M A D E L I N E
"Whoaaa!" Belle cheered as soon as she saw me step out of the bathroom wearing the dress she gave me. "Oh, Mads! You look gorg!"
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I couldn't help but agree.
The sleeveless satin dress is just my size and it fits me perfectly. The neckline is not too low. It reveals just enough cleavage to still make me look a bit daring which is just how I like it.
"Thank you talaga, Belle!" Yakap ko sa kaniya. "Hindi ko naman kasi alam na may party pala. Akala ko talaga swimming lang ang ipinunta natin dito."
Ngumiti siya. "You shouldn't be thanking me. It's Darwin who picked the dress. Ako lang ang nautusang magbigay."
"Siya ang bumili nito?" tanong ko.
Tumango si Belle. "Well, he asked for my help because he didn't know which shops were good. So, nagpunta kami ng High Street last week at sinamahan ko siya. But, yes. Siya ang pumili."
"Uhm." Hindi ko pa rin maalis ang tingin ko sa salamin. "Thank you," mahinang bulong ko.
Umupo na ako sa make-up chair para magpaayos. Ako kasi ang pinakahuling nakaligo at nakapagbihis dahil ako rin ang pinakahuling nagising. Kanina pa lumabas ng kwarto si Nami matapos sunduin ni Denver, samantalang si Myst naman ay nakaayos na at nakahiga na lang sa kama habang naghihintay kay Adam.
"So, how are things between you and Kyle?" tanong ni Belle habang magkasunod na naglapitan sa akin 'yong make-up artist at 'yong hairstylist. "Umuusad naman ba?"
Kinagat ko ang labi ko. "Medyo nagkatampuhan kami kagabi," pag-amin ko. "Hindi ko pa siya nakakausap ngayon."
Umambi si Belle at saka humila ng isa pang upuan para humarap sa akin habang inaayusan ako. "What happened? Do you feel like telling me or masyadong sensitive?"
I didn't even think twice about opening up, and told Belle everything that happened.
Everything.
From the time Darwin denied me in front of his father, up until last night's events when we were making out and I said something that offended him.
Belle inhaled loudly. "Hmmm," she hummed. "Let's start from the top, okay?" tanong niya.
Tumango lang ako.
"I was there when Tito Delfin arrived, and he was mad," she said. "Like... really, really mad, Mads. They have been pursuing Phoenix since early this year and he is blaming Kyle for losing in the bid,"
"News came to him that Kyle is courting someone which is why he is unfocused and distracted. When Kyle denied you and told Tito Delfin that you were only a volunteer in the Foundation, that is his way of protecting you,"
"Regarding you hitting him with a remote control, I understand that you didn't mean to, but please don't do that again, babe. If you are angry or frustrated, pakalmahin mo muna ang sarili mo. Tell Kyle to give you space, and he will. Lahat naman ay kayang idaan sa maayos na usapan,"
"Now, I am not gonna judge you about the whole making out thing. He's a man. You're a woman. Something like that is bound to happen sooner or later, but I must tell you that what you did was very tactless and hurtful."
