Chapter 8: Velvet Trap

NAG BRUNCH lang sila dahil naka ilang rounds din sila itong umaga. Nakakatayo pa naman si Eva kaso ang bakas ng init na pinagsaluhan nila parang nandun pa rin at para siyang minarkahan ng lalaki.

This time they are in an English seafood restaurant called the Big Catch. They are known for their famous Fish & Chips. They order that.

Para silang mag-jowa na hindi mapaghiwalay. Dahil kahit na pumipili pa ng orderin nila ay magkapalupot ang mga braso nila.

“I want meat pie.”

“Yeah, order meat pie. How about ‘The Full British?’ All-meat platter — pork sausages, roast beef slices, lamb chops. You want that?”

Tumango si Eva. “Mag-order din tayo nito, Naked Oysters. Oysters served raw with champagne mignonette.”

Napangisi ng maloko si Gideon. “Pwede, pampalibog ulit para makakain ulit ng buhay na tahong.”

“Gagi ka!” Tinampal nito ang braso ng lalaki.

Nagakatitigan sila at ilang pulgada na lang ang layo ng kanilang mga mukha. “You’re glowing again, Apple Pie. Can’t wait to taste you again.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied with my service.” Sabi ni Eva para ipaalala dito pati sa kanya na trabaho lang ito at walang personalan.

Someone cleared his throat. It's the waiter who was taking their order.

Nagtiim- bagang si Gideon doon. Hindi dahil sa interruption mula sa waiter, kung hindi dahil doon sa sinabi ng dalaga. Ayaw kasi nitong isipin ng dalaga na ang tingin ni Gideon sa kanya ay mababang uri ito. Kaya niya pinapakitaan ng respeto si Eva dahil gusto siya ni Gideon. Ngunit medyo naguguluhan pa rin siya sa ngayon. Ang totoo lang sa ngayon ay gusto niya kilalanin ng lubos ang babae.

Si Eva na ang nag-order para sa kanila. Bigla naman tumahimik sa pagitan nila. Hinayaan niyang nakahilig sa balikat niya ang lalaki. Habang pinaglalaruan ang display na bulaklak na rosas. Si Eva naman ay nakikinig ng music, meron kasing tumutugtog ng piano. Nakikisabay siya rito at nagha-hum.

“Woah! Kayo na?” Napukaw naman sila nang may boses silang narinig.

Umangat ng ulo si Gideon at umayos ng upo. Kilala nila kung kinino nanggaling ang boses na ‘yon.

“Wag mo silang asarin.” Saway naman ng isa sabay ayos ng salamin sa mata na inangat ito mula sa bridge ng nose nito.

“Heto na naman sina dumb and dumber.”

“Baliw! Tayo ang 3 idiots.” Natatawang sabi ni Badz.

“Huwag niyo ko isali diyan.” Tutol ni Doc Levi.

“Make it 3 idiots.” May sumingit sa kanila. Nakipag high five ito kay Eva.

“Hi Boss Daks!” Bati ni Eva sa isang lalaki na kinulang sa height.

“Hoy! Leprechaun. Bakit ka uupo na lang sa table namin ng walang paalam?” Masungit na wika ni Gideon.

“Apple Pie and I are friends.” Ngumisi ito. “I just caught you snogging and you actually went arse over tit on the floor.” In British accent. (Nahuli ko kayo nag- make out at nahulog ka sa sahig.)

“English!” Angal ni Badz.

“That’s British English, Mate.”

“I mean American English.”

“Won’t talk like blue coats.” Dumila ito. At tinuon ang mata sa menu. Dahil hindi abot ang ibaba, kinawagkawag pa nito ang mga paa na parang isang bata.

“Hindi ako nahulog gago!” Naiinis na buwelta ni Gideon sa friend nilang nunu sa punso.

“I was just kidding around. But I heard it from those chinwags.” Turo niya kina Badz at Doc Levi.

Umiling naman si Doc Levi. Hindi naman maintindihan ni Badz ang pinagsasabi ng unano nilang friend na pinagtripan lang siya kasi alam nitong walang alam ito sa British slangs. Umupo na rin ang dalawa sa tapat nila at pinagitnaan nila ang kaibigan nilang kinulang sa height.

