Chapter Seventeen

FTMBD

Tahimik akong nakaupo sa table ng pamilya Cromwell, kasama ang Cromwell family. Katabi ko ang ama ni Cosette na si Prensley, na katabi naman ang asawa niyang si Olivia. Sa kabilang tabi ni Olivia ay sina Aino at Magdalena.

Ang malumanay na tunog ng mga kubyertos at ang mahina na ingay ng mga pag-uusap ay bumabalot sa paligid. Tahimik lang naman akong kumakain ng dessert na bigay sa akin ni Prensley.

Ngunit ang aking katahimikan ay biglang naputol nang isang boses ang umalingawngaw mula sa stage. Tumingin ako sa stage upang makita ang kapatid ng birthday celebrant na may hawak na mikropono at nakangiti habang binabati ang mga bisita.

"Good evening, everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the celebration tonight," panimula ng babae, ang kaniyang boses ay umalingawngaw sa apat na sulok ng event hall. Ang atensyon ng lahat ay napunta sakaniya, at ang buong hall ay natahimik dahil sa pag-aabang.

Nangunot ang noo ko nang mapansin kong tumingin ang babae sa stage ng direkta sa akin. May kakaiba sa way ng tingin nito na nakakabahala. Yikes! 'Wag naman sanang tama ang hinala ko.

"And now," patuloy ng babae, ang kaniyang tingin ay nakatuon parin sa akin. "I have a special announcement. This is a challenge for a particular lady here tonight, someone who I've heard is quite talented at singing."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto ko na ang tinutukoy nito ay ako. Tumingin ako kay Magdalena na pilit pinipigil ang pagtawa habang marahang pumapalakpak.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Nakumpirma ko ang aking hinala— ito ay kagagawan ni Magdalena.

"I would like to challenge you, Miss Dulcinea Cosette Cromwell, to sing an impromptu song for my little sister, the birthday celebrant. If you manage to impress us with your performance, I will reward you with all the money I have in my bank. Come up on stage now, Miss Cromwell."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Does she expect me to go with the challenge just for her little money? 'Di man lang ba pumasok sa utak niyang mas mayaman ang pamilya na kinabibilingan ko kesa sa kaniya? She's full of herself, huh.

Napuno ng usapan ang buong hall habang nakatingin sa akin. I felt the weight of their gazes, and my initial shock turned into irritation.

Tiningnan ko si Prensley nang magsalita ito sa tabi ko, may kunot sa kaniyang noo.

"What is she talking about, anak?" tanong nito sa mahinahon na paraan, halatang naguguluhan sa biglaan na announcement.

Same, Prensley! Nabigla din ako. Buwesit talaga sa buhay iyang anak ninyo ni Olivia. Salot sa lipunan, eh.

I shrugged, trying to maintain my composure. "Beats me," tanging sagot ko bago binalik ang atensyon sa stage.

It made him confused even more. Kahit ako din naman ay naguguluhan din, eh. Ano kayang pinakain ng witch na Magdalena na 'yon sa babaeng 'to at naniwala naman? O baka naman uto-uto lang talaga ang babaeng nasa stage?

'So this is your game tonight, Magdalena? How boring! Akala ko pa naman masisiyahan ako! Tss, tss, how disappointing'

Is this already her attempt to humiliate me? Yah~ She should try harder. Mas maganda pa yata ang plano ko, eh. I hold back the smirk na gustong kumawala sa aking labi.

Tumayo ako na kumuha sa atensyon ng lahat ng mga mata mula sa apat na sulok ng hall. Lalong lumakas ang bulungan habang naglalakad ako papunta ako sa stage, head held high and with an air of confidence.

I elegantly went up the stage, as what she had told me to do. She looked at me from head to toe, then back to my face. I mentally smirk.

Siguro 'di niya nakita kung gaano kaganda ang mukha at hubog ng katawan ni Cosette dahil nakaupo ito kanina, at hindi abot ng liwanag ang table ng Cromwell.

I took the microphone from her, my expression calm and collected. I met the woman's eyes with a challenging look.

"Don't expect me to accept the challenge while you offer me something cheap, Miss," sabi ko, ang aking boses ay sapat lamang ang lakas para marinig ng lahat sa silid.

