(Part 2 of 3)
When I finally had the courage I asked, "Ms. Cole, Why…"
She stopped me by saying, "Later, I'll tell you. Just be a good and go with the flow."
One by one, guests have arrived. I was beside Ms Cole greeting them. I was smiling and shaking hands with these people. I looked confident, but deep down inside, I was so nervous. I still could not wrap my head around what's happening.
The party ended early at 7:30 pm. I had expected this. Danny already told me that Ms Cole didn't like long parties especially at night. It was weird, but that's just how she is. Rich people had their quirks, this must be one of hers.
Amazingly, Ms Cole asked me to stay for the night. She told me, she had something to say to me personally. I remembered that Lily's big event would start at 7, so I was eager to go back to the hotel to reach out to my wife. Fortunately, the actual modeling event would not begin until 8:00, as there was still a company dinner and some production numbers. The modeling / auction was the main event, ika nga, so it would happen much later.
The villa was spacious with lots of rooms. I was given a room adjacent to Ms Cole's. It really felt weird that I was getting special treatment from this lady. Thankfully, she promised to explain everything. After I changed into much comfortable clothes, Simone the assistant, knocked on my door. He told me that the lady was asking for me. I followed the old man to a room that looked like a study.
The room had exquisite decoration, and contained lots of books. Ms Cole was holding an old thick book. I saw that it had a crest of a well-known university that looked familiar.
When she saw me arrived, she told me to come sit next to her.
"Roger, you have a striking resemblance to someone I know. That's why I was startled when I saw you yesterday and lost my cool. I didn't want to be mean, but that person is someone I hate. After not seeing him for a long time, I thought he had returned. It flustered me. I apologized." She said sincerely.
Striking resemblance? That could only be my father. When I was young, everyone said I really looked like my father.
"My father?" I asked.
"Arturo Sebastian. That asshole." She nodded.
Yes, Arturo Sebastian is the name of my father. For the first half of my life, I was known as Roger Sebastian, until I had enough of their abuse and ran away. I spent time and money just to have my last name changed to Inganyo- the surname of the old lady who took care of me like a real mother.
Unfortunately, she died before I could graduate. I was not able to give her a better life- a regret that I still carry today.
"How did they treat you? I mean, them, Arturo and his wife."
"Like garbage. Just like you, I hate my father- and also my mother." I said my voice full of suppressed anger.
She nodded her head. "I asked someone to investigate you. It is exactly as you said." Then she opened a page in the book she was holding. There was a picture of a young lady smiling.
"Do you have an idea who this woman is?" She asked.
I shook my head. The face looked unfamiliar.
"Your mother."
"My mother?" I looked at the picture again, frowning deeply. It didn't resemble Cecilia, my mother, Arturo's wife.
"Yes, not Cecilia or whoever that woman your father married. But your real biological mother, Ingrid. She was my bestfriend. She died young."
I was shocked at the sudden revelation. That must be the reason I felt no love from my mother. That's because she was not my mother at all! My father was always too drunk to even clear the matter to me. My heart raced as I looked at the faded image on the book.
So this is Mom?
"Mother…?"
I felt my throat dry up and my eyes moist. I felt a sudden burst of happiness. The woman who treated me so bad all these years was a stranger; That monster was not my mother. Thank goodness. I had a mother and it was not that Cecilia!
"My mom, why did she die?" I asked after I recovered my calm.
"Because of heartache, and because she didn't want to give up on you. So please, don't blame Ingrid for your misfortune as she gave her all just to bring you to this world."
So it meant that she died giving birth to me. My mom. The tears finally came. A knot in my heart was untied. And I felt free. A knot called mother.
After a while I asked her, "What's your relationship with my father?"
"He was my fiance. You may not know this, but Arturo Sebastian came from a great family. Our families arranged a marriage for both Arturo and me. As he was good looking and had brains, I was initially pleased. Too bad he's too horny. He seduced my bestriend and got her pregnant. It created quite a stir back then, eventually, it led to your father being kicked out of the Sebastian family. Ingrid's background was not to be messed either."
