Chapter 28

I keeping looking and questioning myself in front of the mirror. Hindi ako makuntento. Feeling ko hindi pa sapat itong susuotin ko tonight. I didn't even stress myself out again after getting into this situation once again. Halos sampung dress na ang nailabas ko sa closet ko at wala akong matipuhan na sa tingin ko ay babagay sa akin.

Napasalampak na lamang ako sa sahig dahil hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I only have twenty minutes left at hindi pa ako nakakapag-ayos.

"Girl! Umayos ka nga!" sigaw ni Sasa mula sa video call. "Lahat naman ng damit na sinuot mo kanina ay bagay na sa 'yo. Choosy ka pa!"

"E kasi naman..."

"Girl, tama na angal," usal ni Sasa. "Kahit siguro nga hindi ka na nga magsuot, bet na bet ka na ni Trent! Akalain mo pupuntahan ka pa niya r'yan? I wasn't really expecting he'll go to that point pero girl, naniniwala akong true love na 'yan. Ayan na talaga 'yong taong hinihintay mo. Iyong taong magpapahalaga sa 'yo."

"Kaya nga help me choose something to wear!" I exclaimed, grunting.

"Girl! Isa pa! Ilang beses ko pa bang sasabihin!" usal ni Sasa at halos itapon na niya ang telepono niya palayo at ipasok ang kamay sa screen ng phone para masubunutan ako. "Just wear the sapphire one. Mas bet ko sa 'yo 'yon! Hindi masyadong daring."

"The satin backless dress? Hello? That's too daring kaya! 'Wag kang ano r'yan."

"Girl, kung nandito ka lang sa Tokyo kanina pa kita nabatukan kasi ang kulit kulit mo," panunudyo nito sa akin. "Basta! Believe me! Trent will appreciate it! Pero kung hindi mo naman bet, pwede mo namang ipadala sa akin dito sa Japan at akong magsusuot. Baka bumigay din sa akin si Dakito."

"Hoy, gaga ka talaga! Sige na, iyon na ang susuotin ko."

Pumalakpak naman si Sasa at sinimulan ko namang suotin ang sapphire satin backless dress. Kahit marami akong choices na nakataklob ang buo kong katawan, but this is not me teasing Trent. Gusto ko lang maging presentable sa harap niya. And I wanted to see how he will react after not seeing me for a whole month.

Nang mausot ko naman ang dress ay iniharap ko sa camera para makita ni Sasa ang kabuuang hitsura nito sa katawan ko. Pinaikot niya pa ako to see how it look like from the back at tumili naman ang gaga nang makita niya ako.

"Girl, trust me, sa kama ang tuloy niyo tonight!"

"Shut up, Sasa. Hindi 'yon mangyayari."

"Don't shut me up. Halos isang buwan tayong hindi nagkita tapos papatahimik mo lang ako? I don't think I would. Pero dalian mo na rin kumilos. Magta-trabaho na ako mamaya-maya. Papauwi na rin si Dakito."

"Should I go with heels or flats?"

"Wear what you feel comfortable for you. Wear heels siguro mga three-inch lang para mag-compliment sa dress mo. That dress goes only above your knee kaya kitang-kita ang long legs mo and it's good to flaunt it with heels as well."

"And where did you know how to do fashion?"

"Simula nang umalis ka," aniya. "I did something to entertain myself dahil hindi pa rin ako basta basta na lang pumunta sa nighclubs so I do something na mapaghahandaan ko once I can finally go out freely sa nightclubs."

"And then I'm your first client."

"Yup, and that's a hundred thousand yen."

"Okay then bye," aniko at akmang papatayin ang video call pero pinigilan niya sa pagsigaw niya. "Bakit? May sasabihin ka pa ba sa akin?"

"Wala na. I think you're fine already. Kaya mo na ;yan but I have a reminder for you."

"And what could that be?"

"'Wag kang bibigay agad, okay? Hayaan mo siyang gumawa ng ways to come at you kahit ikaw pa ang nang-iwan before. But he's finally here so he's pursuing you and that's another thing. Sabi ko na nga ba, lovelife ang matatagpuan mo sa Japan. Literal na new year, new life."

"Baliw ka talaga. I'll go na."

"Hoy ha! Tandaan mo 'yong sinabi mo. Katawa-tawa man siya para sa iba pero para sa akin isa 'yan sa mga matitinong advice na binibigay mo sa mga babaeng lokaret—hindi ka naman lokaret pero kapag nabalitaan kong bumigay ka tonight then isa ka nang certified lokaret."

"I'll keep that in mind. Let's talk later."

