Rhezi heaved a sigh. Her eyes stared directly at the mirror in front of her. Contentment and satisfaction was evident on her face as she scanned herself up and down. Wearing her gold-sequined long gown with a long slit in the front, she was definitely gorgeous. It was sleeveless and has a V-neck line which exhibited her beautiful collarbone and cleavage.
“You’re beautiful, Baby.”
Rhezi smiled. She instantly saw her father walking towards her. She looked back and approached him. He was smiling, too, all the while looking gorgeous in his pair of Gucci Mohair Tuxedo. Her father undeniably screamed power and confidence.
Her father, Hernan Lagdameo, was in his 50’s. He was the heir of Lagdameo Hotels and the only man amongst the four siblings. He’s also one of the top business magnates of the Philippines. Several branches of their family’s businesses were scattered all over the country because of him and his hardwork. He was the reason why she lived comfortably before she decided to run away.
“You look great too, Dad!” Rhezi commented and hugged her father tightly. The old man also hugged her back and kissed her forehead.
“You really are my daughter!”
Rhezi’s father laughed. He even tapped her back and supported her in their position. Until now, the woman still couldn’t believe everything. At first, she was hesitant to show herself to him, but then, her father surprised her and went to Jericho’s house for a talk. She made sure not to disappoint him further so she willingly admitted her fault and confessed.
Rhezi thought he would get mad. She waited for his wrath and harsh words but it didn’t come. Instead, he embraced her tightly and lifted her up from kneeling in front of him. Then, he wiped her tears and made her stop from crying.
However, Rhezi couldn’t. She cried because of what her father did and because of too much emotion that she wasn’t able to contain. Maybe it was that easy for him to forgive her because of his love for her. Or maybe, it was because she was his daughter. Regardless of what the reason behind his forgiveness, she was happy. Especially because her father accepted her fate as well as her kids, wholeheartedly.
“The party will start a few hours from now, Baby. Are you ready?” her father asked as he rocked her daughter into a slow dance.
“I am. As long as you’re with me,” Rhezi replied. She also nodded and went with the flow of her father’s movements. Every step and sway was gentle and careful. Then, she leaned on his shoulder as if by doing so, all of her problems would go away.
“I love you, Daddy. I-I’m sorry-”
“Shhh. . .” He shook his head. “Let’s go, Baby. The kids and your husband are already outside,” he invited.
Rhezi nodded at what her father said. She let him pull her out of the room. They walked hand in hand and talked as if they were the only people that existed. Rhezi didn’t bother to ask about her mother because she knew that the woman would just ruin the occasion.
Her face lighted up at the sight of the beautiful lights around their wide garden, the metal chairs and tables that looked fabulous in its white and gold combination of colors, the familiar faces of the country’s famous and rich businessmen, as well as the elite in all society pages. All screamed luxury and sophistication. However, Rhezi felt tensed all of a sudden.
“Hi, Tito!” Tin called Rhezi. She was all smiles while holding a glass of tequila. “You’re so gorgeous, Mrs. Bailey!” she added after kissing Rhezi’s father’s cheek.
“Where are they?” Rhezi asked. She was asking about her other friends, Mina and Mics.
“Absent, as usual.” Tin rolled her eyes. “I’ll just steal your daughter for a while, Tito.” She mischievously winked at Rhezi’s father.
He only chuckled and nodded. “You’re really sly. Take care of my baby, Ms. Mejia,” the old man said before leaving the two alone.
Rhezi watched her father leave. Then, she looked at Tin with a confused stare. “What is it?” she asked.
“Why did you suddenly disappeared from the party last time? Your car was still there but we couldn’t find you,” she uttered, looking curious.
Rhezi heaved a sigh. She just couldn’t spill the beans to her friends easily because she still believed that some things should be in private. Nonetheless, she ended up explaining it, although her excuse was far from the truth. Her friend decided not to ask more questions and just accepted whatever words Rhezi uttered.
“By the way, your kids are all handsome. Why don’t they look like their father?”
