Dark Side of the Castle (Complete version)

Chapter 25

                  𝕭𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝕿𝖔 𝕳𝖎𝖘 𝕮𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖑𝖊

Quezon City, Philippines

Thick and tall walls, huge vintage gate, bricked isle and an enormous old Filipino-Canadian style mansion.

I am finally here at the Del Real main mansion to attend the triplet's 17th birthday party.

Nakadungaw lang ako sa mataas at malaking gate habang nakahinto sa likod ko ang kotse na minamaneho ni Kaleid.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay miss?" he asked from my back pero hindi ko siya kaagad nilingon. Mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam ko habang nakatitig sa lumang mansion na nasa harapan ko.

Nilingon ko lang saglit at nginitian si Kaleid and told him to just wait for me outside. And then I showed the guards my invitation kaya pinagbuksan na nila ako ng gate.

I almost hesitantly walked inside dahil madilim ang paligid. Only the lightposts are illuminating the way. May mga iilang bisita rin sa paligid ko pero mukhang nasa loob na silang lahat ng mansion.

Hinawakan ko nang mahigpit yung invitation ko at naglakad nang mabilis patungo sa loob. Big chandeliers, wide hall and a huge staircase. Yan ang sumalubong sakin pagpasok ko. Lahat nang tao abala sa kanya kanyang pakikipag usap sa mga kasama.

Nasan na kaya sina Pristine? I know they'll be invited here too. Hindi pwedeng hindi.

Pero bago yun. Una kong inisip hanapin si Ulysses. He must be here. Kailangan ko siyang makita dahil siya ang rason kung bakit ako nandito ngayon.

I searched everywhere among the crowds at maging sa paligid pero hindi ko siya makita. Don't tell me he backed out? He can't!

"Ivanessa!" I heard Pristine's voice somewhere kaya napalingon ako sa paligid para hanapin siya. And when I did saw her near the buffet table agad ko siyang nilapitan.

"Kanina ka pa?" medyo nag aalala kong tanong. I am talking to her pero hindi ako mapakali dahil hindi ko pa rin nakikita si Ulysses na dumarating hanggang ngayon. Palinga linga parin ako sa paligid.

"Nope. Halos kadarating ko lang rin" she answered at sinundan ang mga lugar na kanina ko pa tinitingnan.

"May problema ba? You looked so worried" she commented kaya napabalik sakanya ang atensyon ko.

"Nakita mo na bang dumating ang mga Del Real?" I asked her nang hindi mapakali.

Her face turned questioningly. "It's so unusual for you to look for them Iva. Anong problema?" she again asked but I can't seem to answer her. Kinakabahan na ako. Am I being played?

"Sorry Pristine. May iniisip lang ako. Nakita mo na ba silang dumating? I just need something to ask them" aligaga kong tanong at hinawakan ko siya sa kamay at tinitigan.

She looks at me sympathetically. "Yes. I think they are already here. Not sure though kung kumpleto sila. Nakita ko sina Maxon at Ruki kanina kasama ng parents nila" she explained and held my hand tightly too.

"Can I ask where did you saw them?"

Tumingin siya sa itaas habang nag iisip. "Try looking for them at the garden. Do you need me to come with you?" she asked still worried.