Chapter 3: RUNAWAY

While waiting for a certain 'VIP 7' to come for her, inikot muna ni Asteria ang buong kwarto na pinasukan niya.

She inhaled the inexplicable sweet scent emitted by the lighted candles that seemed to enhance and lighten her mood. Her feet crushes every red-colored rose petal that lays beneath her feet as she strolled inside the wide and dim room.

Niyakap niya ang sarili ng maramdaman ang lamig ng kwarto.

"Ba't naman kasi ang tagal ng lalaking 'yon?" Sambit niya habang nakatigil at nakaharap sa pinto.

She had mapped out her plan earlier. Failing is not her option, lalong-lalo na ngayon na marami ng nakakita sa mukha niya kanina.

Para siyang napasong tumakbo papunta sa loob ng cr nang marinig niya ang mga lagapak ng hakbang na galing sa lakbas ng kwarto. She was sure those footsteps were headed towards the room.

It must be him. Naisip niya habang sinara ang pinto ng cr. She leaned at the door and pressed her ears against, waiting for sounds that will give her the slightest idea of what's happening outside.

Kumunot ang noo ni Zeke nang makitang walang tao sa loob ng silid na pinasukan niya. He lingered his eyesight and still saw no one. Tuluyan na nga siyang pumasok sa kwarto. He quickly smelled the aromas emitted by the candles and a curve on his lips slightly formed.

Agad niyang napansin ang nakasaradong pinto ng cr at nilapitan iyon. Nang pipihitin na niya sana ang knob ay biglang bumuka ang pinto. In an instant everything went black in Zeke's eyesight.

"It's fifty-two solaries."

Pakarinig nito'y agad bumunot ng pera si Asteria sa kanyang bulsa. The cashier handed her plastic bag of groceries after packing it.

"Thank you", she said with a smile and left.

"Thanks for the treat, VIP 7." She smirked habang binibilang ang paper bills at barya na ninakaw niya mula kay Zeke.

She walked proudly as the scene of how she knocked Zeke down kept playing on her head. Napapahagikhik pa ito sa tuwing naaalala ang mukha ni Zeke nang mawalan ito ng ulirat.

Asteria managed to run away from that damned auction after being sold, and now she had no idea where to go.

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"Are you okay Sir?" Bumungad sa paningin ko ang nag-aalalang mukha ni Jomer habang inaalalayan ako nitong makaupo mula sa pagkakahiga.

"What the hell happened? Where's the girl?" Tanong ko habang sinasapo ang nananakit na bahagi ng aking ulo.

I groaned after touching a lump on my forehead. Nang kapain ko itong mabuti, napagtanto kong nagkabukol ang ulo ko. It was located on my upper left forhead.

Nang tumingin ako sa driver ko'y nababalot din bg pagtataka ang mukha nito.

"Kayo lang pong mag-isa ang nakita ko sa loob ng hotel Sir."

"May nakakita po kasing isang staff sainyo na nakahandusay sa loob habang bukas ang pinto...at pagpasok ko po'y nakita kong dumudugo yung ulo niyo kaya inuwi ko nalang ho kayo." He explained.

"Fuck!" I cussed angrily.

"S–sir?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Jomer.

I sprang up the bed and grabbed my coat hanging on the rack.

"Saan po kayo pupunta Sir?", paghabol niya sa akin?

"Let's go back to that damned building." I said as I rushed my steps out of my room.

"I want my eighty-eight million back!"

"What do you mean she's gone?" My voice echoed in the hallway.

"W-we are t-terribly sorry S-sir." Nagsusumamong tugon ng staff who's accomodating me at the moment.

"What do you plan to do about this? Hahayaan niyo nalang bang ganito?" Nakapamewang kong saad habang magkasalubong ang mga kilay.

"P-pasensya na ho talaga, i-it was so unexpected that—

"Stop giving me excuses!" Singhal ko na lalo pang nagpa tense dito.

"How can your management make up for this? Paano kayo makakabawi sa kapalpakan niyo?" Nanggigigil kong tanong.

"We'll give back your money Sir. You can tell us the mode of transfer and we will immediately send it to you." He replied slowly.

I neared and lowered my gaze to him, "What if I tell you that I don't want the money?"

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin."W-what do y-you mean S-sir?", utal-utal niyang tanong.

"I've got my eyes on that 'Item 10' but thanks to your lax of security, she managed to run away without even her shadows caught on one of your cctv's!" I growled.

"We've got many ladies who are far better than—

"I don't want any other ladies!", I cut him off. "She's the only one that I want! Find her for me or I'll make sure this building is ruined first thing in the morning!" Walang bahid ng biro ang iniwan kong pagbabanta sa kanila. Hindi maipinta ang mukha ko nang makalabas ako ng building.

Mabigat ang katawan kong isinandal sa may bintana ng kotse. I rolled down the window and leaned closer. Ang bawat buntong hininga ko'y sinasalubong ng malamig na hanging nagpaurong sa ulo ko sa loob ng sasakyan.

I threw my head back, "Damn" I murmured.

I knew she wasn't ordinary but I never thought it would end up like this. Ni hindi ko man lang nakita ang mukha niya ng harapan. All I saw was her swift hands na hawak-hawak ang dinampot niyang lampshade na nakapatong sa nightstand na malapit sa pintuan ng cr na nilabasan niya. She was swift and precise, hitting my forehead and knocking me in one go.

To be knocked out by a woman is embarrassing on my part. Nevertheless, this is such a refreshing experience. In my whole life, hindi ko inaakalang may babaeng magpapadugo sa akin.

This makes her want her even more.

Natauhan akong muli ng marinig ang pagring ng aking cellphone. Kinuha ko ito mula sa bulsa ng maong kong pantalon at sinagot ang tawag.

Bumungad agad saakin ang boses na pinakaayae kong marinig sa mga panahong ito.

"So, have you found a suitable one yet?" Bungad ng matanda sa akin na hindi man lang nag-hello.

"The fuck!" I cursed, "Did you call just to ask me that?"

I heard him chuckled from the other line. "Well, pinapaalala lang naman kita. You know it's only a week left before this month ends."

"I know, I fucking know" Irita kong saad.

"Well then, goodluck on finding a bride." He said in a taunting tone, malinaw na gusto niya lang akong asarin.

"You don't have to worry about me, I already found my bride." Pagyayabang ko na nagpatigil sa mga tunog ng tawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"Really?" Biglang naging seryoso ang boses niya. "That's good then, bring her to me this friday. Let the family meet her."

Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin, saka ko lang narealize kung gaano kabobo ang ginawa kong pagsisinungaling kanina. Why did I told him I already found a bride even if the one who's supposed to be have run away?

"Ugh, this sucks" I grumbled as I closed my eyes at minasahes ang aking noo.

"Take me to Paradis, I'm gonna have a few drinks there." I ordered Jomer at agad naman nitong pinaharurot ang kotse patungo sa club na paborito kong puntahan.

I should relax my mind and look for pretty girls at the same time. They might not be as interesting as Item 10, but who knows? I might find a suitable one there who can provide me a first aid for this emergency.