OBSESSION trilogy: Hunger [NOT UPDATED]

Chapter 43

Alice wasn't able to talk to Amanda that night.

Nag-message ito kaninang alas-siete na lalabas ito kasama si Mia. She didn't elaborate further so Alice didn't ask more questions. Maybe later, when they are all alone and Amanda would tell her everything.

Alam ni Alice na may kung anong nangyayari ngayon between Amanda and Jake. Kung mayroon ngang seryosong problema, kailangan niyang maka-usap ang pinsan as soon as possible. Dahil sa kalagayan nito ngayong hindi mapakali at pagiging nerbyosa, baka gumawa ito ng isang desisyong padalos-dalos at lalong lalala ang problema, kung meron man.

Instead, that night, Alice met with the three bridesmaids again to talk about the final touches of the surprise bachelorette party. Hopefully ay ma-lift up ang spirit ni Amanda through that.

This time, sa suite ni Alice naganap ang party. Nag-order sila ng dinner sa hotel service. Sa una ay sabay-sabay muna silang kumain ng dinner habang nagkukuwentuhan. Then they feasted on the desert Shina once again brought. Alice's taste buds still tingled from the culinary perfection of the perfectly-made pudding served with maple sauce and freshly cut strawberries.

They were just settling on the couches with a glass of crisp white wine each when knocks sounded on the door.

Nagtatakang timungo iyon ni Alice. Napagbuksan niya si Mia na poised at elegante pa rin ang hitsura kahit na tapos na ang working hours.

"Mia? May problema ba? Si Mandy?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

Pagod na ngumiti ang dalaga. "She's fine. Well, iyon ang sabi niya nang makabalik kami dito sa hotel fifteen minutes ago. Pero in my opinion, something's bothering her. Can I come in? God, I'm tired from all the work."

Niluwangan niya ang pinto at sinundan ito hanggang sa couches. Inabutan niya ito ng isang baso ng wine. She graciously accepted it and immediately took a sip, almost emptying the glass.

"Whoa. Chill, Mia. That won't get you drunk if that's what you want," natatawang puna ni Naeomi.

"I'm dog-tired. I need this wedding to be over soon or I'll just keel over one of these days and die on you." She toed off her heeled shoes and settled comfortably on the single couch.

"So, you are here. Does that mean you'll be with us on the plans?" tanong ni Shina.

"Of course, I am! I'm your frigging wedding planner and I've done this before already. So if you are planning to keep it a secret, don't. I know weddings. Trust me."

Tumawa si Alice. "Pero it's good that you went here tonight. Atleast we'll have the help that we need. Professional help."

"So, what do you have so far?"

"Ate, I know that these parties happen a day or night before the wedding but we need to reschedule it to the day after the next," imporma ni Rissa sa kanila.

"Bakit napaaga?" tanong ni Mia.

Bumuntong-hininga si Alice. "This family is too busy, Mia. Ang hirap isingit sa schedule ang party lalo na ngayon na mukhang may urgent silang inaasikaso tungkol sa business."

Kumunot ang noo ni Mia. "So that's the reason Jake's back in Sicily."

Nagulat si Alice sa sinabi nito. Hindi niya alam na umalis ang binata lalo na at kakikita niya lamang dito kaninang umaga sa lobby. "Kailan pa?"

"A little before dinner. He told me it's an important matter, pero iyon lang. Wala na siyang sinabing specific tungkol sa 'business' na pupuntahan niya roon."

Alice chewed on her lip. Maybe that was the reason why Amanda was upset the whole day. But why was she crying? It was just common for Jake to fly to different locations in short lenghths of time.