C7 7

Heather heard that the door opened. She tried to compose herself. Inalis niya ang mukha sa mga kamay pero nanatili siyang nakatungo. Whoever entered the lift, ayaw niyang makita nito ang mukha niya. It's wet with tears. Baka nga kumalat na ang mascara niya.

Nagmamadaling pinindot ni Blake ang elevator bago totally magsarado ito. Kumunot lalo ang noo nito when he saw Heather crying. Then another man entered the lift.

Pumwesto si Blake behind Heather and the man is in front of him. His eyes narrowed when the other man spoke.

"Miss, are you okay?" tanong nito kay Heather.

Heather just nodded.

May kinuhang panyo ang lalake sa bulsa nito and offered it to her. She gladly took it.

"Thanks." sabi niya sa mahinang boses. She dabbed her eyes and face before she raised her head to look at the man.

The pleasant looking man just nodded. Ngumiti ito sa kanya.

"No problem . By the way, I'm Kevin." pakilala nito.

"Heather." she said.

Dahil siguro sa nangyari sa kanya ngayon, hindi niya naisipang pagsupladahan ito. Besides he looks nice and he offered her his hankie.

Tumango ito. "My floor." sabi nito.

"Your hankie." she said habang inaabot ang panyo.

Kinuha nito sa kanya ang panyo.

Bago ito lumabas he said, "I won't wash this. See you around Heather." nakangiting sabi nito.

Ngumiti lang siya ng tipid.

"You shouldn't accept things from strangers." sabi ng malamig na boses ng lalaki.

Napalingon si Heater. She frowned when she saw Blake. She didn't know na nasa loob din pala ang ramdam niya na peste sa buhay niya. Ayaw na ayaw niya itong kausap. Lalo ngayon so she ignored him.

"Malay mo may pampatulog pala ang ibibigay sayo, next thing you know, na-gang rape ka na." he said sa matigas na boses.

Heather let out a heavy sigh. She waited for the lift to be on her floor.

"I can take care of myself and I don't need your advice .Mukha pang mas mapagkakatiwalaan si Kevin kesa sayo." supladang sabi niya bago lumabas ng elevator.

Nagtagis ang bagang ni Blake with what she said.

***

"Wow chummy! You look fierce!

Nag-aya siyang lumabas dahil lalo lang siyang madedepress if sa bahay lang siya. She has her hair up which emphasized her high cheekbones and jaw line. Nag-white slinky top siya na labas ang cleavage. She is wearing a black mini-skirt with that and silver strappy heels. Ang gamit naman niyang pabango ngayon is Candy Florale by Prada.

"Yep! Let's party! I want to be full (Aussie slang for drunk) and I want to meet some blokes! (Aussie slang for man/men)

Tumaas ang kilay ni Pauline. "Wow! Ngayon lang kita ulit narinig gumamit ng Australian slang. And your accent is so cool!" nakangiting sabi pa nito.

Heather just smiled seductively. She wants to be her old self tonight. Yun bang wala munang pakialam sa mundo. She will face her new world again tomorrow. Pumasok sila sa kotse ng kaibigan as they giggle.

"We will have heaps of fun!" she said nang ini-start ni Pauline ang sasakyan and she on the other hand, turned up the volume of the car stereo.

***

Nasa bar na ang ibang kaibigan nila. Andun din si Rica with her new boyfriend. They chose a bar na may live performances. Wala siya sa mood sumayaw. She just wants to drink and be merry.

She looked around.

Malaki ang bar and it's packed. The drinks are great too. She took a note to compliment the bartender later.

Rica nudged her side. "Hey girl! Take it easy on that drink. The night is still young." bulong nito.

Heather just smiled and nodded.

Nag-umpisa nang mag-akyatan ang member ng banda on stage. She almost spilled her drink when Pauline took hold of her hand on the table and squeezed it.

"Hey! Ano ba?" inis na tanong niya.

"Chummy! Look at that hot drummer!!" kilig na sabi nito.

Narinig niya that the crowd cheered.

She just shook her head in disapproval. Hindi niya tinignan ang sinabi ng kaibigan .Lahat na lang yata ng lalake guwapo para dito.

"Yo people!" sabi ng boses mula sa stage.

Heather looked at the man. Mukhang ito yung bokalista. May hitsura ito. He has tattoos on his arms. Naka-puting plain shirt lang ito.

"This is Axel and this is my band! The We Rock Band!" pakilala nito.

Naghiyawan na naman ang audience. The spotlight is on him at the moment.

"Isa-isa ko pong papakilala ang mga kilabot ng mga babae ng grupo." he joked.

Palakpakan ang audience.

"Sa keyboard..si Tom!" a man in red shirt waved to the audience. Tumapat ang spotlight dito. The people clapped.

"Sa bass si Arnold!" naka-itim na leather jacket naman ang sumaludo pagtama ng ilaw dito.

