CHAPTER FIVE

THEY were in their studio to chill and play their new song. They were also waiting for Allison for a short meeting about their mall tour next week, but Kielton was not really in the mood. It ruined the whole band.

It has been three fucking days since he last saw Kianna! Damn it!

What made his mood worse was because he couldn't contact her anymore. Maybe she changed her number, or she blocked his number.

"Let's take a break," Jasper announced and put down his drumsticks.

"Someone is not in the mood," palipad hangin ni Jude na nilaro pa ang gitara, gumawa ng tunog na parang nagdidiwang, nang-aasar.

"Hinatyin na lang natin si Alisson. Mamaya na tayo magpatuloy." Si Owen na tumayo na rin galing sa harap ng piano.

The three went to the balcony to smoke and inhale some air. Naiwan sila ng bahistang si Felixx.

"Tatlong araw ka nang wala sa hulog, ha?" puna nito sa kanya.

Si Felixx ang pinakamatanda sa kanila at kasal na rin ito, may isang anak pero hindi isinasa-publiko. Kagaya ng tatlo pang kasamahan nila na may mga kasintahan na, hindi lang ipinapaalam sa mga fan nila.

Isa 'yon sa alam nilang teknik kung paano papakapitin sa kanila ang mga fan, lalo na ang mga babae. They have to appear single and available, so that the female fans have the freedom to like, adore, or even fantasize them.

That kind of trick was what famous actors and actresses did to keep their name in industry, to appear single and fucking available for everyone to fantasize, but in reality, most of them were already in a relationship.

It took a lot of understanding and patience for a partner to deal with that arrangement of their boyfriend or girlfriend. He couldn't do that, by the way. Everyone knew how he liked women and how many of them had sex with him. He never hid them, but he's also not very proud to have a countless number of women he had bedded.

"I just don't feel good these past few days."

"Is this because of our mall tour in Cebu?"

Maybe that's also a reason. His family was in Cebu, but honestly, he didn't want to be there again even if he's already making his name in the music industry and he's earning well. Even though he already earns well, he's so sure that he would never ever make his father proud of him. He would never ever impress him with his career.

"That too."

"So, there's more reason behind your bad mood?" Felixx laughed and patted his shoulder. "Kung ano man ang rason mo, malala na 'yan."

Kielton only glared at their kuya in their band.

"Sigurado naman ako na hindi babae ang nasa likod ng hindi maipinta mong mukha. Kung babae 'yan, gusto kong magpainom."

"Go away. You are just annoying me," taboy niya na tinawanan ulit nito.

Nang makapunta si Felixx sa balkonahe ay nagtinginan ang apat sa kanya sabay tatawa-tawa. Mga tarantado, ang lalakas din mang-asar ng mga 'to.

After an hour, Alisson arrived wearing her denim skirt and peach tank top. Umupo ito malayo sa kanya, pagdating pa lang ay hindi na nakangiti.

"Before I start, I want to inform all of you 'bout what's happening in the social media world," Allisson said with a serious tone.

The good thing about ColdHeart members was they were not into that social media. They could live without it, though they use some applications to watch videos.

"Ano ba 'yon, Alisson? Sikat na ba kami?" Si Felixx.

"Kuya Felixx, sikat na talaga kayo. Pero, alam natin na mabenta sa social media 'tong si Kielton."

"Babae na naman 'yan, sigurado!" mabilis na sabi ni Jude, nagngiting aso sa kanya na sinupladuhan niya lang.

"Pustahan, babae 'yan!" segunda ni Jasper.

"Babae 'yan." Siguradong-sigurado si Owen sa sinabi.

"You're right, it's about a woman... again." Alisson sounded a little bit disappointed.

She never showed disappointment about him having different countless women before, just now.

Kielton shifted his sitting position when he remembered dating Kianna three days ago. He never dated women. From the club, they went straight to the hotel. Kianna was such a lucky woman because he dated her! And she seemed like she didn't appreciate it.

"This showbiz news is trending because of course Kielton's name is in it and with Campbell's youngest daughter."

Napatingin sa kanya ang lahat ng ka-banda. Napapailing at sinasabing wala siyang patawad na kahit anak ng naging kliyente nila ay napormahan niya kaagad.

"Ang tinik talaga ng Kielton natin." Pabirong itinulak ni Owen ang binti niya, parang gusto pa siyang palakpakan.

"Mayaman 'yan. Butas bulsa mo d'yan, p're."

"She was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She's the youngest and the only spoiled child of Campbell. May pagkamaarte which is normal because of her status in life, but some of their employees don't really like her bad attitude." Alisson memorized those words. It's obvious that she did her research with that spoiled brat. "And oh, she's a model."

