YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE MY HEART (DAYS TO FOREVER BOOK 2)

Chapter 29 (Part 1)

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Night before the Ball

"you sure you wanted to go to the ball as an employee?" tanong ng chairman sa anak ng ma-abotan ito sa veranda.

"dad, we've already talked about this. Yes, i'm sure. Isa pa, I'm not gonna be the most importa nt person in that ball"

"you know that I really want you to have the company Juls. After all, it was named after you"

"but you know that I don't deserved it, Maqui does. Having my name is more that enough." nakangiting sabi ng dalaga.

"i know. Maliban sa pag-aalaga sayo, she also dedicated half of her life in the company.

"i bet tito Manuel is so proud of her."

"i'm also proud of you" sabi ng chairman

Napangiti si Julie at napatingin sa ama "I love you dad" yakap nya.

Her dad hugged her back and kissed her head.

"have you told her already?" tanong ni Julie.

"Nah, it's gonna be our little secret"

Sabay naman silang natawa na mag-ama.

"can't wait to see her reaction while you announce her name."

"don't worry, i'll have it recorded" and they both laugh.

Masquerade Ball

"oh my gad!" sigaw ni Olivia dahilan para matu-on ang atention ng mga kasama sa kanya. Sa labas ng hall ay nakita nya si Julie kasama si Patrick na papunta sa kanila.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" tanong nya sa kaibigan. "you should be with your dad."

"invited naman lahat ng mga trainees diba?" ngiting sagot nya.

"whatever!" sarcastikong sabi ni Olivia.

"by the way, i love your dress Juls" singit naman ni Tina.

Julie is wearing a simple white cocktail tube dress and holding a white mask.

"okay guys, mask on" sabi ni Jane at sabay-sabay nilang sinuot ang maskara nila at pumasok sa malawak na hall. Si Olivia ay nakadikit kay Kevin, si Tina naman ay simpling nakahawak  sa braso ni Karl habang si Patrick ay nakasunod lang sa likod ni Julie at nakasunod din ang iba pa nilang ka-grupo.

Nilibot ni Julie ang paningin sa kabuohan ng hall. Malawak ito, may stage sa gitnang harapan at may iilang malaking round table sa harap for selective guest at may nakita rin sya'ng mahabang bar counter. Napansin rin niya na marami ng tao sa paligid, she saw few familiar faces like the executives na hindi na nag-abalang magsuot ng maskara. But there are still alot of new faces for her.

Dumirecho sila sa isa sa mga high table sa gilid habang ang mga lalaki ay kumuha ng pagkain.

"Woah! Welcome to the world of rich and famous" sabi ni Niño habang papasok sa malawak na hall.

Napa-iling na lang si Elmo na nakatao sa tabi nya.

Ng makapasok na they just stop for a while and look around.

Niño is wearing a black and white suit and tie with a black mask covering his two eyes. While Elmo is wearing a full black suit and tie with a white mask covering his eyes and half of his face, just like the phantom of the opera.

"i think she's not here yet" sabi ni Niño referring to Maqui. "lets grab a drink" yaya niya sa kaibigan at dumiretcho sa bar counter.

Elmo ang Niño are half way finishing their first glass of whiskey when they heard a group of people talking.

"i heard the chairman's daughter will be here."

"ofcourse! Who would you think will take his position?"

"yeah right! but Miss Farr would be a perfect candidate. But i know he would prefer his own daughter."

"well... If i'm in his shoes, i'll do the same thing"

"wow! I wouldn't miss this. I can finally put a face behind the company's name."

"yeah, I've heard that the company was named after her."

"but 'JAPS' sounds so manly"

Elmo eavesdropping was interrupted when Nino tap him.

"so i think we're also gonna meet the new boss."

Hindi na sumagot si Elmo at nanatiling tahimik lang.

"Impossible! She won't be here, she will never be" sabi nya sa sarili while finishing his whiskey.

"Good evening everyone! It's our pleasure having all of you here and to start the celebration. Let us all welcome . . .the Chairman, Mr. LEO SAN JOSE."

Lahat sila ay nag sitayo-an at nagpalakpakan para e welcome ang chairman. Pinatay ang ilaw sa loob ng hall at tanging ang ilaw lang sa hall way ang hindi pinatay.

Lahat ay nag a-abang sa pag pasok ng chairman. Kahit na ang mga reporters at iba pang taga media.

First to appear is the Chairman, smile without a mask. Behind him is Maqui wearing a beautiful black dress with a crystalize mask together with her dad, Doctor Manuel Farr and Nate in a silver suit and tie with metallic mask covering his two eyes.

Kaliwa't kanan ang pag flash ng mga camera.

"where is she?" tanong ni Maqui sa sarili while smile at the big crowd.

"You should be there" sabi ni Olivia while pointing the entourage.

"I'm more comfortable here." nakangiting sagot naman ni Julie.

"told you" sabi ni Elmo sa sarili when he saw there's no Julie in the entourage.

"is that french fries? Damn! She's hot." komento ni Niño while checking Maqui out.

"Tito, where is she? Does she have her own grand entrance later while you are introducing her?" tanong ni Maqui sa chairman ng makaupo na sila.

"you'll se Maq, you'll see" sagot ng chairman.

Ilang sandali pa ay umakyat na ang chairman sa stage to give his short opening remark then the party started. Guest started to eat, drink, dance and have fun.

On the other side, Elmo finished his 8th glasses of whiskey and stood up.

"wait bro, saan ka pupunta?" tanong ni Niño.

"to have fun" malokong nakangiting sagot nya while adjusting his phantom mask.

"then wait for me" masayang sabi ni Niño while finishing his glass, pero pagtalikod nya ay wala na ang kaibigan, alam nya na medyo may tama na si Elmo.

Julie was laughing hard together with her friends, napag katuwaan kasi nilang pag-usapan ang nagyari kay John sa mansyon.

"kayo kaya tutukan ng baril, tingnan ko kung hindi kayo mamutla." depensa ni John sa sarili na kinatawa naman nila.

"i'm really sorry about what happened John, nakalimutan ko kasing sabihin kay Maqui that I have guests" sabi ni Julie habang tumatawa. But her laugh died when she noticed that all her friends were silent and they're all looking behind her. Kunot-noong namang napalingon sya.

Doon nakita niya ang makalahad na kamay para sa kanya.

"can i have this dance?" at dahan-dahang syang tumingala.

There she saw a guy standing behind her, wearing a black suit with a phantom mask.

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