"Uno - I mean Tyler and Marco." Ba't ko nasabi yung uno, ano ba yan! Jen, keep your cool together.
"Let's play another game!" linigpit ko ang ice breaker at pinalitan ko ng scrabble.
"This is better." they were both silent. They obviously know what is happening.
"Ms Jen, I need you to come to tailoring quick, we need to get you fitted for tomorrow's annual royal ball." sabat bigla ni Giovanni.
Yes! Ililigtas niya ako sa larong inarrange ko!
"Okay. I'll be right back, guys." bati ko sakanila.
"Oh look, brother Stefano is here, he could take your place." tamang tama at napadaan si prince Stefano.
"Okay. Bye!"
"Bye amor mio!" he sent me a flying kiss.
Hahaha hay nako.
"Let's go" hila sa akin ni Giovanni.
We went to the royal convention hall.
There were 5 gowns lined up in a row.
"Pick the gown you love, ma'am. These are all your size." instruction ni Giovanni.
They were all beautiful.
Gown #1
Gown #2
Gown #3
Gown #4
Gown #5
As soon as I layed my eyes on the fifth one, I was inlove.
The way the silver ombres with the dark blue really gives me a royal feel.
"I love the fifth one, Giovanni!"
"yes! It was designed by yours truly." he bowed.
"Really? I love it!!"
"Now, we just need to put some dark blue nets to cover your shoulders."
Namamadaling sinukat ng mga tailors ang buong katawan ko.
They made some adjustments.
"Here. You need to fit it." inabot niya sa akin ang dress.
I went to the dressing room and changed.
Lumabas ako.
his jaw dropped "you are so beautiful, ma'am! Sir Marco will surely propose to you when he sees you." he joked.
"Oh c'mon. I feel like he doesn't have any plans to marry yet."
"Hmmm.. Come here, ma'am." hinila niya ako papunta sa dressing room.
" I have a question." bulong niya.
"What is it?"
"Do you still love sir Tyler?"
"Wait, what? Excuse me?" Nagulat ako sa tanong niya.
"Look. I know for a fact that you and Tyler dated while you were in the Philippines..."
"How did you know that?" putol ko sakanya.
"Because I just know, okay? But I want you to answer the question, you can trust me, ma'am."
I mean yes, I'm sure I can trust him but why is he saying all these things? What's the point?
"I don't know, Giovanni." sagot kong nalilito.
"There's no such thing as you don't know, my dear." hinawakan niya ang likod ko.
"I really don't know. I still enjoy being around him but we're just friends now."
"No such thing again, ma'am. Exes cannot be friends."
"Huh?"
"You still love him, don't you?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know means 'yes'. Here." inabot niya ang ring necklace sa akin.
The same one Tyler gave to me.
"What is this?"
"Tyler accidentally dropped this here while he was getting fitted. Maybe it dropped on his pocket or something."
"Ohh.."
"Maybe you should ask him what that is."
Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa necklace.
"Also, a piece of advice to you, you should think about who your heart really desires before it's too late." He hugged me with complete empathy.
What is happening?
"The prince may be planning on proposing soon and you have to decide, okay?"
Proposing? Decide? i'm so confused.
"Promise me you'll choose the one who is in your heart."
"I promise, Giovanni."
He left and I ran to my room but i bumped Marco.
"Hi Love." sabi kong nakayuko.
"Hello, ma'am."
"How was the a-- boardgame?"
"Welllll....."
"huh?"
"It was awkward but it was okay, i guess."
I need to leave. Everything's so blurry now.
Do I still love Tyler? Do I not?
Do I really love Marco? Or do I not.
"Okay, love. Well i gotta rest."
Hindi pa siya nakakapagrespond pero dumeretcho na ako sa room ko.
I can't understand my feelings anymore.
I layed on the bed and started to question my decisions. Litong lito na ako.
Nahawakan ko sa pocket ko ang binigay sa akin ni Giovanni.
Linabas ko sa bulsa ko at inikot ikot ang singsing.
Huh? Bakit may date?
Nakasulat ang date na binigay niya sa akin ang necklace.
Tumayo agad ako at kinuha ang necklace na binigay niya sa akin.
Pinagtabi ko sila.
My ring necklace says "will you marry me?" and his ring necklace says the date that he gave me the necklace.
Pumunta ako sa cr.
Sinuot ko ulit ang necklace and again, it sent electricity throughout my body. It's like my heart skipped a beat.
"Jen, do not think about the past. Past is past. You guys are just friends now." sabi ko sa sarili ko.
I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack.
I am so confused.
"breath in, breath out."
"knock knock."
Oh my god. I can't breathe, I'm really having a panic attack.
I opened the door while struggling to breathe.
"Ma'am! Are you alright?!" concerned na tanong ni Maria.
She led me to the bed and layed me there.
"Panic... Attack...."
"Ma'am, you need to relax. Breath in, breath out."
After a couple of breathing in and out. I finally relaxed.
Tears streamed down my face.
"I don't know what to do, I'm so confused!"
"Shh shh. Just relax, ma'am."
"Thank you, Maria. I just.." I hugged her tight.
Nabigla siya but she hugged me back.
"Everthing will be alright, ma'am Elena."
"Thanks. I just need a hug right now."
"I understand. Now, you better get ready for the royal ball." kinuha niya ang gown ko and handed it to me.
"Ohh and enjoy the night, ma'am." She smiled and left
Sinuot ko ang gown and fixed my hair.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
'You can do this. Just put a mask on. Just pretend to be okay.'
I smiled and went directly to the limousine.
I was the only one in the limousine. Prince Stefano isn't her like usual.
*AT THE ANNUAL ROYAL BALL*
Where do I sit?
"Ma'am Elena Mia?" tanong ng organizer.
"Yes."
"You're seated at table 1, the Romano family."
"Thank you."
"The pleasure is mine." she bowed.
I was walking my way to table 1 when Marco suddenly stopped me halfway.
"Ma'am." His eyes were wide and his cheeks blushed. "You look so beautiful tonight, I'm one lucky prince." he bowed.
"Im luckier." i laughed.
Prince na prince siya, he was wearing an all white attire.
He smiled. "Shall we?" he offered his hand
"we shall!"
He led me to table 1.
I sat next to Marco and prince Stefano.
Tyler was looking at my chest.
May dumi ba? I looked at my chest and OMG I FORGOT TO TAKE THE NECKLACE OFF!
I was looking for a way na matanggal ko ang necklace in private pero ang layo ng ladies room.
GAHHHHHHHH
*
The party went on and on. Paalis alis din si Marco, he was called by every other prince every now and then.
"Excuse me, amor mio, prince Jacque is calling me."
"Okay." i smiled and waved at him.
"To all the princesses, please stand up and proceed to the dance floor." says the host.
"What?"
"Go to the dance floor and wait for your prince to come and join you." bulong sa akin ni prince Stefano.
"Oh okay."
I stood up and went to the dance floor.
We were all lined up in a row.
"Okay, let the royal dance begin." dagdag pa ng host.
I was there left alone with a couple of princesses, all waiting for their prince.
Marcoooo. Asan ka? Please magpakita ka na. I was looking around and I couldn't see him.
Someone suddenly grabbed my hand and placed it in his shoulders.
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