Chapter 6:

"Hindi ka ba nyan mamamatay sa sobrang dami ng whipped cream at strawberries?" I asked with lips parted.

Just by watching him, I could already taste the overwhelming sweetness. The strawberries were already sweet enough without sugar. Sana nga hindi ko na pinalagyan ng asukal—matamis na pala kahit wala.

"Hindi. Ano tingin mo sa'kin?" he scoffed, looking genuinely offended by my question.

I let out a chuckle as a certain memory popped into my mind. "Tingin ko sa'yo? Hmm. You're the guy who recovered from diabetes three years ago. Thank yourself for having a sweet tooth—you almost lost all your teeth."

He rolled his eyes before taking a bite of his cake and heading back to the living room.

After we finished eating, I suggested binge-watching movies while I waited for his mom.

In the middle of a horror series, my phone vibrated beside me. Without taking my eyes off the TV, I reached for it. It was Macy.

From: Macy

Hey, girl. I just want to invite you to tomorrow's brunch date with the girls at our house.

The side of my lips stretched before typing my reply. Brunch with the girls? Sounds fun.

To: Macy

Sure! I'd love to. What time?

From: Macy

1 pm :)

To: Macy

Sure. I'll be there!

I put my phone back down. "Macy invited me for tomorrow's brunch. What outfit should I wear?" I asked myself, mind already planning my outfit.

"Be careful with their intentions. They might lose you again," he said meaningfully, then let out a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes and let out a chuckle as well. "Of course, I won’t go if magpapa uto lang ako ulit"

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Yus was waking me up, telling me his mom had arrived.

Inaantok pa ako nang lumabas kami at pumwesto sa foyer para hintayin at batiin si Auntie Dani. Yus nudged my right side just as I yawned, making me drop my hand mid-air to cover my mouth. The door swung open.

Auntie Dani looked effortlessly chic in her below-the-knee blue v-neck wrap dress. Her brunette, medium-length hair complemented her entire look.

"Hey, Mom" Yus greeted.

She smiled as she walked toward him, then turned to me with a warm expression before hugging her son and giving him a beso.

"Hello, my pretty hija," she said, then embraced me as well.

"Hello, Auntie. It was finally nice to see you again after your vacay. I have a lot of questions to ask and I don't even know where to start," I said, letting out a giggle.

Natawa siya. "That's okay. We all have the time in the world,"

Auntie Dani instructed one of their housemaids to prepare her bath and food, mentioning that she was starving.

"Have you two had dinner yet?" she asked, looking at Yus.

Yus met her gaze, slightly tilting his head as if trying to read her mind.

"Not yet po. We just finished watching a movie and were planning to eat together. By the way, where’s Uncle?" I asked, chuckling as I realized I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him.

Ilang segundo silang natahimik. Sensing the shift, I glanced between them. Auntie Dani’s expression flickered momentarily before she smiled and changed the subject.

"You know, hija, our friends want to meet you and your mom. Hindi na raw kayo nakadalaw simula nang lumipat kayo dito," she said as we walked toward the dining hall.

My eyes widened. "Mommy is always busy po kasi with work,"

She let out a chuckle as she nodded. "Your Mommy has been a hustler ever since. I guess...habits are really hard to break?”

Yus nodded in agreement, making me glance at him. Bakit siya sumang-ayon? What did he mean by that?

Even though Mommy was always working, she always found time for me. She never made me feel neglected. I love her so much!

"I brought you strawberries, since that is your favorite," she added.

"Thank you! You're always the best, Auntie!" I said merrily.

"How about your son?" Yus teased.

Auntie Dani shot him a look before rolling her eyes. "I know what you’ve been up to while I was gone."

With brows furrowed, I looked at him too, with curious eyes. What did he do at parang seryoso si Auntie?

Yus let out a chuckle. "I guess the house helpers already did their report," then sighed.

I nudged him, urging him to stop talking.

"Hijo, before I forget… your dad’s friend will be visiting soon, so I need you to be present," Auntie said once we reached the dining hall.

Nag utos siya na magsimula nang maglapag ng mga pagkain. I sat in my usual seat while Yus sat beside me and Auntie sat across from him.

"When is the exact date? I'm kinda busy these days, Mom" he said.

Auntie shrugged her shoulders with pressed lips. "I don't know. But make sure that you're available that day,"

"Okay," he replied.

The conversation shifted as the housemaids placed delicious dishes on the table. Auntie excitedly shared stories from their latest social event.

"You know, hija, Lizette's son wants to meet you after I boast about how gorgeous and talented you are.." she said proudly.

Yus snorted teasingly, making me slap his thigh. "That hurts!"

I couldn’t even focus on my food. Her words piqued my curiosity. That son… I hope to meet him soon.

"Kaya sana next time, payagan ka na ng Mommy mo na sumama. You have a lot of opportunities there—you’re beautiful and a socialite’s daughter, after all”

Pagkatapos kumain ay pumunta kami sa itaas para ipakita ang mga bago niyang koleksyon ng bag. She even let me pick one, and of course, I did.

"You’re truly the best, Auntie! Thank you!" I said happily, raising the bag to admire it.

Yus wasn’t with us—he had gone to his room for something. He’s not interested rin naman sa bags.

We didn’t stay in her walk-in closet for too long since she wanted to rest. I nodded and thanked her again before leaving.

I walked toward our main door, admiring the red Mark Cross box bag in my hands. It was stunning.

When I got to my room, I remembered I needed to pick an outfit for tomorrow’s brunch. I placed the bag in my glass display rack before heading to my closet.

