This chapter is dedicated to: Aizirkellimac . Happy Birthday, Camille!

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"Fritz," tawag ko sa nakababatang kapatid nang makasalubong ko ito nang papasok ako ng mansyon.

He turned to me with a question in his eyes. "Hmm?" He's the only one I got in our family.

That day when I told them I have a girlfriend while I cutted my hair short that I'm almost bald, daddy had his heart attack. That pushed Mom to sent me abroad for a year. Maybe to save their ass for a scandal.

I've learned something a couple of days after Mommy sent me away that made me thankful she did it. Noon lang ako natuwa sa kung ano mang naging resulta ng ginawa ni Mommy.

I was alone for a year while I'm homeschooled. Iyon pa ang ipinagpasalamat ko dahil mukhang hindi ko kayang pumasok pa sa school nang mga oras na iyon. It was a tough year for me but I survived.

When I got back, that's when Fritz approached me. I don't know but he told me he's sorry. Bumalik ang dati naming maayos na relasyon. At the same time, Romulus drifted away. Hindi na bumalik sa dati ang pakikitungo niya sa akin.

Though, I'm thankful at Fritz. At least I have someone whom I can rely to inside this house. At least, I have Fritz.

"May bagong nakatira sa kabilang bahay? O 'yung dating may-ari pa rin?"

He shrugged at me as he glanced at where the house is located, na para bang makikita niya iyon mula sa aming kinatatayuan. "Baka iba na? I have no idea. Hindi ko alam na may nakatira na ulit doon. Anyway, the dinner's ready," imporma niya na agad kong tinanguan.

Marahan akong tumango sa kanya at hinayaan siyang mauna sa hapag. My forehead's still frowning. Dinala ako ng aking mga paa pabalik sa pinto ng mansyon at mataman kong binuksan iyon.

Sumilip ako sa labas habang diretso ang tingin sa katapat na bahay. Mula sa aking kinatatayuan ay nakita ko ang buhay na ilaw mula sa ikalawang palapag ng mansyon sa katapat ng sa amin.

Ilang minutong nakakunot ang noo ko habang nakatitig doon bago tuluyang isinara ang pinto.

Kibit balikat akong nagtungo sa hapag. They're already settled on their chair except for me and Romulus. Oras na makaupo ako ay nagsimula na ang hapunan, kaya't palagay ko ay wala si Romulus.

I was silently eating beside Mommy when my father spoke.

"MPL's anniversary will be tomorrow."

Napahinto ako at matamang napatingin kay Daddy. I was trying to remember what company is MPL 'cause that abbreviation seems familiar. While trying to analyze why he's telling that, when my father continue.

"They will also announce their partnership with us. You need to attend, Amaryllis. I'll be there too with your mother."

Oh, MPL! The partnership. Maverick's company!

"Am I still required to attend? You both can represent LM&L." I'm just asking though, baka sakaling makalusot.

"You're the CEO, you should be there."

I nodded and didn't argue any longer. I'm too tired to question his decisions.

Mommy stopped eating as she glanced at me. "Wear whatever I'll choose for you. Hindi ka pwedeng magkalat doon."

Wait, that means it is a formal gathering. And wearing a tight skimpy gown is a must? What the hell. I sighed. I think I can't avoid this one, I'll just probably buy something I'm comfortable to wear at the same time, something na hindi magrereklamo si Dad.

Mataman kong sinalubong ang mga mata ni Mommy. "I'll choose what to wear, Mommy. I know what to wear."

"Aba't sumasagot ka--"

I frowned at I tilted my head. "I was just telling you--" Napasapo ako sa aking noo at mariing hinilot ang sentido. I heaved a deep sigh and pressed my lips.

"I'll choose what I'll wear," may pinalidad na sambit ko bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa pagkain sa hapag.

"Let your daughter, Dahlia."

I blinked at my father, my lips even parted at him. Nahihiwagaan akong napatingin sa kanya. That was a first time. Ngayon lang yata ako natuwa sa sinabi ni Daddy. Though, ngayon lang naman yata niya sinangayunan ang sinabi ko.

The side of my lips tugged into a smirk as I heard my mother groaned.

"Hindi ko na kasalanan kung mapapahiya 'yang anak mo." Padabog nitong ibinalik ang pansin sa pagkain.

Napailing na lamang ako sa inasta niya.

"And tell me if you'll bring someone as your partner, Amaryllis."

Nalukot ang aking noo dahil sa sinabi ni Daddy. "I won't bring anyone."

