PROLOGUE

~THE SEDUCTION'S GAME~

GUIECO CLAN SERIES 3

•KENSHANE GUIECO•

_____________________

"K-Kenshane," Jelai stammered as she noticed me standing straight, my face expressionless, while I fixed my gaze on her and my one-year boyfriend, Hance.

Hance hastily stood up, causing the woman who had been sitting on his lap just two seconds ago to almost fall.

"S-Shane, w-what are you doing here?" Nagkanda-utal pa ang loko, halatang may kalokohang ginawa, eh.

"Do I need to answer your question, hon?"

Sinadya kong diinan ang endearment namin sa isa't-isa. Mula sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakita kong napalunok-laway pa si Jelai.

No matter where you find yourself on this planet, a history of infidelity remains a persistent presence, leaving an indelible mark. Whether you reside in the Philippines or right here in the bustling streets of New York City.

"I mean... L-Let me explain," pagpapatuloy pa ni Hance gamit ang cliche na linyahan ng mga manloloko.

'Are you truly going to explain or defend yourself, you idiot?!' That's the phrase I wanted to say, but I restrained myself. I won't stoop to their level.

Mapait na natawa na lang ako at napahigpit ang kapit sa hawak kong folder. Ang totoo ay gusto ko silang dalawang gamitan ng secret agent skills ko at pagbali-baliin ang kanilang mga buto pero sa nasabi ko na, hindi ko sisirain ang buhay ko dahil sa kanila.

'Na busy lang ako sa research paper ko ay nagawa na akong ipagpalit ng buteteng ito sa pangit na so-called best friend ko?! Wow!'

Tama nga naman iyong nabasa ko. Kung sino pa iyong pinagkakatiwalaan natin nang husto ay siya pang magtataksil sa atin sa oras na hindi natin aakalain.

"Kenshane..."

"No, Jelai, you don't need to explain everything to me. I doubt I'd comprehend any explanation, and I'm uncertain about the veracity of what you're saying. Let's just put this behind us..."

"Right? This was just a mistake, Shane," Hance chimed in, gently moving Jelai aside. "I love..."

"And let's erase any memory of the three of us knowing each other. I'll forget that you were my boyfriend, Hance, and my best friend, Jelai," I continued.

"If that's what you want, okay! You're always busy, juggling studies and everything else! I can't blame myself for falling for your friend!" Hance suddenly retorted to me. This American guy sure has some nerve!

Is there genuinely no fresh excuse that men who cheat can come up with these days? I mean, why do they persistently fall back on women's busy lives as an alibi for their infidelity, even though that's been the circumstance from the outset?

You entered a relationship with her, fully cognizant of her demanding schedule, and you even vowed to be supportive no matter how busy she was. Yet, in the end, that's the justification you lean on for your unfaithful behavior. Does that even hold water?

"Ah, really? Honestly, I feel sorry for you as well. Because, like other college girls in our school, I've fallen for that hot and handsome guy too."

Itinuro ko pa ang supladitong heartthrob ng campus. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay siya si Faller Coleman. Siya kasi ang nahahagip ng aking paningin mula sa aking kinatatayuan.

"And believe me, Hance, he'll be my next boyfriend. I'll make sure you regret cheating on me, you jerk!"

Pagkasabi ko niyon ay agad kong iniwan ang dalawa. Walang lingong-likod na lumabas ako ng G-Bar at umuwi ng bahay.

Kaagad kong tinawagan ang tito kong bakla na siyang may-ari ng G-Bar. Mabuti na lang at kaagad nitong sinagot ang aking tawag.

"Oh, how's my lovely niece doing, huh?" he inquired.

"Do you know Faller Coleman, right?" I asked in an emotionless tone.

"Ah, wait... Oh, yeah, that hot and famous guy at your school, right? He's one of my VIP members at G-Bar. Why do you ask?" he added, recalling the individual in question.

Yeah, that's correct. We're of legal age to enter such a place, anyway."

"Yes, I heard he's your friend's son, right? I need him to help me get back at my cheating ex-boyfriend. Can you help me?"

"Get back...what?! Wait, are you saying that you're going to use Faller Coleman to get revenge on your ex, Hance Miller?" he sought clarification. I couldn't help but grin.

'This is going to be exciting.'

"I'll take that as a yes, Uncle, or else I'll tell Daddy to shut down your bar..."

"This pretty brat! Alright, fine. I'll arrange for you to meet him as soon as possible."

Pinatay ko na ang tawag at tinawagan naman ang President ng Drama Club namin sa school.

"Hey, Pretty Kenshane?" Brianna greeted. "Why did you call me so late?"

"I'm your cousin, right?" I asked seriously.

"Yeah, of course. My favorite one here in New York. What do you need? Make it quick; we're in the middle of a rehearsal..."

"Remove Jelai from your club."

"Jelai? Jelai Smiths? Your best friend? I can't just remove her. She's one of the best aspiring actresses..."

"Or I'll report to Aunt Kathy that something happened between you and your ex-boyfriend..."

"Fine! This brat!"

'Sinira mo ang tiwala ko, Jelai kaya sisirain ko rin ang pangarap mo.'

Lumabas ako ng aking kwarto matapos kong patayan ng tawag ang aking pinsan. Saktong kakapasok palang din ni Daddy.

"Dad!"

"Oh, anak?" nakangiti nitong sabi.

"Dad, tatanggapin pa naman ako sa Guieco Clan, 'di ba? I mean, gusto kong umuwi ng Pilipinas pagkatapos ng school year na ito," deklara ko. Third year college pa lang naman ako next school year. Hindi pa ako mahihirapang mag-transfer ng school sa Pilipinas.

Napakurap-kurap pa muna sila ni Mommy, parang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Ang totoo kasi ay ayaw kong maging secret agent katulad nila at ng mga pinsan ko. Nag-training lang din ako dahil required iyon sa family namin at para self-defense na rin kung kinakailangan.

Iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit pagkatapos kong grumaduate ng high school ay dito na ako sa N.Y nag-college— para takasan ang buhay na gano'n pero mukhang doon lang din naman ang bagsak ko ngayon bagay na ikinakagalit ko pa.

"Uhm, welcome ka anytime doon, 'nak. Bakit? Nagbago na ba ang isip mo?" tanong ni Daddy na mababakas ang kasiyahan sa kanyang tono.

"After school year? That's two month from now, right?" usisa ni Mommy.

Tumango naman ako. "Yeah, book niyo na rin po ako ng ticket," walang emosyon kong sabi at pumasok uli ng kwarto.

Two months is the perfect window to pull off the game I've got in mind.

Napapitlag ako nang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Text iyon galing sa tito ko.

[ TITO BAKS:

They have a family outing tomorrow at Trizzéi Beach Resort. ]

Oh, perfect! We're also going there. See you there, Mr. Hot Guy, Faller Coleman!