Chapter 3

Pinagpapawisan ako ng malata. I don't know why but I feel like I'm gonna throw up at any moment now. For ten minutes, hindi ako umaalis sa kinatataguan ko. This french guy who told me he'll meet me was about to pick me up in a minute now pero hindi ko pa siya nakikita. Or might as well, scam 'yong lalaking 'yon. I was just used on his stunt last night and it's killing me when I thought about it.

The kiss. The tongue. 'Yong laway niya. I can still feel and taste everything. Nag-toothbrush at nagmumog naman ako but why mouth still remembers the sensation? Gano'n ba ako nasarapan?

I only had one kissing scene back in my super fail career back in the country. Sa isang gay actor pa. Well, his role was to act as a straight man and my character was kinda in love with his. Binasa ko naman 'yong script. I do what I was told. Hinalikan ko 'yong guy but then the director said that he doesn't see any feelings in it. Gusto niya magdilaan daw kami which I refused. And then the next day, tinanggal na nila ako at napalitan na agad ng bagong leading lady ang movie. What the fuck lang talaga!

This Cashel Asshole Corprew ruins everything. I'm about to start a new life here but I was pulled to have myself in the spotlight. Ibang klaseng spotlight ito. I won't be acting. I won't be reading a kiss. I will be judged because of the kiss. At hindi na ako magtataka if one day, I would be tailed by these paparazzi's all around and my privacy became in danger.

But do I want it or not? I want the attention. I want to be known. But not here. Not in Paris. But I did--in some ways, I couldn't even comprehend. It was out of my league. I can't take it back.

I've been anxious to go out of my hiding. I'm just hiding behind the bushes as if this could help me to be invisible from those paparazzi. I'm taking it back na. Ayoko ng may sumusunod sa akin. I need my privacy. I can't live the way like this. Ginusto ko noon dahil gusto ko ng atensyon but when I realize that it wasn't the life for me, isang malaking pagbitaw ko sa pangarap ang ginawa ko. I did it because I know it's good for me. But now, it keeps haunting me. 

Parang 'yong nano-showbiz ex-boyfriend ko noon na ginawa akong way para makapasok siya sa isang reality show. At least I made his life better. I just made mine worse.

As I peak my head around to check if the french guy is around. Hindi naman niya ako ina-update kung nasaan na siya. When I gave him my location, he just liked it. And what if he shared it publicly where am I? Lagot na lagot na ako.

My eyes were trying to distinguish every person passing by the area. Naninigurado rin ako kung isa sa mga roon ay paparazzi and then I noticed this six-foot-tall guy who somehow covered himself with a nice hoodie covering half of his identity but surely, on his stance, I figured out who might could it be. 

"Psst," I called his attention but I don't think it's working. He scooped his phone out of his pants and composed some message on it. "Wswswsw," I tried making the sound of the cat baka sakaling lumingon pero girl, nai-snob ako. Masyadong demanding si kuya, ayaw pang lumingon. Pa-hard to get pa, pucha! "Meow, meow--"

Natigil lang ako nang makatanggap ako ng notif galing sa kanya. I knew it was him.

Cashel Corprew:

Where are you? Why can't I see you around? Did you leave?

"And here you are," mabilis na umangat ang tingin ko. Tumapon ang mata ko sa lalaking tinatawag ko lang kanina at ngayon ay nasa harapan ko na. "Did you just call me how you called a cat?"

I winced. "I think it's effective? You came to me e."

"Fair enough," he smirked. I feel like he's full of himself. Arrogant. Annoying. A douchebag. I don't like him. I guess, not for me. Maraming foreigner sa paligid but then I got tied up with this dickhole.

Hindi niya inaaalis 'yong shades niya. I still remember the way I got close to him. How our lips touched--I don't even want to imagine it again. It creeps me out. Parang kapag inisip ko, gusto kong ulitin ulit and that's not a good!

