko sa'yo." Napa-iling ako, "Bakit ka ba kasi nandito?"
"I just need someone to talk to." Aniya at napa-buntong hininga, "My parents are fighting again because of dad's mistress."
"And?"
"That's it." Tumawa ito, "Wala naman akong pakialam sa babae ni dad o sa anak nila. I just hate it when mom cries because of dad. That's why I hate commitments. One day you're happy but the next day you're cursing each other and breakfast is made with hate."
"May mga tao kasing hindi para sa isa't isa kaya ''yung relas'yun nila, nasa umpisa pa lang ay sira na." Sagot ko, "That's why you better look for a girl who can give you her whole world just to make you happy."
"You sound shit, dude." He grimaced making me laugh, "Hindi ako sanay na matamis ka Zephyr Montenegro."
"Masanay ka na mula ngayon." I grinned.
"Baka isang araw mabalitaan ko na lang na ikakasal ka na, ha. God, Zephyr! There are so many pussies in the world you haven't fuck yet."
"I only love one pussy now, man." I answered.
"I'm out." Taas kamay niyang pagsuko, "You're done, dude. Hindi ka na makakabalik pa sa fantasy world."
"Shut up." I answered laughing. Ah, why do I feel happy now? Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na parang walang problemang iniisip.
"Oh, before I leave your lovey office, wag mong kalimutan ''yung charity ball na gaganapin bukas."
"Charity ball?" Nagtatakang tanong ko.
"Yeah. Don't you remember? Para 'yun sa mga abused children and women. Ikaw nga ang humila sa'kin para um-attend dun." Aniya at napa-iling, "Puro kasi babae iniisip mo."
"Whatever." Bulong ko at tinignan ang calendar of schedule ko at nakita ko ngang may charity ball akong pupuntahan bukas.
"See you tomorrow, man." Paalam ni Laurent bago ako iniwan.
—•—
Paguwi sa penthouse ay humalik ako sa pisngi ni Bela at sa nood ni Zach. They were watching some cartoons when I arrive.
"Kumain ka na ba?" Tanong ni Bela at tinulungan akong tanggalin ang coat ko.
"Yeah. But I would love to eat your pussy if you want." I said, grinning. She rolled her eyes at me.
"Dyan ka talaga magaling Mr. Montenegro." Aniya at ngumiti. Naupo naman ako sa sofa at hinila siya paupo sa kandungan ko.
"I missed you, baby." I whispered. She kissed my lips and I kissed her back.
"A-da!" Napa-ngiti ako nang sumigaw si Zach kaya nilingon namin siya. He's crawling towards us. Lumipat si Bela sa tabi ko kaya binuhat ko si Zach.
"Hi buddy." I greeted. He played with his saliva making me laugh. I embraced him and carried him in my arm, "Oo nga pala. May charity ball akong pupuntahan bukas. Baka madaling araw na ko makauwi."
"Okay. You want me to prepare your suit?"
"Nah, I will be fine." I answered, "You want to come with me?"
"I always come with you." She answered. Hindi ko 'yun agad naintindihan pero nang ngumiti siya ay napa-ngisi ako.
"You naughty woman." I chuckled, "Want to come with me tonight?"
"Not tonight." Sagot niya. Napa-buntong hininga naman ako, "Ikaw ha. Gabi gabi na lang Zephyr. Pagpahingahin mo naman ako."
"What's wrong with it? I can't help making love with you again and again." I groaned and nuzzle her neck. I kissed her sensitive part leaving a mark.
"But still, no playing tonight." Aniya kaya bagsak balikat akong umayos ng upo. Natawa naman siya at humalik sa pisngi ko bago yumakap sa leeg ko.
"Anyway, tita Fatima called me earlier. Sabi niya nakahanap na siya ng organizer para sa birthday ni Zach."
"Yeah. She e-mailed me this morning. Hindi ko lang nga nasagot dahil nasa meeting ako." Sagot ko naman, "Do you have any idea for his first birthday?"
"Anything will do as long as I'm there with you." She said sweetly. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her shoulders.
"Damn Bela, why do you keep on making this heart of mine beat so fast?" I asked, "Why do you have to be this beautiful, baby? You're making me fall for you all over again."
"I love you Zephyr. Words cannot express how much I'm happy that our hearts were beating the same rhythm now. Hinding-hindi na kita papakawalan."
"Kung puwede lang kitang ikandado sa tabi ko ay gagawin ko 'yun wag ka lang mawala sa paningin ko." Sagot ko na kinatawa niya, "I'm serious, baby. That would be the best option for me to keep me sane."
"Zephyr, you're the sweetest ever. I wonder kung lalaki si Zach na may matamis na dilang katulad mo." Sagot niya. Bumaba ang tingin namin kay Zach at mahina kaming natawa nang makitang nakatulog na to, "I'll put him in his crib."
"No, I'll do it for you." I answered. Marahan kong kinarga si Zach at pumasok sa kuwarto. I slowly lay him in his crib and tapped his thighs softly to keep him sleeping. Nang masigurong tulog na to ay bumalik ako sa labas at tumabi kay Bela. I wrapped my arms around her as we watch a chick flick movie.
"Zeph?"
"Hmm?" I glanced at her.
"Why me?" She asked.
"What?"
"Bakit ako? I mean madaming babae dyan. ''yung mas sexy at mas maganda. Bakit ako ang pinili mo? Why did you love a horrible person like me?"
"Bela..." I whispered and faced her, "I don't care if other woman are sexier than you or they are prettier than you. You're beautiful in my eyes and you're the perfect woman in my life."
