His Punishment (7 page)

But then her eyes lit up when she
remembered Lyn and Christian. Since their relationship is still a secret, she
thought she’d just bring Lyn to the Grad Ball with her. Christian is also
graduating with her and she feels it’s impossible that he would bring a date
with him aside from her best friend. But she was sure Christian would not ask
her yet because they are still mum about their relationship.

The perfect plan was formed in her
mind. She went out of the class and dialed.

“Hon, where you at?” Tara said once
Lyn answered her call. She knew she is with Christian at the moment as he isn’t
in their class.

“We didn’t go to the mall as other
kids might see us there. We’re just in a restaurant nearby,” she said.

“Oh, would you mind if I’ll be
third wheel today? Just for today. I have a very brilliant plan for you and
Christian for Grad Ball.” Tara told her.

“Hmmm… naturally I would say no,
but I want to hear your idea. Come spring up.” Lyn invited her and gave her
address to where they are.

***

“Hon, here are your key cards.”
Tara handed them to Lyn.

Tara’s parents are members of this
hotel so they have perks and one of those is discounts on the published room
Rates. She booked the suite for her and Lyn. Her plan is to go to the ball with
her.

Christian is still hesitant about
her plan. Tara thought that she could talk to him during the ball and somehow
“introduce” Lyn to him and he can have a couple dances with her so it won’t be
too obvious. The point is they will get a chance to be together at Christian’s
graduation ball.

Of course the suite reserved for
Tara and Lyn comes with the plan. The suite has two bedrooms. The lovers now
officially going steady could have their privacy in the other room. Tara’s only
note is to keep it down for her to not hear any sound.

Christian already told his friends
including James of course that he is checking in at the hotel so they won’t ask
him to go out somewhere or stay too late at the bar afterwards. Tara and Lyn
also had plans of taking a few shots after the party to celebrate her upcoming
graduation in two weeks.

“Miss, can you keep the keycard for
someone? His name is Christian Aquino and he will be here in an hour to get the
keys from you.” Tara heard Lyn say as she hands the keycard to the girl at the
reception.

“Okay Ma’am,” the friendly
receptionist replied.

The two girls are both excited.
Tara’s helper is trailing behind them bringing their gowns and her driver is
carrying her make up kits. They are both used to putting on make-up and fixing
their hair. They love getting fixed up. They even enrolled in some basic
courses for personal make up application.

They are in their room and her
helper and driver left the two already. They are so excited to shower and get
dressed for the ball that’s happening in five hours.

***

Tara and Lyn entered the ballroom
at seven pm after they registered.

Both of them are wearing black
evening gowns. Lyn’s gown is a simple Grecian style long evening gown. Tara was
complaining that her dress is too simple for the occasion but she resisted in
wearing something fancier than she is wearing. She explains that it is not
actually her graduation ball and she doesn’t want to overpower the other kids.

Tara on the other hand is wearing a
classy black tube dress. The top of which is black printed lace on champagne
inner lining and the bottom is plain black silk that hugs her slim waist and
curvy hips. She opted to match her dress with subtle black smoky eyes like Kim
Kardashian’s and very red lipstick like Anne Curtis’. Her hair is up but some
soft curls dangling on her face and shoulders.

They noticed a couple guys stare at
them as they entered the ballroom looking so elegant and sexy.

“Hi,” one guy from the soccer team
approached them quickly.

“Hi.” Tara said before she eyed
Christian looking possessively over Lyn. She can sense that he is not happy at
the way the soccer player is eyeing his girl friend.

Tara smiled at him and waved for
him to come near. It’s safe to say that they are friends since they are
classmates and they talked a couple times at class already. It would just look
like she’s introducing her best friend to him for the first time.

When he came near the girls, Tara
interrupted the soccer player who she can see is desperately trying to flirt
with her best friend.

“Christian, this is Lyn, my best
friend. Lyn, this is Christian.”

“Hi.” Christian shook hands with
Lyn and smiled. Immediately, the varsity left and felt ashamed as they did not
introduce themselves to him when he approached them.

Tara looked over the place where
Christian left and skimmed through the guys there.

“Looking for someone?” he teased
her when he noticed that her neck started stretching out like a giraffe’s.

“Not really. Just checking who’s
here.” She shrugged not wanting to admit that she was looking for James.

They all started walking towards
the other basketball superstars, all Christian’s friends. She didn’t see any
sign of James. They were all towering above her and Lyn though they were
wearing three inch stilettos.
So it’s quite impossible that James goes
unnoticeable. He is simply not here.

“You look beautiful babe.” Tara
heard him whisper to Lyn.