A hush fell over the crowd as they absorbed my words. I noticed the embarrassment on the woman's face, which brought a small, satisfied smile to my lips.

Hindi niya siguro matanggap na nasabi kong cheap ang offer niyang pera sa bangko. Heh! 'Wag na kaming magplastikan dito. Kagaya nga ng sabi ko, mas mayaman ang pamilya ni Cosette kesa sa pamilya niya, kaya siguradong ang laman ng bank account niya ay kakarampot lamang sa laman ng bank account ni Cosette.

"Why don't you give me something that could be valuable for me in the future?" I continued. "Like a house, a building, or a lot perhaps?"

Her eyes widened just by the mere mention of the lot. Kakabili lamang nito ng lupa sa city para sana sa plano niyang bahay. Bakit pa siya magpapatayo ng bahay kung maayos naman ang buhay niya sa bahay nila?

Well, that's because she had enough of her parents nagging her to have a boyfriend, a husband. Her parents— especially her mom— were pressuring her to bear a child— a boy— to inherit the company of her father. Since she is the older child, she is the most pressured one than her siblings.

Paano nga naman siya maghahanap ng boyfriend kung girlfriend ang gusto niya?

She is a lesbian, not open to everyone but she is proud. Hindi niya lang masabi sa lahat because she knows how society works.

Tsaka may girlfriend na siya, two years na. Babae na nasa kilalang pamilya din. I know I am a bit of a spoiler but yes, she is planning to build a house secretly to live with her girlfriend.

At dahil bitter ako, kukunin ko muna ang kasiyahan niya. Maganda kasi ang puwesto ng lupa na nabili niya. Puwede siyang patayuan ng business in the future.

Paano ko nalaman ang lahat ng ito? Aba, don't underestimate the power I hold. Hahahahahaha! Siyempre bago pa man ang event na ito, I did my advance research sa lahat ng mga taong dadalo sa gabing ito, kasama na ang pamilya Locke mismo.

I searched for their information, individually. Isa-isa kong tiningnan kung sino ang kapaki-pakinabang at kung sino ang puwede kong apihin para masaya.

Tahimik ang buong silid, ang mga bisita ay nag-aabang sa magiging sagot ng babae. I noticed how she looked at the side, kung saan mismo nakaupo si Magdalena.

"A--Alright! Let's see... I think I can arrange something more substantial. How about a prime piece of real estate in the city? It is only if you can do the challenge!"

Nagniningning ang mga mata ko sa interes. Inaasahan ko na papayag itong ibigay sa akin ang kakabili lamang niyang lote, pero nagbigay pa ito ng mas magandang offer na hindi ko kayang tanggihan.

A prime piece of real estate in the city?! Just wow!

Lihim akong napangisi. They just gave me an opportunity to hit three birds in one stone. One, maipapakita ko sa lahat na hindi lamang ganda at kahihiyan ang ambag ni Cosette sa mundong 'to. Two, mapapalis ko ang ngisi sa mukha ngayon ni Magdalena. And lastly, mapapasaakin ang tinutukoy nitong real estate.

Ah... I can smell something good will happen. Something a success would smell.

"Now that sounds more like it," sabi ko, lumalawak ang aking ngiti. "I accept your challenge. I will sing for the birthday celebrant, and in return, I expect that prime piece of real estate."

Napasinghap ang lahat, hindi yata inaasahan na papayag talaga ako. Sinong tatanggi kung may offer na magandang reward? It's obviously not me!

Their reactions were valid. Who would have thought that the hot-tempered lady that is always shouting at palaging kahihiyan ang pinapalabas sa publiko, can actually sing, right?

Sa totoo lang, kinakabahan din naman ako. Hindi ko din kasi alam kung may talent ba talaga ang babaeng ito sa pagkanta.

I know how to play any instruments, but never did I try singing. Never again. After kong mapahiya sa harap ng high school crush ko noon dahil sa tono ng boses ko, hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng panahon to improve my voice, and just develop my skills in instruments.

I studied every instrument that I wanted. At kapag sinabi kong gusto ko, I mean lahat. From the instruments that can be played using the breathing to instruments that could be played in hands. I also practiced instruments that could be played either with or without electronics.

