He couldn't sleep, couldn't stop thinking either. He was thinking about her, about Sophie. Up until now, Sophie's memories never seemed to evade his thoughts and now that there's a Doppelganger out there, it made it worse.

    Seven years, seven years, seven years... Ryan chanted to himself.

    He hadn't noticed that Layla was kissing his shoulder as they laid on the bed.

    "Seven years what happened?" Layla asked him. Her elbow, propped on the bed.

   Was he really that loud?  "Huh?" He turned to her. "Oh, I was just thinking of something. Sorry, go to sleep okay?" Ryan shook his head.

     "You seem worried. Did something happen at the office?" Layla sat up.

    "Layla," Ryan sat up, placing his hand on her arm. "I'm fine. Get some rest, I don't want you stressing yourself." He kissed her forehead, getting up from the bed.

   "Where are you going?" She asked him.

   "I'll be in the study." Ryan nodded... "I won't be gone long... Don't come looking for me." He smiled at her.

    "Take all the time you need." Layla nodded with a smile as she watched him leave.

   Ryan sat on his chair, going through his laptop. He wanted to keep himself busy, with luck, he did that for almost thirty minutes until he tapped on a video. 

     "You're cuter."

Ryan watched himself, poke his tongue on Sophie's cheek.

   "What are you two doing?" That was Alex's voice in the background.

    "Hey baby, say hi." Sophie giggled.

      "Hi. I love you, I love you, I love you." Ryan said to Sophie, raining kisses on her cheek.

    "Love you more! Baby look at the camera, how much do you love me?" Sophie laughed. 

     Alex and Natalie's voices could be heard in the background.

     "I love you ten thousand." He kissed her ear.

     "How much?"

  "Twenty thousand?" He kissed the corner of her mouth.

    "How muh-ch?" Sophie turned, giving him a quick kiss on the lips and then turned back to the camera.

   "Infi..."

   Ryan paused the video, taking a deep breath. Picking up his phone, he called Olivia.

    "I need you to do something for me..."
✴✴✴✴

     Mia held two crystal vases in her hands, moving into the beautifully decorated hall. It was a nice Saturday and they were preparing for a wedding and so all hands were on deck.

    "Julia! Julia!" She called Julia.

   Julia who was already sweating and already feeling exhausted, ran to Mia. "Yes Mia?"

    "Take these," handing the vases to Julia. "Make sure to put the lilies in it and—" Her eyes roamed around the hall. "Wait wait wait. Julia, I thought I said pink for covers." She pointed at the cream colored table coverings.

    "Archu said the pink sheets didn't match the flowers so she told me to change them." Julia told her.

      "Archu did what?" Mia shook her head. "Change them back now! We're running out of time. Do it, I'll handle Archu." Mia frowned.

    "You mean everything?" Julia batted her lashes. It took a great deal of strength to change the sheets not once but twice and now she was changing it again?

   "Yes, everything. There isn't much time left." Mia said, walking away to find Archu. 

      Mia found her way to the entrance, there she met Archu talking to one of their team.

    "I want the pink and grey color to match the couple's nest." Archu told the man.

    "Archu, we need to talk." Mia folded her arms over her chest.

   "I'm busy." Archu ignored Mia and went on with the flower arrangements.

   "Well I'm having the talk with you, right now. We both agreed on the color for the tables, why did you suddenly change it?" Mia was upset about it.

   "The colors weren't matching my designs anymore." Archu said to her.

    "And I don't care okay? I also have a say if you wanna change plans. Deal with other stuff and leave the color mixing to me." Mia said to her. She wasn't happy that Archu kept on meddling.

     Archu looked at Mia... "Then you really do have cheap taste in colors. There are things to be done, actually, important things. Don't get in my way." Archu narrowed her eyes at Mia.

   "Then don't get in mine either." Mia gave Archu a warning look.

   "Ah!" Archu's attention was called by someone. "Cake's here? I'll be there." Archu walked out.

  Mia did her breathing exercises in other to keep her anger in control before going back into the hall.

   "I already changed the sheets but it has a touch of pink and cream. How about that?" Julia asked Mia.

    "Great! I need help with the couple's nest, come on." Mia led Julia away.

   Soon, the wedding reception was ready... Guest started arriving.

    Mia, Archu and their team were commended on their effort as most guest loved the decorations hall.

   Mia, Archu and Van were dressed in peach colored dresses of different pattern and design.

    "This is beautiful." A guest told Van.

   "Well it wouldn't be perfect if not for my girls." Van grinned proudly.

     "My daughter's engagement party is coming up, I'd love the talented hands."

    "Oh yes of course!" Van was extremely excited.

    Meanwhile, Natalie and Alex stood with the newlyweds. They were talking and laughing.

    "How does it feel to be married?" Alex asked Leon, the groom.

   "Weird.. Good weird that is. I feel extremely happy." Leon couldn't contain his excitement.

    "I couldn't agree more." Grace, the bride laughed, straightening her beautiful backless white dress. 

   "So are you gonna have kids sooner or..." Natalie blinked at them.

