Chapter 11

Hindi ako makasagot. He just confirmed my thoughts, someone broke his trust before, kaya siya nahihirapan magtiwala ngayon.

But for someone like Axl, who looks superior, authoritative and hard as rock, I wonder who did it? I wonder who had the guts to fool him? I wonder who had the power to crush his trust that easy?

Sobrang awkward sa loob ng sasakyan. Kung hindi lang kami tumigil sa isang building sa BGC ay baka pareho na kaming nilamon ng katahimikan.

Pumasok ang sasakyan sa parking lot, kasunod ang dalawang itim na van. Muntik nang mawala sa isip ko na may meeting kaming dadaluhan. Masyado akong nalubog sa mga iniisip tungkol sa kaniya.

Kinalas ko ang seatbelt ko nang makitang tinanggal niya ang kaniya. Halos sabay lang kaming nakababa ng sasakyan.

He's on his usual dark handsome face. Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang ba ang nakita sa mga mata niya kanina o totoo ang mga iyon. He's so hard to read, it makes me doubt myself, and the things I see through his eyes.

Tahimik akong sumunod sa kaniya nang pumasok kami sa elevator.

"Hindi sasama ang bodyguards mo?" Hindi ko napigilang itanong nang mapansin kong kaming dalawa lang sa elevator. Ni hindi ko rin napansin ang pagbaba ng mga ito sa itim na van.

"They don't show up that much, they just hang around the corner, watching suspicious people around me."

Napatango ako.

Bumukas ang elevator at nakarating kami sa lobby ng palagay ko ay isang hotel. Nakumpirma ko iyon nang makita ang malaking pangalan nito na naka-engraved sa information desk. La Terraza Hotel Chains.

The hotel looks so elegant and classy. Masasabi kong hindi ito basta-bastang hotel. Is it a five star hotel?

Kinabahan agad ko. We're meeting investors like what he said earlier. At kung sa ganitong klaseng hotel palang ay naghuhumiyaw na ang karangyaan ay nasisiguro kong mas elegante ang mga ka-meeting namin. Kinagat ko ang labi ko ng mariin.

Nilingon naman ako ni Axl. Bumaba ang mga mata nito sa labi ko at pagkatapos ay nagtaas ng kilay.

"We're meeting my bandmates, it's just a casual meeting so don't be nervous."

"Bandmates?" Banda? Nagbabanda siya?

"I thought I'm that popular but someone doesn't know me huh." Bahagya itong napailing, a ghost of smile is on his lips.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, did he just smile?

Mabilis akong humabol sa kaniyang paglalakad, "I know you, you're very popular in your field but I didn't know that you have a band." Paliwanag ko.

Pinagtitinginan kami ng mga taong naroon pero tila walang pakialam si Axl at nagdiretso ito sa restaurant ng hotel. Agad kaming nilapitan ng isang lalaking naka-uniporme.

"Good afternoon Mr. Genesis, this way please." Iginiya kami nito patungo sa isang private room.

Halos mabali ang leeg ko sa kakalingon sa interior ng restaurant, sobrang ganda. Hindi man ako maalam sa mga ganito ay alam kong pang-mayaman ang hotel na ito sa ambience palang.

Binuksan ng lalaki ang isang double doors at pumasok kami doon ni Axl. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita nang bumungad sa akin ang apat na lalaki na naghihintay sa amin.

Lumapit kami ni Axl sa kanila at halos malula ako nang makita sila nang mas malapitan.

The famous actor, Gelo Ferrer is even here! Magkakilala sila? At magka-banda? Tinignan ko ang tatlo pang hindi pamilyar na lalaki na pare-pareho ring nakatingin sa akin. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko.

"Sit Adrianna," napaigtad ako nang bumulong si Axl sa tabi ko. Ni hindi ko namalayang ipinaghila niya ako ng upuan.

Tumango ako at mabilis na umupo. Umupo rin naman ito sa tabi ko.

"Ngayon ka lang nagdala ng babae Axl, girlfriend?" Ang slang na pagkakabigkas ni Gelo Ferrer sa mga salita ay halos nagpadugo sa ilong ko.

He's very handsome in television but he's way more than that in person. Hindi ko akalaing makikita ko ito ng harapan.

"She's my secretary."

"Secretary? Why do you need a secretary for this meeting?" The guy on my left chuckled, na parang isang joke ang pagdadala sa akin ni Axl dito.

His eyes almost disappear when he's laughing. Kuminang ang isang dogtag sa kaniyang dibdib.

"Shut up Ice," Axl glared at him.

"Oops, sorry.." kumindat ito sa akin kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin. He looks too playful, and he strangely looks familiar.

The guy beside Gelo chuckled, sa kanilang lahat ay siya ang may pinaka-maamong mukha, someone like a good boy.

"Don't mind him. I'm Kenneth Yu, I own this hotel chain and I'm the vocalist of Golden Strings." Pagpapakilala nito.

