Chapter 2
"Well?" I grinned and gave him a twirl.
"It's beautiful, Mallory." He said and smiled tightly. Then he frowned. "But do you really have to wear that gown?"
"What?" I cocked an eyebrow. "You said it's beautiful!"
"Yes, but it's too . . . revealing." Aniya.
Sumimangot ako at tiningnang muli ang aking repleksiyon sa salamin. My body is clad in a backless deep red gown with a long slit to showcase my long legs.
He slumped on his seat and crossed his arms like a child. Napatawa ako sa kaniyang inakto. "We're going to a party, Mallory. There are lots of . . . people."
"Of course!" humalakhak ako. "It's a party, Leon. What would you expect?"
"I just don't want people to get the wrong idea, Mallory." He sighed and got up from his seat.
"It's okay . . ." nilapitan ko siya at hinalikan ang kaniyang panga. Leon wrapped his arms around my trimmed waist. "I'm a model, remember? I should be the darling of the crowd."
Napailing na lamang siya at napatingin sa kaniyang rolex sa kamay. "Let's go. We're going to be late for the party."
I linked my arms with him and we both headed out of the door. Naghihintay na ang kaniyang sasakyan na maghahatid sa amin papunta sa venue ng party. The wind is cold but it's nothing like Japan. Bigla kong na-miss ang nyebe sa Japan pagtapak ko pa lamang sa airport ng Pilipinas. If it weren't for Leon, I would rather stay in Japan than here.
"Tomorrow evening we're going to meet my father for a dinner." aniya habang inaalalayan ako papasok ng sasakyan. He occupied the seat next to me and shut the door close. "And . . ." he squinted on his iPad. "Someone would like to have a meeting with you, probably offer you a contract for modelling."
"Cancel it," I said, staring at my softly-manicured nails. "I have something else to do while I'm here in the country."
"Okay," aniya at itinago ang device. He leaned back and crossed his legs, grabbed a bottle of champagne and offered me a glass.
Tumawa ako. "Baka malasing tayo bago pa tayo makarating sa party,"
"C'mon . . ." aniya. "It's not like you're not a heavy drinker, babe. Heck, your alcohol tolerance is much better than mine!"
I took a sip of the red liquid and gazed at the car window. The traffic is so bad. I've stayed in Japan for just a few years that I've accustomed to their culture and way of life. In two days since I've left the country, I am already aching for the land of the rising sun.
Nang masilayan ko na ang venue ay inayos ko ang aking sarili. Leon offered his arms to me as we climbed out of the car. I linked my arms with him and prepared a sly smile as the media came closer to our vehicle. The flashes of their cameras nearly blinded my eyes as they took turns in taking pictures of the two of us. Until we entered the main function hall, some media are still trailing after us.
I immediately relaxed when they are out of sight. The soft melody entered my ears as we walked to our designated table. Pero bago pa man kami makarating doon ay may tumawag na kay Leon. A middle-aged businessman sauntered towards us, offered us a glass, and clapped Leon on the back.
"You've grown a lot!" he said with cheeks reddening. "I can't remember the last time I saw you, Leon. The next thing I know is you're planning to run for senatorial."
Nanigas ako sa kintatayuan ko pagkarinig ng kaniyang sinabi. I shot Leon a questioning look but he just ignored me. He smiled to the middle-aged man instead.
"It's really great to see you again, Mr. Latasa."
Dumako ang tingin ng lalaki sa akin at lumawak ang kaniyang ngiti. "I assume this is your girlfriend?"
"Yes. This is Mallory Rose Castillo."
"Good evening, Sir." Inilahad ko ang aking kamay. We did a firm handshake before I pulled my hands away and step back next to Leon.
"Still a girlfriend, eh?" tumawa ito. "You guys are not getting any younger. You should get married!"
"We're thinking about it." Ani Leon at hinigpitan ang kaniyang hawak sa aking beywang.
Pilit akong ngumiti sa matanda at nakipagkuwentuhan hanggang sa umalis na siya. We finally went to our designated seat. Kami lang yata ang bata sa aming lamesa. Puno ito ng mga matatanda at sopistikadang mag-asawa na inanyayahan din para sa event na ito.