"But you my boy is not too bad. You are much better looking than Arturo because you inherited both your parent's positive physical traits. In fact, you have better pedigree than many people your age. After all, you have Sebastian and Ventura in your blood."
"The Ventura is also very evident in your physical features. Your eyes, they're definitely your mother's. You are also tall. I missed your mother. But your father? Bah. I loved and hated him. I loved how he's so good in bed but hated that I couldn't keep him on leash. He's like a dog that's always in heat." She snorted.
So my father used to be a formidable gigolo? A rich, young master? I couldn't put the image of a down-and-out drunkard and that of a dashing young man together.
Ms Cole was my father's former lover. How was that possible? My father is an old, dirty man, while this lady here still looked so young!
She was busy turning the pages of the book, perhaps reminiscing the old times. Therefore, I had the time to look closely at her. For someone in her late forties, I must admit she didn't look her age. Her skin is still soft- not saggy like most elder ladies, but firm. I could only assume that aside from topnotch skin care products, she must have strict exercise regimen.
And with her mixed ancestry, she had that exotic look that could really turn heads around. I realized this lady is a top-of-the-line MILF! An exotic M-I-L-F!
MILF, isa din ito sa genre na paborito kung panoorin sa mga pornsites. MILFs na ginagapang ng mga inlaws nila. MILFs na binarurot ng kanilang co-workers. MILFs na minamanyak sa trains. At MILFs na tinitira ng mga younger men. Younger men- biglang may kung anong mapusok na ideya ang pumasok sa kukote ko. Younger men, na tulad ko?
MILF, MILF, MILF…
I furiously shook my head, trying to deny and erase the lewd ideas that are starting to creep into my mind. Roger! Maghunos-dili ka!
"What's the problem?" She asked when she saw me shaking my head.
"Nothing. I just remembered my wife has an event tonight, but I left my laptop at the hotel so I could not possibly watch. And my phone's screen is just too small." This was a lie I concocted to hide my lewd and embarrassing thought. The fact is I brought my laptop with me, and it's in my room right now.
"No worries. I have computers in this villa. We have big monitors too. I'll have one set-up here. Let's watch together." She called for Simone and immediately workers placed a computer and an LED monitor on the table in front of me.
Another servant came in and brought some bottles of wine. Ms Cole had a bottle opened, and asked everyone to leave the room.
I checked the time. It's already past 8 o clock in the evening. The modeling part of the event should have already started.
I then called Candice. She must have already been waiting for my call. Yesterday, I asked her to secure a permission to livestream the event; as I could not be around to watch the event in person, Ninong David authorized it.
"Boss." I heard Candice's voice at the other end. I asked her for the connection details and logged in using Ms Cole's PC.
Soon, I was seeing the event clearly on the screen. Good thing Candice was using a high-def video camera.
On the stage, the hosts were doing their spiels. I could feel the excitement on the air, as the underwear show was about to begin.
"What is this show about?" Ms Cole asked as she passed me a glass of wine.
"It's an underwear modeling show." I replied while taking a sip of the wine.
"So your wife is among the hosts?"
"No, she is one of the models."
Ms Cole looked at me with surprise in her eyes. Then she smiled, "Now that's interesting."
"Boss, may delay sa show dahil may last minute changes." I heard Candice's voice on my Bluetooth earbuds. While watching the streaming, I was also talking to Candice on the phone.
"Ano pala ang binago?" I asked.
"Tatlong bagay. Una, about sa auction. Yung winning bidder makukuha nya ang underwear na sinuot ng model kung kanino sya nag-bid. Pangalawa, about sa winning bidder. Maaaring mag-request sa modelo to join them in their table, to entertain the guests daw. At ang pang-huli, ito yung pinakamatindi. For the second auction, the winning bidder and the model are given thirty minutes of private time."
Private time? Like silang dalawa lang? Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Candice. "Kaninong idea ba ang bagong rules na yan?"
"Ang sabi-sabi, dahil daw sa isang matronang may tipo sa isang lalaking model natin, si Gab. Two years na employee sa Sales itong si Gab. Gustong gusto daw ito ng matrona kaya naman naisip nyang i-tweak ang rules to her advantage. Kasi nga bigtime investor itong matrona sa bagong project ng company, kaya ayun. Malamang mag bid ito ng malaki kay Gab to earn his private time."
