TUMILI ako ng i-review ang slow-mo kung sino ang nanalo. Si Thaysky ang nanguna, kaya tumayo ako at iwinasiwas sa hangin ang aking dalawang kamay.
"She did a great job, ha," Claire commented.
"Uh-huh?" Naibaba ko ang aking kamay ng magtanggal ng helmet ang manglalarong inaasahan ko na si Thaysky. It was her old sister, Eury.
"Nakalimutan mong buntis si Majesty. Siya dapat ang tatayaan ko, kaso kapatid niya ang maglalaro."
Nilingon ko si Millicent. "Alam mong maglalaro si Thaysky?"
"Oo naman. Narinig ko sa usapan nila Malik."
Inakbayan ako ni Clement. "Still, Duchess won. Going to send to your bank account the hundred thousand."
"I enjoyed the race. Can't wait to get my chance later," Sophia blurted out.
Millicent doesn't say anything. She just stood up and followed my cousins. I've been spacing out for some details and forget about Thaysky's pregnancy. I stood up and followed them too. While walking I sensed something uncomfortable from behind. AS if someone is watching me. I don't usually give a damn tonothing, but this one is giving me goosebumps. Huminto ako at lumingon sa likod.
Wala namang tao. Gaya kasi namin ay lilipat na rin sila sa susunod na bahagi ng paligsahan.
"Duchess, hurry up!"
"Coming, Clairey!" I yelled back, reminding myself that nothing to worry about. My bodyguards might be invisible but I know I am safe.
Our next destination is Valley Pavilion. Nauna na kami kay Clement dahil maghahanap pa siya ng parking space. Sa pagtulak namin sa natatandaan kong malawak na hardin ay nagkalat ang prominenteng pamilya sa bansa. Pamilyang Imperial at Cristobal na kapwa hindi na nag-iimikan, ngunit discreet para sa event na ito. Sa gilid ay ang pamilyang Oswold. Hinila ni Second si Millicent doon kaya maging kami ay naisama.
"Duchess?"
Lumapit ako upang paunlakan ng beso ang Ginang ng Oswold Family. Sa likod nito ang metikolosang mga anak na nagsipag-asawa na. Ang dalawa sa kanyang apo ay naging kaklase ko. Sadyang hindi lang kami nag-iiringan dahil kailanman hindi ako humiwalay sa mga pinsan ko. Natatandaan ko pa ang isa na naging ex ni Rocky. She gave me a knowing look, though.
Papasimula na ang swimming race kaya hindi na kami nagtagal sa pakikisalamuha upang sumali sa Hilton Clan table.
Some of the usherettes ushered each family for their respective seats on the lower landscape of the shore. I helped out mommy when we go downstairs. Nang sabihan niya akong kaya niya ay dumistansiya ako. Si Daddy kasi ay kinindatan ko. Naku, itong dalawa talaga. Ang sweet sa isat isa pero hindi manlang ako sinamahan ng kapatid. Ang tipid.
Muli kong naalala ang panunukso nila. Kung magkakatuluyan kami ni Shawn, siguro papayag ako sa tatlo. Gusto ko isang babae at dalawang lalaki. Para may tagapagtanggol ako.
I loosened up from my daydreaming when we sat on our chairs. A spokesperson informed us a technological way of choosing your bet. Under our chairs provided a box, containing buttons. It's like a calculator but easy to understand. The number which referred for the players then colors for the amount of your bet. The winner will choose from which charity they will donate the winning prize.
I am thrilled because aside from the bet my family had our own game. I already won four hundred thousand from the horseback riding game. I will add that to my donation on the road making.
"Which number will you choose, Darling?"
"I think number six, mommy. He's looking sharp and quick."
Dad gazed upon me. "Doon ako sa number seven. Mukhang matinik."
Matinik? How would he say that? I checked number seven from my binoculars. I saw him glanced on me or us, I don't know but I felt I know him. I can't recognize him easily because his eyes and hair were covered. But his physique, complexion, and height were really familiar.
