Chapter 6: Am I seeing an angel?
It's been a week since I went to Kelley's house for a family dinner. I got a call from the wedding planner the next day and we are still working out some details for the wedding until now. We never ask the
arrogant's opinion anymore as his mother gave me all the decisions.
I was in my office watching the latest video of my former students who joined the international competition when I heard a knock from outside the door.
"Sophia."
I glanced up and smiled when I saw it's Craig.
"Craig." I noticed the two people behind him and was about to ask if who they are when the woman called me by my old nickname.
"Belle?"
I blinked repeatedly and gasped when I finally recognized her.
"Rian?" I stood up immediately as she walked closer towards my desk.
"Oh my God! It's really you, Belle!"
"Rian!"
We both squealed in excitement and rushed towards each other. She hugged me tightly.
"How are you, Rian? You looked more beautiful, girl." I said in awe. She's my friend from college, I was just two years ahead of her, but still, we became close and treated each other as a sister. "I missed you, Belle, so much."
"I missed you too. How are you?" I asked her as I still couldn't believe we saw each other again. She's one of my closest friends in college and the only person I shared my story with. "Well, I'm married."
She said raising her hand to show me her wedding ring.
"Wow, congratulations!" I exclaimed and stopped to look at the man behind her.
"Oh no! Not to him. He's just my best friend, Gavin."
"I see. Hi, Gavin." Although I'm still confused, I offered my hand for a handshake. He accepted my hand and kissed me on the cheek.
"I'm just confused. How did you two meet each other? And Rian, why do you call her 'Belle'? I thought her name is Sophia?"
I chuckled at his question.
"It comes from my second name, Ysabelle. Sophia Ysabelle is my real name and Belle was her nickname for me when we were in college." I said gesturing them to take a seat.
"And believe it or not, she's my mentor back in college and she was the one who introduced me to my band," Rian replied to his first question with a proud smile.
"Wow! But if you were Rian's mentor in singing, how did you become a dance instructor?"
They both gave me a confused look.
"Well, actually I was doing a part-time job before, like what Rian's said. And after I graduated, I don't know, but I just found myself more into dancing than singing. Maybe because when I was a kid, my mom enrolled me in a different dance class, so I pursued dancing. I enrolled in a dance school again and later bought my studio."
"So, you're now totally in dancing? By the way, are you still playing instruments?" Rian asked me.
"Uhm, sometimes when I'm in the mood, I still play guitar and piano."
"Wow!" Gavin exclaimed in awe.
"Yes. May I just ask, Rian, are you still in your band?" I asked her as I remembered she was the lead vocalist of her band before.
"Yup, but I'm not as active as before. Actually, we performed three months ago."
"Wow.. that's great. Anyway, what made you visit my dance studio?"
"Ohh.. actually we're really looking for the best dance instructor in town. We joined a dance competition in our company and will perform within the second week of next month. And you were referred to us by my cousin Rolly. He said you can help us perform well in our upcoming competition."
"Is it Rolly Sarmiento?"
"Yes."
"Oh, so he's your cousin? He's a good friend of mine." I informed him, smiling.
"Well, it's not a really big competition, it's just part of our company's thanksgiving event. And he said you're one of the best coaches who can help us with this."
"Hmm... okay, but you know what, he's my friend that's why he talks about such things." I chuckled and waved my hands in the air. I'm not yet used in such kind of complement.
"Belle, I don't believe you. I know you're not going to exceed in this kind of job if you don't have talent and passion. I haven't seen you in this field yet, but I believe you're the best." Rian patted my hand that was resting on top of my desk.
"Ohh... Rian, you haven't changed." I said shaking my head. "So, what type of dance are you going to perform?" I asked them as I leaned against my seat.
They told me what they wanted to perform, but I gave them some suggestions and eventually, they both agreed with the contemporary acrobatic dance. I told them that they should do some acrobatic stunts and I also suggested to some aerial stunts to make their performance unique and alive.
I saw the happiness that shone on Rian's eyes while she's telling me some parts of her love story. I still can't believe that she's already married, but seeing how happy she is at the moment, that made me happy for her too.
We exchanged numbers and social media accounts, but I didn't tell her about my situation, that I'm also getting married three weeks from now. I know I can't hide it from her forever, but I'm not ready to share it with her yet. Maybe after the wedding.
"How are you feeling today?"
