KHAILA FELT numb as she walks away from Atticus. Hindi niya alam kung saan niya nahugot ang lakas na bitawan ang mga katagang 'yon sa lalaki. She felt so proud of herself for not giving in. That's the woman her mother and father raised.

"Ate! Ayos ka lang?" Ky immediately snaked his arm around her, inalalayan siya nito na makaupo sa pinakamalapit na sofa. Mukha na siyang babagsak.

Her social battery was drained. She couldn't even stand the crown anymore.

"I'm just tired. Hindi na ako sanay sa ganito," biro niya sa kapatid. "Where's Tally? Si Mamu at Papa?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

"Kasama sina Tito Alistair at Tita Sakki. Si Tally, hindi ko alam. Lumayo sa akin kanina ang isang 'yon." Inis na sabi nito. Natakasan na naman kasi ito ng kambal. Sumenyas si Ky sa server. "Could you serve us water? Thanks."

Bumaba ang tingin ni Ky sa binti niya na nakalantad. The snake thigh strap looks good at her skin. It was inviting every man to look at it. Which she's sure, her brother won't like.

"I should've asked Tita Sakki for a conservative dress…" inis na singhal nito sa sarili.

Natawa siya sa kapatid. "Come on, Ky. Loosen up! They're just admiring it."

"Hindi ka naiilang?" Ky asked. Concern.

Bahagya lang siyang umiling. She doesn't mind if they're looking at her, admiringly. But if she heard someone say something she doesn't like, something na alam niya sa sarili na hindi niya masisikmura, she'll surely flipped whoever it was.

Ngumisi ang kapatid niya. "You wouldn't mind modelling for summer clothes, then?"

"What kind of summer clothes?" pinanliitan niya ito ng mga mata. Ky looks suspicious.

"Just so-so…?"

"Kyrst Miller, what kind of summer clothes?" Tinaasan niya ito ng isang kilay.

"It's not… too much for you, Ate?" napangiwi ito sa sariling sagot.

She sighed. If Kyrst approved it, then… maybe, just maybe, it's not really too much for her. She doesn't like showing off her skin that much.

"Fine. I think it's time to step forward? It's time for me to go out and leave my comfort zone." Khaila confidently said.

A genuine small smile appeared on her lips when she saw the birthday celebrant. He looks dashing, fabulous rather with his self-made tuxedo. Diamonds were used as his cufflinks and buttons.

"Khaila! Are you good, darling?" nag-aalala na tanong nito sa kanya nang malapitan sila ni Ky.

Brandon kissed her cheek and he did the same to her brother. Patting Ky's back a little.

"Yes, I'm still good. Anyway, you look fabulous as always." Khaila complimented him. Pasimple siyang napatikip sa bibig nang maalala na hindi pa pala niya ito binati. "Happy birthday, Mr. Winston. This place is amazingly good."

"And you're amazing, darling! I am still head over heels when you're walking. Next time you should wear my design, yeah?" Brandon bargained.

Khaila chuckled. "It's my pleasure!"

The feeling of being watched never left her. Sigurado siya na nasa kanya pa rin ang atensyon ng lalaki but she chose to brush it off. Khaila roamed her eyes around to look for a certain woman while Ky and Brandon were talking about business. Ky was helping her manage their father's agency.

Atticus was here. Imposible na wala ito ngayon sa birthday party ni Brandon. Knowing that woman, hindi 'yon tumitigil hanggat hindi nakukuha ang gusto. And the fact that her name was now on the top list of famous models. The spotlight she wanted years ago was now finally focused on her.

A cold smirk stretched out on her lips. Kailangan na nitong sulitin ang atensyon na nakukuha nito ngayon. Her sister took her modelling career seriously just to pissed her off.

And now, she's going to get what's supposed to be hers with just a snap of her fingers. That even with the help of Atticus connections now… Veron won't get any project na hindi dumaan sa kanya.

Khaila was kind enough to let her enjoy the crowd cheering for her.

"Okay ka na? Drink this first, tapos ay hanapin na natin sina Mamu." Inabot sa kanya ni Kyrst ang isang baso ng tubig. She drank it straight and gave the glass back to Ky.

