"Relax, associate. You'll be used as a temporary distraction while we carry out our plan." Sheena assured. "Matunog ang pangalan mo ngayon sa industriya dahil sa mga nangyari." She pertained to my crisis. I gritted my teeth at her insensitive suggestion while Jacob patted my shoulder, like he was empathizing with me.
Iyan nga ang dahilan kung bakit iniiwasan ko ang media! They twist the truth and make stuff up to entertain bored people living mediocre lives.
Clenching my fists, I just nodded in finality. Hindi ko pwedeng sirain ang tiwalang binigay sakin ni Ainsworth!
"Good…" Nilipat niya yung slide at nasorpresa ako nang makita ko ang mukha ng CEO ng Beaumont. "According to our most trusted sources, Henri Beaumont is said to be meeting with Asahi Nakamura for the deal after the auction. He works with Rockefeller's mafia so we have to be more careful. The auction will be done in a hotel somewhere in Baguio City this weekend." Tumingin ulit si Sheena sa akin. "Montecarlos, I believe you have connections with Beaumont because of your mother so we have fewer problems in baiting him."
I sighed. Like I can do anything! "Yes. I'll do my best to distract him with the media while you do your jobs." She seemed pleased with my reply kaya bumaling na siya sa iba para sabihin ang ibang plano na wala akong kinalaman pero nakinig din ako. Ayaw kong maantala ang plano nila dahil lang sa wala akong alam. I have to at least cooperate even if I hate taking their orders.
"Prepare. We'll leave for Baguio before sunrise and meet the boss there." Donovan announced after all plans were carried out to the recipients successfully.
Ala-una ng hapon na ako nagising dahil sa pagod sa byahe kaninang umaga. I barely slept properly because of the stress of packing my things even if it was just a small luggage for a 2 day trip! Yes, I'm treating it as a vacation.
I stretched my body after a good rest in my comfy bed and stood up to draw the curtains. The view of the mountains of Baguio City from my room in a 5 star hotel made me smile like I wasn't thinking of the possible bodies missing after tonight.
Mamaya pa naman gaganapin ang auction kaya gusto ko munang mag-enjoy dito. Binuksan ko ang luggage ko at naghanap ng sexy swimsuit at isang summer dress para gawing cover up. After changing and doing my morning rituals, sumakay na ako sa elevator para makarating sa buffet area. Damn, I'm starving! Kape at toast lang kasi ang breakfast ko kanina dahil sa byahe.
Tumigil ang elevator sa 8th floor. Bumukas ito at nakita ko si Damon na mag-isa. Halatang kakaligo lang nito dahil sa basa niyang buhok. He sported a white V-neck shirt that emphasized his toned upper extremities, paired with denim pants and loafers. Simple pero malakas pa rin ang dating! What the hell?!
Tumabi ako para makapasok siya. Tiningnan niya ako ng nakangisi nang tinabihan niya ako kaya nagtaka ako sa ginawa niya. Nang sumara ang pinto ay nakita ko sa reflection ng elevator na kinakagat ko na pala ang pang-ibabang labi ko! I felt my face heat in embarrassment.
Tumikhim ako at nagkunwaring nag-aayos ng buhok na parang walang nangyari. I breathed in to calm myself yet his manly scent registered in my system! Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko tuloy sa nangyari.
I was just appreciating his fashion… that's all!
"Going for lunch?" He looked at me through the reflection and I just nodded. "Sabay na tayo." He suggested.
"Hindi ka pa nag-lunch?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang harapin ko siya. I can't help but notice that his lashes were long. Ugh! Quit doing that, Adora!
Umiling siya. "I had to set a meeting to change some plans for tonight. Someone leaked the information to the enemy…" He looked at me meaningfully.
Woah, there!
"I was asleep the whole morning, Ainsworth. Isa pa, hindi ako gagawa ng katangahan. What good would it bring me to betray you right now?" I defended but he just smiled.
"I already know that."