"Why didn't you tell me that you're planning to enter politics now?" I hissed at Leon.
He took a sip of his wine first before he glanced at me. "It's not like you're going to approve, Mallory." Aniya.
"Of course, I wouldn't." I gritted my teeth. "Leon, my life is in Japan. My career, my house, and the places I love the most is in that country. I'm not going to stay here in the Philippines any longer. What's gotten into you? Akala ko ba'y napag-usapan na natin ito?"
He sighed. "Mallory, please." Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay. "Try to understand me. My entire family is expecting me to step into politics as well."
"You don't have to follow them," I said, trying not to feel upset as I crossed my legs and leaned back on my chair. Napatingin ako sa dalawang bakanteng upuan sa aming harapan. The program started after a few minutes. I try not to get bored with all the businessmen trying to donate the highest amount of money for the charity. If I know, they're just doing it for the sake of their business' reputation.
The woman in front of me tapped her husband and pointed towards the front door. Lumiwanag ang mukha ng kaniyang asawa at kaagad na tumayo kahit pa na may nagsasalita sa harapan.
Pinilit kong huwag lumingon at magpadala sa aking kuryosidad lalo pa nang marinig ko ang kanilang nag-uusap na boses sa likuran. Leon wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer.
"We'll talk later in the condo, okay?" bulong niya sa akin.
Hindi ako sumagot.
"Please, Mallory?" untag niya sa akin. "I don't want you to be mad at me," malambing ang kaniyang boses na wika.
I sighed. "We'll just talk later, Leon," I said in a clipped tone.
I felt him relaxed slightly next to me. "Okay, babe. Or would you like to sneak out of this party?"
Umiling ako. "I still have my manners, Leon. And besides, I'll use this opportunity to network and connect with other people I might need."
Napatitig lang sa akin si Leon at mayamaya pa'y napailing. Umayos siya ng upo at nakinig sa nagsasalita sa harapan.
"I'm just going to talk to Mr. Barry," wika niya pagkatapos ng ilang sandal. Tinapik niya nang marahan ang aking kamay na nasa aking hita. "Stay here,"
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. He's talking to me as if I'm a three-years old kid. Tapping my 6-inch heels against the floor, I heard heavy footsteps towards my direction.
"—planning to construct another branch again?"
Bahagya siyang humalakhak. "I don't know, Sir. But one thing's for sure. Once I finally find the woman—" nagtagpo an gaming mga mata at mabilisang nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang mukha.
The color from his face drained. I ran my gaze from his head to toe. Sobrang laki na ng kaniyang ipinagbago magmula nang huli ko siyang makita. His body is bigger and wider, his muscle strained beneath his expensive tuxedo. He's neatly combed today as well. Ang panga ay mas lalong nadepina pati na rin ang talas ng kaniyang mga mata.
I smiled sweetly at him.
"Hi," I chirped.
"Oh, you know her already?" wika ng matandang lalaki sa kaniya at nginitian din ako.
Nagtaas ng kilay ang babaeng nakakapit sa kaniyang braso at mas lalong isiniksik ang sarili nito sa kaniya.
"M-Mal . . ." he choked.
I pulled myself from my seat and leaned towards him, giving him a peck on the cheeks. "It's nice to see you again!" wika ko.
He swallowed. Hindi niya inalis ang kaniyang titig sa akin hanggang sa makaupo akong muli. "Well? Why don't you take a seat?"
Sage dragged himself to the chair across me, never tearing his gaze from me. Kinuha ko ang wine glass sa aking harapan at sumimsim nang hindi inaalis ang aking tingin sa kaniya.
"So, as I was saying, Mr. Monterio—"
"Sage!" Leon appeared out of nowhere. Inilipat ni Sage ang kaniyang tingin sa kaniya at bumaba ito sa kamay ni Leon na nakapatong sa aking balikat. I didn't miss how his jaw clenched at the simple gesture. "Good to see you again, man." Anito.
Hindi sumagot si Sage. Ibinalik lamang niya ang kaniyang tingin sa akin na para bang napapantastikuhan siyang nandito ulit ako sa kaniyang harapan ngayon.
A sly smile appeared on my lips. "We've been looking forward to meet you again, Mr. Monterio. I've been looking forward to you all night, Sage . . ."