O L I V I A V A L E Z

There is a lot of light coming from the sun, yet it's not unpleasant. It was warm outside, and the birds were chirping. The dew has drenched the leaves of the plants, protecting them from drying. The intensity of excessive noise was reduced in the mornings than in all the other days. It was a great atmosphere to start the day. I needed to wake up early to be punctual. I hated not being productive, even just for a day.

Kaya naman lagi akong an hour early or thirty minutes early pumasok, lalo nang ma-promote ako as an general manager. Ganito talaga siguro 'pag natuto kang magtrabaho in an early age. I liked working and being busy. Feeling ko ang laki ng ambag ko sa society 'pag lagi akong may ginagawa. Parang nadadagdagan kasi 'yung self-worth ko tuwing magtratrabaho ako.

Kaya naman nang magtalo kami sa hapag ni Dad kung sino ang maghahatid kay Liberty, ay hindi na ako umalma. He's right that I would be late on my work, and as a general manager I should be a role model to all. Naka-iinis lang na gustong-gusto kong makipag-bonding kay Liberty pero ang daming pumipigil. Anyway, I have the weekends, I could always set a plan for us. I was happy na rin kanina na Dad offered a ride to Liberty. I liked that he was putting an effort to be hospitable and polite to my best friend.

The never-ending heavy traffic in the Philippines would always trigger me to strangle someone. Kahit gaano pa kaganda 'yung umaga mo, sisirain talaga lagi ng heavy traffic ng Pinas. Kailan kaya ito magbabago? Mag-i-improve pa kaya? I only knew one thing that would help me light my mood again, and that was music! I opened my car stereo, and Taylor Swift's All Too Well was playing.

Panandalian akong napatigil sa kantang narinig. Why are they playing a sad love song in the morning? Hindi ba rapat ang kanta sa umaga 'yung mapasasayaw ka rapat? Then that fucking line in that song played. Time won't fly. It's like I'm paralyzed by it, I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it. Bigla kong na alala 'yung pinag-usapan namin kanina habang nag-bre-breakfast. Dad said he will be coming here again. Atlas fucking Mate will come back, and I hope my feeling won't come back too.

God, Oly! Wala pa nga 'yung tao, pero nagkagaganiyan kana agad. Saka anong feelings-feelings 'yang pinagsasabi mo? I thought you would be indiferent? Akala ko rin, e. Pero noong banggitin ni Dad kanina 'yung pangalan niya. Parang tumigil ang mundo ko. I was shaken again by the mere fact that he would be coming back. I was fucking shaken again. What a cruel way to turn my world upside-down.

Stupids thought kept coming to my mind, and Taylor's song playing in the background wasn't helping at all. I turned off the stereo and sighed. This is torture. Since I got on the road, my mind has been racing with memories I've hard attempted to suppress during the day. He's coming. At the same time, my sanity wouldn't come back to me. I didn't know how I was able to come to our company safely with my mind nowhere to be found.

"You need a distraction, preferably one with a big dick."

My eyes widened from shock from what I heard. Nabitawan ko ang mga papeles na aking hawak-hawak habang bahagyang umawang ang aking bibig. I looked at the cute tiny woman in front of me with disbelief. How could someone who stands five feet flat with fluffy cute cheeks and doe brown eyes say such vulgar things?

"Sue! Your words." I glared at her.

Ramdam ko na ang pamumula ng aking pisngi, habang pinupulot ang mga nahulog na papel sa lapag. Ano bang nakain nito? Ang aga-aga at 'yan ang lumalabas sa bibig niya. Baka siya ang kulang ng D at hindi ako. Siya ang nakaisip, e. Saka bakit naman niya naisipang sabihin 'yon? We aren't talking about anything lewd. Pinag-uusapan pa nga namin itong mga papeles na inibot niya sa akin tapos bigla niyang isisingit 'yon?

"Duh, kanina ka pa lutang, e. Kapagod magpabalik-balik dito sa office mo. Saka mukha kang stress. Need mong maging blooming kahit minsan, at ang maganda at pinaka-effective na pampa-blooming ay sex. Lalo na kung ang papasok ay malaki." at nagawa niya pa talagang tumawa after sabihin 'yon.

Hinampas ko siya ng hawak-hawak kong mga papel, "Sue, gusto mo bang ma-suspend?" pananakot ko rito.

"P'wede rin. Bitin 'yung na file kong leave, e. Need ko rin ng big dick. Need ko na ng dilig, Ma'am." ngingisi-ngising sabi nito.

Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi talaga natatakot ang babaeng ito sa akin. Well,mas matanda siya sa akin ng dalawang taon kaya siguro gano'n? kahit takutin ko siya na i-sus-suspend ko siya ay parang wala lang sa kaniya.