"So do you think matutuloy?"
"Ewan. Yung mga kalalakihang models, wala namang gaanong pagtanggi. Nasa mga babaeng magmomodelo ng underwear ang sigalot. Lalo na si Lily, ayaw nya sa mga binagong patakaran. Eh, yung pagrampa pa naman ng misis mo ang inaabangan ng marami, Boss."
Dumaan pa ang halos bente minuto bago, nag resume ang program. At mula sa bibig ng hosts, ay matutuloy nga ang show! Pero bago nagsimula ang palabas, inintroduce muna ng mga hosts ang special guests. Karamihan ay mga middle-aged na executives sa kilalang firms. May dalawang matronang bilugan ang mukha. Marahil isa sa mga ito yung may tipo kay Gab. Meron ding matabang matanda na ang sabi ay may ari ng maraming hotel chains sa bansa. A very few guests were on their thirties, and said to be heirs of some known companies.
Pagkatapos ng introduction, ay pinakilala na isa-isa ang mga modelo. Mga lalaki muna lahat, then afterwards mga babae naman. Overall, may 10 female at 10 male models. May dalawang rounds, yung pinaka una ay yung sporty underwear ang sinuot nila.
Magaganda ang mga babaeng nag modelo ng iba't ibang underwear. Malaking kumpanya nga naman, at maraming young interns. Isa nga yata si misis sa mga ilang older at married ones na rumampa, pero dahil petite ito at maamo ang mukha, parang sobrang bata pa rin ng itsura.
When she came out, she was wearing the yellow sporty undies that I had her put on last time we talked on webcam.
"There, that's my beautiful wife." I pointed out.
Ms Cole nodded and agreed with me. "You're lucky. Your wife has a great body that matches her face."
Dinig na dinig ko ang hiyawan ng mga boys ng lumabas ang asawa ko. Sabay sa ritmo ng tugtugin, naglakad si Lily sa catwalk, huminto sa may gitna, umikot once, then naglakad pabalik.
Good. Wholesome ang approach ng asawa ko. Hindi naman talaga marunong maglakad na parang modelo ng asawa ko, pero mukhang inaral nya talaga ano gagawin sa entablado.
Sabi nya ng huli naming pag-usapan ang event, "For you Babe, gusto kong maging proud ka."
Too bad, hindi ako natuloy na makauwi. Eh di sana damang-dama ko ang excitement ng live audience. Tulad ng hiyawan ng mga kalalakihan. Siguradong pinagpapantasyahan nila ang asawa ko. Kahit andito ako at malayo, may dalang kiliti at excitement sa akin kahit iniisip ko lang.
After ng first set, isa isang tinawag ang mga modelo sa entablado, at nagsimula na ang "bidding." Dahil nga "for a cause" naman dapat ang proceeds ng auction, wala sanang dapat tension, pero dahil sa last minute changes, naging parang mainit ang tagpo sa bidding.
Maiuuwi nga naman ng mga nanalong bidder ang used underwear ng mga modelo. Tuwang-tuwa siguro ng mga pervert na may pera sa audience.
Tulad ng inaasahan isang mayamang matrona nga ang nag-bid doon sa Gab. P50K agad, at wala nang ibang nag-bid pa.
At ang pinakahuling tinawag ay ang asawa ko. Halata sa mukha ng asawa ko na uneasy ito, pero dahil sport, ay nagbigay pa rin ito ng matipid na smile sa audience habang suot nga nya ang yellow sporty undies.
Mainit agad ang bidding sa simula pa lang. Ako rin, remotely nag-bid. Inutusan ko si Candice na magbid for me- hanggang P100K sabi ko ay mag bid sya, and I would pay for it electronically.
"You need my help, Roger?" Alok ni Ms Cole nang na realize nyang may bidding na nagaganap.
Nahihiya naman akong tanggapin ito. At isa pa gusto kung ako mismo maglabas ng pera for my wife.
