"Congratulations on your engagement, Ely." Avery said and hugged me.
Mom and dad is in front of us. Avery then let go of me and kissed my cheek before excusing herself to the restroom.
I looked at mom and dad and I was displeased of my mom's expression. She's looking at Avery's back a disgusted look on her face. Mabuti at kami lang dito sa harapang mesa at walang nakakita sa ekspresyon niya.
"I'm glad you requested first before anyone else does, sweetheart." Mom said and I can sense a danger on her tone.
"Elisa." Dad said in a warning tone.
Umirap naman sa kawalan si mommy.
After remembering what happened to me yesterday at my condo, I looked at mom. "Mom,"
Tawag ko sa kanya na ikinalingon niya naman agad sa'kin. "Yes, darling?" Malumanay niyang sabi.
"Do you have work tomorrow? I just want to ask if you can go with me tomorrow somewhere...?" I asked, hoping.
"I'm sorry, Everly, but dad and I will be flying to Europe later at dawn for business. That's why we'll end this party at ten. I'll just ask your fiancé--"
"Ah. No need, mom. I'll just go there myself." I said smiling at mom who smiled back at me.
"Okay then, baby."
I'm disappointed, very disappointed. They love me, of course specially mom. I'm her favorite between me and Avery and it's because Avery is not her biological daughter but I am. Dad has a fair treatment for both me and Avery that's why Avery will be inheriting dad's business but I don't care avout that damn businesses.
Businesses are the reason why they can't give us time and attention. Lagi silang wala sa tabi ko kaya hindi nila alam ang pinagdadaanan ko. Ni hindi nga nila alam at tinanong man lang kung bakit ko pinilit si dad na ma engage kay Liv.
I went to the balcony to get some fresh cold air and breathed deeply. Inaalala ko ang nangyari kahapon sa condo ko.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered and closed my eyes.
"Why are you here?" A voice from behind me spoke.
The voice of the man I love but I know I couldn't have. But I forced him to be tied to me. He didn't know that I was the one who requested the engagement and I know that when he finds out, he'll think of me being desperate.
"Nagpapahangin lang." I chuckled.
I don't have anyone on my side don't I? I know mom loves me very much but her absence tells me that she doesn't. Dad loves me but he's the same as mom. They provide everything for us but through other people and not them personally.
And Liv... I know she likes Avery ever since we were kids. Who's gonna be on my side? No one but myself.
"We should get inside. It's cold out here." Aniya at ipinatong ang coat niya sa balikat ko saka ako iginiya papasok para bumalik sa party para sa'min.
Even though Liv likes Avery, he still cares for me. We're childhood friends anyway. He should care. Lalo na ngayon na fiancé niya na ako.
Lance Ivor Gantuangco is a very distant man lalo na sa mga babae but Avery and me is an exception, of course. Eh ganyan rin siya sa'kin noon. Yung iba nga na kaklase namin sa highschool ay inggit na inggit sa'min ni Avery dahil nga daw nakakalapit kami kay Liv while they can only stare at a distance.
I chuckled remembering that time.
"What were you thinking? Nakakatakot ka na, Ely. Tumatawa ka mag-isa." Aniya at natatawa.
