Chapter 7: A Party
“Kailangan ko ba talaga sumama?” muling tanong ni Celine na halos hindi na mabilang kung ilan.
“Isasama ba kita kung hindi kailangan?” Thao said, almost losing his patience. Celine had been asking the same question for the 6th time magmula nang ianunsyo nito na ang pagsama ng dalaga sa party.
“Sigurado ka ba na simpleng party lang ‘yon?” muling tanong ng dalaga
Thao finally faced her. When he did, he can’t help but to scan her from head to toe.
She looks really different, para bang nagbago ang buong katauhan nito sa isang araw lang.
She’s wearing a long red gown with a furry white shaul, her long hair falls freely on her shoulders.
“Bakit kailangan ko pa magsuot ng ganito?” naiilang na tanong ng dalaga.
Thao fixed his suit before putting his wine glass on the table.
“It’s a simple party for business partners, it’s important to dress like your business partners”
Bago pa man makapagsalita ang dalaga ay naglakad na palabas si Thao. Forcing her to follow him.
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Hindi inaakala ni Celine mahaba-haba ang byahe papunta sa venue, ngayon niya rin napagtanto na malayo sa siyudad ang mansiyon ni Thao.
“We’re here” Celine opened her eyes upon hearing his voice.
Tumingin ito sa labas, only to see a towering building. Sa entrance nito ay may mga nakatayong gwardya na may hawak na baril habang pumapasok ang mga tao na nakasuot ng mga magarbong damit.
Bumukas ang pintuan ng sasakyan, allowing the two of them to step out of the car from both side.
Hindi niya alam kung mauuna ba siya na maglakad, she feels intimidated by the people going in on the building.
“Here” Thao offered his arms for Celine to hold.
Naiilang itong hinawakan ni Celine.
“Hold it properly” utos ni Thao.
Celine linked her arm on Thao’s. Feeling satisfied, naglakad na si Thao at iginaya si Celine.
“Good evening, Mr. Lauder” bati ng isa sa mga gwardya.
Thao just nodded before entering the venue.
They were greeted by the chattering noise of guests. The place looks expensive, there’s a chandelier hanging on top, there’s a red carpet placed on the floor. There’s a long table on the side that is covered with white fabric, dito nakalagay ang mga pagkain at inumin.
Habang sa gitna ay mga lamesa at upuan na natatakpan rin ng mga puting tela.
“Mr. Lauder” both of them looked at the direction of the voice.
A man who looks like in his 50s is walking towards them, a small smile is placed on its face.
“Mr. Smith” Thao greeted back nang makarating ito sa harapan nila.
“It’s been awhile”
“How are you?” pangungumusta ng lalake
“I’m good” Thao answered
Dumako ang tingin ng lalake kay Celine na nakatingin din sa kaniya.
“You have someone with you this time”
Mr. Smith smiled at Celine. Bahagyang ngumiti ang dalaga.
“Is this your wife?”
Halata ang pagkaalarma sa mukha ni Celine nang marinig ang tanong ng matanda. While Thao just smiled.
“We’ll be there soon”
Hindi na lamang tumingin si Celine dahil alam niyang magtataka ang matanda sa kung ano man ang ikikilos niya. Nangangapa pa rin ito sa mga kasama niya. All of this is new for her.
“You have good taste in woman, she’s really gorgeous” ani ng matanda habang tumatango
“Anyway, how’s the business doing Mr. Smith?” Thao changes the topic
Their conversation began to circle around the business. Celine is getting bored ngunit hindi naman ito makaalis sa tabi ni Thao.
She wants to explore the venue and taste the food they’re serving.
Another man joins their conversation. Celine knows that this will take longer.
“You can go, but don’t leave my sight” rinig niyang bulong ni Thao sa gilid. His whisper sent shiver down her spine ngunit ipinagwalang bahala niya na lamang ito.
“Thank you”
Humiwalay na ito kay Thao at nagsimulang maglakad while Thao continued the conversation.
Luminga-linga si Celine sa paligid, admiring the place. This is her first party at hindi niya ineexpect na ganitong klase pa ng party ang mapupuntahan niya.
May mga iba na tumitingin sa kaniya bago ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa ng mga ito.
“You seems new here” Celine turned her head upon hearing a female voice.
She was beyond shock nang makita kung sino ang nagsalita. It’s her favourite actress, matanda lamang ito ng kaunti sa kaniya but the woman looks really gorgeous sa suot nito.
“Ms. Victoria” banggit ni Celine sa pangalan nito.
Victoria’s lips curled upwards upon hearing her name, “I see that you know me”
“Opo, iniidolo ko po kayo” Celine is now smiling, hindi makapaniwala ang dalaga na makikita niya sa ganitong klaseng lugar ang iniidolo.
But then again, Victoria Willows is the actress that is reported to have a billion dollar worth of money. She should’ve expected that Victoria would be here.
“What’s your name?” Victoria asked. Feeling shy about the compliment
“Celine po” sagot naman ni Celine
“I’ve never heard of that name before, from which clan are you?”
