C6- After 3 Years

President Li started kissing the same girl he had been with before on the lips passionately even though she is not responding when he stopped because he remembered her lips, like the first time. Because of that, he stopped and just looked at her beautiful facial features. However, due to intoxication he couldn't get a clear vision of her when his eyes went down to her chest, and he noticed a pink butterfly birthmark. He got interrupted when a hand pulled his nape, and his lips once again touched hers.

After a while, she woke up and she was surprised to see a strange man beside her again. So, with all of her strength, she gathered all of her clothes and wore them again. She, then, saw a marker inside of her bag, which gave her an idea to draw on his face.

"Wait," he called when he saw her walking away without even saying goodbye to him properly. He so stood with all of his might to stop her.

He got a hold of her when she was about to leave the room, but then, he was greeted with the hard slap on his left cheek that made him stumble.

"Don't touch me. I don't know you. You're disgusting," she growled angrily, and she left him alone in the room.

———

SUDDENLY, President Li opened his eyes due to his dream. Because of it, he touched his left cheek where the palm of that woman landed.

"That woman again," he mumbled, and a small growl escaped his throat just thinking about what happened that night.

"P-President? You're awake?" tanong ni Carl na nakahiga sa couch. At dahil din sa kaniya ay nagising siya, that's why he rubbed his eyes to be fully awake too.

"Yeah," sagot ni President, at naupo siya sa kama na halatang masama ang gising dahil sa pinta ng kaniyang mukha.

"That woman again?" sambit ni Carl, at naupo na din sa couch.

"Yeah. I don't know why she keeps appearing in my dreams. I didn't dream of my mother anymore, but she keeps bugging me," tugon ni President, at napahilamos siya sa mukha niya with his palms.

"Well, to my conclusion, President, she keeps appearing to your dreams even after 3 years have passed because I think you're longing for her. And when I say longing, I meant to say, to her touches and kisses since something already happened between you two. Just like you said. No offense, President, but it was also three years ago when you ever touch a woman. She's actually your first as far as I can remember. So, I think you like her," walang filter na sabi ni Carl, at tinignan niya siya ng seryoso.

"What did you say?" nagulat na tanong ni President, at tinignan niya siya ng seryoso at diretsyo. "Me, longing for her? I like her? I don't think so. Okay. Besides, she's nobody. Why would I like someone like her? She's way too low for me. Also, for your information, I can get a woman wayyyy prettier and lovely than her. There are a lot of fishes around me. I don't need her to satisfy me," asar na aniya.

"But, President, she was the only woman who got near to you without you being all...choosy. And you know, get mad. You even told me to look for her because you wanted to know her," Carl mentioned straightforwardly.

"That's already past. And for correction, I didn't get mad at her because at first, she got drugged. Then, the second time, we were both drunk. So basically, it's all just lust. No feelings attached," President replied, and gave him a sullen look.

Napataas naman ng kilay si Carl ng marinig niya ang rason nito that somehow convinced him.

"Come on, get up and we have business to attend to that's why we're here in Malaysia. I don't wanna be late. And, may I ask, why are you here in my room?" wika ni President na tumayo na sa gilid ng kama niya, at sinita siya.

"Apologies, President, I passed out here. It will not happen again," pasensya na sagot ni Carl, at sinundan niya siya.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, naghahanda si Aida sa kanilang fashion week kaya hindi siya magkumahog sa kakaayos sa mga modelo nila na kailangan niya ayusan para maging maganda sa photoshoot.

"Aida! Aida!" sigaw ni Christian pagkapasok niya ng pinto.

Napalingon naman si Aida nang marinig niya ang pangalan niya, hanggang sa nakita niya si Christian na naglalakad papalapit sa kaniya.

"Aida, thank goodness and you're here. We have an emergency," banggit ni Christian na may pag-aalala sa mukha niya, at mabilis niya siya nilapitan.

"Ano 'yun, Christian?" pagtataka ni Aida na napatigil sa ginagawa niya.

"Madame Diva is sick. She called me and told me she's sick," balitang hatid niya.

"What? Pero mayro'n siyang runway event ngayon, hindi ba?"

"Yes, and that's why I am here. I cannot go to the runway event in Malaysia because I need to host here."

"Then, who's gonna lead the show in Malaysia if you cannot go? Madame Diva is the special guest there. One of us must go," pag-aalala ni Aida in stress.

"You will," sambit ni Christian looking at her straight in the eye, and pointing her.

"Me? Why me? I've never been in Malaysia. I've never been a guest speaker in a big runway show. And, oh, it's far. How am I gonna get there if the show will begin in...," nagpa-panic na tugon kaagad ni Aida na napatingin sa relo niya, at tumingin ulit sa kaniya. "10 hours?" she added with her big eyes.

"Aida, you've been working with us for three years now, and I believe that you already know the memos. You wouldn't have gone too far in your position as the Chief Designer if you are not capable. I and Madame Diva have a trust in you. I lead here, you lead in Malaysia. I will take no for an answer, Aida, and you know that. This is your shot. Show us that you can lead a big show. Show us what you got. You understand me?" mabilis na sabi ni Christian na hinawakan niya siya sa parehong balikat to cheer her up, and he smiled at her to encourage her that she could do it.

Binuksan ni Aida ang bibig niya as she is going to say something, but then, she closed it 'cause she cannot complain anymore.

"Silence means yes. You will take Madame Diva's plane so, you don't have to worry about it. Now go and pack your things. You're leaving in two hours. Chop chop," he said raising his eyebrows at her, and he pushed her away.

Natulala na lang si Aida habang nakatayo as she is processing everything in her head.

"Give me that, Aida. I said, gooo," wika ni Christian na kinuha ang nasa kamay nito, at tinulak niya siya ulit.

Pagkauwi ni Aida sa bahay nila ay nakasalubong niya si Lian na nakasuot ng black gown at naka-make up. Then, she looked up, at nakita din niya ang parents niya na nakabihis formally.

"Oh, Aida, you're back. I thought you have an event today. Why are you here, darling?" nagtatakang tanong ni Mrs. Paris.

"Yes, I have, Mom. Unfortunately, I have to fly going to Malaysia urgently because my boss got sick. I need to cover up for her. By the way, Lian, congratulations on your graduation," sagot ni Aida, at niyakap niya ang kapatid dearly.

"Thanks," sambit ni Lian na walang gana, and she rolled her eyes when Aida embraced her.

"Okay, take care. Bye. I have to go too," nagmamadaling paalam niya, at tumakbo na siya sa kwarto niya para makapag-ayos ng mga gamit niya.

Pagkapasok sa kwarto ay kinuha niya kaagad ang malaking maleta niya na blue, and shove all of her office and formal clothes inside without folding it since she is in a hurry.

"My gosh, I only have two hours to pack my things. How can I manage to fix my things in that given time? This is unbelievable," she complained under her throat.

Then, kinuha din niya ang mga beauty products niya sa banyo nang marinig niya na tumunog ang phone niya kaya dali-dali niya ito sinagot.

"Aida, I forgot to mention to you that you need to prepare a speech in the runway show. And wait for Madame Diva's message. She will send you the pointers that need to be mentioned during the event. Okay, that's all. Good luck! And, oh, you have one hour left. Hurry up!" nagkukumahog na sabi ni Christian na halatang busy din, at mabilis na binaba ang call without waiting for her reply anymore.

"Geez. No pressure," she groaned, at lalo niya binilisan magligpit ng mga gamit niya.

Itutuloy...