An Angel's kiss.

Chapter Two

Hindi ko na alam kung pang-ilang buntong-hininga ko na.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, still wondering if I was really going through with this.

I let my wavy brown hair fall freely around my shoulders. I didn’t even bother with mascara, leaving my light brown eyes bare and adding nothing more than a little lip balm to my rosy lips.

I had absolutely no idea what people wore to house parties.

This would be my first.

After changing my mind more times than I could count, I finally settled on a modest white mock-neck dress that fell just above my knees. It wasn't exactly party material, but it was comfortable... and the closest thing to confidence I could find in my closet.

Hopefully, I wouldn't look too out of place.

"Kalabaw!"

Napatalon ako sa pagtunog ng doorbell.

“That had to be Janice.”

I hurried downstairs and opened the front door.

"Ready?" bungad niya, a wide grin already plastered across her face.

Hindi na siya naghintay na papasukin ko siya. Dumiretso siya sa loob na parang bahay niya lang, bago ako sinuyod ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.

A slow smile spread across her face.

"Wow..." she breathed.

"You look gorgeous."

"T-Thank you."

Hindi ko napigilang mamula. I usually wore jeans and long-sleeved tops to school, so hearing a compliment like that felt... nice.

She tilted her head, studying me from head to toe.

"Hmm..."

She pursed her lips.

"Sorry to say this, Little Angel, but you don't exactly look like you're heading to a house party."

Napakunot-noo ako.

"You look like you're on your way to Sunday Mass."

Napababa ang tingin ko sa suot ko.

"This is the shortest dress I own," depensa ko. "The rest are even longer... and way more conservative."

"And excuse me, Ms. Barbie Doll," I shot back with a grin. "Don't 'Little Angel' me. I'm taller than you, in case you've forgotten."

I finished with a teasing wink.

This was normal for us. We teased each other constantly, but neither of us ever took it to heart. Ironically, I really was two inches taller than her. Somehow, no one ever seemed to notice.

She clicked her tongue.

"Height isn't everything."

"Easy for someone who's five-three to say."

She narrowed her eyes before breaking into a grin.

"Anywayz, mywayz."

She lifted the paper bag in her hand and gave it a playful shake.

"Good thing I came prepared."

I eyed the bag suspiciously.

"What's in there?"

"A miracle."

"A miracle?"

Napataas ang isang kilay ko.

"For you," she replied matter-of-factly. "Trust me, Angel of God. By the time I'm done with you, you'll actually look like you're going to a house party."

She wiggled her eyebrows, looking far too pleased with herself.

****

Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa laki at ganda ng bahay ni Jacob. Alas-sais na ng gabi, at nagsisimula nang dumilim ang

kalangitan. The entire estate glowed beneath warm golden lights, looking even more breathtaking against the evening sky.

Pagkapasok pa lang namin sa matayog na wrought-iron automatic gate, halatang napakayaman na ng pamilya nila. The car rolled slowly along a wide driveway bordered by perfectly manicured lawns, towering palm trees, and neatly trimmed hedges. Sa gitna ng napakalawak na circular driveway ay nakatayo ang isang engrandeng marble fountain, its crystal-clear water shimmering beneath the lights.

Sa likod nito ay isang napakalaking mansion na may matatayog na puting haligi, eleganteng stone walls, at napakalalaking double doors. Bathed in warm golden lights, it looked less like a family home and more like a private luxury resort. It was the kind of place I'd only ever seen in movies or on the covers of luxury magazines.

Luxury cars lined the driveway, their polished exteriors reflecting the mansion's warm glow. Every corner of the estate radiated wealth and sophistication.

"Babe, you have to close your mouth before we get down," Janice teased with a laugh.

I hadn't even realized my mouth had fallen open. Embarrassed, I quickly shut it.

"This place is huge, Ja! Where are his parents? Are they really okay with him hosting this kind of party?"

She simply shrugged.

"I honestly don't know. I think we're good to go."

Obviously, he'd invited a lot of people. Wala nang bakanteng parking space, kaya sa gilid na lang ng driveway ipinarada ni Janice ang kanyang Mazda3, kasunod ng hanay ng mamahaling sasakyan.

Pareho naming sinuyod ng tingin ang mga nakaparada roon. Napangiti na lang ako.

Sa tabi ng mga iyon, biglang nagmukhang mumurahing laruan ang Mazda3 ni Janice.

Sabay kaming bumaba ng sasakyan at natahimik habang nakatingala sa napakalaking mansion. Mula pa lang sa labas, rinig na ang mahinang tugtog, halakhakan, at masasayang usapan ng mga bisitang nasa loob.

"Ready?" tanong ni Janice.

I simply nodded.

Pero sa unang pagkakataon, mukhang kinakabahan na rin kahit siya.

I took a deep breath and gave myself one last look before following her. I was wearing a metallic pink halter-neck top with an open back, paired with a black leather miniskirt that showed far more of my legs than I was used to. One wrong move, and my butt would be on full display. I finished the look with a pair of strappy high heels.

Earlier, Janice had let out a low whistle the moment she saw me, insisting my legs were one of my best features. I, on the other hand, felt like I was wearing someone else's clothes. I wasn't used to showing this much skin, and every inch of exposed flesh made me painfully self-conscious.

She had tied my long hair into a sleek ponytail, leaving my neck and shoulders bare. Before we left the house, she'd somehow managed to convince me that I actually looked good.

But the moment I stood in front of Jacob's enormous mansion, every bit of that confidence quietly disappeared.

Habang nakatitig ako sa engrandeng bahay sa harap namin, pakiramdam ko lalo lang akong nanliit.

Janice took one last deep breath before finally walking toward the entrance. I silently followed behind her, my heartbeat growing louder with every step. Before we could even reach the massive double doors, they slowly swung open.

"Good evening. Welcome."

Isang matangkad at napakapayat na lalaki ang bumungad sa amin. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored blue tuxedo. His posture was impeccably straight, his hands neatly clasped behind his back, and his expression calm and unreadable. Every movement he made was slow, precise, and almost mechanical as he motioned for us to follow him.

Hindi ko namalayang napatingin ako sa hugis-oblong niyang ulo. He looked oddly familiar.

Then it hit me.

The servant from Cinderella—the cartoon I'd loved as a child.

He looked exactly like him.

Marahan akong siniko ni Janice. Paglingon ko, nakita kong kagat-labi siya habang pilit na pinipigilan ang tawa. She was obviously thinking the exact same thing.

She caught my eye and silently mouthed,

"You're bad."

Kinagat ko rin ang labi ko para pigilan ang sariling matawa bago agad kong ibinalik ang tingin sa paligid.

Kung napahanga na ako sa labas ng mansion, mas lalo akong namangha sa loob.

The grand foyer stretched before us like the lobby of a five-star luxury hotel. A breathtaking crystal chandelier hung from the soaring ceiling, bathing the polished white marble floor in a warm golden glow. Twin curved staircases swept gracefully to the second floor, while towering white columns framed the elegant entrance.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako unang titingin.