Chapter 1.2

Chapter 1.2

I didn't even look at my dress and bit my lip so hard. Men like him prefer those who have almost nothing to cover their woman. It was as if the clothing factories had run out of fabric so their clothe could hardly be called clothes anymore.

"Let's go."

I looked up at him when I heard his low and deep voice. I shivered and immediately looked down when he took my hand without holding a purse and sang it on his elegant arm that even if it was covered by his expensive sout now he is undeniably a gym customer.

As Catelyn said earlier, no media greeted us at the hotel entrance, only the guards were there to pick up the invitation card given by my male companion. Even though I've done this a few times I still can't help but be nervous, I'm afraid someone will recognize me here.

I tightened my grip on the man's arm as we entered the event hall. The chairs were wrapped in white cloth and so were the tables, with flowers in the center of each table. The light was dim all around which made the white flower decorations more beautiful, there were small lights on the side that led the light upwards. If I admire the decorations I admire more the stage in the middle, there are flowers on the side and there are lights that go to the light in the middle of the stage where the name of tonight's event is placed. There are seats there and there is a podium on the side where the emcee will be seated later.

The man guided me to the seat in front, there were other businessmen around who just like us were also wearing masks. Even before we could get to our table, someone immediately approached his old business men. I guess they know each other because that's how they smiled when they saw him even though he didn't smile he greeted them.

"I thought you'll not be here. It's a good thing I came here because I saw you," said an old man. I guess that he's in his fifties.

I’m thankful they didn’t notice I was with this guy. I slowly removed my hand anchored to his arm. I thought he would let me, but my eyes were so wide open when he put his arm behind me and pulled me closer to him. I didn't think I could hug him because when he suddenly hugged me, he almost hugged me. I could feel his arm behind my exposed back because of the style of the dress.

"What a beautiful lady you have here huh? You really have a good taste when it comes to your women."

‘Women’.

Does it mean that this man is such a womanizer because he really used plural to talk to this man? But I'm not his woman, I'm just with him here but I'm not his woman. I will never be this man's woman.

"I know Mr. De Guzman." I heard him grin at the speaker.

Even though I knew he wouldn’t recognize me I still bowed.

"Oh, don't look down hija. You're a beauty so don't be shy."

I felt the man's grip on my waist tighten so I looked at him again. I gasped when I saw his sharp gaze on the old business man he was talking to.

"Eyes off her Mr. De Guzman," the man next to me sternly said and full of authority.

When I looked at Mr. De Guzman grinned at this and raised both hands. He laughed and nodded. He glance at me for a seconds and then looked at the man beside me.

"Enjoy the night then. Excuse me." When the person next to me did not answer, he left.

I quietly followed him as he guided me to our seat, still not letting go of my waist and he made me sit down. I looked up at him when he did not leave in front of me. I didn't even feel the cold even though there was no cloth covering my back because of his arm wrapped around my waist. Instead of cold, I felt heat.

"Stay here."

That's all he said and immediately turned to leave. I just looked around for fun while he was not here. Even though he'll stay with me, it would be still boring here, he's a man of few words. Any question is the only one he answers and does not add more.

I couldn’t be bothered as I looked around to see how grand the whole place is. 

"Hey!" I was startled when suddenly someone touched me from behind. When I looked back I was so shocked because he was here! I thought she was in the Philippines!

"Goodness gracious Catelyn Samantha Hernandez!" She glared at me when she heard her name.

"Shh ... Your shut your pretty little mouth before I gag you." I was offended by what she said. "Where's Mr. Valdez by the way?" She asked as she sat in the chair in front of me and looked around.

"He's not here."

She was shocked by what I said.

"What's 'he's not here'? How did you get here then?"

"I'm with someone else. Mr. Valdez for some reason can't go here that's why Im with—" I paused when I remember that I don't even know his name but I'm with him right now. But one thing is for sure, he's with the same estate with Mr. Valdez.

"With whom?" Catelyn raised an eyebrow at me.

I looked around hoping to find an answer but I caught sight of the man with whom I was with earlier that is with a woman now. They both laugh and the closeness of their faces as if kissing. Catelyn turned her back on me and looked back at me as if in disbelief. Her lips were still pitying.

"Oh shit! You've got to be kidding me."

I frowned at what she said, as if she had seen a ghost because of her appearance.

"You know?"

"Who wouldn't? He's the only one—" she couldn't finish what she was going to say when a man approached her who I think is with her tonight. She sighed and just stood up. "Talk to you next time okay?" I just nodded at her, I just watched her walk away with the man just as the man I was with earlier arrived.

I watched him help the woman sit with him. She smiled modestly at him and thanked him. They talked as if I wasn't here and I wasn't with him. I look like a third wheel here.

He still has "Eyes off her Mr. De Guzman". Napairap ako.

Why Eloise? Are you the one he is referring to? There are so many of woman around so it's impossible for you! You're assuming!

I avoided the behavior of the two of them, I just looked around. When I saw the buffet table on the side I immediately stood up and walked straight to the buffet table. I smiled at the woman who was serving while taking the foods, I just now felt my hunger when I saw the foods.

"Thank you."

I was about to return to our seat but I was stunned when the spotlight suddenly fell on the front, the emcee was already standing on the podium and his smile was huge.

"Good evening everyone!" It started and was immediately applauded by the guests. When my eyes landed on the place where I left off earlier, the man I was with before and his woman, the two of them were no longer there.

Where would those two go? It looks like the two of them have been shaking in front of me for a while but now it's like bubbles that suddenly disappeared.

I didn't understand what the emcee was saying so I slowly walked away from the buffet table with the plate of food. I passed in the back without much attention from the guests and just walked to nowhere.

I found myself on the veranda, looking at the lights of the whole city from here. It's really good and there is a coffee table and chairs here so I won't have to stand. I placed the plate on the coffee table and sat in the chair facing the beautiful view.

I was about to run out of food when I remembered that I didn't even have a drink with me. Goodness!

"I was looking for you all over the place yet here you are eating like you've been starved for decades."

I was almost speechless when someone suddenly spoke behind me. When I looked back at it, I was completely stunned. He handed me the wine he brought so I have no doubt accepted and drank immediately.

"Tsk."

When I got up I saw him standing in front of me but his back was facing me. His hand was in his pocket and even though I couldn't see his face I knew he was just looking seriously at the breathtaking scene that I had admired before.

Only now did I notice his stature. I think I was just below him because he was a few inches taller than me. The beauty of his stance is that even if he doesn't speak, you can already feel the authority in his aura.

I couldn’t move as he slowly turned to my habit. Suddenly the pace of time and the events around slowed down. When I saw the fullness of his face, he in turn burst colorful fireworks in the sky.

Accompanying that explosion was the explosion of what was in my heart.