24
DOMINIQUE
Paglabas ng restroom ni Dominique, dumiretso ulit sya sa sala dahil dumating na sina Tita Beth at Olivia. Masayang niyakap sya ng mga ito at hindi nakitaan ng sama ng loob when she introduced Vincent to them. Pamilyar na sa lalaki si Olivia dahil nagkakilala na ang mga ito noon sa dinaluhan nilang charity event. Kahit nakilala na ni Dominique si Anastacia according to Kristine, technically it was her first time meeting the famous singer. She was starstruck. Anastacia was nice and gave her a warm hug.
"Where's Pris?" Tita Beth asked.
"Hi Mom," masiglang bati ni Pris na bago ng paligo. Nagpalit na rin ito ng damit. She put on a black long sleeved turtle neck sweater and denim shorts. Dominique couldn't help but check out her long shapely legs. She looked sexy even with a black eye and wounded lips.
"Pris!!!" Tita Beth and Olivia were shocked to see Pris' face. Napaawang din ang labi ni Anastacia. Automatic na gumuhit ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng mga ito.
"Your friend is a trouble," mahinang bulong ni Vincent sa kanya. He was also looking at Pris admiringly.
Dominique gave him a distracted smile. Medyo nainis din sya sa lalaki. "Bakit naman?" Nanunuksong tanong ng isip nya. "Kasi ayaw mong may ibang tumitingin sa ex mo," her own mind answered back but she disregarded it.
Nalulungkot din sya dahil never syang tinapunan ng tingin ni Pris. Hindi nya alam kung hindi lang sya nito napansin na narito sya or she chose to ignore her.
"Mom, I'm okay. Ginamot na to ni Jessica. I brought someone I'd like you to meet," ngumiti nang matamis si Pris. "Whatever happened to me, hindi na importante yun. I promise you, she's worth it."
Parang kinurot ang puso ni Dominique sa narinig. "Sino ba si Vanessa? Girlfriend mo ba sya?" She wanted to ask.
"I know you are curious," Pris addressed everyone. "I'm glad you are all here. First, Vanessa is not my new girlfriend," she turned to Kristine, who glared. Siguro inusisa nito kung sino ang babaing kasama ni Pris.
"Girlfriend?" Vincent asked whispering. "Is she a lesbian?"
Dominique nodded to confirm but didn't look at him. Her eyes were fixed on Pris. Her sadness was instantly gone but was replaced with guilt. She hated to admit, but Julia was right. She acted impulsively and invited Vincent to hurt Pris. Now she felt stupid. What's happening to her? Hindi na nya alam kung anong gusto nya.
"Second, let's delay the dinner for a little bit because I can't wait to show you what I found," Pris said excitedly. Everyone was curious. "Please have a seat."
Sumunod naman ang lahat. Dominique sat in between Vincent and Devon. Nang nakapuwesto na ang lahat, hinila ni Pris ang nakatayo sa likod nyang si Vanessa, who looked beautiful on a white maxi dress.
Pris sat infront of the grand piano in the living room. Vanessa shyly stood beside Pris. Her defiant face looked nervous now that everyone's attention was on her. When Vanessa noticed Anastacia beside Olivia, her eyes widened in surprise. She anxiously whispered to Pris, who told her something no one could make out and it immediately calmed Vanessa.
Vanessa closed her eyes and when she opened them, she seemed relaxed. Everyone was enthralled when she opened her mouth and sang. "I'm trying to hold my breath, let it stay this way. Can't let this moment end. You set off the dream in me..." Her voice was beautiful and powerful. Tita Beth was staring at Vanessa intently. Never Enough was a difficult song but Vanessa was able to hit all of the high notes easily.
Pris played the piano for Vanessa. They switched from one song to another. One genre to another. Vanessa's voice was so versatile and could sing anything. Everybody was clapping after she showed them she could rap too. It was a standing ovation. Even Dominique became Vanessa's immediate fan.
Narealize na ni Dominique kung sino ang babaing ito. Just like Anastacia, Pris found another hidden gem. A future super star.
Pinuri ni Anastacia ang dalaga, na mangiyak-ngiyak dahil idol pala nito ang sikat na singer. Tita Beth, although still looking worried about Pris, commended Vanessa and told her she will train her personally. Pangarap ni Vanessa ang mag-aral ng music at maging singer ngunit dahil galing sa mahirap na pamilya, mas pinili na lamang nyang magtrabaho after graduating in High School. At ngayon, matutupad na sa tulong ni Pris.
"Hey." Nakangiting lumapit si Pris kay Dominique, na noo'y nakamasid rin lang habang nag-uusap sina Oliva, Tita Beth at Anastacia. Tumingin ito kay Vincent.
