Unordinary Desire (Book 3)

CHAPTER 3

"Grab a cop gun kinda crazy

She's poison but tasty."

- Ava Max, Sweet but psycho.

 Club Date-saster.

           ***

Arabella Martinelli.

Pagbaba ko ng all new Lotus Evija sport car ko, kaagad nasipat ng mga mata ko si Ivy baby ko sa crowd of people na nakapila sa labas ng club.

Wow. I didn't really expect her to show up tonight. Knowing this little bundle of mystery? She's hardheaded.

Kaya nang makalapit ako sa kaniya, I looked at her in surprise and in amazement.

By the way, she looked ravishing at her outfit tonight.

Bagay na bagay sa kaniya ang suot niyang tight black above the knee dress. Her cleavage was so exposed to this dress of hers. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang mapatingin duon ng matagal.

"Eyes are up here." She teased.

I smiled at her, "I didn't think that you would show."

She shrugged. "Told you, I can handle it."

"We'll see. C'mon." iginaya ko na s'ya sa entrance ng club na pag-aari ko.

"Wait, I don't want to lose my spot."

I glance at her, "Don't worry about it. I got you." I said with a wink.

I stopped at the entrance of the club to let her in first, "After you,"

Kibit balikat siyang pumasok sa club, habang ako naman ay ang laki ng ngiting nakipag-high five sa dalawang bouncer ng club ko.

"She's a 10, Miss A." one of my bouncer employees said, which I just nodded my head at.

I agree with him, my Ivy baby is definitely a 10. If possible, 11 pa nga.

She's got the nicest body I could ever ask for, the pretty face and the challenging attitude. And I never like a woman this much in my entire life.

Pagpasok namin sa club, ang daming mga client ko ang bumati kaagad sa akin. Most of them are my business partners.

I just gave them a wave of my hand in recognition. Habang ang iba ay kinausap ko ng kaunti.

I didn't leave Ivy unattended though, bagkus in-offer ko pa ang kamay ko sa kaniya na malugod naman niyang tinanggap.

Nakangiting pinagmasdan ko s'ya, "Look at you. I think you're enjoying yourself huh?"

I could see it though, the happiness in her beautiful sweet face.

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly while I twirl her gently.

"You are shining like a bright light." I complimented her beauty.

"Pretty sure that's because of the crazy dancing lights." sambit n'ya dahilan ng pagtawa ko.

Kita mo nga naman, marunong din palang mag biro ang uptight kong Ivy baby?

We walked in the pool of people dancing at the beat of the DJ's music and when we got into the DJ booth, I glanced back at my baby.

"C'mon, ipapakilala kita sa DJ. He knows me very well." saad ko saka siya maingat na hinawakan sa bewang n'ya at iginaya sa DJ booth. But before doing so, iginaya ko muna s'ya sa magiging table namin which is katabi lang ng DJ booth.

Kaagad naman tinanggal ng isang bouncer ang barikadang nakaharang patungo sa VIP lounge nang makita ako at mabilis nilang in-organize ang isang round table for two sa tabi ng open bar kung saan may iilan lang mga taong naka-tambay duon dahil mahal ang bayad dito sa VIP lounge.

"After you, my lady." mabilis na pinaupo ko s'ya sa chair na para sa kaniya at saka mabilis na nagtungo sa open bar para kunin ang wine na in-order ko na kanina pa bago pa ako makarating dito.

I already organized this special night for my baby and when the bartender handed me the most expensive wine in this club of mine, the smile in my lips grew even more wider. I'm so sure, Ivy's gonna love this wine. This is one of my favorites.

"Thank you, Tim." I high five the bartender for the wine then when I glance back at our table, wala na si Ivy duon.

Natigilan ako at napakunot ang noo. What the hell? Where the hell is that woman?

Mabilis na iginala ko ang paningin ko sa club and all I see is a lot of people dancing together, grinding their body toward one another but I didn't see a one particular woman in the crowd of people around the club.

I mumbled a f**k under my breath when I realize that she ditch me.

Pinatong ko muna ang wine bottle na hawak ko sa table namin at mabilis na tumakbo patungo sa exit at nang makalabas ako, I didn't mind the person I bumped sa pagmamadali ko, and right there and then, I saw Ivy walking on the other side of the road.

