Chapter 1 Bitter Amos

The entire event hall, where Zelda's wedding reception was hosted, was filled with the clinking of cutlery and glasses. The bride and her husband later made contact with each other's lips.

In that scene, Amos had a sour smile on his lips. The red wine was immediately sipped, and the wine glass was carefully set on the table.

That should be me...

Zelda's spouse caught the man's attention. He ought to be in that Race's place. He was too relaxed in his prior connection with Zelda, and as a result, he was unaware of her change of heart toward Race. He cherished the girl. Amos didn't weep, even though he knew he was harmed. Maybe it was only his ego as a guy that was wounded. Why is he petty and resentful at his ex-girlfriend's wedding now? That is because he found it difficult to comprehend that the woman he had once considered proposing to had already married another man.

"Amos, let's go," his friend Barney invited him.

"Look at yourself. Your face is red. I know you're drunk."

"Just wait, Barney. The cake that I baked myself is not yet there."

When Barney heard what Amos said, he only shook his head. How could a friend avoid feeling let down? In place of the vanilla flavor, Amos simply added ampalaya flavor to the cake. Although it's a bitter thing, Amos just wants to say that he wasn't happy with how the wedding was handled.

When a woman walked through the door of the event hall, the man's interest was piqued. Her light pink dress with an off-shoulder design showed off the lovely contour of her body. It was possible to see her straight, ash gray hair. She stood tall, with a snow-white complexion. Her black lips only served to detract from her attractiveness despite having a petite face and gorgeous features. The lipstick appears to have been purposefully darkened by pressing down on it. She had a gorgeous witch's appearance.

Amos didn't understand why he couldn't take his eyes off the woman. When he noticed her approaching him, he slightly leapt out of his chair. The man was puzzled as to why the woman had such an impact on him. She abruptly came to a stop in front of him, which astounded him.

"Is someone sitting next to you? Can I sit beside you?" asked the woman while lazily chewing the gum.

Amos knew to himself that he was not yet drunk but it was as if he was drunk in her presence. He could smell the woman's feminine perfume and he really didn't want that scent to leave.

So addicting...

"Boy, I'm asking you," the woman said angrily to Amos, but the man didn't even budge. He continued staring... and admiring her.

"You can... sit there. No one is sitting." Barney was the only one to talk to the woman because Amos seemed to be losing his mind at that moment.

"Thank you," she answered. He followed her gaze until she sat down. A few moments later, Amos returned to his right consciousness.

He smirked to get her attention. The woman faced him with an eyebrow raised. "Amostacio Reolonda but you can call me Amos." He held out his hand but she didn't accept it, so he just put it down. He gave her a sweet smile but her face soured.

"Zein," she simply answered.

The corner of Amos' lips turned up. "So, are you related to the newlyweds? I assumed you were in the part of the groom. I just saw you now."

The woman rolled her eyes. "The bride is my older sister." Amos was shocked by what the woman said. He didn't think that the Zein he was facing now was actually Zeinab, Zelda's younger sister.

He used to get stories from Zelda about her younger sister in Japan when they were still dating. Maybe Zein didn't know Amos was Zelda's ex-boyfriend because he had just turned to face her.

"So, your Zeinab Agiw?" the man asked in shock.

"Can you please stop that? Don't call me Zeinab. Are we close? How did you know my whole name?"

"I am your sister's boyfriend."

Zein inflated the chewing gum and when it popped, she put it back in her mouth with her lips. "Boy, are you fooling me? I think your head is broken. Are you the groom of my sister, Zelda?"

Amos scratched his eyebrow. "Okay, I am sorry. What I mean is... your sister's ex-boyfriend."

The woman laughed softly. "Boy, make it clear."

The man didn't want it when she repeatedly called him "Boy". He already told his name. Irritation arosed in him. He couldn't help but confront her. "Don't call me that kind of endearment. I already told my name."

Zein smirked. "Go ahead, Mang Tasyo."

The irritation was replaced by annoyance because of what Zein said to him. His name was from his grandfathers and thought carefully for his handsome face then an Agiw just called him Mang Tasyo?

How dare she call me Mang Tasyo?

He was about to answer the woman but he stopped when he heard the applause of the people. He lost his attention on Zein and followed the four layers wedding cake cut by the newlyweds. A smile of victory appeared on Amos' lips.

"Finally!" he exclaimed. A soft laugh escaped from his mouth when they tasted the wedding cake. It was obvious from the looks of these people that they didn't like the taste of the cake. Race seemed to want to spit out the cake but couldn't because there was a camera focused on them. Meanwhile, Amos couldn't stop laughing when the two faced the camera and both grimaced.

