All Over Again

CHAPTER 44: Lady In Red

Venice's POV

Why am I here..... -__-

Tumingin-tingin ako sa mga mukha ng mga girlaloos na nakapaligid sa'kin. They're all famed faces. VJ. Actresses. Supermodel... At ang pinakamasakit pa, katapat ko mismo si Geena.. -___- I have no idea how it came to this...

Jerwin and I were looking at the finger food laid out dun sa table when Dustin came by and "took" Jerwin.. Hindi na bumalik si Kuya. Naaliw yata dun sa little huddle nilang mga lalaki sa likod. At dahil sa sobrang swerte ko, sa dinami-dami ng mga taong pwedeng kumausap sa'kin, si Geena -- SI GEENA -- pa ang talagang dumating. Dinala niya ko dun sa table nya at ng mga superstar nyang friends..

*sigh*

Bakit nga ba ko sumama?

Ang favorite subject pa nila: Ako.

I wanna cry. T^T

Krystal: You're so lucky, Venice. Jerwin is really a great guy.

Honey: Not to mention, hot! I mean, have you seen his abs!??

Ako: Ha? Oh.. yeah.. *gulp* His abs...

Nag-flash bigla sa utak ko picture nung "abs" nya nung nag-photoshoot kami sa beach..

Whoo! *sweat*

Farrah: So tell me, does he serenade you with his songs? *biglang tingin kay Geena* Doesn't he used to do that for you, Geena?

Napatingin ako bigla sa kaharap ko, who's calmly stirring the martini in front of her. Geena looked up and met my eyes, then she smiled. I'm really starting to hate that stupid smirk of hers.. -__-

Geena: Oh yes. like a private concert..

Krystal: Awww.. that's so sweet.. And you two weren't even dating!

Farrah: *chuckles* But you two were together often, right?

Honey: Oh yea, especially at night..

I forced a smile on my face as they all started laughing. Ang mga bruha! Di man lang ba sila nahiya na sa mukha ko pa talaga nila pinagkakalandakan ang kalandian ng ka-tribo nila?!?!

Farrah: By the way, Venice, I saw Mr. Gordon last week.. He mentioned you did a photoshoot with him and Jerwin?

Honey: Oh? I thought you don't do those things?

Ako: Uhmm.. yeah.. It was kind of sudden..

Geena: So are you planning on entering the modeling world now?

Ako: Eh?? No.. I mean, I've never really thought about it like that..

Farrah: Maybe you should. Surprisingly, Mr. Gordon was really pleased with your work.. *looked around the table* And we all know Mr. Gordon and his high standards..

Geena: Oh my god! I know! Once, we went to Greece to do a photoshoot. I swear, he was ready to kill the amateur model I was working with.. I can't blame him though. I have no idea how that amateur could even call himself a "model".

The started blabbing about their "experiences" with co-workers, bosses, staff. Syempre, na-out of place ako.. -.- Anong laban ko sa "Promotional posters", "Greece pictorial", "Company advertisements", at mga ka- chuchuhan nila?? Isa lamang akong hamak na dyosa ng kagandahan.. NYAHAHAHAHA I looked over kung san nakatayo si Jerwin with his friends..

He looks so at ease..

They're probably talking about "showbiz stuff" too. Mga bagay na di ako makaka-relate. Nag-ssink in talaga. This is his world. I just can't fit in...

Krystal: Oh, you're looking at your fiancé. How cute.

Napabalik yung tingin ko sa kanila and they're all looking at me as if may bitbit akong supeeerrr cute na puppy.. -___- Yung mga tipong sapilitan na pa-awwwww... Ano kaya yun?

Ako: Huh? Oh..

Farrah: Don't worry about him. He's in good company..

Ako: Of course.

Ininom ko yung iced tea sa harap ko.. For some reason, kahit anong daldal nila, feel na feel ko pa rin ang pressure. Dahil ba alam kong plastic ang mga ngiti nila at kanina ko pa nahahalata na they've been trying to make me feel as uncomfortable as possible?

Some party hostess.. -___-

Farrah: You know, it's really cool that you managed to snag one of the hottest bachelors in the business considering that.. well.. no offense, but, you're a nobody.

Oh.. Is it time for diretsuhang paninira na?

Geena: What are you girls talking about? She's not a nobody.

I looked up in surprise. Pinagtatanggol ako?

Geena: I heard she's famous--in her school.

The other girls snickered at Geena's remark. Pfftt. I knew it. Mahuhulog na ang langit at lahat, kontra pa rin sa buhay ko ang babaeng 'to!

-___-

I want to get out of here... T-T

"Excuse me, girls."

