Chapter XVIII

Please VOTE!

TURNING POINT

"And who would you be? Another whore?" Bungad iyon ng babae na pinag buksan niya ng pinto.

Is she kidding? Naghahanap ata ito ng gulo. Eh kung magsuntukan na lang kaya sila ngayon.

"No, I'm not. A little politeness Miss. I am his cousin from the Philippines so stop judging me. And how about you? Who would you be? Another fling?" Balik na sagot naman niya dito but she still smiling even she's greeted her teeth.

This is girl is not the girl she saw in the hotel. Marahil nga ay ito ang girlfriend ni Ten or isa ito sa mga iyon.

"For your information I'm his girlfriend. I'm Kate, I tried calling him but his not answering. That's why I came here." Sagot naman nito.

The girl is stunning she have a grey eyes, brown hair and a sexy but petite lady. She is also sexy with a porcelain skin marahil ay model ito. Bigla tuloy siya na insecure dito.

"Please come in." Sabi na lamang niya.

"Can you call Ten? Tell him that I'm here and I need to talk to him." Hindi pa ito nakaka upo ngunit kung maka utos ito sa kanya na para bang katulong siya.

"Fine. What do you want a coffee or juice?" Tanong naman niya dito.

"No, thanks. I'm in diet." Sagot naman nito.

"Give me his number and I'll call him." Sabi niya dito at binigay naman nito iyon.

"Hello?" Mabilis nitong sinagot ang cellphone.

("Yes, hello. What's wrong? Nagugutom ka na ba?") Tanong naman nito agad sa kanya.

She can hear concern from his voice kaya para ngayong pinipiga ang puso niya because she already has a girlfriend.

"I'm okay but there's someone who wants to talk to you." Iyon ang sinabi niya at bago pa ito maka sagot ay ibinigay na niya kay Kate ang telepono.

Sobrang lawak ng ngiti nito. Now, she's really irritated.

"Sweetheart, I've missed you. I thought that you will pick me up on the airport. It's been 2 weeks so I really want to see you. Please come home already, we have a lot of catching up to do." Malambing na sabi nito sa telepono.

May be she's really not one of Ten's fling and she might be his real girlfriend. Why does she want to cry?

"Yeah, I know that you're busy. Yup, I'm already done with my contract so I came here as soon as I can. Come and see me already? Okay?" Paglalambing pa nito.

"Okay see you later, I love you." Iyon ang huling sinabi nito at ibinigay na sa kanya ang cellphone.

Tama nga marahil siya ito talaga ang tunay na girlfriend nito and she must leave immediately bago pa siya maka istorbo sa dalawa. Masyado na siyang pabigat kay Ten at hindi na dapat siya maka abala pa ulit dito.

"Where are you going?" Tanong nito sa kanya nang mapansin nito na bitbit niya ang kanyang mga gamit.

"I need to go to work and I don't wanna spoil your reunion." Sabi niya dito ng hindi manlang ito tinitignan.

"Well, that's good to hear. I will just tell him that you goes to your work." Sabi naman nito. Kinuha niya ang kanyang damit at pumasok sa banyo.

"Are you going out with that?" Tila gulat na tanong nito sa kanya pagkalabas ng banyo.

"Yes, and do you have a problem with that?" Inis niyang balik dito. Ang suot niya ay ang kanyang uniporme sa pagiging bodyguard.

"There's no femininity in your clothes. Are you a lesbian!? OMG." Bulalas naman nito and she just rolled her eyes.

And then she realized that may be that's why there's no boy courting her because she's one of the man.

But, this girl in front of her is so feminine the way she talks and the way she dresses that might be the reason Ten falls from her. She really feels insecure.

"I know but this is my work. And as far as I'm concern I think that I'm not a lesbian as of now. But to tell you frankly, I really hates skirt and heels." Pagpapaliwanag niya dito.

"How long have you been here? The last time I check Ten is not living with anyone. He's a kind of a private person." Sabi naman nito sa kanya.

Kilalang kilala nito si Ten siguro nga ay matagal nag magka relasyon ang dalawa. Tila nag e- echo naman ang salitang "anyone" sa tenga niya. Is she just one of those "anyone" for him.

"I'm not just anyone. As I've said, I'm his cousin." Pag e- emphasized niya.

