Chapter 7
"Who do you think you are?" tanong ni Sophia sa lalaki habang nakasakay na sila ng elevator.
Pagkatapos niya ay hinila na agad siya ng lalaki.
"You easily forget things." bulong ng lalaki
"Excuse me? I don't know you." mataray na sabi ni Sophia
"Yeah you don't know me." simpleng sagot ng lalaki
"Psychopath." bulong ni Sophia
"I can hear you." sagot ng lalaki
Umirap na lamang si Sophia dahil inis na siya sa lalaki. Napakafeeling close nito sa kanya.
Pagkatapos ng maikling pag-tatalo nila ay nakarating na sila sa lobby. Agad namang hinawakan ang papulsuhan.
"Stop touching me! Will you? Kanina mo pa ako hinihila!" sigaw ni Sophia
Agad din namang binawi ni Sophia ang kanyang papulsuhan sa lalaki. Napatigil ito dahil sa kanyang sigaw. Maraming tao sa lobby at halos lahat ay nakatingin sa kanila.
"Come on. Let's go." malumanay na sabi ng lalaki
Nauna ang lalaki sa paglalakad at agad din namang siyang sumunod papunta sa buffet area. Hindi niya alam kung bakit sila nandito, malamang kakain pero bakit sinabi nito na naghihintay na ang mga ito sa kanya.
Lumabas siya sa glass doors ng buffet area at nabigla sa kaniyang nakita.
"Oh anak, Sophia you're here." panimula ng kaniyang ama
Naguguluhan siya kung bakit nandito ang kaniyang ama.
"Dad why are you here?" nagtataka niyang tanong
"It seems you and Grae know each other." masayang sambit ng ama.
"Dad I can't process everything." lito niyang sambit.
"And that man! I request to ban him from Sablière he's causing trouble!" iritang sabi ni Sophia
"What happened son?" tanong ni Mr. Ramirez
"Nothing Dad, some usual girls fighting over nonsense things." bored na pagsasalita ni Grae
"I told you to stop from your bad habits son." pangangaral ni Mr. Ramirez sa kaniyang anak
"It's okay, Eduardo." pagpigil ng kaniyang ama
"And for your request Sophia, I'm sorry baby I can't grant your request. They're our architects, they're important to us." pag-papaalala ng kaniyang ama.
At naalala niya na ito nga pala ang kinukwento ng kaniyang ama sa kaniya kanina lamang.
Hindi na siya nakaimik sa kaniyang ama dahil alam niya kung gaano kaimportante ang mga Ramirez sa kanila.
"Let's eat?" pag-anyaya ng kaniyang ama
There are different cuisines served in the table. Mostly it's Filipino Food I haven't tried before, like their tahong and other seafoods. Sa hapag ay nasa harap ni Sophia ang antipatikong si Grae.
"So how's your stay here in PH Sophia?" tanong ni Mr. Ramirez habang naglalagay siya ng pagkain
"It's good Mr. Ramirez especially now I've seen Sabliére." magalang na sagot ni Sophia
"It's in good hands tho, You've got the best architects and engineers in Asia Ms. Miller" pagmamayabang ni Grae
"Well the company is also running well with the management of my Dad, right?" balik na sagot ni Sophia at tumingin sa ama
"Of course ija. My son is just blunt." Mr. Ramirez explained
"With the union of Ramirez Builders Inc. And Sablière International Corp. we're able to go this far." her Dad explained
Kahit na inis siya sa antipatikong Grae na nasa harap nya hindi siya nagpapadala rito at nagpakabusog na lamang.
"We have a meeting after this Sophia. You're left with no one. Might consider joining us huh?" pag anyaya ng kanyang Ama
"I'm fine Dad, i'll just maybe uhmm" Sophia answered while thinking
"Grae can escort your daughter Achilles." pag-aalok ni Mr. Ramirez
"No. It's fine po, i'm okay lang po." pagtanggi ni Sophia
"If you insist hija." sambit ni Mr. Ramirez
"Besides we need Grae in our conference." tugon ng kaniyang ama
Tapos na ang lahat kumain at una nang nagpaalam ang kanyang ama.
