Yufa

The exhibit is in less than two hours from now, and there's no signs of Nathan showing up yet. I knew he wouldn't come, but I'm still disappointed. He promised, didn't he?

The idea of coming alone into that event left a sickening feeling inside. What will I tell them? The idea of telling lies scares me the most. Especially to my family. To my mama. Oh Gods! This is driving me crazy.

"Please stop pacing back and forth, Señorita. Let's wait a little longer. I'm sure Señorito Nathan is on his way now." Martha muttered.

I bit my lower lip before sitting down on the couch only to stand back and resume pacing back and forth. He maybe on his way, maybe not. Maybe he forgot. I don't know what to think.

"Have you tried calling him?" She asked.

I have. I tried calling him but he wouldn't pick up. In fact I reminded him about the event this morning just before he left the house. What if he forgot?

The kind old woman stepped in front of me and halted any further movements. She took my hands into hers and squeezed them lightly. Her wrinkled hands offered warmth into my own. I looked at her and found her hazel eyes staring back at me. They were old, wrinkled yet wise and it twinkled with joy. She smiled and guided me back into the couch. We both sat with a few moments of silence before she finally broke my nervousness.

"You worry yourself too much, young woman. Look at you. You look beautiful and gorgeous. " She folded back her hands into her lap and the warmth left my hands too. Her smile never left her face.

I always wonder how long had she been serving Nathan's family. She knew plenty about the family, even before Nathan was born. I bet she dedicated her life to servitude with them. She was once a beautiful woman, I knew it.

"We prepared for this, alright? Wipe away that frown, Señorita. Do you want your skin to wrinkle just like mine?" He grinned mischievously. "We prepared so much for this."

Yes. I had plenty of time to prepare for this event. Martha was there to help me choose a dress. We both had our bets on a simple white strapless dress with no intricate designs. It's just a plain dress but its elegant. She says it fits me perfectly. The dress wasn't too tight, but it hugged my little curves given we, Chinese women, had small, petite bodies. Martha always worries about how fragile I looked. She said I should gain weight and get rid of my bony structure so she feds me every now and then. True to her words, I gain a little weight which I'm glad because the dress now fits me perfectly.

I also prepared Nathan's suit. It was a white tux with black longsleeves underneath and tie that sat neatly on his bed. Everything was already prepared.

Martha engaged me into a little conversation about her younger days. I listened to her tales and can't help but be fascinated about her adventures before she ended up serving the Polavejas. She did a great job for distracting me that I haven't noticed thirty minutes had passed so quickly. Still there were no signs of Nathan, so I decided to go alone.

With a heavy heart, I gathered my things and head to the door. Deep inside I wished Nathan would come, that when I opened that door, I would see him on the other side. Smiling. Waiting for me. But that is impossible, isn't it?

The door opened by itself and revealed Nathan on the otherside. I was surprised; too surprised to even speak. The gods must have been listening to me. One moment I was asking for him to show up, and here he is. He wasnt smiling though, he just looked at me, coldly. But I no longer care about that. What's important is that he is here. He haven't forgotten about the event. I stepped aside and let him inside, smiling like an idiot.

"I'll be waiting on the car." I called to him.

***

The ride was awkward since Nathan kept his thoughts with him. I didnt even attempt to start a conversation since I was too upset looking at his all-black suit. He did not wear the suit that I prepared for him. If it weren't for the event, I would be pouting like a kid tonight.

The venue is not that far so we arrived quicker than I expected. Nathan hopped out of the car, and I quickly followed suit. The moment I stepped out of the car, flash of hundreds of blinding lights greeted me. I had to squint my eyes before adjusting to the flashes of cameras. I didn't knew this event would be packed with too many press people. Had I known this earlier, I would find another entrance to avoid this attention.

After adjusting my eyesight, the first thing I noticed is Nathan arched his elbow waiting for me take it, or so I thought. He wasn't even bothered by the annoying flashes, instead he maintained a stoic face.

I snaked my hands into his arms and we walk casually on the red carpet occasionally smiling to the press. I had to maintain a happy expression, afterall we're coming out into the public as a couple who loved each other dearly. But, why do I felt so happy? This is clearly a show we're both trying to pull off, both of us is crafting just to impress those around us that believed we are happy. We are not, right? Yet I felt happy. Silly me. I felt happy, as if nothing happened days ago that sent my whole being a revolting feeling once I see him.

The whole room was dark. I see nothing except for the tiny bulbs that formed a path on the floor. There were also tiny lights that lights up the edges of the round tables at the center of the room. It provided just enough glow to see the other guest present at the event. It was mysterious yet romantic. My mother had outdone herself once again.

