#DS3Unscripted #BelayaxPierce #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 2: TROUBLE

BELAYA'S POV

Relationship for me is such a fragile thing while the people in it are either resilient or just martyrs. Minsan kasi may mga taong hanggang dulo ay talagang ilalaban ang isa't isa. Kahit na maraming problema naniniwala pa rin sila sa kung ano ang binuo nila. But there are also martyrs who lost all reasons to fight but still they're staying. Minsan ayaw lang nilang sukuan ang taong akala nila ay magpapasaya sa kanila noon dahil ayaw nilang aminin na nagkamali sila. May iba naman na naniniwalang magbabago pa ang tao na pinili nila.

The funny thing about giving someone a second chance? You're also giving them a second chance to hurt you.

In my case, I gave someone the second chance to piss me off. Bihira naman kasi akong masaktan dahil sa ibang tao. To have that feeling you need to care so deep that it will matter.

Being hurt is an ugly thing. It sometimes pushes you to make ugly realizations. Ugly crying is also one of the downside of being hurt. Kaya mas pinipili kong mainis. Being annoyed is an ugly feeling but at least I'm getting even in the process.

Just like now.

I inclined to my side and looked at the flashy red sports car in front of me contemplatively. It's super shiny and clean. Wala nga kahit isang gasgas dahil sigurado akong kung nagkaroon man iyon ay kaagad iyon na pinaayos.

It's ostentatious.

I own an expensive car as well but there's a difference with having a car because it's efficient and having a car just to scream that you have money. This one's the latter. And who drives a freaking sports car in the traffic of Manila?

"It's also a two-seated car which is ridiculous. What are you going to do with your shopping bags when the trunk is full? Put them on your lap?"

I rolled my eyes and nudge the tire of the car. Better get this over with. I'm hungry and I'm craving for a steak.

I fished out my car keys from my Chanel and a smile curved my lips. Inayos ko ang pagkakasuot ng itim na cap sa ulo ko na hindi bagay sa suot ko na itim na bestida, bago ko sinimulan ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito sa madilim na parking lot ng isang mamahalin na restaurant.

Without having any second thoughts, I scored the sharp end of my key to the shiny exterior of the car in front of me. Mula sa bumper no'n ay dinala ko ang susi papunta sa pinakadulo niyon. Hindi gano'ng kalalim ang ginawa ko kasi baka tumunog ang alarm no'n. Mamaya na iyon para sa finale. Still, the scratch won't go away with a buffing. He'll need a very expensive paint job to fix this.

I went around the car and did the same on the other side. Nang matapos ay bumalik ako sa kabila at bahagya akong yumuko para gawin ang binabalak ko. It took me awhile because I want to make it big and I also need to add my drawing. I was finishing the ears when I felt a presence behind me.

"So who's the actress that pissed you off this time?"

Napadiretso ako at kumurba ang mas malawak na ngiti sa mga labi ko. Nilingon ko ang nagsalita na inaasahan ko na kung sino. I could never forget that voice. Kahit nga sa panaginip ko ay binibisita ako ng boses na iyon kahit pa nga tatlong linggo na ang nakararaan mula nang huli ko siyang makita.

"Piece Dawson," I said as a greeting. "Fancy meeting you here."

Blangko ang ekspresyon sa mukha na bumaba ang tingin niya sa ayos ko bago muling bumalik ang mga mata niya sa kotse na ngayon ay may malaking pirma ko at may cute na pusa pa na lagi kong dinodrawing kasama ng pirma ko sa fan meet events ko.

"You know that's a crime right?"

I shrugged, "It's worth it."

"Someone made you angry that bad?"

"If you mean by bad is that my boyfriend of seven months was dating me at the same time he's dating a model? Then, yes. It's also the boyfriend who I gave a chance because he said that his grandmother was dying. I mean, come on? How could I break up with the guy who's about to lose someone? I'm not that heartless."

May kung anong nagdaan sa mga mata niya pero kaagad din nawala iyon bago ko pa maproseso kung ano iyon.

"He cheated again," he stated rather than asking.

"I was already expecting it. Hindi ko nga lang inaasahan na hindi naman pala siya sa pamilya niya pupunta. He went to the US with the model kasi may fashion show ang babaeng iyon doon. Because he's stupid, he forgot that my best friend is a supermodel who's also attending the show." Pakiramdam ko ay muling nag-alab ang inis ko nang maalala iyon. I can't believe I gave him a chance. To think na dapat makikipaghiwalay na ako sa kaniya three weeks ago. "He can't have the balls to break up with me? Then I'm doing it for him now. But I'm doing it my way, my terms."

