"Do I still have a meeting?" I asked my secretary who's busy on her table.

Agad itong napalingon sa akin at umiling. "The board meeting a while ago was your last schedule for today, Ma'am."

"Alright, I'll go ahead." I'm planning to visit Crizzy at Ferron's mansion. Nabanggit sa akin ni Creed na roon tumutuloy si Crizzette dahil na nga wala itong kasama sa condo lalo na kapag pumapasok si Creed. Sila Tita Merida ang nagaalaga sa bata at homeschooled din ito.

"Ma'am." Napalingon ako sa tawag ni Shane. I saw her standing beside her table while holding an elegant envelope.

"Yes?"

"I forgot to gave you this. Kahapon pa 'to." Inabot niya sa akin ang envelope na agad ko namang tinanggap.

"Thank you, kanino galing?" I asked.

"From Mr. Creed Ferron's secretary." I frowned.

I opened the envelope, tumambad sa aking eleganteng papel na may kaaya-ayang amoy. My eyes widened while looking on it. I felt my heart tightened, kaya wala sa sariling napahawak ako roon.

You are cordially invited
to the wedding of

Selene Louisa Gomez
and
Creed Aiden Ferron

What the fuck?! Seriously?

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Napabaling ako kay Shane dahil sa tanong niya.

"What--" Nahuli ko siyang nakatingin sa envelope na hawak ko kaya naman bumaba roon ang aking tingin. Hindi ko na namalayan na mariin na pala ang pagkakahawak ko sa papel dahilan para malukot ito.

Ibinaba ko ang aking kamay na may hawak sa envelope at bahagyang ngumiti sa aking sekretarya.

"I'm okay, I'll go ahead." Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot nito at agad ng umalis.

I want to confirm it. Gusto ko na kay Creed mismo iyon manggaling. I shut my eyes off.

"Even if my memory can't remember you, this..." He pointed his index finger in his chest. "Won't forget you, this will always remember you. I promise you that."

That's my only hope. I'm still hoping because of his promise. His heart won't forget me. I'm driving my car but my mind's focus on something else.

I sashayed towards the executive's office. Wala si Cerys sa table niya ngunit hindi ko na iyon pinansin. I knocked on Creed's office, hindi ko na hinintay na may sumagot doon at bahagyang binuksan ang pinto.

"Sela." Narinig ko ang mariing boses ni Creed. They're inside. Sumilip ako sa loob ng opisina.

I bit my lower lip as I felt my eyes tearing up.

I saw how Sela pulled Creed into a kiss. I met Creed's eyes and I immediately shut the door closed. It confirmed everything.

Now I know what Mirae felt when she saw me kissing Vynz. The only difference is, hindi ginusto ni Vynz ang kung ano man ang nakita ni Mirae and he run after her to explain his side.

I immediately turned my back, agad akong naglakad patungo sa elevator. Kasabay noon ang pagbungad sa akin ni Tita Merida na kakababa lang ng lift.

She didn't changed. She aged a bit but still looking elegant and intimidating.

She gave me a small smile when our eyes met. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko. Lumapit ako rito para makipagbeso.

"Is my son inside?" She asked.

I suddenly remember the scene that I saw earlier. Mapait akong napangiti bago nakasagot. "Yes, Tita."

She nodded with full grace and elegance. "Anyway, I hope I can hear the wedding bells soon." I stilled because of what she have said. So, she doesn't know a thing yet.

Ngiti nalang ang naisagot ko kay Tita Merida bago siya nagpaalam na pupunta sa opisina ni Creed.

I walked towards the elevator and pushed the ground button.

Nang makababa ako ay nakita ko ang aking kotse at agad ko iyong pinatunog at sumakay doon.

I held the steering wheel and placed my head on it. Everything flashed back on my mind. From the invitation to the scene that I saw inside his office. Parang may pinipiga na kung ano sa aking loob. I felt something pierced on my heart.

I stared at nowhere for a couple of minutes, hindi ko na alam kung gaano ako katagal na nasa ganoong posisyon.

I reached my phone and started dialling Lucille's number. She answered it after a few.

"Thank you for calling Jollibee delivery! To ensure quality, this call will be recorded, and the information will be use for future ordering and delivery transactions. Please stay on the line if you agree. Otherwise, you may choose to end this call. To order, press one. For follow up and other concerns, press two." The voice on the other line muttered. I frowned, I faced my phone and saw Lucille's name on it.

