{CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO: STARTING POINT}

Ivy's POV

12. 30. 2017

This is the feeling of happiness. Acceptance. The feeling that everyone beside you is accepting you in who you really are. The flaws, the mistakes, the acceptance.

But the feel of avenge is still here. In my heart. The feeling of being left unknown. Left alone. I was left. And there comes Ivy.

Beyond the acceptance is the revenge of being forgotten. It's the feeling of pure anger that ate your heart that you only want is for the people to suffer. The people who leave. The people who betray. The people who forget.

But now I'm coming back,

And they will surely love Ivy.

--

"Hi Ma'am, ang ganda ganda mo talaga." 

I just smiled at Loreta's praise. I walked up to the mirror as my wet hair is pouring liquid drops in the floor. Yes, kakaligo ko pa lang. Time check, 5:45.

I reserved at almost 3 hours for my preparation but the venue down at my backyard is already set. The music, the foods, the chairs and tables...all set. The only thing needed is me, tsaka yung iba pang mga dadala sa birthday party.

Most of the chairs are already occupied as I looked at my window. Nasa ibaba na ang mga ka-gang mates ko but I saw how Dianne sat uncomfortably in her chair. Her dress is not comfortable? Duh. Baka allergic.

Ghil and Tita is already downstairs. Same with the Fire Blazers. Yes, I invited them to my party and they are one of my 18 roses. Alexander, Tito James and Kuya Chad are standing at the back portion of the event, chit-chatting and drinking champagne.

All families in the rank of the underworld are also invited. Even Charles Fernando, yes.

And by the way, all legal and illegal drinks are here. I bought them in the States kaya kahapon pa lang, naideliver na kaagad dito.

"Ma'am, time to prepare for the gown."

I closed the curtains as I nodded at Janica, my personal designer and make-up artist. I hired her today to do my hair and make-up and to help me by my gown. This is going to be fun!

My bloody debut! How beautiful and lovely it is.

I entered my room at maraming tao sa loob. Some were arranging my dresses for the event, some for the make-up and some were just cleaning.

I sat down on the chair in front of a wide mirror with light bulbs around it then the table was full of...branded make-ups.

Janice stood beside me, admiring my face. "Are you sure you're going to put make-up? You already looked gorgeous."

"Nah. Just put some kind of dark colors. Please emphasize the red ones."

"Tss. Why are you so obsessed with dark colors?! Look at your motif. It's so dark...and bloody."

I laughed at her reaction. "Yes. Bloody."

Napailing na lang sakin si Janica as she started to do her thing. For almost an hour yata akong nilalagyan ng kung ano-anong kolorete sa mukha. Gawd. But I would say na hindi naman masyadong makapal yung nilagay na white foundation sakin. Janica said that my skin is already white so there's no point on putting a very thick foundation.

"Done. Bloody as requested."

I immediately looked at myself in the mirror at napangiti ako. I was so contented with my looks. The lipstick is so red and the eye shadow is kinda light red. My eyebrows are neatly fixed.

"Thank you. Hey, you may proceed downstairs. Enjoy the food and wait for the program to start."

"No problem. Aayusin ko lang tong damit ko bago manginain ng mga handa mo sa baba."

Napangiti ako as she maneuvered herself out of my room. I was left with my three other assistants who were assigned to my gown.

"Ma'am, it's already 7:00. Isuot na po natin sa inyo yung damit nyo?"

I nodded at Christine. Hinubad ko yung bath robe na suot ko, revealing me with my underwears. Of course all of my assistants were girls! I'm still a innocent for Pete's sake!

The assistants helped me with my red glittering long gown with a slit on the left exposing my legs. This gown has been brought in States yesterday. Talagang ako mismo ang pumili nito online from my trusted gown shops.

The messy bun of my hair with some hair stands falling on my back made me more beautiful than ever. After wearing my gown, one of my assistants kneeled in front of me as she put my red stilletos on my feet. After saying my thank yous to them, they leaved the room but I asked them to join the event downstairs.

Mabait ako today. I just want to make them witness my grand surprise later. I am so excited about it.

I was left alone in the room, admiring my suit, when my phone rang.

Tita Francine calling...

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na sagutin iyon.

"Hello? Tita?"

"Ivy! Gosh. Happy birthday honey. Oh ano? Are you all set? The event is going to start in thirty minutes."

"Yes Tita. Nakahanda na po ako dito sa taas. Are you enjoying the food downstairs?"

"Of course, honey! The foods are so tasty and delicious and the drinks were so expensive huh?"

I laughed. "Syempre naman. Hindi ako maghahanda ng hindi mamahalin."

"You really inherited that attitude from your Tita Van. BTW, nandito na kaming lahat sa baba. We were just waiting for you. Good luck for the party, honey."

"Thank you, Tita."

"I love you sweetie..."

"I love you too, Tita."

Then she ended the call.

I heard the MC starting the welcoming speech and prayer so I walked up to the window, watching everyone as they admired the place and the event. I saw Ghil as she checked every corner of the place with amusement on her eyes. Of course! She would see gold on her surroundings. Isang Ivy Montereal ang pinaguusapan dito.

I can't help but to smile.

Go admire the place...until you can't help but to get impress once I brought your sister back later.