I felt my knees tremble in front of Rockefeller Mafia's Don, Calix... in flesh and blood. Of all times, and all places! I heard he's the type who's calm outside his territory but I still have to be wary because I am working for Ainsworth. That's why I should consider myself in grave danger.
I forced a smile and flipped my hair, trying my best not to look terrified as I felt his hooded eyes watching every bit of my movement.
I need to call Damon as soon as possible.
"Oh! You knew each other?" The now sobered up Bridgette gasped as her pointing finger went back and forth the both of us. Inayos na niya ang suot niyang damit na para bang walang nangyari kanina.
"Uhm... Not really. You're not a stalker, are you... miss beautiful?" Sumimangot na parang bata si Calix na labis na nagpagulat sa akin. Hindi niya ako nakikilala?
Or maybe I've overestimated Damon's enemy. I guess they don't really care that much about associates. We're just permanently temporary people used as a means for the mafia's ends.
Lumunok ako at huminga nang maluwag sa narinig ko. "Who wouldn't know about the founder of Rockefeller Energy Corp.?"
Habang nagpapakilala ako, kumurap si Rockefeller bago tumango at tanggapin ang nakalahad kong kamay. "Oh... I forgot that I was running such a meddlesome company!"
Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtaas ng aking kilay nang humalakhak siya. Meddlesome? Bakit niya naman iisipin na panggulo lang ang isang multi-billion dollar corporation? It's a very powerful industry considering the fact that almost everything is energy-dependent these days. Unless he's got other priorities or hobbies?
Rockefeller just redefined the meaning of first world problem.
I guess I'm safe for now until he sees me with Damon's men. Iyon nga lang, hindi ako sigurado kung nagpapanggap lang ito o hindi niya talaga ako nakikilala.
"My goodness, Calix! Why would you always say that? You and your humble ass... at this point, I just think you're subtly flexing on every person you meet." Si Bridgette.
Thank goodness for Bridgette's inquisitiveness. She took the words out of my mouth!
Itinaas ni Rockefeller ang dalawa niyang kamay na parang sumusuko. "I-I'm not! It's just that I didn't want the company in the first place but I had no choice. I had other things in mind but as the heir..." Nagkibit-balikat siya at natawa ang kaibigan ko.
"Other things?" Kumislap ang mga mata ni Bridgette.
"Something... far more interesting." He chuckled and eyed me menacingly. In a split moment, his aura changed. Tumindig ang balahibo ko dahil doon.
He knows.
Pasimple kong kinapa ang aking purse at abot-langit ang aking ginhawa nang maramdaman ko ang matigas na bagay na iyon sa loob. Buti na lang at dala ko ang 9mm pistol ko!
"So, miss Montecarlos, right?" Halos mapatalon ako nang agawin niya ang aking atensyon. Tumango ako at ngumiti, hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang kamay ko sa aking purse. Lumingon ako sa gawi ni Bridgette at abala ito sa pakikipag-usap sa ibang taong naroon.
"Hmmm..." His gaze wondered on my body, as if he was checking me out. "Not bad..." He remarked before taking a shot of alcohol.
"Lurking on my territory when you know that I'm Ainsworth's...What are you doing here?" Diretsahan kong tanong.
Humalakhak siya. "In case you've forgotten, this is El Dorado. You know, a resort? And what does your resort need to be profitable? Customers like me who have nothing else to spend their infinite digits on--"
"You're not impressing anyone with your words, Rockefeller. In case you've also forgotten, I'm standing on the same pedestal as you."
"Woah, it's just as they say... the women of the Montecarlos household don't think twice on running their pretty mouths. Straight to the point, always aiming for the bulls eye..." He squinted his eyes at his last comment.
I scoffed. "I only asked one question and you dare to praise me? My life doesn't thrive off others kissing my ass, Rockefeller... Try again."
"...and, they don't take any bullshit from others. No wonder why he's so turned on!" He exclaimed in fake amusement and ran his fingers through his damp, blonde hair as if to show off his ear piercings. "Montecarlos, Montecarlos! Gosh, I love pronouncing your family name, like a heroine in some novel. It'd be too bad if it were to be replaced by an Ainsworth."
