#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 8
Trap

"I hate him," I said with certainty, my eyes seething in anger mixed with irritation.

Faith heavily sighed and shook her head. "Parang noong isang araw lang no'ng sinabi mong he's nice. You even said your impression of him changed into something positive. Tapos parang tatlong araw lang ata ang nakalipas at ayaw mo na ulit sa kanya."

"He rejected me," I told her.

"He what?!" Napabalikwas sa pag-upo si Faith, nanlalaki ang mga mata. "Paanong he rejected you? Do you like him? Did you confess?"

"What? No!" Tumaas ang boses ko. "I don't like him, nor did I confess to him. Never mangyayari 'yon."

"So what do you mean by 'he rejected you'?"

"There's this charity ball by the Tans that I'm gonna attend this weekend. Nakita kong isa sa major sponsors 'yung tatay ng ka-blind date ko last time."

"Then?"

"I thought na since kasama ko naman si Keno'ng pupunta roon as my bodyguard, I asked him to be my date," sabi ko. "It was a simple and harmless request. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tumanggi pa siya, e gano'n din naman. He'd still be with me either way."

"Bakit daw tumanggi siya?"

"He said he would just watch me from afar. Sigurado siyang hindi na ako lalapitan no'ng ka-blind date ko dati dahil napahiya ko siya. For him, there's not enough reason to be my date," kuwento ko.

"Kaya nagalit at nainis ka na sa kanya?" Faith probed.

"Of course!" I answered abruptly. "Ako na 'to oh! I, Hariette Dela Vega, invited him to be my date sa isang highly publicized event ng isa sa pinakamayang pamilya sa Pilipinas. He should be grateful."

"Hmm..." Muling napasandal si Faith at mukhang lumalim ang iniisip. She even pursed her lips and played with the pen in between her fingers. "What if he knows how huge the event is, at ayaw niya lang mapunta sa limelight? I mean, based on your stories and descriptions of him, he doesn't seem like a guy who likes attention."

For a moment, I fell silent and considered that reason. Kaya nga lang, kung ayan ang dahilan niya, bakit hindi niya na lang sinabi sa akin? Mas maiintindihan ko pa 'yan kaysa sa ginawa niyang rason. It just didn't really make sense to me. I felt like he was only trying to reason it out because he didn't like the idea of being my date.

"I don't care," matigas kong sabi saka humalukipkip. "He rejected me, and that's it!"

Napahinga na lang nang malalim si Faith at napailing. Ibinaba ko na rin agad ang tawag dahil sa appointment ko with Diego that afternoon. I asked him to tailor a gown for the charity ball. He's been designing dresses and gowns for me for a long time, and he already knows exactly what I want. Kaya naman hindi na ako lumipat at naghanap ng iba. I'm pretty loyal like that.

"Where are we going?" Keno asked once we were inside his car.

"Manière," tipid kong sagot habang sinusuot ang seatbelt.

He nodded and started the engine. Inilagay niya sa GPS ang pangalan ng studio ni Diego para sundin ang direksyon.

I played with my phone the whole time and didn't bother having a conversation with him. Napapansin ko ang pagsulyap-sulyap niya sa akin as if he was trying to get a reaction from me. Of course, I didn't let my pride crumble. Napadali na rin sa akin ang hindi pagpansin sa kanya because I couldn't even look him in the eye. The feeling of embarrassment was still so fresh for me. Tuwing naaalala ko ay naiinis ako sa kanya at pati na rin sa sarili.

Once we had arrived, I quickly got out of the SUV and walked straight inside Diego's studio. His secretary welcomed me and ushered me to a private room, kung saang naghihintay si Diego.

"Hariette, dear! Welcome, welcome!" Malaki ang ngiti ni Diego nang salubungin ako. "It's been a while! I'm so glad you're back!"

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "It's also great to be back! I'm excited to see what you have for me this time."

"Oh, you'll love it! It's a classic!" he exclaimed. Mukhang mas excited pa siya sa akin. "Come on, let's try it on..."

Natigil si Diego sa pagsasalita. His eyes were suddenly fixed on the quiet man behind me before they slightly dilated.

"Oh my! I'm sorry I didn't notice you right away!" Iniwan ako ni Diego upang lumapit kay Keno.

I turned around and saw him scrutinizing his body. Keno's physique would make any designer wish for him to wear their clothes. Sa pagningning pa lang ng mga mata ni Diego, alam kong susubukan niyang makuha si Keno.

"I'm Diego, and you are?" Inilahad ni Diego ang kamay niya.

"Joaquin," Keno introduced himself by his real name instead of using his nickname.

