Song: Ghost Of You- 5 Seconds of Summer

Promise

Agad naman akong inagaw nila Brittany kay Dominic nang matapos ang picture taking. She hooked her arm around mine. Aniya ipapakilala niya daw ako sa iba nilang kasamahan sa ospital. Humabol naman si Felicity sa amin at kumapit rin naman sa kabilang braso ko.

She giggled at me when I turn to her.

"Actually, may mga nurses sa ospital na humahanga sa'yo. They keep on nagging me to introduce them to you dahil nahihiya daw sila sa'yo." Si Brittany.

"Talaga?"

"Yeah!" Felicity said enthusiastically. "Kahit iyong naging karibal ni Ate Britt, humahanga rin sa'yo!"

"What the hell, Felicity!"

Brittany widened her eyes at her cousin. Humalakhak naman ng malakas si Felicity. Hindi ko maiwasang makisali na rin sa tawanan.

"Don't mind her, Serena. Issue lang 'yan. Palibhasa di crush ng crush niya."

Mapang-insultong tumingin si Felicity sa banda niya. Napailing nalang siya at di nakasagot.

"Kahit kailan talaga si Kuya Dominic." I heard her muttered.

I chuckled. "Bakit? Siya lang ba sinabihan mo ng tungkol doon?"

"Yes. I was hoping he's going to keep it to himself. Kahit kailan talaga! Mabuti nga at hindi ko pinagkakalat na binilhan ka na niya ng singsing, e."

Sabay kaming nagulat sa sinabi niya. Brittany was busy greeting some people that's why she didn't heard what Felicity just said. Pinalo niya ang kanyang bibig nang mapagtanto na hindi niya dapat sinasabi 'yon.

Dominic bought a ring for me?! What kind of ring? Engagement ring!?

Sa halip na tanungin ang tungkol doon ay napakurap nalang ako dahil hindi parin ako makapaniwala sa narinig. Felicity chuckled awkwardly. Hindi niya ako magawang tingnan sa mata.

"Forget what I said! That was nothing! Anyways, I'd like you to meet Erin! She's Ethan's fiancée!"

Nawala nalang ang tingin ko kay Felicity dahil tumambad na sa harap ko si Erin na mukhang excited na excited na makipagkamay sa akin. She smiled widely at me.

"Hello po! I'm a huge fan! Napanood ko 'yong first runway appearance mo sa Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and... wow! You have such a killer walk!"

My mouth opened to speak but I ran out of words to say since my head is still all over the fact that Dominic bought a ring! Sigurado akong magdamag ko na namang iisipin ang tungkol doon! Para saan naman kaya 'yon? Magpopropose na ba siya? But didn't we...

"Serena..."

Bumalik lang akong muli sa katinuan nang marinig kong tinawag ni Brittany ang pangalan ko. I blinked twice and tried to act normally again. I shake Erin's hand and smiled.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Serena."

Namilog ang mga mata niya nang mahawakan niya ang kamay ko. Kulang nalang ay magtatalon na siya sa tuwa nang dahil doon. Natawa sila Brittany sa naging reaksyon niya.

"Oh my gosh! Wala nang hugasan 'to!"

Lumaki ang ngiti ko nang dahil sa excitement niya. Lumapit naman si Brittany sa akin upang may ibulong.

"Are you okay?"

I nod my head reassuringly at her. "Yeah! I'm good!"

Ngumiti siya at tumango rin kalaunan. Nagpatuloy ang pagpapakilala nila sa akin sa iba nilang kasamahan sa trabaho. I've met Tracy, Vivian, Jessica, Charlie, and some other doctors and nurses who are close with them.

Habang kausap si Charlie ay sumingit naman sa usapan si Rico. I noticed that he's such a carefree and funny guy. Kanina ko pa napapansin na panay ang tawa nila Margaux sa mga banat niya.

"Hello, Miss Serena de Chavez! Lovely to meet you. I'm Rico Garcia." He stretched his hand towards me.

I smiled and shakes his hand.

"Nice to meet-" naputol ang sasabihin ko dahil sa sunod na sinabi niya na ikinagulat naman naming lahat.