"Thanks Ms Cole, but no need." I said with confidence.
She just shrugged her shoulders and continued to watch.
When the bidded amount reached P40K, I told Candice to begin.
"Fourty-five thousand!" Sigaw ni Candice. Nagulat naman ang misis ko nang marinig na mag-bid si Candice for her. I saw my wife's expression light up when she saw the video camera in Candice's hands. She must have realized it was me who requested Candice to bid.
I saw her look in the camera and with a radiant smile mouthed the words "Thank You, Babe!"
I felt my heart melt, seeing my wife's grateful smile. In spite of myself, I felt myself blush like a highschool boy who had just been given a kiss by the school belle. Natawa si Ms Cole sa reaksyon ko.
Everyone must have realized that Candice represented Lily's husband. Most of the audience were people who have heard of me the husband, so wala nang nag-attempt mag bid pa. Respeto na rin siguro. I felt reassured na wala na nga sigurong mag-aattempt pa. Si Lily naman, parang nabunutan ng tinik sa stage.
I know what she was thinking, it would be embarrassing to have other guys take home her used undies, kahit ilang sandali lang niya itong naisuot.
The host already started counting when somebody shouted: "One hundred thousand for that girl's underwear!" Sabay tawa ng malakas.
Exactly at that moment, I saw my wife's expression changed. Namula ito at parang natulala sandali. Because of the distance, I couldn't see it clearly but I swear my wife's hands trembled for a while.
"Who was that?" I asked Candice.
"Boss, It was one of the VIPs, an old fat man." Candice pointed the camera to the side. There were cubicle-like spaces reserved for VIPs, and in that particular spot, an old dark man was tapping the table that's already full of all sorts of liquor. Ewan kung lasing na ito pero parang ang ingay nya.
May mga kasama pa itong dalawang lalaki, na halos ka-edad nya.
The hosts were clearly surprised by the turn of events. P100K is not a small amount. But afterwards they started counting, so I had to tell Candice to bid "P105K," which she did.
The old man simply shouted P200K like it was nothing.
I was shocked. Why is this guy willing to pay that much? I saw my wife's nasty expression. Even if I wanted to bid more, I couldn't anymore. How hopeless. Ang yabang ko kasi. I looked at Ms Cole, she was sitting there nonchalantly. I wanted to say, "Can you let me borrow money?" but I was too embarrassed. I just refused her help a moment ago.
Due to my hesitation, the countdown ended. The old man won. He was so ecstatic, that he practically went to the stage and grabbed my wife by the hand, and led her to the backstage. Even the hosts were shocked. But being professionals at their work, they covered the strange thing that happened with their spiels.
Without telling her what to do, Candice was very quick at her feet, she ran and went to the backstage via another path. She was still holding the camera. She managed to get a record of the old man's back as it disappeared inside one of the rooms backstage. It was one of the more secluded rooms there. The room was closed right after the old man got in.
"Nasaan si Lily?" I asked.
"Sorry Boss, hindi ko na naabutan."
Naghintay si Candice sa labas ng mga 5 minutes pa, nang hindi pa bumukas ang pinto, I told her to knock on the door. Lumapit ito at kumatok sa pinto. Mga tatlong beses niya itong ginawa bago may nagsalita sa loob.
"S-sandali lang," someone said inside the room. It was a woman's panicky voice. Parang si Lily, pero para ring hindi.
I told her to keep watch at the door, but to do it secretly. So she found a hidden spot and aimed the camera at the door. Mga another 5 minutes pa ulit ang lumipas bago bumukas ang pinto at mula dito lumabas ang matandang nanalo sa bid na nakangisi.
Tumingin ulit sa loob ng room at tumawa, then sinarado nya ang pinto bago umalis.
Nasa loob ba ng room si Lily?
Parang naisip rin ni Candice ang nasa isip ko dahil balak sana nyang puntahan ang room pero dumating na ang ilang incharge sa show at pinaalis si Candice sa backstage.
