“Pupunta tayong Europe!” sabi ni Toni ng paulit ulit habang excited na nagkakakatok sa mga kwarto ng mga babae para gisingin ang mga ito.
“Ang ingay mo!” sabi naman ni Karen na kalalabas lang mula sa kwarto nila ni Marian na nakabihis na.
Instead of leaving Karen alone, mas lumapit si Toni dito at sumigaw ulit, “Pupunta tayong Europe!” sabi ni Toni in front of Karen’s face bago nag walk away na tumatawa.
Karen was furious dahil sa ginawa ni Toni, lalo syang nainis dahil nakita nyang nagtatawanan din ang mga nakakita sa nangyari na sila Georgina, Liz, Solenn Kaye at Iza.
//
Nauna ng nakarating si Vice sa out of the country destination nila, he was sat in a café wearing a trench coat dahil may i-fifilm silang interview ni Billy. The camera crew panned the camera towards him and then makikita din si Billy na kadarating lang. The two shook hands before Billy sat opposite him. May suot din na winter clothes si Billy dahil sa kaginawan ng panahon kung nasaan sila ngayon.
Bago sumigaw for take ang crew, nag usap muna ang dalawang magkaibigan.
“May hangover ka no?” tanong ni Vice kay Billy na natatawa.
Billy cleared his throat at umiling, “Wala na no, 12 hours of sleep lang ang cure pala.” Sagot ni Billy nakangisi.
“Kamusta yung girl na kasama mo kagabi?”
“Vice, I’m just friendly, not a whore like your bestfriend.” Billy said wiggling his eyebrows.
Vice smirked, “Two girls in one night again huh?”
“Oo naman, si Dong pa… Ikaw bro? You and Vanessa disappeared last night…” Billy hinted.
“Nag usap lang naman kami. Sa tingin mo gagawin ko pang complicated tong sitwasyon ko ngayon?”
“Kung ako sa’yo, enjoy every moment.”
“That’s what she said.”
“Guys, we’re ready to take…” sabi ni Jam habang hawak yung script ni Billy for the questions.
“Let’s work.” Sabi ni Billy at kinuha yung scripted questions for Vice to review them again.
//
From the moment that they stepped off the plane, nilagyan na ng blind folds ang mga girls para mas maging surprise ang location nila. Ang huling nakita nila bago sila mag landing ay ang winter surrounding ng country kung nasaan sila ngayon. There was a bit of snow and fog kaya alam nilang they’re definitely not in the Philippines anymore. Ang only question ay kung nasaang bansa sa Europe sila.
The girls were assisted to get in the two limos na inarrange for them, they’re all still wearing the blindfolds kaya naman hindi rin nila alam kung sino ang mga kasama nila sa limosine.
“First time kong makakakita ng snow.”
“Toni?”
“Karylle, nandito ka?”
“Yes!!!” sagot naman ni Karylle na marinig yung boses ng kaibigan.
“Ang ingay nyo naman, may jetlag pa ako.”
“So Marian is here too huh?”
“Sos?”
“George?”
“Yeah, where are you sat?” sabi ni Georgina na ni-reach ang arms nya forwards to feel for someone.
“Wag mo nga akong hipuan!” sabi ni Marian at tinulak palayo ang kamay ni Georgina na halos na dibdib nya na.
“Where do you think we are?” curious na tanong ni Karylle while moving her head around as if may nakikita sya.
“I want to say France.” Sabi ni Solenn.
“Iceland? May yelo eh.” Sagot naman ni Toni at tumawa after. Natawa din naman sina Karylle sa sagot ni Toni, and then tumahimik na silang lahat hangga’t makarating sa destination kung saan nila imemeet si Vice.
//
Nasa hotel na si Vice kung saan sila mag s-stay ng mga girls, syempre separate room pa rin sya. Kausap ni Vice si Lyle at mukhang nakikipag argue pa sya dito. Nakaupo naman si Billy while snacking on some nuts habang pinapanood ang pag uusap ni Vice at Lyle sa may terrace ng hotel room ni Vice.
“Kailangan ko lang talaga syang makausap.”
“Without cameras? Vice, ang kontrata ay kontrata, at sa pinirmahan mong kontrata, we can’t allow you to be with any contestants without filming you.”
