Light Up The Sky

Chapter 06

With meticulous care and keen eyes for details of the event planners, my sweet 16 will gonna be star-studded. My parents ensure that everything is perfect.

I placed the LED-typed invitation on the vanity table and stood up to look at myself in front of the antique pier glass. I donned a strapless lavender ball gown number with stunning floral appliqués. My glammed-up makeup turned my casual look into a glowing finish, worthy of any kind of formal occasion.

My hair was styled in half with soft curls. Gusto ni mom na paputulan ang buhok ko ngunit nagmakaawa akong huwag iyon gawin. I love it this long, it reaches my tailbone.

"Vivienne," rinig kong pagtawag ni mommy.

She flashed a wide-tooth smile while roaming her eyes in me. A shiny charmeuse cowl neck slip dress with a slit is hugging her body.

"Are you ready?"

Ngumiti ako at tumango, kahit kinakabahan. I know that there's a lot of people out there, waiting for me. We have a thousand guests for tonight, mostly my parents' business partners, that's why I feel so pressured right now.

"Honey, what's taking you up too long?" Dad, on his tailor-made Kiton suit, intervened. "Come on, we shouldn't make the guest wait."

Humalakhak si mom at inangkla ang braso sa braso ni dad. "Felix will take care of you."

"Don't do something embarrassing, honey," bulong ni dad bago ako iwan kasama itong lalaking hindi ko kilala.

When they're no longer within my sight, I looked at the guy. He's wearing a Brioni dark blue shade suit with a white shirt and blue tie, which he combined with shiny Prada shoes. He also wears a perfect smile, showing his perfect white teeth.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Vivienne. I'm Felix, your escort for tonight."

Inilahad niya ang kamay niya kaya, kahit hindi ko siya kilala, ay tinanggap ko iyon.

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

He lifted his arm. "Let's go?"

Tumango ako at inangkla ang braso ko sa braso niya. Then we made our way for the grand entrance.

A bright light flashes through our faces as soon as we entered the huge door. Meanwhile, the clamorous round of applause from the ocean of people welcomed us when we walked down the grandiose staircase.

I feel like I'm in a fairytale, especially when live butterflies were released as soon as I sat on the grand chair.

Nginitian ako ni Felix bago niya ako iwanan. Habang nagsasalita ang masters of ceremonies, inilibot ko ang aking mga mata para hanapin sina Manang Terentina, Ate Nory, Ate Terry, Kuya Jomar, at iba pang kasambahay. Ngunit wala sila.

Ang sabi nila sa akin bago kami umalis sa bahay kanina, susunod kaagad sila. Sinigurado ko pa iyon bago ko sila tuluyang iwan. But until now, here's no trace of them on the whole venue.

I pursed my lips and search for Liam this time. All of the people here are composed of business tycoons, businessmen, politicians, and other high-class individuals that's why I know that he will be here. His family is my family's business partner anyway.

Sa paghahanap ko, nahagip ko si mommy na sinisenyasan akong ngumiti. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ginawa ang gusto niya... even though I'm not feeling it. I acted as a demure lady in front of the ocean of people who I didn't know exist.

The event goes on with me smiling the whole time regardless of how tiring it is. People keep on greeting me with a "happy birthday" but I'm not happy.

How could this night be a paradox of how it should be?