Mina stood up immediately when she saw that. She could not take it anymore. Everyone's attention was now on these two lovers as they began to ask each other, "What is Chad doing? Who is this girl?" Chad just turned a deaf ear to all of them.
Mina walked up to them and said, "Chad, what are you doing? Who is she?" he did not reply her. He stood up and patted Rachel's head gently and left. Mina glared at Rachel and then followed Chad.
"Chad, who is she?" She wanted to know who that girl is. Before Chad could say anything, the MC's voice was heard again. It's time to propose a toast. Chad and Mina quietly walked to their seat.
Everybody stood up with their wine glass up. The MC said, " Cheers to our dear Chad. May the Lord bless you with strength and good health" and they clinked their glasses, saying "Cheers"
"I will love to call on the celebrant to give his speech" Chad dropped the wine glass and walked to the stage.
Chad soft, sweet voice stated into the microphone, "Firstly, I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate this milestone with me. The reason why you are all here is that in one way or another, you have been apart of my life and moulded me to the person I am today. I would truly like to thank you all for that..." The guest began to clap their hands. "I would like to thank both my mom and dad for not only putting up with me but being there when it counted and making me who I am..." As he said those words, tears filled Mrs Torres eyes but she choked on her tears. Tears of joy. "I know I couldn't become a perfect child for you but you are the perfect parent" Mrs Torres could not hold back her tears again. Mr Torres comforted this wife. "Also I want to introduce you all to someone special, but you don't know her"
"Her? Did he just say her?" every body began to talk. Mina herself was surprised but she later remembered the girl Chad was dancing with. "She might be the girl, but who is she?" she asked herself.
"The girl I was dancing with. Do you know who is she?" Everybody shook their heads. Rachel already knew he was going to mention her name and there was no way of escaping. "She is my girlfriend" It was like a bomb. Everybody was stunned. Did he just say his girlfriend?
Mina felt her stomach clench in anger and sadness. She turned to looked at Mrs Torres like she was asking what was happening. Mrs Torres did not understand too. Well to her she had never seen this girl before.
"Her name is Rachel beltran" he said and looked at Rachel.
"Rachel beltran. I have heard this name before. Is she not a farm worker" Mrs Torres turned to her husband and asked. Even though she could not remember all the farm worker's name but she knew that Rachel was a farm worker.
"Who is she aunt?" Mina asked.
"She works at the sugar cane farm"
"What?" She looked at Rachel. "Now I know the reason why Chad made her special today because she is his girlfriend. Do you mean that this poor thing is Chad's girlfriend?"
Chad waved his hand and told Rachel to come to the stage. She immediately shook her head.
"Do you want to disgrace Chad? He is calling you so go now" Johanna immediately said. Rachel looked at her mother's face and she smiled at her and told her to go. Rachel stood up and walked to the stage. She stood beside Chad and he keep his hand around her waist.
"She might be poor worker on my family's farm but she is unique. I have learnt a lot from her. She has taught me how to smile, how to forgive those that has offended me. Before I used to think that those poor people are actually born to serve rich people but she told me that I was wrong. We are born equally. She is the smartest girl I have ever dated. She has completed me. My life is perfect, but it's because I'm with her. My life is so beautiful because of her..." He turned to Rachel, "They say love hurts, but I'm ready to take that risk, if I'm going to be with you. I love you Rachel" He kissed her on her forehead.
There was an awkward silence, and then the hall exploded in applause. This was the first time they all saw Chad talk like this.
"He is so romantic" some girls began to talk.
Mina's face fell. Her blood began to boil. She knew that Rachel was the reason why he did not like her.
Mrs Torres was furious; how could her son pick a poor farm worker. She was not as educated as Mina. Now she understood why her son invited the farm workers; It was because of Rachel.
The party ended around 11 pm but Chad's friends were still around to celebrate a little with him. He walked to them with Rachel.
