A Separation

The Pain

Nadine stopped before the entrance of the ballroom where the reception was held. Yes, much to Debbie's incessant pleas she gave in and attended Rob's company reception. No harm making new friends right? She thought and pulled at the hem of her skirt, honestly, she didn't remember the dress being this short when she bought it last month.

"Nadz!" She turned around just in time to see her friend coming towards her with a smile on her face.

"Debs!" Nadine greeted happily, whoever said Debbie was a snob probably didn't know her well. Here she was smiling like a sunshine princess with her arms on her husband. "You look so beautiful today, Debs."

"Sus. Alam mo ba halos maiyak na ako kasi hindi na magkasya yung mga damit ko."Debbie said with a crestfallen expression, "it's all his fault!"

"Mi-ine? Bakit ako babe?" Rob coughed out a reply from Debbie's nudge on his chest.

"Of course it's you! I can't possibly be pregnant if not for you."

"Can I just remind you that it takes two hands to clap? And let's not forget how it happened..."

"Okay okay! I get it na." Nadine spoke up before the two got further, these two, they really don't change and she really didn't need such information.

"Sorry Nadz." Debbie went forward to link their arms together. "And thank you for coming! You have no idea how boring it gets whenever they start talking business."

"Ok you two go have fun and walk around first, I'll go say hi to the management executives and be back soon." Rob told them and went off in another direction after kissing Debbie goodbye.

"Wow. In love na in love pa rin kayo." Nadine nudged her friend lightly and said, a slight tinge of sadness in her voice.

After knowing each other for so many years, Debbie obviously knew what she was thinking about as she said that. "Nadz. Wag ka ng masyadong mag-emote dyan. Let's just have some fun tonight okay? Hahanapan kita ng boys dito."

With that, Debbie pulled her along into the crowd of people that were already in the room.

Shaking her head, Nadine gave a small smile as her friend took the lead.

They were seated at a small table munching on some hors d'oeurves when someone came over to them.

"Debbie?"

"Oh! It's Andrew," Debbie smiled warmly to the guy who approached them at the table. "Nadz, this is one of Rob's best traders in New York. Andrew Tully."

Andrew held out his hand, a perfect smile on his face. Nadine took his hand and shook it lightly, smiling in return. "Nice to meet you, Andrew. Nadine."

"Hi Nadine. It's a pleasure to meet you."

If Debbie would admit, out of all the eligible men in the room today, Andrew was one of the ones that she really wanted to introduce to Nadine.

He was just a year older than Nadine and is one of the most reliable and trustworthy person she knew. Rob always said that if he needed to assign an urgent task at work, Andrew is always the first person that comes to his mind. He's an Italian citizen who grew up in New York.

Graduated from Yale University and an avid baseball player, Andrew is tall, well-built and arguably one of the most sought after bachelors in the company. He came from a family of doctors but chose to do commerce as that was where his interest was.

"So, you've already met." Rob's voice sounded from behind. "Andrew, stop being handsome. My wife is looking at you with interest!"

"You're funny dude. I think your wife thinks you're the only handsome man alive." He looked to Debbie and smiled.