I don't do boyfriend

        WHAT makes men think that they have the right to my body? All the men I go on dates with try to sleep with me on the first date. . . However, they failed to get on my pants. Why would I allow them in the first place to have a taste on me? If they don't even deserve even just a peek?

I don't hate men in general, but some men are really trash. Hindi sila makuntento sa isang babae. How many vaginas do they even want to fuck at the same time? I remembered the men in my past— those trash cheated on me.

Hawak na nga nila ang ginto, hindi pa sila nakuntento at naghanap pa ng bato.

Those two were the ones who turned me into something I am today — A coach. . . A coach in a game called playing with fire.

A game of no-string attachment. No feelings involved. Only flirting and fucking.

I learned to love the sound of my feet walking away from the things not meant for me.

Well, being single is better than being lied to, cheated on and disrespected.

Women don't deserve a man who makes them feel they weren't enough.

Some people asked me why I am settling with no-string attached situationship. Why wouldn't I? Men don't deserve me.

But sometimes, I still desire the true meaning of love with the right man: A man who's brave enough to cross and tame the wild waves in me.

"You must take the responsibility for taking my purity, lady!" he says without hesitation, making me almost puke because of his awful statement.

My eyes almost bulge out of my skull.

"Gago ka ba? We didn't have sex last night!" I stated frankly.

His frown deepened. "Really?" He sounded like a child when he asked me.

I nodded, looking at him with amusement.

What is this guy? He looked so innocent. Namumula ang buong mukha niya hanggang sa leeg habang nakatakip sa hubad niyang katawan ang puting comforter. He looked like a turtle trying to hide on his shell.

"But you still need to take responsibility for taking my first kiss!" he exclaimed.

My lips gradually parted. "What do you want me to do?" I rested my hand on my waist.

He bowed his head in silence before he spoke again. "I want you to be my girlfriend. . ."

My eyes grew wider. "What? No way! Utusan mo na akong maglakad sa labas ng nakahubad, huwag lang 'yan! That's gross!"

He went dazed. "W-Why? But you got my first kiss!" his weak voice cracked.

My nose flared at his answer.

"Are you out of your mind?! I don't do boyfriends! Jesus! We're already in the 21st century! Stop making kiss a big deal!" I said, trying not to puke when I heard his proposal.

His demeanour immediately changed. His expression slowly turned into icily.

"Maybe for you, that kiss isn't important, but for me, it was. My first kiss is solely for my future wife!" he says with emphasis.

My lips parted, and I couldn't utter a word for a minute.

Is he conservative? Maybe a date to marry? If does, then I really think I just met my match! Fuck. I suddenly felt guilty just by looking at him.

I took a deep breath. "I apologize if I stole your first kiss last night, okay? But I can't be your girlfriend because I don't like being cage in a relationship. In addition, we just met. I don't even know your name. . ." I said in a calm voice as I stared at him.

Not gonna lie. . . He was painfully beautiful as I caught sight of his face. He looked foreign with those shade of midnight gray eyes that probably when reflected in the sun for long can turn pale blue.

His eyelashes were thick, long and curly. He has a strong, pointed nose and dark thick brows. Then, his lips were red as a cherry. His hair was dark and in a two-block cut. May mga ilang hibla ang humaharang sa noo niya na karaniwang nakikita sa mga Koreano. Habang nagsasalita siya kanina ay may lumalabas na dimple sa kanang bahagi ng pisngi niya.

His face tumbled in discouragement. "Where's my clothes?" he asked coldly.

I blinked twice when I heard how his tone changed. "Wait, let me get it," mahinahon na sagot 'ko.

Dumiretso ako sa laundry area at kinuha ang nakasampay na hoodie at pantalon niya. I marched back towards the guest room and knocked before opening it.

"Here's your clothes," I said when I got in.

"Thanks," he says, not looking at me.

"Sa labas lang ako," sagot 'ko at mabilis na lumabas.

I took a deep breath and stroked my hair in frustration. I went to my kitchen and started making coffee. I need coffee to change my mood. The conversation between me and that man inside my room drained the hell out of me.

A knock from the timber got my attention. My eyes met a beautiful midnight gray eyes. He was now wearing the clothes from last night, including his specs. His specs were round, but the lenses look a bit weird. It wasn't like the normal lenses in eyeglasses that I've seen. The headphones were on his hand.

"Coffee?" I raised my mug with coffee in it.

He shook his head. "I don't drink coffee," he said flatly.

"Oh. . . Aalis kana?"

"Yes. . . I'll go ahead," he says and quickly walks away, but I stop him by yelling 'wait'.

"I'm Khriz. What's your name?" I asked with curiosity.

His eyes flickered into mine.

"My name is Maxwell Croisx Silvestre," he bowed respectfully, and walked away.

Khriz. . . Croisx? Pareho pang banal ang pangalan namin.

Bumalik sa pagiging tahimik ang buong unit noong ako na lang mag-isa. I finished my coffee and two slices of toasted bread before I went back to my room to take a shower.