Drew? I shook my head. Impossible. How would he know swimming? Sabagay, lumalangoy nga siya sa kung sinu-sinong babae, tubig pa kaya?
I dropped that idea on my head when the game started. Isang pito lang ay naglaho sa gilid ng pool ang mga players. Umingay ang paligid ng magsimulang mag-cheer ang bawat isa. I was watching number six. I laughed when mom starts yelling number six too. It was four laps so when all the players have done the two laps and saw who are the potential winner, Hilton Family was hype when number six, seven, and three were on the front row.
"Come on, baby. Don't lose my hope!" Claire screamed at the top of her lungs.
Bumungisngis ako. Wala akong ideya kung sino ang pinili nila, pero malakas ang kutob kong mananalo si Six dahil sa bilis niya. Sa ikatlong laps ay kinabahan ako sa pag-ungos ni Seven.
Dad is laughing at my reaction. For me it's fine. If he won his prize will be given on my same charity. I can imagine now the busy road of Mt. Ridges. Their land will be in progress and slowly they'll grow.
In the end, Seven won. Sophia and Claire were all hopeless, meanwhile, I saw Millicent on the group of Oswold threw a punched in the air. Yes, my girl got her luck.
We all gathered at the final event. Before it started, a special performance was held. It was a fire dance and many more. When everyone stood up from the special guest appearance. Napagaya na rin kami upang magbigay galang.
"Oh my, that's Lebious," Claire murmured.
Does she refer the front one who had this air of coldness? He seemed not to please or not interested in this kind of event. A typical reaction when someone disturbed your sleep. All of them were in their corporate suit, equal strong appeal, and all you can do when they passed through was to respect them.
Third, Paulite, Zedrick, and Malik approached the three men.
Wow! They were all dashing. Somewhat an existing human who don't need to explain how filthy rich, genius, and powerful they were. Because just by their mere presence and silence, you would feel their unavoidable orbs even if you were meters away.
They exchanged shake hands. Talked a little, then Malik pointed our way. I saw the three gentlemen looked on us. Few more talk then they headed on our table and greeted my Dad and Claire's Dad which is my mother's oldest brother. The old Oswold, Imperial, Cristobal, and Hetch joined together.
Siniko noong may pilyong ngisi si Malik.
"This is us when we reach sixty."
Lihim akong ngumisi. Naalala ko si Shawn. Kung narito siguro siya, siguro kasama siya sa kanila.
While Dad is away from us, the event for the Dragon boat paddle race. Mas lalo kaming na-excite rito dahil bukod sa first time naming makakapanood ay isasakay ang bawat representative ng bawat pamilya sa boat.
I saw Dad. He is nervous so am I. They wore a life vest and accompanied by lifeguards. Napahawak sa braso ko si Mommy. Alam ko ang nararamdaman niya. Dad doesn't like the beach. He wasn't a good swimmer too. But when I saw the person beside him, I felt at ease. Malik won't leave him, I know.
Bago magsimula ay bahagyang pinaliwanag kung para saan ang event na ito. Kung ano ang mission at target plan. Maging kung sino ang mga nasa likod ng event na ito. Sumali ako sa palakpakan ng makita ang maaaring itsura ng Mt. Ridges kapag nagawa ang plano.
"Lebious is with Dad."
I could sense something but I choose to don't react.
Siniko ito ni Sophia. "Do you like him, Clairey? I like the young one, though."
Gusto ko sanang sabihin na guwapo nga 'yung pinakabata. Kaso masyadong seryoso. Mukhang ito ang tipo ng lalaking papanisan ka ng laway kahit anong gawin mong open ng topic.
"Clement said, he is Tristan."
