Chapter 21
1650 Words
Chapter 21
Jealous
Third Person Pov:
On the day of the engagement, relatives, businessmen, and college friends of both Jenny and David gathered at the grand venue. Every arrangement—from decorations to dinner—had been handled by their close friends.
Alex, Zack, and Nick oversaw the overall arrangements. The decoration and dinner were managed by Ananya, with the food catered from her restaurant. Fiona took charge of the outfits, selecting dresses from her boutique. The event was held at one of the most famous hotels owned by Alex. Their parents were scheduled to arrive closer to the main ceremony.
Once everything was set, everyone returned to their rooms to get ready. The girls prepared together in one room, while the boys gathered in another. Fiona and Ananya helped Jenny get ready, while the boys assisted David. After meeting their respective parents, Ana and her friends joined the rest of the group.
Guests began arriving one by one. Jenny’s and David’s parents welcomed them warmly at the entrance, while Jenny and David received their friends inside the hall.
After some time, their parents walked onto the stage.
“Good evening, everyone,” David’s father, Mathew, began. “We are delighted to see you all here today.”
“Until now, our families have stood together—in wealth and hardship, happiness and sorrow,” Jenny’s father, Austin, continued.
“As parents, we couldn’t be happier to announce that Jenny Vincent and David Collins are in love,” Mathew said with pride. “We have arranged this engagement to share our happiness with all of you.”
“We seek your blessings for their bright and joyful future,” Austin concluded.
The hall erupted in applause. Jenny and David walked hand in hand to the stage, exchanged rings, and were showered with congratulations.
While Fiona and Ananya introduced friends to one another, Alex and the others spoke with their business associates. Some businessmen who had previously seen Ananya at Alex’s parents’ anniversary hesitated to approach her. However, several younger men weren’t so restrained.
Ananya wasn’t dressed extravagantly—just a simple outfit with light makeup—but her natural grace drew attention. Some men openly stared at her with greedy interest.
Across the hall, Alex wasn’t standing beside her, yet his entire focus was fixed on Ana. He observed every man who looked at her, his blood boiling though his face remained calm.
Just then, one of his business partners, Chris, approached him.
“Alex, can you do me a small favor?” Chris asked casually.
Alex assumed it was business-related—until Chris continued.
“Can you introduce me to your friend? The girl beside your sister- in - law?”
Alex stiffened. Chris was notorious for his lack of respect toward women. Zack and Nick immediately sensed trouble.
Before Alex could respond, Zack said sharply, “Sorry, buddy. She’s taken.”
Chris laughed. “I’m not talking about your wife, Fiona. I mean the other girl—simple, but hot and se—”
Nick cut him off coldly. “Chris, watch your mouth. If her boyfriend hears this, you won’t walk out of here.”
“Tch. Bad luck,” Chris scoffed. “If she’s ever single, suggest her to me.”
Nick forced a smile. “Sure. Someone’s calling you.”
He quickly sent Chris away.
Alex frowned. 'Taken? Since when?'
He hadn’t noticed Jenny and David arrive. His thoughts were spiraling.
“Who’s that guy talking to Ananya?” Zack asked.
Jenny glanced over. “That’s Vicky. He was one of the most popular and intelligent guys in our college.”
“Why is he talking to Ana?” Nick asked.
Alex’s attention snapped back instantly.
“He’s always liked her,” Jenny explained. “He proposed in our second year. Ana rejected him. She wasn’t interested in relationships back then. Now that she’s settled, he wants to try again.”
Alex’s jaw tightened, though he masked it well.
Nick frowned. “How do you know he’s planning to propose again?”
Jenny hesitated, then smiled sheepishly. “Because he asked me. He wants to take her to dinner tomorrow and propose.”
She lifted her chin proudly. “It was my idea.”
Alex didn’t know how to react.
“But you said she has a boyfriend,” Alex said quietly to Nick.
“That was to protect her from Chris,” Nick replied. “As for Vicky… he might be good for her.”
Everyone agreed.
Alex walked away.
Trying to distract himself, Alex joined another group. That’s when Ruby approached him—a woman from his past. Nothing more than a fling.
