...

Kaming dalawa nalang ni Maxine ang naiwan dito sa rooftop. Iniwan muna kasi kami nila Renzo at ang Dad niya dahil may mahalaga raw silang pag-uusapan. Si Tita Amelia naman ay nagpaalam din sandali dahil may kailangan daw siyang asikasuhin pero nangakong babalik din. 

"Do you know how special this day is?" Maxine asked. 

Inayos ko ang coat ni Renzo na nakapatong sa balikat ko. "Espesyal sa akin ang araw na 'to. I didn't expect this dinner to be this memorable." Sagot ko. Sayang wala sila Mama at Kuya...How I wish nandito rin si Papa. 

"Does it feel great? Being a soon-to-be Hilton?" Tanong niya ulit. Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot. Napangiti nalang ako. Hindi ko inasahang darating ang puntong 'to sa buhay ko. That a man would come again into my life who would make me feel special and loved. And now we had a gift. I am more than grateful for all the things I have right now. 

"Words aren't enough, I guess." Komento ni Maxine nang nanatili akong tahimik. 

"So how's the plan going by the way? Nakausap mo na ba siya?" Pag-iba ko sa usapan. Kaming dalawa lang naman ang nandito kaya malaya naming mapag-uusapan ang tungkol dito nang hindi naririnig nila Renzo.

"She didn't say yes, but I knew she would not fail me. She's more than a witch after all...Anyway, are you sure you would still stick with your plan?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya. 

Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko. "We have to do it or else no one will." 

"Mikael would surely kill me this time once he find out." Komento niya. Tama naman siya kaya nga mas pinili kong si Maxine ang lapitan ko dahil alam ko ang capability niya pagdating sa plano ko. I know Renzo also has the capability but he won't surely let me do it as I planned. Besides hindi naman ako nag-iisa sa labang 'to at hindi ko gagawin ang isang bagay na alam kong ikapapahamak namin ng anak ko. 

"Bakit mo pala tinatanong kung gaano ka-espesyal ang araw na 'to? Do you have other reason why you called us all here for a dinner?" Tanong ko. 

Napangisi siya. That smirk reminds me of my man, tss. "Today's my birthday. But never mind. Only a few people know about it." 

Natigilan ako sa hindi inaasahang sagot niya. "Teka, hindi alam ni Ren----"

"No. And Dad? Well, it was actually me who asked him to not celebrate any of my birthdays anymore. Tita Amelia always greeted me but never gave me a gift since I told her that I disliked her wasting dollars just to give me a present." She smiled a little. "Ever since I was told to become stronger and powerful one day, I decided to stop celebrating my birthday. For me, there was only one thing worth celebrating...meeting my brother, and reuniting with him along with dad...And it happened tonight...So cheers." Bahagya niyang itinaas ang wine glass nang may ngisi sa labi.

I just smiled. Kinuha ko ang baso ng juice at bahagya rin 'tong itinaas, and we both have our drinks. Unti-unti na akong naging komportable kay Maxine. I like that she doesn't mind talking about herself with me. Kung titingnan kasi siya, parang napaka-misteryoso niyang tao. Na parang hindi siya mag-aaksaya ng panahon para pag-usapan ang mga bagay na ganap sa buhay niya. I really appreciate this. 

"Well, I think...I should still greet you." Tiningnan niya ako. "No. You----"

"Happy Birthday, witch." 

Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan hanggang sa natawa nalang kaming pareho. "Witch you say, tss." Napailing siya habang ako ay dinukot ko ang ubas na nasa harap ko. 

"Wait...do you hear that?" Nakakunot siya at pinakiramdaman ang paligid. I heard a car approaching. Tumayo si Maxine para tanawin ang paparating. "Who the f*ck is that? I don't remember inviting any third party tonight...And how the f*ck did this idiot entered the gate?" 

Pinagmasdan ko lang siya hanggang sa kunin niya ang phone na iniwan sa mesa. I think she dialed a number until she put her phone on her ear, "Get rid of the new visitor." She said and ended it immediately.

"Sigurado ka bang si Mr. Hilton at si Tita Amelia lang ang nakakaalam na birthday mo ngayon? Well, exclude me since ngayon ko lang naman nalaman."

