Act I, Chapter 03C – My arrival in the Philippines
By Pesteng Ahem
I was sitting in the study reading some academic papers when Lala entered to say that the concierge desk at the lobby had buzzed the intercom seeking permission to allow Denise Barbacena and her party to access my floor. I told Lala to inform them that they were expected. She curtsied and left the room to see to her task. I gathered the papers and cleared my desk.
Among the papers was a short biographical sketch prepared by my secretary, the lovely Annika, about my guest for the evening. Denise appeared in a popular local variety show aired on network television and was known as a singer with an impressive vocal range. The 24-year-old stood about 5’4″, weighed about 100 pounds and measured 34B-24-33. She had shoulder-length straight hair dyed a deep brown. Her features were typically Filipino with almond eyes, a small, flat nose and a wide smile. She was quite pleasing to the eyes.
I emerged from the study and made my way to the lounge. I noticed that all the maids were already assembled near the front door. Lala was a ball of energy, jumping up and down in excitement. Frecious was fussing over the uniforms, making sure that nothing was out of place.
The lift chimed its arrival and the maids grew quiet. They could make out the footsteps of a group of people in the foyer approaching the front door.
*DING DONG*
The video console next to the door came to life, showing the face of a large, blonde, gay man. Another screen showed a different view of the party of three. Denise was accompanied by two other people, likely her “handlers”.
“Hello?”
“Hello. This is Frecious. How can I help you?”
“Hello, ma’am. Si Miss Denise Barbacena para kay Professor —–.”
“Just a minute, please.”
Despite hovering right next to the door, Frecious delayed opening it right away. After the passing of about 40 seconds, Ashana and Lala pulled the double doors wide open to present the waiting Frecious to the guests.
The first to walk in was the large gay man. Standing almost six feet tall, her blonde hair in an asymmetric cut with streaks of pink. She wore pink glasses, heavy eye-shadow and mascara. Pink lipstick emphasised her with bulbous lips. She was also quite obese. Wore a denim jacket and stressed jeans. A Louis Vuitton sling bag completed her outfit.
Denise was dressed in a light blazer over a figure-hugging black dress, which came to mid-thigh. Her height was boosted somewhat by the delicate burgundy stiletto heels she wore. A deep purple Prada clutch bag was cradled in her right arm. Denise’s hair and make-up were on point. Her hair was gathered up in a chignon du cou, exposing her nape and shoulders. Gold Oscar de la Renta earrings in the shape of delicate flowers tastefully accentuated her Filipina features.
The final member of the trio was a smaller pre-op transsexual man who was dressed casually in a white t-shirt and cargo shorts. He sported a buzz cut and wore gold sunglasses. He carried a large backpack and had two mobile phones peeking from his belt bag. He clutched a third while rummaging from a small sling bag. It was clear that this chap was the most junior of the trio.
“Welcome, Miss Barbacena, sir, ma’am. May we take your jackets?” Frecious motioned to Ashana and Lala, who were standing on either side of the guests.
Ashana stood behind Denise to help take off her blazer. Denise stepped back to reveal the entirety of her dress. The backless outfit had a neckline that plunged to the bottom of her breastbone. The small portions of cloth covering her tits were secured together by a thin loop of cloth around her neck. That her tits were swinging free was evident by the amount of side-boob that was on show. The dress was cinched in the waist and ended a few inches above the knee. The light material flowed as she walked. If it weren’t for the breast tape, it would be quite scandalous.
All five of the others — the maids and Denise’s two companions — took a moment to admire her form. Denise took it all gamely with a tiny smile on her lips.
“Wow, ang ganda niyo po, ma’am Denise,” Lala said. “Pwedeng pong magpalitrato?”
“Oo, naman.”
“Eeeeee!” Lala squealed, handing Ashana her mobile phone. The rest of the group moved from the frame. Lala stood next to Denise. Denise drew her closer, put her arm around her, and put on a big smile. Ashana took six photos as Lala and Denise played for the camera. (They showed me the pictures a few days later.)
Frecious cleared her throat and Lala and Ashana composed themselves. “Nasa lounge si Professor. Dito po ang daan,” said Frecious. The guests followed her as Ashana and Lala put away Denise’s blazer and proceeded to the kitchen.
