Chapter 3

"Pare, since this is your first day at work, am gonna be treating you somewhere interesting." sabi ni Greg. Promising ang credentials and experiences niya bilang applicant para sa pagiging market research analyst kaya sigurado siyang makakapasok sa Wills' pero kung hindi sa tulong nito ay hindi siya makakakuha ng slot para sa posisyon.

At some point during his college days, naging classmate niya ito sa major subjects. Hindi sila masyadong close noon but they're both part of the same circle. Greg is the social media manager of Wills' kaya hindi kataka-taka ang pagiging witty and enthusiastic nito. He's that princely type of person that is oozing with charm even when just standing in the corner. Matangkad and slim, maputi at palaging intact ang mala-Clark Kent na hati ng buhok. His eyes are always smiling and women can't say no to that.

"Saan?"

"You'll find out when we get there." sabi nito na umakbay pa sa kanya. He can smell something naughty lurking inside Greg's head.

They went to a dark place in Malate, with lots of gleaming lights. Nakakaduling ang iba't-ibang kulay ng lead lights na makikita sa kada sulok. May nahagip ang mga mata niya na mga babaeng kalahati nalang ng katawan ang natatabunan. Ang iba ay naka costume pa ng sailor moon with matching fish net stockings. He bet they'll look different without those tacky makeups especially in the morning. Kada may makita ang mga itong mga lalaking dumaraan ay tila nang-aakit ang nga mata at bibig nitong kinakausap ang nga iyon. Of course he knew what kind of place they were heading.

"Were here." excited na sabi ni Greg at hininto ang kotse sa parking lot.

They walked towards an entrance with a name Vox. May maririnig na mahinang pop music na nakaplay sa loob ng establishment na iyon. Mangingiming magloko at gumawa ng kabulastugan ang mga bisitang pumupunta doon sa hitsura ng dalawang bouncer na nakatayo sa labas. Mas malaki pa yata sa ulo ng mga ito ang mga biceps, halos mapunit na ang mga suot na black polo shirt. Consistent ang nakakatakot na expression sa mukha. Qualification ba ang makakapal na kilay para sa pagiging bouncer? He wondered.

"Marami silang mga magagandang chikas dito, pre. High class beauty, hindi mo iisiping nasa Malate ka." anang kasama niya

They were ushered in a half round red cushioned sofa set. Iyong nakikita niya sa movies, may oblong center table sa gitna.

"May kakilala akong nagtatrabaho dito. She's a pro and we'll ask her to choose the best services for us." nakangiting sabi nito. "Shall we order our drinks first?"

Greg called a waiter and whispered something, the waiter noded. " We'll have brandy."

"Okay Sir." anang waiter at lumayo na

A minute after their brandies were delivered, dumating narin ang pinatawag ni Greg.

"Hey! Nice seeing this beauty again!" tumayo si Greg at sinalubong ang isang babae in black skimpy sequinned dress ng yakap. She owns a pair of long legs that men would pay hundreds of thousands. Ang pulang labi nito ang unang mapapansin sa maganda nitong mukha, they were pouty. Naglakbay pa ang paningin niya hanggang dumapo iyon sa mga mata nito, she's wearing contact lenses, gray probably dahil kakaiba ang dating niyon, hindi natural sa isang Pinay. To top it all, she's wearing a blonde bob cut wig.

"Greggy, you're here again. Pressure na naman sa buhay?" anang babae na umupo katabi ng kaibigan.

"Nah, I just want to help this guy loosen a bit of his serious muscles, aaand, a welcome small party for being a part of Wills'. Pare, this is Kristel, siya yung sinasabi kong kakilala ko dito. Kristel, he's Ali, kaibigan ko."

Hi!" she greeted at Ali and extended her hand towards him for a handshake na tinanggap niya. Her hand was soft. "First time mo?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmn, welcome to Vox, the sanctuary of belles." she said and smiled sweetly, a part of her job.

"I want you to give him the best girl you have here. Iyong hindi niya basta-basta malilimutan kahit magkaanak na siya." anang lalaki na tumawa.

"The best ba kamo? So you are talking about me."

"Oh, of course silly me. Ibig kong sabihin, I'm sure may pwedeng ipangalawa sa iyo." sabi ni Greg na inakbayan si Kristel.

"No need to look for another one, Im available right now, so ako ang bahala sa kanya. I'll let one of the girls be with you." sagot nito kay Greg. " Gabby!" huminto ang waiter na dumaan malapit sa kanila. "Call Laila, please."

"Okay." tango ng waiter

Lumipat ng upo si Kristel sa kaliwa ni Ali. Patagilid na sumandal sa pulang sofa nagdekwatro at hinarap siya. She twisted her lips upward seductively. "So, first timer huh?"