CHAPTER 20
"SO bakit mo kami pinatawag?" Mataray na tanong ni Victoria sa boss niyang si Asher.
Asher grinned. "Well, since nasa kompaniya ko ang isang Victoria Salvador, naganahan akong mas lalo pang pagbutihin ang trabaho ko bilang CEO—"
"Cut the crap. Answer straight to the point, bakit pinatawag mo kami dito?" Tanong niya habang pasulyap-sulyap sa asawang tahimik na nakaupo.
After their interrupted kiss, she became irritated all the time. Hindi niya alam kung bakit, ut part of her wants her and Noah to actually kiss. Bwiset! Mahal ko ba tong tukmol na 'to? Bakit gusto ko siyang halikan?
Tumikhim si Asher dahilan para mapatigil siya sa pagiisip. "Kasi...magkakaroon tayo ng training camp sa Baguio! Yeheyy!" Asher exclaimed.
Victoria stilled, Aqua was just smiling and Noah was laughing. "Wait, para saan ang training camp? And how many days will it be? May photoshoot ako sa New York the day after tomorrow!"
Asher grinned. "I already cleared your schedules. Lahat ng photoshoots mo, namove kasi, five days tayo doon. The training camp is all about harnessing your skills in modelling and—"
"That's absurd! I am Victoria Salvador. Hindi mo na ako kailangang ihasa sa modelling. I've been modelling for almost six years!" She explained. Napatayo pa siya sa sobrang gulat at galit.
"Come on, Victoria. I will be launching a fashion event two months from now. I also recruited some freelance models kaya gagawin ko itong training camp na ito." Paliwanag ni Asher. Victoria just frowned.
"Ikaw, Noah, sasama ka ba?" Rinig ni Victoria na tanong ni Asher sa asawa.
Agad siyang napalingon para tignan ang magiging sagot ni Noah. "Pero bakit kasama ako? Hindi naman ako model."
"Hindi nga pero dahil baganda ang built ng katawan mo, magiging backup ka incase makulangan kami sa fashion show. Mas maganda nang kasama ka." Asher replied.
Noah reluctantly nodded. "Sige, sasama ako."
Victoria's eyes widened. Sasama si Noah? Bakit? Oh gosh, parang gusto na rin niyang sumama. Kung hindi siya sasama, limang araw niyang hindi makikita si Noah.
Victoria raised her hand. "Sasama na rin ako." She confidently said.
Nanunudyong tumingin sa kaniya si Asher. "Akala ko ba hindi ka sasama? You find this training camp absurd, right?" Asher smiled. Yung ngiting masarap paluin dahil nakakabadtrip.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Kailan ba ang alis? So I could prepare na." Pagpapalit niya sa topic. It's embarrassing to talk about Noah lalo na't nandito siya.
"We leave tonight. Magkita kita tayo sa ALine transport. My father owns that at magbabus lang tayo para bukas, nasa Baguio na tayo." He smiled.
"So, it's just you, me, Noah, Aqua and the freelance models?" Victoria asked with her arms crossed in front of her chest and legs, crossed together.
Nang umiling si Asher, kumunot ang noo niya. "Mayroon pa tayong isang kasama. Actually, tinawagan ko na siya kanina pero mukhang malalate siya ngayon—"
As if on cue, bumukas ang pinto ng office ni Asher at pumasok doon and isang matangkad na babae, may ngiti sa mga labi at nakadamit pangmayaman.
And Victoria clearly knew that woman. It's her freaking sister! Vivienne! Kasama siya? Wait, mula nang magkaroon ng dating rumor sina Noah at Vivienne, hindi na niya nakita ang kapatid. Ngayon lang niya nakita si Vivienne after days.
"Hey guys!" She greeted sabay upo sa tabi ni Noah.
Victoria doesn't know why but she just had the urge to tweak her sister's hair at ilayo ito sa asawa. She wants to sit between Noah and Vivienne para magkalayo ang dalawa. Gosh, anong nangyayari sa kaniya?!
