Bella's POV
Nakakapagod ang araw na ito. unang araw ko pa nga sa trabaho pero sobrang dami na naming ginawa. Ang dami ding nangyari sa araw na ito at isa na 'yong pagpunta namin sa Isla Pueblo na pagmamay-ari naman pala ng dalawang pamilyang nakahalubilo ko kanina.
That private island is exclusively for their family only. Walang pwedeng makakaapak sa napakagandang islang 'yon kundi sila lang o di kaya ay mga kakilala nilang may pahintulot mula sa kanila.
Napasalampak ako rito sa inuupuan kong swivel chair na kaka-order lang ni Althea kanina para sa'kin. Magkaharap lang ang pwesto namin ni Olga dito sa loob ng glass office, kahit saang anggulo ako tumingin napaka elegante talaga ng lugar na ito.
Kahit pa ilang ulit sabihin ni Althea na isa lang itong regular office para sa aming dalawa ay hindi talaga maiaalis ang katotohanan na dinaig pa ne'to ang office ni Mrs. Consas sa kompanyang pinapasokan ko noon.
"Alam mo, buti na lang talaga at naging consultant ka rin ni Miss A. Ilang buwan na kasi ako ditong nagtatrabaho ng mag-isa sa loob ng office na 'to," ani ni Olga atsaka nilibot ang kanyang paningin sa buong lugar.
"Maganda nga siya, maaliwalas, nakakaganadong magtrabaho pero iba talaga kapag may kasama ka," pagpapatuloy niya at ngumiti sa akin.
Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti rin sa kanya. Tama nga siya, mas productive kasi kapag may kasama ka sa workplace kahit papano. May kakukwentohan ka tuwing break niyo, may kasama ka tuwing lalabas sa building, may mapagsasabihan ka kaagad sa tuwing may problema sa ginagawa mo, at marami pang iba.
"Masaya rin ako na makakatrabaho kita, Olga. Kahit sobrang nakakapagod ang araw na ito, I somewhat felt satisfied because my day is productive," ani ko sa kanya.
"Nako! Masasanay ka rin sa pagod, habang magtatagal magrereklamo kana kung bakit hindi ka sobrang busy. And in just a snap, you'll ask for more works to do," natatawa niyang sambit. She even snapped her fingers that makes me laugh too.
Inabot pa kami ng ilang minutong nagkukwentohan sa loob dito ng office namin bago tuluyang lumabas para umuwi. Malapit ng mag a-alas nuebe ng gabi, tinawagan ko naman din silang papa sa bahay na malalate akong umuwi.
Nakapagdinner narin kami ni Olga kanina kaya kailangan na nalang naming umuwi upang makapagpahinga at may sapat na enerhiya para sa panibangong araw na naman bukas.
"Una na ako sa'yo Bella, mag-iingat ka pauwi ha?" ani niya atsaka niyakap ako. Niyakap ko rin siya pabalik at ningitian.
"Salamat, ikaw din mag-iingat ka," ani ko atsaka kumaway sa kanya. Nang makapasok na siya sa loob ng taxi, naglakad na din ako sa may sakayan ng bus.
Nang makasakay na ako, kaagad akong napapikit pagkaupo ko sa bakanteng upuan. Ngayon lang ata ako napagod ng ganito, parang nilakbay ko ang buong Pilipinas ng isang araw lang. Pagmakarating na ako sa bahay, dederetso talaga ako sa kwarto ko at sasalampak sa higaan.
Dale's POV
As I finished reading my anatomy book, I massage the bridge of my nose and set aside the book on my desk. I just ate my dinner a few hours ago and now I am ready to take a night of sleep for me to regain the energy that I lost.
Wala akong ginawa buong araw kundi ang matulog ng matulog. I never slept for 2 days and tomorrow I have another surgery appointment in the afternoon, that's why I review my anatomy book again. I couldn't perform my job well if I automatically collapse in the operating room due to over fatigue.
Just like what happened to that girl...
So her name is Bella, huh. She is Althea's model and personal consultant, I wonder what Althea saw on that woman to give her trust that easy, to think that they just actually met yesterday.
Althea could be so stubborn sometimes and clumsy. Decision-making isn't really her specialty that's why having a consultant could be a great move for her. I wonder how she and Van could be a couple someday...
That could happen if she will eventually confess her feelings to that idiot right away, and if, Van had the same feelings for her. In short, it's requited.
Why am I too interested in that matter all of a sudden?
I came back to my senses when my phone suddenly rang. Kaagad ko naman 'yon kinuha at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag bago ito sinagot.
[Seb!] bungad sa akin ng caller. It's Van by the way.