"What are you going to tell me?" I asked narrowing my eyes. His intention towards me must not be good. He found out my identity thru his little sister and now he's going to meddle my peaceful, romantic life in Paris.

Before he could answer my question. Lumingon siya sa paligid, Sinigurado niya munang walang malapit sa amin o nakakakita. Well, on his height, mapapansin agad siya at ako iyong nakatago kanina wouldn't be invisible anymore. But then he's serious. He's not showing any expression that I should take this as a joke. Should I be scared of him?

"I can't tell you out in public, we must go somewhere private. Somewhere the two of us can only talk," he said in straight English which I could totally understand him. He's not stuttering or thought about it before he speaks. He knows how to speak the language and what happened last night, he played me so well.

"I'm not coming with you," I retorted.

He was about to hold me in my arm but I immediately backed myself from him. I crossed my arms letting him know that his agenda wouldn't trick me. May mga ganitong klase ng mga manloloko na. Budol-budol in Paris. His saliva might have something in it. Baka iyon pa ang magpabago ng isip ko. But I won't be swayed. Magkakamatayan na kaming dalawa.

"And why won't you come with me?" he questioned me. Sa tono palang ng boses niya, he's already manipulating me. I know this kind of intention, I'm an actress so I'm aware of how people show their motives. Ako pa ba ang magpapalinlang? I'm no uto-uto.

"Why not?" Mataray kong tugon sa kanya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay just to intimidate him. Kung tumalab man or hindi, I don't care. Nauto niya na ako sa kiss. I won't do it again.

"Yes, why not?" he countered. Itinaas niya rin ang kilay niya. He's imitating. He's just trying to annoy me pero hindi ako madadala sa mga paganyan niya. Gwapo, matangkad siya pero hindi ako marupok.

"You know, Frenchie, I have the right to refuse and you can't force me to come with you," depensa ko sa kanta. "I'm not the type of girl who will fall for your gestures, young man."

"And why did you send me your location after all?" He smirked. Mas inilapit niya ang sarili niya sa akin. He's towering in front of me. Hindi naman nakakalula. I look straight into his chest and never made eye contact with him. Most people who were interviewed on the news, gano'n ang nangyayari.

"Because..." I composed myself to think of another stuff. "For no apparent reason. I just wanted to see the person who kissed me without my consent and make it a big deal that's why paparazzi are going after me. This is your fault. Kung hindi lang talaga--naku!"

I couldn't let my frustrations out to this foreigner kasi kahit tagalugin ko siya, hindi naman niya ako maiintindihan but might as well do it. Mas okay na siguro 'yong hindi niya ako naiintindihan but enough to prompt him that I'm mad at gusto ko nang pagpira-pirasuhin ang katawan niya. He deserves to be chopped-chopped! Oooh, gore.

"But what did you mention? Were you followed by paparazzi?" he asked. I don't know if the concern was authentic in his tone. I'm not sure how French people show their concerns but to what Victor said, I shouldn't expect too easily on that part. They won't pity my situation. Walang pakialaman and I do too.

"Wala ka nang paki roon. Siguro ikaw na ang pinakamalas na nangyari sa akin sa buong buhay ko. Muntik mawala nang mawala ang purse ko tapos bigla pang may hahalik na sa akin na hindi ko kilala. Kung inaakala mong madadala mo ako sa malambot at malasap-lasap mong labi, oh, boy, hindi 'no," ngisi ko pa and I think that's enough. 

Kailangan ko ng umalis sa kinatataguan ko at umuwi sa apartment. I can't have the worst days of my life continue tomorrow and the rest of my stay in Paris.

"What?!" he uttered so confused. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang i-translate sa kanya 'yong sinabi ko. I won't adjust for him, like duh, pogi ka lang, hindi ako yaya.

