Chapter 15

The dress was white as the first snow with a thin waistline and a flowing skirt that was sure to fan around me if I twirled. 

The neckline didn't plunge, but rather showed off my breasts in an elegant manner, I paired it with my birthstone necklace, aquamarine. The rest of the gown flowed elegantly along my body, ending laces. 

However, I noticed something weird. The heart-shaped necklace that helps Uncle to track us is inside my drawer. I didn't wear it noong pumunta ako sa bahay nila Jake. 

How did he track me then? Paano nya nalaman kung nasaan ako? I don't want to suspect him, but is there another way for him to find out where I was? Was I being followed or something? I rubbed my temples, I decided to ignore it. 

I just finished my make up when Anthony knocked on my door. I didn't say anything and let himself in after 3 knocks. 

He stood by my doorway and lean against it and he watched me as I try to fix my hair. I can see him watching me from my vanity mirror. 

"Are you really wearing that?" he asked. 

I didn't look at him, diretso lang ang tingin ko sa salamin kahit hindi ako komportable sa mga tingin ni Anthony. Galit pa rin ako sa ginawa nya. 

He dragged me outside Jake's house like I'm some child who needs punishment. I can still feel his grip on my arm. 

"Don't give me the silent treatment, Sky" 

"Yeah, if you weren't such an ass then maybe walang silent treatment sayo" 

He sighed and checked his watch. Alam kong late na kami, aminado naman ako na kasalanan ko rin naman. Ayaw na ayaw pa naman ni Uncle sa mga taong late. 

"I'm just protecting you from those people, Skyla" ani nya. 

"Protecting? Why am I in danger when you got there? Na-kidnap ba ako? Inabuso ba ako?" I half-shouted at him. I really don't get mad at Anthony but tonight he's being a major ass. 

"What I'm trying to say is that you never know, maybe they're already taking advantage of you already." halos ibagsak ko ang suklay sa sinabi ni Anthony at lalo akong naiinis sa kanya. 

"Taking advantage? How do you know? Ahh.." tinignan ko sya saglit mula sa salamin. I stared at him "it takes one to know one, right?" 

I bit my lower lip, am I too harsh? I almost regretted what I said but then he spoke: "So are you into younger boys now?" I didn't miss the mockery on his tone. 

I looked at him sharply from my vanity mirror, finished fixing my earrings and walked towards him, huminto ako sa harap nya and glared at him. Wala akong pakealam kung mas matangkad sya sa akin, now that I stand before him I realized how handsome he looked tonight. 

But it's all gone the moment he decided to be an ass today. Nilagay ko ang kamay ko sa bewang ko and I looked at him straight in the eyes "If I wear this dress, it's none of your business. If I'm into younger boys tho I'm not, it's none of your business. I'm driving alone. I'll see you there." 

Minsan lang kaming mag-away ni Anthony at sa minsanang iyon ay matagal din kami bago magka-ayos. Pero sa tingin ko sa away na ito ay mukhang matagal pa bago kami magkaka-ayos.

This year's Charity Ball is held at Grand Pavillion Hotel. This place is really popular for events and gatherings, the most influential people held their parties here. It's 7:30 when I arrived at the location, people here are dressed in their most beautiful gowns and suits. 

The place is so elegant, two thumbs up for the organizers behind this event. Halatang pinag-isipan nila ito.

I saw some familiar faces, ngumite ako sa mga ilang kilala at nakasalubong ko. Too bad that Alexavia is not here, I'll probably get bored easily. 

Lahat ng donations na makukuha ngayong gabi will be given to orphanages and some will be used to build schools. It's a noble act but their reasons behind it are not really. 

I heard people whispering about how much money should they give, I also heard another one say that he really doesn't care about helping, he's just donating so that people can talk about him. 

"Oh my god, Skyla! I almost didn't recognize you" ngumite ako sa kanya saka bumeso. 

"Hello po, Tita Consuelo" she's one of the organizers. I don't particularly like her but I have to endure this, ayoko naman maging bastos. 

"You're so beautiful, hija. May boyfriend ka na?" diretso nyang tanong sa akin. 

"Wala pa po, Tita. I don't think na magkakaroon ako masyado po kasi akong busy sa school" 

"That's unfortunate, but I'm sure you can manage. Have you met my son?" and here she goes again. 

Sa tuwing magkikita kami ni Tita Consuelo ay lagi nyang tinatanong kung kilala ko ba ang anak o kaya naman ay uulanan nya ako ng papuri saka isisingit sa usapan ang anak nyang si Eric. 

I know Eric. I talked to him on some occasions before but we're not close. Hindi ko maunawaan kung bakit gustong -gusto ako ni Tita Consuelo para sa anak nyang si Eric. Don't get me wrong, Eric is actually a great guy. 

