"Rita, that's Ma'am Rieselle, the bride," pagtatama ng isa sa team.

Clarita's eyes were fixed on mine as an apologetic smile escaped from her lips. "Naku! Sorry, Ma'am. I forgot that you really look like my friend." 

Bumakas ang bahagyang pagkailang sa kanyang mga mata dahil sa pagkakamali.

"Ma'am, this is Clarita," pakilala ni Lynelle, the one in charge for the venue and reception of the wedding. "She's the one assigned in providing the gowns and suits for all those who are included in the entourage, including the bride and the groom."

I slowly nodded my head and offered my hand for a handshake. "Rieselle," I smiled at Clarita.

I saw her hesitated. Alanganin niyang tinignan ang aking kamay. I extended it more, urging her to accept it. 

"Clarita, Ma'am." She smiled back and took my hand for a handshake. 

"Nice to meet you, Clarita," I muttered using a soft voice. 

She took a step backwards when our hands parted. "Pasensya na talaga, Ma'am. Kamukhang kamukha mo lang talaga 'yung kaibigan ko kaya... nalito lang ako. Pero imposibleng ikaw 'yon, Ma'am."

"No problem." I let out a low chuckle.

"Shit, pati boses medyo magkatunog," she whispered. Tila sa sarili lang niya iyon ibinulong ngunit bahagyang napalakas kaya't narinig ko iyon.

"Really?" 

She gasped and looked at me the moment she realized I heard what she said. "Ah, y–yes. You're just soft spoken while my friend is..." she trailed off, wala ng balak tapusin ang sasabihin.

I slowly nodded while smiling. "But you said it's impossible that I'm her? Why is that?"

"Ah! Ma'am, kasi mukha at boses lang ang magkamukha sa inyo. Like what I've said, you're soft spoken while my friend is w–well... matabil ang dila noon." She even chuckled like she remember her friend. "Your face and makeup looks angelic, k–kalmado ba. While my friend, her face looks the same as you but her fierce makeup always makes her look like a..."

Devil.

"Devil," she winced.

Look at this woman! 

I chuckled. I almost playfully rolled my eyes as I predicted what she'll say.

"But Marcia's a good friend. Kahit masakit magsalita."

"Really?" I smirked. Am I? "She must be."

Clarita's right. The only thing that Rieselle and Marcia have in common is the face, and somehow the voice. Because Marcia isn't soft spoken while Rieselle is. I really am a good actress then. Even Clarita, who's been a friend for some years thought, I wasn't Marcia. Though I never told her I wasn't. She assumed. 

She's a friend but not close enough to the point that I'll tell her about my plans. I met her years ago because of my boutique. She went to my boutique and told me she can help me find clients. And honestly, some of my big clients are from her. 

"Can we schedule another meeting when Chaos can attend? I want the both of us to decide," I said after our lunch. We're about to discuss the theme and I don't want to choose alone.

Sandali kong nakalimutan ang hindi pagsipot ni Chaos dahil sa kanila. Some of them looked stern at first like they're intimidated at my presence, that's a given because they're all professionals but when one of them joked about something and I laughed, that's when they started feeling comfortable with me around.

Wala rin naman akong problema roon. Sila ang makakasama namin sa pagpaplano ng kasal at dapat ngang komportable kami sa isa't isa. Though I can see Clarita at the side of my eyes still looks amused while staring at me. 

Maybe because I looked like her friend, Marcia, who happens to be me. 

"Of course, Ma'am. We'll schedule a meeting again."

I smiled as I gently pressed the table napkin at the side of my lips. "Thank you." 

I turned to Clarita and saw her still staring at me. 

"Yes?" I muttered, waking her up from reverie. 

"Ah!" Alanganin siyang napangiti bago inilapit sa akin ang isang pamilyar na folder. "I was informed that the suits and gowns should be from one of the designers of the Zaldivars but... maybe you can look into it. M–maybe you'll like the designs," she gave me an encouraging smile while offering me the folder.

I simply nodded and took what she's giving. My eyes narrowed as I got a chance to clearly look at it. Sumulyap ako kay Clarita ngunit agad ko ring ibinalik ang atensyon sa hawak. 

