CHAPTER 04

Saturday came in a daze, Hunter told me last Thursday that it was going to be like the usual. Kaya't naihanda ko na ang luggage na kailangan ko para sa pagpunta namin ng Caribbean pag-uwi ko pa lang nang gabing iyon.

Tinulungan pa ako ni Nicole na ihanda ang mga iyon, we made total sure that I will have everything I'll need. Kaya't I have everything covered.

Medyo nag-aalala lang ako sa gala night. Hindi ko kasi alam kung magiging maayos iyon tulad noong nakaraang taon o disaster waiting to happen tulad noong unang beses. Ayokong mapahiya si Hunter at ang kanyang Daddy sa mga taong imbitado roon.

Nilingon ko ang pintuan nang may kumatok roon. "Bukas 'yan!" sigaw ko.

The door opened, it was Sophia, "Julianne, andito na si Fidela para gawin 'yung hair and make up mo." ngumiti si Sophia.

With Sophia, we hurried down so I could meet the make up artist that'll prep me up for the gala. At most occasions I would do my make up myself but tonight was a formal event so I'll leave it to the expert to do my make up.

Nang makababa kami ay nakita ko ang babaeng nakapulang polo shirt, faded skinny jeans at flats na may dalang black luggage. Naroon siguro ang kanyang mga make up.

"Hi!" she greeted me with a smile. I smiled back and waved.

Ang sabi sa akin ni Sophia na make up artist daw si Fidela ng mga sikat na artista. I've seen her portfolio, the make up artistry that she'd done.

"Thank you for coming!" sabi ko at niyakap siya. Hindi naman ako kilalang personalidad sa bansa upang ayusan niya pero naisinggit niya pa ako sa schedule niya

"You're welcome, besides I don't have much booking..." she chuckled a bit, "Puwede ko bang makita ang susuotin mo para alam ko ang gagawin kong ayos sa'yo ngayon?" tumango ako at dinala siya sa itaas, sa kuwarto ko, kung nasaan ang gown na susuotin ko.

"It's a gold off-shoulder A-line gown," I showed Fidela the gown I made, I'm oh-so proud of it. Though it was off-shoulder, its neckline is sweetheart. It was the gown's highlight, swarovski crystals and 24K gold beads blended well from the cleavage down to the bodice and from the waist down it looked like the crystals are like droplets of rain forming collectively at the hem.

"Ang ganda nito!" puri ni Fidela sa gown. Tinignan niya ang kabuuan niyon, hinawakan ang ilang embedded Swarovski crystals.

The initial plan for the gown to have laces. But as I work on it everyday, I gave up on the idea of having lace. Hindi naman 'to wedding gown para lagyan ng lace. Besides it's gold, lace and gold don't match well.

"What do you think?" tanong ko kay Fidela.

Nagpalipat-lipat ang kanyang tingin sa akin at sa gown, "First of all, ang ganda nitong gown." she said and kept glancing at my gown. "And second is with your skin tone na morena, bagay ang natural as if bare face ka..." komento ni Fidela. "At puwede ka ng magpalit noong robe para masimulan na natin ang make up at hair mo." she told me, "at habang nagpapalit ka ay ayusin ko na ang ang mga gagamitin kong make up sayo."

Iniwan ko sa Fidela roon at pumasok ako sa loob nang bathroom. I took a quick shower before I slipped in my robes.

Natagpuan ko si Fidela na nakatingin pa rin sa aking gown. Nakapatong pa ang baba niya sa palad.

"Sorry, I may have took some time inside the bathroom." I apologized, tapos ay umupo na ako sa tapat ng vanity table ko na ngayon ay puno ng make up brushes at palettes ni Fidela.

She smiled, "Don't worry, Julianne, let's get your face primed and moisturized para tama ang pag-settle ng foundation," sabi ni Fidela.

Half way from being done with my make up, Fidela was finger combing my hair. Tinitignan niya ba kung may buhol buhol ang buhok ko?

I hope there's not a single tangled hair. I tried to recall whether I brushed my hair while I was at the bathroom.

"I was thinking of doing a waterfall braid since your hair is long at bagay iyon but I went back looking at your gown it was an off-shoulder kaya naisip ko na upside down braid bun tapos ay lalagyan ko ng highlight ang collarbone and shoulders mo," suhestiyon ni Fidela na sinangayunan ko.

