"Saan tayo, Miss?" the man asked.
I opened my mouth. Sasabihin ko na sana ang condo building ko but I remembered that this is a stranger. I can't just tell him where I live.
Where the hell is Kuya Victor? Bakit pa kasi pareho ang sasakyan namin at siya pa talaga ang nakahinto sa tapat ng entrance?
This will be another issue if this gets out. Lalo na at paniguradong mainit ang balita tungkol sa nangyari ngayong kagabi. Shit. I can only imagine the reporers who'll be waiting on our set tomorrow.
And what if this guy makes an issue about me getting in his car and asking him to drive off to avoid a paparazzi?
Bago pa ako makapag-isip kung sasagutin ko siya ay tumunog na ang phone ko sa loob ng purse. My face scrunched up in distress when I saw my manager's name flashing on the screen.
Pagkasagot ko pa lang ay isinigaw na agad nito ang pangalan ko. It doesn't even need to be on phone speaker. Hindi pa nakalapit sa tenga ay rinig na rinig na ang malakas na boses niya.
"My God! Patulog na dapat ako pero tinawagan ako ni Yvette! Tinatanong kung totoong engaged ka na dahil nagkalat ngayon ang pictures mo at ni Giovann sa social media! Lord, have mercy!" he ranted.
Nakapikit ako at medyo nakalayo ang tenga sa phone dahil ang lakas talaga ng boses niya. I remembered the guy sitting in front. Tumingin ako sa kanya. Hindi naman ito tumitingin sa akin. He was just driving quietly.
"Sunod-sunod na tumawag sa akin ang media. They need confirmation kahit na kita naman doon. Ano ba 'to, Kaia? Bakit hindi mo man lang ako sinabihan? Yari tayo sa big bosses nito! Jusko, St. Martin, pray for us!" he whined.
"I didn't know! I was ambushed. Hindi sinabi sa akin ni Giovann!" I brushed my hair in agitation.
"At um-oo ka talaga! Kaia, na-s-stress ako sa 'yo. Kakatapos lang ng cheating issue niyo ni Rowan. Kaia naman!" parang naiiyak na talaga na sabi nito.
"My parents were there! You know I can't say no. Especially in public," I reasoned out.
"Oh my God. Aatakehin ata ako sa puso sa 'yo. Nasaan ka ngayon, ha? Nandyan ka pa rin ba? The reporters will be there like flies!"
"I already left. Pauwi na ako ngayon-"
"No! Don't!" kontra niya. "I'm sure may nag-aabang sa 'yo roon kahit sa basement parking! Just go somewhere else. You can't speak to any reporter hanggang wala pa tayong maayos na statement."
I leaned back in resignation. He's right. I can't go in our house, too. Paniguradong may reporters din doon.
"Okay," pagod kong sagot.
"Okay... Okay..." pagkalma ni Mama Toni sa sarili. "I need to think. Paniguradong tatawagan ako ng management. I'll call you later. Get some rest and please behave. Stay away from social media."
Binaba ni Mama Toni ang tawag. I grunted in frustration. I want to cry in anger. I want a drink. I want to scream.
"You okay?" the man asked.
I clamped my jaw and glared at him. "What a stupid question. Do I look okay?"
Napalingon siya sa akin dahil doon. His lips parted and then he laughed. I was expecting him to be offended or stupefied, but he seems to find me amusing.
"Sorry na?" he snickered.
My eyes closed. I took a deep breath. I was being prickly. Wala naman siyang atraso sa akin. I'm even under his mercy because I'm in his car right now. Inabala ko pa siya at ginawang driver.
I'm a celebrity and I can't just be rude to anyone. I have an image to take care of. Lalo na ngayon.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled in a quiet voice. "You just caught me in a bad mood. Please don't... uhm... tell anyone about this."
"Why will I tell anyone?" he genuinely asked.
My forehease creased. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Nasa harapan lang ang nga mata niya. He doesn't know me?
"You don't know me?"
"Do I look like I know you?" he regaled.
Umuwang ang labi ko. Is he playing me or is it just dark here kaya hindi niya pa ako nakikita? Wow. Your ego is so big, Kaia.
Maybe he just genuinely doesn't know me. He doesn't feel like the type who follows the showbiz industry naman.
Why am I so concerned if he knows me or not? I have bigger issues to worry about. I just got fucked over tonight. My own father is stealing my choice and freedom for his own benefit and political purposes.
I've already let him control me when I agreed to date Giovann. They're really going extreme by forcing us to marry? Really?
