I quickly checked my phone for any message then glanced at the mini clock beside my computer. It's already quarter to seven and I'm still spending my time at the office. I used to have a plan with James pero hindi naman siya nagre-reply sa mga text at calls ko.
The lights from the skyscrapers outside filled the night. The stars were twinkling brightly around the full moon.
I grabbed my tumbler to drink some water. I straightened my back and did some stretching.
Nagugutom na ako.
"Good evening, my beautiful Best Friend." Lizzie blurted out as she widely opened the door of my office. I glanced at her through my lashes then resumed doing my work. I heard the door closing and her heels clicking on the floor of my room. She slumped her body on the soft chair in front of my table. "Hello, Buddz." She said again. I took a deep breath and moved my head to see her.
"Why are you here?" I asked. A wide splitting grin flashed across her face.
"Para sunduin ka." She answered, obviously. I narrowed my eyes. Ano daw? Sunduin ako? Bakit niya naman ako susunduin? As far as I know, her time is solely devoted to Nico, her boyfriend.
"Wow! Ano ang nakain mo para gawin iyon?" I challenged and reverted my eyes to the computer.
"Wala. I just want to be with you because I miss spending time with my best friend." She pouted. I was only watching her like a halo suddenly appeared above her head. "Ano ba? Tara na nga. Pack your things and shut down your computer."
I smiled while lightly shaking my head. "Fine. Fine." I turned off my computer and shoved all things inside my bag. We were out of my office and waiting for the elevator in exactly ten minutes. The moving box reached our floor and we stepped in. I tapped my building pass and pressed the GF button.
I sighed and put my phone inside my bag. Lizzie was busy with hers.
"Let's have dinner." She said, placing her phone back in her pocket and throwing her attention to me.
"Wala ako sa mood magluto." I replied, lazily, continuing my stride out of the building. She walked fast, almost running, and clung to my arm.
"I have booked a table at the newly opened Italian Restaurant nearby. I heard masarap daw ang foods doon, so try natin." She was smiling from ear to ear while I was only gawking at her. Eventually, she frowned and pouted again. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I arched my brow.
"Naninibago ako sayo ngayon." I tried to stifle my laugh which made her frown deepen. "Sinundo mo ako tapos you'll treat for Italian food? Hmm. Ang weird lang."
She let go of my arm like a child.
"Grabe ka. We are doing this naman talaga, ha."
"Yeah. We used to until you've begun committing all your time to your precious boyfriend, forgetting me, your best friend all along." I said, truthfully but not to make her feel guilty. Medyo nagda-drama lang ako. I folded my arms across my chest, looking away and pretending to be sulking.
She pouted more.
"That's why, I'm here. I want to make it up to you." She murmured. I was trying to control my laugh. "Tara na. I'll treat you on anything you want. We can order everything in the menu para hindi ka na magtampo." Kumapit siya muli sa braso at tumitig sa akin na parang bata.
I smiled and lightly shook my head making her grin as well.
We climbed inside her new car, a birthday gift from her father. I buckled my seat belt. She did the same on her's then started the engine.
"Grabe ang traffic sa C5. 3 hours ang naging byahe ko from Libis Quezon City to your office." She ranted as we were making our way.
"Dapat pala naglakad nalang tayo." Sabi ko naman.
"Ang mahal ng parking dito besides the Restaurant has a Car Park." She replied. I sighed and peered outside. Most of people walking were couples. I couldn't help my mind to think about James. Ilang araw na rin siyang walang paramdam sa akin. The last message I recieved from him was, they have a huge project for an International Client and they will be very busy. Naintindihan ko naman iyon pero wala na akong narinig sa kanya pagkatapos noon. I try to call him everyday pero hindi niya sinasagot.
I felt the car stop. I looked at Lizzie. She already unbuckled her seat belt.
"We're here na." She beamed and I hastily took off mine. I scanned the area as I leaped out of the car. Good thing na parang kaunti lang tao.
I'm not a fan of eating outside because of so much noise. I don't like the loud voices and laughs of people as they talk with each other. Pakiramdam ko nasa palengke ako, sosyal lang ang mga tao.
