Carmela's POV
"Dad, I'll just go to my friends. I'll be back." Paalam ko kay papa.
"Sure, honey." With that, I stand up and headed to my friend's table.
On my way to them, I accidentally bump into someone's back. "Oh, sorry sorry."
Natapon ang champagne na hawak niya. Mabuti na lang at hindi gaano nabasa ang suit. I tried wiping his hand with my handkerchief.
"No. It's fine. Nakaharang din naman ako sa daanan." He stops my hands and wipes himself.
"Have you been attending RCC events before? Ngayon lang kita nakita." I asked.
"Nope. This is my first time. Sila mom and dad ang laging umaattend sa mga events. I'm still studying while my step-brother is busy training on how to handle the Empire." He said.
"What course are you taking?"
"I'm taking Business Administration in America. Graduating this year. You?"
"Kaka- graduate lang last year." Sagot ko.
"That's nice. You'll be handling your family's business as well?" He asked
"No. My eldest brother ang mag mamana ng company. Tulong tulong lang ako pag kailangan and will manage some departments."
"Parehas pala tayo. I want to invite you for dinner one of this day. Are you fine with it?"
"Oh, yes. Sure!" Tumango tango ako. "I'm Carmela Miller by the way." I offered him my right hand.
Tinignan niya ang kamay ko. Nag angat siya ng tingin at nginitian ako ng matamis. "Eljun Villalino."
I felt my heart suddenly beat fast. "I should go. Nice meeting you, Mr. Villalino."
"Nice meeting you too, Ms. Miller." Nginitian ko siya at naglakad na palayo.
.
"Mom, dad, Eljun Villalino invited me for a dinner." I told them after I received an email from Eljun.
"Villalino? The step-son of Mr. Christopher Villalino?" Dad asked.
"Yes."
"Is that a business dinner or a dinner date?"
"I don't know mom. Maybe for the business 'cause he invited me through email." Sagot ko.
"What ever it is, makakaganda sa business natin ang pagiging close ninyo." Dad said.
Hindi na ako nag salita pa at nag tungo na sa kwarto para mag ayos ng sarili. I wear a cute white sleeveless crop top and beige wide-leg pants. For my footwear, I wear black strappy sandals. I didn't put on too much make-up. Simple lang na babagay sa look ko. Hindi pang dinner date pero hindi din pang business meeting.
Eljun said that he'll be waiting for me sa mismong place. I don't want to be too early kaya dumaan muna ako sa malapit na bilihan ng jewelry. I bought four pieces of gold bangles para a aming mag kakaibigan. I am planning to give it to them on Altaira's birthday. Matapos bumili tumungo na ako sa meeting place.
"Am I late Mr. Villalino?" I asked the man sitting beside the window.
"Ms. Miller. Please to meet you again." He stood up and guided me to my chair just in front of him. "You still look fabulous withing wearing that stunning gown."
I feel my face heat up. "What's our dinner all about? Business?"
His fingers played his lips. "No. I just want to have dinner with you and to get to know you."
"Why would you like to get to know me?" I asked.
"Because there is something about you that really captured me from the very beginning." He said.
"And what is it?" I stared at him.
He looks intently into my eyes. "Your eyes."
.
"This is our what?" He looked at me. "Third or fourth time having a dinner date."
"What about it?"
"Can I meet your friends?" Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. "I want to formally introduce myself to them. Gusto ko malaman nila na I am a nice person. Do they know that we are dating?"
Ngumiti ako. "Of course. They are my best of friends. Sisters in the heart. We know everything about each other." Kinuha ko ang phone ko and pinakita sa kaniya ang picture naming apat sa Thailand. "Super-duper close kaming lahat and walang kahit na anong makakasira ng pag kakaibigan namin."
"You really love each other huh?" He gave me back my phone.
"Yeah." Ngumiti ako. "I love them more than anyone in this world."
.
I gave them the three velvet boxes containing the friendship that I bought for us. Sa likod ng bangles naka engraved ang names namin and ang CACA na initials naming apat.
"Happy Birthday, Altaira." Bati ko.
"What's this? Ako lang ang may birthday bakit pati sila may gift?" Altaira said.
"Wag ka sakim tanga." Inirapan naman siya ng dalawa.
"Friendship bracelets." I told them. "Hindi ko pa nasusuot ang akin. Gusto ko kasi isusuot natin yan sa isa't isa after making promises to each other."
"Corny but I like it." Chan said. "Ikaw na partner ko Ally."
"Sige kawawa ka naman. Walang pipili sayo."
"So, Altaira. I promise to never hurt you nor that two bitches over there, ever. I promise to take care of you if you guys get pregnant and also be the best ninang/ tita to all of your babies." Isinuot ko na ang bangles sa kamay niya. "I promise not to choose a man over my sisters."