"Baka naman may mairereto kang model sa akin?"

"Rico!" si Tracy.

"Oh my god! You're so embarrassing, Rico! Ako na nahihiya para sa'yo! Gosh! Why are you even my friend?!" umirap si Brittany.

"Tss. Etong mga 'to! Joke lang, e! Don't worry, my girlfriend is also a model. Planning to propose to her next week. O, ano, Erin? Akala niyo kayo lang ni Ethan ang pupwedeng sumaya?!" he made a face at Erin who's now mocking him.

"'Wag kang mag-alala, girlfriend niya lang 'yun sa panaginip." Si Ethan na kakadating lang. He stretched his arm to introduce himself properly. "Ethan."

Ngumiti akong muli. Bahagya akong yumuko. "Serena."

"Ikaw talaga, Ethan, kahit kailan! Wala kang kasupo-suporta sa akin!"

"Inggit ka lang kasi naunahan ka ng kapatid mo na magpakasal." pang-aasar naman ni Brittany.

"Aw! Grabe!" napahawak si Rico sa dibdib niya. Umaaktong nasaktan siya sa sinabi ng kaibigan. "Paano mo nalaman?"

Napailing nalang ang iba naming kasama nang dahil sakanya. Nakakagulat na may mga ganito palang doktor. All my life, I've always thought that doctors are supposed to be cold and serious. Para bang sa dami ng inaaral at tinatrabaho nila, wala na silang oras para makipagbiruan.

But these guys proved me wrong. Parang ang dami-dami nilang oras palagi para makipagbiruan.

Marami pang kwento sa akin sila Brittany habang patungo kami sa sasakyan ni Dominic. They invited me over for dinner so might as well come. Kausap pa ni Dominic si Aiden nang magawi ang tingin niya sa amin.

A small smile curved into his lips when he saw how close his cousin and sister were to me.

"Binabalik na namin, Kuya. Baka namiss mo, e." Felicity teased.

"At tsaka bigla ka pang maagawan! Daming nagkakagusto sa girlfriend mo, e." pabirong humalukipkip si Brittany at ngumuso.

Dumiretso na rin naman sila sa kani-kanilang mga sasakyan pagkatapos. Magkita-kita nalang daw kami sa mansion nila. Mabuti nalang at may dala akong pamalit ng damit kaya makakapagpalit ako upang mas magmukhang presentable sa hapunan.

"You're getting comfortable with my family now." Ani Dominic habang nagmamaneho.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niyang iyon. Actually, nakakabigla nga rin na ang bilis gumaan ng loob ko sa pamilya niya, e. It was a rare feeling because I'm used to pushing people away. But I welcomed his family into my life with an open arms.

Naisip ko rin kung paano ako pakisamahan nila Brittany kanina. Para nila akong tinuturing na kapatid. Ni hindi ko naramdaman iyan sa mga sarili kong kapatid. They never welcomed me like Brittany did. She was more affectionate than them.

Sa tagal ng byahe patungo sa mansion na tinutukoy nila ay hindi ko napansin na nandito na pala kami. My mouth gaped open when I saw how big this house is! Napaka-yaman nga siguro talaga ng pamilya nila.

"This is our ancestral house." Sabi ni Dominic nang makita ang pagkamangha ko habang pinapasadahan ko ng tingin ang buong mansion.

"This is where we gather around whenever there's an event or during holidays. Madalas rin kasi kami dito noong nabubuhay pa ang mga Lolo't Lola namin." Dagdag niya.

Inaya na niya akong lumabas ng sasakyan pagkatapos. Tumango ako at tinanggal na ang suot na seatbelt.

Dominic immediately grabbed my hand as we walk towards the mansion's entrance. Mas lalo naman akong namangha nang makita ko ang interior nito. There's two grand staircases on either side of the receiving area.

Kapag dumiretso naman, nandoon ang malaking sofa at isang grand piano sa gilid. Benjamin and Kelsey were the first ones to arrive. May bitbit silang bata na parang mga walong buwan palang. Benjamin is making some silly faces to make the baby laugh.

