The Hired Daughter

Chapter 8

I nervously went out of the fitting room to show him my gown. And Mom even asked for a photo while wearing this, coz even she’s not here she wanted to see if the gown was fit or not.

"Ca-cast.. what do you think?" I called his attention.

He lifted his eyes from the magazine he was reading, he was still in his serious face when it darted on me. He remained stoic looking at me.

I got this off shoulder gown, along with a tiara to look more a princess themed debut. It was a pink gown, though I somehow wanted to voice out my favourite colour of olive green for dress, but the organizer suggested to Mom this colour, a pink gown for a debutant.

"Your boyfriend is speechless coz he likes it for sure." Wacky laughed, he’s my designer. And he was a flirt shemale designer.

"He’s my bro-brother." I bit lips after. This gay was getting on my nerve, the last time we visited here, Mom already told him that I was her long lost daughter and now he has the audacity to say that. When Dela Francia was his oldest VIP customer.

"I know, just kidding!” he winked at me. "But you two could be a cute couple, too pity you were siblings!” he laughed and flicked his tongue. "But seriously, I was surprised when Madame told me about you.. that she has a beautiful daughter like you, Sheina. Your name actually fit on you, Sheina as brightest as your beauty!" he said in his high pitch tone, like as if he was talking to someone on another island.

I just smiled a little and looked at Cast. "Cast, picture?"

He moved lazily together with his phone. He looked over his phone before he licked his lower lip. Though I was a bit bothered on the way he was looking at me still I managed a sweet smile.

Right after that shot he tapped on his phone, obviously sending my photo to our Mom.

"Hey, I can take you a good photo together.. as a souvenir." Wacky took the phone from Cast even the latter not agreed about it and pushed him to my side.

Cast stood next to me with both hands were in his pockets. "Just a little bit close, Eulises, you have a very beautiful sister, you should be proud.." as he grinned to us.

Cast moved near me almost bumping on my shoulder. "Okay, three-two-one.. pretty good, okay, another one, put your hand around her, Eulises. You look not close here, mere of stranger!" Cast followed him as I felt his arm draped around my shoulders. He pushed my body neared him as he leaned closer. My breath hitched at our position and despite of my agitation I tried to sport a cute smile.

"Gosh, so perfect!! You both look cute here. Finally, there’s a connection between you!" Wacky beamed us a smile before handed back the phone to Cast.

We didn’t have time to look at it when his phone vibrated. "Hello, Mom, yes.. yeah, the dress looks fine." he looked at me. "No, it fits well. Alright, you wanna talk to her?" Cast handed me his phone and I took it quickly.

"Hello, Mommy.."

"..The dress looks good on you, Sheina.. you looked more beautiful and gorgeous. You look very lovely.." Mom said over the phone.

I smiled hearing those compliments. "Thanks, Mommy, you have a good taste and vision for my gown why it finished gorgeously."

"..That’s why I really like you, you were so humble and too adorable.. Please tell Cast to drive safely. Love you, both.."

"Thanks and love you too." the line went dead then I faced Cast to give back his phone.

"The dress is fine, thank you." Cast told Wacky.

"Great! Let's go darling, so you two can go home." he guided me to the fitting room. "But you really look like a Goddess." he laughed and pulled me.

"Where do you want to eat?" Cast asked me while we were here in his car.

"Uhm, I’m fine with some fast food." I almost whispered.

"All right." he then pulled over to the fast food along the way.

Cast walked ahead, while I was only trailing him. Like the usual, a lot of heads snapped at our direction, especially girls at our age.

We looked first for a table and he told me to wait here, as he wanted to get our order himself. I told him my order and just a few minutes he came back with our orders. We ate silently. My eyes suddenly flew to his shirt then back to my dress, we both wearing white like we talked about the couple thing. My face warmed why I reached for my juice.

"You look flushed again. Got allergies from burger?" he raised me a brow.

"No-not really." I answered him and looked away. I never had interest towards opposite gender, but then I think this one was what people of my age called.. crush. I have a crush on him. I choke at that thought and coughed miserably, he handed me my pineapple juice.

"You alright?" he looked worried as he stared at me.

I nodded while covering my mouth. When I got calmed I sighed as he got back to his food. I lost my appetite coz of that stupid thought. This could not be, I could not have a crush on him, even we were not blood related. Coz in the eyes of people and especially to our parents, we are siblings.

I fell into silent as we drove back home. He didn’t bother to ask me about anything why I went straight to my room.. still bothered.

The next big day I was too busy, because today.. is Venus Dela Francia's birthday that going to be a grand debut party for Sheina Dela Francia. A lot of people were invited, some of their relatives here in the Philippines and abroad, Dad’s colleagues and other business partners. Mom’s people from her organization would come over and the rest of Cast’s team were invited also.

I got too nervous while they were working on my make up. My party was going to be held outside the mansion, Dad actually wished to do it in some hotel but Mom insisted her idea of having it here.. as a Welcome Party for me. And she even told Dad that the mansion and the lawn were both could accompany the entire population of our village.

