Justice or Fame

"You'll going to catch a cold, what are you doing?"

She bit her lower lip and buried herself to his chest. She even inhaled his expensive perfume. That makes her feel at ease. How could this man always make her feel safe? "Did you two talk?"

Hindi ito umimik. At lalong hinigpitan ang yakap sa kanya. Somehow, it scares her to lose him. If he said to her to leave, maybe she cannot grant that. He is the universe she is revolving now. His love and affection for her is her satisfaction. She could not ask for more.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?"

Sinamaan niya ito nang tingin. Kanina lang ay nakikipagyakapan ito kay Winona, ngayon naman ay nilalandi siya.

The side of his lips rose in a malicious smirked. "I will not be reckless this time. I swear." He even lifted his both hands to profess.

Humalukipkip siya at sumulyap sa gawing belt nito. "Okay," she answered. Pero sa totoo lang ay may duda siya. Duda sa sarili niya kung makakapagpigil siya sa mga haplos nito nakaka-temp.

"Magbibihis lang ako. I will be right back." Pinatakan nito ng halik ang noo niya bago siya iniwan.

Muli siyang tumanaw sa malakas na ragasa ng ulan habang yakap ang sarili. Iniisip niya ngayon kung paano ba ang gagawin niyang approach kay Peachy. Aminin man niya o hindi, Peachy is taking up everything, seriously. Especially if it was related about her work or her love ones. Wala siyang naipatalong kaso, lahat ay inilalagay niya sa tamang batas. May isang biktima ang lumapit dito noon para ipaglaban ang sariling kaso. At sa hindi malamang dahilan ay hindi pumayag si Peachy. Hindi nito sinabi sa kanya ang dahilan pero kutob niyang ang may kasalanan ay iyong biktima. Nagpanggap itong siya ang agrabyado pero ang totoo ay siya mismo ang may kasalanan.

If she tells to her the truth, Peachy will surely explode.

She sighed and rubbed her shoulder when the cold breeze kissed her skin. Babalik na siya sa loob, ang kaso'y agad siyang huminto nang mapansin ang imahe ni Shawn sa gilid.

Unti-unti itong nagpakita na seryosong nakatitig sa kanya. "Wala na talaga akong pag-asa," anito.

She sighed once more. Hindi rin siya umimik. She just watched him, observing his sparkling eyes.

Saglit na katahimikan ang namayani sa kanila hanggang sa biglang humalakhak ito. "You just dumped me twice. That's pretty uncool, huh!"

Pagod niyang minasdan ito. How can she console him? Hindi niya sinasadyang saktan ito. Hindi niya gustong masaktan si Shawn.

"Alright. Don't be sacred of me. Tanggap ko na. Mahirap, pero sinusubukan ko."

"Shawn, I didn't mean to hurt you." She stepped closer to see him clearly. But Shawn suddenly hides his face. "I know. It is fine, Jyra. Wala kang kasalanan."

Tuluyan siyang nanghina nang makita ang pamumula ng mata nito. I hurt him so badly. What can I do for you Shawn? Sinubukan niya abutin ito, pero si Shawn na mismo ang umatras.

Tumingala rin ito at marahas na bumuga ng hangin. "I want you to be happy. But you will not be happy with my arms. Please be alright... and if he made you cry... I swear, Jyra. I will get you with him."

Napalunok siya nang bigla itong lumingon sa kanya. His words, they were meaningful. And she appreciates that he is matured enough to think that way. She will never fail him. Tumango siya nang may ngiti sa labi. "Thanks, Shawn."

Tuluyan itong lumapit sa kanya para tapikin siya sa balikat. At walang salita ay umalis ito para pumasok sa loob. Pinapanood niya ito. His steps were lazy and heavy. He's enduring the pain inside of him. She wished him to find his own path. His own life.

Ilang saglit pa siyang nanatili roon. Iniisip niya na ang mga gagawin niya sa buong linggo. She will focus on Lazarde for the meantime. Kanina kasi ay marami siyang nabasang proposal, at may proposed new business si Frank. She will give it a shot.

She slept with Malik. They cuddle and that's all. Each passing days becomes quick. Kung ano ang plano niya ay nasunod. She even raised the sale. It was incredible, bliss experience, and difficult but worth it. The team really worked hard and she saw some of the potential employees who deserve their fruits of labor. She will open that to Frank some other day.

Some of them demanded a night out with her. Pumayag siya dahil alam niyang masaya iyon at pangbawas toxic sa nagdaang araw.

"Ma'am, tinatanong ni Sir Malik kung nasaan kayo," bulong ni Roena. Napansin niya ang pamumula ng pisngi nito. Naamoy niya rin sa hininga nito ang ininom na alak.

Ngumisi siya bago tumango. "Are you, okay? Mukhang may tama ka na?" Nalukot ang kanyang mukha nang diretsong tunggain ni Roena ang hawak na bote. "Hindi ko alam na malakas ka pala sa alak."