Napalingon akong bigla at the sound of that voice. Halos mapatalon pa ko sa tuwa.Jerwin finally came... Di ko napigilan yung ngiti ko nung humarap ako sa kanya. I must have looked really happy kasi napangiti rin si Jerwin nung tumingin sya sa'kin..

Geena: Oh, hello, Jerwin. Are you here to join our little party?

Sige lang... Ngumiti ka pa nang ganyan, baka sakaling maglabasan na ang mga langgam.. -__-

Jerwin: Actually, no. I'm here to borrow my fiancée, if you girls don't mind.

Napa-blink ang mga fake eyelashes nung mga Mean Girls. Bwahahahahaha. What?! Ha?! What!? Kala niyo makiki-upo siya para makipag-flirting fest snyo?!?

Chaka nyo!

Jerwin offered me his hand, which I very gladly took. I flashed a smile at the girls, and then hinayaan ko nang i-lead ako ni Jerwin away from the table -- and the awestruck girls plus one death glare from a certain someone.

Ako: You're done talking with your boys?

Jerwin: Ha.. Kinda.. Nakakabanas na silang kausap eh.

Ako: Bakit?

Jerwin: Well, they're all gushing about how pretty you are tonight, and how I should introduce them to you.. Sunud-sunod pa nga ang paalam kung pwede ka raw isayaw.. Psh. They're acting like fanboys..

Ako: Ooohhh.. Is that why you escaped and came to me?

Jerwin: Yeah.. That, and I saw you looking extremely uncomfortable around those girls. I thought you might need a little saving.

Ako: So nagpapaka-Superman ka?

Jerwin: Hey, at least I didn't think na maging sardinas noh!

Ako: -_____- Shut up.

We walked to the center of the dancefloor, squeezing ourselves through the other couples who are already there.

Jerwin: And, besides, don't you think it's time to dance with the birthday boy?

He twirled me around once before pulling me close to him for a slow dance. He gently put my arms on his shoulders, then placed his hands on my waist.

Ako: Are you doing this to make your friends-s***h-my fanboys jealous?

Jerwin: *laughs* That's a good idea.

Ako: Hmm.. May potential suitor ba ko dun sa mga fanboys na yun?

Jerwin: Hey. That's harsh. -____- How can you look for a suitor while you're engaged to the hottest singer in the country -- AKA me? And you're saying it while dancing with me too!

Ako: *natawa* Ahsush.. Dramahan ba ko?

Jerwin: I'm not..

Ako: Nasa good mood ka yata? Kanina ka pa nakangiti ah. Lasing ka na ba?

Jerwin: What?!? Of course not! I only had one shot..

Ako: Eh anong nginingiti-ngiti mo?

Jerwin's smile got wider as he pulled me even closer to him. So close na it must be sinful to have other people see us like this..

Jerwin: Coz you're wonderful.

Ano raw?

I tried to step back a little para tignan yung mukha niya, pero Jerwin stopped me and held me tighter.

Jerwin: Don't ruin the moment, Venice..

Ako: Moment??

Jerwin: Just dance with me.. Let this be our time.

I don't get it, pero tumahimik na ko. I relaxed in his arms and pinatong yung face ko on his chest, letting him sway me in tune with the music..

Somehow, being like this in his arms makes me feel like all the hell I've been through since I stepped in this party never happened. Now, it feels like it's just me and him. I took in the subtle smell of his cologne. I can even feel the steady beating of his heart and then when the song came to its chorus,

I hear him softly singing in my ear..

Jerwin: *sings* The lady in red is dancing with me

There's nobody here, it's just you and me

It's where I wanna be

But I hardly know this beauty by my side

I'll never forget

The way you look tonight..

When the song finished, halos ayokong bitawan yung sabit ko kay Jerwin. I know, ang manyak.. WAHAHAHAHA But I had to let go dahil Jerwin let go. T-T He took my hand and led me out of the dancefloor. One dance lang.. T^T

Jerwin: We should go.

Ako: Huh?

We're going?!?! Sayaw pa tayoooo~ ToT

Jerwin: It's 9:15.. We gotta catch up with your mom, right?

Oh.. my mom. O_O Dang.. I completely forgot.

Ako: 9:15 na ba? Ha.. I didn't even realize na ganun na pala ka-late..

Jerwin: Yep.. Uhmm.. Mag-CCR lang ako, ok? I'll be back and then we'll leave.

He gave me a pat on the head and then off he went palabas nung banquet hall. I went to the mini-bar and smiled at the server who handed me a punch.

