I was finally going to meet my best friend again.
Althea Crisostomo.
We'd been friends since high school and promised each other we'd graduate together—no one gets left behind.
But I broke that promise.
I still feel ashamed for not fulfilling it… and for suddenly disappearing without a word.
Would she be mad at me?
Does she hate me?
°°°
As I entered the restaurant, I saw my friend Althea gazing out the window, admiring the view of the bay.
The Azure Window Restaurant is one of the most beautiful dining spots in Malta—cliff-side and scenic, the kind of place where you can truly appreciate the view.
When I approached her, I kept my head down, still too shy and guilty to face her after what I did.
I didn't know how to react—should I smile, cry, or go in for a hug?
I was frozen.
But then… she pulled me in and hugged me tight.
"I missed you, Penny."
And at that moment, I felt a warmth I hadn't felt in so long—since before I moved to Malta.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"I missed you so much, Althi."
It had been so long since I felt this kind of comfort. My husband had been so busy with work lately, always with his secretary. We talked, yes, but it never felt like this—safe, understood, whole.
After our hug, we started chatting away.
"Alright, let's order first before the waitress kicks us out," she joked.
We ordered, and even as we ate, our conversation flowed.
"So, how are you and Matthew?"
She asked with genuine curiosity.
"We're doing fine. How about you and Ian?"
Her face fell slightly, a wrinkle forming on her forehead.
"Ian and I broke up. You're so outdated. We've been over since you disappeared."
"Oh… I'm sorry."
Then she said, "Anyway, I have something for you."
She handed me an envelope that honestly looked like a politician's bribe.
"Are you bribing me for my vote?" I teased.
"Girl, I'm a resident of Malta now."
Then—smack!—she lightly hit me on the head.
"Dummy! It's an invitation."
"Invitation? From who?"
"Just open it."
When I opened the envelope, I immediately recognized what it was—a wedding invitation.
I read what was written:
Crisostomo
Clara
"Huh?"
"Wait… This is your wedding invitation?"
"Yup," she said, smiling.
Shocked, I asked, "Clara? As in Christopher?!"
"Yes."
"But you two hated each other! You were even rivals for class president and top student! What happened? How did that turn into… this?"
"Well, after Ian and I broke up… and you weren't around… Christopher became my shoulder to lean on. And over time, he admitted he had feelings for me. One thing led to another, and now we're together."
I flipped through the invitation again. And then—shock.
Why was my name there?
Not just as a bridesmaid… but as the Maid of Honor.
"Girl, why is my name on here?!"
"You're the Maid of Honor."
"Are you serious? Couldn't you find someone else?"
"Nope. We've already decided—and it's you. Nothing's going to change that."
°°°
To be continued...