"Lexi!" I look at her and run to her to hug her, she hugs me back. "It's been a while since we see each other. Next week is the first week of December and... Woo!!! I am gonna have my vacation! How's life huh?" I shrug my shoulder as she looks at me with I-know-you've-been-good.
"You, how's life?" Shane's facial expression dropped into a disappointed one. "Why?"
"My parents now know where I am. Unfortunately, all their bodyguards are all here in Manhattan, looking for me." She fakes a cry but I know deep inside, she's already crying.
"Didn't you made a decision yet? I thought Ayden is pushing you to surrender to your family?"
"If ever James found out about everything, I will be doomed. He will leave me."
"He didn't know?" I look at her shocked. She shook her head. "He won't leave you." I patted her back. I look in front of us and saw James was about to pass by while his gaze also roaming like he's looking for someone. "James!" I called. He looks at the girl in my arms and his face relief as soon as he found out who's the girl.
"W-why are you crying?"
"I-I..."
"You better fight for her if you love her. She loves you so much, and even if I am not voting for you to be with her. If you love her, fight for her." Shane looks at me in disbelief and James looks at me confused. "Her parents are on the hunt for her and will probably force her to marry someone. In short, she will enter arrange marriage life if her parents catch her."
James's face falls into an unreadable look. I scoff, "You asks why she's crying. She's afraid you might leave her if you know about her parents on the hunt to look for her and force her to marry someone." I pat his shoulder. He was still in his unreadable look. "I know you love her. I know you would fight for her."
I smile at Shane before going inside my brother, Ayden's house. As I said, it was just a small event. Just to witness Ayden and his girlfriend getting engage and I knew, for sure, I would be jealous of it. The three bodyguards that were with us went to their places near me.
I went near to my parents, Benedict and Jessica. They have their formal classic clothes. I smiles and went to them. I gave them a long tight hug as they hug me back. I missed both of them. Since the day I went to Manhattan to continue my study here, they never leave my head and heart. They were so precious to me.
"How are you?" Mom asks after breaking the hug.
"Good. Dad has been taking good care of me and I am studying business right now. You guys? How are you?" They both smiled.
"We're all fine," Mom said.
"Lexi!!" Ayden's voice rang before I could ask again. I look behind me to see Ayden running toward us. Mom and Dad also look past me to Ayden. That voice, I am raging again. I would never make it here if they were not expecting me here. I love him, I want to attend a very important event in his life, like this event but— if Shane is not the one he will ask, I lose interest. I've been dying to hear the words, asking Shane to be his girlfriend and wife from him.
"What's the problem?" He stops in front of me, hand holding my shoulder and one is holding his thigh as he gasps for air after running.
"My girlfriend's friend's car stopped in the middle of the way here, can you pick them up? I can't pick them, if I do, my plan would break."
"But I don't have a driver's license, brother and I do not have a car."
"I'll go there instead," Shane said in the back. I smiles and mouthed her a thank you. Ayden looks back at me then held my hand. Shane and Ayden look at each other and I see Shane passing him an assuring smile. I found something pain in her eyes, what's the meaning of it? She looks at me and smile before nodding and left.
"If that's the case then, come with me." My brows furrowed. Why does he have to tell things I should do? I am not a kid now who can demand something but what can I do? He's my brother, so I have to come with him.
He drags me outside the house to the backyard where he will propose to his girlfriend. My mouth went 'O' as soon as I see everything. Two boys are standing, more like hiding while holding a flower crown and also a flower. They had white, pink, and red rose. Oww, sweet. Then I see the that was on the table in the dining area, it was full of a red rose.
I giggle at the thought it must be for his girlfriend. There's a big heart beside the pool. I then see a divider with balloons and a paper with a 'Will you marry me' letter, but because it's now getting dark, and the light inside the house is the source of light we are using in the background.
I look at the back to see a light that was switched off. It must be the light later to light the sign. There's also a table and a chair in the middle of the pool, I smile. I knew it already, I am jealous! "Is everything okay? Is it okay? I keep on looking at the—" He asks way many questions and decided to interrupt him.