"Your make up is halfway done pero ngayon pa lang, ang ganda mo na..." puri ni Nicole na nakasandal sa hamba ng pintuan. I smiled at her compliment, I mouthed thank you.

Fidela was almost done with my look when she told me to wear the gown. Tinulungan ako ni Nicole at Fidela na isuot ang gown dahil medyo kabigatan iyon.

Nicole smiled like a proud mother when Fidela has gone ahead putting on the liquid highlighter on my collarbone and shoulders. Habang busy sa pag-rub ng liquid highlighter si Fidela ay inilalagay ko na ang liquid lipstick, press powder, phone at kaunting pera sa aking purse.

Pagkatapos niya akong lagyan ng liquid highlighter ay inabot niya ang setting spray. Iyon na daw ang magpapasettle ng make up sa mukha ko para sa buong gabi.

"Ta-da! You look so beautiful!" Fidela exclaimed, I just smiled. 

Pinagmasdan ko ang sarili sa full body mirror malapit sa pinto, ako lang ba o sadyang magaling lang talaga si Fidela? Ang ganda ko kasi. Charot! But I'm all prepped up, and ready to slay the Gala night.

I paid Fidela's fee, and thanked her for making time to transform me from a commoner to a queen. Tapos ay napirmi na ako sa living room at doon na ako maghihintay sa pagdating ni Hunter. 6 o'clock ang usapan namin ni Hunter. 

But 30 minutes after six o'clock came but no Hunter showed up. I receive no calls nor text from him. Our flight was exactly by midnight and Hunter's speech for tonight will be the Gala's opening.

"Sigurado ka bang susunduin ka nang kaibigan mo?" tanong ni Sophia, "Gusto mo ay mag-book na ako ng Grab for you?" concerned pa na sabi nito. Tumango na lang ako bilang sagot.

He might've changed his mind upon being my date. I already knew that Mayana is still on the picture. No matter what, I was the outsider here.

I'm just a bit disappointed. For not a single call nor text had been made to inform me that he's not coming to fetch me. Because I doubt he'll be coming to fetch me now.

Me:

I'll be taking Grab, I'll just leave my luggage in the concierge. 

Me:

I'll just get it later when we'll leave for Bahamas!

I texted him, letting him know that he might've forgotten about me.

I texted him, that one thing he didn't do.

Knowing that the Gala is organized at Huntington Realty's rooftop garden. My luggage is safe with the security personnels.

I waited for his reply 'til the booked Grab car arrived. I sighed. To my disappointment I receive no reply from Hunter Grayson Huntington. Tinulungan ako ni manong driver na ilagay sa trunk ang maleta.

Sinuot ko ang ankle strap heels na ako mismo ang gumawa. It was a golden yellow with zirconium crystal and bits of glitter. I trust that no one can notice them under my heavy ass gown.

Iniabot ko kay Nicole ang tsinelas bago ko sila niyakap. I bid my housemates goodbye dahil halos isang buwan din akong mawawala at maglilibot sa mga beach ng Southern America.

And so I arrived late by 7:45 PM, maging ang mga guard ay nagulat dahil nahuli na ako nakarating at hindi ko pa kasama si Hunter. "Hindi kasi tumupad sa usapan ngayon si Hunter manong!" pabirong sabi ko pa sa guard, "Pabantay ang maleta ko kuya ah! Hindi kasi nagreply kung saan ko iiwan ang maleta ko eh, daanan ko na lang po pagkatapos ng party." sabi ko sa guard na ka-close ko.

I rushed to the elevator, I can't afford to miss Hunter's speech. The elevator ride was quick and but it'll took some time if I'll walk down the red carpet. Kaya't minabuti kong hindi na dumaan at magpakuha ng litrato sa red carpet at dumiretso na sa garden.

I scanned the garden for Hunter. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko ng makitang nakikipag-usap si Hunter sa kanyang dating girlfriend na si Jessie Grimaldi at nakasabit sa kanyang balikat si Mayana Guerrero na animo'y parang accessory.

Both girls looks equally beautiful and luxurious with their expensively made gowns that I'm sure custom made by renowned designers. 

Jessie Grimaldi looks beautiful in her black A-line gown, closed back, sheered low V neckline. While Mayana Guerrero looks good in her almost like khaki green type of gown, with spaghetti straps and quite revealing.

