As we all enter the banquet, everyone were looking at us, and all the camera man are capturing every steps we made. Ganon rin sa mga guests na nasa likuran namin. Marami na rin ang tao sa loob at marami pa ang dumadating.
"Chairman Mc Blaire, welcome!" A woman suddenly appeared infront of us. She must be in her late 30's, I guess.
"Welcome everyone, please follow me to your table." Nakangiti niyang sabi sa amin as she guided us to the middle of the hall. Marami namang mga nakakakilala sa amin na pinapanood kami at tiningnan.
Then finally, we arrived at the left-front side of the hall, where I think pang-VIP ang spots at tables, then I immediately saw Allyza, Luca, and Eiderson with their parents sa table na hindi masyadong malayo sa amin. Allyza waved her hand when she saw me looking at her, I also smiled. Then I saw Hillery sa isang table na malapit lang sa table nila she's with her mother and other women.
"Chairman Mc Blaire, good evening." Someone suddenly said from behind kaya napasulyap ako sa kaniya, an found out it was Mr Borromeo with Dean Clarkson.
"Gentlemen, how are you?" Nakangiting sabi ni paps sa kanila at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo para lapitan ang dalawa. Then they start talking about stuffs, kasama si Mr David. They went somewhere just near from our table talking to some individuals they knew. Naiwan naman kaming apat sa table habang hinihintay na magstart ang event.
Nagpatingin ako sa right side sa may VIP tables din, then I saw Alexus and Joellen with their parent at the first and second table. Then I saw Cianna and Cian sa table na malapit lang sa kanila. Some gentlemen were standing and having chit-chat with each other, just like to our side. Halos kunti lang ang nakikita kong nakaupo.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! I will be announcing that any minute now our program will start. Our celebrant will be here shortly, as of now, just enjoy your selves and enjoy the night. Thank you." The mc suddenly and shortly announced.
Kahit almost start na ng program at ng event marami parin ang dumadating. Tho, you can't really notice them if you aren't at the tables near the entrance or at the back, just like us who were infront. Since many well-know person or the VIP's are wandering around or socializing with each other.
Sa sobrang laki ng banquet hall ay puno rin ng mga tao. Hindi lang dito, even outside the hall, where you can find the liquor drinks and other delicacies. There are also tables there.
"Good evening again ladies and gentlemen!" Napalingon at napatingin ang lahat ng tao ng muling mag salita ang mc sa harapan.
"We are all thankful for all your patience. We are will be welcoming our celebrant! But that, let's all welcome first, Chairman of Del Castillo Company, Mr Daryl John Del Castillo! A round of applause please." Nagpalakpakan ang lahat after nang sinabi ng mc. Then, Ice's dad went to the stage, and the mc gave the mic to him.
"Good evening everyone, thank you for coming here tonight. It's been years since a huge event like this happened, but now it's not because of business, but celebrating my son's twenty first birthday and also welcoming him as the future of our Del Castillo Company." Nagpalakpakan naman ang mga guests and visitors.
"Let's all welcome, Aizer Daryll Del Castillo, with my wife, his mother, Anna Rose Del Castillo." Huling sabi ng dad ni Ice at nagpalakpakan naman ang mga bisita habang nakatingin sa may entrance, nagsitayuan naman ang mga nakaupo habang pumapalakpak at nakangiting lahat sa entrance.
Naunang tumayo si Clayd at sinundan agad ni Blake at Zel, so I also did the same, looking at the guy with his mother, walking at the middle of the huge crowd in order to come forward.
He's so handsome tonight, with his silver suit plus a silver tie. He wasn't smiling, tho you can see through his face and gaze that he's so pleased to see a lot of people clapping their hands while smiling at him and his mother who's beside him. Kaliwat kanan ang tingin niya at tinatangoan ang mga ka-kilala.
He gaze at our direction habang palapit na sila sa harapan. Nagkasalubong ang mga tingin namin. I smiled at him which made him smile.
"Tsk. Ikaw lang pala magpapangiti." Rinig kong sabi ng katabi kong si Zel. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nanatili ang tingin kay Ice na nakatingin parin pala sa akin.
I smiled at him and gaze at Tita Rose na saktong tumingin rin sa amin, she smiled when she met my eyes, so I smiled back. Hanggang sa nakarating sila sa harapan where his dad is waiting.