“Lyle, please.”
“Sorry… I’m only doing my job. Talk to the heads if you want, but I can assure you, they’ll say the same thing.”
Vice sighed at bumalik na lang sa loob ng room, he nudged Billy para tumayo ito.
“Baba na tayo, parating na daw mga girls.”
Naglakad naman yung dalawa papuntang elevator, the cameras still following them. Pagbukas ng elevator, pumasok na sina Billy at Vice, pero nung papasok na sana yung camera crew, pinigilan sila ni Vice.
“Kunin nyo yung next one.” sabi ni Vice sa mga ito kaya naman kumunot ang noo ni Jam.
Nung magsara yung pinto ng elevator, hinarap ni Vice si Billy na kumakain parin ng mani.
“Hindi ka pinayagan ni Lyle noh?” amused na tanong ni Billy.
“You have to help me.” Seryosong sabi ni Vice.
“Help you?” tumawa si Billy, “Paano? Ano ba kasing balak mo?”
“Kailangan ko syang makausap, Billy. Nangako ako sa kanya.”
Billy saw Vice’s desperation kaya naman he sighed before nodding, “Fine, but you better have a plan.”
“Thank you, brad.” Sabi ni Vice at pinat si Billy sa likod.
Pagbukas ng elevator ay saktong pumapasok ang mga girls sa hotel lobby habang naka blind fold parin ang mga mata nito.
“You may now take your blind folds off.” Sabi ni Billy nung nakatayo na sila in front of the girls ni Vice.
Sabay sabay namang tinanggal ng mga girls yung blindfolds nila. They all grinned when they saw Vice bago nag look around sa napaka posh na hotel kung nasaan sila ngayon. High ceiling, chandelier lights, perfectly polished granite floors, gold carvings sa walls and luxury lobby furnitures. Kung sa lobby ganito na kasosyal, paano pa kaya ang mga rooms?
“You’re all wondering where we are right?” sabi ni Billy kaya naman tumango ang mga girls, he then stepped back to allow Vice to speak.
“First of all, hello sainyong lahat… I hope naging okay naman ang travel nyo papunta dito…” he said with a smile before pointing behind the girls.
“Welcome to Switzerland, ladies.” Sabi ni Vice while pointing at the red flag with a white cross on it.
//
Right after makapag settle in ng mga girls sa hotel rooms nila, they all dressed up for a banquet na pinprepare for them. Vice did a toast before they all ate together and then danced after. Nung patapos na ang gabi, Vice grabbed Billy.
“The plan.” Bulong ni Vice kay Billy at sabay nilang hinanap yung target nilang babae.
“Yeah, I know I know, get her alone.”
“Tara na.”
“Okay, okay, you better be quick, I can only hold off the crew for a few minutes.”
“Ready na lahat, we just need to get her in the car para makaalis kami.”
“You’re really hooked with this one girl, noh?”
Vice frowned at napangiti, “Ewan ko sa’yo… Let’s go.” Sabi ni Vice bago lumayo kay Billy para di sila mahalata.
Billy casually approached the two girls na nakatayo sa may tapat ng buffet. He grabbed a plate at kunwaring kumukuha ng pagkain, he purposely bumped into one of the girls.
“Uy, hello girls.” Sabi ni Billy at ngumiti.
“Hi Billy.” sabi naman ni Toni at confused na ngumiti rin.
“Try mo yung shrimp cocktail, masarap.” sabi naman ni Karylle ng makitang naghahanap ng kukuning pagkain si Billy.
Not a minute after, dumating din si Vice kung saan nakatayo sila Billy, Karylle and Toni. Kumuha sya ng two glasses of wine.
“Pwede ba tayong mag-usap?” tanong ni Vice out of nowhere.
Tumalikod naman sina Toni at Karylle dahil hindi nila alam kung sino tinatanong talaga ni Vice. Toni turned to Karylle dahil sure syang si Karylle ang kausap ni Vice. Ngumiti si Karylle at tatango na sana, but when Vice passed the other wine glass to Toni, na-clear na ang lahat.
Vice gave Karylle a smile before placing a hand on Toni’s back para i-guide ito kung saan sila pupunta.
