BUMAGSAK ang kanyang balikat sa nadatnan niya pagkagising. Lahat ng mamahaling muwebles ay nagkalat sa sahig at basag. Pumikit siya ng mariin nang maalala ang ginawa niya kagabi. She was drunk and got wild after the last encounter with Zedrick. His looking injured expression made her crash everything inside her room.
She grunted languidly. Until now she can't erase his memories inside her head. Pinupunit noon ang kanyang puso at kaluluwa. Sinaktan niya ang kanyang taong pinakamamahal.
She lazily grabbed her ringing phone on her bed.
"Good morning, Miss Majesty! Si Nicky po ito. Ipinasa ko po sa email niyo—"
"I'll come today, Nick. See you in a bit."
"Okay po, Miss."
She pressed the end button and sat on the edge of her bed. The only thing for her to forget him is making herself busy.
That day she canceled her leave. She sores the toxic deadlines and filled her seconds by pressure. Even at night, she would be sat on her chair to finish her undone painting. There is this image she'd always dreaming of. A person with the different face of shape, with different shades of color and undefined body of nature.
Days passed by. It was finally middle of the month when she saw the half of her masterpiece.
What's the meaning of this? She asked herself while trying to read the details. Among her previous drawings, this is the only thing that made her wonder and left thinking even harder.
Tinakpan niya iyon ng puting tela. She will come back to it by tomorrow. For now, she will attend a Charity Gala held by her boss, Mrs. Swizz. Wearing her own designed, black silk satin dress with a flowing contour that showed her fair front skin, added a black ribbon necklace as her only accessories aside from afro curly hair wig, she confidently stood on the middle of the crowd.
Few more pictures and chitchat with the co-famous designer, she eyed the whole event and saw Vika with a familiar man. Even if he is not facing her, his domineering aura never hides as some of the models turned their head at him.
Malik Hetch, isn't it?
Lumipat ang kanyang atensyon sa kasama nitong babae. Magmula ng ilantad ni Vika ang totoong mukha, lumayo ang loob niya rito. Hindi na ito ang approachable na modelong nagustuhan niya noon. Pero suot nito ang disenyo niya. Kahit papaano'y paggalang o paggunita sa kanya ay gagawin nito kapag nakita siya.
Dumiretso siya rito para magpapansin. Nilingon agad siya ni Malik. Nananatili itong seryoso para bang walang ipinagbago sa kanya mula sa batang Thaysky ng Casa De Rios. Graciella on the side saw her coming through. She poked Vika for a notification but the famous mysterious model just ignored her with a high head.
"The alluring!"
"Abundant of glamourous ideas."
"That flaunt her candid beauty, your Majesty."
Natigilan siya sa tatlong nagkikisigang lalaki na humarang sa kanya. Hindi maikakailang humanga siya sa mga papuri nito. Did she really called their attention or is it because she is Majesty? Ever since she believed that it is her fashion sense and cool effects made guys to turned their heads at her, not knowing if she really that attractive or truly candid as Majesty's ideas does.
The middle guy approached her to kiss her knuckles. He had a bright smile and impeccable sense of style that made him stand among his lads.
"Call me, Gav your highness," he sexily said.
Her head stirred at the mention of your highness. It seemed to belong to only one guy who could make her knees tremble. Weird but it sounded cliché.
Mapang-insultong tawa sa gilid ang nagpalingon sa kanya. "Oh my gosh! Is that you, Drake?" Dala nang pananabik ay niyakap niya ito.
"Hindi ko aakalaing makikita kitang muli sa anyo ng isang sikat na designer. Mas lalo kang gumanda."
She smiled wider when he releases her. "Thanks for your sweet mouth, Drake. Namiss ko 'yan, ha."
"Namiss din kita, Sky."
He pulled her on the side to talk their childhood. Sulit ang kuwentuhan nila dahil nagkaroon siya ng ideya sa mga nangyari sa Casa De Rios pag-alis niya. Ramdam niya pa rin ang pagiging cool nito, maging respeto dahil hindi nito inungkat ang tungkol sa bigla niyang pag-alis noon. Kahit ang banggitin sa pagkamatay ng kanyang nakatatandang kapatid.
