CHAPTER TWO

FELINE'S POV

My flight was uneventful. All I did was sleep, since it was just a short trip from Thailand to the Philippines. Si Nanay Ime naman ay busy rin sa pagtulog kaya hindi rin kami nag-usap sa byahe. I took a deep breath as I felt the plane shake a bit. Honestly, I could've just stayed in the Philippines, my hometown, but I wanted to be independent. Independent and far away from them.

I then took off my sleep mask and carefully fluttered my eyes open. When I saw the shining sun greeting me good morning, I stretched my arms and waited for the announcement of landing while reading the files of my case — though, consultation pa lang talaga siya, actually.

Once our plane had landed, I woke Nanay Ime, prepared my things, and took out my phone. I did promise Tres that I'd inform her once I stepped on Philippine soil. Naghiwalay naman na kami ni Nanay Ime at sinundo siya ng isa pa niyang anak, habang ako naman ay tinawagan si Tres. After ringing twice, that woman finally picked up. "I'm inside the coffee shop, near the second exit."

Agad na napaangat ang kilay ko. "No, "Hi, Fel, kumusta ang flight? Nakababa ka na ba?" whatsoever?"

"What's the use? Since you already called, it only meant na you've landed. Also, I will ask you later, once you come here. By the way, would you prefer me to order your drink now?"

I shook my head because of the tone she used as well as her choice of words. Kahit kailan ay hindi nabawasan ang pagiging mataray ng bratinella naming kaibigan. "Nah, I'll order it, just stay in your seat, princess," pang-aasar ko.

Even without seeing her, I knew Trecia would've rolled her eyes at my remark. "Whatever, I got something to tell you so come quickly."

Pigil naman akong mapailing saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa coffee shop. I did not adjust my pace just because Trecia told me to do so. Ayaw ko ng pinagmamadali ako lalo pa't naka-heels ako. Masakit kaya kapag nagkapaltos. "I think I'm already near. Bye." Hindi ko na hinintay pang sumagot siya, lalo na nang matanaw ko ang coffee shop.

I almost immediately saw Tres at the farthest corner when I entered the shop. She was wearing a black hat and sunglasses. It was probably her disguise, but unfortunately, it was ineffective since I could see other people mumbling and stealing glances in her direction.

I knew I had to do something or else dadagsain siya ng fans niya para magpa-autograph o magpa-picture, kaya naman naglakad na ako sa busy na babaeng iyon. Sa sobrang pagka-busy niya sa cellphone niya, eh kinailangan ko pang katukin ang lamesa niya para lang mapansin niyang nasa harapan na niya ako. "So much for rushing me," pagtataray kong sabi sa kaniya.

Tres raised her head a little, as well as her hand, showing me her palm as if she wanted to tell me to wait, before giving her attention back to her phone. A second passed and her phone rang. "Just... wait, seriously, important."

I raised an eyebrow before putting my suitcase near the wall and proceeding to the counter to order a hot cappuccino and a banana muffin.

Once I got back to our table, holding the restaurant pager, Tres was still talking on the phone. "Whatever. Just ready the choices. Yes, yes, I'm actually with her now." Trecia scoffed after glancing at me. She was probably talking about me. "It's not my fault that Fel loves me more."

When she mentioned my name with those words, I knew who she was talking to. "Martina?"

Tres nodded before pulling her phone away from her ear and pressing the loudspeaker button. "Loves me more ka r'yan! Busy lang kasi ako at alam ni Fel 'yon!"

Napangiti naman ako nang marinig ko siya. "I missed you too, Tina. Kita tayo next time kapag hindi ka na busy sa pagiging daddy at fairy queen."

"Felicidad! Magta-try akong magsabi kay Tere ko pero papayagan naman ako no'n, ako lang talaga yung medj hindi mapakali kapag naiiwan siya ritong mag-isa sa mga bata."

