ACCIDENTALLY DRUG THE WRONG PERSON

Kabanata 4:

Damian's point of view:

Damian sat in his office, the panoramic view of the city spread out before him. He tapped his pen against the desk, trying to focus on the stack of documents that demanded his attention.

The auditions had gone well, but one particular performance kept replaying in his mind—Celeste Moondale. Her talent was undeniable, yet there was something eerily familiar about her.

He wants to make sure they are the same person.

A knock on the door broke his reverie. "Come in," he called, setting his pen down.

The door opened to reveal a tall man with a serious expression. It was Daniel, the private investigator he had hired to find the woman from the chaotic party night.

"Mr. Sullivan, I have the information you requested," Daniel said, handing over a manila envelope.

I took the envelope, opening it without hesitation. I  pulled out a series of photographs and a detailed report. As my eyes scanned the pages, humigpit ang hawak ko dito nang makita ang pamilyar na mukha ng isang babae.

The woman in the photographs was Celeste Moondale.

His face became blank. The talented actress who had just auditioned was the same woman who had drugged him and spent the night in his hotel room.

"Are you sure this is her?" He asked, paninigurado nito.

Daniel nodded. "Yes, sir. The security footage from the hotel and various witness statements all confirm it. Celeste Moondale, a young celebrity actress, is the woman you were with that night."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the report in disbelief. He had been prepared to confront the woman from that night, to demand answers and perhaps seek some form of justice. But now that he knew it was Celeste, the situation became infinitely more complicated.

Lalo pa ngayon na siya ang napili ng kanyang ina para maging endorser ng bagong release na perfume ng kanilang company.

"Thank you, Daniel. That will be all for now," Damian said, his voice strained.

As Daniel left the office, Damian sat in silence, the weight of the revelation settling over him. He thought about the audition, how vulnerable and sincere Celeste had seemed, and how different she had been the previous night. The contrast was jarring.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Nina, it's Damian. I need you to set up a meeting with Celeste Moondale. As soon as possible."

*****

Celeste's Point of view:

[CHIN HOUSEHOLD]

The house keeper welcomed me and said, "Old master and Madam are waiting for you inside. Young lady Fritz is discussing her engagement today, so her fiance is here too." Hindi ako makapaniwalang lumingon sakanya.

"Rui is here?"

The housekeeper replied, "Yes, he went in right before you."

Pleasantly surprise, I ran into the house only to stop a moment later. Inside, Rui and Fritz were standing together in the hallway. They were leaning close to each other. Lips are almost touching. Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Pero kalaunan tinalikuran ko rin sila, but a slap welcomed me which nearly sent me to the ground.

I held my cheeks, as my step mother pulled me into a room.After shutting the door. Humarap siya saakin na may masamang tingin.

She pointed accusingly at me and said, "Ikaw na malandi ka! Don't think I didn't see what you were up to. That's your sisters fiance, how shameless can you be to dare attempt at seducing him?"

Holding my burning cheeks, I smirked at her and said, "If I really wanted to seduce him, you think I'm just standing there and doing nothing?"

"You-" Step mom's heart were about to explode with anger.

"How dare you talk back to me. Wala kang utang na loob. We adopt you and dressed you up, tapos ito pa igaganti mo?"

"Dress me up?" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ko.

"You never spend money for me. Bigay ito lahat ni yaya Lou."

In anger, she pulled my clothes. However, sa gitna nito ay di rin nakaligtas sa mata ng step mom niya ang marka sa kanyang leeg. As if she made some grand discovery.

"What a whore. Whos the unlucky man huh? Who would've thought na ganto ka pala kalandi."

She said while looking at me with disgust on her face, but It did not make me sad at all. However, this simple sentence was enough to cut through my heart.

Despite so, I started laughing, " And would've thought that your such a nosy old hag?"

We heard some noise coming from outside. Rui was chatting with Fritz. Their conversation and laughter made mom nervous. 

Tsk, here we go again, the great pretender.She lowered her voice and said, "People from Cheng family are coming with their second son, Samuel. Don't say that I don't care about you. Their family has a good reputation, marrying him will bring you endless fortune."

Ambilis talaga magbago ng ihip ng hangin. She even tap my head, I snorted in annoyance.

About that Samuel, ofcourse I know him. Sinong hindi makakakilala sa playboy na yun.

"You want me to marry a retard?" I let out a shout of protest.

Her left brow rise. "What, you don't want to?"

"Marry him yourself If you want to. Hindi ako puppet para diktahan nyo ang buhay ko."

Then I opened the door. Im about to take my leave when she held me back with all her strength. Seeing this, I turned around and pushed her aside. Napaupo siya sa sahig at masamang tumingin sakin. "Celeste, if you dare to leave. I'll make sure your father will kick you out of this house forever!" she angrily said. I ran out in desperation.