Sierra: Where Magic Lives

Chapter 37: Red Is Drunk

Third Person's POV

The party was already halfway done when Vinisha took a step inside the venue. The music stopped and the spotlight directed at her. Everybody stopped dancing and talking. They turned harmoniously towards the entrance. A moment of silence happened as they watched the lady in a silver statuesque body hugging dress take the red carpet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the arrival of the Leader of the Hydorian guild, Miss Vinisha Perez!" anunsyo ng emcee.

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat. Ang malamig na bukas ng mukha ni Vinisha ay nagpatigil kina Magnus Santiago at Lance Primo na parehong nag-agawan sa dalaga para maging date sa ball. Hindi matanggal ang tingin ng dalawa rito habang katabi ang mga pareha nila sa gabing ito. Si Copper Sandoval na siyang kapareha ni Magnus ay may munting ngiti sa labi habang sinusundan ng tingin si Vinisha.

Vinisha gave Frederick who's standing near the red carpet a side eye and continued walking straight. Siya lang ang estudyanteng pumunta sa event na walang kapareha. But that doesn't lessen her presence for tonight's event, in fact, it made her look even more powerful and independent. The queen who doesn't need a king has arrived.

Her newly colored black hair swayed perfectly behind her. It gave a dark contrast to her silvery dress that only covered certain places. Her matching gloves that reached up to her upper arms made her look even more chilling. The dress' deep neckline showed enough skin that made men avoid glances and gulp.

Red was speechless again because of his childhood bestfriend. He loves the way her complexion highlights everything she wears. He loves the way her stiff movements give off intimidating aura. He loves the way she bats her eyelashes as she blinks to look at different directions. He was breathlessly watching her again.

•••

After the stimulating late arrival of Vinisha, the party continued. Maingay na ang buong bulwagan pagkatapos ang mga entertainment performances ng mga kinuhang performers ng eskwelahan galing sa labas ng SSI. Kaya lahat ng estudyante ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong i-enjoy ang gabing ito.

Malakas ang tugtugin mula sa malalaking speaker habang nagsasayaw ang halos lahat ng tao. Hawak ni Vinisha ang isang baso ng wine nang maglakad patungo sa dancefloor. Walang emosyon ang mga mata niyang nakatingin kay Red na kasama ang ibang mga pinuno habang sumasayaw sa ilalim ng umiikot na bola ng ilaw. Naghihiyawan ang mga ito at halata nang tinamaan na ng alak.

"I thought you won't come," hinarang siya ni Lance Primo.

Wala siya sa mood kaya hindi niya ito sinagot. Tinignan niya ito mula ulo hanggang paa kaya bahagya itong nakaramdam ng hiya.

"I'm sorry. I guess you're not in the mood to talk," nahihiya itong lumayo sa kaniya.

Akma siyang maglalakad nang may humawak sa bewang niya at may malambot na bagay na tumama sa pisngi niya. Gulat siyang napalingon sa taong humalik sa kaniya. It was Magnus wearing his dark and grim signature look. Hindi nito inalis ang kamay na nakapaikot sa kaniyang bewang.

Iniisip niya pang lalayo mula rito ay may biglang dumating at malakas na tinulak palayo si Magnus sa kaniya. Napalingon siya sa tao. Despite the dim lighting, she saw the redness of Red's face. Nalanghap niya ang natural nitong bango at ang amoy ng alak na naghalo. Galit nitong dinuro si Magnus na kumunot ang noo nang makabawi mula sa pagkakatulak.

"Namumuro na ako sa iyong gago ka, a! Try to touch her again at magkakasubukan talaga tayo," his voice growled deeply which was new to Vinisha's ears. Red's voice was always soft and careful but tonight's was harsh and threatening.

"Red…" tawag niya rito ngunit hindi siya nito nilingon. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nitong nakatuon sa lalaking walang paalam na humalik sa kaniya.

"Who are you to threaten me, Rius?" mababa ang tono ng boses ni Magnus.