A Close Second

Thirty

Simula ngayon, expect longer chapters. I'm getting into story telling na. 

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There was a certain build to the whole idea of Thea Andrea.

I just watched how her supposed impromptu-planned party be basically the most breathtaking surprise I've ever seen.

Dim surroundings, Fairy lights, a wide range of guests, and then very good choice of food. Napaka classy and yet napaka casual at the same time. I stared at the dinner party na nagaganap sa loob ng Dining Hall of the hotel.

I was wearing a pretty dark green dressmyself, which I luckily had in my packed clothes.

Yung iba kanina, were either wearing clothes na ipinadala ni Nina, sponsored by Tita Cecile (Ate Kate's Mom) and the guys, were wearing simple polo shirts or hoodies.

Nonetheless everyone was having a really great time.

"Amazing party, isnt it?" tanong ni Nina sa akin, as she goes sa tabi ko.
I smiled. "Yeah, how long did it take for her to plan this?"
"More or less six hours." sabi nito sa akin. "I understand everyone hadn't really remembered about it."

I was surprised. This was the party that they were planning a while ago?

"It's amazing." sabi ko. "Really elegant."
"One of the many things I really admire the most about my ate." sabi nito. "I'll see you around, Ate Courtney. DJ's calling me."

And she leaves. My attention diverts to the other part of the hall, where I see Thea, standing side by side with Jake as they talked to their parents. She was wearing a dark blue dress that reached her knees, and then pumps, like I was. Her back exposed through the halter dress.

Ang perfect nilang tignan ni Jacob, bakit ganoon? Ang unfair ng buhay, bat siya ganoon?

"I'm gonna start to think you have an obsession with Thea."

Nico chuckles, handing me a goblet of orange juice. I smiled at him, saka naupo.

"I always seem to catch you staring at her."

"Bakit ganoon?" tanong ko sa kanya. "She's... well, she's perfect!!"
Natawa si Nico, taking a swig of his canned soda. "I dont think so."
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" tanong ko. "Look at her, she's pretty, she's smart. Talented, just look at this party she organized? Six hours? It's a little unbelievable. And on top of that, she's rich!"

Tiningnan ni Nico sila Jacob at Thea, at the same time Jake kisses the side of Thea's head.

Nico smirks. "I don't think She's perfect."
"I know. You have a different definition of perfect." sabi ko. "Starts with the letter A."

He's just so affixiated with one of Thea's friends. Aya, I understand was her name. Nico couldn't just stop staring at her, even from afar.

"What I meant was, tingin ko hindi siya perpekto." Sabi niya.
"I still don't follow."
"She may seem perfect, but there's always a catch." sabi nito.
I tilted my head at him. "How can you be so sure?"
"Nobody's perfect, Beatrice." sabi niya saka nagpaalam, dahil paparating na rin sila Mikki.

The party progresses, and it slowly breaks, guests going away, and the Alcantara Family staying in the resort, making it more crowded than before. Medyo napagod na rin ako, so I excused myself kay Mikki and Amar na kasama ko the evening.

As I left the dining hall, dumaan muna ako sa lobby ng hotel, tatawag sana ako through landline kay Kuya Anton. May ipinadala daw kasi si Mommy na swimsuits, and I wanted to tell her na okay na ako sa mga dala ko.

Just as I reached the reception area, and I ask Ate Joan (the receptionist) I spot someone na nakatayo sa harap ng mga portraits nakadisplay.

And I knew instantly by the Jade polo shirt kung sino yun.