WILDEST PLAYER: TWO

"HAPPY REUNION, madapakas!" sigaw ng presidente ng dati nilang klase.

Most of the people present in that event howled and cheered. Wynter didn't wanna be rude or KJ, kaya naman pumalakpak na lang siya.

She was a friendly butterfly back then, but something happened which resulted in her having a few trust issues. That certain event in her life changed her. Praning na kung sa praning but hiding something that might ruin her made her who she is now.

"Oh my god! Wynter!"

Napalingon naman si Wynter nang may marinig na sumigaw ng pangalan niya. Rude as it may seem but she couldn't remember the woman's name. I mean... familiar yung mukha niya, but I can't grasp her name.

Wynter placed a small smile on her face before greeting the woman. "Hey."

"Oh my! Ang ganda-ganda mo naman!" the woman exclaimed which made Wyn wince a little.

She's still smiling creepily at me. Does she want me to return the compliment? "Ay thank you. You too." Okay, fine! I'm not as social as before, especially with these people! I mean... I rather flirt with strangers than have a chat with these acquaintances.

The woman still kept her smile plastered on her face, making Wynter feel more uncomfortable than she already is.

"Kumusta ka na? And ano nang trabaho mo? May karinderya na ba kayo o nagbebenta pa rin kayo ng kapatid ng grahams, maybe sa opisinang pinagt-trabahuhan mo?" The woman smiled saka may kinuha sa purse na dala nito. "Oh, by the way, before I forget." May inabot ito sa kanyang calling card. "Here's my card. You might need my help."

Wynter took the card and read it.

Unique Builders

Janelle Veleña

Construction Manager

Janelle Veleña? Now that's the reason why she seemed familiar. She's the center of attention of my former FWB. Napatango naman naman si Wynter saka tumingin sa babae. "Right. I might need your help—"

"Ay! Kaya lang mahal kami ha? Saka baka hindi pumayag yung boss namin kung karinderya lang ang kukunin naming project," maarteng imporma nito sa kanya.

Wynter studied the woman's smile. Fake. It was her turn to return the smile. "Nah, we're already done with that," panimula niya. "About the food business, we just opened a restaurant and people just came barging in. Dad had a bit of a problem due to tons of investors calling him these past few weeks," Wynter said with a very sweet smile. Please note the sarcasm. "Oh, right." Inabot naman niya ang wallet niya saka kinuha ang calling card niya. "Here are my calling cards." Wynter handed two cards to the woman who seemed shocked. "Hindi ko kasi pwedeng pagsamahin kaya dalawa na lang. One's for the restaurant, and the other's for psychological matters."

As Wynter smiled at Janelle, who still couldn't find the right words to say, she remembered something.

"Oh before I forgot, about the help I was going to ask from you, don't mind it."

Finally, Janelle was able to speak. "W-Was it supposed to be a branch of your restaurant?" Medyo humina ang boses nito na ikinangiti ni Wynter.

"Nah. My friends and I were planning to build our own club, but never mind. Mukhang may mahahanap naman na silang iba." Wynter picked up her glass before she faced Janelle. "Imma have to excuse myself to grab a drink now. Bye."

Kung walang planong umalis ang babae sa harapan niya ay siya na lang ang maga-adjust. Wynter had enough plasticity. Baka mamaya mairapan niya ito at mag-away pa sila sa reunion party na wala naman talaga siyang kaplano-planong umattend. If only it wasn't for him.

Napailing na lang si Wynter saka lumapit sa bar counter. "Red wine," aniya sa bartender.

Akmang tatalikod na siya rito nang magsalita ang lalake, "Yes, Ma'am!"

Wynter knew that that voice was familiar, so she looked back and hoped her assumptions were right.

And there he is, smiling playfully at her. "Hey, babe."

"M-Mike..."

Ngumisi ito sa kanya. "Hang on. I'll just get your order." Umalis ito saglit para abutin ang bote ng red wine na medyo nasa taas na parte saka humarap sa kanya. "So... how are you?"

After how many minutes since she came to the party, Wynter genuinely smiled. "I'm doing great. How about you? At saan mo nakuha ang number ko? Ha? I'm pretty sure you didn't get it from me."

Mike chuckled. "Ang daldal mo pa rin pala hanggang ngayon." Sinalin nito ang wine sa baso niya. "But I'm fine as well. Kasalukuyang nag-aaral sa medical school."

