CHAPTER 4

STRESSED NA STRESSED si Zehannah kay Cassia na nang makabalik sila sa bahay nito pagkatapos niyang patunayan dito na hindi bakla si Reigo ay uminom siya ng alak. She wanted something to wash her mouth with after the kiss and tequila was her choice since she had a very wild relationship with it. And tequila always reminded her of Reigo.

Mula nang may mangyari sa kanila ni Reigo sa club, hindi na siya nagtangka pang uminom dahil baka ano na namang kagagahan ang gawin niya. Mabuti nang nag-iingat. Kaya sa condo lang niya siya umiinom palagi at ngayon ay sa bahay nina Cassia.

And she finished the entire bottle while being stressed over Cassia's way of thinking.

Kahit nakipaglaplapan siya kay Reigo sa harapan ni Cassia, ayaw talagang patinag ng kaibigan niya. At dahil ayaw niyang mamatay nang maaga sa kunsomisyon, uminom na lang siya hanggang sa malasing siya. She did give Cassia some advice, but she doubted if Cassia would understand it the way it was supposed to be understood.

At dahil sa kalasingan, sa guestroom siya ng bahay nina Cassia natulog.

Kinaumagahan, kakagising lang ni Zehannah pero sinubok kaagad siya ni Lord habang kasamang nag-aagahan ang mag-asawang Thorn at Cassia na pakiramdam ni Zehannah ay naging invisible particles siya.

Seeing Thorn took care of Cassia, it was the first time that Zehannah thought kung hindi ganito kaalaga ang magiging asawa ko, hindi na lang ako mag-aasawa. And for a woman who didn't want to marry, that thought was something else.

That morning, Zehannah left the Calderon household feeling happy for Cassia. Yes, she didn't want to marry but seeing her best friend being taken care of like a queen, she was happy for her. Cassia deserved it.

But her happiness quickly withered away when she saw Reigo outside the Calderon household, sitting crossed leg on the hood of his luxury car.

'Kakapalan ba ng mukha kung iisipin kong hinihintay ako ng gago?' tanong ni Zehannah sa sarili habang naglalakad patungo sa sasakyan niya na nakaparada sa gilid ng kalsada, sa likuran lang ng sasakyan ni Reigo.

Zehannah wanted to pass and ignore Reigo so badly because she wanted to go home fast, freshen up, and spend her weekend in silence with Netflix, but alas, luck was not on her side.

Reigo spoke as she passed him.

"Morning."

Zehannah did not stop. She replied as she passed him. "Morning to you too."

Umalis si Reigo sa pagkakaupo sa hood ng sasakyan nito at sinabayan sa paglalakad si Zehannah. "Had breakfast yet?"

Tinuro niya ang bahay na pinanggalingan. "I just came out from a chef's house. Of course, I had breakfast."

"Do you still have space for pancakes and caramel macchiato? I know a good café that makes amazing pancakes and coffee."

Napatigil sa paglalakad si Zehannah at napatingin kay Reigo na nakatingin din sa kaniya. Isa sa mga kahinayaan niya ang pagkain—masarap na pagkain. That's why at that moment, she's in turmoil while showing her poker face to Reigo.

Food or her peace?

Food. Zehannah answered herself and sighed. "Akala ko ba busy ka?" Naalala niya ang rason kung bakit palagi itong niloloko ng mga ex-girlfriend nito. "Sabi mo wala kang oras sa mga naging ex mo dati. Ano'ng tawag mo rito?"

Reigo shrugged. "I only have two weeks to change your mind. I have to make you say yes in fourteen days, so of course, I have to make an effort."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Zehannah. "Puwede bang hindi tayo magkita ng dalawang linggo habang nag-iisip ako? Hindi ba sabi ko sa 'yo sa café kahapon 'see yah in two weeks?"

"Hell no." Reigo immediately shut down Zehannah's plan to not see him for two weeks. "You decided to think about my offer for two weeks because there's a part of you that doesn't want it. So, to combat that 'no', I have to do something to make you say yes. I don't know what though, so let's start by getting to know each other. Paano ka o-oo kung hindi mo ako lubusang kilala?"