"Give me a valid reason why you call me during this late hour," I said in a flat tone.
[To naman oh! Minsan na nga lang ako mag-aya, ikaw nalang kulang dito! Hindi mo ako nireplyan kanina sa text ko,]
Oh, right. I forgot to respond to his messages earlier. Nabusy na rin kasi ako dahil nag check ako ng ilang emails, meetings and my schedules throughout the entire week. As I've said before, I prefer to get busy than do nothing all day.
"Right, my apologies regarding that matter. Unfortunately, I'm going to bed right now. Hindi ako makakapunta diya--"
[Pucha tol, birthday ko ngayon! Ano ba! Matalas naman memorya mo ah, ba't ganyan ka saken pre? Ang unfair naman,] rinig kong sambit ni Van sa kabilang linya, I'm pretty sure he's making faces again behind this screen.
But then I silently cursed at the back of my head when he actually said that today is his birthday. Kaagad akong napatingin sa digital calendar ko dito sa loob ng kwarto. Halos masapo ko ang aking noo ng mapagtantong ngayon nga ang birthday niya.
I almost memorize the content of my anatomy book but I can hardly remember the birthdays of my friends. Damn. What a great friend I am.
Humingi ako ng pasensya kay Van at sinabi ko kanya na papunta na ako. Ayos lang na hindi ako makatulog kaagad ngayon, nakatulog naman ako kanina noong umuwi ako galing Isla Pueblo.
"I'll be there in less than 30 minutes," I said in the line.
[Yown! Maghihintay kami sa'yo dito, dalian mo ha? Alam kong tigang ka na.]
"Gago," ani ko atsaka pinutol ang linya. That man is the only person who really had the guts to make fun of me.
I heaved a heavy sigh before walking into my closet. "Alexa, open the lights," I said making my walk-in closet covered by lights. I got my maroon polo shirt and black pants to match in this late-night celebration that Van held in his favorite club bar.
I don't really mind going to such loud places, as long as I can enjoy myself, that won't be a problem at all.
Nang matapos ko na ang dapat kong gawin, kaagad kong kinuha ang susi ng aking sasakyan at lumabas na sa aking condo. I hurriedly got into my car and drive as fast as I can to reach the place on time as what I've said to van earlier.
As I park my car in the VIP area, I roamed my eyes around the entire place. I guess Van invited a lot of people here. I'm expecting a few or several vehicles in this area since he brought the entire place for 1 night.
And yes, this party is exclusive.
2 masculine men stopped me from entering the place. I looked at both of them with my usual expression as they ask for a passcode. What passcode? Van never told me about this certain passcode.
"Hoy, anong ginagawa niyo diyan?" may babaeng biglang sumingit sa dalawang lalake at tinaboy sila sa gilid. "Ba't ba kayo humaharang sa dinaraanan?" the girl asked with a raised eyebrow. I looked at her from head to toe, I guess she's the real owner of this club bar as far as I can remember.
She wore a tight-fitted white bodycon dress that hugs her body showing her curves and a pair of high stilettos. Her white dress compliments her tan-colored skin well and her long black hair covers her bareback.
"May gusto po kasing pumasok Ma'am, eh hindi naman alam ang passcode. Sabi niyo po kase hindi pwedeng papapasukin ang hindi alam ang passcode," the other man uttered and explained his side.
Nabaling na ang atensyon ng babae sa akin at kaagad na bumilog ang kanyang mga mata. "S-Sebastian!" she exclaimed. I maintain my composure and gave her my attention, "Van invited me over--"
"Of course! Of course, he is! Come quick, he's waiting for you inside," she said, cutting me off and grabbed my hand as we enter the place.
As usual, just like the other club bar that I encountered, a piece of loud music, and the smell of alcohol and cigarettes welcomes me. I leaned my head to the lady when she whisper something to me. "Why did you come so late? You are Van's most important guest, you should have arrived earlier," she shouted.
Hindi ko gaano maririnig ang boses niya kung hindi siya sisigaw. The music is too loud for me to hear her clearly just using her normal voice.
I didn't answer her question, I just let her grab me in the crowd and lead me to where Van and others are located in this place. As we find their area which is on the second floor of this place, she eventually let go of my hands and started walking in Van's direction. In this room, I can completely hear a normal speaking voice well.
He prefers staying in a loud environment than being alone in a quiet place. He easily got bored in things that won't give him excitement and fun. No doubt why Van chooses this place to celebrate his birthday.
"Your guest had finally arrived," the lady said that makes Van turn his direction to us.
