CHAPTER SEVEN
Lara
"WHY DID you accept it, Zach? Hindi mo ba narinig yung binulong ko? Marami ka pa naman gagawin at siguro maabala ka pa." tanong ko sakanya at tanging pagngiti lang ang nagawa nito habang hawak ang papeles kung saan ang kontrata.
Those are the terms of becoming the sponsorship candidate, may hawak din siyang paper bag ng mga damit ni Clarisse.
"Hmm, it's fine Lara. It won't take my time thats why I accept it, I don't expect that your boss will take me as a model of her shop. Which this is my first time, that someone complimented me, I see this as an oppurtunity that I can even show my modeling skill not just in sports." He replied and we both stopped walking when we reach our car.
"How about I treat you some lunch again? I found a good restaurant nearby." tumayo ako ng tuwid sakanya nang maalala ang pabor ng model na 'yon, she will not come if I haven't still force Zach to date her.
Maybe this will be a good catch for chance, I'm screwed if I lose this way and just leave like that. That model and her favor was the only succees of my friend clothing line.
"What about dinner? Magla-lunch na lang ako paguwi sa condo. I will treat you since you got a job from my friend and I should thanks you." utal ko, pinipilit kong wag ilabas ang naturang nararamdaman ko dahil maaring posibleng maiwasan ko siya dahil sa nerbiyos at takot. Why I am so obstinate?
Kinukutuban ako na kung sakaling mamaya malaman niya na inilagay ko siya sa blind date, How can I manage to force Zach or should i lie?
"That will do, thanks for touring me to your boss clothing line. Let's meet later just text me i'll just go to your condo." Isang tango na lang ang nagawa ko dahil hindi parin masusi ang mga ideyang nabubuo sa isipan ko, wala na akong nasabi at bumalik na sa kotse.
I heave a deep sigh and put my forehead on the steering wheel. I couldn't even reply any words, Am I gone crazy now?
When I saw Zach car moving out in the garage, pinausad ko na ang kotse ko para mabigyan siya ng daan.
WE ALREADY seperate our ways and I came back to the condo, I lay my body on the soft bed and couldn't stop breathing hard from overthink.
What should I do? Should I contact that model and ask for another favor?
Kinuha ko sa bulsa ang papel kung nasan ang contact number ng model at i-sinave sa contact, I even said that it was my treat. Hindi ko pa nakukuha ang salary ko kay Clarisse.
The hour had passed after I finished my lunch, I've been knocked out by boredom and I woke up from a deep sleep.
Tumayo ako at tinignan ang relo, my eyes dilated as I saw the time. God, I am late now, maaga pa naman pumupunta si Zach.
I walked towards the closet and rummage some clothes that will suit for a date but then I remember that I wasn't the one who will be put in a date.
I bring back all the clothes and just pick the ordinary one, a sleeve shirt and pants. Napatingin ako sa rack ng sapatos at nabalingan ko ang pares ng sandal.
"That's horrible If i wear those." I said hopelessly.
Dinampot ko na lang ang sapatos na may sintas at saka tumingin sa salamin, "Nakaligo ba ako?" tanong ko at inamoy ang sarili.
"It's fine, hindi naman ako ang sasalang." nilagyan ko na lang ng perfume ang damit ko bago isinara ang condo, I looked again at my wristwatch and it's in six now.
Bumaba na ako at tinignan muli ang relo, It should be seven strike the model will be there. Kinuha ko kaagad ang cellphone ko at idinial ang model, I waited for almost minute in two calls and she didn't answered.
"Magpapa-date, tapos mukhang hindi interesado." bulong ko at muling idinial ang number ng model, after three rings my heart was back again at normal.
"Oh, you're the woman on salon? I didn't think you are, I thought it was one of my fan so I didn't answer it, my bad. Had you already force your friend to date me?" She said, I sighed in relieve before I answer.
"Hi Miss, I already force him, I'll just text the address of the place where it will be settled, I will wait you there." I replied rushly and then she answered again.
"Why now?" She ask confusely.
"Ngayon lang po ang free time niya, lang ang chance para ma-date ka niya. I'll just wait you there and be ready po Miss, i'll hang up this call now."
"Yeah, I'll prepare now. Thankyou." she said before I end the call.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag bago ko isinara ang cellphone ko, patingin-tingin ako sa harap ng condo kung nandito na si Zach. My hands are trembling and I am thinking about the possible result.
Maybe Zach will leave that model if he founds out and then the model will discard the contract, I will hope that Zach will participate or should I supposed to say the truth that the model forced me to date him for the contract? Im baffled right now.
If that freaking model didn't intrigued me to this, I won't get problematic.
Nagulat ako nang namataan ang kotseng papalapit at nasilayan ang mukha ni Zach, nagsimulang tumibok ng mabilis ang puso ko ng ipinarada niya ang kotse sa harapan ko.
He stepped out in the car and genuinely walked towards my direction.
Awestruck hit me, when the whole moment was filled of silent and my eyes were stupefied by undefined feeling.
"Whoah." I whisper.
Zach was very new, I was stunned by his appealing presence, his walk can makes me you melt while his fingers are running to his hair.
Just simple smile attached on his captivating face, magnificient eyes and unmitigated jaw like ridges. Even his outfit really suits on him.
Thats manly.
I can see the muscle over his tight shirt, and he did. It was like he's going on date.
"Hi, Lara." He said manlike.
"Hi Zach, you're handsome I guess."
"Why would you guess?" he chuckled and led his hand over the distant between us.
