TOXIC (Dark Mafia Romance)

Chapter 8 (graphic language)

"ANTONIA!" Danica Celdran rushed to me the moment I set foot in the large ballroom.

Worry tightened Danica's otherwise soft features, and the skin under her eyes had hints of shadows. Like me, she wore a cocktail dress by Clara Tan, and the soft flowy skirt of her floral pink chiffon gown fluttered as she moved.

Agad ginagap ng kaibigan ang mga kamay ko nang makalapit sa akin, at marahan ko ring pinisil ang mga kamay niya.

"Hello, Danica," bati ni Tita Natasha kay Danica.

Gulat na napatingin si Danica sa may edad na babae na para bang ngayon lang nito napansin si Tita Natasha.

Natasha Almeda had changed into another Clara Tan number for the party, and the navy-blue column gown hugged the elder woman's curves just right.

"Ma'am Natasha." Mabilis na tumango si Danica sa negosyante bilang pagbati, at may bahid ng paumanhin sa mga mata ng kaibigan. "Good evening po."

"Good evening to you, too," balik ng kasalukuyang head ng Sola Foundation. "You look great, Danica."

"Uhm...thank you po."

Kahit naging scholar din ng foundation si Danica at madalas na ring nakasama si Natasha Almeda, ilang pa rin ang kaibigan sa may edad na babae.

She's like my boss, her friend would tell her. Hindi kami family friends na parang kayo nina Ma'am Almeda at pamilya mo. I could never really feel comfortable around my bosses no matter how friendly they are to me.

"You look awesome, too, Ma'am."

"Thank you. Well, I should leave you two now. You'll be alright, Antonia?" May pag-aalala sa tingin ng babae.

Maliit akong tumango. "I'll be okay, Tita Natasha. I'll look around with Danica."

"Okay." Pero nag-alangan sandali ang negosyante at napasulyap sa bruskong lalaki sa likuran ko.

Frank remained stoned-faced as he stood behind me.

Pilit na ngumiti uli sa akin si Tita Natasha bago tumango sa babaeng naka-itim na bestida na naghihintay sa kanya. Naglakad palayo ang CEO ng Sola Corporation kasama ang usherette.

Danica also stared at Frank, her eyes widening as she took in the burly man.

Pinisil ko ang kamay ng kaibigan bago pa siya makapagbulalas ng kung ano. My dear friend had the tendency to blurt things out when nervous.

"Let's go find our table," malumanay kong hayag kahit na malamig ang aking mga kamay.

Napatango si Danica, at tumango rin ako sa usherette na naghihintay rin sa amin.

We followed the woman and wound our way between tables and people. Golden lights spilled from the crystal chandeliers, warming the charcoal gray table linens. Large white roses, lilies, and peonies trimmed short in low crystal vases graced the tables. May tumutugtog na banda sa isang gilid, at pumapailanlang ang mabining himig ng biyulin kasalo ang kwentuhan at tawanan ng mga bisita. I saw familiar faces everywhere, and I kept a polite smile on my face as I walked with Danica.

But as my friend sidled closer to me and linked her arms with mine, I felt a weight slip into the pocket of my dress.

My heart thundered, and my blood pounded in my ears. I forced myself not to glance at Danica or Frank.

"I've been calling you," mababang usal ng kasama. "Are you okay?"

I forced myself to smile. I couldn't speak much here, and I didn't want to burden Danica with everything that had happened to me. "I'm doing okay. You?"