“What the fuck! You’re voice is too loud!” Rhezi sneered and glared at her friend, who only ignored it. “Watch your words, Tin,” she added.
“Okay! Sorry.” Tin raised her hand in surrender, although her eyes were full of tease. “Mr. Montreal’s acquaintance is so lucky.”
“What do you mean?” Rhezi questioned her. She had no idea what her friend was talking about.
Tin pointed her lips toward the direction behind her friend, making her red lips more defined. Rhezi immediately looked behind her, then, her eyes saw what Tin was referring to. It was Kraius, however, he wasn’t alone. He was with a gorgeous woman and they were holding each other’s hands tightly.
“Allyson Veron. A Russian model. Six feet in height. Cup C and likes sex,” Tin bluntly said before glancing back at the woman beside her. “Are you listening, Rhezi?” she asked, but it seemed like the woman could not really understand what her friend said.
Her eyes bore to the two people that was walking the aisle as if they owned the place. They looked good together. She should be happy from the sight but unfortunately, bitterness filled her being.
As she was staring at the two, Rhezi didn’t realize that her eyebrow was raised. She looked intently at Kraius who was smiling as he greeted the guest while obviously introducing the woman he was with. The lady that accompanied him also looked obviously happy, as can be seen in her smiling face and tender eyes. They were not so far from where Rhezi was, reason why she could eye them fully.
“Your boyfriend still looks handsome as ever,” Tin quipped a remark as she touched her friend’s shoulder. She laughed as Rhezi glared at her in annoyance.
“It’s not funny,” Rhezi commented. She shook her head to shrug her thoughts off. A lot has happened in her life recently to even have time to think about Kraius and the woman he’s with.
“Oh! Where are you going?” Tin asked in curiosity.
Rhezi just ignored her friend. She walked fast towards the table where her kids were located. They waved and smiled at her as they saw her striding towards them. All where looking handsome in their respective tuxedos.
However, not even reaching her destination, Rhezi was blocked by a waiter. She stopped and stood in front of him while the latter smiled at her awkwardly.
“Do you need anything?” Rhezi asked politely.
“Someone ordered me to give this to you,” the waiter said before handling a piece of paper to her.
With forehead creased and brows furrowed, Rhezi accepted it. She scanned the paper and found nothing special in it. It was just a linen paper that was folded, although it was fragrant, probably because the sender purposely sprayed perfume on the paper.
“From whom?” Rhezi asked curiously but the waiter only shrugged his shoulder as a response.
When the woman finally opened the folded paper, her face contorted into a frown even more. Nevertheless, she decided to follow what the paper entailed. She walked out of the garden and went to the side of their mansion where a small patio could be found.
She gasped an air in an instant as she reached the place. Her sophistication disappeared while her pace got slower. The light that was coming from the moon was enough for her to see the figure that was waiting for her.
“Nasilsin, Ms. Lagdameo? (How are you, Ms. Lagdameo?)” the man asked. He stood up as Rhezi reached his spot. He looked formal in his all black business suit.
Rhezi blinked. Her heart suddenly pounded. Her legs started to tremble and she couldn’t utter a word. The courage she had a while ago was gone. She weakened, watching the man smile at her suffocated being, as she remembered the memories from ten years ago.
“Surprised?” the man added. “Or should I say, san zamanlarda nasilsin, Mrs. Bailey? (How have you been recently, Mrs. Bailey?)”
Rhezi shook her head. She managed to calm herself as the anger slowly built up inside her. There was no room for her being a coward. She already made her choice. She should deal with the consequences of her actions. She should be used to it or even to the presence of the man in front of him.
“Iyiyim, Mr. Montreal (I’m fine, Mr. Montreal),” Rhezi finally uttered.
“Tamam (Fine),” Hasmet Montreal, Kraius’ father, laughed. He looked at the girl from head to toe then shook his head after while a sarcastic grin was evident on his face.
Looking at him, Rhezi couldn’t help but to form her hand into a fist. How could she possibly forget that sarcasm from him? When it was one of the reasons why she left for years and lived with nightmares?