Hinabol ko siya saka tinawag ang pangalan n'ya. May bumusinang sasakyan sa akin but I didn't mind it, I just ran toward Ivy.

"Hey! Where are you going? We just got here." kunot ang noo kong binlock ang daraanan n'ya.

She put a stop hand in front of me to stop me from invading her personal space.

"You know what, Miss Martinelli? I'm not the girl for you."

I frustratingly rolled my eyes. Not this line again.

"Oh come on, come inside for a minute. I guarantee you, we'll have a good time."

Kita kong na fru-frustrate na rin siya. She shook her head no, "It's really okay. I've done this. When I was a gymnast back in highschool, my best event was the keg stand."

Hmm. Gymnast huh? Now that's interesting.

"You're a gymnast?" I asked, curiously.

She let out an annoying growl. "Unbelievable." sambit nito at halatang nagagalit na s'ya.

I defensively raised my hands in the air. "What? It's a valid question. You said you were a gymnast, I asked a question."

Ivy rolled her eyes at me. "That is exactly why I'm walking away right now."

Napaismid ako ng tawa. "Well, because you're uptight and you don't know how to have a good time?"

She seems offended.

"You have the emotional intelligence of a 14-year-old girl." nanunuyang wika nito.

Napatawa ako ng mapakla.

"And you think I'd be interested in going out with you or going back up in a club?" Turo pa n'ya sa club ko na parang isa itong makasalanang lugar.

Napatahimik ako and I suddenly felt hurt kahit alam kong hindi naman dapat. I never felt so small in my entire life. Ngayon lang.

"I don't think so." nanunuya itong sabi.

"Thank you judgmental princess." I said without batting an eye.

Hindi ito makapaniwalang tinitigan ako sa mata. Parang konti na lang sasabog na siya sa inis.

"Can we just call it a night? I'm tired arguing with you. Wala ako sa mood makipaglaruan sa 'yo, okay?"

"Can we please, call it a night?" Gigil na sambit ko.

"Good night." nang-iinis pa na sagot nito. It's obvious that she's mocking me.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Sayonara."

"Have fun." sagot pa nito at inisnaban din ako.

"Ciao!" I said then took a step away from her.

Gosh, what a judgmental princess.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang gano'n lang ang tingin nito sa akin. Well, what can I expect from a police like her.

Gosh, I just can't believed I wasted my time and effort. Dapat pala nakinig na lang ako kay Zell na huwag nang i-pursue ang babaeng ito.

******

 Tasty Poison.

        ***

   Ivy Vargaz.

"Go back to your boring police life. I'll see you soon." sambit pa nito bago siya tumalikod sa akin.

"Ugh. God!" I growled under my breath.

Nakakainis talaga ang buwisit na babaeng 'yon!

When I turn my back on her in so much annoyance, duon naman mas umasim ang mukha ko nang makakita ng napaka pamilyar na mukha ng isang lalaki.

"Oh my god. This is not happening right now." hindi makapaniwalang sambit ko sa aking sarili habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawang magkasintahan na magkahawak kamay pa habang masayang-masayang naglalampungan at papalapit na papalapit na sila sa gawi ko ngayon.

I can't deal with this right now. Not after what he had done to me 3 years ago.

Fuck. Mabilis na nilingon ko si Arabella kung nanduon pa ba siya at nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makitang hindi pa siya nakakalayo sa akin.

"Wait! Come back here!" Habol ko sa kaniya saka siya hinila sa suot nitong black leather jacket.

"What? What do you want?" iritang tanong niya habang nakakunot ang noo.

"Just kiss me." nagmamadaling sabi ko saka nilingon ang papalapit kong ex-boyfriend kasama ang fiancé nito.

"What? After all you have said to me? Absolutely not."

Hindi ko pinansin ang pagtutol nito bagkus ay hinila ko pa lalo ang kwelyo ng leather jacket nito.

"Seryoso ako. Ano ba? Basta halikan mo na lang ako."

I mumbled a s**t under my breath nang makita kong malapit na malapit na sina Alvin at ang fiance nito na si Cassandra sa gawi namin.

