Sincerity

PAULITE laid on his surfing board and floated for a while. He was probably waiting for her. Tuluyan na siyang nagtanggal ng damit at dinampot ang binigay na surfing board.

"Ang ganda ng sikat ng araw sa katawan mo, Jess. Kukuhanan kita."

She turned around to give an emotionless shot for Miya. Tiningnan niya muna iyon saglit bago tumulak sa dagat. Nakaupo na ngayon sa surfing board niya si Paulite. Mariin siyang tinititigan.

I hope he won't disturb me.

Mula sa lalaki ay tumagos ang kanyang atensyon sa nakitang aktibong alon sa malayong parte. Nilakihan niya ang hakbang at nang hindi makuntento ay sumisid siya kasama ang kanyang board. The cold water chilled down her spine. She really loved the beach. Way back in their province in Cebu she used to swim on the beach front that was twenty meters away from their mansion. Only when her family was outside. Because if they are there, she's just stayed in her room and read a lot of books. Or watch the update of her favorite international models.

Umangat siya nang kapusin ng hangin. She saw the medium wave is coming through. Mabilis siyang sumampa sa surfing board habang nakadapa. She paddled her both hands to meet the wave. And by just exact time, weighing her balance from the current of water she stood up and goes with the flow of the wave. Her body tense for the first time, she lost her balance and fell on the water.

Gayunpaman, gumuhit ang ngiti sa kanyang labi at mabilis na umahon.

Nakita niya si Paulite na ngayon ay nasa dalampasigan at parang life guard habang pinapanood siya. Inignora niya iyon at tumalikod. Muli siyang sumampa sa tubig at pinakiramdaman ang tubig. Paulit-ulit niyang ginawa ang pagsabay sa alon. Kung minsan ay nagtatagumpay siya, kung minsan naman ay mabilis na bumabagsak. Sa huling pagkakataon ay may nakita siya sa malayong parte ng mas malaking alon. Sinisid niya iyon upang suungin. Mayroon siyang bagong tricks natuklasan kanina. Gusto niyang subukan.

Her muscle numbed from the nonstop paddling until she saw her target. She waited for more seconds until she felt the huge wave coming through. She paddled for her speed and balance herself on top of the surfing board, and for a fleeting moment, a satisfactory smile drew on her face when she did her new tricks. Steady and excited, she looked around to share her bliss experience but no one is there. Nawala siya sa focus at nawalan ng balanse. Tinangay siya ng alon at lumubog.

The cold water reflected her icy heart. She forgot that ever since she was alone. Every time she looked back, no one is there. No one care about her. It's dark and empty. Just like her soul that had been freezing cold for how many years. While growing up she got use to that. Walking alone in a very tight path were no one can walked with her? She was just by herself.

Unti-unti niyang sinara ang kanyang mata. Iniinda ang paninikip ng kanyang puso dahil sa hapdi na dulot ng kalungkutan. Hanggang sa mga mainit na bagay na humawak sa kanyang puso. Sa isang iglap ay may hanging pumuno sa kanya. Pagdilat niya'y galit na si Paulite ang bumungad sa kanya.

"What are you doing? Are you going to kill yourself?"

Water is dripping from his disheveled hair down to his thick curled brow, perfect sculptured nose, and thin lips. His eyes was very expressive. Angry, fear, and worried?

Am I seeing this all correctly or I'm just imagining him? Patay na ba ako?

"Jessica? Do you hear me?" he growled. Malikod ang mata nito habang ini-eksamin ang kanyang mukha. He is panicking.

"I'm sorry. I just rest," she reasoned out.

"Rest? In the bottom of the ocean? Really, J?"

Hirap siyang lumunok. Nahirapan din huminga sa higpit ng yapos nito sa kanyang katawan. He swam back, not leaving his hold with her until they reach the shore. He didn't left her hand, his gripped were tight. He looked angry as if no one can stop him from pulling her away. Na kaya nitong makapanakit kapag pinigilan ito sa paghila sa kanya.