Salubong ang kilay niyang bumalik sa upuan niya. "There are still two people on the list but they won't surely come." Napakunot ako. I was about to say something but I was interrupted...

"It's getting late, ladies." Renzo came. Kasama niya ang Dad niya. Ilang segundo lang ay sumunod si Tita Amelia. They all came back on their seats. Inakbayan ako ni Renzo as he bent his head down closer to my ear, "We're leaving in minutes, hon." 

"Why? May problema ba?" Nakakunot na tanong ko dahil sa totoo lang iba ang pakiramdam ko nang halos magkakasunod ang pagdating nilang tatlo. Is the new visitor has something to do with them? 

"I guess it's time for us to bade goodbyes. Besides, Ellisse needs to rest early. She can't stay up late." Anunsiyo ni Maxine. 

"Right after you open my gift for you." Napatingin ako kay Renzo. Ilang sandali lang ay dumating ang regalong tinutukoy niya. Wait...alam niyang birthday ni Maxine? Yes, of course, He's a Hilton. 

"Oh my!" Napatakip sa bibig si Tita Amelia sa gulat. 

"What the hell are you doing here, Rix? And what the hell is that?" I asked surprised too when I saw him. Kinakaladkad niya ang isang lalaki na nakagapos ang kamay ng patalikod at nakabalot pa ng burlap sack ang ulo nito hanggang sa baywang. 

"What the f*ck is that, Mikael?" Tanong ni Maxine. 

"Happy birthday, Sis." 

WTH? Anong klaseng regalo 'yan? 

"Dad, what's the meaning of this? Why did you let someone enter my property? And what's with the f*cking happy birthday?" Iritado na si Maxine pero nanatili paring nakaupo sa upuan niya. Kalmado lang naman si Mr. Hilton na parang expected na niya na mangyayari 'to. Did he tell Renzo about Max's birthday? 

"Ako ang nagkusang pumasok ng  property mo. Walang may gustong magpapasok kaya hinack ko ang security system ng buong villa." Inosenteng sagot ni Rix. This computer freak!

"And happy birthday coz today's your birthday, Max." Pamimilosopo't panggagatong pa ng katabi ko. Seriously? Tiningnan ko si Maxine. Matalim ang tingin niya kay Rix, malamang dahil sa ginawa nitong pangha-hack sa security system ng villa. 

"So what kind of weird gift are you offering me, Mikael?" She crossed her arms across her chest.

Tinanguan ni Renzo si Rix para tanggalin ang sako at nang tuluyan na itong maalis ay mabilis na napatayo si Maxine mula sa kinauupuan nito. "What the f*ck!" Gulat na gulat ang ekspresyon niya at kahit ako man ay na-sorpresa.

"Kuya Chad?" 

"What the f*ck did you do, Mikael Lorenzo?!" Mabilis na nilapitan ni Maxine si Kuya Chad, pero bago pa siya makalapit dito ay biglang tinanggal ni Rix ang duct tape na nakadikit sa bibig ng bihag niya dahilan nang mapangiwi ito sa sakit. "Tarantado ka talaga, Beaurix. Enjoy na enjoy ah. Dito mo lang pala ako dadalhin, kinidnap mo pa 'ko." 

"I told you to f*cking call me when something happened. Why did you let this idiot take you?" Kinakalas na ni Maxine ang pagkakatali sa kamay ni Kuya Chad tiyaka niya ito inalalayang makatayo. Halata ang inis at pag-aalala sa ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Alright, what the hell is going on here?  

"Ayos lang ako, babe. Kawawa naman 'tong tarantado kong kapatid kapag nanlaban ako." Nangungutya niyang tiningnan si Rix nang may mapang-asar na ngisi. Tahimik na itinaas ni Rix ang kamay niya para pakyuhan si Kuya Chad.

WTH? Did he call Maxine, 'babe'?

Nakatingin lang kami sa kanila. So...kung tama ang pagkakaunawa ko, si Maxine at ang kapatid ni Rix na si Kuya Chad ay in a relationship? Seriously? WTH! Hindi ko inasahan na si Maxine 'yong tipo ng tao na papatol sa isang...alright CEO ng Knight Liberty si Kuya Chad pero...

