"Oh my gosh girlfriend!" kilig na hinila siya ni Eve sa women's restroom.
Buti na lang palabas na ang babae na nasa loob. Nakakaeskandalo ang pagtili at pagtalon-talon pa ni Eve dahil sa kilig.
"Sabi mo hindi pa kayo? Ano yung honey-honey na yun ha?" tanong nito.
Stacey chewed her bottom lip. "Yun kasi ang gusto niya eh. He calls me honey so dapat ganun na din ang tawag ko sa kanya. Pero hindi pa talaga kami." she replied. Hindi na niya sinabi ang dahilan kung bakit pumayag na din siya.
" Woe! Ang sweeetttt!! Kung hindi lang ako magmumukhang tanga kanina, gusto kong magkikisay sa kilig! As in super grabe! Sasabunutan kita ng bonggang-bongga pag hindi mo pa sinagot si Nick! Itumba na lang natin lahat ng lalandi sa kanya! Importante sayo siya girlfriend!" tili na naman nito.
"EVE!" saway niya.
Hinarap siya nito sa salamin at hinaplos-haplos ang buhok niya. "Ano ba ang gamit mong shampoo at hair-conditioner? Ang haba ng hair mo! Grabe!" Para kang juicy steak kung titigan ni Nick! Yung tipong gustong-gusto ka niyang kainin!! " tili na naman nito.
"Baliw ka talaga! Sandali nga! Mag-babanyo ako." she said bago pumasok sa cubicle.
"Nakita mo ba kung paano maglaway ang mga babae sa labas? I'm sure if pwede lang, gusto ng mga yun maglaho ka! " natatawang sabi ni Eve bago pumasok sa isa pang cubicle.
Nailing na lang si Stacey. Biglang narinig niya na bumukas ang pintuan and may mga babaeng pumasok.
"WAHH!! Laglag yata ang bikini ko bes! Ang guwapo!! " sabi ng isa.
"Oo mga eh! Kung hindi lang mukhang galit susundan ko eh! Ang bango-bango pa hayyy!" the other one commented.
Kumunot ang noo ni Stacey. She knows that they are talking about Nick. Pero umalis daw na galit? Saan naman pupunta yun? At bakit galit?
She hurriedly went out of the cubicle. Paglabas niya she called Eve. Tumahimik ang dalawang babae na nag-uusap when she came out.
"Sandali." Eve retorted.
Habang naghuhugas ng kamay si Stacey, napansin niya na pinagmamasdan siya ng dalawang babae. She just glanced at them.
"Bilisan natin bes! Baka bumalik na siya." sabi ng isa with short hair bago pumasok sa isa pang cubicle.
"Sige reretouch lang ako." the one with brown hair said.
Napasimangot si Stacey. Mas lalo palang nakakainis pag ganito na naririnig niyang pinag-uusapan si Nick ng mga babae.
"Baka naman may girlfriend na bes." sabi nung may brown hair habang nag-aaply ng lipstick.
Lumabas ng cubicle si Eve.
"Keber ko!" sabi ng nasa cubicle.
Naghugas din ng kamay si Eve.
"Eve tara na." aya ni Stacey.
Her friend raisied her hand as if to say na sandali lang. Kumunot ang noo ni Stacey.
"Titikim lang naman. Mahirap magka-bf ng ganun ka-yummy. Madaming lalandi." sabi ng nasa cubicle pagkalabas nito.
"Parang kayo?" Eve asked all of a sudden habang nagpupunas ng kamay.
Nagtinginan ang dalawang babae.
"Kami ba ang kausap mo Miss?" tanong ng girl with brown hair.
Eve took her time wiping her hands. Nasa malapit sa pintuan si Stacey. Before she answered, tinapon nito ang paper towel sa basurahan then she looked at the two women.
"Di ba yung pinag-uusapan niyo yung naka long-sleeves na puti na may stubble? Yung nakaupo malapit sa dulo?" she asked them.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawang babae.
"Nakikita niyo ang mala-dyosa sa ganda na babaing yan?" sabay turo kay Stacey.
"Okay ka lang miss? Ginagawa mo pa kaming bulag! May saysay ba yang sasabihin mo?" mataray na tanong ng girl with brown hair.
"Eh kasi yung pinagpapantasyahan niyong lalake sa labas eh dyowa lang naman ng saksakan ng ganda kong friend! Kaya kung ako senyo huwag ng umasa ha? Minsan kahit libre ang mangarap huwag abusuhin! " nakataas ang kilay na sabi ni Eve sa dalawang babae na naiwang naka-nganga.
"Eve! Grabe ka naman! Tama bang ipahiya mo pa yung mga babae?" naiiling na sabi ni Stacey nang makalabas sila ng banyo.
Kahit naman naiinis siya parang hindi kaya ng powers niya na gawin yung ganun.
