My Soul Will Find Yours : The Fulfillment of the Promise

Tonight Was Not Going To Be An Ordinary Evening

Aside from VIP seats, the tickets Brandon got for the fireworks competition came with a three-course meal. Dressed in a navy blue fit and flare cocktail dress and strappy black sandals, I inspected myself in my full length mirror. The dress I was wearing was something I bought months ago out of impulse but never had the chance to wear; it has a glittery lace bodice, infinity cutouts at the waist, and gleaming rhinestones. I gave my long hair some loose curls and complemented it with a simple evening makeup look consisting of nude lips, lined eyes, and blushed cheeks. A soft knock on my door interrupted my self-scrutiny.

"Come in," I called out while rechecking the contents of the clutch bag that matched my dress.

"Oh, you look lovely," mum said as soon as she saw me. In her arms was Panther who looked at me with a bored expression.

"I'm not overdressed, am I?" I asked while giving my cat a chin rub.

"No, of course not," mum assured me. "You look perfect."

Before I could thank her, the honking of a car horn sounded. I walked towards my window and saw that Brandon has arrived.

"He's here," I said.

Mum hurried downstairs to let him in. He was dressed in a floral jacquard shirt underneath a two-piece slim fit burgundy notch lapel suit. On his feet were a pair of gleaming brown monk strap shoes. His hair was gelled and tied in a loose ponytail. Every inch of him exuded fashion, no wonder he was Chief Creative Officer of the country's biggest publishing company. He and mum exchanged pleasantries as I slowly descended the stairs.

"Wow," he said as soon as we were standing in front of each other. "You look amazing."

I smiled and said, "Thanks but you look better."

"Nah, I look good because of my clothes. You, on the other hand, can wear a sack but still cause jaws to drop," he took my free hand and made me twirl. "Yup, you look wonderful alright."

Mum giggled and blushed at the utterly smitten look Brandon was giving me. My lips twitched at Panther's expression, he was her total opposite. His face was clearly unimpressed; in fact, if he could, I bet he'd be rolling his eyes at my date.

"I almost forgot, excuse me for a bit," Brandon quickly went back to his car to get two huge bouquets of flowers. "This one is for you, aunt Gloria. Mother said stargazers and sunflowers are your favorites."

"How beautiful," mum exclaimed before putting my cat down on the nearest table. "Thank you, Brandon."

"You're welcome. This is for you, Hinata."

This bouquet consisted of a dozen lavender roses and a couple of white peonies. He was really going all-out with this date.

"Thanks, Brandon. They smell really good," I said while holding them close to my nose, the scent was heavenly.

"I'm glad you like them," he beamed before checking the time on his wrist watch. "I'd love to stay but we'd better get going."

"Right," I said before placing my bouquet beside Panther. "Mum, I'll see you later."

"Have fun," she said as I kissed her cheek.

"I promise to bring her home before midnight, aunt Gloria," Brandon said after giving her a kiss as well.

~~~

The competition was going to take place in the country's fourth largest shopping mall. As it was the holiday season, traffic was really bad and awful. Thankfully, we left early. We were halfway through the trip when my phone rang. It was Charles.

"Hi, Nat," came his usual jovial voice. "How are you?"

"Hello, Charles," my lips automatically curled up, his tone was infectious. "I'm good, you?"

"Same old, same old," he replied. "Hey, what are you doing? Are you free tonight?"

"Sorry, Charles, but I'm on my way to MOA."

"Great! I'm going there, too! See, I just remembered that I was given two tickets to the pyrotechnics competition tonight. I know I'm always asking you out on the last minute but would you like to go with me? It'll be fun!"

"Uhh, that's the reason why I'm going to MOA," I said. "I'm seeing the fireworks contest, too."

"Really? Are you going with aunt Gloria?" he asked. "That's awesome, the three of us can see the show together!"

"Umm, mum's at home," I said awkwardly before glancing at the man beside me. He looked like he was one hundred percent focused on the road but I could tell he wasn't. "I'm going with someone else."

"Huh? Who?"

"Guess," I said.

There was a long pause before he started yelling on the other line. "You're with my douchebag cousin, aren't you!? Nat, haven't you learned anything!? The asshole is about to become a father! He knocked up the girl who caused your breakup years ago! Come on!"

I grimaced as he continued to roar. "Charles, relax. I'm not with Tyler."

"Then who are you with!?" he was unconvinced.

"Gue—"

"Don't make me guess again," he said flatly. "I'm sorry but as beautiful as you are, the only guy I can think of is your cat, which doesn't count of course. Don't blame me, though. It was your decision to distance yourself from every guy that showed you interest."

"Ouch," I joked although his words did sting a bit.

"So who are you with?"

"Umm," I glanced at Brandon again, this time our eyes met. He gave me a smile before returning his focus on the road. "I'm with Brandon."

"Brandon? Do I know him? Did he attend the same uni?" Charles asked.

"No," I bit my lower lip. I was feeling oddly nervous, like I was telling my boyfriend that I was with another guy... Sort of. "Remember the guy from your thanksgiving party? The one who offered to put you in the cover of one of their magazines?"

"What's his name again? Brandon Cheng? Ng? No, that's not right," he sounded distracted.

"Brandon Lim, his name's Brandon Lim."

"Brandon Lim... Of Peak Media?"

"Yeah, that's him. He invited me to the contest."

"Oh."

I waited for him to say more but he remained silent. I thought the call got disconnected but when I checked, it was still ongoing.

"Charles? Still there?"

"I'll see you in MOA, Hina," his tone was different from his initial mood, this time it sounded crisp and terse. Before he hung up, I heard the closing of a car door.

I looked at my phone with furrowed brows. See me as in he'll purposely look for me in the venue or..? I had a feeling that Charles' words meant something else, like tonight was not going to be an ordinary evening.