Comrades in Action Book 2: Aiden Montaniez

In time

"Miss Crest?"

Tumango ako sa waitress.

"This way please."

Tahimik akong sumunod dito. Its been two days since I arrived from LA. I took a break from work. And as much as possible, I don't want to attend some meetings for the mean time but this one... this one I can't just ignore.

It's my cousin Stacey's engagement. So attendance is really a must.

"Dominica! Its nice too see you again!"

Stacey's high pitch voice turned other guests' heads when she shouted my name. The air knocked off my lungs when she enveloped me into a tight hug.

"Can't... breathe..."

"Ooops, sorry!" She apologized at the same time giving me a mischievous grin. "How are you na? I miss you so so sobra cousin!"

I winced at her konyo speech. Laking Amerika kasi kaya hindi natuto masyado ng salitang tagalog.

Hinila ako nito papunta sa mesa nila. A handsome man who's wearing a suit greeted us halfway.

"I have so much kwento for you! I'm so excited na nga eh! And oh, I want you to meet Erron, my fiancè."

"Nice to finally meet you."

Kinuha ko ang palad nitong nakalahad sa akin.

I smiled at the guy. "Hi, I'm Dominica Crest."

The man smiled back. "Yeah. Madalas kang naiku-kwento ni Staace so I kinda know you already."

Umangat ang kilay ko sa pinsan ko. Dumila lang ito.

Tsk, so childish. Di pa rin talaga ito nagbabago.

"Here. Sit here. Did you eat already?"

Umiling ako.

"You are so busy with work na nakakalimutan mo ng kumain. Wait, I'm going to get you food." Mabilis itong tumayo pero mabilis ko din itong hinila pabalik.

"Umupo ka nga. Ikaw ang importante dito sa event na ito at hindi ako okay?" She said, "I can get my own food. Puntahan mo na lang ang fiancè mo doon." Nguso ko sa kinaroroonan ni Erron.

She pouted, then smiled. "Okay." Paalis na sana ito ng bigla uli itong pumihit. "And by the way, maki-mingle ka din with the other guests. Some of them are in the business world naman. Mga business partners ni Erron. Malay mo, may me-meet ka tonight." Tukso nito na umangat baba pa ang kilay.

I just rolled my eyes at her.

"Oo na. Now off you go." Pagtataboy ko dito.

"Okay. Just call if you already had your pick, hm?"

"Fine.." she grunted.

"Okay, see ya later!"

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako saka iniikot ang paningin sa paligid. Dim lights ang ilaw dahil after party na ito nila Stacey which is being held at a famous bar.

She didn't attend the main event dahil nga nakatulugan niya kanina. She forgot that today was the day of her engagement. Walang maka-contact sa kanya dahil nakapatay pa rin ang cellphone niya na iniwan niya sa bahay ng parents niya bago siya tumulak ng LA.

Mabuti na lamang at kinatok siya kanina ng maid nila para gisingin siya. Sinubukan niyang humabol pero after party na lang talaga ang naabutan niya. Her parents are at the ranch so siya lang at ang mga maids ang natira sa bahay.

Wala namang angal ang mga ito nung umalis siya papuntang LA. Her parents didn't ask her then kung bakit siya umalis at kahit noong bumalik siya ay nanatili pa ring tahimik ang mga ito.