Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual person living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental.

　　No part of this story may  be reproduced, distributed or transmitted by any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the author.

　　All Rights Reserved 2021.

　　"Sa Spade Restaurant? Bakit ako? Ikaw yung inaasahan niyang i-meet up, diba?"

　　Kinagat ko ang labi. Salubong ang kilay ni Amira habang nakatitig sa'kin. Natawa si Charles nang makita ang reaksyon ko at sumilay ang munting ngiti sa labi ni Mommy.

　　"Do you have any problem with that, Ate?" bakas ang pagtataka sa boses ni Amira ngunit nanatili itong malambot. "I'm not feeling well today. Kerwin is talking to our wedding coordinator, so hindi siya pwede. Ikaw na lang muna, please? Just this once. I'll just call the owner that you will be in-charge."

　　Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Alright." Matunog na ngumisi si Charles na ikinalingon namin sa gawi niya.

　　Tumawa siya at tinapunan ako nang mapang-inis na ngisi. "She doesn't have any problem with that, Amira. Because I know that she's so happy right now."

　　Pilit akong ngumiti sa kaniya saka siya inirapan. "Baka ikaw ang masaya sa'ting dalawa," I smirked and stuck my tongue out.

　　Mabilis na nawala ang ngisi niya at padabog na sumandal sa couch. Umiwas siya ng tingin at nanahimik sa gilid. Natawa kaming dalawa ni Mommy sa inasta niya. Mukhang apektado siya, hindi lang ako.

　　"May hindi ba ako alam?" Amira asked in so much confusion and stared at me more intently.

　　Awkward na tumawa ang pinsan ko at lumapit sa'kin. Hinigit niya ako patayo ng sofa. Natatawa akong nagpahigit sa kanya, hindi ako nagreklamo kahit ang sakit-sakit na nang pagkakahawak niya sa palapulsuhan ko.

　　"Aalis na kami, Amira. Baka kasi magsara na sila." Panic and nervousness was visible in his voice.

　　"Huh? Eh, alas-onse pa lang ng tanghali, ah?" angal ni Amira at lumapit pa sa pinto kung nasaan na kami. Her brows met.

　　Inirapan ko si Charles na natigilan. Parang tanga naman kasi. Panic ng panic, iyan tuloy yung napala.

　　"Minamadali niyo na, diba? Saka may pupuntahan ako mamayang three o'clock, baka hindi ko makausap yung owner," palusot ko. I even tried to glance at wristwatch.

　　"Scheduled appointment iyon, Amira. Ang sama naman yata kung pahihintayin natin siya, diba?"

　　Binulungan ako ni Charles. "Excited ka kamo." I glared at him and secretly pinched the side of his waist, making him whimper in pain.

　　She looked at me and nodded slowly, as if a dawn realization hit her. "O-Okay? P-Pero sabi niya naman daw, okay lang kahit anong oras. Free naman yung schedule niya. Kahit hindi na daw sundin yung appointment schedule ko."

　　"No, it's better if ngayon na," singit ni Mommy sa usapan namin at kinindatan pa ako. My cheeks heated. "Be professional, girls."

　　Halos kumapit ako sa braso ni Charles na pinagpapawisan sa tabi ko. Kabado ako, lalo na nang makapasok kami. But all of my nervousness faded away when I saw the design.

　　I was astonished. It was modern designed restaurant. It runs in the colors of white, beige and brown. From the chairs, tables and to the countertops are all brown. The floor is white and the wall is painted with beige. The waiters are wearing brown pants and a white long sleeves partnered with a beige bow.

　　"Wow," namamanghang bulong ko.

　　May mga nakita pa akong pamilyar na mga mukha na mukhang napanood ko na sa TV at nakita na sa iilang posters sa mall. Looks like it is not just a simple restaurant. It's a high class one, huh?

　　"Charles, ikaw na lang kaya?" pakiusap ko at hinila ang laylayan ng shirt niya.

　　He smirked and turned his gaze on me. "Ikaw yung pinakiusapan ng kapatid mo, diba? Bakit ako yung gagawa? Tanga lang?"

　　I sighed in defeat and nodded afterwards. Humalakhak siya at sabay kaming napatingin sa cashier na nakatalikod sa gawi namin.

　　Bahagya pa akong dumungaw rito, nakatingin ito sa phone at panay ang bungisngis. Napangiwi pa ako nang makita itong namumula.

　　Pasimple akong tumikhim na ikinatalon nito. I surpressed my smile by biting my inner cheeks when I saw her reaction. Nagugulat niya kaming nilingon ng pinsan ko at napaawang ang labi habang nakatitig sa mukha ko. She looks like she's examining my face.

　　"Good noon, Ma'am. What's your order?"

　　"May I talk to the owner of this restaurant?" I acquired and beamed at her. "Miss Amira Tuazon setted an appointment with him. Ako yung representative niya, since masama ang pakiramdam niya ngayon."

　　She lead me the way towards the office. Naiwan si Charles sa counter habang kinakausap ang waitress na dumaan. I knocked at the brown door and breathe nervously.

　　Para akong nauupos na kandila nang bumukas ang pintuan niyon. Bumungad sa akin ang seryosong mukha ni Ryker. He is on his white long sleeves and black pants. His hair was in a clean cut, making him more radiant and hot.

　　"What do you need, Miss?" he asked as he raised a brow. His baritone voice sent chills and vibrations through my spine. As well as my heart is pounding with so much emotion.

　　"I-I..." I couldn't even form a sentence!

　　He sarcastically laughed and eyed me seriously. "Kung makikipagbalikan ka, pasensya na pero busy ako." Saka siya pumasok sa loob bago sinara ang pinto.

　　It took me a while before I processed what he just said. What the hell?