Kiss Me

    YEAH, right. So Croisx owned this entire hotel, including the nearest restaurant and the other facility. Damn it. Napahiya ako doon ng sobra. Mabuti na lang at hindi naintindihan nina Bella at Rowan ang pinagsasabi ko kanina dahil Tagalog.

They don't understand Tagalog because they're both white. Kung nandito lang si Denver ay paniguradong sasamain niya ako.

Hindi ko naman kasi alam na siya pala ang may-ari ng buong hotel na 'to. Kung alam ko lang, hindi ko naman siya pagkakamalan na stalker ko!

What I acted earlier was rude. I know that I need to apologize to Croisx for accusing him. . . And I will do later after the shoot.

"Do you like your suite?" Rowan snapped me out of my reverie. I blinked in confusion when his eyebrows creased. "I'm asking you about your suite. Do you like it?"

I swallow, trying to regain my composure. Then I did a quick glance at the suite. The suite looked cosy and spacious. Good enough. "Y-Yeah. Thank you. Anyway, what time is the start of the shoot?"

"An hour from now. We should start doing your make up," Rowan said.

My eyes fluttered wide.

"What?! Can't I have a break for a while?" I asked.

Bella laughed. "The photographer looks grumpy. We better not be late, Khrizanta."

I grunted. "I'll take a shower first,"

"Go on. Here's the bikini you will wear. We will wait for you here," Rowan handed me the garments I will wear for the entire shoot.

I sighed. "All right," 

Pagod man sa byahe ay kailangan ko pa rin gawin 'to. I cleaned my body with the essentials I brought. Ayoko kasing gumamit ng sabon na hindi ko hiyang at nagkakapantal ako. Nang natapos ako magshower, lumabas akong nakasuot na ang bikini pero tinakpan ko 'yon ng pink robe.

I sat on the vanity mirror where the make up products spread. Rowan immediately started doing my make up while Bella focused on my hair. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay tuluyan nang natapos ang pag-aayos sa akin.

One of the stylist surveyed me before she declared that I'm ready to go. Sabay-sabay kaming bumaba papunta sa parte ng dagat kung saan naghahanda ang mga staffs. Rowan is holding an umbrella, protecting me from the sun's rays. Bella and Amanda, on the other hand are holding portable electric fans.

Luckily, our hotel was only a ten-minute walk from the exclusive beachside. When we arrived, I recognized familiar faces, especially Horst, the photographer who greeted me with a cheek kiss.

"Khrizanta! How was your flight? You look lovely! I didn't know the Philippines was so captivating! I haven't walked around, but so far, I like this beach! Anyway, let's start, shall we?"

I plastered a soft grin. "Sure, let's start!"

Slowly, the pink robe slips down on my body, revealing my outfit.

I am wearing a white triangle bikini top, string wrapped perfectly on my abdomen. The ruched bikini bottom was super skimpy, revealing my thick, round ass. Bella styled my hair into a mermaid curls. For my accessories, I have a layered pearl necklace, nothing more.

I was grateful for the gentle, cool breeze that felt refreshing on my exposed skin. I was barefoot, so I felt the soft, warm sand slip up over my feet and tickle between my toes.

The silhouettes of the coconut tree are saving me from the high risk of passing out because of too much heat.

"Khrizanta, close your eyes but not too tight, then tilt your head a bit, let the sun rays hit your face, yes, just like that!" Horst shouted. "Perfect!"

For the rest of the morning, I kept posing in front of the camera. We only stopped when they needed to retouch my makeup and change my wardrobe. The stylist immediately covered me with a thin cloth so I could remove the bikini top. The moment the bikini top was removed from me, they replaced it with a nipple tape.

Mabuti na lang talaga at kami lang ang nandito. Walang ibang nanonood, kami-kami lang na kasama sa shoot.

My eyes roamed around the exclusive beach. When my eyes settled on a tall, brunette and mestizo man sitting on a sun lounger with a laptop on his lap under the coconut tree, my heart went frenzied.

How come he's watching me here?! Akala ko ba nandito siya para magtrabaho?

Croisx turned his head at the exact moment my attention landed on him. Our gazes locked, and my stomach swooped for meeting his intense gaze.

He held my eyes hostage even when the shoot resumed. Tinitigan niya ako ng mariin. I only looked away when Horst called me to start posing.

I lay down on my side on the milky white sand and covered my bare chest using my arms. Since I was lying down on my side, my upper leg angle. The liquor bottle was leaning on my stomach, submerging on the white sand.

Hindi ko matignan ang pwesto ni Croisx dahil nakahiga ako pero kahit ganoon, ramdam ko pa rin ang mariin at mainit niyang titig sa akin.

Ito ba ang sinasabing trabaho ni Croisx? Ang panoorin ako?

"You're really a legend, Khrizanta! Look at these photos, so gorgeous!" The photographer praised me after the shoot. I smiled and looked at the raw photos in the monitor. I like how the photos turned out. Seductive but elegant.

The shoot usually finished in five to seven hours, but it finished earlier than expected since they were satisfied with the first five shots. Later in the evening, the shoot will resume again for the liquor advertisement, whose theme is midnight dusk.

