Ludic Selcouth #1: Cracked Beat

Hit #24

I put my color wine-red matte lipstick while staring at my reflection in the mirror. I curled my short blue hair at the ends. Smokey eyeshadow and red lipstick. Red halter dress with a slit, and a black ankle strap pump heels.

I snatched my black purse and went out of my room. Pagkatapos makapag-paalam kay mama ay bumaba na ako ng unit.

Outside, I found Lucien leaning on his Chevrolet, he looks dashing on his black suit. Agad akong lumapit at ngumiti. “Lucien!” I called. Ang sabi niyaʼy kapag wala kami sa loob ng LUCCUS ay tawagin ko siya sa pangalan niya. I just agreed.

Ngumisi siya nang makita ako. “Smoking hot in a sexy red dress, huh,” kumento niya at pinagbuksan ako ng sasakyan. Pumasok ako at nginisian lang siya.

“Mortell will be fucking jealous,” he said as he started the engine. Nawala ang ngisi ko at sumeryoso. We fought yesterday. I was ranting because of Dallaʼs tweets. The nerve of that woman. I kept on asking if there is something going on between them. I know that I said I trust him, but Iʼm so fucking bothered and jealous. Hindi kami nagkikita at si Dalla ang lagi niyang kasama. I was really mad yesterday that I burst out crying.

I know he was irritated because I kept on pushing that thereʼs something between him and Dalla. I just canʼt take it anymore. I hate that woman. Pinatayan ko siya ng tawag at hindi sinagot ang mga missed calls niya. I was mad. We canʼt talk properly if Iʼm mad.

Nanatili akong tahimik hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang hotel. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. He held my elbow as we made our way inside the venue. Thereʼs a red carpet and the party has the mediaʼs coverage. This party is about the success of the architecture firms in the country after all.

Nang dumaan kami ay panay ang flash ng camera ang nakikita ko.

“Zemira? Zemira Devlin? You were Lucien Camusʼ date for tonight?”

“Is it true that you already broke up with Tase Mortell?”

Mahigpit akong humawak sa braso ni Lucien at pinanatili ang blangkong mukha. Alam kong kung ano-ano na naman ang lalabas na chismis dahil sa pagsama ko kay Lucien ngayon. I am so connected with popular people, huh.

Dumiretso kami ni Lucien sa isang table na may mga nag-gagwapuhang lalaki. Ang iba ay may kasamang babae at ang iba ay mukhang mag-isa lang.

“Lucien! You motherfucker, you are so outdated now with whatʼs happening in my life,” said the guy with a sparkling blue eyes.

“I donʼt have to be fucking updated with your philandering, Third,” sagot ni Lucien at humalakhak naman yung Third bago napatingin sa 'kin at napataas ang kilay.

“Woah, you brought a date. Greetings, beautiful lady. Iʼm Third Asri Ferron.” ngumiti naman ako at nag-abot ng kamay.

“Zemira Devlin. Nice to meet you, Third.” nang marinig ang pangalan ko ay mas lalo siyang napangisi.

“Zemira? Mortellʼs girl? Fuck Lucien, youʼre so doomed,” natatawa nitong sabi at pinakawalan na ang kamay ko. Mukhang kilala talaga si Tase ng lahat.
Pinakilala pa ako ni Lucien sa ibang lalaki na nandoon at halos magulat ako nang mahagip ng mata ko si Prada na nakatabi sa lalaking nagpakilala na si Hexon. Nakataas ang kilay niya habang nakatingin sa 'kin.

Abala si Lucien dahil sa rami ng kumakausap sa kaniya. Nananahimik lang ako sa isang gilid at pinagmamasdan ang mga mayayamang tao na nasa loob ng venue na 'to. Ako lang ata ang naligaw dito.

Ilang sandali pa ay tumabi sa 'kin si Prada habang may hawak na cocktail glass. Hindi ako umimik at nanatiling nakatingin sa harap. I remember her owning Tase when we were still in Leyte. Ngayon ko na lang ulit siya nakita.