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Kabanata 9: Dinner Part I

Allison convinced me to join the dinner, and so I did. I already informed Enzo na pupunta ako, as well as Maxine. Napatawag pa nga si Maxine sa sobrang tuwa dahil tinanggap ko ang invitation niya. Si Enzo na rin ang susundo sa akin mamaya at sabay kaming pupunta sa bahay nila Maxine.

Alas otso ang dinner kaya nang mag-sais ay naligo na ako. Binilisan ko na ang pagkilos at baka kami ay ma-late sa dinner. Nakakahiya naman kung agaw atensyon ang pagdating namin. Balita ko’y nandoon rin daw ang ibang mga pinsan ni Gael, at kasama rin ang kapatid na babae ni Maxine. Ofcourse, hindi mawawala ang presensya ni Gael sa dinner na iyon kaya kailangan kong paghandaan ang pagpunta ko.

Tonight’s dinner is special, and I wanted my outfit to reflect myself. I’m wearing this gorgeous white dress that makes me feel like I’m walking on a cloud. It’s off-shoulder, with a sleek one-line collar that frames my shoulders perfectly. The fabric is soft and stretchy, hugging my curves just right and falling into a mini length that hits right above my knees. It’s simple but elegant.

To complete the look, I slipped on my favorite “Starry Sky Heels.” Sobrang ganda nila—mga high heels na may glittery pattern na parang kalangitan ng mga bituin na kumikislap sa gabi. The deep midnight blue of the shoes contrasts beautifully with the white of my dress, and the slender stiletto heels give my legs that extra bit of length and elegance. Every step I take feels magical with the light catching on the shimmering effect of the heels.

I’ve kept my accessories minimal, just a pair of delicate silver earrings and a matching bracelet. My hair is styled in soft waves, cascading down my shoulders, which seems to flow effortlessly with the off-shoulder dress. I chose a light, dewy makeup look with a hint of shimmer on my eyelids and a soft pink lip gloss.Habang tinitingnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin, hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti at mamangha sa ginawang ayos sa akin ni Allison para sa gabing ito.

“Oh my goodness! You’re so beautiful!” namamangha na sabi ni Allison.

I smiled. “Napakagaling mo talaga when it comes to cosmetics.”

“Ako pa ba.” She winked at me. “I wonder kung anong magiging reaksyon nilang lahat once they saw you, especially Gael.”

Honestly, medyo nag-guilty ako. Maxine is so nice to me, she even invited me for dinner pero ang main reason kung bakit ako pumunta ay dahil kay Gael. Because I wanted to prove something. Minsan napapatanong ako, am I doing this for him? O ginagawa ko lang ‘to just to convince myself that I am no longer affected?

Sa kalagitnaan ng pag-iisip ko’y biglang tumunog ang doorbell. Si Allison na rin ang nagprisinta na magbukas ng pinto. Tumayo na ako at nagpabango bago lumabas ng kwarto. Pagkalabas ko’y sakto namang pagpasok ni Enzo. Pagkakita niya sa akin ay bigla siyang natulala at hindi nakagalaw sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

Allison snapped her fingers in front of Enzo's face.

“Psst!”

Tila natauhan si Enzo at muling pinagmasdan ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

“You look different. You’re already beautiful in my eyes but tonight it’s different.”

Pinagmasdan ko rin ang kanyang suot.

Ang suot niya ay perfectly balanced sa pagitan ng casual at formal, at sobrang stylish. Ang fitted button-down shirt niya ay light blue, na nagbibigay ng fresh at clean look. Maayos na nakaayos ang kanyang shirt, at hindi niya tinanggal ang top button—parang sinadyang magmukhang relaxed pero refined. Sa ibabaw ng shirt, may suot siyang navy blazer, it was a perfect fit—hindi masyadong maluwag o masikip. It just fits his masculine body.

Ang kanyang trousers ay dark grey chinos, na mukhang komportable at classy. Ang fit ng chinos ay slim, na nagbigay sa kanya ng sleek at modernong silhouette. His look if combined were all well-coordinated. Kung pinaghandaan ko ang gabing ito, I think he also did the same. Aside from that, he’s also wearing a brown leather loafers that matches the color of his belt. Napansin ko rin na suot niya ang relo na binigay ko sa kanya. It was simple but elegant, it’s leather strap, that adds the subtle touch of sophistication. His hair is neatly groomed that complements his overall look. He really knows how to balance his style, I must admit he looks very manly tonight.

“You also look great! Suot mo pa yung relo na niregalo ko sa’yo.”

He looked at his watch at napahawak dito. “This is my favorite watch. I only use this on special occasions or dinner like this.”

Hindi na kami nagtagal at parehas ng nagpaalam kay Allison. At habang nasa byahe ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan. Sa kalagitnaan ng byahe ay napansin ata ni Enzo ang pagkabalisa ko.

“Are you okay? Parang hindi ka mapakali,” aniya habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa akin at sa daan.

“I’m okay. I’m just a bit nervous.”

He chuckled. “No, don’t be. Nandito naman ako. I promise not to leave your side, okay?”

I smiled at him and nodded.

