5

•••

Back in the routine of work, Lyari met with various consultants and engineer specialists at the office through the following days. Most of the time she was given leeway by the higher ups to get things done on her own afterwards.

Since it was her sole project, she had time to squeeze in a little get together with Dawn for lunch at one of the cafes near their building.

Dawn had been in town for two days now, and seemed to enjoy herself so far by the looks of it. Shopping at the BGC and the prospect of meeting new people at the conference kept her busy, it seems.

It's been months since they spoke in person, and they planned to make the most of the fleeting visit. All talk of work was set aside in the meantime.

They were in that position when Dawn announced, in a singsong voice, her good news. "I'm going on a date."

"What? With whom?"

Dawn fluffed up her newly trimmed, dyed from black to brown hair. Her very wide grin spoke volumes. Honestly, Lyari had never seen her friend so happy she looked like she's about to pee from it.

"Just a guy I met at the conference. Mikko Lasceles, he's very attractive."

Well, that was fast.

"Wow, serious? I'm guessing the date is set tonight?"

"Yes, he said he'd like to take me to dinner," Dawn answered dreamily.

"Hm, about time. He's a lucky guy."

"I'm the lucky one, thank you very much."

Chuckling, Dawn proceeded to tap away at her phone, long manicured nails creating a sort of asmr sound on the surface of the screen. Lyari paused to watch the movement.

"Problem is I don't exactly know what to wear tonight," her friend continued with a frown marring her beautiful eyebrows, her tapping ceased.

"Well, I can help you with that. Did he say anything about the venue?"

"He was always telling me about this new bistro that had just opened up downtown, maybe he means to take me there, I don't know. I don't even know what's appropriate for that place, oh god. Please give me some tips." Dawn looked at her pleadingly, she could tell she was close to freaking out at the realization.

She whipped her sunglasses on, and with a pat on Dawn's arm she assured her "Don't worry, I told you I'm going to help you through it. Just relax, if anything, what you need is a dress to impress."

"What kind of dress?"

She smiled. "Why don't we go shopping this afternoon, I could use a break from the grind."

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here, Lyari."

"Hey, what are friends for."

Slurping on her milk tea, Dawn gave her a look.  "Which reminds me, you need a date too, my friend. You've been single for as far as I can remember; you know you deserve to have at least a turning point in your life."

A cynical laugh was all she managed, before coming to her own defense, "So what? I don't think I'm cut out for that, Dawn. The last thing I need is a man right now."

"You've said that before, back in college. Come on it's been four years now."

Lyari hadn't always been this uptight about the prospect of relationships. Years ago she had her first boyfriend, she was broke back then but she'd tried and as always it didn't work out in the end. There had been no drama, and sadly that was all the experience she needed to sate her.

She sighed. "I know, but I'm pretty busy these days. I'm not yet ready to get into all that."

Dawn shrugged, choosing to not get disappointed.

"Mikko has a friend, in case you change your mind."

Lyari laid back in her seat and looked around her, choosing to keep silent on the matter. Fewer people were passing by them this time because it was already way past one.

The weather had just the right temperature; they were seated at one of the tables outside so she could feel the heat of sun rays directly on her naturally golden tanned skin.

A tall figure in dark suit, wearing aviator shades suddenly passed by her line of sight. She noticed him, just as he was looking at her. Something about the way he observed her for far longer than what is appropriate triggered her defenses, and she frowned.

When he caught her noticing him, he quickly averted his gaze and walked away in the sidewalk.

Strange.

"What the hell," she muttered.

"Hm?" Dawn asked, looking up from her phone in concern. She followed the direction of Lyari's eyes. "What is it?"

She didn't know why, but the man had seemed slightly familiar to her. She couldn't quite place him though.

"Nothing," she denied, deciding to let it go, "just some creep. This city is full of them."

"You're too hard on them, maybe he's just checking you out," Dawn stated with a smile.

"Don't be silly, Dawn."

They were at a high end dress boutique at the mall strip, looking through racks of expensive cocktail dresses for Dawn's first night out with the guy.

"The only thing I can say is, one of these pieces will definitely wipe out my monthly salary," her friend whispered, widening her eyes at her.

"Yes, they're too overpriced for my liking. Want to go somewhere else?"

"Good idea."

They finally ended up in a slightly affordable house for clothes, where Dawn found a sexy black halter dress which was definitely up their alley. The price was equally less forgiving as the last one, but Lyari promised to pitch in when they head to the counter.

"Oh my god, I didn't know it was going to be next week. Lyari, look at this." Curtains shuffled when from the changing room, her friend approached her with an excited look on her face.

"What?"

She showed her a post from another batch mate in high school on Instagram. The picture wasn't the woman's body, surprisingly. It was a picture of an emerald engagement ring nestled amongst a bouquet of white roses. Maya was getting married, according to the caption.

Raising one eyebrow, she asked "And?"

"She promised she's gonna invite us, to her bachelorette party."

"Us? You mean, it's you she's inviting."

"No, she mentioned you too, it was in her text. She knows how close we are, and I told her we wouldn't miss it for the world."

•••

Next week flew by, and before she even knew it, she was driving Dawn to the high lands of Baguio. To Maya's wedding.

It took a lot of convincing on her best friend's part, but eventually she gave in.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take the chance to see how her acquaintances were doing in life personally for once. It was perfect timing considering she wasn't about to start on the drafts of her project yet until after the final results of the consultation was in at the end of the week.

It was also to her relief that her three-day leave at work wasn't a problem for Mr Chaves, but being himself, he let her out of his sight only after threatening her position.

Back on the road, her best friend kept bitching about their friends at home while she listened behind the wheel. It was refreshing to hear someone talk to her on these long drives. For once, it didn't feel lonely.

Come evening, they had arrived at the vacation house which Maya's allegedly affluent husband owned. He was a bit older according to Dawn, unfortunately they didn't get to meet him because it was the eve of the bachelorette party. The guys were currently at a beach somewhere in Pangasinan.

Maya met them halfway at the drive way. She was a morena beauty, just like Dawn.

The loud squeal and welcoming hug they received from the woman wasn't entirely unexpected, it was a little bit much but they let it slide.

She had such a lively energy about her that she instantly stole the lights.

"Oh my god, I'm so glad you could make it, you guys. Especially Lyari here. It's been years, I practically forgot how beautiful you look now."

Now?   "Thanks, you are practically glowing yourself Maya. Congratulations on your wedding."

"Why, thank you."

"And we brought your gifts, as well as some stuff for the party," Dawn added after trading half-hearted insults with the woman.

Maya, with her flimsy silk slip beamed at the two of them before turning away.

"Love you, guys. You're the best."

"Well, nothing beats the excitement of a bride to-be," Dawn told her through the side of her mouth as they watched Maya instruct a helper to unload all their bags and gifts at the trunk.

She nodded in agreement. No question there.

"Come on you two, let's get inside. The party's about to start!"

•••