ANTHALIA IVVANOVICH: The Substitute Bride

Chapter 12

"Mademoiselle"

Tinanguan ko ang waiter na lumapit sa akin at kumuha ng isang piraso ng chocolate cookie. Gutom na ako pero hindi ko magawang maglakad at pumunta sa buffet table. Nahihiya ako at hindi ko gusto ang mga tingin ng tao sa akin lalo na ang mga babae.

Hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kopita ng alak habang pinag mamasdan ang bulto ng lalakeng naging dahilan ng presensiya ko sa Lugar na ito ngayon.

Ezekiel. He's near the pool flirting with more than 3 woman. I can't believe. Natawa ako ng pakla. Hindi man lamang siya nagbago ni katiting.

Dinala niya ako rito para maging isang P.A
That I have to remind myself. Nakailang reject na ako sa mga tawag niya sa kaniyang business phone. Iyon ang trabaho ko sa party na ito.

I sighed in disbelief. The umpteenth caller is really persistent. Mukhang mga investors at negotiators sa kompanya ni Ezekiel ang mga ito.

He asked me to not answer any call but this one needs to.

Its an unregistered number from international call! Maaaring emergency ito.

I picked up the call but didn't answered

"Zeke! I've been calling you the whole day! When are you going home? Dad's looking for you."

I can't mutter a single word for a moment.

Its Equija.

The real Equija.

Mabilis kong ibinaba at tinapos ang tawag.

So they're still together. Hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti ng pakla at isang butil ng luha ang nahulog sa aking pisngi.

So I still feels something for him...

Ibinaba ko ang suot na maskara at iginiya ang tingin sa paligid.

I saw the beauty and elegance in the place. Shining and glittery gowns and jewelries, expensive perfumes smell floating in air... this isn't for me.

I don't belong to such scene and place anymore.

Muli kong tinignan si Ezekiel. He's laughing over what the brunette girl wearing a fitted signature red gown whispered to him.

I dont belong to him anymore.

Never was.

Hindi ko napag handaan ang paglingon niya sa akin. Our eyes met and lingered tp each other for  seconds ako na ang nag iwas because I suddenly felt my heart being pricked with needles.

Sa pag layo ko ng tingin napunta ang aking mga mata sa grupo ng kalalakihan nasa bilang ng apat na naglalakad palapit sa aking mesa kung saan mag isa lamang ako.

"What does a lovely and gorgeous lady doing alone here?"

They all looking expensive with their suits and tuxedos and shining dark masks.

"And you're not wearing your mask. You're exposing your beautiful face too much my lady" wika naman ng isa.

Where getting attention already.

I don't know how to respond lalo na ng linapitan ako ng isa at lumuhod sa aking harapan.

"I've never seen such a beauty in my life. You look like an expensive princess no one worth is. But I am willing to try my luck"

I am wearing A Maddie Montreal designed lacy creme gown. Ezekiel made sure I won't make a scene with my poor taste of fashion before we came. But I don't think I look like a princess now.

Sa kabila ng itim na batman mask na suot niya kitang kita ko ang mga maitim na mata niya.

"Can I dance with you princess?"