( Alys Prov)
I was so frustrated with Drake that I couldn't help but vent my frustration to Tofer! After all, who wouldn't be annoyed with him, huh?! He turned me into a pseudo-bride! To hell with him!
Tripp and I had just finished dinner and they dropped me off at home... but then, I sent a text to Tofer saying SOS Club West.
Yep, that's our secret code, if that wasn't already a given, no. After Tripp dropped me off, I got dressed because I was wearing this earlier. I wore comfy clothes, I wasn't going to a party, I just really needed to vent my frustration! I might choke Drake tomorrow when we meet.
A few minutes later, Tofer arrived.
"What are you? Going to the market?" he said when he saw what I was wearing. I looked at what I was wearing. What's wrong with this? I'm wearing shorts and a cropped top, huh! Is this how shoppers dress now?!
I rolled my eyes at him and got into his car. Gosh, I really love it here! His air freshener is strawberry scented!! What if I blackmail Tofer into reporting him to his dad for being gay if he doesn't let me pick him up? I don't even like driving, it's so boring!
I was still closed and leaning against the front seat when he suddenly threw his mini pillow at me. This is really mean!
"Keep your eyes closed. Ew, ha!"
"What's wrong with my eyes closed?!" I asked, I was so weirded out. What's wrong with my eyes closed?
"It's like... being raped. Really, Alys, disturbing image!"
Hey, Alys. Don't complain, huh? You've managed to tolerate him for years, what's more if you tolerate him for this night?
He drove us to Club West. Actually, it's not a club as in loud and noisy, it's just right. There's a part for wild teenagers (those who drink and party like there's no tomorrow) and a part for corporate people.
I ordered a cosmo for us and we settled ourselves in one of the booths. Haay, I finally relaxed too! I've been dealing with a lot of stress for Cristine these past few days!
"So, what's up?" Tofer asked when our drinks arrived. I took my drinks and ate the finger foods I ordered. Haaay, if Tripp wasn't really against my drinking, he wouldn't be with us! But Drake also won't be on our agenda for tonight. No Drake related topics for Tripp. Isn't that the rule? Don't you dare mention your ex in front of your present. That's just a no no.
"Aren't Drake and Cristine getting married?" I said as a conversation starter. He raised a brow. "What? Don't tell me you don't know?" I asked, confused. Why doesn't he know either? Tripp doesn't know either, either! Because for sure if he knows Drake is Cristine's groom, he'll beg me to drop the job.
I can't see why Tripp is so insecure. I mean, why? He's handsome and nice and lovable and every girl would die to be his girl but still... I feel that he's very insecure of our relationship. I don't give him any motive to make him feel insecure. I've never mentioned Drake in front of him since we started dating and I've been doing everything I can to make him feel loved by me.
He shook his head. "Married? Really?!"
It's my time to show him my confused face. "Yeah, like he's gonna tie the knot in less than a month."
Tofer's face suddenly lost color, as if he was surprised by what he heard. Okay? I mean, he has the right to be surprised because hello? His cousin is getting married and he wasn't even informed! But the expression on his face seems to be extreme!
"Who?"
"Cristine Ann Stinson? Ring a bell?"
He shook his head. He didn't know that Cristine was the bride and he didn't know who Cristine was. Well, it's still feasible since she also stayed in the States and Paris like me. Hello, I don't know Cristine either! I was just surprised that a Cristine existed, but that doesn't mean I hate Cristine. She's really adorable! I feel like she and Tofer will get along because they have the same interests in life.
So, I told Tofer everything I knew about Cristine. If I'm not mistaken, Cristine was Drake's best friend during his college days since Shaira migrated. Uncle Steve said Cristine was a good influence and stuff.
"...they all like Cristine, you know? Everybody likes her for Drake."
"So, you like her for Drake?"
I gave him a smile. "Of course. Drake and I? We're not meant to be. They're probably Cristine and him," I said with utmost sincerity.