Dominique studied her face. Wala syang makitang bakas ng galit o hinanakit mula rito. "Hindi sya affected," Dominique thought gloomily.
"Pris, this is Vincent Trevino. Vincent, this is my...my friend, Pris San Victores." Dominique tried to not be awkward. The two shook hands.
"Vanessa is very talented," puri ni Vincent. "Congratulations, you found another future star. Dominique told me, it was you who discovered Anastacia."
"Thanks. I saw stars myself before I could get her," Pris said chuckling. Vincent laughed. She was referring to her black eye. It must hurt so much.
Dominique was unable to stop herself from reaching at Pris's face. Hinaplos nya ito nang marahan. "That must hurt a lot," she whispered. Natigilan si Pris sa ginawa nya. Namula ito. Dominique's heart lifted when she saw a brief longing in Pris' eyes when she looked at her but it was gone quickly. Kung hindi sya nakatitig sa mga mata nito, hindi nya iyon makikita.
"Y-Yeah. A b-bit," medyo nautal na sabi ni Pris. Kinuha nito ang kamay ni Dominique at tinanggal sa mukha nito pero hindi nito binitawan. May kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan nya.
"I think dinner is ready," Vincent said. Sabay silang napatingin sa lalaki. For a moment, Dominique forgot about him.
"Guys, kain na daw," tawag ni Mary. "Vincent, you must try Kristine's Blue Cheese Lobster Beignet with Spicy Avocado cream. It's to die for."
"Sounds delicious," enthusiastic na sabi ng lalaki at sumunod kay Mary.
Lahat nagpunta na sa dining room. Naiwan sina Pris at Dominique. Agad na binitawan nila ang isa't-isa nang ma-realize nilang magkahawak pa rin sila nang kamay.
"Are you okay?" Dominique asked quietly.
"I am. Masakit but I'm fine," makahulugang sabi ni Pris. Hindi malaman ni Dominique kung sugat ba nito ang tinutukoy o ang puso.
"Halika na. Kain na tayo. Baka bulyawan tayo ni Kristine," sabi nya at iniwas ang tingin kay Pris.
"He's hot," Pris whispered. "Vincent looks delicious," she added and smiled naughtily. Sinamaan ito ng tingin ni Dominique. "Don't worry, hindi ko sya aagawin sayo. Even if he's drop dead gorgeous, I'm still into girls." Pris winked and her eyes dropped on Dominique's cleavage.
"Ang landi mo," irap ni Dominique rito saka kinurot ito sa tagiliran.
"Ouch," Pris winced but laughed. Nauna na ito sa kanya.
Nasalubong nya si Julia na pabalik sa living room para tawagin sana sila. A teasing smile was plastered on Julia's lips. "Friend, I think you need to be true to yourself. After this dinner, go home and contemplate on your feelings. Kahit anong gawin mong pagtatago at pagpipigil, kusang lumalabas ang totoong nararamdaman mo kapag nandyan sya."
Dominique ignored her. Sumunod na rin silang dalawa sa dining room. She almost salivated when she saw the sumptuous meal before her.
Nasa pagitan si Dominique nina Pris at Vincent, who was always the gentleman at ito ang naglalagay ng mga pagkain sa pinggan nya. Masayang nakikipagkwentuhan ang lalaki sa mga kaibigan nya. Paminsan-minsan lang nyang nahuhuling pinagmamasdan ito ni Devon, na tila kinikilatis ito.
"Mukhang masarap yung buttered prawn. Kaso masakit ang kamay ko eh. Hindi ko matanggal yung shell." Pris sighed with regret while looking at her injured hand. Kristine, Olivia and Jessica rolled their eyes. Naiiling na lang si Tita Beth. "Would someone please assist me? Care to volunteer?" Baling nito sa katabing si Vanessa.
"O sige," sabi naman ni Vanessa.
"Vanessa, don't mind my sister. Tamad lang yan. Hayaan mo sya," saway ni Olivia at pinandilatan ang kapatid.
"Here, you can have mine," Vincent said at nilipat sa plato ni Pris ang prawn na katatapos lang nitong balatan.
"Thanks, Vince. You're such a gentleman." Pris smiled sweetly at him. "Buti ka pa. Yung iba dyan, hindi man lang maawa sakin." Saka tinignan si Dominique.
"Fine! Ipagbabalat na kita," irap ni Dominique rito.
"Thanks. Ang sweet mo talaga," tatawa-tawa nitong sabi. "Okay na Vince and Vanessa. Sya na lang daw. My Dominique is such a sweet creature. I just want to lock her in a box and throw her in the sea...I mean throw the key in the sea."
Natawa ang lahat habang nag-init ang mukha ni Dominique sa sinabi nitong "My Dominique".