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Soirée of Secrets

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"MR. MACCIO, dito po kayo tumingin!"

"Smile, Mr. Maccio!"

"Reagan Iñigo Maccio, would you care tell us more about what happened yesterday in Castillo High??"

It was a festive Wednesday night by the Marquez mansion as dozens of reporters and journalists flocked the main gates of the residence, cameras flashing here and there as everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the socialites entering the large manor, particularly now that Rein and his father had stepped out of their fancy vehicle, wearing dashing tuxedos that would make anyone swoon.

"Here! Here!" One cameraman said frantically, trying to catch Rein's attention who stood up straight, one hand smoothing his black tie, and the other hand in his pocket.

The family stylist was careful to hide Rein's bruises, except for the fresh cut on his cheek that his father had given him yesterday. Despite this, it was almost unrecognizable as Rein's features and dimple were highlighted instead. His messy hair was styled and tousled as well in a neat manner; and as he walked past the paparazzi, everyone's heads and cameras turned at once.

Nang dumating na sa pinaka-entrance ang mag-ama ay hinawakan ng matanda ang kaniyang anak sa balikat.

"Remember to behave." Mr. Maccio said in a steely tone before raising his shoulders to adjust his coat as he and Rein faced the formal photographer who took their photo for the event.

"I'm seventeen." Rein shot back under his breath. "Not five."

His father didn't reply anymore as the bodyguards ushered them inside. The Marquez mansion was decorated in a flurry of flowers and sheer banners with a theme for the color champagne. As soon as one would enter the double doors of the entrance, agad na bubungad ang pinaka-main hall ng mansyon. Two grand staircases from both sides led up to a small terrace on top, and every pillar or table was ornamented with a marble vase filled with fresh flowers, or various colorful limestone statues.

"Rein!" A familiar voice exclaimed, and soon enough Jarrell, who was also wearing a fancy tuxedo, appeared through the crowd. Napangisi ang binata as the two young men greeted each other with a brotherly hug.

When Jarrell caught sight of Rein's father as well, he cleared his throat and bowed fleetingly.

"Mr. Maccio," Jarrell greeted earnestly. "Thank you for joining us."

"Regards to your father, Jarrell." Sabi naman ng matanda, patting Jarrell on the shoulder. "This seems to be another one of your successful parties."

"I will, tito." Jarrell replied stiffly. "In fact, he'll be coming down soon."

"Very well," The businessman huffed. "Now son, I'll leave you with Jarrell for the well-being. I'm going to try and make a deal with the Dizons. Enjoy and socialize!" He then patted their backs once more before disappearing into the crowd.

"Your father scares the living hell out of me." Sambit ni Jarrell, shaking his head. Rein let out a chuckle before looking around with his hands in his pockets.

"Dumating na ba ang mga Lobris?" He then asked, lowering his voice. This time, it was Jarrell's turn to snicker.

"Miss mo na talaga bebe mo ha?" Jarrell grinned teasingly, slinging an arm around Rein's neck as they walked around the hall — past women in evening dresses, past men in their fancy suits, and past many others cladded in heavy jewelry.

"I just want to know if she's okay." Rein answered in defense, rolling his eyes before grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the waiters serving around.

"Well, her father is here." Sambit naman ni Jarrell, pointing towards one corner where the senator was having a hearty conversation with two unfamiliar men. The first man that Ann's father was talking to was tall, thin, and wearing a top hat. Whilst the second man on the other hand, was average in height with a large belly, a long beard, dark short-cropped hair, and rectangular glasses.

"And I think I saw her mother somewhere."

"But you haven't seen Ann?"

"Well, she must be looking for us too. Naghahanapan na siguro tayong apat." Jarrell shrugged before giving Rein a mischievous smirk. "Come on, may alak akong ipapatikim sa'yo."

Before Rein could object, Jarrell had already pulled him towards the bar area of the mansion.

"Jarrell, I really think we should first find the gir—"

"Uy!" A voice exclaimed and Rein blinked as another familiar figure emerged from the bar.

"Jarrell! Presi!" Javier Dizon hooted, his voice obnoxiously loud. Agad na in-apir nito ang dalawang binata habang hawak-hawak ang isang wine glass.

"Uyy, Javier!" Masiglang bati ni Jarrell at nag-handshake naman si Rein at Javier.

"Ikaw ha, dito ka pa talaga sa bar tumambay?" Ngisi ni Jarrell habang inikot naman ni Rein ang kaniyang tingin. The bar had low lights and neon signs around, complete with stools and of course the bar area which was filled with bartenders serving the guests.

