Where the Thunder Bows Its Head [BL] (Passion Series #1)

KAPITULO 13

[City Lights]

"Ayos ka lang ba, Yohan?"

I regained my proper posture when Leticia noticed my gloomy expression. I quickly straightened up and mustered a smile to assure her I was fine.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Tumango siya at ngumiti rin. I was walking beside her and next to me was Kameron. Si Nica, Maverick at Lorelei ay nauna nang bahagya sa amin sa paglalakad at may sarili silang usapan.

Kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad at tinatahak ang hallway ng magarang hotel. The ambience was something else I'd never felt before. I still can't wrap my head around the amount of opulence and luxury the place offers. The place gives rustic, antiquated and contemporary feel all at the same time. Pero sa aming lahat, mukhang ako lang ang naninibago at namamangha ng ganito para do'n. Well, I can't really blame them. They probably lived their lives in luxury that things like these don't excite them anymore.

Seemingly, nasa parehong palapag lang ang suite ni Kameron at ng mga kapatid niya kaya hindi na kami gagamit ng elevator. We're probably just gonna walk two more halls.

Iniling ko ang ulo ko nang bahagya para subukang alisin ang mapanglaw na nararamdaman.

I'm aware that I should be enjoying this moment. Circumstances like this rarely happen to people in my position, which makes it all the more important to seize and appreciate them fully. Yet, despite knowing this, I find my head constantly wandering, occupied with other things.

Bakit kaya umalis si Kidlat? I know he wanted me to hang out more with his cousins. Pero hindi pa naman ako nakakapagsang-ayon sa kanya tungkol do'n, umalis na agad siya? What if ayaw ko pala? At akala ko ba matutulog na kami? Ayos lang sana kung nandito lang siya pero hindi. Umalis siya.

What? He just assumed that I liked the presence of his relatives more than his? E, sino ba ang ipinunta ko rito? Siya rin naman, ah!

"I really thought the President will be here tonight. Buti nalang talaga at hindi 'yon pumunta." Saad ni Nica Estanero na nasa harap namin. "I can't bear to be in the same room as him. As well as my family."

Kameron chuckled beside me, making fun of Nica.

"Bakit buti nalang? Isn't that a good thing? If the President did come here, this party would attract even more publicity. Ayaw mo no'n, mas magkakaroon ka ng atensiyon, e 'di ba social climber ka naman?"

Nica gasped and threw her scrunchies at Kameron. Tumawa lang pinsan niya.

"Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo, Kam! I'm not a social climber! Excuse me, I have a hundred thousand followers on TikTok! That's more than enough attention for me!"

Nakisabay ako kina Leticia sa tawanan kahit na wala naman talaga akong naintindihan.

"Sinong President?" Clueless na tanong ko.

Lorelei looked at me like I just uttered the most horrendous and batshit thing ever. Her mouth dropped.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung sinong presidente ang pinag-uusapan at tinutukoy nila. President of their company? President of the hotel? Who? There's so many possibilities.

"Yohan! The President of the Philippines!"

Ako naman tuloy ang nalaglag ang panga sa sinabing iyon. I almost forgot how prestigious and highly regarded their world are and the people in their circle! Of course they're going to invite the President of the country to their parties! Ano pa nga bang ine-expect ko?

Maverick just chuckled at me. Bumalik din naman ulit doon ang usapan.

"Well, at least his family were here." Si Lorelei. "I heard President Consunji is currently in Singapore for some Asian conference or something..."