Thea

"Hala ka! Gaga!" Malakas siyang naitulak ni Fox nang ikwento niya na nagmiyembro siya sa Temptation Island. "Sayang ang sampung milyon!" Bakas ang panghihinayang sa kaibigan. 

"I was curious!" Pagtatanggol niya sa kanyang choice. If not for that Cross Monasterio, she wouldn't dare to come close to the island. Bakit ba kasi siya inimbitahan?

And who the hell is Cross Monasterio? Wala itong kahit anong impormasyon sa google! Totoong tao ba ito o poser din? Bakit siya kilala?

"Babe! Itong si Thekla nagmember sa Temptation Island!" Sumbong ni Fox kay Luke. 

"You did?" Ibinaba ni Luke sa kanilang harapan ang pancakes at scramble eggs. He volunteered to cook the breakfast kasi naki-sleepover na naman. "That's nice. Maganda ang islang iyon. Not your typical island but once you go there, magiging basic na lang sa iyo ang Boracay, even Balesin or Amanpulo. Ibang levels, girl."

"Talaga, Luke? Pag-apak ko ba ay may magda-dryhump na sa akin?" Malisyosa siyang ngumisi. Baka mamaya ay hindi na sasarado ang binti niya at umuwi na siyang nakabukakang maglakad. She could just imagine wild day and night in the island, susulitin niya na ang sampung milyon, 'no!

Umupo si Luke sa harapan niya at kumunot ang noo, "If you are desirable, you can expect that. I mean, pili lang ang mga miyembro na pasok sa panlasa mo at pasok ka rin sa panlasa nila. Wala namang pilitan doon."

"Have you been there?" Tanong niya.

"Girl, siyempre! Secretary ako ng isa sa mayari."

"Wait, so do you know Cross Monasterio?" 

"Cross?" Kumunot ang noo ni Luke. "Never heard." Uminom ito ng kape mula sa tasa. Lumalim ang kunot ng noo niya. 

"Never? So he's not a real person?"

"Well, maybe he is. Hindi lang naman ang mga anak ni Don Levi ang mga Monasterio. Hindi ko naman kilala ang lahat pero sana hot din ang iba pa nilang mga pinsan."

"A certain Cross Monasterio invited me to the island..." Mahinang bulong niya. Binato siya ni Fox ng muffin sa noo kaya siya nagulat.

"Gaga, slow! Saint Monasterio yan. Pa-cross cross pang nalalaman! Siya lang naman ang banal sa mga kapatid niya. Lucifer could be an inverted cross too but why would he wanted to hide himself? Hindi naman mahiyain ang isang yon."

"True.." She muttered. 

Hindi tuloy maialis sa kanyang isip yon. She has so many questions. Saint can invite her at Temptation Island anytime naman, choosy pa ba siya?! At bakit padadaanin pa sa kanyang website as Doctor Bombshell?

Why on earth this Cross Monasterio will investigate her? 

Baka mamaya ay obsessed stalker pala ito at kakainin ang kanyang pempem na nakalagay sa plato. She's watching too much crime dramas and her imagination ignited because of that. Nagdalawang isip tuloy siya kung pupunta siya sa isla pero sayang ang sampung milyon!

Habang naghihintay siya ng pasyente sa clinic ay nagtype muli siya ng mensahe sa kanyang laptop para kay Cross Monasterio.

Doctor Bombshell: Why are you inviting me at Temptation Island? Ngayon ay nagdadalawang isip na akong pumunta dahil baka baliw na baliw ka sa ganda ko.

Agad na may nagreply sa kanya.

+ Monasterio: Let's say, I know your secret.

Doctor Bombshell: So binablackmail mo ako?! Isisiwalat mo ang pagkatao ko kapag hindi ako nagpunta?

+ Monasterio: No, I mean, I know your 'other' secret...

Ano ba bang sikreto niya kung ganon? Galit siyang nagtipa ng reply.

Doctor Bombshell: Pakyu! Alam mong pinagnanasahan ko ang isang Monasterio?! Huwag kang maingay at past na iyong sa amin!

+ Monasterio: I know a secret that you may not know and would want to know. 

Pamisteryoso pa ang walanghiya! Hindi na lang sabihin. Gumastos pa tuloy siya ng sampung milyon!

Doctor Bombshell: Hindi ako chismosa!

Napaangat ang tingin niya nang sumilip si Myra sa may pintuan ng kanyang clinic. 

"Doc, andyan na po si client..." 

She exited her website window and prepared for her session. Ano nga kaya ang sikretong sinasabi ng Cross na iyon?

