CHAPTER EIGHT

WAKING UP with a different reason aside from going to work, Wynter felt really excited. Finally, after months away from LUST DAWN, Wynter would be able to once again spend her vacation with her friends.

Sa wakas, may mangyayari na sa pahinga day niya, at hindi lang puro basa ng libro, tulog, at kain. She might not be a fan of shopping, but Wynter likes hanging out with her friends. It's her other way of relaxing.

Saktong kakukuha lang ni Wynter ng ready-to-go backpack niya ay ang pagkatok sa pinto niya. "Coming!" she shouted, knowing who that person might be.

Agad bumungad sa kanya ang nakangiti at may bitbit ding backpack na si Dan. "Ready?"

Wynter nodded her head. "Let's go. Convoy naman tayo, diba?"

Sabay na silang naglakad papunta sa elevator. "Si Mike lang ang magsasarili ng kotse, tapos sabay na tayo."

"I am not riding with you in your car—"

"—then drive yours, at makikisakay na lang ako. Matuto ka naman magtipid sa gas, Emy," natatawang sabi ni Dan.

Napailing na lang ang babae saka siya naunang sumakay sa elevator, at sumunod ang lalake. "May na-book na kayong hotel sa Thailand?"

Tumango naman si Dan. "Same hotel room with two bedrooms, para magkasama na lang kami ni Mike." Bahagya siya nitong tiningnan. "How 'bout you?"

She looked straight ahead. "May penthouse naman na kami, sa third-floor ng club."

"Angas ah. So makakapasok ba kami kaagad ni Mike mamayang gabi?"

Saktong bumukas ang pinto ng elevator saka sila sabay na lumabas. "Of course. Member naman na si Mike eh." Wynter glanced at him. "How about you? When are you going to apply for membership?"

Daniel smiled at her before he looked away. "Saka na. Ipon muna ako."

Wynter shrugged. "If you say so."

It was an uneventful ride to the airport. Wynter was driving and Daniel was riding shotgun. He was most of the time sleeping during the trip, which was favorable for Wynter.

When they finally reached the airport, they walked side by side to the hangar of Mike's plane.

"Zup, Mike? Nakatulog ka ba nang maayos kagabi o excited ka rin tulad ko?" agad na bungad ni Dan sa kaibigan.

Sunod-sunod silang pumasok ng eroplano saka nagkanya-kanyang upo. It was a personalized plane. Just like the DAWN's, it has a personal bar, a pair of a three-seater sofa, a table for four, a cubicle, a television, and a separate room—a bedroom, I believe.

Wynter was about to take a seat on the sofa when Mike neared her and then whispered, "Aren't you feeling sleepy, babe? I do have a bed inside."

The lady moved her head to the side a little. "I'm not in the mood for it," she whispered, clearly knowing what he meant by that.

"Anong pinagbubulungan niyo riyan, ha?" biglang sulpot ni Dan.

Wynter gave him a bored look. "None of your business." Muli siyang tumingin kay Mike. "Now, can I take a seat and rest my body?"

Mike let out a soft chuckle. "You can sleep on my bed." He raised both of his hands in surrender. "I swear, you'll be just sleeping."

Wyn rolled her eyes before standing up straight and began walking towards the said bedroom. "Wake me up if we're near."

Tinanguan lang naman siya ni Mike saka siya tuluyang pumasok sa kwarto. And true to his words, Wynter had a peaceful nap.

WYNTER STOPPED in front of their club's security. "Are the DAWN inside?"

The large man nodded. "Yes, Ms. Wynter. They chose to stay inside for the night. But I believe that Mr. Angelo left before the party ended."

"Thanks for that. You may now take your leave. You can come back again later in the evening."

The bouncer bowed his head a little. "Thank you, Miss."

"Thanks as well." Wynter softly patted the man's shoulder. "We'll go inside."

"Yes, Miss." Humarap pa ito sa dalawang lalakeng nasa likuran niyo. "Have a great day, Misters."

"You too," Mike replied.

"Thanks for your hard work, Sir," bigkas naman ni Daniel.

Nauna nang pumasok si Wynter saka sumunod ang dalawa niyang kaibigan.

Hindi pa sila tuluyang nakakalapit sa bar ng club ay may babae nang patakbong lumalapit sa kanya. "Unnie! Nan dangsin-i geuliwoyo!"

Wynter gave Narae a hug. "I've missed you too. So, how's your first month working?"

They let each other go, and the younger lady smiled. "Very much great, Unnie."

"Hey, hey, hey! If it isn't our team's player," pang-asar na bungad ni Anurak habang bumababa sa hagdanan, at nang tumapat ito sa kanya ay niyakap siya nito. "What happened that you've finally decided to—Hey! Xỳāng cringcạng? P̄hū̂chāy s̄xng khn?" Seriously? Two men? Anurak exclaimed as a whisper.

Wynter couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Cállate, Anurak. Son solo mis amigos." Shut up, Anurak. They are just my friends.

"Mmm... Uisim seuleobda." I doubt that. Narae said in a teasing tone.

She just glared at the lady before their attention was stolen by the man on the second floor. "You all should stop conversing using three languages. You're obviously making the guests confused," Charles said.

Wynter tiredly waved her hand at her friend. "Hey, Dom."

