Nights Like This

CHAPTER 9

It's still early in the morning but my Mom's already calling me. I just got up from bed and I'm still sleepy as heck. I stayed up late last night because I had to review some papers para hindi ako matambakan ng trabaho because I'm gonna take a leave for the day because of the dinner that my family arranged.

"Ma?" I said when I answered the phone. My other hand us holding the phone while the other is massaging my temples.

"Camila, you should come here already. I booked an appointment with Cassie here at home so we could have a nice facial before tonight's dinner. Mang Willy will fetch you right now," she said.

I looked at the clock on my side table and it's still seven in the morning. I slept late because she told me before that I could just be there in the afternoon.

"I just got up, Mom. I might take a while. I still have to prepare my things. I can drive myself po. Hahabol na lang po ako," I said to her.

I heard Mom sigh at the other line. I'm not making excuses. I really just got up and I still want to sleep a little bit more.

"Hindi na. You don't have to prepare anything because I already did. Just go with Manong Willy. You can have your breakfast here."

Dinner lang yun but my mother sent me pictures of five dresses to choose from. They're all pretty but they're not really my style because all of the dresses covers my whole body. In the end, I told her that I'd wear the white bishop sleeved mesh top na may white spaghetti strap top din sa loob and an a line white skirt with a small slit on the thigh because that's the most revealing of them all.

"What time will Ate Cassie's team arrive there? Promise po, I'll be there kaagad before they even arrive," I said. That was the last excuse that I could think of.

"Just go here. Your father is purposely sending Manong Willy there to fetch you in case you try not to show up again. You can't miss this one, Camila. The media will be present and our family must be complete tonight," aniya.

Oh. That's really the real reason why they sent me their driver when I can drive there myself. It's just a thirty minutes drive from here. It's not really far. Also, I didn't really think of not showing up on this event. My father would not really make this one pass. I could disobey my brother but certainly not my father. I will be seeing hell if I do.

I sighed and surrendered myself. "Okay po, Mom. I'll just quickly wash and then I'll go to downstairs na po," pa alam ko sa kanya.

"That's good. You don't have to bring anything with you. Just show yourself here. Ay! No! Bring Coco with you. I miss her."

"Yes po, Mom. I'm bringing her with me. I'll end this na po. I'll see you later, Mom." I said and then ended the call.

Mom's also fond of Coco and she spoils her a lot. She even supplies my dog with her food, toys, and vitamins. Minsan pag magka usap kami sa phone, the focus of our topic's always Coco and never on me. It's in favor with me though. That way, she wouldn't have comments about everything in my life.

Mom meddles with everything that I do. If she knew that I just eat whatever that I want and not a healthy and balanced meal plan that she's been nagging me to get. I said I did just so she's rest the issue.

After that call, I just washed my face and then changed my clothes. I can take a bath naman sa bahay because I still have some of my clothes in my old room. Right after I fed Coco and prepared her things, Maning Willy texted na nasa baba na raw sya.

I went down with Coco while she's on her leash. The only thing that I have with me is Coco's things and it's just my phone and my wallet for me and the gift that I bought for Daddy. Pang pa- lubag loob sa filing of COC which I didn't attened.

"Good morning Manong. Kumusta po sa bahay?" bati ko to our family driver for almost fifteen years.

I'm at the backseat and now we're stuck at the traffic. Our subdivision's near but the traffic's making it seem that it's so far. This hour is still considered as rush hours as many commuters and drivers are on their way to work.

"Naku, maam. Madaling araw busy na si Madam. Si Sir naman, kaka hatid ko lang sa kanya sa opisina nya bago kita sinundo," he answered.

"He's still working?" I exclaimed while being surprised.

"Opo, maam."

He's still working kahit na may party sya mamaya. Sabagay, si Mom naman ang punong abala for the event later.

He's always at his office and even before when I was still living with them, the only time that I get to see him everyday is during breakfast at 7 AM before he heads to the office. So if I miss breakfast, we'll never see each other for the day and I always miss it because I sleep in. It's like having a Dad that's working abroad and only seeing him once in a blue moon.

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa headrest while I caress Coco's hair beside me and waited until we arrive at the house.

"Coco! Oh you cute little pup!" Mommy exclaimed as soon as she saw Coco wagging her tail to her and she walked closer para buhatin ang baby ko. "Oh, you miss lola? Did you miss me, my little one? Where's her toys? Did you bring her toys?" Mom asked me, finally giving me some of her attention as we walk inside.

I showed her the bag that's full of Coco's things. We went straight to the dining table and there's still food na naka hain. I immidiately sat down and then got myself a food.

"Kumain na po kayo, Mom?" I asked her as I took a bite of my bacon.

"Of course. Sinabayan ko na ang Daddy mo kanina. Wait- excuse me," she said then stormed off.

Bumalik na si Mommy sa living room because of a call that she's getting. And she's getting a lot because of the 'dinner' that looking at it's scale, it's already considered a party for me.

Social gatherings like this is fine for me but what makes me uncomfortable about it is the media. It's been a while since I appeared in front of the camera. The last time was probably months ago and I tried to lessen my exposure by hiding on them. I'm not really shy. I'm just not used to it. Among my family members, I am the least when it comes to media exposure. Maintaining a happy smile while I act sweet in front of others exhaust me to the max.

"Camila, you prepare na. Cassie's on their way!" she said when she passed by the dining room.

After I eat, dumiretso na ako sa dating kwarto ko and showered. I put on a dress para madali na lang na tanggalin mamaya if I'm going to change. On my bed, there's a large box and that's probably the one that I'd be wearing tonight. I'll just check it later.

When Ate Cassie, daughter of a family friend Tita Merlin, came. Bumaba na rin ako to get my facials done. Actually, I don't think na kailangan ko pa ito because I've never had a trouble with my skin. All thanks to my genes and to my skin care. I'm just so lucky that it's always smooth and never bumpy. Nandito na rin lang naman ako, I might as well get it.

After the treatment, I feel refreshed and more beautiful. I can't wait for the night to come and just get over with it.