Chapter 22

Trent told me to wear something nice—not like a gown, but enough to be comfortable in the streets of Tokyo. This time, wala akong ideya kung anong gagawin. Hindi na ako nagluto ng dinner namin kasi sabi niya ay lalabas kaming dalawa. I don't know if we're just going to a restaurant o makikipagkita ulit kami sa mga kaibigan niya.

He's a kind of person na hindi ishe-share kung anong gagawin, basta gugulatin ka na lang kung anong mangyayari kaya laging nakakataranta kapag sa oras na naroon na kami sa sitwasyon. But I believe wala ako dapat ikataranta ngayon. Well, sa tingin ko.

Since his mom recovered, Trent never fell on a bad mood again. Kung dati ay madalas marami siyang inuutos sa akin, it is still the same but lesser hard things to do. Kapag alam niyang hindi ko magagawa, he'll do it for himself lalo na kung kailangan magbuhat ay siya na ang gumagawa. I even told him a joke na dapat lalaking nanny ang kumuha niya para hindi na siya mahirapan. And what did he answer to me?

And if did, I wouldn't me you?

Hindi ako nag-react pero nalusaw ako ng slight. But what happened to us earlier was so intimate that I don't think I'll ever forget. But that's just where we would be. Hindi na lalagpas do'n. Sana lang hindi 'ko kainin ang mga iniisip ko at the end of the day.

I sent Sasa a message about Trent and I are going out tonight. Nanghingi pa ako sa kanya kung anong idea niya sa mga ganito at simple lang ang sagot niya. We might be eating outside. Naging assuming naman ako sa lagay na 'yon kasi nag-isip ako ng ibang bagay.

Ano nga ba 'yong ibang bagay na 'yon? I don't want to say it pero baka kasi bigla siyang magtanong kung kung gusto ko maging girlfriend niya. Not really assuming pero 'yon ang nasa utak ko.

I walked out of my room. Trent and I met halfway down the hallway. Nagkatitigan pa kaming dalawa.

"You look—" nagkasabay pa kaming dalawa magsalita. Nauwi naman kami sa tawa. Hinawi ko naman ang buhok na tumakas sa pagkakatali ko.

"I should go first?" he asked, and I nodded so I let him. "You look gorgeous, Lav. I think as always," he chuckled.

I giggled. "Arigatou gozaimasu," I answered. "Well, basically, that's what I only know. And you look... dashing as always. Wala ka na bang hindi mo ika-ka-gwapo? You're only wearing a simple white polo shirt and jeans but pero bakit ang sarap mo pa ring tingnan? Kidding aside, but yes, you're so attractive, Trent."

"Well, I've heard that many times," he proudly said, nodding his head. "But it became more special when it's you."

"Oh, okay... sure," aniko at naghanap na kaagad ako ng mapag-uusapan. "So, saan tayo pupunta ngayon? Would it be on a club o kaya naman sa isang restaurant?"

"Let's see," pabitin na sagot ni Trent.

I rolled my eyes and pouted. "Lagi na lang. Ang daya-daya."

Napangisi na lamang si Trent. Tumungo na lang din kami palabas ng unit niya at pumasok sa loob ng elevator.

I was only wearing a high-waist dress at pinatungan ko ng cardigan para naman hindi masyadong revealing. I wore flats baka kasi kung saan saan kami pumunta at mapagod lang ako. Ang ending no'n, lalaki lang ang muscle sa binti ko so I guess it's a good decision to wear something comfortable—just like what he told to me.

When we finally got into the basement ay dumiretsyo na kami sa sasakyan niya. Just like what he used to do, hindi niya pinapaalam sa akin kung saan kami pupunta. So when we drove out of the basement and went out to the streets, nalilibang naman ako sa mga nadaraanan namin.

I heard Trent's giggling on my side kaya tumapon ang atensyon ko sa kanya.

"Why are you giggling over there? Mag-drive ka lang diyan uy."

"I love how you were so fascinated with all the establishments were passing by," aniya.

"Yeah... it's true naman. Though this isn't my first time in Japan, but then I don't remember my first visit here so this is all new to me."

"Really? Why don't you remember your first visit? Bad memories?"

