When Richard and Dei learned about Thirdy’s decision to attend Eloisa’s 17th birthday celebration, they prefer to fly to Manila and come with their children.
The Reyes family arrived earlier than the Monteiros and Thirdy keeps on texting Althea confirming their attendance at the party.
“We are almost there.” is Althea’s reply to Thirdy’s viber message. “Traffic kasi sa express way kaya medyo late na kami. Does the party started?” she asked.
“Not yet, pero marami nang tao.” Thirdy replied.
After almost thirty minutes of waiting, Thirdy saw the girl he has been waiting for arrived at the party with her parents. He could not control himself to admire Althea in her light blue sleeveless floral lace rhinestone romper dress.
“Should I say that the young lady at the entrance is so far the prettiest among the young girls in this ballroom?” Richard said, smiling.
“You don’t have to, tingnan mo lang si Thirdy, alam na natin agad ang sagot.” Dei teased. “You are right, your highness. The young Monteiro lady carried herself elegantly.” She added.
“Magaling pipili ang anak ko ah, manang-mana sa akin.” Richard said.
“We will be fine here, my prince. Go ahead and greet Althea. Alma ko naman na kanina mo pa sya hinihintay.” Dei uttered.
“Okay lang ba, Mommy?” Thirdy asked.
“Of course, my prince. Para naman sumigla yang itsura mo.” Dei replied, teasing.
Thirdy stood up and walks towards Althea Marie, but he is a few meter away from him when Santino with his Dad abruptly came to greet the Monteiro Family.
Althea is all smile when she saw Thirdy approaching towards them but she got surprised seeing Santino also coming towards them.
“I thought you are not coming.” Santino said then he gave Althea a cheek to cheek while their parents greeted each other.
“Naipit kami sa traffic sa express way.” Althea politely greeted.
“Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Monteiro.” He greeted Victor and Laura, too.
“Good evening, too, Santino.” Laura said.
“This way to our table.” Carlos said.
“We are sharing table with you?” Victor asked.
“Yes, isn't it destiny?” Carlos said.
“Where is Beatrice?” Laura asked to deliberately ignore Carlos statement.
“My girls are stranded in Hongkong because of the typhoon. Kaya kami lang ni Ino ang nandito.” Carlos replied.
Thirdy choose to go back to his seat when he sees the Concios lead the Monteiros to their table, which is just beside the table occupied by the Reyes Family who shares table with the Wong family. When the Monteiros and Concios take their respective seats, Santino was quick to occupy the seat beside Althea and make her sits back to back with Thirdy. They are literally a foot away from each other.
Richard quickly stood up when he sees the Monteiros occupied vacant seats beside their table then he politely greeted Victor and Laura. “Good to see you again Victor.” He greeted.
“Good to see you again, too, Sir Richard, Ma’am Dei.” Victor said and offered his hand to Richard for a hand shake which the latter accepted.
“Hello, Laura.” Dei said and immediately gave Laura a cheek to cheek. “I am very happy to see you again.” She added while Laura could not hide her admiration to the lady infront of her, ‘I would like to be as elegant as her when I reach my fifties’ she told herself.
“Likewise, Ms. Dei.” Laura said.
“Let’s not be too formal, we would appreciate kung first name basis tayo, Victor.” Richard said and Victor smiles at him.
“How’s Tita Aurora?” Dei asked.
“She is still in Italy. Umuwi a few weeks ago, then she flies back to Santa Margareth. Hindi na yata sanay si Mama sa hangin sa Alabang.” Victor replied.
“Please send our regards to her.” Dei said.
“I will do that.” Victor said.
“Good evening, Sir Victor, Ma’am Laura.” Thirdy greeted.
“Good evening, Thirdy.” Victor replied and Laura just smiles at him to acknowledge his greetings.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Monteiro. Hello Althea, you look so stunning tonight.” Charmaine uttered before she gave Laura and Althea a cheek to cheek.
“Thank you Ate Charm. Ikaw rin naman, ang ganda-ganda mo.” Althea said.
“Hello Charm, nice to see you again.” Laura said.
“Mabuti nakapunta ka, Thirdy. Sabi kasi ni Loise hindi ka makakapunta that’s why she has to look for another escort.” Santino commented.
“I was able to free up my schedule only for today.” Thirdy replied.
“Loise will be very glad to know that you exerted an effort just to come here tonight.” Santino said.
“I came here because Althea said she is coming. Kung hindi naman pupunta si Althea, I will not bother to come here.” Thirdy straightly said.
Santino is about to comment on Thirdy’s statement when the host of the party requested everyone to settle on their seats because the program is about to start. The program started by showing different video clips of Eloisa, then she was introduced first before the cotillion started.
And while everyone is busy watching the program, two individuals are also busy exchanging viber messages each other. “Do you know that you are the most beautiful girl here tonight?” was Thirdy’s initial message to Althea.
