Sa Kama ni Bayaw

12

Claire’s

They say that diamonds are a woman’s best friend. Every woman her own source of beauty and strength. One can’t just be beautiful without any reason. Beauty is something that comes from the heart, it’s like a reflection. Just like diamonds, it doesn’t shine on their own, they reflect from the light.

I took the pair of diamond earrings and hang them in the air. The rays coming from the light made it sparkle and the brighter the light there is, the more it shines elegantly. Napangiti ako sa nakita, this one would be perfect for my outfit for tonight's event.

I put on my red signature lipstick, my eyes are of nude shade which would compliment the color of my lips. My hair is in a low braided bun exposing my slender neck to my bareback.

I wore a knee-length body con dress with a lace sleeve and extreme scoop back. The gold details of the dress give the dramatic expression of its black color. I turned my body and saw my exposed back, my whole back was so open down to my lower back. Napangiti ako sa itsura ko, I look both an innocent angel and a seductive vixen.

I took the golden pouch and started to the door. It’s almost six in the evening and we have to be there before seven. Dahan-dahan akong bumaba sa hagdanan, I wore a five-inch peep-toe flatform slingback stilettos in gold.

I smiled at Niu who was waiting for me down the stairs. He looked so dashingly handsome in his three-piece suit with his hair was comb on the side that made him look more mature and handsome.

“Wow, I can’t believe my wife is this beautiful,” he said as I stopped in front of him. He held my hand and kissed it. I giggled at his compliments. Niu has always been good to me. I know this marriage is only for convenience but I still consider myself lucky for having him.

“Ngayon mo lang nahalata?” parang nagtatampo kong tanong sa kanya. I pouted my lips to emphasize my sullen expression.

He just chuckled at what I did and pinched my cheeks. I can see the adoration in his eyes as he focused his eyes on me.

He held my chin and looked straight into my eyes. His eyes bore into mine and for a moment I could see Sebastian’s dark orbs staring intensely at me. Nagyon ko lang napansin na magkapareha ang kulay ng mga mata nila. But Sebastian has a darker shade than Niu, making him look rougher.

“Well, you’re already beautiful but you look exceptionally exquisite tonight. A lot of men will surely drool at you,” Niu said as he stared in my face then down into my lips.

I swallowed an invisible lump in my throat when his eyes wandered on my lips. Is he going to kiss me? For almost two years of marriage, Niu never kissed me on the lips. It’s always on the cheeks and forehead, and I admired him for that. He respected my privacy and decisions not to get physical with him.

“Isa ka ba doon, Niu?” I teasingly asked him. Kung si Sebastian itong kaharap ko ngayon ay siguradong nauutal na ako. That man’s aura is so intimidating. I’m used to being surrounded and chased by handsome men, but Sebastian has this dominating and alarming air around him.

Kumapit ako sa braso niya at nagsimulang maglakad palabas ng bahay.

“Hmm, we’ll see,” he replied as he leaned and whispered seductively on my ear. Natatawa ko siyang hinampas sa braso niya.

“Tara na nga, dami mong alam, Altamirano,”

When we arrived at the venue, a lot of media men swarming the entrance of the hotel. Mabuti na lang at may mga nag-a-assists sa mga bisita. Cameras flashed everywhere, and as much as Amalia Altalirano wanted a private party for her birthday, being the wife of Don Manuelo Altamirano and the mother of the two hottest men in town, that’s just seemed impossible.

Paradise Palace lives up to its name. This place has both the elegance of a palace and the beauty of paradise. The lightings and the makeshift stage were well-adorned with beautiful flowers in a gold theme. Makikitang maingat ang pagpili sa lahat ng detalye.

I scanned the surroundings looking for an acquaintance, the place was full of high profile personalities, from wealthy businessmen to celebrities and politicians. All are in their best dress and suits.

Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang mga magulang ko. They should be here by now. I spotted Selene Arnaiz talking to Mr. Guanzon, the CEO and founder of Horizon Entertainment. Isa siya sa mga personal na nakipag-kita sa akin noong nanalo ako sa Miss Philippines. That man has a reputation for exploiting young aspiring stars. Napailing ako, it looks like Mr. Guanzon has his eyes for this beautiful actress.