He's handsome, funny and smart but the thing about Eric is that he's not into girls. He confessed to me and he's still buying his time para umamin sa mga magulang nya. 

"Yes po. I talked to him before" her eyes seem to sparkle dahil sa sinabi ko. 

"Oh my gosh, that's great. You see my son is just shy but I'm sure he likes you". Ughh. I really don't like it when people play cupid. 

Patuloy pagku-kwento ni Tita Consuelo kay Eric hindi ko na sya pinakinggan at I searched for my Uncle kahit na ang daming tao. When I found him, I excused myself. 

"Excuse me po, Tita. I have to talk to my Uncle" I smiled at her, she was about to say something pero hindi iyon natuloy dahil naglakad na ako papunta kay Uncle Bern. 

Uncle Bern smiled when he saw me, I kissed his cheek and smiled at the old guy na kausap nya. "Good evening" ani ko. 

Ngumite sya sa akin, "Hija, you're so beautiful" 

"Thank you, I probably got it from my mom" madalas sabihin sa akin ni Uncle noong bata pa ako na kamukha ko at kasing ganda si mama at nakuha ko naman ang katigasan ng ulo ni papa. 

Tumawa sya at si Uncle Bern. "Beautiful and witty. A true Gen--" he stops mid-sentence, Uncle Bern gave the guy a look that I can't read. 

I was about to ask him what's wrong when a hand touched my waist and squeezed it. I didn't need to look who it was. 

"Ah Anthony, the smartest among your prodigies, Bernardo." Anthony smiled warmly at the guy and Uncle Bern gave Anthony a proud look. 

"Thank you, Sir. Uncle Bern taught me well" 

Nakahawak pa rin si Anthony sa bewang ko. I placed my hand on the top of his hand na nakahawak sa bewang ko, pilit ko itong tinatanggal pero ayaw nyang patinag. His hold on my waist tightened and I almost gritted my teeth. Anthony is really pissing me off.

"Hija, I heard from your Uncle that you're studying Law" 

"Yes, po. I'm on my 2nd year, still a long way to go but I'm sure I'll make it" 

"That's the spirit, you remind me of Marcus" at the mention of my father's name, a wave of sadness washed through me. 

I smiled sadly at him. "I'm sure he's always watching you" the thought comforted me. "Anyway, I have to go, my wife is probably going crazy looking for me." lumapit sya para kamayan si Anthony at sa akin para hagkan ako. "It was nice meeting you. Be careful" he winked at me and turned to Uncle Bern. 

May binulong sya kay Uncle, and then Uncle tapped his back. When the old guy is already out of sight, I stepped away from Anthony and moved to the right side of Uncle Bern. 

"Are you two fighting again?" 

Walang sumagot sa amin ni Anthony and the tension between is palpable. "Comfort room lang ako" Uncle Bern nodded, Anthony was about to come after me, but Uncle stopped him. 

He said something to A, and that made him stay where he is. 

I'm not going to the comfort room, gusto ko lang lumayo kay Anthony. He insulted me and treated me like some child, and I'm not going to talk to him until he says he's sorry. 

         I went outside to get some air, specifically sa garden, and I almost regretted it when the cold breeze brushed against my skin. The night is so peaceful and beautiful; I closed my eyes as I hugged myself. And hummed a tune I always loved. 

Hindi ko alam kung anong awitin ito o kung paano ko ito natutunan, ang alam ko lang ay it gives me comfort. As the wind blew, I smell the flowers and another familiar scent. I don't know where I felt it before, but I'm sure I did. 

I opened my eyes and saw a man standing a few meters away from me. His eyes are closed, and his face looks so peaceful. It seems like he's sleeping. The wind blew again, and I still can't take off my eyes at him, as if sensing me, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at me. 

He had tousled black hair, which was thick and lustrous. His face was sharp and defined, his features molded from granite. He had dark eyebrows, which sloped downwards in a stern expression. 

He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks at yung tipong mapapa-second look ka. I guess he gets that a lot. He had distinct cheekbones and an angular jaw, his slightly pale skin made him look devilishly handsome.

And he's so beautiful as the moonshine above him. 

And he's as handsome as he was in the picture on my camera. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko. Nasa harap ko ang misteryosong lalake na nakunan ko ng larawan. 

He walks towards me and removed the jacket of his 3 PC suit. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya as he placed the coat on my shoulders, his fingertips brushed against my shoulder at halos manghina ang tuhod ko. 

He stared at my face, and I stared at him, then the feeling that I know him came back again. I wanted to say something but I can't seem to find my voice. Tinignan nya ako na parang may hinahanap sya sa aking mukha, he closed his eyes for a second and stepped back. 

"Keep it. It's cold out here," and he walked back inside the hotel. 

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