Chapter 4

Chapter 4 

The Dinner of a Lifetime

Kung ang press conference kahapon ay parang giyera, ang engagement dinner ngayong gabi ay parang gladiator match, pero ang kalaban, hindi reporters, kundi mga rich titas and entitled elites.

Elena stood in front of the hotel ballroom entrance, wearing a sleek black dress that Adrian’s stylist practically forced on her. “Subtle but elegant,” sabi ng stylist. To her, it screamed 'walking target'.

“Relax,” Adrian’s low voice rumbled beside her. He wore a crisp tuxedo that looked like it had been crafted by gods. His hair slicked back, cufflinks gleaming.

“Relax? Madali para sa’yo na sabihin ‘yan,” bulong ni Elena. “You actually belong here. Ako? I feel like they’re about to ask me for a plate of hors d’oeuvres.”

A corner of Adrian’s lips lifted. “If they do, serve them attitude. That’s your specialty, isn’t it?”

She gave him a death glare, pero bago pa siya makasagot ay nagbukas na ang ballroom doors. A wave of chatter, clinking glasses, and expensive perfume greeted them. Napalingon lahat ng mga panauhin sa kanila.

“Oh my God, they’re here,” someone whispered.

“Si Adrian! At ang fiancée niya!”

“She’s… pretty pala in person.”

“Pretty… but a freaking journalist?”

Elena’s spine stiffened. Welcome to the lion’s den, Elena Vargas.

They moved through the crowd, every step feeling like a catwalk sa ilalim ng magnifying glass. Kalmado lang si Asrian, nodding politely, while Elena forced a smile that felt glued on.

“Adrian, darling!” squealed a bejeweled tita, air-kissing him. Tsaka ibinaling kay Elena ang mga mata, eyes scanning from head to toe. “So you’re the journalist. Brave choice, Adrian. Very… unique.”

“Thank you po,” Elena said sweetly. “At least hindi ako plastic.”

Napakurap ito na tila nabigla, unsure if it was a compliment. Adrian coughed into his fist, para itago ang tawa.

Dinner was served. Long tables draped in velvet, chandeliers sparkling above, and waiters gliding like swans. Umupo si Elena sa tabi ni Adrian, across from a group of board members who eyed her like an alien specimen.

“So, Ms. Vargas,” nagtanong ang isa sa kanila, swirling wine. “Paano kayo nagkakilalang dalawa? Surely not in… the usual way?”

Binuksan ni Elena ang bibig obviously to retort with sarcasm, but Adrian’s hand brushed her hand under the table, subtle, firm, warning. Napatigil siya.

“Unexpectedly,” malumanay na sagot ni Adrian. “She challenged me in ways no one dared to. That caught my attention so hard.”

Gasps of approval. Swooning titas. Elena nearly choked on her water.

“Challenged him? How?” another pressed.

Napangisi si Elena. “I called him arrogant to his face. Hindi lang isa, kundi dalawang beses.”

The table went silent, then burst into awkward laughter. Adrian’s jaw clenched, pero may amusement sa mga mata nito.

As the evening dragged on, every conversation felt like a test.

“Do you plan to give up your journalism career, dear?”

“Children, when?”

“Prenup ba, hija?”

Elena’s responses ranged from polite to borderline savage, much to Adrian’s hidden delight. He kept his mask of control, but his thumb tapped against hers under the table, like he was grounding her. Or maybe reminding her to behave.

During the toasts, tumayo si Adrian glass in hand. His voice cut through the room, commanding but softer than usual.

“To unexpected beginnings,” sabi niya, ibinaling ang tingin ng bahagya kay Elena. “And to finding someone who makes even the most calculated man… improvise.”

All eyes turned to Elena. Her cheeks warmed, and for a terrifying second, muntik na siyang maniwala sa mga salita nito.

But then a voice cut through the applause. Rafael Santiago.

“Beautiful speech, brother,” Rafael drawled, stepping forward with his ever-charming smile. “But we all know Adrian Velasco doesn’t improvise. He always calculate. So tell me, what’s the endgame this time?”

Natahimik ang silid. Matalim ang titig ni Adrian, habang lalong hinigpitan ni Elena ang hawak niya sa baso ng alak.

Here it was. The first crack in their carefully built illusion.

And Elena realized… this dinner wasn’t just about putting on a show.

It was about survival.