"Good. Draven will come with you, he'll represent their company. You'll come together tomorrow."

Hindi man sinasadya ay marahas kong naibagsak ang mga kubyertos. Namilog ang aking mga mata at halos mabali ang leeg na napabaling kay Daddy. "M-may kasama na pala 'ko bukas. Hindi na kailangan ang Yñares na iyon."

His eyes narrowed at me. "What's wrong with Draven? And I thought you don't have someone--"

"Meron, meron na!" Agarang sambit ko. What the hell? Bakit ba panay Draven siya? Oh well, Draven's father is your father's friend, Amaryllis. What do you expect?

"Who? Tell us his name. And make sure he's decent enough for the celebration."

I almost rolled my eyes at my mother. Agad kong pinagana ang isip upang makaisip ng maaaring isama bukas ngunit si Spencer lang ang agad na pumasok sa aking isip. Sino pa ba? I only have Spencer. Siya lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko at bukod sa lahat, komportable ako sa kanya.

"Of course he's a decent man, Dad, Mommy." Sinadya kong hindi sagutin ang naunang tanong niya.

Mataman nila akong tinitigan. Tila sinusuri ang aking ekspresyon. I'm already back at eating my food but they're still staring at me. Si Fritz naman ay tahimik lang sa kanyang kinauupuan, siguro'y takot na kapag nagsalita siya ay sa kanya mabaling ang usapin.

"Tell us the name, Amaryllis." Mariing sambit ni Daddy.

I swallowed the food and emptied my mouth. I extended my hand to reached my glass as I sipped the water in it. "Spencer." Hindi ko na kailangang buuin ang pangalan dahil alam na agad nila kung sino ang aking tinutukoy.

"What?" Eksehaderong tanong ni Daddy.

What's wrong with Spencer? I prefer him than Draven. For me he's more decent than that Yñares.

Muli akong sumimsim sa aking baso at diretso sa pagkain ang aking mga mata nang walang pagaalinlanggan akong sumagot. "I won't attend if you'll force me to go with your friend's son."

Natigilan siya at napakurap sa akin. Matapos ay napabuntong hininga at napailing na lamang bago bumaling kay Fritz.

"How's your grades, Fritz." Baling niya sa nananahimik na si Fritz. Nahuli ko ang patagong pagngiwi nito bago sumagot kay Daddy.

"Doing fine, Dad." He answered casually, earning a low groan from Dad.

"Fine? You have to excel! How can you enter law school if your grades are just fine?"

I shook my head as I raised my brow at Fritz when our eyes met, tila hindi nito alam kung anong gagawin kay Dad. I let out a low chuckle. Napunta sa aking ang atensyon nila kaya naman peke akong napaubo.

I heard him cleared his throat. "Trust me, Dad. I'll enter law school. Ako ng bahala do'n."

The conversation ended after that and the dinner went fine, I guess.

Matapos ang dinner ay agad akong dumiretso sa aking silid. I grabbed my laptop as I started searching for a gown I can wear.

I logged in on the shop where I can buy a gown as per what Mommy told me. Mamili na raw ako at puntahan ko iyon bukas upang matingnan. Sinabi pang sa shop na 'to ako mamili dahil kakilala niya ang may-ari noon, upang masiguro raw niya na maayos ang susuotin ko.

She'll really make sure I won't give them a scandal tommorow.

Habang tinitignan ang mga gown na nasa shop na iyon ay napapakunot ang aking noon. What the hell? Wala ba noong hindi kinakapos sa tela?

They are all indeed a long gown but it's either the gown is backless or the the neckline is plunging, or both. Marami pa ang naroon na parang kinapos ang itaas na bahagi at tila ang telang nakalaan para roon ay napunta lahat sa laylayan.

What the hell is this? Sa bawat pagpindot sa mouse ay napapangiwi ako sa mga nakikita. Is she expecting me to wear these kind of clothes?

Binitawan ko ang mouse at napasandal sa upuan. I started massaging my temples as I let out a sigh escaped my mouth.

I grabbed my phone lying beside my laptop as I started dialling Spencer's number.

Hindi nagtagal ay may sumagot din doon. "Ry?" Bungad niya.

"Samahan mo 'ko bukas. Ayoko magdrive," walang pagaalinlanggang sambit ko.

Muli kong sinubukang tumingin sa mga gown na naroon ngunit wala talaga ang aking tipo. I don't want to wear that kind of clothes. I have a design I want in my mind. Ngunit wala akong nakitang ganoong disenyo sa shop na sinasabi ni Mommy.

