"KUYA TORQUE, do I look okay?" Callea asked her cousin who was driving. They were on their way to a boutique hotel where the anniversary of Hontiveros Coco Company would be held.
"Uhmmm!" he moaned then nodded.
She poked her cousin's arm. "Kuya, please give me a proper answer. Do you think I look proper for the party?"
She put her palm on her chest to calm her erratic heart. She was not sure if Deive would like her. Her makeup was light. She donned a light yellow muslin gown with a light brown bolero with printed orange flower. Her hair was swept to one side and she curled the end. She had a single jeweled earring. She looked like an Indian princess.
She hoped it was presentable enough because it was her first time to appear in public as Deive's girlfriend.
"What do you want me to say? You are like a defective CD that keeps on repeating itself. You spent four years in your room changing your clothes and redoing your make-up," her cousin berated in an irritated tone.
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
"You are beautiful in my eyes. You are my cousin."
She just rolled her eyes when she saw her cousin smiled a little. Of course, he adored her and even if he looked like a zombie, he would say she was beautiful. But how about the high society? She should have consulted Deive first but he asked her to surprise him and charm him.
She clung to her cousin's arm as they entered the ballroom of the hotel. Everything was glittery - from the chandelier to the people around her who were in their best gowns and suits. She looked underdressed. She thought it was okay to wear anything since Deive provided it for her. She was not comfortable with the glittery gown that showed too much skin in her closet.
She just blocked everything around her and looked for Deive. He was still not around. She already sent him a message that they were coming. She was starting to panic. She wanted him to hold her hand and assure her that it was okay.
She heard Don Jorje greeting her cousin. "Torque, I am glad you are here. I thought you are not coming."
"I know how important this is for your family. And of course, Callea wants to be here."
Her forehead touched the back of Don Jorje's palm as a sign of respect. "Congratulations on the anniversary of your company." It was also important to Deive because he was part of the company for several years and it was his family's legacy.
"Good thing you are here. You look very proper and..." he cleared his throat "...normal. I thought you are not leaving Villa Celesta. Come." He offered his arm and she held to it. He led her to a group of older men where her own grandfather belong. "Tomasino, look who is here."
"Callea!" He nearly had a heart attack when he saw her. "This is a surprise."
"Your granddaughter is beautiful. I think he would be a good match to my grandson," said an old man who had a full white beard and was smoking tobacco. Others chorused and offered their grandsons as well.
"She is already Deive's girlfriend. I am sorry, gentlemen," said Don Jorje with pride. He knew that only Deive could accept her for who she was. He approved of her now.
"Where is Deive?" she asked when she still hasn't seen him.
"He is at the verandah. I think he was making a few calls but he was waiting for you. Go now so he can introduce you to the visitors here," said Don Jorje and nod his head in the direction of the verandah.
She walked faster even if she was not used to walking on heels. She missed Deive whom she hasn't seen for a few days. The verandah was a perfect place to escape a bit and be alone with him. She only came here for him.
"Deive, are you out of your mind? You would rather marry that lunatic girl of yours than me?"
Callea stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the woman's angry voice. She took a peep and saw Deive talking to a woman who had a huge belly. She looked very much pregnant. Yet she still looked elegant in her red Greecian gown. Who is she is Deive's life?
"Guard your tongue, Rubie. Callea is not a lunatic! Eccentrically beautiful but she's not crazy," Deive defended. "Stop forcing yourself to me and using that child of yours to trap me. We both know I didn't even touch you."
"You really want to destroy yourself than choose me, do you? A ghost of a woman living in a haunted house is a better choice than me? I can give you the world, Deive." The woman circled him. "Come to think of it. If you will marry her, you will be a pariah in society. They don't take kindly to weirdos. It will affect your family's business even if you are not a part of it anymore. The clients will think that your kids would be lunatics, too. How would they deal with that." Rubie stopped in front of him and played with his tie. "But if you will marry me, you can clean your name. I will make you happy and richer."
Deive held Rubie's shoulders and moved her away from him. "Why don't you mind your child's welfare instead of trying to trap me? Nobody would believe your lies and it is starting to get old."
"Deive, you are mine!" Rubie pulled Deive's nape and kissed him. More live shoving her mouth to his.
The devil. She has no right to kiss Deive after her lies nearly ruined him. And it must be a trap again to take him back. Deive was hers now. He protected her and it was now time to protect and claim what was hers.
"Excuse me!" she yelled and march towards them.
"What! Can't you see that we are busy here?" Rubie shrieked. While Deive was staring at her with wide eyes. He didn't even blink, as if she was an apparition. She wanted to wipe the lipstick on his lips.
"Well, the lipstick shade doesn't look good on you," she said while shaking her head. She grabbed tissue on one of the tables nearby and dabbed it to his lips. "I am sure your lips will be itchy if we don't clean this up right away."
"What? Who the heck are you?" said Rubie and grabbed her wrist. "One of Deive's admirers? If she doesn't like me, he won't like you either. He wants that lunatic girlfriend of his. You have to look like a bloody vampire or a she-wolf for him to like you."
"Callea!" Deive took her wrist back from Rubie and kissed it. "What took you so long? I am so worried."
"Traffic. Who is she?" Callea asked with a raised brow.
"Rubie Canales," Deive introduced and pulled her closer. "His father used to be a major client in our company. I told you about Rubie."
"Yeah!" The very pregnant bitch and a desperate liar. But she didn't voice it out. She decided to be civilized instead and offered her hand for a handshake. "Hi! I am Callea Lopez."
"My future wife," Deive added with pride and lifted his chin.
Rubie's face paled and looked at her from head to foot. "N-No. You are supposed to be a..."
"Lunatic?" Callea offered. "Oh! I am off being a lunatic today but I might change my mind if someone wants to force themselves to Deive. He is mine." Her eyes flashed and looked at Rubie's tummy. "How's your child? How far along are you?"
She suddenly cupped her abdomen. "Don't ask about my baby. If something bad happens to my child, it will be your fault. You are an aswang. You might eat my child." Then she ran back to the party, her face ashen with fear.
"Do I look like an aswang? I like babies but I don't eat them," she told Deive.
"No. You look like a nymph." He caressed her face. "Thank you for saving me and for looking neat today."
"You mean, if I come here looking like an aswang and there's someone who is as beautiful as Rubie, you will replace me?" she asked then pouted her lips.
"Do you think I will replace you?" He placed a kiss on top of her head. "Let's elope."
"Silly. I am not jealous." And she was glad that he liked her transformation. "I know you will choose me. And I am glad you approved how I look tonight. I don't want your family and business colleagues to think that you are crazy for choosing me."
"I will punch anyone who says anything bad about you. And if Rubie is not pregnant, I will show her out of the party myself. She thought money could persuade me. It holds no appeal then, how much more now that I got you? I am sorry about the kiss. I don't like it."
"I know," she said. "Good thing I am here or else she will create a scene to ruin you."
"And you showed your face. I thought you will wear a veil again or something to hide your beauty."
Callea sighed at looked up. "Well, there's nothing to be afraid of. You are here to protect me. I trust you with my life now, Deive. It is not easy to change and be normal. You see, I am trying to reclaim my place in this world and live without fear like any normal girl. I don't want to hide in the dark anymore. And during our wedding, I want you to see this face when you lift the veil."
"I love that, Callea." He took her in his arms and swiftly claimed her lips. The cold wind blew and Deive cradled her in his arms to shield her from chills. "Let's set the engagement party."