CHAPTER SEVEN
"ANG bagal mo naman magwalk!" Reklamo ni Victoria habang maarteng naglalakad papasok sa airport at nauna na pumasok kay Noah.
Today is their flight to France. Noah really had to convince his boss to let him take a leave. All he said is that he's married and he'll have his honeymoon. Walang rason para sabihing si Victoria Salvador ang asawa niya. Baka magwala pa ang asawa.
They came to the airport in different cars. Of course, his wife won't allow them to go to the airport together. Knowing his wife, mas gugustuhin nitong magkaroon ng bonggahang entrance sa airport with red carpet and matching spotlight.
At tama nga siya. Before they left the house, Victoria called someone. Inutusan talaga nito na maghanda ng red carpet at ilaw para sa pagdatimg niya. What she did attracted the media kaya nagpapalakasan ng flash ang mga camera ng journalists ngayon.
"Oh my gosh, it's Victoria Salvador! Ang ganda pala niya sa personal." One civillian exclaimed sabay kuha ng litrato.
With her silver sequins v-neck cocktail dress, malambot at mabagal ito kung maglakad. It's like she's taking her time gathering all the attention of the people in the airport.
Her wife after all loves all the attention she's getting.
Nasa likod lang si Noah habang bitbit ang mga maleta ng asawa at mga maleta niya. Pinagkasunduan nilang mauuna siya sa aiport. Pero hindi naman niya kasalanan kung nasiraan ang jeep na kinalululunan niya at nagpagas pa ito. Nalate tuloy siya at nagsabay sila ni Victoria.
According to Victoria, as a punishment for not following the plan, he'll carry Victoria's luggage at the same time his luggage too.
Walang problema sa maleta niya dahil isa at maliit lang ito. Ang problema ay si Victoria dahil limang maleta ang dala nito at mabibigat pa!
With Victoria in the front, sa likod nito ang kalalakihang sampung bodyguard na todo bantay sa asawa. Sa likod ng mga bodyguard ay si Noah na hirap na hirap sa pagbitbit.
He was finding his way towards his wife. May pagkakataong muntikan pa siyang matumba dahil sa sobrang daming maleta ang dala.
Dalawa sa kanang kamay at ang tatlo ay nasa kaliwa. Pasalamat nalang siya at de-hila ang mga maleta.
Noah grunted as he kept walking towards his wife.
Dahil nakaharang ang mga bodyguard na sobrang tangkad at mabrusko, natatamaan siya at natutumba.
After minutes of walking the short distance to his wife, he successfully went near Victoria. Nasa likod siya ng asawa habang masaya at mahinang tumatawang kumakaway sa mga camera.
"Ganito ba talaga kalayo ang departure area? Parang halos isang oras na tayo naglalakad." He whispered.
Victoria was smiling and waving as she answered, "why are you here? You should be at the back." Giit nito habang hindi pinapahalatang kinakausap siya.
"I can't carry your luggages anymore. Ang bibigat. Buti sana kung kasinglaki ng katawan ko ang katawan ng mga bodyguards mo." Noah complained.
Behind Victoria's smile, Noah can tell that she's pissed. "Just shut up and go back behind. Don't come near me." she continued waving while smiling.
Noah just grunted before walking back. Ilang beses na siyang nakakapunta ng airport dahil kadalasan ay hinahatid sundo nila ang ina niyang nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa.
And he didn't know that the airport was this big. Parang ang layo ng departure area sa lobby. Siguro ay sobrang bagal kasi nilang maglakad.
Nangunguna kasi ang asawa niyang panay ang kaway sa mga media na akala mo naman ay importante ang gagawin niya. Lalabas lang naman siya ng bansa. What's there to talk about?
Saglit na tumigil si Noah sa paglalakad at tinignan ang oras. It's 9 am in the morning. 9:30 ang flight nila at sabi niya kay Victoria ay dapat maaga sila.
Noah doesn't like being late kaya kinakabahan siya na baka hindi sila umabot sa flight nila.
