CHAPTER 1

"Can you act like a real lady? It’s all I’ll ask of you, just for this evening." Dad requested, that statement was surely for me.

Annoyance and frustrations crept through my veins. I wince  before I spoke back. "You're asking a lot of them."

Ridiculous. Is he expecting me to twirl my hair, smile sweetly, and giggle a little like a stupid? Sinalubong ko ang masamang tingin n'ya bago ko nilipat ang tingin sa labas. When do he stop meddling how to live my life?

"This is not just an ordinary gathering, Monique. We surely meet a ton of important personalities. Puwede bang h'wag mo munang pairalin ang katigasan ng ulo mo ngayon?" Kelly joined the conversation. She really know how to annoy me more just by using my first name. 

I looked at her boredly. "Bakit naman kita susundin, sino ka ba?"

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang masamang tingin nilang dalawa sa 'kin. Napasulyap ako sa rear mirror at nakita kong napa-iling si Dad.

Our car finally stopped as I seen a flood of medias outside. A slow but emphasized profanity escaped my mouth. I wouldn't have come. People outside are so hectic. May iba pang kumakatok sa windshield.

Maya-maya ay nakikita ko na sa labas ang mga bantay na nakasunod kanina. I open the door first and a series of cameras flashed against my sight.

I still felt uncomfortable with this gold fitted gown that almost touches the ground. It severely reveals my back and my right leg, but it covers my chest up to my neck infront. It sucks. It emphasized my waist and butt too much. Curse Kelly for forcing me to wear this. The sandals is not that high though, but tiny mistake will surely twist my ligaments and turn into ankle sprain. It's annoying walking in it. Isama mo na 'yung nakakarinding at makapal na make-up na nilagay ng bakla sa mukha ko kanina.

I cursed under my breathe again and start walking against red carpet. 

There's a ton of medias attempted to ask me about something I don't even know. I ignored them until I finally reached the main entrance. As I expected, it was full of famous identities; businessman, celebrities, and politicians. 

Charity ball nga naman.

I turn my gaze back the person I am with and I seen Dad holding Kelly's waist as if he's a possessive, gentleman. He used to do that stuffs to Mommy before, I've never thought that's all just for a show. I wonder is he also act like that just for a show? I doubt him, and I also doubt Kelly. Dad cheated on my Mom, but Kelly still trusted him? Is she really that stupid? 

Dad immediately married her long, hidden mistress, after Mom died. I started doing things that is against my will, and that's staying with my Dad and his new family. I felt like I was forced to be part of the family I don't want to be part with. If it wasn't for mama's last request, I wouldn't be with them.

Sumunod ako nang mauna na silang maglakad sa 'kin. They was greeted by many person they encountered. Hindi ko na pinakinggan pag-uusap nila hanggang sa nakasalubong namin ang dalawang mag-asawa.

"Mr. and Mrs. Aldeguer, it's nice to see you two again," Dad greeted the two mid-40's couple with a warm smile.

They both smiled warmly. They started to exchanged greetings to each other and laugh as Dad cracked a joke.

"That must be her... Monique Lysianna, right? She is so beautiful," saad ulit ng babae. 

I raised my gaze at napunta ang tingin nilang lahat sa 'kin. I frowned as I heard my real name.

"Uh, yes," Dad answered.

Lumapit s'ya sa 'kin at nakipagbeso. I didn't move. She have no idea how much I hated having a skin contact with others without my permission.

"Hi, I'm Teressa Aldeguer, just call me Tita Teressa." Hinawakan n'ya ang dalawang kamay ko. "It's our pleasure to add you to our family."

Her hazel brown eyes met mine. My forehead creased. What the heck is she saying?

I heard a chuckle came from the man with thick mustache and eyebrows. "You are too straight forward, Teressa. Maybe we need to take seats and get some food first. We still waiting for our son's return, babalik rin ata 'yon maya-maya."

"Okay, sabi ko nga," Mrs. Aldguer agreed.

They seated on the same table and I was about to sit, but a man with a curly mustache and thick eyebrows suddenly announced. "Oh, there he is!"

Nilingon ko ang kakarating na sinasabi nilang anak. A tall view of a man with tanned skin arrived. His thick eyebrows, pointed nose and perfect jaw caught my attention. I blink as I noticed the man who just arrived staring at me. I frowned.

"Good evening," a baritone voice greeted. Naaamoy ko ang mabagsik na amoy n'ya. Nakakasakit sa ilong.

Dad and Kelly greeted him back.

"Hey, Molly, right?" he greeted me. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

I've seen him in televisions, magazines and even billboards with an annoying smirk linger on his face. I never thought I'd hate him more by seeing him smirking infront of me. A part of me want to hit someone's lips using my fist. What is he doing here? 

"I bet you already knew me but okay, yeah, I'm Desmond, Desmond Aldeguer," he introduced and laid his right for a hand shake.

I stare at his vieny, long hand before I turn my gaze to him. "I don't do shake hands," mariing saad ko. 

Tumaas ang kilay n'ya at agad silang nagkatinginan ng kan'yang Ama. He faced me again and gave me a bright smile. "I like rude girls."

He really have the mouth of a playboy. 

"Fvcker," I murmured.

We all seated. They start talks about the business they planned to open next year, and so many other things. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiwi nang palihim kapag si Desmond na ang nagsasalita. Like what I've seen on his interview, he's arrogance is very visible. He's too high of himself. I hate his guts. 

Blame my favorite TV channel, news flash always comes in about him and the various women he's dating. 

"My son graduated in Business Administration last year. What about you, Molly, what field you're pursuing?"

Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila hanggang sa napunta sa 'kin ang usapan.

"Business Ad, Financial Management," I simply answered Mr. Aldeguer while  focusing on my food.

"It's good to know you and Desmond studied in the same field. For sure you have the same interest, too." She giggled. I stopped chewing my food and frowned at his last statement. Same interest? Daddy just forced me to pursue Business AD. We are miles far from being in the same interest, I like spending my lifetime alone while he like spending his lifetime playing girls. 

I didn't respond to him and start eating again but he spoke for the second time. "I imagined the company's future after you marriage."

Napatigil ako sa kinakain, agad akong uminom ng tubig at tinignan siya. "Pardon?"

"The marriage between you and Desmond. Right?"

A part of me wants to puke. My eyes narrowed at Dad and he gave me a warning look. "I know nothing about it."

"Now you know, iha. So what do you think of my son?" Mrs. Aldeguer asked excitedly with her eyes twinkling.

I turned my gaze to Desmond who's raising his one eyebrow. He smirked as he saw me looking at him.

Umigting ang bagang ko. "Frankly, he looked more annoying in person. Extremely annoying."

His smirk fades for it turn a serious one. He rested his arm to the arm rest while still looking. 

"Molly," Dad's warning voice. I look at Dad and gaze back to Desmond, boredly.

I heard Mr. Aldeguer chuckling after I insulted her son. "That's... that's horrible first impression."

I frowned. "Sorry Sir, but that's not just a first impression. I quite, clearly don't like your son," I said frankly and sigh. "I hate him, so better stop supposing that marriage."

I stood up at about to leave as Dad stopped me. "Molly!"

I shut my eyes, trying to stop my temper. He's teating me like I'm his business dog again. 

"No one can enforce me to choose a husband to marry, Dad. Excuse me, I'll just want to go to the comfort room," I said and left the table.​