"Hello, baby Brendon!" salubong ni Dominic sa pamangkin.

The baby squealed in excitement. Natuwa siguro na pinagkakagulohan siya.

"It's Tito Dominic's birthday today! Say happy birthday, Tito Dominic." Sabi ni Benjamin.

Binatukan naman ni Dominic ang pinsan dahil sa kalokohan nito.

"Hindi pa marunong magsalita 'yan. Kaya walang mag-favorite sa'yo, e."

Nag-asaran na ang dalawa. Napailing nalang ako dahil totoo nga ang sinabi ni Brittany kanina na kapag nag-sama ang dalawang 'to, panay nalang ang lokohan at asaran.

Kinuha ni Dominic ang kamay nito at pinalaruan at hinahalik-halikan ito. He turns to me with a wide smile.

"This is Brittany's first born."

"Oh! Hi!" I waved at the child.

Sa halip na matuwa rin sa bati ko ay nag-iwas lang ito ng tingin sa akin at hindi ako pinansin. Aba! Kids really hate me huh? Hindi rin ako gaanong pinapansin ni George kanina, e. Even if I'm already trying to be friendly, snob parin!

Natawa si Dominic sa reaksyon ni Brendon.

"Don't worry, Arielle. Baka sa kambal nila Kuya Benj may magkagusto na sa'yo."

Mangha akong napabaling ng tingin kay Kelsey. "You're having twins?!"

"Yeah. Surprising, right? Hindi rin namin inexpect!" She chuckled.

"When are you due?"

"In two months."

"What about Zaylia? She's pregnant, too, right?"

"Mauuna lang ata siya sa akin ng ilang linggo."

I smiled. Lumalaki na ang pamilya nila. Nagpaalam lang kami ni Dominic saglit upang magpalit na ng damit. I wore a satin blouse and a pair of black skinny jeans. I put my hair in a low bun and left some small strands. I applied a bit of make-up at tsaka lumabas na ng banyo.

Umingay na ang mansion dahil nagdatingan na ang lahat. Mabilis na sinalubong ni Brittany ang anak at pinaulanan agad ito ng halik.

"Aw! I miss my baby!" she gently caresses the head of her son. Tumabi sakanya ang kanyang asawa at hinawakan siya sa balikat nito habang pinagmamasdan din ang anak.

A ghost smile appeared on his lips when their son started chuckling. I noticed that Brittany is really the affectionate type of person. Pakiramdam mo hindi ka mapapag-iwanan kapag siya ang kasama mo.

Ganitong-ganito din ang nakita ko kanina habang pinapanood ko sila Margaux kasama ang anak niya. Sa mga ganoong eksena talaga ako napapaisip kung magiging mabuting ina rin kaya ako sa magiging anak ko?

"Dinner is ready!" sigaw ng Tita Barbara mula sa kusina.

Agad namang nagtungo ang lahat doon. It's like a feast in here dahil sa dami ng pagkain na nakahanda. Nagtungo na sa kani-kanilang pwesto ang lahat kaya iginiya ako ni Dominic sa tabi niya. He pulled the chair out for me.

The wines being served are from Dominic's distillery. Nalaman kong paborito pala nilang pamilya iyong Serenity Wine niya. Wala naman akong duda doon dahil kahit sino namang makakatikim noon ay talagang mamamangha rin sa sarap.

We sing a happy birthday song for Dominic. After that, we let him blow his cake. Palabiro namang sumigaw itong si Gio pagkatapos.

"Spill the wish! Share mo naman wish mo diyan!"

Humalakhak kami. Mamaya maya pa ay nakisali na rin itong si Benjamin.

"Body shots! Body shots!" lumakas ang tawa niya dahil napailing nalang si Dominic sakanya.

I smirked and rolled my eyes playfully at him. Kanina niya pa talaga kami inaasar ng body shots kanina. Siguro tumatak na 'yon sa utak niya noong unang pagkikita namin sa club noon. He's the one who keeps on chanting body shots to us before.

Dominic's father was the first one to raise a toast for the birthday boy. We all raised our glass along with him.

"To Dominic." Anito sa isang malalim na boses.