Roena stood up and swayed her hips because of the energetic music that was booming on the place. Tinakpan niya ang mukha habang ngumingisi. Pumalakpak din siya dahil mukhang lasing na nga talaga ang sekretarya niya.

Some of the other staff we're on the dance floor. May dalawang babae sa lamesa na kasama niya. Kumpara sa iba, ang mga ito'y relax lang.

"We're having fun, Ma'am. Hindi lang talaga pinayagan ng mga asawa namin na maglasing," paumanhin ng isa.

Tumango siya.

She's Bailey. Nabuntis ito sa edad na twenty one. Isang taon na sa kumpanya bilang assistant secretary ng Senior HR Manager. Habang ang isa naman ay late twenties pero maagang nag-asawa. Kasama naman ito sa designing team.

"Gorgeous can you scoot a little. I want to sit beside my precious darling."

Ngumiwi siya sa biglang pagsulpot ni Pause. Nahuli ito ng uwi dahil nagkaroon na naman ng problema sa kapatid nito. Dinampot niya ang bote sa bucket para ibigay dito. "Drink!" She commanded.

Marahas iyong kinuha ni Pause habang paupo sa tabi niya.

"Oh my god! Sino 'yang nasa gitna? Ang guwapo!"

Napalingon siya kay Bailey nang bigla itong tumili. Nang makita niya kung kanino ito nakatingin ay nahigit niya ang paghinga.

Malik with his two more friends were going on their way. Kumibot ang kilay niya dahil kahit nasa gitna ito at napapaligiran ng mga tao ay kapansin-pansin. They were all tall. Magkakaparehas ding naka-corporate attire at built ng katawan. Something on his dangerous aura makes him stands out.

Probably his murderous eyes?

Huminto ang mga ito nang harangin ng pamilyar na male model ng Swizz Agency. John Meyer! Ito ang nakapareha niya sa kanyang last stand. He's a good guy and gentleman. Walang duda kung bakit naging kaibigan ito ni Malik.

May saglit silang pinag-usapan bago lumingon sa gawi nila. Pause and the rest of ladies immediately cringed because of the attention. Siya naman ay yumuko at pakunwari'y hinaplos ang batok.

"Jyra, buti nalang tinawagan mo ako. Ang daming yummy sa paligid. Gusto kong magpasalamat sa magandang araw na ito."

Hindi niya inimikan si Pause nang makitang sumama si Meyer kila Malik. Nang maghintuan ito sa tapat nila'y namayani ang katahimikan sa kanilang lima.

"Hi, Jyra. Do you remember me?" bungad noong singkit.

Lumingon siya kay Malik na kasalukuyang papaupo sa tabi niya. "U-uno? Casa De Rios?" She smiled successfully when Uno gave her a thumbs up.

"Okay. Nakaka-out of place. Pakilala mo naman ako, darling," Pause butted in out of jealous. Masama ang titig nito sa kausap niyang si Uno.

Meyer, Uno and the other guy seat on the vacant sofa.

They were in a u-shape sofa; siya at si Malik ay nasa pinaka-curve habang sa kanan naman niya ay si Pause, Roena at ang dalawa pang babaeng biglang naging tahimik.

Uno took the spotlight. "Ladies, I'm Uno." Lumingon ito sa katabi niya, "He is John Meyer, from Swizz Agency. The silent here is Pete." Inakbayan nito ang nasa tabi niya. "And this rude man is Malik Hetch."

"Hetch? Iyong famous Asian engineer?" Bailey butted in.

Pause rolled his eyes. "Girl, updated ka ha?"

Uno smirked because of that and when Pause caught him, he timidly bit his lower lip.

"Anyway, boys meet my girls. The Queen mother Pause." Hinipan niya ito bago tinuro si Roena. "And this is Roena, my super-efficient sexytary. The woman in her beautiful floral dress, Bailey and lastly—" Natigilan siya nang makalimutan ang pangalan nito.

"Charlene po." Pakilala nito at nahihiya tumango.

"Kilala ko na si Pause. Lagi 'to sa Swizz. Bakit hindi ka nagpakilala?" Meyer intervened.

Hinaplos ni Malik ang kaliwang binti niya. He even rested his left hand on her back. "She's Jyra, Johnny."

She cleared her throat when the waiter came. Kumuha ang mga ito ng kani-kanilang inumin habang si Malik ay nananatiling tahimik. Nilingon niya ito. "Bakit nagpunta kayo rito?"

Malik leans closer to her. "I've been busy the whole week. I missed you."

Bumaba ang kaliwang kamay nito sa baywang niya. Napansin din niya ang pagsulyap ni Pause roon bago tumingin sa kanya. Tumaas bigla ang kilay nito at walang imik na nakipaghuntahan kila Uno at Meyer.

"How's work? I'm sorry, I've been full too. Frank asked my cooperation so." She bit her lower lip when his hand caressed her curves in circular motion. "I will stay at my condo with Pause," bulong niya rito. Inunahan niya na dahil mukhang may binabalak ito.

