Playful Haptic #3

CHAPTER THREE

Flashback Part 2

Ella Victoria Everette's Point of View

We were silent in the whole ride until we reached our mansion. The huge gate opened and Soren drove the car in the driveway until we reached the main door. He then stopped the car. Napatingin kami sa isa't isa. 

"Thank you for the ride. Gusto mo bang pumasok muna?" Alok ko sa kaniya. Umiling lang siya sa akin at ningitian. Tumango lang ako dahil hindi ko naman siya mapipilit na tumuloy muna. Isa pa, gabi na rin at delikado. 

"Okay, see you tomorrow then. Ingat sa pagd-drive," I then said and he just smiled at me. 

"I will, see you tomorrow, Evie," he replied. Tinanggal ko na ang pagkakakabit ng seatbelt ko at binitbit ang bag ko. I opened the door and I stepped out of the car. Bago ako pumasok ay kumaway muna ako kay Soren na kumaway rin sa akin pabalik. Hinintay ko siya hanggang sa makalayo ang minamaneho niyang sasakyan. 

Pagkaalis niya ay umakyat na ako at nagbukas ang pinto. Pumasok ako at nadatnan ko sina Dad na tumatawa sa living room. Mukhang may pinapanood silang nakatatawa dahil rinig ko ang lakas ng flat screen TV namin. I made my way to the living room to greet them. 

When they saw me, they smiled at me. Lumapit ako sa kanila at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Soren drove me home," inunahan ko na sila sa pagtatanong. Tumango lang sila sa akin. Napatingin ako sa pinapanood nila. It's one of Dolphy's movie. Kapagkuwa'y binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kanila.

"Mom, Dad, mauuna na po akong matutulog," I said. Tumango lang sila sa akin.

"Goodnight, darling," Dad spoke and I hugged them both. Pagkatapos n'on ay umakyat na ako sa grand staircase. Although nakapapagod ang pag-akyat dito pero nasanay na ako dahil dito ako lumaki kaya parang baliwala lang sa akin ang mahaba naming hagdanan. 

As I reached the second floor, I made my way to my room. I opened the door and switch the lights on. A chandelier was hanging on the ceiling that gives light to my whole room. A lamp is at my nightstand near my black and white queen-sized bed with trundle. 2 long pillows sit on the top of my bed behind a small, dark square pillow. 

Above the bed hangs a large wall clock and on my bedside table is a small alarm clock. I also had a study table that has my laptop on top of it and an orange lamp. I also had a mini-library on the opposite door of my walk-in closet that has my books, especially, about vets. 

The interior of my room is designed luxury. Pictures of me during my kindergarten days up to college were displayed on the left side of my wall. Together with my laminated medals, ribbons, and certificates. Some of my pictures were taken when I always join and won a pageant. I have a shelf for my trophies and sash.

Pabagsak akong umupo sa couch ko na kapares ng kama ko. I have a mini living room here in my room. Actually, I have a kitchenette too with a mini-fridge, a pantry that has my snacks, and a coffee maker. 

Inilapag ko bag ko sa coffee table ko at binuksan iyon. Kinuha ko mula roon ang business card na binigay sa akin ni Soren. I opened my phone and saved his number on my contact lists. I immediately texted him so that he can saved my number too.

To Soren:

Hi, this is Evie. Kindly save my number too, thanks and goodnight.

From Soren:

Noted. Goodnight.

Wala sa sarili akong napangiti sa ni-reply niya. It's just a simple message but my heart started to pound because of it. I was about to type a reply but I chose to exited my inbox. Baka natutulog na siya kaya hindi ko na siya iistorbohin. Kinuha ko na ang handbag ko at tumayo.

Dumiretso ako sa walk-in closet ko. Inilipag ko sa couch ang bag ko pati na rin ang phone ko at kaagad na naghanap ng sleepwear. I chose a nighties and I hanged my used clothes using a hanger. Nilagay ko sa rack na kung saan ready na ito para labhan.

Umupo ako sa tukador ko at kinuha ang cleanser ko para tanggalin ang makeup ko. Kumuha ako ng cotton ball at nilagay roon ang cleanser. I then gently wipe the wet cotton ball around my face. Hindi nagtagal ay natanggal din ang makeup ko.

After that, I throw the cotton ball on my trash can. Tinanggal ko ang pagkaka-ipit ng buhok ko at sinuklay iyon. Ginawa ko na rin ang mga skincare routine ko bago lumabas ng walk-in closet ko. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at dumiretso ako sa kama ko at humiga.

