[Theia's POV]
Thank God I haven't missed much.
I fixed myself before heading into the door, making sure I look presentable.
'I don't want to look like a mess beside my brothers. Ma porma pa naman mga yun. Baka magmukha akong alalay' I thought.
I took a deep breath and cautiously entered the door, hoping no one would notice my tardiness.
I scanned the room searching for Andriel. I found him with company standing by a table, halfway across the room. I only recognized Gov. Matt, who wouldn't, his height towers everyone. The others, I have not got a clue as to who they are.
I only know a select few in this event. I didn't have much choice but to walk their way.
Andriel is now looking at my direction, the men he's with soon turned my way also. My brother has a suspicious look to his face, I'm sure he's up to something.
'Shit! I'm starting to itch. Is it nervous itch? anxiety itch, maybe? Why now? I don't want to embarrass myself.' I was in distress.
'Tey, keep your cool. Smile. Compose yourself.'
I took a deep breath, flipped my hair and put on a confident smile, as I made the aisle my runway.
I approached Andriel first. I went in for a hug, he hugged me back and kissed the top of my head. He was fixing hair around my face that has moved out of place with the hug. He then rested his arm around my shoulders.
I got close to his ear and whispered "Do you think he noticed?", referring to Alistair and my tardiness.
His response was "Oh! He definitely noticed!", accompanied with a beaming smile.
I nudged him in return. He just chuckled and muttered under his breath "lagot ka!"
He quickly shifted gears, which took me by surprise.
"Just out of curiosity, was it your intention to walk like you were strutting down a run way? or was that effortless?" he asked, brow raised subtle smirk forming on his lips. "What an entrance!" he then winked at me.
'What the heck? What are you doing' I thought. I didn't say anything but I gave him a judging look. 'Andriel, anong kagaguhan 'to?" I asked in thought.
"Well nonetheless, You look ravishing tonight." he said. If we weren't in front of unfamiliar company, I would've beat him for the cringe worthy words that spilled out of his lips. He was definitely up to something.
"Some would even say, breathtaking?" he added. I couldn't be certain if It was intentional, but he seem to have been directing his remark to someone in particular. He was looking at the man standing right across from him.
I was left perplexed, trying to figure out what is going on. 'Punyeta! Andriel! Stop it na!'
I could've sworn I caught Matt trying to choke his laughter, as he briefly looked away.
The man seems to have frozen still. 'Well this is f*cking awkward' I thought. The rest were as taken a back, perhaps clueless as I was.
I turned my attention back to the rest of the group. "Sorry, I'm late. I hope I didn't miss anything." I said in an apologetic tone, then followed by an innocent smile.
I just needed to break the awkward silence.
"Gov, Good to see you again." I went in for a hug. "Who do we have here?" I asked.
Andriel took the liberty to introduce everyone.
'Holy sh**t! This group consisted entirely of politicians. Kaya pala ako na nga-ngati. Mother, come save me! I forgot my allergy meds!' I pleaded to the heavens.
"Hi! I'm Theia. Good to meet everyone this evening." I kept it short and brief. No need for titles.
I shook hands with everyone. Unintentionally, I ended up leaving him for last.
I turned to him and shook his hand, and met his gaze.
'Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos. So, you're the Sandro they've been talking about' I thought.
'You look awfully familiar, where have I seen you?' I wondered.
I paused as I try to recall where I've seen him before. As I took a breath in, his scent took me back to a memory of that time in the plane flying to Laoag.
'The scent, the eyes, eyebags rather, and the coiffed hair. He was the creep at the airport and the guy from the other day... F*ck! You have got to be kidding me.' I cursed internally and wanted to curl into a ball.
I realized he was still holding my hand. I gently pulled my hand which made him slowly let go of it. 'Did he recognize me? because this feels awkward!' I thought to myself
I stepped back to stand by Andriel's side. 'Kuya, Help! Why can't you read my mind now! Help me!' I screamed in my head pleading. 'Punyeta! Kapatid pa pala ni Simon yung creep sa plane. FML!'
I would cling onto his arms from time to time. He would have his arm around my shoulder or the small of my back, giving me reassurance. Which brought me back to the thought, 'What do you know? And what are you up to?'
The group continued with their small talks, as if none of the awkwardness ever happened. I tried my best to keep calm and collected. I reminded myself, 'Don't show your thoughts!'
Everything seemed to be back to its non-awkward state. Then we realized Alistair was on stage about to give his speech.
I was trying my best to focus on his speech, but I kept getting distracted. By that uneasy feeling when you know someone is watching you intently. I could tell it was Sandro. 'Dude look away! Baka matunaw ako nyan. Reminiscent of when I first cross paths with him. Ang creepy talaga' I thought to myself. 'Of all people, Ikaw pa talaga.'
