DRIVE ME CRAZY (Cerlance Zodiac)

055 - Bet

      THE KISS THEY SHARED SEEMED ENDLESS AS THEY SOUGHT EAGERLY to learn more of each other, but even so, it was over much too quickly when Ruby's voice interrupted them.

      "I came back to get another shot, you lovebirds."

      Cerlance reluctantly let go of her lips, and she moaned in protest. He opened his eyes and stared at her before turning to Ruby who stood beside the table with a smile on her face. Sandaling lumampas ang tingin ni Cerlance dito, at doon nakitang may kausap sa telepono si Mr. Ballero habang nakaharap sa pool.

      Shellany opened her eyes as well and pouted her lips before turning to Ruby. "I like you, but you're ruining the mood."

      Ruby chuckled. "I know, and I'm sorry." She then sat back on her seat, grabbed the bottle of vodka, and took it straight to her mouth. Tulad ni Shellany kanina at diretso itong tumungga roon, at nang matapos ay pabagsak na ibinalik ang bote sa ibabaw ng mesa.

      At dahil gawa sa salamin ang mesa ay lumikha iyon ng kakaibang tunog na ikina-tawa ni Shellany. "Hey, balak mo bang sirain 'yang mesa nila?"

      Si Cerlance ay ibinaba ang kamay mula sa pagkakadiin sa leeg ni Shellany at umayos ng upo. Muli nitong sinulyapan si Mr. Ballero na tila seryoso sa pakikipag-usap sa kabilang linya bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Ruby.

      "What's happening?"

      Ruby smirked in annoyance, glaring at Mr. Ballero. "I told him to switch his phone off. It's our wedding day and he was supposed to just focus on me—on us. Pero tingnan ninyo at kausap na naman ang mga tauhan sa trabaho."

      Shellany smirked, too, copying Ruby, before grabbing the bottle and taking it to her mouth. Ito naman ngayon ang tumungga, at nang matapos ay saka nagsalita. "That's the exchange of marrying a business-minded, wealthy man, Ruby. Panindigan mo, 'day!"

      Ruby sighed and looked away. "I understand how important his work is to him, but he promised me that today will be different and that he would give me all his time and attention for this special day." Napahalukipkip ito at parang batang nagmukmok sa upuan.

      At habang nakatitig si Shellany sa babaeng kaharap ay biglang yumuko si Cerlance at binulungan ito ng,

      "Ready for the next bet?"

      Nalipat ang tingin ni Shellany sa katabi. A familiar heat ran down her spine when Cerlance's warm breath fanned her neck. She gulped and answered, "Bet for what?"

      "Pagbalik ni Mr. Ballero ay susuyuin niya ang asawa at magkakabati sila."

      "What made you say that?"

      "Because women are simple, Shellany. Madali silang matukso at bumigay. Not to mention they are easy to please and have a soft heart."

    "How ironic na sa babae mo rin sinasabi iyang observation mo," pabulong na tuya si Shellany bago nagpatuloy. "Okay, fine. Let's bet. Itataya ko ang natitirang laman nitong bote at pupusta sa kabaliktaran ng hula mo. Sigurado akong mag-aaway sila pagbalik ni Mr. Ballero at bukas na ng umaga magkakabati."

      "Deal," Cerlance said, smirking.

    Ilang sandali pa'y bumalik na sa mesa si Mr. Ballero at kaagad na hinawakan sa braso ang asawang nagtatampo. "Honey, I'm really sorry; one of my restaurants caught fire at may ilang empleyado ang muntik nang ma-trap sa loob. I was so worried for them I had to take the call." Mr. Ballero's tone was apologetic and full of worries.

      Nang marinig ang dahilan ay napatuwid ng upo si Ruby. Nasa magandang anyo ang pag-aalala nang harapin ang asawa. "What happened to the staff? Is everyone safe?"