Chapter 02
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"What was that all about? Asan ka galing?" I woke up from the loud bang from the door.
My eyes widen in surprise upon seeing Ate kisha fuming mad as she asked me those questions. She's walking towards me while looking at me straight in the eye. Nang makalapit sa akin ay padabog niyang itinapon ang pink na shoulder bag niya sa upuan na nasa harap ko lamang and she then smashed the table with her two hands.
I rubbed my eyes lightly and look at her. Humiga ako pabalik sa sofa at pumikit muli, I used my right hand to cover my eyes. Ignoring her words and her.
"You should buy some manners, Xochi!" Puna niya sa pagignora ko sa kanya, "alam mo bang ilang beses akong nanghingi ng paumanhin kay Direct pati na sa mga staff dahil sa biglang pag-alis mo, you made them disappointed and angry! Ako ang mapapagalitan sa taas, not you Xochiquetzal!" Sermon nito sa akin, hindi ko pa rin inaalis ang kamay sa aking mata.
I heard her sigh. "Maghanda ka, its already five pm you have more than one hour to prepare."
Narinig ko ang paglayo ng kanyang yapak kaya I removed my hand that I used for covering my eyes. Tumulala muna ako bago gumalaw, I look around and I sighed in relief ng makitang wala siya sa loob ng apartment ko, to be honest I was lying kaninang umaga. My mood suddenly got bad so I decided to get some fresh air but I know it unprofessional of me.
Tumayo ako at naghanda na, while I was away I already bought a dress for the welcoming party. It's a blue plunging empire waist dress, it resembled the night sky and the dancing stars. I took a quick shower before going to the powder room.
Kinuha ko ang hair blower na nakatago sa loob ng compartment at ginamit ito upang patuyuin ang aking basang buhok. My blond wavy hair dance with the wind that was coming from the blower. Nang matuyo ang buhok ay inayos ko na ang make-up kit ko and started applying make up on me.
I applied a foundation and other powders on my face and blended it, it wasn't that thick since gabi naman I he-held and party. I put a light blue eye shadow enough to blend it with my dress, a pink blush on that wasn't so visible, I used mascara to thicken my natural long eyelashes, I also used a eyeliner to draw a cat eye and lastly I applied a pink lipstick on my lips.
Matapos maglagay ng kolerete sa mukha ko ay nagtungo ako sa higaan kung saan nakalagay ang aking susuotin, inalis ko na ang suot na robe at sinuot ang empire wiast, I paired it with my sparkling dark blue pointed-toe d'orsay; as for my hair I braided it into a waterfall braid.
I'm not sure kung pupunta si ate kisha sa party after what I did. I left the apartment ready, I am now holding my dark blue clutch outside the apartment building, I look around and was shock to see ate kisha standing outside. Pinaikot ikot nito ang susi ng sasakyan sa hintuturo niya habang may kausap sa telepono.
She was wearing a crescent or semi-sweetheart lavender long dress she paired it with a purple silhouette, her hair is a milkmaid bun. Nagulat ako muli ng magtagpo mata namin, she gestured me na lumapit and I obliged.
"Yes, papunta na po kami. Table 13? Okay, we will thanks a lot."
She then ended the call matapos sabihin 'yon. Pumasok ako sa kotse ko na pagkatapos pumasok ni ate kisah sa driver's seat, I was now seating at the shotgun seat, nakayuko at pinaglalaruan ang aking mga daliri.
"A-About yesterday... I was- I'm sorry." mas yumuko ako, my heart started to beat faster and just thinking about what I did yesterday makes me more conscious.
Naradaman ko ang pagandar ng kotse paalis ng apartment building.
"Just, don't do it again. Bagohan ka pa lang sa industry, you'll faced a lot of things before the spotlights stops on you. Kaya kung gusto mong maging sikat at successful na actress do the things you think will lead you to beckme one." Paliwanag nito sa akin, she's... understanding.
"Ngayon ko lang napatunayan that your previous manager was right, you're repulsive." Natatawa nitong saad habang nagdra-drive.
I blushed. "Ate naman."
