ENCOUNTER WITH THE STRANGER

~Mira Pov~

“Hurry up Mira, we are going to be late! You wouldn't want to miss out!" Her sweet voice filled the entire room.

Singleness was not the end of the world but not to my friend Lisa!

Ever since Lisa got herself a man, she has taken it upon herself as a mission to get me one too.

I stared at myself in the mirror torn between changing my outfit or leaving it. I wasn't really a fan of these occasions by the way but Lisa wouldn't let me breathe.

“Hey are you still indecisive! It's a wedding for crying out loud. This outfit suits you best! Trust me"

I didn't even respond and like dejavu, I was outside inside the luxurious car, zooming off to the supposed venue.

Am I really doing the right thing?

Time I would say moves fast. And just when we arrived…

“You may now kiss the bride,” The officiating priest murmured to the newly wedded couple.

The hall was jam-packed when we arrived at the wedding. We scanned the rows of clapping guests in a bid to find our reserved spot.

A cheer broke out when the couple kissed and I blushed. It had been too long since I was kissed or even held properly by a man.

“That’s how your husband will kiss you in the future,” someone whispered in my ear. I jumped and my best friend laughed at my shock.

“We are late. The best parts are over.” She pouted her lips like a cry baby.

I hid my smile at the expression on her face because to me I didn’t want to be here but my best friend was keen on setting me up with a ‘man’ like it would solve the world’s problems.

Yes, I missed having a man but it wasn’t as bad as Lisa made it out to be. I smoothed the front of my dress and allowed myself to be dragged away by Lisa.

The soft breeze pushed my hair into her face and I tucked my black curls behind my ears. We stopped at the entrance of an open garden that had been set up for the wedding reception. Lisa nudged me forward.

A live band was playing somewhere on the makeshift stage as we got comfortable behind one of the round tables.

“Single Pringle,” Lisa called out. “Is your Bingo account still active?”

I rolled my eyes before answering. “Yes.”

And in a split second, she grabbed my phone and the first app she opened was Bingo.

Lisa had created an account for me for the last two years and I could collect an award as their most inactive user. My profile was bland, the same as my display picture.

“Good. Keep it active.” Lisa’s excitement didn’t spill over her. “Some of the guests are hot.”

And I was totally uninterested in them. My eyes scanned the garden as Lisa continued pressing her phone, probably chatting with her husband. The place was empty except for them, the band and the caterers setting up the meals.

And him!

I quickly averted my gaze trying my possible best not to stare at him any longer but my eyes kept betraying me.

His head was bent over his phone, his greytux fit snugly to his body. He was hot.

What was he doing here?

Lisa stood. “I have to get something outside.” But I couldn't hear clearly as I could feel his eyes on my back but I didn’t turn.

Lisa adjusted her hair and gown. “How do I look?”

“Perfect!" Silly me that wasn’t directed to her but I quickly gave my best friend a thumbs up.

“As always, Lisa, you look stunning.”

“Thanks. Don’t go anywhere.”

As much as I wanted to leave, with her words I had to try because if I didn't, Lisa would put her through a long lecture about socialising. One of the servers dropped a bottle of wine to my table and I muttered a thank you to her, trying my best not to be visible.

Faint voices filtered into my ears, the band changed song as the bride and groom walked in. The man smiled at his wife and she grinned back. I didn’t know them actually,they were friends of Lisa's husband.

I felt those eyes on me again and I peered from under my lashes to get a look. Thick brows. Full lips. Chiselled jaw. Delicate nose. Short hair that was constantly falling over his forehead. I wanted to walk up to him and smoothen the hair out of his face. But I wouldn't dare.

The MC said something I didn’t hear because I was so focused on him, but it made the guests laugh.

My cheeks warmed and with immediate effect, I returned to my Bingo app, oblivious of what I was doing as I was determined not to give him the satisfaction of meeting his eyes.

My brows furrowed at my screen. I had been paired with someone. A green, that was odd. This was my first match since I had created a profile.

The guy’s profile was almost the same as mine. Short and uninteresting. His display picture didn’t show his face but body and I drooled. My fingers hit the accept button and then…

Ting! A match!

Someone laughed in the crowd. The garden had filled up now and they were raising a toast to the couple. I reached for a glass of wine on the tray of a waiter, as the one in the table wasn't to my taste and cheered to the air.

Where was her best friend?

I decided to keep strolling on my phone, when I saw it…

What?

Grey Anderson.

My match!

I initially didn't go through his basic information but after carefully examining it and checking the live location which was indeed the same as mine. I realized what I had done.

And now it was too late to turn back!

What do I do now?

How can I escape this?