Humalukipkip ako at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "I don't take interest in others sticking up their nose on somebody else's business. They're poor souls, miserable on their own so they jack off to other's entertainment. Are you living such a life, hmm?" Panunuya ko at naging blanko na lamang ang ekspresyon niya.
"Look at you, all smug just because you got him thirsting for you. It'd be great to tear off that insulting expression from your pretty face at this very moment."
"I got my words set in stone while yours are drawn lazily in water... No wonder Ainsworth doesn't see you as a worthy enemy." I smirked as his eyes became darker.
"You might want to be careful now with the words that come out of that mouth. Does your mother and her wasted, bloated body on the ocean floor know what a bad girl you've become?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko at ikinuyom ko ang aking kamao. As if it was a hard blow, I was speechless. Ngayon, siya naman ang matamis ang ngiti.
This bastard!
Naputol ang pagpapalitan namin ng insulto nang mapukaw ulit ang atensyon ko dahil sa matinis na tawang nanggagaling kay Bridgette.
"Care to explain why you're with my friend before you kiss life's ass goodbye tonight?"
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I really appreciate your humor but I'm on vacation right now, Montecarlos... Can't I take a rest from the mafia world once in a while? I'm having a burnout from seeing dead bodies all the time!" He shook his head. "I just wanna be cross faded and enjoy some action, you know?"
I gritted my teeth. "I don't believe you."
"Good decision, smart little girl!" His mocking tone flooded my ears, making me more irritated than ever. "Don't worry, I'm ethical. Enemy is enemy, fling is fling... I'm the goody two-shoes Calix Rockefeller tonight and Bridgette has not a clue about our... alternate lives so you should be rest assured that she'll just come out filled with something else tomorrow."
"Fuck you, Rockefeller. Cher Bridgette is not a cum dumpster!"
"I certainly am not!" Pareho kaming napatingin kay Bridgette na naguguluhan ang ekspresiyon. "What's going on here? Are you guys fighting?" Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at pinisil-pisil ito nang malumanay.
Nakita ko kung paano napalitan ng pagkabahala ang mukha ni Rockefeller. He looked like an innocent child with his cheeks puffed. "I... I think I went too far with my jokes, Bridge. I was just trying to break the ice..."
"Oh, honey... That's okay..." My brunette friend drew circles on my back using her hand. "Adora's known for having quite the temper."
"Uh, that was totally unnecessary, mademoiselle Mercier!" I rolled my eyes. She giggled and brought her face close to my ear but my gaze never left Rockefeller. "I heard he's bisexual... and he wouldn't think twice about sticking his dick up something else other than a cunt." She whispered.
I laughed awkwardly. "Good to know, I guess?" I hooked her arm and gestured her to turn her back against the two-faced, bisexual Don. "Bridge, I don't like him. He's dangerous!" giit ko.
"Just like the way I like it?" Tinaas-baba niya ang kanyang kilay. I face palmed.
"Not that way... I sense something in him." I lied. "You know how right I am with these things!"
"Les nerfs, Adora! We've been flings for like, a year now and he's such a sweetheart. I don't know what type of lenses you're looking through but it's not like he's Ted Bundy or some serial killer. I mean, look at that face! Angelic on the streets, devil in the sheets!"
Nalaglag ang panga ko. For a year... what?! "You have to trust me, Bridge. He's not that kind of guy!"
"How can you say so? You only met him tonight!" She fumed. "Uh, whateves! Where's Winston, anyway?"
I shrugged. "He's... swimming."
"Then go to him! Unless, you wanna join us tonight?"
"I'm not interested in threesomes. What's mine will always be mine... Alone."
"Foursome, actually. If you join--"
"Okay, stop it with these talks." Ramdam ko ang pananakit ng aking ulo. "Please, be cautious!" That was the only thing I could say since I see no point in persuading her in doing otherwise. Kung umabot sila ng isang taon sa kalokohan nila, then I guess I'll just be on the lookout.