Tumunog ang elevator bilang hudyat na nasa ground floor na kami. Dumaan muna kami sa lobby na abala ngayon sa pagpasok ng mga lalagyan na tingin ko ay naglalaman ng mga paintings na gagamitin para sa auction at mini gallery mamaya.
"Sumabay ka na sa akin. The buffet's packed with visitors for the auction later…" Pag-aaya niya ulit. I was tempted for a peaceful lunch kaya sumama na ako.
Conveniently, may swimming pool malapit lang kung saan kami kumain. We ate at an empty dining hall where other events are done at dahil wala pang gaganapin doon sa ngayon ay kami lang ang gumamit. Ainsworth owns this hotel kaya walang naging problema.
"Will there be any changes on my part?" I asked after I swallowed my food. I was finally able to satisfy my raging hunger pero hindi ko ito pinahalata sa taong nasa harap ko.
He shook his head. Nauna pa siyang matapos sa pagkain. "Carry on with what you're supposed to do. We shouldn't let the spy know of any changes with the plans." I nodded in agreement.
I drank my juice when I was done. I checked my social media to entertain myself but I surprisingly got bored immediately kaya pinatay ko na ito. "What are your plans this afternoon?" he asked.
"Hmm… nothing much. I'll just probably swim for a while then rest again for tonight. You coming?" I almost slapped myself because of that silly question! What am I thinking?! Baka sabihin niyang gusto kong mapanood! Stupid!
He chuckled. "Sure… I'll just have a few drinks at the gazebo, though."
"Oh, okay..." I got frustrated when I realized that I sound disappointed. I hope he did not catch that—I mean… I hope he didn't assume otherwise!
Pumunta na kami sa pool area. I have to applaud Ainsworth for his taste in modern design. It reminded me of the ones I saw in the other international hotels I stayed at when I was still living in France!
Ainsworth ordered drinks at the gazebo as I checked around. Nang makuntento na ako ay tinanggal ko na ang suot kong summer dress at nilapag ito sa malapit na pool lounge. I dipped my toes into the water and it was warm.
As I immersed my body with the warmth, I felt my muscles relax.
Ah, I missed this!
It was a sunny afternoon but the tall building prevented the sun from hitting this area so I didn't have much worries about my skin. Naglagay rin naman na ako ng sunblock kanina so it didn't matter either way. Okay lang naman siguro kung umitim ako kahit kaunti. I'm too pale!
I let my body float on the water as I looked at the skies above. The seemingly soft and fluffy texture of the clouds above gave me a feeling of serenity as it gave time to reflect upon things.
When I wasn't in Ainsworth's world yet, all I had to worry about was how I was going to spend my cash. People envied me because of this. I clearly remember having lots of them wanting to be my "friend." As expected, they were just using me to gain popularity! Shameful beings. This is why I don't easily trust people who show kindness… They're bound to use and betray you when you turn your back!
Just look at what happened to my father! He was loyal to Ainsworth's mafia but he was betrayed by someone in the end… Nang dahil sa ginawa niya ay naiwan kami dito ni mommy.
As if on cue, may dumaang eroplano at naalala ko ang mommy ko. How scared she must have felt as the accident happened! Just imagining the plane crashing while you're riding it is horrible!
Kumirot ang puso ko nang maalala ko nanaman ang mga problema ko at ang sinapit ng mga magulang ko. It's better to lose all these riches than lose the both of them!
I also remember my grandma and our heated argument last week. I seriously have to control my emotions. Matanda na siya and I have to be more understanding of her situation. Kung ako rin naman ang nasa kalagayan niya, I'd react the same.
I swam in frustration to clear my head. I went here to relax and have a vacation, not to sulk!
Tumigil muna ako at lumapit sa corner ng swimming pool para humingi ng tuwalya sa bellboy dahil nakalimutan ko yung akin sa kwarto ko.
Pagkatapos ng ilang rounds, umahon ako at nahuli ko ang tingin ni Ainsworth mula sa gazebo. Magkasalubong na naman ang mga kilay nito habang umiinom ng alak. Sa tabi niya ay may tuwalyang naghihintay. As if to tease him a little bit and have an experiment, an idea popped in my head. I smiled evilly at the thought.
