Broken Together

Chapter 7: Heartbreaks

CHAPTER 7

AMELIA

It’s been two days, and I haven’t heard from him. Of course, I won’t because we don’t have each other’s numbers, but he doesn’t show up anywhere I go anymore. Is it because I’m a virgin? Does that turn him off?

I spent the whole morning loitering on the sofa trying to figure out what went wrong and it all boils down to him not wanting me anymore because I’m a virgin. That pisses me off. To distract myself from thinking about him, I resolved to work at the bookstore. I’m so distraught that I don’t care anymore if I see Uncle Mac or Aunt Claire.

I arrived at the bookstore with a plan in my mind; I will concentrate on my job and nothing else.

Aunt Claire looked up from the counter when I stalk inside. She didn’t say anything, instead; she grabbed her stuff and proceeded upstairs while I get settled behind the counter. I devoted the rest of the day cleaning the bookstore, register books, and looking at the door, wishing he’ll come rushing in to see me.

After my shift ended at the bookstore, I said a hasty and awkward goodnight to Aunt Claire then traveled to my next job, which is at the restaurant. While walking towards the restaurant, a black heavily tinted car was following me, I walked quicker but when it sped past me, relief course through my body. I rounded to the corner; I noticed that black car parked on the side of the pavement. I attempted to run, but before I knew it, I’ve been dragged inside the car.

“I’m sorry.” The girl spoke, sitting next to me inside the black car. It’s the same girl who took a picture of me at the bookstore a few days ago. She’s wearing a short silver dress and a knee-high black boot, her brown hair styled to perfection and her make up suits her. She looks like she’s going to a party.

“Who are you?” I murmured. Struggling to control the panic in my voice.

“My name is Alice Ashford. I’m Vincent’s sister. Well, he’ll undoubtedly say, ‘stepsister’.” She beamed, reaching out her hand to me, expecting for me to shake her hand.

“What is up with the both of you and kidnapping?” I quipped, but it’s half-meant while shaking her hand.

She chortled, “So that’s how you ended up in my brother’s house.” She noted while smirking at me.

“Why am I here?” I asked, looking at the two guys in front wearing suits with their eyes on the road.

“I’m inviting you to come and join me at my mom’s party.” She said casually like we’ve known each other for years.

“Ahmm… I don’t know,” I started to respond, “I’m headed to work.”

She pouted, “Please, Amelia…” She begged. “It’s just that I don’t have anyone to take with me and I figured that Vincent would love to see you there.”

My heart throbs just hearing his name because I hate to admit, but I want to see him. I also would like to know what happened. Alice stared at me with eager eyes.

“Why me, though? You don’t even know me.” I explained.

She responded, smirking, “Well if Vincent likes you, I’ll like you too.”

Like me? That may be not the case anymore. If you like someone, you don’t ghost them.

“Plus, we’ll have the whole night to get to know each other,” Alice continued, beaming.

She seems so carefree and sweet that it’s just impossible not to like her. You can just imagine her being surrounded by a lot of people who like her.

I sighed, giving in to her invitation because aside from Alice being impossible to turn down, just like his brooding brother, I crave to see him.

“Okay,” I replied, and Alice’s face lights up and she squealed.

Hours later, we’ve arrived in front of a huge house which Alice later informed me is their house. Groups of people dressed in tux and gowns, climb out of their cars and walked towards the house. I turned to look at Alice and she grinned at me, apparently recognizing the panic in my eyes.

“You look beautiful, Mel.” She stated, encouraging me.

We stepped out from her black car and I can feel my legs shaking and my feet ache. Alice forced me to put on this cruel high heels and this body fit rose-colored cocktail dress. I’ve realized that even though Vincent and Alice are not real siblings, they have a few things in common. You can’t say No to them.

“Come on.” She took my hand and lead me to their house’s entrance.

My heart starts to pound in my chest with every minute that I’m here. Alice left me standing awkwardly amid everyone. A servant approached me and offered me a glass of champagne, which I gratefully took, hoping it’ll drown out the beating of my heart.

I glanced around their huge living room. It’s so elegant and polished. It’s so enormous that you can confuse it for a five-star hotel lobby. The walls are surrounded by paintings and every corner has some sort of art. Looking at everyone here makes me feel out of place so I start to fidget and I kept biting my lower lip.

“Sorry for that, Mel.” Alice came back with a man in a dark blue suit and a black tie holding a glass of champagne on his hand.

“It’s okay,” I responded. The brown-haired man kept looking at me up and down as he smirked.