“Chismoso daw kayo.” Si Eva na nag translate para kay Badz. Natatawa nanaman sa mga walang katapusang banter nila.

“Apong nunu na Boss Daks ang pseudonym. Can you just bog off.”

“I told you Apple Pie and I are posh buddies.” Nag high five muli ang dalawa.

“Plonker.” Nahahawa na si Gideon sa friend nilang dwende. (Idiot.)

Eva don’t mind. Friend niya naman si Daks. Ang totoo dito lang naman niya friend ito sa Euphoria kasi kaibigan siya ng long time client niya na si Master Art. Kaya naging kaibigan niya rin itong si Boss Daks.

Kahit na madalas siya sa Euphoria at isa itong s*x island. Bilang isang escort ng Ligaya & Adonis— hindi siya pwede sumama kung sino- sinu na lang sa Euphoria. Kung sino lang ang client niya ito lang ang sasamahan sa isla. Pwede naman makipagkaibigan sa mga naroon. Kaya naging magkaibigan sina Daks at Apple Pie. He’s not that bad, para kay Eva— Boss Daks is a good looking man. Cute ito. Brown hair, blue eyes and red lips. Normal naman ang hitsura nito kinulang lang talaga ito sa height mga nasa 4'11” lang ito.

“Okay lang, Big Boy. Boss Daks is a nice man.”

“See nice daw ako sabi ni Apple Pie, kayo lang itong bully sa akin. Thank you, dear.”

“Dear a****a!” Gusto nang saksakin ng tinidor ni Gideon ang unano nilang friend. Mabuti ay kumalma ito dahil hinawakan ni Eva ang kamay nito sa ilalim ng table. Dumating na rin ang order nila kaya natigil ito.

Nag- order pa sila ng oyster kasi sobrang fresh nito.

Ang sama ng tingin ni Gideon sa mga kaibigan niya kasi mangbuburaot nanaman ang mga ito at nararamdaman niya na ito.

“K.K.B tayo. Hindi kasama si Apple Pie.” Sabi niya sa mga timawa niyang mga kaibigan na hayuk sa libre.

Natawa si Eva. “Kumain ka na lang. Ako na ang magpipilit sa mga ‘yan na mag-ambag.”

“I can really feel it, that these guys will flee after. They are notorious escape artist.”

Humalakhak naman ang tatlo.

“Sa cute kong ito mukha ba akong mandurugas?” Wika ni Boss Daks at humigop ng talaba. Marunong naman ito mag-Tagalog madalas nga lang mag- British accent para pagtripan ang mga kaibigan.

Sabay- sabay ang tatlong lalaki. “Oo!”

Boss Daks pouted. Tinuloy niya na lang pagkain niya. Nagtawanan silang lahat lalo na ang tatlo dahil nakaganti na ito sa kaibigan nilang maliit.

“Apple Pie, gusto mo sumama sa amin mag cruise? We rented a yacht.” Paanyaya sa kanya ni Doc Levi.

Natuwa naman si Eva. “Woah sige!” bumaling siya ng tingin sa lalaki. “Punta tayo?”

Hindi ito nagsalita. Gets na ni Eva ba’t nagmamaktol ito na parang bata dahil ikaw ba naman may mga brunch crashers sa tahimik sana nilang pagkain. Pero nag pa-cute si Eva rito na gumagana naman agad.

“Punta tayo, Big Boy. Sige na please.” She leaned in, ilang pulgada na lang ang layo ng kanilang mukha. Nag pout siya. Malokong nilapit naman nito ang labi niya at sinayad ito sa kanya. Naramdaman ni Eva ‘yon, may kuryenteng dumaloy sa kanya sa ginawa nito.

“Okay.”

“Tangina whipped.” Badz blinked. Hindi ito makapaniwala.

“Gago!”

Nang matapos na sila kumain, nagpunta na sila kung nasaan ang yacht. It was a mega yacht at may party pala rito. Madaming tao rin ang invited. They also invited The Kink Band. Nag- cruise sila sa mga karatig isla ngunit hindi sila bumaba naroon lang ang yate sa malalim na parte ng dagat na parte pa rin ng Euphoria.

