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“Thea, please make sure that there are extra liquor glasses. We’re an open bar so we need to have extra ones.” I told Thea via video call on Messenger and I just waved at Rose who just entered the unit. I pointed at Andz who was in the kitchen eating the clubhouse sandwich.

“Ma’am, what time do you think you’ll be able to arrive? So, you can check the venue, food, crew, and the others.”

Rose suddenly waved her hands to capture my attention and made an X with her arms. Good thing I understood her.

“Thea, I’m not sure. I still have to check some things with the President and the CEO before meeting them at the venue.” I saw Rose point at herself. “But I’ll send Rose over to do the final checking before you open the doors to receive guests.” Rose is acting suspiciously today.

“Sure, ma’am. I’ll just wait for Rose while continuing the preparation. See you, ma’am.” The call ended.

“Rose, why did you tell me that? I am supposed to be the one who’ll go first to check everything and receive guests.” I said before biting into a club sandwich.

Rose thought first before answering. “I shouldn’t tell you this, Ma’am. But I can’t say no to you.” She took a deep breath before continuing. I also noticed that Andz stopped eating. “Sir Leig told me to not let you go because he’ll fetch you at 6 pm.”

“Fetch me?” I asked. Andz suddenly shouted.

“OMG! GIRL! REMEMBER, YOU’RE HIS DATE??!!” She shouted at my face. My eyes widened. Right! When we went to Rizal!

I faced Andz. “Oh no! I forgot!”

“What time is it?” Andz asked while looking around, trying to find a clock.

“Quarter to 5,” Rose answered, laughing a little.

“Drop that sandwich and take a bath. Nako! I don’t know how to put up your hair!” She pushed me up the stairs.

The moment I stepped out of the bath, I heard Andz’s voice which is happier than normal. What is it this time?

“Andz? What’s happening?” I looked down to the living room. I saw 2 unfamiliar faces.

“OMG! Niks! Your CEO is grand! He sent hair and make-up artists for you! There’s also a big box delivered with a note.” She said while guiding the two up the stairs and bringing with her the said box. When she reached me, she handed me the note before leading the other two in my bedroom.

Ms. Sirencho,

Some things that I figured that you’ll need to look more beautiful. Also, so we can match.

Leig Uy-Lim, CEO

P.S. Don’t be too beautiful. I don’t want to engage in a fight tonight.

What? I just placed the note on my side table then I faced the three people gossiping.

“There! She’s the one you’ll help tonight! Good thing that you arrived because I don’t know what to do with her.” Andz then suddenly faced me and grabbed my shoulders. “Niks, they’re professionals, okay? Let them work their magic.” She winked at me before she left.

The woman who has small eyes and straight, black hair offered her hand to me. “Hi, I’m Pat. I’ll be your make-up artist today.” I said hello while shaking her hand. The other woman who’s almost the same height as Pat but with curly, black hair offered her hand. “Hey, I’m Ces, hairstylist.” I shook her hand as well.

We stationed ourselves in front of my dresser table and let them do what they needed to. I also wore my clothes along with the other accessories when they were done. I think it took about more than an hour. After I wore the heels, Andz went inside, who’s also ready to go.

“Wow, Niks! You look so beautiful!” Then she whipped up her phone and started to take pictures of me. She went to Pat and Ces, and hugged them. “Thank you! You’re really good!”

While they’re talking away, I simply looked in the mirror. I’m wearing a black, halter neck, floor-length dress, with an overlay of tulle that shimmers because of the black and gold glitters whenever I move. As for the shoes, black, ankle strap, open toe, 3-inch heels. I have a black clutch, like Princess Diana style, and tear-drop diamond earrings. Ces put up my hair to a 50’s look. This will be the only night that I’ll be dressing up, so might as well resonate in it.

I looked at the nearest clock and saw that it’s already past 6 pm! I immediately got out of my room and saw Jerk downstairs, waiting by the staircase. He’s wearing a tuxedo and he fixed his hair. It’s like he’s going for a James Bond look.

“Wow, Nicole. You look breath-taking.” He said to me when I came down.

My cheeks became a little hot. “Thank you.”

Suddenly a laugh burst at my back. “Oh, Leig, Nicole’s getting red. What’d you say?” Jason said. I guess he’s here for Andz.

Later on, we all started to get to the venue. I sent a text message to Thea, asking about the status of the venue and the people. She assured me that everything is going as planned. Good thing or else I’ll have to answer to the one who’s beside me. Jason and Andz rode another car to the venue.

A hand suddenly wrapped around mine. “Relax. I know how hard you’ve worked for this event. Rose told me. Any case, if something did happen, you’d already be notified, right?”

I looked at Jerk beside me. He’s looking at me differently. He’s not smiling or anything but there’s a different look that says that everything will be alright. He squeezed my hand a bit before getting out of the car. I hadn’t noticed that we'd already arrived. He offered his hand to help me get out of the car.