"What happened to his grandmother?"

Naniningkit ang mga matang tinignan ko ang sasakyan bago ko muling nilingon ang lalaki. "She's alive and well as we speak. She's not dying and she even didn't got hospitalized. The poor old woman has a cold but her grandson acted as if she has a terminal disease."

"And you're here, ruining his car."

"He's obsessed with this car more than he's obsessed with looking good, so yes, I am totally ruining his car." He always talk about gym as if that's the only interesting part of his life. Maybe it is though. And that awful fitted shirts he loves so he could show his bulky arms? Ugh. Tumingin ako sa itaas at umaktong nag-iisip. "It's better than the other plan. Arson is worst, don't you think?"

"It is."

Matamis na nginitian ko siya bago ako humarap ulit sa sasakyan. Ibinalik ko ang susi sa bulsa ko at may kinuha ako ro'n. When my hands found purchase, I pulled out my favorite brand of red lipstick and I stepped closer to the car. Inanggulo ko ang side mirror no'n at yumuko ako para magawa kong maayos ang paglalagay ng lipstick sa mga labi ko.

Nang matapos ay dumiretso ako at tinapunan ko ng tingin si Pierce at nginitian ko siya. "I think you should go. Baka mapagbintangan ka pa."

Imbis na umalis gaya ng inaasahan ko ay nanatili lang siyang nakatayo di kalayuan sa akin. He crossed his arms as if he's patiently waiting for me to show him what I plan to do. Alrightie. Maybe this is interesting for him.

Kumapit ako sa hood ng sasakyan at kinuha ko ang isang paa ng Louboutin ko at walang pag-aalinlangan na malakas na hinampas ko iyon sa salamin ng sasakyan. I could buy more if I want to. The car instantly made a loud noise when I set off the alarm but I ignored it. It took me four more times before the window of the car shattered. I should email the company of this shoe. Ang tibay.

"So..." I said turning to the beautiful man behind me while I was slipping the shoe on my foot again. "Are you going to the restaurant?"

"Nanggaling na ako sa loob."

"Okay then." Tinanggal ko ang suot ko na cap dahilan para bumagsak ang mahaba ko na buhok. Basta ko na lang initsa iyon sa kung saan. "You need to go. Not that I want you to. If you won't be in trouble I rather stay here and look at you. Kaya lang baka madamay ka pa."

Sandaling hindi siya umimik pero pagkaraan ay tumango siya. Naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya at nakangiting tinapik ko siya sa braso. Hmm. Firm. "I'll see you soon, Pierce Dawson."

Nilagpasan ko siya at imbis na pumunta sa sasakyan ay naglakad ako sa direksyon ng restaurant. I was walking up the short stairs when the door of the restaurant opened and a man with a scowl on his face went out. Nawala ang inis sa mukha niya at napalitan ng pagkagulat nang makita ako. Pagkagulat na naging kaba nang sa likod niya ay sumulpot ang modelo na pamilyar ako. Not that she's part of my circle. But most of the actresses, models, and other celebrities that I know hates her attitude that's why I heard of her. Dahil kung problematic si Kensi ay version 2.0 si Michelle Valencia. My best friend Mireia loves everyone and for her to not like someone is a big thing and not only that she doesn't like Michelle, she also hates her.

"B-Bela."

"It's Belaya for you." I pursed my lips. "Hmm. On second thought, it's Ms. Lawrence for you."

Bumuka ang bibig niya at hindi makakilos sa kinatatayuan na nakatingin lang sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay habang hindi nawawala ang nakapaskil na ngiti sa mga labi ko na tinignan ko lang siya, Kaiser De Leon, the two timing ass.

"My name's Kaiser. Which is fitting, don't you think? They say it sounds like kisser and I'm a good kisser."

I tried not to roll my eyes at the memory. That's his pick up line which I decided to ignore that time kahit na parang warning sign na pala iyon noon. He's good to look at and he could be funny. Iyon nga lang, hanggang doon lang. He's bland like a dead fish. And he's certainly not a good kisser.

"Honey, your car is still making noise. Nakakahiya sa mga tao," nakangusong sabi ni Michelle at kumapit pa sa braso ng lalaki. Kulang na lang sumandal siya sa balikat ni Kaiser na para bang end of the world kapag napahiya sila.