"Whatever, uuwi na ako," I said and stepped away from him. Binangga ko pa siya balikat niya para ramdam niyang hindi ko siya kailangan. Pero balikat ko ang sumakit. Masyado siyang strong. Gaano kaya laki ang muscles into? But oh well, I don't have to be bothered anymore.

Nang aalis na ako, napahinto rin kaagad ako ng makita ko iyong paparazzi kanina na pini-picture-an ko. Mabilis akong napatalikod at napaharap muli sa lalaking ito dahil baka makita pa ako no'n at sundan ako ulit. He might still be looking for me now. Masyadong persistent. Hindi sumusuko. Anong inside scoop ba ang kailangan niyang malaman?

"What are you doing?" this French guy asked, creasing his forehead. "Did you forget anything to say to me? Or do you want to kiss me again?" he smirked.

"No," matigas kong tugon sa kanya.

"And what do you want?"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Ayokong magpanic. Mas lalo lang akong mahahalata. Palinga-linga kasi sa paligid 'yong paparazzi. Hinahanap pa rin ako no'n kasi ilang minuto pa lang din naman ang nakakalipas.

"He's around," simple kong sagot sa kanya.

"What do you mean he's around?"

I pulled my brows together. Bakit feeling ko medyo slow ang lalaking 'to? My actions already says it. Hindi ata makaramdam. Gusto ata ng lampungan na naman. And ewww, I would never do that again. Not in front of other people pero kung one on one, pwede na siguro.

"Behind me. Not far from us," I told and he moves his head a little to look far behind me. Napansin ko rin naman kaagad ang pag-ngisi into. Maybe he already knew what I'm referring to. "That's Toro. And you're right he's a paparazzi."

"So go away, I need to hide now," I said with gritted teeth but he's not moving away. He even pocketed his hands just to show that he's not going anywhere and he must be thinking that this could be a great mess for me.  "Go away, pogi! You're making me caught!"

"No," he shakes his head and laughs like we're playing a game. "You won't be caught if you will accept my proposal. It wouldn't be hard, I just need to hear you say oui and we'll be good. Entendre?"

"No," pagmamatigas ko ng ulo sa sinasabi niya. I've had my decision and once it's done, it's final. Wala nang re-take, no doubts, 'yon na talaga. "I don't need your proposal. I don't need your help. It's easy as that, comprendre?" (Understand?)

He laughed but not much, gumalaw lang ang balikat niya but he didn't make any chuckling noise. Pa-pogi masyado. 

"I see what you did there," he smiles. Only I can see. I can't see his eyes because of his shades. "But I'm serious here if you want to escape Toro and go back to your apartment without being followed by a paparazzi, come with me."

"And then what are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing, we'll just talk," he said. "Allons-y?" (Let's go?)

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa paparazzi na naghahanap sa akin but this time, he finally saw me. 

"Patay," I muttered.

"Come on," he grabbed my wrist and we immediately took off somewhere. Wala akong ideya kung saan niya ako dinadala ngayon. The only thing I'm sure of is that we're trying to get away with Toro. Sinasabayan ko na lamang siya sa pagtakbo but it looks like he's pulling me forward pa. Kaunti na lang makakaladkad na ako. Good thing, I'm not wearing heels so it helps me somehow to come by on his speed.

It didn't take us long when we jumped into a black Bugatti Chiron. It is the same car I was in the last time he pulled me in.  When we finally settled inside and ordered his driver to lock the car, a moment later, Toro surprises us and continuously knocks on the door. Sinisilip pa kami nito sa loob at kabang-kaba pa rin naman ako sa nangyayari. He told the driver to start the engine and leave and still, Toro takes multiple shots until we're out of his sight.

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag kahit papaano. I wanted to send Victor a message to inform him about my sudden action tonight but I'm too occupied to do anything right now.

