{CHAPTER TWENTY - THREE: EIGHTEEN DANCES}

Ivy's POV

"Tonight, at this very 30th of December, we will witness the most beautiful moment of life of our dear Aenslei Ivy Montereal. So what are we waiting for? Let us welcome our celebrant, Ivy!"

I sighed deeply before I wore my mask. The lights went out and the only spotlight is pointing above me, waiting as I walked down the grand staircase up to the event.

All of the people inside the party was all wearing black and I was alone with my glittering red dress and I loved it.. I saw my eighteen roses wearing black masks so I wonder who is Alexander between those eighteen boys. The only song is the only noise in the night. The people were just looking at me, dumbfounded and mouth-wide open.

I want to laugh at their reactions...but I also want to cry. Cry in anger after all these times.

As my feet landed on the stage, people started clapping their hands and I saw how Tita Francine cry, again. Napakaiyakin talaga ni Tita!

The MC handed me the mic as I snatched one glass of wine from the table beside me. I took a sip first before saying my intro.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I was so thankful that you made it to my night and to this moment, we will start our celebration. We will enjoy my 18th birthday. C'mon! Let's enjoy!"

Party music started to blurt out in the speakers as I raise my glass for a toss. Ganun rin naman yung ginawa ng mga audience as I walked down to the stage to greet some of my friends. As far as I see, the people were enjoying the food.

Sinong hindi mageenjoy sa sarap nyan eh halos $500,000 ang ginasta ko just for the foods! Don't worry, may mga ipapauwi naman akong pagkain para sa kanila after the event or kung ayaw nila, mapapanis lang yan sa kusina ko.

"Enjoy the foods please."

Nakangiti kong bati kay Ghil as she stood up to give me a hug. "Happy birthday, sister. I was so proud of you."

"Thank you, sister. Just stay still in your sits and let the surprises impress you later."

She just laughed at me before handing me a paper bag. Her present to me, maybe. I thank her again as I checked the other guests. At exactly 8:30 in the evening, the MC called me again for the eighteen roses, candles, wines, gifts and wishes.

First in the list is the eighteen candles, next is the wishes then wines, gifts and lasted by the roses.

In fairness, I was touched by the wish of my old mother.

"My wish for you, dear Ivy, is to find hope in everything you do and do not ever stop doing what is right. Always remember that we are here by your side to help you. Happy birthday, dear."

So iyon. I was close to crying! Pero I stopped myself syempre. What am I?! Crying for that dumb speech?! Oh my gosh. It's a very big no!

Tito Aljiand is my first dance as the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran played in the background. We two danced the night away as  he gave way for Cairo to dance with me.

"Happy birthday Ivy."

I smiled. "Thank---"

"Don't thank me yet. We are still not yet over. By the way, my present is in your house. Just grab it later."

I nodded then Elijah comes next. Then Jacob then it's Clarenz turn after Jaziel.

Fire Blazers were just so handsome in black even though they got their masks on. They looked so harmless that you can even fall in love with their holy faces. Especially Elijah's. They are so perfect that they already looked unreachable. I just can't imagine their lives if they were aren't gangsters like what they are now.

Eleven more dancers gave me roses as the music change into Thousand Years by Christina Perri until a man with a white rose walked up to me and slid his hands on my waist. I put my hands on his shoulders as we started to dance on the stage. His flower is different from the other red ones, and I loved white roses than the red ones. This boy got my taste.

"Who are you?" 

I really can't recognize this man in his tuxedo and silver mask. With his damn red and kissable lips, perfect jawline...and muscled body! Inimbita ko ba talaga ang isang toh sa party ko today?!

"Happy birthday, Miss." Oh my God! He's voice! It's so fucking masculine!

"W-who are you? Why can't I...why can't I even recognize you?"

He made a very swift motion as he pulled me closer to him before answering my questions by a laugh. A very deep laugh.

"You can't really recognize me?"

Napailing ako. I'm so speechless. I look up to him first because he was so tall before I snatched his mask off his face. I was stopped for a moment but he continued to dance with me in the stage.

"A-alexander?!"

"Uh-huh."

I was lost for thoughts in a second. We were dancing but I was drowning in my own mind. Hindi ko kasi naman talaga
maintidihan. Alexander was so perfect as him now but...I really hate his guts and I don't know why. Tinalo pa nya ang hitsura nila Cairo in their suits. Alexander was every girl's man.

He was damn perfect. That was all I can say.

"You really hate me kaya hindi mo na ako makilala. Or I was just so hand---"

"Handsome your face! Ang panget mo kaya. I just can't recognize you because I though you got no taste in fashion. Wag ka namang feeling dyan."

He just laughed at me before bringing his face closer in mine.

"W-what are you..."

Gawd. Am I just stuttering?! Oh my gosh. And I can even felt my cheeks burning! Oh my gosh. Bakit?! Why on earth!

He inched his face into mine before smiling...genuinely.

"Happy birthday my princess. And please give this dance for me tonight."