Children of Bridgetines I Nicole

Nikki  I CAN DO this. I can do this. Sh*t! Pinanghihinaan ako ng loob pero hindi ako puwedeng matalo sa bet na ito. Si Hailey kasi—ang kulit! She was doing a charity event and it’s either I participate on her stupid dating scheme for one night or I do her dare tonight. I only need at least 10 minutes if I do the dare and not hours for the other one. “Can’t you pick a different guy?” reklamo ko sa kaniya. This guy gave me goosebumps—in a good way. I couldn’t deny I am very attracted to him pero mukhang mahihirapan akong ipagawa ang gustong mangyari ni Hailey. “Na-ah. Him.” Halos mabali ang leeg ni Hailey sa pag-iling. I muttered a curse. “I hate you, Hails!” Tumawa ito.“Ah… I know you love me, Ate Nikki!” She even blew me a kiss. “Go.” “Fine, I’m going.” I let out a sigh and dragged my feet. If I won’t do this dare or the charity date, I’ll lose my precious car. “Can I help you?” I am now standing in front of this guy. I gulped. “I need your help.” He raised an eyebrow. “With what?” “Uhm...”Sh*t! I’m so embarassed right now I can’t even begin to say what I came here for. I turned my back to look at Hailey and the stupid girl has the widest grin plastered on her face. The guy leaned back to his seat and crossed his arms. “I don’t have all night. Why don’t you sit down and then tell me what you need.” Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya. Now we were sitting beside each other. “Aren’t you a little young to be here? You’re what, 16?” kunot-noong tanong niya sa akin. Napailing ako. “I’m old enough. I’m turning 26 soon.” It must be my get up and my haircut. “We’re the same age. Wow.” Kinuha niya ang beer at ininom iyon. He was staring at me. “So what do you need help with?” “I need you to kiss me for 10 minutes.”Mabuti na lang at dim ang ilaw rito, hindi niya mahahalata ang pamumula ko. Muntik na niyang maibuga ang ininom niya. “What?” “You need to kiss me for 10 minutes.” Ulit ko. “And if I don’t?” He raised one of his brows. “Look, I need to win this bet or—” “Or what? What do you lose?” I was about to answer when my phone rang. “Excuse me for a minute, I have to answer this.” I answered the call. “Dom.” I looked at the guy and his face darkened when I said Dom’s name. Was it jealousy I saw crossed his eyes? That’s impossible, scratch that. “Hailey picked me up, she’ll drive me home.” Dom was asking if I needed a ride home. He’s very protective when it comes to me. Minsan iisipin mong mas matanda siya sa akin kahit dalawang taon ang tanda ko sa kaniya. “I’ll be okay, don’t worry. I have to go—I’m in the middle of a conversation when you called. No. Okay, bye.” Dom was asking if it was a guy and he’s asking for a name—hell, I don’t even know this guy’s name. “Boyfriend?” seryoso niyang tanong. I snorted. “None of your business.” “Break up with him.” May diin ang pagkakasabi niya. He didn’t look happy. I shook my head, nakakatawa lang na ang iniisip niyang boyfriend ko ay si Dom. He was my baby brother for f*ck’s sakes. “I’m serious.” Now he looked pissed. Sasakyan ko na lang ang trip niya. “Okay, fine.” “Good, now where were we? What’s at stake with this bet?” “I’ll lose my car.” “What kind of car?” He seemed curious. I swallowed. “The latest GT.” Napasipol ito. “You race?” Hindi ko siya sinagot. “So will you help me or not?” Saglit itong napaisip. “Your car is not cheap. What do I get out of this?” “What do you want? You seem to have everything. Judging by the likes of you. And I am not giving you my car, forget it.” “I will tell you after the kiss.” “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” “Wait, you haven’t told me your name.” I muttered another curse. How could I forget to introduce myself and ask a favor. Dumb.“Nicole.” “Last name.” Not telling him that. “White.” It was Blanco in Spanish so technically I’m not really lying. Sobrang ginalingan. Tsk! “And you are?” “Hunter Pritzker.” I furrowed my brows. Where did I hear that last name? Nevermind, I didn’t need to know him. I just needed 10 minutes. Focus, Nikki. “About what you want in return, s*x is off the table.” The side of his lips turned up, looking amused. “I can’t promise that but I haven’t forced anyone ever. If it happens, then it happens.” I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I want this over with.”H*ll, here’s to losing my first kiss with a stranger! I looked at the time. “Getting impatient I see.” He finished his beer and he faced me. “10 minutes then we stop,” paalala ko sa kaniya. His stares felt like it’s piercing through my soul. He caressed my cheek and his face moved closer to mine. I can feel his breath fanning my face. It smelled like mint and beer that it’s sending heat in between my thighs. D*mn it! This is what I was talking about earlier—why I wanted a different guy for the bet. He’s danger. His right hand moved to my nape and I closed my eyes when his lips met mine. I didn’t know what to do. At 25, I haven’t dated anyone. I was more interested with cars and guitars. So you guessed it right—I’ve never been kissed. Total NBSB or no boyfriend since birth.  