At The Ball

Yumie did stand out in the crowd. The moment she stepped out of Zeek's car, everyone's eyes got fixed on them. She looked sophisticatedly glamorous in a Cinderella Divine Gown.

The gown is stunningly fitted for her. The natural silhouette hue of the gown matches her complexion. Tila pa kuminang ang kutis niya. It emphasizes her figure as the gown featured a fitted bodice. She is definitely alluring with the plunging V-neckline and open back. The full length pleated skirt made her even taller na sinabayan pa ng 3 inch silver heels na suot niya. She outshine all the pretty maiden na nasa party na iyon.

Zeek stood proud and dashing sa suot naman nitong Dark Grey Tuxedo. With his sharp-looking and fitted bod, no one can deny that Zeek was really the prince of Callejos Empire. His projection made him look more domineering and authoritative. At kahit na naka-3 inch heels si Yumie, he still stands taller than her.

Yumie stood just right behind Zeek, ngunit nilingon siya ni Zeek at iminuwestra ang braso nito urging her to hold it and they will walk ng magkasabay. Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mata. She is there as his assistant not really his date.

"Comm'on, Mayumia. You look very beautiful tonight. You are my date tonight not my assistant. This is for me to ensure na hindi ka hihilain ng kung sinu-sino mamaya. You have to stay beside me. Ayokong kung saan-saan ka hagilapin," Zeek told her.

Maingay sa paligid. But Yumie made sure na wlaang makakarinig sila lalo pa't napapaligiran sila ng mga security personnel. Natanawan pa niya sa gilid ng mata si Rigor sa isang gilid. Nakatuon ang atensyon sa kanila habang nagmamando ng mga sasakyan ng bisita.

Nagingiting inirapan niya lang si Zeek. Zeek might be teasing but she can't help it but to blush sa tinuran nitong she is very beautiful. Gayunpaman, sinunod niya ito. Inangkla niya ang braso sa nakaambang braso nito. And they walk together papasok ng venue.

Maraming bumati sa kanila papasok. Mostly the executives or business friends with their family. Lahat very eager to talk to Zeek. Some complimented how they look beautifully. But she acted as naturally Zeek's assistant. She introduces herself as that. Yung iba binibiro si Zeek that his bachelor life may be over and Zeek just play along with it. Nginingiti-ngitian niya lang din naman ang mga ito.

She met some of Zeek's friends and ang ibang mga anak din ng ibang Executive that longs to matchmake Zeek with their daughters. But since she was always beside Zeek, hindi makaporma ang mga ito. There are few na tinataasan siya ng kilay which she ignore. Wala naman siyang balak makipag-kumpetensya sa mga ito when it comes to Zeek.

Before the actual party merong mini program that would show the growth of Callejos Tech. There will be a speech from the President himself. And there were some few recognition. Aaward-an din doon ang mga loyalty holders for Callejos Tech. When the program was about to start, ginuide na sila ng usherette sa uupuan nila. Tila gumaan ang pakiramdam ni Yumie nang makaupo. Nakakapagod ang makihalobilo sa mga taong halos hindi naman niya kilala.

"Nararamdaman kong tatanggapin mo ng I was definitely charming," bulong ni Zeek sa kaniya nang maka-upo ito sa tabi niya.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "First, obviously feel na feel mo yung attention that everybody is giving you. Alam kong talagang pinagdidiinan mo pa on how good looking you are. Second, this is cheating because I know you're just acting it. Making me feel like I'm in a true date. But hate to break it to you, my beloved Boss, I can play along. And lastly, yes, I admit. You are definitely a prince charming but I think I won our bet. Umpisa pa lang you told me how beautiful I am. That means you admit it first," turan ni Yumie with wide successful grin.

Zeek smiled widely. Wala sa kaniya kung matalo siya sa pustahan. Wala naman silang prize to be won. All he wants was to hear from you that he is charming indeed. Atleast, alam niyang may dating din siya sa magandang assistant. He just shrugged off and sinarili na lang ang contentment.

They are waiting for the start of the program nang may lumapit sa kanila na isa sa mga assistant ni Ismael Callejos. Dumukwang ito sa kanila saka may importanteng sinabi.

"Mr. Callejos, the President cannot make it today. Can you deliver the speech instead?" turan ng assistant ni Ismael.

Nagkatinginan si Yumie at Zeek. Zeek seemed hesitant. Si Yumie ang sumagot.