"He saw me burning out of fever and he helped me. I just came here 2 days ago. So don't worry." Paliwanag niya dito dahil baka magkaroon ng misunderstang amg dalawa at maging kasalanan pa niya and that's she don't want to happen.

"Well, Ten always had a soft heart for pitiful persons. He is a kind person that's why I admire him." Tila pinatatamaan siya nito but she's right she might be a pitiful human being that's why Ten always helped her. She really needs to go bago pa ma ubos ang lahat ng self confidence niya.

"Goodbye, just thank Ten for me. Have a good time." Iyon lang ang sinabi niya at hindi na inintay pa ang sagot nito at lumabas na siya sa pinto.

As she close the door ay pinakawalan niya ang pagkalalim lalim na buntong hininga. Why does she feels so down? Wala naman sila relasyon ni Ten.

"Hello, Pa?"

"I change my mind. I will go home as soon as I can. Can you contact Tito?"

"Paki sabi siya na ang mag ayos ng lahat ng mga bagay na ma iiwan ko dito."

I will take the flight tomorrow morning immediately so, book me a ticket today." Sabi niya sa Papa niya.

Pagka dial na pagka dial niya sa kanyang cellphone. Narinig naman niya ang tila biglang pag sigla ng boses nito.

("Really? Ang bilis ata hija ng pagbabago ng isip mo. Is there something wrong?") Nag aalalang tanong nito.

"Pa, I thought you want me to go home as soon as I can? Do you want me to stay here pa? Okay, if you say so."

("No! Hija, I'm just asking.") Pagbabawi naman agad nito.

"Just settle things here as soon as you can. I will just drop to my boss and friends to say goodbye." Sabi niya ulit dito.

("Okay hija, I will just contact your Tito right away. So pack your things now. I will just call you again for the time of your flight. Take care hija.") Iyon lang ang sinabi nito at binaba na nito ang linya.

"Heather it's the right thing to do. Sa wakas may nagawa ka din na tama." Iyon ang sabi niya sa sarili.

She really needs to go back to Philippines before she completely falls for Ten. Natatakot siya sa kanyang nararamdaman plus she really don't wanna see Ten ever again.

She really hates him now, how can he kiss her if he already has a girlfriend? Pinaglalaruan ba siya nito? Is she that amusing at nakuha pa nitong paglaruan ang damdamin niya.

She may be new about handling feelings but she's not that new to not know what's right or wrong. And he totally fools her.

He really is a freakin playboy. Dadating din ang araw na makakabawi siya dito. And she goes home.

*****

"Where have you've been? Are you okay now? Tanong ni Jane sa kanya pagdating na pagdating niya sa tinutuluyan nila. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pag aalala.

"I've been to my cousin's house. I got into trouble when you left me in the parking lot.."

"There were gangsters who want to have their revenge on me. Remember the brats that who wants to harmed us on the bar?" Sabi niya dito at tumango naman ito.

"And I passed out when I'm running but luckily my cousin is there. So he help me.."

"And he also takes care of me in the last two days. Sorry for making you worried." Malungkot na dagdag pa niya dito. At sumilay naman sa labi nito ang pilyang ngiti.

"So it's a man? Are you sure he's not the bartender dude?" Tanong naman nito na ikinagulat niya at para hindi mahalata ay umiling siya agad dito.

"Is little boss in her house? I need to talk to her about something." Tanong naman niya dito.

"Yes, I think she's in the mansion. What do you need from her? Well, you can call on the mansion's main telephone and ask if she's there." Sagot naman nito.

"Ah you're right thanks." Pagpapasalamat naman niya dito.

Mami- miss niya ito lalo na pagbalik niya sa Pilipinas. She was her only dear friend. Dahil hindi talaga siya mahilig makipag socialized sa ibang tao lalo na sa kapwa niya babae.

Hindi kasi niya masakyan ang trip ng mga ito dahil they're all girlish at hindi niya trip iyon. But, Jane is a quiet awesome even na may pagka kikay ito.

"What's wrong?" Tanong nito ng bigla niyang akapin ito. She really will miss this brat.

"Nothing, I just want to thank you for being nice to me." Pagpapasalamat niya dito.

