Bitterness

After attending the dishes, she quickly hid all the picture inside her room. She even cleaned the living room because Lapeetah and Pricilla will visit. Naligo ulit siya matapos noon. Mabilis na nag-ayos dahil any minute ay may darating na impakto sa kanyang pribadong lungga.

She even lit a scented candle so that her room would feel pleasant, clean, and tidy.

She's on the window holding a phone when someone rang the doorbell. "Alright, Quese. I will see you after three day. Bye!" Pinatong niya sa suitcase ang kanyang cellphone. Sinilip ang sarili sa whole body mirror. Inayos saglit ang buhok at damit bago tumulak sa pinto upang buksan.

"Surprise!" Lapeetah and Pricilla simultaneously said.

She needed to force herself to act shock even if she was quite disappointed. Hindi niya na kailangang buksan ang pinto dahil tinulak na siya ng dalawa para makapasok sa loob. Naiiling at natatawa niyang pinanood si Lapeetah na iwan ang hila nitong luggage para tingnan ang kuwarto niya. Umirap siya sa kawalan ng tumili si Pricilla dahil sa picture nila ni Von.

"You see this... they are really happy with each other," wika ni Pricilla. Ipinakita ang picture kay Lapeetah.

Kinuha iyon ni Lapeetah. Tinitigang maiigi bago tumingin sa kanya. "He is busy but he managed to give his five minutes time for you on the show. I watched the Sayci. You made the early morning of Europe and America in love."

Ngumiti siya. "Want some water, juice or soda?"

"I'm thirsty. Warm water, Jess. Thanks," Lapeetah mumbled while checking out the rest of the photos.

"Coming up, Peet. About you, Cecil?" She took two glass on the cabinet. Glanced on the Kitchen Door when she saw Pricilla pass through it. "Nah-uh. I still bloated from my Mom's Chrysanthemum Tea."

"Got that." Habang abala sa pagsalin ng tubig sa baso ay narinig niyang may doorbell ulit. Hinawakan niya ang baso at palabas na ng kusina. Huli na ang lahat ng maalala niyang darating nga pala si Paulite.

"Oh my god!" bulalas ni Pricilla, inugat sa kinatatayuan sa nakitang presko sa kanyang coumaflage jacket at inner black t-shirt.

He is goddamn chiseled on those, add the tidiness of his clean jawline. He shaved. His caramel blondie hair that somehow managed his hair wavy and thick. And that sexy pair of deep sets of brown eyes that immediately found her.

Nahigit niya ang kanyang hininga.

"What happen?" Lapeetah asked from her behind.

Hindi niya nasundan ang pagiging hospitable ni Pricilla para tanungin si Paulite kung sino ang sadya. Napunta rito ang atensyon ng lalaki at hindi nakaligtas sa kanya ang pagiging stiff ng kaibigan. Tila mahihimatay sa dalang angking kaguwapuhan ng kaharap.

She understood. She used to be like that on her initial approached with him too. Pero nagawa niyang makuha ang atensyon nito ng buo at pahulugin sa kanyang bitag. Nasaan na nga ba ang version niya na iyon? Kailangan niya ito ngayon. Naging matapang lamang siya para sa mga pagsubok niya para sa kanyang pangarap. Pero ang makaharap itong muli, hindi niya napaghandaan.

"He will come with us." Inunahan niya ang dapat ay sasabihin ni Paulite. Tumalikod siya rito at kinuha ang kanyang suitcase sa gilid. "Let's go ladies."

"O-okay." Iniwan ni Pricilla si Paulite upang kuhanin ang kanyang mini luggage. Ganoon din si Lapeetah.

Lumapit naman siya kay Paulite. Sinisigurong, wala itong bibitawan na kakaibang salita. Gusto niya ng katahimikan. Nagpapasalamat din siyang hindi nagtanong ang dalawa niyang kasama sa kanilang byahe.

Paulite had his own car. He is the driver and she sat on the shotgun. Her two friends sat comfortably on the backseat. The two kept on talking about the upcoming Lauren Brooke special limited edition art book. Still, Lauren didn't name the person he wanted to be the cover.

"There is a rumor that if it could be you, Chloe, Delain or Jessica," Pricilla commented. She poked her. That means they want her to give a reaction on that.

Ayaw niyang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa trabaho kapag nasa paligid si Paulite. Lalo at nagbibigay ng ideya si Pricilla kung ano baa ng inaasahang mangyari ni Lauren. Ang salitang Naked ay agad nagpapakaba sa kanya. Lalo na at kahit hindi ito tumitingin. Ramdam niyang nakikita nito ang reaction niya.

"Lauren is one of my favorite photographers. He is incredible. A huge influencer in the Fashion industry. Him and Foxman, I will be grateful and honored if they choose me to their event," sagot niya. Hindi na kinaya ang lingunan ang dalawa, sa gayon ay makikita niya kung ano ang reaction ng kasama nilang lalaki.

Pero sadyang hindi nababasa ito ngayon. Hindi niya alam kung bakit? O baka walang pakialam?

"How 'bout you, Mr. Paul? What is your work here in France?" baling ni Lapeetah rito.

Tumingin siya sa labas. Gustong ngumiti dahil sa napakagaling na katanungan na iyon. Hindi na siya mahihirapang alamin sa iba kung ano nga bang talaga ang ginagawa nito rito?

"I am a part timer in Sayci Daily Show on the creative media team."

Wee?

"Really? So, how is it? Did you join the other network too? Earning experience not only in one show will helps you grow more. Try the Haute show and VS," Lapeetah lamented.

From the rearview mirror, she saw Pricilla had that owe on her face as she glared with Paulite's confidence and exuding pheromones. She inwardly laughed from what she heard. The two is really falling on his drama.

"He possibly already did, Peet. He likes being surrounded by beautiful woman." Kung puwede lang magkunyaring sumusuka ay ginawa niya na. Nagkatinginan sila ni Paulite. Inirapan niya ito.

"Come on, Jessica. Paul is a man. He need a woman to his life," tukso sa kanyang ni Pricilla. Hinampas pa ang likod ng upuan niya habang tumatawa.

Nalukot ang mukha niya nang maulinigan ang pigil na tawa ni Paulite. Nilingon niya ito. He had that glare that spoke for a phrases, sorry your friends believe in me.

Inismiran niya ito. Gigil na tinuro ang dalawang kaibigan na walang patid ang pagtawa. "I am telling you. This man beside me is already committed." Inayos niya ang kanyang pagkakaupo habang nakakrus ang mga braso at busangot ang mukha.

Si Lapeetah at Pricilla naman ay hindi dinibdib ang sinabi niya. Mas lalo pa siyang tinawanan ang mga ito.

Why is it when a good looking guy is committed the more woman are swooning over them. Are they more attractive if they are married? Or maybe is it because of their experience? Matured guys are better than young boys? Pumikit siya nang mariin. Pinapagalitan ang sarili sa mga ideyang pumapasok sa utak niya.

Muli niyang tiningnan si Paulite.

He is driving pleasantly. Eyes on the road. He had the sexy crooked smile on his face. Feeling innocent that he didn't say anything, leave him alone.

She snorted. "Malandi," bulong niya.