His other hand that was resting on my waist moved up to my breast and he cupped it a little bit which made me gasp. He took that chance to put his tongue inside my mouth and kissed me deeper. When he stopped to gasp for air, he said, “I’m your first kiss and I’ll be the last.” I didn’t answer him yet but he was already back on kissing me. I felt drunk with his kisses and I didn’t want him to stop. My hand ached to feel his hair. I had shorter hair than him, weird. I was right, his hair was soft. I loved the feel of it in my fingers. Parang lalo naman siyang nasiyahan, nagpakawala siya ng ungol at ngayon ay hinahalikan na niya ang leeg ko. Someone cleared his throat na nagpabalik sa akin sa katinuan. I buried my face on his chest. “Hunt, stop,” I said to him. He groaned at napahilamos sa mukha niya. His arm was now resting on my shoulder, declaring ownership. “Sorry, I’m late. Aren’t you going to introduce me to this beautiful lady?” Hunt gave him a cold stare for a second. The other guy chuckled. It looked like they were good friends. “Nicole, this is Richard Sanz—my best friend.” “Nice to meet you, Nicole. You look familiar. Have we seen each other before?” He looked like he was trying to remember me. “Nice to meet you too. And no, I don’t think we’ve met before.” He looked familiar but I quickly dismissed that thought. I faced Hunter. “I think my business here is done. Thank you.” I was about to stand up when he pulled me down and I landed on his lap. Shock flooded through my entire being. I tried to escape from his embrace but he won’t let me. “Let me go.” I hissed. “Not until you hear what I wanted in exchange,” he reminded me of our deal. Of course, how could I forget? “What do you want?” inis kong tanong sa kaniya. He cleared his throat. “I want you to be my girlfriend for three months.” “Are you out of your mind?” pumalatak ako. E, mas matindi pa ang gusto niya sa charity event. F*cking h*ll. “Can’t you think of something else?” “Sleep with me.” Nakangisi ang b*wisit. “What? That’s even worse!” I am losing my composure here and he seemed to  be enjoying it. I looked at Richard for help pero nagkibit-balikat lang ito. I looked at Hunter who was now resting his face on my shoulder habang nakaupo pa rin ako sa kandungan niya. “I’m afraid those are the only choices.” He even bit my shoulder. “Stop that!” pabulong kong sabi sa kaniya. I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his friend. I knew he was  laughing—his shoulders were shaking. Ako na yata ang tinaguriang talunan sa buong mundo. Napamura ako sa isip ko. I gave up. “Fine. 3 months, no more, no less. Give me your phone.” Ibinigay naman niya. Inilagay ko ang numero ko at pangalan pagkatapos ay ibinalik ko sa kaniya. “I have to go.” I tried to get up but he gave me a quick kiss and when he ended it, he said, “I’ll talk to you soon.” Iyon lang at bumalik ako sa table namin ni Hailey. She was grinning like a mad woman. “That was hot!” “Shut up. This is your entire fault.” Now I have to be his girlfriend for three months. What was I thinking? I did not see that coming. I was thinking more like he might wants me to do his laundry, cook or wash dishes and clothes—wala sa hinagap ko na maging girlfriend niya. Kahit nga maging tsuper niya okay lang din. Pero girlfriend? What the f*ck! “What’s his name? He looks familiar.” Curious si Hailey. “Hunter Pritzker.” Napanganga si Hailey. “What? Why do you look like that?” “You don’t know him? I mean I couldn’t see him clearly earlier because of the dim lights but when you said his name, then that’s definitely him.” “Hindi ko gets,” kunot-noo kong sabi sa kaniya. Sino ba si Hunter? “Pritzkers are one of the wealthiest families in the United States. They are into hotels and investments. But Hunter is one of the elusive bachelors. He walked the runway once for his mother’s charity.” She talked like they were gods. “So he’s a model?” Okay, I have nothing against modelling but beauty fades, you know? Napangiwi ako. “Silly. He’s the heir to Pritzker Corp. He skipped a couple grades, topped his class and graduated with Latin honours in Oxford. He has a Business Degree.” Holy Sh*t! What did I get myself into? I groaned. Pritzker… Pritzker… Pritzker… Saan ko ba narinig ang apelyidong