The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 18

VICTORIA

The first thing that anyone would notice upon entering the function hall where the birthday of the Viscount’s son is being celebrated, are the guests. Dressed in shiny and luxurious brands.

I was already worried if the dress that my Lady Maids picked out was too much. But I guess I’m not as overdressed as I thought. Some of the guests here are dressed almost as extravagant when Clinton and I got married.

“Let’s greet my cousin.”

“I don’t have to say anything, right?” Tanong ko habang papalapit kami sa nakikita kong kinukumpol ng ilang tao. “You don’t like him.” Puna ko nang makita na parang pinipigilan ni Clinton ngumiwi nang biglang tumawa nang malakas yung pinsan n’ya.

“Saan ka pupunta?” Tanong n’ya nang humakbang ako palayo sa direksyon ng pinsan n’ya.

“I think you can deal with him alone.” Sagot ko.

“For better or for worse, right?”

“You don’t like your cousin that much to actually pull the vows on me?” Gulat na tanong ko.

Natigil kaming dalawa sa pagbubulungan nang biglang may tumawag kay Clinton. Bigla naman akong hinawakan ni Clinton sa kamay. Sa totoo lang, kung hindi n’ya hinawakan yung kamay ko, aalis talaga ako.

I mean, Clinton is pretty much a patient person. And for him to not like someone, his own cousin, that guy must be really annoying.

“Clinton!” The Viscount’s son and Clinton’s second-cousin greeted which made people look at our direction. “You’re with your wife.”

“Hi.” I said with a small smile and offered my hand for a handshake “Nice to meet you.” I added out of courtesy.

Muntik na magsalubong yung kilay ko pero buti na lang napigilan ko. Kasi imbis na kuhain yung kamay ko para sa handshake, kinuha n’ya para halikan yun likod ng kamay ko. At kahit na gusto ko bawiin agad yung kamay ko, hindi ko magawa dahil nakatingin lahat sa amin.

Pero nang kukuhain ko na yung kamay ko, parang pinisil pa n’ya at hindi ko alam kung napansin ba ni Clinton. Kasi pumalibot sa likod ko yung braso n’ya at yung kamay n’ya humawak sa may ibabaw ng siko ko.

“Sorry we’re late.” Sabi ni Clinton.

“I thought you wouldn’t be here considering what happened.” Sabi ng pinsan ni Clinton na parang tinitingnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m okay. Happy Birthday.” I greeted with a small smile.

I don’t know if he’s trying to suck up to Clinton or me because of the questions he’s asking. Para may excuse ako na hindi magsalita, kumuha ako ng champagne glass at ganun din silang dalawa.

Bigla naman ako kinindatan ng pinsan ni Clinton at nahirapan akong pigilan yung ngiwi ko.

Gusto ko na lang umalis don and I think luck’s on my side because I saw not just one but one but four other people I know. Kaya naman nagpaalam ako sa magpinsan na may kakausapin lang.

“Who?” Tanong ni Clinton.

“Kuya Julius.” Sagot ko.

Bahagya ko na lang na tinanguan yung pinsan ni Clinton bago lumakad palapit kung nasaan sina Kuya Julius, Jenny, Henry, at Gian.

“Uy!” Gulat na sabi ni Gian nang makita ako.

“Oh my God! Are you okay?” Tanong ni Jenny pagkatapos ako yakapin. “Gusto ko sana bumisita sa Palasyo but I couldn’t.”

“I’m okay. Bakit nandito kayo?” Tanong ko sa kanila.

“Syempre walang choice kasi may ibang mas importanteng pupuntahan mga magulang namin.” Sagot ni Henry.

“Ikaw?” Baling ko kay Kuya.

“Maka-ikaw ah.” Nakangiwing puna ni Kuya sa akin. “Excuse me, Victoria. Maybe you already have a crown on your head but I’m still your older brother.”

“What I mean is diba ayaw mo sa ingay ni Gian at Henry?” Pag-ayos ko ng tanong.

“Ako?” Parang gulat pa na tanong ni Henry.

“Bakit ako nadamay? Ang bait-bait ko kaya. Diba Jen?” Reklamo ni Gian.

“Are you aware kung gaano ka kaingay kapag kasama si Henry?” Jenny asked with a pointed look.

We just talked until the emcee of the party announced the start of the program, I saw the Viscount’s son stand near the stage. I had to go to our designated table so I looked for Clinton who I easily found.

The program’s like any other birthday parties with businessmen and businesswomen as guests. Formal and boring.

