One Hot Night With A Stranger

PROLOGUE

Nakangiti ako habang tinitingnan ang sarili sa harap ng salamin nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone na nasa vanity table lamang. 

Kaagad ko itong kinuha at sinagot.

"Susunduin ba kita diyan?" I heard the familiar voice of my manager from the other line.

I smiled then shook my head. "No. I'm on my way, Clar. Hintayin mo nalang ako sa loob. Sa table."

Kaagad kong binaba ko ang aking cellphone bago ito ipinasok sa aking clutch. Tiningnan ko ulit ang aking sarili sa salamin at napangiti nang makita ang suot na damit. I am wearing a red satin mini dress with a deep backless on it. Kitang-kita ang likod ko nito kaya hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala. Medyo malamig ang simoy sa labas lalo na at gabi ngayon at kung hindi ako magdadala ng kahit anong panangga ay baka hindi lang lamig ang makuha ko kung hindi sakit na rin. At ayaw ko namang mangyari iyon lalo pa at may paparating akong shoot at runway sa susunod na araw. Anyway, magdadala nalang siguro ako ng jacket at ilalagay ko na lamang sa loob ng sasakyan para makuha ko mamaya.

When everything was finally settled ay kaagad na akong bumiyahe patungo sa bar na tinatawag na Catastrophe. It's a very well known bar in the town. Dinadayo ito ng mga mayayamang personalidad kaya naman tinatawag rin itong bar for elite people. Hindi na ako magtataka doon lalo na at mayaman talaga ang may-ari at gwapo pa.

Ilang minuto lang a ibiniyahe ko patungo sa bar at kaagad akong nakarating doon. The club was named that way. Catastrophe. Kung tutuusin ay dapat na matakot ang mga tao rito lalo na sa pangalan ng bar. Parang nagbibigay kasi ng babala na sa ano mang oras ay may mangyayaring sakuna sa loob.

It was a bit weird, but the club was only for elites, at walang takot ang mga taong 'yon sa kung ano mangyayari, and besides, wala rin namang nababalitang kung ano tungkol sa bar na ito e.

I immediately parked my car on the car park before going out. Inayos ko rin ang pagkakahawak ko sa aking clutch before strutting my way inside. Some people were outside, smoking, flirting, some were even making out which I just shrugged off. Sanay naman na akong makakita ng mga ganoong bagay lalo na at nasa industriya ako kung saan kailangang open-minded ka sa lahat ng bagay.

The club was packed with so many people. Nasa bungad pa nga lamang ay ramdam ko na ang dami. It was probably because it's Friday and most of the people are here to chill out after an exhausting week with just working.

Kahit gaano ko pa kagustong dumiretso sa aming table ay hindi ko na iyon nagawa lalo pa at maraming mga tao na kilala rin sa industriya ang nakakita sa akin sa loob. The lights were dim. Papalit-palit ang ilaw sa paligid pero hindi iyon naging dahilan para hindi ako makilala ng mga tao sa paligid.

Pahinto-hinto pa ako sa tuwing may bumabati sa akin. Some were even offering me a drink, and I'm too good to say no. Hindi ko iyon tatanggihan, lalo na at kailangan ko rin talga ng alcohol sa katawan ngayon. I was too exhausted with the recent shoots and this is my own way of chilling. Iyong tipong walang ibang iniisip kundi ang uminom lang.

"Excuse me, I have to go to my friends' table. They're just over there." I said. The guy, whom I know is a model too like me, pouted. Para bang nanghihinayang ito sa kaonting oras na namagitan sa aming dalawa.

"Aww, I thought we're going to have fun tonight." He smirked as he eyed me up and down. Asshole. Hindi na ako magtataka pa. Our industry is packed with boastful and prideful men around too.

I smiled. "Next time then." I replied shortly, pero hindi ko naman talaga 'yon totohanin. I just said it to end our conversation.