"Kahit gaano pa kayaman, kapag itong si Kielton na ang gumalaw, hindi na makatanggi sa kanya ang mga babae." Si Felixx na tinapik ulit siya sa balikat, nakatayo sa bandang likod niya, habang siya ay mayabang na nakaupo sa sofa. "Alam ko na ang dahilan kung bakit mainit ang ulo ng isang 'to—"

"Oh, shut up. That woman is not the reason for my bad mood," maagap na tanggi niya kaagad.

"Wala pa naman akong sinasabi, ah? Defensive ka naman masyado d'yan." Tinawanan siya ni Felixx.

"Let's start with the meeting," he demanded.

Heads up, Alisson ended that conversation and started the meeting about their mall tour.

"After in Cebu, we have another one in Bohol, then Davao. That would be a tight week for all of us. Sisikapin ko na makakuha tayo ng ilan pang araw para makapagpahinga kayo. We can stay longer in Bohol or Davao. Saan ang gusto niyo?"

"Cebu," ani Jasper sabay ngisi sa kanya, nananadya si gago.

Bohol was chosen by the majority though.

After that meeting, they got back to playing their songs and he tried his best to cooperate because he didn't want to be a burden to his bandmates just because of one woman who stopped communicating with him.

After she let him touch, caress, and kiss her, in the end, she dumped him like a dirty trash just like that? What's her fucking problem with him, huh? Women got crazy with his touch and kisses, but why the hell did Kianna ignore him like they didn't make out! Like as if his kisses were nothing to her! He's nothing to her!

DALAWANG araw na nasa bahay lang si Kianna. Hindi mawala sa isip niya ang ginawa sa kanya ni Kielton na paghalik at paghaplos-haplos. Hanggang sa mga sandaling 'yon ay parang naiwan ang bakas ng kamay at labi ni Kielton sa katawan niya, nararamdaman niya pa rin.

Mabuti at umiral ang katinuan sa kanya kaya hindi na sila umabot sa mas malala at mainit pang mga eksena.

When she got home from that night, she felt like she's a cheap girl for letting her date touch and kiss her at their first ever fucking date night!

She went to the shower quickly, hoping to erase any of his trace that he left her body, even his smell, pero natapos na siya lahat-lahat ay gano'n pa rin. Ramdam niya pa rin ang nakakahibong haplos sa kanya ni Kielton.

Annoyed by what he did to her and to her body, she blocked his number without hesitation, cutting their communication.

Now, she's waiting for Zabel in a coffee shop to discuss to her their new project next week. Nabigyan sila ng bagong proyekto ng photographer na si Debora. People call him Tita Debora.

It's Evie's day off so she's alone, well, not really alone because Renato was at the next table, guarding her.

Zabel arrived in five minutes. Humihikahos pa ito, siguro ay naglakad lang galing sa condo unit nito hindi kalayuan kung nasaan siya. Bumeso sa kanya si Zabel pero napaiwas siya dahil medyo may pawis ito sa noo. Maganda pa rin naman, may pawis lang talaga.

"Arte," Zab murmured and rolled her eyes. "Naglakad lang ako. Exercise you know."

"Whatever you say. So, let's start. What's our new project?"

"I already sent it to your email. Just read it."

"Oh, okay, gonna check it later. Bakit pa tayo nandito kung naipasa mo na pala sa 'kin ang mga detalye?"

"Gusto ko lang marinig galing mismo sa 'yo ang bali-balita." Zabel placed her hands above the table. She's being aggressive. "So, is it true? You dated Kielton Grande? What's the score?"

"Saan mo naman nakuha ang balitang 'yan?"

"Hello, girl, your photos with him entering their private yacht are all over social media! Aren't you aware that you're famous now? People are feasting with your photos online."

"I didn't know that. I don't really care about those people."

She crossed her arms above her chest. She didn't really give a damn though.

"Seryoso ka, girl? May mga basher ka na nga, e!"

"I have my bashers even before, remember? Some are our employees."

Zab didn't stop even when she said she's not interested in being famous or having a new batch of bashers, or even being linked with that Kielton Grande!

"Ayaw mo talagang marinig ang mga sinasabi ng tao sa 'yo? Lalo na nung mga babaeng fan ni Kielton? At 'yung mga dati niyang babae?"

"Does it really matter? Kapag ba nalaman ko ang mga sinasabi nila, makakatulong 'yon sa pag-angat ng karera ko sa pagmomodelo? Hindi naman. Kaya, 'wag na lang!"

But her friend didn't listen. Zab started to check with her cellphone and read some hate comments against her.

