Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The Dinner of a Lifetime Part 2

The air turned sharp the moment Rafael spoke. May halong charm ang boses niya para magmukhang polite, pero sapat ang lason para magdulot ng panic sa mga bisita.

Elena leaned closer to Adrian, whispering, “Ganito ba siya palagi… snake-like?”

“Always,” mahina ring sagot ni Adrian, eyes still locked on his half-brother. “Stay calm.”

Rafael smiled wider, raising his glass. “To my dear brother and his fiancée. Truly, destiny has a sense of humor. Who would have thought the mighty Adrian Velasco would fall… to a journalist?”

Nagkatinginan ang mga tao sa mesa. May mga natawa ng pilit, may ilan namang nanahimik lang. Kumulo ang dugo ni Elena. Kung pwede lang sana ihagis itong tinidor sa mukha niya.

“Careful, Rafael,” Adrian said coolly, “your envy is showing.”

Nagkibit-balikat si Rafael, kunwari inosente. “Envy? Oh no, brother. I admire your boldness. Turning scandal into a fairy tale? Genius. Almost makes me believe you’re… in love.”

He dragged out the last words, ginagatasan ang tensyon. The crowd practically leaned in.

Kumulo na ang dugo ni Elena. Bago pa makasagot si Adrian, she placed her hand over his, deliberate, nakita ng lahat. She turned to Rafael with a bright, sweet smile.

“You know what’s funny, Mr. Santiago?” she said in a very sweet way. “Ikaw itong sobrang curious sa love life ng iba, pero wala ka namang sariling relasyon na maipagmamalaki. Maybe that’s why you’re so invested in ours?”

The table gasped. One of Adrian's tita even choked on her wine.

Rafael froze for a fraction of a second, then chuckled. “Ah, feisty. No wonder Adrian likes you.”

Adrian’s grip on Elena’s hand tightened, warning, or maybe appreciation. Hindi niya mawari.

The host quickly tried to redirect the mood with music, pero too late. Damage was done. Whispers filled the room.

“She stood up to Rafael!”

“Parang teleserye ‘to!”

“Strong woman, bagay nga siya kay Adrian.”

Nagpatuloy ang dinner, pero ramdam pa rin ang mga mata sa kanila. Kahit sa bawat kagat ng steak, parang may nanghuhusga. Elena raised her chin high, kahit kinakabahan siya deep inside.

At one point, isang nosy socialite leaned over. “So, Elena dear… what’s your wedding gown going to look like? Vera Wang? Dior?”

Elena plastered a smile. “Ukay-ukay. Para practical.”

Laughter erupted, some genuine, some horrified. Adrian leaned closer, murmuring, “You enjoy torturing them, don’t you?”

“Sobra,” balik-bulong niya, halos natatawa.

Pero bigla, dumausdos ang hinlalaki ni Adrian sa kamay niya, mabagal, deliberate, halos parang walang kamalay-malay. Napatigil ang pagtibok ng puso ni Elena. Bakit ba siya nagkakaganito by just a simple touch?

By dessert, the tension softened into something stranger. Their banter had turned into an odd rhythm. Kapag siya ang bumabanat, he parried. When he stiffened, she teased. Sa mata ng mga panauhin, they looked like a perfectly matched couple.

Which was terrifying. Because sometimes, even Elena believed it.

Tumayo ang ina ni Adrian para sa final toast. Regal, naka-perlas, queenly ang dating. Tinaas niya ang baso at diretsong tumingin kay Elena.

“To my son, and the woman he has chosen. May this union bring stability to both family and business. And may Elena prove… worthy of the Velasco name.”

The words landed heavy. Elena forced a smile, nodding politely. Pero sa loob niya, naglalagablab siya. Worthy? Seriously?

She wanted to retort, pero Adrian’s hand covered hers under the table again. This time, it wasn’t restraint. It was reassurance. A silent I’ve got you.

Elena blinked, momentarily disarmed. She met his eyes and for one reckless second, the world faded. Walang mga camera, walang mga bulungan, walang fake engagement. Just them.

Then Rafael’s slow clap broke the spell.

“Well said, Mother Velasco. Worthy indeed. But time will tell, hindi po ba?”

The crowd tittered uncomfortably. Adrian’s jaw tightened, but Elena beat him to it.

She raised her glass, voice steady, laced with resilience. “Time will tell, Rafael. But one thing’s for sure. I don’t need anyone’s permission to be worthy. Hindi ako isang trophy, hindi ako business deal. I’m Elena Vargas. Remember the name.”

Katahimikan. Pagkatapos, palakpakan. Una ay kalat-kalat, saka lumakas. Ang ilan ay ngumiti nang may tunay na paghanga, ang iba nama’y may halong pormal na pagkailang.

Adrian looked at her, expression unreadable. Pero sa mata niya… there's pride. Dangerous, yet true.

As the dinner ended, paparazzi swarmed the entrance outside, flashes going off like fireworks. Adrian placed a steadying hand on her back as they walked out together.

“Congratulations,” he murmured in her ear. “You just declared war on my entire family.”

Elena smirked, tilting her head up at him. “Good. I play better when I’m underestimated. Kung sa tingin nila kaya nila akong tapaktapakan. Well, nagkakamali sila ”

And though the night had been suffocating, kahit nakabaon pa rin ang smirk ni Rafael sa utak niya, one thing was clear.

This fake marriage was getting far too real.