"Arianna..."
Ellaine turned to the woman seated close to hers. She was still holding her phone with her left hand. "Madam dela Vega just called. She asked me to meet her at the usual place. Would you like to come?"
Arianna smiled.
" Why are you calling her like that! Don't be a stranger! She's your future mother in law." Arianna teased. They were currently sitting inside a hair salon, having their make up and hair done.
It's been a week since Arianna first met Ellaine and they somehow clicked. She often invited her out since then to do some leisurely activities. It's strange, because although she and Ellaine have different personalities, they still enjoy each other's company.
During the days they were hanging out, they happened to reveal things about themselves. One of them was that, Ellaine was madam dela Vega's chosen daughter in law. Their families have been friends for more than a century and they wished their successors to be bound in marriage to strengthen their connection. Ellaine was a sole heiress and there's pretty much nothing she can do about it.
Arianna on the other hand is more secretive. She mentioned once that she pledged to never marry anyone after losing the man she loves. That's just it. She didn't go into details. Whenever Ellaine tried probing further, Arianna would start talking about business matters and that's just enough to make Ellaine stop. As a fine lady raised like a princess, she didn't develop any interest in business management at all.
"Come on! I'll come with you since you let your cousin take the day's off."
***
Meanwhile, inside the restaurant, madam Coralina was already seated at the table, chatting with a young man. Her mood was quite good as he stare at him with a smile.
"Stop staring Ma!"
the guy said as he got a bit embarrassed.
"Why? My son is so handsome. And you're even more handsome now that you're getting healthier. I love the shade of your skin. You're not pale anymore." she complimented him.
The guy lazily stood up, finding her mother's teasing hard to take. "I'll be out for a while. I need to make a phonecall."
Coralina watched as her son left the room. She knew he was lying. He just never liked these blind dates at all. Oh well, could this be considered a blind date? He'll be meeting his fiancee after all. Nevertheless, such things sure put a lot of pressure in him. In the past, she used to mention meeting his fiancee a lot but he always refused to come. So him being here to finally meet Ellaine is already a great blessing!
Coralina didn't wait for a very long time. The woman she was waiting came after a few minutes with Arianna in tow. Coralina was immediately stunned. What kind of situation is this? After she heard that Arianna Reid was his eldest son's most treasured woman, she decided that it was better not to reveal her relationship to Yago at all. She even planned on leaving the city soon, but it looks like no one can outplay destiny.
"Ellaine. You're here." she said before turning to Arianna. "You came, too, Arianna."
Arianna nodded.
"Yes Auntie," she answered as she pulled a chair for Ellaine and herself. "Why are you alone?"
"Well, my son stepped out for a while. He'll come back soon." Coralina fished out her phone from her bag secretly and tried composing a message under the table. She was trying to send Vier a mail saying not to return to the room yet.
Arianna was watching the woman's expression since she came. Her awkward smile and anxious voice. Her troubled expression and secretive movements, all of them were telling her something wasn't right.
"Madam" she called, changing how she addressed the woman. "You can tell me straight if I'm not welcomed here. You don't have to feel burdened. I invited myself here, anyway."
Arianna had always been a straight forward person. Beating about the bush and playing ignorant was never her style. Feeling unwelcomed, Arianna stood-up, ready to leave. Just when she was turning around to exit, the door suddenly opened from the outside. A young man with a nonchalant stance entered the room throwing a quick glance at the guests.
Immediately, Arianna was stunned. She stood rooted to the ground as she stared at the man's face. Something in her heart was stirred. That face...
How long has it been since she last saw that handsome face?
Arianna's face carried a pained expression. She wanted to run into his arms so much, but she couldn't move her feet. She can't even utter a word.
The man's eyes darkened when he saw Arianna's expression. He was about to greet her when he heard his mother call him.
"You're here... Vier."
Vier...
Arianna instantly came back to her senses. Yes. The person in front of her isn't Yago. Yago's gone. He will never come back and all of this is this person's fault. She clenched her hand to a fist and forced herself to speak.
"So.... it turns out this is a private meeting between engaged couples. You should've said sooner, Madam." she turned to the other lady and tried to smile, but her eyes were sad and cold.
"Ellaine, I'll be leaving first." she said as she hurriedly walked away from those people and out of that suffocating room.
***
Ellaine looked at the elderly woman awkwardly. "Madam, I think I should go after her."
Coralina sighed. She didn't wish to offend Arianna at all.
"Please take a seat. We need to talk about something important."
Coralina looked at her son signaling him to sit down. Ellained couldn't refuse at all so she gave the woman a chance to speak.
"Ellaine, Vier and I are going home tomorrow. I would like to ask you to come back with us. "Coralina paused for a while, watching Ellaine's change in expression. "We're planning to hold your engagement in ten days time."
Ellaine turned to look at Vier, as if waiting for him to object. But Vier only sat there silently as he stared at her. Did he give his consent on this?
"Ellaine, please come back with us. We need to settle the engagement as soon as possible."
They.... only have this little time.