And who the hell is Cross? Feeling close masyado!

--

Saint

"Hello, favorite brother!" Saint immediately rolled his eyes at the sight of Lucifer in his office. Binaling niya ang mata sa kanyang macbook at nagpanggap na abala.

"Ano? Feature the island in your magazine. Come on. The villages are 100% complete. We need more foreign members and we can't just put our island to cheap TV commercial ads."

"Why do you want me to shoot it? Bakit hindi si Anton?" Hindi niya pa rin ito nililingon. Lucifer and Lucian has been bugging him to take photos of the island. 

"Because that is against the rules! And you are our brother so we are sure that your camera won't be shooting anything else, right?"

Siya lang kasi ang pupwedeng mabigyan ng special permit to take photos dahil isa siyang Monasterio, it is like a privilege. Also, naked guests will be featured to give a glimpse of the 'real island experience' kahit hindi kita ang mukha. Ang kanyang magazine ang magiging platform for advertisement ng Temptation Island dahil adult magazine ang kanyang negosyo.

Tumaas ang kanyang kilay, "Talaga ba, Lucifer? Kapatid mo lang ako kapag may kailangan ka." Matabang niyang sabi. 

"Hindi pa kita napapatawad for drawing a penis on my Porsche! Mine was way bigger than your art, mind you!"

"That's what you get for dating Thea to agitate me. And your penis isn't any bigger than your mouth, Lucifer." Pagdidiin niya pa.

"She's not your girlfriend! Did you even check the label?" Pakumpas-kumpas pa ang kanyang kapatid.

"I don't need to." They are a couple as Big Bad Boy and Doctor Bombshell.

"Talaga? Ayaw mong magpaturo sa akin kung paano manligaw?"

"Fck you, Lucifer! You don't even court. Pretentious bastard." Saint pointed his index finger at his brother.

"Luh, ikaw kaya ang bastard! Ooops!" Napatakip pa ng bibig si Lucifer bago nagpasabog ng tawa. He threw a pen at him. 

"It slipped out of my mouth, Kuya. Sareeh." Tumikhim pa ito. "Just accept the job. I am doing you a favor."

"Ayoko. I don't need your money. Have Anton or nothing."

"Virgin ka pa ba?! Ayaw mong makakita ng bold? Ay sorry, puro bold pala rito sa magazine mo. Are you even scared to fall in love with someone in the island?"

"No."  Matigas niyang tanggi.

"Last chance?"

"No."

"Well, I received a notice that Thekla Angeline Ysmael is a new member of Temptation Island. I am gonna check the booking dates so I'll guarantee that I'll be there because my brother cannot because he thinks so highly of himself. Anyway, she's in good hands." Itinaas pa ni Lucifer ang dalawang palad at minuwestra pang may pinipindot sa hangin.

"When did she book her stay?" Napatayo siya.

"Bilis ah! I'll settle this with Anton. Nasan ba si Anton?"

"When is she coming to Temptation Island or I'll burn three of your cars."

"Luh, arsonist. Criminal Bastard."

"I'll burn five of them."

"You have to pay now. 100 million to be a member--"

"My centerfold ads cost 25million a month, my service is 2 million a day. Three months' worth of ads, a model, and my seven-day service plus per diem."

"Deal." Ngumisi si Lucifer ng nakakaloko. "Prepare your camera and your model, make sure she's hot."

---

Thea

Thea went to grocery shopping to clear her mind after series of her clients. Grabe ang mga problema simula dumating ang pandemic. Nagmukhang maliit ang sa kanya. 

Maliit nga ba iyon? 

Big Bad Boy being far from her imagination in person, and now this Cross Monasterio knowing a secret about her! Jusmiyo! Gusto lang naman niyang maging maganda bakit parang naging problem solving ang buhay niya?

Lord, erotic po ang gusto kong kwento hindi Mystery!

She walked to the grocery aisle to choose vegetables for salad and soup. Gulay na lang ang afford niya kasi naman sampung milyon niya ay lumipad ng parang may pakpak. Sinasabi na nga ba't dapat siyang maghanap ng sugar daddy bago pa siya maging treinta!

"Miss..." Napalingon siya sa baritonong boses na tumawag sa kanya. 

She turned and found her wallet in the hands of a stranger pero nang mag-angat siya ng tingin ay naestatwa siya. What the fck?!

"Hello.. Oh, you're my neighbor, right?" Nakangiti itong nag-angat ng kamay para sa maliit na kaway habang iniaabot ang kanyang wallet.

Pota, neighbor?! Kelan pa!?

