"Are you really sure about this, my lady?"
I carefully placed the papers on top of my desk at nag-angat ng tingin kay Alice that was deeply worried about nothing.
"Of course," I smiled casually. "I don't see anything wrong with it."
Bahagyang napaawang ang bibig ni Alice at nagmamadaling lumapit sa office table ko. She sat in front of me on the single sofa and cleared her throat.
"You're going to attend the soirée, a grand soirée! There's a possibility na magkikita kayo roon!" naghi-hysterical pa niyang sinabi.
"Paano kung malaman—" hindi niya na natapos ito nang tumawa ako.
"Calm down, Alice," nanatiling kalmado at hindi naghi-hysteria na pagkakahatid ko. "Huminga ka muna nang malalim."
"It's been five years, and I'm certain he's forgotten about me."
I bet marami na siyang anak sa babae niya. I'm sure he had moved on already. He got what he wanted, a family. Though, wala na akong naging balita sa kanya simula nang bumalik ako rito sa Capital to run our family business. After saying goodbye, we never saw each other again.
As for me, I had moved on. Hindi ko na rin matandaan ang mga pangyayari. Naging busy ako sa pagpapatakbo ng business namin. I can safely say wala na akong nararamdaman para sa kanya.
"Don't worry, madali lang naman ako roon. My father wants me to attend. He needs me to entertain some important guests. It will be beneficial for the company. And besides, I have nothing to do with him anymore."
"You don't have to worry," I assured her again.
I stood up and strengthened my posture. I let out a long hard sigh as I picked up the papers and put them in the small box.
"To me right now..." I stopped for a moment before lifting my head to meet her confused eyes.
I gave her a pleasant smile.
"He's nothing more than a stranger."
She was taken aback at first pero kaagad din siyang nakahinga nang malalim.
"I'm sorry," malumanay niyang sinabi. "Masyado lang akong nag-aalala. Am I exaggerating?"
"No." marahan akong umiling at ngumiti. "Not at all."
Inilahad ko ang kamay ko. "Let's just go."
"Help me with my dress, hindi ko maabot iyong zipper."
Alice, my assistant, helped me dressed up. After I finished dressing up, I gaze intently at my reflection in the mirror.
I'm wearing a green lace dress. The bodice is tightly fitted per my request to flaunt my bosom. I let my wavy hair fall freely below my waist to cover my exposed flesh, I don't want to appear provocative. I plan to be modest.
"Alice, nakita mo ba ang gloves ko?" I said lowly, rummaging through my drawers.
"Ah—found it!" I smiled slightly nang makita ang evening gloves ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
Under the Red-Light District
General FictionNesrin is the wildrose in the red-light district, a prostitution house. She grew up and spent her childhood in isolation. One night, she was caught by the manager and was forced to charm the customers by dancing. Because of her enchanting beauty, sh...