"Sue, sa liit mong 'yan paano naman magkakasya sa 'yo 'yun?" pagsakay ko sa kaniya.

Lumapit sa akin si Sue at tumingala ng bahagya. Siniko niya ako at ngimisi sa akin.

"Nagdududa ka ba sa kakayahan ko? Gusto mo ng sample?" she even wiggled her eyebrows.

Tinulak ko siya nang pabiro, "Yuck, lumayo ka sa akin. Ang bad influence mo. Saka anong sample ka diyan?"

"Sus, interesado rin naman pala sa sample ko." she laughed evilly, "I'm flexible, Ma'am. Maliit lang ako pero ang abilidad ko ay hindi."

"Whatever, go back to work. I'll call you later again after I finish checking this." pagpapalayas ko sa kaniya.

Bago pa man siya makasabat ay tumunog ang cellphone ko hudyat na may nag-text sa akin. Isinungaw niya ang ulo niya sa aking harapan. Ngayon nahaharangan na ng ulo niya ang screen ng cellphone ko. Tinulak ko gamit ang hintuturo ko ang noo niya. Sue only pouted at what I did.

I read the text that Dr. Crazy sent. Are you now available?

"That's the big dick I was talking about." biglang sabi ni Sue sa aking gilid.

"Shut up, Susan."

"Yuck, maka Susan naman! Sue na lang, Ma'am."

Itinabi ko ang cellphone ko at tinaasan ng kilay si Sue. Natuwa yata masyado ang babaeng 'to na tumambay at makipagkwentuhan sa akin dito?

Sue laughed nervously and scratched her cheeks, "Sabi ko nga, e. Babalik na ko sa cubicle ko. And one last thing... be available to big dick na." mabilis niyang sianbi ang mga huling kataga sabay karipas ng takbo.

I can't with that girl. Susan, who preferred to be called Sue, started working here in our bank two years ago. At dahil siya lang ang pinakakalapit ko sa edad ay mabilis ko siyang nakasundo. Sue was naturally friendly. She didn't let the barrier in our position be a hindrance to our friendship. She respected me as her superior and a friend at the same time. Alam niya kung hangang saan lang ang biruan, at kung kailan magseseryoso.

I sighed and slumped on my swivel chair. I took out my phone and replied to Dr. Becket Kai Griffin. Yes, I'm available later after work.

Hindi ko pa nailalapag ang phone ko ng tumunog muli ito. Then, it's a deal. I'll wait for you on our usual.

Sa dalas naming mag dinner or mag lunch ay nagkaroon na kami ng usual place na kinakainan. Hindi ko alam sa doctor na 'to. Wala yatang ibang friends kaya ako ang kinukulit lagi. Hindi matatapos ang isang week na hindi kami kakain sa labas. I didn't want to assume things, kaya hinahayaan ko lang. And he never say anything about our usual dinners, and I think I would not be ready for anything. I liked us as friends. It was fun like this. To stay like this. It felt safe.

Sa dami kong ginawa ay hindi ko na malayan ang oras. Pagtingin ko sa oras ay lagpas na ng working hours. Nag-ayos na ako ng aking mga gamit at ayoko kong ma-late sa usapan namin ni Beck. Aasarin na naman ako no'n na Ms. Late Valez. I hated being late, kaya nagmadali na akong iligpit ang mga rapat iligpit. Pagkalabas ko ng office ay naabutan ko pa si Sue na nag-aayos. Isinabay ko na siya sa aking pag-alis. Bumaba na lamang siya sa pinakamalapit an terminal papunta sa kanila. Madalas ko siyang sinasabay 'pagnaabutan ko siya, at gustong-gutso naman niya 'yon dahil nakatitipid siya ng pamasahe kahit papaano.

I smiled when I arrived on time na agad din namang nawala. My phone ringed, and I instantly answered when I saw Dr. Crazy's name flashed on the screen. Alam ko na 'to. Madalas namang itong mangyari.

"Emergency, right?" agad kong bungad sa kaniya.

I heard him sigh before answering me, "Yeah...I'm really sorry. I was halfway there when I received a call from the hospital."

"I understand, Beck. That's your job." I said sincerely.

"I'm really sorry, Olivia. I promise babawi talaga ako."

"No need, Beck." promises were meant to be broken anyway. "I guess I'll be eating dinner alone."

Natapos ang tawag namin na puro sorry ang narinig ko. I assured him that it was fine. He's a doctor at hindi maiiwasang may emergency palagi sa trabaho niya. I was actually kind off happy. Kasi ibig sabihin ay nag-i-improve na ang mental health awareness sa bansang ito. Bumaba na ako ng aking saakyan at napagpasyahang dito na lang kumain. It was already past seven in the evening. Malamang ay nag-di-dinner na sila sa bahay. Hindi man sobrang layo ng bahay sa company pero nagiging isang oras at lahati rin ang byahe dahil sa traffic.

