When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 34

“Show us how much you love each other”

I run my palm up against my bare arm as the cold room started hugging me right at the time when I wore a sleeveless cropped top. Good timing, I guess. The bright lights coming from every bulb and ring light in the room are all focused on them. The warmth from those lights didn’t even help to warm up the room.

The guy then smiled as he wraps his arm around his wife’s waist. It was then followed by a numerous series of flashes but the two continued to show their affection completely showing in their eyes how much they each other.

“I wonder what it feels like to marry someone that you love”

I heard a voice say that as it is accompanied by a continuous footstep coming in my way. He then stops beside me making me stand straight as I felt his gaze.

“Don’t look at me, I don’t know either,” I said.

A smile then formed on his lips which made me smile too. He then nods his head as he pinches my cheeks.

“I do,” he said making me raise an eyebrow for him.

“What does it feel like then?” I asked.

He then smiled at me as he whispered “unbelievable”.

“Ms. Maia, will all due respect, you almost go it all. Just... the feelings. Engage with it more, okay?” he said looking so disappointed yet laughing at me confusing the living sh*t out of me.

I then laugh with him making him stop.

“Saka na,” I said.

“You’re missing so much out,” he said shaking his head.

“What am I missing?”

“The feeling, the experience, the love,” he answered as he smirks.

“Tch, mind your own life—”

“Aromantic,” he said as he cuts me off followed by a titter.

“But you know, aromatics can still feel s****l attractions sometimes. How about you?” he added.

“F*ck off. I don’t need romantic relationship or experience just to feel fulfilled. Isa pa, I am doing just fine,” depensa ko at hindi sinagot iyong tanong niya. Tinignan niya naman ako nang may pagdududa sa kaniyang mga mata.

“How about this, Miss Khatalina?” my photographer asked as he runs closer to me handing his camera to me.

I then smiled at him and walks in his direction to get the camera from him and look at the pictures that he took. Pictures of a happy couple full of admiration are what I saw in the pictures. I then pin my eyes at the couple who are currently laughing about something that they are whispering to one another.

I then look at the guy behind me and currently scratching his neck. Now that he mentioned earlier that he wonders what it feels like... I somehow got curious as to what it feels like to love someone.

My gaze drifted down to his attractive lean body-- really, a model's body.

How will you know if you already love someone or are just physically attracted to them though?

“Have you had lunch already?” he asked making me give my photographer’s camera back to him.

“I like the first 10 pictures, you can let them choose which one of those pictures is they like,” I whispered to my photographer. He then nods as he walks back to the couple and shows the picture.

“No, I haven’t,” sagot ko sa tanong niya kanina saka siya nilingon.

Ngumiti naman siya saka dahan-dahang kinindatan pa ako habang hinahawi niya iyong itim na itim at kulot niyang buhok.

“Then come on, treat me. You owe me one, remember?” paalala pa niya saka ako kinindatan pa.

I then shake my head no as I pointed my employees busy working with their tasks and mouthed him, “Work”.

"Nah, matanda na sila. Kaya na nila iyan. You don't have to be all hands-on," pandedemonyo niya sa akin dahilan para irapan ko lang siya.

"Fine, I'll wait," saad niya saka nag-pout pa sa akin kaya naman tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay saka ipinagpatuloy na iyong ginagawa ko.

Hinawi ko naman iyong buhok ko papunta sa kanan kong balikat dahil medyo hindi ako kumportable na tumatama ang mga ito sa mukha ko. I then get my camera as I gestured the couple to smile for me. I let them pose for seconds and click the shutter button taking pictures of the two to provide more options.

My shoulder met my cheeks when I felt a cold finger on my neck making me look at Christoff who’s now smirking.

“Oh, nandiyan ka parin?” lingon ko sa kaniya.

“See? Even aromantics feel s****l—”

I then cut him off by putting my palm on his lips making his eyes grew wide out of surprise. Mabuti na lamang at na-gets ko agad iyong pinupunto niya kaya naman tinakpan ko iyong leeg ko sa pangaba na baka nabura iyong concealer na nilagay ko at kita na iyong hickeys ko.

