An Arcella Series: Forbidden

Chapter 15

This day had finally arrived. I feel so happy tonight. Anniversary na kasi ng Arcella Estates Company.

I wore a red chiffon cocktail dress. The top part was designed with black beads. Around my waist is a black corset.

Nandoon na ang mga pinsan ko maliban na lang kina Czar at Jared.

"You are handsome tonight, gentlemen," komplimento ko sa kanila.

Looking formal tonight makes them more handsome and intimidating.

I wonder how does Jared look tonight.

"You look drop-dead gorgeous, young lady," sabi naman ni Krypton sa akin.

Umupo na ako sa tabi niya at agad na tinanong kung saan ang dalawa pa naming pinsan.

"They're on their way," he replied to me reassuringly.

And he's right! Saktong nakarating sina Czar at Jared five minutes before the ceremony is supposed to start.

"Good thing you aren't late, cousins," sabi ni Oliver sa dalawa.

Czar looks clean. Malinis ang pagkakaayos ng kanyang buhok. Naka-itim siyang tux na may kulay gray na necktie. Well... gwapo naman siya!

Hilaw akong ngumiti sa kanya. Sa mga ganitong okasyon ko lang siya nginingitian ng ganito. Ayokong pag-initan siya nina Krypton kapag nagkataon.

Tumingin ako kay Jared at nginitian siya.

Damn! He looks hot in that suite.

Just like my other cousins, naka-black tuxedo rin siya pero ang necktie niya ay pula. He looks formal and neat. Except for his tousled hair na bumagay naman sa over-all outfit niya.

Mabuti pala kung araw-araw siyang naka-formal attire. He looks times ten hotter.

Nagkatuwaan kami sa table. Hindi ko mapagkakaila na mayroong tumitingin sa table namin at nagtataka kung bakit imbes na labing-tatlo kami ay labing-lima na kami.

Ang mga parents naman namin ay nasa principal table sa harapan.

"Guys, didn't Tita told you na ipapakilala tayo nila sa mga taong parte ng business natin?" Sabi ni Lyon.

"You mean the clients and all types of s**t?" Ani Oliver. Ever since, he never find business interesting.

"Yes, and they'll also announce who'll replace our parents in those seven seats," dagdag ni Lucas.

The "Seven seats" is the term we use to refer those who'll be replacing our parents in running AEC. Ang kasalukuyang nasa Seven Seats ngayon ay sina lolo at ang mga anak niya.

"Pero ilang taon pa lang tayo? We are too young for this," reklamo ni Gabriel.

"It's good to be early," sabi ko naman sa kaniya.

Nag-umpisa na ang ceremonya at may mga pinagsasabi pa sina Lolo, Papa at Titas na hindi ko nga naiintindihan. Hindi naman ako nakikinig. Sa katunayan pa nga ay pasikreto akong gumagamit ng phone.

"May I present to you my children..." Anunsyo ni Lolo. Syempre kasama na doon si Tita Juvy.

Maraming 'gimik' ang ginawa nila at ka-echosan. As a matter of fact, wala akong pakialam sa mga nangyayari hanggang sa kinalabit ako ni Raphael.

"What, Phil?" Tanong ko.

"Pupunta na tayo sa harap," sabi niya.

Agad akong tumayo at pumunta kami sa harap. Wow! Ang haba ng linya.

"Here are the sons of Katarina Arcella-Toledo," sabi ni Lolo. "Krypton Isaiah and Cyan James Toledo. Krypton will be one of the seven seats of AEC at ang magmamana ng Hacienda Arcella habang si Cyan ang magmamana ng ibang plantations."

They step forward and nod at the guest.

"... here are the sons of Lucina Arcella-Salvaloza: Rio Alexander and Lucas Elijah. Lucas is chosen to be one of the Seven Seats and will be the heir of the malls while Rio will be in-charge of the casino."

Lucas is too formal while presenting himself in front of these people while Rio smiles cockily.

Owning chains of casinos matters more to Rio than be one of the Seven Seats. Usually dapat ang eldest and uupo sa AEC. In the case of the Salvaloza brothers, Lucas is more responsible than his kuya Rio.

