Love Just Ain't Enough (BOOK TWO)

TWO: FLIRT

"Hi."

Hi. He said, hi. I waited for him to say anything after 'hi', but he didn't speak. Instead, he settled himself by staring at me.

And I caught myself staring back at him.

He looked different. Malayo na sa dating Alejandro. He looked fresh and a lot younger than his age. This was his look he sported on his birthday nearly five years ago. Lamang, mas nagkalaman na ito ngayon and I could tell that beneath his expensive suit, he had a solid and chiseled body.

I knew that he's a tall man, but I was speechless of the fact that he's literally towering over me.

Physically, he has changed a lot. He looks more normal and healthier compared before. And above all, nakakalakad na ulit ito. Bumalik sa alaala ko lahat ng paghihirap niya noong nakakulong pa ito sa silyang de gulong. During his darkest times, I was there. I wish I witnessed how he managed to pull through. I wish I was there when he took the first step. I wish I was beside him when he fell. I would have reached my hand for him.

Alejandro had no idea how hard I prayed to God to give him a chance to walk again. How he became the reason why I prayed.

I guess, he would never know.

If things weren't like this, I would have shouted to the world how proud I would have been for him.

I guess, he would never hear it from me.

If there's one thing that remains the same about him, it's how he carries himself. Crippled or not, he still gives off that menacing aura of a shrewd man that would make you want to hide under the table rather than look at him straight to the eye.

Come to think of it, I was able to get through him despite his shitty attitude, but now... I don't think I'd want to be in the same room with him.

This man in front of me had hurt me the most.

A sharp pang of pain hit my chest and I shut my eyes, trying to ease the agony that was slowly consuming me. The wound I was trying to hide from the depths of my soul is starting to show up. My wound is starting to bleed again.

I trembled and my knees weakened.

I flinched when he held my forearm, keeping me in place. I avoided his intense gaze. I hate to see the concern in his eyes. I hate him.

"Mr. Salvatore, we are honored to meet you." Dette grabbed the garland from my hold at siya na mismo ang nagsabit sa leeg ni Alejandro. "I'm Bernadette Belmonte, events manager of VIP Agency."

Alejandro removed his hold on me. I sighed at umatras ng ilang hakbang mula sa kanila. Hindi ko akalain na maapektuhan pa rin ako mula sa mapait na kahapon. Other people may think that five years seem so long ago, but for me it's not. Pakiramdam ko'y kahapon lang iyon nangyari. The pain I'm feeling now is as intense as it was before. It's burning deep inside me, creating a hallow hole.

I managed to live through it, but it still there. It never gone, even just for a second. I've been praying hard for it to be gone soon but I guess, soon is now so far away.

"What the hell is wrong with you."

Hindi ko napansin ang paglapit ni Dette sa akin. I looked past her at hindi ko man lang namalayan na umalis na pala ang grupo ni Alejandro.

"Sorry, Dette. I'm not myself today."

"Pambihira ka naman, Bea. Malaking client ito tapos nagkakalat ka." Hinawakan nito ang palapulsuhan ko at hinila papasok sa auditorium. "Bumawi ka. Ikaw ang mag-ayos ng lapel mic ni Mr. Salvatore. Nasa staff's table iyon. That's my order."

"Pero Dette, naka-assign ako sa booth—"

She glared at me. "THAT'S MY ORDER."

Napabuga ako sa hangin. "Fine! Pero washroom lang muna ako."

Gusto ko munang mapag-isa. I badly need to gather myself from creating another mess. Hindi pa naman magsisimula.

Ang gulo sa loob ngayon dahil panay kamustahan ang ginagawa ng mga guests sa isa't isa. They're in groups and guess what they're talking about? Beats me.

"Bilisan mo, I will give you ten minutes. Kapag hindi ka pa bumalik, you're fired."

By the emotions appearing on her face, I know she's damn serious.

Tinakbo ko ang lavatory area. Ang totoo ay gusto ko lang pumunta dito para makahinga. Makahinga ng normal. I didn't know I was holding my breath since Alejandro stopped in front of me.

