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The story begins with a man carrying a child, running for his life. Shot and left for dead beside a pier, the baby is saved, floating on the water, in a vat.
At a busy public market, Eli gets into trouble, getting into a fish fight with other coolies like him. Pong, his older brother gets into it too and they are reprimanded by their father, Dadoods. After getting a mouthful from his father, Eli enjoys a bath by the seaside.
Another person is also enjoying herself in the tub, but with the assistance of other people. Jackie is being given a grand spa treatment. She gets dressed in an elegant gown and gets decked with the most precious jewels. Eli looks like a prince himself, walking out of their shabby house in a tuxedo. Yes, they are indeed meeting each other, but not in the way you think. Jackie is the special guest of her boyfriend JB at the inauguration of their new ship while Eli is working there as a waiter. Jackie makes a grand entrance and everyone is mesmerized with her beauty, including JB.
Eli’s daydreaming halts when Celine calls his attention. She asks him to always serve drinks to a certain table. JB’s talk with Jackie gets interrupted with the presence of his mother, Corazon who introduces him to important businessmen. Jackie then feels left out and Celine sees her change in mood. Eli wishes that the lovely lady will catch his eye and she does. He gives her a smile but Jackie snobs him. This also dampens his mood. Adding to Jackie’s already foul temperament was JB’s request for her to proxy for him at a baptism when she already had plans for that day herself. He thinks that she can easily cancel on her friends, this event is much more important. After a discussion, Jackie agrees. She excuses herself and calls on Eli to get a drink. He’s surprised at Jackie’s actions – she’s downing one glass of champagne after another.
(more…)
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