"I don't understand why Max didn't tell me about that man." Tiningnan ko si Renzo na nakatingin kay Kuya Chad. Halata ang pagka-irita nito sa presence ng kapatid ni Rix. 

"Is this one of her secrets?" Tanong ko. Minsan na kasing nasabi sa akin ni Renzo na ma-sikreto si Maxine pati ang Dad nila kaya malamang sikreto lang ang relasyon nila ni Kuya Chad. 

Mr. Hilton cleared her throat, "How's the company, young man?"

"Oh, yes! Pardon my sudden presence and rude behavior, Sir..." Bahagya pa siyang nag-bow na parang isang tunay na hari ang kausap niya. "Well, to answer your question----"

"Just be natural, Chadler. No need to impress my son and your younger brother." Kalmadong sinasalinan ni Mr. Hilton ng wine ang dalawang kopita. He then handed it to Kuya Chad, asking him to take a seat. "Please, join us." Kinuha niya ang isa pang wine glass at bahagya itong itinaas para kay Rix, "As well as you, young man." Rix took the seat beside Renzo which across Kuya Chad's.

"Tss" Maxine scoffed taking her seat beside Tita Amelia. 

Silence then enveloped us. Buti nalang talaga ay hindi nauubusan si Tita Amelia ng energy at hindi siya nagdadalawang isip na i-lighten up ang atmosphere.

"It's great that you came, Chadler. Buti nalang ikaw ang naisipang gawing birthday gift ni Mikael para kay Maxine. Tonight would definitely be the perfect birthday of your wife!"

Wait, what? Wife?

"Tita!" That was Maxine, halatang inis parin sa nangyari. 

"Sorry, Tita? Did you say, wife?" Nakakunot si Renzo at sandaling ginawiran ng tingin si Kuya Chad na biglang napainom ng wine.

"You're already married...with this man?" Halata na na-sorpresa si Renzo. WTH! I was too. Akala ko mag-boyfriend and girlfriend lang sila. 

"I thought that's what you found out? That I am already married with the CEO of Knight Liberty for about six years now." Napailing si Max at sinalinan na naman ng wine ang kopita niya. Napatingin ako kay Kuya Chad. 

Kinasal ba talaga sila? Was it an arranged marriage? Imposible. Sa reaksiyon kanina ni Max the moment he saw Kuya Chad, it was different. It was a natural reaction of a caring and loving woman towards her man.

"Six years? How did you----"

"I had all our documents hidden so I was confident you would never find anything about my marriage. Looks like you really had the best lackey who's good at stalking." Nakangisi si Maxine habang nakatingin kay Rix na nanatiling tahimik lang.

"So what else did you find about us, my dearest brother? Aside of me being the only Angel Maxine Hilton-Moralez." From Rix, she looked at Renzo. Nakangisi ito habang paikot na nilalaro niya ang wine mula sa kopita. 

"Tss" Renzo scoffed as he was about to take his wine glass but his Dad stopped him, "You don't surely want to cause your bride any harm on the road, son." Napa-buntong hininga si Renzo at ibinaba ang baso. 

Napatingin kami kay Kuya Chad nang tumikhim siya. "Tungkol nga pala sa kompanya, Dad, may proposal si Kiel. It's about the new project I mentioned last time."

"Excuse me? What project? Are you referring to that high-tech car? The one with an AI feature?" Nakakunot na tanong ni Maxine. Okay, Hiltons are talking.

Napatingin ako kay Renzo nang bahagya niya akong hapitin sa balikat palapit sa kaniya, "Are you tired? We can now leave if you want." 

I smiled at him, "Ayos lang ako. Maaga pa naman." Isa pa, interesado ako sa usapan nila Mr. Hilton. 

"Ever heard of the AI-programmed car huh? And now that you did, it easily got your whole interest." Pabulong na komento ni Renzo. Sa halip na pansinin siya ay iniharang ko ang daliri ko sa labi niya to silence him. "Tss" He even scoffed at bahagyang inayos ang upo niya. 