Althea smiles upon receiving Thirdy’s message then she looks behind her, seeing Thirdy busy tinkering his phone. “Sabi nga ng Daddy ko.” she replied.
“And I am certain that you will be more beautiful on your debut party.” Thirdy sends another message.
“I will not have a debut party. My mommy asked me about it already and I told her I want to donate the money to the less fortunates. A small dinner with my family is fine to celebrate my debut.” Althea replied.
“Sayang, I thought I have a chance na maging escort mo sa debut party mo.” Thirdy replied back.
“Then forget about it because there will be no big celebration for me once I turned eighteen.” Althea said.
“Okay lang, ang importante lang naman maging eighteen ka na.” Thirdy replied.
“And what is so special about me, turning eighteen years old?” Althea asked despite knowing what Thirdy is talking about.
“A few months after you turn eighteen, graduation na natin sa senior high school. That is the time to show your Dad how I keep my word.” Thirdy replied.
“Ayan na naman ‘yang secret nyo ni Daddy, ano ba kasi yun?” Althea asked.
“Kaya nga secret eh, hindi pwedeng ipagsabi.” Thirdy replied.
They continue exchanging messages and was not able to noticed that the initial part of the program has ended and the dinner was served.
“How was it, Althea?” Santino asked.
“What are you talking about?” Althea asked.
“The dance, kasali ako sa cotillion di ba?” Santino said.
“Oh yeah, okay lang. I have no other expectation since, I know you can dance.” Althea said.
“I’m glad you know that side of me. I promise, sa debut mo, I’ll do better than what I did earlier.” Santino said.
“Ganun ba? Okay.” Althea briefly replied while Thirdy could not help himself but chuckle upon hearing Althea and Santino’s conversation.
“What’s funny, Thirdy?” Santino asked and obviously annoyed.
“Mamaya na kayo magkwentuhan, the food is good why don’t you guys try it.” Laura suddenly butts-in before Thirdy could answer Santino.
“Thanks, Mommy.” Althea whispered to Laura.
“Why are you thanking me?” Laura asked.
“It’s obvious na napikon si Santino kay Thirdy.” Althea said.
“You’re welcome, Baby. But I suggest you put down your phone and enjoy the celebration. Alam ko napilitan ka lang sumama sa amin ng Daddy mo, pero lubos-lubosin mo na, Baby. Just pretend you are enjoying the party. Anyway, hindi naman tayo magtatagal dito.” Laura said.
“Aalis na tayo agad?” Althea asked.
“Yes, unless you still want to stay. Baka kasi kapag nagtagal pa tayo dito eh biglang magwala ang Daddy mo. Akala siguro nitong si Carlos hindi nakikita ng Daddy mo na kanina pa malagkit ang tingin nya sa akin. Si Daddy mo ang kausap pero sa akin naka-tingin.” Laura said.
“Hala, baka mag-create ng scene si Daddy dito, Mommy.” Althea said.
“Don’t worry, Baby, ako na ang bahala kay Daddy mo.” Laura said. “Kumain ka na para makaalis na tayo maya-maya.” She added.
“Okay po.” Althea said and started eating her food.
“Okay ka lang ba, Althea Marie? Gusto mo ba ikuha kita ng drinks?” Santino asked.
“Don’t bother, Ino. This is enough for me. Thanks, anyway.” Althea said and continue eating her food.
After a while, Althea receives another viber message from Thirdy. “Would you like to go out for some fresh air? Maganda ang garden nila dito.”
“Wait lang, magpapaalam ako kay Mommy.” Althea replied.
After asking permission, Laura allowed Althea to go out of the venue upon learning that Thirdy will accompany her though she was instructed come back immediately since they plan to leave the party early.
“Where are you going?” Santino asked when Althea stood up.
“I am just going out.” Althea replied.
“Mas mabuti nga siguro na lumabas muna tayo. It seems you are not enjoying the party. Perhaps after the program the real party will start.” Santino said.
“No need to come with me, Ino. Sasamahan na ako ni Thirdy sa labas.” Althea said and Santino gained a smirk from Thirdy when the latter throws a sharp stare at him.
“Are you sure?” Santino asked.
“Of course I am sure. Let’s go, Thirdy” Althea uttered before they walk outside the ballroom.
Thirdy leads Althea to the garden and the young Monteiro is in awe when she sees the place. “You are right, these garden is very beautiful.” She said.
“I told you. Ang galing ng pagkakagawa di ba, sobrang relaxing.” Thirdy said.
“Yes, I want to have a garden like this in the future.” Althea uttered.
“That can be arranged.” Thirdy said.
“Excuse me, what do you mean by ‘that can be arranged’?” Althea asked.
“Yung nag-design ng garden na ‘to, friend ni Daddy.” Thirdy said.