"Y-yes.. I mean.. No. I don't know. Are we?" Tuliro niyang sagot.

Tumuwid ito ng tayo. And she's right. She's way taller than him but his voice is very deep and low! Parang DJ sa radyo! Bakit po ganito, Lord?

"Yes. Nakita kita minsan sa elevator. Hindi niyo ako napansin, kasama mo yung Boss ko." He narrated.

"B-boss?" Mas lalo siyang kinabahan. Hindi naman siguro alam nito na siya si Doctor Bombshell at magjowa sila sa internet. 

"Yes Doc..." Malamyos na pagkakasabi nito. 

Lupa, kainin mo na ako ngayon din!

"D-doc?" Ulit pa ni Thea,  "H-how did you know that I am a doctor?"

"Naka-white coat ka, Doc.. Doc Thea Ysmael." Ngumiti ito pagkatapos basahin ang embroidered name patch niya sa white coat niya. Napanganga siya sa sarili. 

Ano iyan, Thea! Giniginaw ka ba? Sa sobrang tuliro niya ay hindi pa niya nahubad ang coat niya galing ospital!

"A-ah! So, sinong Boss mo ang kasama ko?" 

"Doc naman.. Siyempre si Boss Saint Monasterio, wala ka naman yatang ibang nakakasabay sa elevator kundi siya at yung housemate mo. Sorry, intrusive ba? Napapansin lang talaga kita lagi Doc, ang ganda kasi ng face mo, parang si Lily Collins. Favorite show ko kasi yung Emily in Paris."

Ayan na nga ba sinasabi ko gerl! Stalker ito!

"E-Emily in Paris! Yeah, sure. Ako rin 'e, naghihintay sa Season 3."

"Same!" Ngumiti ito, "December 21 daw, Doc. Namiss ko na si Gabriel." He said in his low baritone voice.

"G-gabriel?" Napangiwi siya. Tngina, malibog 'to online ah. Ba't mukhang iba pala ang nais! Kaya ba nandiri sa pempem niya?!

"Ikaw? Sinong crush mo ron, Doc? Si Alfie cute nga rin. Kumuha ka na ng grocery mo, Doc. Sasabay na rin ako sa iyo, okay lang?" Itinulak nito ang cart katabi niya at panay ang kwento nito na hindi niya naabsorb. He was so enthralled that she looked like Lily Collins. 

"Naku, kanina pa ako nagkukwento, ako nga pala si Adam. Hindi ako gay. Mahilig lang talaga ako sa mga pogi.. at magaganda." 

"You are not gay?" Hindi halata ha!

He swayed his hand. "Yung gender, gender na iyan, hindi naman importante. You do you, hindi ba, Doc?" Pormal at baritono pa ring sabi nito.

Napatango na lang siya. Kumalma ka, Thea! Sure he sounds like Big Bad Boy and he lives at the same tower as hers, stalker na ba agad kapag ganon?

"Sa Big Bad Boys Magazine ka pala nagtatrabaho. Ano ka ron?" Sinubukan niyang mag-usisa at mag-ambag sa usapan. 

"Marketing." He smiled, kumislap ang crooked teeth nito. "Contents, website management-"

"Ikaw ang..." Napalunok siya, "Ikaw ang may hawak ng website?"

"Oo!" Mabilis na sagot nito. "Ako ang sumulat ng lahat ng naroon since our magazine was established." She sensed pride in his voice.

"Ikaw rin ang nag-aayos ng website...."

"Ano ka ba? IT ako?" Natawa ito. "Hindi. We have IT people for that."

"You do reply to fan mails--"

"No, bakit naman kami magrereply sa fanmails? Hindi naman kami nagpa-fan service."

"Then who replies when someone sends a message?"

"No one! And not me. Siguro si Boss if ever pero busy yun, why would he."

"You mean, si Saint?" Bigla na naman siyang kinabahan.

"Oo, si Boss Saint. Sinasubmit lang namin sa kanya ang contents then he uploads it. Mahigpit yun saka matalas ang mata. He immediately sees wrong grammar, maling citations and he controls social media personally dahil ayaw niyang may magkamali ng post ang admin kagaya ng madalas mangyari sa ibang news outlets."

"S-si Saint?" Hindi siya makapaniwala. If Saint exclusively controls their website and social media then si Saint at si Big Bad Boy ay iisa? Napalunok siya. 

Then... When his phone did not ring last night when she called and Big Bad Boy immediately sends a message... 

Nahihilo yata siya! Alam ba ni Saint na siya si Doctor Bombshell? 

Iisa ba si Saint at si Cross?!

