I still couldn't help myself from smiling habang tinutungo ang assigned table namin.  Lalo na't na-confirm kong she didn't have an amnesia. I could still remember how angry her expression was as she called my name.

My smile got wider as I recall the image of her face. Parang dragon pa rin kapag nagagalit.

You still haven't changed, December.

I headed to the sound system area to look for the organizers. People were already starting to flock. I checked my wristwatch and it only has an hour bago magsimula ang event.

"Excuse me," tawag ko sa isa sa mga staff ng organizers, "can I talk to one of the organizers?" Lumapit agad ang isang babae na naka formal attire to cater my query.

"Ahh, I'm Annie po, Sir. Isa po ako sa mga organizers," pakilala niya sa sarili niya, "How may I help you po?"

I cleared my throat before telling her my request. "Can we transfer table? Ours is a little bit too near from the stage. Nahihilo kasi ako kapag medyo malapit ako sa big screen and the sound may be a bit louder."

"No problem, Sir," she immediately responded, "There's a vacant table at the left side po. And medyo malayo po siya sa stage kasi nasa gitna po siya."

"Ahm... can we have the table that's on the right side, please?"

Nakita ko ang pagkalito sa mukha niya dahil sa request ko. But she composed herself again. "Sure, Sir. Just follow me po." She guided me going to the table at the right corner side of the convention hall. "Here, Sir. Is this fine?"

I looked around and saw their table a few tables from ours before I answered her, "This is perfectly fine. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Sir. Just call us if you need any more help po."

I just smiled at her as a response and then she left. Ibinalik ko ang paningin ko sa table nila. I saw them having a good time because they were both laughing. Although I couldn't hear them, but I knew for sure they're having fun kasi kita ko kung paano nawawala ang mga mata ni December habang namumula ang mukha sa katatawa.

I clinched my fists. Hindi ko pa rin iniaalis ang mga mata ko sa kanya, hoping that she would throw even a one glance at me. But she never did. Kaya mas lalo akong nainis.

"Hon..."

Napabalik ako sa tamang huwesiyo nang narinig ko ang boses ni April. I immediately diverted my eyes at her. "You're here. What's the matter?"

She sat down. "Nakakainis. Parang maling table ata ang itinuro ng usherette sa akin. I have been sitting doon malapit sa stage. But minutes had passed ako pa rin mag-isa d'on. So I went looking for you."

I remained silent sa sinabi niya. "Have you already seen Chino and Gareth?" pag-iiba ko ng topic.

"Ahh Gareth went to their table with Jeb and their families. Si Chino nakita ko sa may entrance door kanina. We talked a little, but he received a call. And parang emergency kasi nagmamadali siyang umalis. I think Kelly ang pangalan ang binanggit niya. Not sure," mahabang saad niya.

Napatango ako sa sinabi ni April. Siguro iyong mystery girl ni Chino 'yon. Maraming beses nang nagmamadaling umalis si Chino whenever he received calls from her. We know a little about that mystery girl, and he didn't share anything about her.

Pero isa lang ang sigurado kami--- Chino is very serious about her. I don't know if she's good for him or not since we haven't met her yet. But she changed him, a lot.

Medyo marami na ang taong dumating. As usual, maraming greetings and small talks with most of the guests we encountered. I got bored talking to them. It's always the usual thing, talking about businesses and politics. Lalo na't election is coming.

From time to time, tinitingnan ko ang table nila. She's still all smiles while talking to other people. I knitted my brows when the arrogant attorney wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. She didn't even react. She just smiled.

Napakuyom ako ng kamao.

"Hon," tawag ni April sa akin. Katatapos niya lang atang makipag-usap sa ibang mga bisita na kasama namin sa table, "I think the event is about to start."

I softened my expressions para hindi mahalata ni April. Parang hindi rin naman niya nahatala saan ang atensiyon ko kanina. I just nodded at her and sat down because the event is about to start.

What's even wrong with me?

The usual event started. I just made myself busy from the presentation in front since it's about big infrastructure projects planned by the government with help of the private sectors. Most of them are going to be in the Visayas and Mindanao area. It costs millions of dollars.

In the middle of the talk, I saw in my peripheral vision, December stood up and walked going to the bathroom.

Seconds had passed, I also stood up. "Hon, I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back," paalam ko kay April. She just nodded. Her attention was all in the presentation.

I waited outside of the female restroom. I leaned on the wall while waiting for her. I'm glad that the bathroom has a long alley and it's quite far from the convention hall. And only few people are passing by.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto before she went out. Our eyes met as she's starting to walk towards me. Hindi ko inialis ang mga mata ko sa kanya. She just looked straight hanggang sa nilampasan niya ako.

I recovered from what happened. "Hey!" pigil ko sa kanya.

Huminto siya and casually looked at me in the eyes. "Yes?"

No words came out from my mouth. I don't know what to say. I just looked at her face.

"Do you need something, Mister De Loyola?" kalmadong tanong niya sa akin.

Lumapit ako sa kanya hanggang sa ilang pulgada na lang ang distansiya namin. She also didn't move from her place. "I thought you don't remember me?" balik na tanong ko sa kanya habang may pilyong ngiti sa labi.

She crossed her arms and raised her brow. "Cut the crap, Brave. What do you want?"

Napangiti ako dahil ramdam ko ang pigil na inis sa boses niya. This is the December I knew.

"Where have you been?" Hindi ko alam why those words came out from my mouth out of nowhere.

Medyo nabigla siya but she immediately recovered. "Living my life? Bakit?"

Her calmness is a bit scary. I'm not used to this.

I don't know what to answer. I just looked at her face. Although she changed her styles, but she still has her beautiful yet dangerous eyes, cute little nose, and red captivating lips.

"Stop checking me out," putol niya sa pagtitig ko sa mukha niya, "sinasayang mo oras ko."

Before I could even react, tumalikod na siya at nagsimulang maglakad paalis.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Tumigil siya dahil sa naging tanong ko. She faced me and smiled bago siya nagsalita. "I didn't know na interesado ka pala sa babaeng may asawa na at isang anak, Mister De Loyola?"

Napalunok at napakuyom ako ng kamao sa naging pahayag niya. Hindi ko magawang magsalita. I just looked at her beautiful face.

"As far as I remember, you loathe someone who steals someone else's lover," patuloy niyang sabi while still wearing her smile, "Next time, practice what you preach, Mister De Loyola."

She then turned around and started walking away. Leaving me speechless.

Damn.

************
A/N: I feel motivated magsulat kaya nakapag-update. Paramdam naman kayo diyan. Hehe.