Verse 5
I thought it would be a boring ride with the Benitez siblings. It turns out they were a lot louder than they seem when they're on their own. Kahit kasama namin ang kanilang ina sa sasakyan, her presence did not stop them from singing and chattering.
"Do you sing, Sorch?" Cadenz asked me after another song ended.
"No," I lied and smiled. "I'm not good at it."
Ayaw kong kumanta nang wala sa oras. In fact, singing in front of these people might embarrass me. Marunong akong kumanta pero ayaw kong ipaalam. Of course, Sweet Amber was a lot better than me. Hindi kayang makisabay ng boses ko sa kanilang boses. They are already experienced and I just sing for hobby.
"Don't make her sing, Cade. Baka may mabasag dito," Gio commented jokingly. Nasa tabi siya ni Cadenz kaya nang nilingon ko, umabot sa kaniya ang masama kong tingin.
I still don't get why he wanted to be friends with me. Dumagdag pa ang kaniyang kapatid na babae at ginawa akong laruan na pwede nilang pag-agawan. I don't want to be close to them and I wanted my relationship with them to be as professional as possible. I don't want everyone to think that my Auntie was just using me to gain their trust. Alam naman ng lahat na sila mismo ang lumipat ng production at hindi pinilit ni Auntie. But who knows what people were thinking, right? After all, business is tricky.
"Be kind to Saoirse, children. She's Julia's family kaya treat her with respect," Claire reminded her children like they were still little kids in need of reminders.
When we got to the venue of the after party, it was jam-packed. Pagpasok pa lang ng Sweet Amber ay naghiyawan na ang lahat. I was told that this after party consisted of some of their friends and classmates. May ibang staff din na narito.
I followed the group quietly as they approached some groups. Si Ma'am Claire ay hinawakan mismo ang aking braso para hindi ako lumayo sa kaniyang tabi. When her children were already surrounded by almost everybody, she invited me to sit to one of the couches.
I watched as the members of the Sweet Amber took pictures with their friends. Gio was with three guys whom I am not familiar with. Si Cadenz ay mixed group ang dinaluhan. Rion was with a guy in a leather jacket.
"Is that Donovan Lavigne?" I asked Ma'am Claire beside me.
"Yes. He is friends with my son. In fact, childhood friends."
Tumango ako. I have already known that the Lavignes had a close relationship with the Benitez. Isa lang naman sila sa mga pamilya ng musikero. Donovan Lavigne was a child prodigy and it was no doubt that he'll be friends with someone as talented as him, too. Sa aking pag-aaral sa mga Benitez, the eldest son, Rion, was the most talented among the three. He had been enrolled in an Arts Academy when he was younger. He excels in Music and Arts, the same with Donovan Lavigne. They were both good-looking I must say.
"Can I get you a drink, Saoirse? Any preference? Mukhang matatagalan pa ang mga anak ko so I'll just entertain you."
"Thank you po. I'll just have juice po."
Ma'am Claire smiled at me. Sinundan ng mga mata ko ang kaniyang pag-alis bago ko ibinalik ang atensyon sa grupo. Gio Benitez was already offered with drinks from his group, gan'on din si Cadenz. Si Rion naman ay kausap pa rin si Donovan na para bang matagal silang hindi nagkita.
I felt a vibration from my pocket. Agad kong tiningnan kung mayroon bang text mula kay Auntie. When I opened my phone, I saw a lone message from Olga asking me to open my data so that they could ask about the concert.