"Later? Sure ka? Baka umagahin kayong dalawa ni Trent—"

"Bye na," binabaan ko na siya ng tawag dahil hindi rin siya titigil sa pangungulit sa akin.

I wear a three inch pumps at mabilisan kong plinantsya ang kulot kong buhok. Muli naman akong humarap sa salamin to see how it really looks. It was then made me satisfied staring at myself in the mirror. Hindi ko naman maiwasang mapangiti dahil after a month, this would be the first me and Trent will be going out.

I wonder what would happen tonight though. I have no expectations but I'm trying not to worry too much about it. It just made me so anxious so I stopped thinking about it—in the meantime.

A moment later when someone knocked on the door. Tinawag ko ang atensyon ng taong iyon at binuksan naman ng kaunti ang pinto at saka sumilip.

"Ma'am, naghihintay na po si Sir Trent sa may living room."

"Really?" usal ko, hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Ang bilis lang tumakbo. "Let him know na pababa na ako in a second. Thank you."

"Opo ma'am," ani ng house staff at isinarado ang pinto.

I immediately grabbed my purse and put everything I needed there. My cards, phone, pang-retouch, at ilang maliliit na bagay na hindi ko sure kung may silbi pa ba. When I walked out of my room, maliban sa kabog ng dibdib ko ay ang takong ng heels ko ang naririnig ko. Or I'm just so nervous na nawawalan na ako ng pakialam sa ibang bagay at nakatuon lamang ako sa mangyayari ngayong gabi.

When I reached the grand staircase, I walked down to see that Trent was already waiting for me at the end of the steps. I slide my hand to the handrails while I slowly step down. When we finally met down the stairs, he kissed me on my cheek and I immediately smelled his strong male perfume. It was ridiculous to think that I'll end up sniffing his smell all night.

"You're wonderful," he complimented. "You always looked so beautiful in my eyes, Lav."

"And you always smell good for me, Trent."

"Where are we going ba?"

He smirked. "You'll see. I just hope you won't leave me alone tonight."

I tried to show a smile but whenever we talked about that, hindi ko maiwasang ma-guilty. I think it's fine to be worried about it. Nangyari na ang nangyari and I can't escape like what I always did.

I wrap my hand around his arms then we headed out of the mansion, leading to his car. Inalalayan niya akong makapasok sa loob ng sasakyan and when I finally did, tumungo ito sa kabilang pinto at inayos ang pagkakaupo sa driver's seat.

"I didn't know you owned a car here," aniko.

"Remember that I have an international conglomerate company so I go to some countries every now and then. I hired some people who will look after my cars and a small house in Makati."

"Oh, in the Forbes I should guess," ngisi ko pa at tinanguan niya lang din ako. "So, where will you take me then?"

"There's no such place I think I should take you then," he said. Napakunot-noo naman ako sa sinabi niya. "I think you being with me is enough to be called a home."

"Bakit ka ganyan?" Natatawa kong usal. "Hindi lang tayo nagkita ng isang buwan parang naging corny ka na."

"And if that goes for a year, what do you think what I'll be doing then?" he questioned, laughing. "But maybe you're right. It was corny, but I'm trying my best to make the best out of anything. So you will know that you deserve this. That you don't have to be selfless just because you thought what you're doing won't do good enough. Let's take it all together. We'll make a better team, yeah?"

I smiled, making my heart warm. "Yeah... you're right..."

Pinatong ni Trent ang kamay niya sa hita ko at marahan niya iyong pinisil. Not in a sexual way, but a comforting one.

"Let's go now," he announced, starting the car's engine.

Wala pa rin akong ideya kung saan kami pupunta pero ro'n ko rin siya nakilala. He doesn't like to spill the surprise or whatever we'll be doing.

While we're heading somewhere, binuksan ko naman ang phone ko at nag-notif sa akin ang mga message from Kuya Welbourne and Kuya Nico. They are sending me pictures from Fredrick's wedding. Kuya Welbourne was with Ariane and Kuya Nico by himself as usual. Dapat kasama rin ang parents namin if hindi lang nagkaroon ng conflict sa kanilang business trip.

"Why are you smiling?" Trent chuckled.

Iniharap ko naman sa kanya ang screen ng phone ko. "It was just some photos from the wedding."

Sinilip niya ng mabilisan ang screen ng phone at agad na binalik ang tingin sa kalsada.

"They looked like they were having a lot of fun," he commented.

"Yeah, I think so."

"And why didn't you join them? Were you not invited?"

"I was, but I didn't confirm my invitation. Mas pinili kong mag-stay na lang muna rito. And if joined them there, hindi sana tayo magkasakama today so I believe may mga magandang pagkakataong nangyayari talaga. And Fredrick was the one who ratted me out to my brothers so it's best for me not to go."