He seems excited with what I said though. I know he's already expecting. Nang tumalikod na ako matapos makapag-paalam ay agad akong napairap. 

Flirt. Flirt. Flirt. I hope I won't be meeting him around again, even though I know it's quite impossible. As what I've said, maliit lang ang industriyang ginagalawan namin, kaya sa ayaw ko at hindi, alam kong magkikita rin kami.

"Oh, Amberleigh! Where have you been? Natagalan ka." Agad akong sinalubong ni Franz. She have been a very good friend of mine ever since we were still starting our career back then. Siya lang din talaga ang nag-iisang ka-close ko sa industriya. Paano ba naman iyong iba, they see me as a competitor. Kaya nga wala akomg masyadong kaibigan. And I hate making friends with girls who'll only use me. Ayaw ko sa mga plastic. Definitely a no no.

I smiled before kissing her cheeks. "Napapahinto kasi ako sa tuwing may bumabati." 

She chuckled. "Oh! I bet you drink some too. Your mouth already smells like Tequila already." I laughed at her statement.

I was greeted by some of Franz's friends who are in the same table too. May mga co-models at mga artista sa table namin kaya hindi talaga ako na-bored. Nandoon rin naman si Clar, my manager. We chatted and drink. And after an hour, Franz started to drag me towards the dance floor. I just laughed as I let her drag me to wherever she wants.

I'm a bit drunk and my head's starting to spin already, but it wasn't enough reason for me to stop from dancing wildly. 

Wala naman akong pakialam kung sino ang makakakita, dahil lahat ng ginagawa ng mga tao sa loob ng Catastrophe ay hindi dapat dalhin sa labas. Kumbaga, kung ano man ang masaksihan mo sa loob, dapat tikom kang ang bibig mo hanggang sa makalabas ng establisyimento.

The loud music illuminated the whole bar. The people became more hyped when Gasolina started playing.

Franz shouted. This is probably everyone's most favorite party song. 

The club lights rotate like hell that made me even more dizzy. I started to bump on people and that's when I decided to leave the dancefloor.

Fuck. I think I need a break. 

I tried to find Franz so I can bring her with me, but with the hyped up crowd right now, I know it was impossible for me to find her. 

Pinilit ko nalang ang sariling makawala sa dagat ng mga tao. Some were even trying to talk to me, but I immediately dismissed them. I badly needs a rest right now and a little chat won't be a big help.

Konti nalang sana at makakawala ako nang bigla nalang may tumulak sa akin mula sa likod. The crowd shouted, kasabay no'n ay ang pagsaboy ng tubig mula sa itaas. 

My eyes widened. What?! Hindi ako na-inform na may paganito na pala?!

"Oh My God!" I shouted when I was about to fall. Hindi ko na mabalanse ng tama ang sarili ko dahil sa hilo, sabayan pa ng madulas na sahig kaya paniguradong babagsak ako!

Fuck! Sino ba kasi ang nagpauso ng pa-shower sa loob ng bar ng 'to?!

I was expecting na mahuhulog talaga ako sa sahig, pero hindi ko inaasahan ang pag-pulupot ng isang matigas at maugat na kamay sa aking baywang.

"Got you." Nabalik ako sa aking katinuan nang maramdaman ko kung gaano kami kalapit ng lalaki ngayon sa isa't isa.

I groaned when I suddenly felt tingles in my body. 

"T—Thank you," I manage to say despite of my stuttering voice. Tumayo ako ng maayos, but the man's hand never left my waist. In fact, he tightened his hold there. Ngayon ay dalawang kamay na niya ang nakahawak at naka-pulupot sa aking baywang na para bang wala siyang planong pakawalan ako ano mang oras ngayon.

And instead of feeling disgusted, kakaiba ang naramdaman ko bigla.

I felt nothing but excitement. I feel hot. I feel like I was craving for something, but I don't even have any idea what I was craving for.

What the hell is happening to me?