Lumabas ako ng kotse matapos naming makarating sa malaking function hall na pagmamay-ari ni CEO.

"Thank you, Joe," sambit ko bago lumabas ng kotse.

"Magpahatid ka kay Cole pauwi, ha. And don't forget to text me."

Tumango ako at ngumiti bago nagpaalam sa kanya. Pumasok ako sa loob ng function hall. Everything is so colorful, from the balloons to the led lights. Parang nasa bar kami. And everyone looks so good in their evening dresses and gowns.

"Dr. Sicillian, Georgia?" paglapit ng isang waiter sa akin. I think he's a guide.

"Yes."

"Right this way, miss."

Itinuro niya kung nasaan ang table ko. Andun na pala si Cole kasama ang isang surgeon na hindi ko kilala. I think it's his-

"Tita Charlot," I smiled when I saw her.

This is Cole's mom. One of the famous neurosurgeon in America. Inimbitahan pa rin pala ni CEO ang mga magagaling na doktor mula sa ibang bansa.

"Oh my, Georgia my dear," she kissed my cheeks. "How are you?"

"I'm doing great, tita. I can't believe you're here," minatahan ko si Cole na kanina pa umiinom ng wine. "Hindi mo man lang sinabi na darating ka, tita."

"Hindi ko nga rin alam, e. Nasurprise rin ako," si Cole.

"Malavar invited me personally nang magkita kami sa Hawaii noong nakaraang araw," she smiled.

"Mabuti naman po at nakarating kayo."

"Where's Joey? Hindi ba siya pupunta?" she looks in the back and to every corner of the room.

"Umuwi po, ayaw pumunta."

Maybe Joey expected na darating si tita Charlot kaya hindi siya nagpakita. She would make a great mother-in-law but the thing is... tita Charlot is really competitive unlike Cole na halos walang pakealam sa mundo.

"You look great in those dress, dear. But guess where I bought mine," she starts acting cute as she showed me her light pink off-shoulder dress na bagay sa maputi niyang balat.

"Um, America?"

"No, tsk. That's a very disappointing answer, Georgia. I bought this from England."

"Ooh, haha!" tumawa ako at mabilis na inubos ang laman ng wineglass ni Cole.

Now I understand why Cole's been drinking. Kanina pa pala siya nagtitimpi sa ina niya.

Naghintay kami ng bente minutos bago napuno ang mesa namin. Puro kami surgeons from different parts of the world. Nasa mesa rin namin ang isa sa pinakasikat na plastic surgeons sa Dubai.

Kaya lang, ingles sila nang ingles kaya hindi na kami nakisali ni Cole sa usapan nila. May sarili kasi kaming mundo. Mabuti na lang talaga at andito siya dahil ma-o-out of place ako pag nagkataon.

"I can't wait to go home," Cole whispers.

Nagsimula na ang event at sa wakas ay nagpakita na rin ang emcee sa amin. Sa wakas. Sana mabilis lang ang oras upang makauwi na ako. Nasa attendance na ako kaya panigurado ay hindi na niya kakaltasan ang sahod ko.

"Thank you so much for patiently waiting everyone. Let's start the event with a bang, starting from the CEO's opening message."

We clapped when the CEO approached the podium. Ang liit niya, oo, kaya nahirapan siyang abutin iyong mic. I rolled my eyes and saw my colleagues massaged their temples. Someone will absolutely get fired after this event. No one even put a small chair so that he can stand properly.

"Someone's getting fire for sure," bulong ko.

"I know," si Cole.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming in this event..."

Hindi na ako nakinig. Ang boring kasi. Narinig ko na lang na umalingawngaw ang palakpakan sa loob ng function hall when the waiters immediately put foods on the table. Mabilisan lang. They even put napkins and tissues to avoid pasta sauce.

"Kainan na," I pursed my lips to prevent myself from drooling.

"Gutom na gutom, a?" pang-aasar ni Cole kaya sinuntok ko yung balikat niya.

The emcee told us to eat everything that was served on the table. Walang kanin, nakakainis talaga kapag ganitong event. Ni hindi nila sineserve ang pang-Pinoy na pagkain. Hindi ako mabubusog sa carbonara!

"This is everything?" tita Charlot asked sarcastically.