"Golden Strings?"

"It's our band, you don't know it?" The playful-looking guy, who's name I think is Ice, looked at me like he can't believe me.

Alanganin akong umiling. I'm not sure if it was right to tell them I don't know their band dahil parang nakakainsulto yata iyon sa kanila.

"I-I'm sorry..I don't know it, I'm not really into bands. I'm Adrianna Clemente by the way, Axl's secretary." Now this feels so awkward.

Bahagya kong sinulyapan si Axl na pinanonood ako sa pakikipagkilala sa kaniyang mga kaibigan.

"Woah, first name basis. You don't call him 'sir'?" Hirit nanaman ng lalaki. He looks so amused.

"Stop it Ice." Ani Axl sa gilid ko.

"Woah woah.."

"I'm sorry about him." Ken smiled at me, ngumiti ako pabalik. Bumaling naman ito kay Axl. "Where's Yuge?"

"He's working with Ace right now. They were with me this morning."

Yuge? So the other guy's name this morning is Yuge? At miyembro rin ba siya ng Golden Strings?

"Let's start now, I don't have much time." Gelo said. Nagulat ako nang mapatingin ito sa akin.

"Oh, you don't know Golden Strings but I'm sure you know me?"

Nahihiya akong tumango. Ofcourse, siya ang pinakasikat na actor ngayon, who wouldn't know him. At nagkalat ang malalaking billboards niya sa buong Maynila.

Napangiti ito. "I'm the guitarist of Golden Strings, and this motherfvcking asshole," he pointed at Ice, "is our drummer. Yuge Zamora who you probably met earlier, is the bassist and your boss is our pianist."

Napaawang ang labi ko, so they really are a band? Napatingin ako sa katabi ko, and he's a pianist? Wala sa sarili akong napatingin sa mahahabang mga daliri nito. He can play the piano. I think it suits him.

"We don't play on TV, kaya siguro hindi mo kami kilala. But we're the resident band of Fiasco. Siguro naman ay alam mo ang Fiasco?" Ice looked at me expectantly pero hindi ko nagawang tumingin pabalik.

He resulted in a laugh, "You haven't been to clubs, have you?"

Napailing ako. Is it necessary? Bakit gulat na gulat siya?

"Dude, your girl is innocent! We have another version of Ayesha?"

Nalilito na ako. Sino naman si Ayesha? Hindi ko alam kung bakit mukhang big deal sa Ice na ito ang lahat. And I'm not Axl's girl, I will never be.

"You're talking like Coleen is going to clubs."

"Oh please, don't drag Coleen's name here."

"Can we start? I didn't bring my secretary here for you to interrogate her." Masungit na sinabi ni Axl na nagpatahimik sa kanila lahat.

Ngumisi si Gelo at Ken habang nagtataas lang naman ng kilay ang lalaking katabi ni Axl. Hindi pa ito nagsalita mula kanina at tahimik lang na nagmamasid. Bumaling si Axl sa kaniya.

"I just opened the winery a few months ago. But I'm gaining a lot from it now. Most of the clubs from Luzon are already getting direct supplies from me. As of now, the shareholders are just my family. The common stocks aren't up for grabs but I am willing to sell preferred stocks."

"Why are you selling your stocks?" The guy asked.

"I purposely bought sixty percent of the stocks so I can sell them."

Ngumisi ang lalaki, pinaikot nito ang ballpen na hawak sa kaniyang mga daliri.

"You really are a genius in the stock market huh, you're even hoarding the stocks of your own business."

Ngumisi pabalik si Axl. "I am selling thirty percent, and it's double the original price."

"I'm taking the ten percent, sure." Gelo said, bumaling ito kay Ken at tumango.

"I already changed my supplier. I'm getting direct supplies for Burning Colds from your winery too. I just want to invest and earn my money back. I'll take the other ten percent."

Axl nodded. Tila isa itong mabilis na deal at napaka-casual nga. Maybe because they're friends? Ni hindi kinailangan ng anumang papel, they just talk casually.

"I'll take the last ten percent but I'm having it under my youngest sister's name, Coleen Montgomery." Ang sabi ng panghuling lalaki.

Tumango-tango si Axl pagkatapos ay nilingon si Ice, "So this is why this fucktard tagged along? He knew this investment will be under Coleen's name?"

Nagtinginan silang apat kay Ice na seryoso na ang mukha ngayon.

"Well then Fifth, are you signing for her?"

"Yes,"

"I'll prepare the papers and will send them to you. You can send them back after signing. Let's not make this too formal." Axl's voice sounds dismissing.

Nagtanguan ang mga ito habang tahimik lamang akong nanonood. Ito na ang meeting? Parang hindi naman ako kinailangan dito ni Axl.

"I'll call the waiter, let's eat." Ken suggested pero umiling na kaagad ang mga kasama.