They just parted when Mrs. Swizz called her attention. Bitin pa nga siya dahil hindi manlang niya naitanong ang kasalukuyang buhay nito. Pero nakuha niya ang numero nito.
She ended the party by filling more of incoming projects and invitation from different places like Chari O'dil from Paris and Mouz Lacorn of Thailand. She is excited about their collaboration on the upcoming Swizz Fashion Show this year.
"What's up?"
"Charlie, I'm good." Finally she called
"My dad is going better now. He kept on asking you."
Nilipat niya sa kabilang tainga ang telepono upang pirmahan ang dinalang letter of approval ni Nicky. Nagpasalamat ito bago umalis.
"Ha? Why? Namiss niya ba ang mga joke ko? Regards mo ako sa kanya."
"You are in his dreams. Sabi niya nakita ka niyang may kausap na taong hindi niya kilala. May ibat-ibang hugis ang mukha sa magkakaibang kulay."
Natigilan siya sa pagbuklat ng isang papel dahil sa narinig. Nakuha ni Charli ang buong atensyon niya. "Talaga? Kaya niya kayang i-describe ang itsura ng lugar kung saan ko kausap? Sigurado ba kamo siyang ako?"
"Sabi niya deck pero hindi niya matandaan kung yacht or building. Basta malamig at maganda ang panahon. Masaya si Dad habang pinapanood kang kausap ang taong iyon."
"Why would he dream about me?"
"Hindi ko rin alam. Nakikinig lang ako kasi kapag nagsasalita siya tungkol sa'yo, hindi siya nanginginig. Basta tatlong beses sa kanyang nangyari 'yon sa magkakaparehas na lugar. Noong una lumingon ka raw sa kanya kaya namukhaan ka niya. Ano kayang ibig sabihin noon?"
Pinanood niya sa ibaba ang busy niyang team. Ni isa sa mga ito ay walang nakakaalam ng kanyang talento sa pagpipinta. Kahit mismong sa kausap ay inilihim din niya. Coincident nga lang kaya talaga iyon?
"Maybe it's a sign of his healing stage. Happy pigment of memories. Natatandaan kong nakita niya ako noon na may kausap na mga modelo."
"I hope so. I wished you are right. I'll take that as a positive news, Sky."
"Come on. Think positive. Kung wala lang akong trabaho, bibisitahin ko siya para naman mapatawa ko siya gaya ng dati."
"Uy, kaya ko naman gawin 'yon."
"Iba pa rin kapag ako. Mas ganado siyang tumawa."
"Fine. E 'di ikaw na. Ako kaya ang anak."
Hagalpakan silang dalawa bago nagpaalam sa isat isa. Tinapos niya ang lahat ng papel sa mesa niya bago sumulyap sa kanyang schedule board. Bukas na pala ang party. She let out a long sighed. Ayaw niya talagang pumunta. Puwede niyang i-disregard ang invitation at magdahilang masama ang pakiramdam niya. Simple!
"Miss Majesty? Pinapupunta po sila sa office ni Mrs. Swizz."
"Alright, Nicky."
Kabado siya kung bakit pero may kutob siyang may kinalaman sa party ang pagpapatawag sa kanya nito.
"Have a seat, Darling." The warm woman smiled at her.
She sat and smiled back.
"Mr. O'dil like you a lot. Do you know that Maggy admires his genre?"
"Maggy, did?" Malungkot siyang ngumiti dahil sa pagkamiss sa babae. "I like O'dil too. His dark and neutral designs are unique."
"Yes, just like how he liked your impressive designs. He quoted that you had a rare idea that no one can ever think of but you did. The same reason with the BnG Company. They wanted to be mixed by your ideas." Tumayo ito upang hawakan ang kanyang mga kamay. "I watched you grow on this field, and I can't help it but admire your abilities. I want you to grow even more. Take the invitation. Give it a shot. There is no wrong with trying the different angle. The big opportunity is not on one side of the world. Go out of your box and discovered the undiscovered opportunity. Am I talking with the right person? You are Majesty. She is making the impossible possible."
