Selfless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #4]

Chapter Two

SAFE

JULIE

“Bloody mary for the beautiful lady?”

Iyon ang pambungad na tanong sa akin ni Drei nang makapwesto ako sa usual seat ko sa harap ng bartender’s table. Nakangiting tumango lamang ako at sinimulan na niya ang pagmi- mix ng drink ko. Alam na niya ang paborito kong drink dahil iyon lang naman ang palagi kong ino- order sa tuwing pumupunta ako rito sa bar nila. And I’ve been here three times just for this week. I’m not actually a patron here but I did become a regular for the past month.

If my friends were here, siguradong magbubunyi ang mga yon. Juliette Aragon drinking in some bar in Makati? Big news!

Agad na inilapag ni Drei ang glass ng aking inumin sa harap ko. I downed the drink without another word. I almost emptied the glass in one shot. That’s how badly I needed the drink.

“May problema ka na naman?” Tanong sa akin ni Drei habang nagpupunas ng mga baso. He wasn’t very busy kaya nagagawa niyang makipag-usap ngayon. Usually rin kasi ay bottles ang ino- order ng mga tao rito. Minsan lang may umorder ng cocktail drinks dahil grupohan ang mga narito. Kung hindi naman group, may nagchi- chill lang at either beer or hard drinks ang preferred.

"Ano pa nga ba?" Kibit balikat kong sagot habang iniikot ang glass na hawak. Ano pa bang ibang dahilan para pumunta ang isang babae nang mag-isa rito? There can only be two reasons, first gustong uminom at mag-isip mag-isa and the last is para humanap naman ng fling. I’m definitely not the last one. The last thing I need right now is some fling.

I’m not looking for some kind of relationship. I’m just here to clear my mind dahil wala naman akong ibang outlet for my frustrations recently. It’s funny though. I used to be a ‘strictly no alcohol’ type of person up until my law school days. But look where I am now! I’m in a bar! Ms. Goody two shoes is frequenting a bar now! I can hear my friends’ teasing tone in my head now.

“Parang walang katapusan naman ata yang problema mo?” Napapangiwing sabi na lamang nito. I can only shake my head in approval. “Edi mukhang wasted ka ulit uuwi mamaya? Sinong susundo ngayon?”

“I'm not gonna get wasted. I just need a drink.” I told him.

He chuckled at what I said. Napailing na rin na tila ba hindi naniniwala sa sinabi ko. “Juliette, sa pangalawang balik mo rito after ng una mong pagkalasing, sinabi mo na rin yan. And you’ve been saying it for a month now.”

“I’m telling you it’s real this time.” Nakangisi ko namang sabi. Nagkibit balikat lamang si Drei. Hindi talaga siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko. “Isa pa nga.”

He narrowed his eyes at me pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon. I just gave him a pleading look. Hindi naman na ito nagsalita at nag- mix na lamang ng inorder kong drink.

“Well, at least I know who to call now.” He said after placing the new drink in front of me. Kinuha niya ang empty glass at inilagay iyon sa isang lalagyan.

“You won’t have to call anyone dahil hindi naman ako malalasing.”

“I call bluff on that.” He smirked.

“No, really. I’m serious.” I smiled at him. It probably looked like a happy smile but the truth is, it isn’t. I’m far from happy. I don’t think it’s even possible for me to be happy right now… lalo na at papalapit ng papalapit ang araw na kailangan kong harapin iyon. “My days as a free woman are coming to an end soon. Next week hindi mo na ako makikita rito.”

What I said left a bitter taste in my mouth kaya mabilis kong naubos ang inumin ko. I didn’t have to tell Drei to mix another one dahil alam niyang iyon ang sasabihin ko. He must have sensed the change of my mood kaya hindi na nagsalita pa.

Okay… So I guess he’s a bit right. Hindi nga ako uuwing full on wasted pero mukhang isa lang ang kahahantungan nito. I’d still probably get drunk dahil unang- una sa lahat, my alcohol tolerance is very low. A few drinks is probably enough to knock me out.

Sa pangatlong bloody mary ko ay naramdaman ko na ang pagtama ng alcohol sa aking sistema. I was still okay pero naroon na ang parang lumilipad na pakiramdam. This is what I really like about drinking. Wow, big word. Since when did I like alcohol? Oh, right last month lang pala…

But yeah, like what I said, I specifically liked the light feeling you get kapag tinatamaan na ng alak. I don’t know why really…

Tumagal pa ako ng mahigit dalawang oras sa bar hanggang sa tuluyan nang sumuko sa pag-inom. After the third drink, nag- slow down ako sa pag-inom kaya nakapag-last pa ng ganoon katagal. My vision was already a bit blurred when I finished.

