(Note: unedited, raw version)
Chapter 6 || Unexpected Encounter
-- ∞ --
Third Person's POV
BEFORE seven pm ay dumating na si Georgina kung saan gaganapin ang event, hindi lang siya bumababa pa ng sasakyan dahil hindi pa dumadating ang ama niya sabi ng mga tauhan na naroon na para magcheck ng lugar.
The event was held at a five hotel. Around the city lang din iyon. Usually talaga ay ang si Geoffrey ang isinasama ng tatay nila sa mga ganitong event at kapag kasama sila as his children - ibig sabihin this party is all about building connections. Mostly ay business transactions ang pinag-uuspan- the legal ones. If it's illegal, patago ang gathering na gagawin at kapag ganon ay sumasama rin sila, but only as their father's shadow if anything goes wrong.
She's wearing a maroon long silk dress, may slit ito sa right thigh na sakto lang at hindi masyadong reveal ang legs niyang may kahabaan. Medyo mababa ang neckline nito nanakikita ang cleavage niya kaya pinatungan niya iyon ng itim na blazer. Aalisin lang niya iyon kapag kailangan. Her shoulder length hair was brushed-up style. Medyo dark blonde talaga ang buhok niya, she's just wearing a wig kapag nasa school para hindi agaw atention. Light make up lang ang pina-apply niya pero matapang parin tingnan ang kaniyang dark brown eyes. Ngayon lang rin ulit siya nakapag suot ng high heels na kakulay ng dress niya.
"Miss Andrade, your father is here." her driver announced. Nakita nga niya ang sasakyan nito na padating at huminto sa entrance ng hotel building.
Bumama na rin siya ng sasakyan at naglakad palapit dito ng makababa na ito ng limo. She scanned the surroundings quickly. Maraming bantay sa paligid, it looks like this is also a private party- and some famous people must be here. She could see police cars from afar and some cars with government plates.
"Father," she greeted. Of course, she needed to address him like that on this occasion.
Tinanguan lang siya ng ama pagkakita. May dalawang bantay ito sa likuran na nakasunod, sumunod naman rin siya sa paglalakad nito papasok at bahagyang tumabi sa may likuran. She took off her blazer at inabot iyon sa babaeng assistant naman na nakasunod sa kaniya - not just a simple assistant but another member of their underground organization.
The huge wooden door of the hotel opened, maraming hindi pamilyar na mukha ang agad niyang nakita pagbungad sa loob. Ang iba naman ay nakilala niya agad, some high ranking government officials are indeed invited. May kasama rin ang mga ito na mga pamilya - either the wife or their children.
Some famous business tycoons, and even some celebrities in the country are also here. May ilan ring siyang nakilala agad dahil palagi niyang nakikita ang mga ito na dumadalo kapag kasama siya sa mga lakad ng tatay niya tulad ngayon.
She gave them a quick nod when their eyes met. Medyo madilim sa loob, not too dark but not too much lights too.
"Zeus! Glad to know you came to my birthday!" sambit iyon ng isang may edad na lalaki. Lumapit ito sa kanila. Mabilis na niyakap nito ang ama niya.
So it was a birthday party for a Government Official. Goergina knows him well of course, as well as his dirty closet.
"Syempre naman, Abraham. Sayang ang invitation ko kung hindi ako pupunta. Have you received my gift? Pinauna ko na iyon kanina dahil akala ko ay mahuhuli ako." Zeus grinned at his colleague. They shared a look.
Georgina knows that grin and looks. It's probably something illegal that her father gave to him.
"Oo naman! Maraming salamat! Oh, sino naman itong kasama mo?" napatingin sa direction niya ito. "Parang namumukhaan ko pero nalimutan ko, masyado na yata akong matanda." kumunot ang noo nito na tila nag iisip kung saan siya nito nakita.
"She's my second child, kumpadre. Hindi ko siya madalas kasama dahil hindi naman ito masyadong mahilig sa social gatherings. Iyong panganay ko ang palagi kong nakakasama, magkamukha rin sila kaya siguro'y pamilyar sa'yo." her father said. Nilingon siya nito, "Anak, magpakilala ka sa kaniya."