"To Dominic." We all said in unison.

We started eating after. Nagkaroon ng kaunting pag-uusap habang nasa hapag. His aunts and uncles and his parents tried to get to know me more. While the others just listened. Hindi ako nakaramdam ng pagkailang kahit na may mga personal na tanong sila.

I felt comfortable answering everything. On most days, I shut people out whenever they ask me personal questions. Kahit si Carol, na matagal ko nang kilala at kasama, kaunting bagay palang ang alam tungkol sa akin.

But with this family, I just quickly opened myself up like I've already been part of this since the beginning of time. May special treatment agad.

After we ate dinner, Dominic and I went to the living room where most of the kids are staying. Nagkalat na ang mga laruan doon. Kung hindi laruan, mga color pencil at coloring book naman.

Naupo kami ni Dominic sa sofa. Ang iba niyang pinsan ay abala sa pagkukwentohan at pag-aayos. I watch the kids play.

Si George nasa gilid lang hawak ang mga laruan niyang sundalo at train. Si Louis, inaalalayan at sinasamahan siya. Si Vincent, abala sa inaassemble na lego. Si Anikka, abala sa coloring book. Si Brendon, inaalalayan ng yaya niya at pinagpupukpok lang ang laruan at sumisigaw.

It was noisy and chaotic.

Umangat ang tingin ni Vincent sa amin. Agad na sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang labi nang makita si Dominic. Tumayo ito at tumakbo patungo sakanya.

Mayabang na ngumisi si Dominic sa akin dahil kitang-kita ko kung gaano siya kalapit sa mga pamangkin niya. I rolled my eyes playfully at him. Sa hindi namang inaasahan na pagkakataon ay nagsilapitan na rin ang iba niyang pamangkin sakanya maliban kay Brendon.

"Tito Dominic, help me color!"

"Tito Dominic, I'm arranging something from my lego."

"George and I wants to play with you, Tito!"

Nag-sabay sabay sa pag-sasalita ang mga bata. Hindi naman halata na siya ang favorite ng mga ito.

Hay naku, Dominic Donovan, kahit sa mga bata ang lakas ng charisma mo!

At dahil nagkukumpulan na ang mga bata sakanya ay naestatwa ako sa pwesto ko. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop them and shoo them away or just let them mob their uncle?

"Here, George, sit on Tita Serena's lap." Ani Dominic.

Napasinghap naman ako nang binuhat ni Dominic si George at pinaupo sa kandungan ko. Nagkatinginan kami ni George. I was surprised so I didn't know what to do. George snobbishly turns his gaze away from me when I didn't do anything. Mas itinuon nalang ang atensyon niya sa train na hawak niya.

I have no idea what to do! I'm not really good with kids since I've never been around one.

Humalakhak si Dominic nang makita ang pagiging estatwa ko.

"What are you doing? George wants to play!" nangingiti niyang sinabi.

Nag-aalangan akong tumingin sakanya.

"I... I don't know what to do." Sabi ko sabay nilingon si George na nakayuko lang at ayaw nang ituon ang atensyon sa akin.

Kids hates me!

"Why?"

"I'm not good with kids."

"Just try and talk to him. He's shy around new people but once he gets comfortable with you, he'll talk non-stop."

I bit my lip. "I don't think he likes me."

"What?" Dominic chuckled. He crouched a bit to talk to his nephew. "That's not true right, George? You like Tita Serena, right? Tito Dominic loves her so you should love her, too!"

Sapilitan?

Hindi sumagot si George kaya pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"See!" I mouthed exaggeratedly.

Umiling siya at ngumiti sa akin upang pagaanin ang loob ko.

"Just try."

I sighed heavily and glanced at George. It's not that I hate kids but... I'm just really oblivious on how to act around them. I've never met my siblings' children. I don't even have an idea if those kids are aware of my existence!

I wonder if they tell their kids about me? Ano naman kaya ang sinasabi nila tungkol sa akin kung ganoon? Baka puro masasamang bagay lang sinasabi nila ah? I know we don't have the best memories pero 'wag naman nila akong siraan sa bata!

