Chapter 5 Lawrence Saavedra

• I MADE MYSELF busier in the office the next few days.
• “Bestie, is everything okay with your wedding?” I asked while slicing the grilled pork chop on my plate. Cindy invited me to have dinner outside tonight.
• “I'm working on your gowns. I want you to wear something a little daring," she said while her eyes were glowing.
• "Don't make it too pretty. Your brides' maid might beat you up. You should be the only one who is beautiful there ." I chuckled.
• "No. Of course, my gown also looks fancy and gorgeous for me just because Carrick thinks so." She even touched both her cheeks then shook her head.
• I just rolled my eyes and continue to eat my food.
• "We will do the fitting of your gown this coming Saturday. Carrick's cousin is with you to fit his too. Oh, bestie, he's so handsome! My gosh!" she said with a red face.
• "Tsk. Here we go again, Cindy. I don't want to be linked to boys yet. I want to focus on our family business," I said with a smile.
• "Hmp! I just want you to enjoy your life. Also, bestie, Lawrence seems to be single now. Although, from what I heard, he's a certified Casanova and many women are chasing and crying for him."
• "So he's a playboy." I lightly shook my head.
• "Well, despite that, he's a good catch. I met him at their family reunion, and Carrick took me to their resort," she said, still thrilled.
• I just shook my head and continued eating; seems not interested at all.
• ***
• SATURDAY CAME, THE day of my gown fitting. Lucky to have a generously proportioned body, so I'm not used to dieting.
• I got out of the car wearing a white long sleeve polo and spaghetti top underneath. I just matched it with skinny black jeans and a white stiletto. I let my wavy hair blow over my shoulder. Wearing my sunglasses, I went straight into the boutique owned by Cindy.
• “Good morning, Lenny!” I greeted the receptionist at the front desk.
• “Good morning , Miss Margaux."
• "Is Cindy already there?"
• "Not yet, Ma'am, but she seems to be on the way," she answered.
• "Thanks!" I turned my back on her and started roaming around the boutique. I see a lot of dresses and mannequins displayed near the glass window. I can say Cindy is successful. This has always been her dream—to become a famous fashion designer.
• I was busy looking at the clothes when the man who had just entered the boutique caught my attention. A man in his late twenties, wearing a blue long sleeve polo and black jeans. He slowly walked toward the front desk with full of authority .
• I immediately frowned when I saw the man Cindy was referring to.
• “Hi, I'm looking for Miss Cindy Fajardo?” I heard the man asked.
• “Are you Mr. Lawrence Saavedra?” Lenny asked uneasily in her seat.
• “ Yes."
• "She's on her way now. Maybe you want coffee or tea first?" she offered with a huge smile on her face.
• My eyebrows rose at what Lenny had done. Why didn't she even offer me water?
• "No, thanks. I'll just wait here," the man said in a baritone voice and sat down on one of the couches there.
• "Okay, Sir." Lenny's smile immediately faded from her lips, and she returned to her working table.
• I secretly smiled because Lenny's strategy did not work.
• ***
• I KEEP LOOKING at Cindy's work, but I can't help but return my gaze to the man who was now staring at me. I quickly divert my eyes to the gowns in front of me. Until I felt him stand up and slowly walked closer in my direction.
• “Hi!” he greeted.
• I slowly nodded. I have to admit, he is breathtakingly hot with his angular face, dark brows, expressive pair of eyes, and heart-shaped lips. I also noticed he didn't lose his smile as he looked at me.
• “What's that smile for?" I asked irritably.
• "Nothing. It's just... what a small world!"
• I rolled my eyes and ignored him.
• His jaw tightened before turning around and walking towards the front desk. I followed her gaze as I spoke to Lenny. I think the two are getting along well with Lenny's boisterous laughter as if they were the only person inside the boutique.
• I rolled my eyes again and removed my sunglasses impatiently.
• I started to step out of the boutique.
• “Ma' am Margaux, are you leaving?" Lenny asked me with a big smirk on her face.
• I looked at her sharply, then the antipathetic man who seemed to lose his grin.
• “Yes. I will reschedule my meeting with Cindy because I have a sudden meeting,” I said.
• “Ah, is that so? All right, I' ll just tell Ma'am Cindy when she arrives. Just be careful," she said.
• I finally went out with irritation. I opened the door of my car and rushed into it, but I just sat there. I can't understand myself . I suddenly felt annoyed at the scene earlier.
• I calmed myself down before turning on the ignition but was surprised to hear a series of knocks on my car window.
• There, outside my car, I saw a big smile on Cindy's face. I quickly lowered the window.
• “Margaux, where are you going? Aren't you going to measure your gown now?” she asked with a wrinkled forehead.
• "I have a sudden meeting, so can I just reschedule it? But don't worry, Lawrence is there," I said firmly, not looking at her directly.
• "Oh my God, have you met him? What can you say? Isn't he handsome?" she asked tremblingly.
• Yes, he is handsome! I whispered at the back of my head.
• "Ah, yes, I met him," I replied before restarting the car engine.
• "Wait, are you really not going to fit your gown today?" she asked with wrinkled brows.
• I felt guilty because I really didn't have a meeting to go to. I just wanted to avoid the scene earlier.
• "Alright, I will cancel all my meetings for today," I said, turning off the engine again then getting out of the car.
• Cindy's face lit up, and she hugged me tightly. "Thank you so much, bestie!"