I clung to Nathan while he guided me towards our table, glad that he didn't left me on my own. For a split moment, I felt safe and happy at the little attention he is giving me. Glad that for once, I spent time with him longer than what we spent with each other in our home.

Occasionally, Nathan would engaged into conversation with the other guests. He is indeed a business man. The way he talk is so convincing, I shouldn't be surprised. He does that every now and then when he wanted to. Silently, I marveled at how beautiful his smiles are every time he sees a familiar face. How I wish to see them more frequently, and not his usually cold demeanor. Even in the dim lights, I admit he is more handsome wearing that mask of smile of his.

Not long after, the event started by lighting both sides of the room that revealed the newest collection of my Mama. There were huge glass tubes lined alternately on both sides. Inside of that tubes were women dressed elegantly with fine silks and satin. At first, people will only notice the women and their dresses but when the lights was focused on the tubes, one could see the jewels and diamonds that adorned their necks, ears and wrists.

The room errupted into a round of applause. The program started shortly after. After my Mama gave her little speech, people start flocking into the tubes, too eager to look at the fine jewelries my Mama offered them. Champagne was then distributed by the waiters and soft music started playing.

Nathan and I also took a better look at one of the many tubes on the left side. I was too curious at what could possibly be the main reason for taking her elegant shows all the way here in Spain. Usually, it was foreigners who would all they way to China to attend her exhibits, events and auctions.

As a daughter of jewelry designer, I knew a handful of the different types of jewels. Mama taught me how to recognize them and this is one of the rarest gems I've ever seen in my life. Alexandrite. Known as the imperial jewel of Russia, it was said to be mined in Russia's Ural mountains. It is also refered as "emerald by the day, ruby by night" because of how it changes its color by day and under the luminescent light. How did she get ahold of this precious gem? Now, I clearly knew the reason, bright as the daylight.

I examined the other tubes and found out there are other rare jewels worn by the women. Some wore black diamonds and other jewels which I know are also rare.

I was so caught up by examining the jewels that I didn't notice Nathan's mom, Ali and my mama, Silvana approached me.

"Hija, where is Nathan?" It was Ali who noticed after we exchanged our pleasantries, my mama taking my side. Now, where is he by the way? One moment I was holding his arms, and then now he's gone.

"Uhh, he was just here a while ago. I wonder if I lost him while I was looking at the jewels." I admitted.

"You know, Ali. Among our three daughters, only Yufa took on the interest in jewelries. She easily get lost within their brilliance. I guess that speaks for how she lost track of her husband." Mama laughed.

"Oh, really? Well, I guess Nathan should worry about this magnificent jewels. They had all the capacity to take her away from him." Both women laughed as if it was the funniest thing they've seen. Haha. I laughed sarcastically inside my head. As if Nathan would worry something about that.

For several minutes, we continued talking about the lives of each other. Well, I guess it was just a conversation between the two women, they both had passion on jewelries and travelling, which left as the listener to their talk. Sometimes they would talk about their lives as a mother and a wife. They sure are having a really good time while I'm starting to get bored.

When, I find it hard to catch up with their talk, I excused myself to use the comfort room. At times like this, comfort room is the best excuse for a bored woman. Both women agreed nonetheless.

I took my time inside. While I relieve myself, I rested my feet. They became sore as the night worn out. Thanks to whoever invented comfort rooms, I can always run away from awkward situations and had a better excuse.

After having enough rest, I do the retouch. When I was satisfied with myself, gathered my things and stepped out of the room. Just as I was about to enter the event's room again, I saw Nathan dragging a very gorgeous woman towards the balcony.

My heart skipped a beat. Could this woman be the one he calls Miranda? Is this the reason why he attended this event so they could sneak out under my nose? There are hundreds of questions running inside my head right now. I couldn't even form the exact words for them, but one thing is for sure, I am curious as hell. Other part of me told me to go the room and pretend that I did not see anything. But hell, my other side is pushing every nerves in my body to follow them and uncover their secrets. And I followed the latter.

I followed them as quite as I could. They've reached the balcony and they closed the glass door behind. I looked around to see if no one noticed me sneaking. I moved closer to the door and peeked through the transparent glass.

What I saw was not I am expecting to see. Even if I knew he is cheating on me, I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams to see this. I felt so cold, so cold that I thinks somebody had poured cold water on me. Tears stung the corners of my eyes and they are unbearable.

I wanted to look away, and wished for the whole ground to crack and swallow me whole, but no. I can't. It was so hard to look away.

Nathan is kissing her, passionately.

******************

---Maiah

A/n
Please helpe me point out my mistakes, grammatical errors and misspellings. English makes my nose bleed. 😂😅😅

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