"Hay naku girlfriend! Magpraktis ka na! Believe me, kakailanganin mo yan!" nakapamewang pa na sabi nito.
"Ewan ko sayo!" natatawang sabi niya.
"Nasaan si Nick?" tanong ni Eve nang nasa lamesa na sila.
Wala ito pero may nakaipit na buong isang libo sa ilalim ng tasa nito. Nilibot ng mata nila ang buong cafe pati ang labas through the glass walls pero wala si Nick.
Nag-ring ang cp ni Stacey.
"Si Nick." sabi niya kay Eve bago sinagot ang telepono.
Hindi pa siya nakakapag-hello she heard heard him say, "Nandito ako sa kabilang side ng coffee shop. Itim na BMW." malamig na malamig na sabi nito.
Hindi pa siya nakakasagot ibinaba na nito ang telepono.
"Ano daw? Asan siya? " takang tanong ni Eve.
Tumayo na si Stacey. "Tara na Eve. Hinihintay niya ako sa labas. Dun din naman naka-park ang kotse mo sa kabilang parking lot di ba?" tanong niya.
Tumango na lang si Eve. "Anong nangyari? Bakit lumabas na si Nick? Okay naman lahat kanina di ba? Napano ang dyowa mo girlfriend?" Eve asked.
"Ewan ko. Bilisan na natin." sabi na lang niya.
GOSH! What happened? She asked herself.
Lumapit silang dalawa sa sinasabi ni Nick na kotse. Bumukas ang pintuan and bumaba si Nick. His face looks grim. Kinabahan si Stacey.
"Do you need a ride?" he asked Eve. His tone is expressionless.
Umiling si Eve while staring at him. His unsmiling handsome face looks cold. Malayo sa Nick na kasama nila kanina na playful. Pero mukhang mas lumakas lalo ang appeal nito. He really looks like the powerful and rich businessman that he is.
"No." Stacey’s friend said as if namatanda.
Tumango si Nick. "Mauuna na kami." he said icily bago binuksan ang pintuan for Stacey.
He didn't say anything. His eyes narrowed as he directed them to her.
"Eve tawagan na lang kita. Thank you." she told her friend before getting in the car.
Hindi na siya lumingon or tumingin kung saan -saan. She just sat there as she stares at her bag on her lap. Kinakabahan siya. Mukhang sinumpong na naman si Nick ng pagka-bipolar nito.
He slid in but didn't say anything. Nabalot ng katahimikan ang loob ng sasakyan. She doesn't want to break the silence. Sinulyapan niya si Nick. His face looks woody. His mouth is set in a grim line.
Hanggang sa makalabas sila ng kotse at sumakay sa elevator walang nagsalita sa kanila. Maya't-maya tinatapunan ni Stacey ng tingin si Nick but he doesn't seem to be even glancing at her .Naisip niya na paano pa niya sasabihin dito yung tungkol kay Blake kung ngayon pa lang he is already in a very dark mood?
She has to think of beautiful things to lessen her nervousness. She has seen him very angry before. She hates to admit it pero natatakot siya kay Nick though she knows na hindi naman siya nito sasaktan physically. For the short time that she has known him, she knows that he can be very sweet and loving but he can be really bad when he is furious.
Nauna itong pumasok sa condo and he proceeded to the kitchen without even glancing at her. She locked the door behind her.
Nasilip niya na kumuha ito ng alak sa cabinet.
"Nag-lunch ka na ba?" lakas loob niyang tanong.
He didn't answer her. Nakatalikod ito sa kanya habang tumutungga ng sunod-sunod.
"I'll prepare something for you. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit." mahinang sabi niya before going to the bedroom.
(Nick)
Narinig niya ang sinabi ni Stacey but he chose not to answer.
Pagkarinig niya na pumasok na ito sa kwarto, buong lakas na hinagis niya ang baso sa lababo .Nabasag ito.
He is shaking with anger.
"FUCKING HELL!!"
He has been trying to control his rage. The last thing he wants is pagbuhatan ito ng kamay. But he is furious.
He was really ready to beat the fucking asshole pero hindi niya ito naabutan.
So tama ang hinala niya na kasama ito nila Eve at Stacey.
Nasabunutan niya ang sarili.
"SHIT!!" namumula ang mukhang mura niya.
He got another bottle of booze and naglakad siya papunta sa sala. Hinubad niya ang polo niya at hinagis lang sa sahig. He carelessly sat on the couch while opening the bottle.
Sa mismong bote na siya uminom.
He wants Stacey to tell him the truth. Hindi niya sasabihin dito na nakita niya ang tarantadong pinsan ni Eve.
Control your rage Alcantara! You have to find out if she's going to be honest. Advise niya sa sarili.
Ilang beses na niyang nasubukan ang katapatan nito. But this time ibang lalake ang pinag-uusapan .Hindi si Derick .He is really hoping na magsasabi ito ng totoo dahil kung hindi lalabas na lalo ang pagka-gago at sira-ulo niya. His eyes narrowed when she came out.
