Taming the Vampire

SIDE STORY EIGHT

M I L L E R

The news I announced at the presscon caused an uproar in the entertainment world. Maraming lumabas na headlines tungkol dito. May iba pa nga na kino-contact ako para humingi ng dagdag pang statement. But I let it all go. Wala akong pinansin ni isa sa kanila. Wala na akong kailangan na sabihin sa kanila. I've said everything and that's all what they need to know.

Axel, on the other hand, hasn't talked about it. Kinuyog na kasi siya ng press noong lumabas siya ng conference room.

I was there to protect him from all the photographs those paparazzi love to take. Kaya nga kalat na kalat online ang picture ng likod ko at gilid ng mukha ko. Anyway, after that we have to part ways dahil kailangan niyang kausapin ang board members.

It's his issue after all, at hindi ng kanyang artist na pwede lang takpan tapos ay makakalimutan na agad. Iba ito dahil siya mismo ang CEO ng kumpanya.

Anyway, it's been a week since then. Wala na masyadong balita tungkol dito sa TV. Ang naiwan na lang ay ang mga matatalim na tingin ng mga tao sa tuwing nakikita nila ako. I guess, we can also say that it's a blessing in disguise, because of the news my business boomed on its first day of opening.

"Are...A-Are yah sssure you're not an actor?" tanong sa akin ng kustomer kong medyo lasing na ata.

She's been asking me how familiar I am. Sigurado naman ako na hindi ko siya nakasama sa host club noon. What I am sure about is that she must have seen me on TV dahil doon sa presscon ni Axel.

"I'm not, ma'am... and I think marami na po kayong nainom. You should go home, ma'am."

"No. No, no, no. I am not. I sstill wanna drrrink!" The woman raised her glass, she must be expecting me to pour her another drink. Well, I did. Binuhusan ko siya ng inumin pero grape juice na lang ito.

"Aah~ the sscent of fine wine! Where d'yah get yourr winess?" she asked after having a sip.

Mukhang hindi lang siya medyo lasing. She must be really drunk to not notice the difference between grape juice and sweetened wine.

"Aaw. You are really my type!" Bigla-bigla na lang siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin.

There's a counter table between us but she managed to grab my collar.

"Hmm-ah! The ssmell! Of maaan!" she giggled.

I quickly raised my hand para hindi ko siya mahawakan. Maraming tao sa loob ng bar, abala sila sa pag-paparty pero tiyak akong may ilan na pinapanood ako sa malayo. I can feel their warm glances. After all, nakita na nila ako sa TV at internet bilang.

"Aaw. Yah don't wanna have ffun with me?"

"Excuse me, ma'am but I no longer do that service so, c-could you... you're hand."

I was trying to unclasp her fingers on my polo. Ayaw kong maging masyadong marahas lalo na at maraming nakakamukha sa akin.

Nasa huling daliri na ako nang maamoy ko ang pamilyar na pabango, at nadagdagan pa ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin.

"Your hand, ma'am," I calmly uttered, "I think you must look for other man because I–"

"He is not available..." A voice cut me off.

Saglit akong nagpalinga-linga kung kanino ito galing. Only to see the person I exactly thought it would belong to.

"Axel?"

"Hello, my love. I have missed you," batid niya sabay hila sa babae palayo sa akin tapos ay sinunggaban ako ng halik sa labi.

Mixed with the rave music was the camera clicks. Everyone is taking photos of us kissing in my bar. Woah. Talking about not wanting to get everyone's attention.