"Is there some kind of prepared speech for the President na pwede na lang niya basahin?" tanong ni Yumie.

"Here," may inabot sa kaniyang papel.

Mabilis na ini-scan iyon ni Yumie saka muling hinarap ang kausap. "Can you give us 15minutes to walk this through. We'll let you know if we can start," turan niya.

Tumango naman ang assistant and saka umalis.

"Run this through. Then tell me, kung may gusto kang tanggalin," mabilis na sabi ni Yumie kay Zeek na inabot ang papel na naglalaman ng speech.

"I was looking for a non-working party tonight. Can you call my Dad atleast I need to know why isn't he coming," utos nito and started reading the paper. Yumie grab Zeek's phone and instead of calling, she just texted Ismael. Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot nito and assisted Zeek sa speech nito.

"This is boring," reklamo pa ni Zeek. "I'll just have to wing it, then." Kinindatan siya nito as if telling her that leave it all to him. Tumayo ito and headed to the organizers. Sumunod naman si Yumie sa kaniya.

Nilapitan nila ang techbooth. Zeek is checking the video presentation na ipapalabas habang mag-spe-speech ito nang may lumapit ditong isang babae. Sabay silang napalingon sa babae, nang paakbay na lumapit ito kay Zeek. The girl was so sophisticated and obviously flirty towards Zeek.

"Hey! Good looking!" bungad nito. Yumie couldn't help but look at the girl from head to toe. She didn't budge though. Hinayaan niya lang ito na lumingkis kay Zeek.

"Arya, hello," ani Zeek na pasimpleng kinakalas ang kumukunyapit na dalaga. Tumingin pa ito sa kaniya as if telling her to help him.

"Can I sit with you tonight? I don't have a date. I was just told that you will be attending the event so I decided to come as well."

Hindi napigilan ni Yumie ang mapailing at siya ang tila nahiya sa inaakto ng babae. Obvious na obvious ang panlalandi nito sa amo niya. Kahit hindi niya totoong date si Zeek nang gabing iyon, tila naman naiirita siya sa inaakto ng babae. And Zeek is also looking at her as if telling her to do something.

"I'm about to make a speech. And by the way, I have a date tonight," Inabot ni Zeek ang kamay niya at pahilang iprinisinta siya kay Arya. "Yumie, meet Arya. Director Anders' daughter. You talk to her for a moment while I get on the stage," ani Zeek. Pasimpleng pinandilatan siya nito. She just smiled amusingly. Hindi na hinintay ni Zeek na sumagot siya. Mabilis na itong lumayo sa kanila saka dumiretso sa organizer. Nginitian niya lang si Arya and looked at Zeek habang nagreready ito paakyat ng stage.

The Emcee announces Zeek's presence and the crowd claps as Zeek walks towards the stage. Yumie and Arya stood beside each other as they watched Zeek walked towards the podium. Hindi sila nag-usap.

"Hello everyone!" He greeted first. "I was kind of in the impression of enjoying the party tonight without responsibility. But since my father couldn't make it, I get to be his proxy. Disappointing for me because as everybody have seen I have a very beautiful date tonight and I have to make her wait for awhile," pabirong bungad pa ni Zeek to lighten the mood. And the crowd jeered with laughter.

Yumie rolled her eyes as Zeek made his funny intro. The crowd somehow looked at her but she just shrugged and laugh with the crowd. Nagsimula ng magsalita si Zeek seriously regarding the Callejos Tech.

"You must be very special," turan ni Arya na ikinalingon ni Yumie. "Zeek never attended the Anniversary Ball. Much more he was never seen with a date to any event," anito in an almost sarcastic tone.

"Oh, you misunderstood. I am his assistant. He just wanted to lighten probably the mood," amin niya.

"His assistant? That's new! Eventhough you are his assistant, he was never seen in social gatherings with a girl. Especially with an assistant," Arya said this time puno iyon ng curiosity.

Hindi alam ni Yumie kung ano ang isasagot. Kahit siya hindi alam ang bagay na iyon. But then she just shrugged it off. "Well, there's always a first time for everything."