Saglit itong umuklo upang tanggalin ang tali na kumukonekta sa paa niya at surfing board. Dinampot ang damit niya sa buhanginan at tahimik siyang hinila patungo sa Hotel.

"My room number is five, Lite," sabi niya nang mapansin ang pagpindot nito sa numerong pito.

Napalingon ito sa kanya. Natauhan at pinawalan ang hawak sa kanyang kamay. "What did you say?"

"My room number is five."

"No, the last one."

She shivered from the sudden change of emotion from his eyes. They were soulful and gentle now. As if she's the most interesting thing in the world that matters with him. "Lite?"

He glared at her for a couple of second. Wondering of something until the elevator alarmed them that they reach the seventh floor. Hinuli nitong muli ang kanyang kamay at hinila muli palabas doon. Kutob niya ng sa pribadong kuwarto siya dadalhin nito, pero hindi niya na isinatinig. She is curious too. With him. With his feelings that looked sincere. To discover more about him. She can't deny that she was interested too. Yes, he successfully win her attention. Simula palang ay nahuli na nito. Pero natatakot siyang sumugal dahil baka siya ang flavor of the month.

It's given. He is filthy rich, young, and strong. He doesn't need to pay for woman. Women threw themselves for him. He had that oozing appeal that attract every feminine. For sure even gay.

His movements were quick that he already had a white towel and rolled it all over her body.

"Remove your soaking swimsuit," he ordered casually. He turned around and left there to proceed on the bathroom.

Her eyes landed on the carpet that was mark by water. She can actually turned around and leave, the door was just behind her but she couldn't move her feet. As if this is her room and he was the intruder.

"Bakit hindi ka pa magtanggal?" He stood in front of her. His body was only covered by white towel. His eyes were accusing her for being slow and lazy. "Nakita ko na 'yan. Bakit ka pa mahihiya?" His eyes drifted on her numb legs. Tumaas ang kilay nito. "Or maybe you want me to undress you?"

She reached for the zipper on her back and fought back the intense on his eyes. Stripping is really an easy job for me. Don't dare me, Paulite. The sound of the zipper intensified the air between them. And when she reach the end and felt the swimsuit loosened from her body, she tugged the shoulder fabric and let her swimsuit fell on the floor, showing to him her curvaceous body.

His eyes feasted on every inch of her naked body. Then later he swallowed hard. Umiwas ito nang tingin, mabigat ang bawat paghinga. "I prepared your warm water. Wait me here." Tinalikuran siya nito upang pumasok sa isa pang pinto.

Saglit pa siyang nanatili roon habang tulala. Tinatanong kung ano itong ginagawa niya? She ignored the other side of her mind instead she smiled victoriously. Gustung-gusto ko ang nasusurpresa siya. Akala siguro niya hindi ko siya kayang tapatan.

Dinampot niya ang basang damit at dumiretso na sa banyo para magbabad saglit. When she was satisfied she took a quick shower and dried her hair. Paglabas niya ay may nakahanda ng dress sa kama at pares ng pangloob na gusto niyang malaman kung paano niya nalaman ang tamang sukat para sa kanya.

Hindi siya nakapaglagay ng make-up. Ayaw naman niyang pumunta sa kuwarto niya para lang maglagay. She doesn't want him to give him all the favor. Kaunting suklay pa at ayos sa buhok ay lumabas siya ng kuwarto.

Naabutan niya si Paulite na nakaharap sa laptop at may kausap sa phone. Nilingon siya nito mula sa balikat bago nagpaalam sa kausap.

"You are ready?"

Ready saan?

"Yeah!"

Lumapit ito sa kanya. Naglalaro ang mga titig sa kanyang kahubdan, seryoso ngunit may bulto ng ngiti na nagtatago roon. "Kumakain ka ba ng seafood?"

This man really knows how to capture her heart. Did he made a comprehensive research about her favorite and dislike? Tumango siya. "Favorite ko ang squid," sagot niya.

On their way she got entertained by his sense of humor. From seafood she told him some of the details of her life. That since she was young aside from reading she like surfing. She knew as well the skateboarding and skating whether land or ice rink.