He woke up at 6:30 am at ang nakakainis, Victoria woke up at 7 am. Natapos lang ito mag-ayos ng mukha ng 8 am. Dahil natagalan pa siya, lalo lang siya nalate.
Pagod na binaba ni Noah ang buhat na maleta at pinunasan ang pawis. Airconditioned ang airport pero parang hindi niya ramdam ang lamig.
Nang makapagpahinga ng ilang segundo, hinawakan ulit ni Noah ang maleta niya pero sa kasamaang palad, nasira ang handle nito at natumba.
He glanced at his wife na hindi manlang siya tinitignan. She continued waving and walking while smiling.
Noah uttered a cuss hanggang sa may isang babaeng lumapit sa kaniya at tinulungan siyang buhatin ang mga maleta niya.
He looked up and stilled when he realized who that girl was. Naunang namula ang mukha niya at umiwas ng tingin.
It's none other than Avamae Avrial. Ang dating crush niya noong college sila na ngayon ay model na.
Avamae is Noah's favorite model at idol na idol niya ito. He secretly likes Avamae dahil sa angking ganda nito.
"You need help?" She casually asked.
Noah gulped. "T-Thank you but I can handle." He answered.
Avamae slightly chuckled at nilapit ang mukha sa mukha ni Noah. "Bakit ka naiilang sa akin? Ha? We were classmates back in college. Remember?" She asked.
Noah, with wide eyes looked at Avamae. "Y-You remembered?"
Avamae laughed. "Of course! Bakit ko kalilimutan ang pinakamatalinong classmate ko noon?"
"S-So, bakit ka nagmodel?" Noah curiously asked.
Avamae helped push the other two luggages. "I realized that politics isn't for me. I mean, my parents are both politicians so kailangan ganun din ako but I found my dream. I really loved modeling. Dito ako masaya so I shifted careers. Though, I'm a part-time lawyer sa isang law office."
Habang naglalakad, Noah felt uneasy. He's with his long-time crush and most favorite model!
"So, saan ang punta mo, Atty.?" Avamae grinned.
Noah winced. "Just Noah, Ava." He answered.
"So saan nga ang punta mo?" Ulit na tanong nito.
"France."
Avamae's eyes widen and gasped. "Oh wow. Ako rin. Sino kasama mo? Si tita at tito ba?" She asked.
Avamae knew his parents dahil lagi siyang pumupunta sa bahay kasama si Aeign dahil nagkaibigan ang dalawa.
"Kamusta na pala si Aeign? Hindi ko siya nakikita sa personal. We only talked through social medias."
"Aeign is fine. We both work under the same office. Pero nagtatrabaho siya bilang secretary. She still needs to finish education."
Avamae pouted. "Oo nga pala. She stopped studying during our third year."
Tumango si Noah. "Yeah. Pero mukha namang maayos na sila ng pamilya niya ngayon."
Avamae nodded and quietly walked. May pagkakataong pinagmamasdan sila ng mga tao. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakapansin sa isang Avamae Avrial na may kasamang isang lalake na hindi naman kilala?
Habang tahimik silang naglalakad, may isang lumapit sa kanila. It was a girl probably in her 20s.
"Uhm, excuse me, Miss Avamae, m-magjowa po ba kayo?" Nahihiyang tanong ng babae.
Sa narinig, Noah became agitated and panicked. "H-Ha? Ay hindi!hindi kami magjowa. Ano, magkaibigan lang kami."
"Ah.." the girl uttered.
Then Avamae chuckled. "Why? Bagay ba kami?"
The girl nodded earnestly. "Opo. Bagay na bagay po kayo." she smiled.
Natahimik lang si Noah at umiiwas ng tingin. He is so shy around strangers.
Avamae laughed. "We'll get going. Malalate kami sa flight namin." She smiled. Nauna na siyang maglakad.
Saktong 9:30 nang dumating sila sa departure area at pinapapasok na ang passengers sa plane. Noah looked around and didn't saw his wife.
Mukhang nauna na ito sa eroplano.