"You won't believe it this time, babe, but it was all Kiel's idea. He made a small chip for the car and he programmed everything." Halata ang excitement at pag-hanga sa mga mata ni Kuya Chad bago niya muling binalingan ng tingin si Mr. Hilton. "I hope you would give it a chance, Dad." 

"Dad huh?" Pagsawsaw ni Renzo. Napatingin sa kaniya si Kuya Chad. 

"Oh! Sorry..." Napataas ang kilay ko sa bahagyang pagkagulat nang tumayo siya. "The next time you're going to kidnap me, I hope you would send your most capable man." Nakangisi niyang sinulyapan si Rix nang may pang-aasar, pero mukhang wala namang pakealam 'to sa kanya kaya ibinaling niya ang tingin pabalik kay Renzo. "Alam kong kilala mo na ako, but let me formally introduce myself..." Inilahad niya ang kamay, "Chadler Benjamine Moralez. I am pleased to meet you, Commander Hilton." 

Mukhang walang balak makipagkamay itong si Renzo kaya siniko ko ang braso niya. Tiningnan lang niya ako as if he was asking me what? Tss. 

"Sorry, Kuya, wala lang siya sa mood." Ako na ang sumagot. 

"Maybe I should save the handshake for next time?" Alanganin siyang ngumiti at binawi ang kamay niya bago naupo. "Anyway, it's nice seeing you again, Ellisse. Ang ganda mo parin." Nakangiti papuri niya. Siya talaga ang kabaliktaran ni Rix. 

"Tss" Napatingin ako kay Renzo. Ano ba ang problema nito at nagsusungit na naman? 

"Tungkol sa AI-program..." Napatingin kaming lahat kay Rix na ngayon lang nagsalita. "Isang maliit na chip ang nagpapagana sa isang sasakyan, tama?" 

"Tumpak, kapatid!" Pinag-apir pa ni Kuya Chad ang mga palad niya. I guess, it wasn't only me who's interested about the project, count this computer freak as well. 

"Nasa iisang chip nakalagay ang lahat ng programmable features ng sasakyan. Kung isang sports car ang tinutukoy mo hindi basta-basta ang paggawa nito. Sa prototype palang, kailangan na ng malawak na pag-unawa at sapat na panahon...at kailangan ng isang chip na kayang kontrolin ang kapasidad ng buong sasakyan...isang bagay na imposibleng magawa ng isang normal na tao."

Napangisi si Kuya Chad, "Remember what I told you years ago? I wanted a car that could do what humans can and things that we can't. It's the 'impossible' that science and technology could only provide to society." 

So may alam si Rix tungkol sa project na titnutukoy ng kapatid niya. 

"Sabi mo dati imposible kaya inisip ko noon na baka nga hindi pwede ang idea ko sa mundong 'to, but someone made it possible..." It was the first time I had seen Kuya Chad smile devilishly. Parang hindi siya naiiba sa mga Hilton. "Never did I think that someone would surpass your tech capability, Beaurix...I am so proud that he beat my younger brother." 

"Am I late?" 

"Kiel?" Halos sabay pa sina Maxine at Kuya Chad, halata ang gulat sa ekspresyon nila. 

The little boy's wearing a maroon hoodie and carrying his bag pack. Napatingin ako sa kasama niyang butler na may dalang maleta. He bowed his head, "Good evening, Sir. Young master asked me to delay his flight for the prototype he was currently working on." 

"What the----"

Maxine was being cut off. "No. It's fine. How's your project, grandson?" That was Mr. Hilton. WTH? Apo na niya ang batang 'to? 

"It was great, Lolo Dad. I hope you will give me time to finish the entire process." Sagot niya. He halted right at the center, facing the table, parang may hinahanap.

"Did you use your grand dad's plane again?" That was Max. 

"'Nak, akin na 'yang bag mo." Tinulungan ni Kuya Chad ang anak niya na tanggalin ang bag pack nito. "Bakit naman hindi mo 'ko sinabihan na uuwi ka ng Pilipinas?" Ginulo pa niya ang buhok nito. His son looks adorable. Nakuha niya ang mga mata ni Maxine.  

"Kiel, I'm asking you...Did you use Dad's plane?" 

"I used mine, Mom. It was Lolo dad's gift when I was three so basically, it's my property." He looks adorable really! Tiningnan ko si Renzo at diretso lang ang tingin niya sa anak ng kapatid niya.

