Announcement

Tito Arman must be really desperate to get me so he could have my inheritance!

Ikababaliw nito kung hindi mapa sa kamay niya lahat ng pag-aari ko—bagay na pinaghirapan ipundar ng mga magulang ko.

Well then, I must do something.

Something quintessential. Nang sa gayon, kahit buhay o patay ako... ni singkong duling wala siyang makuha.

Hindi ako mapakali sa upuan. Panay ang pagsilip ko sa likod ng sasakyan.

Hanggang ngayon ay nakabuntot pa rin sa amin ang itim na sasakyan. Iyon ang sasakyan nina Sat at Mon!

Ilang liko na ang nagawa ni France pero nakakakuha sila ng tiyempo upang makasunod.

Ikinalma ko ang sarili. Hindi makakatulong kung magpanic ako.

"There's intersection ahead. Make sure to beat the red light. That would trapped the dofs in the perimeter." kalmadong utos ni Geon.

Kanina pa siya tahimik. Ito siguro ang iniisip niyang paraan para hindi makasunod sina Sat at Sun.

"Iyan naisip ko, boss. Naunahan mo lang ako." France chuckled.

Geon smirked.

Matulin ang takbo ng sasakyan. Magaling si France magmaneho kaya wala kaming nabangga. Bumabagal lang ang takbo kapag may nakikitang bantay-kalsada.

Pinalipad ni France ang sasakyan nang matanaw ang intersection. Sa loob ng sampung segundo, nagawa niyang itawid ang sasakyan bago abutan ng red light. Bigo na nakatawid ang sasakyan nina Sat at Sun.

Sumilip ako sa likod at nakita sila na nangangalaiting bumaba sa sasakyan upang tanawin kami.

It was a sigh of relief in my part.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto pag-uwi namin. Naligo muna ako at nagbihis bago pumunta sa silid ni Geon. Wala pa siya nang pumasok ako, marahil hindi pa tapos makipag-usap kay France.

Bukas ay kaarawan na ni Geon. Hati ang nararamdaman ko. I am excited but worried. Aware of what's going on makes me less happy. I want to enjoy every single time I am with the man I love but it felt ... unfit.

I just want to be with Geon. Be happy with him. Create memories with him. And plan our future together.

I sighed.

I heard the door creaks open. Geon then entered after locking the door. He made his way towards the bed, sat beside it.

"What's wrong with my baby girl, hmm?" he asked worriedly.

Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ayos na kami. Parang noong isang araw, ipinagtabuyan ko siya. At siya, itinanggi na ayaw sa commitment.

Yet, we ended confessing our feelings.

Nilagay niya sa likod ng tainga ko ang takas na buhok. Inangat niya ang baba ko bago pinatakan ng malambot na halik.

"Everything will be fine, Laire." he assured me.

Walang namutawi sa aking bibig. Tumango ako bago humilig sa dibdib niya.

Ikaw lang ang pagkakatiwalaan ko. Alam ko ... hindi ko mo ako pababayaan.

"Thank you..." usal ko bago hinayaan ang sarili na makatulog.

I stared myself in front of the mirror. Everything before me seems sparkling in my eyes when I stared long at my red lace back sequins dress. It has slit that shows the tone of my leg. And it fits with my metallic clear lace up heels and silver pouch.

Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang buhok ko. Light din ang make up na nilagay sa mukha ko.

"Hmm, perfect! Scene-stealer, Miss Gomez!" Bien, the stylist, commended after.

I smiled.

"Lalong mahuhulog sa'yo si Mr. Variejo, ano ba 'yan. Kainggit, ah!" malambot niyang sinabi.

Bien is gay but he's friendly. France and Geon introduced him to me this morning. At first, I am anxious. But he assured me he's hrmless. If so, France knows what to do.

Thanks to him I looked ... evokingly alluring. Thinking what would Geon's reaction with this be makes me nervous.

"Grabe. Napaka ganda mo para sa isang eighteen years old..." ani Bien sabay singkit ng mata sa akin.

"Thanks, Bien. It's just me ..." ngisi ko.

Nagtawanan kami.

Pumasok si Geon sa kwarto. Natigilan kami pareho ni Bien sa pagtawa at sabay itong tiningnan mula sa salamin.

He walks towards our direction. He looks dashing with his white polo sleeves, opened button minus the black tux. He hangs it on his arm.

"We're leaving," he said coldly after kissing the top of my hair.

Nagkatitigan kami.

I can see his admiration to me. It's just so deep now. So comprehensible each time we look into each other's eyes. Ganoon ko rin siya tingnan.

Won't ever changed the way I look at him.

