Los Solteros 1: Irresistible Sensation

Chapter Thirty One

I just can't believe that I'm back. That I'm here again, stepping slowly on the stairs while roaming my eyes around the building's entrance. Nagtagal ang tingin ko ng ilang segundo sa malaking letrang M na nakasulat in cursive style.

It's been two weeks, huh.

But I'm not here just like before. I'm not here anymore as Serena Angeles— ang palabang sekretarya ni Troy na kinalantari ang sariling amo.

"Lady Elle! Totoo ho ba ang balitang kayo na ng isa sa mga hottest bachelor na si Troy Monteverde? Are you here to plan your wedding? When it will happen? Would it be grandeur or just a simple wedding?"

"Kailan ho kayo naging item ni Mr. Monteverde? Is it true that you're just having an affair with him because of the upcoming project of your company to them?"

"May tinatago raw po kayong anak sa kanya?"

"Kayo raw po ang kabit sa ibang naging karelasyon diumano ni Mr. Monteverde. Gaano ito katotoo?"

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from spitting evil words because of what I'm hearing from the media. It's also a good thing na nakamalaking sunnies ako at 'di nila natatanaw kung pang-ilang beses nang umikot ang mga mata ko dahil sa gigil at inis sa mga tanong na kanilang binato sa'kin.

What kind of questions are those? It's so out of the context! Nakaka-degrade in many forms!

I sighed inwardly and tried harder to ignore them. Nagpatuloy lamang ako sa pagpasok sa establisyimento matapos ang ilang poses sa camera. I'm still the fashion icon they have known about.

Pagpasok palang sa mismong entrada ay sinalubong na ako ng ilang bodyguards at ilang staffs na pulos mga naka-corporate attire. May limang lalaki at ilang babaeng may katandaan na ang nasa likod ni Alfonso Monteverde habang ngiting ngiti naman akong sinalubong ng ama ni Troy.

"Hija, it's finally nice to meet you... as in 'the' you." He said emphasizing the last part where we both know the meaning. It's his idea after all.

Walang emosyon kong binalik ang pagbeso nito sa'kin at hindi na rin nagkomento pabalik. My mood suddenly went agile when I remembered why I'm here.

I'm not here anymore to please him or my father. It's time to know the big deal that Troy has been talking about. What they are hiding from us?

I could definitely ask my father straightforwardly about this. Hindi sa wala akong tiwala but I know my father too well. Mas gusto nitong sarilinin ang problema hangga't kaya niya at kontrolado. If that's the case, for sure my father would either lie about it or course the topic to another.

Tila nahati ang kumpol ng mga taong nanunuod sa eksenang ganap ng presensya ko dahil sa binatang dumating. Troy is marvelously walking like a King as if he owns every single thing that my eyes are seeing. He's wearing his casual business suit. He looks so dashing with his brushed-up hair and his muscles are visibly showing on his attire.

Troy smiled at me. Ugh! The show is on then.

"Love, at last, you're here!" He said with jolliness.

Muntik pa akong masamid sa sarili kong laway dahil hindi naman ganito ang lalaking 'to. I mean, he's not that jolly to anyone, well, even to Yvonne, I guess. When I'm still the Angeles, ang malambing lang nitong mukha ang nakatingin sa'kin habang sinusubukang akitin ako sa abot ng makakaya nito. But... this kind of jolly and enthusiasm? Parang gusto kong sumuka ng dugo. Napakaplastik. Can't he act normally?

I awkwardly smiled back at him and shocked when he hugged me. Mas lumakas ang tunog ng mga camera dahil sa ginawang 'yon ni Troy. Mas lalo ring lumakas ang ugong at ingay dahil sa mga halo-halong mga tanong na binibitawan ng media.