I let Aunt France dragged me outside of the walk in closet. She let go of my hand when we were already in front of Evan.
I looked away when I felt Evan's gaze on me. I don't know why I feel so nervous over this thing. I shouldn't be bothered by this but my heart is doing differently. So what if I am wearing this dress in front of him? I tried to calm myself by swallowing so hard.
This unfamiliar feeling is making things worst!
"It looks great on her! Am I right, Evan?"
I felt the lump in my throat. I never thought that his opinion is important however why do I feel like it does matter right now?
"Come on, Evan! Say it!" Aunt France laughed a bit.
I didn't make a move. I still didn't like to meet his gaze. I continued to look away and just turned my gaze on another corner, patiently waiting for him to speak.
Why is it taking forever for him to speak though?
I gritted my teeth. Maybe he didn't like the dress? That's probably the reason why he was so speechless. Well, he should've said it immediately so that we-
"I love it, Aunt France. She is already beautiful in plain clothes but she looks so stunning in that dress..." he said softly.
I pursed my lips. Is he even telling the truth?
Like he really thinks I am beautiful regardless of what I wear?
I slowly moved my eyes and looked at him. I swallowed hard when our eyes met. His eyes were so focused on me, as if he admires me more now that I am wearing this fascinating dress.
"Really?" Aunt France smiled mischievously.
He pursed his lips and gave me a genuine smile. It was like he's truly satisfied with what he sees in me.
"Yes, Aunt France," he said with his eyes still focused on me. "You look very enchanting, Risha."
My stupid heart pounded aggressively. My cheeks blushed immediately that I had to look away.
"That's so sweet of you, Evan!" Aunt France gushed in glee and then he held me on my shoulder. "Oh, Nathalie! Why do you look like an upset woman? You should smile! You're so gorgeous in that dress! I feel so proud of myself!" She giggled.
I shyly smiled but it went away when Evan stood up and walked towards me. I was almost out of breath when I felt his hand on my arm. I didn't know I feel this way, like I am a nervous cat in front of him!
What the hell! Get all your shits together, Nathalie!
"Smile, Risha..." he said softly. "Wear your best charm. That is my favorite..."
My heart almost skipped a beat because of what he said. My lips parted. I gathered all my strength and looked at him. Damn it, I really got his attention!
***
The day before our engagement, everyone was too busy organizing things for the biggest event of the year. My parents were so excited and I can't blame them as they waited long enough for this dream to happen. They were sending late invites to some of our relatives, friends and their colleagues.
Evan's family, on the other hand, was also preparing for the final touch of the event. My father informed me that they have invited a lot of business men and tycoons in the field, not just the shareholders of the two companies, the employees, and some of the reporters who will cover the event.
Evan was probably preparing too. My mom advised me about the guidelines of ceremony of the engagement. Evan has to share a speech with everyone because it is not only our engagement that they are looking forward to; but the merging of the two companies. Since he is the CEO of their growing company, he needs to have a little speech in front of his crowd. Our parents will do the same to honor the company's growth. Meanwhile, there's comes Risha Nathalie Saavedra, a hundred percent wall flower.
"Are you sure that you still want to go to work today? You know what? I'm really excited for your engagement party!" Chandria exclaimed while I was talking with her on the phone.
I left home early in the morning so that I can be in the office ahead of time. My mom almost stopped me from working today as she wanted me to take a beauty rest but I don't want to stay at home and watch them doing all the preparation for the said party.
Seeing my busy and excited parents is just giving me a little bit of pressure deep inside. I just realized that what they have dreamed since day one is still the most important thing to me. And that being said, I'll stop being hard to get towards Evan.
The chase that I have started will end soon. Though I still hate him but not that much as before.
"I don't want to watch my parents preparing the whole thing for my engagement," I replied to Chandria while I was walking on the familiar alley.
It's still early yet this place and its people were already lively. The mini marketplace is already open and there are people performing on the street. I stopped and watched the old man playing a piano bass. People walking by also did the same. Just like me, they watched the old man's performance.