Nilapag ko ang phone ko sa nightstand ko at nagkumot na. I then silently prayed before going to sleep. Morning came and I woke up because of the sunlight that touches my skin. Bumangon ako at inayos ang buhok ko. I made my way on my bathroom to take a bath. Pagkarating ko roon ay nakahanda na ang jacuzzi tub ko na may rose petals. Si Manag Iska siguro ang naghanda nito. 

Right, I'm going to Soren's company later. Ipagluluto ko siya ng lunch. Kaagad kong hinubad ang nighties ko at tinira ko lang ang bra at panty ko. Umakyat ako sa apat na hagdanan para makapunta ako sa jacuzzi ko.

Lumusong na ako sa maligamgam na tubig na nasa jacuzzi. After cleaning my body, I reached the bathrobe and stepped out of the tub.

Sinuot ko kaagad iyon at tinanggal na ang panty at bra ko. I dried myself using a towel. Tinungo ko ang couch ko na nandito sa loob ng malaki kong banyo ko at umupo roon. My bathroom has a tub, sink and a shower. My comfort room is separated with my bathroom.

My bathroom has scented soaps and lotions. Materials that are used to create my bathroom is marble that is used in my walls, countertops, and tiles. I have a tub room and an outdoor tub room that is designed with high-quality materials. Its effect is created with a glass ceiling to take advantage of star gazing and windows to open during warmer months while being surrounded by a year-round garden.

My marble floors have SunTouch mats on top that makes my foot feel warm whenever I stepped into my bathroom.

Kinuha ko ang Laceal Lotion ko at in-apply sa buong katawan ko. Pagkatapos kong maglagay ay binalik ko na sa dati nitong pwesto. Inayos ko ang bathrobe ko at tumayo. Kapagkuwa'y lumabas ako ng banyo ko at tinungo ang walk-in closet ko. I immediately made my way to the center island and opened the second shelf that has my undergarments. 

Sinuot ko iyon at kaagad akong naghanap ng isusuot ko. I chose to wear a Grey and White Shirt Collar Midi Dress as Asymmetrical Work Striped Dress. I tied the cloth belt into a ribbon style. I matched it with a Grey Open Toe Ankle Strap High Heels that perfectly fits my foot. Pumunta ako sa second floor para pumili ng handbag, I picked a Grey Small Lady Pasha Handbag. Bumaba na ako at umupo sa upuan ng tukador ko. 

Inabot ko ang bag na ginamit ko kahapon at nilabas lahat ng laman. A wallet, car keys, ponytail, perfume, foundation, blush-on and a lipstick. Inilipat ko iyon sa Pasha bag na gagamitin ko. After that, I dried my hair using a blower. Hinayaan ko lang na ilugay ang buhok ko. I put a one-sided stylish hairpin beside my right ear that tucked my hair behind my ear. 

I put a light makeup and applied a Matte Lip Whip in Bowl of Cherries. I stared at my reflection on my vanity mirror. I smiled when I got contented with my looks. Lumabas na ako ng walk-in closet ko at kinuha ang phone ko na nasa nightstand. Nilagay ko iyon sa loob ng Pasha handbag ko. Today is Saturday and tomorrow is my engagement party. On Monday, it's time for me to study again. 

Lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko at bumaba na. Pagbaba ko ay binati ako ng mga kasambahay namin na naglilinis. Ngiti lang ang iginanti ko sa kanila at diniretso ko ang dining hall. Pagkarating ko roon ay nandoon na sina Dad. Hindi pa sila nagsisimulang kumain. Maybe, they are waiting for me. 

"Good morning, my parents," I greeted and hugged them. I also kissed them on their cheeks.

"Morning, darling. You look gorgeous today," napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Mom. May lumapit na isang kasambahay sa akin at pinanghila ako ng upuan. I just smiled and thanked her. Umupo na ako at bumalik na ang kasambahay sa pwesto niya kanina. I looked at my Mom who's looking so young wearing her Black Print Wrap Designer Dress while Dad is wearing his black three-piece suit. 

"I will visit Soren later at their company," I started then looked at my Dad. Ngumiti siya sa akin at tumango lang. 

"It's good to know that you're getting along with Soren. Tomorrow is the day," Dad spoke. Tumango lang ako. Pagkatapos n'on ay nagsimula na kaming kumain. Five maids started to serve our breakfast which is fried rice, bacon, eggs benedict, croissant, waffle with strawberry syrup, and toasted bread.

Kinsy poured a freshly squeezed lemon juice on my glass. They knew that I don't drink coffee in the morning and I only like fresh juices. Kinsy is at my age and she's still studying. Actually, she's one of my parents' scholars. 

