Prologue
EVERYONE WAS IN a hurry , busy sa mga sariling trabaho. The room was filled with noises made by the hair blower used by my mom’s Hairstylist , tatawa tawa naman ang mga Make up artist na ini hire ng mama ko habang mine make up-an siya
I was just sitting there , in the corner of the room. I was ready to go-but thay doesnt mean that im excited to go. What am i gonna do in that ball anyways? Nothing. I have no business there.
Kakasuot ko lang sa prada stiletto na ipinasuot saakin ng designer na siyang designer din ng ina pero sumasakit na ang paa ko
I tsked bago ko inabot ang nananakit na paa at hinimas iyon , “What are you doing sweetie?”, kaagad akong nag taas ng tingin sa ma awtoridad na boses ng aking ina , her brows shoot up
Geez!
“N-nothing-its just that , it-its hurting my right foot i might not be able to walk properly” , i reasoned out as quickly as i could-its the truth
“c’mon , masasanay din yaan hija. You looked like a goddess , that stiletto suits you so damn much!” , hagikgik ng designer na siyang ngayon ay naka upo na naka de kwatro pa sa nude colored couch
“language Armito please” , maarteng saway ng ina ko dahil sa pag gamit ng Salitang Damn ng designer niya
“oh right! Right!” , kaagad itong umarteng isinasarado ang zipper na nasa bibig niya kaya naman medyo akong natawa
“mamma why do we have to go to that ball anyways?”, tanong ko na bahagya naman siyang natigilan , her bloody red lips stretched into a wide grin
“oh dear , for our business ofcourse!” , sabi nito bago ibinalik ang attensyon sa sariling repleksyon na nasa salamin
I smiled a bit , my mother looked so good with her nude and shimmery pink palate of eye make up and paired with her bloody hermes matte lipstick
She is the difinition of Beauty indeed
I heaved a deep sighed before pushing my self up ,bidding goodbyes to everyone and walking out of the room
Lahat ng mga kasambahay ay yumu yuko sa tuwing napapadaan sila saakin , i gave them a small smile as a reply because of their kind gesture
“Does you feet hurt?”, kaagad akong napa tingin sa itaas nang nasa living room na ako ng mansyon nang marinig ko ang boses ng aking ama na si Beckham
“daddy” , ngumisi ako at kahit hirap na hirap dahil sa sout na stiletto ay tinakbo ko ang grand gold motif staircase namin para lang mahagkan siya
“you looked so beautiful in that dress”, puri nito sa suot ko at saakin , matamis ko siyang nginitian , he was stil buttoning his three piece grey suit while talking
“just wait til you see mamma-she’s a goddess!”, i shrieked , excited na akong makita ang reaksyon ng aking ama pag makita na ang aking ina
“still you are beautiful-no one could surpass my daughter’s Beauty. No one” , inakbayan ako nito at iginiya pa baba ng hagdan , he chuckled
“youre not excited are you?”, my father asked funnily
“no im not , honestly”, he pinched my nose and kissed my forehead , “well darling you have to”
THE THREE OF US are ready to go , pero parang mas gugustuhin ko talagang mag paiwan , again i have nothing to do there. Wala akong kakilala.
Huli ako sa dalawa na nakalabas , both of my parents are waiting for me , nakahawak naman sa pinto ng black Limousin
“Be quick , we have to be there on time. The time is ticking!” , hirit ng ina ko at nauna nang pumasok sa sasakyan
“sorry” , i said almost in a whisper , but then she just shooked her head in disbelief
“dont do it ever again”
Nasa gitna nila akong dalawa , everyone was silent , no one’s talking. Gabi na kaya naman nakukuha nalang ang attensyon ko ng mga ilaw mula sa labas
Its wasnt an awkward air inside the limo , but its wasnt healthy.