Gamit ang pool ladder, umalis na ako sa pool at inayos ang swimsuit kong medyo nagulo dahil sa pagsisisid. I did it slowly and I caught him looking again!
Oh my, you're so pilya talaga, Adora!
I scooped my hair at the back and placed them on my left shoulder to reveal my swimsuit's backless design. Nagpanggap akong hinahanap ang damit ko pagkatapos kahit na alam ko naman kung nasaan ito. Tinalikuran ko siya at lumapit na sa mga pool lounge malapit doon. It was farther from the gazebo, though kaya nakikita na rin ako ng ibang employees doon. Men especially, were gaping as I bent over seductively to get a piece of clothing. Kinindatan ko pa ang isang bellboy doon kaya nalalaglag ang panga niya.
I'm enjoying the hell out of this!
Nagulat na lang ako nang may tuwalyang bumalot sa katawan ko. Tumikhim siya sa bellboy at narinig rin ito ng ibang empleyado na naroon kaya nagsibalikan sila sa pinaggagawa nila. I didn't need to confirm who it was. He has this distinct voice that I could recognize anywhere!
"Oh, thanks… Ainsworth!" I smiled sweetly as I faced him pero nakabusangot lang siya sa akin. What now?
"You were distracting my employees, woman…" he hissed and looked away as I took the towel and dried my hair.
Oh, really? Was it only the employees?
I giggled at his reply. "I'm sorry! I just had trouble finding my dress! I enjoyed your pool though. I'll surely recommend it to my friends next time..."
I woke up from my afternoon nap in a good mood dahil sa nangyari kanina. Beat that, Sheena! You may have other men lusting over you but I have the king!
Magdidilim na kaya nag-umpisa na akong mag-ayos. The auction is at 8pm and I have more two hours to prepare and think of many ways on how I'll distract Beaumont later. Things can't always go as expected so I need to device as much plans as I can.
I stood in front of the mirror to check myself. I'm wearing LEFEBVRE's stunning black formal dress with a portrait neckline in a sultry V shape and semi-off shoulder design paired with stilettos of the same color. The limited edition Beaumont handbag I just bought was hanging on my arm.
I curled my black hair at the ends and clipped one side of my head to cover my ear from which I'll be hiding my earpiece later on. I also wore an elegantly designed diamond ear cuff at the clipped side to serve as a distraction.
I also made an effort to look mature tonight. I wore dark lipstick and contoured my foreign features for more definition. This look is already intense compared to usual everyday makeup. When I was contented, I sprayed my favorite perfume on my neck and checked on my phone for messages.
At around 7 pm, pinatawag na kami kaya umalis na ako sa kwarto para pumunta sa auction hall. It was located at the ground floor so I had to take the elevator. While waiting, I wore my earpiece in my covered ear.
"Alpha speaking… Start going to your stations. Malapit nang dumating si Beaumont. Over." I heard Donovan speak from the device as I went inside the elevator. May dalawang taong nandoon so I had to act cool.
"Copy. Snake speaking… Nakamura is now having an interview at the lobby. They're doing this earlier than expected, over." Jacob.
Napansin kong nagbubulungan ang mga katabi ko so I smiled at them sarcastically kaya natahimik sila.
"Dyosa speaking… we're on standby for the possible presence of Rockefeller. Over." I scoffed as I heard Sheena's voice. Napatingin sa akin ang dalawa kaya tinakpan ko ang bibig ko para magkunwaring naubo.
"Copy. Make sure Adora is already in position. Over." Donovan.
Thankfully, those two left the elevator already on the 4th floor so I laughed my ass off when I muted my earpiece. Seriously, Dyosa?
Hmm… Alpha, Dyosa, Snake… What should I call myself?
Oh!
"Queen speaking… I'm on my way now for my grand entrance, over." I spoke confidently as I looked at my reflection in the elevator.
Queen, huh? It suits perfectly!
Natahimik ang kabilang linya sa sinabi ko. I think they didn't expect to hear my voice.
"… Adora?..." I heard Donovan as the elevator opened after making a sound.