Walang tunog na kahit na anong kubyertos habang kumakain sila sa mahabang hapag. They are even sync when they chew, when they drink and even the slicing of their steak, the Hiraeth girls are sync on their movement.
Sabay silanv uminom ng tubig at tahimik na nilapag. They wipe their mouth using the white cloth in unison, amd that's the last part of the dinner. They're done.
"It's unusual for you to call all of us, Hera. What's the important matter?" The first daughter of the third generation spoken.
The helpers are quietly getting the utensils out of the table but they all remain seated on their chairs.
"There's an article circulating online about me and Sebastian...and it's true." She said while not making any eye contact to everyone. She keep her vision in nowhere.
Everyone silently gasped on her news. She knew that it's shocking. Siya pa itong nagpumilit na huwag siyang piliting magpakasal tapos mababalitaan na may kasintahan siya.
It's really that bastard's fault.
"I thought Sebastian was doing to piss you. Knowing that you two are..." Hindi na natuloy ang sinabi ng bunsong babae ng ikatlong henerasyon dahil alam naman ng lahat kung ano ng karugtong.
"I know its sudden, but another news we are getting mar---"
Natigil silang lahat ng makarinig ng putukan sa labas. They didn't panic because they can handle the situation but they were surprise because it's so unusual that the intruders successfully able to get inside and starts firing them.
Mabilis nilang kinuha ang mga nakatagong armas sa bawat sulok ng palasyo. Hiraeth Palace is not as big as the Benjamin's palace but still big.
Umuna siya sa paglalakad habang nakasunod ang mga ito. Ikinasa niya ang gatilyo saka binuksan ang main door at itinutok sa ere para saka patamaan ang kalaban.
But there were no firing that happen. No bullets and no bunch of intruders, instead the firing that they heard is just a fucking massive fireworks sparkling colors in the sky.
"Oh my gosh!" Chanel and Hermes gasped as they saw who's walking towards her.
Doon niya napansin ang mga kandila at mga balloon na may ilaw. The music coming from violin started playing. Dahan-dahan niyang binaba ang baril na hawak saka sinalubong ang binata.
"What the hell are you doing, Sebastian? You scared the hell out of us and didn't we talk about this romantic stuff----"
Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita ng ilahad nito sa kanya ang bouquet. It's a bunch of black flowers, may mga bulaklak na ngayon lang niya nakita, it's rare and expensive at umiilaw iyon dahil sa maliliit na lights na nilagay sa buong bouquet. This is better than the first bouquet, it's more beautiful.
"This ain't a romantic stunt but a proposal that you deserve, wife... You think the successful lady boss just settle for a marriage proposal over the table and a handshake as agreement?" He asked then slowly kneel his one leg.
Hindi siya nakapagsalita. Natuod at hindi maitatangging gulat na gulat siya sa ginawa nito. He didn't even warn her, talagang sinurpresa siya nito.
"Be my wife. Marry me, Hera Benjamin."
She look up in the fire works and it shows the words that Magnus just said. Marry me, Hera Benjamin. He really make sure that everyone knows that he's proposing, huh? With that massive fireworks, nakakaagaw talaga ng pansin.
She look down back at Magnus who's holding a box with ring. It has black diamond, hindi kalakihan ang diyamante at pabor iyon sa kanya lalo pa't makakaagaw lang ng pansin ang malaking diyamante.
Under the fireworks, in the center of the heart-shape candle formation while holding Magnus' pretty bouquet, she slowly nodded to Magnus' stupid proposal.
Stupid but she was impressed. He can just directly prepare for their wedding, and he can even just prepare for simple wedding but he want it grand. And now, hindi ito papayag sa proposal lang na pinag-usapan nila sa Nest café at nag-shakehands lang sila bilang pagsang-ayon sa isa't-isa, he really made an effort doing this stupid stunt. This is not so Magnus, but for him, this is what he thinks that she deserves.
Everyone clapped when she handed her hand to Magnus. Hinawakan naman ng binata ang kamay niya at isinuot ang singsing sa daliri niya.
"You're so stupid." Malamig na anas niya ng tumayo na ito.
"You're welcome."
Inabot niya ang labi ng binata na mas lalong nagpalakas ng palakpakan. And she's not being romantic! Again, this is not a romantic stunt but it feels like Magnus deserve a kiss, too? Para fair.
Magnus held her waist pulling her closer. Naiipit na ang bouquet sa pagitan nila but they ignore it and kissing. And it's not a romantic kiss, okay?
Siya na ang humiwalay sa binata. Nanatili silang malamig na nagtitigan saka sabay na napabuntong hininga.
"This is cringe." Sabay nilang bigkas.
It's really not their forte.
Sabay na kumurba ang multo na ngisi saka napailing sa isa't-isa. Tinalikuran na niya ang binata at kinawayan.
