An Encounter

5.

AN ENCOUNTER

∞≠∞

Tiffany was assisted by her father's bodyguards as they walked her towards the private chopper that her father sent for her. She was informed earlier that day about the special meeting with the Alphas in Ormon City.

“Did my father give you any specific instruction about this trip?” she asked the goon that her father sent for her.

“No, señorita. He just said you have to be there.”

Tiffany immediately climbed onto the chopper and settled on her seat. From Libangon, the group will travel to a private place in Ormon City whereas her father will also be meeting with the city mayor. Ormon was located miles away from Libangon, but with Tiffany riding on her father's private chopper, it will just be a three-hour ride. She heard that her father and the city mayor will have a partnership in a certain business venture. But she's pretty sure such business will never come clean.

It's already past six in the evening and the wind felt icy on her skin. Despite her thick coat, the cold still seeped through her inside, stirring the void that she had been feeling since she was a kid. Biting her lip, she decided to focus on the task at hand. She tucked her right hand inside her front pocket as a bodyguard put a headset on her. Several announcements were heard on the radio before they slowly took off through the night.

Three hours later, Tiffany was again escorted as she set foot on a wide lawn. According to the men with her in the chopper, the place was owned by the city mayor himself. Just several steps away stood a grand building that looked even more glamorous because of the yellow lights that were seen in the building's façade. And as soon as the wheezing noise from the chopper stopped, faint classical music was heard from the inside.

Two women wearing black and white corporate attire approached them. "Señorita, please follow us,” they said.

She silently followed the ladies and walked with steady steps as the two guards trailed behind them. They led them towards an elevator located at the building's parking lot. Then they entered a fancy hallway where portraits of naked women hung on the walls. Finally, they approached a private room afterward. The two guards were left standing outside the door and another girl assisted her inside. The two girls who escorted her earlier bowed their heads and casually took their exits.

"Good evening, señorita," the lady smilingly greeted her. “I am Mylene, your hair and make-up stylist for tonight. The Don sent me to assist you.”

Her lips curled into a smile as she looked at her. "Am I going to wear that?" she bluntly asked the lady as she pointed a finger to a dress that was displayed behind them.

"Yes, señorita."

Tiffany took a heavy breath and ran her fingers through the soft linen. "Lovely."

In front of her was a black evening gown which she presumed costs a fortune. "I didn't know this is a party."

"It's a masquerade ball, señorita. Your father is already waiting for you. You'll be his muse tonight.”

'Fine.'

Without a word, she stripped off her clothes and put on the black gown. Her father was always like that. Since he didn’t have a trophy wife, he often used his beautiful daughter as his muse in his social gatherings. It used to be so tiring for her, especially when she had to pretend that she liked being with those shallow rich people. And yet, tonight was different. This was going to be her first Alpha meeting, hence, no matter how shot the notice was, she decided not to complain. And she needed to be more beautiful now. She did not want the Alphas to be too disappointed.

'I'm sure the party is some sort of a cover-up so that nobody will know about the meeting,’ she also convinced herself. The real agendum was the Alpha meeting.

Just then, her phone rang. The assisting girl immediately gave her phone to her. "Hola?" she asked without minding who the caller was.

"Has visto el vestido, Tiffany?" (Have you seen the dress?)

Her tired spirit was immediately replaced with excitement when she heard her caller's voice. It was her most favorite person in the world.

"Mamita Dionee," she squealed excitedly. "Absolutely! I am wearing it now."

"Oh, I hope you like it, dear. Your impulsive father once again demanded it to be finished immediately on such very short notice. Tenía muchas ganas de que fuera perfecto."

Standing in front of the whole-body mirror, she noticed the intricate designs that her favorite fashion designer made for her black gown. The gown had exquisitely arranged paillettes that defined her figure perfectly, showing a grown-up side of her. It made her realize that she was no longer a child, but a lady with big responsibilities on her shoulder.

"It's already as perfect as you wanted it to be. No te preocupes, Mamita Dionee. I love it. No doubt, eres el mejor estilista de moda de España.”

"Te quiero, cariño (I love you). Enjoy the party. And gracias for saying that I am the best fashion designer in the whole of Spain. That's quite true," he replied with a haughty tone followed by his very annoying laugh.

Tiffany smiled over the phone. "Indeed, Mamita, and I love you, too. I hope you can visit me in the Philippines soon."

"Positivamente, definitivamente sí, sí, sí. You will never know."

∞≠∞

As expected, everyone's eyes were on her when she entered the hall. The mask only revealed her chin and her delicate red lips but there was no doubt that she stood as the most breath-taking creature this evening.

She casually took her steps towards her father and the evidence of pride was displayed on his face. The Don showed her around and several illustrious men started throwing interests in her.

"I didn't know there is a party, Papa," she whispered to her father when they both finally seated.

"You already know why, hija. I don't need to explain that."

Tiffany shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of her sparkling champagne. "You always do that to me," she grumbled.

"You ought to be prepared, my love. Always."

She could only roll her eyes. She knew her father will never apologize to her and arguing will just be a waste of time. So, she chose to be silent as she sat there, pretending to be interested in those who were with them at the table. Just then, the presence of the city mayor was announced and Tiffany found herself standing face to face with a fat man wearing an exquisite violet tuxedo.

