Chapter 5: Chapter 5, Laters
"Welcome to the Philippines, Mabuhay!"
Iyan ang sabi ng kapatid kong nag-sundo sa akin sa airport. May dala pa siyang cartolina. So sweet, baby.
"Ate! Finally! Dumating ka! I'm so happy!" She hugged me and kissed me on my cheek.
"I'm happy, too."
"Let's go? Nandyan na yung inarrange ko na driver para sa inyo."
"Wait... May hinihintay pa ako."
"What? Sino?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Layah.
Our sights were stolen by the man who came out of the airport. He was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and a gray jeans.
My very own, James Dean.
Oh, No. Hindi pala siya sa akin.
"Ate! Paano mo nilandi yan?" Tinapik niya ako at sabay bulong sa akin.
"Layah! He's not my boyfriend."
"Well, Hello, Ladies. You must be, Layah?" Hugo offered a hand to my sister.
"I am! A pleasure to meet you, Brother!" Layah hugged Hugo.
Hindi ako sigurado kung sarkastiko ang pag-tawag ni Layah na "brother" kay Hugo. Alam ni Layah na kapatid ni Wilson si Hugo. He is the brother of my ex-boyfriend.
"So, Layah... Shall we?" Tawag ko sa kanyang atensyon.
"Yes yes! Let's go!"
Sumakay kami sa sasakyan na hinanda ni Layah. Mainit pala talaga ang klima dito sa Maynila. Nasanay na kasi akong katamtaman lang ang init tulad sa Amerika.
Tinanggal ko ang cardigan kong suot kaya naka white spaghetti strap na lang ako at ang aking black pencil skirt.
Pagkatapos ng ilang oras ay naka-rating na kami sa hotel. Maganda ang exteriors ng hotel na ito. Looks expensive.
"Your room is in the 19th floor, Ate."
"And what about his?" I asked and looked at Hugo who has a half-smile on him.
"Oh, You're staying sa iisang room, Ate. Of course, I want you two to have so many fun!"
"Layah!" Nahihiyang sinaway ko siya.
"Aalis na ako mo pa ako habulin ng palo! Bye, Ate! See you later, bro!"
Sumakay kami sa elevator kasama ang bellboy na may dala ng aming maleta. Nang makapasok kami sa kwarto ay biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko.
The moment the door opened, There is a big living room, full of luxurious furnitures. As I walked my way inside, There is long table with many seats on it. Then I was curious about the bedroom, There's only one extra-big king bed.
There is a private bar and spa inside this room? Is this possible? This is too much for a three-day vacation.
"Hugo, Come here." Tawag ko sa kanya.
"You stay in the sofa while I am in the bed, understood?"
"No, Baby. I'd rather sleep beside you."
"Then I'll leave."
"Mamaya na natin pag-usapan yan."
Tinanggal ko ang flats ko at binuksan ang maleta ko. Kanina napansin ko sa eroplano na masyado kaming inaasikaso ng mga attendant.
"Hugo, Napansin mo ba kanina na parang tayo lang ang pasahero sa first class? Tsaka parang tayo lang ang inaasikaso nila?"
"They're my employee, Faye."
"You mean assistant?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Let's be fast here, I own the plane."
"What? A-Are you serious?"
"Yeah.. I bought it the day you said we're going to the Philippines."
Nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. I can afford a business class flight but I can never buy a plane. I can see and understand why Hugo can afford that.
He is really a business-minded man. While Wilson is an adventurous man. He loves traveling and is an adrenaline-junkie. I loved Wilson because he is free-spirited. But him being free, the quality I loved about him, was the one to hurt me.
"You're such a mood, Hugo. So mysterious." I whispered to myself.
I continued going through my stuff. There is this one thing I forgot, Nakalimutan kong bumili ng isusuot ko mamaya! Oh my! Isa pala iyong formal ball! Shit! Yun pa talaga ang nalimot!
"Hugo, I have a problem."
"Ano yun?" He went to me.
"I don't have a dress."
"Dress up and I'm going to get you a dress."
Mabilis akong naligo at nagbihis sa isang kulay mauve na square neck sleeveless na floral dress. Pati na ang aking nude sandals.
"Hugo, Thank you for this." Sabi ko aa kanya habang naghihintay ng sasakyan.
