RHS 1 (WGB) : CHAPTER 1 - FIRST STEP

CHAPTER 1

The Year 2015

CORA'S POV

I'm sitting in my bed, sketching new jewelry designs. I need to get this done as soon as possible. I still have to follow the deadlines for the ten new designs that my customers have requested. I didn't work for the whole month, and this is why I haven't launched any new designs yet. It's all because of my soft side, which was overacting about that crappy break-up. Argh!!!

It ruins my day just thinking about it! But I'm not interested in worrying about it any longer. I wanted to be the master of my mind and control my emotions, but my mind seemed to be dominated by someone else. Tssss!

"Cora!" My room was packed with the sound of Zella's voice. She didn't even knock at the door, she just walked in.

"What brought you here?" I asked in a regular tone, my gaze remaining fixed on the concept I'm working on.

"Sabihin mo nga sa'kin kung sa'n mo nahulog 'yong utak mo." Zella's brows are knit together when I look at her. "Hire you a gay boyfriend? For what purpose?" she inquired, a tinge of curiosity in her voice

I assumed she already did what I said. I'm guessing she's already on the lookout for interested gays online or in some other way she can think of! It's been an hour since I've told her about it, pero ngayon lang siya nagpunta rito para magtanong.

So, what did she do in that whole one hour? Thinking about where did I lose my brain and when she can't answer her own question she went here to ask me instead? Ugh!

I set down my sketchbook on the bedside table and focused on her. "I can't just lock myself away and sob over and over because Silver broke up with me. Hindi pwedeng ako lang ang nasasaktan, so I'd like you to hire me a gay boyfriend so I can begin my shocking vengeance," I replied with a radiant smile on my face

"Is it time for vengeance? Come on, Cora, that's way too immature!" She exclaimed, exasperated.

"Yes, it's immaturity on your part because it's not you who's in pain right now, it's me! And I'll only be satisfied if I've had my revenge and made him suffer," I said, pain and rage clear in my eyes as I spoke straight from the shoulder.

Suddenly, the whole room was deafeningly quiet. Then I stood up and gave her a hard stare.

"Now, if you can't do it, I'll handle it on my own. This time, I think you're useless," I added.

I didn't mean to hurt her feelings; she's my best friend, after all, but she also disappoints me. Dapat naiintindihan niya ako dahil mag best friend kami, pero hindi pala!

"I'm sorry, Cora," she apologized as she took a seat next to me. "Don't put it on the internet," she continued.

She's referring to the 'Wanted: Gay Boyfriend A.S.A.P' I typed, which I don't want to share on my Facebook page. I'm simply attempting to strike her conscience.

"If you're planning a vengeful act, don't give anybody a single hint," she said.

That's exactly what I had in my mind. But, because she seemed so serious now, I decided not to say anything, fearing that it would aggravate her further.

"But, why do you want a gay boyfriend? Why don't you just want a straight guy so we can find one easily?" she suggested.

I gave a brief smile. "I've measured it several times in my head, Zel, and it would be more beneficial if I prefer Gay over a straight guy," I answered.

"Ha? Mind explaining it, Cora."

She looked puzzled! Ganiyan talaga kapag mahina ang understanding. You get baffled easily.

"Look, if I choose a straight guy to be my fake boyfriend, there's a good chance he'll behave the same way with Silver, he'll just be blinded by money." I began by explaining. "I mean, sure, I'll pay him a paycheck, but who knows what will happen as time passes, what if he asks for more money? Worse, ask for a house and a piece of land! What if I refuse to give anything? Surely, he'll blackmail me about my scheme and spread the word to the rest of the world that I'm this kind of person. I'll pay someone to carry out a vengeful act, it's kinda unethical."

I took a deep breath and came to a halt, the prospect of those possibilities causing me anxiety.

"Hello, what will happen to my image then? Obviously, goodbye! Mamumulubi na nga ako, bad shot pa ako sa lahat," dagdag ko pa at nawa ay naintindihan niya ang mga sinabi ko. 

She gives a small nod before asking, bemused, "So, those possibilities won't happen if you pick a gay?"