"Si Eric ang sa lead guitar!"

A man in blue shirt with cap waved. Hiyawan ang audience.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Heather. They all look cute.Lalo na yung vocalist.

"And since nagkaaberya po ang drummer namin na si Lex..brace yourself ladies! This is your lucky night dahil pinagbigyan kami ng pinuno ng mga kilabot ng mga bebot! Presenting on drums.....BLAKE!!" sigaw nito.

Lalong lumakas ang hiyawan.

Blake stood up. He bowed to the audience while flashing his clit-tingling smile. Naka-long sleeves ito na puti and a denim vest.

Tinakpan ni Heather ang mga tenga when Rica and Pauline screamed crazily like the other women inside the bar.

Naiinis na talaga siya!

Kahit saan na lang nakikita niya ang mayabang na manyak na lalaking ito.

She gritted her teeth and tried to stand up. Balak niyang lumabas but Pauline stopped her.

"Affected ka na no? Kaya ka aalis?" she said in a little loud voice. Naghihiyawan pa din kasi ang audience.

"AS IF!!" mataray na sagot niya.

Padabog na lang niyang kinuha ang iniinom and sulked.

Wala siyang panahong panoorin ang perv na nagpapataas palagi ng dugo niya.

***

According to the vocalist, the band will play songs of Matchbox 20. She has to admit na maganda ang boses nung Axel. Una nitong kinanta ang Unwell. Since nasa bandang unahan sila, they have a good view of the stage. She tried hard not to look at Blake. Naka-focus ang tingin niya sa bokalista. He seems to have noticed her too. Palagi siya nitong tinatapunan ng tingin. Hindi na siya masyadong flattered. Sanay naman na siya sa ganito. She smiled sexily. Ito naman ang gusto niya. To have fun. At least proven na hindi pa din kumukupas ang sex appeal niya. Lalong lumapad ang ngiti ng vocalist when she smiled at him directly.

Nang matapos ang unang kanta ng mga ito, the lead singer let the enthusiasm of the audience die down first bago ito nagsalita ulit.

"The next song gusto ko sanang idedicate sa magandang babae in the audience. Wait! I have to get her name." nakangiting sabi nito bago bumaba ng stage.

Nagsigawan ang audience. Sinundan ito ng spotlight.

Axel stopped in front of her. Kilig na kilig na naghiyawan ang mga kaibigan niya.

He extended his hand para alalayan siyang tumayo. Shebit her bottom lip. Mas cute pala ang bokalista sa malapitan.

"Hi. I am Axel. And your name please?" malambing na tanong nito.

Lalong lumakas ang hiyawan.

"Chick boy!! " sigaw ng isang lalake.

"Madaming syota yan!!" sabi naman ng isa.

Tawanan ang audience.

Natawa din si Axel. “Pare naman...baka maniwala si Miss Beautiful here." biro nito bago tinapat ang mic sa bibig niya.

"I'm Heather..." she said huskily.

Lalong naging wild ang audience. May mga sumisipol pa.

"Nice name. Para sayo ang sunod na kanta, beautiful Heather." Axel said.

Blake is just looking at them. Nakakunot ang noo nito. His face is unsmiling. He turned to his left side. Nakita nito ang pinsan na si Eve. She is looking at him. He can't read her expression.

His lips formed a thin line. Bumalik ang tingin nito sa dalawa.

His eyes narrowed when he saw Axel leaned over Heather.

"Can I join you later?" bulong ni Axel kay Heather before he straightened again.

She smiled and nodded. The vocalist grinned from ear to ear bago bumalik sa stage. He will sing the song Push.

Blake hit the drums with a grim face nang magumpisa na ulit ang performance.

"Chummy! Lalong nakakakilig si oh-so delicious Blake! Ang galing-galing niyang mag-drums! And siya ang pinaka-hot!! Teka asan na ang panty ko? Nalaglag! Baka matapakan niyo!" Pauline giggled.

"You know the drummer?" kilig na tanong ni Rica na ikinakunot ng noo ng boyfriend nito.

Pauline nodded. Napa -oohh na lang si Rica.

Heather stood up. She wants to request a special drink sa bartender and she will compliment him too. Lahat ng cocktail na natikman niya tasted great.

She swayed a little.

"Oppsss! Easy. Are you okay?" asked Pauline.

Heather just nodded .Hindi naman siya lasing. Just tipsy.

"I'm bloody fine. No worries." sabi niya as she walks to the bar.

She ordered sex on the beach after complimenting the cute bartender. Namula pa nga ang mukha nito nang purihin niya.

She was having a small talk with him when someone whispered in her left ear.

"Hi." a male voice said.

She looked at him. She smiled.

"Axel." bati niya.

Tumabi ito sa kanya.

"Scotch on the rocks , Neo." sabi nito sa bartender.