I cleared my throat and readied myself to talk to George.

"Hi," I said too awkwardly.

Ramdam ko ang paninitig ni Dominic sa amin. Kung hindi lang siguro siya ginugulo ng ibang pamangkin ay hindi na niya ilulubay ang tingin sa amin.

Hindi parin ako pinansin ni George! Gosh! This is so hard! I'm trying to be nice here oh! Why is he snubbing me?!

"What's that?" I pointed at the train he's holding. Wala akong alam sa mga cartoons kaya hindi ko rin alam kung sinong character 'yang hawak niya!

Hindi siguro talaga ako pupwedeng magka-anak! I suck!

"You want to play?"

George nods his head lightly. Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata ko. Finally! Namamansin na siya!

I smiled in victory. Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo niya sa kandungan ko. Tinanong ko siya kung sinong character ang hawak niya pero hindi niya ako sinagot!

Dapat ba alam ko na kung sino 'yon? E, kaya nga ako nagtatanong, e, dahil hindi ko kilala 'tong blue na train na hawak niya!

Bumagsak ang balikat ko pero hindi parin ako sumuko sa pagtatanong sakanya. But this snob kid either just simply hates me or he really doesn't want to talk to me!

And just when I was about to give up, George finally spoke! Napangiti akong muli.

"It's Thomas... from Thomas and friends." His voice sounded really cute!

"Really? I have no idea about cartoons. Can you tell me about them?"

Tumingin siya sa akin at tumango. And there! He started talking about this train called Thomas. Ang sabi niya ay may mga kaibigan daw 'to na sina Gordon, Percy, James, Edward, at Henry!

"You know Mommy bought me the Gordon and Percy train but I didn't bring them with me because Mommy told me I can only bring one." He pouted.

"Then why did you choose to bring Thomas?"

"Because he's my favorite!" sa sobrang excitement ay pinalipad niya ang train niya. I chuckled.

"You like trains huh?"

"Yes! When we went to Japan we rode the subway and I'm so happy and excited!"

"Really? I also ride the subway regularly!"

Ngumuso siya at kumunot ang noo sa akin. "But there's no subway here in the Philippines!"

Natawa ako. "Of course not here. I live in New York and sometimes I ride the subway if the traffic is frustrating me."

"They have subways in New York?!" his eyes lit up. I nod my head excitedly at him.

George continued on telling me things about trains so I listened. Mamaya maya pa ay sumama na si Margaux sa amin. Naupo siya sa sofa sa gilid ko.

She smiled at me. Nang mapansin ni George na nandito ang Mommy niya ay agad na kinuwento nito ang sinabi ko kanina 

"Mommy! Tita Serena told me she lives in New York and they have a lot of subway trains there! We should go!"

"Really, George, you want to go there for the subway?"

George nods his head. Napahawak si Margaux sa noo niya dahil sa biglaang pag-aaya ng anak niya.

"When we have time, George. We'll go there."

"But why can't we go now?"

"Ay ang anak ko akala ata diyan lang ang New York!" Margaux said stressfully.

Tumawa ako dahil sobrang inosente ni George at hindi naintindihan ang sinabi ng mommy niya. I made him turn to me again.

"You know what? I'm going back there soon! If you want, I can send you pictures of the subway train so when you finally have the time to go there, you'll remember how it looked like!" I suggested.

Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti niya. Ilang beses siyang tumango, mukhang gustong-gusto iyong ideya ko. Umalis lang siya sa kandungan ko dahil nakipaglaro na siya sa mga pinsan niya. 

"He likes you." Ani Margaux, na galing pa ang tingin sa anak bago sa akin.

I scoffed. "That's the first time a kid liked me."

"Is it your first time to be around kids?"

Tumango ako. "Never really conversed with kids since all they do is whine not until today. Masaya pala."

Margaux nodded her head in agreement. "I feel you. Natuto lang akong maging malapit sa mga bata noong may misyon kami sa Afghanistan."

Umangat ang kilay ko. Whoa! She went there? Hindi ba't may gyera doon?

"George is a picky person. Mahiyain siya kaya piling tao lang din ang kinakausap niya. I'm glad that he quickly felt comfortable with you."

