Chapter 3
-MILLIE-
“Have a nice evening, Miss,” the elderly cabby smiled at me through the rearview mirror.
“I sure hope, sir.” I murmured, slurring each syllable.
I’d like to consider myself a bit tipsy, but who was I kidding? I was borderline drunk after drinking nine glasses of wine at home. There’s an extremely unhealthy bond between alcohol and I. I leaned on it for courage every time shi tstorms hit my
life.
It’s a love-hate relationship. The only relationship I could keep, apparently.
On wobbly legs, I stepped out of the cab and inhaled the familiar Roslin City summer air.
I smoothed my hand down the skirt of my black mini-dress and combed my hair with my fingers. I walked to the entry of the Black Hotel as confidently as possible, careful not to trip on my three-inch black stilettos.
Attending my high school reunion drunk was not how I pictured spending my weekend back in my hometown. I envision Hunter and I coming here together. But things got out of my control like a derailed train wagon.
All I wanted to do was watch FRIENDS rerun and drink myself to oblivion. But my pride wouldn’t let me rest in peace in my childhood bedroom.
There’s a high chance that I’d cross paths with Natalie tonight, but why would I change my plans? I wasn’t the ungrateful- bit ch who stole my friend’s fiance.
I can look her in the eyes and make her feel any wrath. I can’t let her win and let her play the victim card.
And the break up and cheating wasn’t the only thing that pushed me to drink nine glasses of wine while getting dressed. Apart from going public on social media with her relationship with Hunter hours after I found them f ucking in his apartment, Natalie been accused of plagiarizing content for one of our collabs. My backstabbing friend threw me under the bus, publicly stating that I was the mastermind of that vlog, and she merely followed my lead.
Where was I when all of these were happening? I was on Malyons Lake, nursing my broken heart, only to be bombarded with more betrayals from someone I considered my friend when I opened my phone.
A party, a walk down high school memory lane after my engagement ended, and my career as a social media influencer imploded in my face was just what I needed to complete this catastrophe I call my life.
I easily found the function hall. The name and year of our class were written on a glittery banner set on a canvas stand.
A hotel staff member smiled as I approached, watching over the door.
“Name, please?” The woman in a sharp suit asked.
“Millicent Alejandro,” I smiled. She scrolled through the tablet before nodding at me.
I inhaled a huge breath as the double doors opened. Live music instantly spilled through the silent hallway. The party was already in full swing. People were seated at round tables, filling plates at the buffet, waiting in line at the bar, standing in groups with drinks at hand, chatting, laughing, and having fun.
Everything appeared to be in place, just like I assumed. But Candice, my best friend and our class president, was a planning freak. She’d be proud of the outcome of her planning. Too bad she wasn’t here to see it in person.
She recently tied the knot with her high school sweetheart, Aaron. They’re in Palawan for their honeymoon, but their flight got canceled because of a storm.
y now
Somehow, I’m glad she wasn’t here to witness how Hunter tore my heart out of my chest. She’d probably killed him by if she was here.
Chapter 3
I crossed the dance floor and smiled at a few people as I passed them. Their existence was a mere shadow of thousand-dollar suits and designer dresses. With every step I made, the sinking feeling this was a bad idea pulsed louder in my ears.
Since when did I give a s hit about what people think about me? Since when did I let my pride rule over my rational thought? Coming here was a mistake.
“Millie!” I heard a familiar warm voice over the pulsing music from the speaker.
Madeline. She was at the bar, talking to a group of girls in sparkly designer dresses. Seeing her familiar face made my feet move with a strained smile on my lips, but as soon as I realized who she was talking to, I paused and thought of going back the way I went in.
Too late, though. Madeline waved at me with a huge grin.
“Millie!” she called again. The girls around her turned in my direction. The mean girls of our batch. Felicity, the homecoming queen and cheer captain, with her minions Hallie and Luna.
So much for not drawing attention to myself.
I wore an Oscar-worthy smile as I walked to the bar.
