Chapter 2

In the afternoon, they went to Gin's restaurant. There seem to be happenings there. As soon as the door opened, they were greeted by the loud firecrackers of confetti and the greetings of all...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Beauty rubbed her chest, thinking it was what happenings her boss was saying. He led her inside the restaurant and greeted her with a medium-sized cake. That was a round black forest cake. And his younger brother Nigel is holding the cake. Everyone sang a happy birthday to her and he was ashamed to blow the candles. Ervine pulled her onto the stage and made her sit in the reserved chair in the middle. She was somewhat conscious because everyone's attention was focused on her.

"Miss Beauty Guerrero, Happy Birthday. Your flirtatious boss Velvet prepared it all. Why, it should. You've been enduring him for a long time. How many years have you been enduring him?" Ervine asked.

Sky's microphone caught up with her.

"I have been Sir Velvet's P.A. for almost three years." she answered politely.

Even the wives and children of her boss's comrades were also there. Velvet's half-brother Nigel smiled broadly and went to the stage holding the mic. It looked foolishly at the maiden.

"Hello, Ate Pangs!" this greeting is foolish.

Beauty looked at it pretty badly. It called her Ate, even he is older than her. Velvet was next to the stage and just watching them.

(Ate-pronounce as a-teh, meaning older sister.)

"I just want to ask you, Ate Pangs... Why did you last with my older brother as his personal assistant?"

"Of course, the size of my salary. Naturally." she answered quickly.

A silly laugh echoed around.

"Since this is your moment... Do you know that my older brother has prepared something for you? He did an investigation and here are the things he will reveal on your birthday."

She was stunned by the untimely and held on to her chest. She was terrified. Her boss's intestines spun when it comes to bullshit. A screen and projector were placed next to her and she was stunned at the same time as the video appeared. Her siblings and her parents wish her a happy birthday in the video.

"My child, thank you for all the help you give us. We know you do everything you can to help us, but sometimes you have to give time to yourself. We are proud of you and we all love you very much." Her mother Bettina spoke.

Her siblings spoke next and finally, her Dad.

"Tatay Arnold... What can you reveal to your daughter that we don't know yet? What can you be proud of?" that was Velvet's voice.

Obviously this is the video holder. That's why it didn't come home for three days. It just says that there will had an investigation. That turned out to be... She just looked at the screen because there was nothing she could do, it was already here. Come what may.

"What I can reveal that I can be proud of my daughter? Oh, she is a good singer, Sir! She participates in all the singing contests she hears and she always wins. Where there is a contest, she is there. Because of her participation in singing contests, we were able to establish a small spot in the market where my wife now sells fish. The great help really for our daily life and for the education of her siblings." proud language of her father.

She laughs, cries and of course, is completely ashamed. Then, her father took a photo album where she had pictures when she was still participating in singing contests. She don't think, she can face everyone. She was really into singing contest for the sake of her family. But the revelations for her secrets is not done yet... Then, there was an old video where she sang 'Ikaw lang ang mahal' by Donna Cruz and she was only five years old then. She covered her face especially and everyone was overjoyed while watching her old video. It was taken by their neighbour who was pleased with her when she sang karaoke. She really feels the singing that time and she still has action. Her face was burning with shame. Does she knows that video was still there?! (Ikaw lang ang Mahal-You are the only one I love)

"Oh, that's cute!" Crimson shouted.

She really wants to have a baby girl in case, a baby boy comes out with her ultrasound. She seems to want to get pregnant with her husband as soon as she gives birth. She was suddenly taken aback by her thought. Meanwhile... Velvet went on stage and then waved to everyone. The video has stopped. He is holding a mic. He looked foolishly at the birthday celebrant.

"Pangs, what can you say to my surprise?"

Embarrassed and crying, the girl looked at Velvet.

"You are shameless, Sir. Its really difficult to have a boss like you. You really opened up my secret to everyone." she said.

"It's not an embarrassing secret. It's really cute. But of course, we prefer you to sing now. Do you want a sample from Birthday girl, guys?" Velvet asked to everyone.

Everyone shouted...

"Sample! Sample! Sample!" the audience shouted.

Beauty was caught in her throat.

"I haven't had a practice in a long time." She retorted.

"Eh don't worry, we are sure that your voice is not as bad as Rouge's." Ervine groaned.

A loud laugh rang out. The courage of these insults especially the one they insulted is not around. She was even more intrigued by the fact that she sang, so she could do nothing but grant their request.

"You are the only one I love and I always pray. I hope... You are used to not changing your feelings and all you think about is me. Don't say, you have another sweetheart... I may not be able to cope if you lose, because my heart is used to it. You always want to be seen. That's how I always feel. And why are you the one I love and I really love? Just don't say it, you will leave me... And someone will replace me."