Nagulat ko nang makasalubong ko ang kapatid ni Prim na si Prudence habang papasok ako sa restaurant. Mukhang nag-take out lang siya dahil sa paperbag na dala-dala niya at nag-iisa lang siya.

I smiled at him, "Good evening, no dinner date?"

He cupped his neck and smiled at me too, "Nah, just grab a take out," Itinaas pa niya ang hawak-hawak na paperbag na may logo ng restaurant. "What about you?"

"I'm gonna eat here for dinner. I'm already famished."

Prudence chuckled, "Want some company?" then his cheeks turned slightly pink.

Was he blushing? Let's stop assuming, Oly.

"Sure,"

Pagkaupo namin ay agad niya akong tinanong muli, "Oo nga pala. Have you heard anything from Prim?"

"I haven't. Was she around?"

Prudence nodded, "She went home yesterday. I'm surprised she hasn't called you yet."

How dare that girl? Bigla-bigla nanga lang siyang nawawala, e. Tapos nakauwi na pala siya, hindi man lang nagsasabi! We three should have a get together. God, I miss Prim and Liberty! This is the perfect chance to set a party. Kaya pagkauwi na pagkauwi ko ay agad kong t-in-ext si Prim na mag bar. Agad naman siyang pumayag dahil alak na alak na rin daw siya. I also told Liberty na we will hangout, but I didn't told the both of them na kaming tatlo ang magkasasama. I want it to be a surprise! I'm a hundred percent sure na hindi alam ni Prim na nakauwi na si Libs.

I'm so excited to see her reaction!

But then, all of my excitement dried down when the said date came. I was feeling giddy ang all that I dressed so well. I was wearing a low v-neck silver mini dress paired with gold strappy heels. I even styled my hair into a high ponytail. It all looked so good in me, and my nude makeup completed the look.

Akala ko talaga ma-su-surprise ko silang dalawa, ayon pala awarena sila na kami-kami ang magkasasama. They met on the grocery store raw at do'n nila napag-usapan. O, well, guess my plan was a big epic fail. Nine-thirthy in the evening when we arrived at the bar. Ganito pa lang kaaga pero maingay na agad ang bar. Friday kasi, e. Marami talagang nag-ba-bar ng ganitong araw.

Na abutan namin si Prim na nakaupo sa isa sa mga couch dito sa bar. She was already drinking scotch. What a great drink to start the night. Sunod atay agad ang isang 'to. Hindi man lang sinimulan muna sa lady's drink like margarita, talagang scotch agad ang tinira. Pagkalapit na pagkalapit namin ay agad siyang binati ni Liberty.

"Hey, Pretty!" masiglang bati ni Libs kay Prim.

Libs weren't telling a lie. Prima Donovan on her violet backless mini dress looked so delectable. Parang kayang-kaya ka niya paluhudin sa harap niya nang walang kahirap-hirap. Prim smirked at us and held up her glass of scotch as a greeting.

I shook my head, "Prim we just arrived at mukhang nakailang baso ka na agad."

"Don't look down on my alcohol tolerance, Oly," Prim said and drank again.

O, well, Prim could indeed hold her alcohol. Na alala ko pa nga rati na nakayanan niya pang mag-drive oauwi, kaso muntik na akong alisan ng kaluluwa sa bilis ng pag-dri-drive niya.

"Problemado?" Libs asked.

Prim clicked her tongue, "Nah, I'm just a little pissed."

Libs sat beside her and put her arms around Prim's shoulders. "Looks like I'm not the only one."

I guess the three of us was pissed right now. Days ago, I heard that he was already here. I was so out of myself. Wala akong nagawang maayos na trabaho, kaya nag ending OT ako sa trabaho dahil sinikap kong tapusin at ayusin ang mga kapalpakan ko. I was glad that Dad hasn't invited him to our house. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kung sakaling pumunta siya sa bahay. I wanted to be so indiferent, but it was harder than I thought.

I'm so pissed at myself. So fucking pissed.

Umiling na lamang ako sa situation naming tatlo. Friendship goals na ba 'to?

"Come on, Olivia! Take a shot!" pagyayaya sa akin ni Prim.

"Of course, I will, nasa bar tayo kaya talagang iinom ako."

Nagtawanan kaming tatlo na akala mo ay mga lasing na. Nagpatuloy rin kami sa pagkwenkwentuhan. We talked a lot about the things taht had happened to us. But of course, I left out a lot of details. May mga nangyari sa akin na ayaw ko ng alalahanin pa. Mas gusto kong ikwento 'yung mga magagandang nangyari sa kin... kung mayroon man.