"T–that was the design of my friend. She's not a designer of the Zaldivars but maybe you'll like her design."

I stifled a smile as I bit the side of my cheek. I started flipping the pages of the portfolio and kept nibbling my lower lip, trying to stop myself from smiling as I stared at the designs. 

This is my portfolio! My designs!

"But if you don't like–" 

Akmang babawiin niya sa akin ang portfolio nang umiling ako.

"Let's have your friend's design."

Her mouth hung open as her eyes gleamed with excitement. "M–Ma'am?" 

I shifted on my seat and couldn't stop but crossed my legs. "I like her designs, let's use those that's in her portfolio for our bridesmaids. Can I request a design for my wedding gown too?"

Namimilog pa rin ang mga mata niya, ngayon ay may ngiti na sa mga labi habang tumatango. She even clasped her hand and leaned closer to me. "Of course, Ma'am. Of course you can. Marcia will surely accept your request."

"The one to whom I share exact features?" I loudly smiled before she could even answer. "And let's request suits too for the guys." 

I glanced up at her as she's still digesting my words, making sure if she's hearing me right. "Can I have your friend's number? So I can call her and inform her about my wedding gown?" 

She nodded and instantly fished her phone from her pocket. She instantly gave me what I wanted. 

I stared at the number she gave. It was the same combination of digits I'm using on the first sim card in my phone. 

I eyed Clarita and gave her a warm smile. "I'll call her right away."

"You can meet her if you want. I can come with you, Ma'am. Or if you want to visit her boutique, you're always welcome," she suggested while she smiled with utmost satisfaction in her eyes. Like she's already imagining what will happen to my boutique if the gowns and suit will really be used for a Zaldivar wedding.

"No need." I drew a deep, audible breath and smiled. "I'll meet her if needed but we can talk over the phone for my design."

"Noted, Ma'am."

She kept thanking me for choosing her friend's design even until we parted ways. But the thing that remained etched in my mind is... she gave me my portfolio. I mean, she didn't know that I'm Marcia. 

She gave my designs to a big client despite her being told that gowns and suits should be from the designers of the Zaldivars. Because she knew that if my designs will be used for a well known family's wedding, it'll benefit my boutique... a lot.

Clarita and I were friends but we're not like friends that go out together or such. We became friends because she approached my boutique and I actually doubted her at first because I don't know her yet she's asking for the portfolio of my designs in exchange of... friendship she said. Hindi ko sineryoso noon ang pagkakaibigang sinasabi niya. I thought she's a scam. And a bit weird too. 

My boutique is what's binding us. Iyon lang ang lugar na makikita kaming magkasama. I don't know what's with her and she likes hanging out on my boutique, pestering me while I'm working. Though that was before. Noong madalas pa ako roon.

But after what she did today, I don't know that our friendship is that precious to her. Hindi ko alam na seryoso siya sa sinasabi niyang kaibigan niya ako. Because heck, she's always saying that I am a devil so I thought...

That thought occupied me while I'm on my way home. Ngunit pagdating ng condo ni Chaos, hindi pa nakakapasok ay muli ko siyang naalala. 

I fished my phone from my bag as I opened the door. Iginala ko ang mata sa kabuuan ng condo ni Chaos nang makapasok doon, finding any signs on him while dialing his number on my phone but I got nothing. 

Walang Chaos sa condo at wala ring sumasagot sa phone niya. I cancelled the call and glanced at the time on the clock.

It's still office hours. He must be in his office. He must be. 

Muli akong lumabas ng condo ni Chaos gamit ang malalaking hakbang habang sinusubukan ulit na tawagan siya.

I drove towards his company and hurriedly went towards the executive's office. Ngunit bigo ako nang ang sekretarya niya lamang ang nadatnan doon. 

"Is Chaos still inside?" I asked after greeting his secretary.

"No, Ma'am. Isn't he with you?"

My eyes narrowed. I won't be here, asking if he's with me. 

Kung hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ay baka naisaboses ko na iyon. I should start practicing on how to filter my mouth. 