Won't dare to love any other man unless it's our son.

Won't forget all the feelings I have for him ... ever.

Sa gilid, nakita ko si Bien na nagpipigil ng tili.

Geon is smirking while looking at my dress. "Will definitely spend the rest of my night with the most beautiful woman in town..."

"Alright. We're done here." tugon ko bago tumayo.

I smiled secretly. Well, boy ... It's Gomez thing you wouldn't understand.

Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Geon sa passenger seat bago siya umikot sa kabila. Sakay ng Lexus car, tumulak na kami patungo sa venue.

While we're nearing, my heart can't stop beating. So harsh... that I could not breathe properly.

I don't know. Iba ang pag-aalala ko ngayon. But it's his special day. I shall not ruin his mood nor his parent's effort for him...

I stared at his serious visage while speaking to someone over the phone. He only uses one hand to control the wheel.

Kung kaya mo gawin lahat upang protektahan ako... kaya ko rin. Your battle, my battle. I will not lose you either way, my Variejo.

He glanced at me then back to the driveway.

Tinapos niya ang tawag. Nilapag niya agad ang cellphone sa dashboard bago sabik na inangkin ang kamay ko. Hinalik-halikan niya iyon.

I smirked.

Girls, you want him? Sorry, I got him.

There were expensive cars already parked in front of the noble ancestral venue when we arrived. Good thing, there is a slot to park our car—or should I say purposely left for the celebrant?

Aside from the clairvoyants outside the ongoing soiree, there is no one left in here. It was only proven that we were the only ones waiting to arrive when we entered the grand palatial foyer. It was ancient Spanish in style and feels oppressively elegant.

Guests are wearing almost nobly expensive clothes while sipping on their drinks, talking their circles or partners with refined manners on every high table.

Yonder, there is an entryway for the celebrant to adress his agenda later. I glanced above us. There are guests chose to stay there. All are busy body. And all are very intimidating. They look respectable. They are all came from an elite family—like mostly multi-billionaire in their own hardworks.

"Hijo," bumeso ang sosyal na ginang kay Geon pagkita sa amin. "This must be very special to be in this soiree today, huh?"

Geon bows his head a little.

"Very well?" she looked at me from head to toe. "Mind introducing this young lady beside you tonight?"

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba o talagang tunog nangmamata siya sa akin. Kung hindi niya ko nginitian, inisip ko na may bitterness sa labi niya.

Hinawakan ni Geon ng bewang ko at inilapit sa kaniya. Bahagya ko ihinilig ang sarili kay Geon. Tipid ko nginitian ang Ginang nang mapataas ang kilay niya sa ayos namin.

"This is Solaire Anja Gomez, daughter of Czarina Solivel Gomez and the late Engineer Gomez..."

Ang ibang bisita na malapit sa gawi namin ay huminto sa kanilang usapan upang lingunin kami. Marahil, sa pakilala ni Geon sa akin.

"Ohh... a Gomez!" she faked a chuckle.

I smiled and extended my hand to her. "It's very nice to meet you, Madame."

Wala siyang nagawa kundi tanggapin ang kamay ko. Nagsilapitan ang iba sa gawi namin. Bumati sila kay Geon at nakipag-usap sa amin ng kaunting minuto. Hanggang sa nagpaalam na kami ni Geon pansamantala.

"Hi, Dungeon. Happy birthday..."

Isang napaka gandang babae ang nakasalubong namin habang hinahagilap sina Tita Isabel sa malawak na bulwagan na ito.

Tinangka ng babae na bumeso kay Geon ngunit agad siya pinigilan.

Napapahiyang ngumiti ang babae. Halatang isa sa may gusto kay Geon.

"Thanks," simpleng sagot ni Geon.

"See you around!" aniya at tumalikod na.

Hangin lang ako, girl. Umirap ako sa kawalan.

"Don't get jealous. My eyes are only destined to meet yours..." ngisi ni Geon sa tainga ko.

My brow shot up. "Why would I get jealous? You're never my boyfriend, sir."

Geon scoffs. "Rude."

Hinila niya ako papunta sa table ng parents niya. Bukod sa mga magulang, nakababatang kapatid, at pinsan na babae ay wala na. Hindi ko makita si Eurus kaya sa palagay ko ay hindi dumalo. O nasa paligid lang?

"I have an important announcement to make..." dinig kong sinabi ni Geon sa isa sa bodyguard nila.

Tumalima agad iyon, alam na ang gagawin.

"Son, have you met our business partners for VRB Movers tonight?" si Sir Throne sa malamig na tinig.

Umiling si Geon. "Will do it later... or some other time."