"We'll go ahead Sophia. Call me or Lito if you need something." paalam ng kanyang ama
"Okay Dad, take care." sambit ni Sophia bago umalis ang kanyang ama at si Mr. Ramirez
Nagtataka siya dahil hindi pa din umaalis ang antipatikong si Grae. At naabutan niya na nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakatingin sa kanya.
"You might wanna change your clothes lil girl." pang aasar ni Grae
"And why would I Mr. Manwhore?" savage answer by Sophia
"You're left alone and you're wearing that crap?" sabay turo sa tube top niya
"Do you have a problem? And why do you care? It's none of your business." Sophia is pissed off kaya minabuti nya na umalis na lang sa hapag.
May ibinulong si Grae pero hindi niya na iyo naintindihan. Ang hilig talaga bumulong ng lalaking yon pero hindi naman naiintindihan.
She decided na pumunta na lamang sa beachfront. There are sunloungers and huge umbrella kung saan sya makakapagpahinga. Napansin niya na may mga bodyguards na sumusunod sa kanya kaya minabuti niyang itext and Dad niya.
Dad is this our guards?
text niya sa Dad niya, minutes have passed pero hindi pa din ito nagrereply. To her surprise lumapit sa kanya ang guard.
"Ma'am guard po ako ni Don Achilles, pinapasamahan lang po kayo. Pagdating po ni Lito o ni Sir Grae ay babalik na den po ako sa quarters." paliwanag ng guard
"Okay, thank you po."
Tumango ang guard at umupo na si Sophia sa isa sa mga sunlounger.
It is humid unlike when they arrived from NYC. Kaya mas naisipan niya na lang na mag stay sa mga sunlounger dahil baka masunburn lamang siya sa pagbababad.
Isinuot niya ang kanyang aviator sunglasses at humiga na sa sunlounger. Ngunit hindi pa siya nakakasampung minuto na nakahiga ay may agad na kumapit sa kanya.
"Ate Sophia, Ate Sophia." tawag ng isang batang babae
Napabangon agad siya. Nakita niya ang isang batang babae prolly 6 years old
"I've watched you on tv eh, you're my idol." the child said
"Ma'am ayos lang po ba ang lahat?" hindi namalayan ni Sophia na nakalapit na pala ang bodyguard sa kanila
"Yes po. We're fine, kilala nyo po ba siya?" tanong niya sa guard
"Ay pasensya po ma'am hindi po eh." tinanguan niya ito at bumalik na ang guard sa kaniyang dating posisyon
"What's your name sweetie? Are you lost?" pag aalala ni Sophia
"I'm Ria 6 years old po and I'm looking for kuya, Ate Sophia" magiliw na tugon ni Ria
"Oh what's the name of your kuya, Ria? I can help you tho." pag-aalok ng tulong ni Sophia
"No thanks po, I can manage naman po. Kuya is still busy." Ria said
The child has a fair skin, apple cut hair, and beautiful brown set of eyes.
"Do you have a nanny or what?" pagtatanong ni Sophia
"Yes, but I think she can't find me e Ate Sophia." sabi ng bata habang nakahalumbaba
"Riaaa! Riaaaa! Riaaa!" sigaw ng isang babae habang palingon lingon
"I'm here Yaya Shine!" tawag ni Ria sa kanyang nanny
"Jusko kang bata ka! Kanina pa kita hinahanap!" pagsisintimyento ng katulong
"I just found Ate Sophia is here! She's my idol!" galak na sabi ng bata
Nginitian siya ni Yaya Shine at ngumiti din naman pabalik si Sophia.
Umupo si Sophia sa sunlounger at kinandong ang bata.
