Chapter 46: The Dress

I stood at the edge of the railing of this rooftop, drinking wine while taking in the view of the busy street. Everyone was rushing as if they were running out of time. All of them would disappear one day, but I would still be here.

Death. It was the fate of everyone. I couldn't say that we were excluded from that conclusion, but if we were more cautious, we could last forever. We would last until the end of time if there even were.

Living an eternal life was not as simple as it seemed from a narrow perspective. We suffer more than we conquer. Maybe that was why we were bestowed with anomalistic strength and obsidian skin. So we could overcome.

It would have been so much easier to progress if they could have also taken our ability to feel something. It's difficult to remember and even more difficult to forget.

I remember everything.

I know there's a way to reset my memory, but it also requires a piece, if not all, of myself. But now that I think about it, everything seemed so pointless. These memories seemed pointless.

I sipped my wine, but it became frozen due to the cold weather. Mukhang napatagal ang pagmumuni-muni ko. Padilim na rin ang kalangitan.

It's almost time.

"Kristan already left." Hestia stood beside me. "He will be fine."

I nodded. "Good. Everything is settled now."

A cold gust of wind pushed my hair back. The sky had become darker than usual. The storm was howling from afar, ready to sweep away the moonlight or set fire to the sky.

Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Hestia ang braso ko. Sinandal niya ang ulo rito. Pareho kaming nakatulala sa kawalan.

"Let's put an end to this, Nathalia," she said quietly. Her voice sounded exhausted but hopeful. "Gusto ko nang magpahinga."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Be composed.

Kristan was already gone when I returned to the apartment, just as Hestia had said. Hindi ko na uli siya kinausap maghapon. I barely spoke with Hestia. Maghapon akong nagkulong sa kwarto bago nagpasya na umakyat sa rooftop.

I just couldn't wrap my head around everything I had just thought about.

The time was ticking, and my time here was nearly up.

When I entered the shower room, I was taken aback by the red rose petals scattered on the floor. Scented candles were also lit up. Everything was perfectly aligned and prepared.

Alam kong wala ng panahon si Kristan para sa ganito. Malamang na si Hestia mismo ang naghanda nito para sa akin.

I stripped down and walked slowly to the bathtub, not stepping on any rose petals. My favorite scent was also the aroma of the water.

Everything was red, just like how it started.

Hindi ako nagtagal doon dahil gahol na rin kami sa oras. Nag-ayos na ako na tumagal din ng halos isang oras. That's something I would never rush.

I stood in front of the mirror. It reflected a woman with straight brunette hair and a fierce expression. She was wearing a green gradient v-neck long dress, standing tall on her 6-inch high heels. The dress looked so simple yet so sophisticated.

Bumuntonghininga ako. Kinuha ko ang lipstick saka lumabas ng kwarto ko. Sinadya ko si Hestia sa kanyang silid.

I knocked on the door, clutching the lipstick in my hand. Ilang segundo bago niya 'yon binuksan. Nanlalaki ang kanyang mga mata sa gulat.

"Tapos ka na?" mangha niyang tanong. "Damn. Is it just because I am not used to seeing you in a green dress, or you just simply don't fit in green?"

"Can I come in?" I asked.

Niluwagan niya ang pagkakabukas ng pinto kaya pumasok ako. Saka niya sinarado uli ang pinto. Humarap ako sa kanya.

"I'm not good at complementing anything with green." I winced, holding up my red lipstick. "Can you do the favor?"

"Sure. Pakitaas muna zipper sa likod." Tumalikod siya sa akin para ipataas sa akin ang zipper ng dress niya. "I think I gained weight."

"You sure did."

"That's not what I wanted to hear." She said, rolling her eyes. Kinuha niya sa akin ang lipstick ko saka nilapit ang mukha sa akin. "How are you feeling?"

She gently held my chin. Marahan niyang pinaragasa sa aking labi ang lipstick. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanyang maamong mukha.

"I don't know." I breathed.

"Nervous?"

I put both my hands on her waist and shook my head.

"Not at all. I just don't feel anything right now."

She messed up and smeared the lipstick. Mabilis naman na kumuha siya ng tissue para ayusin 'yon.

She scowled, "Can you stop moving?"

I did what she told me. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa matapos siyang pintahan ang aking mga labi.