"I wasn't expecting it, too. Kids don't really like me because it's either they hate me or because I make them cry. Kaya nakakabigla rin nang kausapin niya ako!"

She chuckled and felt happy about her son's friendliness. Naputol lang ang usapan namin nang agawin ni Tito Francisco ang atensyon naming lahat. Hindi ko napansin na wala na rin pala si Dominic sa tabi ko! Nagulat ako nang makita ko siyang nakaupo na sa harap ng grand piano!

He plays the piano?!

Nagkatinginan kami. He winked at me and smiled. Sa gilid niya naman ay nakatayo si Ana at may hawak na mic. Are they going to perform?

"So, the birthday boy requested for a intermission number. Pagbigyan na natin dahil birthday niya naman." Si Tito Francisco. Natawa at napailing nalang si Dominic.

"O baka gusto lang din ni Dom na magpasikat kay Serena!" si Brittany.

"Epal!" si Dominic.

Brittany made a face at him first until they started mocking each other. Inawat lang sila ni Tito Francisco.

"Tama na 'yan. Let's just give the floor to Ana and the birthday boy, Dominic."

We clapped our hands and waited for them to start. Dominic was about to press the keys when Ana's daughter squealed. Natigil ang lahat sa interruption.

"Mommy!" Anikka stood up excitedly and went towards her mother. Niyakap niya ang binti nito.

"Oops. Commercial muna!" si Gio.

"Okay! Back to regular programming na!" hirit naman ni Benjamin.

Ana and Dominic started right after that mini-interruption. Dominic started playing Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley. My mouth parted a bit when I heard Ana's voice. It was so angelic and beautiful. Meanwhile, Dominic looked really serious with what he's doing. I didn't know he has a talent!

Sa halip na ituon ang atensyon sa napaka gandang boses ni Ana ay hindi ko maalis ang tingin ko kay Dominic. He was so into the music. I couldn't help but smile while watching him. I think I've fallen more in love with him because of this.

Magdamag lang na nakatuon ang atensyon ko sakanya. Kaya naman nang matapos ay agad kaming nagkatinginan. I smiled proudly at him.

"I love you." He mouthed.

My smile grew wider.

We both went back to work after that night. His family invited me again to spend the holidays with them. Kahit si Carol ay inaya na rin nilang magpunta. It wasn't a bad idea since dalawa lang naman kaming matitira ni Carol sa pasko dahil uuwi si Aling Nerissa sa probinsya.

Kaya naman nang magkaroon kaming dalawa ni Dominic ng free day, ginamit namin ang araw na iyon para mamili ng regalo. I already got him a present. But I acted like I still didn't.

"What do you think is the best gift for Benjamin?" I asked curiously while we were on our way to the mall.

"Bakit? Siya ba ang nabunot mo?"

Tumango ako. Mayroon kasing exchange gift at siya itong nabunot ko. I really have no idea on what to get him since I still don't know him that much except for the fact the he likes to tease Dominic and I with body shots!

"Just give him a Starbucks mug."

I turn to him ridiculously. "That would be the worst gift ever!"

"No! Trust me. It's time for a payback!" he started laughing because of his idea.

"Why though?"

"Because that's always his gift during Christmas! Kaya kapag ikaw ang nabunot niya, expect that it's a Starbucks mug! Just imagine how tired we are of him and his mugs!"

I couldn't help but laugh. That's not really a bad idea. Nakakatawa kung makakatanggap siya ng trademark niyang iregalo! I wonder what would be his reaction. At isa pa, hindi na ako mahihirapang maghanap! Starbucks cafes are just around the corner!

"Ikaw? Sinong nabunot mo?" Tanong ko.

"Zaj."

"What are you planning to give her?"

"A donation for her charity. She would like that more."

I nod my head pleasingly at him.

Hindi naman naging mahirap ang pamimili ko ng regalo dahil kasama ko si Dominic. Hindi na ako nahirapang mamili dahil sinasabi niya naman sa akin kung ano ang mga gusto nila.

