Chapter 4 THE REHEARSAL

AINSLEY'S POV

My Assistant knocked on the door while I was on the phone, talking to my client regarding our floor plans. I raised my forefinger as a signal for one minute.

"Yes, yes that's right. Architect Moore is on leave, he's getting married! I'll have Architect Taylor and Engineer Mars to visit the site with you. Alright, Mister Cheng. I'll keep you updated. Thank you!"

I put my phone away and looked at my assistant, "Yes Lou? What is it?"

"Mister Gray, Mister Moore just called, he asked me to remind you about the church rehearsal at 3 this afternoon and the wedding dinner rehearsal at 6."

"Do I have other appointments?"

"You have a lunch meeting with Miss Ara Cane."

"I see." I was really hesitant about this meeting as Ara was my girlfriend back in high school and I know for certain that it's going to be awkward. But I continued, "Alright, I'll call Klaus now. Thank you."

The moment I heard the door closed, I dialed Klaus' number which he answered on the third ring.

"Hey man! I wasn't able to reach your phone earlier, so I called Lou."

"Yes, I was talking to Mister Cheng, he just confirmed the floor plans. So, I will be sending John and Alfie to visit the site with them."

"Good! I sent them my invitation, so I'm sure he already knows that I am getting married. Hey! Don't forget the rehearsals later, okay?"

"Hold on! That's not why I called!" I stopped him from hanging up the phone, but he just gave me an evil laugh.

"Yes man, she will come later too. And your ex-in-laws. So, fix yourself and just be handsome."

I instantly cried out, "No! That's not it!" denying the truth, but I heard him laugh even louder. "That's not it, I have a lunch meeting with Ara later." Klaus stopped laughing, then I continued while trying to figure out his silence, "Can I bring her after the meeting?"

I could feel his seriousness by how he responded. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, she's your friend too. So, I think it would be great if we can have a little chit-chat together.." I paused and added, "..with your wife."

It took him an infinity to talk again, "Do they know each other?" and that made me think twice.

Touching my temples, I answered, "I can't remember if I've mentioned Fion to her but I'm sure Fion knows about her."

I was taken aback by what he said next, "Dude, you're a grown-ass man now. I'm sure you already know what to do and what not to do."

Relieved, I replied, "I know man. I know. Thank you. I'll text you after our meeting. Bye."

But before he hung up the phone, I heard him sigh.

Looking at my watch, it's already 11:30 a.m; so I decided to contact Ara to say that I am on my way to our meeting place.

When I got to the place, she was already there. I was supposed to call her but when she saw me entered the restaurant, she waved her hands with a wide smile.

I gave her a cheek to cheek and a hug and greeted, "Hi! I'm sorry, I'm late." We were still standing with my hands on her lower back.

I, myself, got confused with my action but it's not that I did it on purpose.

She replied with her sweet smile as I gestured to her to sit down, "Oh no, you're right on time. I had a meeting earlier here too."

Then a waiter gave us the menu as soon as I sat down, "Have you ordered?"

She nodded as she spoke, "Yes, I ordered your favorite steak for you." But with an embarrassed smile, she quickly added, "But you can order a different meal if you don't like it."

In my mind, I sighed. This woman didn't change one bit.

"No, it's alright." Then I returned the menu to the waiter, "Thank you."

We talked about business matters during the meal. She was very professional in this scope. Ara is really particular when it comes to the details of our project.

I learned that she once worked as a freelance Interior Designer, and that she also collaborated with some of the A-List celebrities.

Observing how she spoke and how organized she was, her work ethic was really professional. "Maybe she has changed after all."

The meeting went smoothly, and then our conversation shifted to Klaus' wedding.

"I can't believe he's finally settling down." she said while putting the wine glass to her lips to drink.

I nodded to agree, then I rested my back on the chair, thinking if I should invite her later, but I shrugged the thought and asked her anyway. "Are you free later? Do you want to come with me?"

Ara's perfectly brushed brows furrowed, "Where?" she asked.

"At his wedding rehearsal." I paused and leaned on the table, "Would you like to be my plus one?" I added.

"Oh! I'd love to!" she exclaimed as she put her left hand in her chest.