Tumagal ng halos isang oras ang byahe namin. Buti na lang at hindi traffic. Eksaktong pagka-park ni Enzo ng sasakyan ay siya namang pagatwag ni Maxine sa cellphone ni Enzo. Natawa pa nga ito dahil aniya ay mukhang excited na excited si Maxine na makita ako.

“Yes, kaka-park lang namin. Kami na lang ba ang kulang?”

Tumango-tango pa siya. Hindi ko na narinig ang iba pa niyang sinabi nang lumabas na siya ng sasakyan. Bago pa man niya ako pagbuksan ng pinto ay ibinaba niya na ang tawag.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang magtanong, “Nandoon na ba lahat?”

Umiling siya. “May hinihintay pa silang isang bisita maliban sa’tin.”

Paglabas ko ng sasakyan ay napatingala ako sa laki ng bahay ni Maxine. It actually looked like a mansion. Mula dito sa labas, kitang-kita ang modernong pagkakadisenyo ng bahay. Hindi pa man kami tuluyang nakapasok sa bahay ay agad na kaming sinalubong ni Maxine.

“I’m so happy you both came!” bati niya sa’min.

Magsasalita pa sana ako nang bigla siyang nagtakip ng bibig habang pinagmasdan ang itsura ko. “Omg! I’m so in love with your look. Honestly, sa malayuan, your dress really looks simple but gosh I didn’t expect how simple yet elegant it looks when I went closer.”

“Thanks. You look sexy and hot with that red dress.”

“Oh this?” Lalo niyang ipinakita sa’kin ang suot na damit. “It’s a gift from Gael. Isn’t it pretty?”

I nodded. “The dress itself is already pretty, but you wearing it makes the dress prettier.”

“I can’t wait to introduce you to my other visitors. Don’t be pressured, kasi mga pinsan lang naman ‘yon ni Gael, and my sister is also here with us.”

Ipinulupot niya ang kanyang braso sa braso ko at saka niya siya naglakad. Wala na akong magawa kundi ang sumama sa kanya. Kung anu-ano pa ang kanyang mga ikinukwento ngunit hindi ko na masyado naiintindihan iyon dahil naaagaw na ng atensyon ko ang ganda ng kanyang bahay.

I’m immediately amazed by how sophisticated and elegant it looks. The expansive foyer greets me with its stunning marble flooring, the subtle veining catching my eye and setting a refined tone for the rest of the home. The walls are painted a soft, clean white, but it’s the exquisite wood trim and moldings, finished in a slightly glossy white, that truly captures my attention.

Habang naglalakad ka patungo sa living room, makikita mo ang isang malaking velvet sofa na naglalaman ng mga rich, deep na kulay ng navy blue. Ang mga throw pillows nito ay may intricate na gold embroidery na nagdaragdag ng touch ng opulence. Sa gitna ng silid ay isang marble coffee table, ang kanyang polished surface ay kumikislap sa ilalim ng chandelier na nakasabit mula sa kisame. he chandelier casts a dazzling glow over the room, enhancing the elegant ambiance.

As you look around, you notice the floor-to-ceiling curtains in the dining area, crafted from luxurious ivory velvet. Their subtle sheen and the gold-finished curtain rods add a refined detail to each window. Overall, every aspect of the house combines modern design with classical elegance. From the walls to the accessories, each detail has been thoughtfully curated to showcase a quiet richness and refined style.

Ang akala ko’y sa dining area kami magdi-dinner ngunit bigla kaming lumiko at pumasok sa isang silid. Biglang tumahimik ang paligid nang pumasok kami tila ba’y nakuha namin ang atensyon nilang lahat. Kagaya namin, ay pare-parehas ding may pinaghalong pormal at casual ang mga suot nila.

“Hi, everyone! This is my visitor, Michaela,” pagpapakilala ni Maxine sa akin.

There were actually two men in the room, and none of those was Gael.

Nilapitan ako ng ng dalawa and introduce themselves at me. “Hi, I’m Lucas. It was nice finally meeting you.”

“I’m Noah, we’re Gael’s cousins,” sabi naman ng isa.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. I’m actually with Enzo, Maxine’s cousin.”

Tinanguan naman sila ni Enzo.

“Where’s Gael?” tanong ni Maxine.

“He’s — oh, there he is!” Saka ito tinuro ni Lucas gamit ang kanyang nguso.

Pagkalingon ko’y sakto namang pagpasok ni Gael. Natigilan siya nang makita ako ngunit agad rin siyang natauhan.

“Hon, where have you been?” Maxine asked him.

“I just checked something outside.” Sa harap namin mismo ay hinalikan niya sa noo si Maxine at saka niya ako muling hinarap. Tila nabigla pa si Maxine sa ginawa ni Gael. “Glad you accepted my fiance’s invitation. It’s nice meeting you again, Miss Isidro. Please enjoy the dinner.”

“Come! Let’s all settle down so we can already start the dinner,” excited na sabi ni Maxine saka sumabay na kay Gael para pumwesto na sa kanilang upuan.

I was still speechless by Gael’s gesture. All of a sudden ay parang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin. He was acting fine na para bang hindi siya apektado sa presensya ko. He’s acting strange like he’s up to something. Or did he really meant what he said last night?

Natauhan lang ako nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Enzo sa balikat ko.

“Let’s go?” he asked.

This is not right. I need to get my senses back.