"I have to pick up Naomi, we have taping today." Gelo said. Oh I know, his girlfriend, the famous Naomi Allison De Vera.

"I'm leaving too." Tumayo ang lalaking tinawag ni Axl na Fifth. Doon ko palang nakita ng buo ang katawan nito and I must say he's really tall and a bit toned, kitang-kita iyon sa fit na tshirt na suot.

Tumayo na rin si Ice. "I'll go ahead too." Bumaling ito sa akin at ngumisi, "It's nice meeting you Adrianna." Bumaba ang tingin nito sa leeg ko. Pinamulahan ako ng pisngi pero agad ding nakabawi nang marinig si Axl sa aking likuran.

"Just leave asshole."

Natatawa pa si Ice nang tuluyang umalis. Naiwan kaming tatlo ni Axl at Kenneth.

"Ice is just playful Adrianna, but he's crazy over a young girl." He chuckled.

Alanganin akong ngumiti. Is it the girl named Coleen? Kapatid noong si Fifth? I'm curious how she looks like, sigurado akong maganda siya kung ganoon ba naman ang kuya niya. Why am I suddenly surrounded with handsome guys? Ace and that Yuge Zamora earlier are something already, hindi ko alam na isang banda pa pala sila.

Sigurado akong sikat na sikat nga ang Golden Strings. Their members are not just talents but pure visuals. Hindi ako makapaniwalang hinayaan ng langit na magsama-sama ang mga lalaking katulad nila. It can create an imbalance for the ecosystem if they were animals.

"We're leaving too, I still have important things to do." Pagpapaalam ni Axl.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Kenneth, "Ofcourse you always have Axl." He chuckled.

"Let's go Adrianna."

Tumango ako at mabilis na tumalima. Ngumiti nalang ako kay Kenneth at sumunod na kay Axl palabas.

Mabilis at malalaki ang hakbang nito kaya naman halos hingalin ako nang makarating kami sa parking lot. Nang nasa tapat na ng kaniyang sasakyan ay bumaling ito sa akin.

His dark eyes are directed at me. Napaatras ako, ano nanaman ang ginawa ko?

Tumitig ito, salubong ang kilay at tila may hindi nagugustuhan. Bumaba ang mga mata nito sa leeg ko at pagkatapos ay nagpakawala ng isang buntong-hininga.

"B-bakit po?"

He shut his eyes close like he's so pissed. Kinabahan agad ako. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung paano siya ihahandle. Kanina ay mukhang okay naman kami? He even smiled, even if it's just a bit ay ngumiti pa rin siya. Bakit ngayon ay parang galit na galit nanaman siya?

"M-may problema ba?"

Nagmulat ito ng mga mata, he immediately found my eyes. Walang kasing bigat ang mga tingin niya na parang pasan niya na ang daigdig sa problema niya.

"What is it?"

Humakbang ito ng isang beses. "You said you're not comfortable being with me.."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"But you were comfortable with my friends?"

"Huh? Axl hindi kita--"

"When did you start dropping the honorifics Adrianna?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "S-sorry po.."

"You were comfortable while Ice is busy gawking at your neck hmm?"

Lalong nangunot ang noo ko. Napahawak ako sa leeg ko at napailing. "H-hindi ko po napansin, I was busy listening to your friends, sir.."

He chuckled humorlessly, "Oh yes Adrianna, thanks for entertaining my friends." Tila lalo itong naiinis sa pagsagot ko kaya nanahimik na lamang ako.

I don't get his point to be honest kaya mas mabuti sigurong tumahimik nalang ako.

"Mom brought you to our family dinner and you became the center of attention. I brought you for an interview with the investigator this morning and you were the center of attention. I brought you to a meeting and you became the center of attention. Where else will I put you Adrianna?"

"I..I don't understand..I'm not even trying.." Hindi ko mabuo ang sasabihin dahil hindi ko naman iyon napapansin! What should I do then? Dapat ba ay wag na akong maging polite? Sumasagot lang naman ako kapag kinakausap, is it my fault?

"Ofcourse you don't know!" He hissed, problemadong-problemado.

Bakit niya ba pinag-aaksayahan ng panahon na pansinin ang mga maliliit na bagay na iyon? I don't think kulang siya sa atensyon at naiinggit lang siya? Imposibleng ganoon, he's Axl Genesis! Ilagay mo siya sa gitna ng mga tao at kahit umupo lang siya ay pagtitinginan siya. Kung ganon ay bakit tila galit na galit siya sa akin?

"H-hindi ka nanaman ba naniniwala? Do you think I'm purposely trying to be the center of attention?"

Tumigil ito, tumitig sa akin. Tiniis ko ang nakakatakot na dilim sa kaniyang mga mata, I should get used to that darkness because I know that's part of him kaya dapat ay hindi na ako naiintimidate ng ganito.

"I can't believe it's even harder to accept how innocent you are rather than making myself believe that you are not."

**