The weeks went by quickly. Carol, Dominic, and I had dinner at the penthouse before the Christmas eve. Kanina ay nanggaling ako sa bahay nila Mama upang ipaapot sa katulong ang regalo ko para sakanya. Ayaw ko namang sirain ang pasko nila kaya hindi na ako nagpakita sakanila.

I also gave Carol my Christmas gift for her. She looked surprised because she wasn't expecting me to give her an expensive gift.

"It's not a big deal. Come on. Just accept it." Inabot ko sakanya ang isang Michael Kors na paper bag.

Ngumuso siya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit pagtapos. Carol also got me a gift from Kate Spade. Si Dennis naman ay pinaabot sakanya ang regalo para sa akin. I got more excited to open it when I saw the name Hermés on the paper bag.

I squealed when I saw that it was the Birkin bag that I've been eyeing for a while! Bibilhin ko na sana iyon noon kaso nga hindi ko rin nakuha dahil napahiya ako kay Dominic noon! Good thing Dennis got me one! I'm so happy!

Masaya ang naging celebration ng pasko ko. It was Carol's first time to have a Filipino Christmas Celebration and she's getting along quite well. Kahit hindi nakasali sa exchange gift ay hindi naman siya na-left out dahil may mga mabubuting loob na nakaisip na bigyan rin siya ng regalo kahit na ngayon palang siya makikilala ng mga ito.

When it's time for a gift giving, everyone went to the living room excitedly. Ako ang naunang magbigay ng regalo dahil ako daw ang pinaka-bagong miyembro ng pamilya.

"My secret santa is... someone funny." I started.

"Oh, please, don't tell me you picked your boyfriend!" Brittany exclaimed. I chuckled and shake my head.

"No. But he's also someone who likes to joke around."

"That's me!" singit ni Gio. He pointed at himself happily.

Umiling akong muli. Dismayado niya namang binagsak ang kanyang balikat.

"Lastly, he likes to tease me body shots!" nagtawanan ang lahat ng mapagtanto kung sino ang nabunot ko. Benjamin stood up immediately.

Masaya siyang naglakad palapit sa akin. He was even dancing while chanting body shots! Gosh! He's so weird!

Totoo nga ang sinasabi ni Dominic na tama lang na bigyan ko siya ng Starbucks mug dahil nagtawanan ang lahat nang makita kung ano ang ibinigay ko.

"Starbucks mug! With a Christmas print on it! May magagamit na ako tuwing pasko!" Benjamin exclaimed happily. "Thank you, Serena!"

I smiled at him. When it was his turn to give his gift, everyone groaned probably because they all knew what he's going to give.

"Why do you all sound disappointed?" he asked sadly.

"Dahil nakakailang mugs na kami sa'yo!" reklamo ni Margaux.

"Don't worry. Iba naman ngayon. It's an upgrade!"

Felicity groaned beside me and shakes her head. She was mumbling something under her breath that she didn't realize that it was her that Benjamin picked as his secret santa.

"Malas!" palabiro niyang sinabi nang tumayo siya.

"Just wait and see, Fel. Baka mamangha ka!"

Felicity rolled her eyes at him before she opens his gift. Totoo nga ang sinasabi ni Benjamin na upgrade nga iyon sa mga Starbucks mug niya dahil isang Starbucks tumbler naman ang regalo niya ngayon!

"Tada! I told you it's an upgrade!" ani Benjamin na parang proud na proud pa.

"It's okay this will be helpful once I'll have my clerkship. Marami-raming kape rin ang malalagay dito," Felicity said once she put down her Starbucks tumbler. "Anyways... it's my turn!"

"For my secret santa... this person is a she! I didn't expect us to get along since were used to just pass each other along at school!"

Oh! Is she talking about me?

"I'm glad that I'm getting to know her now since she's the newest member of our family! Serena!"

Tumayo akong muli. Felicity reached out her gift to me. I hugged and thanked her for it. I opened her gift in front of everyone and realized that it was a film camera!

"I just figured that since you're a model, you also like to take pictures so... this is the perfect gift for you!" Felicity giggled.

"It is! Thank you, Fel!"

