Chapter 4: I don't Share

I tugged at the hem of my dress. The slit on the side ran dangerously high up my thigh, exposing more skin.

"Alessa, please. Stop pulling it," Karen muttered,

"Hindi lang talaga ako sanay sa ganitong ka-revealing na damit, Karen. Sobrang iksi," sagot ko, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili.

"Ano ka ba, Alessa! Bagay na bagay nga sa 'yo 'yan!" giit naman ni Cassie na abalang pinapasadahan ng kamay ang suot niyang gown.

Napanbuntong-hininga na lang ako. Literal na pinilit lang nila akong isuot 'to. Pagpasok pa lang namin sa venue, napanganga na ako sa karangyaan ng paligid. Halatang walang tinipid ang kompanya para sa gabing ito.

"Ladies and gentlemen," umalingawngaw ang boses ng announcer sa buong hall, dahilan para biglang tumahimik ang lahat 

 "Tonight, we are thrilled to officially announce the engagement of Miss Bianca Imperial and Mr. Zhean Pete Valeriano!"

Bumukas ang dambuhalang p***o sa tuktok ng grand staircase at tumama ang spotlight sa kanilang dalawa. Habang marahang bumababa ng hagdan si Zhean habang nakahawak sa kanyang braso si Bianca, sumabog ang masigabong palakpakan at walang tigil ang flashing ng mga camera.

"A match made in heaven," a woman near us whispered loudly

"They look absolutely perfect together."

I stared at them. And right then, a sharp, unfamiliar pain tugged at my chest. It was a dull ache, cold and sudden. 

"Hey, guys!"

Dave’s voice broke through my trance.Sa likod niya ay may kasamang matangkad na lalaki.

"Everyone, this is Brion," Vince introduced, gesturing to the man. 

"He's a close friend of ours. Brion, these are our officemates Cassie, Alexis, Joyce, and this is Alessa."

Brion’s eyes locked onto mine."Nice to meet you all," he said.

As the group exchanged quick pleasantries and sat down, Brion took the empty seat right next to me. 

"You look stunning," he murmured.

"Bolero," I retorted softly.

Brion chuckled. He leaned closer "No, I really mean it"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Sige na nga, thank you."

Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa harapan, pero agad ding nawala ang ngiti sa aking mga labi. Doon sa bandang stage, nakatayo si Zhean. Seryoso ang mukha niya, at ang talim ng titig niya ay diretso nang nakaturo sa akin. Sobrang igting ng panga niya habang si Bianca naman ay todo ang kapit at ngiti sa braso niya para sa mga camera. 

"...the formal partnership and merging of the Imperial Group and Valeriano Holdings!" the announcer’s voice boomed. The crowd erupted into loud cheers and applause, celebrating the powerhouse union of the two families.

"Hey," Brion’s voice cut through my thoughts

"You know, I've actually been seeing you around the office area lately "

I raised an eyebrow "Really? Are you a creep or a stalker?" jokingly kong sabi,

"Ouch. Stalker agad? I just happen to have good vision, Alessa."

"Sus. Style mo," I teased, laughing with him.

After the big announcement, the couple started roaming around the hall to greet each guest.Gustong-gusto ko nang umalis sa lugar na 'to. Mabilis na kumabog ang dibdib ko nang huminto sila mismo sa tapat ng table namin 

Instantly, my officemates stood up "Congratulations, Ma'am Bianca, Sir Zhean!" Cassie immediately offered.

"You look so beautiful tonight, Ma'am," Alexis added, nodding along.

But Bianca barely even looked at them. "Zhean baby, my heels are hurting so bad. I told you we shouldn't have stopped by the lower-tier tables anymore."

I felt my friends stiffen around me. Si Zhean naman ay hindi agad sumagot kay Bianca. Tiningnan niya ako at tinaasan ng isang kilay, tila ba hinihintay kung anong magiging reaksyon ko at parang hinahamon akong magsalita. 

"Congratulations to both of you," I said, my voice dripping with subtle sarcasm. 

 "Hoping you two live... happily ever after."

Bianca let out a dramatic, irritated sigh, pulling his arm even closer to her chest. "Ugh, whatever. Zhean, let's go. I'm so tired already. I want to go back to the private lounge."

Walang imik na nagpahila si Zhean palayo patungo sa VIP lounge. Nang tuluyan na silang makatalikod, doon ko lang naramdamang muling pumasok ang hangin sa baga ko. Nang hindi na nag-iisip kumuha ako ng isang baso ng alak sa isang dumadaang waiter, at dire-diretsong nilaklak 'yon. Gumuhit ang init at hapdi sa lalamunan ko. 

