"Veron, you should be the one getting glammed up today. Stop worrying about me," Mariely said to her.
They had returned to the condo quickly, and Veron began fixing up her friend. She knew Mariely would rebel if she made her wear something daring, so she just went with what matched her friend's current taste.
This girl really has good skin—the foundation blended so smoothly on her cheeks. It's very perfect! Veron said to herself as she looked at Mariely.
"Veron, just focus on yourself. It's your date," Mariely reminded her.
"Don't worry, I'll just do simple makeup and something natural for your facial. This will be quick," Veron winked at her.
"You really are something," Mariely replied.
She just laughed. After that, she stared at Mariely.
Gosh, she's my angel, she thought, admiring her friend.
"Hey," Mariely nudged her.
"You're so beautiful, besh," she said, hugging her.
"You're crazy," Mariely replied with a frown.
"Here, this is what you'll wear. Don't worry, it's not daring," Veron said.
"You know, I have lots of clothes."
"Come on, just wear this. It'll be perfect on you."
Mariely didn't say anything else and just scratched her head. "Fine, I'll go change now," she sighed. Veron, on the other hand, was also getting ready. She noticed in the mirror that Mariely did wear the dress—it was a simple fuchsia-colored one. She turned to look at her.
"It really suits you," she said with a thumbs up. Mariely just shook her head at her. Veron was wearing a blue dress—not too revealing, since she didn't want to get scolded by her boyfriend.
Her friend approached her and fixed her hair, checking if it suited her. Veron just let her, surprised when she began styling it. She stared at her.
"There, that hairstyle really suits you," Faith said with a smile. Veron's hair was partly braided, with the rest of her curly locks cascading down.
"Wow, you're good at doing hair, Faith," Veron said.
"Not really. I just enjoy fixing hair, and that one's simple," Faith replied.
She also noticed Faith's hairstyle.
Jeez, this girl is so elegant, she thought.
"Say, are you going to fix Ate Nadia's hair at her wedding?" Veron asked.
"Yes, but just her hair," Faith replied.
"Do mine, too," Veron added.
Faith laughed. "Yes, I'll do yours too," she said.
They were almost done.
"Veron, I can manage two-inch heels," Faith said.
"Sure, no problem," Veron replied.
They left right after.
"Before that, let's take a picture," Veron said.
"Your silliness, really..." Mariely muttered.
"Come on," Veron insisted.
Mariely didn't respond.
"Let's go," Veron said after the photo.
She nodded happily and took off her sandals—she wasn't comfortable driving with them on.
✦✦✦
Andrew checked his wristwatch. He knew his fiancée wouldn't be late. Besides, she was bringing along a new friend from her workplace.
Let's see if she's different from the friend Veron had before, he thought.
He quietly waited for the two ladies, keeping himself occupied with his phone. Veron had already told him a lot about her friend and was always excited whenever she talked about her.
Just last week, she got drunk because her friend was heartbroken. When Veron shared what had happened, he was surprised because he knew Faith's ex—not just knew, but they were classmates in primary school. He had transferred schools in high school.
Andrew startled when he saw his fiancée. She waved at him, and he waved back. Behind her was another girl, being gently tugged along by Veron.
They approached him. He smiled at Veron and stood to kiss her on the cheek.
"Please, take a seat," he said, offering a chair to both Veron and her companion.
Faith quietly sat beside Veron.
"Did we take long?" Veron asked.
"No, you're right on time," he replied with a smile.
She smiled back. "I thought we were late," she said.
He let out a small laugh.
"Oh, by the way, let me introduce my friend. She's the one I always tell you about," Veron said.
Andrew turned to the girl with them.
Not bad, she's beautiful. Probably just doesn't fix herself up often, he thought.
She gave him a shy smile. "Let me know if you two need privacy," she said politely.
"Hey, silly! What privacy? Andrew's the one who invited you!" Veron said, turning to him.
Andrew smiled and nodded.
"No, it's okay. I just really wanted to meet my fiancée's friend," he said.
"I'm Andrew Carl Jackson-Flores. And you are Miss Faith Mariely Celestial, right?" he asked.
"Y—Yes, I'm Faith Mariely Celestial. Nice to meet you—"
"Just call me whatever you like," he said, noticing she hesitated over what to call him.
"If it's okay, I'll call you Carl," she said with a smile.
He smiled back. "We need to order food; I'm sure Veron's already hungry," he chuckled softly.
Mariely just smiled at them.
"By the way, can I call you Faith?" he asked.
"Sure, that's not a problem," she replied.
"Hey, hon, wasn't Frank your classmate before?" Veron asked him.
"Yes, he was my classmate in primary," he said.
He noticed Faith quietly listening. "He was your boyfriend, right?" he asked her.
"Ah, y–yeah, that's right." She forced a smile. Veron lightly smacked his arm and shook her head.
"She's still sensitive about that," she whispered to him.
To ease the mood, he changed the subject while they waited for the food.
"I see you have a big brother too," he said to Faith.
She nodded and smiled.
"Hon, restroom," Veron said, excusing herself.
"Sure, come back quickly so we can eat," he reminded her.
She nodded. "Faith, I'll just go to the restroom; I'll be back quickly," she said.
Faith nodded. "Do you want me to go with you?" she offered, starting to stand.
"No, I can manage, Faith," Veron smiled.
"O–Okay," she said, sighing as she glanced worriedly at Veron's fiancé.
Faith sat quietly, waiting for Veron. She was just observing the surroundings, still clearly uncomfortable.
"So, where did you go to high school, Faith?" he asked.
While they were waiting, he decided to find out what her real intentions were with his fiancée.
"Ah, I went to a public school—the one near where my brother and... Zean studied," she answered, swallowing hard.
"Did you have many friends back in high school?" he asked.
"N—Not really that many, b—but yes," she replied.
"You're a loner too? How did you meet Frank?" he continued.
"Ah, he was my brother's classmate in high school. I used to hang out there while waiting for my brother because we always went home together in the afternoon," she explained.
"Where did your brother go to primary school?" he asked.
"Eh? The same school where he went for high school," she replied.
His brows furrowed. "What's your brother's name again?" he asked.
"Nathan Gill Abad–Celestial," she said.
Nathan Gill? Celestial? That sounds really familiar. Wait—is that Nathan? That snobbish kid back then? he wondered.
"I see. So your brother was the quiet type. So he has a sister," he said with a nod.
"Is my brother really snobbish?" she asked.
"He was quiet and very straightforward even when we were kids," he said, staring at Faith.
She just nodded in return.
"Nathan's getting married, right? It's a shame—I won't be able to attend," he sighed.
She didn't respond.
"So how did you and my fiancée get close?" he asked.
She was clearly surprised by the question.
"Ah, we were both fresh graduates. She was ahead of me because someone from her team resigned. I think because we were both new, we clicked right away," she answered.
"Veron is the kindest and sweetest person I've ever met. Even though she's a little wacky, we just get along so well. And she always respects people, even when we disagree. She's probably the best friend I've ever had in this world," she said with a smile.
He just nodded. "Did Veron ever tell you that she's been betrayed by people she thought were close to her?" he asked.
She was startled and stared at him.
"She only mentioned it once. Veron's not the type to talk much about her personal life," she said.
"I see," he sighed, still staring at her.
He could see the questions forming in her eyes as she furrowed her brows.