"I'm sorry I didn't received a response. To order, press one. For follow up and other concerns, press two. Please call us back and dial hashtag 8-7000--"

"What the hell, Lucille!" Iritadong sambit ko sa kabilang linya.

"What the hell, Ma'am! Ano balita?" Masiglang balik nito.

I sighed as I rolled my eyes. "Creed's getting married," I muttered in a flat tone.

"Congrats, then! Sa wakas, natauhan din si Creed! Baka naman, bridesmaid ako, hah!"

Napaayos ako ng upo sa aking kotse at napahilot sa sentido. "Don't tell me that, I'm not the bride."

Bahagya itong natigilan sa kabilang linya bago nakasagot. "What the fuck? Sino?"

"Cerys."

"Wow." Wala sa sariling sambit nito.

"Anong wow?"

"I mean, wow! Hindi mo napigilan? Wala na talaga?" I can imagine her creased brow and twisted lips.

"I don't know. Anong gagawin ko?" Problemadobg tanong ko habang napapahilot sa aking sentido.

"Pagselosin mo kaya?"

I grimaced on her suggestion as I rolled my eyes but deep inside I'm considering it, hoping that he'll be jealous.

"Dali na, later na 'yung annual party ng kompanya namin. Creed confirmed that he'll attend. Attend na rin girl!" I forgot about that party, ngayon nga pala 'yon.

"Ano nakalimutan mo na naman?" Tanong nito na para bang nabasa ang aking iniisip.

"Yeah, I'll attend."

"Alright, consider my suggestion." Paalala nito.

"What if hindi magselos?" Mapapahiya lang ako, masasaktan pa.

"What if magselos? You know, Lavinia take the risk, wala namang mawawala." I know, natatakot lang ako sa magiging reaksyon ni Creed. What if hindi siya magselos? Do I need accept that he'll marry Cerys? Paano ko malalaman kung nagseselos siya?

I am convinced somewhat though, I sighed. "Kanino naman siya magseselos?" Wala naman akong ibang lalaki para pagselosan ni Creed.

"Duh! Madaming lalaki diyan na hindi tatanggi sa'yo. Basta ka nga nanghahalik eh, kaya mo na 'yan." I rolled my eyes.

"Wala man lang suggestion," Reklamo ko, I can imagine her rolling her eyes. "Alright, I'll see you later."

I ended the call and found my self dialling Adriel's number. Sa una ay walang sumasagot sa aking ngunit sa pangalawa ay nasagot na ito ni Adriel.

"Adriel Cervantes speaking." Adriel answered in a manly tone.

"Taray, Bakla! Tigas ng boses. Nasan ka ba, tagal mo sagutin." Pinasigla ko ang aking boses.

"I'm in my office, Ms. Amherst and I have a meeting. I just went outside the conference room to answer your call." Pormal na sambit nito at namilog ang aking mga labi.

"Sorry, I thought--"

"What is it, Lavinia?"

"Later, after your meeting." Hindi ko naman alam na may meeting pala siya. Kung alam ko sana hindi ko siya tinawagan. Kaya naman pala hindi niya nasagot ang unang tawag ko.

"Dali na, bakla!" Pabulong na sambit niya kaya naman hindi ko na napigilan na mapatawa rito.

"Sabi mo lahat gagawin mo kasi nga nagpanggap tayo sa pamilya mo."

"Oh fuck! Ramdam ko na, maniningil ka girl!" Bahagyang pumilantik ang boses nito.

I bit my lower lip to suppress a smile because I can imagine his reaction. With wide eyes, habang iginagala ang tingin para makita kung may nakarinig ba sa sinabi niya.

"Yes! Samahan mo 'ko mamaya!"

I heard him cleared his throat. "Where?" He asked in a firm tone. Fudge! I really like his manly voice. But I love Creed's voice, actually every inch of him. No more explanations for that.

"Montecillo Company's annual celebration."

"Montecillo?" Paguulit nito.

"Hmmm." I hummed.

"I'm actually invited and I have something to tell you later. I'll fetch you in your condo."

I slowly nodded my head. He's invited, huh? Oh, maybe he's an investor or what. I shrugged.

"Alright, sorry I'm not sorry for bothering you, bye." I muttered in a playful tone.

"Bakla ka talaga, bye!" Balik nito sa akin, at hindi ko na naiwasang matuwa sa tono niya. Mapilantik ang boses niya ngunit pabulong iyon, tila ba takot na marinig ng iba.