"No, Madame. Desserts will be served later after the main course," sagot ng waiter na nagbabantay sa table namin.

"Ilabas niyo lahat, bakit niyo iisa-isahin?" tanong ko.

"Patay gutom mo talaga, Georgia," sita ni Cole sa akin.

"Because that's what we're told to do, Ms. Sicillian," he answers politely.

Hindi ako nakasagot. They're all like robots. Doing what they're told to do according to plan. Kumain na lamang ako. Sunod inilagay sa mesa namin ang main course, which is Grilled Chicken with Fresh Cherry Salsa. At least it's chicken. Pwede na ito kesa wala.

"And for dessert. Waiters kindly put the last food on the table," ani ng emcee. "A Japanese dessert called vanilla pudding."

Pasta is Italian, grilled chicken is Filipino, and pudding is Japanese.

Cuisine from different countries. CEO Malavar has done research about diversity for once. Inubos ko yung pudding. Nabusog ako kahit papaano pero kulang na kulang talaga kapag walang kanin.

"Let's proceed to the last event for this evening. And I hope you're all full because the next event is bidding."

Nagpalakpakan kami kahit hindi ko alam kung ano ang i-a-auction nila.

"I hope it's paintings," Dr. Davis says.

"Or antique jewelries," Dr. Vazku comments.

Hindi ko sila pinakinggan at nakapokus ako sa harap.

"First will be auctioned is..." natingin ang emcee sa audience na parang may hinahanap siya sa amin. His gaze stopped at my cousin na nakaupo sa hindi kalayuang table.

Ngayon ko lang siya napansin, akala ko talaga hindi siya magpapakita.

"Ms. Traxia Pareidolia."

"What!" Traxia's irritated shout echoed the function hall. "Is this some kind of kidnapping with a consent?"

"Ms. Traxia, this is a bidding event. And there are only three people on the list," paliwanag ng emcee.

Pinagtinginan nila ang pinsan ko. Ni hindi ko siya magawang tignan dahil nagulat din ako mismo. I have a really bad feeling about this.

"This is better than paintings," Dr. Davis smiles. "I like that one."

"Let's bid," si Dr. Vazku.

"I need to go home," bulong ko kay Cole.

"I want to go home too, Georgia, pero andito ang ina ko," tinignan niya si tita.

Hindi siya makakaalis ng basta-basta.

"This is stupid," naiiling na naglakad si Traxia papunta sa stage. "I can get every man I want. Bakit kailangan pa ng bidding?"

Brats will be brats no matter where you are.

"Let's start with P100,000."

"I bid P500,000," a man bid.

"P800,000."

"P1,000,000."

I thought these two men will bid pero hindi sila nagtaas ng numero.

"P2,000,000," a man in a royal blue suit raised his number.

"Sold to Mr. Gomes. Ms. Traxia Pareidolia is all yours for the night," sabi ng emcee.

Everyone stopped when Traxia pulled her black card and throw it to Mr. Gomes' face.

"Do you think I'm only worth P2,000,000?" lumapit siya kay Mr. Gomes. "I'm worth more than that, sir."

"Ms. Pareidolia, you can't-" my cousin cuts the emcee's words.

"Let me buy myself for P5,000,000. I can do that right, Mr. CEO Malavar?" she raised her brows.

Ngumiti si CEO at tumango. It's fine with him since the money will go directly into his chosen charity.

"Ms. Pareidolia is sold to Ms. Pareidolia herself," pagpapatuloy ng emcee. "Let's proceed to our next person, which is..."

I wish I could do what Traxia did. Unlike me, hindi masyadong malakas ang loob ko.

"Princess Samarah Lee."

Hindi na nagulat yung prinsesa nang tawagin ang kanyang pangalan. I knew it! The CEO invited us to be the auction! I can't believe I fell for his trap. Paano ako makakaalis, e andito na ako sa loob?

She looks like Juliet, a beautiful real-life princess.

"Let's start with P100,000."

"I bid P1,000,000."

1 million agad! I can't believe it. Nakakahiya sa parte ko kapag walang nagbid sa akin.

"Going once..."

"P3,000,000."

"P3,000,000 from Mr. Alvarez. Are there any other bids?"

I saw Samarah looked on our side pero hindi siya nakatingin sa akin. He was looking at... Mr. Davis.