"I see now," he smirked. "But yeah, I'm glad you'd stayed."

Stay. Isa rin sa mga salitang ayoko nang marinig dahil nasasaktan ako pero kailangan ko ring tanggapin na minsan may mga pagkakataong din kailangan nang umalis kasi sobra-sobra nang nasasaktan. I wasn't hurting when I left him, it's just that the situation wouldn't let me stay.

It didn't take us long when we finally reached a luxurious restaurant just around Quezon City. Nauna siyang bumaba ng sasakyan para pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko para alalayan niya akong makalabas. Good thing, I wasn't really wearing high heels kung hindi ay magkakanda tapilok ako all through the night. When I got on my feet and found my balance, he then wrapped my hand on his arm then we proceed heading inside the restaurant.

The restaurant was made for oncall reservations and then we were attended by some staff that led us on our to our table—not just in any table kung hindi ay tumungo pa kami sa third floor which has an infinity pool from the left side and the table was set in the center that was surrounded by outdoor plants.

"This was intrusive and pretty," I commented while looking around. "And why would be there only one table?" I looked at Trent, but he didn't answer that question. He remained quite, pulling the chair for me.

As I finally settled, he then went to his seat.

"Do you like it here?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes, it was kinda chilly lang."

"Really?" aniya at walang pag-aatubiling tinanggal niya ang suot niyang coat. Tumayo siya para ilapit at isuot sa akin 'yon. "Did that make you feel fine?" he asked. Tumango naman ako at bumalik siya sa kanyang table.

"So, why here?" I asked him.

He shrugged off. "I actually don't have any place in mind. I casually searched online and found that this could be the best place for us. I immediately booked for us requested if we could have an exquisite type of serve and they really did."

"Nagdala sana ako ng swimsuit ko kung may pool naman pala tayong pupuntahan dito. But I look like I'm wearing one kaya siguro pwede na," hagikgik ko pa.

"No, you look gorgeous on that dress, Lav," he said. Ang seryoso niya rin makatingin sa akin. "I've never seen you wearing like that one before so it was a surprise for me."

"Surprise rin ba para sa 'yon na hindi ko kailangan ng double raised sa salary ko no'n? Because you see..."

"Yeah, I was surprised when I found out who you really are. But I didn't judge and I know you must've been dealing with something so I let it stay that way."

"Thanks for that though. I appreciate what you did."

"Of course," he scoffed. "I just don't want to see you go again."

I smiled. Can't promised anything as of this moment. Gaya nga ng sabi ni Sasa ay maghinay-hinay na lang muna ako. I won't do any impulsive stuff unless it needed to take an action.

Trent mentioned that he already ordered food for us so we wouldn't have to wait much longer. Hindi nga rin gano'n katagal nang dumating na ang mga pagkain at nagsimula na rin kaming kumain ni Trent.

When Trent wanted me to eat the steak from his fork, nag-alinlangan pa akong gawin 'yon but I did dahil may likas din akong pabebe. We then eat some pesto pasta, clamps, sushi, and katsudon. I was impressed by the pork katsudon and then Trent challenged me to cook it for him and he'll judge it if I'll make it similar to Japanese cuisines. I was nervous but I accepted his challenge.

After our heavy meals, the desserts and sweets came in. There were strawberry shortcake, vanilla ice cream. After some mouthful conversation, I excused myself to go to the powder room.

Hinugasan ko ang kamay ko at binasa ang bibig. Pinatungan ko naman muli ng labi ko ng lipstick at hinaplos ko ang buhok. Mabuti na lamang ay hindi iyon nagulo.

Pagkalabas ko ng powder room ay naabutan ko si Trent na naktayo at nakahilid sa railings sa tabi lamang ng infinity pool. Papalapit ako ng papalapit sa kanya ay napansin ko naman na hindi na nagiging normal ang bawat paghinga nito.

"Trent, what's wrong?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "N-Nothing..." he answered, but I sense he had a hard time speaking and then he just placed his hand over his chest. He then stepped back, mistakenly fell to the pool.

Agad naman akong tumakbo palapit sa kanya and immediately shouted for help. Tinanggal ko ang heels ko at nakita kong nakalubog sa ilalim ng pool si Trent. I was about to jump to the pool when some staff already did and save him from drowning.

It was then Trent transported to the nearest hospital. I was with him inside the ambulance and watching his face turned purple made me feel a lot of emotion. They put an oxygen mask on him and fell unconscious.

It was also then I wished Trent wouldn't leave me. Did he suffer his father's heart attack as well? Would Trent... I can't say it. I just felt so numb that I don't wanna leave him again. Not ever.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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