"I am, I am! I'm always on the pill!" Kumalas siya sa kapit ko at pagewang-gewang na lumapit kay Rockefeller. Tinatawag ko siya pero parang wala siyang naririnig. Natigilan lang ako nung yakapin ng aking kaibigan ang lalaki at hinalikan ito sa labi. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pasimpleng pagtingin sa akin ni Rockefeller habang ginagawa nila iyon na para bang nang-aasar.
I almost puked at the scene.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at humigpit ang hawak ko sa dala kong purse nang gumawa ng hand gun gesture si Rockefeller at itinutok ito sa likod ng ulo ni Bridge. Kunwari niya itong ipinaputok. Agad na hinila ng aking tumatawang kaibigan ang kamay niya at nagpatianod siya sa roon.
"Bridgette!" Tawag ko ulit habang inilalabas ang baril. Hinanap ko sila pero bigla silang nawala sa dami ng taong nandoon.
"Damn it!" Hahakbang na sana ako nang may humila sa aking palapulsuhan kaya napatalikod ako.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He spoke in a low tone.
"Jacob!" Sinubukan kong tanggalin ang kamay niyang nakakapit pa rin habang inililibot ang aking paningin. "Let me go! Kailangan kong iligtas ang kaibigan ko--"
"We've been studying Rockefeller's mad mind for a long time. Hindi siya nandadamay ng inosente sa kahibangan niya."
"B-but still..." Napalunok ako. Baka anong gawin niya sa kanya!
"I need to get you home. You're the reason Ainsworth's been throwing a fit at everyone today."
"We have to tell him about Rockefeller! Who knows what he's planning?!" Huli na nag mapansin ko na hindi ko na hawak ang baril ko at nakalagay na ito sa bulsa niya. He swiftly took it from me without me noticing!
"Iyon lang ba ang pinunta mo rito?" I couldn't help but sound disappointed. Was Damon too busy to replace him instead?
Gosh, I'm being petty and ungrateful!
"I was coincidentally in Cabello for a business meeting. My father's planning to expand his market reach. I was instructed to get you..." Tumango na lamang ako at nagpatianod sa hila niya pero natigilan kami nang may biglang humawak sa bewang ko kaya nabitawan ako ni Jacob.
"Where are you taking my girl?" Winston spoke with liquor breath.
Your girl?
"I'm taken, Winston! Va te faire cuire un oeuf!" Tinulak ko ang dibdib niya but his grip on my waist was strong. Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang pumaligid sa amin ang mga taong hawak-hawak ang mga cellphone nila at sigurado akong nirerecord nila ang nangyayari dahil sa mga flash na nanggagaling doon.
Merde! This is a scandal waiting to happen! Damn you, Winston. Nakakahiya ka!
"You dare to say that to my face after flirting with me?!" He accused.
"Get your hands off me! You just can't help but stick your hands to places that are not yours, can you?! You were the one who went to me!" Tumaas ang boses ko.
"You seduced me!"
"Says who?! You're delusional!" I squirmed.
Puno ng pagbabanta ang boses ni Jacob nang lumapit siya sa amin. "Let the lady go."
"T'occupe, you midget!" Winston spat. I took this as a chance and grabbed his neck to strike his face with my elbow. Naitulak niya ako dahil doon at napahawak siya sa ilong niyang dumugo. Agad akong hinila ni Jacob para itago sa likuran niya.
"You!" Akmang susugod na sana si Winston nang suntukin ni Jacob ang panga niya at agad itong napahiga nang walang malay. I heard people gasp as Jacob took my hand and we ran away from the scene.
"I'm sorry!" Iyon na lang ang nasabi ko nang madaanan namin ang gulat na si Ingrid at ang ibang security na papalapit sa hinihigaang sahig ni Winston.
What a wild night in Cabello!
Sinubukan kong tawagin si Bridgette pero puro ungol ang naririnig ko, my goodness! At least Rockefeller keeps his word. I'm letting him off the hook... for now.
Pinanood ko si Jacob habang pinapaandar niya ang speedboat pabalik sa Andelmo Islands. As the cold wind brushed against my skin, I smiled. "Thank you, Jacob."
