[MAY 24, 2018: #16 on KathNiel]
[JULY 09, 2018: #3 on KathNielReads]
Beatrice Margaux Alegna Montreal and Enrico Anton Victor Arboleda are very powerful and prominent business moguls of their time. Their twisted past brings them together when they d...
The first message to materialize in my phone is Margaux's note that we all wear something presentable, at least for tonight's moonlit dinner, that is.
Katatapos ko lang mag-empake. It's already twelve in the afternoon. Babyahe pa ako papuntang Batangas dahil doon daw dadaong ang yate.
I stripped off my house clothes and slipped into a crisp white shirt paired with grey houndstooth pants. For the dinner, I will change into a black long-sleeved button-down.
I wore my vintage black moccasins and started heading out to the basement. Pinaandar ko na ang makina ng aking itim na Everest at kinarga ko na ang aking mga gamit sa likuran.
Nagmamadali akong nagmaneho palabas ng siyudad dahil anumang oras ay magsisimula na ang matinding trapiko.
I figured out that it is best to leave Metro Manila before rush hour starts, and it's the best thing I've thought of so far.
Through Skyway, by 12:30, I am already speeding in SLEX at 40 kilometers above the designated speed limit.
Pasado alas tres y media ay binabaybay ko na ang kahabaan ng Batangas Port. My car slid into a private gate enclosing a well-tended, eclectic-modern villa to house its exclusive club members.
I parked my car beside Samuel's.
Bitbit-bitbit ang aking katamtamang-laki na maleta, binati ako ng mga guwardiya ng magandang hapon. I greeted them back with a curt nod.
Greeting with me hug upon my arrival was Samantha. "You look neat, Rico." she said.
"Thanks. You look stunning." I said. She giggled, anchoring her arms with mine as we strode towards everyone else. "Samantha...I want to remind you tha-"
She cut me off with a smile. "Yes, Rico. I know. We're only friends. Besides, I'm checking out some other guy I will find time to introduce to all of you. Okay? I'm actually doing you a favor."
"What favor?" I asked. Ngumuso lamang siya at sinundan ko kung saan siya nakaturo.
In a white off-shouldered top and black dress pants with white trims, Margaux looked simply ethereal. Her hair was in a high chignon. Napaka-elegante ng kanyang tindig, lalo na't mataas ang takong ng itim na sapatos niya.
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She faced our direction and she immediately smiled. She looked very happy and from that moment on I knew she was going to be just fine without me. A little part of me willed me to finally let go. And slowly, I will, and surely.
"Sam! Rico! I'm so glad you guys came." she walked toward us, Nathan following suit, their hands intertwined.
Nathan was in a simple black Lacoste polo shirt that he partnered with black denim jeans and a brown loafer.
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it for the world." Sam said. Nakipagbeso siya kay Margaux habang nakipagkamay naman ako kay Nathan.
Tinanguan ko siya. "How does it feel, bro?" I asked, patting him in the shoulders. "Ikakasal ka na. I'm so happy for you too." and once again, I felt proud of myself for meaning what I had just said.
