I Stopped Being A Coward, I Rule Now

Chapter 6

Sebastian didn't say anything for a long time.

Mila's patience started to wear thin.

"Why are you sitting there looking miserable? If you don't want to do it, just say so. Don't stand there pretending you have nothing to say."

Finally, Sebastian let out a tired sigh.

"Fine. But this is really the last time. Tessa being afraid of water isn't exactly some huge problem."

He said it as if he cared. But in the end, he still agreed.

My mother immediately smiled and nodded along.

"Perfect. She has gotten way too stubborn lately. Maybe she needs a little lesson."

The midday sun was bright enough to hurt my eyes. But standing outside that door, I felt cold all over.

They were planning to turn my engagement party into a joke at my expense.

'Fine. That was just great, really great.'

Inside, the conversation finally stopped. I pushed open the door.

Sebastian immediately stood up. There was a guilty smile on his face.

"We were just talking about how to give you the most unforgettable engagement party ever."

I gave a quiet hum in response.

Mila walked over with a smile.

"Tessa, I'm throwing Sebastian a bachelor party tonight. You're okay with that, right?"

"I'm fine with it."

But after midnight, around two in the morning, I received a call asking me to pick up two drunk people.

When I arrived, Mila's makeup was completely ruined from crying. She was clutching Sebastian's sleeve and refusing to let go.

"If you'd gone to the same college as me back then... If you had confessed to me, I wouldn't have gotten mad and pretended I didn't like you."

Sebastian had the back of his hand over his eyes, and his voice was so hoarse it hardly sounded like him.

"I regret it too. I regret getting drunk out of spite and kissing Tessa. I regret ending up with her without even knowing how it happened. Back then, she looked so heartbreakingly happy when she smiled..."

I stood by the doorway, gripping the frame because my legs suddenly felt weak.

That night after we graduated high school was the first time any of us had ever really drunk.

Sebastian had gotten wasted. In the hallway outside the karaoke room, he grabbed me, pulled me close, and kissed me. His voice had been slurred, but I still remembered every word.

"I really like you."

It was the first time in seventeen years that anyone had ever told me they liked me.

I had thought I was dreaming. My heart had raced so hard I could barely think.

One mistake back then had turned into all these wasted years.

A laugh escaped me, a quiet, bitter laugh at myself.

'Of course. Why would someone like me be someone worth loving?'

I got the two of them home.

The next morning, Sebastian and Mila came to pick up my mother, saying they needed to go to the hotel early to set everything up.

I knew exactly what they were going to prepare. They were going to get my surprise ready.

Sebastian stood by the door and smiled at me.

"Tessa, take your time getting ready. No need to rush over."

I nodded. I watched them get into the car and drive away.

Oliver was already waiting for me at the airport.

By the time I arrived, Sebastian sent me a voice message.

"Come a little later. We're not ready yet."

Through the phone, I could hear Mila's voice in the background.

"Wait, no, we should put some fake water snakes in there or something. It'll make it more exciting!"

So that was the plan.

I didn't reply.

I just smiled faintly, turned my phone face down, and walked onto the plane with Oliver.

Before the signal disappeared, one final voice message came through.

"Where are you now? You can come over. Everything's ready."

In the background, Mila's excited scream rang out.

"Call her! Call her now! The surprise is all set!"

I turned off my screen. And I never looked at my phone again.

*****

Meanwhile, at the hotel banquet hall.

Sebastian and the others kept waiting.

Finally, the doors opened.