The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Don Sebastian Monterio must've been kidding when he said that the party would be simple and private.

Halos hindi ako makagalaw sa kinauupuan ko nang dumating na kami sa mansiyon nila. It's like a scene ripped straight from a fairytale book. May nakasabit na fairylights sa kabuuan ng kanilang bakuran. May tumutugtog ng Cello sa hindi kalayuan. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin.

Women in long gowns and men in expensive suits are slowly pacing around, clearly enjoying the moment. May dalawang malaking buffet table sa magkabilang dulo. The round tables are covered with a crimson mantle with an intricate design. It's like I'm thrown into Cinderella's wedding reception or Sleeping Beauty's birthday celebration held at the grandiose mansion of the Monterio's. The atmosphere is very civil ang elegant with a tinge of malice.

Huminga ako nang malalim at lumabas ng sasakyan na pinadala ni Don Sebastian Monterio para sunduin ako. I glanced down at my own gown. It's a crimson transformer skirt gown. Mahaba ang nasa likuran habang maiksi naman ang harapan, hindi na umabot ng aking tuhod. My mother said that this gown will allow me to step on the pedal freely. The fabric is soft and it clungs into my body like a second skin. Bare-back and gown kaya naman nilalamig ako sa tuwing tumatama ang hangin sa aking likuran.

One of Don Sebastian's men guided me inside the mansion. May ilang napapatingin sa direksyon ko habang naglalakad ako papasok. Wala akong makitang ka-edad ko rito. All of them must probably in their late 20's to 40's. All of them are attractive and screams luxury and money in their gowns and jewels.

Biglang kumirot ang namamaga kong mga daliri. I bit my lower lips and tried not to wince in pain habang naglalakad ako.

Nang makapasok na kami sa loob ng mansion ay mas lalo itong gumanda sa paningin ko. The floor is shinier, the antique items looms proudly, and even the grand staircase is newly-polished. Pumapasok na din ang ibang bisita sa loob ng mansion.

I looked around. Hindi ko makita si Sage o si Don Monterio. But I saw Zian. He's with a young woman clad in a satin navy blue gown with a long slit. Nakakapit sa kanyang braso ang magandang babae. Sumunod naman sa kanila ang kambal na babae't-lalaki, their curly hairs bouncing.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Zian nang makita ako. Umiwas kaagad ako ng tingin. The piano is placed on the center. It's between the two grand staircase. Naroon na ang nagtutugtog ng cello.

Mayamaya pa ay bumaba na si Don Monterio at ang kanyang asawa. Natigil sa pag-uusap ang mga bisita at itinuon ang atensiyon sa kanila. The billionaire loomed in his ful 6 feet height. His intense eyes is a splitting version of Sage's orbs. I know for a fact that it is a bespoke suit he's wearing right now. Kulay pula ito may mga detalyeng prayle. I squinted to get a better look. Mga prayle ngang talaga.

On his other hand is a fat tobacco and on his left is his wife, looking gorgeous in her black gown. Napalunok ako.

What am I doing in a place like this?

"Everyone, I am pleased to have you in my simple and private welcome party." wika ni Don Monterio nang makarating na sila sa baba, kung saan nakalagay ang piano. "And to make this ocassion more sentimental for me, my sister finally accepted my invitation after all these years." Tumingala siya sa taas ng hagdanan. Pati na rin ang lahat ng bisita. "She's been out for the public for the past 10 years. But now, she's back. Ladies and gentlemen, my only family, my sister, the real witch of this family..." he chuckled. "Erica Monterio..."

Nalaglag ang panga ko nang may lumabas na isang matangkad na babae mula sa pinakaunang kwarto. She looked like a princess in her red and black ball gown. Halos sumabit na iyon sa magkabilang dulo ng hagdanan. Nakalugay ang kanyang kulot na buhok. She gracefully glided down the stairs, her eyes fixed on her brother smiling tightly at her. Sobrang intense ng kanyang mga mata. Matatas din ang pilantik ng kanyang pilikmata. Kahit na naglalakad lang siya ay ramdam na ramdam ko ang malamig na awra na bumabalot sa kanya.