Now that the shoot finished early, we had the free time to explore the Island until the evening came. Sabay-sabay kaming magla-lunch sa restaurant na malapit sa exlusive beach.

We were eating at the restaurant when Croisx entered the premises. Ang mga kasamahan kong babae ay napalingon sa kanya. He's only wearing simple summer clothes, but his presence is overflowing.

Bella glanced at me and whispered. "That's your friend, right?"

I glanced at Croisx before looking back at her. "He's not my friend," I clarify. "He's just an acquaintance. Brother-in-law of my best friend."

"Oh. . ." Napatango-tango siya.

After the lunch, nagkanya-kanya kami nang lakad. Naglibot ang mga kasamahan ko dahil gusto nila i-explore ang Palawan. I told them to have their best time. I said I was going back to the hotel room to rest, but the truth is, I'm looking for Croisx. I want to apologize to him.

Kismet really sided with me because I saw him entering a cabana in front of the beach. I marched towards his way while thinking about how I should start apologizing. I saw him sitting on the cabana, so I immediately sat beside him, making him glance at me.

"Hey, you're here," he chirped.

I looked at him. "I-I just want to apologize for accusing you earlier. It was rude of me. I thought—"

"Save your words. It's not a big deal." Our eyes lingered on each other. "If I were in your shoes, I would also think you're my stalker. You're a supermodel, and having a stalker is hard, yeah?"

"It is. . ." I swallowed when I remembered my stalker in the past. "I-I'm scared. I don't like to have a stalker," I admitted.

An emotion cramped his face as he let out a harsh exhale through his nose.

"So, you're now watching my shoots, huh? You're the luckiest fan," I teased, shooing the subject earlier.

The corner of his lips rose. "I'll be the luckiest if I marry my idol," parang may laman na sagot niya.

My eyes narrowed before I tsked. "If that happened, then you're really lucky!"

"Not just lucky, but I'm blessed," he smirked.

Napailing ako. "Did you like what you saw earlier, though?" I teased him more.

He arched an eyebrow while looking at me. His lips forming a smirk, as the intensity of his gaze made it difficult for me to maintain an eye contact.

"Yeah. Where can I buy the clothes you wore earlier in the shoot? I want them in my collection."

My lips parted as my cheeks seared up upon hearing his retorts.

I hit him lightly on the arm. "You! They're not available!"

He laughed out loud. Naluha pa ang mga mata niya sa sobrang kakatawa. He removes his glasses to wipe those tears.

I snorted. "Shut up,"

He bit his lips, stifling a laugh. Then he took a deep breath. "Okay! I'm done laughing,"

I scoffed. I shifted on my seat so I could face him properly. "So, tell me about your ideal girl. . ."

"Why are you asking?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can't I ask? I'm just curious, you know!" I retort, faking an offended expression.

He suddenly laughs at my expression. His face washed with a goofy smirk as his brows wiggling.

"If you are interested in my ideal girl, why don't you look in the mirror and see it for yourself?"

My head immediately glanced in his direction. I wasn't expecting him to say that! I thought he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend?! Did he lie about that? Or is he trying to use me as a scapegoat from his ex-girlfriend?

"Are you flirting with me?"

His eyes remain on me. A hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, but it quickly fades.

"Why? Is it not working?" He answered without breaking our eye contact.

A deafening silence filled between us. We looked at each other eyes, and no one dared to look away. A ghost of unfamiliar emotions sliced on his eyes as my heart begins to thrum against my chest.

"Why me?" I asked without breaking our eye contact. "Do you like me because I'm famous? Do you like me because I'm pretty and have a desirable body? Or do you like me because you fantasize to fuck me?" Huli na para mabawi ang mga sinabi ko.

He bit his bottom lip, look away. Sabi na nga ba! He likes me because he wanted to fuck me like other men does! Natigilan ako sa pag-iisip ng mga kung ano-ano nang humagalpak siya.

"Why are you laughing?" I raised a brow. He looked at me, biting his lips.

"Because you're funny,"

I held back a snarl. "What?!"

"You asked me about my ideal girl. I answered it with all honesty.  .  ." He licked his bottom lip. "You're my dream girl, Khrizanta."

His answers just turned my heart into havoc. "I thought you were still in love with your ex?" I asked, biting my bottom lip.

His lips suddenly formed into a thin line. "Yeah. I'm still in love with her," The firmness in his voice was no longer there.

I don't know what to response. Natahimik ako pagkatapos no'n. I also felt a small pang in my heart.  .  . Damn it! I shouldn't be feeling this way. I don't want to be a second choice. I don't want to be an option!

"But—"

I looked at him again when he spoke, and our eyes met again. His lips twitched. Parang gusto niyang ngumisi pero pinipigilan niya lang para hindi ko mahalata.

"But?"

"I'm actually more than willing to be your non-showbiz boyfriend." My heart did a summersault when I heard what he said me.

Nasa cocktail hotspot kami, nag-iinuman. After the shooting for the ads for the liquor brand, we went straight here to chill. Tomorrow is their flight to New York, habang mananatili pa ako dito sa Pilipinas ng isang linggo.

