Louella
I am in a ManCom meeting nang magvibrate yung phone ko. A notification in one of my social media popped up.
@LCalvry Dinner lang, Pooper bear? Aww.
I don't know why a sudden smile formed my lips. Napatigil tuloy sa pagrereport yung Head ng finance habang nakatingin sakin. Akala yata ay natatawa ako sa report nya.
"Oh, sorry. Don't mind me." I dismissed. A little bit embarrassed though. "Just continue."
Concentrate, Louella. Goodness!
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling nang magreply ako sa thread namin ni Alliston. Ang dami na kasing nagcocomment doon.
@AlParker We can have dinner tonight and breakfast the next day. Maybe lunch and dinner again. Or breakfast, lunch, and dinner na lang kaya everyday, Alli bear?
Natawa talaga ako ng mahina nung mabasa na nagkomento doon si Grant and tin.tag pa lahat ng friends nila.
Crap! Smoothest proposal, girls. Tagging all Alli's chics, @Elisecalvry @LeighNilla @Sammie @KayVan @RieOliviar @JenMSilva @RailAlleman
At ang mga baliw na mga kaibigan din ni Grant ay nakigatong din sa pang-aasar.
From: LeighNilla
@GrantSilva bibigay ba si Alli? 200? Sweet nung everyday meals though. Smooth!
From : GrantSilva
@LeighNilla 300, Van? Oh, yeah! She asked me to drive for her date na later. Hariette is accompanying her to do her errands.
From: RailAlleman
@LeighNilla @GrantSilva keep it lowkey guys. Baka di makahomerun si Pooper bear. 400?
Hala, What the heck are they all talking about? Aware ba sila na open yung conversations nila and anyone can read it? Sobrang open pa ng terminologies na ginagamit nila.
From: Sammie
@GrantSilva @RailAlleman @LeighNilla C'mon girls. Golden Slam Champion for the win! 500?
Wait, is that Samantha Callaghan? Nakikigatong ito sa pang-aasar? Akala ko pa naman ito yung pinakamabait sa kanila.
Ano kaya yung numbers na pinag-uusapan nila?
All of the girls, replied Sure, Game, K, G.
I was about to drop my phone na para makinig sa report ng mga tao ko nang biglang magvibrate ulit iyon.
A chat from Alliston saying she hates her friends and she won't show up na lang para walang issue.
Napangiti naman ako ulit. Mukhang ito na yung trip ng mga kaibigan nya na asarin. Tapos pikon pa itong si Alliston.
I replied, @AlParker Pooper Bear will be sad if you won't show up.
@LCalvry Alli bear don't care.
That made me smile. A wide one.
I scanned the gallery in my phone. Hinanap ko yung photo ng toy na gustong-gusto nito nung bata ito. Yung time na umiyak pa ito dahil hindi iyon binili ng Mommy nito and I can't keep myself from teasing her because of it. She's so cute kasi habang umiiyak.
I ask a friend who's business is into those stuffs at nagpagawa ako ng exact replica ng ganoong toy. But instead of it's original size, I asked him to make a size of 6feet. Yung tipong mas malaki pa kay Alliston since she won the Golden Slam naman. It was supposed to be my gift sana kaso di ko naman maibigay dahil hindi naman nagpunta noong Victory party nito noon si Aria because of her agreement with our parents. Nakakahiya din kasi ibigay iyon lalo pa at hindi naman kami close ni Alliston.
Tapos nagpapresscon pa ito last year na magreretire na daw ito sa Tennis. And just recently when I stayed naman sa bahay nila sa Toorak, she said that she's no longer sleeping with a teddy. Mas lalo ko tuloy nakahiyaan na ibigay. Lalo pa at galit pa din pala ito sakin dahil sa pagpush ko noon sa kanya into playing Tennis.
@AlParker Pa-adopt si Pooper bear? I'll give it later if you'll show up.
After typing that ay pinasa ko din yung photo ng Koala teddy bear dito.
@LCalvry Shocks! For real?
@AlParker Yep. So?
@LCalvry Fine.
I personally sent Alliston a private message to dress decently kasi mamaya manipis at maikli na naman yung suot nito. Lamigin pa naman din ako and it's not my gesture to give away my coats just so she could feel warm and comfortable. Saka besides we will be talking business naman and not personal matters kaya there's no need for her to be oozingly attractive and charming.
I motioned my assistant na lumapit sakin habang nagrereport pa din yung management committee ko. I just motioned them to continue their reports.
"Ask a florist to make a bouquet arrangement of red tulips and purple iris." Utos ko dito habang iniisip yung tatawagan ko para sa food mamaya. "I need that before four this afternoon."
Tulips is Alliston's favorite flower. I know because Aria mentioned it to me before. But I want to add purple iris for the sole reason of its symbol. A perfect one sa gaya ni Alliston.
Tumango lang ito na tila ba natataranta na dahil sa tono ng boses ko.
"Call this place." Ibinigay ko dito yung mismong name ng building na kailangan ko for tonight's date. "Tell the owner that I need that place tonight. I want the whole space and tell him that I want a romantic arrangement. No other people. Just Alli and I. The food should be ready and must be prepared before eight. Pagkatapos they can all leave us."