“Oh, look at you. I love that dress! You look stunning. Madeline wrapped her arms around me, air kissing my cheeks.
I locked eyes with Felicity. She smirked at me as if she knew something I didn’t.
‘Oh, this is bad.
Madeline pulled away, and Felicity’s smirk turned into a c unningly sweet smile.
“I missed you,
Maddie. You look hot in red,” I slurred, taking in her sequined red dress. My eyes were unfocused, so I didn’t really know if it looked good on her or not
“I know, right?” Madeline giggled. “Too bad Candice couldn’t come. She did an amazing job planning everything!”
Everyone in our small circle agreed.
“She’s in Palawan for the honeymoon, right?” Felicity pressed a hand on her chest, eyes roaming around the circle of people around her. “I hear a storm is about to hit the Philippines. I hope they’re safe.
They are,” I murmured, turning to Madeline again. “She just wanted to make sure you have me if you need help. You know how she is.”
Madeline giggled. “Her plan was spotless. I’m just enjoying my time reconnecting with our high school friends.”
They all hummed and complimented the venue, the food, and the music. Candice would be happy to hear this.
“I saw her prenup and wedding video,” Felicity butted in, a diamond ring on her left hand catching the light from the bar. “It’s every bride’s dream.”
“Maybe you can ask Max to hold your wedding at Amalfi Coast as well,” Luna suggested. “I heard Candice planned her own wedding. Oh, you work for Candice at Effortless Events, right?”
My eyes twitched at her last statement. I don’t work for Candice. We were business partners, and they knew that. They’ve been our chent on more than one occasion.
I kept my cool and nodded a yes.
“Felicity is engaged,” Hallie added, oblivious to the annoyance string inside me.
“Oh, wow.” My poker face was worth millions. “Congratulations. We would be honored to plan your wedding, Felicity,” I said, batting my eyelashes.
09:18 Sat, Feb 10
Chapter 3
Everyone quieted down, their gaze pinned on something behind me. Looking over my shoulder, Natalie had just walked in a skin-tight white dress, a pageantry smile plastered on her fake face.
The way the circle of people around me quieted down meant that they knew every detail of Natalie’s accusation against me. I had hoped she would somehow have the decency to keep a low profile after everything she did to me, but who was I kidding? She f ucked my fiance. She doesn’t give a s hit about respect.
A hundred sets of eyes bore holes in my body from every direction. Some were prying, but most people were just waiting for my reaction.
“Nat!” Felicity waved at Natalie. They were besties in high school. She was fifteen steps away from coming into the bar. I had ten seconds to walk away from this catastrophe, but I chose to stay. I wasn’t the one who wronged Natalie, but that doesn’t mean this situation was gonna be a walk in the park.
I took one of the glasses available on the bar counter. It was blue with lemons and ice. I nearly spit it out. It tastes like astringent and rotten eggs blended together.
Natalie’s eyes flew in my direction as she greeted everyone, exchanging pleasantries. I stayed in the background, keeping my fury at bay. I badly wanted to throw the contents of my shot glass in her face. Better yet, get a bucket of ice-cold water and pour it over her head to wipe off that fake smile on her face.
I never knew I could loathe someone the way I despise her. She doesn’t seem a little remorseful of what she did to me. How did I not see how f ucking fake she was?
“Oh. I hate to make things awkward for Millicent,” Natalie replied when Felicity asked her to stay.
“What?! Why would it be awkward?” Felicity gasped, feigning innocence.
Natalie wasn’t the only one who could pretend that we weren’t in the state of World War III. “Yeah, Natalie,” I smiled. “Why would it be awkward?”
Unphased. Natalie shrugged. “Coz you know, about you and Hunter’s break up and that plagiarizing issue.”
I hummed, nodding. “Why? Did you backstab me? It would only be awkward if my fiance cheated on me with you before we ended things, right? And that issue…” I dismissed her with a hand. “The truth will come out in due time.”
Our friends eyes moved from me and Natalie as if they were watching a tennis match.
