It's You, Always You

His Old Friend

A month later...

Michael had Lily's dress delivered to her house the night before they leave for Singapore. Lily called Michael immediately after receiving the dress. 

Lily: Hello Michael?

Michael: Lily! I was about to call you. Natanggap mo na ba yung gown?

Lily: Oo, kakarating lang.

Michael: That's great! I know a good makeup artist based near the hotel you're staying in.

Lily: Really?

Michael: Yes, I already called her para ayusan ka niya. I also sent her the design of your dress. Siya na bahala sayo. You will look magnifique!

Lily: Thank you, thank you so much Michael! For everything. You're a life saver.

Michael: It's good to help a sister in need. Now rock that ball!

•••••

The next morning.....

Augustus arranged Lily's baggage at the back of their car and ofcourse, Lily's evening gown.

Meilin: Yung ticket mo, baka makalimutan mo.

Lily: Nasa bag.

Meilin: Enjoy your trip, mag-iingat ka.

Lily: I will. (they hug each other)

Lily went down and went to the car. She was about to get in but Meilin's voice stopped her.

Meilin: Galingan mo! 'Wag kang uuwing masikip! (she said as she waves goodbye to Lily)

Lily just rolled her eyes at her get in the car.

•••••

Their travel was overall normal. They arrived at Singapore after three and a half hours in the sky. They reached at the St. Regis hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in Singapore. They enter the hotel's grand entrance. They were greeted by luxury property that exudes a classic atmosphere with decor including red carpets, endless marble and wood surfaces, and a larger-than-life chandeliers made from hand-cut crystals. Plenty of plush seats and sofas are placed around the hotel's common areas in which a few hotel guests sit in. They checked in, before entering a room reserved for the VIP guests to lounge around in while enjoying tea or a snack brought around by the seemingly always present staff. They were greeted by few presidents from near countries. Also congressmen, senators and ambassadors from different parts of the world. Oscar and Lily was busy chitchatting when suddenly Lily needed to visit the restroom. While waiting for Lily, Oscar saw a very familiar face.

Oscar: Sheryl? (he said in excitement, as if he saw a friend he didn't see for a long time)

Sheryl: Oscar? Hi! (they hugged each other)

Oscar: Long time no see! (still in excitement)

Sheryl: I know! Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkita. Are you alone?

Oscar: No, no. I'm with someone. What are you doing here?

Sheryl: I'm here for the ball! You're now looking at the newly appointed Ambassadress of the United States to Japan.

Oscar: Congratulations Ambassadress.

Sheryl: Thank you, Mr. President. (they both laughed)

Lily came back from the restroom and saw Oscar having a good time with a beautiful woman. She slowly approached them as different thoughts ran in her mind.

Who is she?

She's beautiful.

Is she Oscar's ex-lover?

She has a sweet smile.

Maybe she's just his friend.

She has gorgeous eyes.

But what if they're more than just friends.

Every slight imperfection becomes a perfection, and just completes her. Her smile and laugh can stop anyone dead in their feet, and her eyes seem to light up as she smile. There's something about her that triggers Lily, something about her light aura that seems to give Lily a heavy feeling of threat. Which makes Lily overthink and making it hard for her to stand up straight near her.

Oscar: There she is. (pointing to Lily as she approaches)

Lily: Hi (gave her sweetest smile, making herself calm)

Oscar: Sheryl, this is Lily Ann Cortez. Lily, this is Ambassadress Sheryl Diaz. She's an old friend of mine. (referring to Sheryl)

Lily: Nice to meet you.

Sheryl: Same here.

Oscar: She's my date for the ball. (referring to Lily)

Sheryl: That's great. Do you have any plans later? Let's have dinner, let's catch up.

Oscar: Pwede naman. Lily, what do you think?

Lily: Sur--(she was cut off)

Sheryl: I was thinking we could go alone.

Oscar: But--

Lily: It's okay. Kailangan ko din naman magpahinga. Medyo jet lagged din ako.

Oscar: Are you sure?

Lily: Mm-hmm. (agreeing, trying to fake it)

Sheryl: Cool! I have to go muna, may aasikasuhin lang ako. See you at my suite. (winked at him)

Oscar: See you.

•••••

The hotel's Presidential Suite contains two master bedroom's. Each rooms are elegantly decorated, featuring glossy surfaces, bold accent pieces like sofa beds and chairs, and subtly Asian decor, with birds and trees set against backdrops of light, delicate colors. The living room have charming spaces with impressive art pieces,  floor-to-ceiling windows and a posh dining set for 12 people.

Oscar and Lily are in their respective rooms. Oscar is preparing for his dinner with Sheryl while Lily is lying down in the bathtub, her hair thrown into a messy bun and she is soaked in soap bubbles. Drowned of her thoughts of Sheryl's presence and what might happen at Oscar and Sheryl's dinner. After a few minutes of overthinking, on the spur of the moment, waves of realization hit her as if Sheryl hit her right in the head.

Lily's POV

Mahal niya ako, at mahal ko din siya. Pero hindi ko pa siya kayang sagutin. The thought of what the people might say is holding me back. Pero sabi nga ni Meilin, I shouldn't care about what other people might say. Ang importante mahal namin ang isa't isa. But there's still a part of me that's not in favor of being in a relaitonship with him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not scared of commitment. I'm scared of  giving my all to someone and ending up with nothing again. Or maybe I'm not afraid of falling in love. Maybe I'm just afraid of the old pain, afraid that I might feel it again. But the thought of Oscar being with Sheryl tonight and what might happen to them weighs even more than all these things that's holding me back. There's this bad feeling in my head that can't seem to go away. That's it! I'm not holding back this feeling anymore! I have to stop him from going to Sheryl's suite. He stays with me!

Author's POV

Lily stood up from the bathtub and rinsed off the bath soap from her body. She quickly grabbed the bathrobe hanging at the gold-plated brass hook under the built-in towel rack. She hurriedly ran out of the room while tying the strap of her bathrobe.

She reached the door of Oscar's room.  She took a deep breath as she's still hesitant to knock. She gathered all of here strength and was about to knock when the door suddenly opened.

Oscar: Lily?