Tumikhim si Asher. "So, since nandito na si Vivienne, again, we will meet tonight at ALine Transport at exactly 8pm. Bawal malate at iiwan ko kayo." Giit ni Asher.
Vivienne raised her hand. "Anong mga activities? Excited na ako!" She giggled habang lapit nang lapit sa asawa niya.
Pasimpleng kinuyom ni Victoria ang kamao at nang magtama ang tingin nila ni Noah, tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. Noah moved away from Vivienne.
"It's a surprise. Masasaya ang activities, anticipate it." Nagsabi pa ng ilang reminders si Asher bago tinapos ang meeting.
"Sis!"
Napalingon si Victoria at nakita ang kapatid. She looked around and did not saw Noah. Nasaan na yun?
"What?" She asked.
"I'm just here to inform you that the rumors between Noah and I are gone. Binayaran ko na ang mga journalists and media para itake down ang mga balita." She grinned.
I frowned. "Bakit hindi mo nalang sinabi, straight to the point, na wala kang relasyon kay Noah? Nagwaldas ka pa ng milyon para lang diyan." Iritableng sambit niya.
"Well, if I answer to that rumor, people would just tell me that I'm acting or something. Mas okay nang tahimik ang lahat." She smiled then nudged my waist. "Are you jealous?"
I grimaced. "No! Kadiri, ako magseselos? No way! Kahit gumunaw ang mundo, hindi ako magseselos. It's just Noah. He's ugly and totally not my type. So no, I'm not jealous." Mabilis niyang sabi.
Malakas na tumawa si Vivienne. "Ang dami mo namang sinabi, sis. Wala ka naman palang gusto kay Noah. So okay lang sayo na kunin ko siya sayo?" Vivienne asked, making her still.
"W-What?" She stuttered.
Vivienne chuckled. "Joke lang. Sige na, see you later! Bye!" Her annoying little sister left.
Nang makaalis si Vivienne, hinanap ng mga mata niya si Noah. Hindi niya ito nakitang lumabas. Umuwi na ba ito?
"Miss Victoria.."
Napaigtad si Victoria sa gulat nang biglang sumulpot sa harap niya si Miss Aqua. "Aqua! Don't scare me. Bakit ka ba sumusulpot sa harap ko?!" She asked, her eyes are frantically roaming around to find Noah.
"If you're looking for Noah, he went for work. He wants me to tell you that he will not be at the restaurant today to work. Nasa cafe daw siya." Aqua relied.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "I'm not looking for Noah, Aqua." She cleared up. "Wala akong pake sa kaniya." Ani Victoria at inikot ang mga mata.
"But you two almost kissed."
Napaubo sa sariling laway si Victoria sa sinabi ni Aqua. "Hey! Stop it, I'm already irritated that we didn't." She confessed. Huli na nang nalaman ni Victoria kung ano ang sinabi niya. Gosh, nadala siya sa damdamin at hindi niya sadyang sabihin iyon kay Aqua.
"Was it my fault because I interrupted?" Yumukod ito. "I'm sorry, Miss Victoria."
She flipped her hair and rolled her eyes before entering her car. Gusto niyang itago ang namumula niyang mukha dahil sa hiya.
***
"NASAAN ang iba? It's already 8:10 pm!" Inis na sambit ni Asher habang naghihintay sila sa labas ng bus sa ALine Transport.
Victoria and Noah arrived at exactly 8 pm with Aqua. Ang hinihintay nila? Si Vivienne. Her sister is known for being late. Matagal kasi itong mag-ayos kaya nalalate. May mga nalate ding freelance model kaya galit na galit si Asher.
"Nakahanda na ba yung mga kailangan mong gamit?" Noah asked. Katabi lang ni Victoria si Noah at naghihintay.
She turned to Noah and her heart skipped a beat when their faces are only inches apart!
"O-Oo, nakahanda na lahat...ikaw?" She asked softly. She clenched her fists dahil sa kaba.
