"Never trust words. It's bullshit."

WALA naman akong dapat ikabahala pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang kabahan. What if makita niya 'to? Well, it's not possible. Nagkikita kami para magsex and having sex will make him undress me. At oo, talagang makikita nga niya 'to.

My gosh. Kalandian ko kasi!

Huminga ako ng malalim saka binuksan ang pinto ng unit ni Drake. Of course, I know his passcode.

I put a concealer to my neck, sa love bites na binigay ni Jax pero hindi pa rin ako mapakali. Ugh, this is insane. Paano kung mawala ang concealer?

Napailing na lang ako saka tuluyang pumasok sa unit ni Drake. Naabutan ko siyang nanunuod ng TV habang umiinom ng beer sa salas niya.

"Drake." I called him.

Lumingon naman siya. He smiled.

Kumabog ang dibdib ko. Ang gwapo niya at naaakit na naman ako. Simpleng ngiti niya lang, nanghihina na ang tuhod ko. No doubt, mahal ko talaga ang lalaking 'to.

Tumayo siya at sinalubong ako ng... halik.

Shit! Kanina si Jax lang ang kahalikan ko, tapos ngayon si Drake naman. Ang landi ko!

They taste different. Yeah, it's really different. Kung sa flavor, chocolate si Drake, tapos strawberry si Jax.

Hinapit ni Drake ang katawan ko habang abala sa paghalik sa akin. Nakakaramdam na naman ako ng init sa katawan ko. I want him to fuck me.

"Fuck me, Drake..." I said between our kisses.

He stopped kissing me and stared at me for a moment. "I'm not in the mood, Em."

Oh. Wala siya sa mood. Why is that? Nakakapagtaka namang si Drake pa talaga ang nawalan ng mood makipagsex. The fact that he's a sex monster.

"I see. Then bakit mo ako pinapunta dito?" I asked. Hindi naman niya ako pinapapunta dito sa unit niya if it's not about sex.

Bumalik siya sa sofa at may kinuhang envelope doon. Sumunod naman ako saka umupo sa sofa.

"Well, I got a call. Our fucking engineer will fly to Davao tomorrow. You should go there. I got you a plane ticket and I already book a hotel for you. Doon din sa hotel kung saan mag-stay ang gagong 'yon. And yeah, all his information, his hotel room number, his schedules and whereabouts are all here."

Napalunok ako. He's really serious about it. Wala ba talaga siyang pakialam sa akin?

"Drake... what if he hurt me?"

"He can't. That's why you should seduce him and make him crazy about you."

Desidido talaga siyang ibugaw ako. May bahagi na naman sa puso ko ang sumisikip dahil sa sakit.

"Can you go there with me?" I asked.

"I have many things to do, Em. I can't leave my work."

Really. He's the boss. He can leave his work and take a vacation leave. Kung sabagay, ano pa bang aasahan ko sa kaniya? I'm not that important to him para samahan niya. Hindi niya naiisip iyong kapakanan ko.

Pero may mga times naman na nag-aalala siya sa akin. Bilang kapatid nga lang ng kaibigan niya but it's fine with me. As long as he cares about me. Pero bakit nawala yata iyon? Parang ngayon, mas nangibabaw iyong company niya kesa sa kaligtasan ko?

"What if I told you that I can't do it?"

"Then there's no reason for us to stay like this. We'll stop our fucking deal. That's just a simple favor, Em."

Again, napalunok ako. Ayoko! Tanga na kung tanga pero ayokong matigil ang deal namin. This is the only way na magkakalapit kami ni Drake. This is the only way na makasama ko siya.

I love him so much that I want to be with him even if it hurts a lot.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Kinuha ko sa kaniya ang envelope. "Then... I'll do it."

He smiled and kissed me.

Ginusto ko 'to. Ginusto ko talaga 'to kaya wala akong dapat sisihin na kahit sino kundi sarili ko lang.

"If you're not going to fuck me, then can I go home?" Tanong ko.

He shook his head. "You'll stay here for the night." He said then kissed me again.

"Okay..." sagot ko.

Iniisip ko kung anong mangyayari sa akin bukas. Do I really need to do that? Pero ayokong matigil ang deal namin.