I bit my lower lip. "Wow naman, ako pa."

"Oo na, ako na! Sige na mamaya na lang," Nagmamadaling sagot nito.

I chuckled. Hindi na ako sumagot at ibinaba na ang tawag. Adriel's the only one I got a chance to talk to after being in an arrangement. Well, 'yung dinner lang naman with Adriel ang hindi disaster ang ending. While the others? Something I don't want to happen again, except my first one, the one with Creed.

I heard my condo's doorbell buzzed after I applied my makeup. It must be Adriel. Muli pa akong tumingin sa salamin para muling makita ang aking mukha bago tuluyang lumabas upang mapagbuksan ito ng pinto.

I opened the door. In front of me is Adriel looking so manly in his black suit, pairing the color of my dress.

I'm wearing a black crossback sequin plunging neckline dress. My back is expose and the dress were hugging my body, revealing its shape.

Adriel walked near me. Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan nang abutin niya ang aking kamay, akala ko ay kung ano ang gagawin nito. Dinala ni Adriel ang aking kamay sa kanyang mga labi habang hindi pinuputol ang aming tingin. "You're wonderful tonight, Lady." Sambit nito nang muling tumuwid ng tayo.

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "I know, Mr. Cervantes," I muttered using a seductive voice.

Nahuli ko ang pagngiwi nito. "Kinilabutan ako bigla." I grimaced after hearing his girly voice. "Pero seryoso ang ganda mo ngayon." Pahabol pa ni Adriel.

"Ngayon lang? Ano straight ka na?" Magkasunod na tanong ko. I was just teasing him though.

"No way! Wala ng pag-asa, tanggap ko na, na ako ay nabuhay upang maging reyna!"

Nahihiwagaang napatingin ako kay Adriel. What the fuck! Reyna? Hindi ko alam kung mapapangiwi ako o matatawa sa isinagot niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Halika na nga." Sambit ko bago ikinawit ang braso sa braso ni Adriel para mahila ito at mabuti ay sumunod ito sa akin.

"Ayoko, Bakla! Kung may hahalikan ako hindi ikaw!" Singhal niya sa akin. I frowned when I didn't get his question. I didn't say hahalika--

I slightly punched his arm when I realized kung ano ang sinasabi niya.

We entered on the elevator, Adriel pressed the button that would direct us to the parking lot while I stayed beside him.

"Yung totoo, bakit mo naisipan na isama ako?" He suddenly asked, at ako naman ay natigilan. Should I answer him honestly? That I'll use him to see if Creed will get jealous.

"Kahit ano pa 'yang rason mo, sabihin mo na at hindi naman na ako makakatanggi." Sarkastikong sambit nito. But I know that's his way to assure me, probably he saw that I'm hesitant.

"Creed will be there." I thought he can understand what I mean when I told him that but I was wrong. Sinadya ko rin na iyon lang ang sabihin dahil hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin ang totoong dahilan.

"And?" He turned to me as his brow arched.

I was about to answer when the elevator opened. I gestured it to Adriel and he grimaced. Alam na ayaw ko na sabihin ang totoong dahilan kung bakit ko siya biglaang isinama.

We walked towards his car, black Aston Martin. He opened the car for me at agad na umikot sa driver's seat.

He started the engine and maneuvered it swiftly.

"Bakla, kung ako sa'yo sasabihin ko na ang totoong rason. At first, I was confused and clueless but when you mentioned a certain name, Creed's name? I already knew it...may masama kang binabalak, kaya sabihin mo na para matulungan kita," Adriel muttered while his eyes were focused on the road.

I bit my lower lip and sighed. "I want to see if he'll get jealous."

I saw his eyes widened and suddenly glanced on me then back to the road. "Hala ka, girl! Baka masuntok ako!" Eksehaderong sambit nito. He even placed his hand on his chest.

Nahihiwagaang tumingin ako sa kanya. "Bakla, wala pa! Hindi ko nga alam kung magseselos 'yon. He's getting married."

Muli itong sandaling sumulyap sa akin. "If he still love you, he'll get jealous, tiwala lang. We'll make him jealous."

"Bakit parang alam na alam mo kung paano pagseselosin?" I asked and he just smirked on me and shrugged. Sometimes I doubt if he's really a gay, because if he really is. Feeling ko magiging lalaki pa siya. Time will come at didiretso ka rin, Adriel. Can't wait for that.

__________