Labag man sa loob but Georgina smiled at him. "Good evening, Sir. I'm Georgina Kim. Nice to meet you po, happy birthday." she introduced herself at nakipagkamay dito. Inabot naman nito iyon at mabilis rin na naghiwalay.
"You're so pretty Hija. May lahi ka ba?" he asked out of the blue.
"I'm half russian, Sir."
"Oh, that's why." he mused. Binalingan nito si Zeus, "Ikaw talaga kumpadre, hindi mo naman sinasabi na may anak ka palang ganito ka ganda. Ilan pa ba ang anak mo? Baka mamaya niyan ay nag iipon ka pala ng lahi."
Zeus laughed at him, "I only have three, kumpadre. Hindi naman ako ganoon kasikat sa mga babae unlike you na habulin noon at hanggang ngayon."
Nagtawanan sila. Lihim na napaismid nalang so Georgina sa sarili. Mga plastic.
May dumating pang ibang kakilala ng mga ito at nag-usap usap na sila na para bang sila lang ang tao sa mundo. They're talking about business and other stuffs she didn't care about.
Bahagyang lumayo siya sa mga ito at naghanap ng pwesto na mauupuan. Her father wouldn't mind if umalis siya sa paligid nito. Accessory lang rin naman siya ngayong gabi.
"Where's our table?" she asked her assistant.
"There miss," itinuro nito ang isang table na nasa kalagitnaan. Medyo mataas iyon pati na rin ang mga upuan. It's a six seat table pero dalawa lang naman sila ng ama niya na mauupo roon.
Naglakad na siya papunta sa table. Her father for sure ay hindi naman mauupo, mamaya lang ay mawawala nalang ito sa kung saan para magusap naman about illegal things. The usual thing that's gonna happen.
Goergina was about to take a seat ng maramdaman ang isang braso na humawak sa bewang niya para pigilan siya maupo.
Nilingon niya ang pangahas na tao at mabilis na sinikmuraan ito na hindi mapapansin ng ibang tao roon.
"You haven't learn a thing, Val. You really want your arms discarded, aren't you?" She greeted him with her sweetest yet dangerous smile.
He's Valentino Castillo- he's neither a friend nor an enemy. Nagkakilala lang rin sila sa ganitong event years ago and he's somewhat become clingy to her dahil naging madalas na ang pagkikita nila sa mga ganito.
Napahawak ito sa sikmura at at pigil ang pag-ubo. "Hindi ka na nasanay sa'kin dearest, GG." he said. Pinasadahan siya nito ng tingin, "You look so hot right now dear, can I take you home?" sambit nito sa napakalanding tinig.
Hindi nawawala ang ngiti ni Georgina, "After I break every bit of your bone, sure you can."
Valentino only shook his head. Mayamaya pa ay inilapit nito bigla ang bibig sa may tenga niya. "I don't know if you notice it or not pero may isang tao na kanina pa ay hindi ka nilulubayan ng tingin, he's been like that after you and your father arrived. I don't know what he's up to and this is the first time I have seen him. May kasama pa siya at inaalam ko pa ang pagkatao nila." he whispered to her.
Hindi naman nag react si Goergina, ramdam rin niyang may mga matang nakasubaybay sa kaniya pagpasok nila pero hindi niya iyon binibigyan ng pansin. Kung may balak rin ang mga ito sa kanila, their guards will always be attentive to them.
"Where is he?" she asked. Ang mga mata niya ay naglibot rin sa paligid.
"Your 12o'clock. You can't see him easily, medyo madilim ang kinaroroonan nila. I just happened to notice them dahil naroon din ang pwesto ko kanina."
Georgina tried adjusting her eyes into the light and to the side na binanggit nito. Madilim nga ang sulok na iyon except nalang kung tatamaan ng mga ilaw na gumagalaw. She has to know who the f*ck is that person Val is talking about. Baka mamaya-
Natigil siya sa pag iisip when a light lit up to their place, hindi gaano iyon kaliwanag pero sapat lang para makita niya ang taong naroon. They are two by the way.
"F*ck. Why the hell he is here."
Nag alalang humarap sa kaniya si Val, "What, why? Do you know them?"
"They are f*cking Mafiosi. I didn't know they are invited."
"What the f*ck? Then the old man with him kanina is probably-"
"- the Don." sabay nilang sambit.
