Manipulate Ft. ALYDEN

The Engagement

Dennise heard her doorbell ring. She took her clutch bag and checks herself once more at the mirror. Beautiful as ever. Den smirked then headed to the door to open it. "Hi"

"Hey honey" Aly leaned to Den for a quick kiss. "Lets go?" while offering her hand.

"Sure" Den smiled then held her hands with Aly.

While on their way to the hotel, Aly noticed that Dennise was a bit uneasy. She stole a glimpse to her right to catch the latters eyes.

"You okay? Pagod ka ba?"

"Hindi nman. Its just that..." Den looks at her left and their eyes met. She immediately diverts it and let out a deep sigh.

Aly is really worried and decided to park her car at the side of the road. She touch Dennise's chin and let her face her. "Just what?" with face full of concern.

"I'm really nervous you know. This is the first time you invited me out. Tapos makikilala ko pa friends mo. What if they dont like me? What if-"

Dennise was cut by Aly's sweet soft lips. She responded to the kiss but Aly cut it short. Then she saw Aly grin.

"Dennise, please dont think that way. And I think you will recognize a few of my friends nman" Aly cupped Den's face "Tsaka, sa ganda mo ba nman yan hindi ka mahirap magustuhan" Aly ended with a wink then started the engine and continued to drive.

Hindi daw ako mahirap magustuhan. Ibig sabihin... gusto na niya ako? Yiee! Dennise was left blushing and after she recovered, she punches Aly's shoulders. Aly just laughs it off.

--------------------

After a few more minutes of travel and non stop cheesy moments of the two, they arrived at the Shangri La Hotel. They were invited in Kim and Mela's engagement party.

They entered the hotel with intertwined hands and camera flashes were every where. Photographers were pushing themselves to take good poctures of the two. Bouncers were protecting the two from being crished. This is all new to Dennise and wished to never happen again.

After that flash blinding, body crushing event, Aly checked on the person behind her.

"Hon, you okay?"

"I'm okay. You?" Den placed her hand on Aly's cheek and cares it.

Aly placed her hand on top of Dennise's and lowered down to whisper. "Never been good."

Their sweet little moment was interupted by a teasing cought. Alyssa and Dennise turned their head and saw the newly engaged couple.

"Dumating ka pa. Akala ko nakalimutan mo na eh" Kim said to Aly when they hugged.

"Makakalimutan ba nman kita? Haha." Aly went to Mela and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations to the both of you"

"Aaaw. Thanks ly" Mela said and noticed that Aly brought someone with her. "Mukhang may kasama ka ah"

"Ah yes. This is Dennise, my friend" Aly introduced to Mela and Kim. Ouch! Dennise thought.

"Hi. Congratulations by the way. Sorry if I didnt prepare something. Aly just told me this a few hours ago." Den apologetically said.

"No no no. Its okay. You're presence here is enough" Mela smiled kindly to Den.

"Hey Ly, your table with Gretch and the others. Una na kayo dun, we still have other visitors to attend" Kim said and smiled to Den "Nice meeting you Dennise and please enjoy the party"

The couple excused themselves and started welcoming other visitors too. Aly and Den approached the said table and saw her friends faces plastered with a really really big smile. Dennise couldnt help but look down and feel shy.

"Dennise?!" A familiar voice from the table catched everyones attention.

Dennise lifted shifted her head and saw "Fille?!" she is really happy right now.

Fille stood up from her chair and opened her arms. Dennise hurriedly walked and hugged her friend. I think they just saved each others asses.

"Thank Gods you're here!" Dennise whispered to Fille still hugging.

"No, I should be the one thanking you! Mapupunit na ata mukha ko sa kakasmile sa friends ni Gretch." Fille whispered back.

Then, their hug was broken when they heard Gretchen speak.

"Oh. Magkakilala pala date natin ly" she said after they witness the scene.

"Seems like it. We'll seat beside you nlang" Aly invited Den to seat as she pulled a chair for her.

"Thanks" Den sweetly smiled and turned her head to speak with Fille again.

"Ang ganda nman ata ng date mo Aly. Pakilala mo nman ako" Kiefer whispered to Aly right after she sat.

"Tumigil ka nga Kief! Sumbong kita kay Mikang niyan eh. Mika-" before Aly could finish, Kiefer covers her mouth. But Mika still heard it.

"What is it Ly?" Mika ask when she turned her head. She noticed Kiefers hands on Aly's mouth "And babe, why are you covering Aly's mouth?" with brow raised.

"Aaaah. Eeeeh. Pinapaamoy kasi ni Aly ang hininga niya sakin eh. Sabi ko wag na kasi alam kong mabaho but she insisted kaya tinakpan ko nlang ang bunganga niya" Kiefer explained and saw that her girlfriend was not convinced so he looks at Aly "Diba Ly?" he widened his eyes.