The foods and some delicacies were served, while some are still having chit-chat with each other. And hindi ko na nakita si Ice maging ang parents niya dahil sa dami ng tao. Maybe he is entertaining the guests with them.
The music that was played by a band, made everyone enjoy the night. Some were already dancing at the middle space. Even paps and Mr David is nowhere to be found.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause to our celebrant with the queen of DCC!" The mc suddenly announced at nagpalakpakan naman ang mga tao. Napatingin naman kami sa kabila ng tumapat ang spotlights kay Ice and Tita Rose na naglalakad papunta sa gitna, with a slowed background music.
They dance with mesmerizing attention that's why everyone's attention ay nasa kanilang dalawa. Silang dalawa lang rin ang nagsasayaw sa gitna, until the music ended. Namatay ang ilaw at ang spotlight, then bumukas muli ang ilaw at wala na sila sa gitna. Nagpalakpakan ang lahat at nagsimula namang magsayaw sa iba.
Later, wines are served. Which made all the tables empty. I just had a chit-chat with Zel, and then later ay lumapit sa amin si Allyza at Hillery... Blake and Clayd went somewhere, and I saw them with Luca and Eiderson bago sila mawala sa paningin ko.
"Excuse me, wash room lang ako." Zel suddenly said at agad na naglakad paalis. Kaya naiwan ako with Allyza and Hillery.
"Mart! Have you seen Joellen and Cianna?" Biglang tanong ni Allyza kay Martin ng makita naming nasa malapit lang. He immediately went closer to us.
"Good evening ladies." He said and smiled.
"Have you seen Joellen and Cianna?" Tanong ulit ni Allyza.
"I saw them earlier with Alexus and Cian, maybe they're at the beer house." Martin answered pertaining to the place outside the hall where drinks are located.
"Thanks, Mart." Allyza said, then later ay umalis na si Martin after a little chit-chat. And Hillery were called by her mom, so kami nalang ni Allyza ang naiwan at saktong bumalik naman si Zel sa amin. We decided to go out from the hall and went to the beer house, and when we arrived, there are already a lot of people drinking their ass off included Alexus and Cian.
"Guys? Where is Joellen, and Cianna?" Tanong sa kanila ni Allyza.
"Bumalik sa Joellen sa loob. While Cianna just somewhere in here." Sagot ni Alexus sa kaniya.
"How about Aizer, I haven't seen him." Zel also asked.
"We don't know, he was with the Representative of European Union when I last saw him." Sagot naman ni Cian.
Hindi na kami nagtanong about the others whereabouts. Since for sure they are just somewhere in this hotel. While nagpaalam naman si Allyza samin na hahanapin niya daw si Cianna. So Zel and I were just at the counter bar and holding a glass of wine.
It's already 10:30 ng tingnan ko ang time sa cellphone ko.
"San ka?" Zel immediately asked ng bigla akong tumayo mula sa stall na inuupuan ko.
"Washroom." Tanging sagot ko lang sa kaniya. Tumango naman siya kaya naglakad na ako paalis.
Because of how huge the place is, it's rare na makasalubong mo ang ka-kilala mo, lalo na't marami ang tao. I decided na lumabas sa buong venue, at dinala ako ng mga paa ko sa labas were you can find the benches. Walang tao dito, at maganda ang simoy ng hangin.
"Why are you here?" Biglang may nagsalita sa likuran ko kaya agad akong napa lingon sa kaniya.
"Hindi ba dapat nasa loob ka?" Sabi niya ulit habang papalapit sa akin. Hindi ako sumagot at tumingin lang sa kaniya.
"Hindi ka ba nag eenjoy sa loob?" He asked again and stopped infront of me. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at umiwas ng tingin.
"Not really, it's just that I feel a bit uncomfortable inside, hindi ako makahinga sa sobrang daming tao." Natawa naman siya dahil sa sinabi ko.
"You're right." Sabi niya naman.
"Thank you nga pala for what you did before, Felix." I suddenly said at tumingin sa kaniya. Nakatingin pala siya sakin. He nodded at umiwas ng tingin.
"Actually it's my fault kung bakit kayo napunta sa ganong sitwasyon." Biglang sabi niya which made me confused. He sighed at tumingin sa akin.
"I helped them trace your whereabouts, I helped them hide their location and regarding what they did. It was me who hacked the system and erase the footage near the RU parking lot."
