“No,” she whispered. Her heart was beating way too fast. Pakiramdam niya ay mauubusan siya ng oxygen. And the air felt so warm despite of the wind blowing from the sea. Kumunot ng noo nito. Saka lang siya natauhan. “I mean… I am okay.”
But she was not really okay. Bakit siya natutulala sa lalaking ito. Yes, he was handsome. Pero marami naman siyang guwapong lalaki na nakakasalamuha sa araw-araw niyang trabaho. Handsome and powerful men. Her father and brother were some of them. Why would this man make any difference?
Tinanggal nito ang coat at isinuot sa balikat niya. “You should see a doctor then. There is one in the yacht.”
Pinigilan niya ito sa kamay. “Look, I am not sick. You don’t have to call a doctor, thank you. I was just having an argument with the damn sandals. The high heels are killing me. But I am really okay.”
Tumango-tango ito. “I thought you are sea sick or something. Wait! I will just get you a seat.”
“Mind if I slump on the floor and take off these sandals?” But she didn’t wait for his answer. Tinanggal niya ang sandals niya at umupo sa sahig. “It’s what I hate with parties like this. Ni walang upuan,” reklamo niya.
He let out a masculine laugh. “You are really something, lady. Habang ingat na ingat ang mga babae sa ikikilos nila, where poise and elegance is concerned, you don’t care a bit about it, huh?”
“I won’t forsake comfort for grace and poise. I am not the type who conforms to that. I am sorry if I am being frank. But this is me.”
Umuklo ito sa tabi niya. “Well, you are still a lady to me. A real one, chère.”
She smiled with the hint of French in his voice. It was so masculine and romantic. “Many would argue with you about it.”
Tingin ng karamihan sa mga lalaki sa kanya ay one of the boys dahil na rin sa klase ng trabaho niya. Di rin siya mareklamo kahit saan pumunta o kahit ano ang ipakain. She could even fight like any man. Kaya naman walang nanliligaw sa kanya.
“I don’t care about their opinion. I always live by my rules.” Tumayo ito. “Anyway, you want a refill on your champagne?”
Tiningnan niya ang flute na walang laman. “You don’t really have to bother. I can get it myself.” Akmang tatayo siya nang pigilan nito.
Kinuha nito ang flute sa kanya. “Stay there, chère. I’ll get it. Ayokong bumalik ka sa party para lang pilayin ang paa mo.”
“Thanks!” Di niya maiwasang ngumiti nang bumalik ito sa party. Niyakap niya ang sarili. “He called me chère.” It was such a charming endearment. At di niya inaakalang may tatawag sa kanya niyon. Sinapo niya ang pisngi. “Nakakakilig pala. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng kinikilig.”
Noong teenager siya ay di niya naranasan na magkaroon ng crush. Bukod sa matinding magbantay ang kuya niya, busy rin siya sa pag-aaral. Isa pa, kahit nga ang mga siga sa school nila ay takot sa kanya. Paano naman siya magkakagusto sa mga lalaking lalampa-lampa?
“Here you go, chère.” Inabot nito ang champagne sa kanya. “And I also brought some food.”
“Oh!” Nanlaki ang mata niya nang makita ang laman ng plato na bitbit nito. There were tequila melon nalls Wrapped with Parma ham, shell served mussels with mayonnaise and prawn & salmon vol au vents. Bigla siyang nagutom. “Thanks! Errr…” Di niya alam ang pangalan nito. “I am sorry. I didn’t get your name.” Inilahad niya ang kamay. “I am Reese Polavieja.”
He held her hand and kissed the back of it. “Marcoe Arezmendi, mon chère.”
She stared at him open-mouthed. “Arezmendi? You mean you are Marcoe Arazmendi? The half-French who is the heir to the vast winery in Bordeaux, France?”
She used to see him on papers. He also glossed the international magazines with famous celebrities in his arms. Well, she was not interested with him then. Mas gusto kasi niyang basahin ang mga politics, giyera at trahedya na makakakuha ng international attention. Pero nang makaharap niya ito, nahiling niya na sana ay noon pa niya ito tinitigang mabuti para di naman siya mukhang starstruck.
Napaungol ito. “I am just your lowly waiter tonight.”
She took a bite of prawn & salmon vol au vents and sipped the champagne. “I don’t think I can keep you, Mr. Hotshot Wine God. You are too expensive.” Magmumukha siyang dukha kumpara sa kayamanan nito. “I am sure that many women would love to have you as their personal waiter.”
Nilipad ang buhok niya sa lakas ng hangin. He took it with his fist. Dahan-dahang lumapit ang mukha nito sa kanya. “My service is free, chère. The only one I want to serve is the pretty lady who is wearing my coat and slumping on the yacht’s floor beside me right now.”
Binasa niya ang labi habang halos di humihinga. “So this is like a charity?”
“Not really a charity. You can have me for free except for a donation.”
“Donation? What kind of donation?”
“A kiss.”