"Mr. D, I don't like cliffhangers. So spit it out," I urge him. I always know that there's always a sense to what he says behind his weirdness.
"Jessica, in Merchant of Venice, says that love is blind and lovers cannot see. But I'd still say it's stupid."
I laugh. Mr. D is indeed versatile. Aside from his immense knowledge about art and technology, I realize he's also well-versed in literature. Thus, the famous Shakespeare's quote.
"It's because you're not in love yet." Or maybe, your EQ is low, I tell myself.
He tilts his head sideward and stares at me. "What's so good about having someone who is not yours?"
Then, he leaves without looking back. I also stand dumbfounded, my mouth hanging open as I stare at his retreating figure.
What is Mr. D thinking? Could it be because of Zed's interest in Yen's portraits? I had the same sentiment as him, so I understand.
I then rush inside the ladies' restrooms, my thoughts still on Mr. D. Despite my strong suspicion that it's about the paintings, there's a part of me that is curious of what is really in his mind.
My eyes pop out and my heart beats race when I see the woman who glared at me an hour ago, standing by the restroom sink. Her back is facing me but I see her entire face and body on the mirror.
I look away and draw a deep breath to calm myself. I should act nonchalantly; I don't know her anyway. If not for the photo Mr. Banzon gave me as an added reference, I wouldn't have known that she's the woman that James told me about.
"You know me, I know it. Before you hooked on James, you must have looked into his background. I'm the woman he loves, the mother of his child, if you want to make it clear."
I pull my brows as I look at her. So, I was right all along. Those glares were really for me, and not for Kim and Yen. However, I don't remember James telling me that he loves this woman. But, of course, a man doesn't admit that openly to his new lover.
"I don't understand. Sorry," I murmur, still pretending I don't know her. I walk towards the sink on the end corner of the island, my eyes not leaving her.
"I'm not stupid that I don't understand your pretension, Miss Ella. You know that I'm Maezy, James and Kim's woman."
I scan my eyes on her. She wears a black, above-the-knee dress that hugs her body. She's petite and shapely in that designer dress, but I don't like the feisty and cunning aura that radiates around her. Her purse that sits by the sink vessel also has the logo of a luxurious brand.
"What do you want and why are you here?" I ask, glancing at her through the mirror.
"Good questions, but I'm not answering that. I'm leaving anyway. I just want to talk to you."
She shrugs before pulling out a tissue paper from the rack and wiping her hands. I also place my hands under the faucet, watching the water as it sprays on my fingers. I then take time in lathering my hands with the liquid soap before I wash them thoroughly.
"Spill it out," I say. Then, I place my hands under the dryer that was on the wall on my left side. I glance at her again and see her dabbing a powder on her cheeks.
"James is out there, suffering in that stinky cell. But what are you doing? Instead of finding ways to get him out, you're warming the bed of the man who pushed him into that situation."
I furrow my brows, contorting them into a hard frown. Zed is not the man who brought his issues into the court, but Kim. A sly smile breaks on her lips, and then it dawns on me that maybe this woman has gone crazy. Who wouldn't be? A woman like her who lives in sick ambitions can get deranged after being stripped of her glory. And a professional won't come uninvited to any party.
"You don't believe me, but if you wish to know the whole story, reach me through this number." She pulls out a small piece of paper from her bag, drops it in front of me before she turns to leave.
I stare at the number on the paper, debating within myself if I should keep it or not. But then my phone rings. I open my purse to check the caller and see Zed's name on the screen.
"Yes," I mumble, remembering the glint of worry in his eyes when I told him about Maezy.
"Babe, are you alright? You're taking so long."
"I'm fine, yes. Wait a minute."
I pull out my phone, click my cam app, then take a shot on the small paper. To conceal the traces of anxiety on my face, I pick up my makeup kit and do a quick retouch.
"Dear, you make me worried," Zed's voice from the door frame makes me look up in his direction. His handsome face greets my eyes, but his worried expression touches me.
"What are you talking about? I'm just retouching my makeup."
He heaves out a sigh, then extends his hand to me. "Come, Ara is looking for you already."
I nod and place my right hand in his. He looks into my eyes then pulls me close for a peck on the lips.
"I don't want to ruin your effort, so let's go," he says, staring longingly at my lips.
I laugh, surprising myself on how quickly I forget the tension that comes from Maezy and Mr. D. But then who can stand unaffected by his affectionate gaze?
Ara struts toward us like a proud peacock before Zed and I reach our table. I can't help smiling at her, appreciating how she does the extra miles for Zed. I even wonder if Yen doesn't mind her doing this for us. Ara is her best friend, but here she is, doing everything to make our engagement party unforgettable.
"Oh, there you are. Prepare for the dance as your finale. Then, one of you will speak to formally close the program. After that, the guests can either leave or hang out. And the dancefloor is open until 3 am."
"Yes, madame. Thank you," says Zed, and Ara sticks her tongue out.
"Of course, this comes with a price. Do you ever think this is free?" Rich and husky laughter rings from Zed, making me laugh as well.
Soon, Zed leads me to the dancefloor. A piece of beautiful music then fills the air, instantly lifting my mood into the heights of indescribable feeling. Although I'm swept off to a world where only Zed and I exist, I can still feel the crowd hushing. Their eyes are on us, and the expression on their faces tells me that the music has also transported them into a timeless page where only dreaming hearts can speak.
Then, the rich and delicate voice of the singer then floats, relaying the male character's love for a woman. Every word in a stanza, every high and low octaves, and every crescendo and gradual fading of the orchestrated music into the background pierces deep into my heart.
"You and a lifetime, you and forever, is all I need…"
I'm so lost in the music and that angelic voice of the singer that I haven't realized I'm already crying as I snuggle into Zed's chest. He also holds me close, gently swaying both of us into the rhythm of the music. I wish we can stay like this forever, sailing in the clouds of boundless affection. But the roaring round of applause tells me that my reveries have ended.
Zed then lifts my chin and claims my lips tenderly. And another round of applause comes thundering in my ears.
"That was such a wonderful song for the fiancee," the lady of the ceremony says. Then she looks at me, "Miss Ella, have you ever thought before this that Mr. Zed can sing?"
My eyes fly wide as the realization hits me. That was Zed, singing for me! And that's why the voice sounds familiar and soothing.
I grab his face, kissing him wildly. The crowd also goes crazy with me. They all squeal as they rise from their seat, giving us another thunderous round of applause!
I then release Zed, and then we face our audience. As soon as I lift my eyes, I see Yen smiling but it doesn't reach her eyes. What she feels is normal, but why does she allow herself to be emotionally tortured?
"To everyone around who shares our joy at this moment, thank you so much for gracing this event. Many thanks as well to the wonderful lady who works behind the scene. Tonight won't be as successful and memorable if not because of her." Zed pauses as he gazes at Ara, making the crowd follow his eyes.
Ara gasps as she realizes the attention she gets, but then she pokes out her tongue on Zed, making everyone erupt again in laughter.
"Miss Ara, we can't thank you enough. Tonight is as lovely as you are, but I'm sorry, my sweetheart is loveliest in my eyes," Zed pauses and chuckles as he gazes lovingly at me. The crowd also squeals.
"We will be tying the knot soon and the invitation will soon be on its way."