She Loved, He Fought (The Daughters' Series #1)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Understand

Tahip tahip ang kaba sa aking dibdib habang nakikipagkamayan sa mga VIP guests na dumadating. Puno na ang loob at ilang minuto nalang ay magsisimula na ang programa.

I am supposed to be inside and settle myself down but I can't... especially that Elias confirmed to my invitation. I can't just sit there and wait patiently. Not to mention the heart that's massively kicking against my chest in anticipation.

"Maupo ka na, Frances. Kami na ang bahala rito," bulong sa akin ng isa sa mga staffs.

Sarado na ang registration area dahil ang lahat ng inaasahan na panauhin ay nasa loob na. Samantalang dito sa VIP entrance ay madami pa ring mga gwardiya at siyempre mga staffs na nag-aassist sa mga importanteng bisita.

"No, it's okay. I want to personally welcome our guests."

Hindi napawi ang mga ngiti ko kahit pa ramdam ko na ang pangangalay ng aking panga. I am nervous as heck but I didn't let that reflect on my face. Kalaunan unti-unti na rin nabawasan ang mga staffs dahil nagsisimula na ang programa sa loob.

Wala pa rin si Elias...

Sinubukan kong lumabas ng double glass doors para silipin kung may paparating pa ba.

"Ma'am Frances," pigil ng body guard ko.

Inirapan ko siya at nilakihan ng mata. Umatras din naman agad ito kaya nakalabas din ako ng tuluyan. I craned my neck to see if there's a car coming. But aside from my body guards and other remaining staffs, there's no evident of Elias.

"Frances, your turn!" Alec yelled, calling me out.

I glanced at my wrist watch─ he's already ten minutes late for my event. Not counting the five minutes grace period. Suddenly, I felt my chest tightened.

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang kunot na ang noo habang may binubulong sa mikropono ng kaniyang headphone.

Tumango ako at humigit nang malalim na hininga. Nang makapasok ay hinanda ko ang sarili sa pagpapakilala ng MC para makapagbigay ng opening remarks. I plastered a smile and convinced myself that I should not think of him in this case that I should be helping my team and rejoicing because the Conference I was just dreaming is now coming into life.

Agad nahanap ng mga mata ko si Miles na ngiting-ngiti na nakaupo sa isa sa mga presidential tables. I just smiled at her and continued my opening remarks.

"... I hope that this Conference will impart something to you. We gather as one, and we empower as one," I bowed down after I've finished my speech.

Applauses filled the venue as I took myself off the podium. I walked towards my seat in one of the presidential tables. Pagkaupo pa lang ay luminga-linga na ako na tila ba'y may hinahanap. Kung hindi lang din ako kinakausap ng mga matatandang katabi ay baka tumayo na ako nag-abang nalang muli roon sa labas.

"Send my regards to your parents, Hija. Your Dad has my vote."

I smiled at the old woman. "Alright, Ma'am."

Nilingon ko si Miles na nasa kabilang lamesa. Nasa mga major sponsors kasi ako nakabilang, naiinggit tuloy ako kay Miles na kasama ang dalawang reserved seats para kay Elias at sa kung sino man ang isasama niya.

"Sa'n na si Attorney?" she mouthed.

My lips protruded as I shrugged my shoulder.

Hanggang gabi naman ang Conference na ito kaya hindi pa rin ako nawalan ng pag-asa. I remember that I gave him a copy of the flow of the program. So he must probably attend later in the afternoon. Sinubukan kong mag-focus sa mga sinasabi ng unang guest speaker ngunit lumilipad lang ang isip ko sa ibang bagay. Everyone seemed interested and hooked whereas this mind of mine didn't know what they are talking about.