"That spoiled brat thinks that she can get whatever she wants, without knowing that Kielton will only dump her after a one night with her. Pity rich girl," Zabel read it with an annoying tone.

Dump her? Well, that hater was wrong because as far as she remembers, she was the one who dumped Kielton at binasted niya ito!

"Ito pa, o. Anak mayaman, hindi tatagal d'yan si Kielton lalo at bali-balitang masama raw ang ugali niyan."

Talaga!

"Maybe Kianna is just using Kielton to have her name spread in social media and other modeling agencies. Lubog ang karir kaya sa sikat kumakapit."

"Oh, stop that, Zab."

"I like this one." Hindi talaga titigil ang isang 'to. "They are both good looking and came from a wealthy family. They could make very cute and pretty babies in the future."

Babies? Really? People even think 'bout that? Nalaman lang na nag-date sila ni Kielton, gano'n na kaagad mag-isip ang mga ito? Sobrang advance.

"So, care to share that dating thing?"

"It's just a casual dinner, okay?"

"Casual? But he brought you to their private yacht. That's not casual. Kielton doesn't date his women, kaya pinagpiyestahan kayong dalawa sa internet dahil unang beses na nakipag-date siya."

"I didn't know that it was his first date though. It seems like it wasn't."

"It was!"

"It's not a big deal to me or to us. People just make it big para may mapag-usapan lang."

"Nag-date nga kayo. Kumusta naman? Nag-uusap pa rin ba kayo?"

"Hindi na," matapat na sagot niya na ikinalaki ng mata ng kaibigan. Nagtaka siya. "Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo? Ano ang nakakabigla?"

"Ibig sabihin, pagkatapos ng isang gabi niyo, hindi ka na rin niya kinausap katulad ng normal na ginagawa niya sa mga babae niya. Sex then forget."

Hindi niya na sinagot si Zabel at hinayaan na lang ito sa gustong isipin sa kanya. Alam niya naman ang totoo at iyon lang ang papaniwalaan niya.

Matatapos din ang issue na 'yan sa kanila ni Kielton, lilipas din at makakalimutan ng mga tao.

IT WAS A SATURDAY night when Zabel invited her to D' Club with her VIP pass. They could also access one of the VIP rooms.

Sporting a classy black halter neck mini dress and high heeled stilettos she walked with Zabel upstairs to the second floor.

Everyone was partying on the dance floor. They were not yet in the mood to dance, so they decided to go to their VIP room. The red and yellow lights inside and the black and red couches at the center of the room made her excited to drink and to start the party.

Zabel went to the mini bar to get drinks while she went to the large, tinted glass wall and saw what's happening inside the club.

She was wrong when she thought that D' Club was some kind of a cheap club around Metro Manila because she saw some of the famous actors and models inside, and also some young politicians. Maybe some of them were businessmen, too.

"I think they are here," ani Zabel nang maglapag ng alak sa pabilog na salamin na lamesa bago lumapit sa kanya at nakinood din sa mga ganap.

"Sino?"

"The owner of this club and his friends."

"Kilala mo sila?"

"Yes. Palagi akong nandito kaya nakilala ko na sila. Ikaw kasi e, sa iba ka pa puma-party. Maganda dito."

"Mukha nga."

Bumalik sila pareho sa couch at si Zabel ay sanay na sanay magbukas ng alak. Tinawanan niya pa ang pwersang ibinigay nito.

"I saw their cars parked. Nakita ko nga rin 'yung Lexus ni Kielton. Atomic silver ang kulay ng sa kanya, 'di ba?"

Nang banggitin nito ang binata ay kinabahan siya kaagad. Pangalan pa lang ang narinig niya ay kumalabog na ang dibdib niya. Paano pa kaya ang ideya na baka nandito nga ang lalaking 'yon?

Sa dami ng tao, sana naman ay huwag na silang pagtagpuin!

"Yes, atomic silver as I remember."

"Pero madalang naman 'yon makipaghalubilo sa mga tao rito. Madalas na nagkukulong ang ang mga 'yon sa VIP room nilang magkakaibigan dito sa club."

Bilib din siya sa dami ng alam ni Zabel. Wala siyang alam kasi hindi siya madalas sa club na ito at hindi siya mahilig makialam sa buhay ng iba. She's minding her own business.

After a few drinks, Kianna already felt a little bit tipsy, same with Zabel. So, they both decided to go out and go to the dance floor to cool down. Pero ang malikot na ilaw at ang maraming tao sa dance floor ay nagpapahilo lang sa kanya.

While swaying her hips, she moved up her both hands and giggled with Zabel when she danced in front of her. Humahagikhik sila pareho sa sayaw nilang dalawa hanggang sa may tatlong lalaki na ang nakihalubilo.

