"Lolo, where have you been? I was looking all over for you."

Hindi sumagot ang matanda bagkus ay nginitian lamang siya nito ng makahulugan. Bumaling siya sa katabi nitong binata, who was by the looks of it, ay mukhang nagpipigil ng paghinga.

Mukhang bukod sa bitin ay masikip din ang suot nitong pantalon.

Thank God, naipa-repair niya ang suot na gown or else baka kinakapos na rin siya ng hininga sa mga sandaling iyon.

Tiningnan niya mula ulo hanggang paa ang kaharap na binata, just to make sure na ito rin ang parehong lalake na kaharap niya just a week ago sa signing ceremony nang mag-renew ito ng exclusive contract sa ALC Networks. "Direk Jess? I wasn't sure, but is that really you?" nababaghang tanong niya.

Direk Jess o Jestoni Tanuatco-Lardizabal is one of their prized directors.

At the ripe age of 35, ilang awards na rin ang naiuwi nito mula sa iba't ibang award giving bodies, both local and international - movies, teleserye, reality show, you name it he made it.

'The director with the platinum hand' kung tukuyin siya ng media sa ngayon.

Not to mention, binata pa ito kaya naman, kontrobersiyal. Kung sinu-sino na rin ang na-link dito - model, actress, singers at kung sinu-sino pa. Subalit kahit sino at anong klaseng pagtatanong, ni minsan man,  wala itong sinagot sa mga pag-uusisa ng mga reporters, well respected or not.

He never confirms nor denies relationship. The most recent one is with Christine Rivera, a top star of the rival network. He was always sighted with her on various occasions, even going to and fro exclusive gatherings.

Kaya naman umugong ang balita na maglilipat-bakod ang direktor na hindi naman nangyari - of course it cost them several millions just to keep him.

Hindi naman ito kaguwapuhan but, his is a striking face.

She always thought of Edward Norton whenever she looked at him. Imagine the Hollywood actor with Chinese attributes, boyish features but serious looks, a no nonsense character.

Maging siya ay naguluhan sa naisip na description. As to why she thought of it, ay saka na niya iisipin.

"Well yes, I know. It's a long story." wika nito sa pagitan ng pag-ngiwi.

"I see. You two already knew each other. Of course, how stupid of me! He worked at your network. Tsk... tsk... My grandchild ended-up working in ALC's after refusing to work for me. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Fate...." napapalatak na wika ni Don Antonio.

"So shall we go? It's almost eight," yaya naman ng kaniyang lolo.

Nagpatiuna ang dalawang matanda tungo sa side exit sa likuran ng platform, leaving Jess and her to follow.

"What is wrong with those two? I swear there is something," bulong niya sa binata.

"I have the same thought from the very moment when that old conniving lolo of mine insisted that I wear this tuxedo. God, help me! It isn't even my size! I looked ridiculous." spread eagling his arms to emphasize.

"Tell me about it. I've just gone through 20 questions with your lolo."

Napahinto siya at napakapit ng mahigpit sa braso ng kasabay.

"Crap!"

"What's wrong?" he asked in a worried voice.

"This blasted shoes! 'Di ko na kaya pang humakbang suot ito."

She reached down to take off the shoes habang nakakapit ng mahigpit sa kanang braso ni Jess.

Napabuntung hininga ang dalaga sa ginhawang naramdaman pagkaalis ng suot na sapatos.

Napangiti si Jess, "what do you know? I may be embarrassed for a night. Pero ikaw, your feet will hurt for longer, lucky me. Akina, ako na maglalabit ng sapatos mo."

Picture them: Babaeng yapak at lalaking may labit na sapatos at naglalakad sa gitna ng pasilyo habang magkaabrisiyete. Not to mention their attire, they look like newlyweds in a funnyface pose.

Sa ibang pagkakataon you'll think it's romantic.

Only if it isn't so darn uncomfortable and embarrassing!

Mabuti na lang at pribado ang bahaging iyon ng hotel, eksklusibo para sa nakatira at bisita sa penthouse.

Sabay silang tumigil sa paghakbang nang makaramdam ng kakaibang ambiance sa tapat ng private elevator na magdadala sa kanila sa penthouse. In front of it, not even noticing their presence are 2 pairs of parents staring at each other in an uncomfortable silence.

Tanging ang dalawang matanda lamang ang hindi natinag sa kanilang pag-uusap sa kabila ng kaganapan sa paligid.

Nagkatinginan si Jomae at Jess at sabay na tumikhim upang iparamdam ang kanilang presensiya. All six turned in their direction. Maria Aragon-Zaragoza - her mother - opened her mouth, tried to speak but didn't.