"Come here sweetie, sit here." tawag niya kay Ria
"Ate your too beautiful in personal po pala." magalang na sabi ng bata
"I'm flattered Ria." Sophia said
"Totoo naman po ma'am." sambit ni Yaya Shine
"Ay Yaya Shine nga po pala." sabay abot ng kamay ng katulong
"Sophia po." at tinanggap naman ni Sophia ang kamay ni Yaya Shine
"May kasama pa po ba kayong iba Ate Shine?" tanong niya rito
"Ay opo, pero madalas kame lang po naiiwan ni Ria e." pagpapaliwanag ng katulong
Marami silang napagkwentuhan. Tungkol sa buhay ni Yaya Shine na ito pala ay may isa ng anak sa highschool. Pero si Yaya Shine ay 35 years old pa lamang ang asawa niya ay nagtatrabaho den sa mga magulang ni Ria.
"Ay ganon po talaga ang buhay ma'am" sambit ni Ate Shine pagkatapos ng mahaba nilang pag-uusap, nakatulog na din si Ria sa kanya kaya napatagal ang kanilang pag-uusap
Mag-aalasingko na nang napagpasiyahan nila na maghiwahiwalay.
"It was nice meeting you Ria and Ate Shine." Sophia said smilingly
"I slept very soundly Ate Sophia! Thank you po!" Ria said
"Salamat din ma'am Sophia!" galak na sabi ni Ate Shine
"Sophia na lang po Ate Shine! Hope to meet you again!" ani Sophia
i
"Sige Sophia sa susunod nalang ulit." pamamaalam ni Ate Shine
Bago siya umalis ay sinundan niya muna ng tingin ang dalawa at saka naglakad patungo sa main building ng hotel and resort nila kung nasaan ang room niya.
The usual sa Executive Floor walang tao sa hallway. Siguro bukas pa magiging maingay ang vacation niya dahil darating ang Mamita at Grandpa niya. Pumasok na siya sa kanyang room which is 305.
Dahil wala na naman siyang ibng gagawin mas pinili niyang umupo sa round sofa malapit sa glass window ng kanyang hotel room. She's still amazed with the view, and she will never get tired of this view.
"What did I do to you? What did I do to you to treat me like this?! Stop! Please Stop!" a woman said while crying on bended knees
The woman's picture is still blurry I can't see her face. But I can hear her voice! Her voice sounds so familiar and it give me that chills!
"Mapapel ka kase! You foolish slut!" a woman said wearing his red dress
Her voice is so angry that I am trembling when I heard her voice. Like the other woman her face is also blurry, she has short curly hair like the villain in movies the fact that she is holding a gun.
Standing behind the crying woman is a child whose face is also blurry to me. She is in her night dress, she is just standing there like an innocent child.
"Hmmmm eto na pala ang anak nyo!" the villain woman said
"Please just go, I won't tell this to Achilles! Just go! Go!" the woman pleaded
There's always a woman crying and pleading for herself to be free along with her child from the woman with a gun. Maybe the woman in her red dress is full or grudge, well I don't know.
TOK TOK TOK
In life, we never know when we're gonna perish. It is important to live your life to the fullest and make amends to the people whom you've done wrong.
Sophia is sweating all over. Nagising na lamang siya sa round sofa na hinigaan niya kanina. What she have dreamed of is a nightmare. 7 o'clock na at hindi pa siya nakain. Pero kanina pang may nakatok kaya mas inuna niya munang buksan ito.
"Good evening Ma'am Sophia! Heto na po ang dinner nyo, pinadala po ito ni Don Achilles dahil hindi pa daw po tapos ang kanilang meeting at si Lito po ay nasa bayan pa din po." sabi ng isang room boy na may dalang pagkain
"Oh sige po thank you." ani Sophia
"San ko po ito ilalagay sa may dining po ba o dito nalang po sa living room?" anito
"Sa living room nalang po." tugon niya
"Food is served ma'am! Enjoy your meal!" anito bago umalis ng room
Sophia isn't hungry yet. She is craving for something else and it is not the roasred chicken in front of her. Kaya kinuha niya ang map na nasa coffee table malapit sa entrance ng kanyang hotel room.