Humarap na siya sa stage imposing na hindi na niya gustong makipag-usap. Itinuon niya ang atensyon sa sinasabi ni Zeek. But she can't deny that it got her thinking. Zeek is definitely acting not himself base sa mga reaction ng mga taong nakakakilala sa kanila. But then, wala siyang balak na lagyan ng ibang kahulugan iyon. To her, Zeek is Zeek. Ano pa ang ipakita nito sa iba, to Yumie, Zeek is her boss and a Callejos.

Natapos ang speech ni Zeek and nasundan iyon ng award giving. Zeek had to stay sa stage to give off awards for a couple more minutes. Since abala naman ang amo to his responsibilities, Yumie decided na panadaliang lumabas muna. Medyo napapagod na rin siya sa pakikipag-socialize sa mga taong hindi naman talaga niya kakilala. She headed to the garden area ng venue hall na iyon. She walk towards a mini playground and decided to sit on the swing.

Napabuntong hininga siya. Dahan-dahan niyang iniugoy ang swing. Habang unti-unti siyang nalubog sa matinding isipin. Naalala niya ang mga kakaibang paramdam ni Zeek. It got her thinking. Tila hindi na iyon basta-basta pang-aasar at pambibiro na lang. People have been talking about it lately. And no matter how much she ignores, she can't deny the fact na medyo dumarami at lumalawak na ang populasyon ng mga taong pinag-uusapan sila. Naisip din niya ang babaeng si Arya kanina. Zeek seemed trying to sway off the pretty lady but now it's as if, she thought, iniiwasan ni Zeek ang babae para hindi siya magselos. Kahit nakaranas siya ng iritasyon kay Arya, hindi naman siya nakaramdam ng pagkaselos sa babae.

She also thought how Zeek became different lately. Simula ng bumalik sila from China, hindi na nagpupunta ng club bars si Zeek. Iniisip niya masyado lang talaga silang maraming trabaho na naiwan lately, but sa pagkakakilala niya kay Zeek, he wouldn't miss a chance to put out his naughty side kahit pa gaano ito kaabala. But then, lately, halos siya pa rin ang kasama nito kahit saan ito magpunta. They have eaten lunch together. After office hours, sinasamahan niya pa rin itong mag-dinner sa gabi madalas. At times, kapag naiinip ito sa office and would just want to go for a walk, hinihila din siya nito and they would just hang out somewhere. Napailing si Yumie at the thought.

'Was that a somekind of a date?' aniya as she realize kung ano yung actions nila towards each other. To her, it was all work. Sumusunod lang siya sa boss. But hindi niya masisi ang iba na pag-isipan sila. Like tonight, Zeek definitely announces that she's there as his date.

Nasa malalim pa rin siyang pag-iisip nang maramdaman niyang may lumapit sa kaniya. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa kung sinuman iyon. She smiled upon seeing Rigor.

"Malamig dito. Hindi ka ba nilalamig sa suot mo?" anito na lumapit sa kaniya.

Umiling lang siya. There he is again, the over protective brother like he is.

"I just need a time away from that crowd. Hindi na ko sanay makaipag-sosyalan sa mga bigating crowd. Was it almost over?" ani Yumie.

"Dumating na ang Presidente. Humabol pa sa party niya," Rigor informed.

"Dumating si President Ismael?" Mabilis niyang hinagilap ang cellphone ni Zeek na nasa bag niya at tinignan kung may mensahe doon ang ama nito. Saka lang niya nabasa ang message. Tila nga hahabol ito sa party. He replied earlier na paalis pa lang ito ng Rancho. Yumie smiled sarcastically upon reading the message. "He just came from the Callejos Ranch." Napailing si Yumie saka napatingala.

"The Callejos Ranch," She uttered. "It feels so near. Nararamdaman mo ba, Kuya? It's almost as if makakabalik na tayo ulit ng Sejanos. I kept hearing the place madalas na ngayon. They talk about it alot," ani Yumie in a very hopeful tone.

"Wag kang masyadong umasa. Hindi natin alam kung ano na ang itsura ng Hacienda Dela Torre ngayon," turan ni Rigor.

Nilingon ito ni Yumie. Naisip ulit niya ang alalahanin kanina. Naisipan niyang itanong iyon kay Rigor.

"Tell me, kung hindi mo ko kilala, ano ang tingin mo samin ni Zeek Callejos?" aniya.

Rigor froze upon hearing his question. Hindi ito sumagot.

"I kept hearing what others are saying and I can't just simply ignore it. Was it really looking like me and Zeek was in some kind of relationship?" diretsang tanong ni Yumie.