Then there's my career. Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging feedback ng mga tao. There might be a lot of positive comments but I'm already expecting negativity, too. The cheating issue from last week might get dragged again!
"So where am I gonna drop you off?" he asked again.
"Sa Mars, pwede?" I grumbled.
He chuckled. "Can't. May pasok pa ako bukas. Sorry."
I ignored him and covered my face with my hands. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pwedeng pumunta. I can't go to any hotels. That will raise a question.
Hindi rin ako pwedeng pumunta sa celebrity friends. I don't trust anyone with the truth behind my relationship with Gio. I can't risk it. I just got engaged and I'm choosing to stay in someone else's place? That's absurd.
I don't know where to go. I feel so frustrated and helpless and tired... I just wanna go home and sleep.
Kusang lumabas ang mga luha ko. I cursed and angrily wiped my tears. I'm so mad at the situation that I can only cry. I inhaled sharply. The tears won't stop from rolling down.
"Damn, stop," I told myself. My voice trembled because of my state.
The guy suddenly pulled over. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan na kami. Muli kong marahas na pinunasan ang pisngi. The lights in front and the light on the upper part of the door beside me switched on at the same time.
Lumiwanag ang loob ng sasakyan. He turned his body to look at me. His lips parted when he saw my face.
Natigil ako sa pag-iyak. Lalo na nang nagtigil ang titig niya sa mukha ko. I waited for him to recognize me but it didn't come.
His forehead creased. His lips set downwards. "Why are you crying?"
"I don't know where to go," I repined.
"I thought you said you wanna go home?"
"I can't." Umiling ako.
His forehead creased. "A friend's house?"
"Hotel?" muling tanong niya nang hindi ako nagsalita.
"Hindi pwede. Someone might see me."
He looked bewildered at my statement. He really doesn't know me, kaya hindi niya makuha ang ibig sabihin ko na may makakakilala sa akin.
He pursed his lips. "I know a hotel. You can come without being... seen."
I bit my lip. How is that even possible? Unless he owns a hotel. Yeah, right. Baka may kakilala siya. Should I trust him? He's a stranger... but I don't exactly have a choice. At ako na nga lang ang tinutulungan nung tao.
"Okay." I nodded.
"Alright." Tumango siya at sinimulan na ulit paandarin ang sasakyan. Hindi niya na pinatay ang mga ilaw.
My eyes fell to my hand. Bumalik ang galit ko. Iritadong inalis ko 'yon sa daliri at ihinagis sa loob ng purse. Itatago ko na rin sana ang phone pero naalala ko si Kuya Victor. I sent him a brief text to apologize and inform him that I'm home.
"Which hotel are you going to bring me?" tanong ko at muling itinago na ang phone. I closed my purse before I get tempted to get my other phone and browse my social media accounts.
"Serrano Hotel in Makati," he simply replied.
I nodded and looked outside the window. We were accompained by silence the rest of the ride. Napaayos ako ng upo nang lumiko na ang sasakyan sa basement parking. He parked the car in the third level near the elevator bank. It wasn't as crowded as the other levels.
Tumingin-tingin ako sa labas para makita kung may tao ba sa labas. It looks like the coast is clear naman. He switched off the engine and clicked his seatbelt.
He made a ruckus in front before speaking up, "Here."
I looked at him. Inaabot niya sa akin ang isang itim na wayfarer. I bit my lip and shyly took it from him. Isinuot ko 'yon bago lumabas ng sasakyan.
Binilisan ko ang lakad palapit ng elevator. I heard the car blared and locked behind me. Nakasunod naman ito agad sa akin hanggang sa pinindot ko ang elevator.
"How am I going to get a room? I can't go to the lobby," I voiced out my concern.
"Don't worry about it. I have a room." He loopsidedly smile.
I wanted to ask him why. Galing din siya ng hotel kanina, bakit may hotel room din siya rito? Is he touring around the hotels? I was curious, but I don't wanna seem like I care. It's his life.
Bumukas ang elevator at pumasok kami agad. He pressed the top floor where the expensive suites usually are. My eyebrow raised at that. I still kept my mum.
The elevator went up. I stilled when it suddenly stopped in the eleventh floor.
"Shit," I hissed to myself. Gumilid ako nang bahagya. I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted my hand to hold my temple, wanting to subtly hide my face.
Two females were standing at the elevator door. I peeked through my fingers. Mukhang natigilan sila sa pagkakita sa amin. Their eyes curiously gazed at me.