Bumaba naman na si Charles saka sila nilapitan. Wynter even rolled her eyes when her best friend put his arm around her shoulders, as he looked at Daniel and Mike. "I'm Charles Dominique Williams, and what are you on Wynter's life?"

"¿Qué pasa con tu pregunta, Dom?" What's with your question, Dom? Wynter casually asked.

Charles didn't heed her attention and was just focusing on those men. Anurak patted his left shoulder and chuckled. "Calm down, Dom."

"I'm Mike Pierre Cabrera, a friend of Wynter." Mike even offered his hand for a handshake.

Narae was the first one to take it. "Are you sure that you're just a friend, Oppa? Because if so, can I invite you this evening?"

Agad tinampal ni Anurak ang kamay ng pinsan. "Such a naughty lady." He chuckled. "Don't mind her. But seriously, are you just Wynter's friend? It may not be obvious but she's one hell of a sl—"

"Continue your word and you'll lose your tongue," Dominique coldly said, causing Anurak to shut up.

"—sleeper. She loves to sleep a lot, don't you think?" Anurak let out a nervous laugh. He then turned to Daniel. "How about you? What's your name, Mister?"

Dan smiled and shook hands with Anurak. "I'm Daniel Marquez. A friend of Wynter's too, I believe."

Wynter saw Charles raise an eyebrow. "You believe?"

Napakamot naman ng batok si Dan habang nakangiti. He then looked at her. "Hindi niya kasi tanggap kapag more than friends."

Narae suddenly squealed. "Oh my! Oh my! You have feelings for my Unnie?" Narae's arms snaked around Daniel's. "You adore my Unnie? Really? You like her?"

Wynter glared at their youngest. "Lee..." she said using a threatening tone.

Narae took a step back, and both Daniel and Anurak chuckled. "Tsk tsk. Pagkatapos akong pagalitan nung isa, ikaw naman," naiiling na sabi ni Anurak sa pinsan nito.

"So... change topic, ey?" alanganing suhestyon ni Narae. She cleared her throat before inviting the guests to sit at a vacant for four table. Dominique did not remove his arm on Wyn's shoulders. "Anyway, so tama lang ang dating niyo since we're having a new feature in our club," pakausap nito sa dalawang kasama ni Wyn.

Pansin naman ni Wynter ang pag-ikot ng tingin nila Mike sa club. "It's my first time here, so everything still amazes me," wika pa ng lalake.

"Same!" Daniel looked at her. "Ang ganda pala talaga ng club niyo 'no?"

Wynter nodded. "It's our hard work. Clubbing was just our simple hobby but then..." She looked around, kinda like taking a trip down memory lane. Wyn's lips then formed a small genuine smile. "It became a huge part of our lives. An important goal."

There was a short silence before Narae clapped her hands. "So anyway as I was saying, there will be a new feature, we started last week—"

Narae was cut off by a ringing phone—Anurak's phone to be exact. "Hey... oh... uhm... I ahm... D-Don't bother. J-Just send me the address. Thanks." Anurak ended the call and gave the three of them a knowing look. Sabay-sabay naman silang tumango saka ngumiti si Anurak kela Mike at Dan. "Sorry, gentlemen, but I won't be able to assist you in any way tonight. Got some errands to do." Anurak turned to face the three of them. "Don't let Narae flirt too much. That's all. Thanks, guys!"

Narae automatically pouted. "At ako na naman ang nakita."

"No need to worry, An," Dom assured him.

Wynter playfully saluted. "Ingats."

Anurak bid goodbye one last time before he rushed out of the club. Nilingon naman ulit ni Wyn ang dalawa. "So, there would still be four hours before the party starts. You can spend your time roaming around the country. Malls are everywhere."

"Wait!" pigil ni Narae, saka tiningnan ang dalawang bisita. "Aren't you curious about the feature?"

Wynter sighed and the two men chuckled. Mike was the one who asked, "What's the new feature then, Miss?"

Narae grinned and clapped her hands. "We'll be having live bands!"

Napatingin si Wyn kay Dan nang mapansing lumiwanag ang mukha nito. Right there and then, she remembered something about their past.

"Can we play? Just one song, I promise," Daniel asked Narae.

The lady's eyes widened. "You play?" she exclaimed in glee.

Dan nodded, still with that smile on his face. "Mike and I. We used to play in a band. Different bands though."

Halata naman sa mukha ni Narae ang pagkamangha. "Oh my! Which instrument?"

It was Mike's turn to talk. "I used to play drums, and Dan used to play bass."

Hindi na napigilan ni Narae na pumalakpak sa tuwa. "Oh my! Oh my!" She then turned in their direction. "We'll let them play first, right, Unnie? Oppa?"

Dominique shrugged. "As long as they entertain the audience, it's fine with me."

Nang mapatingin si Wyn kay Dan ay nahuli niya itong nakatingin sa kanya. "What?"

Daniel's smile grew wider. "Be our lead guitarist and vocalist."

Agad naningkit ang mga mata niya. "What now?"

Mike nodded in agreement. "Yeah. That would be fun," he added.

Narae suddenly squealed. "Oh my! That'll be great, Unnie!"

Wynter sighed then rolled her eyes. Now, where the hell did I put myself in? Wynter palmed her face.