“Clan?” Celine thought to herself
Sasagot na sana si Celine nang sumulpot mula sa likod nito si Phoenix na nakabihis rin ng tuxedo.
“You’re looking beautiful than ever, Victoria” Phoenix said in a flirting tone
Victoria crosses her arm on her chest upon seeing Phoenix.
“Why are you here?” masungit na tanong nito
“Because I’m one of your partners here” sagot ni Phoenix
“Celine?” tanong ni Phoenix nang mapatingin ito sa kaniyang gilid
Doon lamang nito napansin si Celine na kanina pa nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa.
Celine shot him a questioning look, “Bakit?”
Phoenix scans her from head to toe with his mouth agaped. ‘Tila ba hindi ito makapaniwala sa nakikita.
“You’re looking so beautiful right now” Phoenix said in an awe.
“Salamat” nahihiyang pasasalamat ni Celine
“You know each other?” panibagong tanong ni Victoria kay Celine.
Tinignan nito sa Phoenix na parang nagtatanong kung sasabihin ba nito na konektado siya sa kanila ni Thao. Phoenix gave her a go signal.
Magsasalita na sana si Celine nang may lalakeng magsalita mula sa likod niya. Napatingin ang tatlo rito.
Namumukhaan ni Celine ang lalake ngunit hindi niya maalala kung saan niya ba ito nakita.
“Tito, it’s been awhile” rinig niyang pagbati ni Phoenix sa tabi
“How are you two doing?” tanong nito sa dalawa, referring to Victoria and Phoenix.
He does notice Celine’s presence but he decided to interrogate her later dahil hindi siya pamilyar sa mukha nito. However, he do feels something inside him.
“We’re good, Tito” Victoria answered
“It’s good to see the two of you here”
Ngumiti na lamang ang dalawa.
“Tito, this is Celine” pagpapakilala ni Phoenix kay Celine.
Celine, who was shocked by sudden introduction was unable to move nor speak. Hindi nito malaman kung paano niya babatiin ang lalake na nasa harapan.
Inaamin niya, this man looks more dangerous than anyone in the room. Not even Thao and Phoenix who holds so much power. It’s like the two of them combined. She feels really intimidated by this guy.
“Good evening, Lady” bati ng naturang lalake sa kaniya
Bahagyang ngumiti ang dalaga, she was about to greet back when she felt Thao’s presence on her side.
Thao automatically wraps his arm around Celine’s waist and pulls her closer to him.
“Dad, it’s been awhile”
Hindi alam ni Celine kung ano ang magiging reaksyon nito sa nalaman. Doon din lang nito naalala kung saan niya nakita ang mukha ng lalake.
“Son, who is this woman?” imbes na kamustahin nito ang anak ay ibinaling nito ang atensiyon kay Celine.
Celine don’t know why, but she feels a strange feeling about the two. Ramdam din nito ang tensiyon na namumuo sa pagitan ng dalawa.
“She’s my fiancè” Thao announces, earning multiple looks from everyone near them
Including Victoria who’s visibly shocked and Phoenix who maintains a calm face. Phoenix knows that this is going to happen. He’s just observing Thao’s actions.
“When will be the wedding?” tanong ng lalake
Sasagot na sana si Thao when he senses something. Walang ano-ano ay iginilid nito ang katawan while still holding Celine ngunit hindi ito sapat para maiwasan ang bala na tumama sa kaliwang balikat nito.
Sumunod ang sunod-sunod na putok ng mga baril. Nagkagulo ang lahat, may mga ibang nagsigawan at umupo para iwasan ang bala na patungo sa direksiyon ng mga ito.
“Thao” sigaw ni Celine ng mapaluhod ang binata.
“F*ck” Victoria curses as she dug for her gun attached on her upper thighs.
“Sino ba ang sinusundan nila rito” sigaw ng ama ni Thao bago kuhanin ang baril mula sa likod nito.
“Protect your fiancè” habilin nito bago tumakbo sa ibang direksiyon.
“I’ll call Eden to escort her out of here” ani Phoenix bago tumakbo sa ibang direksiyon
“This f*cking rats” Thao curses as he pull his gun from his back
Nagkakagulo na at rinig ang putukan ng baril sa loob. May mga nakamaskarang lalake ang pumasok sa loob at nagsimulang magpaputok.
Napaupo na rin si Celine sa takot na matamaan ng bala.
Tumayo si Thao at pinagbabaril ang mga lalake ngunit nakakaiwas ang mga ito. May mga iba pa na pumapasok sa loob na may dalang mga baril.
Hinila nito si Celine at tumakbo patungo sa isang sulok. Nang makarating ay hinawakan nito ang mukha ng nanginginig dalaga.
“Celine, listen to me”
Tinignan ito ng dalaga, bakas ang takot sa mga mata nito.
“Wag kang bibitaw sa hawak ko hanggang sa mailabas kita”
Celine can’t do anything but to nod.
“You’ll be fine, I’ll protect you” ani Thao bago nito hawakan ang kamay ni Celine at tumakbo sa gitna ng mga nagbabarilan.