All For Show (COMPLETED)

Chapter 00

Chapter 00

"Here me out... What if pumunta ka na lang magisa? Who cares about your relatives' opinion? You barely see them," Jana, my ever rational friend, told me. I mean, I knew she made a lot of sense. Why did I care so much? It had been 8 months, I think, since I last saw my relatives. I love them, but they're the typical Filipino relatives. Whenever they see me, it's as if they have a checklist na kailangan nilang sabihin sa akin. They'd point out na tumaba ako o pumayat, they'd ask about my salary, when would I introduce a guy, when I would get married, kung magkakaanak ba ako and kung hindi, sino na ang magaalaga sa akin sa future? It's tiring just by thinking about it!

"No," I replied, shaking my head.

Jena rolled her eyes. "So, what now? The wedding's in three days. Wala ka pa ring nahahanap. What about Paul?"

"No," I said, shaking my head vehemently. "I would seriously consider hiring an escort first bago ko dalhin si Paul sa kasal ng kapatid ko."

Paul is the son of the boss of the company. For some reason, he has 'decided' that he likes me. I told him no dahil hindi ko siya type talaga. I don't like brats. Panganay na ako sa pamilya namin. I felt like kahit wala akong anak, I already raised a kid. The last thing I would want was to date a man-child. And Paul's exactly that. That guy couldn't understand the word no even if it hit him in the face.

"You're insane."

"I am not," I said. "Solid plan, I must say."

"Fine, saan ka naman hahanap ng escort?"

"I don't know... Do you know any escort?"

"What? Paano naman ako makakakilala ng escort?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Ikaw na ang nasa happy relationship," I said and she just laughed at my face. It's actually cute because she met her boyfriend when they were in elementary. The guy transferred school after a year. They met again in college in some competition. Been together since. Why couldn't it be like that for me? It's starting to feel like some scavenger hunt, ha!

Kung sinuman ang nakatadhana sa akin, pakibilisan lang dahil naiinip na ako.

"Worse comes to worst, I'll come with you to the wedding and I'll try my best na 'wag ka nilang tanungin nung ganon."

I smiled a little. What would I do without her?

"Thanks... But still not giving up. My date is just somewhere here in the Metro."

Napailing na lang siya. "Whatever you say, Cerise."

At around 7PM, she had to leave to meet her boyfriend. Nagpaiwan ako sa café. Baka may mahanap ako dito na pwedeng ka-date. Why was it so hard, anyway? It's not like I was unattractive! I actually look pretty nice. And I have a good figure, too, because I exercise consistently. I have a great career din (but I think this was me trying to compensate for the lack of love life kasi ano na lang sasabihin ng pamilya ko? Wala ka ng jowa, wala ka pang career?)

Ugh! I hated that I cared so much about their opinion.

"This is freaking hopeless," I told myself nung bandang 9PM na pero wala pa rin akong makita. Naubos ko na ata lahat ng lalaki kaka-swipe ko sa Bumble and Tinder pero wala pa rin akong makita na pasa sa taste ko. Actually, meron naman na few but hindi pa sila nagrereply. Tapos kapag may cute naman dito sa café, may kasama na na boyfriend or girlfriend.

Could it be... that I was destined to be alone?

I shook my head. "I need a drink," I told myself bago kung saan-saang conclusion pa ako makarating. Magpapakasal lang ang kapatid ko—hindi pa naman guguho ang mundo.

I drove around. I didn't actually know kung saan ako pupunta. Wala naman akong balak magpakalasing dahil magda-drive pa ako pauwi. I didn't need a guy to drive me around because I could actually do that on my own. I could buy my own things. I could travel on my own. I didn't need a guy for anything.

Jana's right—it's just ego on my part.

I didn't need anyone; I just wanted to prove my family that I was living the life.

"Pablo's," I uttered when I stopped in front of a bar. I couldn't remember kung sino ang nagsabi sa akin tungkol sa lugar na 'to, but I heard that this was a pretty chill place.

Nagpark ako doon. I needed to take a break from hunting down my wedding date. Kung wala akong mahanap, I really could hire an escort. It's really the better choice kaysa pumunta doon at tignan nila ako na para bang may nakakahawang sakit ako dahil lang wala akong love life.

My family's like the ultimate Filipino stereotype.

Pagpasok ko sa loob, Won't Go Home Without You by Maroon 5 was playing. Okay. I already like this place. I looked around. It was Thursday night, so I really wasn't expecting a crowd, but medyo maraming tao ngayon. I looked around. Walang gwapo—I shook my head. No. Timeout muna sa paghahanap ng lalaki. Who knows it could get so exhausting!

Dumiretso ako sa bar. I just wanted a glass of whiskey then I'd head home na rin. May trabaho pa ako bukas. I needed to work to afford my lifestyle. Hindi naman ako pinanganak na sa generational wealth (how I wish, tho! The things I'd do!)

I sat by the bar. I looked around dahil walang tao roon. Seriously? How was this a good business decision? What if magnanakaw ako na kuhanin ko na lang iyong laman ng kaha nila?

"Where is the freaking bar—"

My lips parted when the arguably handsomest guy I had ever laid my eyes on stepped in front of me. I had met a lot of hot guys in my line of work as a creative director in a magazine. Jana suggested doon na lang ako kumuha ng date, but I love my job and I would never mix work with pleasure. Sobrang unprofessional.

But this guy? He's a freaking work of art with that face and that demeanor.

Oh, shit.

This is the guy!

"Hi," he said. His voice was low and dangerous for some reason. He was also looking at me and smiling, but even his smile hinted something else.

Nandito lang pala siya! Kung saan-saan pa ako nakarating! Napa-subscribe pa ako sa Tinder at Bumble!

"What can I get for you?" he asked with a smile.

"How about your number?" I asked as I was looking straight into his eyes. Fuck, he's gorgeous. 

**
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