Perfect Schemes

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Friends

Bridge

"Brigella! Ano na naman ito?" sigaw ng aking kapatid na si Ate Brijella sabay pakita ng isang papel na panigurado'y report na naman tungkol sa akin.

I rolled eyes. "It's not like it's your first time seeing those, ate."

Tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin. "Hindi ka pa ba nadadala, Rigel? You even had the guts to say that!"

I blew my bangs. "You sound like ate Turi." I uttered.

"And you act like Luci! What is wrong with you two?" Humalukipkip siya. "You both are stressing us out. Bakit ba hindi kayo madala-dala sa mga pagkakamali niyo?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. She just sighed.

"Sa susunod na makatanggap pa ako nito, Brigella, I would be kicking you out of this house!" sigaw niya. "Naiintindihan mo?"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," bagot kong sabi. She immediately turned her back and went upstairs.

Bago siya tuluyang maka-akyat, she looked at me. "By the way, get ready. We're attending an event tonight. Wear something formal," nagpipigil-sigaw niyang sabi at tuluyan nang umalis.

Ugh. Event na naman?

Although pagod ako, naligo ako at naghanda para sa event na pupuntahan namin. I couldn't say no kasi I know she'd be raging na naman like what she did kanina.

I wore a simple but elegant halter dress that perfectly fits me. I matched it with a silvery white wedge. Tumingin ako sa salamin.

I look so perfect even without applying makeup!

Pero of course, I applied a light makeup. Mabilis lang ako natapos because I didn't want myself to look like a prostitute because of my makeup.

I took my belongings and went out of the room. Saktong nakita ko naman na lumabas si ate Brijella. Hindi ko siya pinansin at dumiretso sa labas ng bahay.

Pagka-dating namin sa venue, agad kong nilabas ang invitation at dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob. I sighed nang makita kong puro matatanda or kasing edad ni ate ang nandito.

Ugh. I hate this place.

Tahimik akong umupo sa assigned table para sa amin.

Nang makita ako ni ate Brijella, agad siyang lumapit sa akin. "Bridge, why are you sitting there? Come on, stand up. I'll introduce you to them."

Napairap ako pero tumayo rin. Sumunod ako sa kanya.

"Brijella, dear, buti naman nakarating ka," a woman around 50's said. Nakipagbeso ito kay Ate at ngumiti. Napatingin ako sa katabi nito. What is this jerk doing here?

"Of course, Mrs. Flores. Why would I not?" Ate Brijella said and laughed. "By the way, this is my sister, Brigella."

I slightly smiled. Agad siyang nakipagbeso sa akin.

"She's pretty shy, huh," sabi niya.

Tumawa ng bahagya ang ate ko. "I'm sorry for that."

"You exactly look like your sister," she said to me. "I bet you're gonna be the next CEO of Saldana Group Inc."

Hilaw na ngiti ang ibinigay ko. Tumawa sila ni Ate.