To Gamble (A heart for a heart) R18

Chapter 9 - Ang Ate

Natulos ako sa kinauupuan ko habang tinitingnan si Noah na inaalalayan ang babae patungo sa dalawang upuan sa harapan ko. Parang bumabaliktad ang sikmura dahil sa nakikita ko. And it feels really weird... again.

"Hi! Nice to finally meet you! I'm a huge fan!" Nagagalak na sabi ng babae at inilahad ang kamay niya. Malugod ko naman iyong tinanggap.

"Thank you. Have a sit..." I said while shaking her hand. Ang mata ko ay malikot, iniiwasan na magtama ang tingin namin ni Noah.

"Oh... I'm Amelia De Ville. And of course you know my brother, Noah..." Tila may kahulugan na sabi niya. Ako naman ay para bang nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan at nakahinga ng maluwag. Ang weird talaga! Ang weird ng nararamdaman ko.

Tumawa ako ng pilit. "Yes... Nice to meet you Miss Amelia. So what can I do for you?"

Tumawa ito. Ang pagtawa niya ay mahinhin. Elegante. A woman with etiquette that surely came from a wealthy family.

"Drop the 'Miss'! Just call me Ate na lang din... Because I've heard thay you and Noah are dating. Kaya nagpasama na rin ako sa kanya dito. Baka naman namiss niyo ang isa't isa." She teased and then I suddenly felt heat started spreading all over my face and neck.

Why the hell am I blushing?!

"Ate!" Pagsasaway ni Noah. Kinagat ko ang aking labi. Hindi niya ni-deny!

Tumikhim ako para maibsan ang tensyon na parang ako lang naman talaga ang nakakaramdam. "So, I suppose you are getting married?" Tanong ko at pinasadahan ng tingin ang kumikinang na engagement ring na nasa daliri niya.

"Oh yes! And of course I'm here to ask you to make my wedding gown!" She said ecstatically. Ang kinang sa kanyang mga mata ay nagsasabing napakasaya niya.

"It will be pleasure... Ate Amelia." I said, a bit hesitant of calling her 'Ate.'

She giggled. "Ahh, music to my ears!" Aniya. Sa gilid naman ng aking mga mata ay nakita ko ang pag-iling ni Noah.

Kaya kinuha ko na ang sketch pad ko at iginiya sila sa puting sofa sa gilid ng aking opisina upang masimulan na ang pagpaplano sa wedding gown niya. Napalunok ako dahil sa magkabilang gilid ko naupo ang magkapatid. Holy cow! I am sandwiched by the De Ville's!

I cleared my thoat. "So when's the wedding?" Pagsisimula ko.

"It will be this March!" Excited na sabi niya. Bahagya akong napaurong papalikod dahil sa pagdidikit ng hita namin ni Noah. Damn.

"Tell me something about your fiancé..." I said and then she began talking nonstop about her lucky fiancé whose name is Robert. By interviewing my brides I get to know their personalities... and that will surely help me of what type and the details of the gown would probably fit them.

"So, do you have any particular design in mind?" I asked.

"Hmm, none actually. Because I'm giving you my full trust in this..." Aniya na nakapagdagdag sa pressure na nararamdaman ko.

I let out a breath and chuckled nervously. I've never been this nervous when talking to a client, because this is my comfort zone. I love doing this. Ngayon lang talaga ako kinabahan ng ganoon. Sa Ate lang talaga ni Noah.

"Oh... Right. How about the silhouette of gown? What do you prefer?"

"We'll be having a church wedding. So I really want something classic. Probably an A-line dress. I love satin and lace!" She said and as if my hand has it's own mind, I strated to sketch. My hand stroked into different directions as I drew the A-line silhouette of the gown.