I can't help but to smile as he was playing a familiar classic piano song.
"Aren't you excited?" Chandria asked me and then she giggled like a kid.
I put my mobile phone on my other ear. "Like what's in it for me?"
She laughed so hard that made me roll my eyes. I mean, I am just telling how I feel about it. What's in it for me, like seriously? The way I see it, it doesn't really benefit me at all.
I could live without the help of my parent, alright. I have my own funds and a stable job that pays me well. I am pretty sure that I can live well even without the help of my parents and the luxury they can give me.
However, I am fully aware that this whole arrangement was my parents' dream in the first place. I already accepted my fate and surrendered to them as deep in my heart, I wanted to be someone who could fulfill their dreams. They introduced this kind of set up to me when I was a kid back then. It became my responsibility to make them achieve their dreams. And that's being too selfless, I know. But I can no longer back out as I wanted it too.
"What's in it for you? Would you like me to create a long list on how this entire set up would benefit you, babe?"
I smiled a bit. Here she goes again! I let out a heavy sigh and just accepted my fate. I can do this for my parents and for their most awaited dream. I reminded myself.
I shouldn't feel bad about this anymore. Anyway, being with Evan Zendejas is not that bad after all.
"I know what you're going to say, Chandria. Obviously, you want Evan to be my husband," I rolled my eyes and then continued to walk on the familiar way going to the office.
She giggled from the other line. I shook my head as I know that she is gushing like a child while in her place. Sometimes, I could only shake my head when she's acting this way. She's really crazy most of the time and her imagination is beyond what I expected it to be. I can't help but to ask myself why I saw a friend in her. Still, I love Chandria despite her craziness and seasonal stupidity.
"Good thing you already knew about it! You should be thankful that I haven't moved on yet from what happened between Sei and me or else I wouldn't stop interfering in your love life!" She took a deep breath. "Speaking of Sei, I miss him already! Is that even okay? To feel this kind of affection towards a man whom you had one steamy night with?"
"Please, stop it. You're getting gross, Chandria!"
She groaned and then screamed from the other line. What a sudden change of emotion, huh! I almost pulled away the phone from my ear because of her loud screams.
"Listen to this, babe! There are only eleven days left before my check up to see if I am pregnant," then she chuckled. "I love you, Nathalie. Will you be my baby's godmother?'
"You're such a crazy babe!" I hissed in disbelief. Her words made me cringe a bit.
I said a few words to her, reminding her that she needs to be careful in everything she does. After that, I ended the call knowing that in the end, my best friend would not even listen because she is really a hard-headed type of a girl.
I went inside the office and walked directly in my table. I started working. I was preparing some documents that I need to submit to Judge Gonzalez. I was scanning through the papers and then put it inside an enveloped and lastly marked it as confidential. After two hours, I started doing my shorthand paper.
I can't even concentrate at work that much. Suddenly, I just felt so nervous. I felt the sudden doubt deep inside my chest. I can't help but to think what will possibly happen by tomorrow and the next coming days...
I began to question myself whether I am really certain about my decision or what. If I am really confident to see what will happen in my life after the engagement, and if I am really prepared to be the woman who would be an equal of him, a partner and someone who will stay with him for this lifetime.
I bit my lower lip as a lot of questions engulfed my mind that made my chest heavy. I am trying to sort out how I feel about this but it seems that I am only failing even though I already made my decision.
I wonder what Evan has been thinking for the whole time. Did he also question himself whether he's making a wrong decision or not? Did he also ask himself if he's truly decided to be a husband to a woman whom he doesn't even love? Did he doubt himself even once?
I inhaled heavily. These questions gave me a little headache. Committing yourself to someone is really harder than I thought. It gets complicated knowing that we don't feel something deeper. We're just doing this for the sake of our business— a mutual gain.
Are you ready go be his woman, Risha Nathalie Saavedra?