Matapos nun ay katahimikan ang nanaig buong byahe, it wasn't an awkward silence. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago makarating sa X&M Phire, the known famous hotel and restaurant of Montergo's. As we both got off from the car my body shivers upon seeing the known hotel, it's very expensive and exquisite. Spotlight were faced upwards to the X&M Phire and there's a red carpet and along the was red fence-like. The golden like building.
I chuckled. "Why do I feel like I'm about to receive an award?"
I started smiling and as we walked towards the main entrance I noticed a lot of paparazzis. May mga paparazzis na nagsisimulang kumuha ng mga litrato sa mga kasabay naming mga guest na naglalakad patungo rin sa loob. Habang kumukuha sila ng litrato ay pinipigilan sila ng mga maskuladong tao na naka itim na suit and shades.
"It's chaotic." Narinig kong kumento ng isang babae ngunit hindi ko na pinansin.
We sat at table 13 matapos makapasok sa loob ng hotel, napakaraming guest na hindi ko mabilang kung ilan. Some were tycoons, magnates, businessman and other people I can't name. Masyadong madami ang bisita ng mga montergo for just a welcoming party.
Palihim kong inilibot ang aking paningin, maraming table sa buong paligid and there were chairs of course na puti ang cover. I'm guessing that this hotel is huge, I also spotted the buffet na nasa gilid lang, they used a long and wide table it was covered with colored gold clothe as cover and the foods were already served there.
"Good evening everyone!" Napapunta ang atensiyon ko sa stage, "today we'll celebrate the returning of the montergo's first Grandchild." May ngiti sa labing saad ng mc.
"But before we welcome our main star tonight, let us first welcome the founder and the owner of X&M Phire" He paused and look at the crowd.
"Let us welcome, Mr. Xaviell Montergo and his wife, Mrs. Xariah Montergo." Nagsipalakpakan ang mga guest ng magsimulang umakyat ang dalawang matandang montergo.
Sumunod na pinakilala ay ang mga anak at asawa ng anak nila Mr and Mrs. Montergo.
"Their first son with his wife, Mr. Xavion Montergo and Mrs. Ceinwen Ione Austria-Montergo." Katulad ng naunang pakilala ay naglakad sila pataas ng stage habang inaalalayan ni Mr. Xavion si Mrs. Ceinwen.
"Their second son with his wife and son. Mr. Xerxes Montergo, Mrs. Tiana Vassiliev-Montergo and their son Zave Vassiliev-Montergo..." the mc trailed off and then in introducing the last son, "and their third son with his gorgeous daugther. Mr. Xavior Montergo and Ms. Xazyln Qria Montergo."
Everytime the mc introduce the montergo ay nagpapalakpakan sila. Napansin ko rin na halos mga babae at lalaki ay nakatitig sa dalawang apo ng montergo.
Huminto ang palakpakan ng itinaas ng matandang lalaki ag kamay sa ere.
"Good evening once again, we welcome all of you in our first grandson's welcome party. It's been years since he left the philippines after that terrible accident..." He trailed off and smiled at us, "but tonight we will welcome him as he return in his home country. Let us welcome our main star tonight, my grandson, Zakchaios Sìth Montergo."
Mas lalong lumakas ang palakpakan ng mga tao. And there it was from the stage a man wearing a dark blue suit, he smiled at everyone politely, I can't move my finger sor even utter a word. His mystery and distant gray eyes were focused on the audience.
"Ate kisha." I called ate kisha but my eyes were locked to the person standing on the stage.
"Did you say na nasa company kaninang umaga ang anak ng ceo?" My voice was shaking, I'm not even sure if she heard what I said.
He saw me smoking and entering a prohibited room! What if my contract gets terminated? What will I do then? Sigurado akong pagtatawanan ako ni Scar.
"Are you oka-" Ate kisha's words were cut off ng bigla akong tumayo at naglakad palayo sa table. I look and walked around looking for a back door, everybody was focused sa stage kaya walang nakapansin sa akin.
My face lighten up when I saw a door. Dali dali akong naglakad patungo sa pinto at binuksan ito. A garden... in a hotel and restaurant? Lit!
It wasn't made by titles but instead it was like a nature like garden. There was a mini waterfall for the pond and a bench near that pond, the path way was made of big stone. Naglakad lakad ako sa Garden at naghanap ng mauupuan. I took a deep breath while my eyes were closed.
