CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

YANA 

I fling the door open and barge into the room. I couldn't take it anymore, and just like I didn't want it to happen, I was really praying that I'd been hearing things, but here they are. 

Valeria is on top of Spencer, riding him like her life depends on it. 

They both scramble away from each other, and when their eyes settle on me, it widens for a few seconds and then Valeria expels a sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you knock, Yana?" She asks while pulling the duvet over herself. Spencer remains by her side, pulling the other side of the duvet to cover himself up.  

My legs wobble beneath me. My head grows heavy and I can feel everything turning over. I'm not going to entertain the dizziness in front of them and pass out. 

"You..." My voice chokes as my eyes darts from my husband to be and my best friend, looking unbothered like I didn't catch them cheating on me. On my wedding day! 

My heart clenches. I can't believe I'd been waiting all over there, all alone, while they had been together, making a fool out of me. 

"Is this the emergency you had?" I snap, before turning to Spencer. "And you? You missed our wedding because of this. You stood me up without any explanation and I catch you doing this on Valeria's matrimonial bed!" I shout, my body shaking as I try so hard not to throw something at him. 

"You dodged a bullet, Yana," Valeria replies nonchalantly, like she's giving me some sort of advice. 

I stare at her in disbelief. "Would you have rather gotten married to someone that'll still come back to my bed on your wedding night?"

My fingers curl into a fist. 

"Look, Yana," Spencer's voice pulls me away from my glaring contest with Valeria. 

I turn to him, my guts twisting. "I wasn't really interested in getting married to you. You wanted to force me just so you could get out of your parents clutches, but I actually think you should have just gone ahead with the arranged marriage. It's not easy to love you, Yana."

My heart shatters into pieces. That statement. The same words. The same thing my father had said to me ten years ago. My legs grew weak. The will to fight dissipates that minute. 

"And Spencer and I have been together for a year," Valeria supplies. 

My head bangs. A year? A whole year? He cheated on me with Valeria while she was married?

"We intend to get married next week," she adds. 

I stagger back. My eyes flashed at Spencer, but he didn't debunk it, instead, he pulls her close to himself. 

"I know I should have ended things before the wedding, but you were too eager about it. You didn't even give me the chance." 

My throat closes up. After everything I did. After pouring my heart and soul into everything. After disobeying my parents and running away. I bought a house for us. I solely covered all our ticket and wedding expenses. I should have known when he kept on claiming he didn't have any money. I should have suspected when he didn't seem interested in choosing our wedding clothes. But... I'd been so blind to all the red flags. 

"You... You're married, Valeria," I remind her. 

She shoots me a look. "He's dead. It's been over a month and I have the right to move on with my life. You're invited to our wedding next Saturday and..."

"What's going on here?" A deep voice booms behind me. I could feel his towering height behind me and with the way Valeria scrambled out of the bed, pulling the duvet over herself and leaving Spencer bear, it's evident the person is related to her late husband. 

"Luis..." Valeria calls slowly, and I turn to leave the room. I'm not going to be a part of this humiliation anymore and I'm not going to break down in front of them. 

But as I turn, my head hit a hard rock chest, sending me back. I lost my balance, but the person had been quick to catch me before I fall. 

I look into deep and piercing amber eyes. I can equate his eyes to that of a lion, fierce but regal. Almost like he can see deep into my soul. 

I pull away from him, take one last look at the traitors before rushing out of the room. Spiralling thoughts fill my head, but I try so hard not to break down. I'm not going to cry for a useless man anymore. I'm not going to cry for losing my best friend, no, worst enemy ever. 

But of all things, my heart tightens at the thought of my parents finding out what mess I made. They've always expected the worst of me, and this would give them more leverage over me. They'll remind me of how I make the worst decisions ever and why I can never do the right things without their help. They'll remind me of how I've never stopped being a disgrace to them. 

I can't go back home empty and broken like this. And I can't remain in this place knowing my almost husband and best friend acted that way without any remorse and are even planning to get married after standing me up. Going home and staying here, neither is good for my mental health.

The honk of a car breaks into my thoughts, and I glance at the car before stepping away. It took me a second to realise I'd been walking all along. I'm already on the highway and I've totally forgotten about hailing a cab.

I hear the car's honk again, but I don't even have the strength to look at whoever it is. I just walk away, but it wouldn't stop following me. I glare at the car before the driver finally rolls down his window.

"Hey," a voice calls. It sounds like one I heard a while ago. I glance over and realize it's the guy I bump into earlier. I can't even remember his name.

"Let me drop you off at home," he offers as he steps out of the car.

I roll my eyes, walking away. I'm not in the mood for any interaction. He might be another of Valeria's shenanigans. 

"Thanks, but no thanks." It comes out harsher than I intended.

"It's going to rain soon," he says and the lightning decides to crack at that moment, startling me to the extent of me jumping into him.

He wraps his hand around me, but the impact don't last long because I push him away from me. The rain starts drizzling at that moment and I let out a frustrated sigh. Just the perfect way to end the day.

"Will you come with me now?" He asks again. I bite on my lower lip, giving it a thought. I can't go home like a wet puppy again and the distance from here to my place is still a stretch. I'll definitely burst into tears when the rain starts pouring and I don't want to be vulnerable and start crying on the road. That would be the most pathetic thing ever.

"I can use a ride." 

He bobs his head and leads me to his car. He opens the door for me, and I try to force a thankful smile, but I just can't, so I just enter the car. I watch him go around the car before he settles into the driver's seat. 

Soon enough, he starts the car and we ride in silence. 

I don't know when we arrive at my place. A tap on my shoulder had announced our arrival and when I look up to see we are at my porch, I turn to him with wide eyes.

"How...How did you know my place?" I can remember I didn't give him my address. I'd just zoned out when I entered the car.

"I stay over there," he replies, pointing at the house beside mine and my brows crease. I didn't know someone lives there. Since we moved in a week ago, I'd never seen anyone. But I guess he had seen me at least once.

"Oh, thanks."

He nods. "You're welcome."

I turn to open the door, but his voice stops me.

"You want to get your revenge on them, right?"

I swing my gaze at him. His face hardens now, almost a replica of what I'm feeling, but nothing can quantify my feelings. I'd woken up the happiest person on earth that morning only to end up being the most pathetic and miserable.

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

He leans closer. "Marry me."

My heart stutters. I stare at him with wide eyes. Did

I hear him wrong?

"What did you say?" I ask, my tone shrinking.

"Marry me and you'll get your revenge."