"Why are you working with them?" I suddenly asked matapos marinig ang mga sinabi niya.
"They recruit me. Mom has a dept to Teodoro Coroza, so I don't have a choice but to accept their offer. Hindi naman mahirap na trabaho ang inoffer nila, so I joined." Sagot niya. Napatingin at napatango nalang ako.
"I was surprised when I saw you fighting with Emil that night. You? The nerd Elshein Jewelle Estamante? Is part of the Bloody Plunderer. And worst she's the leader." Natawa naman siya matapos sabihin iyon, agad ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin at napatingin sa paligid.
"Gago, baka may makarinig sayo!" Sabi ko sa kaniya which made him chuckled again.
"Sorry." He mumbled still chuckling. Napairap nalang ako at sinamaan ulit siya ng tingin.
"How did you know about Bloody Plunderer?" Kunot noo kong tanong.
"Teodora Coroza said mentioned it. So I look for some information." He answered. Tumango nalang ako at napabuntong hininga.
"What are you two doing here?"
Nagulat ako ng marinig ang isang boses mula sa side namin. Nagkatinginan kami ni Felix bago tumingin sa nagsalita.
"Ice." I mumbled when I saw him with his serious expression and while walking towards us.
"Aizer." Felix immediately uttered his name.
"Happy birthday." Bati niya kay Aizer, tumango lang naman ito sa kaniya.
"Why are you both here?" He asked again ng makalapit na siya sa akin and suddenly grab my waist dahilan para magulat ako. Takang tungin ako sa kaniya but he's just looking at Felix.
"I just happened to saw her here alone." Napatingin naman ako kay Felix dahil sa sinabi niya, and I saw him looking at Aizer hand na nakapulupot sa bewang ko.
"Anyway, pabalik na din naman ako sa loob. So, I'll be leaving." He added at tumingin pa siya sa akin.
"See you inside, Shein. Happy birthday again Aizer." Dugtong niya. Tumango lang ako sa kaniya as he started walking away. Hindi naman nagsalita si Ice, at nakatingin lang kay Felix na papalayo.
"Kailan pa kayo naging close?" Ice suddenly asked, at bigla siyang lumingon sakin kaya nagulat na naman ako. Na realize ko kung gaano kalapit ang muka namin kaya umatras ako but he's holding my waist kaya hindi ako makaatras pero nilayo ko ang muka ko sa kaniya. Kunot noo lang naman siyang nakatingin sa akin.
"We're not close." Sagot ko sa kaniya.
"Really? Then why did you go out?" He mumbled and asked again, as he pulled me closer and my left hand landed on his chest to create a bit space, medjo naka bend naman ang upper body ko dahil super lapit na ng muka namin.
"I feel a bit boredom and gusto ko lang magpahangin." I answered him, looking at his sharp eyes.
"Aren't you supposed to be inside, entertaining the guests?" Tanong ko naman para maiba ang topic. Hindi nagbago ang tingin niya at nanatiling nakatingin parin sa akin ng seryoso.
"Nakita kitang lumabas, hinanap kita, then I saw you with Felix... You seem to be enjoying his company." Seryosong sabi niya at mas inilapit pa niya ang muka kaya napaatras na naman ako, even though naka-pulupot parin ang kamay niya sa bewang ko.
"What are you talking about." I composed myself and uttered those words, meeting his gaze.
"I waited until you approach me when I can't excuse myself with the guests, but you went out and talking with Felix instead." Nangunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
"Aizer? Didn't I told you, that I will accompany you when you're done entertaining your visitors? As if I can interrupt your conversation with them." Napairap nalang ako after kong sabihin iyon sa kaniya.
"But you're my date tonight. You are supposed to be by my side, at hindi sa kahit sino." Seryosong sabi niya ulit as he pulled me closer again which made us look like hugging.
"Are you jealous?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa kaniya dahilan para mag-loose ang pagkakahawak niya sa bewang ko, creating a bit space to our body.
I chuckled as I teasing pulled his clothes so he can be closer. His eyebrows furrowed while meeting my gaze.
"Happy birthday." I softly mumbled as I quickly give a peck on his cheek. Napatulala naman siya habang nakatingin parin sa akin which made me chuckled.
"Is that how you apologize?" Seryosong sabi niya bigla.
