Chapter 2 Hello Again

• Leila was surprised. She pinched her thighs to wake herself up from this daydream but the man didn’t disappear.
• “Hi,” he broke the silence. “I’m Kelvin.”
• “Hi,” she replied. Pulling out her phone, she tapped on Kelvin’s Tinder profile and zoomed in. “So it's really you. I was thinking that maybe you were actually a bald man. ”
• Leila checked the Tinder profile again to make sure that he was really the tall, handsome man with blue eyes that saw into her soul.
• Kelvin chuckled. “Yeah, that’s me, Leila.”
• God finally brought her a real Tinder handsome! Her heart thumped and her blood seemed to boil.
• "You know what? We just met at the restroom. You happened to bump into me and I happened to pick up your wallet there." Leila handed the wallet back to the suited man in front of her.
• "Oh. Sorry I did not mean to do that, I was in a hurry to meet the cute lady in front of me. And thank you so much for the wallet.” Leila's heart skipped for a beat for the warmth of Kelvin's smile.
• "Um... Well, I accept your apology." Leila was sure that she blushed a little, maybe more than a little.
• "I..." Both spoke at the same time and laughed a shyly smile.
• "There's a rare chemistry between us. Seriously, I could feel it at first sight of you." Leila was ecstatic for his simple yet genuine words, but she told herself she must keep it cool in front of this handsome.
• "Perhaps." Forcing herself to be calm, she took a sip of her already-melted milkshake.
• But fate seemed to dislike Leila's reaction, and intentionally created another coincidence as both cell phones rang at the same time.
• “What about your date?” Freya asked.
• Leila darted a quick glance at the man in front of her, who was also answering the phone.
• “Good.”
• “GOOD? Omg, did I hear you wrong? This is the first time you rate a Tinder date as GOOD.”
• Leila paused for a moment before telling her friend how excited she was, realizing that now didn't seem like the right time to say that in front of her Tinder date.
• "Well, I will tell you about it later." She just wanted to finish the conversation as soon as possible.
• “Leilani May Collins.” Leila winced at the use of her full name. “I’m at Total Gardens. You'd better come and tell me everything about it before the wedding is over.”
• The call ended before Leila could protest and a sigh escaped her as she planned to leave.
• As she turned to Kelvin, who happened to finish his call as well, Kelvin volunteered, "You first."
• Leila curled her mouth awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I have to go to my friend's wedding. She just called."
• Kelvin puckered his lips and shrugged, "Another coincidence! We can date for another time, Leila. Maybe we'll even run into each other tomorrow."
• Though reluctant to leave, Leila simply nodded and the two said a brief goodbye before heading off to their respective wedding sites.
• For some reason, there were more cars than expected on the road today. Freya was already waiting for her when she arrived. Freya hugged her warmly.
• "I'm sorry for making you wait. Is the wedding over?"
• "Yep. It's okay, tell me about your date! " Freya urged.
• With an excited and mysterious smile, Leila whispered in her friend's ears, "Maybe this is the one, my Mr. Right."
• Her friend was too shocked to say anything. Looping her arm through Leila’s elbow, Freya tugged her in the direction of the reception. "I'm gonna be your maid of honor. When's the wedding?"
• "Shut up!" Leila flushed at her jest.
• They entered a garden decorated with flowers and Leila bent before a bouquet hit her square in the face. The tables had been set, and chairs arranged around them in a circular pattern. An aisle divided the tables. Beside the makeshift stage, a band played soothing music that tugged at her heart.
• Freya guided her to a table and pulled out a chair for her. "You sure he's the one?"
• Taking out her compact mirror, Leila smacked her lips and added another layer of red lipstick. "Yes."
• “Fine.” Leaning closer to her best friend, Freya whispered, “Some of the guests are hot. Just wait.”
• And Leila was uninterested in them. “I don’t care, Freya.”
• Freya laughed. “Once you see them, you might forget about him.”
• Out of curiosity, her eyes scanned the garden. The place was empty except for them, the band, and the caterers setting up the meals.
• Oh. There was one other person.
• A man.
• A man named Kelvin.
• A man she just met today.
• Kelvin's head was bent over his phone. His grey tux fit snugly to his body and each time he moved, his biceps tugged on the material of his suit. He must have felt her eyes on him because he lifted his head and looked straight at her, his eyes so fiery they seemed to melt Leila's body.
• This was their third encounter today.
• He arched a brow when she continued staring and she looked away. Her cheeks warmed and she hesitated, unsure whether or not to take the initiative and say hello.
• “How do I look?” Freya adjusted her hair and gown, and Leila gave her best friend a thumbs up. As always, Freya was stunning. “Thanks. Have fun without me.”
• She felt his eyes on her and she peered from under her lashes to get a better look at him.
• Thick brows. Full lips. Chiseled jaw. Delicate nose. Short hair that was constantly falling over his forehead. She wanted to walk up to him and smoothen the hair out of his face.
• The MC said something Leila didn’t hear because she was so focused on the man. She returned to her phone, determined not to give Kelvin the satisfaction of meeting his gaze again.
• But a message popped in immediately.
• Kelvin: Hello again.