"You're welcome, That's my car." Turo niya sa paparating na kulay gray Maserati.
Yung sasakyan ko Ford lang.
"T-This is yours?"
"Ride on, Baby." He opened the door for me.
I never wished to be able to ride a car, oh I mean a luxurious sports car. Hugo made it come true for me even if I never wished to.
"Siguro sa mall na lang tayo?" Sabi ko sa kanya.
"I'll take you to an atelier. Sit back and don't worry about your gown."
"You know, Hugo? You don't really have to this to me but still you did."
"You deserve it, Faye. I want to do this for you for so long but I couldn't. Now that I have the chance, Hindi ko na palalampasin ito."
I couldn't respond to what he said. It only made me smile and made me see the Hugo I never saw before. He's too mysterious but I liked him because of that.
"I'll be leaving you here so that you can choose your dress. Babalikan kita an hour before the event, alright?"
"O-Okay.. Saan ka pupunta?"
"Kukunin ko ang suit ko.. Do you want me to stay?"
"Ye—.... No, You go. I'll be okay, See you."
"See you, baby." He winked and drove away.
As I entered the couture house, It was full of lighted chandelier in the ceiling. And lots of white curtains in the windows.
"Welcome, Madame Faye Andrada. We were informed that you'll be needing a dress for tonight's formal ball."
"Y-Yes... Where are your dresses?"
"Follow me, Ma'am. I am Faye Venicci. The fashion designer of this house."
"V-Venicci? This couture house is Venicci Couture House? Y-You own this?"
"My grandmother does. I am just a newbie here. Well, Come on, We can talk while choosing your dress."
"These are my latest designs. Made just yesterday. You can choose on your own but I can give you an advice."
"W-Wow, Thank You." Sobrang hanga ako sa ilang rack ng damit na narito.
"In the meanwhile, My assistant here will help you get dressed. I recommend that you wear a robe and our comfy slippers so that you'll be okay while fitting."
Pagkatapos ko magbihis ay pumili na ako ng isisuot ko. Nabihag ang aking paningin ng isang evening gown na kulay beige. It was a simple yet elegant lace evening gown.
Inalalayan ako ng assistant ko na magbihis. Bakit parang saktong sakto itong damit sa akin? Parang ginawa lahat sa saktong sukat ko?
It has a slit up to my thighs. Niyakap nito ang aking balakang at kumportable akong nakaka-galaw sa suot kong ito.
"Wow, Ma'am. Ang ganda sayo." Puri ng assistant.
"Ito na lang ang pipiliin ko."
"Great choice, Ma'am. Please wear your robes with you so that I'll have your gown prepared. In the meanwhile, Please sit down in the makeup chair in front of the vanity mirror."
"Can I ask kung para saan? I-I only here to buy my gown. I'l pay using my card, Magkano pala?"
"This gown is one-hundred eleven thousand pesos. But, Mr. Hugo Merritt had it done and he said you'll have your makeup done here."
"W-Wow. T-Thanks."
He paid for my gown and makeup? And the gown is worth almost two thousand dollars? Hugo is really doing this, hmm?
"Good Afternoon, Faye. I am Crizo Santos, your makeup artist. I can see you have a very beautiful face already so I'll only do enhancements. Gamitin mo itong body foundation, My assistant will help you."
Pagkabalik ko sa aking upuan ay sinimulan na niya akong ayusan. He put nude matte eyeshadow for the base and shimmer above it.
Para makumpleto ang look ko, he put some nude lipgloss on my lips. Pagkatapos noon ay nagbihis na ako at pinaresan ang aking damit ng isang glittering strap heels.
"Miss Faye Andrada, You look so wonderful tonight." Pinuri nila akong mga nag-ayos sa akin.
"Thank You for making me look wonderful."
"Well, Doctor Faye. Your escort has been waiting for you outside." Hinatid nila ako hanggang sa makalabas ako.
I saw a man standing and leaning his back on his gray sports car. He was wearing matching tan suit with a white long sleeve in side.
"There's my lady." Kahit mahina niya iyong sinabi ay nadinig ko pa rin.
"You look handsome, Mister Hugo Merritt."
"Doctor, I think I might tell you something tonight." He went to me and held my waist.
"What is it?" I placed my hands on his broad shoulders.
"Laters, Baby." He replied.
Saan ko nga ba narinig yun?
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