Bab 68: Chapter 68
"Thank you for doing this, Stephanie. I know it had been postponed before and I apologized for that," Alex told Stephanie who smiled at her in return.
"You don't need to apologize, Ms. Macatangay. This always happens with some of our clients. Some completely cancel too at the last minute," Stephanie reassured her. "By the way, do you have any special accomodations or restrictions when it comes to food?"
"Yes. Strictly no seafood," replied Robbie. "Both Allison and Sasha had allergies so we cannot have them."
"Certainly, Mr. Magsano. We will inform them right away. As for the catering, here are the proposed packages," as she handed them the list. "You will both have a taste test next week if you both wanted to keep the same caterers for the wedding."
"That's practical, considering we have two major events."
"Yes..." Alex trailed off as she scanned the menu, and looked around the room for possible sign of someone. Maybe a picture frame hanging on the wall, but she didn't see any.
Why did it looked familiar?
"A.J.?" a male voice called as Alex's eyes grew wide. There was only one person who calls her that and that is...
"Christopher?" she said as she turned her head towards the voice. She stood up and welcomed the owner of the voice in a huge embrace. "Ohmigod! What are you doing here?"
'So this is Christopher..' as Robbie examined the man hugging Alex. 'Why is he calling her A.J.?'
Robbie creased his brows as he studied the gentleman before him.
Why did it feel like he had seen him before?
Christopher was tall, about the same height as him with jade green eyes and chestnut brown hair. His smile could capture any woman he desired as it radiated throughout his face.
One person was in his mind that had the same features but he ignored the thoughts aside as a small irk feeling pierced inside his chest.
The same feeling he felt whenever Alex was getting close enough to other guys.
He was jealous.
"How have you been, A.J.? It's been five years.." Christopher said as he gazed at her, slightly pushing her away but not letting go.
Robbie could not take it any longer and he cleared his throat. Alex got the hint and smiled as she watched Robbie's reaction.
"Chris, I want you to meet my fiancé, Robbie," she introduced as she pulled away from the man and wrapped an arm around Robbie's arm. The latter was greatly pleased and gave a winning smile. It was odd since he was not supposed to compete with this man and yet, because of his jealousy, he's starting to feel proud that Alex was his.
What if this Christopher guy had an interest with Alex before? He couldn't erase that thought as the nickname he called her still bothered Robbie so much.
"Nice to meet you, man," and Christopher extended a hand. Robbie, on the other hand, took it half-heartedly. "It was nice to finally meet the man that captured Alex's heart."
'Captured her heart? Definitely!' Robbie thought, suddenly feeling satisfied.
Alex chuckled. "Aren't we poetic?"
"What? I'm just saying I'm happy for you. How's Sasha by the way?"
"She's with her Grandma and our Aunt Bernie."
"I miss that kiddo. I'm sure she's grown now."
"Yeah. She just turned ten."
"Already? Wow!"
"I'm her father, by the way," Robbie said proudly as both turned to him. Christopher was not even surprised.
"I could tell. She had your smile," Christopher commented.
Robbie smiled even wider. He was starting to like this guy.
"So, what brings you here, Christopher?" asked Robbie in a business-type manner.
"I owned this restaurant," Christopher replied.
"You do?" and Alex's eyes grew wider. "That's why the menu looks familiar. What happened to your restaurant in New Zealand?"
"I sold it and moved here."
"Is Kiara with you?"
"No. She's still there but I have my girlfriend with me. You should meet her. I'm sure you would like her. She's-"
"Hey, handsome!" called a female voice behind him and they all turned towards it.
A surprised gasp came out of both Robbie and Alex as they recognize the woman who called Christopher.
Because that woman was someone they knew.. someone they went to school with... more famous for being the flirtiest woman in highschool aside from Elaine.
The rebel chick that wore tattered black jeans and crop tops. The woman who smoked like a chimney and dipped herself to every man she met.
That woman was Isabelle Dmitri. She has red plump lips covered with bloody red lipstick, a signature she always had since they were teens, and also one that suited her personality.