"Absolutely not. Why would I kiss you?" Tutol pa nito habang nakikihila ito sa leather jacket n'ya.

"Just freaking kiss me right now." I growled in annoyance.

"I'm not gonna kiss you," naiinis niyang sabi sabay hila paalis sa kamay ko sa leather jacket n'ya.

Shit! I have no time. Arabella left me with no choice. Mabilis ko siyang nahila sa batok pero nakikipaglabanan pa rin siya sa'kin.

"Oh my god, you're bipolar!" she hissed but I silenced her big mouth with a kiss.

I let out a fake loud moan for Alvin and his fiancee to hear.

Napapikit din ako para pandagdag sa acting ko. Gano'n din naman ang ginawa ni Arabella. Her hand snuck to my waist as I pulled her nape even more to deepened the kiss.

"Oh, Ivy?" rinig kong sambit ni Alvin.

Alam na alam kong tatawagin ako nito kahit may ka-make-out pa ako. Hindi ito ang unang beses na nangyari ito. Nuong una napahiya ako. But not tonight.

I continued kissing Arabella's cotton-like lips, and the mixture of cherry and mint of her lip balm lulled me. Hmm, not bad. She's not a bad kisser.

"Ivy, hey," rinig kong tawag muli ni Alvin. Pero hindi ko pa rin ito pinapansin, bagkus nagpakawala pa ako ng malakas na ungol habang hinahalikan ang mga labi ni Arabella.

"Ivy," tawag muli nito. Binuksan ko ang isang mata ko para tignan s'ya and I acted like I'm surprise upon seeing him here.

"Oh, Alvin." sabi ko sabay tawa.

I can feel Arabella's stare right through my face. Nanunuot ang tingin niya. Her hands are still on my waist though. I think, she's still in the state of shock.

"Hi, there you are." nakangiting sambit nito while eyeing me and Arabella.

"Oh my god, that is so funny running into you again." sabi ko habang tumatawa pa rin.

Napapangiwi si Alvin sa akin habang ang fiancee naman nito ay nakangiting nakatitig kay Arabella. Her eyes are obviously forming into a heart though. Halatang type niya si Arabella.

Pero si Arabella ay nakatitig lang sa akin. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pinupukol niyang tingin. And it's not a very good stare. Halatang naguguluhan siya.

Hinarap ko si Arabella at niyakap ito. "Um, this is my girlfriend, Arabella Martinelli."

Kita ko kung paano kumukurap kurap ang mga mata ni Alvin. "Huh."

Ang ngiti ko ay naging ngiwi nang matahimik si Alvin.

"Um, siya iyong tinutukoy kong special someone nuong huling nagkita tayo sa isang japanese restaurant sa Laguna." paliwanag ko para malinawan si Alvin.

But his frown only grew wider as he stared in the ground na parang may interesting duon.

"Huh." He breathes again.

Napalunok ako at tinignan ng makahulugan si Arabella na nakatitig pa rin sa akin hanggang ngayon.

Ginalaw-galaw ko ang kilay ko, silently urging her to just go with the flow. At nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang bumalik ang nakakainis nitong ngiti sa labi at hinarap sina Alvin at Cassandra.

She offered her hand to Alvin for a handshake, "Hi, I'm Arabella Martinelli--"

"The famous singer, I know. We know." Alvin said while shaking Arabella's hand.

Arabella pulled me even more closer to her. "You know me?" mayabang na tanong nito.

I almost roll my eyes sa taglay na kayabangan ng babaeng ito.

"Yes, we're a big fan of yours, Miss Martinelli. You're really amazing." Cassandra said in her dreamy eyes.

Alvin snapped his head at his fiancee, "Amazing, really?"

Napangiti ako sa loob-loob ko nang hindi pinansin ni Cassandra ang sinabi ni Alvin. Bagkus nakatitig lang siya sa mukha ni Arabella.

"Oh, sweetheart, thank you." Ara said as she duck her head to kiss the back of Cassandra's hand.

"Oh kiss in the hand, eh?" naiilang na sambit ni Alvin na halatang nagseselos na.

"By the way, where are guys going at this time of the night? Date?" Ara asked, eyeing the both of them.