"Okay. Nabawi naman ng red lipstick ang look mo," aniya na naiiling pa. "I still don't understand why you are going to wear green on your last day."

"Wait..." Tatalikod na sana siya nung hinawakan ko ang kanyang braso. Kinuha ko sa kanyang kamay ang lipstick ko. "I think red lips also suits you."

I smiled and drew in closer to her. Unlike her, I was staring into her eyes while doing it. For some reason, she appeared tense.

"You look nervous, Hestia," I observed.

She took a swallow. "I'm just... I don't know. I'm overwhelmed. We are almost over here."

I shrugged.

"Anyway..." she said, shaking her head and spinning around. "How do I look?"

The way she spun around reminded me of our first day here. It was our first job, wearing our first dresses. I motioned for her to turn around. She did so, but with a frown.

Kami no'ng una. Kami pa rin hanggang huli.

"You look fabulous," I said. "It's a mystery to me why you never stay in a relationship. You're thoughtful, caring, and loving."

Natigilan siya sa pag-ikot. She frowned. "I just date men for fun. They are all fun at first. They get boring eventually."

I nodded, just like what I expected.

"Not to mention the last man I dated who you killed," she scoffed.

"Since you are looking for fun, can't you at least choose a decent man?" ako naman ngayon ang umirap sa kanya dahil nakakailan na siya.

"What's so fun in decency?"

"They are more complicated than you think, Hestia."

"Talking based on experience, huh?" ngumisi siya. "Fine. But I don't think we should be discussing dating right now. I'm done. How about you?"

I nodded. "I am."

"The documents?" she inquired, referring to the letters containing my last will.

"They will figure it out soon."

"So... tara na?"

Kumabog bigla ang dibdib ko. Alam kong ako ang naghanda ng araw na ito. Lahat ng mangyayari ay nasa palad ko. Gano'n pa man ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

Hestia took my hand in hers and squeezed it.

"Everything will be fine, Nath," she said with a smile.

Ngumiti din ako saka tumango.

Pigil na pigil si Hestia na umiyak habang palabas kami ng kanyang apartment. Sa dami ng laman no'n ay tanging ang damit na suot lang niya at ang sarili ang natira sa kanya.

We were never going back here.

"I love this place," she whispered as she shut the gate. Nakangiting pinagmasdan niya sa huling pagkakatataon ang lugar na naging kanlungan niya sa matagal na panahon.

"It's too soon to cry, Hestia."

"I'm not crying!" she exclaimed.

Ako ang nagmaneho para sa aming dalawa. Nakailang tissue na si Hestia sa kaiiyak. Buti na lang ay waterproof ang makeup niya.

My heart was beating rapidly against my chest as we drove away. I watched every store and building fade away until I focused on one particular store.

I pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car right away. Mabuti na lang gabi na kaya hindi kami gano'n pansin.

"Wait. What happened?" Hestia asked.

It was a pet store. Hinawakan ko ang glass wall saka tiningnan ang isang familiar na pusa roon. Mahimbing siyang natutulog.

"Oh, shit. Lilly..." Hestia whispered. "He dropped her off here."

I would have cried if I hadn't known better. Hindi na namin siya maaaring isama sa susunod na yugto ng buhay namin. She was still fortunate to have returned home safely. She'll be fine without us.

"Lilly..." I whispered her name, but she was sound asleep.

"No. I cannot do this right now," pumiyok ang boses ni Hestia. "Mauuna na ako sa sasakyan bago pa ako umiyak ulit."

"Hey, Lilly..." I tapped on the glass wall, jolting her awake for a moment. She yawned and returned to sleep. "You are safe here. I'm sorry if this is the farthest we can take you. I hope your new owner will treat you well."

For the second time, a cat broke my heart.

"Farewell, little girl."

I got back to the car and without looking back, I drove away. Tahimik lang kami ni Hestia hanggang sa tumapat na ang sasakyan namin sa main gate ng mansion kung saan gaganapin ang event.

"Shit. We are here..." mumbled Hestia.

Hininto ko ang sasakyan sa tabi ng valet. Sinubukan niyang buksan ang pinto, pero nung mapagtantong naka-lock pa ito ay nanatili muna siya sa gilid.

Hestia reached into the back seat for the box. Nilabas niya roon ang dalawang maskara. Since this was a masquerade party, it would be just perfect to wear one.