Aly shove Kiefer's hand on her mouth. Then she shook her head because of the lame excuse that Kiefer just said "Hahaha. That's true yeye. Ayaw kasi maniwala na mabango tlga hininga ko eh"

"Talaga? Pakiconfirm nga Kief kung totoo" teased Railey, Marge's bf.

Mika just watched at Aly and Kiefer intently waiting for the next thing that will happen. Kiefer didnt have any choice but to inhale Aly's breath.

He moved his head close to Aly. Aly also does the same and was about to open her mouth and let Kiefer smell her breath-

"Hey closer Kief. Hindi mo maaamoy ang hininga ni Ly nyan if you're too far." Railey said while containing his laugh.

Aly smirked and Kiefer had no other choice but to get closer with Aly cause Mika is really looking at them and is intently waiting.

Their faces are now just an inch away. This scene is nothing to them. No butterflies, neither thunder bolts because they consider each other as siblings. Its just an act of teasing and bullying.

Dennise seemed to feel that something is happening behind her back because she saw how Fille's eyes widen. So she slowly turns her head and saw that a guy was about to 'kiss' her Aly.

Dennise grabs Aly's arms in a swift and cupped her face then kissed her hard. Everyone on the table was surprised on what just happened. 

Kiefer's jaw dropped. Mika covered her eyes leaving a small space to peek. Railey placed his hand on Marge's eyes to cover it. Gretchen smirked and Fille looked at her friend in amaze. Den broke the kiss.

"What were you doing kissing someone else behind my back?! Alyssa Valdez what were you thinking!!!" Dennise shouted at Aly and everyones attention are now at them.

Silence crept the whole room then a spoon fell on the floor echoing a clink sound. When Den realized what she just did, she hurriedly ran outside the room.

Aly still stunned on what happened tried her best to follow Dennise. "Dennise wait!" 

Fille was about to stand from her chair but Gretchen grip on her wrist to stop her. "Let them be" then Fille sat again.

"Assuming" Railey shook his head.

"Misunderstanding" Marge creased her forehead.

"Possesive" Mika said and takes a sip from her glass wine.

"Sayang" Kiefer with matching 'Tsk. Tsk.'

Mika heard this and head slaps his boyfriend. Kiefer hurriedly explained his side "Kasi nman babe, sayang yung relationship nila kung mag end agad dahil lang sa maling akala"

"Ang tanong, may relationship ba?" Gretch said and Fille glares at her. Gretchen raised her two hands as if surrendering.

"Yeah and its like, she hasnt been introduced to us tapos nakita pa natin yun. Its not right you know." Railey said in a matter of fact tone.

"You know, this wont happen kung hindi niyo pinagtripan si Kief. Seriously." Marge said and pinch on her boyfriend's side.

"Aw!" Railey exclaimed.

"Ano nangyari dun kanila baldo? Inaway niyo ba si Dennise?" Kim said upon reaching her friends table.

"Si Kiefer kasi" everyone said in unison and threw him death glares.

"What?!" Kiefer defended.

---------------------

Aly followed Den with a big smile on her face. Thinking what Dennise just did infront of her friends and other people makes her feel really good and special.

Hay Dennise, you never fail to surprise me. She shook her head.

"Dennise, wait" Aly tugged Den's arms and let the latter face her. "Let me explain" Aly was stunned to see Den's tears falling from her shaking eyes.

"You dont have to explain anything to me Alyssa" Den said in between her sobs trying to stop herself from crying "Its not like I'm you're girlfriend-"

Aly secured Den in her arms tight. "Shhhh. Please dont say that. Please" She said pleadingly "Kiefer, the guy earlier, and I was just playing. He was asking who you were but I didnt want to say it so I sued him to his girlfriend, Mika. He then reasoned out the lamest excuse ever. He said that I just wanted him to smell my breath. Mika didnt seem to believe so he has no choice but to really smell my breath. But then you pulled me to a kiss then shouted at me infront of everybody. I didnt even had a chance to explain" Aly softly said still hugging at Den.

"Is that true?" Dennise burried her face on the latter's chest.

"Of course honey" Aly said and kissed Den's hair.

"I'm sorry" Den said and Aly continued to brush Den's hair by her hand.

"You know what?" Aly asks.

Den lifter her head to see Aly's face "What?"

Alyssa cupped her face and used her thumb to wipe those tears on her beautiful face. She used her left hand and tuck some lose hair of Den and placed it behind the latters ear.

"Even when you're crying, you're beautiful too" Aly softly sang enough for the two of them to be heard.

Dennise closed her eyes waiting for Aly's lips to conquer hers. And she did not fail, Alyssa was kissing her sweetly and tenderly. Dennise cant help but shed a tear again. Tears of joy.

---------------------