Serving Into Your Heart

Prologue

"Hoy, Amelie! You are taking forever!" Jelena huffed. Funny, since she was the one who overslept, even though she is usually the early bird in our group.

Now, she is standing in front of the mirror, effortlessly stunning in her green cowl neck maxi dress. Her make-up is flawless, and sinusuout na lang niya ang pair ng kanyang dangling earrings. Her hair was already done by the time I saw her. Well, of course, her boyfriend is here. Sana all may jowang love language ay acts of service, 'di ba?

I had just finished slipping into my own green backless maxi dress when Gustav, Jelena's boyfriend, started curling the ends of my hair. He is like the brother I never had, since I grew up as an only child.

As he worked, I began my makeup routine. We are headed to Tim and Rhona's wedding-our old classmates and playmates. Who would have thought those two were destined for each other? Back when we trained together, they could not even share a court without arguing.

"Pili ka na, Amelie ko." Jelena called, holding out a box overflowing with accessories. I chose the green sapphire drop earrings that perfectly matches my outfit.

After Gustav finished my hair, I flashed him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Gustav!"

My dress hugged my curves just right, and I felt like a goddess with my makeup done. With my 3-inches heels and butterfly zircon necklace, I took a quick outfit-of-the-day picture. Of course, the three of us also squeezed in for a photo on my iPhone 14 Pro Max, deep purple, 256GB fully paid, baby.

"So, gorgeous ladies, who is driving?" Gustav asked, flashing a grin. I volunteered-third-wheeling again, but that is fine. Strong independent woman naman ako... or at least, that is what I tell myself when I realize nobody is here to baby me.

"Anyway, are we complete later?" I asked as I pulled the keys to him.

"Why, do you want to see someone?" Gustav teased, earning a playful laugh from Jelena. He knows I am still not over... err, let us not go there.

"Tangek. Can I not just ask a question? Don't you miss me diving?"

"I do not," Jelena chimed in, smirking. "I see you every day."

"Then move into Gustav's condo, so you have to." I shot back, rolling my eyes.

"No thanks, I don't want you to miss me too much." Jelena tossed her hair dramatically. I whispered under my breath, in your dreams, though she is right, but Gustav's condo is literally next to ours.

We arrived at Villa Milagros, the venue for the garden wedding. It is breathtaking-so elegant and big that if I could, I would live here forever. Pero alam niyo kasi, social climber kami ng bestfriend kong si Dawn. Charot.

"Wow, speaking of the devil." I spotted Dawn from afar and yelled her name, watching as she sprinted toward me for a hug.

"Kaya pala nakagat ko dila ko. Iniisip mo ako!" She pulled my hair playfully, earning a light flick from me.

"Ay, huwag mong hinahawakan ang buhok ko, beh. Masyadong maayos yan para guluhin mo. Sino pala kasama mo?"

"Hulaan mo, kilalang-kilala mo siya." She grinned, and I knew I could not trust that smile. She is the one who will be happiest with the company, not me.

"Teh, I asked for an answer, not a riddle. We are not at work." Laughing, I dragged her toward the ceremony, where Jelena was already seated.

The ceremony was beautiful. "In the name of the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the pastor declared, and we all cheered. I recorded Tim and Rhona's first kiss as a married couple, and uploaded it to my Instagram story, adding "Congratulations! @rhonanana @twimtybird" with the hashtags #SiniguRHONAniTIM and #WhenKaya.

Heading toward the reception, I was eager for the appetizers-partly because I was scouting for potential replacements for my ex, but mostly because, let us be real, who would trade food for a guy? Hindi ka naman mabubusog sa mga matatamis nilang salita.

We were waiting for the newlyweds to finish their photoshoot when I told Jelena I would go look for Dawn.

As I wandered, I could not find the CR and my feet were starting to hurt. Just when I was about to rest, a volleyball hit me square on the head.

"Sorry, miss," someone said from my back, as he held me up. Some guests were playing volleyball nearby, and I was tempted to join, except... ouch.

"Next time, pakihanda naman ako kapag tatamaan niyo. Ang taas kaya ng heels ko!" Pagtataray ko because the guy holding me sounded too attractive to be mad at.

I glanced up... and that was the time I instantly regretted it. There he was, with sharp gray eyes, a chiseled jawline, and lips too pink to ignore. His expression shifted when he recognized me, and I quickly pulled away from his hand.

"You good?" I nodded, ready to leave, but before I could, a staff na may hawak ng mga drinks bumped into me, sending me falling right into his chest, my hands landing on his abs.

I closed my eyes, mortified. He is going to think I did it on purpose. And honestly... maybe a small part of me did not mind.

Before I could embarrass myself further, I made a quick exit, walking like a model to cover up my embarassment.

"Damn self, nabasa pa." I sighed, just as the breeze gently blew through the trees around me.