"Tara? Kailangan ko rin makita kung ano-ano ang mga trabaho na naghihintay sa akin. Parang may balak kayo na patayin ako sa pagod." Inirapan niya ang kapatid na inalalayan siyang tumayo.

Ky laughed at her as he snaked his arm around her again. He's too clingy. Kaya sila napagkakamalan na mag boyfriend-girlfriend, especially there was no resemblance of her to Kyrst.

"I'll let Jane handle your schedule, Ate. We'll make sure you still have time for us and for yourself too." Kyrst said. Naglalambing din nitong hinalikan ang gilid ng noo niya.

ATTICUS CAME back to his senses when he felt his phone vibrating from his pocket. He sighed and picked it up.

"Yes?" Atticus' forehead creased when he saw Ky, Khaila's brother, helping her instead of the guy he saw earlier.

[Papa? Anong oras ka po uuwi?] Fleair sounds bored as she asks him.

"Uuwi na, anak."

[I'll wait for you, then! I made some cookies for you, Papa!]

Atticus chuckled softly. "Is it good now?"

[Hmm… Go home this instant, Pa, para alam mo?]

"Sure and… I have something for you, too. Wait for me, okay?"

Fleair softly hummed before she dropped the call. Tumingin ulit siya sa gawi nina Khaila at nakita na tumayo na ang mga ito. His lips thinned when he saw her brother snaking his arm around her, the reason why he chose to distance himself from her before. Dahil akala niya boyfriend nito ang lalaki noon.

Atticus tapped his phone against his palm as he watched them happily conversing. It feels good to see her smiling brightly again. Kahit sa malayo lang. Kahit hindi dahil sa kanya… sa kanilang mag-ama.

He bitterly smiled as he remembered that she's now over him. Hindi naman 'yon maiiwasan. Ang tagal nilang nawala. She's with someone now.

KHAILA WOKE UP late than she expected. Massaging her temple, her father served her a warm cup of coffee.

"Ky prepared a sandwich for you too. Eat that and drink this one, okay?" bilin nito sa kanya at ginulo ang magulo na niyang buhok.

She yawned as she lazily nod her head. Napasobra ang inom niya kagabi. Khaila silently cursed herself. Kagabi nasubok kung gaano siya kalakas uminom. They served cocktails as the party continued, hindi niya alam kung ilang beses niyang hinarang ang mga servers at ininom lahat ng mga laman ng tray na hawak ng mga ito.

"You drank pretty good last night, Ate," Tally teased her. "Akala ko nga iiyak ka."

"Bakit naman ako iiyak?" tanong niya bago uminom ng kape. She needs caffeine on her system to wake her up.

"You saw your ex, don't you? Nakita kita, kausap mo." Tally whispered.

She grimaced at her sister. "Bakit hindi mo ako nilapitan?"

Bumungisngis ito sa kanya. And that somehow irritated her especially because she's having a great hangover.

"You saw him dragging me, right?" Khaila asked and Tally nod her head. Pouting her lips a little. "Bakit hindi ka lumapit?!"

Tally forehead creased. She pushed the plate with the sandwich Ky made before saying, "Bakit ako lalapit? Mukhang gusto mo naman na hinihila ka."

Khaila sighed. She frustratedly brushed her hair.

"Nagkabalikan kayo?" Tally asked.

She scoffed. "Is that a joke?"

Tally knocked her fist against the table and smiled proudly at her. "That's good."

Tumaas ang kilay niya sa kapatid. She's close with Arki and his little sister. Of course, sigurado na may alam ito tungkol kay Atticus. If she wasn't interested, then Tally would be interested on her behalf.

She finished her breakfast quietly. Khaila showered and doll herself up, ang sabi kasi ng Papa nila ay sa restaurant na lang sila ng hotel kakain for lunch and they're going to explore some tourist spot in London after.

Khaila put a light makeup on. Sakto naman matapos siya nang may kumatok sa hotel room nila.

"You're early, Eli," aniya nang mapag buksan na ito.

Eli shrugged his shoulders. "I have nothing else to do. Can I wait here, Ate Khaila?"

