Beneath The Clandestine Paradise (Chaotic Series #3)

Kabanata 8

Beneath The Clandestine Paradise

Kabanata 8

"Excuse me, Miss. Do you have another available shade like this?" I showed the saleslady the tester I got. "I don't see any of it like this. It's not in the other section either."

"Akin na po, Ma'am. Maghahanap po ako ng stock." The saleslady smiled at me approachably. I handed her the rouge lipstick.

Wala pa akong nabibili, mag-iisang oras na kami ni Grim pasikot-sikot dito sa mall.

Inabot ko ang isang matte lipstick na nakatayo sa istante. I checked the shade and effect. Sa tabi ko ay may isang lalaki at babae na pumipili rin.

I removed the cover and wiped the tip of lipstick on the side of my palm. Ngumuso ako dahil mas gusto ko ang pinapahanap ko sa saleslady ngayon.

"Ayoko ng kulay na 'to, Xine. Parang pangpatay," I heard a woman beside me say.

"Gaga! Ang ganda nga e."

"Teh, pagtatawanan ka ni Yasha kapag nakita niyang ganito lipstick mo!"

"Pang-England ko 'to, gaga!"

Tila naiwan sa akin ang narinig kong sinabi ng babae kanina kahit nakaalis na sila. I looked at them and they moved to the other aisle while laughing. Pinagtatawanan at pinagtatalunan ng dalawa ang lipstick na hawak.

Pangpatay. 'Yung lipstick. Pangpatay daw 'yung shade ng lipstick. Saan ko ba nga narinig 'yan?

"Ma'am, ito na po."

Wala sa sarili kong kinuha sa kamay ng saleslady ang lipstick na natipuhan ko. I feel like an oddly familiar thing and I just couldn't come to know.

I paid the lipstick on the counter. Sumilip ako sa labas ng store at nakita ko si Grim na naghihintay sa akin. He's looking at me. As always. Kapag tinitingnan ko siya, sa akin ang tingin niya palagi.

I walked out carrying the paper bag with the purchased cosmetic. Grim followed me wherever I go. Sana pala binitbit ko si Ani para may tagabitbit ako rito. But if I had brought her, she would probably ruin my operation.

"We have limited edition bags, Ma'am," the saleslady said as I entered the designer bag store.

I immediately bought the limited edition bag she mentioned because I also liked its matcha color. I paid and signed. After receiving the card and the black paper bag, I left. Ruiz can't stop calling me. Nginig nang nginig ang phone sa loob ng bag ko.

I'm already carrying four paper bags. I expect Grim would help me and he did immediately.

"I'm already hungry, Grim," I said and took out my phone. "Do you know any good place to eat here?"

"Merong buffet sa taas, Ms. Alegna."

I nodded and looked for the escalator to go upstairs. I read Ruiz's thirty-two unread texts. I smirked in victory. I typed a reply to him while the escalator is taking us to the third floor.

Ako:

I'm fucking someone.

I felt a rigid arm snaked around my waist and hauled me up. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at bago ko pa singhalan ang gumawa no'n, inalpas na ako ng mga bisig niya para maligtas sa upper landing ng escalator.

"Stop texting when you're at escalator, Ms. Alegna." Galit na saad ni Grim matapos akong isalba sa muntik nang kapahamakan.

My chest rose in a quick gait. Grim's arm supported my waist fully and completely locked me up to keep me from stumbling off. The other people, especially those going down on the other side of the escalator, looked at us.