Natawa naman si Javier sa komento ni Jarrell as the three sat down on stools facing the bar. "Alam niyo naman na basta kahit anong party na may alak, g ako."

Rein chuckled as Jarrell ordered their drinks from the bartender. Hindi na ito nagulat, lalo na't sanay na ang binata sa wild na ugali ni Javier.

"O since event naman ng pamilya ko 'to, ako na bahala sa inyo." Ngisi ni Jarrell as loud music blasted from the speakers.

"'Yun oh—!"

"Excuse me." A cold voice suddenly said, and the three turned their heads around to see one of the Cortez twins. "One cocktail please." He said in a bored tone to the bartender who nodded.

"One cocktail coming right up!"

Dahil dito, ay alam na agad ng tatlo na si Milo Cortez ang kaharap nila at hindi si Mayer. He was easily distinguishable as Milo since he was the quieter twin, compared to Mayer who was loud, bustling and charming.

Like them, Milo too was in an expensive suit, with his hair waxed and pushed back. The only difference was that unlike them, Milo was still wearing his usual, bored look — as if the party didn't faze him at all.

"Wews, Milo Cortez in the house!" Javier yelled with a hoot before grinning. "Umiinom ka rin pala?"

Milo shrugged. "On occasion, yes."

"Tara Milo, libre ko na rin sa'yo." Sambit naman ni Jarrell, and Rein, even though he wasn't close with the young man, nodded.

Despite the warm welcome, Milo however, shook his head.

"I'll pay for my own drink." He said quietly. "Thanks for the offer though." Once he had received his cocktail, Milo then placed the money on the bar and walked away.

"Talk about keeping your mouth shut." Javier remarked, his elbow propped up on the bar. "Pero diba gusto 'yun ng mga babae? Yung cold tapos 'di palasalita?"

"Oo, hot daw." Jarrell laughed, as their drinks were finally served. Rein couldn't help but smirk.

"Ah, kaya pala 'di kayo habulin ng mga babae." Rein said teasingly before sipping on his drink.

"AHH, GANYANAN MACCIO AH!" Javier laughed obnoxiously as Jarrell gasped in exaggeration.

"Ay wala na, ikaw na magbabayad niyan!"

---

As the boys continued drinking in the bar, Ann on the other hand, was doing her own mission.

Wearing a backless champagne colored dress that complimented her petite frame, Ann navigated her way through the crowd as she followed her mother who had her phone attached to her ear.

Sa totoo lang ay mas maagang dumating ang pamilyang Lobris kumpara sa mga Maccio. But even amidst the busy events and chatter of the party, Ann couldn't help but notice that her mother was still engrossed with her phone like a giddy teenager. Kahit noong papunta pa lamang sila dito sa mansyon nina Jarrell, ay busy na sa pakikipag-text ang kaniyang nanay na parang walang bukas.

"Really? That's great!" Sambit ng kaniyang ina habang naglalakad sa pagitan ng mga tao, with Ann following her from afar. The young girl's forehead wrinkled as she strained to listen in to her mother's conversation with the mysterious caller from afar.

With her eyes narrowed into thin slits, she was careful to hold the hem of her dress, avoiding the crowd as her mother entered a quiet corridor within the Marquez mansion.

Nang marinig niyang humagikgik ang kaniyang ina ay mas lalong kumunot ang dalaga. She was disgusted, and knew that the person her mother was currently calling was not a business call at all.

"Hmhmm..." Her mother hummed in a flirty tone, switching to put the phone on her other ear as she fixed her silver dress. "I'd rather be all cozy with you." Ngisi ng kaniyang ina, and Ann gathered all her strength and decency not to confront her mother at that exact moment.

She then pressed her back on one wall as her mother stepped into a small balcony. The music was quieter at this part of the mansion. "I miss your hands all over me too." The lawyer giggled, and that was the last straw for Ann.

Out of disgust, she shook her head in disappointment and stormed away with angry, betrayed tears in the corner of her eyes. Pakiramdam nito ay kahit kailan hindi na niya mararanasan ang magkaroon ng normal na buhay katulad ng iba. She was already trapped enough with the status she lived in; and now her parents were drifting apart. For the young girl, her dysfunctional family now seemed to be on the brink of the line.

Any more push to the edge, Ann was going to lose it.

As she hastily wiped her tears away, biglang namang bumunggo ang dalaga sa isang lalaki, startling her.

