(Alys Prov)
I have never worked so hard in my entire life.
"Maybe you're overworked?" Aya asked me while she was comfortably lying on my couch. Tsk. Thank goodness it's her day off today. If I hadn't known better, I would think of Aya as a queen. But since she works for my mother, I'm sure her work's hell, as well. Duh. She works for my Mom. Do I need to expound?
I'm just quiet as I'm measuring. I'm here in my old condo unit. It's mine to use. Dad gave it to me, eh. I've checked with the management and I found out that Drake no longer lives here so... safe zone here!
I glanced at the list pinned on my cupboard. That's long!
"Saw Kent yesterday," I started with Aya. They look silly because they're so obvious they should be but they're immature and don't want to talk! They're crazy!
She shrugged. "Finished?"
I sighed an exasperated sigh. "Come on, Aya. What is it? He told me he's been pursuing you again but you always turn him down. Are you in the witchy stage again?"
Because of my 'witchy' comment, I received a glare from her. "Alas, Alys! Don't you know better? Didn't you break up with Drake because... well, I really don't know why but you're not teasing me, are you? Extend the same courtesy to me?" she said then batted her eyelash. Thank you for being cute, Aya!
"Fine, no more intruding. But please talk to him? He likes you big time. And he's good for you..." I said.
Kent's the best guy for Aya, I'll bet my life on it. Sure, Sheen's great as well but a person's greatness isn't the measurement of whether they're compatible with you, right? You should be with someone not because he's good but because you become good when you're with him.
We continued talking while I was baking. I don't want to go to the shop to bake because there's a chance Drake might come to visit me there, and I won't risk it. Besides, the equipment here is complete, eh. And I missed talking to my best friend!
"I saw Tripp yesterday!" Aya suddenly said. I was shocked! "That's awesome, Alys. I knew he looked good but damn, Tripp is even more handsome now!"
And there... I really laughed! I've never seen this girl express admiration. She works in the field of fashion, right? Sure as hell she works with a lot of models (one of the reasons why she and Kent always fought before) but not once did she squeal like a teenager! Hahaha. My Marco is really handsome.
"So, you have a crush on him now?" I said and then wiggled my eyebrow. "Come on, Aya. I won't bite. I'm used to having a lot of admirers for that ugly guy."
I remember back then, even in New York, a lot of people were paying attention to him. Tofer and I used to fool him, his fan club was the United Nations. Some European, some American, but mostly Asian. It's different... Another level of handsomeness for ugly guys! I can't stand it sometimes.
Aya laughed. "Fine, fine, he's my crush. Can you resist? That boy looks freakishly good!"
We continued to gossip about Tripp. My same boyfriend, I used to gossip about Tripp. Lol. Fun times with Besh. I really miss this!
We probably talked for about three hours while I baked some goodies. Cristine texted, and she told me to meet her at a restaurant somewhere. She recommended me to her mom who was organizing a party and I needed to bring a taste test somehow. I agreed since I didn't want to be a bum, no. Besides, it's work.
Aya took me to my destination. I'll just call Tripp up later because I didn't bring my car.
I went inside and the bell boy helped me carry my things. Cristine had reserved a VIP room and I went there first. She sent me a text saying that she'll be late but only for a moment.
While I was waiting, I called Marco first.
("I was going to call you, eh. Where are you, you idiot?")
I told him I was at the restaurant and other stuff. I haven't even opened the topic with Drake yet because... nothing, I don't want to. Maybe soon, but definitely not now.
("Odd...") he said and his voice trailed off.
"Hmm?"
("...we have a reunion this weekend. But if you don't want to come, that's okay.")
I was stunned. Sheez. The last time the Palma clan saw me, Drake was my boyfriend. Now, after four years, I'm going as Tripp's girlfriend. Really, Alys? Playgirl much?
But I have to harden my resolve: I'm Tripp's.
I smiled lovingly at the thought. "No, I'm going. Why don't you let me go? Are you ashamed of me??" I faked a gasp.
Tripp laughed. His laugh was heaven! When he chuckles, he looks super adorable! Especially when his dimples show, I don't know, when he sticks his tongue out, it's super cute!
("Crazy. No. I love you so much. It's too much, isn't it? Okay, I'm going to work, ugly. I'll pick you up later, huh?")
"Okay, Marco. Bye. I love you, too."
We ended the call then I waited for Cristine. Wonder what's taking her so long? It's good that I have a lot of free time but I might as well leave after 15 mins. I'm not the waiting type of person. There are so many things to do than wait, right? So why waste time?
"I'm sorry," Cristine said after she entered. She was holding her bag and breathing heavily. Where did this come from? She looks... disarrayed? "I had to attend a last minute announced meeting. I'm really sorry, Alys," she said. I nodded since she seemed sincere.
She plopped down on the chair. I gave her time to breathe.
"Well, anyways, did you bring the goodies?" she asked, I nodded. "Can I like you know, drive you there to mom? My Mom can't make it, eh."