Napatanong na lang tuloy ako sa sarili, do I even belong here? In this crowd full of rich, powerful, and influential people?

I zoned out a bit; staring blindly at both Jessie and Hunter with Mayana. Then made resolve that I should've known best that Gala night is for the likes of perfect people.

At hindi ako kasama doon.

Hindi nababagay ang tulad ko sa mga naglalakihang tao sa party. Mas lalong hindi ako bagay sa tabi ni Hunter. I didn't know what was I thinking?

I immediately rush back to the elevator. No one would know that I've arrived except the guards. Hunter would assume that I didn't go like my initial plan. But as the elevator doors opened, revealing the smiling Justin Blanchard.

"Oh! Hi Julianne!" he enthusiastically greeted me with his thick French accent.

It actually caught me a bit off guard but then I muster a really awkward smile, "Hello Justin!" then waved like an idiot. It felt like I'm a flirting teenager...

"Good to see you!" he lead me back to the red carpet. He's holding me on my waist, "Do you have any date tonight?" tanong niya sa akin.

Umiling ako, "I don't have any." I bitterly said, "So I was just planning to go home." I didn't even mind the thought that he's leading me back to where I just came from.

He glanced at me from head to foot, "I can be your date for tonight," he immediately said, "I'm alone too, and single people has to back up each other." he added, smiling charmingly.

He reached for my arm to hook it with his, "And by the way, you look dazzling tonight." pagpuri niya sa akin na sinagot ko lang ng ngiti.

Muli ay dumaan ako ng red carpet, ang panagkaiba lang ngayon ay kasama ko na si Justin Blanchard. He's wearing a black velvet suit that matches his gold tie that I just notice by now.

"I have a plus one, but I have no one," Justin shared, "For the whole week, I've been asking Mr. Huntington about you but he doesn't want to share even the slightest detail about you." he said then chuckled.

I pouted, "He's gago kasi! He doesn't want me to find a boyfriend." reklamo ko.

"Are you in a rush?" he asked.

Umiling ako, "Nope, but I'm ready to mingle!" sabi ko kay Justin, he smiled.

He guided me through the crowd to the tables. Nasa unahan sa kaliwa ang table kung nasaan nakapuwesto siya. Like the gentleman that he is, he pulled me a chair.

I gave him a smile, "Thank you."

He took the seat to my right, "So, what'll happen tonight?" he asked.

"Hunter will give his speech for the opening, and they'll have auction later." I answered.

I took my phone out and showed it to him, "We should take a photo, do you have any social media accounts?" I asked him.

"Actually, I do." he replied, "It's @itsjustJustin both I* and Snapchat, and @justJustin on Twitter." he told me.

Tumango ako at inanggulo ang camera, I took a shot of me and Justin. Kumuha pa ako ng ilang shots sa magkakaibang anggulo. Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang mga kuha kong litrato naming dalawa.

He asked for the pictures to be sent to him and so I did. He even sent a request for a follow on I* and Twitter - to which I accepted his requests and tagged him to our photos on I*******m.

"Good evening ladies and gents," Mr. Henry Huntington's voice was amplified across the whole garden, "l'd loved to give out the speech tonight but as you can see I'm no longer worthy of doing it so," he paused and looked around the seated people.

Maging ako ay nilibot din ang dagat ng tao, nasa katabing mesa lang naman sina Hunter at isang bakanteng upuan na para na rin siguro kay Tito Henry.

"Without any further ado," he getured for Hunter, "My son, Hunter Grayson!" pumalakpak ang mga taong naroon sa pagtayo ni Hunter. Nakangiting inilibot niya ang tingin sa mga naroon, nawala lang ngiti nang maghinang ang mga mata namin.

Naalala niya siguro na nakalimutan niya akong sunduin. I frowned at him. Oh? Sapatusin kita diyan eh. Sa huli ay inirapan ko siya bago siya umakyat sa makeshift stage.

Matapos ang inspiring speech ni Hunter ay bumalik siya sa upuan niya. Pero nakatingin siya sa akin at magkasalubong pa ang kilay. I raised my brow. Anong kinkukunot noo mo?

I enjoyed Justin's company the whole night. Finollowback ko rin ang mga social media accts niya. "I'll just upload our photo when I have a chance." sabi ko sa kanya.

"Okay, I'll watch out for it!" he smiled.