As her eyes stayed in their direction, Georgina met his eyes. A ghost smile was playing on his lips while those hazel eyes are not leaving her.
Giovanni Claude looks so dangerously handsome in his dark blue three-piece suit. By the looks of it, mukhang nakilala siya nito dahil kung hindi, hindi sana ganoon ang tingin nito sa kaniya.
"Miss Andrade, your father is calling you." it was her assistant. She nodded at her at kumawala sa hawak ni Val.
"I'll see you around, dear." Val muttered to her ears. Nakalayo agad ito sa kaniya ng akma niya itong sisikmuraan ulit. He's grinning like a weirdo, kinindatan pa siya nito.
Sinamaan niya lang ito ng tingin at pumunta na sa kinaroroonan ng ama.
Ganon nalang ang gulat niya ng makita kung sino ang kaharap nito ngayon. Hindi niya lang ipinahalata and just act all smiles.
"This is my daughter, Georgina Kim. Anak, this is our new investor - Martin Forbes." pakilala ng ama niya sa kaniya.
Martin extended his hand to her, inabot niya iyon ay nakipagkamay rito. His hand is warm. Nakangiti rin ito, mga ngiting mukhang hindi pilit.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Andrade." Martin said. "You are so gorgeous hija."
She's nervous right now pero hindi niya ipinahalat iyon. "Thank you. Pleasure to meet you too, Sir." binawi niya rito agad ang kamay.
Georgina don't know what's happening. Kaharap niya ngayon ang tatay ng taong gustong ipapatay ng tatay niya. It's the first time that this happened and she's really damn nervous right now. Of all places, hindi niya inaasahan ang kaganapang ito. To meet and greet his father's target right now seemed to be not right.
What the hell is her father's thinking! Investor!?
Lalong nag init ang ulo ni Georgina when he came into the scene. Martin quickly noticed him.
"Oh, by the way thisn is my companion this evening. Giovanni Claude and Reichen. Gentlemen meet Zeus and Georgina Kim Andrade. I am their newest investor in their Empire kaya baka palagi kayong magkita simula ngayon." wika ni Martin ng nakangiti.
He's always smiling and his smile doesn't really scary at all, instead nakakahawa ang ngiti niyang iyon. Unlike her father na nakakatakot.
Giovanni Claude extended his hand to her too for a handshake. Kahit nag-aalangan at ayaw niya ay inabot niya ang kamay nito. But instead of a handshake ay hinalikan nito ang likod ng kamay niya. She was stunned with his impulsive act. She immediately took her hand from him.
"No need to worry. We happen to meet each other everyday in school. Maybe we'll soon get to know each other." Giovanni said. Nakatuon ang buong atensyon nito sa kaniya. Wari bang hinihintay nito ang magiging reaction niya but she didn't let his stares get to her.
"Ah, ganoon ba? Mabuti naman pala." sambit ni Martin na tila medyo masaya sa hindi maipaliwanag.
"That's really good, maybe in the future ay maging business partners rin sila like us." dagdag naman iyon ng ama niya. Nakangiti rin, pero nakakakilabot.
Giovanni's still looking at her boldly. Dahil may iba pa namang naroon na kasama ang mga tatay nila, hindi na sila nito pinansin ay nag usap usap tungkol sa negosyo muli. Typical business persons. Nagkayayaan na rin ang mga ito na maupo sa kung saan dahil napapagod na yata sa pagtayo.
Hindi pa nagsisimula ang event ay tila gusto na ni Georgina ang umuwi. Giovanni's stares is really starting to get into ger nerves. Tila wala talaga itong pakialam sa paligid. Hindi naman siya nakikipaghuli sa pakikipagtitigan.
"So, you're an Andrade. You said it wasn't you that I met in that club, what next lies will you say to me, Georgina Kim?" sambit niya na para bang close silang dalawa sa paraan ng pagkakasabi nito.
"Excuse me, Mr Estrada. What I say to you has nothing to do with anything. If I lie or not there's no reason for me to explain things. We are - in fact, just strangers aren't we?" wika niya. Hindi niya alam, wala naman siya talagang dapat ipaliwanag dito. Parang tanga lang.
Ano bang problema ng lalaking ito sa kaniya?