"I think this is my carma." I sighed and look up the night sky.
The long dress I'm currently wearing resembles the night sky so much. I raised my hands as if I was reaching the stars. The stars shines so bright tonight.
"Someday I'll be a famous actress and I'll be a star shining so bright." Bulong ko habang nakataas pa rin ang kamay at nakatingin pa rin sa kalangitan.
I took a deep breath and exhaled. Tumayo ako at pinagpagan ang dress na suot ko sa likod at sa harap after that I raised my head. I was chock to see him- Zakchaios standing outside while looking at the night sky.
Dahan dahan akong naglakad upang malampasan siya ngunit nagulat na lang ako ng bigla itong nagsalita.
"What are you doing here?" Tanong nito na nagpahinto sa akin
I gulped. "Why? Did I enter a prohibited garden now?"
I heard him chuckled after what I said. "You're funny."
Humarap siya sa akin, the moonlight shined on us as he turned around.
"Ahh, so ngayon clown na ako, galing." Pahina ng pahina boses ko habang sinasabi iyon.
"What's your name? I think you're an idol, model or actress that signed in our company. Am I right?" Saad nito habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa bulsa ng kanyang suit.
"The latter." Sagot ko sa tanong niya sa akin. I didn't think that their first grandson is a friendly one, 'cause he doesn't look like one though.
I snapped my fingers the crossed my amrs after remembering what he witnessed this morning.
"By the way, about me smoking and entering the prohibited room kaninag umaga ay... I-I'm sorry." I whispered as I bowed by head.
My eyes widen when I heard a clicking sound. I look around and saw a woman wearing a uniform, uniform ng mga staff sa hotel na ito.
Hahabulin ko sana ang babae ngunit natapilok ako kahit hindi pa ako nakakalayo. Napahiga tuloy ako ng wala sa oras.
"Are you okay?" His asked me in a soft voice.
Lumapit siya sa akin at tiningnan ang paa ko.
"I forgot that I was wearing a high heel, damn it!" Bulong ko at napakagat ng labi.
Sa sobrang sakit parang gusto kong manakit ng tao.
"Can you stand up?" Tanong niya, tumango naman ako. I slowly stood up while he was supporting me by holding my hand and my waist.
Nang makatayo ay sinubukan kong maglakad however instead of walking I almost tripped due to the pain that was inflicted. Mas umasim mukha ko dahil doon.
"Can I carry you?" Nagulat ako sa tanong ni Zakchaios. I was dumbfounded but I slowly nodded.
She carried me in a bridestyle way. Kumapit ako sa leeg niya ng wala sa oras, I closed my eyes habang naglalakad siya. Ilang minuto ang lumipas a naglalakad pa rin kami. I don't know kung asan siya duman pero pagmulat ko ng mata ay nasa labas na kami, malayo sa main entrance.
"May daan palabas ng garden that's why we're here." Paliwanag nito kahit hindi pa man ako nagtatanong.
Binuksan ko ang hawak-hawak kong clutch at kinuha ang iPhone ko. I dialed ate kisha's phone number and called her.
"Where are you Xochi? Palagi ka na lang umaalis ng walabg paalam." Bulong ma tanong nito ngunit puno ng panggigigil.
"Look ate I'm sorry, nasa labas ako, I accidentally tripped on the way back." Nahihiyang paliwanag ko sa mahinag boses.
I heard her sighed in the other line. "Saang part?"
I looked at Zakchaios, I handed him the phone, at first he was hesitant but he still took it.
"We're outside the parking lot." He said in a baritone voice.
After ending the call he gave me my phoen and minutes later ate kisha arrived driving my car. She parked it towards me, nagpasalamat siya kay Zakchaios and I just saw ate kisha coming back with a dark blue blazer. Binigay niya ito sa akin at sumakay na sa driver's seat, tumingin ako sa labas and Zakchaios was longer there.
"Binigay niya sa akin 'yan. Sabi niya suotin mo raw dahil malamig." I blushed upon hearing what ate kisha said.
"Hindi ko man lang siya napasalamatan." I said and averted my eyes outside.
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kryaith