"Nevermind, let's go." I said and instantly went inside to his car, nabasa ko ang tingin niya dahil ito ay nakatuon sa suot kong damit. Kaagad akong tumikhim para alisin ang tingin niya at masyado akong naabala.
"May dumi ba?" I asked and he instantly shook his head.
Pumasok na ako at umupo sa other side ng driver seat bago sumakay siya, bago niya minaiobra ang kotse ay kaagad kong hinawakan ang braso niya at nagaalinlangan na tanungin.
"Saan bang restaurant tayo kakain?" I asked and he immediately answered.
"Do you like some Seafood? I guess you'll like to go in B&S Seafood Resto, katabi lang ng boulevard and I guess ocean will calm you." ngumiti na lang ako at patango-tango habang tinatype ang mensahe na parating sa model.
"B&S Seafood Resto."
Nakahinga ako muling maluwag nang magseen at nagreply na papunta na daw sila ng kanyang driver, sinimulan na ni Zach na imaneho ang kotse at iniliko palabas ng condo. We're still on our way until the model send a messages again.
"I already reserved an VIP spot, so just ask the crew here where I could find. Excited to meet him."
Bumuntong-hininga ako at saka muling tinignan si Zach, kailangan ko nang sabihin ito bago pa kami makarating sa restaurant. Alam kong mali ang ginagawa ko pero siguro para rin sa kinabukasan ng shop ng kaibigan ko.
"Z-Zach." I called and he was still focus at driving.
"Zach, actually inilagay kita sa blind date ng isa sa mga kakilala ko." I said firmly and he was confounded.
"Zach, i'm really really sorry that I didn't tell you because I can't and you might refuse so. Maybe we could have dinner next time just this one." I said again and Zach glance at me with his amused aura.
"Blind date for who?"
"Zach, i'm very sorry. But yeah, This is for Clarisse, the model on that salon awhile ago was forcing me to convince you, to date on you but I can't say, since you're recommending me to lunch I take that oppurtunity to settle it now." itinigil niya ang kotse na ikinagulat ko at muli niya akong tinitigan, mas lalong naging madilim ang paningin niya at hindi ko masabi kung galit ba o masaya.
"Lara, bakit hindi mo sinabi? Para mas naagahan ko pa?" napalunok ako sa sinabi niya at bumalik ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko.
"Are you fine with that Zach, I thought you'll refuse?" I said and he smiled profusely.
"You said its for Clarisse, and I know she force you for the contract so I decided to help you." napangiti ako at kaagad na niyakap siya, ilang segundo yata ang itinagal nang mapansin kong nakakahiya ang ginawa ko.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine." and then, he put his hand gently to my hair and caressed it softly.
"Thankyou."
WE FINALLY stopped at B&B Seashop Resto and saw the sunset, kaagad na kaming bumaba at sinalubong ang malakas na simoy ng hangin.
Kaagad na kaming pumasok hanggang sa salubungin kami ng waiter.
"Ikaw po ba si Miss Moorgreese?" tanong ng waiter at isang tango ang itinugon ko.
"Follow me po, Miss." sumunod na kami ni Zach sa waitress hanggang idala kami sa ledge part ng resto kung saan natatanaw ang kabuuan ng karagatan, we saw the model on the big part of tables and many seafood are piled on the table.
"Zach, she's there." I point her and then I felt the warm hands of Zach on mine. He pulled me towards the VIP table of the model.
"Hello." the model greeted at Zach when we already sat distance between her and she laid her hand over Zach.
"I'm Miss Helena Wrotzwick, and you?"
"Nice to meet you, Miss Helena. Im Zach Heinsworth." Zach accept the handshake before Miss Helena looked at me and sneered at the moment that I am still on the table.
"I'm sorry, Zach enjoy i'll go now." kaagad na akong tumayo at umalis sa table, habang paalis ako ay palingon-lingon ako sakanila dahil mukhang nagtatawanan na sila.
I came back on the main hall of resto and sat on the vacant table, maybe I'll just wait them here tired and bored. Nang mabagot ako ay nagorder ako ng buko juice since available sakanila.
I order some sale buffet and finish it at quick, tinignan ko muli ang relo at mukhang ilang oras na ang naitagal ko sa pagupo.
I decided to go back again and see if Zach and Miss Helena has already done with their date, ngunit ganon parin hindi pa nauubos ang pagkain at nagtatawanan parin sila.
Somewhat I felt bored and I want to join them, nabalingan ko ang karugtong nang resto at isa itong bar which is pareho din ang offer ng food.
Kaagad akong tumungo sa bar counter at napansin ang bartender, "How may I help you, ma'am?" I rolled my eyes and spoke, "I'm Miss."
"Is there any drink available? Dapat yung makakapatanggal sakin ng stress?" The bartender smiled slightly and held a brown bottle of like liquor.
"Just 1 grand, Miss." kaagad akong nagbayad at saka idinala muli ang sarili sa tanawin, I open the drink and tried to taste it.
I haven't taste or know about this drink, this was like new to me. Sinimulan kong inumin at ilagok, kakaibang init ang dumaloy sa lalamunan ko at naramdaman ko ang kakaibang sipa sa buong katawan ko.
"This drink was strong." I whisper and my eyes are turning heavy, nagbibiro lang naman ako sa bartender pero binigyan talaga ako ng kakaibang inumin.
But in a blink of moment, I found myself standing infront of Zach with Helena. My body are trembling in cold and I felt sleepy.
That night, I didn't know what happen.