“Right-”
“Oh, my Go d!” Luna cut off Natalie’s reply, sna tching her left hand. “You’re engaged?”
Nothing prepared me for the pain of seeing my engagement ring in another woman’s hands. A whirlwind of emo su cker-punched me in the face. I had to clutch the counter edge to keep myself upright.
Natalie’s cheeks reddened, retracting her hand from Luna. “Hunter insisted that we tie the knot soon,” she murmu looking at me with wary eyes.
Was she afraid that I’d make a scene? She shouldn’t have come here in the first place. She shouldn’t have f ucked my fia the first place!
I want to scream. I want to break something. Natalie’s face would be an excellent place to start. But no. I wasn’t brought up that way. Besides, I honestly don’t get why Natalie accepted that ring. If it were me, I wouldn’t have my boyfriend’s ex- fiancee’s engagement ring. What was going on inside Natalie’s head? I guess I would never understand.
“Okay… that was freaking fast.” Surprised, Felicity turned to me, the space between her brows knitted. It was rare to see a genuine expression on her face; I wanted to laugh. “When did you two even break up?”
His betrayal stings. It’s breaking me inside, but no one has to know that. I have to fake it to make it through this night.
“Recently, I replied, reaching for a glass of wine. “Congratulations on your engagement, Natalie. That’s a fancy-looking ring”
Chapter 3
Two karat diamond in six prong setting on a platinum band. My dream engagement ring now rests on another woman’s finger. Though I kept my relationship with Hunter away from social media, I posted a photo of that ring on my profile.
That definitely made things awkward in our circle. The shame that crossed Natalie’s face was priceless, but the ever- persistent Felicity butted in once again, hoax empathy masking her face. “I don’t know how you’re handling things this well, but I guess this calls for a celebration?”
Everyone followed Felicity’s lead and grabbed a glass of wine from the counter, raising a toast for Natalie’s engagement Maddie locked eyes with me, mouthing are you okay? I nodded and down my drink in one go.
I knew this night wouldn’t go down without anyone rubbing my failed engagement in my face. And I happened to flock around the right people for that job.
The conversation circled around Natalie’s engagement. She kept spitting lies after lies about how she and Hunter started dating. She said they started dating about five months ago. The whole time she spoke of how happy they’ve been since they got together, she didn’t dare look my way. Maybe there was truth in her story, but I was too drunk and hurt to listen and give a sh it anymore. I just want to get out of here.
Zoning out. I searched the crowd for anything to save me from this situation. Probably someone I knew who I could go to and extract myself from this conversation.
That’s when my eyes landed on the guy at the other end of the bar. Damian Black, Candice’s stepbrother. I used to have a massive crush on him. He was already looking at me, nodding, acknowledging me.
“Excuse me, I murmured and skirted past Madeline.
“Hey, you good Madeline gripped my arm gently.
“Never been better.” I flashed another award-winning smile, giggling when my legs almost gave out on me.
G od. The world was f ucking spinning
“Where are you going” Madeline gripped my arm tighter; concern blanketed her pretty face.
I patted her hand, my drunk mind driving my mouth to spit lies. To my date.” I murmured, smiling at her sweetly.
Five pairs of intent eyes burned holes in the back of my head as I made a beeline for Damian
He lifted a rock glass to his lips, watching me remove the distance between us,
“Damian.”
“Millicent”
We were at eye level since he was sitting on a barstool. I had to slot myself between his long legs so I could grab his tie. lean forward, and whisper in his ears. “I need a favor.”
“What?” His breath was warin against my skin. Gooseflesh coated my body.
“Act along. I murmured as I ran my fingers along the lapel of his suit. He doesn’t inch. He doesn’t say anything. Dark lash gaze pinned me with intense curiosity, waiting.
I ran my hands over the planes of his chest. He was solid, hard everywhere, like a wall of warm and delicious muscles.
Knowing everyone was watching. I continued my plan. Stood on the tip of my toes and pressed my lips against Damian’s
III
