Chapter VI: Deal

"It's just .. I don't want to be a hot topic," sabi ko habang inaayos ang seatbelt ko. I'm saving myself, my family, and him from any scandal. Me interfering with a guy's relationship will be Dad's end. And besides, he still has a career and girlfriend to uphold.

He started to maneuver the car away from the parking lot.

We were on the road when he suddenly opened up a conversation.

"Ahmm so ah Since I'm driving you home tonight. Can I ask something in return?" he asked out of nowhere. Nabalot ako ng pagtataka dahil sa biglaan nitong panghihingi ng kapalit. I swear if this guy wants a night I'm going to straight-up call my Dad.

"Sure whatcha need?" I asked him casually but in my purse, I'm slowly scrolling through my contacts to look for Dad's phone number.

"We will be flying later to Bahrain. Since we are in the same building, I want you to come with me to the airport then drive my raptor back to the condo. I will also entrust you the key of my raptor" he replied. I felt relieved when he didn't go to the road I was expecting him to go.

"Ahmm why me? What about your girlfriend? And are you sure? You're going to entrust me the key to your car? What if I decided to sell your car without your permission?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Well, you can't sell it because my signature is needed in that. Besides, I have the papers with me so you can't sell it," he explained. 

"Well, my Dad can go around that. He has connections," pabiro kong sabi dito.

"And about Samantha , she's busy with training. PVL starts in three days. She's fully booked," he explained.

"Whatever. What time do we leave then?" tinatamad kong tanong.

"Well our flight is at 10 am so we need to be there by 7 according to Coach Sandy. We will leave by 5:30." Pagkasabi nya ng oras ay tinignan ko ang relo ko.

It's 12:30. Well, I can manage. Kaya ko ngang magdrive kahit walang tulog. How much more ang kapag may ilang oras na tulog.

"Give me your number so I can call you when I'm ready to go," I asked said.

"Huh? I already have your number," taka nitong tanong pero kinuha nya ang phone nya sa bulsa nya at iniabot sakin iyon.

"I changed my number," I replied.

False. I just don't want him to have my personal phone number. My personal phone number is just limited to the people that I personally know. I'll give him my business phone number.

He has the latest iPhone and his lock is him and her girlfriend on the beach. Cute. I swiped up to unlock it but it has a password.

"What's the pass?" I asked him.

"Djim24," he replied in a heartbeat.

I was surprised that it has nothing to do with his girlfriend. Some cliche couples have each other's names as their password. Maybe they are not one of them. Besides this guy grew up in the States, having those as a password is so uncool for him.

I typed in my number and registered it under the name Miss Abad. Then I called my phone for me to record his phone number

"I saved my number under Miss Abad," I told him as I handed him over his phone.

We got stuck in traffic a few blocks from the condominium. I think there was a road crash.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at tinanaw ang magandang city lights. So lively and youthful. I smile crept out of my face.

"So besides your name and university, I know nothing about you. Mind telling me," he asked trying to dig deep into my personal life. 

Wow, this guy is really being talkative right now. Is he drunk?

"Hmmm... My Dad works for a company, my brother is a surgeon at St. Luke's Medical Center and my mom is a former model," I answered. That's enough to shut him up. 

"What about your Dad? What does he do for the company?" usisa nito

"Rather not talk about it. It's sorta confidential," pagpapaliwanag ko dito. This guy is up to something. Why is he suddenly interested in me?

"What about you? Tell me something about yourself," halos matawa ako sa sinabi ko. Am I interviewing someone?

"Hmmm My Dad is a Filipino and my Mom is American. I have a younger brother back in the States. I came to the Philippines to play ball," he replied.

See! He is focused on his career that's why I shouldn't be here sitting at the passenger seat of his Raptor! I might be the end of it all!

Naghiwalay kami pagkarating sa lobby ng condo. He was called by the receptionist. Looks like someone left something for him. I didn't wait for him and headed up to my unit.