He listened very carefully. As if everything was important to remember because later they will had a quiz.

"Do you mean do you like extreme adventure?"

"Oo. Ang pinaka-extreme na nagawa ko ay magbabagyo pala kaya ang lakas ng alon at nag-surfing ako. Pinagalitan ako ni mommy." She heartily laughed even if that was the most tragic event of her life, her sister burnt all her surfing board and her mother never allowed her to go out in the beach for almost a year.

"How 'bout scuba diving?"

"Not yet."

"We will do it."

"Ha? Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako free."

The food was served on their table. While they were filling their stomach by food, they kept on talking.

"Let me handle that part."

She was holding that promise 'til she joined Miya to attend some important announcement and know about her tomorrow shoot. Paulite is with Oswold, he introduced him to her a while ago. They are cool friends. Naalala niya tuloy si Lawrence at Jyra.

They were allowed to check the venue. Suzanne is there, instead of checking the goodness of the place she was obviously spitting on her face.

"She's from Swizz. I heard she joined the major music video last year. And now she is the reigning top from the Swizz Lingerie Line," Suzanne's minion said.

"Hitting two birds in one stone," Suzanne mumbled.

"I think she's wearing the latest release of Versace."

Umalis na siya roon. Sanay na siyang mapag-usapan ng mga co-model. Mapanegatibo o positibo ay naging immune na siya. Common way of crab mentality. As long as they won't hurt her physically, it was fine. She can swallowed the negative verbal. That was her major course in life.

As soon as Paulite saw her, he immediately left Oswold and waved at her. "Anong oras kayo bukas?"

"I will wake up four thirty. It's sunrise shoot."

Tumango ito, sinasabayan siya sa paglalakad. Tahimik siya maging ito. Lost for words. She glanced at him to see his side view. Ngumuso siya. How this man could be looked sexy and darkly handsome even under the moonlight?

Pagpasok sa Lobby ng Hotel ay tahimik sila. Kahit maging sa pagsakay ng elevator. Nauna na siya sa pagpindot ng numero niya, hinihintay itong pindutin ang pansariling numero. The door cracked open, she got out and shocked that he followed. Hinatid siya nito sa pinto.

"Thanks, Paul," she said.

He nodded his head. "Good night, J."

Pagkapasok niya sa kuwarto niya ay napasandal siya sa pinto. Hindi naman siya namamalikmata sa nakita niyang pagnanasa sa mata ni Paulite kanina. After doing her basic ritual she laid in the bed with lots of thoughts about her suitor. Lately, she is struggling on how she would use the days without Lawrence and Jyra, but now she is struggling with new entity in her life.

Mababaw ang naging tulong niya. Naunahan pa niya ang alarm clock niya sa paggising. She quickly took a bath and dried her hair. She wore her accessible tube dress. Mostly each time she would attend a shoot this type of dress is her partner.

She languidly strode her small space to reach the doorknob. Muntik ng tumalon ang puso niya ng maabutan si Paulite na nakapikit pa ang isang mata at magulo ang buhok.

"Good morning," he greeted, trying real hard to open his eyes. He is scratching his nape.

Mukha siyang nagahasa ng mga bakla. She wanted to say something but his smiled made her shook her head. "Bakit ang aga mo gumising? Tulog ka pa." Nilagpasan niya ito.

"I wanna watch you, though."

Patay malisya siyang pumindot sa elevator button bago sinulyapan ito. He was now eyeing her outfit. She shrugged him off and got inside when the door open. Binilisan niya ang lakad dahil nakita niya na si Miya sa labas ng hotel.

"Good morning, Jess, uh!"

Lumingon siya sa tinitingnan ni Miya. They saw how Paulite reverse the bull cap on his head and walked lazily. She rolled her eyes when she heard her coordinator gasped in awe. It's just freaking morning yet he is there spreading his goodness and appeal.

Inakbayan niya si Miya at hinila na ito. "What's the theme first?" Tahimik siyang nakinig dito. There's a loud music played on the model's bench. It somewhat awakened her nerve. By another ten minutes everyone was ready and dressed up. She is freaking nervous because it's open beach, and anyone can see them.

