Preparation

Friday

Bram woke me up with a kiss on my left cheek. He was wearing his usual coat and tie for work. And Maria was staring at me. I scrambled to get up because I totally forgot that we slept in the living room sofa bed. I fixed my hair for a bit and glanced at Bram who was staring at me with a smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said as he shook his head. He looked amused.

I frowned at him and glanced at Maria. He was probably amused by how disheveled I look in the morning. Then Chantal walked in the living room and stood up by the main entrance where she usually stayed. I was not sure what Bram's order to her. Did she really have to watch over me inside his condo?

"I'm going," I heard Bram say. But I did not turn to him. I decided to stack both our pillows and started to fold the blanket but Maria took it from me.

"I'll take care of this, Madam," she told me. Then she started to fold our blanket, "Madam Calla already called three times, Miss." Maria added.

"Oh, I need to find my phone…" I tried to say however I was not able to finish because Bram held my right upper arm and made me face him.

"I said I was going," he said again.

I paused and looked up to him, "I heard you," I told Bram. I was distracted because I was thinking where I placed my phone last night, "I thought you left?"

He just stared at me then he smirked, "See you later!" Then he walked out of the living room.

Sometimes Bram was this sweet guy who could sweep me off my feet. And then he would transform into an irritating guy that I wanted to hurl something at. I was not sure if he was doing it on purpose or if that was how he truly was. I was about to go to the master's bedroom when my ringtone filled the living room. I located my phone on the center table near the TV on my right.

I picked it up and checked the caller ID. It was Aunt Calla. I tapped the green button and she spoke immediately.

"Hello Darling!" Aunt Calla greeted me.

"Aunt Calla, I'm so sorry that I was not able to return your call last night," I replied to her. I walked towards the kitchen.

"Nothing to worry, darling. Anyway, Bram said no to my additional guest." Aunt Calla's voice changed at the last part.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I commented as I opened the cabinet for glasses. I got one and filled it with water from the dispenser.

"I wanted to add Brandon. I realized that he needed exposure too, just like George," Aunt Calla continued. I took it from the dispenser and gulped half of the glass.

"I understand. I'm sorry, I have no access to the guest list, Aunt Calla," I explained to her in a low voice. I finished my water then left the glass on the sink.

"Don't worry about it dear. Anyway, you will be at our table," Aunt Calla stated. Her cheerfulness returned.

I was shocked by what I heard. I swallowed and said, "I did not know that. I'm glad you told me."

"My dear, Bram will sit with the executives. Let's enjoy the night, okay? It will start at eight o'clock. So make sure you are at Roberto's Studio at twelve o'clock sharp. They will do your hair and make up there so don't be late." Aunt Calla instructed me.

"Oh okay, thank you." My response was a bit delayed because I was still taking all the information in. I had never been to an event like this before.

"Ciao darling. See you later!" Aunt Calla said then she hung up.

I stared at the phone after. I checked the time, it was just thirty minutes past six. When I looked at the living room again. Maria and Chantal were just moving the center table back to its original place. I walked towards our room and Maria trailed behind me. She was carrying pillows and blankets. She placed the stack on the bed and told me the same thing that Aunt Calla just instructed me over the phone.

Everyone was so excited for the event except me. I remembered what Bram said last night. He told me to expect my brother and Alicia tonight at the event. How could I deal with that? I sat on the single sofa and absently watched Maria while she arranged the pillows and blanket back to our bed.

I was startled when my phone rang again. This time it was my mom. I answered immediately.

"Dear, sorry I was not able to tell you that we were back in Manila. Anyway, I have not met your brother's new girlfriend. All I know is that she is from the States," My mother sounded out of breath on the other line.

"It's okay mom," I responded then I cleared my throat, "I was not aware that they invited you. Do you have something to wear? Do you need help?"

"We're okay. Credence provided everything for us," Mom said to me.

"Bram's mom?" I asked, surprised. I bit my lower lip.

"You sound surprised?" mom exclaimed and added, "Yes love, she took care of everything. I had no intention of going. You know me, I want to avoid unwanted and awkward conversations."

"I know mom. Um..I need to go. I'll see you later, okay?" I told her as I stood up.

"Okay dear, take care!" she said then I ended the call.

I went to the bathroom with my phone in my hand. I fixed my hair into a loose bun and stared at myself in the mirror. I was about to turn the faucet on when I heard two knocks at the door.

"Shall I prepare your breakfast, Madam?" Maria asked me. She was standing outside the bathroom door.

"Yes please, thank you," I answered Maria. I closed the bathroom door when she left, then I started my morning routine.

At around thirty minutes past seven, Maria recommended that I should take a bath after breakfast. Because the person who would do my nails would arrive at ten thirty. I followed her and went to the bathroom. I found some waxing products near the sink. It was not there before so I decided to use it.

I read the instructions online and the article said that there should be a two hour gap after I waxed. So I needed to take my bath at ten o'clock. To kill time I sat on the edge of the sofa and removed the old receipts from my wallet. Then my phone rang again. It was Bram and it was a video call.

I tapped the green button and saw Bram's bushy eyebrows and gorgeous blue eyes. He moved the camera so I could see his full face.

"What are you doing?" Bram asked. He was seated on his office chair. I was still in the process of getting used to his British accent. And sometimes I needed to repeat what he just said in my head, so I would understand it.

"I'm just removing old receipts from my bag," I responded to him. The intensity of his gaze on me made me so uncomfortable that I decided to look inside my bag instead.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Bram asked again.

I looked back at the screen and he was still staring at me, "I will take a bath at ten o'clock," I told him then I averted my eyes to avoid his penetrating gaze. I crumpled the receipts on my hand.

"I need you here by seven thirty, okay?" I heard him say. I turned back to the phone screen and nodded.

"Okay, I'll be there," I said and gave him a reassuring smile.