Wildfire Sunset (Isla Series #2)

25

"Issue ulit! First, the tycoon, Jasper Pascua. Next the famous designer, Joseph Maniego. And now, the famous racer and businessman, Jacques Ferrer!"

Lumalim ang kunot ng noo ko sa huling pangalang binanggit ni Chloe. Kilala ko 'yong dalawang nauna. Jasper Pascua was a man I met when I watched a Chanel fashion show the other month. Joseph Maniego was a designer who tried to book me for a shoot but I declined because I still wasn't ready to get back on set that time.

Wala akong intimate relationship sa kahit sino sa dalawa pero na-issue pa rin pala 'yon! Wala akong malay dahil hindi ako nagbubukas ng social media accounts ko. I was focusing on myself. Chariz, may pa-ganoon pa ako. Well, totoo naman! Self-love at healing talaga ako. Work and passion wasn't my priority on the first months of my loneliness.

"Ha? Sino 'yan?" tanong ko dahil hindi ko kilala ang huling lalakeng binanggit niya. Jacques Ferrer.

"Anong sino 'yan?!" Hindi ko inakalang may ilalakas pa ang boses niya. "God, Raya! Nasa Paris ka na nga pero kalat na kalat ka naman dito sa Pilipinas!"

"Ayos, hindi ako laos," I jokingly retorted.

"Seryoso ako! What's with you and guys with letter J? Puro sikat pa talaga iyang nabingwit mo! Especially Jacques Ferrer!"

Napakunot ang noo ko sa kaunting iritasyon."Seryoso rin ako, Chloe! Sino ba kasi 'yan? Wala talaga akong clue sa sinasabi mo-"

"Jacques Ferrer! A very famous racer and businessman, Raya! A very very hot bachelor. Never been spotted with anyone since his break up three years ago but now, spotted with you in a very high-end bar!"

Halos padabog akong tumayo nang narinig ang sinabi niya. "Anong spotted with me?! Wala nga akong kilalang Jacques!" pilit ko dahil 'yon naman ang totoo.

She sighed. "You were photographed. Kaya 'wag ka na mag-deny! But I'll clear this up... again. May nagwawala na na ibang fans niyo ni... ano. Basta! I'll do my best to clear this issue with Jacques..."

"Yel!"

"Teka lang, Chloe." Tumayo ako noong narinig ko ang pangalan ko na tinawag ng barista. Lumapit ako sa counter at kinuha ang paper bag na may lamang crossaint. Sa kabilang kamay, kinuha ko ang isang cup ng hot chocolate na binili ko. "Merci!

"Reviens et passe une bonne journée!" The barista smiled after telling me to have a nice day ahead.

"Okay. So sino nga ulit 'yon?" Binalik ko ang phone sa tenga ko para ipagpatuloy ang pag-uusap namin.

"Jacques Ferrer nga. Raya, paulit-ulit! Search mo. I know you're on social media break but I swear, you are all over the web today! I don't know if I should be excited that people are waiting for your comeback, or be worried because I know you're not yet ready to come back."

Inipit ko sa gitna ng tenga at balikat ang cellphone habang binubuksan ang pinto. "May plano naman na ak— Hayop!" Gulat na gulat ako nang nabuhos ang inumin ko sa lalakeng papasok din sana ng café.

"Putain!" he hissed in french.

"Basta, Jacques Ferrer! Please, check it and I'll try to..." Hindi ko na nasundan ang sinasabi ni Chloe dahil napatitig ako sa lalake sa harapan ko na nagpupunas ng puting Hermes polo niya.

Oh... Jacques. Siya 'yong lalake sa bar! Bakit ko ba nakalimutan?!

Jacques lifted his gaze, ready to lash out but when he saw me, the ends of his lips curved into a sexy smirk. "Hi," he greeted in a flirty tone.

"Hoy! Sino 'yon? Si Jacques? Luh! Magkasama kayo?! Sabi mo hindi mo kilala!" Ang ingay ni Chloe.

"Hindi," I dismissed and ended the call because I knew she was going to say more. Tumikhim ako at hinarap si Jacques nang maayos. "Sorry." Hindi ako sincere roon dahil naiirita agad ako sa presensya niya.