Kiss by kiss (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Three

-Joaquin-

Like a dog marking it's territory, I staked claim of Cess as we already have an understanding. I can't court her yet but will need to introduce myself to her father soon.

What bothers me most is JC. Jealousy is written all over his face. I guess he is in love with his best friend and wonder if Cess knows.

My thoughts were disturbed when my phone rang.

"Hullo Da Silva!" Pia shouted.

"Hi loud mouth. Are you calling to pester me?" I asked.

"No I just wanted to ask if you wanted to attend or be one of our models? Your attendance and cooperation will definitely bring a lot of donations!" She sounds estatic.

"This is what I am afraid. What if I say no?"

"How many children will go hungry Joaquin? Do you have any compassion left?" Her emotional blackmail is her arsenal.

"Yes I have no more compassion left. Thanks to you. I'll send a check. Would that suffice?"

"Definitley not! The female attendees are expecting you to come!"

"So you told them I am coming?" I gritted my teeth.

"Well... I said I wasn't sure but can you? Can you? Please?! Bring Cess as well!" She begged.

"I'm beginning to have an headache. Bye."

"Don't you dare hang up me! Oh well, I will ask Cess to ask you instead. Toodles!" She ended up the call before I even did.

-Cess-

Anong nangyari dun kay JC? Bigla na lang umalis at hindi man lang nagpaalam. Sabi niya kapag may manligaw sa akin sasabihin ko sa kanya. It's been a tiring day kaya baka napagod sa show at pag-aantay sa akin. Puntahan ko na lang siya bukas at sana hindi na mainit ulo niya.

Matutulog na sana ako nang tumunong ang cellphone ko.

"Hello Cess! It's me Pia!"

"Oh hello Pia... Teka paano mo nalaman number ko?" Parang may masamang balak ata ito.

"I have my resources pero may super duper big favor ako! Joaquin-related favor!" Sabi ko na nga ba eh at napailing na lang ako.

"Okay. I'm listening."

"Well as you've heard na may charity fashion show ako and I really really need Joaquin to be there. He is my bait for all the young and old women to attend. I need you to convince him."

"Knowing Joaquin he doesn't want the attention. Why not look for someone else?"

"Meron pa bukod sa kanya pero Joaquin is the main course kung baga!"

"First bait tapos ngayon main course na? Ano siya pagkain?" Loka loka talaga tong si Pia.

"Okay in one condition, you will tell me about Sophia."

"Kahit ano huwag lang about that! Sige na! You want free outfits from my boutique? Anything but that!" She wailed.

"Non negotiable. Sige if ayaw mo, I will sleep na."

"Okay okay! Wow Cess you drive a hard bargain pero promise me you will never ever tell Joaquin ha?"

"I promise. Sige bukas balitaan kita if pumayag na siya."

"I never expected this coming from you Cess pero bet na bet na talaga kita for Joaquin! Basta bukas ha? Au revoir!"

She ended the call.

Nahiga ako at nakatulog na sa sobrang pagod.

-JC-

Hindi ako tumungo sa bahay kasi ayoko pang umuwi. I drove to the nearest pub at tinawagan mga barkada ko sa school.

"Pare, himala at nagyaya ka. Kamusta pala ang The JC moves natin kay Cess?" Tanong ni Leo na isa sa mga close ko na ka teammate sa basketball.

"Yun nga ang rason bakit andito ako. Sh*t naunahan ako pare." Gusto ko manuntok ng tao ngayon sa sobrang galit ko.

"Naunahan ka? Wala akong napapabalitang ka-batch natin na pumuporma kay Cess ah." Sabay naman ni Nick.

"Hindi kasi natin siya ka-batch. Heard of Joaquin Da Silva?" Tanong ko sa kanila at lumagok na naman ng beer.

"Potek na yan pare! Sa dinami dami ng magiging karibal mo si Joaquin pa!" Napailing na lang si Leo.

"Teka si Joaquin ba kamo na heart throb ng college ngayon? Pati nga ate ko patay na patay don eh!" Ani ni Nick at umorder na din ng beer.

"Ano naman laban ko dun? Prince charming niya siya. Ako knight in shining armor lang." I scoffed.

"Diyan ka nagkakamali pare. Remember Guinevere, King Arthur at Sir Lancelot? Hindi ba chief knight si Lancelot at nakuha pa din niya si Guinevere. " sabi ni Leo.

"Tama yan! Tiwala lang kasi. Hindi porket super gwapo yang Joaquin na yan at magpapatalo ka na? MVP ka pre kaya agawin mo ang bola." Singit naman ni Nick.

"Super gwapo talaga ha? Baka ikaw may type kay Joaquin at hindi ang ate mo?" Biro ni Leo.

Tahimik lang ako at nakikinig sa asaran nila. Tama nga naman sila at I still have the chance to make Cess mine.