I heaved a deep sigh. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. "Mapapasubo ka ngayong araw, Bea. Pero alam kong kaya mo yan. Ilang taon na ang nagdaan. Wag kang papaapekto sa presensiya niya. Siya lang yun. Don't get so work up over a useless man. Ang taong kagaya niya ay hindi dapat pinag-aaksayahan ng emosyon at luha. Kaya mo yan, hwaiting!" I made a fist on the air. I look silly but if being silly will help me lessen the nerve, then why not.

Gosh. Five minutes is over. Madalian akong bumalik sa loob ng venue at nagtama agad ang mata namin ni Dette na kausap ang technician sa booth area. I winked at her and she just simply rolled her eyes at me. Napansin ng technician iyon kaya tumawa siya sa ginawa naming dalawa.

Now, let's face the devil, Bea.

Pero hindi ko na pala kailangan itong hagilapin dahil nakahalukipkip ito at nakatayo malapit sa mainstage. Salubong ang kilay at palipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa akin at sa kinalulugaran nila Dette. Tss. Problema mo? Inaano ka?

Kinuha ko ang lavalier microphone sa staff's table at saka ako lumapit sa kanya. His eyes are now on me. I wanted to look away but if I did, talo ako. If he came back to prove a point, then I will prove him that his presence doesn't and won't ever affect me anymore.

He was surrounded by businessmen. The sound they're making were like bees buzzing. Kahit kinakausap siya ng mga tao, hindi pa rin nito mawaglit ang tingin sa akin. Can someone ask him to stop looking at me? He's getting to my nerves!

My hold to the mic tightened. I had no choice but to get through the crowd to be able to reach him.

"Excuse me, Sir. Excuse me." Magalang at payuko na sambit ko sa kanila. Tinagilid ko ang sarili ko para lang makadaan. Nakaupo na ang mga ito kanina pero nang dumating si Alejandro ay tila sinisilaban ang mga pwet nila!

Naipit ako sa gitna dahil hindi siguro nila ako marinig sa hina ng boses ko. Sabayan pa ng upbeat song na nanggagaling sa malaking speakers.

"Excuse me po. Makikiraan po." This time nilakasan ko na talaga ang boses ko. Pambihira naman. Mga bingi ba 'tong mga lalakeng 'to? Kung bakit kasi nagkukumpulan e, malawak naman ang auditorium? As if naman pinapakinggan sila ni Alejandro e, wala atang pake ang lalakeng yun sa kanila.

"Padaan po ulit."

"Sorry, Miss." Ngumisi ang isang may edad na lalake na akin. Bumaba ang tingin nito sa dibdib ko at imbes na lumayo ay mas lalo pang dinikit ang sarili kaya ang dibdib ko ay nakalapat din sa kanyang harapan.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Bastos tong gurang na 'to ah! Gago lang! Bibigwasan kitang gago ka!

Itutulak ko na sana ito nang may mga brasong yumakap sa aking baywang mula sa likod at basta na lang akong inangat at nilayo sa kumpulan ng mga tao.

"What the—"

"Don't f*****g move." He hissed.

Binaba niya ako ilang metro ang layo sa mga tao pero hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang mga brasong nakayapos sa aking baywang. My back was literally pressed against his chest, his body heat making me feel warm.

"Mr. Salvatore." Anas ko.

"Shhhh..." My body trembled when I felt his breath on the back of my neck.

"Pero..."

Humigpit ang yakap nito sa akin. Napayuko ako at tinanaw ang mga braso at kamay nitong magkaugpong sa aking harap. These arms were once my haven. These arms were the ones that made me feel so safe before. They used to give me comfort. They used to give me warmth and security.

Pero iba na ngayon. His voice, his touch, they're hurting me. The man hugging me from behind is hurting me again. But most of all, the fact that he's not mine anymore hurts the most.

What he's doing now is so wrong.

Lumunok ako. "Let go." Ani ko sa matigas na boses.

Instead of setting me free, he dipped down to nuzzle my hair. Gusto kong magmura sa ginagawa niya sa akin ngayon. I closed my eyes in desperation.

"Mr. Salvatore, bitiwan mo ako."