 “Shhhhh . . .” half turning back
at them, “save those cheesy words for later when you’re alone!”

“Dude! You’re late!” she heard Paco,
their friend say.

Who’s late?
Tara glanced
back and instantly saw a giant smiling at his friends then looked down on her
and his smile faded.

She felt the sudden rush on every
vein in her body. She can feel her cheeks are becoming hotter because the way James
is staring at her makes it difficult for her to breathe. She swallowed the lump
that started forming in her throat.

His jaw is tensed and is squarely
framing his face. His glowing hungry eyes are keenly eyeing every inch of her.

She feels like she’s shining like a
diamond from the way he’s staring at her, especially now when she’s seeing him
looking down her dress. She knows her dress is a bit sexy as it is hugging her
figure and exposing a little of her white breast.

James is wearing a tux like Chace
Crawford’s. Black suit, black tie and gray long-sleeved polo with white collar.
He looked so ruggedly handsome with those delicious kissable lips.
Tara
shivered at her thoughts. It dawned on her a couple days after she arrived from
Boracay how she missed James’ lips on hers. Though it was the roughest kiss she
has encountered she wanted him to kiss her again badly. But hoping the next
would be passionate.

“I will just get some drinks for
us.” Christian interrupted their staring contest.

James looked at Christian and saw
him with Tara’s best friend, he extended his hand.

“James.” he said introducing
himself.

“Lyn.” she offered her hand back.

“You want some drinks?” James
looked back at Tara and asked.

She looked around James for the
first time checking if he came alone.

“I don’t have a date,” he said as
if sensing what she’s looking around for. “You don’t have one either, I suppose?”

“Yes. I mean none.” Tara said.

“Let me escort you for the night
then.” He said and took Tara’s hand and guided her to the cocktail tables
before she could even refuse.

The graduation ball is in full
swing. Tara is having a good time. James has asked her to dance two times
already, and he was beside her all the time. They were talking and chatting
like they were in Samal.

She feels their tension is gone for
now. He did not mention anything that happened in the parking lot. And she is
not thinking about it this time. They were just having a good time as this
would be one of the last parties they would be attending as students.

Christian and Lyn are having a good
time as well. James is having a hint that Christian likes Lyn, but he still
doesn’t know that it has been going on for a while. Tara was looking at James
while he’s looking at their best friends.

He seems happy looking at them, but
there is something in his eyes that speaks of envy. Tara felt sad for him. He
probably misses Rhea.

And speaking of the slutty bitch,
she was nowhere to be seen in the graduation ball. It is because of the fact
that she isn’t graduating with them this term. But still, Tara thought she’d be
here. It was impossible that no shallow graduating guy asked her to become his
date. She was expecting that she would be here with James though. She didn’t
think that their break up was permanent. But having James go here solo meant
otherwise. The slut is definitely out of his life for good.

Yahhhhoooooo!!!!
Tara
rejoices deep within and smiled to herself.

“What you smiling at bitch?” James
teased her.

She did not notice that James’ eyes
left their best friends and is now beaming at her.

“Nothing. I just remembered
something funny,” she smiled sweetly.

“Your dress looks perfect on you,”
he complimented.

“It would look perfect on anybody
James. It’s Patty Cabral’s!” she said bragging about the famous fashion
designer who created the dress for her.

“Take them off then. . . ” his
voice trailed and touched the curls dangling in her face.

“What?” Tara blinked then asked him
surprised after gulping.

“I mean,” James stood straight,
“Let’s see if it would look as perfectly on Christian as it is on you.”

They both laughed.

“What? You said it would look
perfect on anybody!” he asked grinning.

“You know as much as I do, that the
dress you’re wearing is so for you. Just you.” he continued.

She smiled again trying to act calm
though her heart is trying to get out of her chest.

After they ate and had a few
dances, Paco asked the guys to go to the bar downstairs in the lobby of the
hotel to get a couple more drinks. They all agreed. Lyn and Tara were invited
by their dates to come as well and they said yes.

Tara cannot believe that for the
first time in her life,
James and I are together in a date. Well, not
actually. He didn’t ask me. It just happened were both solo.
She reminded
herself as if hoping this is going deeper soon.

“You love wandering off Tara.”
James looked at her.

Tara saw James staring at her.

“Where does your imagination take
you?” he went near her and got her hand. He was guiding her outside the
ballroom.

Their friends are all getting out
of the ballroom and heading towards the lobby to get a table at the bar and
continue their celebration.