"Chad, your girlfriend is so beautiful even though she is a farm worker" Billy said.
"What do you mean by a farm worker? From now on we should call her ma'am" James brushed Billy's arm and said.
"No, no. Don't call me ma'am, just call me Rachel"
"Rachel nice to meet you. I am Emman"
"I am James"
"And I am billy" he said and bow.
"Don't bow to me. Nice to meet you all" she smiled.
"Now I understand why Chad does not like any girl. Chad has also changed completely. The Chad we used to know was not like this. He was stubborn, arrogant and does not care about anybody" Billy said. "And most importantly, he never smiled. He was so grumpy" he said in a low voice.
"I know all that" she smiled.
"Do you want to drink?" James gave her a wine glass. She extended her hand to take it, but Chad stopped her.
"Are you crazy? She is a woman and she has never had such strong drink before" he shouted at James.
"But I want to drink it"
"No, what will I tell aunt if you get drunk?" he asked her with a cold voice.
"You don't need to explain to her, I will do it"
"You are still not drinking this" he said and put away the wine.
"Please, just let me taste it" she pleaded.
"What if something bad happens to you?" his voice was now soft and gentle. His friends has never heard him talk in such soft voice before. She was like a charm to him.
"Nothing bad will happen to me...and also you are here so you will protect me. Just please let me drink it" she said with her hands together and her eyes turned puppy dog eyes. Chad looked at her face for some minutes and later agreed.
"Stop looking at me with a puppy dog eyes. I agree"
She was happy and she took the wine and put it in her mouth but just as she was about to drink it, he said, "But don't drink too much" she did not reply as she sipped the wine.
Chad glared at James like he was the reason why Rachel is drinking. Mrs beltran and Johanna walked up to them.
"Chad, happy birthday" Mrs beltran smiled.
"Thanks auntie" he smiled.
"This is a small gift from me. You know I am poor and I can't afford to buy those expensive gift like the others do"
"No auntie, thanks for your gift" he gladly collected it from her.
"I can't possibly repay you for all you have done for my family and I"
"Aunt, you have already repayed me already with your daughter, Rachel. She is actually the greatest gift you have ever given me" he smiled.
"This is mine too. Happy birthday Chad" Johanna gave him her gift.
He collected it and smiled, "Thanks Anna"
"Hey Rachel, what about your gift? Don't tell me you forgot it at home?"
"Of course not" she brought out a small box from her purse and walked to Chad. "Happy birthday my love" he collected it from her and opened it. It was a blue ocean heart bracelet. She took the bracelet and wore it around his wrist for him.
"Chad, did you know Rachel worked very hard to buy this bracelet? She got a job at the resturant to buy you this bracelet so it is really special" she laughed.
Chad looked at her eyes and asked, "She is telling the truth?"
She could not tell lies again so she had to tell him the truth. "Yes"
"But why did you do that? You could have just bought a small gift" he sounded so worried. Rachel worked in a resturant because of him. Johanna seeing that Chad was not happy felt bad for telling Chad how she got the bracelet.
"Em Chad...Rachel just wanted to make you happy" Johanna said.
"It's not that expensive just 15 thousand pesos" she said and her head was down afraid that Chad would scold her again.
Chad did not want Rachel to be sad so he accepted it. She had worked hard to buy him this bracelet.
"Thank you" he said with a smile.
She raised her head up and saw Chad smiling, "So you are not angry with me?"
"Why should I be angry at you? You are so stubborn" he said and pinched her soft white cheeks and it turned red immediately.
"Rachel, we should go home now" Mrs beltran was already tired.
"Okay mom"
"No don't go. Please stay with me for sometime" Chad pleaded.
"Chad..."
"Don't worry, enjoy your self with him. We will go alone and Chad take good care of my daughter, okay?"
"Yes auntie" he smiled.
Mrs beltran and Johanna left in the car Chad prepared for them, then the two went back to their seat.