A light tap on the table caught our attention. Napasimangot na lang ako nang mamataan si Hunter. "Excuse me, may I borrow Julianne for a sec?"

Nilingon ako ni Justin, "Oh sure!" he smiled. Sana tumangi siya. Ayokong makausap 'tong mokong na 'to eh.

Hunter held my back as he lead us to the hidden part of the garden. Marami kasi roong nagtatangkaran na halaman. Natigil kami nang marating namin ang medyo madilim na parte.

"What are you doing with Justin Blanchard?" frustrated niyang tanong.

"Huh?"

"I said, what are you doing with Justin Blanchard?" ulit niya.

"Hotdog." I blurted out.

He stared at me, "Seriously..."

I frowned at him, "Kung 'di mo nakita ay nakikipag-usap ako sa kanya, istorbo ka! Chance ko na 'yun na magka-love life!"

Sa munting pagtama ng ilaw ng buwan sa mukha ni Hunter ay nakita ko ang pagkunot ng kanyang noo, "Now I'm sabotaging your chance at love?" may bahid ng inis ang pagkakatanong niya niyon.

"Bakit ka galit? Eh 'di mo nga ako sinundo! Wala pa akong natanggap na reply mula sayo!" 

He sighed, "I'm sorry, pinalagay ko na ang mga luggage mo sa kotse ko..." I stared at Hunter.

"Iyon lang? Anong dahilan mo aber?" pagsusungit ko pa, pinag-krus ko pa ang mga braso. 

He looked at me, "I didn't forgot about you, Dad asked me to fetch Mayana for show..." ang kaninang inis sa kanyang boses ay napalitan nang inis.

Yes, I'm aware that his relationship with Mayana is just for show. Kilala rin sa real estate business ang mga Guerrero. Kaya't hindi na bago ang forced dating sa circle nila.

"Okay, sige. 'Di na ako galit basta may McChicken ako mamaya..."

Nangiti si Hunter, "Yeah, sure." 

Bumalik kami sa Gala, bago kami maghiwalay ay sinabihan niya ako na within 30 minutes ay aalis na kami dahil kakain pa raw kami sa fast food.

He knows how I feel about rich kids food. Ayokong kumakain ng lobster o steak dahil bukod sa mahal ay kung lulutuin pa ay maraming arte. Actually hindi lang talaga ako marunong magluto...

Pagkabalik ko sa table ay agad akong nagpaalam kay Justin. His smile faded, and he looked disappointed to know that I'm leaving. But if I were to choose between him and Hunter, I'd go with Hunter.

As I was on my way to the elevator thirty minutes later, I found Hunter standing there. The necktie was gone and two buttons was opened.

"Magpapalit ako ng damit, Hunt." paalam ko.

"You have a change of clothes?" gulat na tanong niya. Tumango na lang ako. "I'll meet you in the basement, I left my clothes in the car." 

The elevator ride was speedy this time. Kaya bumaba ako sa floor ng aking apisina dahil kahapon ay iniwan ko na roon ang pamalit ko. I changed into a yellow halter sundress reaching mid calf. Tinanggal ko na rin ang make up ko at naglagay ng moisturizer. Nahirapan nga lang ako nang isuot ko ang gladiator sandals na binigay sa akin ni Sophia.

Pagtapos ay bumaba na ako sa basement 1, sinalubong ako ni Hunter na ngayon ay naka-puting sando at dark blue na polo at bukas pa ang butones at khaki shorts with his Nike slippers.

"The slippers are new..." komento ko.

"I just bought it earlier when I went to the mall to buy -"

"Your necktie?" he nodded at what I interjected.

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto ng backseat tapos ay umikot siya para samahan ako roon. Hunter asked a company driver to drive us to the airport, dumaan pa nga kami ng drive thru dahil binili nga niya ako ng McChicken! 

"Where in the Bahamas are we goin'?" tanong ko pagkatapos kumagat sa burger.

"Nassau." 

"How long will the flight going to take this time?" 

"Almost 20 hours, we have layovers in Dubai and New York..." sagot ni Hunter habang text siya ng text sa kanyang phone.

I made face, "I guess I'll be stuck with you for almost 20 hours, huh?" 

"Well, you got nothing but me..." he smirked and then stared at me with his enticing green eyes.

Hunter, you bastard, you'll melt me with those stares...