Nati's P.O.V.
"So? What can you say?" Tanong sa akin ni Astrid habang nakatingin sa glamorosang wedding gown na nakasuot sa mannequin.
I can't help but feel overwhelmed upon seeing how beautiful the gown is. It's ethereal. There's no other word I can use to describe the wedding gown other than that. It's beyond breathtaking. My eyes turn to Astrid with the side of my heating up because of happiness. My heart is swelling with joy knowing that my friend gave her ultimate best just to made this gown for me.
"It's... I don't know what to say." Pag-amin ko rito. "It's beautiful, but I don't think that is enough to describe this. Thank you..." Madamdaming saad ko saka lumapit rito upang yakapin siya.
"I'm so glad you like it!" She returned my hug and squeal in happiness.
"You definitely exceeded my expectation. I'm not so thrilled about the wedding, but I'm so excited to walk in the aisle with this gown." I said. Astrid are one of those closest friend of mine who are aware of my relationship with Dream and the real deal about the wedding. "You really outdo yourself this time."
"Well, I need to." Sagot niya saka kumawala sa pagkakayakap ko. "I'm leaving college this Spring, and I'm planning to open a boutique. You're my biggest client so far, and I'm pretty sure that your wedding with Clay will be the talk of the town. This is a big opportunity for me to promote my works."
Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapangisi sa sinabi nito. That was a smart thinking.
"Well, I'll more than happy to promote your gowns. It's to die for anyway." Astrid is graduating this year in one of the most prestigious fashion design school in Solstice. She's been on my team since her first year in college. She became a part time employee of Snowmoon to support her studies. She's a smart lady, and I am really glad Snowmoon played a big part of her success. "Once you leave Snowmoon, I'll be sad."
Astrid turn to look at me and let out a sad smile. Since she's graduating now, she will be focusing on her boutique. She needs to work full time on her designs to ensure the success of her boutique. It will take time and a lot of work, but I have my trust on her. I know that she will succeed on her chosen path. She'll do great things.
"Me too. You have no idea how much Snowmoon changed my life. I seriously have no idea how I can finance my studies if I didn't came across your company." She turn her eyes back on the gown and let out a soft smile, a genuine one. "I thought I will be spending my college days working in fast foods and cramming on deadlines on the university. Although, there's nothing wrong with working in fast food, it's just that salary will probably won't be enough to finance a fashion school if I happened to choose that as a part time."
Inakbayan ko ito dahilan upang mapatingin siya sa akin.
"And Snowmoon is thankful that you became part of the team." Astrid being young and creative helps us build a lot of projects that are famous to a lot of kids. "Your contribution played a big part in the company's success, so hiring you is a win-win."
Snowmoon is not just a company for me. I built it with the intention to hire students part time. The idea is to hire people and have them work in their own preferred time. That's why the job is mostly project based. I don't care when or what time they are going to do it, as long as they can finished it within the deadline. A work life balance. That way my employees or team mates can still work on their dreams and have time for family or learn new skills while working in my company.
Astrid leaving the company to pursue her interest in the fashion industry will be a big loss. However, that will also means that I'll be needing to hire another person to replace her spot. Hiring a new person is both challenging and exciting for me. Surely, it is hard to find a person to replace a competent one like Astrid, but I'm sure there will be a lot out there. Hiring a new one means fresh ideas as well.
"Anyway, wanna go clubbing tonight? Just a small celebration for our new paths." Alok ni Astrid makalipas ang ilang saglit. My eyes glowed in interest at her offer.
"Sure, why not?" I agreed full of glee.
After that small talk of ours, I find myself in my room in front of my laptop to check the marketplace and review the sales. Astrid also went to her room to take a rest before we go out tonight. She's staying in my house until the wedding. She's my maid of honor and I'm really grateful that she managed to find time to attend my wedding despite being so busy with graduation and her boutique.
Habang abala sa trabaho ko ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa aking cellphone. Clay hasn't reached out to me since we part ways after we arrived in Haerai few days ago. His unexpected confession caught me off guard, and suddenly I was out for words that I speak the first thing that entered my mind. If I am going to be honest with myself, I will admit that until now I still don't know how to let go of the hate. Surely, forgiving him is easy, but what about the trust? What about the doubt? The fear of being hurt again? Unfortunately, that comes in a package of betrayal. Forgiving is easy, but the other emotions that comes with hatred and pain ain't that easy to let go.
Pinilit kong alisin ang isipan ko kay Dream. If he doesn't want to talk to me, then so be it. He won't have any choice anyway. I'm pretty sure he won't call the wedding off just because of it. We will meet each other soon. I'll better be focusing on managing my business right now. I need to make sure that Snowmoon is doing okay while I am busy with my upcoming wedding.
After few hours of working, I decided to take a bath and start preparing for our clubbing. Bilang na rin naman ang mga araw ng pagiging single ko, bakit hindi ko na lang din enjoyin. Ilang saglit pa ay narinigk na ang pagkatok ni Astrid sa silid ko. Lumapit ito sa pinto upang pagbuksan ito. She's wearing a mini black dress that hugs her figure perfectly. I, on the other hand, chose a two-piece dress that has a chain design on it.
We arrived at the bar a little bit late because I decided to tour her first around Haerai. After few hours of going around the town, showing Astrid the most scenic view of the city. After that short tour, we both found ourselves in the local bar enjoying a margarita.
"So? Are you sure about the wedding?" Tanong nito sa akin habang sumisimsim sa basong hawak niya. We are both a bit tipsy already. We decided to get a VIP room after spending an ample amount of time on the dance floor. That way we can enjoy our drinks in peace without being disturbed and bothered by the noise.
Napatingin ako sa hawak kong baso ng alak saka napangiti.
"It's not that as if I have a choice in that." Sagot ko rito. I need to do it in order to protect Snowmoon. Aside from that, being married to Clay ain't that bad at all. He's one of the most sought-after bachelors in the country. He's handsome, successful, and rich. I will be a hypocrite if I say that I am not physically attracted to him.
"Well, if you want, I can pull some tricks to help you out of the wedding." She offered. I can't help but smirk at her.
"Hey, if you do that. The wedding gown you work hard for will come to waste. I still want to flaunt that dress on my wedding day." Wika ko dahilan upang sumimangot ito.
"Nah, if it means your happiness and freedom, I can sacrifice that dress." Humagikhik ito. "I would love to see you on the day, but I also want to make sure that you'll be happy after your wedding."
"Nah, Snowmoon is my happiness. Knowing that it can continue operating without the big company destroying it will be worth the sacrifice." Sagot ko saka sumimsim mula sa basong hawak ko.
"I don't think Clay will really destroy Snowmoon if you call the wedding off. Surely, he's ain't the kind to throw immature acts like that." Sagot nito sa akin.
Natawa ako ng mahina sa sinabi nito. Napailing ako. She doesn't know Clay that much yet.
"Not because someone appears to look kind and reasonable doesn't mean they really are. You need to be wary of people who appear spotless and untainted. A lot of people in this society ain't what they seem to be. Clay is included." Sagot ko rito. Clay is a businessman, a powerful one. He knows how to play the game so well. Who knows what that man is thinking?
YOU ARE READING
Arranged Marriage With A Game Developer
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