Noah chuckled. "Everything's prepared. I'm excited." He clasped his hands.
I looked at his overalls. Simple jeans and black v line tshirt but he looks handsome in her eyes. She never knew simplicity could bring out the best in someone. Akala niya, simple is never beautiful. You have to be more than that.
But tonight, Noah's simple clothing makes her heart beat. Ang guwapo nito sa paningin niya...
"I'm sorry, I'm late!"
Mula sa malayo, natatanaw nila si Vivienne na may dalang maleta at nakasuot ng adidas sweatpants at white crop top shirt. Nakashades pa ito na akala mo ay maaraw kahit gabi naman. Nakalugay ang mahabang buhok nito na abot hanggang beywang.
"Bakit maleta iyang dala mo? Magmamigrate ka ba?" Kunot noong tanong ni Asher kay Vivienne.
Tinanggal ni Vivienne ang suot na shades at nilagay sa ulo. She then grinned widely. "Of course not! Nagdala ako ng maraming extra clothes and snacks for everyone. Ako nalang ba ang hinihintay?" She asked.
Tumango si Asher. "You're late. Ikaw nalang ang hinihintay."
Vivienne winced and let out a peace sign. Pinapasok sila ni Asher sa bus, ang twenty freelance models ay nakaupo sa harap hanggang sa gitna, at sina Noah, Victoria, Vivenne, Aqua at Asher ay nasa pinakalikod.
Umupo si Victoria sa window seat at katabi niya si Aqua. She looked back and saw Noah, Vivienne and Asher sitting together at the four-seater part.
Hindi alam ni Victoria pero lalo siyang nainis at inikot ang mga mata.
She closed her eyes and slept. Pero wala pang limang minuto ay nag-ingay ang makulit niyang boss.
"This is so boring! Matagal ang biyahe papuntang Baguio. Let's play some games!" He shouted but no one replied. Almost all freelance models were asleep.
Victoria opened her eyes because of her noisy boss. Magsasalita sana siya na hindi siya sasali nang nauna si Vivienne. "I'm in!"
Then Noah replied, "Anong laro ang lalaruin? I wanna play."
Mas mabilis pa si Victoria kaysa kay Flash na magtaas nang kamay nang nagsalita si Noah. "Ako din."
"If Miss Victoria is in, then I'll play too." Ani Aqua at humarap kay Asher na nasa likod nila.
Asher clasped his hands. "We will play truth or dare." He smirked.
"Pano yan, wala tayong bote?" Vivienne pouted.
Asher wrinkled his nose. "Nah, iibahin natin ang rules. We will take turns on saying a number. Tapos, magbibilang tayo at kung kanino natapat ang number na sinabi natin, siya ang tatanungin ng truth or dare." He explained.
"Start tayo kay Victoria then kay Aqua, tapos ako, then si Noah at panghuli si Vivienne."
Biglang gumana ang isip ni Victoria. If siya ang mauuna, then Aqua will be 1. Then pangatlo si Noah. But saying three will be obvious.
"Victoria, you start." Ani Asher.
Tumikhim si Victoria. "9." She said the number.
At dahil si Victoria angnagaabi ng numero, mauuna magbilang si Aqua. Pumangalawa si Asher, pangatlo si Noah at pang-apat si Vivienne. The second counting started at Victoria. Sumunod si Aqua.
Then the number 9 stopped at Noah. "N-Noah, truth or dare?"
Noah smiled. "Truth."
Umaktong nag-iisip si Victoria kahit alam na niya ang itatanong sa asawa. "What's your ideal type?" She blurted out.
Asher whistled and nudged Noah's waist. "Ideal type ko? Hmm, gusto ko yung marunong magluto at sa gawaing bahay. I want a girl who's sweet and kind. Loyal and understanding."
What the hell?! Kabaliktaran niya lahat ng iyon! Hindi siya marunong magluto maliban sa hotdog at bacon na paborito nito. Kahit simplen itlog, hindi niya magawa kasi nababasag ang yolk. She can't even cook rice!