I snorted while a smile is still intact on my lips. "He isn't," I answered instead.

"Kanina pa po umalis si Sir. He cancelled his afternoon meetings and said he had an appointment with his cousin, Sir Guerdon. And a lunch meeting with you and the whole team for your wedding, Ma'am," she informed.

Marahan akong tumango at nginitian siya. "Alright. Thank you, I'll just call him." 

I don't know what's with Chaos. We're fine earlier, he told me he'll fetch me and we're really fine! Now what did he do? He ditched me! He's not answering my calls. I don't even know where he is. 

And according to his secretary, he really have plans on attending the lunch with our team but now he's nowhere to be found. Don't tell me he suddenly changed his mind and decided to ditch it. Or maybe his talk with Guerdon took them so long that he failed to do what he promised? Kahit na! He still should have informed me!

Shit. 

In the end, I went back to his condo and decided not to think about him. 

Akala ko ganoon nga ang mangyayari, na hindi ko siya maiisip kapag inabala ko ang sarili sa ibang bagay. I started sketching the wedding gown I want but after a few minutes, I still ended up worrying about Chaos's whereabouts. 

I even thought he's doing this to get even for what I did the last time.

Ngunit agad kong inalis sa aking isip ang bagay na iyon. Chaos is not immature to do such things. Hindi gawain ni Chaos iyon. Sa aming dalawa, mas ako pa ang tipong gagawa ng ganoon.

Though, why the hell am I even comparing the two of us?

Dinner came and there's still no signs of Chaos. I even tried calling him again and now his phone's off.

I returned on making the design I'm sketching and I'm almost done with it when the doorbell of the condo rung. It took me that long as my mind kept flying somewhere. 

Agad akong tumayo sa kinauupuan. I heaved a deep sigh, hoping it's Chaos who's outside but heck, if it's him he won't rung the doorbell. 

Still, I went there and opened the door. 

"What–" I stopped upon seeing Gremian.

"Hi, Rieselle!" malawak ang ngiting bati niya.

Behind him is Guerdon and Wymond. At lumaglag ang aking panga nang makitang si Chaos ang nasa gitna na tinutulungang tumayo nang dalawa. He totally looks wasted. What the hell?

"W–what..." I winced. Hindi agad nakuha ang nakita. "Come in." 

I lead the way towards our room. Sumunod naman sila at sa kama na ibinaba si Chaos.

"R–Rieselle," he called me using his slurred voice.

"Hon, where are you? I m–miss— you," Chaos whispered as his cousins laid him in the bed. 

What the hell is he talking about? We're away just for a couple of hours. 

"Dude, Rieselle's in front of you," natatawang sambit ni Gremian habang nilalaro sa mga daliri ang susi ng kotse ni Chaos.

I stared at Chaos and sighed after a while. 

"What happened?" Hinarap ko ang mga pinsan niya. While Chaos kept whispering my name.

Wymond slowly shook his head. "He didn't mention anything." 

I turned to Gremian and he just shrugged, mukhang wala ring alam. I glanced at Guerdon and saw him coldly looking at me. 

Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin. Kung may alam man, mukhang wala akong makukuha sa isang 'to. 

Ngunit muli akong marahas na napabaling sa direksyon ni Guerdon nang maalalang posibleng siya ang huling nakausap ni Chaos. 

Chaos informed his secretary that he'll have lunch with me and the team. That means he really have a plan to attend. But somehow, it changed after talking to Guerdon! 

"Anong pinagusapan niyo ni Chaos? That must be the reason why he's like this. What did you tell him?!" I desperately asked as my voice rose a bit. Natanto ko lang iyon nang napalabi si Guerdon habang titig na titig sa akin.

"Don't blame me because it's your fault. Not mine. I just helped him."

My lips parted as my eyes slowly blinked, trying to digest what he said. My what?! "W–what are you–"

He turned his back on me while I'm in the middle of my words. 

Wala akong nakuhang sagot mula sa sinabi ni Guerdon. Habang walang alam ang dalawang pinsan niya. 

While Chaos...

That day, that's when Chaos started building a wall between us.

__________