We walked towards the entrance and were greeted by one of the staff.
"Hello. Good evening. I have a reservation under the name of Eliza Gonzales." Lizzie said, gracefully and the man smiled, immediately checking his list.
"A table for two." He confirmed. We smiled. "This way, Ma'am." And we followed him.
I was in awe as we entered. The interior was brilliant and sophisticated. From the ceiling with a huge chandelier to the paintings hanging on the wall. The tables and chairs as well as the floor complemented the Italian style.
The other staff escorted us to our seats.
"Thank you." We both mouthed. Lizzie scanned the menu while I was still taking off my coat. I placed it on the side together with my bag.
"I'll go to the Ladies' room first." I excused myself. She simply nodded and I strode away.
I looked at my own reflection through the mirror. The bags under my eyes were getting darker. My skin was dull and dry. I should stop skipping my Facial Session. I sighed. I fixed my hair and lightly tapped my cheeks to bring out some colors before I stepped out.
I was waltzing back to our table when someone bumped me, making me lose my balance. Just before I could make a scene, his strong arm caught me in time. It was securely wrapped around my waist. I blinked a few times. His eyes were fixed on mine. I gulped. My heart was beating wildly inside my chest. Obviously because of the almost falling to the ground.
"Are you okay?" He asked with his husky voice. I gulped again, lost for words due to his perfect features. His hair was chestnut in color and so were his thick brows. His eyes were dark brown. His nose was pointed. His jaws were well sculptured. His lips were naturally red; shaped like a cupid's bow. He also has facial hairs which made him more attractive. And his scent was so sweet and addicting.
"Miss?" He asked, pulling me back to reality. I got out of his hold and stepped back a little. I composed myself.
"Sorry. I didn't see you." I apologized, looking away but also stealing glances at him as I couldn't keep my eyes to stare at him longer.
"It was my fault. I was blocking your way." He admitted more. Hindi na ako nagsalita at ngumiti nalang. My sight diverted to my handkerchief on the floor. I squatted, about to get it when he already did it for me.
"Here." He pronounced, handing me that piece of cloth. I looked at it then at his hand before my eyes met his gaze.
I felt a sudden jolt that traveled through my body when his hand touched mine. I pursed my lips together then swallowed the imaginary lump on my throat.
It was like the world had stopped spinning for a while. 'Yung mga mata niya, ang ganda, as if you would be hypnotized if you will look at it for a longer time. It's as if you would easily fall under his dangerous yet exciting spell. He looked like a Greek God.
"Cashanna" rinig kong tawag sakin. I looked for whoever owned that voice only to see my Best Friend, looking at me, hands on her hips and eyebrow's raising.
"Thank you." I managed to say, smiling.
"You're welcome. I apologize again" he said also, smiling down at me. A smile that can make a woman swoon in so much blissfulness.
"Cashanna Nicole!" She called, already throwing me glares. I walked back to her as we got the attention of some people. "What are you doing there?" She asked, getting impatient.
"Nahulog kasi ang panyo ko, kinuha ko lang." I only answered while taking a sit. Hindi na siya sumagot at binuksan nalang ang menu.
"I ordered Steak, Pasta, and salad. I added na rin a dessert." She said. She also placed her arms on the table and settled her head between her palms, grinning weirdly at me. I chose to ignore that once again. "How are you?" She enquired. I took a deep breath before answering her question.
"I'm fine. Busy sa work and business."
"How's your heart?" She questioned next. I glanced at her.
"Happy." I quickly replied. She narrowed her eyes.
"Happy?" She even challenged. I just nodded and looked away, landing on the pair of brown orbs with hypnotizing effect.
"May nakwento pala si Nico. He has a friend who saw your photo and he's quite interested in you. He keeps on asking my boyfriend about you. Gusto ka niya ma-meet. Maybe you can have lunch together. He's working here in Taguig also. Gwapo naman siya. He has a good background. He has a successful career as an Operations Director in a Multinational Company. Bigay ko sayo number?" I looked back at her after having an exchange stare with Mr. Brown eyes.
"I'm not interested," I replied, flatly and took a sip of the cold water.
"Ha? And why?" I glanced at her, scowling.