"Let's take a bath together." Sabi ni Drake.

Hinila niya ako patayo papunta sa kwarto niya. Nagpahila lang ako dahil para akong lutang sa naiisip ko.

I admit, their engineer is handsome. Pero hindi ko kilala ang lalaking iyon. I don't know what he is capable to do. Paano kung saktan niya ako? Paano kung killer pala siya? Paano kung...

Natigil ako pag-iisip nang makapasok kami sa bathroom. Drake is being playful. Masyado ba siyang masaya kasi pumayag ako sa gusto niyang ipagawa?

Yeah, when it comes to business, he's one hell of a serious guy. Kaya nga ngayon ko mas na-realize na ang business niya ang pinaka-importanteng bagay para sa kaniya. Well before, it's my brother's wife. Kailan kaya ako mapupunta sa list na mga pinapahalagahan niya?

"Take this off..."

I helped Drake to undress me. Well, para naman akong tanga kapag naligo ako nang nakadamit. And oh, wala akong dalang pamalit na damit.

"Drake..."

"Hmm." He's busy with my clothes.

"Anong oras ang flight ko bukas?" I asked. Hindi ko naman kasi napaghandaan. Kasasabi niya lang sa akin kanina about it then now, bukas agad ang flight ko papuntang Davao. That's crazy.

"One in the afternoon. You still have time to pack your things." Aniya.

Tumango-tango ako. Saka ko napansing wala na akong suot na kahit anong saplot. Damn him. He's too expert to undress a woman.

Napapitlag ako nang buksan niya ang shower. Ang lamig ng tubig. I felt the cold water against my skin. Kung sana panaginip na lang iyong favor na hinihingi niya sa akin.

Ang daming what if's sa isip ko. Sanay naman akong makipaglandian e. But this is different. Sa madaling salita, binubugaw ako ni Drake. Mas napatunayan kong wala lang ako sa kaniya dahil wala siyang pakialam kung may landiin man akong ibang lalaki.

I let out a soft moan when Drake started to suck my breast. Fuck him. I thought we're not gonna have sex?

We're both naked under the shower but I can't feel anything. Kung kanina nag-iinit ako, ngayon ay wala akong maramdamang lust or pleasure sa kaniya. Is it because I'm worried about tomorrow? Yeah, maybe.

"What the fuck?"

Nagulat ako sa lakas ng boses ni Drake. "What?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong reaction ni Drake but he's mad. Oh, he's really mad and why? Wala naman akong ginagawa, or dahil para akong lantang gulay na hindi sinasabayan ang ginagagawa niya sa katawan ko?

"Saan ka galing pagkatapos ng dinner natin kanina?" He asked.

"Home." Sagot ko.

"It was only an hour when you got home, and I called you here."

"Then? Why? What is it?"

"Fuck." Mura niya.

Ano bang problema niya? Bigla bigla na lang siyang nagagalit.

"Are you sure you were at home? Or at the bar?"

Sa tingin ba niya makakapag-bar pa ako kanina? E nanlulumo nga akong umuwi dahil sa kakaisip sa gusto niyang ipagawa sa akin. I'm too disappointed that I just want to go home and cry.

"At home."

"Empress."

Napalunok ako. "What? Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?"

"Empress Araine."

I rolled my eyes. "Ano ba kasing problema mo, Drake?! Galing nga ako sa unit ko. Duh!"

"I'm done."

What the hell?

Iniwan niya ako dito sa bathroom pagkatapos kumuha ng towel at bathrobe niya. Anong problema ng lalaking iyon?

Napailing na lang ako. I turned off the shower saka kumuha ng towel. Pinunasan ko ang katawan ko saka kinuha ang isang bathrobe. Pagkatapos ay lumabas ako.

Nagpupunas si Drake ng towel sa ulo niya habang naglilipat ng channel sa TV dito sa kwarto niya.

What is his problem? Really.

"Hey, Drake."

He just glared at me.

"What? Tell me what I did?"

"Nothing."

Seriously. Ang hirap niyang ispelengin. Para siyang babae! Argh.

"Then can I go home?"