The rest of the gift giving session went on. Si Jaxon ang nakabunot kay Dominic at binigyan siya nito ng mamahaling fountain pen para daw maganda ang magiging pirma niya sa mga kontrata.

We had a lot of wines and pictures that night. Nagkaroon ulit kami ng panibagong family picture. It was simply the happiest Christmas eve celebration that I've ever had!

Halos patapos na ang celebration nang ibigay namin ni Dominic ang regalo namin sa isa't isa. Nahihiya pa akong ibigay ang regalo ko sakanya dahil hindi ko naman sigurado kung magugustohan niya ba 'to. I already gave a gift during his birthday kaya wala na akong maisip na ibigay ngayong pasko maliban dito.

I gave him a Giorgio Armani perfume. I don't know if he will like the scent but I like it so he should, too! Dapat lang para hindi sayang ang regalo ko!

When it was his turn to give his gift, mukhang nag-aalangan pa siya. My eyes widened when he pulled out a small box from his pocket. Oh my gosh! Ito na ba 'yung sinasabi ni Felicity noon?

"Okay. Before anything else, this is not me proposing, okay? I see the look on your face, Arielle. Mukhang gulat na gulat ka," he chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm taking my time."

Napakurap ako. I chuckled awkwardly and gulped. Hindi pa pala magpopropose. Sayang at oo-o na sana ako. Joke lang!

"It's a promise ring."

Dominic opened the box for me. My mouth parted in surprise when he removed the ring inside the box. It's a circle ring that's full of diamond stones on its band and bezel. 

He grabbed my hand. Nanatili ang tingin ko sakanya habang tinapat niya ang singsing sa palasingsingan ko. A small smile curved onto my lips when I felt him shaking. He raise his back to my eyes and sighed heavily.

"This is me showing my love and devotion to you. This is me promising myself to you. I just didn't want what happened before to happen again. I want you to know how much I love you so there wouldn't be any confusion," he said. "Will you accept this ring?"

Ang ngiti ko ay naging ngisi na ngayon. "What do you think?"

"Just yes or no, Arielle. Look, I'm already shaking."

Tumawa ako dahil kanina ko pa nga ramdam ang panginginig niya. Instead of answering him, I grabbed his jaw and press my lips to him. Kumalma naman siya nang dalhin doon.

I parted from the kiss. I look at him in the eyes again.

"I love you, Dominic. Of course, it's a yes."

Ngumiti siya na para bang nanalo siya sa lotto. Though this is not us getting engaged yet, parang gano'n na rin ang pakiramdam nito. Dominic pressed another kiss on my lips before he slid the ring into my ring finger.

Weeks after my vacation, Samuel calls me for a meeting with him. Akala ko naman tapos na ako sakanya dahil malapit na rin matapos ang kontrata ko sakanya. Nai-launch na rin naman ang ad campaign kaya akala ko wala na akong kailangang gawin para sakanya.

I patiently waited for him at his office. Ang sabi ng sekretarya niya ay may meeting pa ito pero patapos na rin naman. So, I busied myself by looking at our photos during the holidays. I celebrated the New Years eve with Dominic's family.

I scanned through the photos that Felicity sent me. I was hesitating if I should post it or not. Ang dami pa naman naming magagandang kuha ni Dominic. But then I didn't want people to pester my relationship again so I held myself back.

I've had enough with people's non-stop pestering about Dominic and I during the holidays. Nakita kasi ng ibang fans iyong tinag na picture ni Felicity sa akin. It was the family picture we've taken during the medical mission. Pinost kasi ni Felicity iyong nakahalik sa pisngi ko si Dominic kaya ang dami agad gumawa ng chismis!

Agad ko namang binitawan ang telepono ko nang pumasok na si Samuel sa opisina niya. Hindi ako tumayo upang salubungin siya. I only raised a brow at him.

"Why did you call for me?" tamad kong tanong.

Samuel loosened up his tie. Umikot siya sa kanyang lamesa. He opened a drawer and pulled out a black folder inside. I creased my forehead at him.

When he raised his gaze back to me, a devilish smirk appeared on his lips.

"I need you to do something for me."