Napakagat labi ako ng makaramdam ng tawag ng kalikasan. Magsisimula na ang karera, kaya alam kong walang sasama sa akin. Sinabihan ko si Mommy na washroom lang ako, but her eyes pinned down with Dad. I smirked and left. I'll just be quick, though.
Doon ako dumaan sa gilid ng hindi maka-istorbo.
"She's into Shawn. Imagine, Bridgette even followed him in Paris. I think she's in his condo."
Natigilan ako sa aking narinig. Nilingon ko ang classmate kong ex ni Rocky. I know that the name Shawn is not unique, but it's not coincident that Shawn's name will be connected with the same name as Bridgette. It's not funny at all.
Bearing the fang of doubt and curiosity, I poked Sandy Choy Oswold.
"Oh, hi. What's it, Duchess?" She politely smiled at me. I don't.
"I'm sorry. Who's in Paris?"
Nagkatinginan silang magpinsan bago sumagot si Sandy, "Shawn and Bridgette. Don't you know that the two are an intimate couple? Bridgette is a bombshell, perfect tandem for Shawn. They've been years in a relationship I guess."
My heart beats fast. "They had a relationship?" I wanted to clear this all because they didn't know my existence in Shawn's life. I needed to hear them before I exploded.
Sandy's cousin nodded obediently. While Sandy herself say something that would justify her story. She showed me a picture of Shawn in Paris having a coffee. Shawn seemed listening carefully with Bridgette, while the woman is batting her lashes with my man.
Tumango ako. "Thanks for telling me about that, Sandy."
"Not a big deal, Duchess. So, how are you? I haven't heard anything from you, since Jameson and Jackson who's always under your skirt. Are you still single and ready to mingle or nah?"
"I'm in a relationship."
Sandy's cousin now gave her whole attention with me. "Who is the lucky man who caught the Queen's heart?"
The three Oswold's are good for me. I never had a bad encounter with this family, but I don't know why this woman's face irritated me. From her glittering cheap eyeshadow down to her heavy blush on in broad daylight and saggy foundation, I found her out of the cast. A dirt from Oswold's family.
I don't want to make a scene, so I ended up sharing with them my, oh so expensive smile. I excused myself and told them my real destination.
"Go ahead, Duchess," Sandy said.
I stormed off the cubicle.
Ang bigat ng dibdib ko habang inaalala ang larawang nakita ko. Akala ko ba kaibigan lang? Bakit daig pa ako ni Bridgette?
I tried to cool down but I can't. The noise outside made me even madder and annoyed. I wanted to believe with Shawn because he been honest with me. I may not know some of his histories but he does the same with me. I had a bad record, that's a fact but what about him? Is he referring to the woman he wants to reach is Bridgette?
The thought of him looking carefully with Bridgette hurts me even more. I can't stop myself from thinking maybe right now they were together. Laughing at me because I was a fool to believe that he is honest with me.
Tears rolled down my cheek. I pressed the flash and washed my hands. I even wiped my tears and tried to look on my cell phone inside my sling bag. I frowned as I can't find it.
Tiningnan ko sa loob ng cubicle, pero wala. Mabilis akong lumabas at tinunton ang aking nilakaran, pero wala. Tinanong ko rin sila Sandy, pero sabi nila ay hindi nila napansin.
One of my bodyguards appeared on my side when he probably noticed that my face is in trouble.
"Please, look on my cell phone. Thank you."
He nodded and transported my command with his partner before he disappeared. When I got back on my chair, I even asked mom.
"Honey, I didn't see. I'm sorry."
Naghiyawan ang mga manonood. Nagdiriwang at nanghihinayang, samantalang ako ay problemado sa paghahanap sa cellphone ko.
"Anong hinahanap mo?"
"Clement can you dialed my phone?"
"What is your number?"
Mula sa madamong sahig ay galit ko siyang tiningnan. Fuck everything, from up to hell. What's happening to me? Where's my phone? Bakit naging sunud-sunod ang kamalasan ko ngayong araw na ito?