"No," I answered. "It's not like that. I was young back then. I was 7, 8 or 10 years old. Tingnan mo, hindi rin ako sure, 'di ba? But to tell you honestly, the only thing I remembered my time from here that it was a family vacation. Every year, my family and I went abroad during Christmas and the last time we were in London. And they don't have any idea that I'm here in Japan."

"Oh..." he mumbled, maybe out of his words? "Are you running away from them?"

I swallowed. "Maybe something like that."

"Do you want to tell me something about it?"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot sa kanya.

"But if you're not comfortable about it, don't worry, its fine," he said, nodding his head. "I'm happy that you're with me now."

"Yeah, me too," I took a deep breath and smile.

He reached for my hand and held it for a few seconds bago niya ibalik sa manibela. It only took a few minutes when Trent parked his car around Minato city. I was right when we're heading to a restaurant that has a three-star Michelin. He just told me on our way there that he booked for us there when we're still in Kobe so I think it's kind of a reward for ourselves.

When Trent confirmed his reservations, we were directed by a staff to get us a table and then we started ordering from the menu. At dahil hindi ko naman maintindihan kung anong mga nakasulat sa menu car ay hinayaan ko na lang si Trent ang mamili. He told me that this restaurant was best for their sushi so we must try them out. Everything he asked, I would go for it. Wala naman akong option to reject his offer kaya oo na lang din ako ng oo. He can pay for it, so why not abuse it? Just kidding.

Tahimik lamang ako habang hinihintay namin ang mga in-order namin. Napansin din naman pala iyon ni Trent. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at pinaglaruan niya ang daliri ko.

"You seemed quiet," he commented. "What's going on in your mind?"

"Nothing..."

He creased his forehead. "No. I don't think there's something going on in your crazy mind, Lav. Tell me, I will listen."

"It's actually nothing so don't you worry about it."

He rose his brow. "Was it because of what happened earlier?"

Agad naman akong umiling sa kanya. "No, it's not because of it. It was fine. I don't mind what happened earlier. Siguro... marami lang gumugulo sa isip ko ngayon."

"And what would it be?"

Napakibit balikat ako. "Wala talaga, Trent. We're here to have fun. 'Wag na tayo pumunta sa mga stress na bagay."

"Sure," he said, nodding his head. "After this, we'll be going to the club Camelot."

Napangisi naman ko. "I remembered the last time I was there."

"Yeah, I just remembered that. We'll go somewhere else then."

"Okay lang naman sa 'kin e," aniko pero inilingan niya ako. Ang kulit talaga. Pero wala nga akong magagawa kung hindi ang sundin na lang ang gusto niya. "I have a question, Trent... and if you don't mind answering it."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Was it okay for you to go our wit someone who works for you? Baka isipin ng mga tao na inaabuso ko ang pagtrato mo sa akin. I'm just wondering, hindi rin naman big deal. Sa akin mo lang ba 'to ginagawa sa lahat ng mga nagta-trabaho sa 'yo?"

He looked straight into my eyes. Mga ilang segundo rin 'yon bago siya nag-react. He cleared his throat at mas inilapit niya ang upuan niya sa table.

"To tell you honestly, you were not the first time," pag-amin nito, and somehow, I felt relieved. "I have someone who worked in the company before. She's American, but that didn't go so well so I had to stop going out with her. And then she was the last time before I started dating Albertyne and hoping you."

Napangisi naman ako. "And I would love if we'll stay just like this."

"If you say so," a lopsided smile showed on his face, nodding his head.

A moment later ay dumating na ang pagkain namin. Our table occupied all the space dahil sa dami rin na in-order ni Trent at hindi ako sigurado kung maabuos naming dalawa ang lahat ng ito. Though we can't take these food home so uubusin ko na lang as much as I can.

"Itadakimasu," Trent said.

"Itadakimasu!" panggagaya ko.

Natawa na lang siya dahil pati ang accen niya ay ginawa ko rin. And when we started eating, we talked about some few things but limited to personal things. Minsan, hindi talaga ako komportable pag-usapan kapag personal na buhay na ang nagiging topic. As much as possible, I would find a way to change the topic to something out of my life. It wasn't because I'm not comfortable to talk about it, it's just my cup of tea.

"How do I smell like when I'm sweaty, Lav?" he asked.

I grinned. "Why do you asked that?"

"I just wanna know. C'mon," pamimilit pa nito sa akin.

"Wala naman."