Her glassy blue eyes are intensely bright and I think it makes Alvin a little insecure. Halata sa galaw ng panga n'ya at sa malalim na binibitawan niyang hininga.

"Yes, we are actually on a date. Pero pauwi na rin kami dahil puno na ang club na pupuntahan sana namin." Ngiting-ngiting paliwanag ni Cassandra. She even bit her lower lip habang nakatitig ito sa mga labi ni Ara.

"Oh is that so? Well, don't worry, I got you covered. Sayang naman ang gabi kung hindi matutuloy ang date ninyo. Anyway, you see the club over there?" Turo n'ya sa club na pinagdalhan n'ya sa akin kanina.

That club is so posh, glittery and it screams luxury. That's why I don't like being in there earlier. Nakakailang ang mga taong tumitingin sa amin ni Ara duon kanina. Parang lahat ng kilos ko ay tinitignan nila.

"Yes," sagot naman ni Cassandra.

"Pumasok lang kayo diyan and tell the bouncer that you two are my special guest. May table for two na sa VIP lounge. Ask the bar tender for the wine I ordered earlier, sa inyo na lang iyon. It's a gift from me to you."

Napaismid ako ng tawa nang makita ko kung paano mag-light up ang mga kulay tsokolateng mata ni Cassandra.

"Really? Eh ang mahal diyan eh. I don't think we can afford--"

"Nah, no worries. Pag-aari ko ang club na iyan and like I said, I got you covered." Ara winked at her and kung hindi pa siya hinila ni Alvin sa tabi n'ya, baka tinalon na niya ng yakap si Ara.

Ako naman ay medyo nabigla na pag-aari pala n'ya ang club na iyon. Kaya pala kilalang-kilala s'ya ng mga tao roon kanina.

"Wow," Cassandra breathes.

Tinapunan ako nito ng tingin at halata sa mga mata niya ang inggit at selos.

"You are so lucky."

I gave her a tight lip smile. "I know."

"Nope. Ako ang swerte sa kaniya. I mean, look at her? She's got everything. She got the beauty, the style and the grace,"

Umaakto akong kinikikig at tinignan si Alvin na pinakatitigan ako na parang itong nagseselos.

"She's so sweet to me." Nangingiting saad ko sa kanila habang naiiling sa fake girlfriend ko.

Ang laki ng ngisi ni Ara na nilingon si Alvin. Nakipaglabanan naman ng tingin si Alvin sa kaniya.

"Did you know that she was a gymnast in highschool?"

Napangiwi ako. Kailangan ba talagang sabihin n'ya iyon? My gosh. No one actually knows that I'm a gymnast back in highschool other than my family and Geoff. Not even my four-year-relationship with Alvin.

Alvin shook his head defeatedly. "No, I didn't know that."

Kita ko kung paano ngisian ni Ara si Alvin.

"Didn't think so?" wika pa niya. Halatang nanunuya ito na parang sinasabi niyang mas marami siyang alam tungkol sa akin kaysa sa kaniya.

Napatingin si Alvin sa akin at binigyan ko lang siya ng ngiwing ngiti. "She likes it. Very much." I said with a wiggle of my eyebrows then I slapped Ara's face lightly.

Arabella chuckle. "Whoa. Playful, I love it. I love you." She leaned in to give me a sweet kiss on the lips.

"I love you too." sagot ko naman in between our kiss.

"Yeah, you know what? I think we should get going. Gabi na rin kasi. Bukas na lang namin itutuloy ang date namin." sambit ni Alvin

Sabay kaming napahiwalay sa halikan namin ni Arabella at sabay din kaming napatingin kay Alvin.

"Are you sure you don't want to accept my invitation?" tanong nito habang tinuturo ang club n'ya sa kabilang daan. Marami pa ring tao ang nakapila sa labas ng club at matiyaga silang naghihintay na makapasok duon.

Umiling si Alvin, "Nope. I think we should really get to our home. But thank you though."

Kita kong gusto pang magprotesta ni Cassandra pero hinila na siya ni Alvin paalis.

"Sure. You're welcome. Have fun, Alban." habol pa nitong sabi kila Alvin at Cassandra.