“Beckham , make sure to speak with the known businessmen-not to those who are under us” , Mother broke the silence inside the car
“They needed our help Celestine. Isa pa , theyre giving us good feedbacks and theyre giving our company the good of service they could give-di na tayo lugi dun” , Das sighed as he massage his temple , his right hand resting on the arm rest
“my my! I dont want pests inside my company Beckham-pinag bigyan na kita last year so maybe this year you could atleast form a friendship with the high class Company owners there is” , my mother retorted , halatang inis na inis dahil sa ginawa ng ama-there’s nothing wrong with it naman , dad’s just helping out smaller companies than us in exchange of their loyalty and it paid good
“Oh! Maybe youre just too coward to say that you cant take their attention for just even a second-hah! Maybe i could do better , bakit ba ikaw pa ang napiling ipa kasal saakin youre not good enough when it comes to business-youre just a good father-
“silence Celestine , give respect to your daughter.” , mahina pero madiin ang bawat salita na lumabas sa bibig ng aking ama
I didnt move a single muscle ,i sat there still and silent
My mother went silent pero ilang segundo pa lang ay tumikhim ito at hinimas ang mataas at straight kong buhok , “Unlike your father , you are a head turner sweetie , take all of the attention every men will give you. Youre much better than him”
“can you hear yourself celestine-“
Dad stopped when the limo suddenly stopped infront of a big and known hotel
Kaagad na napahugot ng malalim na hininga ang aking ama bago ako hinawakan sa pulsohan , “shall we?”, he smiled at me and when i nod i heard my mother snorted
Nang tuluyan kaming makalabas sa sasakyan ay kaagad kong napansin ang red carpet na naka latay mula sa paahan ko papasok sa entrance ng magarbong hotel
Every body was taking pictures using their cameras , shooting live coverage for the media and shouting our names and names from the other newly arrived guests
Humugot ako ng hininga , nanlalamig ang aking kamay na siyang nababalotan ng lacey maroon gloves , my father held my hand and smiled , i could see his un happy eyes
Kahit natatakpan ng maskara ang mukha niya ay kita ko ang pag daloy ng hindi masabing emosyon
But one things for sure , he is un happy that i am here attending this ball. So am i.
But when i took a glance at mom. She looked like she’s the world’s most happiest person alive at that time.
She was waving her lefr arm , mouthing ‘thank you’ to everyone asking her to smile for them to take a picture of us. Naka pulupot naman ang braso niya saakin
She leaned in and whispered , “chest out , and tilt your head and please walk with poise” , naka ngisi siya pero mukhang galit ang bawat pag bigkas niya sa bawat salita
I immediately fixed my posture , specially the way i walk. Kaka realize ko lang na paika ika pa akong nag lalakd kanina at hindi pa sinalihan ng kembot kaunti tulad ng halos dalawang buwan niyang pinagtuturo saakin kasama ang kaniyang instructor
“good girl.” , gone the irritated voice , malambing na ang salitang lumalabas sa kaniyang mapulang labi , i smiled
Nang tuluyan kaming makapasok sa venue kaagad na nilapitan ng dalawang naggagandahang ginang ang aking ina , “buenas noches mi amigas” , she shrieked as she open her arms , ganuon din ang ginawa ng dalwang ginang
Kani kaniyang beso beso ang bawat isa , “oh you look so stunning tonight amiga” ,ani ng ginang na naka kulay green na long evening gown na may nagkikinangang swavorzki crystals ang suot
“as usual!”, humalhak ang mamma ko , “anyways , i want you all to meet my breathtakingly beautiful goddess—my daughter Athena Elizabeth , the one and only” , she stepped beside giving them me a way to enter their conversation
All of their eyes peirced on me , i didnt look down like what mamma said
Naglakad agad ako palapit sa mga ginang , “such a astonishing beauty you’ve got hija , im sure My son would like you!” , the woman giggled with her words as i blushed and smiled
“oh no no no! Your son couldnt even hit my standards!” , ani ng ina ko , i was left dumb founded with what she just said
Kaagad namang lumapit ang ginang na naka suot ng sivler evening gown na nasa mid fourties , “youre a goddess indeed , well im sure my son Sivo could surpass your said high standards”
She leaned in closer to me and whispered , “i am hoping na di ka kasing maarte ng mama mo”
I stilled with what she said but held up my posture like it was npthong she tsked and lpoked towards my mother’s direction
