She's Here
Russel was true to his words. I was his special guest – and I indeed felt like it every minute of my stay.
Pagkatapos ng tanghalian, nagkahiwalay na kami ni Russel dahil may meeting siya sa study kasama ang Papa niya, si Senyor, si Emerson, at maging si Julius Manriquez ay dumating kanina. The ladies all retired to their rooms, but they're probably preparing by now, too.
Napatingin ako sa may pintuan nang may kumatok.
"Madame, nakahanda na po ang silid para sa inyo..."
"Okay. Thank you..." ngumiti ako.
Sumulyap lang siya sa akin at agad yumuko. Naglakad na lang ako palabas dahil nakakahiya kung maghihintay sila sa akin.
Sumunod ako sa kasambahay patungo sa isa pang silid. The hem of my robe glided on the smooth, baroque floor. Sa labas pa lang, napaawang na ang labi ko nang natanaw ang loob ng silid.
"Narito na po siya..."
Napatingin sa akin ang mga tao sa silid. Among them were three professional-looking people that I'm sure are my stylists. May apat na kasambahay roon. I felt a little overwhelmed by them looking at me curiously, probably with a concealed judgment behind their eyes. But more than anything else, I still get blown away by the stark contrast of the way they do things here.
I've always had an idea about how wealthy they are. But then, nothing could have prepared me for how traditional... how classic the way they do things here is. There seems to always be a system, a routine like no other – because it involves a spectacular touch of expertise and refined extravagance. There is grandiosity everywhere I look, in display and in actions, something that most of the rich families nowadays do not practice nor could ever master.
"Oh! You must be Imara Historillo! I'm very pleased to finally have met you!"
Napatuwid ako ng tayo. I spaced out for a second that the next thing I saw, the woman, in her early 40s, walked towards me for an exchange of besos. She looked familiar – and with her ensemble and demeanor, it was easy to tell that she was someone important in the industry.
"What are you doing there? Come inside!"
I straightened my back and cleared my throat, determined not to make a fool out of myself. I am not rich, and I do not have a name. But at the very least, I know how to carry myself.
"Oh! Sorry..." I chuckled.
Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at humalik sa magkabila kong pisngi. I smiled. The other stylists approached me and kissed me, too. Hindi nakatakas sa akin ang pagpapasada noong isa ng tingin sa akin mula ulo hanggang paa.
"I'm Annabeth Federova. I'm very pleased to have been entrusted to design your gowns for this special evening..." she said suggestively.
Napaawang ang labi ko.
"You know, you pushed the intriguing alarm in the society when we learned Russel Hermedilla seems to be off the market..."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Una, dahil si Annabeth Federova siya! Tanyag na designer ng mga personalidad sa alta sociedad. Idolo rin siya ni Miss Marielle, nabanggit niya sa akin noon. Pangalawa, dahil sa huling sinabi niya.
They're talking about Russel's girlfriend, huh? I wonder if they have my name? Or will they discover me just tonight? I don't know. Either way, I'm sure they'd be horrified to find out one way or another that I'm not from an influential family. Instead of worrying about it, I convinced myself that it doesn't matter anymore... at least after tonight.