Frecious led them through the hall and to the left. She stopped at the entrance to the lounge and announced the guests. “Professor, si Miss Denise Barbacena at ang kanyang mga kasama.”
I got up from my seat to greet the trio. “Thank you, Frecious. Welcome, everyone. Please make yourselves at home. Will you be drinking red or white wine tonight?”
“Water lang po sa akin,” said the blonde. Buzz Cut asked for a glass of Sprite. “Red wine, please,” Denise said.
“A woman after my heart,” I said, as Frecious left to prepare the drinks.
“Welcome, welcome. I am Professor —–.” I extended my hand to the blonde woman.
“Pleased to meet you, Sir. Ako si Gwenda. Nag-usap kami ng sekretarya ninyo na si Annika.” Gwenda took my hand in a limp handshake.
I smiled at Gwenda. “Oo. Nagusap kami kanina. May ipinapaasikaso ako sa kanya kaya’t wala siya ngayon. Darating sa susnod na linggo galing sa Niyusiland ang mga kagamitan at kasangkapan para sa laboratoryo na itatayo namin. May mga kausap siyang opisyal ng Bureau of Customs ngayon.”
That’s a laugh, I thought. If what I suspected was true, right this minute Annika was most certainly riding my driver’s cock in the back seat of the SUV, while screaming his name at the top of her lungs.
“Mabait si ma’am Annika,” Buzz Cut said in a small voice. I turned to him and offered my hand. “I agree, Mr…”
“Chris na lang po.” He took my hand and shook it.
“I agree, Chris. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.”
I turned to Denise and offered my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms Barbacena. You look stunning tonight.”
Denise smiled broadly as she shook my hand. “Thank you, Sir. Galing po kami sa studio, so nagpaayos ako doon ng buhok at meykup.”
“Ay naku, Sir, kanina pa ‘yan nagpapaganda,” Gwenda teased. Denise jabbed her in the belly. Chris laughed at the exchange.
“Well, I’m sure that they didn’t have to do much more to improve on your natural beauty.” I motioned for her to take a seat next to me. Denise crossed her legs, causing her dress to rise and expose more of her thigh. She carefully adjusted her top so that her tits wouldn’t spill out. Gwenda sat across from us and Chris took a seat at the side.
“Kailan po kayo dumating?” Denise asked.
“Kararating ko lang kaninang hapon galing sa Thailand. Mas matagal pa ang biyahe mula sa NAIA.”
“Ano po ang work ninyo?” Gwenda asked.
“Isa akong saykayatrista. Nagpraktis ako sa Estados Unidos, Reyno Unido, Alemanya at Australya, bago ako tumuloy sa Niyusiland. May isa akong malaking laboratoryo sa isang pamantasan doon. Kinalap ako ng Trinitas University of the Pacific. Magsisimula ako sa Septiyembre bilang Dean of Student Affairs sa TUP.”
“Wow! Ang dami kong alagang artista doon, Sir,” Gwenda said. “Malapit lang ‘yon sa studio, eh. Mabuti’t may kilala na kami doon na Dean.”
“Let me know how I can help.”
“Sige, Sir.”
The attention of the group turned to Frecious and Lala as they entered the room bearing the drinks. Lala laid out coasters for Gwenda and Chris, as Frecious deposited the beverages onto the coffee table in front of us. Then, Lala handed Frecious a tray with a silver dome. The both of them stood to the side.
“Thank you, ladies,” I said. I raised my glass in front of the group and offered a toast. “To new friends…”
“… and a wonderful evening ahead,” added Denise.
“Cheers!” Glasses clinked in celebration.
“This shiraz is from the Margaret River in Western Australia. The owner is a former patient of mine.”
“It’s very nice,” said Denise.
“Patikim, bes.” Denise passed the glass to Gwenda.
I motioned to Frecious, who approached bearing the silver tray with a dome.
“Before we continue, I have a present for Denise.” Frecious raised the dome to reveal the Burberry package. I took the box and handed it to Denise. “I took the liberty of purchasing something for you from the UK when I was there.” (This was a lie, of course. Annika arranged this on my behalf.)