Sir Throne, though ages older than us, looks handsomely untameable in his tux and rhum. His smirk made even more attractive.

Umayos kami ng upo. Sa lahat ng tables, parang kami lang ang may magarang upuan. Talagang agaw-pansin. Tila may itinatakdang bagong hari at reyna ang ayos ng table namin. Ni isang mantsa, wala akong nakita!

"What is your plan after this?" si Tita Isabel.

Nakuha ng batang sina Ysa at Tali ang atensyon ko nang bigla sila nagpaalaam sa magulang at umalis. Sumunod agad sa kanila ang isang bodyguard.

They look adorable in their purple tube dresses. Especially, Tali. She is so pretty. I wonder who her parents are. And where they are.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen..." someone spoke from the foyer kaya na interrupt din kami sa pag-uusap.

Itinuon namin ang atensyon sa nagsasalita. Hindi na narinig pa ang isasagot ni Geon.

"It's a great pleasure to see you here. However, as the soiree continues, Mr. Dungeon Elixor Variejo will be having a short announcement..."

There was a round of applause.

Bumulong sa akin si Geon. Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil umalis na agad siya. Pansamantala, iniwan din ako nina Tota Isabel at Sir Throne upang salubungin naman ang mag-asawang papalapit sa table namin.

They must be their business partners...

Binalik ko ang atensyon sa unahan. Naroon na si Geon at saglit nakipag-usap sa lalaki. May dumaan na waiter sa tapat at inabutan siya ng wine.

"Drinks, Madame," biglang sumulpot sa harap ko ang matangkad na waiter at naglahad ng drinks.

Kinuha ko ang nag-iisang wine glass sa serving tray. Pag-angat noon, lumitaw ang piraso ng papel.

Lito kong tiningnan ang waiter pagkuha sa papel. "Is this for me?"

"Someone asked me to give that to Mr. Variejo's date for tonight." tango niya at umalis na sa harap ko.

I put my glass down the table. My heart thumps wildly while staring on the paper. I never liked the feeling whenever someone gives me notes or whatever it'll be! This feels mysterious and ... terrible. I opened the paper immediately.

The letter says:

'Drink to me.
You'll taste my poisoned blood.
Walk away or watch me die...
The answer lies on your lips.'

What is the meaning of this? Who sent me this!

Napatayo ako sa upuan. Fear mounted in my chest while roaming my eyes on every corner, but I see no one is suspicious.

"Good evening..." Geon greeted.

Hindi ko magawang makapag-focus sa nangyayari dahil sa kapirasong papel na hawak ko.

"I want to grab this opportunity to formally introduce you all the exceptional lady I have ever met..." Geon continued. "Solaire Anja Gomez..."

Napugto ang aking hininga nang tinawag ni Geon ang aking pangalan. Dahilan upang mabagal ko siyang tingnan.

Nakuha ng atensyon ko ang hawak niyang wine.

Namawis ang aking kamay. Hindi na ako mapakali. Gusto ko tumakbo sa kaniya upang itapon ang hawak niya bago pa mainom.

But damn it! All eyes are on us. Those lenient eyes make me unable to do anything before them or else I will look trash.

Please, do not drink it...

Nagtama ang mata namin ni Geon. All I can see is his pure love for me. Nothing will ever matter to him aside for my answer tonight...

"Solaire Anja Gomez ..." he breathed. "Can you be my girlfriend... officially?"

The answer lies on my lips...

What if it's just a threat? Paano kung gusto niya lang manggulo sa mga buhay namin? Kung sino man ang tao sa likod nito, gusto ko siya labanan.

I gritted my teeth. Hindi kita kailanman luluhuran.

"Did she just cancel him?"

"It doesn't suit her to be in his family. She's doing the right thing..."

Hindi ko pinakinggan ang sinasabi ng iba. Ngunit hindi ko maiwasan mag-isip tungkol sa bagay na nais mangyari ni Geon.

I thought this would be easy. What happened now, Solaire? Bakit hindi mo sagutin si Geon sa harap ng pamilya at malalaking tao ngayon?

Nanubig ang sulok ng mata ko.

Bakit pakiramdam ko ... hindi para sa atin ang pagkakataon?

I shook my head leisurely. "I am ... terribly sorry."

Everyone has side commented. Some were confused, some were smirked. According to their eyes, they are least expected I will agree on this.

Though, I came from elite family and most likely to be known as sybarite. They won't let this family attached to someone like me...

Tumalikod na ako dala ng kahihiyan. Nagsimula na ako maglakad paalis. Ngayon lang rumehistro sa akin ang lahat...

