Chapter 4 Their Best Friends

• Silvana
• "Silv, are you sure your spouse is gay?" Mildred, my best friend, said. She was at our house today since Millie was assisting me in preparing for my forthcoming art display. She is asking me that question while staring carefully at Hector.
• "Hmmm... What do you think?" I also looked at Hector, who was in the gazebo. He was looking through some documents. as Mildred and I sit on the veranda.
• "I don't see any indicators; he's so manly to me," Mildred said, her gaze fixed on Hector.
• "Well, if I hadn't seen them that day, I may have thought the same thing as you, but it's alright; I'm more comfortable with him being homosexual," I smiled.
• "What if he wasn't?" Mildred inquired once again.
• "What's with the question, Millie?" I enquired, my brow wrinkled.
• Mildred chuckled. "I'm simply thinking you could fall in love with him, and I'm sure you two will be the ideal match."
• When I heard that, I choked. "Millie!" I can feel my cheeks burning up.
• "You're blushing," Mildred chuckled.
• "Oh, C'mon! I know you want me to ship you with Marcus, don't you?" I rolled my eyes heavenward. Mildred met him at our wedding. And my best friend was open about her feelings for him. And I watched her flush as a result of what I said.
• "Yeah, yeah. I liked Marcus, and I'd be sad if I ever found out he was homosexual, like your husband," Mildred stamped her feet on the ground like a kid. "However, it does not appear to me that your spouse is gay," she continued.
• "Alright, if you say so," I'll simply say that to conclude our discussion. "But you know what, Millie? I was so grateful to him," I murmured, glancing at Hector in the gazebo.
• "Me too! Because of him, I was able to meet Marcus!" Mildred laughed.
• "Yeah right," I responded, nodding my head. "Aside from that, I was thankful because of him. I was able to do the things I wanted to do. All my life, I just obeyed Mom and Dad. But now I have the freedom to decide for myself. And I can follow my passion. And this exhibit wouldn't be possible if it weren't for Hector. He's helping me a lot, in so many things and ways." I sincerely say that.
• Mildred smiled at me and added, "That's why you're so blessed to have him." I know she's delighted for me.
• "Yes, I am really lucky. I believe picking that spot for a holiday was a smart decision because I met Hector there. That modern-medieval home is a lucky charm, which is why I chose to put that painting in the exhibit," I said.
• Mildred asked, "And what are you going to call it?"
• "Hmmm..." I paused before responding to her query. "Fated." I'm going to call that artwork "Fated" because I met Hector through that house. That made me grin.
• "Interesting; are you intending to sell that painting?" Mildred inquired again.
• "I'm apprehensive, but I can create a new one," I replied to Mildred.
• Mildred hugged me and said, "Good luck with your first-ever art display, bestie! I'm delighted and pleased for you."
• I returned the hug. "Thank you, Millie!" I'm as pleased and happy as she is.
• Hector
• I'm here at the gazebo right now. And from where I am, I can see Silvana and her best friend, Mildred, on the veranda of our house.
• This house was my parents' wedding gift to us. And the gazebo is my favorite spot in the house. Because from here, I can see her from the veranda where she used to stay more often. She likes the view from there. And I love to see her calm and happy, appreciating the view.
• Right now, I can see how excited she is about her upcoming art exhibit.
• Her best friend was helping her with the preparations. While I had already arranged everything with the venue and the art gallery curator.
• Silvana is a very nice person. She deserves the best in everything. That's why I want this art exhibit to be successful. I already invited everyone I know in the business world to come to her exhibit. I could even buy all of her paintings. But I don't want her to be disappointed. Besides, I trust her talent. I'm sure everyone will love her paintings.
• "I know your wife is beautiful, but she might melt because of your intense stare." I turned and saw my best friend, Marcus, walking toward me.
• "I should tell our guards not to let you in next time," I said to him.
• Marcus just laughed at what I said, "Then I will call Silv and tell her your secret." He sat down in front of me, smirking.
• "Do that and I'll make sure that Mildred will be disappointed in you," I said to him, grinning.