I turned and saw Craig leaning against the doorframe of my room. Today is our engagement party and it will start at three pm. It's already one o'clock in the afternoon but I'm still in front of my vanity mirror. "Tensed and Nervous," I replied with a sigh.
He chuckled as he walked in and sat on the edge of the bed.
"And why are you feeling nervous, it's just a fake engagement?"
"Yes, the idea was fake, but this engagement is real. And I'm not nervous because of this event, I feel nervous about what I can do for that Daniel Kelley if he tries to insult me in front of everyone!" "That's the spirit, girl! Don't be swayed by your fiance. You know what, if I just don't have an appointment this afternoon, I'll go with you."
"Yeah, I also wish you can go with me." I pouted at him.
"By the way, will he pick you up or will you go there alone?"
"No, Mrs Kelley's driver will pick me up at two. And what did you say, if the famous and arrogant Daniel Kelley will pick me up? Nah! That is so impossible to happen, even if you pray for all the Saints!" "Well, I believe you with that, but guess what? I saw his picture from the California top men's magazine and gosh, Sophia! Your husband is so hot and sexy, and not to mention he's also handsome!" I can't help but roll my eyes. "Yeah, hot and sexy but rude and arrogant in real life!"
"Hmph." he put his arms over his chest. "Well, good luck girl because after your wedding, you're going to live with that rude but hot and sexy husband of yours." he winked at me.
"I don't care!" I shrugged. "As long as he will not invade my personal space!"
"What if you fall in love with him?"
"Excuse me?" my head snapped in his direction. "That would never happen! Over my beautiful body!" I said with narrowed eyes, but he just laughed at me.
"Okay, like what I always say, 'good luck'."
Daniel's POV:
Twenty minutes and the party will about to start, but my so-called fiancee hasn't arrived yet. I have been checking my wristwatch and counting the minutes for her arrival, but I still can't catch a glimpse of her. "Ohh... are you waiting for your beautiful fiancée?" Andrew asked as he gave me a glass of red wine. "Relax, I'm sure she will come."
"Relax? I've been waiting for her for almost thirty minutes! And the party will start within twenty minutes, but she's still not here!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Whoa! Did I hear it right? You've been waiting for her for almost thirty minutes?"
"Because I told you, the party will start in twenty minutes!" I avoided his gaze, but I didn't miss his smirk.
"Then why didn't you volunteer to pick her up today? So, you're not worried waiting for her."
"I'm not worried! And she's not my real fiancée to make me waste my time on picking her!"
"Oh, you're not worried? Okay, I can see that." he chuckled but I glared at him. "What if she didn't come, what would you do?"
I gave him a devious smirk before answering his question.
"Then I will have to drag her into the middle of this party with the fucking paparazzi and all sorts of media around us! I know she hates it, but if she tries to back out right on this moment, I will make her life a living hell!" I gripped the glass on my hand.
"But if you do such a thing, that means you will introduce her to the world. And the whole world will know that you're already married."
"I don't care, because as soon as these European businessmen have signed the contract with KI Corporation, I will file a divorce right away!"
"Alright." he shrugged. "If that happens, can I have her?"
I crunched eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"I like her. And to tell you honestly, I really like her Daniel."
I gripped the glass on my right hand. Suddenly I felt my blood rush to my head.
"So when that happens and you two were already divorced, maybe by then it won't be a problem for you if I court her."
I was about to answer him when I heard my Mom's voice behind us. I immediately calmed my nerves and turned to her.
"Daniel, your fiancée is on her way. Don't you want to go out and walked with her inside the venue?" She winked at me, grinning widely.
"Come on, Mom. Don't play cupid with us because that's not gonna happen." I complained as I walked towards her.
"But I'm not playing cupid, my son. I just want you to walk with her inside the venue, so some of your business colleagues will know that this isn't just an arranged marriage."
I just shook my head. "Mom, you're not a good actress."
"It's okay, at least I am the best Mom to you and your sister."
"Of course you are." I kissed her cheek before walking out of the living room to wait for my so-called fiancée's arrival.
But I was just about to step out from the front door when my mother's car pulled up in the garage. I know she told her driver to take Sophia from her apartment. I headed straight to the garage and my eyes landed on the woman in a tight purple dress.
Her back is facing me and she's talking to someone on her phone. I waited for her to ended the call before getting her attention.
"You're late!"
Then she turned around that made my breath stuck in my throat. And suddenly I remembered what Andrew had said during our family dinner. 'Am I seeing an angel?'