Bumalik si Candice sa dating pwesto nya pero ang video camera nya nakatutok na sa area kung nasaan masayang nakikipag-inuman ang matanda sa dalawang kasama nya. Incidentally, may hawak hawak na itong underwear na yellow na minsan ay inaamoy-amoy pa nito.
'His name is Bob. A known pervert among rich and influential men. May ari ng maraming hotel chains sa Pilipinas." Wika ni Ms Cole sa tabi ko.
More than the revelation, I was shocked that Ms Cole can speak Filipino.
"Of course, I can, my grandma's pinay." She revealed. I thought her Asian heritage was from other Asian countries.
"Mag-ingat kamo ang asawa mo dyan kay Bob. I hope he just fancies her at the moment and is not targeting her. I heard many disturbing things about that man."
"Disturbing? Like what?" Tanong kong nakakunot ang noo.
"He has a harem made up of married women. He only keeps beautiful women, and your wife is obviously very attractive."
Kinabahan ako sa narinig ko. Naisip ko agad si Lily. Okay ka lang, Babe?
May intermission song numbers after ng first set. So medyo wala masyadong nangyayari sa entablado.
Then, sumalang ulit ang mga modelo for the second and final set. This time, mas revealing na ang mga underwear. Introduction ng mga hosts ay "intimate fantasy line" daw na lingerie items ang ibibida.
Naka focus lang ako sa asawa ko. When Lily came out, she was wearing a pair of red laced bra and panties. Again, litaw na litaw na naman ang alindog ni Lily. Mas revealing nga ang cut ng underwear nya. Bakit parang halos hubad na sa paningin ko si Lily? Grabe naman ang underwear na suot nya. Hindi magkamayaw sa tuwa ang audience. May mga sumipol pa. May mga nag-attempt pa na kunin ang attention ni Lily sa hiyaw nila.
Pero this time, iba na ang aura ng asawa ko. Seryoso ang mukha nito at hindi na nag-e-smile. Parang naglakad lang ito ng mabilis at bumalik agad. Halatang wala na itong gana.
When the bidding came, again, Lily was the last to be called on stage. But this time, Lily was already wearing a casual dress. She was holding a plastic bag that I believe contains the red underwear. I could feel the audience's disappointment.
The old man didn't seem to care. His bid was outrageous on the get-go: P250K. I saw the guy smirked, like he knew that he had already won.
"This time, do you need my help, Roger?" I heard Ms Cole's offer once more.
I swallowed hard, and as I was about to accept her help, I heard someone shout P251K in the audience. His voice was obviously furious and he was looking at Bob. The voice belonged to our ninong David. He was staring intently at Bob, like he was warning him.
I could see Bob smiled awkwardly, like a defeated fighter he tried to duck away, almost like his neck shriveled. But he didn't attempt to bid higher until the counting expired. On the stage, I saw my wife ran down and hugged ninong David in relief. Her shoulders were trembling, obviously she was crying. Ninong was saying something to my wife while patting her back.
I felt deep sadness envelop me. I also felt that I let my wife down, big time. I just clutched my head looking at the floor. If I was there, would I be able to help her or prevent this pervert from setting his sights on my wife?
"Boss… Boss?" I heard Candice on my ears again.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Do you still want me to follow your wife and video tape everything?"
"Asan na sya?"
"With Sir David, I think they already went out of the venue."
"That will be all Candice. Thank you."
"No problem, Boss. Don't worry, nothing bad happened. Sir David was there po. Goodnight Boss."
And the call got disconnected. Para akong na depressed bigla. "Sir David was there." Yan ang sabi ni Candice. It was meant to comfort me, pero parang ang lungkot naman ang dating noon sa akin?
Parang the husband was so useless. Me, I was so useless. Suddenly, I wanted to go home to be with my wife. I stood up, a bit frantic, and told Ms Cole that I'm going back to the hotel.
"Why the rush?" She asked.
"M-my wife. I need to be by her side." I answered.
"No, it's already late. Stay here. Call your wife, and first day tomorrow you can fly to the Philippines." She made me calm down. Clutching my head once more, I sat back down on the couch.
Ms Cole gave me a glass of wine. I took it and drank it all in one gulp. Then another, and another, and another.
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(Continuation below)