Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 29

ANGELO ROI

"There you go," Jane said with a smile. She had just finished fixing my necktie. "You looked really handsome tonight, King."

It wasn't an ordinary night. Actually, it was the biggest and grandest event we had ever had at home. There were lots of guests from every industry, and we even had the biggest names from the most successful companies in the Philippines, including my very own Parfum Français, my Uncle Marco's MarCo LTD, and Papa Allie's Ibarra Group of Companies.

I smiled. "Come on, Jane. Like this is the first time you've seen me wearing something like this."

She laughed. "Kahit na. It doesn't mean na hindi ko na pwedeng ulit-ulitin kung yun naman ang totoo."

"Well, thank you. You really are my best friend."

"Sure," she said. She looked around. "Grabe, King. Nakakalula ang paparty ng parents mo. Sobrang sosyal at ang daming tao. Ngayon lang nangyari 'to, 'no?"

I nodded.

"Sobrang happy nila na bumalik na si Ky—I mean, si Ricco."

I didn't respond and just stared at the crowd.

"Where is he, by the way?"

"I don't know," I said. "Maybe he's getting ready."

"Sir Angelo," said Jason as he walked toward me and Jane. This was the first time I saw him in formal attire. Man, he looked dashing. "Kumusta po?"

"I'm good, thanks. You look great."

He pulled at his coat self-consciously. "Nakakailang nga, Sir, eh. Hindi ako sanay."

"Trust me. You slayed it. Right, Jane?"

"Ah, yeah," Jane said reluctantly, probably surprised that I included her in the conversation. "Of course. Bagay sa'yo ang suot mo at ang cute ng eyes mo. You know, I like Chinito boys."

"Thank you po, Ma'am," Jason said, his face blushing.

I wanted to tell Jane not to get her hopes up (I noticed she was staring at Jason's face—indeed, she had a thing for narrow-eyed boys back in high school) and that Jason was as straight as I was (paradoxically speaking), but I had learned better than to out anyone and decided to wait for him to do it.

"By the way, Jane, this is Jason. Jason, this is my best friend, Jane."

They shook hands.

"Why are you alone? Where's my uncle?" I asked Jason.

He shrugged. "Alam mo naman yun, busy. Daming kausap."

I laughed. "Well, you can stay with us," I said. Jane smiled and nodded.

I called the server and took three glasses of wine from the tray and gave one each to Jane and Jason.

The piano played in the background, followed by the voice of the event singer.

🎵You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can't you see?
You're everything I hoped for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful🎵

I don't know. It was a cold night and the singer's voice was so beautiful that it gave me a weird feeling. Like my stomach lurched. Like I shivered.

🎵You are so beautiful
You are so beautiful to me...🎵

"Oh my god. He's here," Jane said.

I turned, and there he was, walking down the stairs—the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.