I sat down on the empty table in front nung mini-bar, sipping my drink. Aliw aliw pa ko sa panonood sa mga people nang may lumakad na dalawang guys dun sa bar. I would have ignored them, pero right after they ordered their drinks, narinig ko kagad ung pangalan ko.

Guy 1: Man, I was hoping to dance with Venice.. but Jerwin got really possessive. He told me to back off, and then he went himself and took her. Psh.

Guy 2: *laughs* Dude, if you were after my fiancée, I'd be all up your case too, you manwhore.

Guy 1: Hey! But seriously, man, I was really surprised the Santos clan let Jerwin end up with a commoner. She hasn't done any sort of showbiz work..

Guys 2: What's so bad about that?

Oo nga! Anong masama dun?!?

Guy 1: C'mon, don't pretend you don't know.. Jerwin's family is like the entertainment industry's monarchy. Look at the people in this room! Only the most successful of celebrities and business heirs and heiresses are here. Don't tell me you actually think Venice will survive this world without any experience under her belt?

Guy 2: Hey, at least she's hot.

Guy 1: Ha! You're right!

The two of them laughed.. completely unaware na ako yung babaeng nakatalikod sa kanila. Binaba ko yung baso ko on the table, lahat ng kaaliwan ko kanina biglang nag-evaporate. Ganun na lang ba ako kaliit sa mga taong 'to? I looked around again. Totoo naman.. lahat ng tao dito prominent figures. They all accomplished so much in the short time they've been living..

Sigh...

Just in time, I saw Jerwin come back inside. He immediately scanned the room looking for me, kaya napataas tuloy ung kamay ko and waved, trying to catch his attention. He saw me and smiled. Habang naglalakad sya papunta sa'kin, dinaig nya pa ang kandidato sa dami ng mga kinawayan and kinamusta. People must really think he's amazing--And he's mine. Napangiti ako nung naisip ko yun. Maybe it won't be true forever, pero at least for now, it's real. He's mine. When he finally got to where I was, he immediately gently tapped my head.

Jerwin: Sardines, let's go.

Natulala ako. Tama ba ung rinig kong tinawag nya sa'kin?!?

Ako: "S-S-Sardines"?!?

Jerwin: Di ba pangarap mo yun?

Ako: What?!

Jerwin: Don't worry. I won't tell other people the reason I'm calling you that.

O_O

Ako: Eh?! So you're planning to actually call me that?!?!?

He bent down para malapit yung mukha niya sa mukha ko. Akala nya naman mag-bback down ako kahit na ganun siya kalapit. Neknek niya..

Masyadong napuno ang brain ko nung pagtawag nya sa'kin ng sardinas, wala nang brain cells na available para magprocess pa ng hiya noh!

Jerwin: You call me "Sunshine", don't you? See? Now we're fair.

O.o

Anong fair dun?!? At least ako cute ung tawag ko sa kanya!! Eh sya?!?!? Tama bang gawin akong isda?!? Before I can counterattack, Jerwin immediately grabbed my hand and started dragging me around the room to say goodbye to the guests..

People were trying to stop him from leaving, pero Jerwin just laughed at their attempts. I tried looking for Geena, pero I didn't find her in the room. Hanggang sa paglabas namin, I still didn't catch a glimpse of the girl---which is good. nyaha. We stopped sa entrance nung hotel..

Jerwin: Wait here, I'll get the truck.

Ako: Okay.

Geena's POV

I watch the two of them walk out of the hotel. Jerwin whispered something to Venice, and then he strode away to the parking lot. Venice stood there, her arms wrapped around herself in that red dress she claimed. Jerwin bought for her. It's sickening.

"Geena.. What are you doing here?"

I didn't have to turn to know who it was. Lately, it's always been Dustin who looks for me..

Me: Look at them, Dustin. Acting like the perfect couple.

He stood next to me and watched the scene outside. Jerwin finally pulled up his truck, and then hurriedly got out to open the door for his "fiancée".

Venice smiled at him before getting inside. The perfect couple..

Dustin: Let's go back inside, Geena.

Me: I talked to Jerwin earlier.

Jerwin ran to the driver's side, and the "oh-so-happy" couple finally drove away.

Me: I tried to make him meet me for his birthday.. just like how we did it the past year.. Him.. Me.. alone somewhere.. And do you know what he told me? He said he's spending his birthday with that nobody!

I turned to Dustin, fuming with anger.

Me: He chose her over me! And then he walked away! He's playing me!

Dustin: Geena..

Me: But I'll make him see... If making Venice realize her place didn't work, then I'll make sure to destroy her. I'll ruin her! I'll break her! I don't care if I get my hands dirty. I will get Jerwin back.