Carisia
I stared at my reflection in the mirror while my stylist was doing final touches to my outfit.
She helped me put on my black coat that cuts just above the knee and fits around my waist perfectly. Under it was a black strap top and black trousers.
"You are going to turn heads tonight, Madam!" my stylist commented as she fixed some of the strands on my wavy, volumized hair sitting on my right shoulder.
"I should," I replied.
I'm Enrico's wife, the owner of one of the biggest holdings in the country-- of course, I should be turning heads tonight.
Since I began getting ready for tonight, Enrico has been out and about-- meeting with various company owners who will be joining tonight's event. We haven't seen each other since.
After the final touches, I took my clutch bag and I headed downstairs to where a car is waiting to bring me to the venue.
I kinda hate it that Enrico is not here to accompany me, but I realized that I don't need to always be next to him. I am powerful enough in my own right.
The drive only took about 10 minutes, and I was dropped off outside a tall, glass building. There were media people taking photos while I was being greeted by the welcoming committee.
I'm too tired to smile and talk to people, but I had to.
"Good evening, Carisia! So glad you could join us!" Ms. Wright, one of our close friends from our UK venture greeted when she saw me.
"You are stunning!" she added.
"Good evening! You look gorgeous, as well, Millie," I complimented her.
"Your husband has been looking for you. I was talking to him earlier, and I wondered where you were. He said he wasn't sure if you can make it because you were a bit tired from the trip?"
She gently held me by the arm out of concern.
I smiled as I tapped her hand. "I'm fine, no worries. Where's your husband, by the way?"
She chuckled, jokingly rolling her eyes. "Talking with your husband, as usual! Come!"
We walked together inside, and the chatterings of our fellow guests welcomed us inside the huge venue.
The place was gorgeously decorated with black and gold accents, making it feel a lot formal.
Everyone was in their best looks tonight. Some of the faces I passed by were close business friends, some were familiar, and some I haven't encountered in person yet.
Straight away, I saw my husband by a cocktail table, talking to three other guys. They look engrossed in their discussion which is led by the great Enrico Ignacio.
"Hold on, I will be back," Millie whispered to me so I smiled and gave her a nod before walking over to where my husband is.
The men he was talking to, immediately saw me, but Enrico didn't since his back is facing my direction.
I think he noticed that the people he was talking to, got their attention diverted to someone behind him so he turned around.
I couldn't quite read his expression, but he looked surprised. His glance lingered from my heels, up to my face where our eyes met.
He still wasn't speaking so I walked over and wrapped my right arm around his nape so I can pull him closer for a kiss.
Our eyes stared at each other for quite some time after that.
"Nakapagpahinga ka?"
Those were the first words that came out of his mouth.
"Yes, I had enough rest," I said, smiling and softly tapping his cheek.
After our little moment, I walked past him so I can greet the others.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
I subtly glanced at Enrico out of the corner of my eye who was still staring at me, looking fascinated with my appearance.
***
I was getting overstimulated with everything that's been happening around me so I excused myself for the restroom just to have a few minutes to myself.
The two speakers for the night just wrapped up their speeches so the rest of the event would be for mingling with other people.
I'm feeling nauseous again so I stood by the sink, prepared to throw up. Actually, kanina pa ako nahihilo pero hindi ko ipinapahalata dahil baka magtanong pa ang mga kasama namin.
Right after the usual sickness, I touched up myself with a few sprays of perfume, and a layer of lipstick.
When I walked out of the restroom, it wasn't hard to find Enrico because I know just where I left him.
Hindi pa ako nakakalapit, may napansin na kaagad ako na tinitignan niya from across the room.
My eyesight hovered from him, following the path that he's looking at, and that's when I realized who it was.
Akala ko ba, wala na ang babaeng 'yan? Bakit nandito?
I immediately walked over to Enrico, and as luck would have it, Amira was also on the way here.
"Your eyes, Enrico. I just want to remind you na nandito ang asawa mo," I warned while fixing his suit.
Our eyes locked for a moment, and I wanted to send him a message to behave because I know that his eyes are lingering somewhere else.
Despite all of this, I felt his arm snaking around my waist, making me secretly smile in triumph.
"You guys are her--"
"You're also here!" I cut her off as I flashed the fakest smile I could give her.
"I actually wasn't planning on going since I'm headed for the US na but...I didn't want to pass up on the opportunity," she explained.
I wish you didn't come, darling. The nerve to talk to me like I don't know what happened.
"Who are you with?" I asked to keep the conversation going.
"No one. I came alone," she answered, and I noticed how she indistinctly made eye contact with Enrico, followed by a glance at Enrico's hand on my waist.
"How's life without my husband?" I calmly asked.
Her smile quickly faded, her demeanor suddenly became wary.
Why continue messing with a married man if you can't handle the thrill of being confronted by the wife?
Take a hint, b*tch! Back off! Wala akong pakialam kung unang naging kayo. That's no excuse.
"Cari..." Enrico's tone wanted to warn and stop me, but I don't feel stoppable tonight.
Just as when the tension was rising, I laughed at their faces. "I'm just kidding! Masyado kayong seryoso." Ang sarap nilang paglaruan.
"Oh! By the way, I have big news, and you're the first to know," I began, earning Enrico's confused look and Amira's agitation.
"Enrico and I are expecting our first child," I dropped the news, and as expected, they were both in shock. Jaws dropped, eyes wide.
Enrico's grip on my waist tightened so I looked at him and I flashed a smile while caressing the side of his face.
His eyes were a blend of surprise and confusion. Amira's presence, on the other hand, was now disregarded.
"I'm pregnant, Enrico," I said with a smile.
*
End of Chapter 7
*