In the middle of our good chit-chats, a group of boys suddenly approached us. They sat down without our permission and started talking to us. Uh, hello? Who told you that we wanted to talk to you boys? We were having a good time with good liquor. Now, they came here without asking us and mag-fe-feeling close. Great! Just great.

Nagsubok ang isa sa kanila sa akin makipagkilala sa pamamagitan ng pag-aabot ng kamay. But I didn't even took it. Nakaiinis sila. Couldn't they read the atmosphere? Na masaya na kaming tatlo lang. Na hindi na namin kailngan ng kung sino pa para sumaya? God, why sis stupid boys like this even existed?

Prim had never been good at holding her temper. Kaya nang sobra na itong mainis sa mga lalaking ito, ay nagyaya na siyang sumayaw kami sa dance floor. We left the stupid boys on that couch. We didn't let them go after us. Makiramdam naman sila 'no. Ayaw na nga namin silang kausapin, ka sayaw pa kaya? They need to use their brain. It was not up there just to display.

When we got on the dance floor, Rihanna's song was blaring as the neon light beat and sway along with it. Liberty started swaying her hips sensually to the music. Oh, god, she looked so fucking alluring. If I'm not straight, I would probably date her.

"Yes, Girl!" I said, exciting Libs ups.

I put my hands on the air and glided to the music. Prim went to Liberty and put both her hands on Liberty's waist and grinded to her. Napatingin sa amin ang mga taong sumasayaw sa paligid namin. While the three of us just continued dancing sexily and laughing like there's no tomorrow. I joined the two of them. Now, the three of us were grinding at each other as we swayed to the erotic beat of the music. I know that we were giving them a show. A good show.

Maya-maya ay nakaramdam na ako ng hilo. Nakarami na rin kasi ako ng inom kanina, and dancing in the middle of pool of party animals didn't helped at all. Parang mas lalo akong nahilo. I excused myself and went to the bathroom. Halos makabangga ako ng waiter habang naglalakad papuntang bathroom. Paliko na sana ako nang biglang may humila sa aking braso.

Sa init pa lang ng kamay niya alam ko na agad kung sino siya. God, how could I forget the hand that roamed and caressed my body? How could I forget the hand that can make my body burst into a fire with just a single touch? For almost six years, I tried to forget everything about him. But he was like a tattoo imprinted on my soul.

"What?" I coldly asked when I turned around.

I wanted to clap at myself for keeping a cold wall between us, for being able to put on a cold mask. I'm such an actress. Hindi pa rin pala nawala ito sa akin. I guess old habits die hard.

"What does a little girl doing in a club?" he said in a serious tone.

Fuck, I could feel my knees weakening from that voice. I could feel every bone in my body shivering from that baritone voice he had. I didn't want to look up. Don't look up. Don't, Oly. But I did. And I regretted it instantly. I could feel myself falling again from that heavenly blue eyes he got. I could feel myself wanting to enter the heaven he got.

"Are you stupid?" I said with a cold voice.

I saw his jaw clenched. He took a step closer to me, and as much as I wanted to hold my ground, I couldn't. I step backed.

"This is no place for little girls like you," he said dangerously.

"I'm not a little girl."

"Don't seem like it,"

I rolled my eyes, "You know what? This place isn't for an old man."

He took a step closer again, and I took a step back again. My mind was sending me a signal to run away that this was dangerous. That this man in front of me was screaming danger. My heart pounded like crazy. I was getting nervous, but I couldn't surrender. I'm a changed woman. My back hit the wall making me more nervous.

Atlas tilted his head to assess me. His eyes roamed me. I could feel my skin tingling by his stare like it could feel a physical contact. Inches away, in the dim light of the club, I was able to appreciate the alluring danger of the outline of his features. Along with his incredible build, the stretch of his shirt underneath his black leather jacket, and snug-fitting dark jeans.

He leaned down to my eye level. Staring at me darkly, then his eyes traveled to my exposed cleavage and my neck. His nose touched the skin on my neck, making me feel hot and prickling. Then, the next thing I knew, his lips were on my neck, and he was nibbling it.

I pushed him away and glared at him. My heart couldn't stop thumping like crazy.

"Not a little girl anymore, huh?" he smugly said.

He was about to come closer again when I felt my stomach forming a hollow inside. And before I could even stop it. I puked.

I puked at Atlas.

~TBC~

Somebody went back! Have a blessed Sunday to all.

Please, bear with all the errors. This is the first draft.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe, everyone.

Love lots! :>>