She is wearing a two piece black bikini, just like the rest with different style. The rest of the foreigner models done their shoot on the old boat. Some of them are really good that she thought they are better than her. And now Suzanne graces the sand. Kumabog ang dibdib niya dahil bukod tanging ito ang naglakas ng loob na gumawa ng ganoon. Ang naunang dalawang minions naman nito ay naupo sa dulong bangka at napaka-sensual. Magagaling ang lahat sa totoo lang.

"Darling, it is your turn," the Project Manager called her.

Nakabalot ang kanyang katawan ng bandana na Sky Blue. The cold breeze of the morning is practically freezing her body. The sun is slowly rising. All the staff tried to check for another location, and Miya's suggestion was the coolest one. She lie down on the water, her back straightened the moment the cold water linger on her skin.

"Are you, okay?" the Cameraman asked.

"I am fine."

"Give me your most daring position, Jessica," he requested.

Dumapa siya at sinalubong ang agos ng tubig. Nagkatinginan ang mga staff sa ginawa niya. May isa pang nagkomento na magkakasakit siya sa ginawa niya, pero hindi niya iyon ginawa para magpasikat. It's is part of her most daring position.

"More Jessica. More!"

Tuluyan siyang sumandig sa buhangin at dinama ang lamig na hatid ng tubig. She arched her back while staring up on the beautiful scenery of the sky. Her hair is dripping wet, steady on her position she threw her melting toe glare on the Cameraman.

"Can you sit up straight, Jessica?"

"I can." She did as he asked while lips are parted.

Napapunas ng noo ang Cameraman bago lumapit sa kanya upang tulungan siya sa pagtayo. "Wow! You've surpassed my expectation, Jessica."

Lumapit ang isa sa mga dresser at sinuotan siya ng roba. Tinutuyo ang kanyang buhok ng tuwalya.

"Just doing my job, Sir."

"Drop that Sir, Jessica. Call me, Neil. Neilburg Foxman." The man extended his hand towards her and she merrily accepted it.

Tumakbo siya Miya palapit sa kanya para magbigay ng malinis na damit. "Grabe, ang lamig-lamig pero pinapainit moa ng atmosphere. Alam mo bang napatayo ang mga kasama mong modelo sa ginawa mo. Ang hot mo kanina," bulong nito.

"Magagaling din ang mga kasama ko, Miya."

"Pero mas magaling ka. Sige, tapos na ang unang shoot. Mamayang tanghali na ulit ang susunod. Umiglip ka muna." Ihahatid sana siya nito ngunit tinawag ng Project coordinator si Miya. Binati siya ng ilang staff at kapwa modelo ng magdaan siya. Bukod tanging ang grupo lamag ni Suzanne ang mapangmatang tumingin sa kanya.

"May Oswold at Cristobal na nga, ngayon naman si Mr. Neil din?"

Hindi man niya nakita kung sino iyon, kilala naman niya ang boses ni Suzanne. Inignora niya iyon at nagpatuloy. Pagkaliko ay nabungaran niya ang seryosong si Paulite. Bigla niya tuloy naalala kung napanood ba nito ang ginawa niya.

"Tapos na kayo?" tanong nito.

Mula sa gilid ng kanyang mata ay sumusunod ito sa kanya. "Oo."

"Pero may kasunod pang photoshoot?"

Tumango siya. Huminto para tingnan ang hawak nitong mineral water. "Hindi mo ba ibibigay sa akin 'yan?"

"It's mine, but you can have it."

Kinuha niya iyon at walang pakialam na binuksan at tinungga. Hindi man siya direktang nakatingin dito, pero malinaw niyang nakikita ang paglambot ng titig nito sa kanya.

"If you are going to rest. Used my place instead, I had a bigger Jacuzzi for your comfort."

Inuntog niya sa abs nito ang mineral water. "Concern ka sa health ko. Doctor ka ba?"

Tumaas ang kilay nito. "No. But I am willing to be your doctor and boyfriend, J."