Sanay siya sa mga gano'n. Hindi na bago sa kanya kaya hinayaan nilang makisayaw ang mga ito hangga't hindi gumagawa ng kabastusan.

"Oh, I think we danced with the wrong girl. You're Kielton's girl, right?" the man asked her while dancing.

"No." She raised her voice a bit so he could hear her answer.

"No, really?" Hinarap niya nang tuluyan ang lalaki na nasa gilid niya.

When she saw his face, her eyes wide a bit when she realized how handsome this man in front of him. Tumaas ang kilay nito, naghihintay sa papuri niya. Naramdaman niya kaagad ang taas ng ere nito kaya inirapan niya.

"I'm Carter, by the way." The man tried to get her attention again.

"Kianna," she answered without looking at him.

"Okay, Kianna. Nice to meet you." Then he left as if someone was calling him.

Sinundan niya ng tingin si Carter na patakbong umakyat sa hagdan at pumasok sa isa sa mga VIP room.

Kianna was really tipsy. Si Zabel ay patuloy sa pagsayaw sa mga lalaki na akala mo ay wala itong boyfriend na magagalit.

"Powder room," aniya nang lumapit siya sa kaibigan at nagpaalam.

Kinailangan niya pang bumalik sa VIP room nila para kunin ang sling bag. Tired and tipsy, she carefully walked upstairs with her high heeled stilettos. Come on!

Wala pa sa kalahati ng hagdan ang naakyat niya ay may naglahad na ng kamay ng lalaki na galing sa unuhan niya. Dahan-dahang nag-angat siya ng tingin kung sino ba 'yon at parang nabuwal ang mga tuhod niya nang makita ang madilim na mga mata ni Kielton.

She was very surprised to see him after how many days that it made her out of balance. Kung hindi siya nito mabilis na naagapan sa baywang ay siguradong sa baba na siya pupulutin.

Kabado dahil sa delikadong galaw, napakapit siya sa dibdib ng binata. His arms were possessively warped around her waist, while the other one was in the railing, supporting their weights.

Ilang sandali bago siya parang nahimasmasan. Nang tingnan niya ang mukha nito ay hindi nagbago ang dilim do'n na para bang may kasalanan siya rito at gustong gumanti sa kanya!

"K-kaya ko na." Tinangay ng ingay ng paligid ang kanyang boses.

"Alam mo ba na mahuhulog ka kung hindi kita nasalo?"

"Thank you kasi sinalo mo ako, okay?"

Inis na ito pero nainis din siya. Sabay silang naiinis!

She glared at him when his eyes dropped down to her boobs. The deep v-cut of her mini dress really revealed half of her breast, honestly. She was confident wearing it, not until she bumped into Kielton.

"You don't even wear a fucking bra, huh," gigil na sabi nito sabay buhat sa kanya paakyat!

"It's built in! I don't need a bra on this dress!" she shouted at him while slapping his hard back body because he carried her like a sack of rice!

Hindi niya alam kung hahampasin niya ba ang likod nito o hihilahin ang dulo ng maliit niyang dress para takpan ang pang-upo niya. But Kielton was the one who pulled the hem of her dress, hoping to cover her butt.

"Where's your VIP room?" he asked, ignoring her slaps on his back.

"Room number 8!"

After a few fast steps, Kielton opened a door. He double locked it and put her down to the red couch. She's busy glaring at him without realizing that they were not in room number 8.

Hinayaan niya ang dulo ng dress na makita ang hita niya. Galit na inayos niya ang buhok at bumangon, umupo.

Kielton was standing in front of her as if he's waiting for her explanation. He's wearing a black sleeveless shirt that showed the hot tattoo on his forearm. The muscles on it moved when he put his one hand on his hip, and the other one was under his chin.

Galit din itong nakatingin sa kanya na parang may kasalanan talaga siya rito kahit wala naman!

"Ano na naman ba 'to? Pinagbigyan na kita sa date na gusto mo. What else do you want?"

As if she would give whatever he wanted, huh. No!

"Mag-usap tayo." Sa mababang boses nito 'yon sinabi.

"Ano ang pag-uusapan natin? Wala naman!"

"I just want to talk. Come on." He took a few steps to the empty couch beside her. "Stop being grumpy every time you see me."

"Naiinis ako sa 'yo!"

Napailing ito sa sagot niya, hindi bumenta.

"Wala pang nangyayari sa 'tin pero para ka nang naglilihi kapag nakikita ako."

Uminit ang pisngi niya at tinapunan ito ng matalim na tingin.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

"Let's talk, please. I just want to have my peace of mind." He's begging again, and his grayish eyes mesmerized her.