"One minute." He whispered in a pained voice. "God please, give me one more minute."

"Why are you doing this to me? You are our client! Don't be too touchy! Do you want me to lose my job?"

He didn't speak but I felt him stiffen. Sinubukan kong pumiglas pero hindi ito natinag. His body felt like it was made of steel.

"5...4...3...2...1." I heard him whisper the numbers afterwards.

Lumuwag ang yakap nito sa akin. I bit my lip as my eyes followed his arms. A small voice in me wanted to protest but the bigger voice yelled at me. Wag kang tanga, Beverly Ann! Sakit sa puso lang ang iniwan niya sa'yo! Siya ang unang nangako ng ride or die but in the end, siya ang unang sumuko! Kaya please lang, kalimutan mo ang lahat-lahat sa kanya! Isipin mong isa lamang siyang estrangherong napadaaan sa buhay mo! Hindi kayo nakalaan sa isa't isa! f*****g drill that truth in your f*****g skull!

"Bea, are you okay?"

Lumapit si Dette sa akin. She held my hands at ang makita ang pag-alala sa kanyang mukha ang nagpanubig sa aking mga mata.

"Okay lang ako."

"What happened?"

"She got dizzy, so I pulled and held her for a minute." Alejandro answered. I felt him standing behind us.

"Oh. Thank you, Mr. Salvatore. My assistant is probably not feeling well. Thank you for helping her." Binalik nito ang tingin sa akin. "Ikaw naman kasi, Bea. Ilang ulit na kitang pinagsabihan na mag-resign ka na sa bar. Bakit ba kailangan mo pang magtrabaho sa gabi? Wag mong abusuhin ang katawan mo. Give yourself a damn break. One of these days, bibigay din yang katawan mo sa pagod. Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo mo." She sighed inwardly.

Umiling ako kay Dette at tumayo ng tuwid. "Okay lang ako. Sige na. bumalik ka na sa booth. Ikakabit ko lang tong lapel mic kay Mr. Salvatore."

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "Okay. If you want to go home after this, I don't mind." Pagkatapos ay magalang na sumulyap ito kay Alejandro. "Sir, we will start in five minutes."

"Okay."

Nang makalayo na si Dette ay saka ako humarap kay Ale. Akala ko ay nakamata ito sa akin pero nasumpungan ko itong may kinakausap.

"Cut our ties with Mr. Mendez. He touched my woman. He deserves to get punished." Rinig kong sabi nito sa lalakeng kausap.

Sinong 'woman' ang tinutukoy nito? Is he talking about his wife? The man beside him nod discreetly. "Masusunod, boss."

Alejandro glanced at me. Mabilis namang umalis ang lalakeng kausap nito nang mapansing papalapit na ako sa kanila.

"I was not dizzy." Anas ko pagkalapit ko sa kanya, giving him a scowl.

"You were not. You were being harassed." He answered in a clipped voice.

"Was I? Hindi na bago sa akin yun."

"What did you say?" Madilim na mukhang tanong nito.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I've been working in bars for years now. Ang makaengkwentro ng mga ganung advances ay hindi na bago sa akin."

"What are you saying? Na okay lang sa'yo na nababastos ka?" His brows smashed together. Nagtagis ang bagang nito.

"Mr. Salvatore, I appreciate that you're concern about me but believe me, okay lang ako. Sanay akong hinahawakan ng mga lalake."

"DON'T." He raised one finger in the air pagkatapos ay kinuyom nito ang kamao. His veins popping out. His breathing ragged.

"C'mon Mr. Salvatore. Don't be too dramatic." Ngumisi ako. Pero ang totoo ay kumakalabog ang puso ko sa nerbyos. Ayoko siyang tingalain dahil alam kong nakasunod sa bawat galaw ko ang kanyang mga mata.

"Say my name." He spoke.

"Your name? I can't. We are not close." I gave him a straight face. "You are our client at umaasa ang agency sa ibabayad mo sa sebisyo namin."

I slid the windshield off the mic and pinched the spiral clasp. I inserted the mic into the loop to secure it in place. Since he's wearing a tie, I clipped the mic to the edge of his tie near his chest, making a sure there's a handspan distance from his mouth.

