Chapter 1

Birthday

AT the H's five-star hotel, there is a group of people who are partying. Isa na sa naroon ay si Devine Miller. Although it is not her type to go party lalo na at ang isa lang naman sa kanyang makakasamuha sa kasiyahan na iyon ay si Dalia.

Dalia Miller was Devine step-sister who is 4 years younger than her age. It was because of her step-sister's 21st birthday celebration- and because she is the spoiled youngest daughter of the Miller Family... lahat ng request nito ay pinagbibigyan ng kanilang Ama.

The whole exclusive clubhouse in H's five-star hotel had been occupied for her birthday to show off.

Devine was eyeing the whole surroundings while sitting on the high stool at the counter.

Nang may napadaang waiter sa harapan niya ay tinawag niya ito at kumuha siya ng isang baso na alak. Tinunga niya agad ang kalahating alak na nasa kanyang baso.

'Hm... not bad.' She thought.

She rested her chin on her palm while her other palm held her wine glass. She looks like a lazy cat in her posture.

'How noisy.'

'How boring.'

Devine wanted to go home and relax in her place alone. Kung hindi lang dahil sa Ama niyang pinagpipilitan siyang um-attend ng birthday party na iyon ay wala s'ya dapat roon. For her, it's just a waste of time.

Anyway, she just arrived three days ago in the country. Tahimik siyang naninirahang mag-isa na malayo sa pamilya niya. Her Dad just insisted she come home to finally meet her unknown fiancé.

For her, it was ridiculous. Matagal na siyang pinipilit ng ama niya na kailangan na siya nitong ipakasal sa napipisil nitong lalaki na para sa kanya.

Of course, she knew that it was an arranged engagement that she always refused. How many times did she refuse her father. She knew, her father was just doing it for the sake of their business. In being able to keep their family business in the top he insists on this marriage alliance to her.

Sa huli ay pinagbigyan niya ang kanyang Ama na kausapin ito. Ngunit hindi para mapagbigyan niya ang gusto nito, kundi para tuloyan niya itong salungatin sa gusto nitong mangyari.

This time she wanted to talk and refused him personally. On the first day of her stay in the country, hindi na agad s'ya nagpaliguy-ligoy at mismo sa harap ng lalaking ipapakasal nito sa kanya ay tumanggi siya.

The result is obvious. Her father is furious about her stubbornness. She did not even give him any face in front of the unknown fiancé.

'Ako pa rin ang masusunod. Even if you do not agree with it, the marriage alliance will proceed!'

That was what her father's exact words to her that day.

Her beautiful eyebrows slowly rose when she saw Dalia and her followers come in her direction.

"Hey, there you are sister Devi..." Dalia and others scan her from bottom to top.

Ngumisi siya ng bahagya sa ganoon pa ring pwesto niya. She also scans them with their seductive outfit that almost shows the entire curve of their body.

Napapailing siya. She really knew that those judging eyes were disgusted with her outfit.

What's wrong with her simple black fitted low-waist jeans, and white knitted shirt? Diyan s'ya komportable. It is also her usual outfit. Although, she wore a simple and out-of-place outfit that night bawing-bawi naman siya kung sa panglabas na kaanyuan lang ang pag-uusapan.

She has a delicate and exquisite face. With a perfect shape of eyebrows, natural and long eyelashes, and perfect almond black clear eyes. Her pointed high nose and perfect alluring lips. She also has a slender and perfect body curve and snow-white smooth fair skin. Her 172.72 centimeters height is perfect for her features. Most importantly, her eye-catching mole on the corner of her right eye and her cutest dimples on both sides of her cheeks.

That perfect description is envied by all other women, including her step-sister, Dalia.

Although, they have similarities but they are not alike. It was clear that Devine was much more beautiful than Dalia.

"Yes?" she asks in a lazy tone.

"Look, I will introduce you to my colleagues..."

Before Dalia could finish speaking she said. "No need. I don't need it."

Kumunot ang noo nito at ng mga kasama nito.

Alam niya na alam na alam ni Dalia ang ugali na mayroon siya. Siya ang klaseng tao na hindi makikipag salamuha sa mga taong hindi pamilyar sa kanya.

"I said. I will introduce you..."

"Oh come on, Dalia. I know you. Please stop pretending. Alam na'ting dalawa na hindi tayo close sa isa't isa. So, there's no need at all." She said directly.

Dalia raises her eyebrows. "You are right. We're not close to each other. So, you really are not worth it to introduce me to some of my outstanding colleagues at these parties." Her tone is full of disgust.

"Yes, Dalia, you are right. She's not worth it. Just look at her. Talaga bang kapatid mo siya?" ang mapanuring tanong ng isang babae na kasama nito.

"I am also wondering. Look, she's not worth it as a daughter of the Miller family." Wika naman ng isa pang kasama nito.

"Ha." she sneered and then sipped the remaining wine from the glass that she was holding. "So noisy. Will you disappear from my sight now? Dahil mas hindi kayo karapat-dapat sa oras ko. I won't also do not waste my precious time with such random people around my so-called little witch sister." she sarcastically said.

The people in front of her show their ugly faces. They do not know how to retort to her harsh words against them.

Kung nakakasakit lang ang mga titig ng mga ito ay baka bumulagta na lang siyang bigla.

"I don't know why Daddy invited you here. Kitang kita naman sa 'yo na hindi ka interesado na pumunta rito."

"Oh. Didn't you force him to invite me here for you to show off?" Diretsong wika niya rito.

Dalia's face turned ugly with her retort. Before she could speak, there was a commotion at the entrance of the clubhouse.

"Oh, is it Salem Lewis?" one of Dalia's followers speaks out.

Dalia's eyes lit up upon staring at the tall and handsome man in a suit.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Devine habang nakatingin sa reaksyon nito pagkakita sa nasabing lalaki. Napapailing siya.

It was obvious that Dalia liked this man.

"Salem, here," tawag ni Dalia rito.

Devine as Devi frowned. She is still lazily resting her palm on her cheek while looking at the commotion. Her natural long dark wavy hair falls on the table.

Nang may dumaang waiter ay humablot muli siya ng isang baso ng red wine. She directly sipped it all.

"Devi?" Salem calls her name in surprise.

Devi's eyebrows twitched. Ngumisi siya habang may iniisip.

Napakunot naman ng noo si Dalia. She looked unhappy with Salem and Devi's interaction.

"Um, Daddy invited her here." wika nito na nakatingin lang sa lalaki.

Salem smiled a bit and nodded. "Happy Birthday,"

"Thank you," she smiled and held his arms. She looked at her feeling smug.

'Hmm...' may naglalarong ngisi sa gilid ng labi ni Devi habang nakatingin sa dalawang tao na nasa harapan niya.

Salem stared at her for a moment and said. "Have you already thought?"

Dalia's smile faded. "...You know her?" tanong nito sa lalaking nasa tabi niya.

Before Salem responds Devi says, "Oh, yeah. I already met him."