Chapter 64

"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 proper answer. Do you think I look proper for the party?"

She put her palm on chest to calm her erratic heart. She was not sure if Deive would like her. Her make up was light. She done 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 herself. 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 Dieve 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 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 to 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 the 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 lunatic, 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."