Ngumiti ako dito bago humarap sa mga bisita. At the corner, I saw Prensley, looking worried, so I just gave him an assuring smile. He is worrying for nothing.

Though, I am not sure about Cosette's voice, madadaan ko naman ang lahat sa confidence. Hahahahaha!

Nakita ko din ang mga importanteng karakter sa nobela, lahat ng mata ay nasa akin. Napalunok ako. It made me nervous for a second. But then I remember, I am much more mighty than them.

Hindi nga lang nila alam.

But God knows I am more powerful than them. Am I? Shit. Kahit anong sabihin ko to lessen my nervousness, it isn't helping at all.

Be yourself nalang siguro, Alora. Tutal magaling ka sa pag-lift sa sarili mo. You can do this!

"Ah, good evening to all," I started talking to the mic. "I don't know why I am here, but the person who told the missy might be looking up at me to say those things," I joked that made some of the visitors laugh. "Anyway, the missy here already said the challenge and I am here to accept it. Missy, I hope you'll stick to your promise."

Napangiti ako nang makitang hindi ito makatingin sa akin. Balak niya sigurong hindi tuparin ang usapan. But now that I had already broadcast our bet, imposibleng she'll back out. It will be embarrassing to her part and to her family as well.

She raised an eyebrow at me before giving me the whole stage. Ramdam ko ang lahat ng mga matang nakasunod sa bawat galaw ko. I feel like I am a real professional singer that is about to start her own concert in an arena for a minute.

Tumalikod ako sa lahat and walk my way to the instruments on the side. I did background research about the Locke family before I came here. They aren't a threat at all, kaya siguro marami ang nagpunta na mga Young Masters.

The birthday celebrant loves music, no wonder maraming nakalagay na instruments dito sa side. Iba't iba ang mga ito. From big instruments to small ones.

Kinuha ko ang isang gitara na nakita ko. Inayos ko muna ang tono nito, the way I want it to. Then after it, I started strumming it to check if the sound fits the song I am about to sing. When the tone satisfies me, I went back to the mic stand and stared at everyone, before my eyes went to the birthday girl.

When our eyes met, her eyes widened and she immediately lowered her head. What a timid girl. Hmm. Ano kayang bagay na kanta para sa batang kagaya niya?

Oh...

I started strumming the guitar for some intro sound. Sinadya kong bagalan, para kunyari nag-iisip pa talaga ako.

Hindi na magiging pasok sa impromptu na challenge kapag nalaman nilang gawa na talaga ang kanta. Though it will appear just like that kasi iba ang mga songs and singers nila dito, mas maganda parin iyong feel kong ako talaga ang may gawa ng kanta.

'Ang lakas mong mang-copyright, gaga, porke alam mong walang makakaalam! Tarantado!'

🎶 "You're insecure, don't know what for

You're turnin' heads when you walk through the door

Don't need makeup to cover up

Bein' the way that you are is enough"

Napahinga ako ng maluwag nang marinig ang boses ni Cosette. Dang! Mabuti nalang kahit palaging sumisigaw ang babaeng 'to ay may tinatago din palang magandang boses.

Napangiti ako nang makita ko na mag-angat ng tingin si Valentine— if I remember correctly— nang marinig nito ang pagkanta ko. The lyrics of this song fit her well. She is literally a beauty, but she is still insecure.

We all are. Sad truth.

🎶 "Everyone else in the room can see it

Everyone else but you"

"W--wow! I can't believe that the beautiful voice I am hearing now comes from the hot-tempered Lady Cosette!"

"Hush, you're being too loud. Pero totoo, I can't also believe that the Young Lady is hiding an angelic voice!"

"I know that she is singing for the birthday girl, but why does the lyrics also hit me hard?"

"Girl, you are not alone!"

"Valentine," I called her name before singing the next part of the song that made some ladies tonight sighed for I don't know what reason.

🎶 "... you light up the world like nobody else

The way that you flip your hair gets us overwhelmed

But when you smile at the ground, it ain't hard to tell

You don't know, oh-oh, you don't know you're beautiful"

"O--Oh my! Bakit pakiramdam ko sa akin niya dine-dedicate ang kanta?"

