Playful Seduction

Chapter 13.

It’s been a few minutes since Raius left my apartment para pumasok na sa part time nya. After the launching a while ago, he had to go home dahil may idedeliver syang mga cupcakes. I thanked him for coming to support me. Kinailangan pa kasi naming mag stay until the last guest leaves because that’s how it should be.

Our guests need to feel accommodated. It’s one of the things that I learned from my parents growing up. Kahit gaano na sila kapagod, once na sila ang host ng party, they cannot sit for long, or they cannot leave the part itself. It became a habit na nagagamit ko ngayon sa business ko that needs connecting with people.

Anyway, we kind of had a disagreement before he left. This is yet the ‘biggest ‘fight’ we had ever since we became together. Well, to be fair, we were both kind of calm. Hindi lang talaga kami magkasundo. I told her about Stephanie, what happened before she left. But it seems like Raius is not happy with my intention to be friends with her.

I am really not the confrontational type, but it makes me sad na parang may tinatago sya sa akin by stopping me in entertaining Stephanie, who is my brand’s ambassador and technically his childhood friend. I wanted to ask him kung may tinatago ba sya o ano ang reason bakit parang ayaw nyang makipag lapit ako kay Stephanie pero wala akong lakas ng loob.

I’d rather keep our peace before he left for his part time job instead of letting him leave with a heavy heart. Alam ko na sa huli ay ako rin ang magsa-suffer, but I am letting my mind think that problems like these is just a part of being in a commited relationship.

Na mayroon mga bagay na dapat icompromise.

But I know na one of these days, I still have to confront him about this, na kailangan kong malaman ang mga bagay bagay. It’s really not normal for him to stop me from doing anything dahil simula at sapul ay supportive si Raius sa mga bagay bagay na sinasabi kong gagawin ko. It’s one of the best things that I really really love about him. I feel unstoppable whenever he would say that “kayang kaya mo ‘yon mahal!” like it’s my kryptonite.

Despite what happened, I was able to sleep long. Maayos rin ang mood ko when I woke up. Medyo napagod lang rin ako sa even kahapon but it’s worth it. I decided to stay home. I sent Raius a good morning text telling him that I’ll just be home the whole day, and that he can drop by anytime if he wants or if he still has time.

I also told Adelaine na kapag tapos na sya sa mga gagawin sa office ay umuwi rin sya ng maaga.

I just finished vacuuming the living room when I heard my phone rang. It’s Tita Bee!

“Hello! What’s up?” I really love that our relationship is cool! Despite being my aunt, we really hit it off. We are just like friends of some sort. Ganoon rin ako sa mga pamangkin ko.

“Hello! Are you busy? Am I interrupting?” Medyo heightened ang boses nya sa kabilang linya na parang may sasabihin syang nakaka excite.

“Hmm, nope! Hindi ako pumasok sa office today to rest. Why? What’s happening?”

“Well, I just called to let you know. I’ll come with Ram to Manila next week, on Sunday. He told me na ipapakilala mo na raw ang boyfriend mo.” She said giggling.

Natawa ako at narelieved at the same time. “Oh. That’s nice! Yep. So, it’s dinner or lunch?”

“Probably dinner? I am not sure but we’ll be there in the morning, although we’ll have our breakfast with Argos and Via.”

I nod. “I see. Can you tell me if it’s lunch or dinner so I can tell Raius?”

“Ohhh. Raius? Is that your boyfriend’s name?” Hindi pa rin nawawala ang excitement sa boses nya kaya nahahawa na rin ako.

“Yes.”

“Ang unique naman! Anyway, can you tell me what he’s like?”

I chuckled. I have time! “Well, he’s tall, handsome, mabango and talented! Medyo soft spoken sya. Mabait. Ugh! Grabe. I can say all the good things about him.” Dreamy na sabi ko.

Tumawa si Tita Bee sa kabilang linya. “Mukhang tinamaa ka talaga ng magaling!”

“I am in love!”

“Well, sa wakas! I am really happy for you, you know? I always wonder kung anong type mo sa lalaki. After Noah, I didn’t know anyone you seem to like.”

“Woah. I’ve never heard Noah’s name like, since forever! And yeah, well, he’s cute naman diba? Remember when you tried to make me jealous when you knew about my stupid little crush on him?”

Malakas na humalakhak si Tita Bee. “Of course! How can I forget?”