"Sorry!" She said briskly, not catching the guy's eye.

"Ann?" Sambit ng isang pamilyar na boses, dahilan para mapaangat ang tingin ng dalaga. Out of surprise, Ann blinked at the young man in front of her.

"Mayer!" She exclaimed in relief when she recognized that charming Cortez smile. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! Buti invited rin kayo sa party?"

"Well, that's the Cortez clan." He grinned, hair pushed back and looking dashing with his own suit. "Never missing an important event." As soon as he said that, his smile faded when he noticed that there was something wrong.

"Teka, okay ka lang ba?" Seryosong tanong ng binata, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Yeah," Ann coughed, regaining her composure. "I just needed air."

"Well then," Mayer smiled. "I'm just here if you need company." He offered, but the young girl shook her head.

"It's fine! My dad's probably looking for me anyway." She said hastily. "I need to do some damage control for the press."

"Alright, but you wouldn't mind saving me a dance for later?" Mayer asked, smiling cheekily.

"Not at all." Ann laughed before waving him a quick goodbye and returning back to the main hall.

---

"Jarrell for fuck's sake. Lasing ka na ba??" Rein groaned, shaking Jarrell's shoulders back and forth. Back at the bar, Rein was struggling to calm the two naughty boys down — especially since they were surrounded with alcohol.

"Pota Rein, 'di pa naman gaano." Jarrell said in a hazed tone, raising another glass of alcohol. "Malakas kaya 'to!"

"Then get your shit together and let's go find the girls." He said in an urgent tone, forcing Jarrell to stand up from the stool where he sat. Javier on the other hand, was now dancing freely on the dance floor with the other teenagers like them — obviously drunk.

"Baka mamaya matulad ka na kay Javier." Sambit ni Rein as he dragged his friend out of the bar area, much to Jarrell's whining and groaning.

"I'm sure they're here somewhere." Jarrell muttered, his body flimsy as he followed Rein. "Baka nga mas nagsasaya pa 'yung mga babae kaysa sa'tin!"

Despite Jarrell's musings, Rein carried on walking throughout the crowd as he surveyed around looking for Ann and Sera.

At last, when the two young boys passed by the mansion's poolside area, nakita ni Rein ang isang matangkad na dalaga na mayroong mahabang buhok na nakakulot sa dulo. This girl was fair-skinned and was wearing a rose-coloured bodycon dress that hugged her curves. It was Sera, and she was talking to Tyra, who was surprisingly also present at the soirée, wearing what seemed to be an emerald green sheath dress.

Jarrell let out a whistle as they neared the two girls.

"Finally!" Sera exclaimed, rolling her eyes when she caught sight of the two boys.

"Hey babe." Jarrell grinned, obviously flirting with Sera who looked at him as if he was the last fashion trend.

"Is he drunk already?? In his own party???" Sera asked in disbelief, and Rein let out a chuckle.

"You could say that." Rein responded, before greeting Tyra who waved shyly. Ngunit bago pa sila makapag-usap ng matagal, Tyra informed them that her mother, who was Ylando's famous physician, was calling her back inside the indoor party.

Nang naiwan na silang tatlo, ay hinarap agad ni Rein ang dalawa.

"Listen, we need to find Ann and talk as a team before anyone gets suspicious." He told them, and Sera raised an eyebrow.

"I saw Ann inside, talking to the press." She said.

"Then let's go." Rein said urgently, and the three of them returned back to the main hall where they immediately found Ann swarmed by the paparazzi in one side of the hall.

"Miss Lobris, can you explain to us the events that happened before Rein Maccio carried you to the clinic yesterday?" An eager reporter asked, shoving a mic close to Ann's face which made the three pause.

"To tell the truth, it was all just a misunderstanding." Ann said quickly, before giving the press the same explanation she had given her parents.

"There's Rein Maccio!"

"Mr. Maccio, can you confirm this??" An eagle-eyed journalist who spotted the three from a few feet away, asked loudly, making the press turn their attention from Ann towards Rein, Jarrell and Sera instead.

"I... Well... Yes, I do confirm it." Rein managed to say, eyes flitting towards Ann who was now left alone, rubbing her nose and scratching her forehead as if she had an itch on her face.

Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Rein na napatingin kay Jarrell at Sera habang binabato pa rin sila ng kung ano-anong tanong ng mga reporters na nakapalibot sa kanila.

But as the three continued staring at Ann with creased foreheads and furrowed eyebrows, they then realized that the young girl was using morse code once more, except that this time, she was sending a message through nose taps and forehead scratches that represented dots and dashes respectively.