Instead of answering her, the jerk is still looking at me, "B-Belaya this is not what you think-"

"Oh I know very well what this is. Don't worry it's fine. I mean, I only not wasted seven months with you, you also two timed me on the fifth month of our painfully boring relationship, and you also lied that you grandmother was dying that even for you is utterly low. Bukod pa ro'n ang sabi mo nasa US ka pa rin when in fact you got home two days ago."

"Sweetie, don't make him say it. It's embarrassing."

My eyes went to Michelle and I raise an eyebrow at her. "What?"

Binigyan niya ako ng tingin na parang naaawa siya sa akin. Sumandig siya sa balikat ni Kaiser na nanigas sa kinatatayuan niya. "He's breaking up with you."

Tumango-tango ako at pagkatapos ay inilabas ko ang cellphone ko. I scrolled to the messages and looked for his name. Nang makita ko iyon ay binasa ko ang mensahe na pinadala niya sa akin kahapon."Bela, love, I can't wait to see you. I miss you terribly and I hope that you can free your schedule so we can take a vacation together. I love you."

Nadiretso si Michelle at matatalim ang mga mata na nilingon niya si Kaiser na mas lalong namutla. He really has no balls.

"Remember the last night that we met? I was about to break up with you but I have a good heart. Ang sabi mo ng gabing iyon kailangan mong pumunta sa US kasi may sakit ang lola mo at baka malapit na siyang mamayapa. How could I break up with you then?"

"You wanted us to break up?" he whispered.

"Yep."

"You're just saying that to save face. Ayaw mo lang na mapahiya sa mga tao. Hindi mo lang matanggap na he chose me over you," sabi ni Michelle.

"Oh sweetie, do you think you're in a movie? I could care less about what people think of me. This is not a fairy tale and you're certainly not a princess. Hindi ka rin si Taylor Swift. She's the only person that I will be threaten with if she stole my boyfriend." Matamis na nginitian ko siya. "You think you got the prince? Kaiser is no prince, you poor thing. He's only a man that will inspire a lot of hate songs."

"Belaya, please. Can we talk?" Kaiser asked, his eyes pleading.

"Nope. I have a reservation." Binuksan ko ang bag ko at may kinuha ako roon. Inabot ko iyon kay Kaiser na nagtatakang tinignan iyon. "A recommendation. Diyan ako nagpapaayos ng sasakyan. They're good, you might need it."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at halos matumba pa si Michelle sa bilis ng kilos niya dahil sa sinabi ko. Binigyan ako ng masamang tingin ng babae pero wala na siyang nagawa kundi sumunod sa lalaki na halos takbuhin ang direksyon ng tumutunog pa rin na sasakyan. What a tool.

Papasok na sana ako nang may mapansin ako sa sasakyan na kanina ay ginawa kong drawing board. Mababa iyon at mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay parang flat ang lahat ng gulong no'n. That's weird. Hindi ko naman binutas iyon ah.

Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang iyon at pumasok na ako sa restaurant. I told the employee my name and she quickly ushered me to the seat that I reserved. Nasa may bintana iyon at pandalawahan lang ang upuan.

"Are you waiting for someone, Ms. Lawrence?" a waiter asked me as he placed a glass on my table.

I smiled at him. "No."

I'm comfortable eating alone. Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na kumain akong mag-isa sa isang mamahalin na restaurant. Mga tao lang naman ang nagbibigay ng ibig sabihin sa mga gano'n. Being alone doesn't mean you're lonely.

Binuksan ko ang menu at mabilis na ini-scan ko iyon. I ordered lobster toasts with espelette pepper for the hors d'oeuvres, the ribeye steak for the entrée, and I told him to come back if I decided I want a dessert.

"Do you want to see our wine collection?"

"No. I want your most expensive champagne. I'll pay for the bottle but I'll just need one glass since I'm driving." Nangalumbaba ako at nginitian ko siya. Lalong lumawak iyon nang makita kong napakurap siya at napatitig sa akin. "I have something to celebrate for."

Nang hindi pa rin siya umalis sa harapan ko ay nakangiti pa rin na tinitigan ko siya pabalik. His reaction is not uncommon specially when someone recognize me and it's also not uncommon even for people who don't know me.

It's the eyes. My parents are Filipinos but my eyes doesn't have the normal color for the natural born citizen of the country. Sa pamilya namin, Ate Vodka and Kuya Ram have these beautiful light brown eyes but me, Kuya Cross, our youngest sister Reika, and our mother have gray ones.