Pagpasok ko ng unit ay agad kong hinubad ang stilettos ko at sumalampak sa kama.Nag set ako ng alarm ng 4:45 am and after that I'm off to the dream land.

4:45 am

I wake up from my sleep with a headache. Fucking hangover. Tumayo ako mula sa pag kakahiga at nagtungo sa banyo. I need some Advil. This headache will be the end of me.

Hindi ko maisip na gumising ako ng ganito kaaga para lang samahan ang lalakeng ilang araw ko palang kilala. Napairap na lang ako. Nakakainis din minsan ang mga patanga-tanga ko desisyon.

I walked towards the kitchen to make some coffee. My coffee is two shots of espresso and half a cup of milk.

Kinuha ko ang tasa at umupo sa may balcony. Hmmm cold early morning breeze.

About our trip to Bahrain, I'm having second thoughts about it. What if makita kami ni Dwight? He might assume na I'm one of his creepy fangirls trying to follow him wherever he goes. I don't want him to give meaning to all my actions.

It's a debate of my mind and body.

After finishing my coffee, I headed back to my room to take a shower. It was a quick one since I already enjoyed my bath time last night before going to the club.

I pulled out a plain white v-neck shirt and black structured shorts. It's a safe color combination.

Matapos kong magbihis ay humarap ako sa aking vanity mirror. I blow-dried my hair. I won't need to spend a lot of time on my face since it's a morning look. I opted for a natural fresh look. I applied a thin layer of tinted sunscreen then brushed my brows. I decided to apply a brow gel. After that, I put on a thin layer of blush then finished the look with a lip tint.

I decided to put my hair in a high ponytail. I accessorized my look by wearing my Gold Matinee necklace.

Kinuha ko ang aking Cross body bag at inilagay dun ang wallet, iPad, susi at hand sanitizer. After prepping, I looked at the clock. It's already 5:15 am. I should go ahead and wait for him in the lobby.

I called Dwight while I'm on my way to the elevator. He answered after two rings.

"Good morning, I'm on my way to the lobby," bungad ko dito.

"Just go straight to the parking lot. I'll wait for you by the elevator door." I stopped in my tracks. what? Nasa parking lot na sya?

"Was I late? Are we running late?" taka kong tanong.

"Nope. You're just in time. I kinda went down earlier to put my luggage," paliwanag nito.

"Alright. I'll meet you at the basement." After that, I ended the call and hop-in into the elevator.

As the elevator was going down, I got some flashbacks. I met his girlfriend in the elevator last time. She knows my face. If she sees pictures of me and Dwight, she can easily track me down. I can't back out from this but I still need to save my face. I need a disguise when I go out of the car!

A hat and sunglasses will do.

When the elevator door opened I immediately saw Dwight wearing a blue shirt with a small Philippine flag in its middle.

"Hi!, sorry but I have to get back. I promise I'll be quick. Here's my bag. Don't worry I won't leave you hanging." Iniabot ko sa kanya ang bag ko at pinindot ulit ang elevator paakyat sa unit ko

Ano kayang iniisip nun? Baka isipin nya natatae ako. Bahala na.

Pag pasok ko ng unit ay agad akong nagtungo sa kwarto para kunin ay sunglasses ko at ang baseball cap ni Kuya. On my way out I grabbed my flask.

Pagbaba ko sa basement ay nandun parin si Dwight at nakasukbit sa balikat nya ang bag ko.It somehow made me feel butterflies. 

"Sorry for the wait," pagpapaumahin ko.

"No worries." Nauna syang maglakad. Sinabayan ko sya at ambang kukunin na ang bag ko pero iniiwas nya iyon.

"Let me carry it. It's not that heavy," he said.

"Yeah, it's not that heavy so let me carry it," I opposed him. Gusto nya ba yung bag ko?!Oh my! Don't tell me he's gay?!

"Savannah, It's too early to pick a fight. Just follow me," he said with finality. Okay, I'll let this slide but any other actions that will trigger my heart will not be allowed. I'll do everything to shield this freakin heart of mine.