• "All right, I won't say anything to Silv. But promise me you will help me with Mildred. " Marcus tries to bargain.
• And now it's my turn to laugh at him. It just so happened that my playboy best friend got love at first sight with Silvana's best friend. Suddenly, Marcus, who used to be a playboy, becomes a shy type when it comes to Mildred.
• "We are hopeless. What's happening to us?" I ask, shaking my head.
• "Maybe that Greg Smith left us a curse," Marcus joked.
• "Whatever! What did you bring this time?" I asked him while looking at the paper bags with him.
• "Of course! Silv and Millie's favorite bananaque and kamoteque!" He excitedly showed me what was inside the paper bags.
• I can't help but laugh at him. "I can't imagine a billionaire like you looking for that kind of food. Just to impress, Millie."
• "Compare that to you, who almost bought the whole building for your wife's art exhibit," Marcus said, teasing me.
• "Shut up, Marcus. Silv doesn't have to know that I did that. I don't want her to think anything about it," I have to stop him from talking about it, Silv might hear it.
• Marcus raised his hands as if surrendering. "Okay, I'll shut my mouth now. But do you mind telling them to join us here? I'm sure they will be glad to know that I bought their favorite merienda." He is referring to Silvana and Mildred. Even though the two come from wealthy families, they love simple things, including simple foods.
• "Alright, I'll invite them here. But zip your mouth, will you?" I remind him before I go to Silvana and Mildred.
• "I will. Don't worry," Marcus replied.
• I asked Silvana and Mildred to join us there in the gazebo, and the four of us ate merienda together.
• "Congratulations and good luck with your upcoming art exhibit, Silv," Marcus said to Silvana. I trust him, but I'm nervous that my best friend might accidentally say something about my secret.
• "Thank you, Marcus," Silvana replied, smiling. "By the way, can I ask you a favor?" She asked Marcus, and my forehead creased upon hearing that.
• "Sure! Anything for my best friend's wife. What is it?" Marcus willingly replied. Of course, he wants to impress Mildred.
• Silvana looks to Mildred before answering Marcus' question. And I'm waiting in anticipation.
• I'm his husband, and she is supposedly asking me a favor, not anyone else, including my best friend.
• Am I jealous of my best friend?
• "I want you to be Millie's date to my exhibit." I saw Silvana hold Mildred's hand. And Mildred's eyes widened because of what Silvana said to Marcus.
• I heard Marcus gasp in shock. But knowing my best friend, he can carry himself very well.
• I cursed myself for being jealous. I guess my wife is rooting for her best friend against my best friend. I can't help but smile at that thought.
• "S-sure." Marcus stutteringly responded. "If it is okay with Mildred." He added, then smiled.
• And I'm almost choked up hearing my playboy best friend stuttered. I can't believe it. Is this for real?
• "Thank you, Marcus!" Silvana said happily while clapping her hands. "Did you hear that, Millie? You have a date on my exhibit!" She seemed excited and thrilled.
• I can't help but stare at her face. I love seeing Silvana happy.
• "I heard it, Silv. Stop overreacting, okay?" Mildred said, glaring at her best friend. "Let's finish eating. We have a lot of things to do for your exhibit." It seems that Mildred is shy and wants to change the topic.
• "Here, Millie, have some bananaque," Marcus said, putting some bananaque on Mildred's plate.
• "Thank you," Mildred says to Marcus.
• It seems that this two was getting along, huh.
• "Do you want more bananaque, Silv?" I asked her.
• "Yes, please. And thank you, Hector," Silvana replied, smiling.
• "You are always welcome, my wife," I said to her while putting some bananaque on her plate.
• I guess I have to do something now to let her know that I'm not gay and I've already fallen for her.
• She knows me so well that pretending I haven't fallen for her yet stings, but that's the type of connection we have. We married for the sake of convenience. And we strive very hard to understand one other, even though we occasionally get confused.
• But now I have to man up and show her that I'm not the person she thinks I am. I should demonstrate to my wife that I am not a gay man.