Sweet and Kind? Hell no! Kahit balik-baliktarin ang mundo, hindi sya magigin mabait at sweet. Loyal and understanding? Gusto niyang masuka. She remembered her high school days kung saan pinagsabay niya ang dalawang boyfriend niya noon at madali siyan magsawa sa isang relasyon.
Oh no, Noah must hate her. She's selfish, bratty and can't cook.
"Okay, next! Aqua, pili ka number." Asher said.
"20." Aqua uttered.
Nagsimula ulit sila magbilang but Victoria's mind is spacing out. Magbabago ba siya para Noah? Bakit naman kasi magkaiba ang ideal type nito sa ugali niya.
"Victoria, it's your turn"
Victoria blinked rapidly. Everyone's looking at her then Aqua asked, "Miss Victoria, truth or dare?"
"Ha? Ano...truth nalang." She grimaced.
"Then Miss Victoria, what's the most embarassing moment you ever experienced?"
Pinanlakihan ni Victoria si Aqua ng mata. Embarassing moment? She has lots of that moment at matagal na niya binabaon ang nga iyon pero muli itong hinukay ni Aqua!
"I don't have one..." she softly spoke.
But Aqua, who has been her friend for more than 18 years, spoke, "I'm sure you have one, Miss Victoria." She smiled.
Victoria blew a loud breath. "I was trying to vlog for a promotional video and I was doing a house tour. When I went inside my parents's room, I saw them making love. Ang nakakahiya doon, nakalive ako at marami ang nakakita! We had to pay billions of money to take down the videos and pictures." She facepalmed. She remembered how that live circulated through the internet.
Ang mas malala, tumawa lang ang mommy niya na para bang wala lang sakaniya na naexpose ang bagay na iyon.
The rest laughed. "I remembered how mom told me that story. Tumatawa pa siya instead na magalit." Vivienne laughed.
After minutes of laughing non-stop. It's Asher's turn to tell a number. "My number is 50!"
We counted off and it landed on Vivienne. "Vivienne, truth or dare?"
Vivienne grinned. "Dare."
Asher had this playful smirk on his face making Victoria nervous. Baka anong ipagawa nito sa kapatid niya. "I dare you to kiss the person next to you."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Victoria. But the person next to her is..Noah!
Victoria saw how Noah stilled and took a glance at her. Agad siyan nag-iwas ng tingin and tightly clenched her fist lalo na nang unti-unting nilalapat ni Vivienne ang labi sa mukha ng asawa.
Victoria tried to breath a couple of times to calm down. She then saw Vivienne kissing Noah's cheeks. "Baka magalit ang kapatid ko kung hahalikan kita sa labi." She laughed while looking at her.
She rolled her eyes. Alam niyang sa pisngi lang iyon but the fact that her sister had the chance to kiss her husband, angers her. Hindi niya alam, pero kasi siya nga, isang beses lang niya nahalikan ito at yung pangalawa, nabitin pa. Argh!
The first round continues until Victoria saw the time on her phone. It's 10pm and they are still playing that truth or dare game.
"Victoria, truth or dare?" Sa wakas na tanong ni Asher.
She smiled. "Dare." Baka sakaling uutusan din siyang halikan ang asawa.
"Then I dare you to kiss..." pabitin na sabi ni Asher.
Victoria gulped in anticipation. "...Vivienne, your sister."
"WHAT?!" Sigaw niya.
Asher looked at her innocently. "What? Don't tell ne you never kissed your own sister?"
"No! Ayoko!" Giit niya. Ano bayan, akala niya makakatsansing na siya kay Noah!
"Come on, you used to kiss me on the cheeks when we were young, right?" Vivienne teased at nilapit ang pisngi sa mukha ni Victoria.
Bumuntong hininga si Victoria at dahan-dahang hinalikan ang pisngi ng kapatid. She rolled her eyes. Nakakainis.
The game continued and hindi na niya pinili ang dare. She looked at the time. 10:30 pm. She needs to have her beauty rest...