   The couple looked at themselves and turned back at Natalie. "Definitely!" They said together.

    "We can't wait to see our kids around already." Grace nodded.

   "Oh, you sure look happy." Natalie hugged Grace.

    "So, Ryan ditched." Leon chuckled.

   "It's not actually ditching. Busy and busy, you know how he is." Alex smiled at him.

    "Gracie!!" Layla squealed, walking towards them.

      "Layla!!" Grace almost jumped, hugging Layla.

     "You look gorgeous, I almost cried just seeing you guys professing your love for each other." Layla said to the couple.

   "I'm so glad you made it!" Grace was happy to see her cousin.

    "I wouldn't miss my cousin's wedding for the world." Layla smiled.

    "And Ryan? How's that boyfriend of yours?" Grace asked her.

    "He's really sorry he couldn't make it." Layla smiled.

    "He better be treating you right, if not he'll answer to me." Grace told her.

     "He's the best." Layla laughed.

   "Anyone see where my bestman went?" Leon asked them. 

    "David? No." Natalie shook her head.

    "Yeah, I saw him hanging around. He told me he's found the girl of his dreams and that he's going after her." Layla chuckled.

    "What!" Both Alex and Natalie said in unison.

     "That crazy guy! Is he really gonna use my wedding to find the lucky one? " Leon shook his head.

    "What do you expect? I only pity the poor lady, she wouldn't know that he's a renowned player." Grace joked and they all laughed.

    "He's really something." Alex chuckled.

   Looking at the mirror, Mia retouched her makeup, dabbing her brush over her cheeks. She was on a halter strap sequin dress and nude colored stilettos, her hair pulled in a messy bun but she still looking very pretty. 

   She walked out of the restroom, arranging her dress. She picked up a champagne flute from a tray, moving closer to Julia. Just when someone bumped into her, spilling the champagne on her dress.

   Mia's mouth dropped open... "Wh... Wh... Wh... Wh..." Words couldn't form in her mouth.

    "I am so sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." He apologized to her, he was truly sorry. It was no other than David.
.....................................................
 
    David had spotted this blonde haired lady and was completely bent on using his facial charms on her. Everything about her was so delicate... her eyes, lips, her beauty, her smile... She'd completely won him over, only with her looks. David couldn't take his eyes off her and when he had seen her enter the restroom, he made up his mind to talk to her.

    "Hi." A female voice called his attention.

     David turned to the lady and nodded. "Hey."

    "I'm Archu," She took his hand for a shake. "I noticed you've been standing here for a while now. Are you waiting for someone?" Archu asked him, holding a wine glass in her hand. 

    "Not exactly." David smirked. This lady wasn't all the bad? Her plunging neckline gave her out. "David." David kissed her knuckles.

  Archu blushed immediately. "David. What do you think about the decorations?" Archu asked him.

     "One of a kind. Just like you are pretty Archu." David smiled.

    Archu chuckled... "I decorated it and I'll appreciate if you refer me to your friends." She brought out her business card and gave it to David. "I'm an event planner just so you know, I work with Van's Event." Archu pouted.

    "Sure. Tell me, do you..." David leaned closer to her ear. "Offer services other than event planning? I'm always open." David whispered into her ear.

    Archu gave him a flirtatious smile... "I'll think about it."

   David chuckled, knowing that Archu just gave him a free ticket. David reached out to collect her cellphone number but ends up hitting something or someone.

    He turned and to his surprise, it was the same blonde girl he had taken interest in.

    "I am so sorry. I'm sorry. I am so so sorry." David apologized instantly when he noticed that she was freaking out.

    "Oh my God." Mia touched her wet and stained dress, not knowing whether to cry or scream... She had just left the restroom for crying out loud!

    "I'm really sorry!" David took out his handkerchief, dabbing it on her dress.

    "It's... it's fine. It's okay, I'll just—" Mia was indeed freaking out but she tried not to show it. 

   "It's not okay. I'm such a klutz, I'm really sorry I ruined your dress." David felt bad. That wasn't how he intended to talk to her... Dammit!

    "She just said it's fine, besides it's not your fault." Archu placed her hand on David's arm.

   Mia looked at Archu who was smiling, she knew Archu enjoyed seeing her humiliated. "I'll just go back to the restroom." Mia sighed. "Thank you." Mia smiled at David, thanking him for the hanky.

    Mia left their midst and walked towards the restroom.

    "It's not your fault she's blind." Archu said to David.

   David raised his brow at her like he couldn't believe Archu just sounded like a bitch. One thing he hated was when a lady was a bitch.

    "So, where were we before that lady interrupted?" Archu smiled.

    "Excuse me." David walked away, leaving Archu stunned.

    Mia cleaned her dress and was thankful it was only champagne and not red wine.

    She sighed, glancing at her stained dress. "Not so bad." She wasn't gonna let her dress ruin her mood. After all, it was only a dress. She walked out of the restroom few minutes later and was surprised to see the guy who dumped her own champagne on her dress.

      "Hey." David walked up to her.

