Your Lucky One

Chapter Five: Return

Trese Anaya's Point of View

The house was buzzing with energy as family friends and business associates arrived for the dinner party. The grand living room was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and small talk, the kind of chatter I'd grown used to in events like this. It was the world we were raised in—me, Deuce, and Quatro. Lahat ng kilos, dapat maingat. Lahat ng salita, planado. Bawal ang mali.

I smiled and nodded at the guests as they greeted me, playing my part as the ever-charming daughter of the Monforte family. Alam na alam ko na ang drill na 'to. Deuce, ever the perfect example of grace and poise, mingled seamlessly with the crowd, while Quatro hovered close by, his usual pilyong self trying to stifle his impatience.

Pero iba ngayon. Tonight was different. The buzz in the air wasn't just for the Monforte name or for the return of yet another successful business venture. It was for the prodigal son himself—Kuya Uno.

"Ready ka na ba makita si Kuya?" Quatro whispered, standing beside me, his eyes scanning the room as more guests arrived.

I shrugged, though I could feel the tension in my shoulders. "Sana nagbago na siya, Quatro. Sana naman."

"There you guys are, the Monforte's heiress, Trese! Quatro!"

Pareho kaming napalingon ni Quatro sa pamilyar na boses. It was Kuya Timoy—Timothy Emil Alejandro—the heir of the Alejandro Estate and, more notably, Deuce's ex-boyfriend. Though, if I had to guess, there were still some unresolved feelings there. I could practically smell the tension between them every time they were in the same room.

"Kuya Timoy!" Excited na bati ni Quatro, tumatakbo palapit kay Kuya Timoy.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "As usual, ang entrance mo, laging parang may spotlight," I teased, crossing my arms as I approached.

Kuya Timoy laughed, his deep voice filling the air with an almost infectious warmth. "Anong magagawa ko? I'm like a star now, for your information, trese, I have an upcoming show, so better wait for it."

"Star daw oh," I muttered, shaking my head. "Mukhang bida ka sa show nayan ah, pero ugaling kontrabida."

He smirked and ruffled Quatro's hair. "Eto naman si Trese, laging may banat. Pero seryoso, how are you guys? It's been a while since I've seen you, Trese. Busy sa mga parties mo, huh?"

I shot him a mock glare. "Alam mo, Kuya, baka kaya nag-break kayo ni Ate dahil sa mga unsolicited comments mo."

Quatro burst out laughing, and even Kuya Timoy couldn't help but chuckle. "Touché," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But I'm not here to talk about your sister. I wanted to check in on you two. May babalik daw ngayong gabi. Excited ka ba?"

And then, like clockwork, the doors opened, and there he was—Kuya Uno, exuding confidence and power, just as always. He had that swagger about him, the kind of energy that made everyone in the room pause and take notice. Guests clapped, some even cheering as he entered, shaking hands with old friends and colleagues like he hadn't just spent years abroad.