HE is a lothario. He is used to having his way with women. And I can’t let him kiss me. Di lahat ng babae pwede niyang mapasunod sa gusto niya. At di niya ako basta-basta makukuha!
Paulit-ulit na umaalingawngaw iyon sa utak ni Reese habang dahan-dahang lumalapit ang mukha ni Marcoe sa kanya. Teach him a lesson. Push him away. At kapag nagpumilit pa rin, sapakin mo. Sabay ihulog mo sa dagat.
She remembered a time when someone tried to kiss her. Kaklase niya noong college. P.E. nila noon at baseball ang subject nila. Inginudngod niya ang nguso sa baseball field sa sobrang galit niya.
Oh, shut up, brain! she muttered to her self and closed her eyes. Hinintay niya ang paglapat ng labi nito sa kanya. I don’t want to teach him any lesson. Actually, I want to get a few lessons from him instead. It’s about time that I get a real kiss. I will die if he will not kiss me tonight.
“Marcoe, dude! Wyndham told me that you are bored. Why don’t you…”
Biglang dumilat ang mata niya nang marinig ang boses ng lalaki na tumawag kay Marcoe. Nahigit niya ang hininga nang matuklasang malapit na malapit ang mukha nito sa kanya. He was dead serious about kissing her. Kung hindi nga lang dumating ang tumatawag dito.
He stared at her for the last time before he stood up and faced the newcomer. “What do you want, Andreas?” he asked in an impatient voice. Tumayo rin siya. Naiintindihan niya ang pakiramdam nito. She was pretty frustrated herself. Napurnada ang first kiss niya.
“Sorry, dude! I thought you are sulking here. Hindi ko alam na may kasama ka pala.” Inilahad ng lalaki ang kamay sa kanya. “Andreas del Pierro, Miss.”
She recognized him as the host of the party. And he also owned the yacht. “Reese Polavieja. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. del Pierro.”
“Are you related to Stephen Polavieja?”
“He is my brother.”
“He was my classmate in some subjects in college. We are not really buddies and not enemies either. Sinabi niyang may kapatid siya. Pero akala ko lalaki. He doesn’t usually bring you to parties.”
“Nah! I am not really into parties. I came here on his behalf. By the way, nice party you got here,” she commented and casually sipped the wine.
“Yeah! Looks like you are enjoying your own private party,” anang si Andreas at makahulugan silang tiningnan ni Marcoe.
“No offense meant, Mr. del Pierro. Not that I don’t enjoy your bash. But your yacht is so pretty; I want to imagine that I have the yacht on my own. Can’t blame me. I can’t imagine sharing it with a bunch of people.”
“Don’t forget me!” anang si Marcoe. “You are aboard with your handsome loyal servant, remember?” Saka ito yumukod.
“I don’t take any offense at all if you want to enjoy the party this way. Nag-alala lang ako dahil sinabi ni Ryuji na bored daw si Marcoe sa party ko. Mukhang wala akong kailangang ipag-alala. He is in the hands of a pretty lady. And he looks like he is enjoying this party more than I do!” nangingiting sabi ni Andreas at tinapik ang balikat niya. “I have to go back to the party. I want to enjoy your private lil party but I have duties to perform.”
“You are not invited in our party anyway,” pahabol ni Marcoe.
“Hindi mo ba gustong sumama sa kanya? You might be missing someone.”
“And who is that someone?”
“Uhmmm… a hot girl at the party.”
“I already got you. What more can I ask for?”
She grinned. “Aren’t you scared that I might be a gold digger?”
“If you are a gold digger, you will play the party of a seductress. I know the type. Kahit pa gaano siya kagaling umarte at magmukhang inosente. While you are a tough girl. I know that you are the type who doesn’t need help from any man.”
Bahagyang naningkit ang mata niya. “Are you a psychiatrist? Paano mo naman mahuhulaan na ganoon nga ako? Paano kung mali ka? Na nagpunta pala ako dito para mag-hunt ng mayamang lalaki?”
“Oh, really? Siguro papayag akong magpabiktima sa iyo,” anito at tumawa. “I guess it would be worth it. Lucky me for finding you first.”
She heard the roar of the launcher. Mukhang nag-uuwian na ang ibang mga bisita. “It’s almost midnight. I have to go.”
“Why? Don’t you enjoy my company anymore?”
Tinapik niya ang pisngi nito. “It’s not that. I am sorry. I really have to go. Cinderella is through being a princess when midnight strikes, remember?”
Gusto lang niyang ipaalala sa sarili niya na nagpunta siya doon para mag-imbestiga sa isang drug deal. Buti nga nakapag-enjoy pa siya kahit na wala naman doon ang hinahanap niya.
Natauhan na rin siya. Di na pwedeng lumawig pa ang pagkakakilala nila ni Marcoe. He was a player. She was not up for the game.
Then why did you let him kiss you? He almost did kung di nga lang dumating si Andreas, tanong niya sa sarili.
Kanina iyon. Ngayon natauhan na ako. And I would be back to my real world. Wala doong lugar si Marcoe tulad nang wala siyang lugar sa buhay nito.
“Then I’ll escort you to the marina.”
Sinamahan siya nitong magpaalam sa host nila. Kinabig siya nito palapit sa katawan nito nang humarurot ang motor ng lantsa at humaginit ang hangin. “Masakit sa balat ang hangin.”
Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa dibdib nito. Kaninang papunta ay tiniis niya ang lamig. Walang kwenta iyon sa kanya. In her line of work, there was a time that she had to dodge away from bullets. But it felt so good to feel his arms around her, making her feel safe. And his masculine scent made her heady. Kung pwede lang di na sila umalis sa lantsa.
Atubili siyang bumaba ng lantsa nang makarating sila sa marina. Tinanggal nito ang coat nito. “Thanks for keeping me company and for the lovely evening.”
“I hope you feet are okay,” anito habang naglalakad sila patungo sa parking lot kung saan nakaparada ang kotse niya.
“Yeah, thank you again. Good night, Marcoe.”
Pinigilan nito ang kamay niya nang pasakay na siya. “Wait! When will I see you again? How about a date?”
“You have to find me first. Goodbye, Mr. God of Wine.”