"Hey, you sound like you're leaving. Don't be like that you're making me sad." Sabi naman nito at nang gigilid na ang mga luha nito.

"Yeah, actually I'm really living tomorrow. I need to go back to the Philippines.."

"They already cancelled my suspension and I need to go back as soon as I can. I will miss you Jane." Sabi niya dito at tuluyan na itong umiyak. Nahawa na din siya sa pag iyak nito.

"Stop crying. I promise that I will never forget you. You can also have a vacation on my country. And I will tour you." Sbi pa niya dito at lalao itong umiyak.

"I'll just call Sam, okay?" Tanong niya dito and she nod at her.

"Hi, it's Heather one of Ma'am Sam's bodyguard. Can I talk to her?" Tanong niya sa babaeng sumagot ng kanyang tawag.

Tumawag siya sa main landline sa masyon para mag paalam kay Sam ng maayos.

("It's Sam speaking. Hi Ate! Where have you've been I miss you! Let's hang out tonight.") bungad agad naman nito sa kanya.

"Sorry, kiddo. I can't make it tonight." Sagot naman niya dito.

("Why? Are you still sick? Let's go to the doctor.") Pag aalala naman agad nito.

"No need for that. I'm already okay. I would like to say goodbye to you.."

"My suspension had ended so, I can now return to the Philippines. And I'll be leaving tomorrow morning." Pagpapaliwanag niya dito at tila na shock ito.

"Hello? Ma'am?" Tanong niya ng hindi ito nagsalita.

("Why would you leave? Are you sure it's work or are you pregnant?") Bulalas naman nito na ikinatawa niya kahit kelan talaga exaggerated ang utak nito.

"Hell no! They really need my presence there. So, I need to go home right away." Sabi pa niya dito.

("You can't say goodbye in the telephone.") Iyon lang ang sinabi nito at binaba na ang line. Marahil ay galit ito kaya siya pinagbabaan.

And after 10 min. There's someone knocking on their door. Siya na ang nagbukas non dahil namumula na ang mata ni Jane ka iiyak.

"Ate! You can't go unless I tell you." Bungad agad ni Sam pagka bukas niya ng pinto at inakap agad siya.

And she just tapped her head. Masyado niya atang ginulat ang mga ito sa decision niya.

"Hey don't cry. You're making me sad. We supposed to be happy in my last moment here." Pagbabawal niya dito. Inaya niya ito na ma upo.

"This one's for you." Sabi nito ats sabay abot sa paper bag na may laman na isang set na make up at pabango. May Chanel na naka tatak sa paper bag.

"I don't use this. But thanks." Pagpapasalamat niya dito.

"What time are you leaving for tomorrow?" Tanong sa kanya nito.

"Around 9 am." Sagot niya dito.

"Can we come? We will miss you." Pagsusumamo nito.

"You have classes tomorrow. So you can't and I don't want to both of you to be sending me off. That will make me sad." Sagot niya naman dito.

"But-

"No more buts Sam. That's an order. And please don't make Jane's life rough okay?"

"Promise me that you'll behave and you know that's for your own good. You can also visit in the Philippines and I'll tour you."

"Okay, I'll try." Sabi naman nito at ngumiti na din sa wakas.

"Here's your early gift for your birthday. I hope you like it." Sabay abot ng paper bag na may tatak na "hermes". Kumutitap naman ang mata nito.

"Wow! It's the limited edition bag! How can you afford this?! Are you sure it's for me?" Sunod sunod na tanong nito na ikina iling niya.

Well she's more into gun than into the bagsaya hindi niya ma appreciate iyon.

"I am may be a bodyguard not because I don't have a choice. It's just that I love action and You can say that I can afford branded things sometimes." Then she smiles.

"You really are mysterious. But thanks! I love it." Hindi niya alam kung amusement ba ang nasa tono nito o nanghihingi ito ng paliwanag.

"And here's for you." Sabi niya kay Jane inabot niya dito ang paper bag na naglalaman ng leather jacket. Siyempre branded din iyon "D&G" naman.

"Woah! Now I kinda like that you're leaving because of this presents. Thanks." Now, Jane's mood had changed at masaya na ito.

"Just take whatever I give okay? And promise to keep being healthy and happy for me." Iyon ang huli niyang binilin.