Her pager buzzed but Tres took the initiative of picking up her order to focus more on talking with Martina. "Okay, just inform me. May client ako rito sa Pinas kaya dito muna ako mags-stay. Hindi ko lang sure kung gaano katagal, so as soon as possible rin sana. Or we could spend Christmas with your family." Sakto namang dumating si Tres. "If your wife wouldn't mind. Okay na ba sila nitong si Tresya?"

Tres rolled her eyes. She knew the history behind Martina's wife and their best friend. Ni-recap sa kaniya lahat nilang dalawa noong kasal nila Martina. "Well, ang magaling nating bestie ay ilang pa rin sa aking Tere, but my wife had already made peace with her. Ewan ko na lang d'yan."

Sinamaan ni Tres ng tingin ang cellphone niya. "Whatever. I'm also fine with her, okay?"

"Sus! Sige, 'te, sabi mo eh."

Natawa na lang ako saka muling umimik. "Anyway, just inform me what'll be the plan, okay? I'll check my schedule for the both of you."

"Okay, beh! Ingats ka at good luck sa kaso mo. Ikaw rin, Tresya! 'Wag masyadong takutin ang fans sa sobrang pagiging mataray."

I snickered at Martina's words before saying goodbye and ending the call. Tumingin naman ako sa kape ko saka iyon hinalo at tinikman. "Mmm... Not bad."

My eyes then moved to the muffin. I was about to put down my cup and reach for the muffin, when I saw something from the corner of my eye — no, not just something, but an invitation — a wedding invitation!

I raised my head and stared at Trecia in disbelief. "Wait... Is it what I think it is?" Based on the color and design of the invitation, there's only one event that comes into my head.

A genuine, soft smile was formed by her lips and it somehow confirmed my thought. I reached for the invitation and read the biggest printed words.

I tried to calm my breathing. "If only we were in a private place, like my condo unit, I would've squealed and hugged you." I took deep breaths and let them out carefully, before looking back at Trecia. "I can't believe you're finally getting married. And with that ex of yours. I thought you hated him."

Tres rolled her eyes but I could clearly see how happy she was. So that's why she's glowing. "Well, long story short. There were a lot of misunderstandings that were finally cleared out."

"And his cheating incident?" I raised my eyebrow. If there's one thing I really cannot tolerate, it would be cheating.

Trecia waved her hand nonchalantly. "He didn't really cheat. Again, another misunderstanding."

Napatango naman ako habang nakatingin ulit sa wedding invitation nila. "Mmm-hmm. If that really is the truth, then sure." I read the date. "I'll take note of the date and reserve that one for you."

Her eyes showed pure happiness and it made me thank God for making my best friend this happy. "Thanks, Fel."

We talked a lot more as I finished my order. Then katulad ng napag-usapan, hinatid ako ni Tres sa condo unit ko bago siya tuluyang nagpaalam at may aasikasuhin pa raw siya sa kasal nila.

Once I reached my place, whenever I stayed in the Philippines, I went to my floor, inside my unit, and just left my suitcase in the living room before proceeding to my bedroom and lying on my bed. I set an alarm for one PM before taking a nap.

Three PM pa naman ang usapan na meeting time namin ng kliyente kaya magpapahinga muna ako at kakain ng lunch sa baba mamaya.

The time, however, felt so short when I heard my alarm go off. Feeling a little jet-lagged, I had to push myself to shower and change clothes before having my lunch at the restaurant on the ground floor.

Once finished, I went to the parking lot and searched for my red Mitsubishi Mirage. It was a gift to myself after passing the bar exam. Tres already told me about my car being well taken care of while I was away and that she asked the caretaker to bring it here yesterday.

When I finally found it, I drove my way to the main branch of Twisted Muffins, and when I got inside, a tall, somehow muscular man with top-knot black hair and pretty brown eyes in a white and brown apron was the first thing that my eyes landed on.

And yes, he was pretty handsome.

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