Nagpumiglas naman siya mula sa pagkakatakip ko sa bibig niya saka patuloy paring nakangisi kaya naman pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at napatingin pa sa paligid para makasiguradong walang nanonood sa amin.

Lumapit naman siya sa akin saka bumulong.

“Who is it?”

Tinulak ko naman iyong mukha niya palayo sa akin saka inilipat iyong buhok ko sa kaliwang balikat ko para matakpan iyong hickeys ko.

“None of your business,” saad ko saka hinayaan na sila Kimberly na asikasuhin iyong clients namin saka hinila na palabas ng studio si Christoff.

“Hoy, invited kayo next week,” sabi niya habang hinihila ko siya.

Napahinto naman ako sa paglalakad saka nanlalaki ang matang tinignan siya. Napangiti naman siya nang malapad nang makita niya ang reaksyon ko.

Christoff has been our model since my company started getting known in the country which also started his whole career. So, we know each other a bit.

“She said yes?” I ask elated.

He then blushes as he nods his head meaning that his girlfriend said yes to his marriage proposal.

“Oh gosh, edi ikaw manlibre!” saad ko sa kaniya saka tuluyan na siyang hinila papalabas ng building.

Nagpatangay lang naman siya nang tumatawa saka ni-offer na sa sasakyan niya nalang ako sumakay pero tumanggi ako dahil nabanggit niya na pupuntahan din niya iyong fiance niya at paniguradong kakailanganin ko na namang magpasundo kay Kimberly. Sinundan ko nalang siya mag-drive dahil siya naman ang manlilibre sa akin at okay lang ako kahit saan.

Agad naman akong nagpatugtog sa radyo ng aking sasakyan para maiwasang maisip ko na naman iyong nangyari sa nararapat na project proposal namin sa CLAW ngunit gusto ko nalang kalimutan ito at ibaon sa limot sa kabila ng napakalalim na sugat at saki na nararamdaman ko sa loob ko.

“Hindi na siguro maiipon ‘tong pakiramdam ‘to kung nakakaiyak lang ako,” bulong ko sa sarili ko na siya rin namang kinontra ng isip ko.

Ako ang gumawa nito sa sarili ko na huwag nang umiyak dahil sa ayoko iyong pakiramdam ng umiiyak at sa paniniwala kong magiging mas matatag ako kapag hindi ko idinaan sa iyak iyong mga problema ko. Nagkatotoo naman, mas nakakatipid ako sa oras. Mas marami iyong oras ko para mag-isip ng solusyon sa problema ko kaysa damhin iyong sakit ng nararamdaman ko. It's much practical. It is what I need. That's what works for me.

I slowly nod my head in agreement with what my mind told me but then stopped when my phone rang making me reach out for it, answer the call, and put it on speaker as I am still driving following Christoff's fancy royal blue mustang.

"Miss Maia?"

My forehead then furrowed as I heard Eedrix's voice yet addressing me formally just like the first time we met.

"Yes, Mr. Gage?" I mumbled as I refrain from smiling by biting my tongue.

I heard him laugh from the other line.

"Why are we so formal? Anyway, just... wanna check up on you..." He said sounding as if he is smiling.

"Wow, getting too attached, huh?" I kiddingly said.

I then slowed down my car as Christoff's mustang did. We stopped in front of a boutique which made me furrow my brows.

"I’ll see you," Eedrix said as he dropped the call making my wrinkled forehead even furrow.

Hindi ko na lamang pinansin iyong sinabi niya saka bumaba na ng sasakyan nang mapansin kong bumaba narin si Christoff ng sasakyan niya. Nilingon naman ako ni Christoff saka hinintay makalapit sa kaniya.

"I thought you'll treat me to lunch?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa kaniya.

He then snickers as he waves his hand gesturing me to follow him as he started walking to the boutique. I have no choice but to follow him, so, I did.

“Kapal ng mukha mong babaita ka,” saad niya nang hindi ako nililingon at nilambutan pa niya ang boses niya.

Naiiling nalang akong sumunod sa kaniya saka agad tinanaw iyong boutique na ngayon ko lang nakita sa lugar na ‘to. I am assuming that this is a new branch or a new boutique.