"It's all fine! She will surely love this!" I said, still amazed. My heart keeps on beating faster as I keep on staring at the image before me.
I want to feel this kind of event too but I want it to be private and not like this, his friends, her friends, and her parents and our parents are invited. Even my friends are invited. Even Hunter and James. When you're going to ask your loved ones, I believe, inviting anyone you know isn't making that event special but the love and the sincerity in that event and fewer people watching you will make it more special, that's only for me.
Hunter came to me after a minute of waiting in the backyard. Everyone was here already, waiting for his girlfriend to arrive. He wraps his arms around me as soon as he saw me and kiss me on the cheeks. He gave me a glass of water which I gladly take and drink all. Mom keeps on teasing us while Dad Benedict seemed a little hesitant and looks like he still not trusting Hunter since he's the first person to know about what he is doing to me back then.
But soon after, Dad starts to talk but a little sarcastic to Hunter but Hunter talks back, politely. I smile and let a relieved sigh. I keep on thinking and imagining Hunter in his one knee in front of me while opening a box of the ring and asks me to marry him with a sincere plastered on his eyes.
I let a heavy sigh, guess, that will never come true.
A minute after, Shane came back with a sassy face. I was about to go to her when someone went walking behind her with a wide smile. My jaw dropped after seeing the girl with her friend, Melanie, and Claire. The best friends since college.
What are they doing here? I look confused at Shane and desperate for her attention but she keeps on looking down and went far from me, she went to James. I grit my teeth before looking in their direction. Ayden's friend giving the flower crown to Melanie and soon the flower. I watch them full of curiosity. Melanie's friend went near Shane and there's 3 people in the middle.
I heard Hunter's breath hitched. I look up at him to see him clenching his jaw while looking at the happy Melanie. Why is that? Aren't they in a good relationship? My attention went to Ayden who's coming outside the house and held Melanie's hand while giggling and sniffing the bouquet on her grip. He turns her in our direction while Ayden's back facing us.
Just seeing her expression, I knew she was enjoying her moments. That smile on her face, they were touching her ears— the smile I barely saw. I have seen her with that smile when she's talking with someone on the phone and when Hunter gave her a present at our Christmas party back then.
Ayden took her hand and she gladly and happily placed her hand to his palm. His one friend went near them and gave the mic to Ayden. "We've been in a relationship for a long time now," he started. A soft song played in the background and I heard her friend, Claire, sniffing. Probably she is happy seeing her friend at this kind of event. "I know, we had a plan for our future and I said be ready because I will make you the happiest, luckiest person living in this world and this is the time." As he keeps on speaking, I can't help but get confused.
His girlfriend was in Canada last month, he said. Melanie was here for like a year now and she never went to Canada, I guess. My brows furrowed and my eyes narrowed at every move they will take. Ayden usher her in front of the divider and the big heart made of roses. I can't chuckle nor smile as the confused feeling was still high than the happiness knowing Ayden will propose to his girlfriend.
Ayden starts to talk again but I can't seem to hear what he's been saying. I became deaf and my eyes only focus on her smile. It was pretty, it doesn't seem fake. Her eyes say it all; she's happy. Does Ayden is with Melanie? How?
The lights turned on and light the divider I've been staring at since Ayden make me look at it a while ago. I watched every move Melanie would take, even her expression. I thought she would be disgusted because I know, she doesn't like to have a cheap event or decoration but no. The thing she did was beyond my expectation.
Her hand left his hand and went to her mouth as she gasp while looking at the word. Everyone cheered along with Mom and Dad, not because of happiness, they were gasping for air as if they just witness a person murdering someone. They both didn't know who was Melanie in my life. They didn't have to know. At least I have Hunter now. My furrowed brows straighten as I look at everyone's expression, they were focused on the in front of them with their shocked expression.
