The Facade

Aubrey "Alex" Kung gazed out the tinted window of his luxurious sedan, watching Manila's vibrant streets blur by. His driver, Manuel, navigated through the congested traffic with ease. Alex's mind wandered, escaping the suffocating opulence surrounding him.

"Alex, we're approaching the estate," Manuel announced, interrupting his reverie.

The Kung residence loomed before them – an imposing, modern mansion amidst meticulously manicured gardens. Alex's stomach knotted, anticipating another evening of pretentious dinner conversations and forced smiles.

As the car came to a stop, Catherine Kung emerged from the entrance, resplendent in designer attire. "Darling, you're late. Your father's waiting."

Alex stepped out, straightening his tie. "Sorry, Mother. Traffic."

Catherine's gaze scrutinized him. "You look tired. Perhaps you should rest before dinner."

"I'm fine, Mother."

Reginald Kung, Alex's father, stood in the foyer, sipping a glass of fine scotch. "Ah, Alex, glad you made it. Our guests are arriving shortly."

Alex forced a smile, exchanging a brief handshake with his father. "Looking forward to it."

The evening's facade had begun.

*Preview of Chapter 2:*

Alex navigates the dinner party, pretending to be interested in shallow conversations. Maya Dela Cruz, a mysterious artist, catches his eye across the room...

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Aubrey "Alex" Kung gazed out the tinted window of his luxurious sedan, watching Manila's vibrant streets blur by. His driver, Manuel, navigated through the congested traffic with ease. Alex's mind wandered, escaping the suffocating opulence surrounding him.

"Alex, we're approaching the estate," Manuel announced, interrupting his reverie.

The Kung residence loomed before them – an imposing, modern mansion amidst meticulously manicured gardens. Alex's stomach knotted, anticipating another evening of pretentious dinner conversations and forced smiles.

As the car came to a stop, Catherine Kung emerged from the entrance, resplendent in designer attire. "Darling, you're late. Your father's waiting."

Alex stepped out, straightening his tie. "Sorry, Mother. Traffic."

Catherine's gaze scrutinized him. "You look tired. Perhaps you should rest before dinner."

"I'm fine, Mother."

Reginald Kung, Alex's father, stood in the foyer, sipping a glass of fine scotch. "Ah, Alex, glad you made it. Our guests are arriving shortly."

Alex forced a smile, exchanging a brief handshake with his father. "Looking forward to it."

The evening's facade had begun.

*Preview of Chapter 2:*

Alex navigates the dinner party, pretending to be interested in shallow conversations. Maya Dela Cruz, a mysterious artist, catches his eye across the room...

         ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Aubrey "Alex" Kung gazed out the tinted window of his luxurious sedan, watching Manila's vibrant streets blur by. His driver, Manuel, navigated through the congested traffic with ease. Alex's mind wandered, escaping the suffocating opulence surrounding him.

"Alex, we're approaching the estate," Manuel announced, interrupting his reverie.

The Kung residence loomed before them – an imposing, modern mansion amidst meticulously manicured gardens. Alex's stomach knotted, anticipating another evening of pretentious dinner conversations and forced smiles.

As the car came to a stop, Catherine Kung emerged from the entrance, resplendent in designer attire. "Darling, you're late. Your father's waiting."

Alex stepped out, straightening his tie. "Sorry, Mother. Traffic."

Catherine's gaze scrutinized him. "You look tired. Perhaps you should rest before dinner."

"I'm fine, Mother."

Reginald Kung, Alex's father, stood in the foyer, sipping a glass of fine scotch. "Ah, Alex, glad you made it. Our guests are arriving shortly."

Alex forced a smile, exchanging a brief handshake with his father. "Looking forward to it."

The evening's facade had begun.

*Preview of Chapter 2:*

Alex navigates the dinner party, pretending to be interested in shallow conversations. Maya Dela Cruz, a mysterious artist, catches his eye across the room...

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