OBSESSION trilogy: Hunger [NOT UPDATED]

Chapter 19.5 (Edited)

***

 "Alex, table twenty-one needs a refill."

Mia looked down at her electronic organizer and ticked a box, satisfied with her staff's work.

Nang masiguradong nagawa ni Alex ang iniutos niya rito ay inilibot na niya sa ibang parte ng venue hall ang kaniyang tingin. Ngumiti siya sa sarili nang makitang nag-e-enjoy ang mga guest nina Amanda at Jake sa pre-wedding party ng mga ito.

And it's all thanks to her.

Limang taon na siya sa kaniyang trabaho bilang wedding coordinator at events manager and she is doing good with her business. Nahirapan man siyang itaguyod ang negosyong iyon sa simula ay nagawa pa rin niyang palaguin ang Everafter.

Yeah, the name kinda sounds cheesy and lame. But she actually believed in the concept of love and "everafter".

How could she not? She is already engaged for six happy years and her fiancé, Lawrence, is the best person in the world.

Walang pakialam si Mia if she looked like a fool. Hind niya ikinakahiya ang pagmamahalan nila ni Rence. At darating din ang panahon na siya rin ang lalakad sa aisle patungo sa taong makakasama niya habang-buhay. At walang iba iyon kundi si Rence.

Napangiti na naman si Mia nang masipat ang kumikinang na emerald stone sa kaniyang daliri. The engagement ring that Rence gave her. It fit her perfectly, only justifying that Rence really knew her well.

Napabuntong-hininga siya habang palihim at patuloy na kinikilig. Mamaya kasi, pagkatapos ng kaniyang trabaho sa party na ito ay may dinner date sila ng kaniyang fiancé.

Excited na siyang tawagan ito ngunit alam niyang lunod ito ngayon sa paperworks dahil mayroon itong bagong trial. And yes, she's proud to tell that Lawrence is a very successful junior attorney at Wesley & Evans, one of the most prestigious law firms in the country.

Masipag ito sa trabaho at friendly pa sa mga superior nito kaya naman hindi na kagulat-gulat kung ma-promote man ito any time now.

Napangiti na naman siya ng malawak. Ibig sabihin lang niyon, Rence can provide for her and their future family.

Oh, she couldn't wait for that day to come.

"Lissa, go with Tracy. They need extra staff in the kitchen. Sabihin ninyo sa iba na umpisahan nang mag-pack up because this event's going to end soon," aniya sa maliit na Bluetooth mic na naka-clip sa tainga niya.

"Yes, ma'am," narinig niyang sagot ni Lissa.

Mia took a deep breath as she anticipated the party's end. The number of guests slowly trickled into small, intimate groups of people who were either relatives or have close ties with the celebrants. Kaunti na lang at makakapagpahinga na siya.

She made her way towards the bar counter and smiled at the tall, lanky young man serving drinks behind it. Umupo si Mia sa isang stool sa harap nito.

"Busy night, Martin?" bati niya rito at ipinatong ang clipboard sa counter. Pinanood niya itong magbuhos ng isang amber-colored liquid sa isang baso na may yelo at inabot iyon sa naghihintay na guest.

"Same goes with you, Mia. In fact, ngayon lang kita nakitang umupo." Dahil wala pa namang um-o-order na guests ay hinarap muna siya ng binata. Ipinatong nito ang dalawang braso sa counter at nginitian siya.

Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay. "You were watching me the whole time?" tanong niya rito.

Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ni Mia na matagal nang may gusto sa kanya si Martin. They have been friends for five years now. Nagkita sila sa isang charity event at lagi niya itong kino-contact kapag kailangan niya ng tulong dito in terms of liquors and whatnot. Dahil mabait naman ito at totoo sa sarili, nasanay na si Mia sa mga palipad-hangin ni Martin.

Pero hindi pa rin ito tumitigil hanggang ngayon kahit na alam nitong may fiancé na siya at malapit nang ikasal.

Nakangiting ibinaba ng binata ang isang baso sa harap niya. "That's on the house, beautiful lady."

"I know. Technically, I'm your boss tonight, right?" sagot niya rito.

Tumawa si Martin. "Point taken."

"Whisky on the rocks, please."

Pareho silang natigil ni Martin nang marinig nila ang mababa at baritonong boses na iyon.

"Wait here, sugar. I need to go back to work. Enjoy the drink. Minsan lang ako manlibre." And with a playful wink, Martin left her to tend to the new guest.

Mia picked up the glass and turned her stool around and away from the counter. She was now facing the crowded hall and busy mentally checking her staff's work. It's a good night tonight because everything is going with the plan.

Perfect, she thought and sipped at her drink.

She caught a movement at her peripheral vision so she turned her head to the right.

And came shockingly face-to-face with a pair of deep black eyes looking intently at her. The face that owned them was equally shocking in its beauty and masculinity. Raven-winged brows, straight nose, sharp cheekbones and an invitingly bitable pair of lips.

Bumalik ang tingin niya sa mga mata nito. And that's when her mind started to work again, bringing back her senses that were lost a while ago, when she looked at him.

At ngayong nagpa-function na ulit ang kanyang utak ay agad siyang nakaramdam ng gulat, kaba, excitement at confusion.

She knew the man in front of her.

And she knew him very very well.

"Fancy meeting you again, Miandra."

Nanigas ang katawan niya nang magsalita ulit ito.

Shit.

Blake Evans.

---tbc---