"... Lastly, I would like take this opportunity to acknowledge and formally introduce to everyone, the new COO and CFO of the company.
"Oh heck no!" I accidentally said outload. 'Theia! keep your thoughts in your head!' I scolded myself.
Everyone in the table turned their heads toward me. I'm nervous and panicking on the inside, but I swear it must be radiating out by now. There's a puzzled look all across the table.
I clung onto Andriel. "Tell me he's not doing what I think he's doing" I asked calmly, as calm as I could manage at that very moment. I kept my voice low, but everyone still seems to have heard it.
"Too late, he already did." Andriel said accompanied with a grin. 'Payback time!' he mouthed.
"Were you on this with him? Why? I don't want to go" I said, pleading to him.
"You have to" he paused. "This is it. So, start putting your speech together" He said
"What?" I quipped
"... My brother, Atty. Alexei Andriel Franco Salviejo as the new Chief Financial Officer." said Alistair.
On the stage screen was Andriel's photo and company profile. Andriel made his way to the stage and gave a short speech. He then stood on stage with Alistair.
Even from a distance. I could sense their gaze, as if sending a message. 'Yes! brothers. I understood what your gaze meant.' I was upset but I can't fight them.
'F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!F*ck!' I muttered. Still pleading that he would change his mind.
"... It's been a long time comin'. Now, she's to assume her new role as the Chief Operating Officer. Only known to a few. My sister, Dr. Altheia Elyse Franco Salviejo' said Alistair.
On the stage screen was my photo and company profile.
Everyone was applauding. Everyone in our table looked dumbfounded except for Matt.
I got up and made my way to the stage. I channeled as much courage and confidence I had left.
I was able to come up with a short speech on the fly. I tried to do it in English, Tagalog and Ilocano just to drag it out, luckily it worked.
Despite the distress and anxiety, I was able to deliver. Everyone continued to applaud. My brothers and I stood side by side.
"Good job, sis!" Andriel said. "I knew you could do it" Alistair said and gave a reassuring smile.
"I'm upset with you guys. Don't talk to me!" I said. They just laughed it off, unbothered.
I was projecting confidence and grace on the outside but was dreading the attention on the inside.
When we got off stage, we were met with a slew of people wanting to Congratulate and have a word with myself and my siblings.
Eventually we found our way back to the Marcos' table.
"Oh Teytey, why the long face?" Matt teased.
"Ganyan talaga siya. Pinaglihi kasi sa sama ng loob at stress" said Adriel. I slapped his arm instantly. "Ouch! See what I mean?" he added. 'She woke up and chose violence.'
"Get used to it, Matt. They're always like that" Alistair rolled his eyes.
"By the way, have you guys heard the fresh gossip going around?" Andriel asked Alistair and I with a beaming smile.
The rest of the table was taken a back, seemed unsure how to react. I wondered why.
"Nope. But do tell..." I quipped.
"The rumour was that Andriel, allegedly, has a girlfriend in town. Everyone thought ..." Paulo paused.
"Let me guess, everyone thought Theia was his girlfriend." Alistair said with raised brow.
Both of my brothers laughed hysterically at the idea.
"Teka, who started that rumour ba? Baka mamaya sa Capitol pa nag umpisa yan." Matt asked.
"Ewww. That's gross" I said. Then it hit me. "Wait, Is that why you were being sweet earlier? I knew you were up to something" I asked Andriel.
"Guilty" Andriel admitted. "Eww ka dyan! At least gwapo ang alleged boyfriend mo" he added.
"Uhhhmm. That's actually worse because we look alike. We're practically twins." I quipped and rolled my eyes.
"I know right?" Him and I laughed together.
"Yah! Honestly, you had me fooled earlier. I thought it was true" RB said.
"Ang dami mo kasi fangirls. Pati tuloy ako nasasama sa mga issue" I teased. I panned around the table. My sight caught him.
'Hmm...Bakit ang quiet nya?' I thought to myself.
"Speaking of fangirls. Let's ask the fangirl expert Mr. Sandro. Ano ang latest issue?" Paulo asked.
'Right! I remember the fangirls at the airport.' I thought to myself.
'Ay! Shit! nalait ko pa pala sya noon. OMG, sorry!' I immediately felt guilty and apologetic.
'Urghh... Why? Of all people, siya pa. The creep is Simon's brother. How am I going to explain myself to Simon? How do I even tell him? Does Sandro remember me? Will he acknowledge our previous encounter?' I was plagued with questions but I knew I had to push them aside, for now.
The rest of the night went smoothly and as expected, no more surprises.