Kinilabutan siya sa mga narinig. Kilala niyang matalino na tao si Mrs. Swizz pero kailanman ay hindi ito nangdungis, nanira o nanghamak ng tao. "Salamat po. Pupunta po ako."
"Kahit nga ang walang kahilig-hilig sa design na pamangkin ko. Brand mo ang sinusuot at ginagamit." Pinalagdaan nito sa kanya ang kanyang disenyong bag na para sa tinutukoy nitong pamangkin.
She is one year now on this field, yet her name made it to the top. It brought her overflowing blessings. Ibabalik niya ang pagpapalang ito sa pagtulong sa Charitable Institution. She will grab every opportunity to raise more funds for her project.
Matunog ang closed door party, kabilaan ang paparazzi na nagtatanong sa kanyang appearance. Gusto nilang malaman ang hinanda niyang damit. Gaano kamahal? At kung sino ang partner niya?
Gusto niyang matawa sa atensyong iyon. Ganoon ba kasikat ang event na iyon para gambalain siya ng ganito? I don't wear my wig today, even any make-up. It bothered her extremely. Hindi siya magtataka kapag isang beses ay may kakaladkad sa kanya.
Ano ang magiging reaction niya? Ipagtatabuyan niya ba ang sariling ama?
I hope he'll support me than making a scene.
The spokesperson of Swizz made expelled all the disturbing paparazzi that flocked outside the building. She even heard that that was just the ten percent of paparazzi while the rest boom at the Twin Tower where the famous bachelor engineer, Zedrick Hetch lived.
Don't let our paths cross. Please!
Pagbaba sa limousine na naghatid sa kanya sa venue ay walang humpay ang flashed ng camera. Kabilaan ang media. Hirap siyang dumiretso sa red carpet entrance dahil doon. Hindi niya puwedeng isawalang bahala ang ganitong atake dahil alam niyang way of promotion iyon.
"That see-through jumpsuit styled dress is breathtaking, Majesty! Show us your sexyback."
Pinagbigyan niya ang hiling na iyon at tumalikod.
"You had a beautiful body. Did you worked that out?"
Tawa ang isinagot niya sa tanong na iyon. Makakalbo muna si Zedrick bago niya amining oo. Unti-unti siyang umusad nang magkagulo ang mga media sa bagong dating.
Dorothy on her champagne dress that hugs her curvaceous body made her head nodded. But her jaw dropped on Dororthy's shades of eyeshadow, even the color of her earrings doesn't match on the dress code.
Aalis na sana siya pero nakita niya ang sumunod na bumaba. Zedrick is dashing on his three-piece suit. No need an extra accessory, he is undeniably handsome. Enough to make every opposite sex's desire go wild. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga media. Sinusundan ang bawat hambog na galaw nito.
Huminto ito sa harap niya pero malamig na umiwas upang ngumiti sa camera. She looked like the third wheel on the two when Zedrick's hand rested on Dorothy's small waist.
Looking healthy couple!
Dorothy's eye found her. Saglit itong natigilan, pero nakabawi rin agad. Mapanghamak siya nitong sinabayan sa pagpasok.
"What are you doing here?"
Hindi niya iyon sinagot. Inabala niya ang sarili sa pagkaway at pagngiti.
"Come on. Are you hooking rich fish in this ocean of bachelors?"
Dumiretso siya pero pilit itong bumubuntot sa kanya. Nasaan na ba kasi sila, Denver? Few men turned their heads at her. Some even attempted to speak with her, but she walked away and tried to check on the side. Still, the importunate Dorothy kept on rubbing her scalp.
"Running out of money to buy your whim? That is why you are acting like a scared and desperate slot-bitch."
She smirked. "Ang ingay mo. Ganyan ka ba talaga?"
