GUILTY PLEASURE

CHAPTER 5

FIVE

TALA EUGENE

I could feel everyone’s eyes on us as we arrived at the venue. I wore a full black fitted open-back suit paired with high-waist elegant slacks and a scarlet necklace.

While Ate Tally was a vision in her metallic white fitted backless dress, which sparked with intricate tiny diamonds that seemed to dance in the light. The Bulgari serpent set she wore added an air of sophistication—completing her stunning ensemble

Tumaas ang alta-presyin ng Dad kaya kami nalang dalawa ang pinadala niya dito. Halos lumuwa ang mata ko nang dumapo ang tingin ko sa dala dalang mango cream cake ni Ate Tally.

I thought people were staring at us because of our outfits‚ but now I’m not so sure.

Ilang araw ko na siyang napansin na nagiging matakaw sa pagkain, hindi kaya‘y buntis itong babae ’to?

I subtly cleared my throat to get her attention “What are you doing?” My voice was barely above a whisper, habang ang atensyon ay nasa mga tao. May mga camera din kasing sumi-simpling kuha ng mga litrato

She raised an eyebrow “Can’t you see? Eating—of course” she replied sarcastically.

I nodded toward the paparazzi swarming around us “There are cameras everywhere‚ nokaba”

“Like I care”Tanging sagot niya habang nasa kaniyang pagkain pa rin ang kaniyang atensyon.

We were approached by an older man—not so old. Mga early 60 yung isa habang ang isa ay 40? hindi ako sure. May kasama silang isa pang babae na sa tingin ko ay kaedad ko lamang. The way they carried themselves exuded an aura of wealth.

Naka black suit ang isang lalaki kung san kapansin pansin ang kaniyang malaking katawan at nagbibigay pa lalo ng ka-kisigan sakaniya. Habang ang isang lalaki naman na sa tingin ko ay nasa early 40—naka white suit ito at bumagay din sakaniya. While the young woman’s sleek black dress hugged her curves perfectly

“Yang lalaking naka black suit ay si Mr. Simon Lascano ang kanilang padre de pamilya. The man in white suit is Mr. Elijah‚ his wife—husband? basta asawa niya yan. He has a condition similar to yours” nagulat man sa narinig ngunit hindi ko iyon pinapakita dahil maraming mata ang nakatingin sa amin “May tatlo silang anak‚ dalawang lalaki at isang babae. The woman in black dress is their daughter Ms. Eleigh” her words were barely audible

As I gazed at Mr. Elijah, I felt an unusual sense of wonder. My entire life, I’d dreaded having this condition...pero bakit si Mr. Elijah mukhang masaya lang. Ang ganda pa niya at hindi mo aakalain na may anak na pala sila

“Hi” Mr. Elijah greeted‚ his soft voice rich and smooth. Bumeso si Ate sa babae at sa lalaking nakasuot ng white suit‚ then shook hands with Mr. Simon

“Hi‚ Ms. Tally it’s nice to see you again” Mr. Elijah said‚ his smile wide and sincere.

“Thank you for inviting us po” Ate Tally replied “This is my brother Tala” We exchanged pleasantries‚ our hands clasping in a firm handshake “Hi po” I greeted.

“Eleo‚ come here” Mr. Elijah called out. My gazed dropped in shock as the man who approached us caught my attention.

Chiseled features, piercing eyes, and a strong jawline made my heart skip a beat. Mr. Simon whispered something in his ear at yung lalaking tinawag na Eleo ni Mr. Elijah ay tumango

Nagpaalam sa amin ang mag asawang Lascano habang kausap naman ni Ate Tally ang lalaking nagngangalang Eleo.

Napapadasal na lamang sana ako na sana ay bumukas ang lupa at lamunin ako

‘Talaga bang ganto na lamang kaliit ang mundo‚ and did fate truly bring us together here?’ naiinis na boses ang narinig ko sa aking utak

“Gene‚ stay here for a moment. Sasamahan ko lang si Ms. Eleigh” My heart racing, I watched as she walked away...leaving me alone with the stranger—tama ba ang term? hindi ko din naman talaga siya kilala.

Before I could process my emotions, the man turned to me—a playful smirk dancing on his lips “We didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves last Friday. I’m Eleo Lascano” He extended his hand, his eyes sparkling with warmth. Napalinga linga ako sa paligid bago ko din inabot ang aking kamay.

‘Be professional‚ Eugene!’ kastigo ko sa sarili

“T-tala De Roma”

As we shook hands, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. But before I could react, Eleo pulled me closer, his cheeks brushing against mine. Hindi ko maiwasang huwag pamulahan sa ginawa niya “Do you know how much I searched for you?” his calm voice made my brows scrunch in surprise

Ngunit napahiwalay agad ako nang marinig ko ang sigaw ng isang babae. Nanlaki ang aking mata at dali daling pumunta sa puwesto ni Ate Tally, my heart racing with concern

“I’m sorry” she apologized, lowering her head

Nakita ko na lamang ang dress ng babae na nalagyan ng dala dala ni Ate na cream cake kanina lamang. The woman’s eyes blazed with anger as she spat “Does your sorry undo the mess you’ve created?” Ate Tally’s eyes welled up with tears and her face was pale

“A-anong nangyare?” tanong ko kay ate, but she just shook her head. The woman’s anger boiled over and her words dripping with venom “Do you even know this dress cost millions—”

“What happened here?” tanong ng lalaking yumakap sa akin kanina “This clumsy girl dropped her low-class food on my branded dress!” her words hung in the air.

I seethed with rage‚ my fingers wrapping around the woman’s arm, spinning her around to face me. Maraming camera ang nakatutok sa amin ngunit nilamon na ako ng aking galit “How dare you insult my sister?” I spat, my voice low and menacing

Eleo’s voice cut through the air, venomous and warning “Stop that, Channel! Don’t cause a scene here”

“Why would I stop, Eleo? They’re doing this on purpose kasi may paparazzi. They’re jealous because they’re not popular like me! Ano kasalanan ko bang wala kayong pangalan sa media...huh mga squatter?” her voice dripped with condescension and her eyes flashing with superiority

Ramdam ko ang pahigpit na pahigpit na pag hawak sa akin ni Ate upang pigilan ako. Namumula pa ang kaniyang mata maging ang kaniyang ilong “No Tala, please not here” her eyes were welling up with tears

I shook off her grip, my anger boiling over like a volcano erupting “Raise your head and reach your satisfaction, my dear sister” I sneered, my eyes blazing with fury.

I grabbed a champagne bottle from the table, at binuksan ito saka iniligo sakaniyan ang lamang ng alak

The liquid splashed across her designer gown, staining the delicate fabric. Laglag ang kaniyang panga and she stood frozen, like a statue—while her eyes wide with shock

“I don’t need popularity” kalmado kong sabi ngunit tila mag banta ang bawat salita “and put this in your fvckin brain, you’re not famous...you’re a clown making a mockery of yourself. And why would the highest-paid model, my sister—be threatened by you? Who are you, anyway?” My words cut through the air, sharp as a knife

Bago ko pa matapos ang aking sasabihin ay dumapo ang kaniyang kamay sa aking pisngi. Sunod ko na lamang nakitang tumilapon siya sakaniyang tinatayoan, nang itulak siya ni Ms. Eleigh