"Cheers for the successful shoot!" Rowan exclaimed. We all say cheers before drinking the shot at the same time.

Hindi ko na mabilang kung nakailan na ba akong baso. Basta ang alam ko, balak kong magpakalasing ngayon.

I want to get drunk tonight!

Walang tao sa kung saan kami nakapwesto, himala nga at kami-kami lang ng mga crew ang naroon. It's like the place only permitted to us.

Napatingin ako sa dance floor at nakitang mas marami na ang sumasayaw. I suddenly itched to dance, but I didn't want to be a headline tomorrow with my recklessness.

"Let's dance, Khrizanta!" Rowan invited me.

Kasasabi ko lang, diba?

"Sure! But let's just dance here! It's too crowded in there." I muttered, and they agreed quickly.

I tilt my head as I sway my hips, feeling the music. I ran my fingers to my hair down to my curves seductively. Sinayawan ako nina Rowan at ni Bella. Nasa gilid ko si Bella at nasa harapan si Rowan. My eyes accidentally laid on the other part of the bar.

I softly gasped when I saw a familiar man watching me from afar. I swallowed, trying to cool my nerves because his stares were so intense. I bit my bottom lip and immediately looked away when my damn heart went restless! His effects on me are crazy!

Nagpatuloy ako sa pakikipagsayaw at iniwasan na lang ang mapalingon sa direksyon niya.

"Here's another shot of cocktail for you!" Bella handed me a new shot.

I sigh and take it. Sumulyap ulit ako sa direksyon ni Croisx at nagtiim-bagang ako nang makitang may isang babaeng nakasuot ng hapit na damit ang lumapit sa kanya.

The woman has short hair reaching his shoulders, asul 'yon. Naningkit ang mga mata ko at gusto kong sumabog nang haplusin ng babae ang tuhod niya.

I thought he like me? Why he's allowing this woman to touch him?!

My blood was boiling in irritation but when I looked at his direction again, nakita kong nagmartsa paalis ang babae habang nakasimangot.

Matapang kong sinalubong ang kanyang tingin, his gaze bore into me again, and it was so intense. Slowly, the corner of his lips rose, forming a soft grin.

I immediately looked away when I felt my cheeks seared up when he wink at me. Damn him!

"I'm just going to the comfort room," I fibbed. I just want to leave the bar because I suddenly feel suffocated.

Dahil may daan ang bar papunta sa dagat, doon ako dumiretso. I walked in the sand as the bright moon looked like it was running after me. Nang mapagod, naupo ako sa buhanginan at bumuntong-hininga.

"I can't imagine you dancing seductively with someone else but me."

Napalingon ako sa aking likuran nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses ni Croix. Dahil madilim at tanging liwanag lang ng buwan ang nagsisilbing ilaw ay hindi ko masyadong makita ang reaksyon ng mukha niya. He quickly sat down next to me.

"What are you doing here? Bakit hindi ka bumalik doon sa babae mo?" huli na para mapigilan ko ang sarili dahil sunod-sunod na bumaril ng salita ang bibig ko.

He suddenly chuckled, making me irritated. I pushed him in his arms, pushing him away. "Doon kana! Iwanan mo na ako dito, Croisx!"

"I like that you were jealous even though you don't remember me," bitterness sliced on his words.

Bigla tuloy natunaw ang inis ko dahil sa sinabi niya. I want to ask him, kung sino ba talaga siya. Kung ano ba siya sa buhay ko noon. But I'm scared. I am scared big time. I feel like I am not ready to know our connection.

Huminga ako ng malalim saka nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. When he noticed I was still staring, he gave me a smile, but I couldn't sense if the smile he was showing was real or just a facade.

I don't know how long we stared at each other eyes, but tension between us elevated. Umapaw ang tensyon habang nakatingin kami sa isa't-isa.

"Why don't you kiss me? It's obvious you want to kiss me right now, Croisx." I paused and didn't leave his eyes. "Kiss me. Kiss me, Engineer." I whispered.

I noticed how his gaze softened. He licked his lips before he pulled my waist, closing our gap. I thought he would kiss me, reason why I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for his lips to touch mine.

He sighed. "I'll only kiss you when you're not drunk. I don't want you to think I was taking advantage of you just because you are vulnerable right now, Khrizanta."

Slowly, my eyes opened and locked with his. Tila punyal na tumusok sa aking dibdib ang mga sinabi niya. Nakaramdam ako ng pagkapahiya sa nangyari. Mabilis akong umatras at tumayo.

"Sorry.  .  ." I muttered and walked out.

"Khrizanta—"

Tumakbo na ako palayo nang marinig ang mga yabag niyang sinusundan ako. I went straight to my hotel room and lay flat on my stomach in the bed, burying my face in the pillow because of embarrassment. A drop of tears fell from my eyes when I snorted.

My heart clenched in pain.

Dahil sa kalasingan, hindi ko na nagawa pang bumalik sa cocktail hotspot at pinili na lamang na manatili sa kwarto habang umiiyak. I rather stay here than let anyone see me in this kind of state. I don't want anyone to see me being weak. Ayoko.

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