1. An Affair

Bonita watched Kenzo and Helga as they measured a sample of a salmon-colored wedding dress adorned with flower and butterfly accents scattered around the shoulders. The dress was placed on a mannequin in the middle of the room, right next to Maria, who was sipping a sweet pink drink topped with glittering, multicolored star-shaped candies. Bonita resisted the urge to snatch the drink and throw it in the trash to maintain her reputation, which was on the line.

Since Maria set foot in the bridal shop, the atmosphere had changed. The woman exuded an arrogance that her body couldn't contain. More than that, her dominating aura, as if she was superior to everyone in the room, made Kenzo and Helga feel disgusted.

"You have to diet if you insist on using that size, Princess," Kenzo reprimanded as he measured Maria's waist. His eyes glanced at the pink drink now lying on the table. His tone was polite and sweet, though the meaning behind it was sharp. How could it not be? He was holding back immense frustration because Maria managed to trick him by adding various details, altering the initial design they had agreed upon since last month.

Maria glanced at Kenzo indifferently, "I will definitely lose weight right in time for my wedding, Ken. Don't mock me as if I can't do it."

"I know a yoga instructor who can help you lose weight. You can contact me anytime if you need information," Kenzo retorted with a friendly smile.

Maria clicked her tongue in annoyance, "I can lose weight without any instructor. I just need to change my diet a week before the wedding and then eat anything afterward."

Kenzo gave a sarcastic smile, which disappeared when he met Bonita's gaze. Helga signaled Kenzo to be quiet with a silent movement of her lips. Bonita shook her head slightly at the antics of the two assistants and the customer in front of her — who happened to be an old friend. They had debated countless times about weight, dress models, and the size Maria should choose for her wedding dress.

The dress fitting session with Maria had lasted more than two hours. In the first hour, Maria managed to engage Bonita in trivial conversations about old friends, making Kenzo and Helga reluctant to interrupt. Subsequently, Maria managed to get Bonita to alter the dress design multiple times, with the latest request being the fifteenth design.

"Boo, I want you to add five butterflies here," Maria commanded with a wide smile and flared nostrils, pointing to the right hip of the mannequin. "I mean, butterflies that look alive. I'll pay whatever price you ask."

"Five is too much. How about two? I'll make them the perfect size and make you look like a princess straight out of a magical land," Bonita offered with a charming smile she usually gave all her customers. She knew the price wouldn't be an issue for someone who wanted a perfect wedding moment that happens once in a lifetime.

"Alright. When can I see the results? I'll bring Tommy here."

"Three weeks."

"Can't you finish it sooner?"

"I'll try, but I don't want to make empty promises. I prioritize quality. You should know that before deciding to use my services."

"Fine then. When will you follow me in getting married? Isn't four years too long to decide whether to marry your boyfriend or not?"

Bonita placed the folder containing the dress design papers on the table, then smiled faintly. She and Maria had been school friends eight years ago. They weren't very close but knew each other well enough because their classrooms were adjacent. One thing Bonita knew for sure was that Maria, a keen news seeker, wouldn't easily give up on getting information.

"Hasn't Benjamin proposed to you yet?"

Bonita held back laughter because Maria's guess was wrong, "Our session today is over. I'll let you know when your dress is ready."

Maria frowned, her thin eyebrows knitting together in irritation, "Can't you spare more time for me? I'll pay whatever price you ask."

Bonita quickly approached the mannequin with the dress to stroke the fabric, "That would be much better. Ken, can you escort our beautiful customer downstairs? Keep her company until she's bored. She also needs to check the documents to see the dress's price details. Don't forget to offer her any drink she wants."

Kenzo nodded briefly while guiding Maria down the stairs, while Helga let out a sigh of relief that was clearly audible to Bonita as she was tidying up the dress from the mannequin. Helga placed the dress back in the storage room with a loud clatter caused by a falling metal dress pole.

"This isn't the first time you've dealt with a difficult customer. Stop complaining," Bonita scolded when Helga returned.

"I'm not complaining. I'm just sighing. How can you have a friend who's so nosy about when you're getting married? I mean... when you decide to marry is entirely up to you. She can't interfere with your decision," Helga retorted.

Bonita chuckled softly, her gaze shifting to her phone lying on the table. The phone vibrated silently as it received a message from Velica.

[You won't believe what I saw, Boo.]

[What did you see?]

[I just saw Benjamin and Zayna. I wanted to take their picture but lost them because my path was blocked by photographers chasing after all the guests.]

[Aren't you at a hotel opening event?]

[Yes, and I saw your boyfriend being hugged by Zayna.]

[Who's Zayna?]

[Zayna Lott. The model who recently gained fame for promoting Kith's latest bikini design.]

Bonita stared at her phone without blinking. As far as she knew, Velica was in another city, at a hotel near the beach for a job to do Isabel's makeup — a model who frequently used Velica's services. Bonita remembered Benjamin had indeed mentioned a few days ago that he would be going to the same city to help an old friend.

Benjamin's name quickly appeared on the phone screen. Bonita tried calling her boyfriend, but only got a ringing tone without an answer. She tried calling repeatedly until her fingers felt numb with frustration, but the result was the same. Her heart was uneasy. Her mind began to fill with various bad scenarios that might happen. Her heart pounded irregularly at the thought of another woman hugging her boyfriend.

'Bee (Benjamin) couldn't possibly cheat on me. Velica might have seen wrong,' Bonita thought just as another message came from Velica containing a photo.

The photo Velica sent showed Benjamin with an elegant, very sexy woman. They were wearing matching formal attire, looking at each other and laughing. Bonita nearly lost her mind seeing Benjamin's arm being hugged intimately by the woman.

In the four years she had been in a relationship with Benjamin, not once had Bonita seen her boyfriend behave like a man who enjoyed switching women every night. That was also what made her intend to accept Benjamin's proposal soon. However, the interaction captured in the photo made her doubt.

Bonita asked Velica to send the hotel location. She hurried to her desk to grab her bag and a set of keys, then ran down the stairs to the parking lot, ignoring calls from Kenzo and Maria.

After sitting behind the wheel, she opened a new message from Velica, who had already sent the location. Soon, the car sped off at high speed. The turmoil in Bonita's chest demanded answers. She would force Benjamin to explain what was happening.

Bonita's parents' failed marriage had taught her a lesson. That if one intends to leave, it's better for the other to let go, no matter how painful the remaining feelings are.

Tears streamed down Bonita's cheeks as she recalled how shattered her family was when her parents separated, leaving four wounded souls, even though her mother was nowhere to be found. Bonita only believed that her mother was also hurt, even if she never showed herself again after the separation.

Could her heart let Benjamin go after finally having the courage to be in a relationship and find comfort? Benjamin was the only man she hoped for affection. Could she be like her father, who let her mother go with another man and continued living without the one he loved?

***