SOULMATES (PANDEE)

Chapter 5

"Hi, are you all enjoying the evening?" Marcel, the CEO, greeted the family at the table.

"Absolutely," Michelle's dad replied casually.

Marcel looked at Michelle as he spoke her name, "Michelle, I would like to introduce my daughter, as I promised earlier. This is Samantha, my favorite daughter," the CEO added with a touch of humor.

"Dad, I'm your only daughter," Samantha spoke with a playful smile.

Michelle, catching the CEO's humor, responded with a light-hearted tone, "Hi, Sam," as she looked at Samantha.

"Oh hi it's you again," Samantha responded smiling brightly.

"You two know each other?" her dad asked curiously.

"Actually, I bumped into her earlier," Samantha admitted, revealing the unexpected encounter in the hallway.

As the revelation unfolded, the atmosphere at the table became infused with a sense of serendipity. Michelle and Samantha, having crossed paths once again, found themselves at the center of an unexpected connection.

After the formal introduction, the CEO left his daughter, Samantha, at the Dee family's table to attend to other guests. Samantha took a seat beside Michelle, and the two began conversing to get to know each other better. One of the topics that surfaced was the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines.

"I will be joining Miss Universe Philippines this year," Michelle informed Samantha.

"How about you, Sam?" Michelle inquired.

"Well, I will if the opportunity will presented to me, then I will take it" Samantha responded.

"That's great! See you on the Miss Universe Philippines stage," Michelle expressed with enthusiasm.

"Yes, I will," Samantha agreed, the prospect of sharing the stage at the prestigious pageant adding an exciting dimension to their conversation. As they continued to chat, Michelle and Samantha discovered more common interests and found themselves building a connection that went beyond the chance encounters of the evening

Days passed, and Michelle and Samantha continued exchanging messages despite their busy schedules. Michelle provided regular updates to Samantha about her life, and Samantha reciprocated, sharing details about her own experiences. The constant communication deepened their connection, and they found joy in staying connected with each other.

One morning, Samantha's best friend, Emmanuelle, paid her a visit at home. As they engaged in conversation about various topics, Emmanuelle couldn't help but notice Samantha's intense focus on her phone, coupled with the genuine smiles that adorned her face.

"Sam?" Emmanuelle whispered, attempting to get Samantha's attention, but Samantha remained absorbed in her phone.

"Samantha," Emmanuelle spoke again, determined to break through Samantha's distraction.

Samantha finally looked up, meeting the curious gaze of her best friend. "Yes?" she responded.

"Who's that?" Emmanuelle asked with curiosity.

"Who?" Samantha asked, feigning confusion.

"The one you're texting nonstop, and you're smiling from ear to ear, girl," Emmanuelle teased.

"No one," Samantha responded casually, but Emmanuelle wasn't convinced. In a playful move, Emmanuelle snatched Samantha's phone and began reading some messages between Sam and Michelle.

"Oh my God! You're texting Michelle Dee!! When? How?" Emmanuelle asked with excitement in her voice, quoting one of the messages. "I miss you, and I miss you too."

"You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady," Emmanuelle told her best friend, eager to hear the details of this unexpected connection between Samantha and Michelle.

Samantha explained every detail about when and how she met Michelle. After the conversation, Emmanuelle asked, "So what are you two?"

"Friends?" Samantha questioned.

"Are you sure, Sam? Why do I feel like you are convincing yourself that you two are just friends?" Emmanuelle probed.

"Well, Michelle and I are friends," Samantha defended.

"Based on the text messages and your smile earlier, I think there is somethimg going on between the two of you," Emmanuelle teased her.

"Oh my God, Vera. Stop it," Samantha scolded her best friend.

"See, look at your face, my Sampan is blushing," Emmanuelle teased Samantha again.

They laughed together, enjoying the playful banter that had unfolded. Despite Samantha's attempt to dismiss any romantic notions, Emmanuelle's keen observations added a lighthearted and humorous dimension to their conversation.

After all the teasing from Emmanuelle, Samantha's phone rang, indicating that someone was calling her. Samantha glanced at her phone and saw Michelle's name flashing on the screen. Emmanuelle couldn't resist teasing her once again as Samantha answered the call.

Samantha, with a playful smile, picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"

Emmanuelle continued to wear a mischievous grin, silently reveling in the unfolding connection between Samantha and Michelle. The air was filled with a sense of curiosity and anticipation as Samantha engaged in the conversation with Michelle, unknowingly becoming part of a lighthearted chapter in their evolving connection.

After the call, Emmanuelle asked, "Why are you smiling like that?" looking at her best friend curiously.

Samantha, still with a lingering smile, replied, "She invited me to have dinner with her."

"She's inviting you on a date," Emmanuelle insisted with a mischievous tone.

"It's not a date," Samantha maintained.

"Still a date," Emmanuelle teased her once again, reveling in the playful banter between them. The prospect of dinner between Samantha and Michelle added a new layer of excitement to their growing connection, and Emmanuelle couldn't help but enjoy teasing her best friend about the possibility of something more than just friendship.