"Hey," Brion’s voice was soft,

"Slow down, Alessa "

I kept drinking, desperately trying to drown out my own thoughts.The cold night breeze hit my face the moment we stepped out of the grand lobby.

"Alessa, are you sure you're not coming?" Alexis asked.

"Yes... I'm a little bit tipsy na kasi," I replied, my tongue feeling heavy as I offered her a weak smile. 

Cassie stepped closer, her eyes scanning my face with deep concern. "Are you sure? Kaya mo ba talaga?"

"I can manage, don't worry," I said. I gave them a reassuring nod, though my vision swerved slightly when I did.

"I'll drop her sa car niya so I can assure na she'll be safe," boluntaryong alok ni Brion. Dahil wala na akong lakas para makipagtalo, tumango na lang ako. 

Pagdating namin sa sasakyan ko, pinagbuksan ako ni Brion ng p***o. Sumakay ako sa driver's seat. Pero imbes na isara ang p***o at magpaalam, pumasok si Brion sa passenger seat at isinara ang p***o.

"Are you okay, Alessa?" mahinang tanong niya.

Hindi ako sumagot dahil na din sa alak ay unti-unting ko linapit ang mukha ko sa mukha niya.Nang dumampi ang malambot niyang labi sa akin, tumugon siya. Isang halik na nagsimula sa pagiging marahan hanggang sa naging mapusok.

Napahawak ako sa batok niya, at mabilis na gumapang ang mga kamay niya sa baywang ko. Binuhat niya ako nang bahagya para mas mapalapit sa kanya.Naramdaman ko ang mga labi niya na bumababa sa leeg ko habang ang isang kamay niya ay dahan-dahang humahaplos sa hita ko na nakalantad dahil sa slit ng gown ko.

"Brion... wait," nahihirapan kong bulong, sabay tulak nang mahina sa dibdib niya. 

Agad na natigilan si Brion. "I'm so sorry, Alessa," 

" I shouldn't have done that."

"Sorry, Brion nadala lang ako maybe because of the alcohol," nakayuko kong sagot, hiyang-hiya sa sarili ko.

Ngumiti siya nang tipid at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "It's okay. I respect you, Alessa." Binuksan niya ang p***o ng kotse at lumabas.

"Basta text me when you get home safe, okay?"

"I will. Bye, Brion."

"Goodnight, Alessa."

He gently closed the door and the moment I was alone I leaned my head back against the headrest, letting my eyelids flutter shut. 

Click.

"Brion? May nakalimutan ka—" I started, turning my head quickly, thinking he had come back to check on me. But the words died instantly in my throat.

"Zhean, what are you—"I didn't get to finish.

His mouth slammed onto mine, hard and desperate, cutting off my breath and my words.Mabilis na umakyat ang mga kamay ko sa dibdib niya para itulak siya pero walang epeko yun sakanya. Napakainit ng katawan niya, at ang halik na 'yon ay sobrang agresibo, mas nakakahilo pa kaysa sa champagne na ininom ko kanina. 

"Zhean, are you insane?!" I gasped out the moment I managed to wrench my lips free.

Hindi siya sumagot. Imbes na tumigil, ang malaking palad niya ay mabilis na dumausdos sa hita ko, walang pasabing hinaplos ang balat na kanina lang ay hinawakan ni Brion.A shiver shot straight down my spine at the touch of his fingers against my warm skin.

"I couldn't take my eyes off you tonight."

"Zhean, ayoko..." I whispered, my voice cracking. I tried to pull my leg away, but the tight space of the car offered no escape. 

He was completely ignoring my protests, acting as if my boundaries didn't exist when it came to him.With all the remaining energy left in my body I pulled my right arm back.

SLAP!

Instantly, the movement stopped. The heavy hand on my thigh froze.

For a second, the silence inside the vehicle was deafening.At first, a wave of sheer shock washed over me. Oh my god. I just slapped Zhean Pete Valeriano. He is my boss..

"No means no, Zhean! What is wrong with you?!"

He let out a dark, humorless chuckle, "Why is it because of the guy?"

"Who, Brion?" I spat out.

Zhean was visibly pissed off. 

"Bakit ba?!" I cried out.

 "I thought walang pakialaman! We agreed on this, Zhean!"

Zhean stared at me and he reached out, his thumb slowly brushing against my lower lip, which was still swollen from his kiss.

"Yes, I did say that," he whispered

 "But as I said, Ms. Alessa... what's mine is mine. And I don't share."