"Seb!" he screamed like a little child and run in my direction. Kaagad niyang pinulupot ang kanyang braso sa aking leeg atsaka ginulo ang aking buhok. "Bro, what the hell?! Hindi talaga ako makapaniwalang nalimutan mo ang kaarawan ko!" he said and mockingly punched me in the arm.
"Yown! Sa wakas dumating na rin ang ating doktor!" sigaw ni Lance sa sofa atsaka itinaas ang dala niyang beer.
"Pa grand entrance talaga 'tong si Sebastian kahit kailan," ani ni Tristan at inayos ang suot niyang salamin bago tinungga ang isang chaser ng tequila.
"Na miss mo ba kami?" Adam uttered and waved his hand at me.
It's nice seeing my friends' faces again after a tiring day. We've been busy in our own lives too, kaya bihira na lang din kami nagkikita-kita.
"Thank you for escorting my friend, Ziene," Van said to the lady and winked at her before placing his hands over my shoulder.
Hindi nakatakas sa akin ang pagsulyap ni Ziene sa aking direksyon at napakagat-labi bago tuluyang umalis at bumaba. That girl is up to something else. I can totally sense her body language since the first time her eyes laid on me at the entrance.
"Well, well, well... Guess who's gonna get laid tonight!" Van exclaimed and shake my shoulders while grinning from ear to ear.
"Kanina ko pa 'yan minamatahan si Ziene eh! Pero sa isang tingin lang ni Sebastian nakuha kaagad! Hayp!" singhal ni Lance sa gilid. Napatawa naman ang mga kaibigan ko sa sinabi niya.
I took my seat on this curved sofa and opened a bottle of beer. I'll just drink 2 bottles or cans of alcoholic beverages tonight to maintain the healthy status of my liver. As I sip the bitter taste of this drink, I saw Adam in the peripheral view of my eye looking so problematic.
"How's married life, Adam?" I asked that makes him look at me in just a snap.
"It's like I'm living in hell," he uttered and rests his back against the sofa.
Adam Knight was forced into an arranged marriage by his parents held in Italy. Hindi kami nakapunta dahil sobrang pribado ng kanilang kasal. Huli na rin nang malaman namin na ikinasal na pala siya noong nagkita-kita kami sa Isla Pueblo for a small gathering.
We never know her wife's name nor see a glimpse of her shadow. Adam will just reason out that her wife is such a private person, which we obviously respected.
"Baka may little Adam ka na niyan ha? Ninong kami!" Tristan said and laughed.
"I won't let myself have a child with that woman," says Adam and gulped his bottle of beer until it ran out.
I guess married life isn't really a good thing to decide. I'll consider myself lucky because I am not linked to any woman especially not being forced into an arranged marriage.
"Aw, man, we ran out of beer," Lance said. I stood myself up and decided to go to the bar counter.
"San ka pupunta, Seb? Tatakas ka noh?" ani ni Van na ikinalingon ko sa kanya.
"I'll just get some beers." Napangiti naman ang lima atsaka ako hinayaang umalis. I found myself struggling in the middle of the crowd as I got down the stairs. When I finally managed to get out from the horde of people, I fixed my polo who was grabbed by an unknown lady earlier.
"2 buckets of beer in the VIP lounge," I said as I reached into the bar counter. The man on the opposite side of the countertop eventually took my orders.
Bahagya akong nagulat ng may biglang kumuha sa kamay ko at dinala sa madilim na parte ng lugar na ito. I don't need to guess the person who grabbed me, based on her back features, I already knew her.
She pushed me against the wall and cornered me with her slender arms. She traced her fingers along my upper body down to my belt.
My calculations were definitely right. I already met several women in my life and all of them mostly have the same body language in terms of initiating intimate activity.
And Zeine's body gestures earlier are one of the most common.
"You are such an interesting person, Sebastian," she said and bit her lips as she started unbuckling my leather belt, "and very quiet," she continued. She leaned her face closer to mine and touch my lips using her other hand.
"I wonder how you interact in bed," she said in a whisper.
A smirk suddenly plastered on my face. "Do you want me to show you?" I also whispered in a low husky voice. A wide smile eventually flashed in her image that shows her perfect set of white teeth.
I grabbed her waist and pushed her inside the restroom and locked it. This girl is playing with me, she wants to f*ck? I'll give her that.
I pinned her against the door and made her legs straddle around my waist and let her feel my hardness down there. She grabbed my head with both of her hands and kissed me like there's no tomorrow.
When her tongue twisted against mine, I roamed my other hand around her body and cupped her bosoms. She let out a moan that made me turn on.
I guess attending Van's party will definitely keep me awake throughout the night.