The deck was alive with music, laughter, and the salty tang of the sea breeze. Sunlight glittered off the turquoise water, making everything look like a postcard. The mega yacht swayed gently, slicing through calm waves as The Kink Band tuned their instruments in the background.

Eva wandered toward the starboard side, drawn to the endless horizon where the sky kissed the ocean. The breeze played with her hair, the scent of salt and sunscreen mingling in the air. She felt a pair of strong arms snake around her waist from behind.

“Enjoying the view?” Gideon’s voice was low against her ear.

She leaned back into him with a smile. “I was... until you blocked it," she grinned, "I miss this moment. Yung pag lubog ng araw. Ang ganda."

He hummed, pressing his chin on her shoulder. “Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you," he gave her a light peck, "mas maganda ka."

Eva laughed softly, placing her hands over his. “You’re cheesy.”

“And you love it,” he murmured, giving her a gentle squeeze. His warmth contrasted with the cool breeze, making her feel anchored despite the yacht’s steady roll.

They stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, just watching the sun begin its slow descent, painting streaks of gold and pink over the water. Somewhere behind them, the first chords of a love song drifted from the band, the sound carrying over the waves.

Eva tilted her head to look at him. “You know… this would be the perfect moment to kiss me.”

Gideon’s lips curved in a slow smile before he obliged, leaning in to capture her mouth—soft, unhurried, the kind of kiss that made everything else blur. The music, the chatter, the clinking of champagne glasses—all faded until there were only the two of them and the ocean.

When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers. “Careful, Apple Pie. I might start thinking this yacht is our honeymoon cruise.”

She grinned. “Sira!”

Before he could reply, the party behind them erupted into cheers as The Kink Band launched into their set. The bass thumped through the deck, lights flickered to life, and guests began to dance under the fading sky.

Gideon slid his arm around her shoulders, guiding her back toward the crowd. “Come on. Let’s make this party remember us.”

“Nawawala kayo bigla ah!” May malokong tingin sa kanila si Badz.

“Yaan mo na ‘yan. Nagustuhan talaga ang regalo sa kanya. Mag- thank you ka sa amin kasi Big Boy ka na talaga.” Panunudyo ni Boss Daks.

“Hoy dwende kami nag- book kay Apple Pie.” Sinamaan ni Badz ng tingin ang kaibigan.

“I was the one who gave the idea.” Kinuha ang kamay ni Eva, “Tara Apple, sayaw tayo.”

“No! She’s dancing with me.” Hawak sa isang kamay ni Gideon sa dalaga.

“Possessive much! Tangina!” Umalis si Boss Daks at nilamon agad siya ng crowd dahil ang liit niya.

Naiiling na lang si Doc Levi sa mga ito. Tinaas ang hawak nito na may lamang champagne at ngumiti kay Eva.

Ngumiti si Eva pabalik sa doktor. Hinigit naman siya nito ni Gideon papunta sa bisig nito. Napakapit si Eva sa matitigas na balikat ng lalaki.

The song shifted into something darker, heavier. Gideon turned her to face him, his amber eyes locking on hers. Without breaking the gaze, he set both hands on her hips and pulled her flush against him.

“Dance with me, Apple Pie,” he said—not a request, but a command laced with heat.

Eva smirked, looping her arms around his neck. “Already am, Big Boy.”

They moved together, hips rolling, the world around them reduced to the beat of the song and the friction between them. His hand slid lower, gripping her firmly as she arched into him, their foreheads brushing, breaths mingling.

“You’re playing with fire,” he whispered.

“Maybe I like getting burned.” Her lips grazed his jaw, and she felt him tense.

Someone nearby popped another champagne bottle, and the spray of it mixed with the salty sea air, clinging to their skin. Neither of them noticed. Gideon dipped his head, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was all heat and promise—wild enough to match the party, yet intimate enough to make her forget anyone else was watching.

When they pulled apart, breathless, the crowd’s cheers and whistles barely registered.

“Let’s get some air,” Gideon said, his voice rough. But Eva knew from the glint in his eyes that “air” might not be the only thing on his mind.