Mas lalong tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin. Mabilis siyang nakalapit sa akin saka ako isinandal sa pader.

"You are not going anywhere." Madiin na sabi niya.

"Well, tomorrow, I need to go to Davao, right?" I joked.

"Damn it." Aniya saka lumayo sa akin.

Bipolar din 'tong si Drake. I can't understand him for acting like this. Para siyang nasa menopausal period e.

"Sleep." Sabi niya pa saka siya humiga sa kama.

We're both wearing a bathrobe and yes, we're both naked inside.

Tumabi ako sa kaniya. Iniisip ko pa rin kung bakit bigla na lang siyang nagsusungit.

"Hey..."

Tinapunan niya lang ako tingin. "Just sleep."

I rolled my eyes saka umayos sa pagkakahiga. First time kong matutulog dito sa kama niya nang hindi kami nagse-sex. This is new to me!

"Empress."

"What?"

"Do you have a boyfriend other than me?"

Napabangon ako sa tanong niya. Ano namang naiisip niya para itanong iyon? But... I want to make him feel jealous kahit alam kong hindi naman siya magseselos kahit pa ilang lalaki ang iharap ko sa kaniya.

"I have a lot of flings, Drake." I lied. Simula nang pumayag siya sa deal namin, bihira na akong pumunta sa bar para makipag-flirt. "You don't mind, right?"

"Yeah. I don't mind."

See? Wala naman siyang pakialam e. So bakit pa siya nagtatanong? Akala ko naman makakaramdam siya kahit kaunting kaunting selos sa dibdib niya. Kung sabagay, nagagawa nga niya akong ibugaw e.

Umayos na ulit ako nang pagkakahiga saka huminga ng malalim. I closed my eyes. I need to sleep early para bukas. Ayoko nang mag-isip pa ng kahit ano.

❁

I CAN'T believe, narito talaga ako sa Davao. Kakarating ko lang dito sa hotel and I wanted to take a rest.

Hindi ko nga naisip na magsisinungaling ako kay Jax, for the first time kasi lahat ng sikreto ko alam niya. He asked me where I'm going, and I just told him that I have photoshoot here in Davao. Nakita niya kasi iyong plane ticket ko. He even asked me kung bakit biglaan daw at wala man siyang kaalam-alam.

Well, hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa kaniya ang pinapagawa ni Drake. I'm sure he'll stop me. Siya lang naman kasi ang lalaking may pakialam sa akin. He's the only guy except my family who cares for me a lot-na malabong maramdaman ko kay Drake.

Inayos ko ang luggage ko. I'll stay here for two days. Sabi ni Drake, I should make a move right away. Kaya heto, nagpalit ako ng sexy na dress para simulan ang ipinunta ko dito.

Lumabas ako ng room ko saka dinaanan ang room kung nasaan ang Jeremy na iyon. I wonder if he'll get out para makita naman niya ako.

I sat on the bench for a while when I heard a click on the door. Napatayo agad ako dahil baka si Jeremy na iyong palabas ng kwarto, and I was right. It's him!

Mabilis akong naglakad sa gawi niya at nang mapalapit sa kaniya ay nagpanggap akong nahihilo. Nasalo agad niya ako.

He's handsome but I have a bad feeling about him. Or hindi ko lamg talaga siya feel?

But, yeah, I need to do this.

"Hey, Miss? Are you okay?"

I looked at his eyes. I made sure he'll fall for my stares. "I just... nahilo lang ako. Thank you." I answered saka umayos ng tayo.

He's still holding my waist to support me. Good thing I wore a dress that could reveal my cleavage and of course, my perfect body shape.

"Do you want me to bring you to hospital?" He asked.

Oh, so he's kind.

"No, no. I'm fine. Wala 'to." Sabi ko. "Thank you again. If it's not for you, baka nakahandusay na ako sa floor." I joked.

He chuckles. "Well, it's too hard to refuse a beautiful lady."

I bit my lower lip. He's staring at me and I want him to be interested with me. Tulad nang gusto ni Drake, para maakit siya sa akin.

"I'm Empress, anyway."

"Oh, I'm Jeremy." He said.