Atelier

“Good morning, Ma’am and Sir,” bati ng isang staff sa amin pagkapasok na pagkapasok namin.

I let my eyes scan the fancy yet dainty boutique. The atelier has a pink and white color palette which gives me a chick yet classy style. The sound of classic instrumental coming out from the medium-sized speakers built almost on the ceiling gives a weird but flattering feeling down in my stomach. There are huge vanity mirrors around the boutique as well as mannequins of real human sizes. The staff who greeted us is wearing a hot pink long-sleeved polo and a white pencil cut skirt.

I wonder why Christoff knows this boutique. Does he know the owner? Or is he buying a gift for his girlfriend and will ask for my opinion?

My eyes then darted at him who’s talking to a girl wearing a full-on formal suit. Their faces are a bit serious seeming like they are talking about something.

“Ma’am?”

My gaze then pans out to the employee who greeted us earlier. Her skin is pale, of average height, wears her hair neatly tied into a low ponytail, and light makeup tinted on her pretty face. She’s smiling at me friendly making me smile back at her.

“Please, come this way,” she said as she lowers her head and extended her forearm pointing towards a room.

“Ayoko nga,” I said kidding with a deadpanned face.

Her smile slowly faded as she looks confused and look in Christoff and the other girl’s direction as if she doesn’t know what to say making me titter.

“Biro lang,” I said as I hen walk in the door’s direction.

She then smiled at me and escorted me to the door and even open the door for me slowly as it reveals the even brighter room on the other side of the door with its all-white room.

Despite the almost blinding bright room, I managed to walk into the room.

“Please, take your time”

I heard the employee said making me turn back at her but then I faced the door now closed leaving me no choice but to turn into the room and scan it.

Before I even recognize the room, my lips parted as it dashed into a guy who’s busy brushing his fingers against the clothes hanging in the huge closet of the room. Just by staring at his lean back, I can already tell who is he.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He then looks at me like he’s surprised. The surprised look on his face changed into a delighted one. My gaze drifted down to the casual navy-blue short-sleeve shirt unbuttoned in its first three buttons on top paired with the classic khaki cargo shorts.

“Vacation?” I commented as I look at him while he poses for me making us both laugh.

“Oh sh*t, you know we’re going here?” I asked as I remember him saying that he’ll see me before he ended the call.

He then nods as he walks closer to me. I didn’t bother to move an inch or even walk close to him as he is going closer and closer to me.

“Yeah, Christoff told me that you have no company today,” he said.

I then took a sigh as I am getting all confused with what they are doing.

His facial expression then changes.

“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” he asked which I just answered by shaking my head.

“Choose your dress first,” he said as he brings his palms to mine and pulls me close to the closet gently.

“What for?”

He bites his lower lip as didn’t respond to my question and picks three dresses from the huge closet and hands them close to me. I didn’t move and just stared at him waiting for him to answer me.

He then stared back at me for seconds but continue to suggest dresses that he thinks that will look good in me. He then takes a sigh as I still didn’t move and utter any words. He then turns his back at me and puts the dresses he chose on a beige velvet cabriole.

“I’ll let Christoff explain things to you,” he said as he’s placing the dresses on the cabriole.

“Alright,” I said and walk closer to him and pick up the dresses he chose, and went directly to the fitting room.

Hindi na ako nagsayang pa ng oras at agad na isinukat iyong mga damit na pinili ni Eedrix. Ngunit sa dinami-rami ng napili niya ay isa lang iyong nagustuhan ko.

It is a navy-blue maxi dress running down to my ankle with a long slit in my left leg starting from the middle of my leg. It has a puffed long-sleeve and a plunging v-neckline running down to my top abdomen. It has a velvet fabric which made me look classy and appropriate for my appearance. My only concern about the dress is that it shows a small tattoo between my boobs.

Napapitlag naman ako nang marinig ko iyong boses ni Christoff sa labas ng fitting room habang binabanggit iyong pangalan ko. Magsasalita na sana ako na nagbibihis pa ako ngunit hindi na natuloy nang bigla muli siyang magsalita.

“Khatalina, come on, late na tayo sa double date natin”