The Game Call

Chapter 26 - All Black Party

Sa pagpasok ko sa base nang Alpha Phi Omega kita ko ang pageensayo nang mga Ravions tumatabi naman ang madadaanan ko at kapansin-pansin rin ang limang magagarang sasakyan na nakaparada sa parking lot. So they're all here.

*Phone Rings*

"Hera where are you?!" It was almost a whisper.

"I'm here." pagkabukas ko nang pinto ay bumungad sa akin ang bored na mga mata nina Alexis at ang mga nakayukong ulo nina Ark. Nasa harapan naman si Thunder.

"You're 1 hour;15 minutes;36 seconds;12 miliseconds late." bungad sa akin ni kulog kaya napanganga nalang ang mga kasamahan namin. He set a goddamn watch just to check how fast I can make it here. Oh well...

"Atleast I made it. Better sorry than never." uupo na sana ako sa upuan pero hinila niya ako kaya muntikan na akong mahulog sa upuan. Langya tinawanan ba naman ako ni Zariya.

"We were supposed to go on an all-black party. Now come on." dire-diretso kaming sumakay nang sasakyan niya at mabilis naman siyang nakalayo sa base namin.

Alam kong kay ate Raine ang punta namin ngayon. At hindi nga ako nagkamali pagkarating na pagkarating doon ay handa na agad ang mga susuotin namin. Wow she's fast. She handed me an all-black Sherri Hill dress with silver linings outlined on the side. It hugs my body and a seductive open-back design. I am a bit uncomfortable with this. Geez. Feeling ko konting galaw lang ay mapupunit na yung damit. The eyeshadow matched the linings and the make-up artist is awesome.

Nang makalabas ako nang boutique ay agad akong sumakay sa BMW, naghihintay na pala doon si Thunder. Wow. He looked so handsome and elegant on his Black & White suit with a bow tied on his neck. He looked mature with his hairdo like he was really a business tycoon plus his cool expression that adds up to his aura. Ok I'll stop here looks like I'm already daydreaming.

"Care to tell me where we are heading? And why am I not informed of this All-Black party?" tanong ko na kanina ko pa sana sinabi kung hindi lang kami nagmamadali.

"This party is very important to our empire. It's for all those business partners in the underworld. Think you already know what it means so I won't be needing to elaborate it. This means that a new partnership will be formed and I was sent by my father to attend this because he and mom won't be able to. So now your acting skills will be tested here." pagsasabi niya na parang wala lang iyon.

"Then why are you telling me these things? Do you really trust me on keeping these secrets and the Mafia- whatsoever-transaction your empire has?" I asked him feeling a bit curious.

Ang mga ganitong impormasyon at transaksyon ay hindi basta-bastang binibigay lang sa kung sino-sino, lalo na sa mga taong di mo pa gaanong kakilala. I'm not saying that I can't be trusted but, what made him think that I can be trustworthy?

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang huminto si kami sa harap nang isang napakalaking mansion. Binigay niya ang susi nang kanyang sasakyan kasabay nang isang tip sa boy.

"Your acting skills will be tested here."

I bet it will. Walang pasabi na hinawakan ko ang kanyang braso at lumingon siya sa akin pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Pinanatili ko ang tahimik at kalmado kong aura habang naglalakad kami papasok sa Grand Hall. Maya-maya pa ay may lumapit sa amin na mag-asawa na sa tantya ko ay nasa mid 40s at 50s ang edad.

It's Mr. & Mrs. Montefalcon
Nakilala ko sila sa isang event na dinaluhan nang aming pamilya. They're one of our business partners in America and the ones who manage our bank assets. I wonder why they're here.

"Good evening Mr. Valdemore" pagbati niya kay Thunder. "It's sad to think that your parents weren't able to come. I've been looking forward to our intimate conversation."

"In behalf of my parents I would want to apologize for their absence, but I'm sure there are other times that you can talk with each other."

"Hija, are you his fiancé?" oh god. Sana di niya ako makilala. Medyo dim ang lights dito kaya sana nga ay hindi niya ako makilala.

"Uhm yes, she's Raven." pagpapakilala ni Thunder. Nakipag shakehands naman ako sa kanya sabay ngiti. More like awkward smile ang naibigay ko.

"Aww. You two are such a perfect match." sabi niya pa. Haay lies, lies, lies. I know they just tell this because they want to have a good impression but don't get me wrong, they are one of our trusted and loyal partners.

"Thanks. We appreciate your presence here in this event." nauna kaming maglakad sa kanila at naupo ako sa isang table na pang anim na tao.

Boring. That's why I don't often go to gatherings like this, it'll only bore me to death except if I benefit from it.

"Uhm...wouldn't you mind if I sit here?" tanong nang isang lalaking naka black suit. I gestured for him to sit since I don't have any idea with whom we share this table.

"So, from what company?" tanong nang lalaking katabi ko ngayon.

"From I-Have-No-Idea-What-Is-This-All-About Company." bored ko lang siyang tiningnan. Tumawa naman siya nang bahagya.

"I'm Storm Orlov by the way. Syntax Group of Companies." he offered his hand and I shook it out of nowhere. Ewan ko siguro nahiya naman ako nang konti sa pagsagot ko sa kanya nang pabalang.

"Raven. From...uuhh...Nexus "

"Hmm. The famous car company in London that recently opened last month." sabi niya sabay tango. "I can say you have interesting cars and quality engines compared to that of the famous brands."

"Thanks and sorry for what I said earlier. I---" he cut me off.

"It's okay. I understand that you are the type of person whose not into parties or events like this one."

"Yes. Exactly." It's a good thing he understood me because I wouldn't even bother explain my side.

"Storm." kilala ko ang tinig na ito. It's his. At sa tono niya ay parang galit siya kaya hinila niya ako patayo sa gilid niya.

"Thunder! Long time no see dude! How are we doing now? I heard you've got yourself a fiancé and luckily she's here." Tumawa si Storm na parang iniinis niya si Thunder.

"Hand's off Storm she's mine." babala ni Thunder at ramdam ko ang paghigpit nang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Possessive as always ey?" tumawa siya na parang nakakatawa ang sinabi niya. "Anyway, I better get going. Nice to meet you Raven." kumindat siya sa akin pero di ko alam kung para saan.

"Come on."