Avalanche

AVALANCHE (SEVENTEEN)

I LOOKED up at the vanity mirror in front of me from the screen of my phone to shot my manager, Aldrin a glance while he's reciting a litany behind me on how should I behave at the party.

"Please, don't drink too much, Ava. Por favor! Moderate your alcohol consumption. The agency doesn't want your wild pictures scattered on cheap tabloid pages any more." He looked exhausted just reminding me not to do things. Paano pa kaya kapag nagkalat na talaga ang mga litrato ko? I can't imagine his face.

I huffed in utter boredom, rolling my eyes. "Aldrin, you know how much I hate getting told. Let me do me."

"Ava, the last time you were photographed getting cozy with someone at a party, it didn't turn out good. Nilalayo lang kita sa isang posible na namang eskandalo."

"I didn't know he was married! That man is a dick!" I said in my defense. It was a harmless dance—alright, maybe a little sensual—during an afterparty in an upscale club somewhere in Manhattan but the paparazzi caught it on camera. Next thing I knew, I was being sued. Turned out, the man was Ben Pierce, a known business man in New York who is nine years married to a certain Devon Ellington-Pierce.

"Just—just don't drink too much, okay?"

I sighed in resignation. "Fine, I won't."

"Is she done?"

Nilingon ko si Leon na nakasilip na sa pinto ng suite habang hinanap ako ng kanyang mga mata sa gitna ng nagkakagulong mga tao sa loob ng silid. I felt that familiar thud in my chest. He looked so damn good in his immaculate, tailored gray suit. His hair was neatly waxed both sides in a comb over hairstyle.

Yum!

"Leon! Come in!" Aldrin exclaimed enthusiastically while the room fell silent because of his intimidating presence.

My breath caught up in my throat when his charcoal eyes found mine. He drew a small smile. A smile that was only for me. Naglakad siya papunta sa 'kin ngunit natigilan rin nang makita ang kabuuan ko. Admiration filled his eyes for a fleeting moment and then, it suddenly turned to annoyance. I knew it's because of my dress.

I shooed Alissa who was finishing up my face before I completely turned to Leon. "Hi!" I gave him a wide smile. 

Ngumiti lamang siya saka inabot sa 'kin ang bouquet ng red roses na hawak niya. Everyone in the room shrieked. Even Aldrin.

"Thank you!" I said before kissing him on the cheek. I felt him stiffened. His eyes dilated in disbelief. Namumula ang tainga niya pababa sa kanyang leeg. Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko. I love it when I make him flushed. "Do I look good?" Tanong ko habang umiikot sa harap niya. I posed after that and he let out a groan.

"You're perfect." Mahinang sabi  niya sa halos pabulong na tinig.

Pumunit na naman sa silid ang mga tili at impit na 'aww' ng mga ito which Leon totally ignored. Ako naman ay napailing na lang.

We headed to the Ventura Grand Ballroom Hall after Aldrin declared I'm all done. Leon's hand was never leaving my back or my waist until we reached the red carpet.

I was nervous for some reason. Maybe because this is my first time to walk with Leon in front of so many cameras. Ito rin ang unang pagkakataon na makakasama ko siya sa isang formal event bilang date. But then, hindi rin naman kasi ako dumadalo sa charity ball nila noong mga nakalipas na taon kahit imbitado ako dahil marami akong trabaho.

I glanced at Leon who seemed tensed beside me. He had a straight face but that didn't hide the panic in his eyes.

"Are you okay?"