"Joaquin, Joaquin..." Mas lalong nangiti si Diego. "I'm afraid we haven't met before. Are you, perhaps, Hari's new boyfriend?"

"No," agad akong sumagot. "Wala akong pangit na boyfriend."

Keno's eyes darkened and narrowed as he looked at me. Umirap na lang ako at humalukipkip.

Natawa naman si Diego. Siguro'y akala niyang nagbibiro ako dahil kitang-kita naman sa itsura ni Keno na nagsisinungaling lang ako. He was nowhere ugly.

"If that's the case, walang masama siguro if I'm gonna invite you sa upcoming fashion show ko. It's done annually and is highly anticipated by fashion gurus around the world. High-class models and brand ambassadors are invited," Diego said as he tried to persuade Keno into joining his team. "I would love to see you wear one of my pieces. You can even be the highlight of the event!"

"Thank you for your invitation, but I'll politely reject your offer." Keno didn't think twice when turning Diego down.

At least, that somehow made me feel better. Hindi lang ako ang tinanggihan niya. Kung pumayag siya sa gustong mangyari ni Diego, gagawin ko ang lahat para matanggal siya sa trabaho. I could even kneel in front of my cousin for it to happen. Hindi ko kakayanin ang kahihiyan kung gano'n.

"Very well..." Tumango-tango si Diego at dinig sa kanyang tono ang panghihinayang. "If you ever change your mind, you can always come here."

Tipid lamang na ngumiti si Keno sa kanya bago muling ibinalik sa akin ang tingin. I looked away and went straight to the fitting room without waiting for Diego.

The customized evening gown that Diego has designed for me is indeed a classic. Whenever I attend charity balls, I don't want to overdress. I like keeping it simple, playing with colors like silver, gold, and white, or anything pastel-ish. I don't want to wear vibrant colors, as they catch too much unwanted attention.

This time, he designed a chic white A-line dress featuring an off-shoulder design, a deep v-neck, and a side slit for an elegant and sophisticated look. Everything about the dress is really up to my alley. Kahit hindi ko na nga sukatin ay alam kong babagay sa akin. I trust Diego to know the best style for me.

"Do you like it, dear?" Diego asked after he helped me wear the gown with his assistant.

"It's perfect. I love it so much," I genuinely answered.

"I'm planning to include this design sa upcoming show ko. I hope that's okay with you."

"Of course! Tell them I inspired you to design it," I said, supporting the idea.

"Well, I would love it more kung ikaw ang mismong magsusuot nito sa show. Ang tagal na kitang nililigawan para mag-model kahit isang beses."

"You know I'm not cut for that, Diego, and... my father won't allow it," I reasoned.

"Hay nako! You're way past the age to be asking for his permission. You're what? Twenty-four or twenty-five?"

"Maybe someday. I'll take up the gig kapag naghirap na ako at need ko ng extra income," biro ko.

"As if that would happen, dear. Papayag ba ang mga pinsan mo na maghirap ang prinsesa nila?" sakay niya.

Natawa na lang ako at hindi na sumagot. Nang makita ni Diego na maayos na ang lahat at wala ng adjustments na kailangan pang gawin sa gown, he personally packed it for me.

"Anyway, I didn't get to ask you earlier, but... who's this man with you? I feel like I haven't seen him at any events that I've been to. Is he a friend or?" kuryosong tanong ni Diego nang masulyapan ulit si Keno na naghihintay.

"He's my bodyguard," I replied.

"Bodyguard?" Diego's eyes widened in disbelief. "He doesn't look like one. I thought he's your boyfriend, and nag-LQ lang kayo."

"Don't make me laugh, Diegs." I chuckled and shook my head. "He's just my bodyguard, but he's also a friend of my cousins."

"Oh. I figured." He nodded. "A hot guy is always seen hanging out with other hot guys."

Natawa na lang ako sa naging konklusion niya. Well, wala namang mali sa sinabi niya. During my college days, I always spotted groups of attractive men hanging out on our campus. Ganoon nga siguro talaga.

"Thank you so much, Hari. Sabihan mo lang ako kung kailan ang next event mo. I can't wait to make another masterpiece for you," sabi ni Diego nang matapos sa pag-pa-pack ng gown ko.

Si Keno na ang kumuha ng paper bag. Hinayaan kong siya na ang magbitbit no'n.

"Will do. Don't forget to send me an invite sa show mo, ah?"

"Makakalimutan ba kita?" natatawa niyang sabi. "Send my regards to your cousins and Chantal."

My throat dried at the mention of her name. I exerted a lot of effort not to keep the smile on my face from wavering, wanting to avoid giving any hints.

"Sure thing," I replied.