"It's Alvin!" Sigaw ni Alvin habang mabilis itong naglalakad paalis sa amin. He's clearly annoyed to his very core.

Napabuga ako ng malalim na hininga. Sa wakas, natapos din ang kalbaryo ko.

But when I looked at Arabella's glassy blue eyes, alam kong hindi pa pala duon nagtatapos ang kalbaryo ko. Nagsisimula pa lang pala.

I roll my eyes at her. Heto na naman ang nakakainis niyang ngisi.

"Thank you," bulong ko.

"What is that? I'm not sure I heard that."

Huminga ako ng malalim, "I said thank you. You don't have to be so annoying about it."

She grinned. Her glassy blue eyes are dancing in happiness.

"Do you want to grab a bite? I know a pizza parlor, it's just around the corner."

Pinakatitigan ko ito sa mata.

"You owe me an explanation for whatever that was." She shrugged.

Again, napabuga na lang ako ng malalim na hininga. Tama naman siya, I owe her an explanation.

"Yeah, you're right." bagsak ang balikat kong sabi.

"C'mon then." iginaya na ako nito sa sinabing pizza parlor nito.

Minutes later, may isang buong pizza na ang nasa harapan namin at dalawang bote ng beer. Isa sa kaniya, at isa sa akin.

Nakaupo kami sa isang square table for two na katabi ng malaking salamin kung saan kita ang mga taong dumadaan sa labas.

"So?" She asked as she bite her slice of pizza.

"To cut the long story short, he cheated on me dahil sa hindi na siya makapaghintay na ibigay ko sa kaniya ang matagal na niyang inaasam-asam,"

Ara's eyes met mine. "Let me guess? s*x 'yan ano?"

Uminom ako sa hawak kong beer at tumango-tango.

"Gotcha."

"Hmm. He just not the guy I thought he was. You know, I almost followed him in the US dahil may naghihintay nang trabaho sa kaniya duon. Pero mabuti na lang at hindi natuloy. Geoff was really mad at him though. Kung hindi ko lang siya pinigilan na sugurin si Alvin, panigurado matagal nang nakaratay sa sementeryo si Alvin."

I heard Arabella hum. "I thought that Geoff was your boyfriend."

Napatawa ako. "No way. Si Geoff? He's like a brother to me. We watch each others' back since diaper days. Sobra siyang makabakod sa akin dahil sa aksidenteng nangyari sa akin dati."

Kita ko kung paano kumunot ang noo ni Arabella. Natigilan din siya sa pagnguya ng kaniyang kinakain na pizza.

"Aksidente?"

Mahinang tumango ako. "Yes. I was kidnap before. And honestly, I don't remember anything about it."

"Hmm. Kaya pala."

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tinaasan ko ito ng kilay. "Kaya pala ano?"

Arabella shrugged as she chugged her beer.

"Kaya pala sobrang guarded mo. Kaya pala palagi ka na lang galit sa mundo."

I let out a throaty laugh. Gosh, lasing na ata ako?

"I have been working very hard on keeping people away, haven't I?"

"Yeah. Kinda. But like I said though, I'm not gonna stop till I get you to date me. You know, you should take the chance, you got nothing to lose."

Napangiti ako. "Ayoko lang maulit ang pagkakamali ko kay Alvin."

"Hmm, I don't believe in mistakes. Because it's the mistakes that make us who we are."

Pinakatitigan ko siya. Kita mo nga naman, may utak din pala ang isang 'to. Akala ko puro clubs and s*x lang ang alam niya.

"You're very smart. Pretty smart for a club rat."

Siya naman ngayon ang napatawa ng malakas at hindi ko mapigilang mahawa sa nakakahalina niyang tawa. Mala anghel kasi ang boses nito.

"Ha! Ouch. Club rat."

After that, we just keep on talking about random things while we're drinking our beer and eating our pizza.

So, this is it then. Tagumpay ang plano kong mapalapit sa kaniya.

Napakadali naman palang mapalapit dito sa babaeng ito eh.

Well, like I said, I can play her games better than she think. And here she is, chasing for my attention.

Konti pa, konting playing hard to forget pa, makukuha ko rin ang kailangan ko sa kaniya. Konting paghihintay pa. I'll get there soon; in their b**m island.

******