Chapter 1: Awkward Reunion
Anna hoped she didn't look as miserable as she felt. The place was too beautiful for that. Of course, she trusted Felicia to go for only the best.
She had woken up this morning with enough doubts on her mind to question whether she should attend or not. She had finally decided to come and get it over with.
Anna looked around the hall. It looked expensive. She wasn't trying to exaggerate, but from the curtains to the flower decorations, to the table setting, everything reeked of money.
Anna wasn't sure if the terrible taste in her mouth was because she felt most of the things in the hall were a waste of money or because of the couple themselves. Watching her ex-boyfriend and her cousin get engaged felt akin to torture.
She didn't want to cry. She had promised herself she wouldn't. She had been crying too much for the past few months. She had cried when her grandmother finally died after Anna had looked after her day and night, she cried when she realized she had used all her savings for her grandmother's treatment because her aunt and uncle claimed they were struggling as well, she cried when she arrived back in the city some weeks ago and she literally had nowhere to go, she cried when Felicia sent her the invitation letter to the engagement and she had seen the picture of the fiancé-to-be.
She had been crying so much she was surprised there was still water in her eyes.
"Let's give the couple a big round of applause," the host said, bringing Anna out of her thoughts.
"It's now time to cut the cake, and the couple is going to feed each other!" the host said excitedly.
Anna watched as Felicia cut a small piece of cake and fed it to Adrian, and as Adrian did the same and kissed Felicia. Pain struck Anna's heart, and she looked away as everyone clapped again for the couple.
Felicia and Adrian began to move around to greet their guests and friends. Anna suddenly remembered her situation, and panic gripped her. She had known she would meet Adrian at long last if she attended the party, but she thought she was prepared for it. Her currently beating heart obviously didn't agree.
She couldn't do this; she had to leave before they saw her. She had attended because Felicia had insisted that she wanted Anna to be here or she wouldn't be happy. Anna and Felicia were not close at all, so Anna had been surprised at the request, but she didn't have the heart to refuse.
It had already been two years since she last saw Adrian; she had thought she was ready. He looked just as handsome as he did two years ago.
Anna tried to quietly stand and leave, but she heard someone shout her name, which drew the attention of everyone in the hall towards her. Damn it! How would she escape now?
Her heartbeat sped up, and she started to sweat in the air-conditioned hall. Perfect Anna, she thought to herself, all you have to do now is drop dead.
Anna turned back and smiled brightly at Felicia, keeping her eyes solely on her.
Felicia ran excitedly towards her. Anna was shocked again at Felicia's behavior because, if she remembered well, Felicia had never liked her. Anna could remember all the times she had gotten in trouble with her aunt and uncle because of Felicia's lies.
Well, maybe she had changed. It had been a while, anyway.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Felicia said, hugging Anna tightly.
"I thought you didn't come when I looked around and didn't see you. I was so sad already, you know," Felicia said.
The memory of Felicia laughing loudly a few minutes ago flashed in Anna's mind, but she shook it away. It's her engagement; you don't expect her to be crying because her cousin, whom she isn't even that close to, didn't attend, Anna thought to herself.
"I'm glad I could make it as well, cousin. Thank you for inviting me," Anna said, smiling while lying through her teeth. Being glad to be there was the furthest emotion from her mind at the moment.
This was reinforced by the eyes Anna could feel boring into her head, but she refused to turn her eyes. Alas, good things didn't last, Anna thought as Felicia literally dragged Anna's face towards Adrian.
The first thing she noticed was his eyes. His beautiful black eyes. Every time he stared at her in the past, she had always felt he could see into her soul.
"This is my fiancé Adrian. He is the CEO of the company where I work," Felicia said excitedly, introducing Adrian to her.
Adrian stood rigid with an aloof expression, but when the attention turned on him, he straightened and smiled.
Anna couldn't help but think this was the most ironic situation she had ever found herself in.
"Nice to meet you?" Anna said, raising her hand to shake his. She had not meant for it to sound like a question, but it was already out.
Adrian stared at Anna's outstretched hand but didn't try to shake it in return.
Anna's face was already burning with embarrassment, but before Anna could lower her hand, Adrian suddenly shook it.
"Sorry about that," he said, smiling tightly. "You looked very similar to someone I used to know. That's why I got carried away," he said politely.
Anna's heart rate increased even more if that was possible. She couldn't die of a racing heart, right?
"It's fine," Anna replied through gritted teeth. "Congratulations to the two of you," she said.
"Thanks, cousin," Felicia said, still smiling.
"I'm surprised I have never met you before," Adrian said. "Did something happen that kept you away?" he asked with a cold look in his eyes.
Anna frowned. Was he seriously asking her that? Was he trying to be mean? He knew she left because of her grandma, who was on the verge of death at the time.
Well, if that was what he wanted, two could play that game.
"A family issue kept me away," Anna said. "But I'm around now," she said calmly, trying to keep the fake smile on her face.
"A little too late, don't you think?" he suddenly said, his face tight with anger. It wasn't easily noticeable, but Anna knew that silent anger like the back of her hand.
He is angry at me? She thought. That was funny.
"Too late for what, babe?" Felicia asked innocently.
His face suddenly relaxed and changed as he smiled at Felicia.
"I mean I'm meeting her too late, babe. If she didn't come here, I might not have met her till the wedding. Wish we had met sooner," he said smoothly.
"Oh, that's alright, babe. There'll be many more chances to see her," Felicia said, hugging Adrian's arm closer.
Anna stiffened when she heard Felicia. Many more chances? Not if she had her way. She would ensure she never appeared near them again if possible.
"Well, please excuse me, you guys," Adrian said, walking away without looking back.
Anna gripped her heart, and the pain came back.
"So Anna, have you gotten a place yet?" Felicia asked, smiling a little too brightly.
Felicia picked up a glass of red wine from the waiter that passed and took a sip, holding it a little loosely.
Anna grimaced at the question. She had found a place; it was run-down, terrible, and smelly. Anna had done a lot of work to put it into shape; now it was manageable.
"I heard Dad and Mum told you to get a place. You are old enough now, you know. You can't expect them to take care of you forever," she said, her tone mocking.
Anna had known it was too good to be true that Felicia was behaving nicely to her. She had invited her just to gloat, it seemed.
"I wasn't planning on that, Felicia. I'm thankful for all aunt and uncle have done for me. I have a place already, so you don't have to worry," Anna said, picking up her purse. "I'm going to take my leave now," Anna said. She wouldn't stay longer so Felicia could humiliate her more in front of the guests.
But as Anna tried to walk past Felicia, the drink in Felicia's hand slipped and poured on Anna's yellow dress.
The stain was glaring. Anna felt devastated; this was her best dress at the moment. She had been saving it for important occasions, and now it was ruined.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry, Anna," Felicia said. But Anna could see the small smile on her face. It was just like old times. Felicia was ever pretentious.
Anna actually felt worried for Adrian to be engaged to such a person.
"It's alright, I will leave now," Anna said, trying to leave.
"Oh, but won't you try to clean it, Anna? It looks ugly," Felicia said with obvious disdain.
Well, that's your fault, b***h.
"It's alright, I will be home in no time," Anna said instead of voicing the thought in her mind. Staying any longer was giving Felicia more opportunities to embarrass her.
Quickly walking away, Anna was glad to finally leave.
"And where do you think you are going?" someone said from behind her.
It sounded like Adrian.
This was not good.