I turned to face Hestia. Even with the mask on, she still appeared anxious. Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at hinaplos 'yon.

"Everything will be fine," I whispered, giving back the assurance she gave me earlier. "This is a party, Hestia. You should just enjoy it."

"I'm scared."

"Don't be."

"I'm scared for you."

I smirked and moved my face closer to her. "I got this," I whispered and gave a peck beside her lips. "Let's go and meet everyone."

When I got out of the car, all the cameras lined up to photograph me.

Despite the chaos, I was able to hear some of their thoughts on my dress. Why am I dressed in a green gown? This would undoubtedly spark debate.

It's a shame I won't be here to see how the media turns this green dress into a scandalous and theoretical story.

"Hestia, Nathalia!" a man called out from a distance. It was Hando, dressed in a drab black suit and a hideous gray mask. With that lousy fashion sense, how could he handle huge supermodels?

"Green huh?" puna ni Hando. "Let's get inside."

Kumapit kami ni Hestia sa magkabila niyang braso. I finally felt the excitement as we walked away from the noise and into the more private and quieter side of this palace-like mansion.

"I'm so glad you came, Nathalia," Hando exclaimed. "The CEO is looking forward to meeting you. Who knows what will happen next?"

"How about me?" Hestia frowned.

Hando burst out laughing. "I'm sure he was expecting you, too!"

"Huwag ka nang magpaligoy-ligoy pa. Just give me the go signal, Mr. Roman Hando," sarkastiko kong sinabi dahil naririndi na ako sa mga pagpaparinig niya.

Nakangiti ako sa mga bumabati sa akin. Sa isang banda ay nakita ko na ang isa sa mga VIP guests din na tulad ko. He was busy talking to a woman. I mean, flirting.

"Go signal to what?" maang niyang tanong.

"To seduce the CEO of this empire and ask him to give you the position."

"You are ridiculous, Nathalia!" Humalakhak siya.

"Yikes. He must be so old," sabi ni Hestia na tila nandiri bigla. "When I say old, breathing but already decaying on his bed."

I chuckled. She perfectly described her past relationships.

"Hush. Shut your mouth, Hestia. Baka may makarinig sa 'yo," nababahalang sambit ni Hando. "Anyway, forget about him and just have fun. He will come out at any moment."

Hando dropped us in the middle of this vast and elegantly organized space. The high ceiling was adorned with hanging diamond pearls and crystals. A massive chandelier hung in the center. Visitors and a few familiar faces surrounded us. Everything was done perfectly and accordingly to my plan.

"How are you related to him?" Jackson approached me. He was holding a glass of wine. "I know, Nathalia. You are the one who invited me here."

I gave him a friendly smile. "How's your wife doing?"

"I don't have a wife."

"How about Faith, your girlfriend?"

His jaw clenched.

Kinuha ko ang alak sa kanyang kamay at ako ang umubos no'n. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin habang nakakuyom ang mga kamao.

"Have you told Hando?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Good. I will try to undo the curse I've placed on your girlfriend after this party, but..." I rested my arms on his shoulder. "I want you to work with me, Director Jackson."

"Promise me."

"You have my words."

"Well. It's still a pleasure to work with Nathalia Cardinal."

Hando was hurriedly walking in my direction from my peripheral vision. Napansin ko ang sigla sa kanyang ngiti.

"He's coming..." Hando exclaimed excitedly.

The lights went out. In anticipation, everyone clapped.

I simply stood there.

In the distance, a spotlight shone on a man dressed in formal black attire. He was wearing a red mask and staring directly at me.

"He was staring at you, Nathalia," Hando said quietly, pleased that his prediction had come true. "As I previously stated, you are his most anticipated guest."

The man in a red mask approached me slowly. Hando and the others took a step back, but I remained standing until he came to a halt in front of me.

"Milady..." The man in a red mask bowed to me.

The spotlight shifted to me and turned red.

When the red light hit my green dress, it turned black.

"What is this?" Hando asked.

I just stared at him.

"What the hell is going on, Nathalia?" he exclaimed.

"You are in the presence of the CEO of the world's most renowned modeling empire," the man in the red mask announced. "Miss Nathalia Cardinal."

Hando took a step back in fear.

I cracked a smile.

"Shall we begin?" I asked.