My curiosity is getting out of limits, but I still, calm myself down. I heard Hunter letting a small chuckle. There was a wide smile on his lips. As I look at him, my eyes fall onto Claire, she had a teary eye with an apologetic stare. Shane was a little closer to bursting in laughing. That's it, I am getting more curious.
I look in front of me and my eyes also fall in front of me. My eyes widen a little while my lips parted. Can you get out of our life? Was written on that board instead of will you marry me. What is happening? That board had 'will you marry me' words in it but why did it change that quickly?
I look at Ayden but all I could see is his back. I can't see his expression. I see him lifting his hand, which I think he's about to speak again. "I've been waiting for this day. You know the meaning of the roses that were on your head and in that bouquet," he paused. I was Melanie's eyes were getting teary but I never feel any sympathy for her. "I'll start with the white rose... The white rose symbolizes worthiness and reverence, I gave you that so you can remember to have it every day. You're lacking in reverence, I suggest you wear it every time."
I bite my lower lips, slowly understanding the event occurring in front of me. Though, I am still unaware why he had to do this with his girlfriend?
"The pink one, it symbolizes as thank you. I wanted to thank you for making my sister strong back then. I would like to thank you for everything you did, my sister broke down, my sister lost her strength, her trust for herself." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you forgot the one who you bullied for many years back then? You even told her to pretend she wasn't her and so you could pretend like her."
My eyes widen. What? Does he know it? How?
Melanie's eyes also widen. "My sister is strong that she fight those negative thoughts that were coming across her mind, she still stands up for herself but she went to the point that she lost herself and I thank you for that because she finds value and became stronger than before." Ayden turns around and his eyes fall to me. He gave me a sweet smile and everyone in that place look at me too. I look down, feeling ashamed and also proud to have him as my brother. "My sister is Alexandria, yes. So let's go to the red ones as I told you before, I thank you. Now, the red one symbolizes as well done and congratulation because you've reached your karma. You deserve this."
"You can't do this to me, Ayden. I thought you love me?! Is this how you pay me after what I've done to you?" Melanie shouts, totally loosen her grip on the bouquet.
"I never loved a b!tch like you and never will. What did you have done to me? You never do anything for me, I know the only intention you have on me was my money and title of being the girlfriend of the CEO's blah blah. Well, I can't tolerate such behavior like that." He looks at everyone around them. "This— you should've thanked me because I am not doing this in the public that many can see us, it's just our relatives. Tell me how's it feel to be treated like that, Melanie? Tell me," his voice turns into a stern one.
"It's hurt and embarrassing, right?" He asks. "You can feel the agony, right?" He paused. "What about my sister? Do you now feel what she had felt when you embarrassed her in the whole school back then? Many students laughing, watching you treating her like trash. I am very disappointed in you. My sister feels more than that. She starts to question her existence. You are using me, I know," he chuckled. "You're not the only one who's using me, I am also using you. Since I heard about what you're doing to my sister, I reached out to you and make a long plan just to take revenger on you."
"You're a useless man,"
"No, I am not," he giggles. "You are," he continued in a very sweet voice. "Now, I don't want to waste my time for you. No one will ever accept you anymore, if someone does, they are idiots who are just like you," he frowns. "So now, that I confess. Can you get out of our life? My sister's life? I've been dying to be free from you. You're an annoying woman who always wants to go shopping to buy expensive things, like every day,"
"For the last time, I don't want to hear anything about you. Hunter is for Alexandria only, they are for each other so stop being a slut and go get your man, you're lucky if you get yourself a responsible and kind man. Don't ever bother my sister because she will gonna be a CEO of Crawford's company."
My brows furrowed and flinch when Ayden look and walk to me. He held my hand and look at Hunter while Hunter just nodded. "Come with me, princess." He held my hand and I walk with him. He made me stand in front of Melanie who had just no expression on her face. Her make-up was smudged by her tears.
Seeing her state right now was making my heart a little ache for her. I felt proud to have Ayden and confronted her but I think this was enough. My mind was telling me it was what she deserve but my heart said it wasn't. Every people here doesn't deserve to be hurt but I think it was really what she needed but not what she deserves.