Zehannah shrugged. "I don't know... Your handsome face, big dick, and high heavens?"

Reigo stared at Zehannah flatly.

"What?" Zehannah asked so innocently. "Ikaw ang nagsabi n'on, hindi ako. Inulit ko lang."

Reigo sighed like he gave up. "Mag-agahan na nga lang tayo."

Lihim na natawa si Zehannah sa reaksiyon ni Reigo. Hindi niya alam kung matatawag bang pikon ang binata o ano.

Thankfully, Reigo did not force her to ride with him like her exes before when they had a better looking car than her. Reigo suggested a convoy which Zehannah appreciated. Her car was old, but she loved it. Ilang taon na niya iyong kasama at maraming lugar na ang pinagdalhan niyon sa kaniya nang walang problema.

Following Reigo's car, he brought her to one of the richest business centers in the city and Zehannah could only sigh as she parked her car next to Reigo's.

"You don't like it here? Kanina ka pa tahimik," pansin ni Reigo kay Zehannah habang magkatabing naglalakad ang dalawa patungo sa café kung saan daw may masarap na pancake at kape.

Tinakpan ni Zehannah ang bibig saka naghikab bago sinagot si Reigo. "I look like shit compared to the people around us."

Nalasing kagabi si Zehannah at doon natulog sa bahay nina Cassia. At ngayong umaga, nanghiram siya ng pambahay na damit ni Cassia dahil balak niyang dumeretso sa condo niya. Kaya lang may humarang na dumuho sa kaniya at nag-alok ng masarap na pancake at kape na hindi niya mahindian kaya heto siya ngayon, nakakulay krema na loose linen short, naka-puting sleeveless shirt, at naka-tsinelas habang ang dumuhong kasama niya naka-porma at napakaguwapo.

Sinusubok talaga ako palagi ni Lord.

"Tingnan mo nga ang suot ko," dagdag pa ni Zehannah.

"You look fine," Reigo said nonchalantly. "You're slaying your outfit."

Zehannah's attitude turned one-hundred-eighty as she flipped her hair and said, "Of course. Ako pa ba?"

The corner of Reigo's lips tugged up. "You know, Zee, there's a thin line between confidence and boastfulness."

"Bakit?" Ginaya ni Zehannah si Reigo kahapon at namaywang dito habang naglalakad sila. "Wala ba akong karapatang magmayabang?"

Reigo's lips twitched as if he was holding back his smile. "Sabi ko nga."

Inirapan ni Zehannah si Reigo. "You have no right to call me boastful. I mean, look at yourself. Sa sobrang hangin mo, hindi na ako magtataka kung may ipo-ipong kapangalan mo."

"Hindi ako mahangin, nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo," ani Reigo. Hinawakan nito ang kamay ni Zehannah at masuyong hinila ang dalaga papasok sa isang café na hindi mabigkas-bigkas ni Zehannah ang pangalan.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lang nila, ramdam kaagad ni Zehannah na nasa isang high-end café sila. Maybe it's just her, but wealthy people—the one they called an old money—had a unique aura around them and Zehannah was quick to pick up on it. Reigo had the same aura, the same with Cassia's husband. But of course, her observation was not always accurate. May mga tao kasing mga mukhang mayaman pero hindi naman. Minsan talaga nasa pagdadala 'yan ng tao sa sarili nila.

"Zee?"

Tinuro ni Zehannah ang mesa na nasa gilid. "Doon tayo."

"Okay."

Zehannah and Reigo took their seat, and they ordered while Zehannah was observing Reigo. Marami na rin siyang naka-date at naging boyfriend kaya marami siyang experience pagdating sa iba't ibang uri ng lalaki, at gusto niyang malaman kung anong uri ng lalaki ang binata.

Was he the demanding type? The one who liked to be in control? Or was he the passive type and just goes with the flow or was he someone who likes deciding for her date as if he's the only one that mattered?

'Yon ang nasa isip ni Zehannah nang iabot sa kaniya ni Reigo ang menu.