I held my breath. The guy standing beside me cleared his throat. My heart skipped when he suddenly snaked his arm around my back and pulled me close to him.
He sidestepped, bringing me along with him. His hand held the back of my head and pressed my face on his chest.
My eyes widened as his ambrosial scent hit my nose. Wow. He smells so good. His chest feels firm against my cheek.
I was already 5'9" in my three inches heels but he was still taller than me. Hanggang ilalim ng baba niya lang ang ulo ko.
I bit my lip and slowly tilted my head to look at him. I was stunned. My lips parted and I couldn't believe at the sight that was beholding me.
Bakit mukha siyang prinsipe?!
It was dark in the car and I was too pertrurbed with my problems to even appreciate his looks. Hindi ko rin siya tinapunan ng tingin nang lumabas ng sasakyan kaya hindi ko siya agad nakita.
Every part of his face looked like art that I don't know where to start. His deep set eyes were so naturally sultry and hypnotizing, kahit na hindi naman sa akin nakatingin ay nakakaakit pa rin. His masculine eyebrows highlighted his eyes.
His nose was slightly aqualine; just the right size for his face. He's got a thin lips that looks pink and soft. I noticed the small beauty mark on the upper left corner of his lips.
He has a strong jaw that made him look fierce and... sexy. His black long hair that was brushed up is what made him look like a complete prince charming. He's sporting the usual prince charming haircut.
Is he a model? Imposible. He would have known who I am and I'm sure I'll never forget him. I've seen a lot of handsome faces but his face makes it all the way to the top.
Nakalimutan ko na ang tungkol sa dalawang babae. Pati nga ang pag-akyat ng elevator ay hindi ko na napansin dahil sa pagtitig sa kanya. My face was still planted on his chest while his arm was protectively wrapped around my back.
Huminto na ang elevator sa floor na pinindot niya. Binitawan niya ako pero sunod na inabot ang aking kamay. He quickly pulled me out of the elevator.
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga kamay naming magkahawak pa rin kahit nakalayo na sa elevator. Mukhang napansin niya 'yon dahil bumitaw siya agad at tumikhim.
"Sundan mo lang ako," anunsyo niya bago tumuloy sa paglakad.
He brought me to a huge suite with a living room and a king size bed. There's also what seems to be like a breakfast table at the far side of the bed near the big window. Nakasarado ang curtain but I know it's a beautiful overlooking of the city.
The suite looked untouched. Mukhang walang bakas na may gumagamit. Or maybe he asked for room service?
"Are you staying here?" I turned to him.
"No. I just use it..." He cleared his throat. "sometimes."
Kumunot ang noo ko pero ilang segundo lang ay nakuha ko na agad ang ibig niyang sabihin. This is his freaking fuck room.
I grimaced in disgust. Not so prince charming after all. I turned away from the bed. "I think I'm gonna sleep on the sofa."
"The sheets are clean. I'm sure a room attendant replaced it."
I glanced back at the bed. Now I have a perfect imagery of him and a random girl going at it in that bed. My face heated. I shook my head and I was more determined to sleep on the sofa.
My God. Kaia, stop judging the person because of his sex life. There's nothing wrong with having an active sex life as long as it's consensual and they're practicing safe sex.
Huminga ako nang malalim. "Thank you so much for helping me. I owe you."
I squirmed when he gazed at me with those highly seductive eyes. He bit his lips and then licked his lips. Namula ang mga labi niya dahil doon.
"Don't worry about it," he huskily said. "Aalis na ako para makapagpahinga ka."
Tumango ako. I absentmindedly sucked my lips. I saw how his eyes dropped to my mouth. He breathed in and quickly turned. Naglakad na siya patungo sa pinto at sumunod naman ako.
Nasa labas na siya ng room nang may naisip ako.
"Wait," I called out.
He immediately stopped at the sound of my voice. Humarap siya. His eyebrows were raised expectantly.
"I forgot to ask your name," I told him.
His luscious lips slightly curved into a smile. And my god, I almost melted at the sight of it. I thought I was immune to good looks.
He offered his hand. "I'm Hadeon. Hades na lang."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Is he serious?
Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtawa. That puzzled him a little. I elatedly accepted his huge hand and shook it. "Hades, I'm Kaia Persephone Ziegler."
His lips parted in surprise. It took him a few seconds before he deliciously grinned. "Persephone. I've been looking for you."
Bumagsak ang ngiti ko. I rolled my eyes and retrieved my hand from him. "Goodnight, Hades. Go back to hell."
He chuckled and licked his lips again. "Goodnight, Kore."