"Vous serez bien," he reassured me as he reaches me and taps the back of my hand. Agad ko namang binawi ang kamay ko sa kanya at muling huminga ng malalim. At hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin sa tabi ko kahit ilang inches lang ang pagitan naming dalawa. Nahehele rin ang utak ko dahil sa car freshener and it lessens the stress in my system. Amoy lavender dahil amoy ng bulaklak ang nangingibabaw. Kahit kagabi rin ay pareho ang amoy. (You will be fine.)

I was just looking at the window all throughout until we arrived at his place. We arrived at the sixteenth arrondissement. Nang bumaba siya sa side niya ng pintuan, he roams around to open the door on my side. Pero nanatili ako sa loob, hindi ako bumababa ng sasakyan.

"Allez, vous êtes en sécurité ici," he reassured, once again. (Come on, you're safe here.)

With his words, that I shouldn't believe in, I know he's also telling the truth. He offered his hand and I genuinely took his. Lumabas na rin ako ng sasakyan at inikot ko ang ulo ko para makita kung nasaan kami ngayon

"We're in Hill Passy in sixteenth arrondissement," he stated.  "And this is where I live." He pointed to the building in front of us. I thought he was joking but no, he's serious about it. I do think this person has two personalities. The one who's serious and the one who's naughty. And I'm still wondering what is he showing to me now.

Umangat naman ang tingin ko sa mataas na structure ng building na sa harapan namin. It looks old, but really well maintained. It somehow has its looks from the medieval castles that can be found in several places in France. The open balcony and luxurious patterns of the windows.

"Let's go," he took my hand and pulled me with him inside the building. Iniwan niya ang sasakyan niya sa driver niya. He's too comfortable with it. O nakasanayan na niya.

Pagkapasok pa lang namin sa loob ay halos mamangha na ako sa pagka-elegante ng paligid. This doesn't look like the usual five-star hotels but the chandelier that greeted us when we walk in and could kill me with those spirals and crystals hanging on it. Then this French pulled me to the elevator service which surprised me. Pero hindi na ako magtataka dahil sobrang gara ng lugar na ito. I can see no neutral colors. I think this place meant to stay for those rich people.

We took the same elevator until we reached the penthouse which he told me where he was living. Ayoko pa sanang lumabas dahil hindi ko deserve ang makatapak sa ganitong lugar pero dahil hindi niya binibitawan ang kamay ko, nagpadaloy na lang ako sa kanya hangga't sa dalhin niya ako sa living room area nila na halos ayokong sumihan dahil sa linis ng paligid. Everything is white and clean. Napatingin pa ako sa paa ko kung nag-iwan ako ng bakas ng footprints ko pero mukhang wala naman. I'm safe.

"Do you want to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame?" his question fools me dahil pumayag kaagad ako. He directed me the way with his hand and my feet walk straight ahead to his balcony which I can see the Eiffel tower from the left side and on the right side I can see Notre Dame. And all sorts of jealousy flooded me.

"I hope this was what my view looks like," I muttered.

"Well, the view is fine... c'est jolie," he responded and when I looked at him, he shifted his head from my direction. Was he looking at me? "Anyway, I'll be right back... please, enjoy the view." (It's pretty.)

Tinanguan ko na lang siya at iniwan niya akong mag-isa rito. Naisipan ko na rin namang mag-text kay Victor at hindi siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko kaya nag-send ako ng picture na minura pa ako dahil nauto daw ako. Who's uto-uto here? Sumama lang ako kasi gusto kong takasan si Toro pero ngayon... hindi ko sure, I enjoyed the view. I want to stay here though.

So I took another photo. Me and my beautiful background. And then I post it on my Instagram with a caption. #LuckyInParis #CosetteLife Who's pretty enough? Me or the tower? Of course me. You can't be in Paris but you can be mine. Hihe.

But this ain't my life. This is a joke. And for once and for all, I'll sort this problem with this French man who just wrecked my first few days in Paris. Such an asshole.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! What can you say about Cosette though? I wanna know!

#FrenchKissInParis3 #FKIP3

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