Tara looked at Christian and Lyn
who are whispering to each other. Funny how they looked. Christian is a bit
smaller than James and Lyn is a bit taller than her. They look perfect
together. Their kids if ever, would look like models. They are both tall and
gorgeous. She wondered back to James.

She looked up at him who is still
holding her hand. He’s smiling. She feels ecstatic. The man she dreamt of is
holding her hand and smiling like he is happy in love.

“Table for how many sir?” the bar’s
receptionist asked Paco.

“For eight, pretty one.” he replied
flirting at the girl who seemed to be delighted with his reply.

“This way sir,” the girl guided
them to the vacant table.

Tara saw Paco move back a bit and
followed the girl.
He’s checking her ass.
She concluded when she saw the
sheepish smile that he beamed at James and Tara when he turned around motioning
his hands as if cupping them.

 James just nudged Paco’s head
playfully.

Good thing my James is not as
playful as this one. Hold it, hold it! MY James? And when did he become mine?

“Am I part of those
daydreams?”James asked her as he guides her to one of the seats.

“Once was. . . ” she lied, though
she was just daydreaming about him again just a few seconds ago.

“Not anymore?” he asked surprised
facing her directly in the two-seater couch they are sitting at.

“Told you I’m no longer
interested.” Tara said trying to convince James as she threw him the look of
indifference that she is trying to project.

“Really?” he asked again looking
beyond her expressions.

“Yes.” She said resigned.

“Though I don’t have a girl friend
anymore?” he asked wickedly, he was still trying to read her emotions.

“The feeling’s graduating as soon
as I am from school,” she smiled mischievously.

“But you’re not a graduate yet, so.
. .” he was trying to imply that she still feels something for him.

“I’m almost a graduate.” She
defended.

“I don’t believe any of that crap,”
he teased and went near her neck and whispered something in her ears. She can
feel his warm breath and it sent shivers to Tara’s spine. “You’re lying Tara.”
And then he moved away after he felt Tara shivered.

Tara smelled the alcohol in his
breath. He had a few shots at the ball but not that much to get him drunk. She
is the one who drank more than she usually does.

“So, who’s here?” Tara looked up at
the girl that spoke. Rhea.

“What are you doing here?!” James
asked angrily.

“What! You mean I can’t go to the
bar with my new boy friend?” the slut asked him.

Rhea pulled his “boyfriend” towards
the table where they are sitting. She introduced Howard, Matt, Paco and
Christian to her boy friend. Of course she doesn’t know Lyn and Matt’s date so
it would be impossible she would introduce them. Then she turned to James and
Tara.

“And that is James, my EX
boyfriend.” she placed a lot of emphasis on the EX word.

Tara felt James twitch in anger.

“And that one. . .” she pointed at
Tara, “Is my EX’s stalker . . .”

Christian stood up and tried to
stop Rhea.

“. . . and probably his new
girlfriend as he doesn’t have a choice now that I dumped him, he must take
someone to this ball you know.”

Christian stood up. “Enough Rhea,
you’ve done enough damage already.” he tried to shoo her away.

“Why Christian isn’t it true?” she
looked at him.

“Just go, please.” He told Rhea’s
new boy friend.

They both left but Rhea was still
glaring at James and Tara with her round dark eyes.

“He’s just with you for sex. He
lost one hell of a wildcat because of you!” they still heard her speaking to
the two as she walks away.

“I need to go to the washroom.”
Tara stood up looking at James who didn’t even bother to offer to accompany
her. His aura was suddenly dark and his jaw was clenched as well as his fists.

“I just hope you get satisfied with
that frigid woman!” that was the last thing they heard and Rhea was gone.

“I’ll come with you hon.” Lyn
offered.

“No, you stay and have fun. I’ll be
back soon.”

“Are you sure?” she asked again.

“Yes.” Tara answered glancing back
at James.

He was not moving at all obviously
now in a foul mood. He didn’t even look at her when she stood up. He just took
another shot of the alcohol served at their table and signaled the bartender
for another round.

Tara walked away and didn’t look
back once.

***

RHEA’S Point of View

I saw his eyes gleaming at Tara
while he whispered something in her ears seductively.

I hate that James is throwing this
girl a chance at him. Yes I am fed up of fucking just him. They have called me
a slut and they are all right. It was only with James that I behaved. During
those three years we were together I never slept with another guy. I loved him.

And then I hated him for the way he
stared at Tara when she sang at Samal. I can feel he is feeling something. I
feel the tensions they are having but I also feel something else. I got scared.
I cannot get hurt because of that bitch.
This love bug of mine is fucked up.
I remembered telling myself when I got back to our honeymoon suite at the
Island.