Sabay silang naglakad ni Avamae para pumasok sa eroplano.
As they board the plane, Avamae kept telling stories of how she've been for the past years then telling jokes.
Tumatawa siya habang papasok ng eroplano at agad na napawi ang ngiti nang makita ang matalim na mata ng asawang nakatingin sa kaniya.
Noah gulped. "Avamae, saan ang upuan mo?" He asked while glancing at Victoria who's looking at him madly.
Pinakita ni Avamae sa kaniya ang ticket. And her seat is just beside him!
Tig-tatlong seats ang nasa gitna ng eroplano. Si Noah ang nasa gitna. Sa kaliwa niya si Victoria at sa kanan si Avamae.
Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Noah nang maramdamang tahimik ang asawa. She's mad.
Akmang kakausapin niya ito nang tumunog ang phone niya. Someone sent him a message.
Binasa niyo iyon. "What the hell were you doing with Avamae Avrial? Don't you know she's my rival in terms of modeling?"
He slightly glanced at Victoria then typed on his phone. "Tnulungn nya ako bhtin maleta m. Srsly, ano bang lmn non at bkt sbrng bigat?"
He can hear Victoria's hard typings on her phone. "Don't mock my luggages, you nerd. My luggages have different clothes and bags and accessories in it. And why are you typing that way? Kapos ba sa letters iyang keyboard ng phone mo?"
Noah heaved a deep sigh until Avamae spoke. "You can talk in person, you know." Nakangiwing sambit nito.
She then whispered. "I know you're married so don't worry. I won't tell."
Victoria looked at Avamae, horrified. "What? How did you know?"
Avamae smiled. "A friend of mine happened to tell me."
Noah interferred. "It was Aeign, was it?"
Ava smiled. "Yup."
Victoria clenched her fists. "Try exposing me in any way and I'll ruin your career."
Umiling si Ava. "Wala akong balak sabihin ang relasyon niyong dalawa. Not now. Ayokong makasira ng honeymoon." Avamae replied.
"We're not on a honeymoon!" Sigaw ni Victoria na ikinatigil ng lahat. The passengers' attention is now drawn to her.
She cleared her throat. "You know that it'll just take me one phone call to ruin your career." Victoria threatened.
Avamae smiled. "Try and I'll have Noah as my attorney to sue you."
Victoria glared at her. He mouthed, "what?"
Victoria casually flipped her hair. "I don't care. Try to sue me. I'm sure my career will not fall."
Avamae just chuckled at nilaro ang phone. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay kinuha ni Avamae ang phone ni Noah.
Noah obliged and gave her his phone at ipinikit ang mga mata. He wants to rest.
Akala niya ay magiging tahimik ang buong biyahe pero mukhang malabo iyon mangyari dahil napaggigitnaan siya ng dalawang maiingay na babae. Lalo na ang asawa niyang war freak na naghahanap lagi ng away.
"Oh. Your hotel is Le Bristol Paris. What a coincidence. Doon din ang hotel ko." Avamae smiled.
Mukhang nalaman ni Avamae ang hotel na papasukan base sa phone niya. When Noah learned that they'll be staying at Le Bristol Paris Hotel, he searched it up at nalula sa ganda at kamahalan ng hotel.
They'll be only staying in France for a week. A luxurious hotel isn't necessary.
Victoria just grunted and faced him. "I don't have any guards with me so is Aqua. So for the next days to come, you'll be my bodyguard and servant at the same time. I'll just wear sunglasses to hide my identity." She spoke.
Noah winced. "Aren't we suppoosed to be travelling around France?"
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Noah, I've visited France for like, ten times. There's no reason for me to travel there around."
He narrowed down his eyes and stomped his feet. "But it's my first time! Nakita ko sa internet na maganda raw sa Paris. We need to go there."
Victoria was applying mascara as she answer, "ayoko. Tinatamad ako. I'll just stay in the hotel for a week. Ikaw nalang magtravel."
Noah took his phone and dialed a number. Victoia curiously asked, "sinong tinatawagan mo?"
