Dumating na rin ang araw ng event, and we both had to dress up. I stood in front of the mirror, straightening my formal suit, making sure everything was perfect. It was one of those high-profile events where appearance was everything.
Habang inaayos ko ang kwelyo ko, napansin ko na tahimik si Lan sa kabilang side ng sala. Nang lingunin ko siya, he was just finishing up as well—suot niya ang isang perfectly tailored black suit. Sobrang simple, pero sa kanya, parang may ibang dating. His cold, stoic demeanor made him even more striking in formal wear.
Damn, he looked good.
Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko, pasimpleng sumulyap sa kanya habang nag-aayos din siya. I tried to act nonchalant, pero nahuli ko ang sarili kong medyo natitigilan. Parang ang effortless ng pagiging gwapo niya.
We are still in the condo while waiting for our driver to arrive.
Lan didn’t seem to notice me watching. He was busy adjusting his cufflinks, serious as usual, parang walang pakialam sa paligid niya. But the way he moved, with that quiet confidence, made it hard for me to look away. There was something about seeing him dressed like that as if the quiet artist had transformed into someone else—someone more intense and commanding.
I cleared my throat, trying to distract myself from staring too much. "You clean up well," I said, attempting to sound casual. "Hindi ko naisip na ganito ka pala ka formal."
Lan glanced at me, one eyebrow raised slightly. "Thanks, I guess," sagot niya, walang halong emosyon, pero may konting humor sa mata niya. Bumalik siya sa pag-aayos ng cufflinks niya, as if wala lang.
"Seriously though," I added, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall. "You look... different tonight."
"Different how?" tanong niya, still not looking at me.
I shrugged, trying to lessen my words. "I don't know. Just... better? Formal suits you."
He finally looked up, meeting my gaze for a brief moment, before returning to his task. "You don’t look so bad yourself."
Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya, kahit pa medyo awkward pa rin ang atmosphere. That was probably the closest thing to a compliment I’d ever get from him.
Bago pa kami mag-usap pa ng mas malalim, narinig na namin ang pagdating ng sasakyan sa baba. Sumilip ako sa bintana at nakita ko ang driver namin, nag-aantay na sa entrance ng building.
"Looks like it's time," sabi ko, grabbing my phone and wallet. "You ready?"
Lan simply nodded, then walked
toward the door. Pero bago siya makalabas, bigla siyang tumigil at tumingin ulit sa akin. "You’ve been glancing at me the whole time," he said, with a slight hint of amusement.
Napatigil ako, medyo nagulat sa bluntness niya. "What? I wasn’t—"
"You were." He smirked and then turned around to head out.
I stood there, a bit speechless for a second, before following him out the door.
Pagdating namin sa venue, halos agad kaming sinalubong ng liwanag mula sa mga camera flashes. Tila bawat hakbang namin ay kinunan ng litrato, at kasabay nito ang pagdagsa ng mga boses mula sa mga reporter at media personalities. Ang ingay ng mga nagtatanong at nagmamadaling makakuha ng atensyon namin pero sanay na ako sa ganitong eksena. kay Lan? Hindi ko sigurado.
“Xian! Over here!” sigaw ng isang reporter habang nagkukumahog ang iba na makakuha ng magandang shot. “Can we get a statement?”
Parang sanay na akong hindi pansinin ang ganito, but I couldn’t help but notice how they were all reacting to Lan’s presence.