"Did you enjoy our performance?" bulong ulit nito sa kanya.

She nodded. Lumapad ang ngiti nito.

"Palagi ka ba dito?"

"Nope. It's my first time." sagot niya before sipping her drink.

***

"Blake!" Eve touched her cousin's arm to get his attention.

Nasa gilid sila ng stage. They have a good view of the whole bar. Nakita ng dalaga na kanina pa nakatingin ang pinsan sa bar counter.

"Hindi ba si Heather yun?" kunot noong tanong nito sa pinsa but he didn't answer. He has his hands in his pockets as he stares at Axel and Heather. His face looks very serious.

"Would you like to get out of here? Don't worry harmless ako. Ayain lang sana kitang mag-kape. May coffee shop sa tapat. Mahirap mag-usap ditto kasi medyo maingay." Axel said.

Heather looked at him. Mukha naman nga itong mapagkakatiwalaan. Besides sa tapat lang naman.

"Sige." she agreed as she finished her drink.

Axel grinned. He gulped his scotch then kumuha ito ng pera sa wallet bago ipinatong sa bar.

"Neo! Keep the change!" sabi nito sa bartender.

Tumayo ito para alalayan si Heather. Hawak nito ang siko niya as they head to the door.

"Bullshit!!" mura ni Blake when he saw Heather and Axel stood up.

Mukhang lalabas ang mga ito ng bar. Eve looked at her cousin when she heard him cursed.

He was about to go after them ng may mapansin itong papasok ng bar. Nahilamos ng binata ang mukha with his hand.

***

Sandali lang silang nag-usap ni Axel. May gig pa daw ito in an hour. He was so sweet. He ordered black coffee for her. Pantanggal daw ng tama. He even asked her if it's okay if he'll take a sip. She used to not care if the man she's with is thoughtful, sweet or not. Naisip niya na sa sobrang miss niya sa family niya kaya ganito siya. Mukhang she's hungry now for any kind of affection.

She felt good after her short chat with Axel. Kinuha nito ang number niya.

She found out na contrary to his image on stage,mabait ito at gentleman.

Kanina pa siya tinatanong ng mga kaibigan if totoong sa coffee shop sila galing ni Axel.

"I can't believe it chummy! Ikaw ba yan? Kelan ka pa sumama sa guy to have coffee?" hindi pa din makapaniwala si Pauline.

She can't blame them. Never siyang humiwalay sa grupo. If nakikipag-flirt man siya sa mga guys ,usually sa loob lang mismo ng bar where her friends are.

"There's always a first time." pilyang sabi niya bago tumayo."I need to pee." she said.

Kakalabas niya ng restroom when she saw Blake leaning on the corridor's wall. Mukhang hinihintay siya talaga nito.

She ignored him. She washed her hands on the sink with a big mirror. She checked her face. Okay pa naman. No need for a retouch.

"Kaka-break lang ni Axel at ng ka-live in niya. Did he tell you that?" Blake said all of a sudden.

Natigilan si Heather. She frowned. She doesn't care. Hindi naman siya intresadong pumalit sa gf ni Axel. Isa pa, hindi pa siya nag bf at wala siyang balak. Puro flirting lang ang trip niya. Ayaw niyang may nagkokontrol sa kanya. She is satisfied with her status now. Not complicated at all.

Kahit hindi kailangan, she pretended to retouch her make-up. She just wants Blake to know that she is not listening to him. She heard him cursed when she didn't say anything.

She stifled a smile. Mukhang napikon niya ito by ignoring him.

"You want to be a rebound girl?" matigas na tanong nito.

She sighed. Ibinalik niya ang compact in her bag. Babalik na siya sa mga kaibigan niya. She doesn't want to waste her time listening to Blake.

Pagdaan niya sa tapat nito ,nagsalita na naman ito.

"You really enjoy men's attention don't you? Flirting is your thing. I won't be surprised if one of these days magahasa ka." he said coldly.

She closed her eyes for a moment. Ramdam niya gumuho na ang pasensiya niya. Pikon na siya kung pikon! She turned to him angrily.

"What’s with you? Just back off! Sino ka ba ha?! I can date or see whoever I want at wala kang pakialam! " she said furiously..

Blake eyes narrowed before he straightened then forcefully grabbed her nape to kiss her on the mouth.

Sinandal siya nito sa dingding as he roughly kisses her. Nanlaban siya by trying to push him from her. Sing-tigas ng pader at adobe ang dibdib nito but she did her best . Lalo nitong hinigpitan ang kamay na nasa ulo niya habang nilalapastangan nito ang bibig niya. He is even groaning habang mas nilaliman nito ang halik and she felt his very hard manhood between them.

Umungol siya ng mas malakas in protest.

Bigla na lang silang may narinig na galit na boses ng babae.

"CUPCAKE!" shrieked Vannie.