"Thank you," I said and she just smiled at me then bowed her head. Pagkatapos n'on ay nagsimula na kaming kumain. I chose to eat a waffle and I topped it with strawberry syrup. Nang maubos ko iyon at sinunod ko ang eggs benedict. It has two halves of muffins and is topped with a strip of bacon, a poached egg, and a hollandaise sauce. 

I then took a sipped of my lemon juice. Nang matapos kaming kumain ay hinatid ni Mom si Dad sa labas. While me, nagpapatulong ako kay Kinsy para magluto for Soren's lunch. I will prepare a lunch box. I wore an apron and started to prepare the ingredients needed. I will cook a Grilled Lamb and Feta Pita Sandwich, Crispy Tuna Cakes, and Cashew-Carrot Toast. 

Tutulungan naman ako ni Kinsy na magluto. After 3 hours, naluto na ang lahat. I also sliced fruits like apples, ripe mangoes, and a pineapple. Tinanggal ko rin ang mga grapes sa mga sanga niya. I prepared two lunch boxes, for Soren and for me. I peeled the tangerines and put them beside the sliced fruits. Then, done. 

Tinakpan ni Kinsy ang dalawa na lunch box at nilagay sa isang paper bag. Hindi na ako gumawa ng beverages kasi baka matunaw lang. Magpabili na lang kami mamaya. Naglagay rin si Kinsy ng spoons and forks for us. 

"Thank you, Kinsy," sabi ko ulit. Ningitian niya lang ko. Tinanggal ko na ang apron ko at napatingin sa wall clock. It's already 11:45 in the morning. Binitbit ko na ang paper bag at pati na rin ang bag ko. Kapagkuwa'y nagpaalam na ako kay Mom. I kissed her cheek before going out of the mansion. As I came out, my white Porsche car welcomed me.

Kuya Kye, my personal driver, and bodyguard opened the door for me. Kuya Kye is single. He's been serving me for almost 6 years. He's handsome and tall. His built can crush you in any second, just kidding. His body is an average body for a man. I think he's already in his late 30s, around 26 years old. 

Not too thin and not too fat. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya at sumakay sa backseat. Nang nakasakay na ako ay sinara na niya ang pinto. 

"Kuya sa Benavidez Corporation po," kaagad kong sabi. Nakita ko ang pagtango niya mula sa rear view mirror. Nang umandar na ay nilabas ko ang phone ko. I sent Soren a text that I'm on my way. I was waiting for his reply but I didn't get any. I understand though, he's at work and he's probably busy. When I didn't get any reply, I exited my Inbox. 

He was expecting me naman kaya okay lang siguro. Hindi naman nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa Benavidez Corporation. Kuya Kye opened the door and I stepped out of the car. Inayos ko muna ang sarili ko bago tumingin kay Kuya Kye.

"Kuya, hintayin niyo na lang po ako sa lounge," sabi ko na ikinatango niya. Carrying my bag and the paper bag, I walk elegantly until I reached the entrance of the building. I can feel that Kuya Kye was following me. The tall building was located in the city. Many tall establishments were located but Benavidez Corporation is one of a kind. Huge company names were on the top of the building. 

There's also a parking lot for the workers. The building stood tall together in the city center, reflecting both the blue and the clouds of white-silver hue. Beside the building is a cafe that is already occupied by customers. Nang malapit na ako sa entrance ay binati ako ng guard. I just smiled at him.

Binuksan niya ang glass door kaya pumasok ako. Noise from the people inside the building filled my ears. Gaya nga ng sabi ko kay Kuya Kye ay tinungo niya ang visitor's chair na nasa gilid. Some chairs are almost occupied. Kaagad na napatingin sa akin ang mga empleyado rito. I mean, it's not my intention to be this head turner. 

I just ignored them as I walk closer to the front desk. Napatulala naman sa akin ang dalawang babae rito sa front desk habang nakatingin sa akin. 

"Hi, Miss," nakangiti kong bati sa babae. Her hair was tied into a tight bun and she was wearing their office attire, a Black Autumn Long Sleeve Skirt Business Suit. I like their uniform. It's sexy and elegant. She was also beautiful. Kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi na kumukurap ito. I waved my hand into her face.

"Miss, I'm here," I spoke. Nakita ko naman na kumurap-kurap ito na paulit-ulit. Nang mapagtanto niya siguro na isa akong bisita ay umalerto siya. Binaba ko na ang kamay ko at ngumiti sa kaniya.

"I'm sorry, Miss. Nakakatulala po kasi ang kagandahan niyo. Welcome to Benavidez Corporation, how may I help you?" She formally said. Ngumiti ako sa sinabi niya. 

To be continued...