Dancing With Cinderella (Cordova Empire Series 3)

CHAPTER 11

Chapter Eleven

First Day

Hindi natigil ang mga regalong padala sa akin galing sa iba't-ibang pamilya matapos ang party ko. Halos araw-araw ay naghahakot ng mga bulaklak sila Ate Nati para gawing dekorasyon sa bahay at ang iba naman ay dinadala sa kwarto ko.

Some were expensive gifts, jewelries, shoes, you name it, but what triggers my step mother and sisters was when I received a special package from the Lardizabal's. It was a special diamond collection that was custom made for me.

Halos madurog ang mga ngipin ni Fyrcelle nang si Isaac pa mismo ang magdala no'n sa bahay. Papa invited him for lunch and the topic was all about the collection.

"My mother also wanted Roshlin to be the face of our new collection, Tito," namilog ang mga mata ko't bahagyang bumagal ang pagnguya dahil sa narinig.

My father was speechless at that, too. Alam kong natutuwa rin siya pero mas lamang ang gulat.

"Isadora told you that?"

Isaac nodded vehemently. "She actually sent me here to convince Roshlin," he said before he turned to me. "I'm sorry if I had to talk about it now. Alam kong tatanggihan mo kaagad kapag sinabi ko nang tayo lang dalawa, eh."

"Oh, Hijo! Talaga bang sinabi iyan ni Isadora? What happened with our brainstorming involving my daughters to be the new face of Lardizabal's Diamond?" Singit ni Tita Myrcelle, halatang pinipigil ang pagsabog ng galit at iritasyon sa lamesa.

"Isaac, you said Tita wanted us to do some projects for that?" Si Fyrcelle naman, dismayado na rin.

"Yeah, it's a different project. My brother saw Roshlin wearing his piece and he has a big upcoming collection. Gusto niyang si Roshlin ang maging mukha no'n."

"Oh that's great!" Papa blurted habang ako naman ay tulala pa rin.

"What do you say?"

"I-I don't know what to say. I haven't done any shoot or something that involves camera in a professional level."

Isaac smiled sweetly at me. "Don't worry. Marami ka pa namang oras na magdesisyon dahil sa pagtatapos pa iyon ng taon kaya take your time. Don't stress about it too much. Kapag hindi ka komportable, you can always say no. Ako nang bahalang magpaliwanag."

"But this is a one time opportunity, anak," singit ni Papa. "Lardizabal's were very picky about choosing people for their brand. They never pick someone base lang sa popularity. They choose people who could really represent their business. This is already an honor. I'm impressed."

Natahimik lalo ang tatlong babae sa naging daloy ng usapan. Papa looked so proud of me. Si Isaac naman ay ayaw akong pilitin pero dama ko rin ang kasiyahan niya at kagustuhang mapapayag ako.

It was too much to take it all in. And I felt like opportunities like this will be the reason why Papa's family would hate me more. As much as I wanted it dahil hindi naman ako ipokritong tao, parang hindi ko pa rin kayang isipin na wala ka namang ginagawa at hindi mo naman hiniling ang lahat ng mga biyayang dumarating sa 'yo pero hindi mo rin kayang kontrolin ang inggit ng mga tao.

I felt like this would be my life now. Na kahit anong gawin ko, people would always see me as their enemy. And it sucks because all I wanted in the first place was to be with my father.

"Where's Lola? Bakit hindi mo man lang siya ni minsan dinala rito?" Tanong ko kay Isaac isang araw nang bumisita ulit siya.

Saktong nasa galaan pa sila Essa kasama ang mga kaibigan kaya nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataong makapag-usap.