Getting out of the car, I was blinded by the lights and flashes of the cameras. I just remembered that I’m with a VIP. There’s a need for interviews and photo ops. I wanted to get out of it but Jerk’s got a somewhat tight grip on my waist. He’s done weird things today. Maybe he’s sick. While he’s being interviewed by various journalists, I just smiled. When asked, Jerk introduces me as the General Manager and not his girlfriend. Good thing too, or else, I’ll be bombarded with questions by Andz, Jason, and Rose.

When we entered the venue, we were greeted by many people, shining chandeliers, strobe lights and other lights, and the whole ambiance that says this is a celebratory party and not just some formal gathering. We saw the smiles of people that showed their enjoyment. There were some dancing on the dancefloor which is facing the stage. People of all ages are dancing. Meanwhile, the servers kept going around, which also means that the finger food is good. I smiled.

Jerk, out of nowhere, came up to me. “I have to greet some people first before we start the program.” I just nodded as an answer.

And, that’s what we did. We went around the guests. I could already feel my cheeks going numb from all of the smiling, and my hands because of the seemingly endless shaking. Good thing we’re at the last group now because the program is about to start.

“....dear?” Jerk’s grip on my waist tightened a bit, waking me up from my reverie.

“Yes?” The older ladies laughed.

“Ay nako, Leig, iho. You have to take care of Nicole. The party’s just getting started but she seems tired already.” Ma’am Esme said, the aunt of Jerk.

“I’m just tired from work, ma’am.” I’m ashamed I let that happen!

“Nako, iha, ma’am is for the office. Call me Tita Esme.” I nodded and smiled at her. I didn’t speak anymore because I’m afraid of what will get out of my mouth.

Tita Esme looked at Jerk. “Iho, you look beautiful together! I actually thought you’re a married couple! ‘Cause when you enter, you look like a married couple! To be honest, I was kind of disappointed when you Introduced Nicole to us as your General Manager.”

Jerk laughed heartily and my cheeks turned red. What? We look like a married couple? On what planet? In what dimension? But Jerk seems to like what Tita Esme said. If we weren’t at a party, I might’ve hit him already.

“Nako, Tita, I have no intention of letting Nicole go.” Then the emcee spoke and we said our goodbyes to them before going up the stage. The emcee introduced me first to give the welcome remarks, and I introduced Jerk to give his speech. After that, a video montage was played to show the growth of the company, as well as the humanitarian and charitable projects that the company made and supported. Then, the awarding of employees based on performance, loyalty, and retirement was made. Last was dinner and free time.

The four of us, Jason, Jerk, Andz, and I were at one table together with the vice presidents. I was seated in between Jerk and Andz, and Jason was seated at the other side of Andz. The assistants, on the other hand, were at another table near ours. The same with the BOI and the others. Noise from our table can be heard by almost everyone because of Jason and Andz. Good thing that the others at our table didn’t feel awkward.

All of us suddenly faced the stage because the lead vocalist of the band that we hired. He invited couples: married couples, dating couples, getting-to-know stage couples to dance to their next song. I didn’t mind it and just continued to eat my blueberry cheesecake with coffee. But Jerk stood up and held out a hand to me. I frowned at him and shook my head which he just nodded as if to say ‘come on.’ When I held his hand, Jason and Andz gave out shouts. They’re really crazy.

Jerk placed one hand on my waist and raised the hand holding mine. As soon as I placed my other hand on his shoulder, he started moving. I simply look down on the ground because I might step on him or maybe I’d stumble because of the heels.

“Ey, why are you looking down? Are you ashamed that we’re dancing?” Jerk asked me with a little anger in his voice.

“Oh, no. I don’t know how to dance and I’m afraid to step on you or to stumble because of my heels.”

He laughed softly. The kind of good laugh and not the laughing at a person. I knew it! He’s sick. “Just look at me, Nicole. Let me lead you and you’ll be fine.”

And that’s what I did. I looked at him and let him lead me. I hadn’t noticed that the song and dance were done until I heard claps from the crowd. I looked around and noticed that we were the only ones on the dance floor! I felt my cheeks become hot. Jerk guided me back to our table but I didn’t sit down. I said I’ll go to the comfort room.

I immediately entered a stall and started to calm myself. I don’t know why my heart beat so loudly and why my cheeks are so red. I didn’t even drink alcohol. Is this what they call an anxiety attack? But it doesn’t have reddening of cheeks. I just did a breathing exercise I learned until I felt calm enough.

While I was washing my hands, I heard a woman and an elderly man argue outside. I don’t understand their language. And because of that, I just didn’t mind them. Going out, I suddenly heard my name. And they switched to TagLish!

“Sir, you should tell her the truth! I know Nicole and she deserves to know the truth!” The woman whisper-shouted...that sounds like Andz?

“No! I don’t want to! Her life was fine the moment I walked away. It’ll just get messy again if I come back! I don’t want that to happen!”

“What?” I looked at the elderly man which turned out to be Señor Fernando. Both of them slowly walked towards me but before they reached me, I ran away from the venue.