French Kiss in Paris

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Hm... pwede na," I muttered while scrolling through Cashel Corprew's IG feed. He has over nine hundred thousand followers and he only follows a few accounts--excluding me. Hindi ako assumera. Of course, he's verified and most of his posts are sponsored. He has highlight stories and I had to check it out. Some are fun times, sponsors, his travel abroad--his recent travels were from Portugal, Spain, and Las Vegas six months ago.

I wonder if he has a sugar daddy? If I'm not mistaken, talamak din ang ganyang kalakaran sa mga models. I'm not mentioning all of them but some who are starting their careers. I've been there, I was asked before ng isang manager. He will manage me kapalit ng pag-touch, kiss, and fuck niya sa akin. Of course, I have the decency and I know myself, hindi ako pumayag. Pero may mga tao talagang kakapit sa patalim just to get the fame even though they were putting their body just for the sake of their dying career. Good thing, hindi ako na-scam.

Sa patuloy na pag-scroll ko sa kanyang feed, tumambad naman sa akin ang underwear shoots niya. I almost choked when I saw how he posed in one of his photos. Nakabukaka and he's wearing a speedo and his body is wet and so his hair. He's delivering the seducing type of look. And why am I zooming on his crotch area? Mukhang biggie naman pero hindi 'yon mapapatunayan hangga't walang proof.

"Elle est là,"I finally heard his voice. Inangat ko ang tingin ko at doon ko lang nakita si Cashel at ang kapatid nitong babae. She immediately comes to my direction at niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. I'm confused. Hindi rin ako sigurado kung bakit biglang may pagkayakap siya sa akin. "Adeline, ne pas étouffer son." (She's here. Adeline, do not choke her.)

Kumalas lang siya sa pagkakayakap niya sa akin at nakahinga ako ng maluwag kahit papaano. She gripped me too tight. I didn't expect that. Tumabi naman siya sa akin. I'm sitting on the couch after taking a few pictures on the balcony. I still couldn't believe what's happening though.

"H-Hey..." I stuttered, making a smile on my face. "Ça va?" (How are you?)

"Ça va, et toi?" (I'm fine, and you?)

"Et moi aussi," ngiwi ko pa. I know she's my student but we're not inside our classroom to teach her to speak in English. (Me too.)

"If I'm not mistaken, Adeline is in your class, right?" Lumipat ang tingin ko kay Cashel. Tumango naman ako sa kanya. "Don't worry about her. I mean, she speaks multiple languages but only a few and limited words."

"Ah, je vois..." I responded. Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko. (Ah, I see...)

"Oooh! Regarder son téléphone," Adeline said, pointing my phone in my hand. And Cashel's eyes directed on it too. But I quickly turn it over before he could even see what's on the screen. Putik! Baka sabihin pa niya pinagnanasahan ko siya! (Oooh! Look at your phone.)

I didn't know that she's staring at my phone now and I had to shut it down. Pakiramdam kong nag-init ang mukha ko. Pati na rin ang tainga ko. Mabilis pa naman akong tablan ng kahihiyan kaya hindi ko malingon ng maayos ang dalawa ito. I shouldn't be worried about Adeline because she's just seven but her brother terrifies me.

"What's on your phone?" he asked and I shook my head. Not interested to give him any further details about it. Nakakahiya dahil iyong naka-brief pa ang nakita ni Adeline. It could have been any of his photos but that. Gusto ko na lang umuwi sa apartment ko. Lumapit naman siya sa amin ng hindi ko siya sagutin. He puts his hand on Adeline's head and messes her hair. "Retournez à votre chambre, Adie. Nous allons parler." (Go to your room, Adie. We're going to talk.)

"Oui, kuya!" she happily responded. Namintig pa ang tainga ko kasi parang nagbanggit siya ng tagalog word o baka nagkakamali lang ako ng pandinig dahil sa sobrang kaba ko ngayon. It must be something else. "À demain, Madame," she said and jumped out of the seat. (Yes, kuya! See you tomorrow, ma'am!)