Since it was just a brunch, my outfit should be simple yet timeless. After picking my clothes, I grabbed a clean bathrobe and towel before heading to my bathroom.

Nang matapos sa pagpili ay agad akong kumuha ng malinis na bathrobe bago pumasok sa banyo. Once my night routine was done, I turned on my humidifier with lavender essential oil. The scent would help me sleep faster.

–

The next day, I arrived at Macy’s house and greeted the girls on the balcony, which overlooked a well-trimmed lawn and a pool.

"Hey, girls!" I said cheerfully.

I expressed my gratitude to the househelper who guided me before taking a seat.

"Heya, Azalea. You look gorg as usual," Macy complimented. My lips stretched, forming a smile before thanking her.

"You have a lot to tell us, Azalea," Gracia said with a mischievous grin.

I rolled my eyes at her playfully. "I'll think about it,"

Gaia, who had been busy on her phone, sighed and looked up with a smile. "Hey, girl."

We chatted while eating, eventually discussing Macy’s ex moving on so quickly.

"I don’t have any reason to stop him. Who cares if he’s dating someone?" she shrugged.

"Yeah, the girl must be a plain Jane kung ang bilis niyang pumayag makipag-date sa ex mo," Gaia said, popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.

"What’s a plain Jane?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"A basic b***h," Macy let out a chuckle.

I laughed and took another bite of my toast, savoring the mix of bacon, avocado, and cream cheese.

Pagkatapos kumain, nagpahinga lang kami saglit bago pumunta sa Rockwell, Makati. Gaia mentioned it had been a long time since she last shopped in the Philippines.

"Maybe I'll plan a trip for us next month to Italy. There are a lot of new items there," she said.

"We'll see if that fits my schedule," I replied, finishing my makeup retouch.

Nandito kami sa ladies' room bago mamili. Macy was washing her hands after using the cubicle, while the rest of us were also retouching our makeup.

The weather was pleasant—not too sunny, not too gloomy. A perfect day to relax and, of course, shop.

While browsing makeup products at Dior, I noticed a couple near me. The girl was holding up an eyeshadow palette, showing it to her boyfriend.

"What about this one? Paubos na eyeshadow ko," she said sweetly.

The boyfriend took the palette, turned it over to check the back, and said, "Sure, if you want to."

"Really?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes," he replied with a small smile.

She hugged him, and for some reason, they piqued my interest. While the girls were still deciding what to buy, I found myself observing the couple.

"Eto lang ba?" the man asked, looking at the eyeshadow palette and lipstick in his hands.

That made the girl smile even more. She grabbed more products before handing them to the sales assistant.

Nang marinig ko ang pag ring ng phone, napabukas ako ng bag para tignan kung

saakin ba 'yon.

"Honey, I need to take this call. Si Mommy e..." I heard from the girl.

Nag angat ako ng tingin dahil hindi pala tumutunog yung akin. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang babaeng kakalagpas lang saakin. I was near the wall-length mirror and she stopped in front of it, checking her reflection.

"Azalea, what do you think suits me better? This one...or this one?" Gracia asked, showing me two blush shades—one coral pink, and the other was mauve.

Since she had a morena complexion, I pointed to the coral pink.

"I'll take these," she said, handing her selections to the waiting sales assistant.

"Hello..." the woman on the phone sighed.

I glanced at the girl occasionally, still curious. When I looked back at her boyfriend, he was at the counter, entering the pin code for his card.

"Ano? I told you, kasama ko nga 'yung friend ko. Nandito kami sa Makati," she whispered sharply into the phone.

My eyes widened, and my jaw almost dropped to the floor. I knew it! Kaya para talagang may something sa kaniya dahil she’s two-timing pala!

Tinawag siya ng lalaki at agad siyang lumingon sa kaniya. With a small smile, she quickly ended the call to join him.

Their conversation ended that quickly?

"Hey, Azalea... would you help me with this?" Gaia called.

I looked back at her, then glanced once more at the couple before walking over. Maybe I was overthinking. The girl seemed sweet and genuine. The man clearly loved her.

It must be painful to know the girl you love is cheating on you.

"Hey...are you okay?" Gaia asked, placing a hand on my shoulder, sounding concerned.

With lips parted, I looked at her for a few seconds. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Gaia was as confused as me, and I don't even know why!

"You're frowning. Did something happen?" her eyes scanned the room.

But I shook my head immediately. I want to cover her mouth since she is making it obvious at baka marinig kami at isipin na pinag uusapan namin na nagloloko pala ang babae!

"Oh my gosh, Gaia...you're making it obvious," I reprimanded her in a whisper manner.

"Huh? I don't really understand what you're trying to say, Azalea" she let out a chuckle before rolling her eyes.

She picked another lipstick shade and called the assistant, who swatched it on the back of her hand. The lipstick glided smoothly, revealing a reddish-brown color.

"Oh, that's a good shade. I'll buy that too," Gaia said, making the sales assistant nod politely.

After shopping, I decided to stop by the bakeshop for my favorite pastries—perfect for a midnight snack.

"Don't your helpers buy those for you?" Gracia asked, and they all chuckled.

I shook my head as I looked back to them since I was steps ahead of them."They do, but they’re busy preparing for the party I’m hosting next week."

Their lips parted. "Ooh! Are we invited?"

I nodded merrily. "Of course!"

They clapped excitedly and followed me to my favorite bakeshop. My lips stretched forming a smile, already looking forward to the night of the party.