Hinatid kami ni Diego hanggang sa paglabas ng kanyang studio. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili sa pag-irap kay Keno nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto sa harap.

"I'll sit in the back," masungit kong sabi at nilagpasan siya.

"I'm not your driver."

"But you're my bodyguard." I opened the door and sweetly smiled at him. "It'll be safer to sit here."

"I can protect you even when you're sitting on the front," he argued. Sinarado niya ulit ang pinto at nanatiling nakadiin ang kamay roon. Hindi ko na mabuksan.

"Fine," labas sa ilong kong pagpayag.

Upang hindi na magtagal ang pagtatalo naming dalawa, labag man sa loob ko ay nagdesisyon na akong pumasok sa front passenger seat at doon naupo. I closed and locked the door as I settled inside. Mahigit isang minuto rin siyang nanatili sa labas. I caught him taking deep breaths before he entered the driver's seat.

"Saan na tayo?" Keno calmly asked.

"Sa bahay na. I'm tired."

Tumango siya at pinaandar na ang sasakyan. Once we were on the road, I played with my phone to kill time and entertain myself. Wala akong balak kausapin siya o pagtuunan ng pansin. However, it seemed like Keno had a different plan in mind.

Pagkarating sa bahay, hindi niya ipinasok sa loob ang sasakyan. I was about to get out, but he didn't unlock the doors. Subukan ko man iyong buksan, ibinabalik niya lang ulit.

"What are you doing?" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Let me out."

"Not until we talk about your attitude earlier," he calmly said as he rested his left hand on the steering wheel and twisted his body to face me.

"M-my attitude?" I put a hand on my chest, feeling offended. "Excuse me?"

Ako pa ngayon ang may attitude? Ang kapal naman pala ng mukha niya!

"Wala kang pangit na boyfriend?" ulit niya sa linya ko kanina.

I stared dumbfoundedly at him for a moment. I was in disbelief that he actually bought that statement, and he seemed to harbor resentment about that. Kung hindi ay bakit ayaw niya akong pakawalan nang hindi nakakausap, 'di ba?

"Oh my God, Keno!" I laughed, finding him ridiculous. "Are you seriously holding that against me?"

"No. I just wanna know what's making you mad," he said while looking straight into my eyes. I hated that I could sense the same genuine concern I got from him that night.

"I'm not," matigas kong sabi. "You can let me out now."

"Kung hindi ka galit, ano lang? Inis lang?"

"Hindi rin ako naiinis."

"You are."

"Stop putting words in my mouth, Keno!"

"I'm not. Sinasabi ko lang kung ano ang ipinapakita mo," he said, stretching his patience to talk sense to me.

"You must be blind, then. Hindi ako galit or inis sa 'yo."

Keno leaned forward a bit and tilted his neck to the right. "Ano lang, hmm?"

"Wala, okay?!" sagot ko at mas lalong tumaas ang boses. "Let's just stop this nonsense 'cause I'm freaking tired. Ayaw ko na makipag-usap sa 'yo—"

"Is it because I didn't want to be your date?" Keno asked without hesitation. He really just wouldn't let this conversation die.

Para akong binuhusan nang malamig na tubig. He confidently fired those words and hit the right spot. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko at hindi na ako makatingin nang diretso sa kanya.

Through gritted teeth, I retorted with anger brewing deep within me, "You're so full of yourself."

"So, that's it..." he uttered, like he was so sure of it.

"What? No!" I exclaimed in frustration. "Ano nama'ng pakialam ko kung hindi ka pumayag? I said last time na I don't care nga, 'di ba? Kahit ayaw mong pumunta, I don't mind. Ayoko rin naman magkaroon ng pangit ng date."

"Pangit na date..." Keno murmured and tightly shut his eyes, letting out a heavy exhale. A slight twitch played on his lips. I wasn't certain if he was amused or growing impatient.

Seizing the moment when his guard was down, I moved past him and pressed the lock switch on his side, unlocking all doors. However, as I leaned forward, I accidentally placed my hand on top of his on the steering wheel for support. Agad siyang napaatras. He was surprised by my unexpected approach and touch, just as much as I was.

Our eyes met for a few seconds after that one bold move. Pareho kaming hindi agad nakabawi. It was probably the closest we had ever been while conscious. It felt like a trap. Everything about his face was a feast. It was impossible not to get drawn into him, especially in those deep, captivating eyes, framed by long, dark lashes. I had to internally slap myself and get a grip to stop.

And before another awkward confrontation arose, I swallowed hard and scampered out of the car. Halos ibalibag ko pa ang pagsara sa pinto at patakbo nang pumanhik sa bahay.

"Damn it. Hindi talaga siya pangit," I whispered.