He gave me a scrutinizing stare as if he was studying whether my answer was right or wrong. "Really, Alys?"
I gave him a double nod. I'm sure. Drake and I? We tried but we gave up before things could go deeper. That's where it went wrong because I'm pretty sure if he hadn't let go of me, if only he asked me to wait for him? Things would be different. I? My name is Alys Perez. If he told me when I was 18 years old to wait for him? I'll freaking wait for him. A martyr if a martyr but I know how much I loved Drake. I loved him a great deal. I would have given up everything for him in the blink of an eye. But what did he do? He threw that away. It hurts having the person whom you trusted with your everything ruin you for nothing. It feels regal... regal betrayal.
"I'm 22, Tofer. Maybe I used to enjoy the thrill of the moment but things are different now. I want assurance, I want constant love. Are you getting me? Sure, Drake used to make me feel like my heart's gonna pop out of my chest with his simple gestures. That was the 18 year old me... He let go of me when I was 18, he should expect that he could get me now that I'm 22. It's just not how things are like. I'm 22 and wiser... and 22 and in love with his cousin."
With my answer, Tofer smiled. He drank another shot of his drink.
"I should have recorded that! Your answer is just for a beauty pageant! Think carefully?"
II nodded. Tripp loves me so much, I know it... I can feel it.
"You'll break him once you leave him. You'll destroy him once you leave him for Drake."
My head really hurts!! That Tofer is so stupid! After he lectured me about Tripp, he made me drink. Hah! It's all on his tab, he'll have to pay for everything I drank. Irritating!
I almost crawled to the cr because Drake and I have a meeting today for Cristine's gown. Apparently, I'm his temporary bride! I'll be the one to measure the gown! Are Cristine and I the same size, and it's thinner than me! And I'm taller than her, so.
I'm still thinking about whether to take a shower. Should I call in sick? My head really hurts, huh.
Haaaaay
Call rejected.
Drake's been calling me since forever! How many missed calls do I have from him (or should I say rejected)?
I texted him that I was on my way! Impatient much?!
I arrived at Mom's boutique since that's where Cristine got her work done. Good choice!
"Good morning, Miss Alys," the receptionist greeted me. I'm always here because besides Mommy working here, Aya is also here so... hello, Alys' hangout!
We both headed straight to the fitting area. threw chips at him. That's thick, huh? Is it bad to be profound?
He laughed at what I did and then threw them at me too! That's mean! He doesn't even have a gentleman bone in his body!
"Kidding aside, Perez. Tripp loves you very much, do you understand me?"
"Is this necessary?" I asked him. He nodded.
"Why?" he asked.
"We're not the same size as Cristine!" I fumed. What's the point of this if we're not the same size as his bride, right?
He sat down on the couch and crossed his legs. "So are you saying that you're fat?"
"WHAT?!"
He smirked at me and picked up a wedding magazine and ignored me.
HOW DARE HE CALL ME FAT?! DOESN'T HE KNOW THAT THAT'S THE WORST INSULT A WOMAN CAN GET?!
I went into the fitting room and took out Cristine's gown. She was fat! When I fit into this gown, I'm telling you!
"Miss, the gown might get ruined..." the assistant told me.
"Shut up, please," I said because I was under pressure to fit into it. " Zip it up."
Okay, Alys. Stop breathing for a while!
I closed my eyes and held my breath. "Is it okay?" I asked her.
"Yes..."
Yes! I looked at the mirror and... I really am Dana Ferrer and Cyriel Perez's daughter.
I came out of the fitting room looking all smug. Fat, huh?
I was walking to see this Drake who he said was fat when I heard him talking. My divider was blocking my view so I couldn't see him yet.
"Sir, you're not allowed to see the bride. Don't you believe in premonitions?" I heard one of the staff say.
There was a long pause... and the feeling is freaking familiar.
"The girl in that gown is Alys Perez so what makes you think I'll let anything, let alone anyone, stop our wedding?"