Chris clapped his hands in delight.
I turned to Gwenda. “I think this is what you and Annika discussed.”
Denise leaned over to give me a kiss. “Thank you, po.”
“My pleasure, Denise. I need to step out for a bit to see to our dinner. Why don’t you open it. You can let me know if I made the correct choice of design.” I rose and left the lounge followed by Frecious and Lala.
The package contained a wallet from the latest summer line of Burberry. Inside the wallet was Denise’s 300,000 peso “talent fee” for her services this evening. My departure from the lounge was a meant to give the trio the privacy to consider the exchange without embarrassment. It was important to keep up the appearance that this was a date and not some cheap hook up in exchange for money.
“Bagong Burberry, bes!” exclaimed Chris. “Ang ganda ng ribbon. Buksan mo, dali!”
The two of them sat down of either side of Denise. Instead of untying the ribbon, Denise gingerly slid the binding to the edge of the box, allowing the package to slip out without unravelling the knot. She handed the ribbon to Gwenda, then lifted box open. Inside was continental leather wallet in metallic silver finish. The front was decorated with a large Gold D-ring. It was quite flashy in an understated sort of way, so unlike the screaming designs of LV or Gucci.
“Oooo. Pang clubbing, bes! Hihihi” giggled Chris.
“Ang ganda,” said Denise. “Ngayon lang ako nakareceive ng gift na ganito.”
“Pahawak,” Gwenda grabbed the wallet from the box without waiting for Denise’s permission.
“Sandali lang. Ako muna.” Denise grabbed it back.
“Medyo mabigat. Parang may laman,” Gwenda said. “Buksan mo.”
Denise undid the D-ring buckle to reveal the wallet’s olive green interior. The lower portion had a noticeable bulge. Denise pulled open the zipper to reveal three sets of bills in bundles of 100,000 pesos.
“Uy, pabuenas!” Chris said. “Kailiangan pa bang bilangin yan?”
“Huwag na. Nakakahiya,” Denise said
“Anong nakakahiya? Business to, mami. Kaya nga umalis si Boss, para hindi tayo mapahiya.”
“O sige, pero bilisan ninyo.” Gwenda and Chris took one bundle each and started to count. Denise took back the wallet and examined its workmanship closely. She took a sip of her wine and started to transfer some cards from her old wallet to this new one. After a few minutes, the two handlers confirmed that the amount was exactly what was agreed. By this time, Denise had emptied her old wallet and deposited it into the gift box. She handed the box to Chris, who placed the box and ribbon into his backpack. Denise placed the new wallet into her purse.
The two handlers returned to their seats and awaited my return.
“Dadaan tayo sa Okada mamaya, bes,” Gwenda said to Chris.
“Sige! Sasabayan natin ang pagkamartir ni Den mula sa kasino. Hihihihi!”
“Hoy, bakla! Hindi ako martir; I’m an actress!”
“Hihihi!”
The sound of laughter from the lounge was enough evidence for me that the handlers had discovered the cash. I chose this time to return to the group.
“Do you like the gift, my dear?”
“It’s perfect.” She opened her purse and pulled out the wallet. “See, I’ve already transferred my things into it. Thank you, again, Sir.” She leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Mauuna na po kami, Dean,” said Gwenda.
“Ok. Frecious will show you out. Let her know if you need a cab and we can organise one for you.”
“Hindi na po. Magga-Grab na lang kami.”
I rose to give Gwenda a hug and Chris a handshake. “I’ll take good care of Denise,” I said.
“… and I know she’ll take good care of you, Boss,” Gwenda said, smiling widely and giving Denise a hug and kiss, but not before Denise jabbed him in the belly. I pushed the button to summon Frecious, who emerged momentarily and led Gwenda and Chris away as Denise and I remained standing.
After they stepped out of the room, I turned to Denise. “It’s clear those two take good care of you.”
“Opo. Matagal ko na po manager si Gwenda. Si Chris ay pinsan niya.”
I was admiring Denise’s face. She had the type of features that seemed rather average at first gl…