"Dude, aminin mo nga na mas magaling siyang magpakilig kesa sa 'yo."

"Oo na, fuck you ka."

"The beautiful girl has a talent."

"I didn't know Lord Prensley had such a stunning and talented daughter."

The side comments wanted me to burst into laughter. Mabuti nalang I am good at holding back my emotions, baka kanina pa ako nangisay sa kakatawa dito sa harap.

Maganda naman ang boses ni Cosette. Seven out of ten. Puwede na panglaban sa mga karaoke warriors ng Pilipinas. Kaya ng tapatan sa cold voice si Taylor Swift, Bella Poarch, Selena Gomez, at kung sino pa man ang mga sikat na singer sa Earth.

Hindi man kasing taas ng birit ni Celine Dion, at least may panlaban parin ang boses. Naiinggit ako as Alora na parang tunog naipit na kambing kapag kumakanta. Hayss.

🎶 "If only you saw what we can see

You'll understand why some want you so desperately

Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe

You don't know, oh-oh, you don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh

That's what makes you beautiful”

I ended the song that way. Ayaw kong kumanta ng kompleto ang buong lyrics, baka magulat nalang ako pinapapirma na ako ng kontrata sa isang sikat na entertaining agency ng lugar na 'to. Yikes!

After the last strum of the guitar, the crowd went silent. I don't know if they liked the performance or they were not satisfied.

Basta ako ayos ako sa boses ni Cosette. Tinatago niya ang ganitong boses na pinapangarap ko lang naman noong nabubuhay pa ako as Alora. Kung may ganito lang talaga akong boses, araw-araw kong haharanahin ang crush ko noong kinabaliwan ko talaga sa high school.

Matapos ang mahabang katahimikan sa venue, the audience gradually clap their hands. May ibang tumayo pa talaga with wide smiles on their lips, as if may nakita silang achievement ko at proud sila doon.

Kayo ba nagpakain sa 'kin? Mga echoserang plastic na 'to! Heh!

I smiled and bowed elegantly. Maraming napasinghap dahil sa ginawa ko.

Noble rule: Nobles should never bow down to anyone, except the higher people than them.

Screw the rules and the one that made it.

Giving everyone an equal treatment is a queen thing, that is why I am doing it. Imma Queen. This is my kingdom. My kingdom, my rules. Gano'n!

Nang pababa na ako ng stage, nagulat ang lahat— kasama na ako— nang may mag-abot ng kamay sa akin, trying his luck to escort me. The thing is hindi iyon ang nakakagulat.

What surprised us is the person owning the hand that was extended to me. It is one of the Young Masters, Young Master Hezekiah.

Napalunok ako, nagdadalawang-isip kung ano ang dapat gawin. Kapag tinanggihan ko ang kamay niyang gusto akong tulungan sa pagbaba, magmumukha akong masama sa mata ng lahat na nandito sa venue. I am trying to build an angel image pa naman. Pffft ahem!

Kapag naman tinanggap ko ang kamay niya, para ko narin sinabi sa kaniya at sa lahat na may possibility na maging magkaibigan kami. Kapag gano'n baka mag-assume siyang we can be friends kahit na ayaw ko dahil delikado siyang tao!

How dangerous? Out of 100, he is more than the rate.

Kapatid kaya ito ng mml, kaya delikado talaga! It runs on their blood! Kapag Donnovan, ibig sabihin demonyo ang mga 'yan dito sa Gaia. Oo, sa buong mundo na ito ay kilala ang Donnovan.

Bukod doon, delikado din ang kaguwapohan ng animal. His eyes were a pair of chocolate brown eyes. His nose was pointed and had kissable lips. And oh, look at that jaw! His jawline was so sharp that I imagined my fingers being cut if I ever touched it.

He is wearing an all red formal attire. Red is Donnovan's color, as what the female lead has said in the novel. And she is not lying about that. Hezekiah is handsome with his red suit on.

"You wouldn't like us to stay like this in the entire night, right, little missy?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ko siyang magsalita. Dahil sa bigla ay nahawakan ko ang kaniyang nakaabot na kamay. Napakurap ako nang makita ko ang pagngiti nito at maramdaman ang paghigpit ng hawak nito sa kamay ko.