Our mom has this light gray eyes which she said she didn't always had. Nagkaroon ng mga pangyayari raw noon that put her in a coma and because of the other complications that came from the poison in her system that could have killed her, her eyes became like that. Hindi niya rin akalain na may makakamana sa amin. Iba nga lang ang sa amin ni Kuya Cross. It's a weird shade of gray and black. Like it's fighting between wanting to be gray or wanting to be black... with the gray side winning a bit more.

"Yes?" I asked the waiter that is still looking at me.

"S-Sorry po. Umm... pinapanood po kasi namin ng girlfriend ko ang mga palabas mo." Nagpalingon-lingon siya na parang kinakabahan na may makakita sa kaniya. "Alam ko pong baka mapapagalitan po ako, pero pwede po ba na magpa-autograph? Fan na fan kasi po siya."

Aww that's sweet. "Sure, no problem. Just give me a pen and a paper. Give your phone to me too so I could give her a video greeting."

Lumiwanag ang mga mata niya sa tuwa. "Thank you po!"

Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana nang umalis na ang lalaki. I looked out the window and my eyes went to a midnight black car. It looks like a jeep wrangler or something. The car is huge. Pero hindi iyon ang dahilan kung bakit napatingin ako kundi sa taong nasa labas no'n.

He's still here.

Nakasandal si Pierce sa sasakyan habang nakatingin sa ibang direksyon pero nang mukhang maramdaman niya ang mga mata ko na nakatutok sa kaniya ay lumingon siya sa akin. Our gaze locked for a moment, his eyes trapping me as if we're under a spell. I couldn't look away... not until he did.

"Why are you still here?" I whispered to the air.

He stayed there for a long time. Nakadating na ang pagkain ko at lahat ay hindi pa rin siya umaalis. I don't know how long he stayed standing outside but when a tow truck came into view and a few minutes after, it's carrying the particular car I ruined, that's only when Pierce Dawson went inside his car.

"Sinisiguro niya ba na hindi ako guguluhin ni Kaiser kaya hindi siya umalis agad?"

I'll never know the answer to that question unless I see him again, but if there's one thing I'm sure of... I'm not the only one who committed a crime tonight. Dahil siguradong-sigurado ako na hindi ako ang bumutas sa mga gulong ng two timing ass na iyon.

Huh. Interesting.

Inabot ko ang bag ko nang marinig ko ang pagtunog no'n. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at napangiti ako nang makita kong ang kapatid ko na si Vodka ang tumatawag.

"Hello, my dearest, Ate!"

"Belaya."

I grinned at the sound of her voice. She sounded so much like our mother. Iyon bang parang malapit na niya akong pagalitan. "What did I do?"

"You asked Ram to hack a restaurant's security system."

That snitch. "Well... yeah."

"Belaya-"

"Do you want your beautiful sister to go to jail?"

"Kung hindi mo gustong makulong hindi ka dapat nag vandalism!"

"Ate, that jerk two-timed me. Remember what daddy always told us? Hindi dapat tayo pumapayag na agrabyaduhin ng iba. Sometimes people need to be taught a lesson."

Sandaling natahimik ang kapatid ko. If my parents are overprotective ay hindi nalalayo roon ang nakatatanda kong kapatid. Growing up, she's one of the few people that can make me listen... sometimes. Pero if I'm being honest, lahat naman sila protective sa akin. Bata pa lang daw kasi ako alam na nilang mas marami akong dadalin na sakit ng ulo sa pagtanda ko.

"There's a right way for that," she said.

"Ano? Reika will probably send him an email everyday just to make him see the error of his ways, Kuya Ram wanted to burn Kaiser's house, if that jerk is in surgery Kuya Cross will let him die on the table, but Kaiser will only be needing surgery because daddy will blow up his kneecaps. Don't get me started with Mom. She'll feed him to Star." Star's my Mom's pet snake. She's the daughter of Little who passed away early, and the granddaughter of Twinkle, my mother's first snake.

I'm not even kidding. My family is far from normal. Before the family business became the top security and investigative agency that it is now, it was far far different. They are more like a covert spy agency before. It's a long story but to make it short the business is legalized now though Kuya Ram said that the government is still giving them a loose rope.

"What's his name?"

"Hmm?" I asked.

"That jerk. What's his full name?"

And with that, I smiled widely. Poor Kaiser.