Maria was even more perplexed by Alia's response. There was so much anger and bitterness lacing her words and actions. She stared at the way Alia's hand tightened around the fork as if she was about to hurt soone.
"Did he cheat on you after proposing to you?" Maria asked calmly, feeling so sorry for Alia.
"What! No. I'm not talking about him. I was referring to the jerk I was supposed to be married to." Alia explained.
"Huh! I'm a bit lost." Maria said dropping her fork, her gaze intense and unwavering.
Alia released a sigh also dropping her fork. All this talk about Jerry had made her lose her appetite.
"It's kind of complicated and I don't think you will want to hear it." Alia was reluctant to share her ugly story.
"Are you kidding? I'm dying to hear it." Maria's animated gesture made Alia chuckle.
"Okay. I don't know if you heard about the huge celebrity wedding that took place in this city more than two weeks ago."
"The one between Jerry Morgan and Alia Shawls?" Maria's eyes widened in disbelief, as things beca more clearer on where she had seen Alia's face before.
"The sa one." Alia scoffed looking sideways.
"Are you by any chance Senator Gregory's first daughter, Alia Shawls?" Maria asked, her heart pounding.
"You know my father?" Alia was equally stunned.
Maria laughed, her smile slowly fading.
"Yes, I know your father. He was my husband's business partner so years before my husband died."
"Really!" Alia was shocked. Although her father wasn't the type to mix family with business, she knew a handful of his business partners in the past. But after travelling overseas to complete her studies, she lost track of all of them.
Alia wanted to ask the na of Maria's husband. But she knew that would only bring the sweet woman more grief, especially now that her expression had turned sorrowful.
"What a small world, right?" Maria sighed. She shook off the grief clouding her heart and turned her attention back to Alia. So, what happened between the two of you? I was hearing a lot of rumours but I don't really pay attention to most gossips.
Alia paused for a while contemplating whether to open up to Maria or not. So far, it felt as though she was confiding in her own mother but after Maria's reaction to her father's na, everything beca awkward.
As if guessing Alia's hesitation, Maria reached out her hands across the table to touch Alia's warm hands. "You can trust with your secret, Alia. I'm your friend now and I will always have your best interest at heart."
Alia stared into the woman's magical eyes, believing every word she said. "Okay." She released a sigh before giving Maria a short version of her story while leaving out so important details.
"I was kidnapped and almost killed on the eve before my wedding. But soone rescued and saved from a horrible death that night. While I was at the hospital fighting for my life, the wedding continued with my step-sister posing as ."
"Ah..." Maria's jaw dropped, eyes widened like a saucer.
"To add more insult to injury," Alia continued. "I discovered that my stepsister was having an affair with my fiance, sothing that beca public knowledge. Not only did the cheating couple rob of my identity, but I was forced to beco a married woman even though I was never married. So I divorced the Jerk and he officially married my stepsister the next day without any sign of remorse."
"How cruel. I never knew people like that still exist." Maria felt sorry for Alia. "What about the person whom you're engaged to now."
"I'm sorry I can't talk about him," Alia said in a resigned tone. "I hope you will understand."
"I totally understand." Maria could guess the kind of relationship Alia had gotten herself into. If only she could find out who this man was and pay him off to let go of Alia for her son. She believed Alia would make an amazing partner for her equally heartbroken son.
Aside from the clinking of cutleries against ceramic plates and distant muffled chatting from other restaurant guests, there was complete silence between both won for a while.
"I..."
"Can..."
Maria and Alia said at once and they both chuckled.
"Why don't you go first?" Alia urged.
"If you don't mind this nosy woman asking..." Maria paused, listening to Alia's soft chuckle. "Why were you in the hospital? Are you sick like ?"
"Oh...no. It's my grandmother. She was diagnosed with a minor stroke." Alia was saddened again.
"Such a pity. Old people are very fragile." Maria sighed. "But don't you worry she'll be alright?"
"I hope so." Alia picked up her glass of water and took a sip. She checked the ti on her wristwatch and decided it was ti to leave.
"Maria, I really had a great ti talking with you today. You have no idea how unburdened I feel right now. Thank you for being an amazing woman and cheering up. I hope I never lose you as a friend."
Alia's last statent brought tears to Maria's eyes.
" too." Maria bead sweetly.
Standing up, she walked across the table to where Alia was seated and took the empty seat beside her, leaving Alia puzzled.
"Here..." She took off one of her rarest crystal pearl bracelets and wore it on Alia's left wrist. "I have only two of these and I'm giving you one of them."
"No, I can't ..."
"Listen, Alia. I can't explain why but I like you so much. You are like a daughter I never had and I want to do this."
Tears slid down Alia's flushed cheeks as she held Maria's tender gaze.
"You are also a softie like ." Maria wiped Alia's tears, with her thumb, making the latter smile. "As long as you keep this bracelet on your wrist." She stroked the bracelet with so much love in her eyes. "...we will forever be friends."
"Okay." Alia threw her arms around Maria's neck and hugged her dearly.
Maria pulled away from Alia and reached across the table for her phone
"Can I have your contact, please?" She said extending the phone to Alia.
"Certainly." Alia imputed her number and returned it to her.
"I'll call you now so that you can save my number," Maria said, smiling to herself as she saved Alia's number with my son's wife. Then she dialed Alia's number.
"That's my number. Save it."
Alia saved the contact before rising to her feet.
"I have to go now."
Just then a waiter approached their table with a man in dark shades and a premium hat.
"Alia!" Henry's eyes widened in surprise.
Reviews
All reviews (0)