We talked a little more about the times we haven't seen each other. How Klaus met his bride-to-be and how her job kept her from being in a relationship.

After about two hours, we decided to leave and head to the church.

She and I arrived at the church and everyone's already there, except for Fion.

We walked closer to Frigg and Klaus while they were talking to someone, who I think was their wedding agent.

I gave him a light tap on his left shoulder to get his attention, and he just nodded.

They seemed to be having a serious discussion, so Ara and I decided to just sit and wait for them to finish.

"Oh, for God's sake Fion! Where the hell are you?!" Frigg exclaimed while dialing her sister's number. "I swear I'm going to kill her, Mom!" she vexed as she walked closer to their mother.

"What happened?" I asked Klaus, standing in front of us. He pursed his lips and closed his eyes in frustration, "We can't start the rehearsal yet, Fion's still not here. We can't reach her phone."

Frigg and Fion's father cut in and asked in a fatherly manner with a worried tone "Have you tried calling her office?"

Frigg replied with irritation yet worries were evident on her face, "She doesn't want to be contacted through her office phone, so she never gave me her office number."

Their mother was about to speak when the door opened.

We turned our heads and there came Fion, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She was apologizing while running towards her family.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott gasped when they saw her. "Jesus Christ Fion! What happened to you?"

She was soaking wet, her hair was so messy, her clothes were dripping and her shoes squeak as she walked.

Fion was drenched in the rain.

"Oh, God, I'm really sorry." she added while giving their parents a tight hug and a kiss to her sister.

I took a small step forward to run to her, but the husband-to-be gripped my right shoulder to pull me back to my senses.

Frigg ran towards her fiance and said, "Babe, I have extra clothes in the car, can you get those, she needs to change before we can start." He nodded and Frigg continued, "Thank you."

Klaus returned with clothes in his hands, gave them to Fion, and then she went into the bathroom to get changed.

While we were waiting for her, I used that chance to introduce my plus one to the Scotts.

Ara and I walked closer to Frigg, "Frigg, this is Ara. Klaus and I have been friends with her since high school."

Then I gestured my hands from Frigg to Ara and I continued, "And this is Frigg, Klaus' bride."

Frigg smiled widely and gave Ara a cheek-to-cheek greeting.

When Fion came out in a new fresh set of clothes, the wedding planner quickly started the activity and it went smoothly.

Right after the church rehearsal, we headed out to the restaurant for the dinner rehearsal.

At the restaurant, while waiting for the wedding planner's instruction, Frigg and Fion's parents came up to me. I could feel their mother's curiosity, but a genuine warm smile was plastered on her face.

"Hello Ainsley, my son, how are you?" their mother asked while giving me a tight hug.

I thought to myself, 'How I miss this motherly hug.' so I responded with a tight hug.

But before I could reply, their father gave me a wink and smiled, "Who do we have here?"

"Mister and Missus Scott, this is Ara, my friend." Again, Ara showed her sweetest smile. Of course, it should be noted that she was known as the 'Smile Goddess' in our school back then.

"Hello, sweetie. How are you?" Caroline Scott said with a warm hug.

She hugged her back and answered, "I'm doing good, ma'am."

Paul Scott gave Ara a handshake then he apologized for what happened earlier. "Dear, I apologize for what happened earlier. Our eldest doesn't usually like that. It so happened that she was busy with her new job."

"Oh no, Sir. I don't mind it at all." But I chipped in in their conversation, "New job?" I asked.

"Yes. From what I have heard from Frigg, she moved to a different department to give more time for the wedding..."

But before I could ask them more, the wedding organizer called Fion and me for the speech from the bridesmaid and groom's man. Then and only then, I had the chance to talk to her.

"Hi."

She didn't say anything but at least she smiled, even if that smile didn't reach her eyes, that was already good for me.

"What happened to you earlier?" I couldn't help but ask her.

"Oh, I was supervising the shoot and lost track of time. And since it's the rush hours, I decided to just take the bus, then it started pouring when I got off, so yeah. That's what happened."

I could feel how nonchalant her tone was, so I did not dare to say anything anymore.

This is probably not the right time to talk to her.