"Ohmigod! Robbie? Alex? Is that you?" and she walked towards them, clinking her stilletos on the floor. Her huge breasts bounced as her perfect pear-shaped body swayed gracefully and her thick wavy auburn hair flew along with it.
She wrapped her long arms around them as Robbie suddenly turned pale upon seeing her. His mind reminded him of the past things that happened.
'Shit!' Cursed Robbie in his mind.
This woman gave him enough things to learn that he knew her well. Really well to the point that his mind would not erased it instantly as she came towards them. Her body pressed against him, suddenly reminding him of who she was in her life.
A woman which remained a secret even now.
"What are you doing here you two? Wait!" and she pointed her finger, as she let them go, revealing long pointed fingers coated with glittery red gel. "Are you engaged?"
They both nodded. Robbie smiled faintly as he felt uneasy all of a sudden.
Why did he have to remember it now?
He subconsciously clenched his hand as Alex noticed it as she creased her brows. Sweat suddenly came out of Robbie's brows.
Would she tell Alex about it?
'But she swore she wouldn't,' his mind battled within himself. 'Does it even matter?'
Isabelle noticed her discomfort as she touched his other arm slightly. She smiled as her eyes spoke volumes and he caught it. It was like an assurance that a secret will always remain a secret... unless he told Alex in which he should in the future.
Even if it really did not matter at all.
"It's nice to see you, Robbie," she greeted casually. "I love your products and had been constantly buying them for years."
Robbie chuckled nervously.
"I figured. That shade was the first one I ever made."
"Yes," and she touched her lips. "It still suited me, don't you think?"
He smiled. "Yes."
"Wait! You're the CEO of JM Cosmetics?" Christopher asked him.
"Yes."
"My god, A. J.! You didn't tell me."
Alex chuckled. "What? We lost contact after five years."
Christopher crossed his arms.
"Well, whose fault was that?"
Alex smiled. Isabelle turned to her boyfriend as her eyes awaited for answers.
"A.J.? Why do you call her A.J.?" Isabelle asked. Her eyebrow was raised in suspicion.
"Chris and I knew each other in New Zealand. I worked as a waitress in his restaurant before."
"Yes, and instead of calling her with her full name, I decided to do her initials. Allison Jane aka A.J."
"Oh!" Robbie and Isabelle dueted in surprise.
"Well... did you ever date?" Isabelle asked frankly.
Alex was not even surprised and just laughed about it. Isabelle had always been vocal and yet, she was much easier to hang out with than Elaine.
"No," Alex replied. "I'm too busy to date."
"Besides, Alex is like family. Kiara babysat Sasha since she was a baby."
"You have a daughter?" asked Isabelle in surprise.
Alex nodded.
"With who?"
"With me," Robbie replied proudly.
Isabelle gasped in surprise as she placed her hands on her mouth.
"Wow! That's amazing," and her eyes focused on Robbie. It was as if she was telling him directly that finally his wish to have Alex came true.
Isabelle was quite popular back in high school, but she was never an airhead and mean like Elaine was. She might be a player but she never tried to hook up with guys who were committed to their girlfriends.
That's why Alex liked her more than Elaine, and aside from that, she was also the first ever customer Robbie had as she bought the first few samples of the lipstick when it first came out.
A patron she was and still is... and yet, Alex did not know that this woman had history with her future husband.
Something that might entirely change the way she saw Robbie before... if she ever finds out.
It might not matter anymore if the secret did come out but if it did, surely Alex would be thankful for it... as now she was benefitting in all of it.
They had a secret... in which no one had ever dared to talk about even now...
And yet, Robbie knew at some point he needed to tell Alex. Not that it still mattered but at least let her know that at some point in his life he had become desperate and the first person who ever helped him was Isabelle.
Even if it was not even that important anymore but that experience both changed them. Maybe not as much as Isabelle but definitely, Robbie.
For he had become an expert in winning the woman he had loved for several years...
"Shall we entice you for lunch then?" asked Isabelle. "I mean for old times sake? It's been a long time since we had some friends over."
"We would love to," answered Alex.
The pair then ushered them to their seats.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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