Strangers in Love

CHAPTER 4: THE REHEARSAL

Uno's POVMy Assistant knocked on the door while I was on the phone talking to my client regarding our floor plans. I raised my forefinger as a signal for one minute.

"Yes, yes that's right. Architect Greene is on leave, he's getting married. I'll have Architect Williams and Engineer King to visit the site with you. Alright, Mister Shang. I'll keep you updated. Thank you!"

I put my phone away and look at my assistant, "Yes Jane? What is it?"

"Mister Blanche, Mister Green just called, he asked me to remind you about the church rehearsal at 3 p.m. and the wedding dinner rehearsal at 6 p.m."

"Do I have other appointments?"

"You have a lunch meeting with Miss Ollie Johnson."

"I see." I am really hesitant about this meeting as Ollie was my girlfriend back in high school and I know for sure that it's going to be awkward. But I continue, "Alright, I'll call Marcus now. Thank you."

The moment I heard the door closing, I dialed Marcus’s number and he answered it on the third ring.

"Hey man! I wasn't able to reach your phone earlier, so I called Jane."

"Yes, I was talking to Mister Shang, he just confirmed the floor plans. So, I will be sending John and Alfie to visit the site with them."

"Good! I sent them my invitation so I'm sure he already knows that I am getting married. Hey! Don't forget the rehearsals later, okay?"

"Hold on! That's not why I called!" I stopped him from hanging up the phone, but he just gave me an evil laugh.

"Yes man, she will come later too. And your ex-in-laws. So, fix yourself and just be handsome."

"No! That's not it!" denying the truth, but I heard him laugh even louder. "That's not it, I have a lunch meeting with Ollie later." Marcus stopped laughing, then I continued while trying to figure out his silence, "Can I bring her after the meeting?"

I can sense his seriousness the way he asked me, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, she's your friend too. So, I think it would be great if we can have a little chit chat together with your wife."

It took Marcus an infinity to speak again, "Do they know each other?" and that made me think twice.

"I can't remember if I mention Ada to her but I'm sure Ada knows about Ollie."

I was taken aback by what he said next, "Dude, you're a grown-up man now. I'm sure you already know what to do and what not to do."

"I know man. I know. Thank you. I'll text you after our meeting. Bye." He sighed before he hung up.

Looking at my watch, it's already 11:30, so I decided to contact Ollie to say that I am on my way to our meeting place.

Ollie's already there when I came in. I am supposed to call her but she saw me enter the restaurant, so I just waved my hands. I gave her a cheek to cheek with a hug saying "Hi! I'm sorry, I'm late." we were still standing with my hands on her lower back.

I myself got confused with my action but it's not that I did it on purpose.

She replied with her sweet smile as I gestured to her to sit down, "Oh no, I'm just early. I had a meeting earlier here too." Then a waiter gave us the menu as soon as I sat down, "Have you ordered?"

She nodded as she spoke, "Yes, I ordered your favorite steak for you." then she smiled but this time with embarrassment in her eyes then she continues, "But you can order a different meal if you don't like it."

"No, it’s alright." Then I return the menu to the waiter, "Thank you."

We talked about business matters during the meal. We finished the meeting smoothly, then we shifted the topic to Marcus' wedding.

"I really can't believe that he's finally settling down." she said while putting the wine glass to her lips to drink.

I nod to agree then I rest my back to the chair thinking if I should invite her later, but I shrugged the thought and asked her anyway. "Are you free later? Do you want to come?"

"Where?"

"At his wedding rehearsal."

"Oh! I'd love to!" while putting her left hand in her chest.

We talked a little more about the times we haven't seen each other. Then we head out to the church.

Ollie and I arrived at the church and everyone's already there except for Ada. We walked closer to Kelsey and Marcus who were talking to someone who I think was their planner.

I gave Marcus a light tap on his left shoulder to get his attention, Marcus just nodded. They seemed to be having a serious discussion, so Ollie and I decided to just sit and wait for them to finish their discussion.

"Oh, for God's sake Ada! Where are you?!" Kelsey exclaimed while dialing Ada's number. "I swear I'm going to kill her, Mom!" she whispers as she walks closer to her mother.

"What happened?" I asked Marcus as he is now standing in front of us. He pursed his lips and closed his eyes in frustration, "We can't start the rehearsal, Ada's still not here. We can't reach her phone."

Kelsey and Ada's father cut in and ask in a fatherly manner with a worried tone "Have you tried calling her office?" Kelsey replied with irritation and worries evident on her face "She doesn't want to be contacted through her office phone, so she never gave me her office number."

Their mother is about to speak when the door opens.

We turned our heads when we heard Ada's apologetic voice, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." running to give their parents a tight hug and kiss to her sister.

"Jesus Christ Ada Marie! What happened to you?" their parents gasped when she entered the room.

She is soaking wet, her hair is so messy, her clothes are dripping and her shoes squeak as she walks. She is drenched in the rain. I took a small step forward to run to her, but Marcus gripped my right shoulder to pull me back to reality.

Kelsey ran towards Marcus and said, "Babe, I have extra clothes in the car, can you get those, so Ada can change and we can start." Marcus nodded and Kelsey continued "Thank you, babe."

Marcus returned with clothes in his hands, gave them to Ada then went into the bathroom to get changed. While waiting for Ada, I use that chance to introduce Ollie to the Wynowitz.

Ollie and I walked closer to Kelsey, "Kelsey, this is Ollie. Marcus and I have been friends with her since high school." Then I gestured my hands from Kelsey to Ollie and I continued, "And this is Kelsey, Marcus' bride."

Kelsey smiled widely and gave Ollie a cheek to cheek greetings. When Ada came out, the wedding planner started the activity and it went smoothly.

At the restaurant, while waiting for the wedding planner's instruction, Kelsey and Ada's parents came up to me. I could feel their mother's curiosity, but a warm smile plastered on her face.

"Hello Uno, my son, how are you?" their mother asked while giving me a tight hug. I thought to myself, 'How I miss this motherly hug.' so I responded with a tight hug. But before I could reply, their father gave me a wink with a smile, "Who do we have here?"

"Mister and Missus. Wynowitz, this is Ollie, my friend." Again, Ollie showed her sweetest smile. Of course, she was known as the 'Smile Goddess' in our school back then.

"Hello, sweetie. How are you?" Missus Caroline Wynowitz said with a warm hug.

"I'm doing good, ma'am."

Mister Paul Wynowitz gave Ollie a handshake then he apologized for what happened earlier. "Ollie, I apologize for what happened earlier. Our eldest doesn't usually like that. It so happened that she was busy with her new job."

"Oh no, Sir. I don't mind it at all." But I cut their conversation, "New job?"

"Yes. To what I have heard from Kelsey, Ada moved to a different department to give more time for the wedding preparations..."

But before I could ask them more, the wedding organizer called Ada and me for the speech as maid of honor and best man. Then and only then I had the chance to talk to Ada.

"Hi."

She didn't say anything but at least she smiled even if that smile didn't reach her eyes.

"What happened to you earlier?" I can't help but ask her.

"Oh, I was supervising the shoot and didn't notice the time. And since it's rush hour I decided to take a bus and it started pouring when I got off, so yeah. That's what happened."

I could feel how nonchalant her tone is, so I did not dare to say anything anymore.