H.O.T 1: Dante (R-18/SPG)

11

"WHAT do I need to do to make you forgive me, Miji?"

"Just stay handsome, generous, and a gentleman," natatawang sagot ni Mij sa tanong ni Ratliff habang pini-picture-an niya ang pancakes at tall cup of cappuccino sa mesa. "I'm in a good mood today so I forgive you for ruining my night, Ratty."

At maganda ang mood niya ngayon dahil kay Dante.

Pagkatapos nilang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa paggawa ng kontrata kagabi, sinabihan siya nito na itext dito kung ano ang gusto niyang breakfast. Tinanong na rin nito kung ano ang kadalasang kinakain o iniinom ni Ratliff kapag may hang-over ito.

Inaasahan na niyang magpapa-deliver ito ng breakfast and coffee para sa kanila ng best friend niya. Pero kinilig pa rin siya nang dumating na ang food at coffee nila.

Saka lahat naman siguro, magiging happy kapag may free food, 'di ba?

"Is it because of the pancakes or the person who sent us breakfast?" nangingiti habang iiling-iling na tanong ni Ratliff. Pagkatapos, sumimsim muna ito sa iced coffee nito bago ito nagpatuloy. "Please tell him I said thanks for the coffee."

Ratliff preferred hot coffee when he was sober. But according to him, the "cure" to his hang-over was iced coffee. Matagal na silang magkaibigan kaya kahit hindi niya ito tinanong kagabi, alam niyang iced coffee ang hahanapin nito paggising nito kaya iyon ang sinabi niya kay Dante.

"I just did," sagot niya, saka niya binaba ang phone niya sa mesa. Sinend niya ang picture ng breakfast nila kay Dante para ipaalam dito na na-receive na nila ang pagkain. And that they were grateful to him. "Okay ka na ba?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Dante. "Yeah."

"What happened?" tanong niya habang hinihiwa ng bread knife ang tatlong layer ng pancake na may syrup at butter sa ibabaw. "Napaaga yata ang uwi mo? And you were wasted. It was a miracle that you were able to drive home without getting into an accident." Pinaningkitan niya ito ng mga mata nang naalala niyang nag-drive ito ng lasing. "Ratliff dela Pena, don't you dare do it again. Kung lasing ka, mag-book ka na lang ng ride. Or call me. I don't have a car anymore but I still have my driver's license."

Tumaas ang kilay nito sa kanya. "Are you worried?"

"Of course I am," sagot naman niya. "You're my landlord. Kapag nakulong o naaksidente ka at kailanganin mo ng malaking amount ng money, baka ibenta mo 'tong bahay mo. Saan na ko pupulutin kapag nawala 'tong townhouse?"

"First, rude. Second, your imagination went overdrive again. Third, how selfish."

Tinawanan niya lang 'yon dahil alam naman niyang aware si Ratliff na joke lang 'yon. "So, what happened nga? Don't tell me, you got your heartbroken when you were in Milan so you went home and got drunk?"

Dahil sa trabaho ni Ratliff bilang photographer para sa isang malaking fashion magazine, madalas ay wala ito sa Pilipinas. Karamihan din sa mga subject nito ay mga sikat na local celebrities. But even though his job was considered fancy, she knew it was only a hobby for a rich kid like Ratliff dela Pena. After all, his career began by simply taking "aesthetic" photos of his famous and wealthy friends.

Yep, most privileged kids really have it easy.

"I didn't get my heart broken," tanggi naman ni Ratliff mayamaya. "The photo shoot ended earlier than expected. The actress I worked with was very unprofessional. She threw a tantrum when she didn't get what she wanted."

"Ohh," excited na komento niya. Dahil kay Ratliff na maraming friends na artista, lagi siyang updated sa mga latest gossip sa showbiz. "'Yong top actress na si Yani 'yon, 'di ba? What did she wanted that your team couldn't give her?"