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Chapter 3-The Gala Trap
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2025-06-29 06:59:24Ang ballroom ng Celestine Hotel ay punung-puno ng mga kilalang pangalan — mga investors, business magnates, politiko, at socialites. Sa bawat kanto, may camerang nakatutok, may bulungan, may pakunwaring ngiti. Pero para kay Cassandra, parang isang arena ang gabing ito — isang patibong na maingat na inihanda para sa kanya.
Nasa gitna siya ng ballroom, suot ang isang eleganteng itim na gown na pinili ng stylist ng kumpanya para magpakita ng power at sophistication. Pero kahit anong ganda ng suot niya, ramdam niya ang bigat ng mga matang nakatingin, naghahanap ng kahit kaunting senyales na hindi siya belong dito. “Cassandra!” tawag ng isang pamilyar na boses. Lumapit si Mr. Salcedo, kasama ang ilang board members at isang matandang investor na may reputasyon ng pagiging ruthless. “Glad you could make it. We were just discussing the future of Vale. Come join us.” Ngumiti si Cassandra, ang ngiting sanay na niyang isuot sa bawat corporate event. Pero sa loob, nagdadalawang-isip siya. Lahat ng mga taong ito — allies ba talaga, o naghihintay lang na magkamali siya? “Of course,” sagot niya. Habang nag-uusap sila, ramdam niya ang subtle digs ng mga tanong. “So, Ms. Vale, how are you finding the... pressure?” tanong ng matandang investor, may bahid ng biro pero may halong pang-uuyam. “I don’t see it as pressure,” sagot niya. “I see it as opportunity.” May narinig siyang mahinang tawa mula sa isa sa grupo. Bago pa siya makasagot, may kamay na lumapat sa likod niya — mainit, firm, protective. “Opportunity indeed,” sabi ni Damien, biglang sumulpot sa tabi niya. Immaculate sa dark suit, parang laging handa sa laban. “And she’s making the most of it.” Tahimik ang grupo, nagulat sa pagpasok ni Damien. Pero ngumiti si Salcedo, isang ngiting parang nag-aabang ng gulo. “Ah, the consultant,” sabi nito. “I see you’re earning your keep.” Damien just smiled, walang pakialam sa insulto. “I earn my keep by backing winners. And Cassandra Vale? She’s one.” Nagulat si Cassandra. Hindi niya inasahan ang ganyang public defense. Pero sa gitna ng ballroom, habang nag-uumpisa ang classical music na sinimulan ng live orchestra, may kung anong lumuwag sa dibdib niya. “Shall we, Ms. Vale?” alok ni Damien, inilahad ang kamay. Saglit siyang nagdalawang-isip pero tinanggap niya ito. Sa dance floor, habang umiikot sila, bumulong si Damien, “You’re doing great. But they’re watching, waiting for you to falter. Don’t give them a single crack to exploit tonight.” “I know,” bulong niya pabalik. “But this... this isn’t my world.” “Make it yours,” sabi niya, at tumama ang mga mata nila. Sa bawat ikot, sa bawat hakbang, ramdam niya ang gabing parang sinubok ang buong katauhan niya. Hindi na lang siya ang anak ng chairman — siya na ngayon ang Vale. At habang nagtatagal ang gabi, unti-unti niyang nakita kung sino ang totoong kakampi at sino ang nagkukubli sa ngiti. Si Damien, sa bawat hakbang ng sayaw, sa bawat bulong ng advice, hindi siya iniwan. --- 📌 Later that evening... Habang lumalalim ang gabi at nauubos ang alak at bulungan, lumapit sa kanya ang isang investor na kilala sa pagkampi kay Wesson Group — ang karibal ng Vale. “Ms. Vale,” sabi nito, pormal ang ngiti pero malamig ang mga mata. “Impressive display tonight. But you know this world isn’t kind. A word of advice? Align yourself with the right people before it’s too late.” Bago pa siya makasagot, sumingit si Damien. “Appreciate the concern. But Cassandra doesn’t need to align. People align to her.” Umalis ang investor, hindi masaya. Naiwan si Cassandra na mas lalong naramdaman ang tensyon ng laban. --- 📌 End of gala... Sa labas ng hotel, sa harap ng limo na maghahatid sa kanya pauwi, tumayo si Cassandra, huminga ng malalim. Dumating si Damien sa tabi niya. “You survived,” sabi niya, half teasing. “Barely,” sagot ni Cassandra, napangiti kahit pagod. “But thank you.” Damien nodded. “This was just the first battle. But you’re learning fast.” At habang sumasakay sila sa sasakyan, alam nilang ang gala ay hindi lang simpleng event — ito’y naging simula ng mas malaking gyera na darating.
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