iyon? “Hey! Ang lalim ng iniisip mo. Are you thinking about Hunter?” Ang kislap ng mga mata niya ay may halong panunudyo sa akin. “I was just thinking kung saan ko narinig ang apelyido niya. I don’t read magazines or anything about fashion and modelling. Pamilyar talaga, e.” “Habang iniisip mo iyan, tell me what’s he like?” she seemed excited. “What is there to tell?” “Hello? You were there for more than ten minutes. Bilis na, magkuwento ka na!” Parang bulateng hinagisan ng asin si Hailey. Tsk! Kilig na kilig ang loka. “He’s okay,” malamyang sabi ko. “Iyon lang? Ayaw mo lang yata i-chika sa akin, e. Huwag kang madamot, share na!” “Sige na nga. Guwapo syempre, at mabango.” “And?” Kumumpas pa ang kamay na parang gusto pa akong mag-elaborate. “Tell me about the kiss. Masarap?” Binato ko siya nang ginusot kong tissue. “Alam mo namang wala akong pagkukumparahan tinatanong mo pa.” She was giggling. “Kahit wala kang pagkumparahan, ano’ng naramdaman mo? Nawala ka sa sarili mo? Iyong parang kayo lang ang tao rito sa club, ganoon?” Napakamot ako sa ulo ko. “E, parang ganoon na nga. Noong humingi ako ng tulong, hindi ko masabi-sabi agad. Sobrang nahihiya ako. E, mukhang gentleman siya, pinaupo muna niya ako at pinakalma. Tapos noong sinabi ko na sa kaniya ang kailangan ko, muntik na niyang maibuga Iyong iniinom niya.” Nagkatawanan kami ni Hailey. “I bet he was shocked?!” ngingisi-ngisi nitong sabi. “Ikaw kasi, ang mga ideas mo pang mental, e!” Inirapan niya ako. “O, tapos ano pa ang nangyari?” “Tapos tinatanong niya kung ano’ng mawawala sa akin kapag natalo sa dare, e,noong sasabihin ko na­tumawag naman si Dom. Weird nga, e. Noong narinig niya ang pangalan ni Bunso parang nayamot siya. Nagusot ang mukha niya.” Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Hailey. “Selos agad? Ay may future kayo!” Kinindatan niya ako at naghugis-puso ng kamay niya. “You’re crazy! Future ka riyan! Anyway, sabi niya sa akin kung boyfriend ko daw si Dom at kung oo, e, i-break ko na raw. Sinakyan ko na lang ang mga paandarniya. Tapos noong nalaman niya na GT ang at stake, aba may kapalit na iyong tulong niya.” “Ano raw ang gusto niya?” Ang mga mata ni Hailey ay nangangarap. Pintor siya pero tingin ko dapat naging writer, e, ang lawak ng imagination. Iyong tipong nakapag-assume na siya agad ng mangyayari sa isip niya. “Kaya nga ako nagtagal, dahil ang hinihingi niyang kapalit ay sinabi lang niya after ng halik.” “Ano nga?” Inip na ito agad. “Inip na inip ka, Hails?” Nagkunwari pang humikab ang babaeng ito. “Akala ko gusto niya lang ng libreng house chores, mga gano’n. Syempre hindi ko ibibigay ang kotse ko ano! Ang tagal ko kayang pinag-ipunan iyon.” “Katulong sa bahay niya? Sweet ha!” Kinikilig pa rin ito. “Mas mainam pa nga sana iyon. Ang problema ko, gusto niya akong maging girlfriend for three months!” Umirit siya kaya napasigaw ako sa gulat. “Hails, behave ka nga! Ang ingay-ingay mo.” “Sorry na. Sobrang excited lang for you!” “Excited ka riyan! Wala pa akong nagiging boyfriend tapos ang first attempt ko ay ganito kaagad. Talk about trauma!” himutok ko sa kaniya. Hindi ko maiwasang paikutin ang mga mata ko sa pagkadismaya. “Ano pa raw ba ang choice mo?” “E, s*x daw!” Napatakip na ako ng dalawang kamay sa mukha ko. Napabunghalit ng tawa si Hailey. “You go, girl! Nasarapan sa iyo—I mean sa halik mo kaya gustong ulit uliting tikman.” “Hailey Harper, ang landi mo!” I glared at her. Tinawanan niya lang ako lalo. “Ows! Ako pa daw ang malandi, ako ba ang nakipaghalikan for more than ten minutes kanina?” Tudyo niya sa akin. “Hmp! Ano’ng gagawin ko?” “Alin ba ang gusto mo?” Nagkibit balikat ako. “Iyong option number two na lang mas exciting iyon.” “Gaga ka talaga!” Binato ko siya ng peanuts this time. Umiwas naman siya at humalakhak. “Joke lang, siyempre doon tayo sa option number one.” “Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko? Hoy huwag mong makuwento-kuwento ito sa kahit kanino at gagabutan kita!” “Secret, ganoon? E, paano kung makita kayo?” “Ako na ang bahala doon. I’ll just set some ground rules.” “Naka-break ka pa ba sa hospital?” “Oo, three months ang sabbatical ko.” “That’s good. You’re free to lick–err–I mean date him.” Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. “Hailey Harper, bawas-bawasan mo iyang pagbabasa ng mga erotic novels mo. Kung ano-anong lumalabas sa bibig mo.” Binelatan niya lang ako. “Tara na, gumagabi na. Ihahatid na kita para makapag beauty rest ka naman bago ang unang date ninyo ni HP.” Habang lulan ako ng sasakyan ni Hailey ay magulo pa rin ang isip ko. Dapat talaga pumayag na lang ako sa charity date ni Hailey, e. Ano’ng gagawin ko ngayon sa loob ng tatlong buwan kasama si Hunter?