The Meeting
1622 Words
Phil stopped her as she passed through to them. They are all near the school gate and she doesn't have a choice but to bump into them.
"Eve, wait! I would like you to meet my friends!" He said.
"Hello everyone!" She greeted them and turned to Phil and touched his arm apologetically. "Sorry Phil, I have to go to work now. Have fun with your friends!"
"Whoa, that's rude! He's just introducing us to you and you have to go right away?" The most handsome of them all commented.
The five other guys looked at them with tension in their eyes. Then they agreed and made some sound of approval.
"I'm sorry, I'm a working student. Phil knows about it. That's why I'm always in a hurry after class." She responded.
"My name is Adam and here are all my friends. Bob, Pete, Chris, Sky, Sam, and you already know Phil." He introduced them ignoring what she just said.
It leaves her not to have a choice but to stay for a little longer. She smiled at them and looked at Phil as if she's asking him to help her escape.
Adam seems not to care about it since he looks like a popular boy from his university. He's the tallest, more athletic-looking, and he also has that deep-sexy voice.
Sexy voice? What is she thinking? But though they all look charming, Adam seems to have ten times the charm and appeal, she thought. He's the type of guy that does take no for an answer.
"Great! Now that I know your names, I better go now before my boss kills me. It was nice to meet all of you!" She said and walked away from them fast leaving them all dumbstruck.
That's her specialty, to escape those who want to befriend her. She started to feel miserable already. But she doesn't have the luxury of time like the other young adults her age.
Eve sighed and looked at her watch. It's only 5 PM. Her shift will not start until 6 PM. She had an extra hour. But she doesn't want to hang out around them any longer or she will end up not wanting to leave them anymore.
The convenience store is only five minutes away from her school. But she normally uses that spare time to do some of her homework. The store can get hectic with students during those times.
Though she felt bad for just leaving the group so fast. She should have chatted for at least a few minutes with them. That guy, Adam, makes her feel guilty for not staying for a bit. He has this distinct appeal that she can't just dismiss.
*****/////******
Years passed by and Eve finally got her job as a store manager for her benefactor Miss Marian. She went all out for her to make sure that she will finish her college degree in business administration.
She can't believe her luck that Miss Marian even allowed her to stay in one of her houses for free. That way, she can finally take her family with her. Her only condition is she will be in charge of collecting the rent of other tenants from her apartments.
Even though everything's set, her parents seem to be hesitant to leave their home under the bridge. But she has to force them via emotional blackmail so that they will join her in her humble but better home. Then they finally agree to go with her.
Before she left the bridge a long time ago, she's the only child of her parents. But now, she is just meeting her brother and sister for the first time.
Looks like her parents had more time to make babies when she left them from the bridge. She now has two siblings and she hopes that she can support their education as well. Then they don't have to have a hard time like her.
At least now they are all together as one family. She was able to successfully make a path that leads her to a successful life. But she knows that she still has a long way to go. After all, she's just twenty-five years old.
For now, she will just let herself be happy. She was able to start a small business for her parents too. Now, they have a small space from the local wet market selling fresh produce. This way, her parents can have their own money for their other needs.
Her brother and sister are still young. Anne is only fifteen while Steve is just thirteen. Eve is only twenty-five and she had two teenagers living under one roof. As if she's their second mother now because of their age gap.
"It looks like you did it, Eve!" Miss Marian said, feeling proud of her accomplishments.
"It's all thanks to you, Miss Marian!" She replied feeling grateful for all her help.
She laughed hysterically, "I didn't do anything! You worked hard for all these and I'm so proud of you!" She said and hugged her.
Miss Marian is almost her second parent. She believed in her and helped her to achieve her dreams. She's still single and Eve became her foster child for the next five years.
Then the doorbell rang and Eve saw Richard outside the door. The same guy who helped her from the streets before. He's now her fiance and they are about to get married in June.
"Hi Honey! Ready for prenup photoshoot?" He asked.
"Yes, of course! I just have to inform Miss Marian about it." She said and led Richard to the living room.
"Good morning Miss Marian!" Richard greeted her.
"Oh, hello Richie! Are you picking up Eve now for your photo shoot?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am!" He replied.
"In that case, I also have to get going then. I just visited Eve here." She said.
"Thanks for dropping by Miss Marian. I'll see you tomorrow on my shift," Eve said and waved goodbye to her benefactor.
"Where's everybody?" Richard asked after Miss Marian was already gone.
"The teens are in school and my Mom and Dad are now in the market for their store." She replied.
"So that means nobody's coming with us then?" He asked.
Eve nodded, "That's fine, Honey. I don't want to disturb them with their activities for now. After all, we're the only ones who will be in the photoshoot." She commented.
"Alright then, let's go!' he said and took Eve's hand.
The photoshoot takes place in Rizal Park since they are in Manila. She suggested it so they don't have to go far anymore. It's also cheaper since it's Richard's friend who will be their photographer.
Experiencing poverty to the lowest level made Eve very thrifty. It's the usual argument she has with Richard. As if they will be poor again all of a sudden if they pay more for anything.
Even though Richard came from a wealthy family, he understands Eve completely. After all, he knows her past. The poor stray girl she rescued before now turns into a very beautiful woman. Soon she will be his wife.
She's wearing a simple white dress for the photoshoot. The photographer wanted her to wear her bridal gown but she declined. She wants to save it for the big day.
Even if she still looks extra pretty today. Her long black hair is shining from the sun. She smiled as if all the painful memories from her life's struggles didn't even happen as she smiles.
They made sure to have a lot of prenup photographs so that they can cherish every moment of it. It's already the end of May and on June 12, they will finally tie the knot. Richard can't believe his luck finding a strong woman like her.
Eve feels very happy about how things are going for her. She already has her family back, and now Richard. Her hero will be her husband in just a few weeks from now.
The prenup photoshoot was a success and Richard took her home afterward. Her brother and sister are now home as well as her parents.
Her mother cooked a special dinner for the couple. She's very excited to see her daughter walk down the aisle. Her father is so proud of her and they all seem to like Richard a lot.
The days passed by very fast and June already approaches. Eve is the night manager to another branch of Miss Marian's convenience store. She's done with her paperwork and just relaxing in front of the counter now.
She likes hanging out with the staff and made them her friends as well. She learned that even if she's busy, she can still have friends at work. It's another story when she was still in college.
She's chatting with Elena who is now on duty for the cash register. A man approached them holding a six-pack of beers and some chips. He's wearing a hoodie but this man looks familiar to Eve.
"Phil?" She uttered.
The man looked up to her and smiled but he didn't look surprised to see her. He looks the same but more manly looking. He used to have a thinner figure. But now, he's already a total heartthrob.
"How are you?" She asked.
"I'm good. I work as an IT guy now. How about you?" He asked in his familiar deep voice.
"I'm also good, thank you! I'm the manager here now. It's good to see you!" I said.
"Yeah, same here. Well, I have to go now. See you around!" He said and walked out of the store.
It feels good to see familiar faces whenever she's on duty. But it's the first time she saw Phil around here. Maybe he just passed by and decided to buy some beer and snacks.
Eve followed him with her eyes and saw a black dog approached him. That's a very huge dog! It almost looks like a wolf or maybe it's a husky. Then she saw Phil's car drive away from the parking lot.
- Writer