"Anong why? I already have a boyfriend."
"Ay talaga ba? Nasaan siya? Is he still texting you?" My brows furrowed more. Just before I could talk back, our food was served. Our attention was diverted to the delicious things in front of us. Even the smells were so good.
We spent no time and pray then tried everything one by one.
I hummed with satisfaction as I had the bite of the steak. It was so tender and finely cooked. The pasta was creamy and heaven as well.
Lizzie wiped her mouth with the table napkin. She drank her glass of water. Straightening her posture and clearing her throat, she stared at me. I looked back at her, chewing another bite of Steak.
"Buddz." She began then drank some water again. Kinakabahan siya. "Buddz..." She said more softly with a smile and glistening eyes. Ako naman ang biglang kinabahan.
"What's with a creepy smile, ha? Ano ibig sabhin niyan?" I inquired also. Her smile broadened.
"Buddz, I have a small favor. Small lang at kayang kaya mo ito." I frowned but I still continued on eating. "Can you be a stripper?" She blurted out. I almost spit the foods inside my mouth. I coughed.
"Ano?!"
"Wait. Sorry. Mali ata ang words ko. Can you dance for one night?" The frown never leaves my face. Ano daw?!
"Ha? Anong pinagsasabi mo?" Huminga siya nang malalim.
"Nico and I are getting married." She began. I listened. "As a tradition, we will be having our own bachelor and bachelorette parties."
"So, ano naman?" She sighed again.
"Eh kasi. Ayoko na may ibang babae na aakit sa boyfriend ko. Iniisip ko palang para na akong mababaliw."
"So you want me to perform to that Stag Party?" I continued her words but was still unable to articulate everything. Tumango naman siya. My mouth opened then closed then opened again until I finally settled on biting my lower lip and heaving a deep sigh. I couldn't find my words. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. My best friend wants me to become an instant stripper and show my flesh to men?! Oh, Gracious!! "Baliw ka na. Gusto mo ako maghubad sa harapan ng mga lalaki? Seryoso ka ba? "
"Please, buddz. The thought of that whore being with my man or even seducing my man makes me...drags me to insanity. I know I'm being so incongruous, but what can I do? I can't lose him. I can't take anybody else having him. I'm so deeply in love with him, buddz. Alam mo yan. Kaya sige na, please. Just think na eto na ang gift mo sakin for my wedding. Please buddz, please." I was only looking at her with a blank expression on my face.
Kaya niya pala ako pinakain sa mamahaling Restaurant, may gusto pala siyang ipagawa sa akin.
Ni sa panaginip hindi ko nakita ang sarili ko sumasayaw na halos walang damit sa harapan ng mga kalalakihan.
I drunk my full glass of water then looked at her again. "Bakit ka pa magpapakasal kung wala ka rin naman palang tiwala sa magiging asawa mo?"
"May tiwala ako kay Nico. Sa babae ako walang tiwala." Naguguluhan ako. Ayoko na kumakain. "Please buddz. Pumayag ka na. This will be my last favor. I promise. Saglit lang naman 'yun eh, after mong mag-perform susunduin na agad kita."
"Kahit isang segundo lang. Are you really serious? Gusto mo talaga na ibalandra ang katawa ko sa mga kung sinong tao?"
"Hindi ka naman maghuhubad. You will only dance. After that, uwian na." I shook my head.
"Ikaw nalang kaya? Why don't you do it?"
"Makilala ako ni Nico." My gosh! I peeked at her and she's looking at me pleadingly. Heaving a deep sigh and praying I won't regret my decision, I answered her.
"Fine." and she squealed like a child.
"Yehey. I love you, buddz. I love you talaga. You're the best Best Friend in the whole universe" Tatayo pa sana siya to hug me but I stopped her. She remained in her seat, beaming at me.
"Basta, you should make sure that no one will know my true identity. They will see some skin of mine but not my face. Neither pictures nor videos are allowed to take. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am." She nodded still wearing her smile and finally wrapped her arms around me.
"Yiee! I love you talaga. Thank you so much, Buddz.
"Sige na. Umupo ka na."
"I love you!" I rolled my eyes.
Oh My Gosh!