Chapter 9

Philippines

"Tamara please, be quiet. “

I gently stroked my sleeping dog keil. I took her to Tamara last night noticing that she had been lethargic these past few days.

Tamara is a good friend of mine, a vet Doctor. We met when I got home from the Philippines. I found her online thru Facebook. She's searching for a good owner to adopt her dogs. And because I needed a roommate I messaged her and that was the beginning of our friendships.

"What are friends for right? Damn it Thalia! I'm going crazy with that guy!"

"News flash. You've been mad for a long time. Talk to him and tell him to leave you alone. Goodbye. That's it."

Her blabbering over a guy went on but the call from my cellphone grabbed my attention

That call from my business number.

"Hello, Thalia Alivarez from Alivarez Event Organizing company! How may I help you?"

"Hello" a baritone and familiar voice I heard.

"Yes sir?"

"Ms. Alivarez? I want you to organize my wedding if its okay with you. A friend recommended your team I heard you're good at your job"

I can’t help but smile. My 2 year old business is now being known by lot of people. When I came home from the Philippines to escape my past, I forced myself to get up on my own two feet.

"Of course sir! In fact we can have a personal meeting about it now if your schedule is free. I can ask my designers or my best event coordinator to meet you if you like"

I am happy! He's probably 5th client today. This is awesome!

"Are you the owner? I want to personally meet you if you have time."

"Ah .. of course sir!"

I watched tamara approach keil to check his IVR.

"Is that the organizer?"

I heard a woman’s voice from the other line probably the man’s fiance.

"Yes honey .. uhm Ms. Alivarez can you meet us here at the bittersweer bliss cafe? Or do you have another place in mind?"

"Oh no, no sir. I am actually a block away from there. And I am a good friend of Ms. Maddie Montereal the owner I know the place. If you could wait for me in 15 minutes sir."

"Of course. No problem."

"Thank you" I immediately picked up the bag and a few pieces of the envelope on top of Tamara's clinic table

"Have clients to meet." I approached her and my dog

"The business is growing even more ha"

I smiled and nodded

"You can say that again. Please make my boo okay I'll be back later."

"Sure thing. After all, the medication works, just take a break"

"Thank you, gotta go see you later Tams!"

It took me more than fifteen minutes to drive from Tamara's clinic to the coffee shop where my client and I met.

Mr. Hidalgo has already told the details of the meeting place. He and his fiance's place is reserved

When I entered the fancy cafe, I was greeted by a waitress with a big smile.

"Good morning Maam! Welcome to bittersweer bliss cafe."

"Im looking for the table of Mr.Hidalgo and his fiance"

Recognition prevailed on the waitress’s face before kindly saying she was waiting for me and brought me to my client’s seat.

The man was alone sitting at the table the waitress said. The back of it was in front of me so I didn't know what he looked like but I still approached.

"I'm so sorry Mr.Hidalgo Im late there's a heavy traffic on my way here ..."

When I saw him I was stunned.

Baxter?

Ezekiel's head soldier and best friend?

"I'm sorry I just went to the comfort room, is she the organizer honey?"

Someone said from behind me. Its damn familiar I wont need to look to confirm.

"Yes Honey, meet Ms. Anthalia Alivarez."

Baxter stared at me intently.

I slowly looked at the woman behind me

Erine

"Equija ??" He was shocked to see me.

"Oh my God. Is that you !?"

He pulled me for a tight hug.

"Oh my God! Equija! Where have you been in the past 2 years!"

No. No. They shouldn’t know I’m here!

"Ah ... ahm Im sorry Maam, but I am not you think I am. My name is Anthalia Alivarez"

Erine slipped away from me and wrinkled deeply as she watched me.

"But .. she looks like you ..." she said softly. I didn't change at all except my hair which is now short and mahogany colored. Far from my long, pitch black hair back then.

"Enough honey, she said she's not Equija. Don't force her to be someone else." Baxter’s voice is meaningful and seemingly sarcastic.

Does he know anything about what happened then?

"I .. Im sorry miss. I thought ... I really am sorry."

I removed the strange feeling and smiled at them. The last time I saw them was in Greece and I didn’t know at the altar they would reach.

"It's okay, shall we start with the meeting?"

I quickly discussed with them the information they should know despite the nervousness, fear and apprehension I was feeling. Add to that Baxter's stare at me and the trace of confusion in Erine's eyes.

"You can choose any from the theme here or if you do have particular in mind?" I smiled at the question

"We want it to be a simple beach wedding with a bit of royalty" Baxter said and looked at and kissed Erine on the lips.

I can see love between them. Im so happy for Erine. She has finally found her happy ending.

"I can do that. For you."

"Thank you Equi ... i mean anthalia. Thank you"

"Nothing ma'am."

Our next meetings are to meet the florist and caterer head for the gathering.

When I finished and left that place I immediately called Tamara.

"Tamara! You won't believe it! Erine is my wedding client! They saw me!"

"Oh God! For real ?? What did you say? What happened?"

That was the lamest thing I did. Pretend I didn't know them. Especially with Erine. All she did was to take care of me and treated me like her sister but what did I do?

I betrayed them. I left without saying goodbye. I had to. Because it’s not just myself who’s having a hard time. I had to because that's what it should be.

"Thalia .. does that mean ... you will meet and meet your husband?"

"I'm not the one she married Tamara. Its Equija. The woman he loves so No. I'm not his wife . And yes. I'm preparing myself for that ..."