"Clean your mess, Sebastian. The show is over." Paalam niya saka nilagpasan ang mga pinsan at dumiretso papasok sa palasyo.
Sumunod na rin ang mga pinsan niya. Nangunguna si Chanel Hope na may mala-asong ngisi sa labi.
"Oh, to the em to the g." Mahinang tili nito habang pinapanatili ang tindig para hindi maparusahan sa pagiging magaslaw nito.
Proper posture and behavior like a princess is strictly implemented in the palace, kaya bawal na magtitili at tatalon kahit 'yon ang gustong gawin ni Chanel Hope.
"Hmm, I really feel like I'm a princess. Because my words are powerful. Tumalab ang aking sumpa sa pinakamamahal namin reyna." Malambing na sabi ni Chanel Hope, nang-aasar.
"Don't remind me of his stupid stunt. It's cringe." Malamig na saad niya at umupo sa may sofa.
"Cringe...but you kiss him. Hmm...babush!" Pang-aasar pa nito saka umalis na dahil sa pagkasa niya ng baril.
"Is that what you wanted to tell us earlier?" Infantes asked her.
She nodded.
"Gusto kong ako muna ang magsabi sa inyo bago ang pormal na tradition na pamamanhikan."
The Infantes nodded. The elders look at her skeptically but didn't say anything. Mukhang pinoproseso pa ng mga ito ang nasaksihan kani-kanina lang.
"You're wise enough to know what is right and wrong so we won't interfere on your reason for marrying that Sebastian. But we'll just hope, Magnus will not be your downfall." Infantes said.
Tahimik lamang siyang magalang na tumango dito. Ewan, pero ang mga salita mg Infantes ay nanunuot talaga sa sistema niya.
Infantes Clover strict aura slowly vanish and a small teasing smile appear on the Infantes' lips.
"Marunong ka palang humalik, apo?" Tukso pa nito.
She couldn't contain her embarrassment anymore.
"WOW. At first I didn't believe that you're marrying Hera Benjamin but seeing how she tiptoed and kiss you, I almost passed out in shock." Mox said in disbelief, he's the one that plays the violin.
Hindi niya pinansin ang kapatid habang nakatingin sa mga tauhan niya na nililinis ang mga kandila at balloon sa paligid.
"Ibigay mo ang mga balloon kay Max, mabebenta niya 'yan." Mox said.
And that's bright idea.
"Tell them." Utos niya dito.
Sinimangutan siya ni Mox saka lumapit sa tauhan niya. Nakita niya ang isang bulto na papalapit.
"Hey, Kuya Magnus!" Chanel greeted with a wide smile.
"I did your favor, where's mine?" The little brat asked.
Nakipagpalitan siya ng pabor dito. She'll let him in the Palace, because only Hiraeth girls has the authorized to let an outsider get inside. Kung hindi siya nakipagpalitan ng pabor ay hindi siya makakapasok.
"He's a taxi driver as of now. Here's his number. You can book a ride." Sabi niya at binigay dito ang maliit na papel.
Chanel sheepishly grin. Para itong nanalo sa lotto. The things they do for love, huh? Max should really be sure that he's treating Chanel Hope right because if he doesn't, hindi niya sasantuhin kahit kapatid niya ito.
"Thanks, Kuya! Boto talaga ako sa 'yo kay Ate Hera." Chanel giggled then left.
"Hmm, seems like you are slowly trying to win her family's heart, huh?" Tukso ni Mox na muling lumapit sa kanya.
"For formality's sake." He reasoned out.
"Hmm. If you say so."
Natapos na ang paglilinis. The area is clean as if nothing happen minutes ago. Pumasok na siya sa kotse para umalis. He'll have an underground work to do. And he wonders if Hera have some mission, too? Madalas na kasing mag-cross ang landas nila kapag may sari-sariling misyon.
Aside from handling the Sebastian Organization, kasali pa siya sa isang organisasyon. That makes him more secretly powerful than Hera because she's not part of it. He joined the organization where powerful mafia boss are join together to create a group that helps to maintain silence and peace in the chaotic illegal underground life. The organization is called Poderoso.
Poderoso compose of top 10 most powerful mafia boss. And even tho they're all wearing masked with a voice changer, alam niyang kasali ang kapatid ni Hera na si Hover. Tho, Hover is not that active in the group because he's busy in Benjamin org, he still can't be replaced because of his money and power.
His phone vibrated making him go back to reality and it's a message from his father.
Dozen:
You never really fail to make me proud. Tell your mother to come and see para paghandaan namin ang pamamanhikan.
Tell her, I'm sick and I need some care from a gold digger.
Napailing na lang siya at pinatay ang phone. He still have many things to do... like preparing for his wedding with Hera. Sounds so unreal but yes, they'll get married no matter what.