"Grabe ka naman Kim. Kung makipagngitian ka nga doon sa lalaki kanina na kasama mo sobrang sweet, bakit sa amin hindi? Bakit ba ayaw mo sa amin makipag friends?" a man from behind Giovanni appeared.
It was Reichen Green. Nakangisi ito na parang tanga.
"I'll be friend whoever I want." hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ng dalawa at tinalikuran ang mga ito.
Eksakto naman na nakita niya si Val nasa paligid lang at halatang na nonood sa kanila. Nakangisi rin kasi ito. Hinila niya ito at inilagay ang kamay sa braso nito.
"Oh my... you know I love teas. Now spill!" nakakalokong sambit niya.
"Para kang si Valen. Chismosa." sambit niya, pertaining to his twin - Valentina, na hindi kasama nito.
May dumaan na waiter na may hawak na tray ng mga inumin, she took a glass of wine and took sip from it.
"There's nothing to spill, Val. If there's something that will spill, it would be your blood if you don't stop asking questions."
Val pursed his lips, "Copy, dear."
Georgina shook her head, inubos niya ang laman ng wine glass and took another one sa dumaan muli. She hopes this night will be over. Nasasakal siya sa presensiya ng mga tao sa palgid.
Their presence screams, power amd dominance. Na para bang lahat sila ay gustong manguna sa bawat isa... Just like her father.
But as she saw Martin Estrada in person something felt doesn't right. Hindi niya alam pero pakiramdam niya ay magkalayong magkalayo ng aura ang dalawa. Someone screams chaos, the other one screams calmness... her head hurts just by thinking of them.
Napahilot siya ng sentido. Napansin yata iyon ni Val kaya hinawakan rin ang sentido niya.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned. "Wine lang tinira mo, dear. Masakit na agad ulo mo?"
"I was just thinking of something. Don't mind me."
"Okay." was his short reply.
~ ~ * ~ ~
(Earlier)
"GIO, are you coming?" it was Reichen. Tumawag ito dahil parehas silang isinasama ng mga tatay nila sa isang birthday party ng politiko.
"We're about to leave the house. I really have no intention of coming but my mother wants me to go with my father." sagot nalang niya. Nayayamot.
"Okay! On the way na rin kami ni Dad. Dadalo rin daw kasi iyong isang negosyanteng gustong makilala ni Dad. I think his name is Zeus Andrade, he owns Zeus Empire Tower and Hotel. Mailap raw kasi na tao ito at hindi basta basta nakikipag negotiate." he told him.
"As if I care about what they do. Aalis rin ako kapag nainip ako. I'll drop the call." He ended the call and drove. Convoy lang sila ng ama niya, ayaw niyang sumabay dito sa iisang sasakyan. Especially with what he did about that damn arranged marriage. Hindi na siya bata para sa ganoong bagay.
He hates him for that.
They arrived at the hotel earlier than expected. Hindi masyadong traffic sa daan kaya napaagap tuloy sila. His father went out of his car with his bodyguards - reapers, as he recalled them.
Bumaba na rin siya ng sasakyan, hindi na siya nag abalang ipark ang sasakyan dahil may iba ng gagawa noon. A reaper from his fathers car came out and went into his car to park it.
Nakasunod lang siya sa tatay niya hanggangsa makapasok sa loob. It's a luxurious hotel. Unfamiliar faces welcomed him. He's not into this and don't want to be part of this social world.
He spotted Reichen from afar. Kasama nito ang ama nito na nakikipag usap sa mga kakilala. May kausap na rin naman ang tatay niya kaya pinuntahan niya ang kaibigan.
"Giovanni," his father greeted him. "Your father?"
"Talking something with his acquaintances."
He only nodded and continued his conversation with someone.
"Tara doon tayo," pag aya ni Reichen sa isang place. Wala masyadong tao roon at medyo madilim. He followed him. May isang waiter na dumaan at kumuha sila ng maiinom.
"Wala pa iyong hinihintay ni Dad, baka hindi nga tumuloy. Balita ko pa naman ay kasama nito ang anak nito. Dad said he has three children at mailap din magpakita sa madla. Well, kung one of the richest men in the country ba naman ang magulang mo malamang bihira ka rin lalabas ng bahay at baka makidnap. Tingnan mo ikaw, madalang ka rin sumama sa ganito e."