After I finished showering, my plan to watch a movie went on hiatus when I saw my cupboard almost empty. Napasimangot ako nang mapagtantong nakalimutan ko nga pa lang bumili ng mga makakain! I'm not home often, so my fridge isn't always full.

"Fine. I'll buy groceries and visit my go-to hair salon," I talked to myself.

I grabbed my car keys hanging on the wall. Then, I went to my room to get my Zebra Staud bag. Hindi na ako nagpalit ng damit at hinayaan na lang na nakasuot ako ng denim shorts at white tank top.

Nasa loob na ako ng elevator habang nagii-scroll sa phone ko. I was checking my notifications on Instagram. As usual, my followers increase each day. Hindi naman ako nagtataka kung bakit marami ang nagfofollow sa akin, I am a freelance model.

I don't have an agency because modelling wasn't really my focus way back. Kumbaga, it was just a hobby for me. In addition, I'm also one of the faces of our Airlines— Areno Midways.

The guard warmly greeted me, and I did the same. Dumiretso na ako sa parking lot at nang makita ang aking porsche ay hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras. I drove it, and a few minutes later, I was in the middle of traffic. I really hate traffic! Sobrang sayang sa oras.

I turn on my stereo and let the music calm my nerves. I set the self-driving mode in my car before I dialed on my phone, calling my cousins. Naunang sinagot ni Hazel ang tawag bago lumitaw ang mukha ni Duke. Dwight and Dustin was unattended.

"Altamiranos!" I greeted and leaned back to relax when the traffic moved forward.

"Oh, God! Are you driving your Porsche?" Hazel spoke. Based on her background, she was at school.

"Uh-huh. Are you at school, ba? I miss you, Hazel!" I said cheerily. "Hi, baby Duke! How's college? Buhay ka pa ba?" I asked teasingly.

"Pasuko na, ate. I'm only a sophomore, but it's too tough. Med school will probably be the death of me." He problematically sighed and raked his hair.

Hazel showed us her sketch. "I'm lucky fashion design isn't that hard. Well, for me."

"Good for you, Hazeleigh." Duke replied, sipping on his coffee. "I need to go. I'll see you on Sunday, pretty girls!"

"Alright. Study well, Duke!"

Nang binaba na ni Duke ang tawag ay nag-usap pa kami ni Hazel. She asked me if I could be her model once they needed to present their creation to their fashion show project. Of course, who am I to decline the offer? It's my pleasure to wear Hazel's creation.

I tried calling Dustin and Dwight, but they were still unattended. I miss hanging out with my cousins. Noon, palagi kaming lumalabas para kumain, magtravel, bar hopping at sleep over. But since we quit being university students, Hazel and Duke entering college, our lives slowly part ways.

Dwight was the one who graduated first from university among us. He went to States to finished his apprenticeship, and when he came home, naging abala naman siya para sa magiging company niya.

Dwight's company has just started, but it was already impressive. May mga local at international investors na kaagad siya. In addition, the design of his architecture firm is grand and evocative.

But even though he doesn't have his own company, he still has a lot of money. Dwight has a collection of sports cars in his own garage! At the age 21, he already owned a massive land in one of the prestigious villages. Thanks to his mysterious side hustle, he earned a million every week.

Si Dustin naman ay busy rin dahil kay baby Ashiro. He doesn't want to hire a babysitter for his son because he doesn't trust anyone, especially his son who will be at stake. Magdadalawang taon na si Ashiro at kasing edad lang niya ang kambal na anak ni Ariella. Dustin also planning on establishing his dream bar while taking care of his son. 

When I entered the mall, I went straight to Starbucks to buy two frappes and two pieces of cinnamon bread cause I love cinnamon bread.

Pagkatapos bumili ay dumiretso naman ako sa hair salon na lagi kong pinupuntahan noong college ako. Bubble's eyes widen when she saw me. She abruptly approach me with a wide smile.

"Oh my God! Khrizanta Altamirano!" She exclaimed so loud that some customers turned their heads at me. "Welcome back! Come here, dear!" she made me sit in the pink salon chair in front of the large vanity mirror.

She handed me a hair magazine. "Here's the latest magazine. Baka may mapili ka diyan,"

A small smile peeled on my lips. "Thanks, Bubbles. Anyway, this is for you," I uttered and handed one of the frappes I bought. Mahina siyang tumili at tinanggap 'yon.

I flicked through the pages until something caught my attention. It was a mid-layer hairstyle. The model in the magazine has the same face structure as me, so I think it will look good on me.

She grabbed a smock from another part of the trailer and came back to wrap it around my neck. She started touching my hair, feeling the texture.

"I want this haircut," I said as I pointed at the picture in the magazine. "I want it above the chest but lower than the shoulder blades."  I described exactly what I wanted. How I wanted to have curtain bangs and layers that would surely frame my face so well. Bubble's nodding at every word coming out of my mouth.

"This style will definitely suit you!" she chirped and prepared all the things she would use for my treatment.

"After the haircut, I want you to dye my hair," I said, smiling a little.

"What color, dear? Uso ngayon ang balayage,"

"Well, I want it to be Auburn. What do you think?" I said and twirled the end of my hair.