"But you said mabantot earlier," I giggled when he spoke a tagalog word because it cracked his accent. Hindi naman niya pinansin ang reaksyon ko kasi mas gusto niyang malaman kung anong amoy niya.

"I was just kidding. Ang kulit-kulit mo kasi! You don't smell bad at all. Malagkit ka lang kanina kasi pawisan ka but you smell good. But good thing for you na naliligo ka kasi I've heard some na hindi naliligo kasi sa lamig ng klima rito sa Japan."

"That's I guess when it's winter," he pointed out. "But I have a heater on my bathroom so it doesn't bother me."

"Sabi ko nga, yaman mo kasi e. Pero 'yon nga, you smell good even you're sweaty. Have you watched the movie perfume where the man uses the sweat of the people and turned it into a perfume? I could do the same thing to yours."

"But I can always hug you so you can have my scent," aniya.

"Don't do that, Trent," I smirked.

"'Cause you might get fall? I did."

I smiled. "Good for you... tara ubusin na lang natin 'tong pagkain. We should finish it. Sayang kung may matitira."

We continued eating until we finished everything after an hour and a half. I was about to request to him na umuwi na lang kami kasi sobrang busog na ako, but Trent has plans kaya hindi na ako nagsabi.

He paid our dinner and then we head back to his car. Around Minato lang din naman ang club na tinutukoy ni Trent, but we won't be able to make it kung lalakarin namin kasi malayo-layo pa raw iyon. So when we finally get there, he parked his car inside the premises and I'm so shocked how I'm going to be in this place.

From Sushi Saito, we went to Le Club de Tokyo and it's prestigious how it looks from the outside. Kaya nang makababa kami ng sasakyan at pumasok sa loob ng building ay doon ko lang napag-alaman na isa pala itong private club. It wasn't that many people as I thought it would be. Siguro dahil private nga at accessible lamang ang club for members.

Agad na rin naman kaming tumungo sa bar area. We sat on a round seat and then a table stood in the center.

"What do you want to drink?" he asked.

Napakibit-balikat naman ako. "I told you, I barely drink alcohol."

"Okay. Would you want a club soda?"

"Sure, if that's not going to make me drunk at the end of the day, go lang!"

Nagtawag naman ng waiter si Trent, though I excused myself from them dahil ihing-ihi na rin ako. I find my way to the bathroom pero dahil sa karangyaan ng paligid ay naakit ako at nagkanda-ligaw-ligaw pa ako until something unexpected thing caught my attention.

May tumawag ng pangalan ko and I thought it would be Trent but I know the voice. It's so familiar to me. At first, I hesitated to turn my head around but then the voice became much more distinct when he got closer. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagpatong ng kamay nito sa balikat ko.

"Seilaverne?" banggit nito sa pangalan ko.

Huminga ako ng malalim at dahan-dahan ko siyang nilingon. When I met his eyes, i felt like my world dragged me back to hell.

"Kuya Nico..." I muttered, and then a moment later ay patakbong lumapit sa amin ang isa ko pang nakakatandang kapatid. "Kuya Wel..."

"Dito ka lang pala namin mahahanap," ani Kuya Nico. "You're coming home with us. Whether you like it or not. You're leaving Tokyo."

"Pero..."

"No buts, Seila," ani Kuya Wel. "Kung hindi pa sasabinin ni Fredrick na nakita ka niya rito, hindi namin alam kung saan ka namin hahanapin. You know, mom and dad wouldn't like to know about this so once and for all, 'wag ka nang umangal. Where are you staying? Kunin mo na ang mga gamit mo."

"Yes, we're here for three days now looking for you 'cause you haven't answering our calls. Good thing, maliit lang ang mundo. Pack up your things, you're going back to the Philippines, Seila," Kuya Nico ordered.

"No..." I mumbled.

"Welbourne, kunin mo na ang mga gamit natin sa hotel. We'll meet at the airport. Sasamahan ko lang si Seila para kunin ang mga gamit niya," utos ni Kuya Nico at muling binalik ang tingin sa akin. "If you don't want to be in trouble, Seila. Sumunod ka na lang. Ayaw ka naming mapahamak so please, do what we asked."

I heaved out a sigh. It's like I have another option.

And just like that, I was pulled back to my own hell.

I'm so sorry, Trent. I'm so sorry to leave without any word.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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