Humarap siya sa akin at ngumisi. "No one disrespects Ainsworth's queen. Hell will break lose otherwise."
I groaned as the annoying ringtone of my phone woke me up from my dreamless slumber. I did not bother taking off my blindfold as my thumb randomly pressed the screen to answer. "What?"
"Ah, galit din." I heard his mocking tone from the other line.
"What do you want, Donovan?"
"Geez, ba't ba ang daming galit ngayon?"
Umirap ako kahit na nakapikit. "Call me na lang later 'pag may sasabihin ka nang importante--"
"Okay! Hear me out, Adora." I heard him sigh. "Quit starting a ruckus... we're already suffering because of Damon, especially with what you did!" Umupo ako at tinanggal ang blindfold ko dahil sa nawalang antok. Say what? Suffering?
"Bakit parang kasalanan kong sumali kayo sa mafia para pahirapan niyo sarili niyo?" I faked drama while placing a hand against my chest.
"Hindi iyon! You were two-timing!"
I gasped loud enough for him to hear it. I wish I could slap him right now! "How dare you label me! I am fucked up in my own ways but being a whore is not one of them!"
"Tell that to my cousin and the media! It's hell enough in the Philippines and you're making it worse, Adora!"
"Media?" Bigla kong naalala ang nangyari kagabi. Hinilot ko ang aking sentido. "Ah. oo nga pala..."
"Anong oo nga pala--" Binaba ko ang tawag at agad na nag-scroll sa social media. I mocked laughter when I saw articles about me and Winston. I'm being accused of breaking up with him for Jacob. What in the actual fuck?
Sinara ko ang app at iniwan ko ang phone sa kama. Kinuha ko ang remote para sa window blinds at pinindot ito para makita ang nakakamanghang view ng Andelmo.
You know what? I'm in Andelmo and in my vocabulary, it equates to vacation... A well deserved one, at that. Fuck negativity! I don't need to explain myself when I didn't do anything wrong.
After breakfast, I slipped on my favorite bikini and took a selfie with the beach as my background. Pagkatapos ay kumuha ako ng ilang litrato at video sa mga magagandang tanawin ng lugar. This place is really photogenic!
Nang tumirik ang araw ay naisip kong magtago muna sa silong ng malaking payong sa tabi ng isang bench na malapit doon. Nang maupo ako ay nag-utos ako para dalhan ako ng mango juice. I checked my shots and I was satisfied. Clicking the next button, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ko ang mukha ni Damon na nakangisi habang tumitingin sa camera.
I bit my lip as I felt my cheeks warm up. Next picture was me licking a vanilla ice cream while winking. What the?! I don't remember doing this! Ako ba talaga ito?
Natawa ako sa mga sumunod na litrato hanggang sa umabot ako sa pinakaunang video. It was that cheesy night at our first misunderstanding. I could still hear the singer's voice together with the fireworks. I was recording as I fed him a piece of takoyaki.
I smiled. "Ang cute ko."
I then opened my IG account and chose my selfie with the caption: I miss you, love.
"...Kidding." I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes for the nth time before noticing that I accidentally posted it. Agad itong nakakuha ng maraming likes at intrigued comments. Some people were bashing me but who cares?
Hmm... tinatamad na akong tanggalin. Let's just leave things as they are.
I took a dip in the water to calm my racing heart. It's either Damon believed the media or Donovan is just terrible at picking the right words. Whatever. If he doesn't trust me, then that is the first red flag in this relationship.
Umahon ako sa dagat at huminga nang malalim para bawiin ang nawala kong hininga.
Actually, he's still one of my suitors and he is the only one I'm entertaining.
I smirked. Assuming much, Damon?
As I dried my body with the towel, my attention was snatched by a yacht heading towards the island. Nagkibit-balikat ako dahil sigurado akong si grandma iyon. I sat on the bench again and took a sip on my mango juice while wearing my heart-shaped sunglasses from Gucci to wait for my beloved family. However, my brows furrowed as I recognized a familiar built of a man who was using binoculars at my direction.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Wala sa sarili kong sambit nang makilala ko kung sino iyon.