Unwritten (Summer Of Taking Chances Sequel)

Vanessa

23
DOMINIQUE

Pagkatapos imbitahin si Vincent, lumabas na rin si Dominique at bumalik sa table nila. If Julia noticed her reddish eyes, she didn't comment about it. They ordered dessert and resumed chatting until it was time for them to go. Dumaan muna sila ni Julia sa wine shop to buy Champagne and red wine.

Nagulat si Julia nang makita si Vincent sa wine shop. Doon na pinapunta ni Dominique ang lalaki para magmeet sila. Ipinakilala nya si Julia rito. Dominique explained she invited him while Vincent was busy perusing the wine selection. Julia was giving her a strange look. Parang may gusto itong sabihin pero pinili nitong manahimik.

"What? I know you want to say something," Dominique whispered while looking at some bottles of Champagne.

"Why did you invite him?" Pinandilatan sya ni Julia, na bumulong din.

"Because I want you guys to meet him. I think, it's about time," sagot nya.

Binigyan sya ni Julia ng nagdududang tingin. "I know what you are doing."

"What am I doing?"

Julia crossed her arms and whispered again. "I think you invited him to hurt Pris."

"What are you talking about?" Dominique couldn't look at Julia, who smirked.

"You're jealous. Nagseselos ka dun sa girl na kasamang uuwi ni Pris," nakataas ang kilay na sabi nito at binigyan sya ng nakakalokong ngiti. "Nagseselos ka dahil ipapakilala nya kay Tita Beth."

"Of course not!" Dominique exclaimed. Medyo napalakas ang pagkakasabi nya kaya napalingon ang iilang tao sa loob ng wine shop.

"Is there a problem?" Tanong ni Vincent nang makalapit ito sa kanila. Dala na nito ang mga alak na pinamili.

"Everything is alright," Dominique assured him at binigyan ng makahulugang tingin si Julia na huwag na itong magsalita pa. "Let's go." Hinila na nya si Julia palabas ng shop kung saan naghihintay ang nakaparadang Bentley ni Vincent. Pinauwi na ni Dominique ang driver nya dahil kay Vincent sila sasabay. Binilinan na lang nyang sunduin sya ni Manong mamaya. Sa passenger seat pumuwesto si Dominique at sa backseat naman si Julia, na naiiling-iling pa.

Mabuti na ring hindi sila nito magkatabi at baka ulitin na naman nito ang sinabing nagseselos sya. Bakit naman sya magseselos?

Tahimik lang silang tatlo habang papunta sa condo na tinitirhan ni Pris. Nakasabay pa nila sa elevator si Devon, who also looked at Dominique and Vincent strangely. Ipinakilala nya si Vincent rito. Devon politely smiled and shook hands with Vincent. After exchanging "Nice meeting you," tahimik lang sila hanggang makarating sa penthouse.

Nakangiting pinagbuksan sila ni Jessica ng pinto. Bumeso ito kina Devon at Julia. But Jessica's smile faltered a little when she saw Vincent.

"Jess, this is Vincent Trevino. Vincent, this is my friend Jessica Monticiello," pakilala ni Dominique sa dalawa.

Jessica genuinely smiled at Vincent while they shook hands but gave Dominique a disappointed look. Habang papunta sila rito, Dominique immediately regretted her action. Ano ba kasing pumasok sa isip nya at biglang inimbita ang lalaki? Tama ba si Julia na gusto lang nyang pasakitan si Pris dahil nagseselos sya? She stopped contemplating when Mary and Michael hugged her. Kristine was delighted as always to see her but immediately left the living room to get back in the kitchen.

Dominique introduced Vincent. Everyone graciously greeted him. He immediately fell into conversation with Michael and Devon, who began warming up when he realized that Vincent was a pleasant person. Hinila naman sya ni Mary papasok sa kitchen kung saan halos patapos na sa pagluluto ng dinner si Kristine.

