The Devil's Trap

Chapter 29: Nouveau Vampire

"How can you breathe in this kind of environment?"

River chuckled. "We held our nose between out fingers until we can breathe fresh air again."

It was a metaphoric statement. River love those.

Pumasok kami sa venue. There's an outer grand staircase located in front of the mansion. The property almost looks like a castle, suited to Yllona who is the family's princess. There was something towering in front of the staircase. Nang makalapit kami, doon ko napagtanto na ito ay mga regalo.

Nalukot ko ang maliit na paper bag na hawak ko. Yesterday, I spend the night making Yllona and River a sketch of them as a birthday gift. River somehow adore it. Nakangisi siya nang tanggapin ito sa sasakyan.

"She'll love it," said River beside me as if sensing my hesitation. "Those are things she already can afford," he said pertaining to the towers of gifts. "I'm positive your gift will be her favorite, like I do."

I smiled. I know River is just trying to make me comfortable.

Nang makalapit kami sa mga tao, agad silang lumapit upang batiin si River.

"River, happy birthday, dear."

Nakihalubilo si River. Nakipag usap. Nakipag biruan. People also stared at me. Some of them smiled. This is an exclusive party and everyone has an invitation. They didn't think I'm an outsider. They think I'm one of them.

Nagsimula ang pagdiriwang. Yllona will be walking down the grand staircase overlooking the lawn. Hinintay ko ang kanyang paglabas. I'm excited, and proud, and giddy. Because despite the suffocating air, everything else was breathtaking. From the lights, to the open lawn, the grandness of the mansion before us, and the shadow of the woods.

Maya maya pa bumukas ang pintuan. Lumabas si Yllona nang nakangiti. She's wearing a beige ball gown, sparkling under the lights and the mysterious shadow of the moon.

Bumaba siya sa hagdan habang nagpapalakpakan ang mga tao. People greeted her, gushed about her, told her how beautiful she is, and how enchanting the party is.

Pinanood namin siya ni River mula sa gilid. "Aren't you going to greet her?" Tanong ko sa katabi ko.

"Look at her," sinabi niya. "The past few years honed her acting skills. Quite convincing for a fake smile. A little pitch higher than her normal laugh but compelling enough. The problem will always be her eyes. Yllona's eye are too expressive. Eyes that can't lie. At when you look at it, it was as if she's already tired."

Pinagmasdan ko ang tinutukoy ni River. Yllona's radiant smile lits up her face like a candle. But like the tip of the flame, her eyes flickered, the fire fading as minutes passed by. After all, everything is only for the family connections.

Linibot ni Yllona ang kanyang tingin. She caught my eyes. Nagliwanag muli ang kanyang mukha. She excused herself from the crowd and made her way towards us.

"Denise!" She exclamed. "Akala ko hindi ka makakapunta. I'm so glad to see you."

"Happy birthday, Yllona."

Inabot ko sa kanya ang regalong dala ko. She blinked. Kinuha niya ito saka tinignan. She held the frame where I put my sketch.

Her face soften. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much, Denise. This is actually the first hand made gift I received."

Nabigla ako nang yakapin ako ni Yllona. "And you... you're looking hot tonight."

She'll not be Yllona if not for those mischievous remarks. Ngunit alam kong mas komportable na siya kahit paano.