SIX

Gemma's car was parked in front of the hotel where Juan's wedding was held. Someone had sent the invitation to the group. Isaac looked at her as he turned off the engine. She couldn't even look at the hotel as they arrived and hung her head low with mutterings, "Thank you for doing this" were the words that escaped her lips.

Isaac leaned closer to hear what she had said, "I can't hear you," he said, a little close to her. Gemma gently raised her head and looked at him. She looked away when their eyes met, and he fanned her.

"What are you smiling about?" she asked, staring out the window. Her face was covered in tears and sweat; it wasn't something she wanted him to see, but then, she couldn't bear him smiling. She had felt he was laughing at her stupidity, which bothered her.

Isaac's genuine smile faded upon hearing her speak those words, and he wasn't the one getting heartbroken over some useless guy; besides, he was only smiling to cheer her up. Maybe he smiled too much, he assumed.

Hearing how silent Isaac was, Gemma looked at him, and he had his hands on the steering wheel while he faced his front. His smile had disappeared.

"Nevermind," she reached out for her bag in the back seat, sniffling uncontrollably. Gemma opened the door and was about to get down when she spotted Gary and some old mates walking into the hotel. She froze. Did they know the date, after all? And, of course, they would be there. Gary told her he sent an invitation, and yes, the date could have been there. As she thought and calculated all these, Isaac watched her until his eyes followed, and finally, he understood why she had paused staring at one man.

The man looked happy, and he interacted with people more. He wore a green suit, an up and down with black shoes, and beside him was a lady in a black sleeveless gown. That couldn't be Juan, but it was sure somebody she didn't want to see either.

He could understand why she hadn't gotten down yet; maybe there were friends she didn't think would be there. He opened his bag and took out a mask. "Here," he said, handing it to her. Gemma looked at him. "You seem like you need it," he shrugged and darted at Gary and Kimberly. She looked at the mask, "Oh, it's neat. I haven't used it yet!" He stated,

A small shaky smile tugged her lips, and she reached out, taking the mask from him. He was excellent, and she wondered why he wasn't asking anything but supported her instead.

"Thanks," she said without asking further questions. After putting it on, she quickly got down. She was embarrassed to be in front of him. His kindness was beyond her understanding.

Isaac watched her walk into the hotel like a father who had dropped their child off from school, and Gemma had her head lowered to the ground out of shame. And when there was no trace of her, he reclined on the white leather seat, breathing loudly. He looked at the back seat, and something caught his attention on the car's floor. It was Gemma's purse, maybe her bag was open, and they must have fallen out.

"Oh, no," he said, reaching for it, which seemed heavy. Isaac opened it, and it out had her phone. He sighed, "She should have been careful," he said. Gemma had the picture of her and Juan on her lock screen. "This is him? He isn't even handsome," he chuckled and tossed it on the chair she had gotten out of.

He shook his head and looked at the entrance.

Minutes after, Gemma's cell phone began to ring. He turned to where it lay, and the caller ID was Sarah. "Who's Sarah?" He whispered, staring at it and watching it ring until it cut. Another hectic sigh left his mouth, and once again, he looked at the entrance. Gemma still wasn't out yet. This time he was wondering if she was okay, and he wanted to check up on her. Could she handle it? The embarrassment, or was she on her knees begging to be his, bothered him more.

Her phone continued to ring again. This time it was Lucy calling. Isaac looked at the entrance. She wasn't coming; he swallowed and grabbed the phone, looking at it, contemplating if he should pick or respect her. He licked his lower lips as this thought roamed his head. The phone stopped ringing, and he tried to put it down when a text popped in.

"GEMMA, I NEED YOU TO PICK UP!" Lucy sent. Isaac blinked speechlessly.

Soon after the text, Sarah redialed her. Worriedly, he watched it ring again. He had no idea who Sarah was or who Lucy was.

"What's wrong?" He watched the phone, It's been thirty minutes, and Gemma wasn't still out. The phone stopped ringing, and he slowly dropped it.

He leaned on the chair and picked out his phone, and he could text Anita or call her. He needed to know if everything was okay. Maybe they were calling because of the event going on.

Gemma's phone rang, and he looked at it. This time it was different. Anita was the caller. He immediately reached for it and picked it up.

"Hello?" He answered with worry dancing in his tone. He looked at the entrance again, and she wasn't out.

"Isaac?" She called but didn't give him time to reply, "Thank goodness," She sighed in relief hearing his voice. He could feel her hands on her chest as she said that.

"Is something wrong?" He inquired. "I feel like everyone's been calling," he said. She had even called, so he was guessing something had happened.

"Where's Gemma?" she questioned before he continues.

"She's still in. She hadn't come out yet, is something wrong?" He asked; it's been forty-five minutes now, and she wasn't out. Did she plan on staying and didn't let him know?

"Listen, Isaac, and you must get her out of there as soon as possible... If you have to drag her, do!" Anita said sternly.

"I should go in?" Isaac asked, confused. Anita exhaled loudly, "I need to know what's happening, is she in some danger?" He asked.

"Alice-" Anita sighed heavily. She knew he wouldn't know who she was talking about. "I mean Juan's girlfriend, um... wife is pregnant, and Gemma mustn't know," Anita said. Now there was a problem. Isaac immediately got out and looked at the entrance; she wasn't still out. He held the phone to his ear. "If Gemma knows... She could kill herself," She spat.