-
"Wala pa ba siya, Carms?" Naiinip na tanong ni Ally. "We've been here for an hour."
"Oo nga. Have you tried calling him? May fashion show pang rarampahan si Altaira baka malate siya." Paalala ni Chan.
I dialed his number again, still no answer. Half hour ko na siyang tinatawagan pero wala pa ding sagot. I even tried reaching him through Twitter, Instagram, and messenger pero walang reply sa DM's ko.
"Carmela. Mom is calling me. Malapit na mag simula ang fashion show. Kahit ako ang finale model, I still need to get my hair and makeup done. Let's just rearrange this meeting with him next week."
Nanlulumo akong tumango. Wala akong alam kung bakit hindi ko macontact si Eljun. Disappointment lingers me but I shook it off and tried being energetic again. May kaibigan pa akong kailangan palakpakan mamaya.
In the middle of the show, my phone beep. I ignore it dahil sunod na nalalabas si Altaira. When she came out and walked, nag tayuan kaming lahat at sabay sabay siyang pinalakpakan, Tsaka ko lamang tinignan ang notification ng nag speech na ang designer ng gown.
I clicked the notification and it leads me to Eljun's IG account. He posted a photo of him kissing another girl with the caption 'Picking up my fiancee.'
"I guess you will never have a chance to meet him, girls." Pinakita ko sa kanilang ang picture. "He's already engaged and he didn't even bother to tell me. Kung kailan hulog na hulog na ako tsaka ko pa malalaman ito." Mapait akong napangiti.
.
I'm now here inside my room tulalang nakatingin sa reflection ko sa mirror habang inaayusan ako ng buhok. Today, we are attending Porsia's Masquerade Party. I've met Porsia once dahil isang beses pinakilala ako ni Eljun sa kanya. Funny how he introduced me to his mom, telling her how much he admires me but he ended up being engaged to someone else.
Sa venue tahimik lang ako. I'm not in the mood na makipag kulitan sa mga kaibigan ko. Kahit si Altaira ay kanina pa iginagala ang tingin sa paligid. Hindi din nag tagal, Lumabas si Porsia kasama si Eljun at ang babaeng pakakasalan niya. How I wish that was me.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. as you all know my husband made this company more successful compared to how it used to be. He did everything para makilala ang Villalino Corporation at parang napilayan ang kumpanya ng mawala siya." Tumigil siya sandali at pinunasan ang ilalim ng mata niya. "After this night, we will have our newest CEO but before I announce it I just want you all to raise your glass first for my son, Eljun, and his girlfriend, Lilith for being engaged."
Masakit man sa akin, pinilit ko na iangat ang champange glass para sabayan ang kasiyahan ng lahat ng tao. She also announced that Eljun will inherit everything that her husband left. Hindi din nag tagal ang kasiyahan ng lahat, dahil sa biglaang pag bukas ng projector at plinay ang video nilang mag ina. They all planned the death of his step-father.
Gulantang ang lahat sa narinig lalo pa nung nag simulang mag wala si Eljun. Taranta ang mag ina para matigil ang pag play ng video untill Dark came. Inilabas niya ang baho ng mag ina at kinuha ang dapat na sa kanya. I should be happy right? Kasi na justify na ang pag kamatay ng tatay ni Dark, pero galit ang lumulukob sa buong pagkatao ko lalo na nang magkatinginan kami ni Eljun at puno ng hinagpis ang mata niya.
"Engaged na pala si Eljun?" Napatingin ako kay papa. "Mabuti na lang hindi kayo nag katuluyan 'cause for sure Altaira's family will be having a hard time helping their soon-to-be son-in-law."
"Altaira's family? Tinulungan nila si Dark na magawa ito?" Hindi makapaniwala ko na tanong.
"Yes. Tumulong din kami pero hindi kagaya ng tulong ni Carlos." Napakuyom ang kamao ko sa sinabi niya. I can almost hear Eljun asking for my help and yes, I will help.
Kinabukasan, sinubukan ko'ng tawagan si Eljun para tanungin kung nasaan sila. He's not answering my calls so I just leave a message asking where they are. Ilang minuto lang agad siyang nag reply.
From: EJ
Sorry for not answering your calls. Nahihiya ako sayo but we're fine. We are currently in Lilith's condo.
To: EJ
Send me the address right away. I need to tell you something.
Agad agad akong nag punta sa address na sinend niya. I bought some food for them that will last for a month. When I arrived, Lilith is not there. Ayon kay Eljun, she's upset because of what happened. Baka nag shoshopping para mawala ang stress.
"Tita Porsia, I bought some groceries for you." Inilapag ko ang mga pinamili sa lamesa nila ago niyakap si Porsia.
"Thank you, dear. Napakabait mo talaga." She hugged me back. "What brings you here?"
