Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 46

Permanently

"Sabihin mo nga ang pangalan ko. Buong pangalan a. Dali!"

"Ako muna, ako muna! Kanina ka pa, e!" Kim interjected, stopping Aurora and stepping forward.

"Sabihin mo nga kung gaano ako kaganda, Celeste." She instructed me.

Tiningnan ko lang silang dalawa na nababaliw na. They've been asking me to do this since a while ago, and I can't tell if they're messing with me or genuinely happy for me.

"Y-you both can leave now," I stammered with my still shaky voice.

They both clapped their hands in excitement, shouting even louder. I'm not sure if we're audible outside my office, and I'd be embarrassed if we were.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! It's true! You can talk again! Gago, Celeste! I'm so happy for you!" Aurora exclaimed with joy, bounding over to me to give me a hug.

"Para kang tanga talaga! Nakipag meeting na nga siya kanina, e. What more proof do you need?" Kim teased her and approached me for a hug as well. We ended up in a group hug.

"But I'm really happy for you too, Celeste. Seriously."

I managed a smile and returned their embrace. Nasa ganong posisyon kami nang biglang dumating si Pau at Rusty na parehong nakangisi.

"Celebration? Shouldn't you be out of the office for that?" Rusty greeted me, kissing my cheek. I caught Kim and Aurora exchanging glances. "Count me in for the celebration."

"What are you doing here? I don't have a scheduled meeting with you, right?" I asked him.

Both Kim and Aurora continued to stare at us, clearly intrigued.

"Eh... Just wanted to drop by and check up on you, Celeste," he said.

I glanced at Pau when she handed me a bouquet of flowers.

"For you, Ma'am."

"Kanino galing?"

"From Sir Rusty," she replied. I could hear Rusty's hearty laughter.

"Sino pa bang inaasahan mong magbibigay sayo ng bulaklak? Yung gagong yon?" Aurora chimed in, earning herself a glare from me.

Rusty remained focused on me.

"Pero bakit bulaklak? Are we missing something here?" Kim joined in.

I could feel my cheeks warming as I accepted the bouquet.

"Masaya lang ako para sa kanya dahil tuloy-tuloy na ang recovery niya. Yun lang yun." I heard Rusty answer my friends, while I arranged the few stems of roses in a vase. They'd wilt if left neglected.

"O talaga ba? Parang di naman," Aurora continued to tease, earning another glare from me.

"Alright, fine. Aalis na ako. Pupunta ako sa boutique. Wala ba kayong mga trabaho?"

"Fine, fine. We're going. Pero mamayang gabi ha? Don't be a party pooper, Celeste. We rarely go out. Let's celebrate your recovery, please!" Kim insisted.

I had no choice but to nod. They've been talking about it since yesterday. Noong una ay dinner lang ang usapan pero ang Aurora na ito ay gusto sa bar.

"Pumayag na si Oliver. Di ko naman siya titigilan hangga't hindi pumapayag," ani Aurora saka humalakhak.

"Ba't ganyan mukha mo? Ayos ka lang?" Rusty asked, touching my arm. I realized he was still here.

I adjusted my bag and glanced at him.

"Dito ka lang ba? May pupuntahan ako. Do you need anything else?"

"Saan ba? I can drive you. Tara," he said, causing my jaw to drop.