Kung hindi dahil sa appetizers na nasa table, baka nakatulog ako. Nakarinig naman ako ng parang nagpipigil ng tawa kaya nilingon ko si Clinton. Nakatakip sa bibig n’ya yung kamao n’ya habang nakatingin sa akin.

“Are you laughing at me?” Tanong ko sa kan’ya.

“Yeah.” Sagot n’ya.

Magrereklamo sana ako pero natigilan ako nang maramdaman yung daliri n’ya sa gilid ng labi ko. Parang may pinunasan s’ya sa may gilid ng labi ko at nakita ko pang nagpipigil pa rin s’ya tumawa.

“You eat like a kid.” Nakangising sabi n’ya.

I wanted to say something. But I can’t because I can’t help myself from looking at his lips. How it tugs into a smirk.

Suddenly, I remembered how he kissed me during the wedding. The thought made me bite my lower lip.

At hindi ko nagugustuhan yung naiisip ko kaya naman pinagtuunan ko na lang ng pansin yung appetizer.

Nang ma-serve yung main course sa table, saka lang nagkausap-usap yung mga nasa table. Sinasagot ko naman yung mga tanong na para sa akin.

Yung iba halatang nagpaparamdam na gustong paburan namin yung business proposals nila.

I’m not going to lie. Some of the proposals sound good but I didn’t say if I liked or disliked it. Ganun din naman yung ginagawa ni Clinton. Safe to say I was just doing what he's doing.

Hanggang sa unti-unting nagsialis yung ibang kasama namin sa table na kumain. Mga pupunta sa kakilala nilang business mogul or gusto nila maging kasosyo. Sina Gian naman, biglang sumulpot sa kung saan at umupo sa vacant seats sa table kung nasaan kami.

“Finally, mga taong hindi business pag-uusapan.” Buntong hininga ni Gian at umupo pagkatapos ipaghila si Jenny ng upuan. “Uy nandito rin kayo.” Pansin n’ya kay Jon at Finn.

Sa tabi ko naman umupo si Henry at kung anu-ano na pinag-usapan namin. They even talked about when would they enroll.

“Out si Clinton sa gan’yan. May taga-enroll ‘yan.” Sabi ni Finn.

“Oo nga eh out din si Tori.” Sabi pa ni Gian.

“May tanong ako sa ‘yo.” Sabi naman ni Jon na sa akin nakatingin.

“Ano ‘yon?” Tanong ko at I’m just hoping it’s not something inappropriate or else I might slap him before I can think of not doing so.

“Victoria ba itatawag namin sa ‘yo ni Finn o Tori?” Tanong n’ya.

“Try mo Janelle.” Hirit ni Henry bago pa ako makasagot kaya naman tinapakan ko s’ya sa paa dahil katabi ko s'ya. “Aray! Takong mo ba tinapak mo?!”

Inirapan ko na lang si Henry saka binalingan ng tingin si Jon at sinabing, “Tori. You can just call me Tori.”

“Kaibigan mo si Jessie diba? Pwede pareto? Aray Clinton!” Tanong naman ni Finn pero nabatukan s’ya ni Clinon dahil magkatabi sila.

“She’s not available.” Sabi ko.

Which is the truth and I also told him that she's busy with her album preparation.

Nang biglang may tumugtog na bagong kanta, tumayo si Gian at nilahad yung kamay kay Jenny.

“Stop acting coy Jenny, you two are together.” I told her when I saw her acting like she’s thinking of accepting his offer or not.

Sinamaan naman ako ni Jenny ng tingin bago tinanggap yung kamay ni Gian. Bigla namang may kamay na lumahad sa harapan ko at paglingon ko, si Clinton na nakatayo na pala.

“Stop acting coy Tori, you two are married.” Jenny said while mocking me so I squinted my eyes at her before accepting Clinton’s hand.

I took my minaudiere bag with me and when I looked back at Clinton, he’s looking at Jon and Finn. His two friends suddenly made their faces void of any emotions. So I’m just going to pretend that I didn’t know they’re teasing Clinton.

Sigurado namang naaasar si Clinton ng mga kaibigan n’ya tungkol sa kasal namin. Ganun din ako eh.

Pagdating sa dance floor kung saan may iilang pares na sumasayaw na ay pinatong ko sa balikat n’ya yung kaliwang kamay ko na hawak pa yung bag ko. Humawak naman sa bewang ko yung kanang kamay n’ya. And we just swayed to the tune.

Dancing to a romantic song can be awkward especially if there’s nothing going on between the pair so I’m not surprised when Clinton started talking.

“Sorry about those two. Makulit talaga yung dalawa.”