"I think this is a bad idea. Let's go, Amos," Barney whispered to him.

"I am not yet done, Barney." Amos stood up and went to the sound system where the wedding band was playing. The microphone made a deafening noise as he violently grabbed it. Everyone looked at him, even the newlyweds.

He looked at Zelda and her face showed concern. "Congratulations, newlyweds. Did you like the wedding cake that I baked?" Race glared at him but Amos just laughed loudly. "Oh, come on! I know that tastes really... really good.

"Before this day ends, I would like to give my present to this couple. If they did not hurt me, there's no wedding between Zelda and Race." Only Amos laughed at that joke. Race wanted to punch him but his wife stopped him.

Over the keyboard, Amos muttered to the female user. When she heard the man's chosen music, she shook her head, but when he glared at him, she gave in and played the song. He is proficient in piano playing, but he won't use it for something he doesn't like.

Spoil the just woken, not the inebriated guy. That proverb is incorrect in reference to Amos. Who has the intelligence to perform an incredible song at a wedding? It was just Amos.

The intro of the song soared. He heard the guests' sighs but he didn't care. He wanted to convey that he was hurt by the couple. He just closed his eyes. He was about to sing the first verse when an angelic voice interrupted his plan.

"I keep staring at my silent phone..."

The faint guitar strumming that accompanied the lyric was also present. When he opened them, he saw Zein standing next to him. Despite how pleasant her voice was, he didn't care that her eyes were so piercing when they were on him. He seems to be under that woman's hypnotic spell once more, just as previously.

"Now, I guess this is the sign of my love..."

Until the song ended, Amos still couldn't stop staring at Zein's face. Her thick eyebrows seemed to be attracted to his passage by his finger there. Her dark eyes filled with emotion seemed to dig up feelings he had never felt before. Her cheek rose when she smiled, encouraging him to squeeze it.

So beautiful...

"I composed that song. Congratulations, Ate Zelda. Be happy with Race."

So when Zein pulled him out, he just stood there. "You went to my sister's wedding just to ruin it? You shouldn't have come if you were still bitter."

Only then did Amos come back to his senses. He grinned goofily. "Can you blame me? They hurt me."

The woman folded her arms. "Do you think I care?"

"You know..." Amos pointed at Zein but she laughed softly.

"You know what?"

"Such a bad woman!" He held back his snort at Zein.

"Excuse me?" The woman pointed to herself. "Who among us has almost sung a killer song at a wedding?"

"You called me Mang Tasyo!"

"You really are Mang Tasyo, Mr. Amostacio Reolonda," she said with irritation.

"Why do you care?"

She put the tip of her tongue inside the cheek and looked at Amos irritated. "What do you want? You have already ruined Ate Zelda's reception."

"Yes and you ruined my plan!"

"Because you ruined my sister's wedding! I couldn't help but to be angry with you now that you're a hindrance to my sister's happiness." Zein took a coin from her purse and handed it to him.

"Two pesos! What's this for?" Amos's eyes widened.

"Buy sugar. That's fine as long as you only buy retail. You're such a bitter man, so you need to take a little sweet on your body." The woman managed to smile.

Amos' mouth just dropped. He couldn't believe what Zein had done. "I have a lot of sugar, many sacks!" he shouted even though it was impossible for Zein to hear because she had already walked back to the reception.

Just now, Amos was panting. Zein's actions, in his opinion, were not what he expected. He didn't believe Zelda's younger sister realized he was a well-known pastry chef in the nation. To Reolonda's Group of Companies, he is the only heir.

Using recipes passed down from their ancestors, Reo's Bakeshop creates delectable sweets. He is undoubtedly well-known in the business world because he has numerous branches not only inside the Philippines but also outside. At the age of twenty-eight, he is not simply a pastry chef; he is also a prosperous businessman.

Amos did nothing but stare at the two pesos in his hand. He was giggling loudly. Only then did he encounter the woman who, sensing his resentment, offered him a penny to purchase sugar. As a result of the abundance of materials found in bakeries, he didn't need to buy anything. The woman's actions deeply offended him.

"Dude, you are embarrassing!" It turned out that his friend Barney had already left the event hall.

Amos' eyebrows met. "It didn't work out. She rains on my parade."

"Just be thankful, Amos. He saved you from shame."

"No!" he shouted. "I will not be thankful for what she did. She's a witch."

Barney laughed softly at his reaction. "A beautiful witch."

What his friend said was right. Zein was really beautiful but annoyance overshadowed all his praises for that woman who rained on his parade.