"Your mom. Sasabihin kong ayaw mo akong samahan."
Victoria became agitated and took his phone. "Let's set an itinerary for the week. What do you want? Swimming? Mountain climbing? What?" She nicely asked.
Noah smirked. He's starting to get comfortable with Victoria. "Were you scared?"
Victoria scoffed. "Of course not! Bakit ako matatakot?"
Napailing-iling nalang si Noah "I wanna go to the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Louvre Museum and Plage Notre Dame." He excitedly said.
"Iyon lang? We'll stay there for a week and you wanna go to only four places?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Victoria.
Noah nodded. "You know that I hate strangers. Ayokong pumunta sa mga lugar na maraming tao."
Victoria looked at him flatly. "Pero yung mga na-pick mong placed ay maraming tao." She pointed out.
His eyes nodded. "Really?" He asked.
Victoria gave him a 'duh' look. "Of course maraming tao doon. Those are tourist spots of France."
Noah grimaced. "Then I prefer to stay at the hotel."
His wife shook her head. "Nope. Mom and grandma asked for pictures during our honeymoon."
Noah blew a loud breath. Hindi niya alam na marami palang tao sa mga lugar na gusto niyang puntahan.
"Why do you hate strangers so much? I mean, doesn't meeting with strangers excite you?" Victoria suddenly asked.
He shook his head. "I'm more of an introvert. I like to stay at home but there are times where I like to go out. Ayoko lang sa sobrang daming tao. It suffocates me."
"So you're mahirap pala kasama." She grunted. "I like going out. It's making me stress-free."
"Sana all." Noah shortly answered.
Victoria just rolled her eyes and continued applying makeup. Siya naman ay ipinikit ang mga mata at hinayaang daluyan siya ng antok.
• • •
VICTORIA picked up her phone that has been ringing continuously.
"Hello?!" She frustratingly asked.
That person who called just ruined her "me time".
"Miss Victoria, how's the honeymoon?" It was Aqua.
Victoria's eyes widen in glint. "Aqua! Good thing you called. How's your parents?"
"They're doing fine now, Miss Victoria. Luckily, they weren't affected with the disease outbreak here in our province but my brother has a fever so I had to stay here for a few days. Will you be fine?" Aqua asked.
"Of course! I can handle myself. Tell your twin I said 'hi' and 'get well soon'."
"I will, Miss Victoria. Where's Atty. Alegre?"
She glanced at her husband who's sleeping soundly. "He's here with me. Sleeping." She shortly answered.
"Okay. I have to go Miss Victoria."
"Sure. Bye. Take care." The call ended.
Inilapag ni Victoria ang phone at tinawag ang flight attendant. She ordered foods to eat dahil mahaba-haba pa ang flight nila.
Then Avamae interferred. "I would like some hot choco, please." She was grinning.
Victoria rolled her eyes. If only her mom allowed her to use their private plane edi sana hindi niya kasama ang Avamae na yan.
Her nemesis, mortal enemy and greatest foe.
Maliban sa kaniyang kapatid na si Vincenzia na pilit binabagsak ang reputasyon niya, isa si Avamae sa kalaban niya.
As of now, she's the top model in Asia this year at pumapangalawa si Avamae.
It may not look like it but she's actually a bitch. Many are fooled by her niceness and gentle smile.
Pero hindi nito maloloko si Victoria. Victoria's a bitch. She can sense a fellow bitch and Avamae's radar is just too high.
Avamae smiled as she spoke, "so, where did you meet Noah?"
"What's it to you?" Mataray na tanong niya.
Avamae chuckled. "Maghahoneymoon ka na nga, mataray ka pa rin. Noah is my friend. Gusto ko lang naman kaibiganin ang asawa ng kaibigan ko." She pouted.
Victoria cringed. "Stop pouting. You look ugly."
Avamae's smile faded and her true nature is shown. "Let me guess, arranged marriage?" She asked.
"Why would I tell you? Sino ka ba?"
