"Next week, we will be welcoming visitors to the island. Women guests from the Mainland," the old man starts.

"That old man is Dakila, right?" Aian asks.

Laya nods. "Yes, the only one."

I look at Laya. "Visitors? Does that mean that we can also leave the island?"

Laya only frowns at my question. "You--"

"In that regard, I would like all your cooperation to show them the utmost hospitality," Dakila continues.

I look back at Laya. "So?" I prod him for an answer.

"That means, my dear Jade, that the Rajah will be choosing his wife from the visitors," Laya answers.

"Is this the first time they invited women to the island?" Aian asks, alert as ever, despite the drinks I give him.

"No," Laya answers. "I think this is the third time that Dakila invited women."

"That would be tiring for everyone involved," Aian comments and smirks.

"The women also love the island and they like the Rajah. That's why they volunteered anyway."

"And the Rajah?"

"He didn't like the set of women who came before. Moreover, he never agreed to the meet-ups."

"He doesn't like women?"

"Oh, he likes them alright. He even got issues with the Hirayan women before, that is before Bagwis started to limit his sexual activities."

"Then, what's wrong with the mainland women?" I cut in.

"See for yourself when they arrive."

"I bet they're flawlessly pretty and thin," I say.

"And why did you say that?"

"Your Rajah seems to like women who are average looking and those with a bit of flesh on them," I say as I point at the Rajah and make circling gestures, trying to box him in a particular stereotype. "You should choose Mainland women like that to be able to get a good match with him."

Laya smiles down at me. "And what's your proof for that?"

I grin. "You just said he got involved with the Hirayans but didn't choose anyone from the Mainland."

"And?"

"Did you properly look at your Hirayan women? They're pretty but not the clean, flawless type." I reach for my glass but misses it causing it to spill. Damn, I'm drunk. I reach for the pitcher and pour myself another glass of lambanog. "Migo mentioned this before, they're all..."

I look at Migo and wait for him, prodding him to answer, "sexy, curvaceous," he adds.

"See, listen to our resident pervert."

"Hey!" Migo complains.

"And you know I am correct. Not one of those mainland women fits my description."

"Still, that--" Laya says, unconvinced.

"Ah! You more need proof?" I stand up and gulp down another glass of lambanog. "Watch and I'll prove it."

I walk unsteadily towards the Rajah. He's already surrounded by women, and Bagwis is frowning at his side, especially since half of the women fit my description. If only these are his matchups, he might have chosen someone already. I reach the platform and climb clumsily, even the dais seems to be spinning.

At the corner of my eyes, I see Isagani chokes on his drink when he sees me coming towards the Rajah. He might have thought that I was about to ask him for library access. But I can still wait so I won't ask him for that, at least, not yet.

Then, I intentionally trip at one of the women's skirts and I fall face first at their feet. I am wearing a loose blouse and a fitted wrap-around skirt, like the one Mayumi wears a lot. I look up and Rajah Sinagtala's attention shifts towards me. I kneel before him and peer at him through my lashes. Deliberately, I let my blouse fall, baring a bit of my shoulders. I look at him, two girls are sitting on each of his legs and are hugging him.

They seem like a television scene in a nightclub. Although, the man in question is not some obese, sweaty, tobacco-smelling, old politician. I always feel sorry for those girls whenever I watch teleseryes, but these are lucky bitches in front of me. This might be the only time I'd like to be in it too.

So, I bow at him, and say, "May I join the other women, sir?"

Rajah Sinagtala laughs. Hopefully, he will think that I am fully influenced by the drink. Well, that's true too, but half of the reason is the bet against Laya. Besides, there's a reason they call it liquid courage and not liquid amnesia.

Then, he withdraws from the other two girls and beckons me to come closer. I stand up but realize that I am, in reality, unsteady on my feet. The spinning is worse now. I watch the two women stand up and leave their places. Then one of the women, who's leaving, tries to trip me. I see it, but I let her. Who would not get annoyed? Even I will be frustrated if I'm in her shoes.

So, I let myself fall, face first on the Rajah. My face hits his hard stomach and my chest presses on his crotch. I use my wobbly arms and lift myself and then, I lean towards him. When my mouth is inches away from his ears, he does not push me away, so I whisper, "I want you, inside of me."

Then I withdraw and unabashedly look at his face. God, he's handsome. He has a celestial nose, long eyelashes, clean-shaven, straight, black hair that falls to his shoulders, a putong wrapped around his hair and he smells nice too.

But important matters first, so I look straight into his eyes. I wet my lips and watch as his eyes shift to it. The effect is immediate. The look he gives me is the same as the Hirayan who asked to please me moments ago. My eyes linger on his mouth which is slightly open. I smile at his reaction to me. When he's about to reach for my chin, I stand up, almost stumbling in the process.

In actuality, I do want to stay, but I notice Isagani standing up and coming towards us. I give the Rajah another drunken smile, leave the platform and return to our table.

When I come back, Laya's mouth is open and so I say, "Told you so. Now you know, what kind of women to get for your Rajah."

"Our--" he chokes. "Our Rajah," he corrects.