"I recommend their pancakes, but they have so many variants. It would be best if you chose for yourself," anito.

Zehannah smiled. She was happy that he gave her the menu and let her choose for herself even when he had a recommendation. "Thanks."

Tumango si Reigo saka kinausap ang waiter para sa order nito. Kapagkuwan ay si Zehannah naman ang kumausap sa waiter nang makapili siya ng pancake na gusto.

"You'll like it, I promise," ani Reigo habang hinihintay nila ang order nila at tahimik lang na nakaupo si Zehannah.

Tumingin si Zehannah sa kaharap. "Dapat lang magustuhan ko. Ang mahal kaya no'n." Nalukot ang mukha ni Zehannah. "Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng pancake na mahigit isang libo ang dalawang piraso."

"It's already cheap, though."

Zehannah sighed at Reigo. "Mr. Vasquez, ipapaalala ko lang sa 'yo na magkaiba tayo ng estado sa buhay. Ibig sabihin, hindi pareho ang cheap mo sa cheap ko. If this was your standard of cheap, I'm telling you now, this is my standard of expensive."

"Oh." It was like a realization hit Reigo. "My exes like to visit places like this. I mean, not this place since you're the first woman I ever brought here, but other places with higher prices of food. Hindi naman sila namahalan."

"I'll bet they didn't pay for their food."

"Hmm. I did."

Sumimsim ng tubig si Zehannah. "That's why."

"Is that bad?"

"Who knows?" Zehannah shrugged. "Kung hindi ka naman napilitang magbayad, siguro, hindi naman masama. Ang masama siguro ay 'yong ginamit ka lang ng babae para dalhin siya roon dahil alam niyang mayaman ka at kaya mong bayaran kahit ano'ng order-in niya."

Reigo became silent.

"Na-bull's eye ba kita?" tanong ni Zehannah nang nagbaba ng tingin si Reigo.

Reigo breathed out. "Yeah. Lots of my exes are like that."

"It really sucks to be you."

Reigo held Zehannah's gaze. "Not really. I met you, didn't I?"

Okay. I'll give it to him. That was smooth. Sa isip ni Zehannah saka mahinang natawa. "You're a smooth talker, aren't you, Mr. Vasquez?"

"I try," Reigo said with a shrug. "Bakit? Naaakit na ba kita?"

Zehannah smiled sweetly at Reigo. "Try harder."

"That I will."

Zehannah rolled her eyes, but a smile was still playing on her lips, remembering his 'confession' to Cassia last night. "Talaga ba? Akala ko ba bakla ka?"

The corner of Reigo's lips tugged up. "Want to say that again? They have a restroom here too. I'm sure we'll fit perfectly inside."

Zehannah smirked back. "No, thanks. I'm not drunk."

Mahinang natawa si Zehannah nang bumuka ang bibig ni Reigo pero wala namang lumabas na salita roon. Mukhang wala itong naisip na sagot sa pambabara niya. And Zehannah was enjoying Reigo's speechlessness. It was a good thing for Reigo that their order arrived.

"Sana talaga masarap 'to," bulong ni Zehannah bago tinikman ang pancake na in-order.

"Well?" Reigo asked when Zehannah remained silent after tasting the pancake.

With her closed eyes, she hummed and commented. "Hindi ko alam kung paano nila ginawa 'to pero sulit ang bayad sa pancake na 'to. Ang sarap."

Reigo was pleased. "I'm glad you like it. I know lots of places with good food. Though they might be expensive for your standard, but I swear, they're worth every penny."

Tumango-tango si Zehannah habang ine-enjoy ang pancake at caramel macchiato na in-order. "Take me there then. No worries, I'll pay for my food."

"That's a deal then. Should we seal our agreement with a kiss?"

She showed her middle finger at Reigo. "Dream on."

For the first time, Zehannah heard Reigo chuckle, and when she looked up to see his face, she was taken aback by how handsome he looked while chuckling. Even the movement of his shoulders as he chuckled complimented his handsomeness that Zehannah had to drag down her gaze so Reigo wouldn't notice.