“It’s okay. Sanay na ako sa makulit.”

“Gian at Henry?”

“Yeah.” Natatawang sagot ko. “Magb-book ba tayo ng room dito? This party ends in an hour, right?” Tanong ko naman dahil anong oras na rin.

“May naka-book na. At may after party pa, sasama ka ba?”

“That’s where the hard liquors are going to be brought out, right?” Tanong ko.

“Yeah.” Sagot n’ya kaya umiling ako. “Bakit?”

“I’m not really someone that can hold my drink well. Pero kung sasama si Jenny, sasama ako.” Sabi ko.

We only danced to one song at nang matapos kami sumayaw ay may kumausap kay Clinton kaya naman nauna ako sa table. Nag-uusap sina Henry, Jon, Finn, at pinsan ni Clinton tungkol sa after party. And I’m seriously not comfortable with Clinton’s cousin. Not because Clinton doesn’t like him but because of how he’s acting.

“Pupunta kayo sa after party?” Tanong ko kay Henry para hindi ko kailangang kausapin yung pinsan ni Clinton.

“Oo, pati si Jenny. Ikaw?” Sagot ni Henry.

“Jenny’s coming so, I am.” Sagot ko.

Ilang minuto lang din ay in-announce na yung simula ng closing remarks ng party. At mukhang hindi free for all yung after party dahil hindi in-announce. And next thing I know we’re all headed to one of the premium suite rooms. Yung isa sa bodyguards namin ni Clinton ay inabutan kami ng cards para sa reserved room namin. Sinabi rin na yung emergency luggage namin nandoon na.

And like I expected, kami ni Jenny ang magkasama.

“Alam mo medyo tahimik pala talaga ako ano?” Sabi ni Jenny habang nilalagyan yung rock glasses ng scotch.

“Bakit?” Tanong ko at kinuha yung inaabot n’yang baso sa akin.

“Hoy babantayan ko kung ilan na naiinom mo ah.” May pagbabantang paalala ni Jenny sa akin.

“I’m only here because you are. And I’m only drinking kasi binibigyan mo ako.” Nakangiwing sabi ko. “So paano mo nasabing tahimik ka pa sa lagay na ‘yan?”

“Anne.” Natatawang sagot ni Jenny. “Nakaka-miss makita yung pagtatalo nila ni Sandy ah.” Dagdag n’ya.

“I miss hanging with you all.” Sabi ko naman.

Napalingon naman ako kung nasaan sina Henry, Gian, Clinton, Finn, at Jon.

“Those people are having the time of their lives. At hindi halatang ayaw ni Clinton sa pinsan n’ya sa inaakto n’ya.” Sabi ko.

“Alcohol trumps hatred, Tori.” Sagot ni Jenny at inangat yung baso n’ya.

We clinked our glasses together before drinking our shots. For the first few minutes we’re just peacefully drinking, away from the wild ones who’s most likely playing drinking games.

Hindi namin sila pinapansin kahit na medyo maingay sila. Palingon-lingon lang ako pero napatitig ako sa isang sulok at nakita si Clinton. But not only him.

Monique Drew is there.

“Ayaw mo na—oh my God.” Narinig kong sabi ni Jenny.

Natahimik kaming dalawa habang nakatingin kay Clinton at Monique Drew. Pero nagkatinginan kami ni Jenny dahil nang hinawakan ni Monique si Clinton sa braso, pabalibag lang na inalis ni Clinton yung hawak sa kan'ya ni Monique.

“Hoy sino tinitingnan n’yo?”

Napalingon ako sa nagtanong at nakita si Henry na galing sa isa sa kwarto ng suite room. I don't even know kung lasing na 'to o hindi because there's not really that much difference whether he's drunk or sober. May pagkabaliw.

“Wala.” Sagot ko at kinuha yung isang rock glass na may laman na uli. “Hey!” Angal ko dahil inagaw ni Henry yung baso at ininom.

“Light drinking lang pwede sa ‘yo uy.” Sabi ni Henry nang tingnan ko s'ya. “Sumbong kita kay Kuya Julius.”

“Binabantayan ko.” Singit ni Jenny. “Wala pa sa sampu naiinom n’ya. Kalma.”

I stuck my tongue out at Henry who returned my glass in the table before walking out like he did nothing wrong. Jenny laughed at how stupid Henry looked and so did I.

As Jenny poured another shot, I looked for Clinton and saw him looking at me with a glass in hand. When he took a sip from his glass while maintaining eye contact with me…

…I couldn't tear my gaze away even when his lips formed a smirk.

***