"Noisy is better than an overused hole." She suddenly lost her composure and raised her voice.
Humalakhak siya. "Funny, you didn't change. You are still the delusional I know. And thanks for using the word like. Because I am just like those but I'm not." Tinitigan niya ito sa mata. "Are you really an architect? I can't see it on you. You are much looking cheap behind that neon eyeshadow and over accessories. Hmmm... ang sakit mo sa mata."
Nakita niya si Denver na kakarating lang. Doon siya dumiretso para gumagap ng sariwang hangin. Bago humalik sa mga pisngi nito ay nalingunan niya si Zedrick na nakamasid sa kanya. Buti nalang ay kasama si Mr. Swizz. Bukod sa hindi mahahalatang hindi niya maiintindihan ang pinag-uusapan. Hindi siya malalapitan ng kung sino mang gusto siyang gambalain.
Ilan sa mga kakilala nito ay humalo sa kanilang mesa. Ngiti at shake hands ang nangyari. Sumali rin sa grupo nila ang CEO ng BnG Company.
"My wife is really into your designs. And when she heard about your secret partnership with Mr. Galvez epic house, she didn't stop on asking you to me. I can't say no to her. The fact that I even like the façade of your contribution. It's rare and unique."
"I am pleased, Mr. Brown. Call me anytime for the future plan."
"That's great!"
When the topic goes deep she excused herself for a washroom. She just wanted to breathe. Being surrounded by higher people is not really easy. Before she turned left a steel hard hand immediately curled around hers.
"Let's talk," Zedrick commanded, not giving her a time to react. Pulling her away going into the underground parking.
"We can talk inside you know."
He didn't bother to glance at her. He just re-fixed his hold on her hand as they headed through the black Ferrari that looks sleek, darker and dangerous. Pinatunog nito iyon kaya napalingon siya rito.
Did he own that awesome car?
Umikot ito para buksan ang pinto ng passenger's seat. "Jumped in," he ordered, menacingly.
Inayos niya ang laylayan ng kanyang suot na dress bago sumakay. She startled when he slammed the door closed. Looking angry and uptight when he turned on the other side.
She forgot that he is diligent since then. Even without his father's help, he can buy anything he wanted.
"Seatbelt."
"Oh." Inosente niyang kinabit iyon habang minamasdan ang malinis nitong interior. When they got outside the building, she bravely glanced at him. "Saan tayo pupunta?"
As if on cue he stopped the car on the side. Katahimikan and agad bumalot sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Nakakabingi, gusto niyang magbukas ng topic.
"Let's talk."
"Kanina pa kita kinakausap. Ikaw lang ang ayaw sumagot."
Huminga ito nang malalim bago siya tuluyang hinarap. "What do you mean by criminal's sibling?"
The tension from their past interaction filled her chest. He needs a clarification, that is what she can read on his face. But he can't act like a fool to her.
"Don't play innocent. I know you know that Brandon killed my sister. Your brother is a criminal."
Mariin siyang tinitigan nito. Inuunawa ang kanyang mga akusa. "Iyan ba ang dahilan kung bakit ka nasa bahay ni Brandon? You think my brother can really kill? Thaysky, what made you conclude that way?"
"Of course, he is your brother. Ipagtatanggol mo siya. May alam akong hindi mo alam. At lahat ng iyon ay matibay na ebidensiya para ituro siyang may kasalanan. Ipagtatanggol ko rin ang kapatid ko. Kahit pa sa'yo." She unbuckled her seatbelt then open the door. But it was locked.
"Fuck you! Open the door. Let me go!" she screamed on his face.
"Baby, I'm trying to understand you. If my brother really killed your sister, then I will personally put him in the jail. Just don't ignore me. I'm begging you." He looked at her tenderly, broken and longingly as his thumb stroked away her nonstop tears.
Nanghihina niyang inilag ang mukha rito. Natatakot na baka bumigay siya sa patibong. Pero makulit nitong nahanap ang kanyang atensyon.
"Never ask me to let you go. Because that's unworkable."