After minutes of searching in the map of their hotel and resort nahanap na niya ang kanyang destination. Agad siyang nagpunta sa banyo ng kanyang kwarto at naghilamos. After that she put a little bit of makeup including liptint, mascara, and cheektint. She also curled the ends of her hair and she's ready to go.
Bago siya umalis ay tiningnan muna niya ang kanyang sarili sa full length mirror at nang nakuntento na ay saka siya umalis at sumakay ng elevator. 9 o'clock na nang nakaalis siya ng kaniyang hotel room.
Paglabas ay sinundan niya lamang ang inaral niyang daan para makapunta sa destinasyon. It is not far away from the hotel. It is included in their resort.
While walking, she prayed that her Dad won't be mad at her. After minutes of walking dumating na siya sa kaniyang destinasyon. She saw the blinking lights and the loud music of the DJ including the people enjoying the night. She looked up and saw Coco Palace after that is wriiten Sablière.
Sophia saw in the internet that their Coco Palace Club in Sablière has many good reviews l and people enjoy alot.
The bouncers let her enter the club. At agad ito nagsalita sa kanilang walkie talkie. Hindi niya na narinig ang sinabi ng mga ito dahik masyado siyang excited.
Dumiretso siya sa bar top at agad na umorder.
"One shot of tequila." aniya
"Coming" tugon ng bartender
As soon as the bartender give her drink Sophia drank it and suck the lime.
"Tequila again" aniya
She immidiately drank it again
"Another tequila please." ani Sophia
"Here ma'am"
"Thanks." aniya
Agad niya uli itong ininom kasunod ang lime.
Please just go, I won't tell this to Achilles! Just go! Go! Naalala na naman niya ang napanaginioan kanina. Is her Dad connected with it? May alam ba ang kanyang ama dito.
"Another tequila again?" tanong ng isang bagong dating na lalaki.
"Hmm-mm" sagot ni Sophia
The man looks like a teenager but one year older than her probably 18 or 19 years old. He seems to be a half blood.
"Tequila for her" sabi ng lalaki sa bartender
"I'm Chris by the way." pagpapakilala nito
Pagkalapag ng tequila ay agad nya uli itong ininom. Habang ang iniinom naman ng lalaki ay rum.
"Hi Chris! I'm Sophia." tugon niya
"I know you haha. Alone?" ani Chris
"Yeah." aniya
"Where's your boyfriend?" tanong ni Chris
"I don't have one" tugon ni Sophia
"You gotta be kidding me!" pang aasar ni Chris
"Yeah, it's true." aniya
"So why are you here?" tanong ni Chris
"To enjoy and seize the night, you why are you here tho?" tugon ni Sophia
"Same answer, my girl" ani Chris
She's used to this kind of crowd ang guys. She knows how to make her way out.
"Wanna dance, Chris?" that's her usual way to get away with some guys leeching on her
"Maybe later." This one is unlike the other guys but Sophia has Plan b for this
"I'll just go to the restroom Chris." paalam niya
"Wait before you go, can we have just one drink." anyaya ni chris
"Oh okay." pag payag niya para tumigil na ito
"One tequila and rum" order ni Chris
"Do you really need to go?" tanong ni Chris
"I just need to use the restroom. I'll be back tho." palusot niya
"Well let's have our drink first. Cheers?" sabay abot sakanya ng kaniyang tequila ni Chris
"Cheers" aniya
Agad niya itong ininom at isinunod ang lime. Unlike the first three shots she's feeling a little tipsy after that fourth shot.
"Are you still going to the restroom?" tanong sa kaniya ni Chris
Her eyes can't focus on him. She is dizzy, she can't process what's going on.
"Are you okay?" tanong ni Chris at hinawakan siya sa bewang
She can feel Chris hands on her waist because she is wearing a cropped tube top.
Ang talukap ng kanyang mata ay unti unting bumibigat. Before she knew, someone carried her and the next thing Sophia knew she is calling for someone she can't remember.
"Please tell Wardie that I will miss him." after that everything went black