"Zephyr, masama akong tao—"
"Why do you keep on saying that?" I cut her off, "You're not a bad person, baby. I don't care about what you did in the past. Bela, I accepted everything about you. And simple shits in the past won't make me love you less."
"Zephyr..." She finally smiled. I hugged her and kissed her forehead.
"Don't step on yourself Bela because I will be here to pull you up again. I love you the way you are, all right?" I said. She nodded and hugged me back.
***
The charity ball came and I wear a white tuxedo. Wala naman akong balak mag-tagal sa event na to dahil nangako ako kay Bela na uuwi ng maaga para sa kanya.
"Bro!" Laurent greeted me. Agad tong lumapit sa'kin, "Puting-puti ah. Di ka magmumukhang mabait sa damit mo." Pangaasar niya.
"You know, man? You can shut up." I answered him but he just laughed.
We were greeted by the organizers and staffs of the charity ball. Some business man talked to me and tried to deal a proposal to me but I'm not here for business.
"Zephyr!" A familiar voice came from my back. Lumingon ako at nakita si Vienna na palapit sa'kin. She's wearing a violet sleeveless long neck line gown and she looks stunning, "Wow. I didn't know you're here."
"Hi Ven." I greeted and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. I awkwardly stepped back and wiped her kiss in my cheek.
"Hey." Laurent greeted her and they give each other a cheek to cheek kiss, "You look sexy, Ven."
"Thanks." She answered and shifted her eyes to me, "Do you have a date? I can be your date."
"No, I'm fine. Di naman ako magtatagal." Sagot ko.
"Don't be a killjoy, Zephyr." She chuckled and cling her arms around mine and pulled me away from Laurent. I turn my head to him to ask for help but he just mouthed good luck and walked away. That asshole!
Hinila ako ni Ven sa bar counter at nag-order ng whisky para sa'kin at margarita para sa kanya. Hindi naman ako umimik at tahimik na sinamahan siyang uminom. The program started and they discussed the foundation they were about to build and asking for possible donators.
"So, what are you doing here?" I opened a topic.
"I want to be one of the donators in the foundation." Aniya, "Alam mo namang mahilig akong tumulong sa mga charity."
"I know. Why did I even ask?" I laughed.
"I heard that you have a girlfriend." Saad niya kaya napatingin ako sa kanya, "Who's the lucky woman? Seryoso ka ba sa kanya?"
"San mo nalaman yan?" Tanong ko, "Yeah, I have my girl already and I'm damn serious with her."
"Kaya pala ilag ka kanina sa'kin." She sighed, "I-I thought we can be back together again Zephyr."
"Ven, our relationship back then was pure sex. No more, no less." I answered. Hindi to umimik at maya lang nag-excuse siyang pupunta sa restroom.
I sighed and stood up from my seat. Naki-salamuha ako sa mga guests at nakipag-usap kahit papaano. Nang matanaw ko si Laurent na may akbay na dalawang babae ay agad ko siyang nilapitan.
"Mauuna na ko." Paalam ko.
"Woah. Wala ka pa ngang dalawang oras dito." Aniya at nagpaalam sa mga babaeng kasama niya, "Let's go clubbing."
"No thanks. I promised Bela to go home early." I answered. Everything seem different to me now. Kung dati ay di ako mapirmi sa penthouse, ngayon gusto ko na lang mag-stay dun buong araw. How love changes a person.
"You're a killjoy." Napapa-iling na sagot niya, "It's Magnus."
"Huh?" Sinundan ko ang tinitignan niya at nakita ko si Magnus na nakatingin din sa gawi namin. He smirked and raise his glass of wine at me. Kumunot ang noo ko.
"What is he up to?" Laurent asked, "Masyado siyang obsessed sa pagpapabagsak ng mga Montenegro."
"Just ignore the man, bro." I sighed. I don't know what that Elinzano wants from us. I still remembered when I was in college of business and Magnus was studying there too. Walang araw na hindi niya ko niyabangan. Lahat ng bagay ginagawa niyang kompites'yun kahit wala naman dapat paglabanan. From studies up to the girls I'm bedding.
"Mamaya ka na umuwi, okay?" Ani Laurent at inabot sa'kin ang champagne na kinuha niya sa dumaan na waiter.
"Thirty minutes." Sagot ko.
"Nasan na pala si Ven? Di ba't kayo ang magkasama?"
"Nagpaalam siyang pupunta sa restroom. Hindi na bumalik." I shrugged. Not that I actually care. Mas mabuti ngang di na siya bumalik.
"How's your night, Mr. Montenegro?" Singit ng isang malamig na boses sa'min. Napa-buntong hininga ako at hinarap 'yun.
"What do you want, Magnus?" I asked calmly.
"Is that how you answer a person who's asking you?"
"You look more likely a demon." Laurent answered making me laugh.
"I'm not asking for your opinion Mr. Schmitz." Magnus said and turn his gaze to Laurent.
"Well, I'm not giving an opinion, Mr. Elinzano. It's actually a fact telling you to fuck off." Laurent grinned.
"Excuse me but we don't have time for non sense talks like this, Mr. Elinzano." Singit ko sa kanila.
"Just because you're happy, doesn't mean it will last until the end, Zephyr." He said making me look at him. He has this smirked in his lips and his cold eyes glinted with an evil emotion.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll know soon." He said and stepped towards me. Pinantayan niya ko ng tayo at nginisian, "Your impulsive decisions will break you." And he left me dumbfounded. What the fuck is he planning now?