"Doc, okay ka lang ba? Namumutla ka." Adam tried to fan her with his hand.

She immediately got her phone inside her bag. Bahala na si Batman. She dialed Big Bad Boys' telegram while keeping her gaze on Adam. 

After two rings, a deep, dark voice answered the other line.

"Hi, Baby. What's up?"

Hayop kang Saint ka! Anong trip mo?!

--

Because of that incident and what she just realized, hindi siya makatulog sa sobrang pagiging slow niya. Pinagtagpi-tagpi niya ang mga pangyayari noong nakaraang araw. Saint knows that she loves stuffed toys and chocolates so Big Bad Boy gave her one. Saint never asked for her number but he consistently message her as Big Bad Boy.

The last time they broke up because she wanted to have a phone dinner with him, he declined because he was eating dinner with the actress Laviña that day.

Nawala rin ang Wikipedia write-up kay Saint along with many articles a night before she checks it. It is planned all along.

And the best giveaway was Saint showed up at Alta Guia, after their Doctors' Night and she was so drunk when she called Big Bad Boy!

Is Saint playing on her because she's been trash-talking his magazine?! It makes sense because Saint hates her a couple of times they bumped into each other!

Dumapa at nagpagulong-gulong siya sa kama sa inis sa sarili. Na-playtime ka, Thea! Payag ka ba 'non? 

Of course, she won't just let it slip! 

Binuksan niya ang kanyang lampshade at humanap ng magandang anggulo. She took a photo of her breasts and send it to Big Bad Boy, or she should start calling him, Saint.

Baby Love: I am horny, Bhie.

She baited Saint. Agad siyang nakatanggap ng mensahe.

Bhie: Me too... Let's get on a call. 

Nang mabasa iyon ay tiningnan niya sa kanyang cellphone ang picture nila ni Adam na kinuha niya sa elevator kanina. She made it her wallpaper then turned off her phone. 

Goodluck sa blue balls, Monasterio. Lintik lang ang walang ganti. 

KINABUKASAN, she woke up at the smell of corned beef in their kitchen. Imposibleng si Fox iyon dahil tamad ang isang iyon, maybe Luke again! She excitedly walk outside her room only to turn back because she saw Saint cooking. He's wearing his faded jeans and a white polo shirt. 

Gaya pa rin ng dati ang bihis nito, only that his muscles are more formed now. Tiyak na alaga ng gym training. 

"A-anong ginagawa mo rito? Bakit ang aga mo?"

"You go out of your room wearing a lingerie, Thea?" Sinagot din siya ng tanong ng manloloko! Bakit ba hindi niya nakilala agad ang boses nito? In denial much, huh?

"Ano naman? Fox saw everything!" Pabalang na sagot niya.

"What? Why did you show him?"

"And why do you care? Nakita mo na rin naman." Hinarap niya ito at umirap. "Nakita na rin ng internet jowa ko!" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay pero hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon nito, hindi man lang nagalit din palibhasa ay ito nga si Big Bad Boy at niloloko lang talaga siya!

Animal ang isang ito ha! Kaklase siguro ni Tucker nung past life!

"I'll just change clothes." Desisyon niya. Bumalik siya sa kanyang kuwarto para magsuot ng maayos na pambahay. She did not see Fox around, tiyak na maagang umalis nang mapapasok si Saint. Wala kasi siyang clinic kapag Thursday kaya okay lang na magising siya ng tanghali and tomorrow will be the start of her long-week vacation.

Bago siya lumabas ng silid ay naalala niya ang kanyang cellphone. Binuksan niya iyon at nakitang napakaraming mensahe ni Big Bad Boy kagabi. Saint as Big Bad Boy was trying to wake her up last night for phone sex pero sorry ito at talagang sinadya niya lang itong takamin. She'll be playing the game that he's playing.

Napangisi siya sa bago niyang wallpaper. She made sure that her face is normal when she went to the dining. Umupo siya sa lamesa at ininom ang kape na inihanda ni Saint. Ipinatong niya sa lamesa ang cellphone niya, natigilan si Saint sa pagsasalin ng fried rice sa kanyang plato nang mapansin nito ang kanyang wallpaper.

"Who's that?" Masungit na tanong nito.

"My internet jowa!" Kaswal na sagot niya, "Well, he doesn't know that I am his girlfriend but I know and he lives here so---"

"Ano ba yan, Thea!" Nagulat siya nang dismayadong ibagsak ni Saint ang frying pan sa lamesa. "Do not make assumptions like that! How sure are you na iyan nga ang internet boyfriend mo? Did he confirm?"