Nang tumayo ako ay biglang umalon ang aking paningin. Narinig ko ang mahinang mura ni Drei nang marahil ay makita ang naging reaksyon ko. But I was fine naman. I can still go home. Hindi man makakapag- drive I can always book a ride naman. Pero there was no need for that too. Siguradong umaaligid lang naman ang mga bodyguards.

“Kaya mo pa ba? I can book you a ride home or do you want me to call your bro—”

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa aking sasabihin. I shook my head and spoke. “I’m fine. I can manage, Drei. Medyo nahilo lang but I’m good.”

“Are you sure? Teka, pasasamahan na kita sa—”

Hindi ko na hinintay pang matapos siya sa sasabihin. I walked out of there before he could call anyone. Alam kong naiisip niyang paalalayan ako sa guard. I don’t need that. And that’s just embarrassing! I can perfectly manage myself.

“Hey, Juliette! Wait!”

Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa at sa halip ay naglakad na lang patungo sa exit ng bar. Good thing everyone was busy with their own businesses kaya maayos akong nakalabas. Or akala ko lang iyon? Dahil hindi pa ako tuluyang nakalalayo ay mayroon nang humawak sa aking baywang.

“Oh my god!” Mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro akong napalingon sa kung sinumang humawak sa akin. Agad ko ring nakita ang salarin. Nag-iisa lang naman siya sa aking likuran nang lumingon ako kaya I was sure na ang lalaking kaharap na nga ang bastos na humawak sa akin. “What the hell?”

“Hey, lovely.” I didn’t even hide the disgust on my expression nang marinig ang pagbati nito. Agad na naghanap ang aking mata sa direksyon ng pinto pero wala ang assigned na bouncer roon. Nagkataon pa atang kinailangan nitong magbanyo! Oh gosh! Kapag minamalas nga naman.

“Excuse me.” Pairap kong sinabi sa lalaki bago nagpasyang talikuran ito. Hindi pa man ako nakakaisang hakbang ay hinigit na nito ang aking braso. Halos mapatid ang paa ko at bumagsak ako sa kanya dahil sa lakas niyon. Nag-alab ang iritasyon ko at masama na ang tingin nang balingan itong muli. “What the hell?! Don’t touch me!!”

“Why not?” Nakangisi pa nitong tanong. Nagtaasan ang balahibo ko dahil sa tono ng boses nito. “Aren’t you here cause you’re looking to hook up with someone? I’m free, lovely. You can go with me.”

My eyes widened at his words. Ohmygosh! Did he just accuse me of being an easy woman? What the hell?! Just because a girl is at a bar doesn’t automatically mean she’s out looking for a hook up! What kind of thinking is that! That’s a r****t mindset!

Hindi na ako nag-atubiling higitin ang braso ko mula sa pagkakahawak nito. “Excuse me! I’m not interested! Isn’t it obvious?!”

The man only rolled his eyes at me as if bored pero hinaklit lang muli ang aking braso. “Pakipot ka pa! Uungol ka din naman kapag nakuha kita!”

My already widened eyes widened even more at the lewdness of his words. My hands also automatically moved and landed on his face for a hard slap. “Bastos!” I screamed on his face.

“Aba! Tangina ka ah!” I was alerted when he made a move to hit me. Instead of moving away, I only found myself closing my eyes and waiting for his assault. It was a stupid move but I panicked. I didn’t really know how to act during situations like this!

Pero ilang sandali na ang lumipas at hindi ko naman naramdaman ang pagdapo ng kamay niya sa akin. Saka ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na magmulat ng mata. That’s when I saw another guy in front of me. He was holding the p*****t’s hand to stop him from his attempt of hitting me.

“Don’t you f*****g dare.” I heard him say to the p*****t using a deadly tone. I was too stunned to even react to what was happening. Nagpabalik-balik lamang ang tingin ko sa dalawa hanggang sa iritado na lamang na binawi ng bastos na lalaki ang kanyang braso at bubulung- bulong na nag-walk out.

Napabuntong hininga ako nang umalis na ito. And I’m not sure if it was because of the fear or the alcohol pero parang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko. If he wasn’t quick to react, baka tuluyan na akong bumagsak sa sementadong daan. The man who saved me from the p*****t managed to catch me by the waist before my knees hit the pavement.

Mabilis ang t***k ng puso ko dahil sa katatapos lamang na encounter with the p*****t. I was really nervous. Akala ko matutuluyan na akong saktan ng lalaki kanina.

“Are you okay, miss?” The man who saved me asked as he held me tightly. Nanghihina pa ang binti ko kaya halos buong bigat ko ay nasa kanya.

Napahawak na lamang ako sa kanyang braso sa pagsubok na i-steady ang aking sarili. Marahang tango ang ibinigay ko rito at saka nag-angat ng tingin.

Agad na napakunot ang noo ng lalaki nang magtama ang aming tingin. I could see recognition in his eyes as he looked at me with slight confusion. I also couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity with him. Pakiramdam ko ay nakita ko na siya noon. I just can’t remember when exactly.

