Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 33

Chapter 33

Why am I even still here? I'm done with my work here but why do I find these blinding lights interesting? Those people who're far from my typical kind of people seems so alive? The noise seems to calm me down and the loud music was like a long lost friend to my ears?

Maybe because I lived a year of my life going in and out of a noisy crowds. Witnessed them get high and do their things just on one corner and nobody cares about that unless you die. They'll be like gossiping about how bad of a person you are when you where still alive.

My familiarity with these things makes me comfortable now.

"Oh, Cassie! You're here! It's maybe my luck now!"

"Hey," I greeted casually.

"Having a good night?"

Umupo siya sa bakanteng stool sa tabi ko.

I nodded my head a bit and shrugged my shoulders.

"So so. Just here for business. What's up?"

It was Pete with his scarf around his neck like how I always saw him in his everyday outfits.

Kahit anong galaw ng mga ilaw ay nakita ko ang mabilis na pagpaypay ng talukap ng mga mata niya. Parang humihingi ng awa sa akin.

Muntik ko pa itong maitulak dahil sa gulat sa bigla niyang paghawak sa mga kamay ko.

"Will you please listen to this desperate bitch right now? I am begging you." he plead.

"O...kay? I think I have some time to spare. What is it?" naguguluhan kong sagot at binawi ang kamay sa hawak nito.

"I'm in need right now..." panimula nito. I looked at him questioningly.

"In need of what? Money? How much?" I asked after he totally got my attention. Wala na ba siyang pera? What happened to his business?

Humagikhik ito at mahina akong pinalo sa balikat. Umiwas ako sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Medyo masakit ang palo niya.

"No, silly you! I am in need of model right now, I mean tomorrow. One of my model broke her ankle while chasing her cheater of a boyfriend." He just said casually like it happens all the time.

Man, I don't get it. Why do people, mostly girls, chase someone who hurt them? Hindi ba sapat na dahilan na sinaktan ka nila para tumigil ka? Because, if that happens to me, once is enough. I can't be stupid repeatedly.

Kasi, yes, nando'n na ako sa point na sobrang mahal nila. Nagmahal lang sila. Pero, required bang humabol at masaktan ng paulit-ulit?

I did liked someone. It's Jin. Almost everyone knows it. He knows it too. I did said I'll go after him but before I could even make a single step, I give up. I realize how unworthy it is. I stopped. I can like him and be hurt without embarrassing me to my self.

Bumalik ako sa realidad nang magmura si Pete sa gilid ko.

"Ugh! Cursed that motherfucker! I'm in trouble because of him. Anyway... I really need a model."

"And...?" kunot-noo ko.

Biglang sumilay ang isang nakakakilabot na ngiti sa mapupula nitong labi dahil sa matte lipstick. He then pouted his lips. Nagpapaawa.

"Help me. Just this one, please. After this I won't bother you again with this model thing-y."

"You know—"

"It's nothing big! It's just a photoshoot and some videos. But believe me dear, it's not for my undergarments collection!"

Umiling ako.