My Soul Will Find Yours : The Fulfillment of the Promise

A Real Hoot

The workweek was finally ending and I was practically itching for the clock to strike five thirty. Coming back to work kicked me in the butt, I needed to relax. With this in mind, I decided to eat out and have some tea in a nice café to unwind before heading home. Mum left for Baguio with her amigas[1] this morning so I didn't have to go home early. I was on my way to the parking lot when I heard from Charles again.

"Hello," I answered while fishing out my car keys.

"Hey, Nat," Charles said, jovial as ever. "Are you busy tonight? Do you have any plans?"

"Just eating out before heading home," I replied with a smile. "Why?"

"Perfect!" he rejoiced. "I need a date for a company event, I know it's such short notice but you're the only close female friend I have. Please join me! The food will be great plus it will take your mind off of what's been bothering you."

"I'm not prepared, Charles," I was hesitant. Since it's a company event, I was sure it required dressing up.

"Don't worry, leave it all to me. All you have to do is show up on the address I'll be sending you," he said with a pleading voice.

"But..."

"I'm desperate, I really need a plus one. Otherwise, I'd look like an idiot!"

"Fine," I thought I owed him since he went out of his way to comfort me last time. We weren't able to talk about what was bothering me but the fact that he was willing to listen was enough. "Send me the address."

"You're really the best, do you know that?" he said happily. "Thanks, Nat! I'll send you the details now. Bye!"

~~~

I gasped in astonishment and pleasure as the flamboyant male hair and makeup artist Charles hired for the evening handed me a handheld mirror. Although I can do a decent job at beautifying myself, my skills in this area were mediocre compared to this guy's.

"Wow!" I said as I studied every angle in the mirror. "You're amazing, Marina!"

"No, darling, you're amazing! I only enhanced what you've already got!" he said while smiling at me through the mirror. He oddly reminded me of the villain from Powerpuff Girls, Him, because of his squinty eyes, pointy chin, and the black lipstick he was wearing. "You have a beautiful face and that gown looks fabulous on your body."

"Umm, thank you," I said shyly before returning the mirror to him.

"No wonder boss Charles never looked my way," he said dramatically while returning the makeup palettes he used in his train case. "He had you all along. Oh, well... At least he has good taste. I'd have made picket signs and brought a pitchfork if you were ugly."

"Marina," came an amused albeit irritated voice. "What nonsense are you telling Hinata?"

"Boss!" Marina, who looked sad just now, suddenly perked up. "Hehe. I was just kidding, I've always known that you'll always be a dream I'm forever chasing."

Charles shook his head at the makeup artist and walked to where I was seated. "I have to agree with Marina, though. You look beyond amazing," he told me while nodding satisfactorily. He was wearing a charcoal grey slim fit suit, a navy tie, and polished black shoes that made him extremely dashing.

"Of course," I replied playfully and gave my temporary curls a toss.

"Can you give me and boss little twirl?" Marina asked, obviously very proud of his work.

"Yeah, can you?" Charles asked, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

I stood up from my chair and obliged. The silver gown fitted me perfectly. Its lacey bodice hugged my waist and showcased my décolletage without making me look raunchy, its chiffon skirt flowed elegantly and was dotted with artificial pearls.

"Sigh~ You will be the 'It Couple' in the company event," the makeup artist pretended to wipe the corners of his eyes with the scarf on his neck. "It's moments like this that I am proud to have given up my career in law to pursue my passion in beautifying the human race!"

"You're a lawyer, too?" I asked, definitely surprised. Marina didn't strike me as one, he didn't have that air of silent authority that people like Charles did.

"Yeah, we both started out as associate attorneys in the firm. However, when he met a client who wanted to file for an annulment, something within him snapped," Charles said, his lips curling into an amused smile.

"So humble! We both know your being an associate was just a front! You were offered a promotion after a year!" Marina scoffed although he was looking at our common friend with pride.

"I owe it all to my parents," Charles told me. "They are the reason why I'm always doing my best, especially my stepmother. She loved and raised me as if I was her own. The least that I can do for them is to excel in everything I do to honor them."

Even though Charles and I have become close friends since my breakup with his cousin, we rarely talked about his family. It was the first time I learned that he didn't grow up with his biological mother so I was a bit surprised. Seeing his features soften at the mere mention of that woman made my throat constrict. I couldn't help but wonder whether Riku felt the same way about me when he grew up...

"Oh, boss," Marina suddenly wrapped his arms around Charles and faked a cry. "This is why I love you! You're so responsible!"

"Marco, stop it," Charles pushed him away before guffawing at his annoyed expression. "Don't look at me like that, you forced me to address you in your real name!"

"Marco is dead," Marina covered his ears and started humming a tune. "I am Marina, the HMUA extraordinaire!"

Seeing his comical response, Charles and I couldn't help but laugh. This thirty-something former lawyer in a fuchsia pink jumpsuit was a real hoot!

~~~

After bidding Marina goodbye, Charles and I drove off to Raffles Makati in his car. As soon as we entered the ballroom where the party was being held, a familiar face caught my eye. He was clad in a purple three-piece pinstripe suit, his hair was tied in a messy bun, and his eyes were framed by thick-rimmed tortoiseshell glasses. The hand that was holding his drink paused mid-air when our eyes met.

Seeing my expression, Charles whispered, "Do you know him?"

"Yes, Charles," I confirmed, removing my gaze from the man walking towards us. "I met him on my flight back here in Manila."

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[1] Friends.