Avamae smirked. "Well, ako lang naman ang kalaban mo in terms of fashion and modeling. And take note, many will hire me as their model since the ever famous Victoria Salvador is now married."
"You bitch—"
"Sabi ko nga sayo, you can't ruin my career cause I'll make sure to ruin yours first." ani Avamae at naglakad patungo sa restroom.
Galit kinuyom ni Victoria ang kamao niya. She's angry and pissed. Mala-anghel ito kung kasama si Noah pero sa kaniya, lumalabas ang sungay nito.
She took her phone and called someone. "Damon.." aniya nang sagutin nito ang tawag.
"Oh, Victoria. Napatawag ka?"
"I want you to do something for me."
Damon asked, "what is it?"
"Expose Avamae Avrial. Utilize your connections. I want you to expose deep down her secrets." Utos niya.
"Bakit biglaan naman? Wait, where are you? I visited Asher and he said you're on leave."
"Oh. I'm on the plane bound to France."
Damon chuckled. "Mamamasyal ka? Wala ka na namang damit na masusuot?" He teased.
"No. I'm just going on a vacation."
"Really? Bakit sa France pa? Parang Mall lang naman iyan sayo. Why not Greece or Hawaii?"
"France ang gusto ko eh. Anyways, make sure you do what I told you. Avamae is pissing me off."
"For you to ask me that kind of request, you must be really mad."
Victoria heaved a deep sigh. "Yeah.
So I need to go now. Bye." She ended the call.
Saktong dumating si Avamae na matamis siyang nginitian pero tinarayan niya lang ito.
She was playing with her phone and taking selfies when Noah's head fell to her shoulders that made her stilled.
Nandidiring inalis niya ang ulo ng asawa pero bumabalik ito sa balikat niya.
She grunted. Patuloy niyang binabalik sa tamang pwesto ang ulo ni Noah pero nahuhulog ito sa balikat niya.
So she let it slide. Dahil nakaopen ang camera app niya, tinignan niya ang mukha ng asawang natutulog.
Victoria slightly chuckled. "Still ugly when sleeping.." she uttered.
She accidentally pressed the button to take a picture. Akmang buburahin niya iyon pero naisip niyang pwede iyon pangblackmail sa asawa so she didn't delete it.
Pero dahil hindi pa siya inaantok, she opened the beauty cam app at naghanap ng nakakatawang filter at tinapat sa mukha ng asawa at pinicturan.
"You're so ugly, Noah. Paano ka kaya nabubuhay knowing na pangit ka?" She asked sleeping Noah.
At hindi namalayan ni Victoria na nasa airport na pala sila ng France. Inayos niya ang mga gamit niya at ang sarili niya.
She then stormed off with her Michael Kors bag.
At nang makalabas ng eroplano, saka lang niya naalala na kasama pala niya si Noah na hindi manlang niya ginising!
Dali dali siyang bumalik sa arrival area at hinintay dumating ang asawa pero ilang minuto na, wala pa rin ito. She tried calling his number and luckily, he answered.
"Hey Victoria." It was Avamae.
Tinignan ni Victoria kung tama bang si Noah ang tinawagan niya and it really is Noah.
Pero bakit si Avamae ang sumagot.
"Nagtatampo si Noah sayo. Hindi mo manlang ginising ang asawa mo." She was laughing.
"Avamae! Where's Noah?" She frustratingly asked.
She heard a chuckle from the other line. "He's with me. I won't tell you where. Just inside this airport." She answered then hanged up.
Galit na nilagay ni Victoria ang phone sa bag at nilibot ng tingin ang airport.
She'll surely have a hard time finding Noah. Baka kung ano nang ginagawa ng babaeng iyon sa asawa niya.
Victoria heaved a deep sigh at umupo sa malapit na upuan. Mabuti nalang ay walang nakakakilala sa kaniya dahil naka sunglass siya. She can move freely.
Makalipas ang ilang minuto, she stood up and roamed around the airport to find Noah.
An hour later, she found him alone, with a little child eating.
Bumuntong-hininga si Victoria.
"What is he up to?" She mumbled.