"Zoey, I have got something to tell you!" Her coworker from abroad screeched after Zoey answered her call.
"Aren't you worried that it would cost a lot for calling me here? Why didn't you just messaged me instead?"
"Nah! Not a chance. This news is hit like an iron plate and I need to tell it you personally";
Zoey shifted her body and laid on the couch. "Okay then, hit me with it."
"Which one do you want to hear first, the good one or the bad one?" Her friend didn't even give her a chance to choose as she continued her so-called hot news to her.
"I heard this afternoon that they are planning to bring a branch in your country. You don't need to stay here then if that is true." Her friend excitedly announced.
Zoey was dumbfounded when she heard the news. But deep inside her, she was torn between wanting to go back and stay away or stay here with her family.
"You can thank me later because I sent you to the human resource department. They were selecting who will move to join the team in your country."
--
Saturday, Amila's birthday party
The Alcantara arrived at the venue of the celebration. A waiter escorted the family to their table near the stage. It was the 27th birthday of Amila, the only daughter of Mrs. Alcantara's friend. Amila and Zoey were once very close friends of each other. Their mothers were both in good terms since they were both members of the village community and their church organization.
Amila had a long time crush on Zoey's brother, Zick. That is why she treated her very well. She wanted Zick to see that she was good enough as a person, as she treated his dearest sister very well.
She even requested her mom to ask Mrs. Alcantara if she could ask Zick to her escort.
At first, she was against this celebration as she thought she was old enough not to celebrate her birthday in this way but when she realized that in this kind of party she needed to have an escort she agreed with her mom who doted on her since she was young.
The Alcantaras were like celebrities since they all look well, from Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara who didn't look like they were already in their fifties to their young-looking children.
Zoey wore a champagne silky plunge extreme split maxi dress that exposed her snow-white skin and legs, her hair was tied in a messy bun.
Zick, however, wore a suit matching with what the celebrant was wearing, his moss-green men suit was perfectly fitted to his broad shoulders and masculine body, even his hair was well-kept falling backward. His seducing smile was alluring to see and it was destroying the ovaries of a lot of women.
Many of Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara's friends were already asking them what kind of baby formula they used to have this kind of offspring. Some were even joking that the younger Alcantaras were both descendants from heaven and not Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara's real children.
The proud parent had their heads up as they were exhibiting their finest creation.
A waiter gave Zoey a champagne flute glass with a drink in it and a rose with a note on the side. "A delivery for you, young Miss Alcantara."
Zoey received the glass and the flower, she read the note then returned it back to the waiter. "Whoever gave this to you, kindly return it back? Thanks."
The waiter started to rebut but lost his chance when Zick clung his glass to his sister's. If anyone saw them together and didn't know what kind of relationship do they have, they might have thought that they a power couple. Unfortunately, they were brother and sister.
"What's that?" Zick went closer to his sister's ear and asked her what the commotion was all about.
"Nothing!" Zoey answered her brother with just one word as she didn't want to elaborate more about the rose and the note.
When all the guests had arrived, Amila's mom went to Zick and told him that the party was about to start, he stood up and went to the entrance and waited for Amila to arrive.
People were waiting to see the celebrant as she hid her from society. After graduating from college, Amila focused her attention on different charitable works and traveled around the country to help the less fortunate children. Although her parents were against her career path, they were still proud that their daughter had a good heart to help those who needed help.
The lights turned off, the hall turned to pitch black, nothing around could be seen, a moment later, an arm cling to Zick's and he heard a soft voice saying, "Amila here, don't panic".
When Zick heard her speak, he calmed himself and guided her arms comfortably to his. If it was a stranger who tries to cling to his arm, that arm might have been dislocated the moment he touched the fabric of his suit. As a doctor, Zick had a good sense of touch compared to his lazy sister. Zoey won't even notice that a cockroach has landed on her body even after a few minutes or after it tried to move around her.
Amila was very nervous when she saw Zick standing at the entrance of the hall and waiting for her. She already missed her chance during her début but now she decided to savor the moment. She was near her lifelong crush, for the night.