"I told you, Madame, your daughter will look stunning on her day." Wacky was still bragging out his creation. He was invited also as he was a renowned designer of my gown.

"I know, Wacky.. she's my daughter after all." Mom proudly told him.

"Ma'am Dorothy, the programme will start soon and they were asking for Senyorita." one of the helpers barged in the room.

"Where's Cast?" Mommy inquired.

"He’s downstairs, Ma'am..waiting for Senyorita." she then smiled.

"Alright then, come on, Sheina.. are you nervous? Don’t be, hija" she smiled at me and reached for my hand and squeezed them.

"Thanks, Mom." I was agitated as I stood up on my heels.

I descended the grand staircase and saw Cast in his tux, he looked busy. When he lifted his gaze from his phone he quickly stopped what he’s doing and stood up straight.

Even I reached the ends of the stairs my eyes were still fixated on him. He then offered his arm for me, and slowly I sling my arm.

"Cast, please do take care of your sister." Mom said in her waving tone.

"Yeah, whatever, Mom." he started to make steps so was I. We stopped for a moment and let Mom passed.

My arm tightened around his, why his eyes bored on mine. "Don't be nervous, you want this right? So, get used to it. This glamorous life is part of being a Dela Francia." he said emotionless before his eyes went back ahead. When we already neared the stage he then took my hand with him.

My lips parted at what he said. Yeah, I probably liked this, I so dreamt about this but it would be easier for me if he could just at least accept me as his sister and being the young Dela Francia.

My eyes remained on the stage and my heart was in haywire coz we were going next.

"..Ladies and gentlemen.. Our long lost beautiful daughter.. Sheina Dela Francia.."

This is it! The time of my life! If I would take that stair, surely my life will be changed. I was nervous while taking the steps upstairs.

Even Cast was with me still I felt nervous more when he loosened his grip coz I needed to go to our parents.

I took a deep breath before nearing my Mommy and Daddy. Yes, my Mom.. Mrs. Dorothy Dela Francia and my Dad Mr. Michael Dela Francia.

I kissed them both on their cheek before we hugged each other. We then detached to each other to face the crowd. Good grace! This one was really a big event because of around fifty or seventy guests everywhere.

"Welcome to the family, sis.." a deep baritone voice greeted me and I was almost fainted. My dear crude of a brother!

He kissed me on my cheek and hugged me so tight, so much for my like. "T-thanks, Cast." I almost grinned at him.

Cast was one hell of an actor, a while ago he was whispering some ill words and now.. 'Welcome to the family, sis' my ass.

"I still don't like you as my sister." he whispered before he let go and started walking to our parents.

My face fell, of course he still did not like me. What to expect from a Cast Eulises Dela Francia, the one and only spoiled Cast Eulises. And the worst part of it he was going to be my classmate to look for one another.

We left the stage to meet their other relatives and some business associates. Though I tried hard to remember their names, in the end it only messed my brain, good thing I remembered this Natalia, Mom’s only sister and Adrian Santori her husband. Natalia and Adrian have children, Bynery and Daveian. They were cool and Bynery was a friendly girl. And I found out that they were both studying in St. Anderson. Dad’s relatives from Bacolod did not make it tonight and I did not ask the reason of their absence, same with his relatives from France.

A bit tired, I excused myself to our table, feeling drained and all. While walking I threw glare at the chocolate fountain, I dire want to dip a mallow to my plate now. My parents followed me here on table why I averted my gaze from the poor chocolate fountain. I searched for Cast but he was not here with us, he was on the other table together with his friends.

I heard my name was called from the stage again, as the programme said we needed to start the dance, Cast and I. When I looked over at Cast, I saw him taking his way here, both our parents smiled at me urging me to please them again. Cast offered his hand and I took it in a heart bit, as he guided me in the heart of the crowd.

I put my hands on his shoulders why his rested on my waist. We were looking at each other, I was too nervous at the moment while he seemed the opposite.

"You look more beautiful tonight.. I like your hair that way, you looked like a real princess." he was complimenting me now and jeez! My heart was in ricochet!

My hair was on a artistic braid into bun to emphasize my tiara.

"Tha-thanks, Cast." I forced a little smile.

His grip tightened around my waist and that made me bit my lower lip. I averted my gaze to our parents, Dad already on his feet for my next dance. Actually, they were only two who could make a dance with me. My first dance was Cast and the last would be my Dad.

Cast released me. His hand slowly made its way to my hand and we both waited to Mr. Dela Francia.

"Thank you, son." Dad smiled hugely at Cast.

"With pleasure, Dad." Cast walked away.

"Are you happy, dear?"

"I was beyond happy, Dad.." my voice croaked.

"Anything for you, Sheina. We couldn’t compensate for the past but now that you are here with us, I'll make sure to give you all the happiness in the world, me and your Mom." he said emotionally.

"Thanks, Daddy! Thank you, I really appreciate so much this family." my tears rolled down but Dad wiped them off.

As we went back to our table, Mom enveloped me in a tight hug. The Santorini family was extending their joyous to us by smiling all wide. And Cast also back to our table as the main course will be started to serve.