"Any specific food that I should tell them to prepare?" kumpirma nito habang sige sa pagsusulat.
"Just authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food. Medium rare Steaks, cheese, and red wine. Make sure that they won't use any nuts or prepare any peanut-based dishes. Alliston has extreme allergies with that. No spicy food din because she doesn't like that. Did you get it?"
Nang tumango ito at matapos isulat iyong mga sinabi ko ay saka ulit ako nagbilin pa.
"Secure the place, okay? I will be with Alliston Parker. For sure, maraming Press ang makikiusyoso mamaya. I need the highest security possible."
After maibilin lahat ay nagconcentrate na ako sa reports para di ko na balikan mamaya. Maaga ako mag-a-out ngayon so I can prepare for that dinner.
I will go home early, will take a good nap, have a warm bath and choose one of my favorite dress suits.
Chill, Louella. Don't get too excited for endless possibilities of business expansions and deals. Alli got that high profile client-based that you have been eyeing for a long time. Make it purely business.
But I will be lying if I tell that it's all just business. Part of me would want to save Alli from ruining herself and to save her from her boytoy. Another part, is to give Grant the peace of mind that Alli will be in safe hands.
Saka I asked Hariette Oliviar. She admits na bestfriends lang sila ni Alliston and she just wants to make sure that Alli won't do anything stupid. Alli needs me the way I need her. We need each other. Lalo pa at inamin din ni Hariette yung relasyon nito at ni Candice. She agrees that I can have Alliston after I gave her the information that she can use laban kay Grant kung sakali man na mahuli ito at si Candice. A solid bargain that she can use against Grant. It is something na ikapapahamak ng asawa nitong si Jen. Grant's weakness.
Thanks to Jen who gave that information and evidences to me na pwede naming gamitin kay Grant para hindi nito magalaw si Hariette kung sakali man na magkagipitan.
Ang tanging kapalit lang na hiningi ni Jen sakin para doon ay ang gawin kong miserable ang buhay ni Kyeroh. She wants Kyeroh's family into ashes after of what they've done to her cousin.
We are too alike, Alliston. We both want deals that will be both beneficial for us. You're mine now. Lahat na yata nag-aagree. Ikaw na lang yung matigas.
******
I took a deep breath as Alli walks in.
A breathtaking sight.
Tumayo ako para salubungin ito. She really looks so pretty. Gusto ko man na mainis dahil nakadress na naman ito, showing some skin, I still have to give her the credits for still preparing for this dinner.
Of course, she have to. Ang daming Press na nakaabang, waiting for some juicy scoop they can get to confirm what's going on between the two of you.
"Hey." I greet her to hide my slight embarassment. Kahit ito din kasi ay halatang nailang din bigla. Which is out of our normal dahil sa tuwing magkikita kami ay lagi din naman kaming nagtatalo.
We are like two different independent woman trying to defeat each other.
"What's with this drama?" Ngumiti ito. Lumapit pa ito sakin para ipaghila ako ng upuan.
"Thank you but I can pull my own chair." Sabi ko pero naupo na din ako. If she wants to play that role, I won't stop her.
Nagkibit-balikat lang si Alliston. May kasunod itong tatlong bodyguards na sure ako na mga tauhan ni Grant. Their faces are quite familiar.
Inabot ng isa yung bitbit nitong bouquet din ng flowers. Red roses which makes me smile dahil meron din iyong purple iris.
"You don't like roses?" Umangat yung kilay nito bago umupo sa upuang kaharap ko.
The food is already served in the table just like the way I instructed.
"No." I shake my head. "Roses are fine. Though common."
Inabot ko sa kanya yung bouquet din ng flowers na dala ko.
I saw the way her face lit up seeing it's her favorite flower. "You've done your research?" Tanong nito na bahagyang napangiti din pagkakita sa purple iris. "Nice taste."
"You've got nice taste too." I compliment back. Ito naman ay pinadaanan ng daliri yung bulaklak. "It's my favorite."
"I know."
"You seem to know a lot of things about me, no?"
Kinuha ko yung glass ng water at marahang sumimsim doon. "Of course. I am not one of the most sought-after business person if I am not the best in my craft."
Tumango naman ito na para bang inaasahan na nito iyon.
"What do you want from me in exchanged of my tapes?" Diretsang tanong nito. Yung kislap ng mga mata nito ay halatang wala itong oras na mag-aksaya ng oras sa wala.
Itinuro ko yung pagkain sa kanya. "Enjoy the food, Alli. I specifically asked someone to prepare it for you."
Tiningnan lang nito iyon. "Why are you doing this, Louella?"
Naiiling na nilagyan ko ng pagkain yung plate nya. "Kumain ka muna, Alli. Paborito mo ito lahat. Hindi yan spicy at wala din nuts. Di ba you want steaks and chees-"
"Answer me, Louella. I can't eat this sumptuous and luxurious meal without knowing kung anong kapalit ng lahat ng 'to. I know you won't waste money and time for nothing."