"Mayumia..." hindi alam ni Rigor kung ano ang idudugtong sa pagtawag sa kaniya. Sa totoo lang, pinipilit din niyang balewalain ang issue na iyon. For it was also hurting him dahil sa lihim na pagtingin niya sa dalaga. But tila natatanggap na ni Yumie ang mga bulong-bulungan na naririnig nila.

"Tignan mo nga naman," ani pa ni Yumie kahit wala pa siyang sinasagot. "We've been racking our brains hard pano makakapag-umpisa sa pambabawi ng mga nawala sakin when all I could simply do is use his son for my revenge," Yumie's expression become deadly. Napatiimbagang pa ito. "I get it now. I had the advantage since Zeek Callejos seemed to like me."

"Yumie, wag kang magpadalos-dalos. Baka mapahamak ka sa iniisip mo," awat ni Rigor.

Yumie smirked. "I am 12 years in waiting I couldn't wait any longer."

"Mayumia, hindi iyon ganon kadali. Kailangan mong pag-isipan ito ng mabuti."

Matalim ang naging tingin ni Yumie kay Rigor. Was he trying to stop here. Minsan iniisip niya kung totoo bang gusto din nitong mabawi niya ang mga ninakaw sa kaniya. Bakit tila wala itong balak na tulungan siyang ibalik sa Hacienda Dela Torre. Kuntento na ba ito sa buhay na meron sila ngayon?

"Kuya, I have always been thankful for you that you stayed with me all through this years. But I have grown up enough to care for myself. If you choose not to accompany me any longer, so be it. Hindi kita pipigilan," mariing turan ni Yumie.

Sasagot pa sana si Rigor when Yumie's phone rang. Mabilis niyang hinagilap iyon. It was Don's number. Sinagot niya ang tawag.

"I just went to the toilet. I'm coming back," paliwanag ni Yumie over the phone. Sumenyas na lang ito kay Rigor na babalik na sa loob. Rigor was left na natitiling nakatingin kay Yumie habang pabalik ito sa loob.

Mabilis na hinanap ni Yumie si Zeek sa bulwagan. The program must've been done already. She saw Zeek na nakikipag-usap sa isang Executive nito. Lumapit siya kay Don na nakatayo sa di kalayuan.

"Was he looking for me?" aniya.

"Kanina pa," turan ng security ni Zeek. "Lalabas na ko. Puntahan mo na si Boss." Tila pumasok lang ito roon upang patawagan siya.

Bumuntong hininga siya saka lumapit na kay Zeek. Natanawan naman siya agad ni Zeek bago pa siya tuluyang makalapit. Mabilis na tila nagpaalam si Zeek sa mga kausap saka siya sinalubong.

"Where have you been?" he said in gritted whispering tone. Nagulat siya nang inangkla ni Zeek ang mga braso sa balakang niya. He was almost hugging her sa ayos nito ngayon.

Pasimple siyang kumawala dito but Zeek just pulled him closer. "I-I w-was just in the toilet," aniya ng nauutal.

"I've been looking all over for you," ani pa nito na tila naiirita na sa paghahanap sa kaniya.

Hindi niya makalas ang braso nitong nakapulupot sa kaniya. Bagkus, minatahan niya na ito na tila binabalaang tanggalin ang pagkakayapos sa kaniya. Hindi iyon pinansin ni Zeek. Napagtanto ni Yumie na hindi niya mapapasunod si Zeek and they will just make a scene kapag nagpumilit. Out of frustration, dumikit pa siyang lalo kay Zeek. She tiptoed and reach for Zeek's ears then whispered, "If you don't get your hands off of me, I'll make sure no other girls can come close to you as I did for the rest of your life."

Zeek gave a sarcastic grin but loosen his grip. He smiled at Yumie mischievously as he let her go. The waiter came bringing them champagnes. Mabilis na kinuha iyon ni Yumie and drank it. Tila nag-iinit siya sa inakto ni Zeek. When it get into her head tila nagkakaron na ng malisya sa kaniya ang bawat kilos ni Zeek towards her. Hindi na niya alam kung kaya pa ba niyang sakyan iyon. Zeek held her hand as one of the guest approached them. Hindi niya na nagawang iwasiwas ang pagkakahawak nito sa kamay niya. She accepted the fact that tonight she is Zeek's date to the ball.