As she sang, a deafening silence prevailed over all. Only her voice prevails. She only ended up with the chorus of the song. She got a standing ovation. Then, they tease her.

"Ate Pangs, your voice is really beautiful. The number of boys you thrilled the most, including me. But that one, the most thrilling of all oh." Nigel joked.

He pointed to his Kuya Velvet smiling sparingly while staring at her. It spoke using the mic.

"Is that for me, Pangs?" its a joking question.

She smiled at it and shook her head slightly. She also used the mic she was holding. Fortunately, she is immune to her boss's jokes. She is very used to these jokes.

"That's for my future, Sir."

"No, Velvet! You will not work with Beauty! She already knows the coil of your intestines!" Aeon shouted.

Velvet got a laugh. Even so, Nigel looked stubbornly at the two of them. Nothing, he just wants to make them a love-team.

"Since we've come to this topic... If my older brother courts with you, is there any hope?" Nigel asked teasingly.

Beauty saw that everyone was quiet and they looked at them with full attention. She laughed softly and then shook her head.

"I do not know. Maybe not, there is no hope. "

Velvet fake a cough using the mic. He went next to Beauty. He stared at it intently and flirting.

"Am I really hopeless?" he asked in macho voice.

"Sir, don't fire me ah? It's just a joke. Eh I just prefer you as my boss. I will receive a salary." Beauty replied.

"Of course. You already have a salary. But don't you want to touch my wallet?"

"Just hold on?"

"Of course, you also hold the contents."

"I'm thinking... But I don't want to be fired." she just retaliated with his joke.

Nigel interrupted. He don't really procrastinate. He just loves to team them up. He didn't know, it just went through his brain.

"Ahm excuse me, can I insert here?"

Nigel looked at his Big Brother Velvet.

"Brother, maybe it's because its ate Pangs has been the one you've been looking for, for a long time. You look around, you're just looking for someone next to you. By any chance, can you fall in love with her?" he teased.

Velvet smiled broadly and looked foolishly at the girl's blushing face. He will embark on his brother's trip. Since this is Beauty's day, he will do hit his brother’s tease.

"It's possible. Why not, right?"

"Ayeeeh! Hoy, Velvet, maybe that's real and not a joke anymore?!" Sky said.

"I agree!" Clide second.

"Velvet, maybe you have a secret feeling there eh you just don't admit it?" Rock also tease.

The others also shouted and Velvet just smirk at them. Nigel spoke again.

"Brother, if you have a song to dedicate to our birthday girl... What song is that?"

Velvet thought for a moment. He stared at Beauty and then smiled sweetly. She looked back at him and smiled shyly. Still, everyone is waiting for his song.

"You're always be beautiful in my eyes..."

Lots of screams echoed around.

"Uy, that’s perfect!" Nigel's stubborn language.

He stared at Pangs again. It covered her lips and held back a laugh. Obviously it just rides on the joke. And does not believe in his flirts because she just laughs at what he says. Nigel squealed at them again.

"Wait, if Kuya calls you Pangs, you... Do you have a nickname for him?"

It looks like this man-intrigued trip. Beauty looked at his face in disgust and after that, the next thing she turned to, was Velvet. The girl swallowed. What if, she was fired when she said his nickname here is Pagpag? She did not speak, she just kept her mouth shut.

"Don't worry, we will back up you." Ervine's groin

But that was not enough to encourage her. She needs her job.

"I need my job..." she replied.

"Oh come on! Don't worry, I'm not pikon!" Velvet.

(Pikon-a person who easily gets annoyed or hurt by jokes. And we have a saying that a pikon is always a loser.)

"There, he is not pikon! Applause! "said Nexus.

Velvet was applauded, because it was her boss who said it and Beauty heard a lot of urges, her face thickened.

"My nickname for Sir Velvet is Pagpag. Because isn't it, many women already stumbled on his body? It's like, left-over food..." she explained.

(Pagpag-left over foods. But Pagpag in funerals has other meaning at its too long to explained. Just ask google.)

A few moments of silence prevailed. But when the angel passed by, everyone's crazy laughter rang out. Many tempted Velvet.

"Wa ha ha ha! Of course!" Sky.

"It fits him ah?!" Siege laughed too.

Velvet's face turned red because it was hot. And he will admit that he cringed for the first time. He looked at his crazy comrades who were purely cocky.

"Excuse me, don't clean up! All of you are pagpag too!" he shouted.

"Did we say no?! But you are the worst! Ha ha ha ha!" Said Aidan.

His face turned red looking at Beauty emphatically. It moved back slightly from its seat when it saw his serious face.