Naka-puting sleeveless body-hugging cotton top ito and black cotton shorts. Her hair is in a ponytail. She is barefoot and her pink toenails look so damn sexy like the rest of her.
Don't be taken by her charms Alcantara! Saway niya sa sarili.
Parang nag-aalangan itong lumapit sa kanya.
"A-Anong gusto mong iluto ko?" Stacey asked in a slightly nervous voice.
She saw his long-sleeves shirt on the floor. Kinuha niya ito then folded it bago ipinatong sa center table.
Sumandal si Nick sa sofa as he watches her. He put down the bottle of booze on the side table near him.
"Hindi ako gutom." supladong sabi nito.
Stacey moistened her lips.
"Sit, so can have our talk."he said .
Medyo nakahinga ng konti si Stacey. At least hindi ito sumisigaw. Mukhang kumalma na kahit papano.
She sat on the couch na medyo malayo dito.
Tumayo ito and sat on the single sofa on her right. Stacey frowned slightly.
"I want to see your eyes when we talk." sabi nito.
Isa pa sa nadiskubre niya about Nick is, he is very good in hiding his emotions most of the time. Like now. His face and eyes look blank.
She nodded. She sighed and tried to calm down.Wala naman siyang ginawang masama.
Wala nga ba? You were with Blake and you know Nick is jealous of him. Sabi ng isang bahagi ng utak niya.
"So what did you do for the past few hours?" he asked as he leans on the sofa. His eyes are directly looking at her.
Lumunok muna siya bago sumagot. "Sinamahan ko si Eve na mag-grocery." she said.
No reaction from him. "Then we ate out for lunch." she added.
"Kayong dalawa lang?" he asked.
Nagbaba ng tingin si Stacey.
"I want to see your eyes!" mahina ang pagkakasabi pero matigas.
It’s just the two of them in his unit. Nick can do what he wants with her and she can’t stop him. But she wants to be honest with him. Although she needs to omit some parts. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya.
Sinalubong niya ang mga mata nito.
"Blake was there too." halos pabulong na sabi niya.
Napalunok siya when she saw how his face changed.
His breathing became shallow. Naningkit ang mga mata nito.
"How long were you with that fucking asshole?" he asked chillingly.
Nag-isip si Stacey. "S-Sandali lang..mga isang oras." sagot niya.
Nagmura ito and napapikit si Stacey. She knows that even a minute with Blake will make Nick very angry. Ano pa kaya ang isang oras ?
"Saan kayo kumain?!"
Sinabi niya ang pangalan ng restaurant.
"Anong oras kayo kumain?" malamig na tanong nito.
"M-Mga between 12:30 to past 1 PM yata." sagot niya.
He continued to look at her. "May kailangan pa ba akong malaman honey?" he asked. His tone is arctic.
She pouted.
"W-Wala." she said.
For several seconds he didn't say anything. Titig na titig ito sa kanya. She tried not to tear her eyes from him.
Sabihin ko na kaya? She asked herself.
He got his phone in his pocket while his eyes are still on her. Panandalian nitong inalis ang tingin sa kanya to dial his phone. After dialing, ibinalik nito ang mga mata sa kanya.
"Sonny? Si Nick Alcantara...kumusta?" tanong nito sa kausap.
Stacey is thinking kung paano niya uumpisahang sabihin kay Nick yung pagtabi sa kanya ni Blake and paghimay nito ng seafood for her. She decided to tell him everything. Bahala na kung lalong magalit ito. Mas mahirap kalaban ang konsensiya.
"Malakas pa din ang seafood restaurant mo?" dinig niyang tanong ni Nick.
She frowned.
"Pare, pwede ba akong humingi ng pabor?" he asked the man named Sonny. Nick turned on the loud speaker.
"Oo naman pare! Kahit ano! " sagot ng lalake.
"May hinahanap kasi akong tao. May nakapagsabi kasi sa akin na kumain daw kanina sa restaurant mo. Malaki kasi ang atraso sa akin pare."Nick said.
Stacey's palms started to sweat.
"Paano ako makakatulong pare?" tanong nung Sonny.
"Pwede kong makita ang recording ng CCTV niyo between 12:00 to 2:00 kaninang lunch pare?" he asked while his eyes are still fixated on her.
"Oo naman pare! Anytime!" sagot nung Sonny.
"Salamat pare. I know I can count on you. Sige tawagan kita bukas bago ako pumunta diyan. Give my regards to tita Linda." he said before cutting the call.
Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ni Stacey.
"Yun ang may ari ng seafood restaurant na kinainan niyo. Barkada ko nung highshool." he said with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
Biglang naalala ni Stacey ang sinabi nito dati. And napahawak siya sa dibdib niya.
I have a lot of connections, never forget that.