Bakit hindi ko ito naisip agad? Ewan ko. Marahil, hindi ko rin inaasahan ang makakasalamuha ko. I have never prepared myself for the bigger picture.

This is a mistake.

I stopped midway.

Someone chuckled from behind. "It's natural to feel out of place, Solaire. Because you really are not belong..."

Bahagya kong tiningnan si Martina. Ngumiti siya ng matamis at muling bumulong.

"If I were you, I will throw myself out before I lost my ... dignity." hamak niya. "Look oh, everyone is looking at you. Everyone thinks you are a piece of ... scrap. Walang ambag."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. Tinabig niya ako upang makaraan. Pasimple kong ihinarang ang paa ko.

Everyone gasped when Martina swam on the floor. Her drinks spitted on her elegant dress.

"What the hell?" asik niya sa akin at dagliang tumayo.

Nagkaharap kami. Tinapatan ko ang apoy sa mata niya. Mas maalab. Mas nanlalamon.

"You want war, yeah? I have already given it to you." came in calm yet sharp voice. "Now, make the most out of it."

"Fuck this..." murang nahihiya sa itsura niya.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong nalalaman mo tungkol sa buhay namin. Pero isa lang ang nasisiguro ko..." I smirked. "No matter how hard you try to get him, he won't be yours. Because you've never been ... likeable."

Inirapan ko siya bago lampasan. Know where to stand, leech.

Hindi ko ininda ang tingin ng bisita sa aking paglalakad palabas ng foyer. Ramdam ko rin ang paninitig ni Geon. Ngunit pinili kong ignorahin.

Nilamukos ko ang kapirasong papel na hawak. Pagliko ko sa kanan ay binitawan ko iyon.

"I can't believe you rejected my son during his proposal to you, Miss Gomez." pormal na sinabi ni Tita Isabel nang mahabol ako.

Disappointment is evident in her beautiful yet ruthless face. Her lips on a hard line, nose flared in an instant.

Guilt mounted in my heart. My eyes welled-up.

"I thought you're good? What was that, huh?" her voice is low but metallic.

"I am... it's ... I'm sorry..." I faltered.

She smirked. "You just proved me how weak you are when it comes to principle."

Tears efflux continuously from my weary eyes.

I don't know what gotten to me at nagawa ko iyon. Pakiramdam ko mali. Pakiramdam ko ... hindi ito ang tamang pagkakataon para sa aming dalawa lalo pa't may kinakaharap kaming problema.

May banta sa buhay ko. Idinamay ko siya. Hindi makakatulong ang pakikioag relasyon para malutas iyon...

But I am certain I love Geon. So much... that it kills someday.

"I am sorry, Tita ..." I cried.

"Ang isa sa kahilingan naming mga magulang ay makatagpo ang anak ng taong mananatili sa tabi nila. Sa gitna man ng buhay o kamatayan... Good thing I have known you. I was ... wrong. So wrong to trust you won't hurt my son in any way possible..." seryosong aniya.

"I will explain ..." hiling ko.

She shook her head disappointedly. Sa halip na sumagot, tumalikod siya bago naglakad pabalik sa pagtitipon.

Naiwan akong tulala sa kawalan.

"Laire..." nagsusumamong untag sa akin ni Geon pagpasok sa bahay..

What have I done?

Hindi ko maintindihan ang aking nararamdaman. May parteng nagsisisi, may parteng ibinubulong sa akin na tama ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko magawang titigan ngayon si Geon dulot ng kahihiyan ibinigay ko sa kaarawan niya. Sa halip na ang aking regalo, kahihiyan.

"I don't understand... why you turned back..." nasasaktang aniya.

I don't understand either. Hindi ako makapag desisyon. Naging maayos kami nitong nakaraan pero bakit ngayon...

"What do you want, Laire? Bakit ang hirap mong abutin..."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Patuloy sa pagpatak ang aking luha. I don't know if it has something to do with the silent threat I have received or not. Pero alam kong nasasaktan ako. Nahihiya...

"I'm tired ... let's talk tomorrow." sabi ko bago tinahak ang hagdan.

I understand the note now. If I have said yes, we are now tossing our glasses. The said poison will be drink., I will watch him die. But when I said no and walk away ... he's safe. That's why we are here.

But I received a lot of judgements and hates from other people. His parents gone mad. I humiliated myself in front of them by rejecting him.

I am such a disgrace to his family—I ruined his day! Fuck this!

I silently cried on my bed the whole night thinking about it. Agony can be felt on the four corner of my room. It's cold and hurting. Just the way I know I hurt him.

I am sorry, Geon...