Wynter's smile didn't fade away as she talked to her friend. "Pareho pala tayo. But you haven't answered my second question."

Muling natawa si Mike. "Let's just say that a classmate of yours is a close friend of mine."

Naningkit naman ang mga mata niya sa sinagot ng lalake. "But I don't just give away my phone number unless—" Bahagyang natigilan si Wynter bago mahinang natawa. "Right. Group projects."

Nakita niyang ngumiti ang lalake sa kanya bago kumuha ng sariling iinumin. "Anyways, are you perhaps in a relationship?"

Nagdududang tiningnan ni Wynter ang dating kaibigan. His tone has a hint of flirting. "I'm currently in a relationship with my business and academics."

Wynter can clearly see the satisfaction on Mike's face. He seemed relieved with my answer. "So you haven't really changed that much, hmm?" puna nito sa kanya.

Her body relaxed and she felt her inner player coming to life. "Depends on what aspect we're talking about. I might say I have changed a lot."

Mike leaned on the counter to get closer to her ear as he whispered, "I wanna see the changes you're talking about." Then he pulled away and smiled at her, but this time, raw lust was visible in his eyes. "Wanna leave the party?"

Wynter's lips formed into a flirty smile. "Depends on the reason."

The man in front of her smirked. "You'll enjoy the reason."

She suddenly felt heat taking over her. I might really enjoy the reason. With that thought in mind, Wynter slightly moved away from the counter and gave Mike a knowing look.

Mabilis naman itong nakuha ng binata at nakangiting umalis sa bar. Tumalikod naman dito si Wynter at akmang maglalakad na palabas ng event hall nang bigla siyang may nakabanggaan.

"Sh*t!" Wynter hissed. Buti na lang naiwan niya sa counter ang wine niya.

Inangat ni Wyn ang tingin sa taong nakabangga sa kanya. Only to get shocked once again.

"Dan?" She was making sure that she wasn't hallucinating. Well of course, makikita't makikita niya ang binata sa lugar na 'yun. He was her classmate for Pete's sake!

"Emy! Hi! It's great to—" Bigla itong napatingin sa nasa likuran niya. "Mike! Pare! Teka lang ha?" Then when she thought he'd forget about her presence, Daniel took out his phone and went beside her. "Tara picture tayo, Emy."

Wynter got a hold of herself before she regrets looking dumb as hell in a picture with her former apple of the eye. When they were finally done taking pictures together, he once again faced her and gave her a dashing smile.

"Balita ko big time ka na ah!"

He seemed genuinely happy to see me, Wynter thought before she opened her mouth to speak. "Kanino mo naman nakuha 'yang chismis na 'yan ha?" she casually replied.

"Maka-chismis ka parang 'di totoo ah." He chuckled. "I saw a random picture of you on Instagram. I think it's on a res—"

Daniel's words were suddenly cut off by someone. "Daniel, tara na! Hanap ka na nila Janelle."

Wynter's mood suddenly turned sour. So before she could ruin others' night, she bid goodbye. "Hey, I'll go ahead. It's nice seeing you." She really meant her last sentence.

Nabigla naman siya nang hawakan ni Dan ang kamay niya. "Wait! You're leaving already?"

He seemed sad. Wynter shrugged at that thought and smiled at him. "Yeah. Emergency. Bye! Enjoy your night."

Hindi naman na siya pinigilan ni Dan at ngumiti na lamang sa kanya. "Okay okay. Take care, Emy. It's also nice seeing you here."

Ngumiti na lang siya saka bahagyang yumuko bago tuluyang lumabas ng venue.

She was still remembering Daniel's touch when suddenly, an arm found its way to her shoulders. Agad siyang lumingon sa nagmamay-ari ng brasong balak niyang baliin nang mapansing si Mike lang pala ito.

He automatically gave her a smile. "Did you think I'll let my door of opportunity close that easily?"

Wynter rolled her eyes. She definitely knows what kind of opportunity he was pertaining to. Besides, it has been a long time since someone gave her pleasure. Might as well be tonight.

"Make sure I'll enjoy it," panghahamon niya sa binata.

Mike looked at her. "You always enjoy me, babe." Then he winked at her.

Napailing na lang si Wynter sa kalokohan ng kaibigan niya. Basta ang sigurado niya, babalik na naman sila sa dati.

Just a pair of friends with benefits.