"Diversion." Rein muttered, cracking the code.

At once, the other two understood. Sera was about to use her charms to distract the press, but Jarrell had another idea.

"I know you all want to ask more about yesterday's events, but my father's coming down the stairs, you see." Sambit ni Jarrell, at agad na napalingon ang karamihan sa mga reporters at journalists.

He was right of course, as his father and the mayor of Ylando City, descended down the right staircase in a grandiose manner, his chest puffed and his back straight. He was wearing a beige suit that complimented his skin.

"Let's go." Sera muttered as the three slipped out of the crowd, with Ann soon following them thereafter. Nang nakalayo na sila sa main hall kung nasaan ang karamihan ng mga tao, ay si Jarrell naman ang nanguna, the four of them walking briskly amidst the Marquez mansion's hallways that were decorated with elegant candle sconces on the walls.

"This way." Jarrell said, leading them to a dead-end.

"Jarrell, we don't have time for thi—"

To their surprise, the young man pushed down the last wrought iron candle sconce on the wall as if it were a lever — revealing a small hidden library as the wall slid aside.

"Mamma mia." Sera breathed in bewilderment as they quickly slipped inside while no one else watching. Jarrell then immediately closed the wall behind them.

"Secret rooms in the Marquez mansion, huh?" Rein whistled, impressed with his friend who was smiling mischievously.

"There's plenty more, to which I'd love to do a room tour. Pero sabi mo nga, wala nang oras." Jarrell answered.

At his words, Rein and Ann faced one another, clearly having so many questions for the other person.

"Are you okay??"

"What the hell happened yesterday?!"

Rein blinked, not expecting Ann's outburst before pursing his lips. "We're supposed to be asking you that. Paano ka napunta sa attic ng bahay na 'yon?"

"I was abducted, okay?" Ann said in frustration, throwing her hands. "It was supposed to be another threat by the culprit we're trying to catch." She muttered in a serious tone before opening her purse and pulling out a folded paper. Ipinakita niya sa tatlo ang article ng Ylando Bulletin na isinend sa kaniya kasama ang kaniyang mga kagamitan, handing it over to Rein who pondered over it with a frown.

"Someone clearly doesn't want us on the case." Seryosong sambit ng dalaga. "But what I want to know is that showdown between our fathers. That could have been avoided if you didn't carry me to the clinic!" Iritadong sabi nito.

Rein couldn't help but scoff in disbelief. "Anong gusto mong gawin namin? Iwanan ka do'n sa attic na 'yon para mamatay???"

"What I'm saying is that Jarrell and Quinn could have easily carried me instead!" Frustrated na sumbat ni Ann. "Bakit ikaw pa?? Whatever happened to rule number one?!"

"For Christ's sake, Lobris!" Rein said scornfully. "Ginawa ko 'yun para sa'yo!"

"What the hell does that even mea—"

"I DID THAT BECAUSE I FELT GUILTY FORCING YOU TO SOLVE THIS CASE WITH ME." Rein shot back, clenching his jaw as he and Ann leveled their gazes at one another.

"BECAUSE I FELT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU."

Dahil dito ay nagkatinginan naman si Sera at Jarrell.

As soon as those words left Rein's mouth, Ann's crumpled face softened. She immediately backed down from her stance, giving Rein a look that her rival couldn't fathom.

"I'm sorry." She sighed after a few moments of silence, before reaching out to touch Rein's cheek with her eyebrows furrowed together.

"Anong nangyari diyan??" Seryosong tanong ng dalaga. But Ann's proximity was so close that Rein wasn't able to answer immediately. Instead, he flinched at her contact.

"Nothing." He muttered, looking away and adjusting his tie.

Sera cleared her throat. "What matters is now." She said urgently, snatching the article out of Rein's hand before studying it herself. She then eyed Ann.

"Wala ka bang naaalalang kahit ano na makakatulong para i-identify natin yung abductor mo?" She mused.

Ann took a deep breath before nodding. She then folded her arms. "I briefly remember one detail." Sambit ng dalaga. "Bago tinakpan yung bibig ko ng tela, nakita ko yung kamay niya. It was rough and calloused, like the hand of a man."

She then looked up to meet the others' gazes. "But what I remember most was the ring on his middle finger. It was a plain, gold-plated ring with two initials." She then sighed. "Hindi ko nga lang maalala kung anong initials 'yon."

