Boutique

I immediately went to my parents' house when I arrived in the Philippines. I wanted to surprise them, especially my younger brothers.

I even frowned on the road because of the heat and traffic. I felt like I wanted to go back to Canada right away.

The moment I stepped foot inside our house, they were all shocked. They didn’t know I was going home. Mama immediately greeted me with a hug. It was so evident that they missed me that much. I missed them too—all of them.

“You didn’t tell us you were coming home. We were not able to prepare. You, silly woman,” Mama said, frowning, which made me laugh.

"It won't be a surprise, Ma, if you know," I replied with a smile.

“We thought you weren’t coming back,” Dad said next to Mom.

“I thought so. But it’s urgent, ” I said with a smile.

"Urgent?" With high eyebrows said the twin.

“It’s Philip’s wedding—”

“How did you know? We didn’t tell you because— ”

"Ma." I chuckled. “Relax. I’m fine. Philip and I stayed as friends. I am happy for him. I also love Angel. She is the sweetest, and I know she loves Philip more than anyone else. ”

It was as if a thorn had pulled out Mama's face. I laughed again.

“Seriously, guys? It’s been two years,” I said, laughing. “And guess what? I’m the maid of honor,” I added with a smile.

“You've gotta be kidding me,” Jayson, one of the twins, said.

I just grinned at them, who were all still in shock in front of me.

“I’m hungry. I miss your cooking, ma. Maybe there are leftovers?” I said, smiling. I left the suitcase in the living room and walked to the kitchen. I was famished.

***

The next day came, and I got a call from Angel. Gown fitting today. I have to be in the boutique to check on the gown's measurements. I just seemed to be the only one ‘unmeasured.’ I forgot. The maid of honor and best man were the only ones that haven’t been measured. I wonder who the best man was. Philip didn’t even tell me who it was. He said that he and Angel would meet me there.

I was driving dad’s car going to the boutique. It was already one in the afternoon. At precisely one in the afternoon, I should be there because there was too much traffic. I was starting to get pissed. I didn’t want them to wait for me. Philip texted me their schedule for today. Philip and Angel were still scheduled for a cake tasting today after joining me at the boutique. I didn’t want to ruin their schedule.

My phone beeped, and I saw a text coming from Angel. She sent me the name of the boutique. My forehead creased when I read the name of the boutique. Seriously? I just shrugged it off.

Another text came in. She said that they were already there. She was asking where I was since it was past one in the afternoon already. I couldn’t reply since I was driving. I was just glancing at my phone on the dashboard and trying to focus on the road. I didn’t want another accident again.

I arrived at the said boutique at one-twenty. I was twenty minutes late. I immediately went in and approached the front desk.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. How can I help you?” the woman greeted me while smiling. My eyes glanced at the nameplate on her chest. It said Monica, and she was actually an assistant manager of the boutique.

“Gown fitting under the name of Angel and Philip,” I said with a smile.

She looked at the tablet in her hand and scribbled on it a little, trying to find something. When she found it, she put the tablet back on her desk and stepped out of the cubicle.

"This way, ma'am." Monica led me inside the boutique. There was no one else inside. Only us. It turned out to be very big inside. There was even a section just for the wedding dresses and for the bridesmaid. It was like a boutique for Elites. Classy and elegant.

"By the way, where's Angel and Philip?" I ask her.

“They were here a while ago, ma’am. But they are in a hurry. They said that I would just assist you. They will be back soon,” she replied.

I didn't even get to see them. But I guess it was fine. Monica said they would be back soon.

“Just wait here for a moment, ma’am. I will call the person who will measure you first.” I just nodded at her, and she left immediately

My gaze wandered to the long sofa. I didn't even notice that there‘s someone else inside the boutique. A man in a tux was sitting on it. He was holding a prominent magazine that covered his face. I almost scoffed when my eyes focused on the cover of the magazine. It was Nicholai’s face on it. He was wearing a tuxedo and staring strictly at the camera. Like seriously? I just disappeared for two years, and now he was a model?

I scoffed again. “Really, Nicholai? Your face on the magazine cover is really the first thing that I will see after I come back, ” I murmured.

“What’s wrong with my face on the cover?” My eyes widened as the man on the sofa spoke. He put down the magazine, and Nicholai’s face welcomed my sight. He was raising his right brow at me.

I gasped, and my eyes widened even more while staring at him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I said, still flabbergasted while looking at him. He closed the magazine and laid it on the glass table in front of him.

“You didn’t know? This is my boutique,” he replied while crossing his arm near his chest.

"Your what?" I asked in disbelief. Did he own this boutique? When did he start having an interest in boutique business?

“My boutique. Have you not read the name of the boutique outside? ” he asked while frowning.

I tried to check Angel’s text about the name of the boutique. Nichol’s & Cris Boutique. Holyshit! You have to be kidding me.

I was about to ask Nicholai why he named it like that when someone suddenly hugged me from behind.

“Cris! You’re here!” Angel’s sweet voice echoed in my ear. Her embrace almost shook me.

“You’re finally here,” Philip said and then hugged me too after Angel let me go.

"I think I need an explanation why Nicholai is here and why we are here in his boutique," I whispered to Philip.

Philip immediately left me and approached Angel. I stared at him for his quick avoidance.

“I’m glad you too meet again,” Philip said with a smirk. I glared at him, but he just teased me. He approached Nicholai and tapped him on the back. "Meet my best man, Cris."

Fuck! You’ve gotta be kidding me.