Party commotion

“Come on, it really fits on you!” hindi ako mapakali sa suot ko na damit. I mean I’m not into wearing this kind of outfit. Sobrang reveling, shos too much skin, and I hate it. Oh, god, I just want to wear my pj’s and eat ice cream while watching my favorite n*****x series.

“I hate this,” I mumbled, tinawanan lang ako nang sira ulo kong kaibigan habang inaayos ang pagkakakulot nang buhok ko sa likod, “Kadita, come on, can I have another dress?” I pleaded.

“Savannah, you are fucking oozing hot with that red sleeveless dress, I mean your purpose is to get the attention of thee famous Jackson Knight Alegre, and based on our research she love women, I mean, kung tahong lang din ang hanap ko, I’d give you my bet, but no, siz!” Bahagya akong natawa dahil sa sinabi niya.

“Oo na, let’s just focus on this one,” sabi ko at tumingin muli sa salamin, dahil hindi ako sanay na ganito ang itsura ko.

Halos thirty minutes din ang itinagal nang byahe bago kami nakarating sa venue ng party. I was holding the rectangular envelope, the design is very elegant, combination of black and gold matte color, hindi nahirapan si Kadita na ikuha ako nang invitation for this exclusive event dahil kilala si Sienna, of course. Walang nakakaalam kung hindi anim na tao na wala na ang kakambal ko.

Walang pwedeng makaalam—ayun ang sabi ni mommy na hinayaan ko na. Mabuti na lang.

“My god, I didn’t know you were this hot—”

“Okay, quota na ko sa ganyan mo, tama na. I feel so fucking embarrassed right now, don’t add up, please?”

Tumawa naman siya at hindi na sumagot matapos non, mukhang nakita nya talaga ang kahihiyan sa mukha ko—dahil hindi naman talaga ako sanay sa mga ganitong bagay.

Nakapasok na rin kami agad, hindi pa kasi binibigay sa coordinator ang invitation ay ngumiti agad; wow, that’s the power of Sienna? I didn’t know, I thought she was just joking when she told me that she doesn’t need any key or invitation, her face will do the job.

We are assisted to a table in the middle and near the stage. I was impressed with the whole venue. I mean, I’ve been to different venues and events, but this one? Pinatunayan talaga nila ang pagiging grandioso ng event. Gold chandeliers hung above us, casting a warm glow on the elegant black-and-gold motif. Every guest was dressed to kill, and the air smelled of expensive perfume and champagne.

“This is insane,” bulong ko kay Kadita, pero mukhang busy siya sa pag-scan ng mga guests.

“Of course, babe. Hindi basta-basta ang ball na ‘to. And speaking of hindi basta-basta, there he is.”

Sinundan ko ang direksyon ng tingin niya, and there he was—Jackson Knight Alegre.

The darling of the show. The multi-billionaire shipping magnate. My twin’s ex.

My heart pounded in my chest. I wasn’t prepared to see him, let alone talk to him. Pero wala na ‘kong choice, I was already here.

Jackson stood near the grand staircase, surrounded by elites, wearing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. His presence alone commanded attention, but his gaze? It was sharp, calculating—directed at me.

“Shit,” mahina kong sabi habang tinutungga ang champagne na hawak ko. I wasn’t prepared to see him this soon.

“Relax, babe,” bulong ni Kadita, pero alam kong enjoy na enjoy siya sa nangyayari. “Just act natural. Like you own the place.”

Madaling sabihin, pero paano ko gagawin ‘yon kung ang bigat ng tingin ni Jackson Knight Alegre sa ‘kin? The man had this aura that could silence a whole room. He looked sharp as hell in his tailored tux, pero mas matalim ang titig niyang parang gusto akong laslasin ng buhay.

Hindi ko pinahalata na ninerbyos ako. I took another sip of my drink, pero bago pa ‘ko makagalaw, he started walking towards me.

Fuck.

I squared my shoulders, trying to keep my face neutral habang papalapit siya. The crowd parted like he was royalty. And maybe, in this world of power and money, he was.

“Well, well, well,” he drawled, his voice smooth but taunting. “Didn’t expect to see you here,”

Umirap ako. “Surprise.”

His lips curled into a smirk, pero halata ko ang pag-analisa niya sa ‘kin. “Tell me, did you come here to honor your sister’s legacy or to entertain yourself with her leftovers?”

Asshole.

May ilang nakarinig, and I could feel the tension in the air. Ang iba nagbubulungan na, pero hindi ko sila pinansin. Hindi ko hahayaan na ganito lang ako tatapusin ni Jackson.

I smiled sweetly. “Neither,” sagot ko, hindi nagpa-apekto. “I came to remind you that no matter how many billions you have, you still can’t buy class.”

Natahimik ang ilang tao. Sa gilid ng mata ko, nakita kong may dalawang babaeng napahinto sa pag-inom. Kadita stiffened beside me, barely holding in her reaction.

Jackson’s jaw ticked, but he kept his expression cool.

I stepped closer, my voice dropping low, sapat lang para siya lang ang makarinig. “Akala mo ikaw ang may control dito, pero sa totoo lang?” Ngumiti ako nang matamis. “You just got played.”

“Nak ng—Savannah, shit! That was legendary!” pigil na tili ni Kadita habang hinihila ako papunta sa isang less crowded area.

“I know, right?” sagot ko, pero hindi ko maalis ‘yung pakiramdam na may something off. I could still feel Jackson’s gaze, and knowing him—well, based on what I know—he wouldn’t let this slide just like that.

“Pero babe, seryoso, I wasn’t expecting you to pull that off! Alam mo bang parang gusto kitang ipagdiwang sa stage kanina?” Kadita beamed, obviously proud of me.

“Kadita—”

“Babe, you made Jackson Knight look like an idiot in front of his people! He never gets played like that! Alam mo bang sa business world, he’s known for always being in control?”

Huminga ako nang malalim, trying to shake off the lingering tension. “Yeah? Well, he can’t control me.”

“Oo nga, but babe…” Kadita suddenly looked serious, lowering her voice. “He’s dangerous.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

“I mean, not in a crime boss kind of way, but he’s powerful, influential. Hindi mo siya basta-basta matatakasan.”

I scoffed. “I don’t plan to run.”

Tumawa siya. “That’s the spirit! Pero seryoso, just be careful.”

I rolled my eyes. “I can handle myself.”

Hindi pa man namin natatapos ang usapan, biglang may lumapit na waiter sa amin, offering another round of drinks. I was about to decline when the waiter smiled and handed me a small, black envelope.

“From Mr. Alegre.”

Napatingin ako kay Kadita, who was already raising a brow. I took the envelope, my pulse quickening as I opened it.

“You think you played me? Think again. Dance with me. – JKA”

Napalunok ako.

Kadita peeked at the note and practically squealed. “Babe. Ano ‘to? A challenge? A threat? A fucking flirt move?”

I exhaled sharply. “Whatever it is, mukhang hindi pa tapos ang laban.”

She grinned. “So? Ano plano mo?”

I glanced towards the dance floor, where Jackson stood, casually sipping his drink while watching me—waiting.

A slow smirk formed on my lips.

“Well,” I said, folding the note and slipping it into my clutch. “Let’s give him a show.”