Back In Your Arms

Chapter 18

During the party.

Agot: do I have to be here?

Albert: you are my wife so why not?

Agot: I just don't feel comfortable with parties. As much as possible I stay away from it.

Albert: then sanayin mo na sarili mo. We will need to entertain from time to time and need to attend some when invited. We need to network for business.

Agot: (sigh) I know.

Albert: You have the total package, beauty and brains I don't get it why you are insecure. You are the most beautiful woman here tonight so smile darling.

Agot: (smile at Albert) you really knows how to boost my confidence huh.

Albert: (touch his fingers on Agot's nose, smile at her) gusto mo lang mapuri eh.

Agot: heeee! Sige na entertainin mo na ang mga bisita mong Taiwanese. Bolahin mo na sila and I'll just check if everything's okay.

Albert: you are my date tonight and not the event planner.

Agot: I just want to make sure na hindi papalpak ang Lorna mo dahil ayoko mapahiya ka sa mga bisita mo.

Albert: hindi ako mapapahiya. If there would be a problem siguradong sasabihin nila sayo.

Agot: okay Mr. Martinez, hindi mo nalang kasi sabihin ng diritsu na gusto mo ako nasa tabi mo.

Albert: this is one way of broadcasting that you are mine. Those who doesn't know we got married will know that I'm off the market.

Agot: and hopefully your Lorna will get that.

Albert: (medyo napipikon) stop saying that. Bakit ba kasi paulit ulit mo nalang sinasabi.

Agot: bakit ka ba napipikon?!

Albert: this is not the time to argue.

Agot: sino ba nakikipag away?

Albert: Agot—

Belle: (lapit kina Albert and Agot) sorry sa disturbo. (Look at Agot) yung caterer kasi mali ang nasabi na number of heads ng attendees—

Albert: let Lorna handle that. It's not Agot's problem.

Belle: sinabihan ko na si Lorna pero ang sabi lang naman niya hindi naman malalaki kumain ang dumalo ngayong gabi.

Albert: if we're short for a few number of persons it will not matter. Caterers always prepare extra.

Belle: pero sir, 75 heads short.

Agot: what? Pero tama naman ang count natin sa attendees. Go ahead Albert, asikasuhin mo na ang dapat mong asikasuhin kami na ni Belle bahala dito.

Albert: Agot-

Agot: kaya ko na toh. (Hila Belle papalayo kay Albert) natawagan mo na ba?

Belle: oo. Nung malaman ko kanina tinawagan ko na and clear it with them. Ayun nga mali ang number of heads na sinabi ni Lorna sa kanila.

Agot: (groan) asan ba ang babaeng yun ang simple simple hindi pa magawa ng tama.

Belle: pasensya ka na kung inabala pa kita. Nagpapanic na kasi ako. Though nag assure naman yung caterer na magagawan nila ng paraan pero baka kasi hindi umabot.

Agot: pag sinabi nilang kaya nila kaya nila Belle. Trusted na natin yung caterer natin. Relax ka lang.

Belle: isa pa Agot, aside sa free flowing ang alcoholic drinks tonight nag hire si Lorna ng escort service to provide entertainment sa mga Taiwanese na bisita.