Ilang segundo ng katahimikan ang lumipas bago pa may makapagsalita. "Jestoni! Why are you wearing that old tuxedo?" napapalatak na wika ng sapantaha niya ay ama ng binata na si Dr. Joselito Lardizabal. Walang magkakamali sapagkat kamukha ito ni Direk Jess.

Standing beside him is the famous Dr. Josie, dermatologist to a lot of stars, also her dermatologist. She had no idea that Dr. Josie Tanuatco-Lardizabal is of the Lardizabals.

"Honey, is it a costume party? Akala ko wedding anniversary? Jomae dear, you know my son?"

"Apparently Dr. Josie, we knew each other's family. Mom, please close your mouth." Baling niya sa ina. Her father beside, was silent but look amused.

"I'm sorry Jomae, but where did you find that dress? And why are you wearing it?"

Jomae rolled her eyes and showed her exposed feet. "Worried about the dress mom? You should ask about the shoes!"

"Huwag ninyo kaming tanungin. This costume was the old men's ideas. Ask them. Please, will somebody tell us what is going on?" singit ni Jess.

All of them turned a questioning look sa dalawang matanda.

Don Anselmo spoke first, "All in good time. Come on we're starving."

As the elevator opened, a man dress in jeans and shirt came.

Kamukha ito ni Yuli pero mas maputi at mababa ng isa o dalawang pulgada.

Jomae guessed it's the younger brother.

"Sorry, am I late? Bro?"

Binigyan nito ng kakaibang tingin ang kapatid. Mukhang wala rin itong alam sa mga mangyayari.

"Don't ask. By the way everyone, this is my younger brother Jose Maria." pakilala nito sa bagong dating.

"And this is Jomae the VP for Entertainment of ALC Network, her parents, Maria and Victor and Don Anselmo Aragon."

Kinamayan ni Jose Maria ang mga bagong kakilala. On the way up the penthouse they exchange small talks. But in spite of the pleasantries, the dread that Jomae and Jess is feeling keeps growing.

Kalma bago ang bagyo.

At hindi nga sila nagkamali.

By the time na narating nila ang penthouse, the storm arrives.

Signal number one...

Ang kanilang mga magulang ay hindi na makangiti, as if they knew something bad was going to happen any minute;

Ang kanilang mga abuelo ay nakangiti from ear to ear, na tila ba tumama sa lotto ng 1st prize;

Talk about irony.

Ang dating maaliwalas na mukha ni Jose Maria ngayon ay madilim na;

Ang kanyang kapatid na si Ruth ay maputla at nawalan ng balanse. Sa kabutihang palad ay nasaklolohan ito ni Ryan Coronel, isang sikat na aktor, at anak ni Atty. Conrado Coronel na kapitbahay at matagal ng kaibigan ng pamilya. Ito rin ang kanilang family lawyer;

Magdalena was sporting a look na nagsasabing kailangan nito ng massive dose ng pain reliever. Kung ano ang iniinda nitong sakit ay ito lang ang makapagsasabi;

May bandage pa rin sa ulo si Mic sanhi ng bukol at concussion na tinamo nito mula sa bagong assistant ni Magdalena, apat na araw na ang nakalilipas nang mapagkamalan itong magnanakaw sa location shooting ng pelikulang pinagbibidahan ng newest male star sensation na si Xander Andrade. His shirt was also wet from the spilled glass of soda courtesy of their niece Marie, ang anim na taong gulang na anak ni Ruth;

Seven years ago, her sister got pregnant. Ano mang pilit nilang alamin ay hindi nito sinabi kung sino ang ama ng ipinagbubuntis. There is a speculation na si Ryan ang ama ng bata, chinita kasi si Marie and Ryan's Mom is a pure blooded Chinese. Inalok pa nito ng kasal ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid.

Ruth, Magdalena and Ryan have always been close. Palibhasa halos magkakasintanda. Ruth and Ryan even more so sapagkat magkaklase ang dalawa from primary school to college. But Ruth doesn't want to get married and they respected that.

Direk Jess swore sapagkat nalaglag ang butones ng pantalong suot nito;

At napahiyaw naman si Jomae sa kirot na naramdaman nang matuntungan niya ang bubog mula sa nabasag na basong nabitiwan ni Marie.

Matapos malinis at mabendahan ang kanyang may sugat na paa, makapagpalit ng damit si Mic at makahiram pantalon si Jess ay nangag-upo ang lahat sa dining table sa gitna ng nakabibinging katahimikan.

Nakapuwesto sa magkabilang dulo ang dalawang matanda with their respective family sitting in their left. Si Ryan at Atty. Coronel ay nakaupo kahanay ng pamilya Lardizabal samantalang si Marie ay naiwan sa entertainment room kasama ang yaya nito.

Ang lolo niyang si Don Anselmo ang unang nagsalita, "we have a problem and you children have the solution."