"Baby."

I was frozen on the spot. My hands on his chest shivered. My heart hammered against my ribcage.

I chose to ignore him. I'll pretend I didn't hear that. I took a sidestep para i-secure naman sa tagiliran niya ang transmitter. Dahil nanginginig ang kamay ko ay medyo nahirapan akong ikabit iyon. I sighed in relief when I finally put it in place.

Tumayo ako ng tuwid sa kanyang harapan. "You're all set. We're ready when you are. My boss will assist you during your PowerPoint presentation, Sir. The projector—" I gasped when he grabbed my hand and cover it with his.

"What are you doing?" My lips trembled.

"Don't be nervous around me. Don't tremble when I touch you. Relax. It's just me, baby. It's just me."

I clenched my jaw first and then gave him a grin. "Are you trying to flirt with me, Mr. Salvatore?"

He smirked. "Yes. Will you flirt with me?"

I scoffed. "Flirting is my forte."

"So, you flirt around, huh. I heard you work in the bar at night."

"Yep. I have concluded that bars are the best place on earth."

He looked pissed. Good. It's better this way.

"Should I come to that bar so I can flirt with you?" There was a warning in his voice.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Be my guest, Mr. Salvatore. But there's one problem though." My eyes darted on his finger. "I despise cheaters. I can flirt to every man in the room with just a crook of finger, but I don't flirt with married men like you. Oh, what a shame."

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa kanyang daliri. "This is just—"

"Oh. It's time. Your guests are waiting, Mr. Salvatore. If you'll excuse me."

Hindi ko na hinintay na sumagot ito. tumalikod ako at bumaba sa mainstage. Sinalubong ako ni Dette.

"What was that? Para kayong nagtatalo."

Umiling ako. "Hindi, ah. Anyway, Dette, kaya mo na ba dito? Doon na lang ako sa office o di kaya ay maghanap ng site para sa project ng isa nating client. I will take some pictures and send to you later."

"Kung aalis ka, umuwi ka nalang sa inyo at magpahinga. Malakas ang kutob kong papasok ka na naman sa bar mamaya kahit masama ang pakiramdam mo."

"Hindi masama ang pakiramdam ko Dette, pero yun nga, kulang lang siguro sa tulog."

'Kung ganun, maupo ka dun sa dulong-dulo at umidlip. I need you after this convention. Alam mong may lunch buffet na inilaan ang SGC sa mga bisita, di ba."

Tumawa ako. "As if makakatulog ako niyan gayung busy na busy kayo dito." Hearing Alejandro's voice will make me wide awake., so no. Not a good idea at all. I might imagine things I wouldn't want to imagine.

"Punta nalang ako sa agency then babalik ako after an hour or so."

Nag-isip sandali si Dette. "Okay. Just in case tumawag si Mr. Dela Merced about sa progress ng pinapagawa niya sa atin, nasa folder iyon ng computer ko. We are still looking for the right theme pa kamo. Malayo pa naman ang deadline."

I nodded. "See you later."

Bago ako lumabas sa venue na yun, sumulyap ako kay Alejandro na nag-uumpisa nang magsalita. Napailing na lang ako dahil ang mga mata nito ay nakasunod pa rin sa akin.

Nang bumalik ako sa hotel, pinadiretso na ako ni Dette sa banquet hall. Apparently, maagang natapos ang convention at hindi na rin nagtagal si Alejandro at umalis din daw agad.

"Baka may emergency." Ani ko nang makaupo sa staff's table.

Sasha shrugged. "Baka nga. Bigla siyang nanamlay ateng. Ilang minuto lang siyang nagsalita tapos tinawag na niya yung right-hand man niya. Kung kailan napirmis na ako sa pagkakaupo at handa nang lamunin siya ng buo este panoorin siya, saka naman biglang ganun."

"Super gwapo niya, my ghad. Pwede na siyang ikumpara sa mga nagga-gwapuhang latino actors. Gusto ko sana siyang titigan sa malapitan kaso yung mga mata parang nananakmal. Nakakatakot tuloy lumapit."