Damn, his handsomeness is dangerous to Cosette's heart!

Habang inaalalayan ako nito sa pagbaba, pinagmasdan ko itong maigi. Hindi naman siya mukhang galit dahil pinaghintay ko siya ng matagal kanina. Siguro nangalay na 'yan siya. Deserve.

I cleared my throat to get his attention. Nakita ko kasing papalapit sa aming dalawa si Prensley, yet he is still holding my hand tightly but gently. Mukhang balak pa akong samahan papunta sa mesa namin. Anong nakain nito?

"Did someone already tell you how stunning you are tonight? You look stunning wearing your simple gown, little missy."

Napangiti ako. Uy, compliment 'yon. Nakatanggap ako ng compliment mula sa isang animal. Dapat na ba akong magpa-throw ng party? Geez.

"I know. You also look handsome with your red suit, Young Master," I casually said. Dapat may sabihin din ako, ang kapal naman ng mukha ko kung I know lang ang sasabihin ko, 'di ba?

"Hezekiah."

"Ha?"

Nangunot ang noo ko. Bigla kasing nag-loading ang utak ko. Narinig ko naman ng maayos ang sinabi niya, ayaw lang sigurong tanggapin ng utak ko ang namumuong ideya dito.

"Call me Hezekiah. You will become my sister-in-law soon, you should start practicing calling me by only my name. Okay?"

Napakurap ako sa gulat, hindi maproseso sa utak ang mga sinabi niya. Ano daw? Ako? Magiging sister-in-law niya?! Sinong nagsabi nang makatikim nang malakas kong sampal? Ang paladesisyon naman, amp!

Wait... Right. It was mentioned in the novel that Cosette and his brother will be engaged. But it will be cancelled right away because his brother doesn't want to. Don't tell me engaged na kami ng hindi ko alam?!

Lagot na.

Wala pa naman sa plano ko ang matali. Nakahinga na nga ako nang maluwag nang malaman kong cancelled na ang engagement ni Cosette at Rocco bago pa man ako pumalit sa katawan nito. Tapos ngayon malalaman kong may panibagong engagement na naman na hindi ko man lang alam?

"Pero—"

"Good evening, Young Master. I would like to get my daughter from you, if that's okay?" kaagad na tanong ni Prensley nang tuluyan na itong makalapit sa puwesto naming dalawa ni Hezekiah.

"Why so formal, Lord Cromwell? C’mon, we are partners in some sort of business. Besides, I can take your daughter to your table,” nakangiting sabi ni Hezekiah. But I know what's running on this man's mind.

Loko-loko talaga ang lalaking 'to. Alam niya kung paano inisin o galitin ang mga kausap niya. He provoked his opponent before fighting. He just loves it when he sees anger on them, because it means they lose the fight kahit hindi pa man sila nagsisimula.

Malumanay kong binawi ang kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya. Nilingon niya ako, nagtatanong ang mga mata. We are already gaining a lot of attention and I am a bit shy about it. Heh, kalokohan!

Lumipat ako sa tabi ni Prensley tsaka kumapit sa braso nito. "Thank you for helping me get down the stage earlier, Young Master. But since my father is already here, I think we should go back to our respective tables. Have a good night, Hezekiah."

His face softened after hearing me mentioning his name as tenderly as possible. I want to keep my voice gentle kapag kausap ang mga guwapong nilalang ng nobelang 'to.

I need to focus on flirting now that I am inside a beautiful body and given a second chance to do so.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing. Thoughts can really destroy us, for real.

"Alright. Your voice is wonderful, little missy. Have a good night as well, Cosette."

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang papalayo nitong pigura bago kami tumalikod ni Prensley para maglakad pabalik sa aming mesa.

"You should be careful with the Young Masters, anak. All of them are dangerous,” Prensley whispered to me.

I know that more than anyone else in this room.

∞∞∞∞∞

📖📌 Hello, folks! If ever na may mabasa kayong typos or grammatical errors, you can kindly comment it down and I'll try na ayusin kaagad. Thank you, mwaps! (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