We shaked hands at sinadya kong tagalan iyon para maakit siya sa akin. Kakarating ko lang dito sa Davao but here I am, wala pang minuto at maaakit ko na agad ang lalaking 'to.

Sino nga bang makakatanggi sa karisma ng isang Empress Palermo?

"Are you here for vacation?" He asked.

We're just standing here in hallway and it's uncomfortable. "Hmm, I'm here for a photoshoot. I am a model." I lied. Wala namang photoshoot na magaganap.

"Wow. Hindi mapagkakailang isa kang model. You're gorgeous and you're sexy..."

Is he flirting with me?

"Hm, if you're not busy, I want to offer you a coffee? You know, you saved me." Sabi ko.

He looked surprised. "Of course! Who I am to refuse you? May coffee shop sa baba ng hotel and they said it taste good."

Tumango ako. "Then, let's go?"

We walked towards the hallway saka sumakay ng elevator pababa.

Pareho lang kaming tahimik. I can't say anything dahil hindi ko type ang Jeremy na 'to even if he's handsome.

Masyado ba akong loyal kay Drake?

Nang makababa kami ay dumiretso kami sa coffee shop. There are eyes on me. Sanay na akong pinagtitingin nang mga lalaki. Syempre, I have the Palermo blood.

Nang makaupo na kami ay nagpaalam agad si Jeremy na o-order ng coffee.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"You?" I chuckled. "I mean, espresso."

He laughed and bit his lip saka lamang tumango at pumunta sa counter.

Naaakit na ba siya sa akin?

I grabbed my phone inside my purse and texted a message for Drake.

Hey. I got him. He's with me.

Simple lang ang text message ko. Duh! He's not aware of my feelings. Baka magtaka pa siya kapag naging sweet ako sa kaniya sa text.

"They will serve our coffee." Jeremy said.

Naupo na siya sa tapat ko saka ko ibinalik ang phone sa purse ko.

"You know... I feel so proud sitting here with you." Aniya.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. "What do you mean?"

"All eyes are on you, Empress. Well, I understand them. It's too hard to take my eyes off you."

Is he starting to hit on me?

"Oh." I smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

He chuckled. "I didn't expect to meet such a gorgeous lady here. Is it destiny?"

I laughed. Destiny your ass. I'm here because you're wanted in Drake's list.

"Maybe?" I answered.

It's almost four o'clock and I had nothing to do. Buti na lang talaga nakita ko agad ang target ko. At least magagawa ko agad ang gustong ipagawa ni Drake.

Dumating na ang coffee namin. I sip on my espresso.

"Empress, until when you'll be staying here in Davao for your photoshoot?"

Oh, he's interested with me. Agad!

"Well, my flight will be tomorrow night. You know, narito lang ako for one day photoshoot and that's all."

Para siyang nadismaya sa sagot ko. So, he's interested with me. He'll started hitting on me at kailangan kong sakyan iyon. I wanted to finish this.

Tumunog ang cellphone ni Jeremy and he looked at me. "Excuse me for a while."

Tumango ako saka siya tumayo para sagutin ang tawag. Hmp, I need to get inside his room para makahanap ng evidence. I'm sure nasa laptop niya lang iyon or phone. Documents lang naman ang kailangan kong hanapin.

Bumalik na si Jeremy so I smiled at him.

"Damn it. I hate to say this, but I need to go. I have work here and they need me to go there."

Sayang naman. Here's the chance! Wala pa naman akong ibang gagawin dito because hello! I'm fucking alone.

"Well, okay."

"Anyway, can we grab some you know, wine and dinner?" He asked.

He can't get off me.

"Sure!" I answered. "Let's meet at your room?"

Ako na ang nag-initiate. I want to finish this and go home.

He looked shock. Parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Sino ba namang babae ang magyayaya na magdinner at uminom ng wine sa kwarto ng lalako na kakakilala mo lang. Ako lang.

"Alright? Then, at my room tonight?" He winked.

Oh? I got him.

"Yes."

"Maybe around at nine? Is it okay?"

I nodded. "Yes, of course."

"I really need to go, Empress. See you tonight."