"Aizer!" I pouted at mahinang pinalo siya sa dibdib, and he chuckled.
"Kidding." Aniya at mahinang natawa. Tingnan niyo to, kanina lang ang seryo-seryoso, tapos ngayon tinatawanan at niloloko na ako. Tsk.
"Let's go inside?" Sabi niya ulit. Tumango nalang ako at ngumiti naman siya sakin then we begin walking towards the entrance of the venue, while he is still holding my waist.
A lot of people are glancing at us when we both entered the hall. They seems to be surprised watching Aizer and I being to close to each other. Marami pa rin ang mga nagsasayawan sa gitna, maging sila ay napapalingon sa aming dalawa.
"Elshein!" Tita Rose suddenly came closer ng makita niya kami.
"Tita." I smiled at her as Ice released his hand para makalapit ako sa mom niya.
"God, you look so stunning tonight." Tita Rose said as we hugged each other and kissed both cheeks.
"You too, Tita." Nakangiting sabi ko naman sa kaniya. Aizer immediately wrapped his hand again to my waist after that, natawa naman ang mom niya dahil sa actions ng anak niya.
"Shein. Where's Clayden and the others?" Paps who was behind Tita Rose suddenly asked. He's with other guests included Mr David and Aizer's dad.
"They at the house beer, I guess." I answered him, and he nodded.
"Is she your daughter, Sanderson?" Someone beside him suddenly asked.
"Haven't you heard that he has four adaptive children?" Sabi naman nong isang kasama nila.
"Is that true?" Tanong ulit nong unang nagtanong.
"Gentlemen, it doesn't matter if they are just his adapted children, as long a he cares and love them. Am I right, Chairman?" Aizer's dad suddenly said.
"And isn't she pretty?" Nakangiting sabi naman ni Tita Rose at tumingin pa siya sa akin.
Tahimik lang naman kami ni Ice habang pinapakinggan ang usapan nila.
"Aizer? Is she your girl?" Tanong naman nong isang nasa tabi ng dad niya. Napatingin naman ako kay Ice na ngumiti lang sa kanila at tumingin sa akin.
"It be good if he pick a heir."
"Well, he's still young."
"He'll be able to choose a better one."
Rinig kong bulungan ng ibang kasama nila, included the one who said about the adaptive thing. I know everyone can hear them gossiping. Naramdaman ko naman na mas humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Ice sa bewang ko.
What's the deal of being an adaptive child? Why does everyone making it a big deal. Tsk.
"Well, at their age, Love and affection isn't surprising. Right?" Natatawang sabi naman nong lalaking unang nagtanong. There are six of them na hindi ko kilala.
"She's my niece." Paps suddenly said dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kaniya. Gulat na napatigil at napatingin naman ang mga kasama niya included Aizer's parents, except Mr David na nakikinig lang.
"What did you say, Chairman?" Aizer's dad suddenly asked. Napatingin naman ako kay Ice na kunot noong nakatingin rin pala sa akin.
"She's my niece. Elshein's a Mc Blaire." Simpleng sagot ni paps which made everyone gasped including me.
"Oh my god? Is– Is she... Salvin's daughter?" Gulat na tanong ni Tita Rose. Jusko, baka himatayin na naman siya. Ano namang kaso don? Just because of that? Wala ngang kaso sakin yun. Tho, I feel frustrated when I found out everything.
"Salvin... Who?" Tanong naman nong lalaking kanina pa nagtatanong. He isn't a Filipino, you can see it from his features and accent. He's a foreigner, a foreigner businessman.
"Salvin's his late brother." Mr David answered in behalf of paps who's drinking his wine.
"Excuse me everyone." Aizer suddenly said as he pulled me closer as we began to walk away from them. Hindi ko naman nakita ang reaction nila, since tumalikod agad kami.
"Where are we going?" I confusedly asked.
"We'll dance." He simply answered which made me stared at him with a furrowed eyebrows.
Really at a time like that where everyone are confused? May gana pa siyang makipagsayaw sakin?
"Don't look at me like that, I just like how toxic the others are... So, will you dance with me?" He said again. I smiled at him and nodded.
I get what he means. Such persons aren't rare, just how they belittled me after knowing I am just 'adapted' and Ice is interested to an 'adapted' like me. But after paps relieved the truth, they became soft. Just what the f? Ang pangit nila!