Trials End

Chapter 91

Mom's secretary called to tell me that they already picked up our guest. Mukang nalibot nila ang mundo para sunduin ang mga guest naming magkakaklase. I'm sure they're all on their way papuntang bansa namin.

We didn't invite them to Keith's ribbon cutting ceremony 'cause it's not part of the invitation. Now, I'm in front of my mirror looking at my outfit. I'm wearing an off shoulder navy blue dress, it has a slit on my left thigh.

Girls decided to wear dresses and boys will wear their suits. I smiled when I imagined the boys wearing one. Nakita ko lang sila sa uniform, outfit ng stall namin with suspenders and their casual wear.

I could feel the heat in my cheeks when I remembered Keith's look on our Flammia Airlines anniversary. Oh my Aiby, kung ano ano na naman iniisip mo. I looked at my phone when It vibrated.

My mom sent me a message that they're on their way to Heaven's feel. Ang mga parents ng Echo ay pupunta sa ribbon cutting ceremony, except for those who are busy.

"I would like to welcome you to Heaven's Feel. Today we celebrate the grand opening of our Heaven's Feel hotel. I am so thankful to so many of you, who have been with us every step of the way, so that this day would finally come." Keith looked at us. Katabi ko ang mga Echo na tinatanaw siyang magsalita sa harapan.

Keith, this is your first step. You own this step.

Binalik niya ang tingin sa madla. "My name is Sullivan Keith L. Alinston, and I am the owner of Heaven's Feel, which would be everyone's new home. Where you will experience a new journey that you can only find in Heaven's Feel." Keith continued his speech, telling us the beauty we will experience inside his hotel.

His speech ended and the awaited ribbon behind him will be cut. Rinig na rinig ang ingay ng mga camera ng media at ang ilaw na nagmula sa kanilang camera na nakakabulag.

Keith once again glanced at us and showed us the scissor he's holding. A gold scissor, from it's handle to blades. He smiled before turning his back to us.

Hinawakan niya ang ribbon. The color of ribbon is the usual elegant red we mostly see, pero ang ribbon ni Keith ay may halong itim na parang usok na dumikit. Mas litaw ang itim sa bulaklak ng ribbon sa gitna.

He cut the ribbon.

I pursed my lips at malakas na ipinalakpak ang aking kamay. No words, no teasing from my classmates. We just clapped, clapped and clapped. Walang makakapantay kung gaano kami kaproud nakatingin sa likuran ni Keith.

Keith faced everyone with a smile on his face. He's still holding the scissor on his right hand at sa left naman ang ribbon na ginupit niya.

Nagtagpo ang mata namin at hindi ko mapigilan ngumiti ng malawak sa kanya. That's my Keith, It's Keith.

"Handsome." I mouthed with a big smile.

He chuckled, then mouthed."Thank you, pretty Aiby."

The ribbon cutting ceremony ended and Keith welcomed everyone to his hotel. Lahat ay pumasok para tignan ang kahariang pagmamay ari ni Keith. Hindi mawala sa labi ko ang ngiti kapag naririnig ang mga taong tuwang tuwa makita ang loob.

"Pumasok na tayo rito kagabi pero ang ganda pa rin." bulong sakin ni Ella.

I nodded. "Yeah, parang walang spoiler na naganap." I chuckled.

Alam kong hindi lang si Ella ang nakaramdam niyan. Nakita ko pa nga kanina na pinipilit ni Ivo si Graig na picturan siya habang si Fabian ay iniirapan lamang siya.

"Hey ako pa!" I walked faster when I saw my girls taking a picture outside the hotel.

"Grabe hinanap kita!" Blanca shouted back at tumabi ako sa kanya. Nakakahiya man dahil pinagtitinginan kami.

"Okay! 1....2.....3!" Ayer counted and we all smiled and some even raised their hand showing the Heaven's Feel behind us.

Bumalik kami sa loob and I saw Keith and talking to his staff. Nang mahagip ako ng tingin niya ay agad niya akong pinalapit sa kanila. I smiled to the people who greeted me habang papunta ako kay Keith.

"Aiby, our guests for the fashion show will arrive. I'll open our VIP rooms for them so they can rest or change." Sabi ni Keith sa'kin habang katabi ang staff niya.

I nodded. "Okay, there's still 5 hours before the show."

"Yeah, is it okay if they will go straight to their rooms? I want to keep them first and surprise everyone later."

"Okay, the red carpet will be their first appearance."

Napatingin naman kami kay Claud na lumapit sa'min hawak ang phone. "Keith, malapit na sila." He showed us what's on the screen of his phone.

It shows the location of the guest. Since when can he do this?!

Hindi pa ko nakakapag tanong ay lumapit samin si Graig. "The drivers called me, they're only one kilometer away." Sabi niya habang hawak ang phone niya.

Keith nodded, habang ako ay tulala sa kanilang lahat.

"Where's Fabian and Earl?" Tanong ni Keith.

"Here!" Fabian raises his hands while Earl is walking with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Our men are here." Sabi ni Earl kay Keith pagkatabi niya dito.

They continued their conversation while I'm still frozen beside Keith. I know that they have plans, I heard them talking to each other kapag natutulog ako sa room. What I didn't expect is they're the one who's commanding. Akala ko ay humingi lang sila ng tulong.

Nakapalibot sila sa'min ni Keith habang nag uusap ng seryoso at nakatingin sa phone. Take note, they're all wearing their suites.

Earl and Fabian said that their men are not dressed in military uniform. Naka corporate attire lang ang mga ito habang may earpiece.

"Keith, the media are here. Iaassist ko na sila sa banquet hall." Sumingit ako sa usapan para samahan ang girls. He nodded then I left.

Now girls, It's our time to move. Hinanap kaagad ng mata ko sila Blanca na may kausap. Halata ang pagkalito niya habang may kinakausap siya.

"Aiby! Nagkakagulo ang ibang staff! Nag aagawan sila sa pwesto ng Li Works Studio." Blanca's panicking.

"Hey calm down. Sino ang gusto kumuha?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang hinahawakan ang likuran niya.

Nginuso niya ang isang grupo na nag uusap. Ramdam ko ang tensyon nila kahit pinapanood ko pa lang sila. This is not good, baka magaway. Agad ko itong nilapitan para makausap ng mahinahon.

"Excuse me everyone. I'm really sorry for interrupting but I think the other guests are starting to feel uncomfortable. If you have concerns or problems, you can tell me so we can address it immediately." I smiled at them to show my sincerity and respect.

Agad naman silang huminto at inayos ang kanilang mga sarili. Some even cleared their throats and threw glances at each other.

"A-Ah, tatanong lang po namin bakit po nakareserve na ang space para sa Li Works Studio." Mahinang tanong ng isa. Mukha yatang natatakot o nahihiya sa presensya ko.

"Ah! Li Works Studio is one of the first guests or VIP. We personally invited them for our fashion show. I would like to apologize if it offended someone. If you like, you can now enter the hall and choose the spot you like." They immediately nodded to me. I lead them to the hall at kumuha na kaagad sila ng pwesto nila.

They're newscasters I guess? I think may inimbitahan ang Echo na dalawang chanel. Maybe that's them. Mabilis naman silang napaamo at tuwang tuwa sa'kin. I introduced myself at lalo silang nagulat na anak ako ng may ari ng Flammia Airlines.

It's the media and their farce.