Scripted Relationship

Chapter 19

ERIK

I went in front of the mirror to check if my collar was properly trimmed down and if my coat has any dirt. Then, I looked again to see myself while I pinned my button of my sleeved. It was then I thought to myself while looking at the mirror: Rose will attend the wedding and she will be my partner. I prepared something special for her. I know it would surprise her. I smiled at the person in front of me as I fix myself for one last time. Nothing can stop me now. Good vibes, please come to me.

I went out of my condo unit and proceeded to the basement parking of the condominium. There parked was my Honda Civic side-by-side with a yellow Chevrolet Camaro. While I went to my Honda Civic, I took a good look at the Camaro. It's been a year since I last used that car. There were good memories, but the bad ones came haunting me again. So as not to ruin the mood any further, I simply focused my attention to entering my Honda Civic. I started the engine of my car and drove my way to Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas where Ate Coreen and Johnny's family stayed before the wedding.

Upon my arrivel, I gave my key to the valet and went directly to their room. I pushed the room bell and waited a moment until a familiar face came out.

"Aga natin ha," Johnny said to me as he hugged me tight. He was already prepped up with his usual tuxedo with a pink bow tie.

"I was summoned by the royal bride," I smilingly said to him in response. Johnny chuckled a bit.

"Come in," Johnny said. "Ate Coreen is waiting for you."

I went inside the room and saw that almost all of the members of the family were there and ready. I saw Tito Arthur, Johnny's dad, being fixed by Tita Lisa, Johnny's mom. They were having a hearty conversation. Johnny accompanied me further to the room until I saw Ate Coreen in front of the mirror where her make-up artist was applying a blush-on on her face.

"Look who's here?" Ate Coreen said when he saw through the mirror.

"Congratulations, Ate Coreen," I said while I put both of my hands on her shoulder. "I want to embrace you but your make-up artist would not allow me yet. Let's wait for later."

"Tumigil ka nga, Dela Rosa," Ate Coreen suddenly jolted as he faced away from her make-up artist and reached for me to give me an embrace. I looked at her with awe and then I looked at her make-up artist, who seemed not to mind that Ate Coreen's attention shifted.

"Ikaw ha. Hindi ka nagke-kuwento sa akin," Ate Coreen teased.

"Ano naman ang ike-kuwento ko sa 'yo?" I asked her.

"Don't you deny it to me, Erik Dela Rosa. That is a mortal sin in our friendship."

"Oh, you mean your unrequited love for me."

"THE HELL! Don't push your luck, sir!" Ate Coreen exclaimed as she hit me on my shoulder.

"But I am so happy for you," I said to her as I changed the topic. "Finally, you found him."

"At masaya rin ako dahil nakilala mo na ang kapalit ni Andrea," Ate Coreen calmly said to me as she went back in fixing her make-up again. "It must have been hard for you. But it's all over now."

"Totally," Johnny interrupted. I slapped his butt as he said it. "What was that for?" he asked. I simply smiled at him.

After some time catching up with Ate Coreen, everyone in the room started preparing themselves to leave for Antipolo Church, the venue of the wedding. Since it was a family time, I left the room and went to get my car so that I could drive to the church as well. After all, I was waiting for Rose to come.

I parked my car near the side of the church. I saw a lot of wedding guests coming in, some of which were prominent members of the society: politicians, tennis players (Ate Coreen's fiancé is a tennis player for the Philippine Team), and showbiz celebrities. Surely, this could have been the wedding of the year if not for the privacy Johnny's family requested the press to respect.