"Apologize to her," he finally said. He broke the silence but silence still surround us after his words. I and Melanie keep on staring, I know my eyes were saying I am pitying her and I won't lie I feel pity for her right now.
"Apologize," I shouted. "One sorry isn't sufficient to take all the agony, wound, and terrible memory you left me in those days. Be that as it may, I let myself realize how to pardon and allow it to slide. I figure out how to allow others a subsequent opportunity. My folks never neglect to remind me about being graciousness and I think my consideration was such a lot that you all chose to exploit me. I'm not mindful of my environmental elements since it will make my life so much hopeless. I'm making an effort not to retaliate because I accept, assuming I retaliate, life would give it back to me. It is smarter to allow God to rebuff who had cause you torment than retaliating. I could never pardon you for what you did. Notwithstanding, on the off chance that I never excuse you, the blame will after me. I'm not somebody who will constrain myself to excuse somebody. I might have a little contempt for you, I excuse you with half of my heart." I take a gander at our environmental elements.
"The entirety of this wasn't what you deserve. Mind what my sibling said however this isn't what you deserve yet your lesson. All individuals in this world don't need to remain in obscurity, everybody will without a doubt track down their light in their time. I will not anticipate a single thing from you yet you tolerating your error and make it right. I trust you had learned numerous things this evening." I bowed before her while she continues to gaze at me vacantly. "I trust you will track down your light and be glad," I say.
She narrowed her eyes to me while shaking her head. "You're still the ugly, weak nerd I know. Nothing will change." She said, gritting her teeth.
"If that's what you think after what happened tonight then we can't do anything to that anymore. Your fake behavior became your true behavior, I pity you, you should've acted like you, not others."
"If you think nothing will change then you will never change also. I get it, you want to be like me for the rest of your life? Then go, but don't you ever get what I have."
"Hunter is mine and everything is mine." I scoff, I look at my side quickly.
"Nothing is yours. True people always get what they want, what they deserve. Fake people won't. I won't tell Hunter is mine because he is his. Hunter is for himself." I heard a chuckle from beside me. "Since then, Hunter likes me. I sound like a b!tch here who wants attention but Hunter likes me more than you. Seducing someone just to get their attention and money wouldn't get your happiness, Melanie." I gave her my pity look. "Change yourself and mindset and everything will change."
"Are you okay?" Hunter walks close to me as I am walking near him. "Hey," he called for my attention once again. I nodded at him and smile painfully.
I may tell her I already heal, well, I am not. I am trying to be happy for my sake but what she did to me was still hunting me.
"I'm fine." I gave him my fakest smile. He was about to say something when Shane interrupt. Shane came towards us, she just gave me a weak smile. "I am still curious about what is happening here. You're the one who fetches the two of them. How? Is Melanie is Ayden's girlfriend? For how many years? For how many years did he decide to hide this from me? How did he know about Melanie?"
"Uhmm, actually it was me and Ayden's plan." She gave me an awkward smile while I glare at her.
What?
"When it all started?" I try my best not to lose my patience. Shane was there, biting her lower lips while uncomfortable making a small move.
"Uhmm—"
"We know each other for a decade now, Shane, and you wanted to hide something from me? I wouldn't force you to tell it to me but I hope you will tell me."
"You know I wouldn't betray you. It's just that," she paused. "I needed Ayden's help to explain since it's his plan. I just agree to him because—"
"You want to yeet her existence away?" Shane giggle, awkwardly.
"We'll explain everything to you but for now, let's go to our own houses now and had asleep?" I glared at her. "Yeah yeah, don't give me that glare. It feels like you're killing me in your mind now."
"I won't hesitate to make it come true if I still didn't get an answer from you both." She nodded and look at Hunter.
"Please bring her back now before she could murder her friend and brother, thank you." Shane clasps her both palms as she gives Hunter her puppy eyes. "Just be careful, don't say anything that can offend more or you will be the one to get murder by her arms, hmm?"
To be continued.