“Hello, Alex. Long time,” she purred, pressing herself against him.
“Hello,” he replied flatly.
“You look tense,” she whispered. “I can help you relax.”
“Ruby, leave,” Alex said coldly. “I’m not interested.”
She grabbed his shoulder, attempting to pull him back. “Come on, baby—”
Alex pushed her away sharply and walked off.
Across the hall, Ananya had seen everything.
She didn’t know why, but her chest ached.
After finishing her conversation with Vicky, she searched for her friends. On the way, she saw Alex and Ruby—hugging, intimate.
Fiona noticed her expression.
“I need to use the restroom,” Ana said softly and walked away.
Her heart felt unbearably heavy.
Fiona hurried back to their friends, concerns etched on her face.
“What’s wrong with Alex? He looks like he’s in a really bad mood,” she asked.
Zack sighed and explained everything that had happened. Nick immediately looked around.
“Where’s Alex now?”he asked.
Fiona frowned, remembering what happened moments ago.
“On our way back, Ana and I saw Ruby hugging him. She was… doing too much, honestly. Alex pushed her away and left.”
Nick paused.“And Ana? Where is she?”
“She went to the restroom. Why?” Fiona asked, confused.
Nick leaned back, connecting the dots.
“How did Ana look when she left?”
“She was perfectly fine earlier—laughing and talking with everyone. But after seeing Alex and Ruby… she just looked disappointed. Her whole mood changed, so she left,”Fiona admitted.
Nick smirked knowingly.
“When Ana talks to other men, Alex loses his mind. And when Ana saw Alex with Ruby, she got upset. They’re both jealous—they just don’t realize it yet.”
The realization settled among the group. They finally understood the silent tension between the two.
Once the formal engagement ended, everyone decided to continue the celebration. They booked a private room to unwind—music, drinks, laughter filling the space. Everyone danced, chatted, and enjoyed themselves…
'Except two people.'
Ana sat quietly in a corner, sipping juice and forcing a smile whenever someone looked her way. She felt hollow; her mind stuck replaying that one moment.
Across the room, Alex drowned his frustration in glass after glass of alcohol, jaw clenched, eyes dark. He couldn’t get the image of Ana with Vicky out of his head.
Both were present… but worlds away.
Others quickly noticed the change in their moods, exchanging glances but choosing not to interfere—at least not tonight.
Within an hour, the celebration wrapped up. One by one, they all drifted out, heading to their respective homes. The night ended, but the unspoken feelings between Ana and Alex simmered on, unresolved.
Ana’s POV
I washed my face and stood before the mirror, gripping the counter. I didn’t understand myself. I had been perfectly fine—until I saw Alex with someone else.
Why did it hurt? Why did it feel like something inside me cracked?
He wasn’t my boyfriend.
In the mirror, my reflection suddenly seemed like someone else—two versions of me staring back.
Two girls look the same as me " why can't she think about alex?" another girl says.
" He is a play boy; you saw him with another girl today. He will be with another girl tomorrow ." black dress girl says.
" But what you are feeling for him is different Ana." white dress girl says and asked " after the anniversary, you make yourself completely at work. Why?"
I said " No . I have more work so I work hard"
" say reality. You may fool others , but you can't fool your heart." Heart(white dress girl )says. " you are thinking about alex, to stop thinking you make yourself work hard."
"yes " I said
"you have feelings for him ana why are you defending it ana" heart questioned me.
" because he is not the right person to her" brain (black dress) says.
" how can you say who is best? The heart takes the decision to whom I have feelings." Heart says.
" but I say based on a person. If you hear her you have to cry in future Ana. you should always think with your brain, which can't hurt you in the future not with emotions."
" Ananya Khanna remembers one thing you have already faced all problems in the past. based on those you have to decide present and future." " if you expect something from others and did not get you are the person to affect the most. So be aware of the problems you have to face if you choose that path." Brain says.
"Ananya you have other goals, stop being too messed up with these emotions . you have limited time, gather the amount you require." Brain says.
" yes , I should arrange the amount asap" I thought and went to sleep. " my feelings for him are nothing compared to my goal. I never work with him in other works in the future to stop my messed-up feelings."
- Writer