I knew I had to hurt him first. I
slept with one of the guys from the group at the bar. They were a group of
friends from our rival school and they knew James well. James was a popular
basketball superstar in our school and I sure bet they knew him because of
that.

Yes I know I hurt him, but I am
hurt more to see that Tara and him are doing good and happy now. I can’t let
them be happy so I had to tell them my point. I don’t want him back. I just
don’t want them happy together.

Seeing the pain in her eyes and the
anger in his made me happy. I am Rhea. I don’t lose. 

TARA’s Point of View

I didn’t go to the washroom as I
told Lyn. I decided to go up the suite after I left the group downstairs. It
was good enough for me that James and I are in good terms today. Knowing James,
his mood goes in extremes like a pendulum.

I hate Rhea. From head to toe and
since then til now, most especially this very instant. Urgh! I really hate that
slut!

I kicked my stilettos once I
entered the carpeted floors of our suite and didn’t bother where it fell. I
started to go to the mini bar of the room. I got one of the light beers in the
fridge and sat at the couch that adjoins both rooms of the suite. I took the
beer like I was drinking water.

Of all the times we would see her
why now? Why not tomorrow? Or next week? Next month? Or never perhaps? Why does
she have to destroy the mood that James and I have built up earlier this
evening!

I am feeling uneasy with this
freaking gown! I changed into one of the hotel robes and drank another bottle
before I take a bath. This will help me sleep. I never got drunk before.

I went back to the couch and didn’t
take a shower yet. I want more alcohol.

I am sooooo mad. I hate her. And
him! I want to drown my rage in these beers.

He didn’t even say a word when Rhea
pointed out that I am like a “last-minute-no-choice” date! How dare them!

I want to cry my anger out but I
just can’t. The tears just won’t come out!

I finished another bottle of beer
in less than two minutes and I find myself getting one again. Good thing I’m
sleeping here tonight. I wouldn’t have to bother thinking how to drive home.

I went to my bedroom where my
clothes are. I will prepare my stuff before I take a warm shower.

JAMES’ Point of View

My mood is ruined. My emotions are
sooo fucked up. I see Rhea with another guy and she reminded me of how Tara
was. I hate them both. But I don’t know. I know there’s something I’m feeling
for Tara. But she just told me she doesn’t want me anymore.

And I hate how Rhea pointed out
that she is my rebound. Though she might really be. Hell! I don’t know!

“Dude, one more shot?” Howard asked
me.

I just took it. I know I’ve had
more than ten shots already here in the bar in less than an hour we’re here. I
don’t know how many I drank back at the ball. But it’s still manageable.

I wonder where Tara went. I am mad
at her because I remember it was her fault that my girlfriend left me. But I
don’t know, I know she’s a bit tipsy already and she’s off wandering around the
hotel alone.

But who cares! She doesn’t care
about me anymore so why would I care?

I have to go. I’m in no mood to
celebrate.

“James!” Christian called to me as
I stood up. I looked down at him.

“Where you going?” he sounded
concerned.

“Home. I’m not in the mood to
celebrate now.” I told him coldly.

“But you’re still drunk.” Worry was
now washing over him.

“I’m okay. I can still drive.” I
reassured him.

“No. Here. Go to the room and
freshen up first.” he handed the key card to me and I left for the room.

LYN’s Point of View

“Why did you give it to him?” I
whispered to Christian.

“Oh Shit! Text Tara,” he told me.

I knew better so I stood up and
excused myself from the group and called my best friend.

“Hon? Are you at the room?” I asked
immediately when she answered.

“No, I’m walking around the sunset
bar near the bay walk.” I heard Tara.

“You need me?” I asked her.

“No, Im fine. I just need some
fresh air. I’ll be with you in a bit.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you here.” I
said my nerves now calming.

I was so relieved she isn’t in the
suite. James is on the way and I don’t want them to see each other while they
are both pissed. I went back to the table where our group is happily drinking.
I gave a thumbs up sign to Christian secretly.

TARA’s Point of View

“Hon? Are you at the room?” I heard
Lyn asked immediately when I answered her call.

“No, I’m walking around the sunset
bar near the bay walk.” I lied. If I told her I was in the room, I bet she
would come running up and try to woo me.

“You need me?” I heard her ask.

“No, Im fine. I just need some
fresh air. I’ll be with you in a bit.” I lied again. I need her more than ever.
I am almost in tears but it doesn’t want to spill.

I didn’t want to waste my best
friend’s time. More so interrupt her precious time with Christian. Her
boyfriend is graduating soon and she won’t see him as often after. I want them
to have a good time.