“we should head to our table” ,she sent an invitation to sit with her so my mother and some of her friends immediately agreed
“yes please” , sinamahan pa ito ng maarteng tawa ng ina ko
Palinga linga ako sa aking kapligiran , the venue is crowded , pilit na hinahanap ng aking mga mata ang aking ama but icant seem to find him
As i am about to settle down , mahinang napa tili ako nang may humila sa upuan ko , mabuti na lang at natabunan ng back ground music ang impit na tili ko
“im sorry , did i scare you?”, tanong ng lalaking ngayon ay nakaupo na sa gilid ko
I shook my head and smiled , ” its fine , im good ” , he was wearing a navy blue three piece suit and paired it with a silver tie
“Im chester Luke , i am deeply sprry for scaring you a while ago ,but its an honor to finally meet a beautiful woman” ,he smiled apologetically at me
“hijo! Chester my son!” , the wan wearing a green long gown stood up same with chester , kaagd itong nag yakapan at nang kumalas ang dalawa sa pag yakap ay hinalikan ng ginang ang pisngi nito
“oh right! Chester , this is Athena Elizabeth montrahe—the stunning goddess of tonights maquerade ball!” ,the wan giggled as i smiled trying to hide my flustered face
“oh dont tell me you already had forgotten!” , kaagad na napa tingin kami sa gawi ng babaeng naka kulay silver gown
Kaagad na nalukot ang mukha ng ginang na si mrs. Lukes , ” Celestine clearly said that your son cannot hit her standards”
Kaagad na natahimik ang buong taong nasa mesa , napa tikhim naman si Chester at tumayo pag katapos ng ilang segundong pagtitig niya sa mamma ko
He stood up and fixed his suit , “i could see that all of you have been enjoying “, ani nito habang pinpalibot ang mga mata and hr stopped and looked down at me and smiled
“have a good night ,ladies” , with that he walked away , my mom started a laugh
“weakling!” , ani nito , on the other hand mrs. Lukes remained clam and smiled
“i told you he could never satisfy me , same as my daughter” , that was the last thing i heared from mamma when my eyes settled on the man sitting on the stool sa mini bar ng venue
He’s wearing a red slacks , res suit and a gold tie. May hawak itong inumin sa kamay , and when our eyes met , he was stairing at me intently
My brows furrowed once again , is he stairing at me?
Kaagad akong napatingin sa bandang likoran ko , finding out that everybody’s minding their own businesses
Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa lalaking prenteng nakaupo sa stool he was smirking , tho he was wearing a masquerade mask i could clearly see his handsome features its like , i just couldnt stop my self from looking at him he is a drop dead gorgeous man
he drank his liquor with one shot and stood , walang lingong likod itong nag lakad papunta sa gawi ko
He looked like he owns the whole world while walking , he didnt heed attention to anyone who dares to talk to him , dire diretsong paglakad ang ginawa nito
And every second drips , mas na kla klaro ko ang angkin nitong la gwapohang taglay
I could feel an imaginary lump in my throat giving me this uneasy feeling kaya naman wala sa sariling napa lunok ako
“how pleasant it is to see such beautiful ladies in my party” , his baritone voice boed and echoed , kaagad na naagaa nito ang lahat ng attensyon
“oh dear! Its an honor to finally meet you mr. La vaile” , ani ng ina ko habang malaking ngiti ang nasa mapulang labi
“its my pleasure mrs. Montrahe” , ani nito s isang magalng n boses pero di kayang isang tabi ang baritono at buomg boses nito
Kaagad nitong kinuha ang nakalahad na kamay ng ina ko at hinalikan ang likod ng palad nito
“hijo!” , kaagad namang naagaw ang attensyon nito ang ngumisi at yinakap ang ginang na nak kulay silver
“oh how ive missed you Spencer! How’s your mom?” , hinawakan ng ginang ang mag kabilang balikat ng lalaki
“She doing great without father” , he replied
Kaagad na tumikhim ang ina ko , “Mr. La vaile , i want you to meet my daughter , Athena Elizabeth Montrahe”
Kaagad akong napatayo na para bang nag mamadali , im a bit intimidated by his presence , i heard him chuckle
“im glad to finally meet you milady” , tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti but he took my hand ang kisssed the back of it
Naramdaman ko ang mainit at malambot na labi na nag patayo sa buhok sa katawan ko
Nanatili ang labi nito saaking kamay ng ilang segundo and all i could hear is my heart beating for petes sake
“she is indeed a goddess i should say” , anito habang matiim na naka titig saakin , his grey eyes pierce my soul as i stare back at him
1 thought on “Oblivious in Lust”
Oh my Gosh… love this..