FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

2, MEMORY LANE.

( Lori's POV )

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Lori sat legs crossed with a food magazine in her hands, her eyes were fixed on the pages. Her leftover food laid cold on the table as she got lost in her reading. Her glance was shifted by a mere sight of Johnny and Beth making their way to her. Lori stared at her watch to confirm the time, and it was 9:15pm. Her mother would be closing up soon, she could only wonder why Johnny would want to see her that late. She hoped it was to deliver the good news she'd been waiting for.

Although she doubted that his visit had anything to do with business. Considering the time and place, plus Beth was with him. Lori knew that she would be in for yet another awkward conversation, and she had no time to prep herself. She had no problem with Johnny, their relationship was fine, her issue was with Beth. And ever since what happened between them, their relationship have been sour.

They haven't fixed things, hell, they haven't even talked about things. It's been almost four months and Lori had been playing Beth's game of ignoring one another and only talking briefly when they both needed to. Lori carefully placed her magazine on the table as she proceeded to making sure there were enough seats for both Johnny and Beth. She saw how freely and happily Beth conversed with Johnny, she knew that would change when they arrive.

She loved the both of them, then and now. They'd all been close friends for the longest of time. It was first herself and Beth, they went to preschool together. Johnny joined the equation at fourth grade, and all three were unstoppable. They would do and talk about almost anything, they watched out for each other. But everything would change when Lori had to leave for France, she didn't know that a man would come in between them and destroy their friendship.

Three months later, Lori had met a guy from f*******:, his name was Clay Dunbar. They'd hit things off almost immediately, but nothing was serious then. It was mostly late night calls, texts, which later graduated to video calls on any platform they both could. Clay was the first person that understood Lori after she moved to France, it was like he knew her.

Five months into their talking stage, clay made the first big move by paying Lori a visit in France. Lori could remember being swept away by Clay's decision, she was the happiest girl alive. Clay spent a week with Lori before leaving and they both made the best of it. She had taken him to the most beautiful and romantic places France had to offer and Clay had asked her out, she agreed to date him.

Watching Clay leave a week later was a painful acceptance, Lori had fallen head over heels for him. Clay had promised to pay her another visit, and he did, six months later. Lori didn't care how long she had to wait, heck, she counted patiently until he came. Clay would go on to visit five more times and stay nothing more than a week. For all Lori knew, she was in a long distance relationship with Clay, but little did she know that she wasn't the only one.

Lori had found out from Beth that she was getting married, Lori was excited for her. She couldn't wait to attend her best friend's marriage with her boyfriend (Clay). But things would take a drastic turn when Beth shared the pre wedding photos with Lori. Lori was terribly disheartened to find out that Clay was the husband.

She immediately shut off, physically and emotionally. At first, she couldn't believe it was true, but with all the information Beth told her about Clay and what she knew, she had to face the truth. Lori didn't know what next to do after accepting that Clay fooled her. She couldn't tell Beth just yet, she was busy dealing with her own pain.

It was at the wedding that she exposed Clay for the liar and cheat that he was. The image of Beth running away in tears was one she would never forget. Beth had tagged her as a relationship destroyer and not someone who revealed the truth. Their friendship had been sour since that incident and Lori was at loss at what to do. Beth didn't understand that she wasn't the only person hurt by Clay, they both where.

Lori had kept her distance, Beth too. And somehow they've been making things work. If ignoring one another and acting like they didn't exist counts, then yes, that is what they both did. Lori believed Beth had come to terms with it, who was she to not concur. Beth was upset with her without giving her a chance to feel things too. Last time Lori checked, they where both fooled by one man they both equally loved. Just as Beth had the right to be angry, Lori had the same right.

* * * * * * * * *

" Hi, Lori. " Johnny greeted with a smile and a hug.

" Hi, Johnny. " Lori responded.

It was time for Beth and Lori to exchange awkward glances and they did.

" Hi Beth. " Lori still greeted. Beth rolled her eyes which was her way of responding.

" So, " Lori ignored, " Can I get you guys anything? "

" No, but WE can get YOU something. " Johnny replied with a wicked smile.

Lori was getting slightly excited, " Wait a second, is this what I think it is? " Her eyes were glued on Johnny as he was the only one that looked at her, Beth was pretending to be busy on her phone.

" What do you think this is? " Johnny asked.

Lori arched a brow, " The job__

" Shut the f**k up, " Johnny playfully said, " This ain't about no job. "

" So why are you here? " Lori was immediately disappointed.

Johnny brought out a mask and threw it at Lori, " Catch! "

" What the hell is this? " Lori was surprised.

" Well, what does it look like? " Johnny shrugged.

" A... a mask? " Lori laced a perplexed stare at the mask, " Do I need a mask for the job? "

" Would you please forget about the mask for one second? "

" Okay... " Lori was anxious to know what the hell was happening.

" Thank you! " Johnny sighed, " We have a... " He made a dramatic drumroll, " A masquerade mask party to attend! "

Lori became even more confused, she ran her eyes through both Jonny's and Beth's eyes to hopefully get an understanding. While Johnny was excited, Beth's snubby look prolonged.

" A masquerade mask party? " Lori wanted to confirm.

" Yes! " Johnny retorted.

" Are you kidding me? you came all the way here to tell me that? "

" Precisely. " Johnny answered.

" It's late! " Lori was determined not to go.

" If you mean the perfect time for a NIGHT party then yeah... sure. "

" Ermm, " Lori cleared her throat searching for another excuse, " I don't even have a dress to wear__

Johnny whisked a bag from Beth and threw it at her,

" I knew you'd bring that up, so I got you one! "

" Holy s**t, Johnny. " Lori was speechless, " You brought a dress? "

" Your perfect size honey. "

Lori had one more card left to play, " I still can't go... "

" What's the problem? " Johnny asked.

" My mom... she's needs me to help close up. "

" Leave her to me! " Johnny jumped to his feet and dashed away.

" Johnny wait... " It was no use, Johnny had already gone far. It was the moment Lori wished she didn't have to face, to be alone with Beth.

Lori took another glance at her and she was still pretending to be busy on her phone. Lori was sick and tired of the theatrics, she figured it was probably time to put an end to the friction. She wasn't going to talk about Clay or anything related to the issue, but maybe they could look past it. The fact that they could be working together soon fueled her to want to make peace with Beth once and for all.

Lori took a deep breath, " So... you've been to masquerade mask party before? "

" Hello Ethan, " Beth began with her phone in her ears now, " Can you hear me, Ethan? "

Lori squinted hard, she was fully aware of Beth's pretence and it irritated her.

" Beth__

" I can't hear you, Ethan! " Beth purposely covered Lori's voice with hers as she got to her feet and walked few inches away.

Lori came to terms with the fact that she may never have her friend back.

A few minutes later Johnny came back to the table with Beth.

" Good news! Your mom said you can go! "