Naramdaman ko na nanigas si Niu sa tabi ko. I curiously peeked at him and found him gritting his teeth and he looked murderous.

“Hey, okay ka lang ba?” I asked him. His playful and friendly mood earlier was long gone and was changed into that of a raging beast. Hindi siya sumagot at hinila ako patungo sa lamesa kung saan nakaupo ang mga magulang namin.

My parents were seated at an eight-seater round table, in front of them were Niu’s parents. My mother wore a beige gown making her looked younger than her actual age.

“Hija, you’re here. Oh my god, you look wonderful, dear!” Niu’s mother exclaimed. Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kanya. Compliments from Amalia Altamirano will never fail to make me blush.

“Happy birthday, mom,” I greeted her. Humalik ako sa pisngi niya at nag-mano sa papa ni Niu. Binalingan ko ang mga magulang ko at ningitian ang sila. My mom lovingly smiled at me and my father just nodded his head at us.

“Happy birthday to you, mom,” bati ni Niu na nasa tabi ko. Bumeso siya sa ina at nag-mano sa mga magulang ko.

“Thank you, son. Nasaan na ang kapatid mo? I told him to come early.” She looked at the crowd looking for Sebastian.

Nasaan na nga ba ang isang iyon? Wala siya sa bahay buong araw kanina.

“Darling, you worry too much. Hayaan mo ang batang iyon. I’m sure he’ll be here before the party starts,” sagot ni dad. They were seated in front of us, I took the seat beside my mother. This table is for family members, I guess.

“Oo nga, balae. I’m sure he's busy talking to the beautiful ladies here,” saad ni mama. Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. I felt a slight s***h of jealousy upon hearing that. He’s really a flirt!

“Hay, naku. Ewan ko sa batang iyon.”

“Hayaan mo na, makakatagpo rin ‘yan ng katapat niya,” kinikilig na sabi ni mama.

“Dad, I’ll talk to Mr. Zamora, please excuse me,” paalam ni Niu. Tumingin siya sa akin at tinanguan ko lang siya. “I’ll be right back,” saad nito bago tumayo at tinungo ang direksyon ng isang matandang lalaki.

“Hija, can you go to Sebastian’s office. The party’s about to start, he should be here before that. I think he’s in his office, and I can’t find his secretary,” mom requested. She looked apologetic.

Labag man sa kalooban ko ay ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango. I excused myself and made my way to the elevator. Ang alam ko nasa ika-30th floor ang opisina ni Seb.

The whole area is isolated, I’m sure it was reserved for this occasion. Tuloy-tuloy kong tinahak ang daan patungo sa opisina niya. I stopped in front of the reception area, wala ang secretary niya at wala ring ibang tao sa paligid. Nandito kaya iyon? I felt a chill run down my spine, a scene from a thriller movie crossed my mind.

Agad kong winaglit ang isipang iyon at tinungo na ang pinto, I’ll just have to make sure na wala siya rito at aalis kaagad ako.

I was halted when I heard a gagging sound. The door was ajar and I’m sure it came from inside that door. Maingat akong lumapit at dahan-dahang binuksan ang pinto. I made sure I won’t create any sound.

“F*ck, I’m gonna c*m. Swallow it all.”

I halted and was frozen from where I stand. From the dim light coming from the wall lamp, there I saw Sebastian sitting in the cushion seat, legs widespread with a woman kneeling in the middle of his legs. Her head was bobbing and I’m not innocent not to know what they were doing.

Pain, jealousy, and betrayal surge in my chest. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang lahat ng iyon basta ang alam ko ay gusto kong maiyak sa inis at selos sa mga oras na ‘to. Agad akong tumalikod at tuloy-tuloy na sumakay sa elevator. It took me with so much will to not cry, and I really wanna cry for feeling this way. I should not feel this towards my brother-in-law, it’s forbidden.

Then reality hit me hard, I think I like him more than I knew.