Ngumuso lang ako habang nakikinig sa kanila. Bakit kaya umalis agad ito? Pasimple akong umiling. Whatever is happening in his life right now, I have nothing do with it anymore.

Nang matapos ang trabaho namin sa hotel, umuwi ako sa bahay. May ilang oras pang nalalabi bago ang oras ng pasok ko sa ClubMix bar. Nakipaglaro ako kay Faye hanggang sa paraho kaming napagod.

Bandang alas otso ng gabi ay umalis na ako ng bahay. I immediately went to the laundry room to change into my waitress uniform. Bumalik ako sa powder room at doon nag-ayos ng sarili. Hindi ko magawang magmake-up sa bahay dahil si Faye ay didistorbohin lang ako. May isang beses na aksidenteng natabig nito ang eyeshadow palette na kakabili ko lang sa mall. Syempre, hindi sinasadya ng bata. Kaya instead na pagalitan ko, iniyak ko nalang ang inis ko sa kanya.

Dumiretso ako sa counter. "Good evening, Johnson. Daming tao tonight, ah."

"Maraming tao ang walang magawa sa buhay nila ngayon." He laughed.

"Rather, feel nila magwaldas ng pera."

"And we can never relate to that." Singit ni Jona sa aking tabi.

"Money doesn't equate happiness. Money doesn't define class. Remember that." Ani ko sa dalawa.

"Yes, Ma'am! Kaya labs na labs kita bebe Bea ko eh." Ngisi ni Johnson.

I huffed. "Work mode on. Saang table 'to." Tukoy ko sa tray na nakatambay sa gilid. May Hennessey bottle doon, ice-bucket at dalawang shot glass.

"Oh. Nga pala. Order yan ng isa sa VIP guest natin. Ikaw daw maghatid."

"Ako?"

"Oo. Second floor. Private room 1." He winked at me.

Napamaang ako. Kailan pa binuksan ang mga private rooms sa taas? Maliban na lang kung isang high-valued guest ang nag-request ng ganun.

I sighed deeply at pinilig na lamang ang aking ulo. Nang maisip na baka galante mamigay ng tip ang guest na ito, edi ang swerte ko pala kung ganun.

Ngumunguya ako ng bubble gum habang naglalakad patungo sa stairs. Someone smacked my butt.

"Hi babe."

I smiled sweetly at the group of teenagers. "Hello kids."

"Crush kita."

"Tats naman ako. Pero aral muna hane. Uwi na kayo bago mag alas diyes ha. Baka nag cutting classes na naman kayo." Panenermon ko. Pamilyar na kasi sila sa akin. Dalawa o tatlong beses sa isang linggo kung magawi sila dito.

"Ang aga pa ate Bea. Isasayaw ka pa namin mamaya." Wika ng isa.

"O siya siya. Magtatrabaho muna ang ate, ha. Wag kayong maghahanap ng gulo ha. Upakan ko kayo." Biro ko.

Nanag makarating ako sa second floor, gumilid ako dahil puno na rin halos ng mga tao. I knocked the private room nang tumapat ako doon.

Bumukas ang pinto. "Thank you." Magalang kong sabi at pumasok sa loob. May kabigatan kasi ang tray. Dapat kasi ay sina Edmond o Johnston ang nagbibit-bit ng order. Bakit daw ako?

I placed the tray on the center table. I straightened my back as I turned around to face the VIP guest. "Your order of a bottle of Hen—what are you doing here?"

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ito. He's wearing a simple white shirt, rugged jeans and plain white rubber shoes. Medyo magulo din ang buhok nito.

Alejandro smirked at me. "Are you done checking me out? Because it's a shame to interrupt you. Please take your time. I love how eyes roam my body."

I fluttered my eyes momentarily. s**t. We can't be in the same room. We shouldn't be in the same room alone!

I gulped when Alejandro locked the doorknob.

"What are you doing?"

"To be your guest. I'm ready to flirt with you, baby." He raised his left hand, and the ring isn't there anymore. Ang ngisi sa kanyang mga labi ay nagpadagdag sa kaba ko.

Run. I need to run. But how, when his piercing eyes made me freeze I couldn't even lift a finger.