Gaya ng sabi sa kanya ni Shantal kagabi, walang nagawa si Emy ng puntahan siya nito sa kwarto niya para ayain na pumunta ng bayan.
Maaga pa lang pero mataas na agad ang energy nito. Ganun din si Sabrina na kadalasan ay level headed naman. Well, they are indeed a family that loves shopping.
Kaya naman heto siya ngayon ay kinakaladkad ni Shantal papuntang Purple Boutique.
Napuna naman niya na doble na ngayon ang bilang ng guards na sumusunod sa kanya. Kung noon ay enough na na kasama niya ang mga maidservants niya, ngayon ay hindi na.
Napahinga na lang siya ng malalim.
"Cheer up, Emy."
Saka sila pumasok sa boutique.
Dali dali naman silang inasikaso ng mga taong naroroon. You can say that they are a VIP in this boutique, after all, Emy owns this.
"Miss Hans, we have been waiting for you to come."
Nagulat sila Shantal at Sabrina ng personal na salubungin ng assistant manager ng Purple Boutique si Emy.
"How are you, Harley?"
"I am perfectly fine, Miss. Agatha wants you to try a dress for her. Do you think you can give her sometime?"
"Sure. And also, my cousins want dresses for the Youngest Prince' birthday. Please pick them the best."
The exchange between Emy and Harley made Shantal's and Sabrina's jaw dropped.
Emy looked at them saka ngumiti.
"Hindi ko ba nasabi sa inyo? I own this boutique."
"Eeeehhhh?!!!"
***
Agatha excitedly met Emy. Hindi pa niya nakikita ito noon. But as the lady saved her from the slums, she wanted to thank her since a long time ago.
But when she finally faced her, hindi na siya makapagsalita. The lady indeed had a nobility air around her. Even her smallest gestures and movements are graceful.
"How are you, Agatha?" The lady asked her.
"I-i am well, thanks to you, Miss."
"You're humble. I heard your designs are extraordinary. I just took you from where you came from but it was all your doing kung bakit ka nasa kinaroroonan mo ngayon."
"But still, I wouldn't have a chance to prove myself if it is not for you, Miss."
Saka niya kinuha yung dress na personal niyang ginawa at pinagpuyatan para sa dalaga.
"Please accept this dress as a token of my gratitude."
That surprised Emy. Agad naman niyang sinipat ang dress. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
"This must have cost a fortune."
"I am not selling this to you. This is my gift, Miss."
"Are you sure?"
Tumango siya agad agad.
"Fine. I need you to do some tweaking on it, though."
Agatha was surprised. She thought her design was already perfect. It seems the lady is quite high-maintenanced.
"Maganda na tong damit but I need it to be in accordance to my preference. I need you to change the sleeves and collar as the same as the chinese dresses."
"Are you chinese, Miss?"
Emy chuckled. "No. But my aunt is. Since I respect her so much, I attend parties in chinese clothing."
Napatango na lang si Agatha. "I understand, Miss. I will repair the dress tonight. You can expect it to be delivered to you tomorrow morning."
"No need to rush, Agatha. The youngest prince's party is still three days away."
***
That three days came swiftly. Everyone in Grey City, lalo na yung parte ng upper class ay excited na nagpunta sa royal palace.
Sa mga ganitong okasyon lang sila nakakatungtong sa loob ng palasyo kaya naman pinaghahandaan talaga ito.
Bawat pamilya ay may kanya kanyang pwesto na nakalaan kaya naman doon sila dumederetso.
Isa isa na ring nagdatingan ang mga bisita. Ang iba sa kanila ay busy sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kakilala nila. Pero karamihan ay busy sa pagtingin at pag-uuri sa mga dunarating.
When Diana came, inaasahan na ng lahat na bongga ang suot nito. Hindi sila nabigo. She was wearing a skin tone colored off shoulder dress na talaga namang bumagay sa kanya. It brought out the blushes of her complexion na binagayan pa ng kanyang buhok na nakatirintas. Magaganda rin ang mga hair ornaments na ginamit niya.
But Diana was not happy about her look. Hindi niya makalimutan yung dress na gusto niya kaya naman hindi niya maappreciate ang itsura niya.
Mas lalo pa siyang napasimangot ng lapitan siya ni Alessandra suot yung second best dress ng Purple Boutique. It was indeed beautiful. Lumamang lang sa detalye yung best dress pero hindi naman ito napaghuhulihan.
"So bought it."
"Yes. I fell in love with it. At dahil ayaw mo naman, kinuha ko na siya." Napasnort na lang si Diana.
Lucy came and she was also stunning. But it was Emy who stood out in that party.
Pagkakita pa lang ni Diana sa damit na suot ng dalaga ay nainis na siya. So that Agatha gave this dress to Emy. She couldn't believe it.
May nagbago lang ng kaunti sa upper part ng dress but she is sure na iyon yung dress na nakita nila.
Even Alessandra was surprised. Hindi niya inaasahang kay Emy ibibigay ni Agatha ang dress na iyon. Though it made sense to her. Emy had helped her sister so much.
Napatingin siya kay Diana and she saw the hatred on her face. Napailing na lang siya ng lihim.
People around them started to talk about Emy. But she's not interested at all. She was just going with her family.
"Emy..." Lucy went to her and she stared at her from head to toe. "Wow, you look perfect, Emy."
"Stop exaggerating."
"I am not." Susundan pa sana niya ang dalaga pero nakita rin niya agad si Franco kaya agad din siyang nagpaalam.
Napailing na lang si Emy saka pumwesto doon sa mesa na para sa kanila.
"Not everyone can pull off chinese dresses, I am surprised you have chosen this to wear, Emy. But you are gorgeous." Puri ni Shelly sa kanya.
"I saw Aunty Feng wear one and I thought it was beautiful. So I have decided to wear them kapag may party."
"People are talking about you, Emy. I literally heard that guy near the door said that you will be her wife! As if naman no."
Nangunot naman ang noo ni Franco. "Sino?"
Agad siyang binatukan ni Aunty Feng. "It is just natural for your cousin to be appreciated. Look at her. Don't tell me you don't find her pretty?"
"Of course, she is. Pero bakit ba kasi ganyan ang suot mo? I am getting pissed at the people looking at you."
Inirapan lang siya ni Emy.
"Franco, kapag sinobrahan mo ang higpit kay Emy, baka hindi na yan makapag-asawa." Natatawa pang sabi ni Francis.
"Anong asawa? Our Emy is still too young for that." Kontra naman ni Feng.
Napahinga na lang ng malalim si Emy. They have started again.
Natatawa naman sila Shelly at Shin habang pinanonood sila. Poor Emy!
Maya maya lang din ay dumating na ang royal family. Agad naman silang tumayo as respect.
There were the Emperor, the Empress, the Second wife, na nanay ni Prince Vio at ng youngest prince, tapos ay ang mga prinsipe na.
Pitong prinsipe ang meron ang Grey City pero lima lang ang naroroon. Isang namatay na at isang MIA.
Lalo lang nawalan ng gana si Emy.
***