"I'm aware that the majority of gay pay a straight man to spend the night with them. So, see? Sila 'yong nagbabayad, hindi sila 'yong humihingi ng pera." Zella nods her head once more, clearly, she gets what I'm saying. "And one more thing, if I choose a straight man, I'm certain he'll fall in love with me, but, if I choose gay, he'll end up making me one of his 'sisterets, 'sisses,' or whatever they name their girl friends instead of falling in love with me because we're both women," I continued.

"You sure did think of this cleverly, didn't you?" She asked, a wide grin on her face.

"Come on, Zel, I am the epitome of beauty and wisdom. One of my many talents is the ability to think objectively," I said with confidence, and she agreed without hesitation. If she disagreed, she knew what would happen—a war. I'm kidding!.

"How about we make some flyers?"

"Flyers?" I asked, my brows knit together.

"As the goddess of beauty and intelligence, you are first, and I am second," she uttered, confidently.

She also did a slow, glamorous wave with her right hand, as though she were in the middle of a Miss Universe Pageant. With what she did, I just sighed.

"Okay, enough with the joking." She made a peace sign. "So, first and foremost, let's make some flyers. The second stage will be to go to the gay house, the comedy club, tomorrow night. The third step would be to distribute the flyers there. And, as a final move, unfriend me if ever walang tatawag sa'yo after." She smiles from ear to ear, displaying her faith in what she's planned.

We will have to wait and see.

***

I've been walking back and forth outside my place, waiting for Zella to finish the flyer she has been working on.

When she insisted on producing the flyer by herself, I wanted to show my displeasure. Pero, baka raw kasi mag-debate pa kami sa loob kung ano ang ilalagay sa flyer, kaya hinayaan ko na lang siya. Medyo okay na rin, it makes the wait more exciting!

I knocked on the door again. "Are you finished?" In a giddy tone, I inquired.

"Maintain your composure. Please give me five minutes," she retorted

I took a seat on the floor and waited patiently. I can not imagine Silver's reaction when he finds out that I have already replaced him after more than a month of our breakup.

He, too, deserves to be hurt! He wasted my feelings for him! He squandered our five-year relationship! Because of his first love, he frittered away everything!

Alam ko namang hindi namin first love ang isa't isa, hindi ako ang una niyang girlfriend at hindi rin naman siya ang una kong boyfriend, pero nang mahalin ko siya ay pakiramdam ko hindi pa ako nagmahal noon.

Take a look at how dumb I was. And, guess what, we even considered marrying each other and having children together, but in the end, we simply broke up! Damn it!

"Sabi ko maghintay ka, hindi ko sinabing umiyak ka," Zella said. She knelt and brushed away my tears.

I am at a loss for words and I can not help but cry. I am in a lot of pain right now!

She extended her hand to assist me in getting up. "That will be the last, Cora," she further added and I simply nodded. She then gave me a piece of the flyer as a sample, "Here."

Hindi siya malaki dahil hinati niya sa apat ang isang long bond paper. Before I could read what was written on the flyer, a smile appeared on my face.

Wanted: Gay Boyfriend A.S.A.P.

All of the following requirements must be met:

•Single, good, decent, with no criminal records,

•Appearances aren't significant, pero sana iyong madadala naman na mukha sa mall,

That actually made me burst into laughter. It's totally hilarious!

•Knows how to treat a woman properly,

•Has never fallen in love with a woman, and eventually, will never fall in love with a woman.

If you have any additional questions about the restrictions, other dos, and don'ts, the wage, or anything else, please don't hesitate to call this number: 09071653893. Thank you so much!

P.S. This is a very serious matter. Nothing will be lost if you try; instead, you will receive something in return.

"Thank you so much, Zel, you're the best!" I even embraced her because I was overjoyed. "Please accept my sincere apologies for telling you useless earlier," I said softly.

"Forget it. Sanay na ako sa mga painful words mo." With a light laugh, she said.

I forced a smile on my face. I knew I'd wounded her feelings, and I'll do everything I can to prevent doing so again. I smiled at her once more before returning my attention to the flyer in my hand.

'Silver, just wait for my vengeance! I'll serve you the nightmare you deserve for messing up with the wrong person! And I swear, any time you recall, hear or read the name Corazon Peters, it will hit your damn conscience and be remorseful for what you've done!' I muttered in my head.