“Andrew,” Alice spoke to the man next to her, “this is Amelia.”

The man stepped closer to me and reached for my hand to kiss it, “pleasure to meet you, Amelia.” He said. His green eyes shining and he’s smiling at me warmly.

“Nice to meet you, Andrew?” I asked, confirming his name.

“Yes.” He answered after letting go of my hand and stepping back.

A woman in a white dress called Alice and excused herself from us and left. Leaving me and Andrew standing stiffly in front of each other.

“How did you meet Alice?” Andrew inquired. Smiling politely.

“Well... I know her brother so...” I started to reply.

“Vincent?” He asked, his smile gone.

“Yes,” I replied, confused as to why his expression changed when I mentioned Vincent.

His eyebrow raised, and he paused for a few seconds, “I see.” He then responds.

Suddenly the lights turned off and everyone whispered. I searched around and start to panic under the darkness. I almost sought to grab Andrew when abruptly a limelight turned on, focusing on something or someone that I can’t see from where I am.

“It’s starting.” Alice appeared next to me, beaming. She took my hand and tugged me as she pushes past the people in front of us while Andrew followed us.

Then a melody starts playing, and I saw him. My heart felt like it stopped beating as I stare at Vincent behind the piano. Under the spotlight, he looked like an angel wearing an untucked white buttoned-down shirt and his hair brushed back. He’s looking down at the keys, his expression serene as he produced a beautiful melody.

My heart skipped a beat. I missed him. I miss his intense eyes on me, I miss his hands on my body, I miss his lips against mine but most of all, I miss our little arguments. I can’t deny it anymore. I’m falling for him.

I want him to see me. To look at me, but he remained to look down. As he played, I continued to watch him. I kept thinking of how he looks so different behind the piano and when he’s with me. Like he has two charms. He looks like an angel when he plays then transforms into a hot sexy devil when he’s kissing me when he’s pleasuring me when he’s pressing his body against mine. Then all of a sudden, I felt that familiar pull again that withdrew me from my reverie and I saw him staring straight at me. His expression switched from peaceful to what looks like resentment. His performance ended and everyone started applauding, but his gaze locked on mine. He was about to approach me when a tall woman rose in front of him, stopping his tracks. Her back is facing me. She wore a black dress that showed off her curves. Her black straight hair falls effortlessly behind her back. I saw Vincent’s expression as she caressed his arm with her bejewelled hands. He’s no longer staring at me; he’s staring at her. He smiled at her. A smile that’s so charming that it makes me jealous because I never saw him smile at me like that. She leaned closer to him and kissed him. I can’t see if it’s on the lips or somewhere else, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve finally realized what went wrong after our date... he just realized that I’m no good for him.

“Why is she here?” Alice asked Andrew, who is now staring at me.

“Are you okay?” Andrew inquired, touching my arm.

“I have to go,” I mumbled. I can hear my heart breaking in my ears and the shattering is too loud.

“Let go of her, Andrew.” Andrew and I both spun around to see Vincent standing behind us, glowering at Andrew.

Andrew removed his hand from my arm, but he stepped in front of me, blocking me from Vincent.

“Why Vincent?” Andrew replied to Vincent. Demanding him.

“Just mind your f*****g business.” Vincent snarled at Andrew and the people around us start to notice. Alice’s mouth is shut as she looks back and forth between Vincent and Andrew.

Vincent’s jaw clenches and his hands balled into a fist.

“S-sto- “I started saying when the woman with the black dress appeared behind Vincent.

“What’s going on here?” She spoke, sliding her hand on Vincent’s shoulder as she looked at Alice, Andrew and me.

Vincent’s lips are pursed together and his eyebrows furrowed. Andrew’s stance loosened, then he spun around to face me, ignoring Vincent and the woman in a black dress. “I can ask my driver to take you home.” He expressed to me smiling. He glanced at Alice, “you don’t mind, do you?”

Alice shakes her head and smiled apologetically at me. I gave her a small smile and whispered, “I’ll see you around.” She glowed at me, then nodded enthusiastically.

I glanced back at Vincent and he’s still glaring at Andrew but it looks like he’s controlling his temper. The woman in a black dress was staring at me, dispassionate. I spun around and Andrew followed, leaving Vincent behind with than girl.

“Take her wherever she wants to go,” Andrew told his driver.

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you.” He replied to the driver then moved to the back seat window to look at me. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Amelia. I hope to see you again soon.” He stated cordially.

“Thank you.” I smiled back. The driver starts the car and as it pulled away, my eyes start welling up.