    "Oh." She wasn't expecting him to be there. "Hey." Mia smiled.

   "I'm sorry for ruining your dress." David apologized again.

    "Don't worry. It's not condemned yet? Nothing a little drycleaning can't fix." Mia smiled at him.

     "Yeah. I just feel bad, if you want I could have it replaced for you."

    "No no, God no! It hasn't gotten to that." Mia chuckled.

    "You can keep the hanky." He said to her.

    "Thanks." Mia smiled, holding on to the hanky.

    "So em," David strolled along with her. "You're a guest huh?"

    "What?" Mia looked at him.

   "No. That came out wrong. Of course you are a guest, you wouldn't be here if you weren't!" David looked at her, like he was waiting for a go-ahead signal.

  Mia nodded with a small smile. "Well yes but I'm actually with the planning committee."

   "Oh!" He remembered what Archu had said before. "Van's event is it?" David asked her.

    "Oh yes, how did you..." She recalled seeing him with Archu and then she nodded. "Oh, you met my partner."

    "I must say the decorations were skillfully presented, and the flower arrangements not to mention the color mixing!" David noticed her eyes shine with excitement and so he pressed on.

    "I love the simplicity but the exquisite nature. It's a job well done, I must give you all the credit." David could see her blush.
  
   "Not only to me but to my team, I couldn't have done it without them. Sir, on a second thought, if you really like it then you should refer us to all your friends!" Mia was going to use this as an avenue to draw more clients. 

   "I will. I'll tell them not only is Van events best at planning events, they also have gorgeous ladies too." David joked, making Mia laugh.

    "Thank you so much! I'll really appreciate it, I promise there will be discount too." Mia smiled at him. "But as they say, great things don't come cheap." Mia grinned like a child, making David find her amusing.

  David nodded... "Forgive my manners, I'm David." He stretched out his hand.

    "Mia, Mia Simpsons." Mia nodded, taking his hand.

    "Mia? As in mine? Italian or Spanish because they both mean mine." David grinned.

   "Oh wow, someone's been doing their homework. Italian." Mia said to him.

    "Great! I hope you don't mind if I compliment you, you're really beautiful."

    "Thank you." Mia pressed her lips together.

    "Honestly, when I first saw you, I said to myself, this is the lady of my dreams. And I'm never letting her go." David told her.

    "What?!" Mia gaped.

    "The truth is I've been watching you for a while and I took interest in you. Things got so messed up because I had spilled that wine on your dress." David was frank with her.

   "Wow. That's so creepy." Mia removed a loose strand from her face. "Why are you telling me this?" Mia asked him.

    "Because I'm always straight forward and I know what I want when I see it." David smirked at her.

      "We only just met Mr David, you don't know me." Mia kept looking at him.

    "That's true but I know a trophy when I see one." David didn't stop his corny smile.

    Mia scoffed... "Clearly, you're not my kinda trophy." Mia shook her head. "You know, I appreciate your honesty but don't push your luck. Thanks for the hanky... Really really thank you." Mia gave him a tight smile, leaving him speechless.

    Did this Mia girl out-wit the player? Or was she dumb, trying to play hard-to-get.

   Alex had found Mia talking to David but he lost her because she had suddenly disappeared.

    "David," Alex went over to meet David. "That lady you were talking to, where is she?" He asked David.

   "Whoa, are you trying to steal my girl?" David held a glass in his hand.

    "What?! Your girl? Since when?" Alex arched his brow.

    "Since some minutes ago." David placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "Don't tell me you have eyes for my Mia, I won't allow it."

     "Your Mia? You know what, forget I asked. And stop drinking, it's messing with your brain." Alex swatted away David's hands away from his shoulder before rolling his eyes and walking away.

     "Where you going?" David asked Alex but he was ignored.

    It was time for the toast and everyone stood up while the father of the bride made the toast.

   "Here." Natalie said, walking up to Alex to give him a glass.

    "Thanks." Alex collected the glass from her.

    "So," They listened to the bride's father make the toast. "I've noticed that you've been restless, are you looking for something or someone?" Natalie asked him.

    "You'll know when you see it." Alex clinked his glass with Natalie's.

   The wedding reception was slowly coming to an end with the couple satisfied with everything, in short, it was another big success.

   "Have fun on your honeymoon okay?" David said to the couple.

   "Oh we plan to!" Leon smirked, making the rest laugh— Alex, Layla and Natalie.

  Alex had seen Mia and quickly, he excused himself.

   "Whoa, I'll give you a hand." He offered Mia who was struggling to carry a table.

   Mia looked up at him. "Oh thanks." Mia smiled.

    Instead of helping, Alex stood fixating on her. It was too shocking to see the face after so many years.

    "Hello? Mister?" Mia snapped her fingers in his face, trying to get back his attention. 

   "What? Jeez, I'm so sorry. Did you say something?" He asked her but she smiled. That smile? It wasn't so different after all!

    "You look crazily familiar, but I can't place my finger on it. Do we know each other?" Mia narrowed her eyes at him, placing a finger on her lip as she tried recalling where she had seen his face.