“Anyway, they’re the complete opposite! Nag iiba talaga ang preference mo while growing up, eh!”

“Wow, you’re really not naïve now, huh? Can’t wait!”

“Anyway, who will stay with the kids?”

“My parents are here for a vacation, so sila na muna. Besides, we can leave anytime anyway. The kids aren’t that clingy and they are okay with giving us time off as parents.” Tapos humagikhik sya. “I’ll call again to tell you kung lunch or dinner, okay?”

“Alright. See you! Bye!”

“See you! Bye!”

Huminga ako ng malalim after the call.

“Anong oras kita pwede daanan, mahal?” Raius asked while he’s giving me small kisses at the back of my hand. We are currently discussing the details this coming Sunday. I have been excited the last week because of it, pero ayokong isipin ni Raius na overreacting ako kaya I am containing it whenever we are together.

“I think, around, five, mahal. Matatraffic tayo, eh. We usually eat our dinner around seven or so.” Tinitingnan ko lang sya habang hinahalik-halikan ang kamay ko. He’s really sweet like this. Tuwing magkasama kami, we are intimate this way.

“Sige, okay.” He stopped kissing my hand tapos inakbayan nya ako.

I leaned closer hanggang sa sumandal ako sa balikat nya. Although madalas na sya ang pumupunta sa condo ko ay may mga times na katulad ngayon that we like the idea of being in his place. Naka bukas lang ang TV nya at nasa nag-iisang couch nya kami pero we’re really not watching.

Naglalambingan is the more appropriate verb.

“Are you nervous?” Tanong ko sa kanya na nasa TV na ngayon ang atensyon ko.

“Syempre,” He chuckled. “Sino ba ang hindi? Ikaw ba?”

“Just a little. I am confident that they will see what I see in you, and they will like you.” Malapad ang ngiti na sabi ko.

“Mahirap umasa sa parte ko. They will see me as someone na potential na magiging kahati nila sayo. Or potential na pwedeng manakit sa unica hija nila.”

Tiningala ko sya. He’s smiling, pero seryoso ang tono ng pagkakasabi nya.

“I’m an adult now. Maybe they will also see you as someone who can help me be a better person.” I don’t want him to have those thoughts. Hindi naman dahil sa naiisip ko na baka magkalat sya doon or what. My boyfriend can handle himself.

Bigla nyang pinisil ang ilong ko. “Palagi mo talaga akong kinokontra!”

I giggled. “But I am right, diba? Possible din naman iyon.”

“Oo. Let’s just hope na magustuhan nila ako.”

“I know, they will.” I assured him.

I already told my parents as well as Tito Ram and Tita Bee that we will come together, na susunduin ako ni Raius sa condo ko at sabay kaming pupunta sa bahay. Wala namang allegy si Raius so I told them na sila na ang bahala sa pagkain na ihahanda.

I want everything to be smooth. Kahit hindi na perfect, basta smooth.

I stayed there until dinner tapos hinatid nya na ako sa condo ko. Just a few more nights and we are finally making everything more official. Pag-uwi ko ay tumingin na ako sa closet ko ng dress o outfit na pwede kong suotin.

I want to look good without being overdressed. Adelain would usually tell me na kahit casual lang ang damit ko ay nagmumukha akong overdressed dahil sa aura ko. I don’t know about my aura but I certainly don’t want it to work so hard this coming Sunday.

I even practiced on what makeup look I’d go for!

Kung nandito lang si Adelaine, siguradong matatawa na ‘yon sa akin. Mabuti na rin na hindi sya nagagawi dito dahil I can do ridiculous things that I am doing without being apologetic about it. Not that I cannot do these with her here, it’s just that at least I feel freer since ako lang naman ang makaka judge sa mga ginagawa ko.

Nang makapag decide na ako sa damit at makeup look na susuotin ko, I took a bottle of wine from my fridge and made my own charcuterie board bilang pampaantok. I have quite a few things to do tomorrow. I said yes to a salon’s opening tomorrow before lunch.

I still squeeze in a few ‘influencer’ things and event invites in my schedule dahil I still want to stay relevant and active at the scene where I started. Bukod sa mga connections ko doon na benefitial rin sa business ko, I have people that I genuinely love that I met there.

Having a new priority in my list such as someone named Raius won’t stop me from my usual work flow. Lalo na at supportive pa sya. I can’t think of any reason why I should slow down and it’s making me love my life more.