Art In His Breath (Japan Series #2)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"Dito na ba?" I queried, jittery, when the car stopped in front of a high-end Hotel.

Ellaixa did not respond. However, when she slid outside the car and handed the valet her car key, I got the obvious answer to my question.

Mahigpit akong kumapit sa gintong chain ng puti kong purse na dala. Inalog-alog ko pa iyon upang makumpirma kung naroon ba ang cigarette case na naiwanan kanina ni Diamond sa condo. Nang madinig ang kalansingan ng mga gamit sa loob, inihinto ko ang ginagawa at saka umayos ng tayo.

I eyed my dress as we went inside the Hilton Manila Hotel. I was wearing a baby pink silk dress that was hugging my body tightly, mula bewang hanggang ibabaw ng tuhod. The cloth covering my chest part was very loose but it wasn't uncomfortable at all. Sa tuwing may dinadaluhan akong pagtitipon kagaya nito, laging ganito ang mga suotan ko.

My left hand drifted to the white hoop earring I had on my right ear and muttered, "Kaninang alas-singko ay nagpaalam si Diamond Vidales na aalis na para raw sa party niya, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin tapos?"

She lightly chortled. "Nag-casino ang mga 'yon! Sila nila Danilo! Ngayong 8 pa lang magsisimula ang selebrasyon! That liar! He probably knows you're strict with your clients!"

Tumusok ang nguso ko sa hangin.

Kahit naman na sinabi niya sa aking magcacasino lang sila, papayag din naman akong umalis na siya, 'no!

"Riem?" she called when we got in the elevator.

"Hindi," mentras kong sagot.

She crossed her arms and frowned.

Nakatitiyak akong tatanungin niya akong muli patungkol sa after party sa isang exclusive club nitong mismong Hotel. Inimbitahan daw siya ni Danilo na sumama at maging ako ay pinapasama.

Ayaw ko, ano! Napapayag nga lang ako na sumama rito dahil sa may isasauling gamit kay Diamond. I couldn't stomach to throw something that is not mine. Lalo na at mamahalin. At ikalawa, wala akong pagkain sa bahay. Umasa kasi ako sa sinabing libre ng kaibigan.

"Napag-usapan na natin 'to." Para patas, binusangutan ko rin siya. "At alam mo namang hindi ako umiinom."

"Sige na nga, sige na nga! Mag-iinom na lang ako mag-isa pagkauwi!"

Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa venue ng party. It was located at the second to the highest floor of the tall building, enabling the people inside see the bright and mesmerizing city lights over the glass walls.

Laking gulat ko pa nang magsipalakpakan ang mga tao na nakaupo sa sari-sariling puwesto. Noon pala, katatapos lang magbigay ng huma ng may kaarawan. I watched keenly the man's wide smile as he walked down the nether stage. The tenderness arising on him was badly drowning me that I startled when Ellaixa called my name.

"Let's go near them! Doon, oh!"

Tinuro niya ang lugar kung saan humahakbang patungo si Diamond. Namataan ko roon si Dan, Ate Slen at isang napakapamilyar na babae.

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat as Diamond took the sit beside the lady. Biglang may kung anong dumapo sa dibdib ko.

Hindi naman kataka-takang naririto siya.

"Wait, wait. Is... Is that Ate Dyana?"

I was behind her and she surely wouldn't see me but I still nodded my head.

"'Ey, Ellaixa Sapphira! You came!" si Danilo na napatayo pa nang makita kami. "Iyon, oh! Kasama rin si Riem!" He wore a funny face as he took a glimpse of Diamond.