"Tarantadong 'to, may anak na pala." - Rix

"Bibig mo, kapatid. Fast learner pa naman 'tong anak ko." Sagot ni Kuya Chad na tinakpan pa ang tainga ng anak niya, but his son removed it. "Anyway, anak. I want you to meet your Titos..."

"Rix." Hindi ko inasahan ang biglang paglalahad ni Rix ng kamay niya. I doubt him. Interesado ba talaga siyang makilala ang pamangkin niya o 'yong project ni Kiel? 

"Papa talks a lot about you. Do you hate him?" Tanong niya na nagpatahimik sa amin. Kuya Chad cleared his throat na parang mabubuking na siya sa mga pinagsasabi niya sa anak niya tungkol kay Rix. "'Wag mo ng tanungin ang obvious, anak. Halata namang unang tingin palang mahal na mahal na ako ng Tito Rix mo." 

"I don't see it that way, Papa." Natawa kami ni Tita Amelia dahil sa sinagot niya. He's a genius kid. 

"Alright." Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Max nang malalim siyang bumuntong-hininga. "I think, it's really time for us to bade good-byes." 

"Pero, ija kararating lang ni Kiel at ni Chad----"

"Yes, Tita and we had a lot of things to catch up with...right, Chadler?" Taas-kilay niyang tiningnan ang asawa na parang sinasabi nitong umayon siya.

"Oh, yes, Tita! My wife's right. Kailangan na ring magpahinga nitong si Kiel dahil siguradong napagod sa byahe."

"Are you Mikael Lorenzo?" Napatingin kami kay Kiel nang magsalita siya. He's looking at Renzo.  The little boy walked near us, looking up to Renzo. Inilahad niya ang kamay niya. "Pleased to meet you, Tito." 

Renzo approached Kiel's hand. "Pleased to meet you, kid." 

"Mom and I have been waiting to see you. She told me a lot of great things about you. Now that I met you, I think, I really want to be a grown-up man like you someday."

"Favoritism 'tong batang 'to." Komento ni Rix na parang may sama ng loob dahil hindi siya kinamayan kanina ng pamangkin niya. 

"Teka, anak, bakit ang Tito mo ang ginawa mong role model paglaki mo? Akala ko bang ako----"

"Tarantado ka kasi." - Rix 

Napatingin ako kay Max. Hindi niya ipinapahalata pero ramdam ko na nagpipigil siya ng luha. Renzo's arms let go of me as he stood up to carry Kiel. "Missed me?" 

Napangiti nalang ako nang yumakap si Kiel sa Tito niya. Hindi ko inasahan ang sasabihin niya. "Let's race, one of these days, Tito." Anong alam ng six year-old sa pagkikipag-karera? 

Mahinang natawa ang iba at pati si Renzo, "Sure, kid. Let's have a match...but with my car simulator." And then he ruffled his nephew's hair.

Siguro kung hindi nahuli sa dating sina Kuya Chad mas madami pa ang napag-kwentuhan namin. Hindi lang para sa akin espesyal ang gabing 'to. I'm sure, for Max, katulad ng sinabi ni Tita Amelia, this must be the perfect birthday she had. 

And the night goes to an end...with a smile on our faces. It was one of the best dinners I had. 

"Take care, okay? If you need something, just call me or Maxine. H'wag kang magpapaka-stress." Naki-beso ako kay Tita Amelia nang may ngiti sa labi, "Thanks, Tita." 

"Why would she call me? Tss." Tutol ni Max sa sinabi ni Tita. Napangisi ako ng makahulugan, "Of course, I would call her." To finish our plan. 

"Take care of your bride, son. I'll see you again, soon." Mr. Hilton tapped his son's shoulder. Magmula kanina ay naging komportable naman na ako sa kaniya kaya lumapit ako para i-beso siya. "Take care, Dad." 

Tingin ko mula ngayon kailangan ko na ring masanay sa pag-tawag sa kaniya ng Dad. 

Being a Hilton may not be easy because I know what risks it holds, but if it means having these people in my life too? Well, it's fine. It's an honor to be part of the Hilton clan.