"Of course I did not ask that! Taga-dito siya so while I was texting my internet jowa, I noticed that he was replying to me too. Napansin ko pa, ang lagkit ng tingin sa akin at sinusundan ako sa elevator..."

"What if he's not the one?"

"Well, he should be the one! I like him!" Walang kagatol-gatol na sabi niya. "I even asked to take a photo with him para may couple photo na kami. Pinagbigyan niya ako kaya mas lalo akong nainlove..."

Malapit nang sumabog sa inis si Saint kaya mas tinodo niya pa. She kissed her phone and Saint took her phone away from her.

"Kumain ka muna, Thea."

There, there, Saint. Ganyan nga, mapikon ka pa! 

Napangiti siya nang matagumpay niyang mapaalis si Saint after the breakfast. There's only one thing to confirm, who is Cross Monasterio? Kapag nalaman niyang si Saint nga rin ito ay bi-Bingo na talaga sa kanya ang lalaki sa pantitrip sa kanya!

She packed her things and dropped Tucker to a Dog Hotel. First time niyang makarating sa Monasterio Towers kung saan pupwedeng ipark ang sasakyan kung magtutungo ka sa isla. Monasterio Towers was exceptionally exquisite and classy. 

Three-batches of people left the building, lahat sila ay mula sa likuran na parang pribadong runway. May mga nakita siyang sikat na artista, politiko, mga modelo sa mga naglalakad sa Monasterio Towers. Everyone screams confidence and such air of dominance. Probably because of their money.

Nang matapos ang mga pinipirmahang health declaration ay iniwan niya na ang maleta niya sa luggage drop-off. She waited at the boarding gate only to be called through the PA System. 

"Passenger 0789, Female, your flight details have been changed, please proceed to the rooftop." Sinilip niya ang ticket niya at nang makumpirmang ang ticket niya iyon ay tumayo na siya. She pressed the elevator that took her to the topmost floor. Nang bumukas ang elevator floor ay rooftop na agad. A luxury helicopter was waiting and three flight stewardess who was anticipating her.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Ysmael. I hope you don't mind that your flight was upgraded to an exclusive helicopter service. It is being offered to our VVIP only so we do hope you'll enjoy the experience and the view.

Napaawang ang labi niya. What on earth did she do to deserve such luxury? Anyway, sumakay na rin siya. Mag-isa lang siya roon at may nakalagay na maliit na snack bar sa kanyang harapan. The seat is a recliner chair for two but then nang umangat na sa ere ay wala na siyang nakasabay. It was a pretty much short trip, 20-minutes lang yata ay tanaw na rin niya ang runway. 

As soon as the chopper landed, may sumalubong muli sa kanyang mga ground crew at dinala siya sa yate. Mag-isa lang siyang sumakay roon. Some of the guests boarded a luxury motor boat in batch.

Baka naduling ng tingin ang nag-arrange ng transportation niya at nadagdagan ng isang zero ang ten million membership niya. She only availed the basic membership, bakit kaya magarbo ang pa-welcome sa kanya ng isla?

She enjoyed the full view of the blue, pristine waters while sailing and the mountains where a small community seems to exist looks small from afar. Sa malayo pa lang ay alam niyang puti at pino ang buhangin sa isla dahil sa pagkinang nito.

Kumabog ang kanyang dibdib nang huminto ang yate at inalalayan siyang bumaba sa hagdanan patungong seashore. 

Luminga-linga siya at kaliwa't kanan ang nagsesex sa buhangin at walang tumitingin sa mga ito. Siya lang!

"Welcome to Temptation Island, Doctor Bombshell!"

A tall, muscular, good-looking, bright -blue eyed mestizo walked toward her. She looks puzzled that he called her by her pseudonym. 

"Who are you?" Kumunot ang noo niya.

Imbes na sumagot ay itinaas nito sa ere ang palad at nagsimulang mag-countdown, "Four, three, two, one--"

"You prick! Hayop ka, Cross!" A woman jumped to the guy's back and tried to strangle 'Cross', she stayed there, looking, and wondering. What sorcery is this?

--

Maki Says: 

Busyness ang author!

Anyway, click niyo ulit ang Spotify podcast logo diyan sa baba para mapakinggan niyo ang episode ko with Macho Dancer Evo Martin :) Rate my podcast too.

PS: Yung mga nagbabasa ng Role Play, na-tag as mature ang story. Pati siguro ito- sa tamang panahon. Kapag ganon, alam ko hindi niyo mababasa ang chapter kapag hindi kayo nakafollow. So follow me on Wattpad. 

Thank you!