"Compadre!" her father greeted the mayor. The two men exchanged excited comments about their physical appearances and it was followed by some friendly banters.

“Anyway, this is my beautiful daughter—Tiffany.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the heiress,” said the mayor as he kissed her hand gently.

“She still has to prove that she is worthy of the position, compadre. But I believe in the potential of my child. She is one of the best Alpha students in the Academy, and even my goons were not able to defeat her during her training.”

The compliments were so good to the ears. She cannot stop smiling as she listened to the two men talking about her.

“Ah, compadre, señorita," the mayor said later on. "This is also my son—Yuan Lloyd Marquez."

This is when she noticed a dashing young man in his grand white suit standing behind the mayor. He was wearing a white mask that was minimally designed with diamonds and a red rose was pinned on his left chest.

"I've also heard so much about you, young man," commented her father as he approached them with a big smile on his face. Yuan took a step towards her father and they shook hands. But when Tiffany’s gaze met with his, her eyes popped in surprise.

∞≠∞

"So, we meet again, Miss Blonde."

They were now standing on the dance floor as requested by their fathers. Her left hand dangled to her side while her right hand was placed on Yuan's shoulder.

"I can't believe you are a politician's son, Yolo," she said, emphasizing the last word. The statement was only returned with a smirk.

"I knew by then that I have already seen you somewhere and I get it now. You were in the Academy I attended. Perhaps a batchmate or schoolmate of some sort."

Yuan let out a chuckle. "Yes, I told you I knew you."

She rolled her eyes. "Tell me about your mission at LNH.”

“That’s quite confidential, señorita.”

Tiffany glared at him and buried her nails on his shoulder.

“If you want to succeed in your mission, I suggest that you change the color of your hair,” Yuan said as he lightly touched her blond pixie hair.

Tiffany became angrier even more. "You lied to me! All this time you knew who I am."

"Come on, Miss Tiffany," he whined. "Can we just put aside our tiring personal lives first and just enjoy the night? Later on, we'll be called inside the chamber and we'll be hearing all kinds of criminal discussions. So please, let's just dance."

Almost instantly, lively music for one of the famous Spanish dances, the Paso Doble, filled the air. It was a fast-paced dance based on the rhythm and movement of a bullfight. As a ballroom dance, it was usually performed in pairs, one man and one woman, with the former said to represent the matador – or bullfighter.

"You did well with your act. You can pass as an actor," she whispered. Thunderous claps were heard as the pair moved their bodies to the beat. Tiffany was suddenly lost in the music, and so was Yuan.

As a student at the Academy, Tiffany was an amazing dancer. She could jive with whatever genre of music was chosen and could even make it livelier and fun to watch. Her slender body and her beautiful face complimented her every move. She was just like her mother; her father always said every time she performed on stage.

"That's what we always do, señorita. We act. We deceive. We don't let other people read our every move."

"So, you are not a janitor, huh?"

"I am disguised as the principal's scholar boy. I have to work with him in his office."

"I see. Are you still on probation?”

“Again, everything that involves my mission is confidential, Miss Tiffany,” Yuan replies mischievously.

Another round of applause filled the air as Yuan flipped her back and let her head briefly dangled to the floor. His hands expertly supported her waist and her body from falling.

"You dance very well, caballero," she whispered as Yuan twirled her around him.

"Because I've got such a beautiful dance partner," he replied and sent her a wink.

The rhythmic music continued to rise and every execution of the pair was cheered and applauded by the audience.

∞≠∞

"Bravo! I'm proud of you,” Tiffany.

"Thanks, Papa. Do you think I did great in there?"

"Hey, we did great," Yuan interjected. Tiffany chuckled as a response.

"Compadre, I think it's time," the mayor said.

Her father grumbled and got up from his seat. Several men who were also members of the Alpha followed. They moved carefully to avoid suspicion from the crowd.

“The two of you should follow us inside,” the Don reminded her and Yuan.

“Yes, Papa. See you there.”

But just as the men leave the room, an explosion was heard outside the building.

"Papa!" Tiffany screamed as panic started to rise inside her.

Gunshots immediately rose in the air and the screaming of the guests drowned her father's voice. Bodyguards surrounded old Don Arnulfo while Tiffany ducked to get a hidden revolver tied around her thigh. With a swift move, she shot two men who were approaching to kill them.

"Get my father to safety," she ordered two of her men.

"Señorita, let's get out of here!" Yuan said as he grabbed Tiffany to duck under the table. More and more gunshots and screams were heard as they ran towards the exit. They met several men along the way but tackled them down as they fought side by side. The gown made it hard for Tiffany to run so she ripped the sides of it, exposing both of her thighs.

"Oh Yuan, stop ogling at my thighs. Now is not the right time for your sexual fantasies."

The young man chuckled and led her to the garden. Then they saw her chopper roaring with all its might. Her father was waving at her, shouting her name. "Go. Now!" Yuan commanded her. Tiffany was shocked. "What about you?" she asked him in a loud and worried voice.

"I have my ways. Go! Go! I still have to look for my father.”

Two men gently dragged Tiffany towards the chopper so she was forced to leave her new friend behind.