Adler's Legacy #1: Subtle Romance

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

NANLAKI ang mga mata ni Valencia nang makita niyang papalapit sa gawi niya si Arianne. Iniwan na muna siya ni Shien sa dessert table dahil may kailangan itong pag-usapan kasama ang mga pinsan nito. They were able to escape from Arianne earlier but now it seemed like she got no way to escape from her again. Nilamon na muna niya ang dalawang marshmallow na hawak niya. Arianne was already standing in front of her.

"What a great job, Miss Vega!" turan ni Arianne sa kanya. Nakapameywang ito habang pinakatitigan siya ng masama.

Nagtaas ng ulo si Valencia at sinalubong ang mga mata ni Arianne na masamang nakatuon sa kanya. Hindi naman siya natatakot sa babaeng ito. Ang kinatatakutan niya lang ay baka magsimula ng gulo si Arianne. Ayaw niya naman na maging sentro ng atensyon sa family gathering ng pamilya nil ani Shien.

"I was invited by Shien, Miss Salvacion," she answered Arianne.

"How come a secretary was able to join this kind of gathering?" mapanuyang tanong sa kanya nito.

Valencia shrugged her shoulder while shaking her head. Hindi niya alam kung anong gustong ipahiwatig ni Arianne. She knew that she was already insulting her.

"A girlfriend will always get a first-hand invitation." Mapanuyang sagot niya rito. Hindi niya itinuon ang pansin niya sa kausap. Her attention went back on the dessert table. She was eyeing the chocolate fountain.

"How did you become his girlfriend when you are just a low-life secretary?" inis na untag ni Arianne sa kanya.

That was overboard but she managed to smile and faced her again. She got no time of wasting her time in this senseless argument. Valencia was already expecting this from Arianne. Alam niyang ganito ang magiging reaksyon ng dating kasintahan ni Shien. Who would even believe that she was dating her boss?

Wala.

But hindi niya alam kung bakit parang lahat ng tao sa paligid niya ay naniniwala na magkasintahan talaga sila ni Shien? Well, except for Arianne. Ni hind inga makangiti ng diretso si Arianne sa mga tao dahil palaging nakatuon ang mga mata nito sa kanila ni Shien.

Valencia didn't answer Arianne's question. She was never interested in entertaining her this time. Napagod siya kanina habang inaayosan siya ni Jayra. Her mouth watered while still looking at the dessert table.

"Why are you not answering my question?" Singhal ni Arianne sa kanya at padarang na hinablot ang kanyang braso. Naramdaman niya ang pagdiin ng kuko nito. She held her even tighter. Valencia blew a breath.

"Ano bang dapat pa natin pag-usapan?" Valencia tried to calm her tone of voice. Ayaw niyang makakuha ng atensyon pero ang pinsan ni Shien na si Ruche ay nakatingin na sa kanilang dalawa ni Arianne. She tried to grab her arm but Arianne was too persistent.

"Anong kailangan mo kay Shien? Hindi ka niya girlfriend alam ko!" mas lalong dumiin ang pagkakahawak nito sa kanya. Her fingernails dug into her skin. Masama na ito kung makatingin sa kanya. "Are you up for his money? Bibigyan kita ng pera, Miss Vega. Stay away from my man!" she hissed at me causing for the crowd to divert their attention on us.

Valencia bit her lower lip and gazed around at the guests. She dislikes being the center of attention. Kahit noong bata pa lamang siya ay iniiwasan niya talaga ang sumali sa kahit na anong curricular activities o program sa kanilang paaralan dahil hindi siya masyadong komportable na maraming nakatingin sa kanya. Shien was aware about that.

"Y—You are truly incorrect, Miss Salvacion," she noticed her feet jiggling slightly. She was trembling, no doubt about it. Valencia looked around once again. Ruche's gaze remained fixed on them. Shien was nowhere to be seen.