Maezy. Right, she's the one.
I never remember inviting her here. And even if she's Ara's friend, I don't believe she will be bold enough to invite her. Her gaze is flaming like she's about to devour me alive. I don't have to think twice to conclude that those stares are deadly and full of hatred. But why?
"Love, what's wrong?" Zed whispering in my ear has me come back to my senses. I haven't noticed that he has already ended his opening remark.
I tilt my head to look at him, then move my eyes towards the woman. Even if I haven't lingered my gaze on her for even half a second, I know Zed has followed me. I look at him again affectionately, and he also locks his eyes on me meaningfully, our smile never leaving our lips. In the eyes of the crowd, we are one sweet couple -- lost in the tide of the moment -- whispering sweet nothings.
Zed doesn't reply as the lady of the ceremony mentions us again. She grabs our attention as she announces that the next part is a song rendition by a famous singer. The audience then erupts into thunderous applause. With the limelight momentarily taken from us, Zed guides me to the table at the side of the stage.
"It's Maezy."
I nod, but a frown creeps across my face. "She looks furious."
Zed looks at me for a moment, but he's lost in his thoughts. Then, he shakes his head and says, "Not at you, but Kim and Yen. It's a long story, but I will tell you about it later." Zed has no idea that I have already heard Maezy and Kim's story.
Although he looks calm and still smiling, I can sense that he, too, is worried.
"How come she's here? Have we invited her?"
Zed reaches for my hand. "No, but I'll find out."
"I also see Miss Yen and Mr. Mori," my tone suggests my displeasure that they are here. I don't mind meeting them in the company, but not on this occasion. People may not seem to mind, but it makes us all feel awkward. I can feel their stolen and contemptuous glances at us.
"Yes, they have come."
I feel like a robot throughout the rest of the program. Even if Ara has prepared a lot of activities, my mind is somewhere else. I follow her instructions and laugh with the crowd, but I feel like I'm floating. The mysterious presence of Maezy really bothered me like a bad omen is on its way.
Halfway during the dinner, Ara sways her way towards our table. "Let's go table hopping for the pictorial. You may continue eating after this."
I'm about to protest, but she raises her hand, gesturing for the cameraman to follow. She walks ahead, and to my dismay, she walks toward Kim and Yen's table.
This woman is indeed brainless! She always puts me on a hot seat.
"Congratulations!" Kim extends his hands to us first. Yen also follows, wearing a sweet smile on her face.
I watch Zed from my peripheral views, observing his reaction. But to my surprise, I see no glints of uneasiness in his eyes. He indeed has moved on.
"Thank you. And thanks for coming," I say, shifting my eyes between the two of them, a genuine smile stretching on my lips. Somehow, Yen's image with that sad eyes flashes at the back of my mind.
"Of course. Although something happened in the past, I know all of us have moved on," answers Kim. He then looks at Yen, wraps an arm around her shoulders, and adds, "Right, darling?"
I see Yen's eyes dart wide, but she manages to recover in a few seconds. She nods and says, "We're even business partners."
Goosebumps spreads over me as I take in the awkwardness I feel inside. I also nod and smile like an idiot, trying to hide the turbulence raging inside me. I am not a hypocrite, but ever since Zed proposed to me, I can't help dreading the possibility of them getting back together. I can't even take my mind off from imagining that Zed had been making out and sleeping with this woman.
"When is the big day?" Kim asks.
"As soon as possible. One month after?" Zed replies, and Kim chuckles.
"isn't it a little too fast?" I wonder how this man's stomach can tolerate such inconvenience. I don't believe he doesn't feel awkward.
"We're even late. Our child is already five months old."
Silence follows, and I feel their eyes on me. To cut the discomfort, I turn to the cameraman. To my relief, the cameraman quickly acknowledges me.
"Are we going to have pictures now, ma'am?"
"Yes, please."
He then steps in our front, calling our attention. As he keeps reshuffling our places to arrange us according to our heights, Zed ends up standing behind Miss Yen. I throw a discreet glance at Zed, and I see him staring at her back. I shut my eyes. No, I should not give it a meaning.
"Okay, good," says the cameraman, raising his right thumb.
I wave my hands at them, finding this opportunity to escape to the next table. Then, maybe, I'll finally get my peace there. Sitting around on that table I'm aiming for is a woman in her fifties and a man who is slightly older than her.
"Hello, sir, madame," I say, giving out my hand to them. "Thanks for coming over." I turn to look at Zed, expecting him to greet this couple with their names. He smiles at me and gives me a quick, meaningful stare. But before Zed can say anything, the woman has opened her mouth first.
"Miss Sahara, I really appreciate the sportsmanship you show. If I were in your place, I would be uncomfortable," says the woman as soon as we come to them. The man beside her glares at her, but seeing how the woman frowns, Zed steps in.
"Past is past. What makes everyone suffer is their reluctance to let go."
The woman sneers. "It must be so difficult to pretend, right? And how can some people enjoy in someone else's misfortune?"
Damn! What does this woman know about us? I stare at her, waiting for her next words.
"Excuse me, madame. I understand what you mean, but I'm sorry. Now isn't the time to talk about it. May we have a pose with you?" Zed's smile remains as wide as the woman's grim face.
"No-"
"Yes," the man cut off the woman's refusal. She starts glaring, but the cameraman swiftly aims his gadget toward us. His assistant is also quick with his lighting equipment.
We quickly leave the table after one shot and proceed to the next. Ara tails us, but she's unusually silent. I wanted to ask if she knew who those people were, but she suddenly shifted into her enthusiastic self. And I can't afford to ruin it.
"Hello," she greets happily. "Please meet the best couple of the night." The guests at that table then stand and greet us. I feel better for the first time during this table-hopping ordeal.
We proceed to the next tables until we have greeted everyone around. Then, feeling exhausted, I excuse myself for the bathroom. Just when I reach the entrance, I see Mr. D leaning his back on the wall, looking at me lazily.
"Mr. D," I greet him, the corners of my lips twisting into a smile. All my days at my new office have been fun and lively because of him.
"I wish to congratulate you, but I can't."
I pull my face into a frown. "What does that mean?"
"You'll see." With that, he turns and leaves me gaping at his back.