“I remember you…” He uttered with a knotted forehead. “You’re that girl…”

Napkunot na rin ang noo ko. He knows me for sure. Base na lang sa kanyang pagsasalita, alam kong nagkakilala na kami before. The question is, kailan? Bakit hindi ko maalala. God, this is embarrassing!

“Uh… H- have we met before?” Alanganin kong tanong sa lalaki.

“Your name is… Juliette. Right?” My eyes widened at his question. Napatango na lamang ako. Okay. So he knows me. From where? Did I meet him at some event? Or did he see from one of those magazine articles? “I see you’ve forgotten about it already… I actually almost hit you with my car around four weeks ago.”

Pagkasabing- pagkasabi niya ng mga salitang iyon, agad ko nang naalala ang tungkol sa maliit na aksidenteng iyon from last month. Saka rin unti- unting bumalik sa alaala ko ang mukha niya. I couldn’t recognize him right away dahil hindi ko masyadong natitigan ang mukha niya that night. I was a bit shaken up from almost getting hit by his car kaya di ko na napagtuunan ng pansin ang parteng iyon.

It was a small accident dahil muntik lang naman niya akong mabangga. He didn’t hit me at all. Mabilis siyang nakapreno noon kahit na bigla na lang akong lumitaw sa kalye. Thankfully malakas ang kapit ng break ng car niya. It was an expensive brand after all.

“You remember now?” He asked.

I smiled and nodded. “Yes. Looks like I have another debt to you. You saved me for the second time tonight… Thank you so much by the way. If you weren’t around baka kung ano nang nagawa nung bastos na yon saken. Thank you!”

“Technically, it’s just once. Ngayon lang kita niligtas because the first time, it was the other way around, I almost hit you…” He said while chuckling lightly. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti habang tinitingnan ang ekspresyon niya. Something about him feels warm and light. He has this gentle and happy aura kaya parang kahit ako ay nahahawa. “And about that p*****t, no need to thank me. Any man would have done the same. What he did was wrong after all. It’s never right to lay a hand on a woman.”

I can only smile and agree with him. It’s true. No man has any right to hurt a woman. Kahit anong kasalanan pa yan, it’s never right to resort to violence, especially for a man. God didn’t give you the strength to use it to oppress women.

“I’m Jared, by the way.” I almost breathed a sigh of relief. I was relieved na kusa na siyang nagpakilala. I didn’t know why but I felt weirdly embarrassed to ask his name.

I was about to offer a hand to him for a handshake nang maalala ko ang sitwasyon namin. Agad akong tinamaan ng hiya nang ma- realize na hawak pa rin niya ako sa baywang at ako naman ay nakahawak sa kanyang braso. Mabilis akong umayos ng tayo at awkward na lamang na natawa.

I placed a stray lock of hair behind my ear before looking up to meet his gaze again. Halos mapapikit na lang ako nang maabutan ang paninitig niya sa akin. He was looking at me so intently that I felt a little awkward. Why was he staring at me like that?

I cleared my throat and met his gaze confidently to hide my growing embarrassment. I also offered my hand to him for a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Jared.”

He chuckled. He looked amused all of a sudden. “Technically, it’s the second time we meet tonight. So, it’s nice to see you again, Juliette.”

“Right…” I said while hiding a smile. Nakagat ko na lamang ang aking labi.

Oh gosh! Am I seriously biting my lip right now? Julie!!

I wanted to say more pero hindi ako makapag-isip ng anumang sasabihin kaya akala ko ay doon na lamang matatapos ang ikalawa naming pagkikita. I almost thought of saying goodbye just to end this awkward second meeting pero bago ko pa magawa ay nagsalita nang muli si Jared.

“So… are you leaving now?” He asked with an eyebrow raised. I could read something in his eyes but I didn’t want to assume anything so I stopped myself from asking.

I cleared my throat again. Why am I having dry throat all of a sudden? “I- I was planning to…”

“Was… That means you changed your mind?” He asked again. He had this expectant smile now.

Ohmy… Am I actually… flirting with him? I just said I wasn’t looking for some kind of hook up… Anong nangyayari ngayon?

“Maybe?” I answered with a smile. God… I must be really drunk. I am actually really flirting.

“I see…” He said while nodding. “Would you mind if I ask you out for coffee?”

My eyes widened slightly. Is he asking me to have coffee right now? “Right now?”

“If it’s okay…” He gave me a tight lipped smile. He was giving me the chance to say now. I can see that he’s trying not to make me uncomfortable. Well, he’s not really making me uncomfortable... For some reason, I actually find him safe.

Kaya siguro ganoon na lang rin niya ako kabilis napapayag. “Sure… I could use a cup of coffee to get rid of the spirit of alcohol in my system.”

“Same…” He grinned. “Let’s go?”

I bit my lip to stop the urge of smile. “Okay…”