Malik nodded his head. "My cousin asked my presence at Dubai for a week. I'll fly tomorrow afternoon. I want to see you before I go."

"I'm busy in the morning, how 'bout lunch?" she suggested. Kinuha niya ang Jägermeister na inabot ni Pete para kay Malik. She handed it to him.

Inisang lagok nito iyon. His sleek movement and that adam's apple we're very captivating. She found him very sexy even when drinking. Can he not go out of the country? She bit her lower lip and saw the next table with full of voluptuous ladies. They were gawking with Malik, while her man was just looking at her.

Naging abala siya nang isa-isang magpaalam ang ilan sa mga kasama niya para umuwi. Ganoon din si Roena at ilan sa kalalakihang nasa Finance Department.

"Magpapaalam na rin kami, Ma'am." Si Charlene, sumulyap saglit kay Pete.

She saw something in their eyes, but she just shrugged away those thoughts. "Sure. Ingat kayo." They gave the ladies a peck.

"I think we need to leave as well, Jyra," si Pause.

Tumango siya bago sumulyap sa katabi. Malik nodded his head too. Bumaling ito sa tatlong kasama, "Let's call it a day."

Hinatid sila ni Malik sa Nightingale Palace. Surprisingly, Pause was just silent the whole ride. And when Malik's car disappeared on their sight, pinaulanan siya nito ng tanong.

"Ang ibig mong sabihin ay pinag-akalaan ni Malik na si Winona ay ikaw dahil sa sing-sing. Where's the ring anyway?"

She slouched on the couch before she gave her answer, "With Winona. I don't know if Malik took it back from her. I didn't ask."

Pause took the mask and put on his own face. He was busy doing it when he glanced at her. "Did they talk? Kamo hinatid ni Malik."

She pursed her lips. Hindi kasi sinabi ni Malik kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila ni Winona. Hindi na rin siya nagpumilit. Iniisip kasi niyang may tiwala siya rito. Na hindi ito gagawa ng hakbang na ikakapahamak niya. Pero si Winona, lately, she's acting weird. Every people she knew who knew Winona we're giving bad feedback. Totoo nga kaya ang mga iyon?

"How's she on the shoot? Had you observed something with Winona?" baling niya rito.

"Actually, she's always preoccupied and always checking her phone." Pause fixed his mask before he continued. "Big deal sa kanya ang poll. Alam mo bang si Graciella na ang top one at hindi na si Vika. She fell on number eleven, yesterday."

"That's bad. I feel bad, I think she's threatened about my coming back on stage."

"W-what? Coming back? How?" Pause eyes narrowed. "Paano ang demonyito mong ama-amahan nga pala? At bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi iyan?"

Lalo siyang hindi dinalaw ng antok sa pag-uusap nila ni Pause. Nang malaman kasi nitong official model siya ng Candella ay sobrang saya nito. He was very impressed that she can now stand in the middle of people as naked and bold. But when he knew about her dirty past, Pause say something that alarmed her.

Kung ipapakulong niya si Andrei, mabubuhay ang issue at magkakaroon ng dungis ang malinis niyang pangalan. Her reputation will be ruin, and she has to choose between the two; justice or fame.

Pagod niyang inihiga ang sarili sa kama. Will it be okay if she disregard the issue about Andrei? Pero dangal at puri niya ang nakasasalay doon. Binaboy siya nito. Habang ang lalaki naman ay masayang nabubuhay at posibleng gawin sa ibang babae ang ginawa sa kanya. She can't bear to think about that. Another innocent people will be like her?

Sumulyap siya sa kanyang cellphone noong tumunog iyon. She took it to check.

Atty. Romero: How are you, Sweet Chic? I have a news about Cielo. She's going to Dubai tomorrow with your Hetch man.

Namilog ang mata niya dahil doon. Agad siyang bumuo ng mensahe habang nanginginig ang parehas na kamay.

Jyra: Are you serious?

Taas-baba ang dibdib niya. Paano mangyayari iyon? Pumikit siya ng mariin. Nakalimutan niyang engineer nga rin pala ang babae.

Atty. Romero: It's in the newspaper of Dubai. Today, one of the leading international construction company held an event there in the Philippines. Of course, Hetch is present in the magazine. It says, 'One of the youngest Asian engineers together with his team was picked up by the billionaire businessman of Dubai.' And the photos attached it makes me vomit, she's hell sexy. Look at the picture.

Atty. Romero: 'Attached photos'

Lalong lumakas ang tibok ng puso niya kung paano lumingkis si Cielo kay Malik sa larawan. Ipinikit niya ang mata habang nanginginig. Why didn't he tell me about this?

Muli siyang tumingin sa larawan at tiningnan ang iba pang tao na naroon. Her eyes fixed with Andrei. His irritating smiles makes her breathing hard.

How can I avoid this evil? How?