“Tell me honestly, does your family owns this place, to know that detail?” Althea asked.
“Nope, hindi na kaya ni Ate ang isa pang intindihin.” Thirdy replied.
“Eh bakit parang alam na alam mo ang lugar na ‘to? To the point na pati yung nag-design nitong garden alam mo rin.” Althea asked.
“Ang una kasing itinuro ni Ate Charmaine sa akin when I started my training in Royalties Hotel, is to know my competitors.” Thirdy said.
“So competitor nyo ang may-ari ng events place na ito?” Althea asked.
“The family of Tita Elise, owns this place. Sya ang mother ni Eloisa.” Thirdy replied.
“Ang dami namang properties ng Wong family.” Althea commented.
“Hindi ito property ng Wong family, yung family lang ni Tita Elise ang may-ari ng place na ito, aside from the different hotel around the metro.” Thirdy said.
“Impressive, alam na alam mo talaga kapag tungkol kay Eloisa.” Althea uttered and Thirdy smiles widely at what he heard.
“Selosa ka talaga.” Thirdy teased.
“Ang kapal mo talaga.” Althea reacted.
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? Ang sabi ko, Ate told me to make sure that I very well know our competitors. That is the reason why I research for the top ten hotels in the country as well as their owners.” Thirdy said.
“I am not asking your explanation. You don’t need to do that.” Althea said.
“Kahit pa, gusto ko pa rin magpaliwanag.” Thirdy said.
“Whatever, Thirdy Reyes.” Althea said and Thirdy just smiles at her.
“You are the most beautiful girl here tonight, Althea Marie Monteiro.” Thirdy then uttered.
“Sinabi mo na yan kanina.” Althea said.
“Ayaw mo bang marinig? Mas gusto mo ba na sa viber message ko na lang sabihin?” Thirdy asked.
“What is happening to you Thirdy? Kung anu-ano ang sinasabi mo, bumalik na kaya tayo sa loob at mukhang hindi maganda ang epekto ng fresh air sa iyo.” Althea said.
“Please don’t get jealous at Eloisa. She is not the girl that I like.” Thirdy said.
“I am not jealous at her.” Althea denied.
“Yes, you are, Althea Marie.” Thirdy said.
“I am not, Richard Reyes, III.” Althea insisted when they heard Dei Reyes calls Thirdy.
“Thirdy, nandito ka lang pala. Kanina pa kita hinahanap.” Dei said.
“Are we leaving, Mom?” Thirdy asked.
“Not yet. There is a slight problem.” Dei replied.
“What happen, Mom. Ok problem ba kay Dad? Nasaan si Ate Charm at Kuya Tristan?” Thirdy asked.
“My prince, there is nothing wrong with your, Dad. Your Tita Elise talked to us, nagkaproblema daw yung suit nung escort ni Loise so he needs to leave. She is requesting if you could take-over. Kawawa naman sya kung wala syang escort.” Dei explained.
“Bakit ako, marami namang pwedeng pumalit sa escort ni Loise, maliban sa akin.” Thirdy objected.
“I know that, tinanong lang naman ni Tita Elise mo since nandito ka na rin lang naman at tapos na rin ang cotillion so wala ka nang ibang gagawin pa.” Dei explained further.
“But you sounds like, ok lang sa iyo, Mommy.” Thirdy said.
“Well, not exactly. Syempre ikaw pa rin ang masusunod if you want to do it or not.” Dei said. “Ang sa akin lang, wala ka namang ibang gagawin kundi i-escort si Loise.” She added.
“At sumunod-sunod sa kanya the entire night, and stay until the party is over. Ayoko, Mommy.” Thirdy firmly objected.
“Fine, kung ayaw mo, hindi ka namin pipilitin.” Dei said.
“But that is just for a night. Perhaps, treat this as your birthday gift to Eloisa.” Althea uttered.
“Pati ba naman ikaw, Althea Marie?” Thirdy said.
“Nakuha ko kasi ang point ng Mommy mo. Kawawa naman si Eloisa kung mag-isa lang syang haharap sa mga guest nya.” Althea said to convinced Thirdy.
“Bakit nga ako, why not her brother.” Thirdy said.
“Her brother is only eleven years old, Thirdy. Baka nga mauna pang umalis yung sa party kesa sa atin.” Althea said.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I’m sorry Althea. It is still a ‘No’ for me.” Thirdy firmly uttered.
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Wag nyo kasing pilitin kung ayaw, baka hindi nyo kayanin ang sumpong ng mahal na prinsipe. 🤨🤨🤨🤨.
Pagpasensyahan nyo na ang wrong spelling at grammar, maitatama ko rin yan kapag may panahon na ako. 😁😙😜.
Let me know what you think of the update guys and thank you guys for the reads and votes 😘😊😘😊😘😊.