Napangiwi siya kay Eli. "It sounds weird, Eli."

"Right? Kahit ako, hindi na sanay na ina-ate ka."

"Eli is here?" Lumingon si Khaila nang marinig ang boses ng Mamu niya.

"Mama! I missed you!" Eli barged in to hug their mother.

They talked a little before they decided to go down to the restaurant. Kung hindi pa nagreklamo na gutom na ang bunso nila. Khaila lost her smile when she saw Atticus near the table her father reserved.

"Is that you ex-boyfriend, Ate?" usisa ni Eli sa kanya. Tumango lang siya. Napalingon siya nang malawak itong ngumisi sa kanya at basta na lang pinagsiklop ang mga kamay nila. "Is it fine with you? If not, just smack me and I'll stop playing."

She amusingly laughed at Eli. "It's fine. Tumingin ka sa kapatid ko, baka sa kanya hindi ayos."

Eli glanced at Ky and saw him glaring. Ngumuso si Eli sa gawi ni Atticus at lumipat doon ang atensyon ni Ky, tapos ay bumalik ulit sa kanilang dalawa ni Eli. He sighed heavily as his shoulders fell. Kyrst brows furrowed, alam ni Khaila na deep inside, her brother wanted to throw a fit and punched Eli.

Nagulat siya nang umakto na boyfriend niya si Eli. He's really a good actor. Even her parents looks amused at him. Walang halong pag-aalinlangan ang bawat kilos nito. Even his lines were carefully chosen.

Her eyes darted at Atticus. Khaila raised her brow when he shifted his weight and drank his wine. Sunod-sunod 'yon. Sa twing titingin ito sa gawi nila ay siya naman pag-iwas niya.

Her father was laughing softly at Eli but his smile faded upon seeing Atticus. Khaila saw how her mother gently rubbed her father's wrist, as if she's calming him. Atticus, on the other hand, stood up and bowed his head a little.

"Sir…" Atticus uttered.

Lumipat ang tingin ng Papa niya sa babae na kausap nito bago magtanong, "Meeting?"

"Business meeting, sir."

Marahan na tumango ang Papa niya. "Hindi mo kasama ang anak mo?"

"She's staying in our house, sir."

Hindi na sumagot ang Papa niya at basta na lang umupo. Eli sat beside her, still holding her hand.

"How's work, Eli? Is it fun?" Her father asked. "It must be hard?"

"It's hard to act sometimes, Pa. But it's fun and I'm good at it." Sagot nito. Eli's answered sometimes cause him a big problem. Walang bahid ng kayabangan ang boses nito, ang sagot lang nito ang mayroon.

"You're not allowed to date, right?" Her father asked again. Tahimik na um-order ng pagkain nila ang Mamu niya pati na rin ang kambal.

"Who cares, Pa? Whether I breach that freaking contract or not, makakalusot ako." Eli glanced at her. Muntik na siyang masamid sa klase ng tingin nito sa kanya. He really looks so in love with her.

"Right… I'm sure Killian will make an exemption. You're his son, after all."

Halos hindi malasahan ni Khaila ang kinakain niya. She can feel Atticus staring at her and Eli. Nang matapos sila, nauna sa kanila na lumabas ang Mamu at Papa nila kasama ang kambal.

"Khaila!" Lumingon siya nang tawagin siya ni Atticus. Nagtataka niya itong tiningnan nang ilagay nito sa kamay ang strings ng paper bag. "Fleair wants me to give you that… She's learning how to bake and she's now good at it."

Her heart throbbed.

Eli cleared his throat and raised his brows. "Is that all? Babe, we're gonna be late."

"Saan… kayo pupunta?" Atticus asked. Mukha pa itong nagulat dahil sa sariling tanong.

Eli smiled at him widely before he dropped the bomb. "Haven't you heard? We're getting married."

Atticus eyes widened as his gaze went down to her hand, seeking for her fingers. His jaw tightened as his eyes glistened with pain and regrets.

Pati siya ay napatingin sa sariling kamay. Sa mismong palasingsingan niya. A small gasped escape from her lips when she saw an engagement ring on her finger.

Dear, God! When did I get this ring? Khaila thought.

☕