"Bid or die," Samarah's voice reached all the way to our table.

"I-I bid P5,000,000," he bids like giving up to her.

"Princess Samarah Lee is sold to Mr. Davis. The princess is all yours," sabi pa ng emcee.

"I need to get out of here!"

Aalis na sana ako nang tawagin ng emcee ang aking pangalan. Napapikit ako ng mariin dahil dun.

"Ms. Georgia Sicillian, you're next."

Nakita ko ang gulat na reaction ni Cole pati kay tita Charlot.

"Cole, bid for George," utos niya rito.

"No way, mom! Joe will kill me!"

"Babayaran naman kita, Cole. Kahit P8,000,000 lang!" inis ko siyang binatukan.

"Ms. Georgia, kindly proceed here on the stage please."

Minatahan ko si Cole na sundin ang sinabi ko. Umoo rin siya sa wakas. P8,000,000 is the final bid. Alam kong scripted pero ayaw ko rin namang mapunta sa hindi ko kilala.

The audience clapped when I approached the seat. Kinakabahan kong tinignan ang mga tao. Hayaan niyong si Cole lang ang magbid sa akin, please!

"We'll start with P2,000,000."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ng emcee. Why do you have to start at that amount?!

"I bid P2,500,000."

Someone raised a number.

"P3,000,000."

And another one.

"P3,800,000."

And another.

"P4,000,000."

"P4,000,000. Going once..."

I was shocked when Dr. Vazku raised his number and bid-

"P5,000,000."

Cole immediately raised his number.

"P5,000,001."

Cole, you asshole!

"It's by P100,000 or more, Dr. Coleman Aranzure," paalala ng emcee.

"Oh sorry. P6,000,000."

Dr. Vazku raised his number again.

"P7,500,000."

Cole, bilisan mong hayop ka!

"P8,000,000."

"P8,000,000 for Ms. Sicillian, going once, going twi-"

I crossed my fingers, hoping that Cole will be the final bidder pero nawalan ako ng pag-asa nang magbid ulit si Dr. Vazku.

"P10,000,000 for Dr. Sicillian."

He really wants me! Gwapo naman siya at mukhang bachelor but I'm really bad at talking to strangers. I might kill them.

Everyone gasped when he said the amount. Magtataas pa sana ng numero si Cole pero sinenyasan ko siya na huwag na. Wala akong pera pambayad lalo na't kuripot ako.

"P10,000,000 going once, going twice... no one? I can't blame you guys, P10,000,000 is a bit-" someone cuts his words off.

Naagaw ng lalaking nakaitim na suit ang eksena nang pumasok siya sa loob ng function hall. Medyo magulo ang kanyang buhok, but I know who that is judging from the necklace he's wearing.

"P20,000,000 for Ms. Sicillian."

Napalunok ako. He is here. He's really here!

Natigil ang lahat dahil sa bid na yun. Kahit ako, nagulat din.

"An unregistered bidder, sir Malavar," narinig ko yung emcee na kinausap si CEO.

"P20,000,000," he repeats. "Twice the amount that guy is offering. I don't want to repeat myself, Mr. CEO."

"In cash?" Mr. Malavar asked.

"In cash," he threw the briefcase in front of the stage.

"Go on. Let him have Georgia," sabi ni CEO na parang namimigay lang ng lollipop.

"Ms. Georgia is sold to Mr..."

"Crescent. His name is Crescent Fritz," nakangiti kong sabi habang nakatingin sa lalaking may galit na mga mata.

"To Mr. Fritz. Please get your prize."

He pulls me out of the stage away from people, out of the event. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makalabas kami sa function hall.

"Akala ko bukas ka pa makakauwi."

Nahinto kami sa harap ng kanyang itim na Porsche. Nakasandal ako sa may pinto ng kanyang kotse habang hinayaan ko siyang bisigan ako sa magkabilang kamay. He rests his head on my bare shoulder at nagpahinga.

"I'm exhausted, Georgia."

Tinapik-tapik ko ang matikas niyang likuran.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I missed you," bulong niya ďahilan ng pamumula ko.

"I-I-"

No!

"I want to go home," nasabi ko na lang.

Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kotse.

"Come on, let's get you home."

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