"... May I present to you the sons of Filomena Arcella-Castillo," pagpapatuloy ni Lolo. "Sean Keynes and Paolo Oliver Castillo. Sean will be taking one of the Seven Seats and their investment company. While Paolo will take their business in running prestigious hotels."

Si Lolo talaga! Mas feel tawagin si Oliver na Paolo.

They're damn showing their aura full of authority.

"... the sons of Carmen Arcella-Maxwell: Zeus Carter and Apollo Lyon Maxwell. Lyon will be having his Seat in AEC and their Liner company While Zeus will be taking over their airline company."

Hindi si Lyon ang panganay. At hindi naman tulad ni Zeus si Rio na medyo irresponsable.

It's just that Zeus doesn't like to be one of the seven seats of AEC for reasons I don't know. Hindi mo naman siya mapipilit kaya si Lyon na lang.

"... the son of Marialé Arcella-Imperial. Eric John Imperial," Lolo proudly say. Medyo feeling ang kumag na ito kaya ngumisi siya na akala mo kung sinong gwapo. Well gwapo naman talaga siya. "The one and only heir of the Imperials. And he'll be taking his seat in AEC in the future."

Imperials own shipping Company. So yeah...

"... And of course, the rose among the thorns," sabi ni Lolo ang ngumiti sa akin. I returned the smile to him. Kahit kailan hindi ipinadama ni Lolo na hindi niya ako apo. He treated me just like how he treated his real granchildren. "The only daughter of Caleon Arcella, my only son. She will be replacing his father in AEC and the Paragon Recording Company will be under her care, Skylar Vermilion Arcella."

I smiled at the audience with class and grace, of course.

"... Here are Mercedes Arcella-Vernan's sons: Gabriel, Miguel and Raphael." Ang tatlong binatilyo na ngumiti at nag-nod ng bahagya. "Gabriel as the oldest will take over her mother's seat in this company. And the others will take good care of their universities."

Maraming universities ang pinapatakbo ng mga Vernan.

Gabriel acted like Krypton. Very formal.

Miguel acted like wala siya pake and he's used in being in front of crowds.

Raphael seemed to be aloof. He dislikes occasions like this.

"And last but not the least," sabi ni lolo. "Ang mga anak ng aking anak na si Jovelyn Arcella-Fernandez."

Hindi pa pala sila divorced ng ama ni Jared.

"Sina Czar Maximus Cervantes at Jared Emmanuel Fernandez. Czar will be taking one of the Seven Seats..."

So that means Jared will take care of their other business.

I wonder kung ano ang negosyo nila.

Czar is used to this siguro. He smiled at the guests.

Pinasadahan ni Jared ang mga tao ng tingin and nod slightly just like what we did when we were being introduced.

Matapos nun ay nagsimula ng magserve ang mga waiter ng pagkain.

Nakaupo sa tapat ko si Jared. I just smiled at him nang nakita kong nakatingin siya sa akin. He returned the favour, nginitian niya ako pabalik.

"You look good tonight," komplimento ko.

"Well, it goes with you too. You look gorgeous," sabi niya.

Biglang kumalabog ang dibdib ko at nanginit ako. May cousin complimented me pero parang wala na iyon sa akin. Pero kapag siya na ang nag-compliment, may epekto talaga sa akin.

I don't know why.

I admire this guy.

I like him.

I had admire guys before. I had crushes before. Pero hindi ganito ang epekto nila sa akin.

Jared's effect on me is far too different from my crushes before.

Tatlo lang naman ang naging crush pero parang wala lang sa akin iyung nararamdaman ko para sa kanila. Kaya kong isantabi and act like it's just normal.

But when it comes to Jared, my feelings for him are intolerable. It is hard to ignore!

I wonder kung hindi kung naging crush ko ba talaga ang ex-crushes ko o trip ko lang talaga na mag-admire ng mga tao.

Kasi, pakiramdam ko ang true definition of crush is...

What I am feeling for Jared.