Napatingin ako kay Eljun matapos kumalas sa yakap. Buong gabi ko ito pinag isipan at sigurado na ako. "I'll help you para makaganti sa Buenavides."
"Buenavides? Hindi ba pamilya yun ng kaibigan mo?" Gulat na tanong ni Eljun.
"Yes."Biglang bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa nito si Lilith na maraming shopping bag na dala.
"What are you doing here? Diba isa ka sa mga pesteng nanood kung paano kami mapahiya kagabi?" She asked.
Pinigil ko ang bunganga ko na mag salita ng kung ano ano. "I'm here to help."
"We don't need your help. Hindi naman kami gaganti." She said. "We deserve this. Tayo ang gumawa ng ikalalagay natin sa sitwasyon na ito."
"No, sila ang dahilan kung bakit tayo naging ganito. If only Dark leave us alone masaya sana tayong nagpapakasasa sa pera ng matandang iyon." Galit na sambit ni Tita Porsia.
"So what? Plano niyong gantihan si Dark?"
"Yes. Pati na ang Buenavides family dahil sila pala ang tumulong kay Dark." Sagot ni Eljun.
"No way. I'm out of here." Akmang aalis si Lilith pero hinila siya ni Eljun sa buhok.
"Where are you going? Babalik ka kay Dark dahil siya na ulit ang mayaman? You're a slut!"
Marahas na hinaw ni Lilith ang kamay ni Eljun. "Yes, I am a slut but I am not a heartless monster like you!" Mabilis na tumakbo si Lilith palabas.
"Let her be. Hindi yan mag susumbong kay Dark as long as she holds your cards."
Matapos ang eksenang iyon. Sinabi ko nag mga plano sa kanila. I send my half-sister, Nida, and her boyfriend, Gelo para mag trabaho bilang hardinero at katulong sa bahay nila Altaira. I also asked them to put some spy camera sa lahat ng kotse nila and asked Nida to seduced Dark. Minsan, inaakyat namin ni Eljun ang puno na kita ang loob ng bahay nila Altaira sa gabi.
Lilith always tries to tell Altaira that I'm betraying her. Malas niya dahil ako ang palaging pinapaburan ng langit. Everytime she tried turning her back to us lagi siyang nabubugbog ni Eljun and it was so satisfying for me.
We're just looking for a perfect timing para makaganti sa kanila and we see their golden anniversary as our opportunity. Pulido na ang plano. Handa na kaming ipakita sa kanila kung sino ang totoong wagi but Eljun and Porsia are so impatient.
Sinunog nila ang restaurant ni Altaira with her inside it. Malas nga lang at nakaligtas siya. For once I thought nakatakas silang mag ina but they didn't. Napatay sa tama ng baril si Porsia habang si Eljun ay kritikal ang kalagayan dahil sa ilang tama ng baril.
Mas pinaigting lang ang galit ko tuwing nakikita ko ang kalagayan ng lalaking mahal ko. He don't deserve this.
Binibisita ko si Eljun ng palihim sa hospital room niya everday bago pumunta sa room ni Altaira. Isang beses lumuluha akong pumunta sa room ni Altaira and they were all having fun sa kalagayan ni Eljun.
"Kung mabuhay pa yun ideretso niyo na sa mental baka mamaya sa loob ng kulungan tatawa na lang mag isa tapos mapagkamalan pa na kaaway ang ipis. " Tumawa ang lahat sa sinabi ni Dark pero ako, mas lalo lang sumiklab ang galit ko sa kanilang lahat. Eljun is not crazy!
I am so mad! I paid one of the nurses na lagyan ng ipis ang dinner ni Altaira ngayon para makaganti. Mabait si Altaira, she will never think na may nag utos sa nurse na gawin iyon sa pagkain niya so I'm safe.
On my own, gumawa ako ng plano. Sa araw ng golden anniversary ng RCC, mamatay silang lahat. I told Gelo na plantahan ng bomba ang limousine nila. If Eljun recovered by that time, patatakasin ko siya at siya ang sisipot sa RCC. He will get what he wants and live happily.
But everything changed when I found out that Altaira is pregnant. Pinabutas ko ang gulong ng limousine para pag alis nilang lahat, ipapadeactivate ko ang bomba.
Now I'm here inside the bathroom with Altaira. Kapapatay ko lang ng tawag ni Dark. Ang plano kong si Dark na lang ang sasaktan ni Eljun ay gumana. Inilabas ko ang baril na dala ko at itiniutok ito sa Cubicle na kinaroroonan ng kaibigan ko. Unti unti itong bumukas at ipinakita ang gulantang na mukha ni Altaira. Nangingilid ang luha ko siyang tinitigan sa mata.
"I'm sorry, Altaira." I said.