Remembering Lily

Already Familiar

"Ellie!" Maria, a fellow teacher, ran to greet me. She kissed my cheek and then looked at me wide-eyed. "You look fabulous, darling." She had to scream so I could hear her despite of the music in the background.

"Oh, you look better, Maria." I laughed while screaming back. I was not passing compliments just for the sake of it. I meant it. It's her birthday party and her sparkling gold dress delivers the message pretty well. She never struck me as the glitter type but it seems like she has changed since her divorce recently.

"Happy Birthday. Forty looks good on you."

"Old Maria would raise her eyebrows, but know what? I'm going to take that compliment with me. Did you bring anyone with you?" I shrugged while smiling. Looking at my left and right side where no one was standing.

"Don't worry. If you find any decent person here tonight, feel free to snatch anyone. Being alone isn't that bad either."

Maria waved goodbye and I was left alone again.

I wasn't planning to attend the party. I see it as a waste of time. Even if I do like Maria, the rest of the people are strangers. Some of the strangers are familiar but on the other hand, they are the ones who see me as a stranger. I'd have to make up stories again and endure small talks which I hate so much.

However, I saw that Yohan was going to this party through the tracker device I planted. Of course, he would accompany Stephanie.

This brings me to ask the question of where they could be. My eyes scanned the corners of the bar. It did not help that the venue was a bar where there were only dim lights and different colors of party lights flashing.

Where is he?

I walked around, trying to look casual. Smiled at a few familiar faces and said hi to some, but I still could not really see them until I got to the end part.

Stephanie was smilingly seated beside Yohan who seemed just like he was enjoying the party. I know that the smile he is wearing is not genuine. He is just probably pretending for Stephanie's sake.

Stephanie spotted me easily and then there was this stoic expression on her face and she kept eye contact with me. There was a rage in her eyes.

And right before my eyes, I watched as he touched Yohan's jaw and made him face her. She smiled sweetly at my husband before giving him a kiss.

I wish I could run away but my feet are glued to the ground as this woman kisses Yohan. I even felt worse as he answered her kisses.

How could he do this to me?

It made me wonder if he can remember me when he’s with her? We don’t look alike. Our personalities are very different. Is he happy now that he’s married to someone like Stephanie? The answer would hurt me, but it would not change my plans. Yohan can enjoy his second woman’s company but it would not change the fact that Stephanie is just some b***h he picked up somewhere after me.

“That shade of lipstick is awfully familiar.”

I was retouching in the restroom when Stephanie barged in. I did not see her as the feisty type before. I thought she would not know how to confront me but she is here proving me wrong. I am sure of one thing, this woman is hiding her true self. Once Yohan sees that I’d make sure that he would leave her immediately and intentionally and all Stephanie can do is beg and cry.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there, Stephanie. Hi. Enjoying the night?” I finished applying my lipstick. I tried handing it to her. “Yours is a bit smudged. Do you want to borrow mine? What are friends for, right?”

She raised an eyebrow while leaving my hand with lipstick in the air. She did not even hide the suspicion on her face. Wow, I know Stephanie is scared. I just did not realize that she would be this scared. All that she is doing is putting on a brave face because she is afraid of losing.

“Don’t you want to? Okay.” I said lightly, not even giving her any attention. I am not much of a scaredy-cat as she is. “You look so tense. Are you okay?”

“I asked you.” She said through her gritted teeth.

As she was giving me her death glare, I proceeded to tie my hair in a bun, exposing my back. I picked this dress with the memory of Yohan telling me he loved my back.

“That lipstick…” she sighed and stared at me this time through the reflection of the mirror. 

“I would never steal something if that is what you’re thinking... or someone. I am not really sure what you are thinking.”

This was never stealing in the first place. If someone stole something, then it would be her.

It wouldn’t be stealing if I was just getting what is mine.

I was on my way to leave. I think that is enough drama for today. They can have the rest of this sweet night by themselves. If Stephanie could manage. With the look in her eyes, I doubt she could. I was not trying much, but it seemed like she would be the one to drive herself to insanity. Not that I’m complaining. I would just stand by her side and be a willing witness as she self-destructs.

She messed with the wrong family.

“Why?”

“Huh?” I looked at my wrist and Yohan’s hand was holding it tightly.

Talk about a treat.

“What is this?”

To say that I was surprised was an understatement when Yohan touched a part of my back. His finger brushed my skin and it remained there. It suddenly brought back memories of how soft his touches were. I missed him. He is right in front of me and yet, I miss him this much.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, fighting the urge to kiss him right then and there. 

Will he recognize me if I do that? Would my lips remind him of our memories together?

“What are you talking about?”

“You have the same scar. The same exact scar Lily has.”

I did not know what he was talking about. I don’t even remember having a scar on my back but now that he said this, I remember him always touching that same exact spot.

So, it’s because of that scar.

I stepped back so he would have his hand off my skin.

“Wow, you two are something else, aren't you? The wife accuses me of stealing the husband. The husband often finds ways to connect me to his ex-wife. Don't drag me in between. If you have issues, then that doesn't concern me. I can already tell your marriage is up for failure.”

And I walked away. I grinned for a split second and smirked. I may be someone Stephanie had underestimated, but I literally woke up from the dead. From that alone, it's more than obvious that no deity is on their side.