I smiled and stood up. "Sure," I said.
She helped me with the basket. We were there in front of the hotel, waiting for her car that was taken by the valet attendant. "By the way, Alys. If you're to be married, how do you want your gown to look like?"
"Huh?"
She smiled at me. She really looks good. "How do you envision your gown?" she asked with that pretty smile. If Drake has this kind of fiancee, why is he still chasing me? I mean, look at Cristine! She's beautiful, she isn't a b-itch, she's not whiny like Shaira, and she's nice! The fact that Tito Steve and Ethos voted for her is a plus point!
I described my dream wedding gown. It's every girl's dream to get married, so describing my dream gown is so easy... it has to be beautiful. The one with a long trail... I don't know, I fell in love with Bella Swan's wedding gown. That kind of gown. It's so pretty!
She shook her head as if she remembered what I said. Weird, huh. She already has a wedding gown, right? I saw her at my mother' office last time wearing a gown and she was nothing but breath-taking!
"And where do you wanna get married?"
I shrugged. "Anywhere would do as long as I'm with the person I love, but hopefully a beach wedding."
She squealed! She looks cute! "Isn't it?! I kept on telling Drake about the beach wedding, eh! He said the sand was rough on the feet and all other sort of excuse. That guy has a lot of art!" she admonished.
I laughed. She looks like a kid who got robbed of candy!
"A wedding is a bride's affair. If you want a beach wedding, have a beach wedding," I said to Cristine.
She smiled at me. "So, beach wedding?"
I nodded.
Just then, her car arrived. We went inside. Her car smells like vanilla.
"Hello?" she said when she answered her phone. "Yeah, she's with me," she said. Who was she talking to?
"Huh? You're coming to our house? Why! No! What, Drake!"
Sht. You really can't leave me alone, huh?
Cristine was having a misfit then she stopped. "You'll take Ethos with you? Fine. Thank Ethos! Tsk. Abnormal autistic guy!" then she ended the line.
She faced me and smiled. "Drake's gonna be there, as well. It's okay, right? I mean, he said that you were high school classmates?"
I gave her a nod. Yes. High school classmates... and many other things.
"Hi, Mommy!" Christine said.
Her Mom dropped the magazine and scolded her. "Stop running, young lady!" Cristine stopped and she pouted. "Is she Alys?"
Cristine nodded and introduced me. Her Mom looked at me in a very... degrading manner.
"Alys Perez, Madam," I said.
She nodded and motioned me to sit down. She interviewed me and asked for my credentials. Is this a job interview? Won't she taste what I brought and then we'll sign the deal?
"Impressive," she commented. "My daughter finished her undergrad at St. Claire's and her MBA at Harvard," she said. okay? I just smiled at her as respect. I'm not competing with Cristine but why do I think that she's competing with me? I mean, Cristine's Mom. Weird weird.
After a few minutes, the inevitable happened. Drake arrives.
Mrs. stood up. Stinson and welcomed Drake with open arms. She's really fond of him, huh?
"Drake!" she said and hugged him.
Cristine leaned in and whispered. "Mommy seems to have a crush on Drake. I think she hates me for marrying him," she said. I laughed! She's so funny! No wonder Drake is getting married, I just saw him.
Drake looked at us. I smiled at him, trying to be civil and everything.
"Cristine!!" Ethos said and then he hugged Cristine.
"Hi, baby boy! Missed Cristine?" She said. Ethos nodded and kissed her on the cheek. "How about your Godmother Alys? Kiss her, baby," she nudged Ethos.
Ethos only half willingly kissed me. He really dislikes me.
I got a cookie from the basket and gave Ethos. "You want?"
He shook his head. "No."
Okay, Alys. He's just a kid, okay? Don't take it personally. He's Tripp's cousin.
Cristine's Mom left for a while since there was a conference call suddenly in the study. The four of us were left here.
"Drake, I told you. Beach wedding. Alys said she likes beach weddings too!" she said. She made me the reason, huh!
"Okay," Drake said. Is that it? The sand is no longer rough on the feet?
Cristine clapped her hands. "Yehey! And about the wedding dress, Palma, I'll change it, huh?" she said and then winked at him.
Drake nodded. Cristine was strong here. She asks and Drake gives in.
Cristine hummed and then picked Ethos up. "I have many lollipops in my room. Wanna come,baby?" And Ethos... he ran towards her room. I am jealous of Cristine.I wanna be close to Ethos.
Okay. We're just the two of us here!
"I'm done. I'm leaving," I said. I'll just leave the goodies here. Drake held my arms before I left. "What?" I tried not to glare at him.
"Are you going to the reunion?"
I nodded. "Tripp invited me."
"Don't go," he said. "Alys, please don't go."
I took a deep breath. "Why again, Drake? Give me one good reason."
He let go of my arm and looked at me. "Because... because I want to introduce you as my wife... someday. Please don't confuse my family by being Tripp's girlfriend and my future wife. Do them a favor, Alys."