Billy saw the smile fell off Karylle’s face ng makita nitong umalis si Vice kasama si Toni instead of her. He smirked at binaba yung plate nya, “You okay?” tanong nya dito habang pinupunasan yung bibig at kamay nya with a napkin.
“Yeah…” she answered unconvincingly, “Excuse me…” paalis na sana sya ng pigilan sya ni Billy.
“Wait, Karylle, before you go, gusto ka nga palang makausap ni Lyle.”
“Huh? Bakit daw?”
“Yeah… Hindi ko alam kung bakit, sumunod ka na lang sa’kin.” sagot ni Billy at niyaya si Karylle to follow him.
//
“Anong ginagawa natin dito?” tanong ni Toni when Vice stopped infront of a large wooden door.
“Nung sinabi kasi sa’kin na may art gallery daw dito, ikaw agad naisip ko.” Sabi ni Vice and swiped his card sa may pinto para bumukas ito.
“Ako talaga?” Toni asked blushing.
“Yeah.” Tinulak ni Vice yung pinto at hinawakan ang kamay ni Toni para makapasok sila.
“You graduated from FEU, korek?”
“Yup.”
Naglalakad sila sa pulang carpet ng gallery while casually looking at the collections.
“What about you?”
“Sa St. Scholastica, bachelor of fine arts, major in painting.” Sabi ni Toni at nag expect ng reaksyon from Vice.
He didn’t fail to give her the reaction she was looking for, “Major in painting?”
Tumango si Toni while chuckling, “Oo… I enjoyed it naman, but without a muse, it’s a tough career… So I moved on to photography.”
“Gusto kong makita mga paintings mo, pwede ba?”
“Sure… Pero you have to keep me around for that.” Toni teased.
“I don’t need to see your paintings for me to do that, trust me.” Sabi ni Vice at inakbayan si Toni as they walked along the gallery while sipping on their wines.
Vice turned around sa camera na sumusunod sa kanila at binigyan ang camera man ng fake smile.
//
“Nakita mo si Karylle?” tanong ni Lyle kay Billy ng makabalik ito sa hall kung saan nagaganap yung banquet nila.
“Ah, si Karylle?” napakamot sa batok si Billy, “Yeah, I walked her up to her room, she said she wasn’t feeling well. Hinayaan ko ng magpahinga na, total naman matatapos na rin toh, diba?”
“Sige… Eh si Vice?”
“There he is.” Billy pointed to Vice na kababalik lang din kasama si Toni na tumatawa.
“Okay, pakisabi na i-wrap up na to. I’ll be in my room.” Sabi ni Lyle at umalis.
Billy sighed deeply bago kinuha yung mic to get the girls’ attention. Vice walked over to Billy at binigyan ito ng meaningful look.
The boys closed the night at nag goodnight na rin si Vice sa mga girls. Billy gave Vice a pat on the back as he got on the elevator by himself.
“Just be back here as soon as you can.” Bulong ni Billy kay Vice bago dinistract yung crew members nila.
“We should film short interviews with the girls, tara.” Sabi ni Billy na dinrag yung crew towards the hall kung saan may iilang girls pa.
//
Vice impatiently pressed the elevator button multiple times para makarating sa underground parking ng hotel. When the doors opened, nagmadali nyang hinanap yung kotse nya, when he reached his car, he breathed a sigh of relief ng makita yung babaeng kanina pa nyang gustong makausap talaga.
“Mapapahamak ka sa ginagawa mo eh.”
“It’s okay.” sabi ni Vice at nilapitan yung babae.
He stroked her hair and placed his hands on her face, “You’re worth it, Karylle.” He said with a genuine smile.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked habang nag b-blush pa rin. She could blame it on the cold weather, pero they both know na dahil ito sa sinabi ni Vice.
“Somewhere na malayo dito, malayo sa mga cameras… Like I promised you.” His hands travelled down to her arms to assure her.
“Well, let’s go then?” she grinned.
“You sure? Ayokong mapilitan ka.”
“Vice, I’ve been wanting to talk to you for ages, hindi ko na idedeny tong opportunity na ‘to. I want to explain, I want you to be able to look at me again with trust in your eyes.”
Vice nodded while looking into her eyes. He hugged her quickly bago pinagbuksan ng pinto ng kotse si Karylle.
“Let’s go.”