"Maraming lalaking may suot na singsing nung araw na 'yun." Iling ni Jarrell na napaupo sa isang malambot na sitting chair. "It's a notable distinction, but not a helpful clue."

"You're right." Ann said wearily. "Can you blame me tho? 'Yun lang ang naaalala ko. Kayo ba? Did you guys find something helpful while I was away?"

"Well, the twins scanned the locker key for fingerprints, but only found one set of prints." Sambit ni Rein habang inaayos ang kaniyang composure. "We think it's the vandal's prints, but the catch is we can't identify whose prints is it. Malabong fingerprints kasi ang nakita nung kambal and we deduced that the vandal must've worn gloves while holding the key."

"We also interrogated Zan's claimed witnesses who confirmed his alibi." Sera added, hands on her hips.

"So ibinalik niyo na 'yung susi ni Zan?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jarrell nodded. "Oo. Kaninang umaga."

"So he's off our list of suspects then?"

"Most likely."

"Which also means we're stuck?" Ann asked dryly.

"I won't allow it." Rein interjected. "Besides, Queenie's still testing the bloodstain threats on our wall. Maybe the pigment can give us some sort of lead. At saka sabi mo diba na pinadala yung mga gamit mo sa bahay? It'll be a hard process, but I think we can try tracing the sender of the parcel."

"I agree." Sera nodded. "And to add, huwag nating kakalimutan na i-interview-hin ng Writers' Schism board ang mga participants. I heard from Jayson this morning that the interview will most likely happen tomorrow."

"Alright," Tango ni Ann. "If that's the case, kailangan na nating gumalaw. Whoever is behind all of this is far ahead of us. If we don't find a lead now — well, like the threat says, our reputations are next in line."

"We'll plant the recorder early in the morning tomorrow." Rein said in a serious tone. "For the meantime, we need to go back to the main hall. I think we've been gone long enough."

The others agreed, and Jarrell stood up to twist the head of a Greek statue that sat on a wooden table next to the sitting chair where he sat a few moments ago, opening the secret doorway to which they had entered earlier.

Just as they had stepped out of the hidden library with Jarrell and Sera on their heels, Ann called out to Rein.

"Maccio."

Rein, who was just about to follow the two, turned to face his rival with a look of question.

"Think fast." The young girl said before throwing the flashdrive that he had given her, the one with the initial "R" embedded on it. Agad na sinalo ito ng binata, but still with his forehead creased in query.

"I re-checked our first ten chapters the whole day while resting," Ann said earnestly. "And also wrote a rough draft for chapters 10-15. Tignan mo. If it's good for you, then I'll proofread it, and you continue writing the next parts."

Napakurap ang binata. After a few seconds, his lips curved into a smirk.

"And thank you," The young girl added shyly. "For yesterday."

Before Rein could reply though, Jarrell and Sera called them from down the hallway. Because of this, Ann hurried past him, with Rein looking at his rival in a way he had never done before.

By the time the four of them had returned to the main hall, they soon separated ways — scattering into different directions and mingling with the crowd, in order to avoid any suspicion that the four of them had disappeared mysteriously for a few minutes.

"Reagan!" Rein's father called to him as he walked around the hall, and Rein immediately let out a breath that was a mixture of a groan and an exhale. "Halika dito. I have something to announce to the press." His father said loudly, catching the attention of most of the people, with the paparazzi going crazy with the flashing of cameras.

"Oh brother, here we go." Rein muttered under his breath before standing next to his father who squeezed his shoulder.

"Everyone," Sambit ng matanda. "I would like to make an official statement." He then glanced towards Rein who bore a hard look, trying to look unemotional. "There has been countless rumors about my personal relationships which rose to various theories about who will be the next heir of the Maccio Holdings Corp. Therefore, I will be stating it right here and right now, my son here, Reagan Iñigo Maccio, will be my one and only successor." He then held Rein's shoulder tightly once more, as if refraining him from objecting.

As the cameras flashed mercilessly and an inordinate amount of questions were thrown at the father and son duo, Rein couldn't help but caught sight of something else.

His forehead creased as he saw Ann and Mayer not so faraway, dancing amidst the crowd whilst having a hearty conversation. Kahit sa malayo ay nakikita niya ang pag-tawa ng dalaga, and a pang of intense different emotions rose from his chest — envy being the most obvious.

---

NOTE: Hi sleuths! The photo used in this chapter representing the Marquez mansion's main hall is not mine. It is from the film, "Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement". All Rights Reserved to the creators of that film.

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