I heard him growled. "Saan?"

"Sabihin mo kung ayaw mo--"

"Gusto. Kaya nga tinatanong ko kung saan."

Mahina akong napatawa sa kanya. "Do you know some shops where I can buy a decent gown?" I asked, emphasizing the word decent. I know he already know what I meant by that.

"Bakit ako tinatanong mo? Bumibili ba 'ko ng gown?" Sarkastikong sambit niya habang bahagyang natatawa. "And, you're really buying a gown?"

I hummed as I started turning the laptop off. "Hmm."

Napahinto siya sa kabilang linya. "Woah! Is there a miracle?"

Napailing na lamang ako. I rose from my seat as I walked towards my bed. Doon ako naupo habang kausap si Spencer sa kabilang linya. I craned my neck.

"And I'll tell you something tomorrow," hindi ko na pigilan maingay na pagngisi.

"What is that, Amaryllis?"

I can now perceived him with his eyes slowly narrowing as he heard my smirk.

"I'll tell you tomorrow." We'll buy your suit too, Spence. You'll come with me on that anniversary. I can't tell him that over the phone. Baka pa umatras siya at hindi ako samahan maghanap ng gown bukas.

"What?" Namimilog ang mga mata at eksehaderong humarap sa akin si Spencer matapos kong sabihin na isasama ko siya mamaya. That he'll be my partner.

"Focus on the road!" Saway ko nang itinuon niya sa akin ang pansin. "You're driving!"

He glanced at the road. Isang beses pang mabilis siyang sumulyap sa akin. Hindi ko napigilan ang bahagyang pagtawa dahil sa reaksyon niya.

"You know I'm not into that thing. I won't attend, Amaryllis." I know. But I really need his help this time. Kung hindi lang, kaya ko namang pumunta mag-isa roon.

"Dad's pairing me to someone. You know I don't like that idea. Just this one, Spence."

Ilang sandali pang pamimilit ay wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang pumayag sa akin.

"Nagbreakfast ka na?" I asked as I saw a familiar cafe.

"No, ikaw? Do you want us to stopover?"

"Hindi pa rin. Do'n tayo," I pointed the cafe where I want to eat. "Coffee lang sa 'kin. Ikaw?" Itinabi niya ang kotse malapit sa harap ng cafe.

"Coffee too," he muttered as he parked the car.

Nang huminto ang kotse ay agad na akong bumaba. "Ako na lang bibili," sambit ko bago tuluyang sinarahan siya ng pinto, hindi ko na hinintay pa ang kanyang sagot. I wore my shades as I walked towards the entrance of the cafe.

I glanced at my wallet and fished my card as I entered the cafe. Akmang iaangat ko ang aking tingin nang may nagmamadaling lumabas sa cafe kaya't nagkabanggaan kaming dalawa.

"Fuck!" I cursed when the woman's coffee spilled on her dress. May kaunting coffee na tumalsik sa aking puting damit ngunit hindi iyon ganoon karami, katulad ng sa babae.

"Gosh! I'm sorry, Miss." The woman apologize.

Kunot noong inangat ko ang aking tingin. Is it her fault? Or mine? Siya yung natapunan tapos siya 'yung nagsosorry?

I was taken aback when I saw a familiar woman. I removed my shades a I stared at her.

"I'm really sorr--" She stopped, maybe when she realized I'm familiar too. "You're the one at the elevator, 'yung sa LM&L, right? I'm really sorry, nagmamadali kasi 'ko." I looked at her eyes and saw nothing but sincerity in it.

I bitterly smirk inwardly. Why does she have to be perfect? From her looks, the way she dressed, and her behavior. Halata mong elegante at may pinagaralan.

"What happened?" The familiar baritone voice from behind the woman spoke. Kadarating lang sa likuran nang babae.

"Hey, Ry--" I heard Spencer from my back. "Oh, what happened?" He asked as I felt his hand on my shoulder.

Wala sa sariling dumako ang aking tingin kay Maverick. I caught him staring darkly at my shoulder. Ngunit nang kumurap ako ay wala ng ekspresyon ang kanyang mga mata at para bang isang ilusyon lang ang aking nakita.

"Magmamadali ako kaya, sorry--"

"Hey, stop saying sorry. The coffee spilled over you, it's not your fault."

Nahigit ko ang aking hininga nang marinig si Maverick.

"But, hon--"

Maverick cutted the woman. "Say sorry, Miss." Direkta sa akin ang mga mata niya. His looks feels like penetrating my whole body.

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