Sumalubong sa kanya ang masarap na aroma na nanggagaling sa mga dishes na hinanda ng kaibigan. Her brother was very lucky to have Kristine. Bukod sa magaling sa paghandle ng business, pang-wife material pa.

"Kayo na ba?" tanong ni Mary as soon as they were out of everybody's ear shot.

"Hindi ah," tanggi nya at nag-alangang tumingin kay Kristine.

"Don't mind me, Dom. Magkaibigan tayo. You can tell me anything. Kahit may bago ka ng lovelife, its fine with me. Don't mind Pris too. She'll get over it," Kristine assured her.

"She'll get over you," her mind teased. "Or she's already over you." Nainis na naman sya nang maalala ang "girl" na dadalhin ni Pris dito. Speaking of Pris, hindi nya ito nakita. Baka hindi pa ito dumarating.

"Wala pa sya," nanunuksong sabi ni Mary na tila nabasa ang iniisip nya. "Ayaw pa kasing umamin eh."

"Ano bang sinasabi mo?" Dominique blushed.

"Mary," Kristine warned. Natatawa na lang ang pinsan pero hindi na nagsalita pa.

They helped Kristine in the kitchen. Dominique was washing lettuces when they heard a commotion in the living room. She heard Jessica's worried voice. Kristine dropped what she was doing and hurriedly went out of the kitchen.

"What happened to you?!" Kristine's voice was shocked and bothered. Binitawan na rin ni Dominique ang ginagawa at patakbong sumunod sa sala.

Dominique gasped when she saw her. Pris got a black eye on her right eye, there's a small wound on her lower lip and her right hand was bruised. Everyone was looking at her dumbfounded. Kristine was about to open her mouth to ask again what happened but Pris interrupted her. "Don't ask. I'll tell you later. Where's my Mom?"

"W-Wala pa sya," Jessica answered. "But she sent me a message na malapit na sila. She said Anastacia and Olivia are coming with her."

Pris looked pleased. "Good," maluwang itong ngumiti kahit mukhang may nararamdaman itong sakit.

Dominique wanted to ask if she's okay. Gustong-gusto nyang lapitan ito. Gusto nyang tanungin kung anong nangyari rito. Gusto nyang gamutin ang mga sugat nito pero natigilan sya nang mapansin ang napakagandang babae na nasa tabi nito. Morena ito na may mahabang itim an itim na buhok at magkasing- tangkad ito at ni Pris, who was holding the girl's right hand. "Everyone, I want you to meet my friend, Vanessa."

Doon lang napansin ng iba si Vanessa. Nagfocus kasi ang lahat sa mukha ni Pris. Gumuhit ang paghanga sa mukha ng lahat sa kagandahan ng bagong dating. Vanessa got that rebel beauty that reminded Dominique of Angel Locsin. Simple lang ang damit nito pero halata ang balingkinitan nitong katawan kahit simpleng white cotton blouse at faded jeans lang ang suot nito na tinernohan ng lumang sneakers. Nagtatanong ang mga mata ng lahat kay Pris kung sino ito.

"She's a hidden jewel. But I'll explain later. You'll know her more when my mother gets here. Sa ngayon, gusto ko munang magpahinga si Vanessa. And I want to take a bath," sabi ni Pris, who suddenly looked weary. "Excuse us, everyone. Tara. Huwag kang mahihiya. Feel at home," baling nito kay Vanessa saka ito hinila. "Jessica, please come with us." Sumunod na lamang si Jessica.

Walang nagawa si Dominique kundi tumitig lamang sa mga ito lalo na sa magkahawak nilang kamay. She bit her lower lip to keep herself from crying. Naramdaman nyang nag-iinit na naman ang mga mata nya. Nagbabadya ang mga luha. She hurriedly left the living room and locked herself in the restroom.

"Don't cry!" She angrily told herself while looking at her reflection on the mirror. "Ito naman ang gusto mo di ba? You can't be with Pris. May Vincent ka na. Let Pris move on." Yun ang nararapat. But why did heart tell her otherwise?