Umalis na siya. Naiwan ako dito sa coffee shop at naisip kong success agad ako sa pang-aakit sa kaniya. See? He's hitting on me. At hindi niya ako matanggihan.

I have the chance to go to his room and I'll find evidence or whatsoever that Drake needs. Para matapos na 'to.

Jeremy seems a nice guy so wala akong dapat ikabahala. I just need to flirt with him. May dala akong ipinapatak sa inumin para makatulog and I'll make sure to put it on Jeremy's wine tonight.

I checked my phone and I have a message from Drake.

Good girl. Flirt with him right away.

As always. I rolled my eyes and put back my phone inside my purse. I don't need to reply on him. Nadi-disappoint lang ako sa kaniya dahil sa pinagawa niya sa akin.

And as if he'll wait for my reply? Well, oo siguro, he'll wait for an update about this bullshit that he made me do.

My phone rang and I checked on it. It's Jax.

"Hey, Jax?"

"Are you in Davao already?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I'm just checking on you. Make sure to take care of yourself."

"Yes, yes. I will."

Buti pa si Jax. He always reminds me to take care of myself samantalang si Drake, siya oa yata ang magpapahamak sa akin.

"Good. Saang hotel ka naka-check in? I should check about it on internet to make sure that you're safe."

Oh my, Jax. Ikaw na talaga ang pinaka-sweet na lalaki for me.

"It's Lopez Empire." Sabi ko.

"Alright."

"You missed me?" I chuckled.

"Yeah. I missed you, Araine. And your lips..."

My eyes widened. He's teasing me. "Jax!"

He laughed. "I'll hang up."

"Okay. Bye, Jax."

He ended the call, so I put my phone back to my purse again and looked at my coffee.

I took a deep breath. Tonight, will be the night. I'll do everything para magawa ko agad ang pinapagawa ni Drake.

I know this is wrong. Unang una dahil hindi ko alam kung mapanganib ba 'tong ginagawa ko o baka mapahamak ako.

"Uh, excuse me?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa lalaking lumapit sa akin. He's a teenager, about seventeen? And he's holding a magazine.

"Yes?"

Para siyang natataranta. "You're Empress Palermo, right?"

I nodded. I'm really famous with boys.

"Sabi na nga ba! Here, can I get an autograph?"

Inilahad niya sa akin ang magazine kung saan ako ang covergirl. I smiled. Kinuha ko ang magazine at pentel pen na hawak niya.

I signed his magazine and gave it back to him.

"Thank you so much! You know, you're my dream girl. Can I take a picture with you, too?"

I chuckled. He's so cute. He's too young for me.

"Sure."

We took a selfie then he smiled at me. "Hindi ka lang maganda, mabait ka pa. Kaya lalo kitang nagiging crush." Sabi pa niya.

"Thank you."

"Uh..."

"Yes?"

"I may look young for now, but soon, kapag may ABS na ako at matured na ako, I will look for you. I can do that since we have the best private investigators-in my Dad's firm."

I arched my eyebrow. "For what?"

"I will court you."

I laughed. "Oh boy, you're too young for that." Sabi ko.

Pati ba naman teenagers naaakit sa akin.

"I know. But I don't mind. You know, my family is rich. My Dad owns a law firm. I can protect you and I can give you the world."

Tumawa ako lalo. This teenager is cute.

"Alright, do it."

"Yes!" Sigaw niya. Pag pagsuntok pa siya sa hangin. "Anyway, I'm Nevill Lopez."

"Oh yes, nice to meet you."

His phone rang and he cussed.

"I need to go. Thank you again. And see you in the future."

Naiwan na naman akong mag-isa. That boy is so cute. I'm sure, he'll be a handsome man pagtanda niya. But I don't like him. Duh! Child abuse 'yon.

Ngayon ko tuloy mas na-realize kung gaano kalakas ang karisma ko sa mga lalaki. Maybe that's why Drake put me in this situation. Dahil alam niya talagang hindi ako matatanggihan ng Jeremy na 'yon.

Pero bakit siya, hindi niya ako magawang mahalin? Is it too hard to love me?

I need to get ready. I will change with the most seductive dress I have for tonight.