We all lie
Tell you the truth
Sometimes we laugh and easily lie
Alright, it's a, it's faker
Shout it out
What you want for the world
Money, honor, beauty
Everything you want
Play with a mask to hide the truth
Run away with me (Is this really true?)
It'll be the way you want it (Is this really true?)
(Is this really true? Is this really true?)
.........…
I don't like the truth; it's sucks and hurts.
Well… lies too…
...............….
Johan's house, the next morning….
"Yes, Dian. Please write down a letter for me. OK?"
"It doesn't matter. I trusted you. You've been our doctor for the last 25 years and whatever your advice is, I'll do it. Okay. See you later…"
Rather than the look of a patient with a terminal disease that would undergo chemo, Mama Sharren's eyes sparkled and her face shone with joy that morning. She looks pleased and fresh like morning dew. Last night, after Johan brought Wina to his house and introduced the girl as his "fiancee", the mood of the old lady who was down and gloomy, suddenly cheered up. With great enthusiasm, Mama Sharren invited Maya a.k.a Wina to sit together at the dining table and chat with her lightly like a family member. Wina herself, who used to be awkward and shy, was finally able to adjust herself slowly and join in casually into the conversation that they had that evening. Meanwhile, Johan didn't say much and just sat there and chatted a bit while he observed the whole situation between the two ladies at the same table with him at that time.
As he continued to eat his meal and sip his drinks, his memory flashed back to the conversation that he and Wina had in the VVIP room in the hotel a few days before.
..............
Hotel Ragasa, VVIP Room, a week ago….
"So tell me, Wina, how come you are in this business?" Johan asked her again as he walked over to the girl, took a chair, and sat right next to her. More like an investigation rather than asking regular questions to the lady. His eyes couldn't take his eyes off of the beautiful girl who remain silent and utterly speechless without being able to reply or answer him or stared back at his eyes directly. Her facial expressions were unreadable and complicated.
She was unlikely Wina that he used to know before. The old Wina….
Whenever Johan pressed him with a question, she would speak up and bravely argue with him until they were both at a loss for words and unable to continue any further. Wina whom he used to know was stubborn, witty, smart, and sharp-mouthed. Johan knows and is fully aware of every side of his ex-girlfriend. Wina that he used to know was fair and honest. Wina's character and attitude were like an open book to him.
Even after they separated for years, Johan was still sure, that this girl was still the same person that he had known before. And, the look of expression that she is showing right now is…
Guilt.
This girl is hiding something.
Why did she behave like this?
What is it?
What exactly happened with her?
"Wina…"
Johan started to move closer to take the girl's hand when suddenly, Wina stood up and glared at him fiercely, and shifted her chair a bit further. Maintain her distance from him.
"I don't think I need to answer that question, Mr. Johan Alvaro. And, that's none of your business either…" Wina told him sarcastically.
John took a deep breath and chuckled lightly. There she is…
The girl that he used to know, was still there. He knows it.
"I am asking you not as "Camille", Vienna. I'm asking you as Lidwina Andrea. As someone, I've known before. As a friend…"
"And, we were so close before…"
"Oh, f*ck.cut the crap, Johan!!" Vienna snapped at him harshly as she threw a death glare at the man fiercely.
"It's done! We're over! Can't you just move on…"
"Please?"
For a moment, her face changed. There was a hint of sadness and regret there. But, shortly, her demeanor turned flat and cold again.
"Okay..."
"Do you want me to tell you the truth, Johan? Alright…"
Wina finally relented and loosened her defenses. Soon the two of them will become partners and to be honest, Wina really needs the money from this work so she would be able to clear off her debts. Then, afterward, she doesn't need to meet him. Ever. Again.
But, will her heart be okay if the day comes over and she must wave another goodbye to this man?
Dear my heart, would you be fine with it?
But, whatever it is, she needs to tell him the truth.
"I need money. A lot…" Wina told him abruptly without further ado.
While Johan just stay in his seat and nodded briefly without any hesitation.
"Okay…"
"No problem. You know I can always help you with it since a long ago. You know that. right?"
"Then, one more thing. I want you to look for his whereabouts…"
Wina took out her cellphone and sent a photo of a man to him.
"His name is Mario Jonathan. Find him for me. Track him down. Use any connection and network you have. With your power, finding him would be a piece of cake for you, isn't it?"
Johan's brow furrowed in confusion when he saw the photo on his screen.
"Okay..."
"But, who is this guy?"
"That's none of your business, Johan Alvaro ..." Wina replied to him nonchalantly.
"Okay .."
For now, I won't push you further, Lidwina Andrea.
Johan took a deep breath as he put the phone back into his pocket.
You don't want to be honest with me now, Wina? No problem. In time, I will know everything. Soon or later.
Next, the two of them discussed the service fee that should be paid for each chemotherapy session that Wina must do when she's accompanying Mama Sharren to the hospital. And, maybe, some other occasional events that she has to attend to support her role as Johan's "fiancee." She will be using and posing "Maya Lareina" as a pseudonym and her alter ego so that her real identity would stay anonymous.
Their meeting was quickly done and efficient because they both had known each other before.
Wina sent a virtual contract to Johan and he signed it right away.
Done.
"Next time, I'll be calling you and tell you about the list of other details and anything else that you need to know about my mother. Okay?"
Wina nodded briefly and forced a smile as she stood up and prepared to leave. Then, before she has gone, she stretched her hand for a handshake formally.
"It was a great deal. Nice meeting you, Mr. Johan Alvaro…"
Johan took it and gripped her hand firmly.
It was… short.. and, warm…
But it is caused by an electric spark that made her heartbeat thump loudly.
What the fuck!!
Wina cursed herself as she keeps her poker face and her feet stepped out of the room in rush. As soon as she got into the cab outside, her trembled fingers grabbed the cellphone from her sling bag and pressed a name from its contact list.
"Dina!!!"
"I'm on my way to your place now!!"
.........
At Dina's flat, an hour later…
"What should I do, Din? How I'm going to deal with this?" Wina asked her best friend in panic as soon as Dina opened the door and allowed her to walk into her room.
"Who are you talking about now, Wina?" Dina asked her back with a deep frown in confusion.
"Johan Alvaro..."
Wina sighed desperately like a soldier who had just lost a war. She covered her face with both of her hands in frustration. And, then, in the next minute, she laughed sarcastically at herself.
"I screwed up!! After all these years…"
"I'm still in love with him, Dina. Tell me…what should I do?
............
Hotel Ragasa, VVIP Room
Johan remained silent in the room after Wina left and closed his eyes. The scent of her perfume still lingered in there and he inhaled it deeply with reverence. The soft, yet, feminine fragrance. As if it would be the last thing he would remember before he died. A scent of her, once, was his beloved. Unknowingly, a spark and a strange beat pulsed once again in his heart.
The memories of they were being together back then filled the space in his head again. And, he just realized that at that time…
His feeling still lingers in there….
In the deepest corner of his heart…
A beat called first love...
..............
We all lie
Tell you the truth
Sometimes we laugh and easily lie
Alright, it's a, it's faker
Shout it out
What you want for the world
Money, honor, beauty
Everything you want
Play with a mask to hide the truth
Run away with me (Is this really true?)
It'll be the way you want it (Is this really true?)
(Is this really true? Is this really true?)
( We All Lie – Hajin)