Hindi sumagot si Giovanni sa sinabi nito. Nagmasid nalang siya sa paligid. He wants to go home. F*ck. He's bored as hell.
"Have you seen Zeus Andrade's daughter?"
"Alin? Iyong bunso o pangalawa?"
"Iyong bunso, I've met her in a club. F*ck, she's so wild! Wild to the point na nanununog ng bar! Sh*t, nakakatakot maging kaibigan. Baka bigla ka nalang silaban. She looks so f*ckable pa naman pero marami ring bantay sa paligid. Mahirap na, baka di ko na masilayan ang araw bukas."
Napatingin silang dalawa ni Reichen sa pinagmumulan ng kwentuhan. Mukhang mga babae ang pinag uusapan ng mga ito.
"Nah, the second one is f*cking hot too! Kaya nga lagi akong sumasama kay Dad sa ganito para makita siya. Ang hirap lang talagang lapitan, mukhang mananapak agad. But seriously, I'm willing to pay millions to have her. Maybe she's good in bed too. You know, the typical tigress but cat in-"
The man was cut off from talking when his face collided with the table in front of them. Hindi iyon mapapansin ng iba dahil madilim naman ang paligid ng side nila.
"Boy... that mouth of yours can get you under the ground. You guys should be careful, okay?" idiniin pa nito ang ulo ng lalaki sa table. The man was only smiling at them, napalayo naman ng bahagya ang iba, natatakot madamay. Hindi naman nagtagal at iniwan nito ang mga naguusap na natahimik na.
"That's Valentino Castillo..." ani ni Reichen ng maaninag ang mukha nito.
Bigla namang parang naging tuliro ang nasa paligid ng may dumating na panibagong bisita. Malayo layo sila sa main door kaya hindi nila hagip kung sino man ang mga dumarating.
"What do you think, Gio? Hot nga kaya ang mga anak ni Zeus Andrade baka naman-"
Reichen was cut off when someone also said Zeus name na dumating na raw. Parang artista na pinagkumpulan ang bagong dating.
Giovanni shook his head. Why would he even need to witness this kind of crap? He stared at his liquor glass. Uwing uwi na siya.
"T*ng*na..." marahas na sambit ni Reichen at napatayo pa ito sa kinauupuan. "Is this even for real? I mean... what the actual f*ck." hindi ito palamura kaya nagugulat siya sa mga lumalabas sa bibig nito.
Tiningnan niya ang tinitingnan nito, it was Zeus Andrade as they said. Medyo may katandaan na ito, may ilang bodyguards sa tabi nito and a figure of a woman is beside him too.
Her blonde hair and body figure is to die for. Kulay maroon ang suot nitong damit na hakab sa katawan nito showing her perfect curves. Her light brown skin is glowing in the lights kahit pa dim lang iyon.
His forehead crease. The girl is familiar to her. That blonde girl-
"Ah! Naalala ko na! Georgina Kim yata ang pangalan niya. She's the second child of Mr Andrade!" one of the guys na maingay kanina ang nagsabi noon.
"T*ngin* talaga... oo, si Georgina nga iyan! Grabe! Mas mayaman pala sa akin si bespren!" hindi mapakali sa kinatatayuan si Reichen. "Grabe, grabe talaga!"
Giovanni couldn't say a word. This blonde girl, and that girl in the university are the same person! Tapos itatanggi nito when he asked her? Damn this girl...
Giovanni just watched her. How she smiles - a faked one, and how Valentino Castillo approaches her. He'll remember that guy and have him background check after this.
"Gio, matunaw si Georgina." tinapik siya ni Reichen sa balikat, natatawa pa ito sa kung saan. Hindi niya ito pinansin.
Damn, he just couldn't take his eyes off her. Lalo na nung magkatitigan silang dalawa. He smiled at her. Irap naman ang ibinalik nito sa kaniya.
Hanggang sa magharap nga sila ay plastic na ngiti pa rin ang ibinibigay nito. Damn, just like the first time she saw her, attracted agad siya rito. Pero mukhang mahirap ngang paamuhin... but nevermind.
Walang matigas na tinapay sa mainit na kape.
» » »
Malandi si Giovanni, wag gayahin. 😌
Hi. ;)
June 6, 2023