"Hindi ba pwedeng I just want to know you more? Dapat ba lahat ng gagawin laging may rason?"
Tumango si Alliston at ngumiti. "Sayo? Yeah, of course. You treat people like business, Louella. What's your business in me? My connections? My popularity? My money? Or my status?"
Ibinaba ko yung hawak kong glass at tinitigan ito.
Too blunt. Too straightforward. Sigurista.
"I just need you in my team, Alliston. I need your connections. I want to pursue my business expansions in Australia." I admit. I don't want to mislead her too though.
Tumango-tango ito. "Raise your stakes. What's my gain?"
I shrugged. "Name it, Alli bear. Do you want my connection too? Do you want me to pay yo-"
"Connection? Money?" Umiling ito habang tinitingnan ako. She's eyeing me like a specimen she hadn't seen before. "I've got lot of it, Pooper bear. Won't you give me more?"
Napalunok naman ako.
"Tell me what you want, Alli bear. Let me think about it." I said with slight conviction.
"You." itinaas nito yung steak knife at tiningnan yung repleksyon nito doon. "I want you, Louella."
It's my turn to laugh. She's really funny. Pero agad din akong natigilan ng mapansin na seryoso ito.
"I want you to be my puppet, Louella. Can you give me that?"
A cunning smile formed her lips as an innocent knowing one formed mine.
"Puppet?" I rolled that word in my tongue. "You want us to be each other's puppet?"
Pinadaan nito yung steak knife nito sa steak nito na bahagyang reddish pa yung kulay. She made a small cut in it. Mukha tuloy nabahiran ng dugo iyon.
"You want to cut me?" Umangat yung tingin nito at sinalubong yung tingin ko. "Let me cut you too. Mutual relationship, right?"
Mataman kong pinag-isipan iyon. Though yung mga mata ko ay nakatitig pa din dito.
"You're losing the point, Alli. I have your sex tapes. You don't have anything against me."
"Sure ka?"
Hindi ko alam kung bakit para akong kinabahan sa sinabi nito. I am Louella Calvry, the trickster. Of course I got no weakness. Or kung meron man, walang makakaalam niyon. Even Ariana had no idea.
"Drop it, Alli bear. I am still the last say onto everything."
"You know, Pooper? You're not the only one who had connections and resources. I have too."
Gusto kong magmura ng makitang seryoso ito.
"I hate it when someone tries to play with me, Pooper bear. Binili mo ba si Hariette kaya nagawa nya akong talikuran? Binili mo din si Grant? Who's next? Leigh and Van?"
"You don't get it, All-"
"I am reconstructing my team, Louella. Baka magulat ka na lang kung sino-sino na ang nasa team ko. Using one's weakness? Are you sure about it?"
Napakuyom na lang yung mga kamay ko. Alli won't have problems in playing dirty.
"Fine. I want you to be my assistant. I want to keep you close. Deal with me, Alliston. I'll give you what you want."
She smirked. "Right? Even if I ask for your body?"
I rolled my eyes upon hearing that. After watching her sex tapes, I am convinced that she's not into that act. Halatang di naman ito nag-eenjoy sa ginagawa nito at ng boytoy nito.
"Do what you want, Alli bear. Body lang? Sure ka?"
"Yep." She nods. "I want your body and all, Louella. I won't ask for something that you don't have."
A heart.
"But you know what? I'll do the same way you did to me. You broke my heart after making Kyeroh's life a mess. So I did you the same favor. She broke you too, right?"
Pakiramdam ko ay pinanlamigan ako ng katawan pagkarinig sa sinabi nito.
No, that's impossible. She's just bluffing.
"I can break her too, Louella." Ngumiti ito ng nakakaloko. Halatang nagbabanta.
Ako naman ay pinagpapawisan kahit pa malamig naman.
"Bakit hindi ka nya maalala, Pooper bear? Because you're nothing too? Or maybe, you're not even worth remembering for her. May kayo ba? O ikaw lang yung umasa?" Tumawa pa ito.
No, Louella. Don't give Alli the satisfaction to break you.
"Oh, tinapon ka nga lang pala nya. She married your sister's ex. That sucks right, Bitch? When you were torn between choosing your sister's happiness or yours. "
"Stop it, Alliston!"
"You want Grant to kill Kiel but it never happened. That's your plan di ba? If napatay nga naman ni Grant si Kiel, tapos ang problema mo. Walang makakaalam na ikaw ang may gusto na maghiwalay si Aria at Kiel dahil iyon yung inutos sayo ng babae mo. Akala mo ba sa huli, magiging kayo na? Oh, hindi ka din nya nga pala mahal, Louella. She did that para magkachance sya sa lalaking iyon. And when she did? You were dropped like a hot potato. That's sooooo sad."
Fuck you, Alliston!
"Ano kayang gagawin ni Aria at Grant if they find out about it, Hmm?"
Damn you, Alliston! Damn you! You want to break me? I'll break you too!
"You want to play with me, Pooper bear? Let's play. Maunang mahulog, talo."
****