"Well, you have a neutral warm skin tone, and this color will appear brighter on you. But reds are notorious for fading quickly. You need to see me again for a gloss treatment every six weeks or so to keep your color bright." she gave me a small smile.

"Sure. Maybe when it fades, I'll try the balayage," I snickered.

"Alright, dear. Let's get you over the sink and start." She guided me over to the sink to wash my hair. After thoroughly washing my hair, she helped me get back over the chair.

"Let's the cutting begin," she says, smiling at me through to the mirror.

 We were talking about some stuffs while she cutting my hair. "Is that an okay length?" she asked.

"Yes, it's perfect," I replied and sip on my coffee. Hindi niya naman ako binalawan kumain basta huwag lang akong malikot.

She cut my hair just like what I wanted. She added the layers and cut my curtain bangs perfectly. I checked how I looked when she was all done. I smiled at my reflection.

"Are you ready for the second round?" She asked about the dyeing treatment. I answered 'Yes' before we continued. 

After almost 4 hours, my hair was all done. I smiled and flipped my hair in front. My head felt so much lighter than before. I love how the haircut and the dye complement my skin. Bubbles was now drying my hair with a blow dryer. After that, She used a hair iron to style my hair more.

"There you go!" My stylist said as she finished straightening my hair. I look at the mirror in front of me, and my eyes gleam when I see the result. "You owned this color, Khrizanta! You look hotter!" she says enthusiastically.

I touched my hair, feeling how light it was. "You think so? In fairness, I didn't know curtain bangs will suit me,"

"Yes! Wait, I need to take a shot at this! Ipopost ko to sa page namin," she says.

I nod. "Sure. Just tag me na lang,"

Bubbles and I took a photo together before I paid for her service. Then, finally, I went to the hypermarket to buy groceries. Hindi naman ako nagtagal sa loob dahil wala naman masyadong tao dahil hapon na.

Pabalik na ako sa Silvermoon tower nang biglang tumawag si ate Kelsea. It was a videocall at kita kong pinapakain niya ang pamangkin kong si Zuriel Killian na nakaupo sa high chair. Nabalitaan na pala niya ang nangyaring pagreresign ko sa trabaho. Of course, she chastised me.

"You're unemployed?! Oh, God! Why did you resign, Khrizanta Louisse?" she spat.

I chuckled dryly. "Because I can?"

"Don't talk sarcastic on me! What will you do now that you don't have a job? You're not a homebody person! Baka magsisi ka!" she admonished.

In the background, the innocent Killian giggled.

I giggled. "I can always come back as a Flight attendant. You don't have to worry about me, ate. As far as I remember, I still have eight digits on my bank account." I grinned at her.

"You're unbelievable!" she grunted.

Ngumuso ako. "Ate, I'm a grown-ass woman now. You don't have to worry about me. I can handle myself," I smiled widely.

"Wife, your steak is cooked!" Reeve, my sister's husband, appeared on the screen. "Oh, hey, Khriz! Nice hair color!"

"Hi, kuya! Merci frère!" I greeted.

"She's unemployed, hubby!" pagsusumbong ni ate sa kaniya.

Reeve's expression became downhearted. "What happened?"

I shrugged and glanced at the road. "My job exhausts me,"

"You model before, right? Why don't you try modelling again?" he asked.

I started modelling at the age of 16 for a magazine. My career as a model soared high in an instance when I debuted in commercials. From print ads to commercials until I became an endorser of some international brands.

May isang agency nga sa ibang bansa ang kumontak sa akin, but since I am underage, mom was the one who was handling me at that time, and she declined the offer because I needed to focus on studying.

I nodded. "Yes, kuya. Pero wala na akong contact sa dati kong handler," sagot ko at mabilis na pinasok sa parking lot ng Silvermoon tower ang sasakyan ko.

"Read your emails, Khriz! Goodness!" Sumingit ulit si ate Kelsea sa screen. "Reeve is right. If you don't want to be a flight attendant, then at least go back as a model!"

Tumango ako sabay bungisngis. "I'm going to check it later, ate! Anyway, I need to go! Bye! Love you three!" I smiled and drop off the call.

I had been carrying three pieces of plastic in both hands when I ran to catch the elevator. The elevator was about to close when a massive hand stopped it, making the door open again.

Ngumiti ako ng malaki para magpasalamat ngunit kaagad na nahulog ang mga bitbit ko dahil sa pagkabigla nang makita ang taong nasa harapan ko.

My eyes widen in a fraction. "What are you doing here?! Are you stalking me?" I asked while pointing at the tall man in front of me.

He looked at me innocently, although shock was evident on his face. "I'm not. I also live here," he says.

My eyes narrowed at him. "Don't lie! You're probably stalking me!" I accused him.

He shakes his head and grips the grey backpack on his back. "I'm not stalking you, Khriz. I-I also live here," he says.

My eyes abruptly flew to the elevator button, and my face turned pale as snow when I saw the button.

I gasped, and looked at him. "Oh my god?! You're my neighbour?!"

© FM