Chapter 6

Fast cars, fast women, fast life. This is the kind of life I've been living since time immemorial. At the age of 27 years old, I pretty got everything money can buy. I got houses, cars, condos, properties here and abroad, yachts and other material things. Name a flashy thing, I have it. I also have expanded my chains of hotels in every part of the country and in other parts of Asian countries. I am also planning to put up branches in Europe. It's a joint program with another Philippine-owned company. I need them because it takes a great maneuver to penetrate their market. The competition there is very tight and upscale. There are more competitors there than here. 

"Mr. Fuentebella, here's your car key." The man who approached me earlier handed me back my keys. I accepted it and put them in my pockets.

"Thanks."

I turned around towards the stairs that leads to the way out of the ground floor of the club. Ah, so much for promising myself to get some good fuck tonight. It all went out on the air when I saw that fierce woman again. And boy, the feeling is explosive. I can’t even take my eyes off of her for a fraction of second. She got me bewitched by watching her move gracefully, my eyes never leaving her dark eyes who could hold a number of secrets. My eyes were only fixated on her and her beauty alone. And when I saw her giving a look at the random guy, I completely lost it. 

I don't want her looking at other men like that. I want her to only look at me with those burning eyes. 

When she found mine, I decided at that instant that she'll be mine. By hook and by crook. I'll have my hand on her. I'll have her for me until I get the satisfaction to quench this unbelievable thirst she has awaken inside me. I'll take her again and again until she screams my name. 

My patience was just a thread’s thin while sitting across her in that dark room, her porcelain-like skin only alights the place. I sniffed her scent and she smells of peaches and cream that I'm more than tempted to get a taste of her but her trembling body stops me from doing so. 

"So the fiery temptress is scared." I smiled at the thought. 

And that smile she made. She has transformed into an angel at that exact moment. 

"What a face and a contradicting personality to match."

"Maverick! Man! Where are you going this early? The fun is just starting! Do you want to miss the final show?"

I stopped on my tracks on the door out when I heard the drunk voice of my pal, Cholo. He is seated on a couch on the side of the club in the middle of two club girls both wearing a dominatrix outfit. His arms were splayed on either side of the waists of the girls while a bottle of liquor was lying on his lap. I remembered Femella's clothes earlier. Thank goodness she wrapped herself carefully. I might have lost all my control over my sanity had I saw her in these same clothes. 

"Man, I better get going. Something came up. Have a wonderful journey in this wonderful place.” I grinned at him as I signaled at the women on his sides.

He just shrugged his shoulders and turned back his attention to his women. You can never make that man look at you twice when he's busy with his women. 

I flashed first the black membership card at the security team and swiped it on the identification machine before going out of the building. I went straight to the parking lot and dive in my car. I switched on the engine and drove away. The thoroughfares are still as busy as the time I passed here hours ago on the way to the club. It doesn’t always happen to me. Usually, I go home on a road of a number of cars with a woman beside me, a bit of drunk and horny. I usually stay in the club until dawn. 

I decelerated my pace before I completely stop the car when the traffic lights went red at the intersection. Red. I remembered Femella's red lips. 

"Shit, man! This is really different!" I leaned on the seat and stared at the glaring fiery red on a distance. My mind drifted to that woman again. I smiled out of nowhere. 

"I'm getting crazy. So so crazy."

I shook my head tentatively then got myself back on the wheel when the lights turned green. A question surge in me. Whoever made the rules in La Vida bidding must have switched the concept of red and green colors. 

"If only they abide to the rules of the traffic lights then that woman must have been in my bed right now."

I reached my hotel in record time. A guard at the entrance was surprise to see me but still greet me nonetheless. I rode the elevator until it opened into the top floor where I am temporarily staying for the night. I don’t want to go home to the mansion or even in my condo for unknown reason. I felt suffocated by my family these days. I want some time alone. 

I opened the door and got in. I switched on the lights then went to the bar. I poured a bottle of my favorite whiskey into the glass and went to the living room. I took off my jacket and t-shirt and threw them on the waiting sofa. Sighing, I swiped the curtains open to see the night sky. The view is magnificent. I sipped on the glass. 

I stared out at the city lights and the skyscrapers. My life ever since has been in a constant pursuit for anything grand. Growing up in a family of achievers only made me hungry for approval. Each day is a competition you need to win. There is no enough time and place for rest. 

"That’s what I don’t like about people like you. You talked as if the world revolves around you. You talked as if we, the commoners, do not have the right to refuse the wishes of the kinds like you because guess what? Something will happen to us if we do. I hate people who impose their beliefs on others and I hate people who force their ways upon people."

"If only you knew, Fem. You will not be saying that."

Taking the last drop of liquor in the glass, I turned back the blinds and the curtains. I walked into the home office and settled myself in the swivel chair. I began to work. I read proposal papers and signed urgent documents. Whoever said I have it easy doesn't know how responsibility works. Sure, power comes with money but I don't exploit it. 

But I will make an exception this time. 

"Fem, Fem, Fem, what are you doing with me? Why do I feel so crazy about you?”

I laughed at myself. It’s been a long time since I have talked to myself loudly. Maybe I should fast track my agenda. Maybe if I finally have her, this could all be stopped and I will go back to the kind of life before that angel-looking-but-sharp-talking woman barged unintentionally in my dreams. 

I closed the laptop and stood up. I need another drink. While pouring myself another glass of liquor, I have come to a conclusion.

"One night. One night is all I need with her then I can go back to being me again."