'Kulang ka lang sa kape, girl. Kape ka muna para magising 'yang utak mong may hangin na rin yata,' ani Zehannah sa sarili saka inubos ang macchiato at um-order pa ng isa.

Aside from glancing at Reigo's handsome face from time to time, Zehannah's second breakfast went well.

"Do you want to have lunch or dinner with me later?" Reigo asked while they're walking towards the parking lot.

"Lunch? No. I want to eat by myself in peace since it's the weekend," sagot ni Zehannah. "Dinner? Hindi ko ugaling kumain sa labas kapag gabi. I usually eat in my condo, so I guess that's a no, too."

"Noted. By the way, can I get your number?"

"Sure." Zehannah gave Reigo her number and waved her hand at him before she entered her car.

Watching Zehannah leave with her car, Reigo looked at Zehannah's number on his phone and sent a text of introduction so she'll save his number. Akala niya mahihirapan siyang kunin ang numero ng dalaga dahil sa ugali nito, pero kabaliktaran ang nangyari.

She's really a bundle of mystery. Reigo thought before he called his secretary to convene an emergency meeting for the upcoming bidding for the biggest mall project of Colhen Corporation and the biggest infrastructure project of the government.

After the call, he stepped inside his car and drove to his office where he's going to work even on weekends. But even though he was busy as hell, he knew he would've moved or not called for a meeting if Zehannah agreed to have lunch and dinner with him.

Really... What the hell am I doing...?

ARRIVING AT HER condo, Zehannah was still feeling a little hangover—the power of tequila—so she slept like a log. Nagising lang siya dahil sa pag-iingay ng doorbell niya. Still feeling groggy, she went to open the door with an annoyed face.

"What?!"

Delivery boy ang nasa labas at halatang gulat na gulat ito sa pagsigaw niya. "M-ma'am... d-delivery ho."

Nalukot ang mukha ni Zehannah. "Wala akong in-order."

"Ah. Si Zehannah Sevil ho ba kayo, Ma'am?"

"Oo."

"Kung ganoon, sa inyo po talaga 'to," anang delivery boy na pinakita pa kay Zehannah ang resibo kung nasaan ang pangalan at address niya. "Wala naman ho kayong kailangang bayaran, Ma'am."

Pero wala talaga siyang maalala na um-order siya kung saan. "Kanino ba galing 'yan?"

"Reigo Vasquez po."

Immediately, Zehannah opened the door wide and accepted the paper bag. "Ano ba'ng laman nito?"

"Pagkain ho, Ma'am. Lunch yata galing sa boyfriend niyo."

Walang emosyong tiningnan ni Zehannah ang delivery boy. "Kuya, huwag tayong masyadong malisyoso. Hindi ko boyfriend ang mahangin na 'yon."

Napakamot sa ulo ang deliver boy. "Pasensiya na, Ma'am. Heto po. Papirma po ako rito na natanggap niya na po."

Zehannah signed on the delivery boy's phone, thanked him for delivering, and then she went back inside her condo.

Nang mailapag ni Zehannah ang paper bag sa hapag-kainan niya, hinagilap niya ang cellphone para tanungin si Reigo kung anong paandar nito at pinadalhan siya ng pagkain. Pero bago pa niya magawa iyon, nabasa na niya ang text sa kaniya ng binata.

From: Bagyong Reigo

'The food I sent is from that excellent restaurant I told you about this morning. You said you want to eat in peace, so I didn't include myself in the package. You're very much welcome for my thoughtfulness, by the way. If you're not comfortable eating it because I bought it, attached below is my account number and the amount I paid. You can reimburse me if you want, but I'd rather you reimburse me with a deep kiss and tongue. Have a pleasant lunch and eat wild, my Zee.'

Zehannah took a deep breath and threw her phone on her bed as if she didn't want to read more and went back to the kitchen.

Yeah, let's forget that that bastard put a 'my' before my nickname. Not a big deal. Nope. Zehannah—freaking—Sevil was not swayed. But damn, that was smooth.

CECELIB | C.C.