H A U N T E D (NGS #11)

5th Haunted

Haunted

Opposite

The preparation of my eighteenth birthday came like a whirlwind. Iyon ang isa sa pinagkaabalahan ko. May food tasting, pagsusukat ng dress, at pamimigay ng invitations.

Engrande ang eightheenth birthday ko. Bukod sa puro elite ang mga bisita, it was also held in Makati Shangri La, Manila. I invited all my friends, and of course our family friends: Delafuente, Buenaventura, Montiel and Enriquez.

"Wow. You looked great," ani Chey pagkatapos kong suotin ang aking malaking pulang ball gown.

The designer of my gown was a wellknown designer in Manila. His designs are drawing attention because some of his clients are the popular actresses and elites in the City.

Everyone came just like what I expected. Naghihintay na ako para sa magiging entrance ko. I was nervous but excited at the same time.

"You ready?" the staff asked me.

Tumango ako at ngumiti. Naririnig ko na ang intro ng emcee para sa paglabas ko. I pursed my lips and exhaled deeply.

"Let's welcome the debutant, Cassandra Emerald Fortalejo," he announced.

Lumabas ako at tuluyang nagpakita. The luxurious set-up of the venue flashed in my eyes with my visitors looking at me happily.

Si Daddy ang sumalubong sa akin at iginiya ako sa harap.

"Looking good. Happy birthday," he whispered.

Tiningnan ko si Daddy na naka tuxedo at nginitian ito. Siya ang una kong nakasayaw nang makarating kami sa gitna. Puro habilin niyang paulit ulit na halos kabisado ko na ata.

Sumunod naman ang ibang boys. Kung kanina ay excitement, ngayon ko mas naramdaman ang kabang pilit kong tinatago.

After Ken's turn, I saw who's nearing for the next dance. Lumunok ako ngunit hindi pinahalatang kabado talaga.

Among all the Delafuentes, he got the sexiest asset which is his eyes. That's the reason why everytime he looked at those people around him, they automatically fall inlove with him. It was fierce yet mysterious and cold.

"Happy Birthday," he greeted using his usual husky voice.

Tinanggap ko ang binigay niyang rose at hinayaan ang sarili na maisayaw niya ako.

I couldn't say the simple 'thanks' after his greeting. Hindi rin ako makatingin dahil pakiramdam ko, magagalit lamang ako.

He rarely talks that's why it was a convenient to say nothing at all. I didn't expect him to create a topic while we're dancing slowly.

Nakahinga lang ako nang tuluyan noong matapos ang sayaw namin. Hindi ko na halos namalayan ang paglapit ni Hiro at nagulat nalang na nasa harapan ko na ito.

"Happy Birthday," he greeted and handed the flower.

I gasped and nodded. Sumayaw kami at matapang ko siyang tiningnan. But Hiro's suspicious stare made me want to push him away.

"Heard you hate playboys..." he arched his brow.

Medyo gulat ako na nagsalita siya at kinausap ako. He doesn't converse with girls. Or maybe I am exempted because I'm their family friend?

"Then?"

"That's not what it seems to me..." he smirked.

My eyes widened. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita lalo na't naubos na rin ang minuto niya at sumunod na si Blue.